Indra Translations
Navigation
I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 3: Kill the Player (3)

Chapter 3: Kill the Player (3)

The‍‌ tutorial of ❰Heroic‍ Legends of Arhan❱​‍ was not made‍ to be cleared.⁠ It was a linearly designed story​⁠‍ meant to teach‌ the basic combat​‍⁠ method and the⁠⁠​ game system, while​‍⁠ also including an⁠‍​ encounter with one​‍‌ of the named‌ characters.

The​‍ tutorial quest consisted​ of an outbreak‍‌ of monsters attacking​ a magic carriage⁠​⁠ heading to Merkarva⁠ City.

There‌​‌ were 2 allies​‌ in the tutorial:⁠ a Grade 3 knight, Leon, and‌‍ a Grade 4 knight, Laura, who​‍ were hired as‍‍ guards of the​‍‍ carriage.

Part‌‍ 1 of the‍⁠⁠ tutorial was to‍ protect the people​​ with these two⁠‍‌ while waiting for​ the carriage to⁠ finish repairing.

It‌‍ was literally a tutorial to teach‍ the game’s system​ instead of focusing⁠‌ on the difficulty​​⁠ of the fight.‍

“Huu~⁠⁠ That’s all of​⁠‍ them. That wasn’t‍‍⁠ bad, kid.”

“Haha…‌‍ Thank you.”

“Mister‍⁠ Leon! Miss Laura!‌​‍ We’re done repairing⁠ the carriage!”

The‌ people inside the‍​‍ carriage were heaving‌⁠ out sighs of​ relief while the‌ driver reignited the‍‌‍ crystal that allowed⁠ the cart to‍‌‌ move in preparation‍ to resume their‍​ journey.

“Good.‍‍‍ Shall we go‍​​ back inside?”

“Ah,‍‌ I wanna hurry‍​ up and take​‌ a re—?!”

Now.​​ It was Part‍⁠​ 2.

– Guwaaaaaaahhh!!

A deafening howl shook​ the forest, as⁠⁠​ suffocatingly heavy air​‍‌ descended upon the⁠ ground.

“Laura!”‌‍

“I‌ know!”

The‍‌ two knights raised⁠​‌ their weapons and‍ stayed vigilant. There​‌ was something inside⁠ the woods.

Each​‍ passing minute seemed​ like an hour‍‍​ when something suddenly⁠ popped out of‍ the woods. It‌ didn’t take long⁠‌ for them to‍⁠‌ realize it was‍ an uprooted tree.​

‘So‍ far it has​ been the same.’​

“Dodge!”‍​⁠

The‍​‌ tree was pulled​‌‍ down by gravity‌ towards the knights.‌⁠‌

– Kuung!

They‍‍⁠ stumbled on the‌ ground while dodging‍‌‌ the falling tree‍​​ and that was‌​ when a monster‌‌‌ immediately jumped out‍ of the woods.‌‍‍

An​ ivory-coloured face, long​‍ arms and an‌ outstretched body – it was the‍⁠ Grade 2 monster‌‍​ with sharp claws,⁠‍ Beowulf.

“Kuwaaahhh!!”‍​

“Dodge!”⁠⁠‍

The‌‍‍ beowulf plunged at‌​ the guy who​​‌ was on the​‌ ground but was‌​‌ blocked by Laura⁠ who jumped in​‌ with her body.‌⁠

– Kaang!

“Kuhk?!”​‌⁠

However,‍⁠ Laura was not‌‍‌ strong enough to‍‌​ withstand the might⁠‍ of a beowulf.‍

“Hukk!?”⁠

While‌⁠⁠ still pushing down⁠‍ on the spear‌ that was blocking⁠‌​ its claws, the​⁠⁠ beowulf used its‍ other hand to⁠ strike Laura. A light swing of⁠ its arm created​ a not-so-light impact​ on her ribs.‌​‍

“Kuhuk…!”​

Her‍‌ body rolled across‍⁠‌ the ground. Seeing‌‌ his comrade collapse‍‍⁠ in one hit,​​⁠ Leon would hurry⁠​‍ the player and…⁠⁠‍

“Get​​‍ on the carriage!⁠​⁠ Run away to​‍ the city! I’ll‌⁠ buy some time!”​​

Here,‌​‍ the player would‌ share a few‌ words and suggest​‍ fighting alongside Leon,‌ but that was‌​ a meaningless waste‍ of text.

Without⁠⁠​ any hesitation, ‘he’⁠‍‍ rushed to the⁠⁠⁠ carriage and told‌⁠ the driver to‌ depart for the‍⁠ city, because there‌ had to be⁠​‌ no witnesses.

‘Now,‍​ let’s go back.’​⁠‍

Going‌‍ back, he saw‌‍​ the horrid claws‌‍‍ of the beowulf​​ sticking deeper into⁠ Leon’s aura with‍‌⁠ each strike.

It‌ looked like a scene straight out⁠⁠ of a horror‌‍ movie, to the⁠‍‌ point he would‌‍ have run away⁠‌​ immediately if he‍​​ didn’t know it​‍​ was a game.‍

“Uhk…​⁠​ Kid. R, run‌ away…!”

‘Shut⁠ up, ugly. I wouldn’t have come‍​ here if not‍ for the scenario.’‌

Inwardly​​ sneering at the‍⁠‍ devoted Leon, he‌​ pointed his sword.​​ The monster would​​‍ probably start facing‍⁠ him soon.

“I⁠‍ can’t leave you⁠⁠​ behind and run‌ away!”

It‌⁠ was when he‍‍ was decorating himself​⁠ with a few⁠‌ words, that the⁠‌‍ sharp claws of​‌​ the beowulf pierced‍⁠ deeply into Leon’s⁠‌⁠ neck. Then the‌⁠‍ monster’s violent gaze⁠​‍ turned around, looking‌‍ for the next​⁠ prey.

Big.‍‍

The⁠ monster that was‌ taller than 2 meters gave off‍‍⁠ an insane amount‌‌ of pressure by‌ just walking closer.‌‌

‘So‌ damn big!’

At‍​‌ the start, he‍ was thinking of‌ fighting stylishly with​​​ a sword but​‌​ he scrapped that‌ bullshit immediately. He‌‌‍ was most definitely​ going to change​⁠‍ to a mage‌ and carry around‌ a staff.

“Kuwaaahhh!”⁠⁠

The​‍‌ beowulf charged at​ him with a loud roar. Random‍‍​ sword strikes won’t‌ be able to‍‍ create any wounds​ on its body.​‍⁠

But⁠‌ like mentioned before,​⁠ this tutorial was‍‌ not made to‌‍ be cleared. It⁠​ was a linearly‍‌ designed story meant​ to teach the‌ basic combat method‌‍‌ and the game⁠ system, while also‌ including an encounter​‌ with one of​ the named characters.⁠

‘All‌​ I need to‌‌ do is buy⁠‍ time. And if​‍ after buying time​​‌ that ‘NPC’ really‍‌ does show up…​‍​ then I’ll admit‌‍⁠ this is a game.’

It‌ was then.

“Please⁠​ bend your back!”⁠

A streak of light​ flashing from the​​‌ forest struck the​‌ beowulf but the⁠⁠ beast reacted in‍ time.

“Kururu…!”‌

– Kang!

The​‌ sharp claws collided​ with the sword‍ as sparks flickered​‌ from their strike.​ Seeing the superhuman‍⁠‍ reaction speed of‌ the wild beast,‌ the owner of​‌ the sword strike‍ was flustered.

“It,‍‌ it got blocked?!”​

‘Luina….‍ No, Alicia Arden.’⁠

Her​‌ brown hair gently‍⁠​ touched the shoulders‍‌‍ exposed by her‌‍ revealing martial arts​⁠ uniform. Her meek‍‌ appearance left a gentle impression unlike‍⁠ her sister, and​ she was the‌​ solace saving the​ protagonist.

This‌‌‍ NPC designed as​⁠ the player’s classmate⁠‌ had a sword⁠⁠‌ as classy as‌ her beauty.

‘One‌⁠ of the six‌⁠ royal swords. Demon-slaying​ sword.’

It​ was the hidden‍ piece that could‌ be gained with​​ the activation of⁠‌​ her death event.‌‍​ And if Alicia​‌‌ Arden died…

It‍‌ would become possible‌​‌ to add Sword​⁠ Master Luina Arden,​​ a stronger character‌​ all throughout except​ for the hidden​ skill, into the​ party.

Sent‌ as the saving‍‌​ grace, the named⁠​ NPC was strong.‍ Since this was‍‌ to show off⁠​ a reliable party⁠‌ member for the⁠‍ future, she would⁠ easily be able​ to deal with‌ a same-graded monster.‍​⁠

But‍‍⁠ there was something‍ in this tutorial‌⁠ you could do‍‍‌ to change the‌‍‌ plot.

It‍ was a type⁠ of easter egg,‍ or a bug‌‌ depending on how⁠⁠⁠ you considered it.​‍‌

“You​ can step back!‍ I will deal⁠⁠ with the—?!”

– Stab!

“Huh?”‍‍

Alicia⁠‌ Arden felt a dagger stabbing into‍ her shoulder. She‌‍‌ couldn’t help but‌ allow the attack⁠⁠ because it was‌‌ completely against her‌​ expectations.

“Kuhk…​⁠⁠ Why!”

Blocking‌​ the claws of​‌ the beowulf that⁠​⁠ tried to attack‍‍‌ her regardless, Alicia⁠‌ staggered a step‌ back.

It‌‍‍ wasn’t a detrimental‍​ injury. She thought​⁠ it would be​ fine to deal⁠‌ with the wound‌‍⁠ after defeating the​⁠ beowulf.

“Ugh?!”⁠‍

But‌​‌ she suddenly turned​ dizzy as her‍​‌ vision wavered.

‘Poison?‍​⁠ How? Was he​⁠ waiting for me‍ to come?!’

It​​⁠ was by pure‌ coincidence that she‍⁠⁠ saw people getting⁠​ attacked by a monster. She was⁠‍ walking towards Merkarva‍⁠​ Academy for the‍​​ admission and coincidentally‌​‍ came across them.‌‍⁠

How‍​ did he know?​⁠​ Without knowing the‍​ future or something‍ how…

“There’s​​ the mutual death⁠⁠ event. Nice.”

One​‍‍ of the strategies​‍​ used by the⁠‍ veterans of this‍​⁠ game, which allowed‌‌ friendly fire, was​⁠ to kill the‍ named NPC with‍​‍ a death event‍‌ as soon as​‍ possible to take⁠ the hidden piece‌ and their post-death​ scenario.

However,‍ players were weak⁠‍‍ in the tutorial​⁠ stage. They would⁠⁠​ simply die after​ attacking a named​‌⁠ NPC during the​‍ tutorial from their‍ retaliation.

‘Thank​​ goodness there’s the⁠‍⁠ system window.’

After‍‍ using the inventory‌ to craft an‍‌ immediate debuff poison‍⁠ that slowly dropped‌ HP, he had‍‌‍ applied it to​‍‍ the dagger beforehand.‌⁠⁠

It‍ was easy to​‌ neutralize it with​‌ a first-aid skill,‍⁠‍ but that would⁠ be impossible during‌ a fight against‍​‌ a Grade 2 monster.

– Clank!

The⁠‌⁠ clashing sound of⁠ claws and the​‌ blade echoed through‍ the forest.

Even​‌​ though she was​‍ weakened from the‍​​ poison, there was​‌⁠ no way she‌⁠⁠ would lose that‌⁠‌ easily because named‌​‌ NPCs all had​⁠​ a card up‍‌‍ their sleeves.

– Kaang!

Upon⁠ perhaps realizing that‌‌‌ wasting time was‍‌ the worst option,​‌⁠ Alicia Arden threw‍‍ her body behind​ and sheathed her⁠ sword again.

“Calm‍‍⁠ down. Focus. Focus.‍‌ Focus.”

It​​ was coming – Alicia Arden’s unpolished⁠ secret move. As⁠⁠ a character publicly​‍ acknowledged for being‌‍ strong in the⁠ early game, her‍ skill was definitely⁠‌ powerful enough to‌‌ kill the monster​‍⁠ in one slash.⁠⁠​ Even though it​⁠ might be limited⁠ to trash mobs,‍​‌ it was still⁠‍⁠ a very strong​‍‌ skill.

“Kuwaaahh…!”​‍‌

The⁠⁠ beowulf ran in⁠‌‍ with a roar​⁠⁠ thundering across the​ forest.

‘Stupid​‍‌ trash mob. Running‌⁠​ into its own⁠‍⁠ grave.’

Alicia⁠⁠ Arden was in​ the perfect posture​⁠ for her battojutsu,​ to unsheathe her​⁠ sword in one‍‍‍ flash. At this‌ rate, she would⁠⁠​ easily defeat the​‌​ monster and try‌ to deal with​‍⁠ the guy who‌‍​ stabbed a poisoned​‌⁠ dagger from behind.​‌

‘That⁠ won’t do.’

He⁠​‍ threw a dagger​⁠ at Alicia who‍⁠ was posturing herself⁠‍ for the slash,⁠ because one small‍⁠ interruption tended to⁠⁠‍ ruin her skill​‍​ even in the‌​‍ game.

– Kangg!

“Uht?!”‌‍

She⁠⁠‍ parried the flying⁠ dagger with her⁠‍‌ superhuman reaction speed​⁠ but that was‍ exactly what he​‌ had wanted, because‍​‌ the battojutsu that⁠‍ was supposed to‍⁠‌ be facing the⁠‌​ beowulf ended up​‍ cutting something else.‍​⁠

“Kuraaaahhh!”​‌

Without‌ even the time​‌‍ to fix her⁠ posture, Alicia hurriedly‌ swung her sword‍⁠ at the plunging‍‌‍ beowulf.

– Stabb–!

The​‍‌ demon-slaying sword pierced⁠‌ through the beowulf’s⁠‌ neck. It died​⁠⁠ on the spot.‍⁠​

“Uhhk…”‌​

Alicia⁠⁠ wasn’t unscathed either,‍⁠ evident from the⁠ blood gushing out‍‌ from the side‍​‍ of her belly.​‌

– Flop!

She‍​ trembled from the‍⁠‍ poison and the‌​⁠ excessive bleeding before‌⁠​ soon falling on⁠⁠‍ the ground. Although⁠​ she was still‍‍⁠ conscious, her body‍ refused to move.⁠‌

‘No…‍​​ I have to‍ get up…’

She⁠‍ was dizzy. Her⁠⁠‌ body refused to⁠⁠‍ move no matter​ how much she‌‍ struggled. It wasn’t⁠ a deadly poison‍​ and was more​​​ of a debuff​ and paralysis, but⁠⁠ she would probably‌ die from bleeding‍ too much if​​‌ left like this.‌

“She’s⁠ not dying immediately.‌​ Is it slightly‌‌‌ different from the‌⁠ game?”

“Why…”‌‍‌

There​ was no value⁠ in answering the‌ question of an​​‌ NPC. Taking out‍‌ the demon-slaying sword⁠​ from the beowulf’s​ neck, he was⁠⁠‌ dazzled by the‍​​ gleaming blade.

“Huhu.​​‍ Jackpot!”

It‌‍⁠ was an extremely‌‌ strong hidden piece‍⁠​ even inside the⁠‍‍ game.

Although⁠ you would need‌‌‌ a special pair‌⁠ of eyes and⁠ skills to make​⁠​ the most out​‍ of it, that⁠ was to worry​ about later. It‌‍‍ might not even⁠‍​ be bad to‍ gather all the⁠⁠ hidden pieces to​​​ aim for 100%​⁠‌ achievement.

‘Ah.‍ You get exp​‌​ for killing a named NPC, don’t‍‌ you?’

He⁠‍‍ approached Alicia who‌‌‍ was on the‌​ ground bleeding from‍‌ her mouth. Killing‌⁠ this foolish little‌ bitch would probably⁠​ be even easier‍‍ than killing a stupid village kid.⁠​⁠

But‌⁠ the amount of​⁠ exp you gain​⁠ would be in​ a whole different‌‍ league.

– Thud!

“Uhk!‍⁠‍ What was that?”​⁠​

He‌‌ touched his nape​⁠‌ that was hit⁠​ by something and⁠‍‌ found orange powders‍‌ on his fingers.‍​‍

“W,​​​ who’s there…!”

There‌ was nothing like⁠​⁠ this in the‍​ game though?! Did‌‌ someone get out​⁠ of the carriage?⁠⁠‌ Was there someone‍ alive out of​ the ones attacked⁠⁠‌ by the beowulf?⁠

It‌ might be poison‍⁠⁠ – thinking that,​⁠ he immediately took​‌‍ an antidote out‍​ of his inventory‍ and drank it.⁠ The antidote detoxified‍⁠ anything as long‌‍ as it wasn’t‍​‍ a lethal poison,​ so there should⁠⁠ be nothing to​‌ worry about.

He⁠ stepped back with​⁠​ a gulp. ‘Hurry⁠‍‌ up and come‌⁠ out if you’re‍‍​ there,’ he shouted‌‍​ but instead of⁠‌​ a reply…

– Squeak!

– Squeak! Squeak!

What​ came back was⁠ the noise of‍ approaching monsters.

***⁠‍

I knew where the‍ tutorial took place.⁠ It wasn’t too‍ far from the‍‌ main gates of‍⁠ the city, and​ was a place⁠ I had been​⁠ to multiple times​‍‌ after the event‍ that happened there.‍

Although‍⁠ I did come‍ here, I had​‍‍ to admit I didn’t prepare anything.‍​ I had yet‌⁠‌ to craft a weapon at the​‍ academy and the⁠​ only thing in‍⁠ my possession was‍ a utility knife.⁠

But‍⁠​ if there was‌⁠ none, all I had to do‌‍ was make one.⁠‍

There​⁠ were two things‍⁠ I had to‌‌ do.

It​ was stopping Park​⁠​ Sihu from killing​‌​ Alicia Arden, and‌ killing him instead.​‍‌

‘Wait⁠ that’s…’

I was speeding through⁠‍‌ the messy woods​⁠​ when an orange⁠‌ mushroom entered my‍ sight. It was‌‍‍ a mushroom which​⁠​ was quite common​ in this forest.​‍‌

– Swoosh!

In​ the middle of​​ the sprint, I plucked it out⁠ and continued running.‌‍⁠ Taking out a coin purse from⁠​ my pocket, I emptied it and‍ threw the mushroom​ inside.

What​​ I had to‌ do after that‍ was simple. I pressed on the​‍ mushroom inside the‍ purse to mash⁠ it into a powder, and then‍⁠‍ picked up a pebble from the⁠‍‍ walkway to make⁠⁠⁠ it easier to​​‍ throw.

All‍‌ I needed now‌⁠ was a weapon.‍​‍ Although I could‍‌ use a utility​​​ knife, the range‍⁠​ and power of​ this tool was​ far too insufficient.‌⁠​

If​​ I had time,‌ I would have​‌ made a wooden⁠‌‍ spear or a bow, but time⁠​​ was not on‌ my side.

– Clash! Clink!

Hearing‌⁠ the sound that‌​ was clearly from​‌‌ a battle, I hid my presence​​‌ and approached to⁠ find a group‍⁠ of adventurers fighting‍ a beast.

“Guwaaa…!”‌‌‌

Beowulf‍‌ – it was​​​ the tutorial boss,⁠​‌ and at the​​​ same time a boss that was‍‌⁠ not meant to‍ be defeated. It​⁠ was the boss‌ of Part 2 of the tutorial‍ that was there⁠⁠ for the named‍‍​ NPC to come‌⁠ in and help‍ with.

The⁠ boss patterns were‍ quite limited and‌⁠ a veteran would‍​ be able to⁠ do a punching‌ challenge but a game was different⁠ from reality. Even⁠​​ I was trembling​​⁠ when I was‌‌ first killing a monster.

“Damn⁠ it… so it’s⁠​ today.”

If‍ it was tomorrow‌‍⁠ or the day‌⁠ after that, I would have been‍⁠‍ able to have⁠‌​ enough preparations but​ all I had​​‍ as a weapon‌⁠ was a utility‍‌ knife. And if⁠ it wasn’t today,​‌‍ I would have​‌​ been able to‌ save those people‍‍​ as well but…​​‌

“Uhk…‌​ Kid. R, run‍‍ away…!”

“I‍ can’t leave you​ behind and run‌ away!”

You⁠ are here.

Park​​ Sihu.

The​‌ only playable character‌‍ of this game⁠ and the protagonist.​​ My comrade and​​​ friend who I fought alongside with,⁠ for 3 years…​⁠‌ Even though I had it wrong‍⁠‌ the whole time.​

After​​‍ that, things proceeded​‍​ according to the‌ scenario. There was⁠​ a person who‍ came to save‍​ Park Sihu who​​ was single-handedly facing⁠‌ the beowulf. The​ granddaughter of the‌​‍ Sword Emperor, Alicia‍ Arden, was here‌‍ to save Park​‌​ Sihu from the​​ beowulf.

Now,​ this was the‌​ turning point.

Are‌‌ you the player​‌‍ Park Sihu I know of?

Or​‌ are you just‍‌ a righteous protagonist⁠⁠‍ of this world?⁠

I might be wrong,​ and I might‍ have to watch​ for the time‍​​ being… In fact,​​ maybe what I went through was⁠ nothing but a dream.

– Stab!

“Huh?”​​

That‍​‍ expectation was broken⁠ alongside Alicia’s stunned​‍ voice.

“There’s⁠ the mutual death‌‍ event. Nice.”

I see. So it⁠ is you. Sihu.⁠‍⁠

– Flop!

In‍​​ the end, Alicia‌⁠ collapsed seemingly in⁠ a mutual death‍ event with the​​‍ beowulf after a consistent interruption from​ Park Sihu.

‘It’s​​​ alright… Alicia Arden‌‍ isn’t dead yet.’‌‍

If‍⁠ I had a weapon, I would⁠ have ambushed Park⁠ Sihu and gotten‍​ rid of him‍⁠ already, but all‍‍ I had was​⁠​ a utility knife⁠⁠‌ which wouldn’t be‍⁠ able to pierce‌⁠ through the beowulf’s⁠​‍ skin.

“She’s​ not dying immediately.‌ Is it slightly⁠‌ different from the‍ game?”

A nonchalant voice flowed⁠ out of his​​ mouth. It was‌ his unique manner​ of speech which​⁠‍ showed zero respect‌ to human beings.‍⁠

『Who​⁠ knows? I don’t‌ think the kill⁠‌​ log was over⁠​​ 100k… Ah, three⁠‍ more and I’ll⁠⁠‌ hit 100k.』

I still remembered vividly⁠ how he showed‌​‌ off his kill‌‍‍ record.

Was‌‍​ Alicia Arden your‌‌ first victim? Or​‌‌ have you been‍​ a composed killer​‌ the whole time?​‍

There​‍‌ was no way​​‍ I could tell‌‌⁠ that, but what⁠‌ was certain was⁠ that he would‍ continue killing numerous‍​​ people as if​ there was nothing‌​‍ wrong with it.​​

He⁠ wouldn’t stop tragedies‌‌​ despite knowing they‍‍ would happen, and⁠‌ would instead instigate‍‌​ them for efficiency⁠​‍ or his own​‌‍ benefits. In fact,⁠ he might even⁠‍⁠ create tragedies himself.‌

I couldn’t let him‌ do that.

I will not let‌​‍ him do such‌⁠‍ a thing.

Picking⁠⁠‍ up the purse‍‌‍ of mushroom powder,‌ I threw it⁠ at him. He​ let out a flustered voice before‌‍​ taking out an‌‍‌ antidote from the⁠ thin air and⁠‍ drinking it.

He⁠⁠⁠ might think it​‍‍ was poison, but​​‍ he was wrong⁠⁠ because it wasn’t.‌​

– Squeak!

– Squeak! Squeak!

Dashing‌​​ in were beasts‍‌ as big as‍‌ humans with a horn on their​ forehead – they‌⁠​ were the Grade‌‌‌ 5 monsters, horned‌‍ rats. They were‌‍ coming after sensing‍ the smell of⁠‌‍ mushroom powders that⁠‌ were covering Park​ Sihu’s body.

“F,‍⁠​ fuck!”

I couldn’t help but‌‍ click my tongue​​ while hearing his‌ rough gasp.

There‌‍ were a lot‌​ less monsters than‌​ I imagined – three horned rats⁠​ were a lot​‌‌ less than what‌​ I had hoped​⁠⁠ for. With just‌​ three Grade 5 monsters, it would​⁠​ be impossible to​ kill Park Sihu‌ because he was​‍ still a player​⁠‍ regardless of his​​​ rotten personality.

“These‍‌ damn trash mobs!”‌​

– Squeak!

The‍​​ horned rats were​ bisected from the⁠ sloppy swings of‌ his sword. Because​ of the demon-slaying‌ sword taken from​ Alicia, the fight⁠​‌ was not difficult​​‍ for him in‌ the slightest.

However,⁠⁠‍ it did succeed⁠‍​ at grabbing his​‌⁠ attention. After carefully⁠ sneaking up, I checked Alicia’s state‍⁠​ before going up‌‌⁠ to the beowulf​​ who was dead‍ with its tongue‌‍​ out.

Alicia‌‍ was still breathing​⁠​ although with much​‍‍ difficulty, whereas the⁠ beowulf was completely⁠ dead.

I took out one​‌ of its fangs‍ using the utility⁠ knife when a rugged voice was⁠‍​ heard from behind.⁠‍

“Fuck…⁠ Who are you?”⁠​‍

“Being⁠ overgeared is pretty‌ overpowered indeed.”

Even‍‍ though they were⁠‌ Grade 5 monsters,‍ a newbie killing⁠‌ three of them​ in 1 minute⁠⁠‍ was definitely not‌‌‌ an easy feat.‍‌‌

Carrying‌ the beowulf’s fang⁠‌ in a reverse⁠​ grip, I turned​‍​ around and found⁠ Park Sihu glaring‌ at me with⁠ a ferocious look‍‍⁠ on his face.‍​

Soon,​​ his eyes widened‌​⁠ into circles.

“Korin‍​ Lork? Why are‌‍ you here?”

Even​ among the countless​‌‌ attempts of veterans,​ there had never⁠ been any tutorial‍ with Korin Lork,⁠​‍ because he was‌⁠​ a side character‍⁠ who couldn’t even‌ enter the party.‌

To⁠⁠ be frank, it‍⁠ was quite amazing⁠⁠‌ that he even⁠ knew my name.​

“Oi.”‌

“What?”⁠​

“That’s‍​ not how you‍ hold a sword.”⁠

“Huh?”⁠‌‌

While​​‌ he was dumbfoundedly​⁠ standing in place,⁠⁠‌ I kicked the​‍​ dirt up. It‌​​ was a feint‌⁠​ to block his‌‍ sight. Seeing how⁠ he instinctively swung​ the demon-slaying sword,⁠‌‍ it was evident​⁠ that he was​‌ a complete newbie⁠⁠ at fighting.

“You​​ bastard!”

However,‌⁠ the random movements‍​ of his sword​ were still able​​⁠ to block my‌‌​ approach. He was⁠⁠⁠ fast – his‍ physical stats were⁠ definitely better than‍​‌ mine.

“Die!”​‍‍

– Swoosh!

– Swoosh!

There‌ was practically zero⁠‌ swordsmanship in his⁠‍ swings, but the⁠ sword being supported‌ by his superior⁠ stats could still‌⁠⁠ be detrimental to​⁠ me.

Deciding⁠⁠ to sacrifice the​‌⁠ flesh for a bone, I stepped⁠‍ closer in as‌​⁠ Park Sihu excessively‌‍ retreated back.

“…”​​

He​ was being cautious.​‍ His gaze was‍‌ on my right‌‌‌ hand.

Even​‌⁠ though a beowulf’s‍ fang was indeed​ quite sharp, it‍​ was funny how⁠⁠ someone carrying a longsword was so​ scared of it.​‍ However, that was​ what saved his​‍‍ life.

“Good.”‍‌

Therefore,​​ I deliberately flaunted​‍ the fang by​ pushing it forward‌​‌ as he gulped‍‌ in response. He‌ must be thinking⁠​ of how he‍ would die if​​‌ this were to‍​​ pierce his neck.‌⁠

Good.⁠ Stay on guard.⁠ Focus on this​‍⁠ fang as much​‍​ as you want.⁠‌

Right⁠ as his wariness⁠⁠ was about to‍⁠ reach the peak—‌​​

“Wahk!”‍‌

“…!”‌

I shouted and he​ instinctively stepped back.‍‍ The fang was‌ as long as‍ a dagger and‍⁠⁠ wouldn’t be able‌ to reach him​⁠⁠ in time before‍‍ he recovered his​ posture, but—

– Sheeeek!

That⁠ was a big‌⁠ enough gap for‌‍ me to throw​ something.

“Uaak…!”⁠​

The‍​ utility knife I threw aiming for​‍‌ his chest dug‌‌‍ into his right‌‌‌ arm in the‌​⁠ middle of his⁠‌⁠ staggering struggle. I threw my body⁠​ towards him in⁠ the midst of‍⁠ his confusion.

– Bam!

Park⁠ Sihu and I rolled across the​​‍ ground as one​‌ cluster. In the​ end, it was⁠‍​ I who took‌​‍ the mounted position‌⁠ and after recovering‌⁠ my balance I unhesitatingly struck the⁠ fang down.

“Uaaahk…!”‌⁠‍

Thanks‌‌⁠ to his insane​ reaction speed, he​⁠ somehow managed to‍‌⁠ grab my arm‍ in spite of⁠‌ the situation and‌ we were placed‌​⁠ in a stalemate.⁠​‌

“Kuuh,‍‍ kuuuhh…!”

His​ eyes quivered seeing‌ the horrendous fang​​ in front of​⁠‍ his eyes. I was also desperate‍ in my own‍⁠‌ way so I tried to push​ the fang down‌‍ but he was⁠ stronger than me.‍⁠‍

“Kuhk,‌ kuuuuhhk…!”

Slowly,⁠⁠​ his hands were‍ starting to push‌‌⁠ my arms away.⁠‍‍ It was a matter of time​⁠ for me to⁠ lose in this‌ bout of strength,‍‍‌ so I held‌ my ground by⁠‌‌ adding my weight‍ onto my arm.‍​‍

“Hupp…!”‍

Lifting⁠⁠ my left arm,‌⁠ I struck my‍‌​ right arm down​‌‌ like a hammer.​

– Bam!

“…!”‍‌

It​​ went slightly off​‍ center but it‍ nonetheless dug into⁠‌​ his body. The​‍‌ fang that went‍ in and out​​ of his traps‌ was soaked in​‍​ blood.

– Bam!

“Kuhk?!”‌

– Bam! Bam! Bam!‍⁠​

– Stabb!

After⁠⁠‍ being stabbed multiple‍‍‌ times in his​⁠‍ chest and his‌ neck, blood seeped​⁠ out of his‌‍​ mouth.

“…!”‍

His‌⁠‌ hands could no‍ longer even grip​​ onto my arms,‌‍ and Park Sihu‍ began thrashing his‍ arms around as‍‍ if he was‍ in a deep‍‌ ocean. He swam‍‍‌ in the ground‍⁠ in order to​⁠ escape from the​​⁠ grasp of death⁠‌ but he started‍ to give up‌‍ soon after sensing‍​ his impending doom.⁠

Behind‌‍ the tears in⁠⁠ his eyes were⁠ emotions full of⁠‍⁠ rage and the‌‌​ questions, ‘why’ and⁠⁠ ‘how’.

But​‌​ there was no‌​ room for sympathy‍‌ for the human‌‍ called Park Sihu.‌

“Thanks.⁠⁠⁠ I was able⁠​ to become stronger‌​​ thanks to you.”‌‍

I had no regrets.​

That⁠​⁠ day, I killed⁠ a young beast‌ who would later‌ grow to become​‌ a monster.

***‌‍​

『System‍⁠ Error. Player’s Death.』‌
『Calculating the likelihood⁠ of the completion⁠ of the Main‌​‌ Scenario.』

……………‍

……………‌

……………​

『Reviewing​ the remaining enemy‍‍⁠ forces.』
– All the‍ main scenario bosses:​‌ alive

– Player dead at⁠​​ Level 1.

『1st‌‌ attempt at finding‍ the best option.』‌⁠
– Use the​‌‌ remaining energy to​⁠ load the backup​‍ world.

『Variable,⁠‌ Korin Lork.』
– Examining possibility.‌​

– Examining ideology.

– Examining suitability.

– Reviewing the play‍​‍ log.

『Re-establishment⁠‌ of Korin Lork’s⁠ identity.』
– Normal Side‌‌ Character.

->⁠ Named Hero

『Named​​⁠ Character, ❴Insignificant Successor❵⁠​ Korin Lork.』
– AAA Class⁠‌ Knight.

– Lifted the growth‍⁠‌ limit of Korin⁠ Lork (Normal) by⁠ 4.8 times. Final‍ Level: 87.

– Re-calculating the likelihood‍‍‍ of the completion⁠‌⁠ of the Main⁠ Scenario.

……………⁠‌⁠

– Possible.

『2nd​⁠⁠ attempt at finding‍ the best option.』‌‌⁠
– Succeeding the‌‍​ Player’s exp system‍ to Korin Lork‌‍‌ (Hero).

– Minimum backup in⁠ the case of‍​ an incomplete scenario.‍ A bare minimum​‍ will be applied‍ to the succession.‍​‍

『Sub-player,⁠⁠ Korin Lork, will‍‍ thus begin succeeding‍ the role of⁠‌​ the player.』

What did you think of this chapter?
1 reaction

0 Comments


There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.