Chapter 70 To Protect (5)

Content of the challenge varies depending on choice.

What? The story changed? How? His unexpected questions were soon solved by the mans words.

The curse on me is not definite. Its not impossible to let you live through today.

A ray of hope was also built on the face of the companions. But

However, I suffer a lot of pressure to suppress the curse. So prove it.

If you guys are worth it.

The moment the man looked at Yoon-seok and spoke aloud, a new message appeared.

Having been alone for a long time, he finds you interesting.

A person who can withstand his blow without fearing him. If you meet the conditions, you will have the opportunity to be his close friend.

The content itself was too specific for Yoon-seok to understand. The words that the man spoke with a rich voice and the phrases in front of him were so different.

Friend?

He said to prove their worth. Was the worth hed mentioned the prerequisites of becoming his friend? Yoon-seok looked at the man again, but his eyes remained empty and his form motionless. At first glance, he seemed almost transcendent, but he also appeared lonely for some reason.

James shouted at the man.

W-worth? How am I supposed to prove that?

Once. Just once is fine. As long as you survive my heartfelt strike.

That, that!

Jamess face turned dark. It was obvious that he thought there was no chance of surviving the Disaster.

Theres nothing to worry about.

Yoon-seok, who calmed him down and stepped forward, stood about five meters away from the man. He understood exactly how the current situation was going.

If I prove my worth, will you send them back safely?

Of course. If you prove it, I can suffer that much loss.

They didnt know what penalties would be incurred to suppress the curse. However, he could see his willingness to accept it if he found a friend.

All right, lets give it a try.

First of all, he asked his companions to fall back. He noticed there was no judgment mark above the mans head. At least he could tell that he wasnt enjoying the situation. He didnt know if he should be happy or sad about that, however.

It wouldve been nice if you can have fun today

He was particularly desperate today to have the additional abilities of the Judgment Sword. But like they say, take the next best thing. There was an increase in capability in a slightly different way.

You have met an enemy who is not a human nor a beast person.

Agility increases by +1 temporarily.

You have met a creature classified as a large species.

Strength increases by +3 temporarily.

The Arch Hunters Hunting Gloves were activated, and his body was strengthened. It was something he should feel happy about, but on the other hand, another problem had arisen. Lets say its possible that he wasnt a human or a beast-man

A large species?

He checked the man once again, but no matter how hard he looked at him, he was far from being a large creature. But then.

Flash!

White light burst out of the mans body. Then the man of an average human figure disappeared, and a Western-style dragon that only appeared in mythology popped out.

D-Disasters real identity wasa dragon.

His companions were speechless as they watched from afar. They were astonished to know the true nature of the Disaster, butin terms of absurdity, Yoon-seok wasnt the only one shocked.

-Here we go.

A voice rang in his head. He didnt know how, but it was clear who sent it. Yoon-seok gulped and prepared to receive the blow.

To Ladys Commandment, all attacks within the realm will be reduced by 1/10.

The condition also applied to Yoon-seok. Nevertheless, the consumption of energy was beyond what he couldve imagined. It took all of his energy to maintain it.

But he had a consistent thought.

How the hell does a dragon fight?

He could easily guess that it was far from a normal battle

But he couldnt imagine it. It was at that moment.

-Hell, Plasma.

Something similar to black horns rose on the dragons foreheadthat was the last thing Yoon-seok remembered.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kannas upside-down face.

Are you awake?

Yoon-seok sprang up.

Because of that, he almost bumped into Kanna, who was using her knee as a pillow, but he didnt have time to pay attention to it.

Where am I?

The place was pitch black. Hed stood up for now, but it didnt feel like he was stepping on the ground. Looking at something shiny silver in the distance, Yoon-seok was reminded of the universe.

This is my area. Im sure youve been to a similar place when you signed with Elle.

Only then did Yoon-seok realize the woman in front of him was Kanna Blitz, but she wasnt the one hed met on the mission.

The admin who contracted meit was you, as expected. But why did you bring me here? I see, I failed the mission.

Kanna smirked.

No, you didnt fail.

?

Seeing that face, it would be faster to show it to you in person.

As Kanna beckoned, the darkness receded and transformed into a new space. It was the forest he was in just a moment ago. There was a dragon called Disaster and Yoon-seok who was pointing a sword at it.

So this was what she meant by showing it. Yoon-seok focused on what he could see without saying a word.

-Hell, Plasma.

With a voice that sounded like a starter, a ray that looked like it would appear in a Sci-fi movie fired off at him. No, it was right to say flash. Yoon-seok couldnt properly see the beginning of the end.

Not knowing how to react, he only saw himself moving his hands to the path.

Whoosh-!

A flash of light that one might not even have time to react to. When it was over, Yoon-seok was able to see the left side of his body had been completely blown off. Not only his body but the whole forest was cut away in that direction as if it had been pushed by a massive drill.

The blow stretched endlessly. Yoon-seok was filled with despair at the spectacular sight.

It wasnt an achievable task from the start.

If he hadnt held his sword and dodged to the side, not only the other half of his body but his whole body wouldnt even have remained. If he had done it, he would have failed. Suddenly, Kanna asked.

Do you regret not choosing a sacrifice?

No, I dont regret it.

How come?

Didnt you say that earlier? The mission was a success.

Yoon-seok pondered for a while, answered, and then focused again on the replayed scene. Kanna smiled silently as she watched him.

Flop.

Yoon-seok in the screen collapsed on the ground.

Rick!

N-no!

Kanna, who was watching, ran and used sacred power to heal Yoon-seok. And, with unfounded courage, James and Wellington each took out their weapons and stood in front of them.

-Dont worry. Hes still alive.

After that, the dragon said nothing. In cold silence, Kanna only focused on healing Yoon-seok. Sooner or later, Yoon-seoks body was completely restored. It was the result of a combination of divine power and b Bloodseekers Ultimatum}.

-Call me when he wakes up. Its a close call, but he passed. Ill come to find him when the time comes.

When he saw Yoon-seok recover, the dragon said so and spread its wings, disappearing into the sky. The rest of the companions quickly returned to the carriage with Yoon-seok. Then they were on the road for two days while Yoon-seok remained unconscious, and eventually, they arrived at Jarisman Harbor.

That was the whole story after what happened.

Tak!

Kanna snapped her fingers. Then, the surrounding scene returned to its original form.

So, do you understand whats going on now?

Yes, I was lucky.

Kanna smiled at Yoon-seoks humble answer and bowed.

Thank you for letting me know that this ending was possible.

?

Okay, good. Then Ill settle the rewards for this mission.

Wait.

Yoon-seok interrupted Kanna. Somehow, he had a hunch that once the settlement began, they wouldnt have the chance to talk again. Before that, he wanted to ask her something.

Why hasnt the eighth-floor mission been resolved so far?

It was a question that remained unresolved and was packed in a small corner of his heart.

It doesnt make sense that it hasnt been cleared, given the final appearance of Disaster. Since half of them would be able to survive.

Kanna looked perplexed but soon nodded.

Itsits better to see it in person than to say it.

Kanna swung her hand in the air again, and the surroundings changed. However, the only difference was that it didnt reproduce a space in 1:1 size as before. It was like shed turned on thousands of TVs at the same time.

The same scene was not shown from At first glance, it may look similar, but all the members were different. Yoon-seok quickly realized that what he saw now was a replay of the missions that took place in the past.

-The spirit of Edenbahms mercenaries is truly extraordinary, and thats true!

All the scenes that began at the north gate of Edenbahm largely were the same. Unlike what Yoon-seok had experienced, some episodes went smoothly, but there were many episodes where challengers were formed to attack Kanna at night. Fortunately, Yoon-seok didnt have to look at the scene with his own eyes. The scene turned black as if the TV was turned off right before the attack.

As time passed, the blackened screen returned. Kanna, on the screen, was angry, crying, and resigned in disarray. And either way, the pack of challengers headed for their destination. The muted scenes only increased as the days went by, rather than shortening.

Something boiled within Yoon-seok.

Im fine.

If Kanna hadnt caressed his hand, he would have spit out curse words. Yoon-seok decided to endure it and watched until the end. Time passed, and it was the fifteenth day. There were only seven replayed scenes being played, and there was only one challenger left in Kannas camp, no matter where they looked.

The Only difficulty level can only be carried out by one person.

I see.

Aside from nodding to Kannas explanation, Yoon-seok had more questions. He couldnt understand at all. Although the number of people who came here was smaller than expected, most of them won against the heathens before the fifteenth.

Frankly speaking, things were going smoothly. Whether Kanna cried or screamed, it wasnt long before the mission neared success. There was even a place where the screen never went black. But why

Why was the Only difficulty not cleared so far?

The question was resolved after the encounter with Disaster.

-Choose who will die and who will survive.

If only two were left, it was a failure. It was over whether they chose Kanna or themselves. However, the challengers all responded the same, saying

-This woman and I will survive.

Elle, Wellington, James. They sacrificed these three. But

H-how come!

-Usually, the one who wants to live is the one who dies.

Disaster acted against what they had chosen. It was a surprising twist that even got Yoon-seok to drip in a cold sweat.

If I had sacrificed someone there

If that were the case, Yoon-seok would have failed his mission. If the dragon tried to kill him, he would never have survived.

Soon all the scenes turned black. A heavy silence sank over the void. Kanna continued in a sorrow-filled voice.

If there were just one person like you

She continued in an increasingly small voice.

Then, I wouldnt have to suffer for so long.

It was a deep sorrow that Yoon-seok could not handle.

Squeeze.

Yoon-seok clenched his fist, and he bowed his head.

He wouldnt even dare call it a small consolation.