-Whishhhh…!!!
The Ichthyosaur, having destroyed the bridge heading to Oksu Station, dove back into the water without any lingering attachment, as if it had achieved all its goals.
Should I say this is fortunate, or should I say we are in big trouble?
-Ring!
"…Mm?"
Just as I was lost in thought, a blue window appeared before my eyes along with a sudden notification sound.
"…Even number, bridge?"
Only an even number of people can cross the bridge, and if an odd number tries to cross, the bridge disappears?
I urgently looked around.
…Tch, of all things, there are 5 people here.
I had to think about whether someone had to sacrifice themselves, or if I had to kill someone.
"…Who would be good."
First of all, Kim Dokja is excluded.
His abnormal calmness is quite bothersome, but he is a good figure to keep close.
And I should also exclude Yoo Sangah, the Incarnation of the Sponsor who created this Even Number Bridge.
Then the remaining ones are….
"H-Hiiiiiik…!!!"
"…I-I don't want to die!! Damn it—!!"
Han Myungoh and Kim Namwoon.
Han Myungoh, who seems useless but is on the kind-hearted side.
Kim Namwoon, who seems useful but is on the evil side.
Who on earth should I choose….
"Grrrrrr—!!!
"…Annoying, get lost—!!"
-Seo-geok—!!!
Zombies were instantly separated into upper and lower bodies by 'Dismantle' and sent flying.
They didn't threaten my life, but interfering with my deep contemplation was extremely irritating, so I fired off 'Dismantle' continuously and roughly.
-Pa-ba-bat—!!!
One…, two…, ten….
Numerous zombies began to drop dead.
….
I wonder if the expression "drop dead" is correct for those who are already dead.
However, that is not what's important.
What is important is my heart, which has started beating abnormally again.
-Thump, thump…!!
It feels like my heart is going to burst.
Even more than when the Proof of Value scenario was in progress, or when the iron door shook roughly.
It's not because it's physically demanding. It's not because I lack Cursed Energy either.
Then, why on earth?
-Thump, thump!!
"Ku, kuhu. Kuhuhuk, kuhuhu…!!"
From somewhere, someone's laughter can be heard.
Laughter filled with euphoria.
It is simply strange. Such laughter in this serious situation.
But why.
"Kuhup, kuhuhu, kuhahahaha—!!!"
Why does that laughter sound so close?
-Goooo…!!
"Everyone dodge—!!"
"…!!!"
At Kim Dokja's words to dodge, everyone except me stepped back.
However, only I stepped forward and entered the swarm of zombies.
-Seo-geok. Seo-geo-geok—!!!
The reason was simple.
Simply to kill the zombies.
….
Then why am I trying to kill the zombies?
"Dismantle (解). Dismantle (解). Dismantle (解). Dismantle (解). Dismantle (解)."
I couldn't give a clear answer to this.
Just like how I felt it was fun to trample on scurrying ants when I was young.
Right now, at this moment, I was feeling joy every time I killed the zombies.
-Seo-geok.
-Seo-geok, seo-geok.
-Seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok, seo-geok.
.
.
.
"…?"
Was I firing 'Dismantle' continuously with only the thought of killing zombies in my head?
Something was detected within the Cursed Energy I had spread far and wide.
An aura of someone that could not be compared to zombies at all.
-Crunch, crack. Crack!
-Thud, thud….
"Kang Yuhyeon."
"…Ha?"
Slightly curly black hair.
An elegant handsome man with thin inner double eyelids, long eyes, a sharp nose, and a sharp jawline.
No such man exists in my memory.
Therefore, I do not know that person. But why does that man know my name?
"How do you know my name?"
"That is not important. What is important is, why did you save so many people when a bastard like you should have killed everyone except Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon?"
What kind of novel bullsh*t is this?
That I would have killed everyone else?
It was questionable. Everything he spat out. His words that reached the level of conviction rather than speculation.
"Whether I kill others or not, is it any of your business?"
"…Your speech is short. Use honorifics."
"Why should I do that for you? Even if you are older than me, your actions are unlucky, so I absolutely won't do it?"
"…If that is the case."
-Shing…!!
"I'll have to fix your habits right here."
"…Try it if you can!!"
The man drew the sword at his waist and rushed in at high speed.
But I can react to this much.
"Dismantle (解)!"
"…!!"
-Clang—!!!
For a moment, I couldn't believe it.
'Dismantle' fires invisible slashes. However, the man in front of me swung his sword and nullified my 'Dismantle'.
If that's the case….
"You can see it, my technique!"
"…."
It was the first time.
Although it has been less than an hour since I could use 'Dismantle', I never expected to meet someone who could cope with this technique so quickly.
This is trouble. It's dangerous. I must run away.
—Normally, such thoughts should fill my head.
"Kuhup, kuhu. Kuhahahaha—!!!"
"…!!!"
-Pa-ba-ba-bat—!!!
-Clang, clang!! Claaaang!!
Win. Kill. It's fun.
—Incomprehensible emotions were dominating my entire body.
"What, on earth is this…."
"Be careful not to get swept up. If you get swept up in that once…."
"…I know without you telling me."
"I, I really with that kind of person…."
The four people watching the battle between him and me expressed their impressions while looking at this spectacle.
But I have no time to focus on that.
If I let my guard down with this man in front of me, I will be the one done for.
[2 minutes remaining until the scenario ends.]
"…Tch, time is running out."
It was at that moment.
Suddenly, his movements became even faster.
"Kuhup!?"
"…."
Not only did he get faster. His power also became stronger.
If my 'Dismantle' and his sword strikes were of equal power just a moment ago, now I was starting to get pushed back further.
…Why, on earth?
"You did something, didn't you?"
"…!!!"
My question receives no answer.
Because, with that question as the last, the battle I thought would last forever came to an end.
-Thwack—!!!
"Keo-heup—!!!"
-Kwa-a-a-ang—!!
With my disastrous defeat.
"Kuhup, keo-heup. Ugh…."
Hit by his fierce kick, I flew back and was embedded into the wall, vomiting blood.
My head is even spinning, perhaps because I was hit hard.
-Grab…!!
"Keo-heup…!!"
"…Now, you must be ready to talk."
Sweating profusely, he roughly wiped the blood from his mouth and grabbed my neck, lifting me up.
I wonder if I'm going to die like this, but I don't think so.
Because, if he was going to kill me, he could have just cut my throat with that sword when I fell earlier. But now, he was crossing the bridge while holding my neck.
-Whishhh….
"I will ask one more time. If you do not answer my question, I will drop you here."
"…."
If he lets go of my neck, I will fall straight under the bridge and become food for those Ichthyosaurs.
Why is it? That should also be important, but right now, my head was filled with thoughts about why I lost to him and why he suddenly became stronger, rather than falling.
Was he not using his full power from the start? Or was there a problem with my technique?
Think. Why I lost, what I was missing.
"Who are they? Why did you keep them alive?"
"…."
In the midst of that, something came to mind.
The Coins I received when the scenario ended. What on earth are those used for?
The moment that question filled my head.
-Ring!
Suddenly, something floated before my eyes.
[Would you like to check the Coin Usage Help?]
"…Ha, sh*t."
"…."
-Thwack—!!!
"Kuhup!!"
"I ask for the last time. Why did you do it?"
The man's question reaches me.
But I have no time to care about that.
This damn system. If this were a game company, they would have been cursed to death for giving the middle finger to user convenience.
-Squeeze…!!!
"Keo-heup! I will…, talk. The answer to your bastard question…!!"
"…You should have done so earlier. So…, why?"
"…Because."
I grin while looking at the man strangling me.
Simultaneously grabbing his right arm that is holding my neck with a snatch.
"…You bastard, don't tell me…!!!"
"It's already too late."
-Squeeeeze—!!!
[Investing 4,600 Coins into 'Magic Power'.]
[Magic Power LV.8 → Magic Power LV.20]
[Magic Power Level increases significantly!]
[Magic Power is converted to Cursed Energy!]
[Cursed Energy amount increases significantly!]
"Cleave (捌)."
"…!!!"
-Kwa-ga-ga-gak—!!!!
His arm is being chopped up.
However, in that instant, perhaps judging that he should withstand my arm rather than letting me go, his arm wasn't sliced off like when I used it on the subway's iron door.
But since it must have been a fairly significant blow, his hand let go of my neck.
-Whooosh…!!
And because of that, having nowhere to step, I fell straight down under the bridge.
-Splash—!!!
As if waiting for this very moment, the Ichthyosaur opened its maw wide and prepared to eat me.
If I fall obediently like this, I will likely be crushed by that Ichthyosaur's sharp teeth and die.
Therefore.
"Dismantle (解)!"
-Kieeeeeeek─!!!!!!
I shattered its sharp teeth with 'Dismantle' and fell straight down its esophagus.
…I don't know his name, but if we meet later, I will definitely take revenge.
[Scenario Clear Failed.]