Chapter 20: 20

Chapter 20

Vera, whose appearance was similar to that of a hyena, was a crossbreed between a ‘gnoll’ found in the otherworld and a human.

Thus, she had developed various characteristics similar to female hyenas, and as a result, she was born with a cursed body that was neither man nor woman.

So Vera hated her body.

Not only did she hate the look of ‘disgust’ people showed when they looked at her, she was also afraid of the genetic diseases that she might develop one day.

She even thought it would be nice to end it all when she saw other children teasing her.

But she never gave up on her life. No, to be exact, she couldn’t give up.

Because the three friends beside her didn’t wish for such a thing to happen.

“Haha, Vera. I’m full, so you can eat this.”

There was the reliable Chow who was as brave as an orc.

“Vera. When you hold a sword, it’s better to relax your hand a little more.”

The trustworthy Gomin who was as quiet as a troll.

“Why are you so late? You have longer legs than me. Hurry up and follow me! Do I have to pick you up like this every time?”

And even the feisty as a goblin, Andes, who was warmer than anyone else.

As such, she loved her friends.

Thanks to them, she was able to endure the harsh martial arts training and overcome the fear of death each night.

She thought that this kind of life wasn’t so bad when she was with her friends. One day, when she was struggling day by day.

Chow, the oldest of the group, spoke.

“…We have to run away from here.”

“What’s up with you all of a sudden, Chow?”

“If we stay here…We’re all going to die.”

The information from Chow’s mouth shocked them. The rumor was that the research project will soon be suspended and they’ll all be discarded.

They had no options. So they decided to run away.

Late at night. Along with the sound of sirens, searchlights were lit.

And Vera, who was crossing a field, had the lights on her.

“Hak…Hak…”

“Vera! Run faster!”

“Hey, you idiot! Hurry up and run!”

She did her best, but she couldn’t keep up with the speed of her friends.

Since her feet were naturally bent like high heels, she was bound to be slow.

The distance between her and her friends gradually widened. Her friends were already putting their feet on the fence.

She gasped and called out to her friends.

“H-hold on…Let me join you…”

“Stop right there! You monsters!”

Behind her, laboratory workers could be seen right on their trail. A distance close enough for them to reach Vera if they held out their arms.

“I got you!”

“Kyaak! L-let go of me! Let go!”

Like that, she was caught by the laboratory workers. Seeing that, Chow jumped off the fence.

“This won’t do. Looks like I’ll have to go.”

“W-wait a minute, Chow!”

“Gomin, please take good care of our younger siblings.”

Chow charged at the laboratory workers.

Because of that, Vera was able to escape safely and cross the fence, but Chow eventually failed to return to them.

From then on, the friends were no longer the same.

Gomin swung the sword like crazy. Andes began to create something with his ingenuity.

And with their newly gained strength, they began their revenge toward the world.

They kidnapped officials who had forgotten about the past while living peaceful lives, and then tortured them horribly before killing them.

Men and women of all ages were brutally murdered if they looked at them with disgust.

Then at some point, other people who also hated the world began to gather next to them one by one.

The power they had grew stronger and stronger, and as it happened, their time for revenge drew closer and closer.

Then finally. The long awaited opportunity for revenge came.

Based on information they had obtained from someone, they planned their revenge against the Namgung clan.

“Everyone won’t regret it, right?”

“It’s fine by me…If I can take revenge for Chow.”

“Keukue, why are you asking us that? We can’t live long anyway.”

There were many elements necessary for their plan to succeed, but if there was something that could be said to be the most important, then it would be the barrier.

They needed a way to stall for time and broadcast Namgung Taesu’s confession to the world.

In order to install such a strong barrier, they had used their own lives as collateral to cast it.

And 12 hours after triggering the barrier, they were destined to die regardless of the success of the plan.

“Yeah…Everything is for Chow.”

“Right. For Chow.”

“Okay, let’s have fun! Keuhaha!”

They bumped fists one last time and began their revenge.

The barrier was triggered after confirming that Namgung Taesu was inside the hotel.

Gomin went straight to the top floor where he was located, while Vera and Andes took control of the hotel.

The operation went smoothly. The most important thing was to overpower Namgung Taesu.

And fortunately, he hadn’t brought many bodyguards today. If it was only this much, Gomin could deal with it alone.

It was as if heaven was on their side.

So, all that remained was to find the Heavenly Body at this venue. With that as the final piece, they’ll be able to complete their revenge.

It was definitely supposed to be like that…

The bleeding Vera held onto her fading consciousness and moved.

Shik–

She could hear the sound of a sword being lifted somewhere.

Turning her head, she saw the boy slowly approaching her.

“You shouldn’t let your guard down until the experience comes in.”

There was a shadow over the boy’s face. She looked at the figure and thought.

‘…I’ve always been late, but now I’ll be the first to die.’

So she felt relieved.

Because she’s not the last again. And her friends will be able to live longer than her.

Although she couldn’t watch the end to their revenge, she believed that her friends would do well on their own.

‘I’ll go on first and wait with Chow…’

There was a faint smile on her face. At that moment,

“Veraaaa!”

She heard Andes’ voice in her ears.

‘A-Andes?’

Why was Andes here?

He definitely said he would go up first and clean up the hotel…

Did he come down again for her?

Whiiiiir!!

Along with the harsh sound of an engine, Andes rushed at the boy.

A photon blade that had easily cut down the people here a while ago was produced.

Just as how he had jokingly said it was fun to dismember people, it was a destructive weapon that could split everything it touches.

At the sudden intrusion of Andes, the boy stepped back with a surprised look.

Andes began to push fiercely. Even avoiding the attacks seemed to be too much for the boy.

The thick walls were cut like tofu, and deep marks were engraved all over the venue.

After some time passed.

The boy who was frantically running away suddenly stopped moving.

“Hmm?”

After observing Andes, the boy grinned and laughed.

“What? It’s a miscellaneous mob that can’t even use mana. I was scared for no reason.”

At that moment, the boy’s body turned into a red fog and disappeared. Then, the fog began to dig between Andes’ steel suit.

“Kueeuak! Keuh! K-keuk!”

Andes’ painful screams were heard. And soon, the suit was released, revealing Andes.

Short height like a child and ugly green skin full of wrinkles.

The boy appeared in front of Andes again. He held Andes of a similar size with one hand and lifted him up.

“Let go of me! Let go of me you bastard!”

It wasn’t a modified sound made by a machine, but a whiny voice like an elementary school student.

“Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!”

Tuk–Tuk–

Andes hit and scratched the boy hard with his short limbs. But just like a young child playing a joke, there seemed to be no damage to him.

He could see the boy’s expression. He was smiling brightly.

At that moment, he knew what he was thinking. Squeezing out his remaining energy, he shouted.

“N-no…P-please…”

Swish–

Andes’ voice disappeared. And,

Thud–

His head rolled in front of Vera. She could see his visibly angry face in his last moment.

“An…des…”

And then there was a shadow above her. The boy with blood on his face slowly lifted his sword.

When she saw it, rather than thinking of her own death, she recalled her friend who was in danger. And, the thought that once they die, the barrier will disappear.

“Go…min…please…”

Vera prayed that her voice would reach him.

And so, the blade of a sword fell over her.

* * *

[Level has risen.]

[Level has risen.]

[Level has risen.]

[You’ve reached level 22.]

[Gained a Fragment of Growth.]

[Synthesis function unlocked.]

[Gained a Skill Selection (Low) for reaching level 20.]

“I’m finally over level 20.”

I smiled as I looked at the messages in front of me. I didn’t gain a Skill Selection for reaching level 15, but I was able to get one by reaching level 20 in just a few days.

What’s more important than anything else is that I can use Synthesis from now on. In other words, useless skills and items can be recycled.

This was more like it.

The moment I was reveling in the new function, a deafening cheer came from somewhere.

“Waaaaa!!!”

“W-we’re alive! We’re alive!”

With the death of the terrorists, those lying on the floor stood up and shouted.

Then they went wild as they ran onto the stage where I was standing.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

“I’ll never forget this grace. Thank you so much…”

“Choi Noah! Choi Noah! Choi Noah!”

I felt like I was a rock star being cheered like this while naked.

Come to think of it, it’s similar to how people would go wild for heroes.

At this moment, for the first time in the second round, I realized that I was in a hero-like situation.

What do they usually say in these kinds of situations?

After fumbling through my memory for a while, I was able to remember what those guys used to say often.

I approached one of the corpses and held up a head with both hands. As blood dripped down, I spoke.

“Everyone! You can stop worrying now! I’ve cleaned up all the dangerous villains!”

“W-waaaah.”

Hmm? What’s this? Was it just my feeling that their voices somehow sounded less enthusiastic than before?

It was a little far from what I expected, but it wasn’t that important, so I decided to move on.

I have to head up and catch the other terrorists now.

And I’ll likely be using my skills again soon, so I thought it would be easier to just keep my clothes off and head up.

I packed my clothes that fell on the floor into my inventory and headed to the stairway.

At that moment, someone’s voice came from behind my back.

“Wait! Where are you going now?”

When I turned my head, I saw Eugene looking at me. Why is he pretending to be close all of a sudden? I gave the punk an indifferent answer.

“There are still terrorists left.”

The rowdy crowd immediately turned silent. Was it because they thought their nightmare wasn’t over yet?

Eugene looked at me with a stiff expression.

“…Don’t tell me you’re going to deal with them alone?”

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“Yes.”

“T-that’s reckless! We’re still young children who need to be protected by adults. Why are you trying to overdo it? Understand the situation!”

He suddenly got mad at me. And as if agreeing with him, some older people below began to dissuade me.

“T-that’s right, Noah. Do you really need to overdo it?”

“T-that’s right! Why don’t you just stay here and protect us? Why do you want to take risks?”

Now I understand. In the end, they wanted me to protect them because they were worried about themselves.

I became annoyed for the first time in a long time. My expression hardened without me even realizing it.

“It’s something I naturally have to do.”

Only then can I get the reward.

In that sense, the people around me lowered their heads and it fell into a solemn atmosphere. Eugene, who stood in front of me, looked at me with a shocked expression.

I left them alone and went down the stage.

Then, Eugene belatedly began to chase after me.

“W-wait! T-then, I’ll come too. I’m capable of protecting myself.”

What’s up with this punk? I should have killed him earlier. He was now thinking of sticking to me and stealing my experience.

I firmly told him.

“I don’t need it. On the contrary, it’s annoying, so don’t ever follow me.”

“B-but…I…”

Eugene was about to say something, but soon stopped. Then after a moment, he began to unbutton his top shirt as if he had decided something.

The white nape of his neck was revealed. And around it was an old-fashioned pendant with a wolf motif engraved on a red background.

He took off the pendant and handed it over to me. I glanced at the pendant he had given me.

“What’s this?”

“…It’s a precious artifact left by my mother. It’ll be able to save your life at least once.”

Why was he giving this to me? But since he’s giving to me, I decided not to refuse.

Classification: Accessories

Grade: A

Description: Proof of successor to the Crohart Empire.

*Significantly increase physical strength and mana recovery.

* – Accelerates thinking and improves dexterity [5/5] (12 hours recharge cycle).

* – Nullify any attack once [1/1] (3 days recharge cycle).

Ooh…

What the punk had handed over was an A-grade item. My eyes became glued to the dazzling options attached to it.

Up till this point I hadn’t liked this punk. I’ll have to add him to my friend list in my heart from now on.

“Thank you, I’ll cherish it.”

“I’m not giving it to you! I’m just lending it to you!”

“Hmm… Really?”

“It’s no use even if you give me that sad look. So, you…must! You have an obligation to come back alive and return it to me.”

“Well, okay.”

“And once you come back, I want to ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Y-you don’t need to know now! After…I’ll tell you.”

I hung the pendant he handed to me around my neck. I still didn’t like his tone, but I could fully forgive him because he was a precious friend who had given me an A-grade item.

“B-but…How come you’ve been dressed like that since earlier?!”

Eugene blushed while looking at my body.

That gaze somehow felt suspicious.

Is he…gay?

I see. Everything matches when I think about it.

It seemed that this punk is gay. And I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t make friends with gays.

There’s no exception to this rule, even if I’m given an A-grade item.

I deleted him from my heart.

With the punk erased, I headed out of the venue.

* * *

The senior counterterrorism investigator hasn’t been able to take her eyes off the tablet for a while. Other investigators were also looking at the screen from behind her.

“D-does this make sense?”

“Who the hell is this kid?”

Investigators were clamoring around her and talking. Listening to their conversations, she recalled the boy she had just seen.

‘This fellow…’

A young child who appeared to be only an elementary school student subdued the villains who appeared to be at least C-class or higher.

And two villains at that.

But it wasn’t his overwhelming strength that truly shocked her.

It was the boy’s nature.

He had cut off the heads of the villains with an expression like that of a young child tearing off the wings of an insect.

Having raised a daughter, she was well aware. Children of that age could already understand the concepts of killing and death.

‘So…Why did he kill them without hesitation?’

She has experienced many horrific crime scenes, but somehow, she felt like she was going to be nauseous at this moment.

‘Something’s wrong with this.’

According to criminal psychology, there are cases where guilt disappears momentarily when your life is threatened.

Nevertheless, the boy was too calm.

She thought perhaps the boy didn’t even realize that a great evil was being born in him.

‘If…if that’s really the case, what should I do?’

While Kim Taehee was thinking about the child, the boy suddenly moved.

‘Where is he going in this situation?’

She looked at the screen nervously. He’s not going to attack the citizens, is he?

Then, as if answering her question, the child spoke.

— There are still terrorists left.

‘What does it matter if there are still terrorists left? No way, was he going to solve the case himself?’

“No! That’s reckless!”

She unconsciously shouted even though it couldn’t have been heard over the screen.

No matter how talented a hero is, all it takes is a bullet from a blind spot to die.

‘Damn! He’s still young and drunk on his own strength!’

She has seen it countless times. Those who wield power without any experience because they had awakened a powerful ability.

And their demise was always miserable. She thought the boy fit the profile.

But soon, she felt like she was hit on the head with a hammer when the boy’s next words were heard.

— It’s something I naturally have to do.

Something he naturally has to do. That’s right.

If someone is dying next to you, it’s natural to save them. That was human instinct and the driving force behind humanity’s development.

It was the content that appeared in the first chapter of hero studies.

She had seen it countless times while preparing for the hero test, but she has never thought about it on the field.

However, a young child who wouldn’t have even read the introduction to heroism was telling such a fact so naturally.

‘This…Why did I doubt this child…?’

Guilt flooded in.

Even though she has been in the field for so many years, it seems that she still doesn’t have a good eye for people. She let out a sigh and lowered her head.

At that moment. The deputy shouted.

“C-chief Kim! The barrier is disappearing!”

“What?”

Kim Taehee quickly turned her head.

Then, as the deputy had said, the barrier surrounding the hotel was blurring little by little.

She jumped up and ran in front of the barrier. Looking closely, she could see that the thickness was significantly thinner than before.

So she activated her ability and struck it. Then, a clear crack appeared on the robust barrier.

‘If it’s this much…’

Kim Taehee began hitting the barrier at a high speed. And in a little bit.

Crack–

The barrier that was blocking them shattered and disappeared. Seeing that, she shouted loudly.

“We’re revising the plan! Those who haven’t awakened their abilities are to wait here and support. The rest of you follow me closely!”

Kim Taehee quickly rushed into the hotel. Ten investigators also followed after her.

She ran straight to the venue where the boy was.

‘Please don’t do something reckless…’

This wasn’t the time for a child to step up. It was something left up to the adults. Everyone has their role.

‘I can’t let a young child bear the responsibility alone.’

Boom–!

The door to the venue opened like it was going to break.

Then, she saw the citizens standing in a solemn atmosphere with their heads down.

She abruptly shouted.

“The kid! Where did the kid go?”

Everyone avoided her gaze and failed to give a proper answer. As such, it was a beautiful child with silver blue hair who approached her.

“He has already gone upstairs.”

“Fuck!!”

At the same time as she said that, she kicked the door of the venue again and ran out. And in her mind, she desperately prayed for the child’s safety.

‘Wait a little bit…I’ll be there to save you soon.’

* * *

“Ah! This!”

What had dropped from the terrorist I had just killed was an old hwando.

The attacks were strangely sharp for something without mana, so I thought there must have been a reason for it.

I can’t believe such a rare item dropped from a miscellaneous mob.

Classification: Sword

Grade: E (Damaged, C)

Description: Hwando grown in the hands of goblins. (It’s permanently damaged)

*The more blood it soaks up, the more demonic energy is emitted from the sword. (Effect: Sharpness increases).

*This effect was lost due to being damaged.

*This effect was lost due to being damaged.

It was a sword with a very good option. I preferred such intuitive weapons over ones with minor effects.

Hmm…I like it, but the durability isn’t that great.

The sword itself was a wonderfully well-made hwando. However, I don’t know if it’s because it’s an old weapon, but there was serious damage here and there.

I thought it was likely to break after a few uses. My only choice was to use it as a trump card.

But…a perfect opportunity had just come.

I took an item out of my inventory.

Classification: Clothing

Grade: D

Description: Tough and sturdy socks.

*Can’t get wet.

*Can’t rip.

*Can’t be soiled.

It was finally time for this thing to shine.

If I were to transfer the effect of ‘can’t rip’ from these socks to the weapon, a similar option will be attached.

As expected, there were no bad items in this world.

I activated the new Synthesis menu. And then I put in and .

[There are up to 5 available option slots for .]

[Please select the options you want.]

“There are five slots for this?”

This sword seems to be a much better treasure than I had thought.

However, I didn’t have enough items to fill this treasure right now. So it would be a waste to just put in a few items and waste the precious slots.

As soon as I was agonizing over it, a brilliant idea came to mind.

“Ah! Why didn’t I think of that?”

I took off the pendant hanging around my neck. I can’t believe I had forgotten about this bad boy. I placed the pendant into the Synthesis window.

[Do you wish to Synthesize these items?]

[The original items cannot be reverted once synthesized.]

“Synthesize.”

I pressed the synthesis button without hesitation.

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Then, along with a dazzling light, a new item revealed itself.

“Heuheu…good.”

And…Seeing it, I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

== Translator’s Note ==

1. Please report any typos, grammatical/spelling errors, sentences you find weird, and other etc…in the comment section.

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