5 – Resolution
Taking advantage of the momentary calm, I used exploration magic to survey the surroundings. As if laying out a spider’s web, assassins were densely deployed around us. I wondered what this girl had done to provoke so many people to make such an effort to kill her.
I was able to find a place where there were fewer people, and I cast a barrier around the area before letting out a sigh.
“I’m glad I can use magic to this extent.”
Even though I had come to a different world with limitations on mana and magic, the foundation itself was that of an Archmage, so I could do almost anything.
For example, even if I could only use 1% of my assets, if my capital was 10 billion, I could still use 100 million. My situation was similar.
But the problem was when I encountered a real strong opponent. Currently, high-level magic was completely unusable and even the warp function was disabled. I didn’t have proper weapons or any troops, so if I were surrounded, I would quickly become a corpse. There might even be someone with skills comparable to mine among the enemies.
Even if I could kill 100 people, it would mean nothing if I died from a sword strike from the 101st enemy. It was necessary to have a clear understanding of the enemy’s power, their training, approximate combat capabilities, and the reason for their attack.
So, I used my mana to create a safe space where sound wouldn’t escape and even the scent would be concealed.
“But it won’t be easy to maintain this for long.”
In a situation that could turn into a long battle, wasting mana unnecessarily should be minimized. However, this is necessary.
I took out one of the elixirs I had brought and handed it to her.
“Please eat it quickly. It’s an elixir. Just in case you’re suspicious, it’s like a panacea that heals all wounds. Since you can tell if I’m lying anyway, there’s no need to doubt, right?”
As killer observed my lips intently, she nodded and accepted the elixir, gulping it down. And before long, her wounds disappeared like melting snow, and her pale complexion began to brighten.
“This can’t be real…”
Like a primitive person who discovered fire, she widened her eyes and touched her body all over. Her tattered arms and legs, and her blurry vision, all completely healed. Looking at her, I asked a question.
“I know that elixirs exist in this novel too. Haven’t you ever tried using one?”
“I have, but… It’s too expensive, and it’s a symbol of the powerful. People like me can’t even afford to see it, even if they have money.”
“Why are you suddenly using polite language and all that?”
As if I was annoying her, killer replied.
“It’s because I owe you a debt. If it weren’t for you, I would have died.”
The advantages of civilization are so convenient. With just a single potion, it can change a person’s personality. It’s momentarily astonishing. Looking at her, I asked a question.
“I’m going to ask you a few questions now. Can you answer comfortably?”
By now, even if I used informal language blatantly, she wouldn’t say anything. But a person of intelligence does not engage in such rude behavior.
“You can do as you please.”
With killer’s permission, our relationship suddenly reversed. I corrected my foolish tone and began to speak seriously, lowering my voice. From now on, it was a crucial part where our lives were at stake.
“Why do your enemies want to kill you?”
Killer hesitated.
“I’m not particularly interested in your personal history, but this information is far more important than the enemy’s forces. If we can understand the reason for their attack, we might find a way to stop it.”
There would be no better outcome than being able to send the enemy away without engaging in battle. But then, a despairing response came from the girl.
“They will never give up and go back… I killed the illegitimate son of the leader of a notorious band of plunderers, and they are chasing me for revenge.”
A sigh escaped naturally. I didn’t ask why she killed him; such a stupid question wouldn’t help me survive. If they could be persuaded by arguments, they wouldn’t have resorted to forming a band of plunderers. So, the cause is meaningless.
“Darn it… The situation isn’t good.”
This place is the setting of a novel called ‘The Cruel City Bathed in Blood’. The number of members in the band of plunderers varies, but generally, it is at least dozens. Among them, there are undoubtedly those who are accompanied by quite capable magicians. Furthermore, the larger the group’s influence, the larger the number of members. In this absurd world, the plunderers who take things from others are incredibly powerful.
I knew that there were many guys trained to a high level in the upper echelons, and above all, the battlefield was a space that was highly disadvantageous for me.
“If only there weren’t restrictions on advanced magic… Or even if I could use only 10% of my mana, I could kill them all with my sword and aura.”
Leaving my regrets behind, I asked for more specific information.
“What is the exact number of enemies?”
“I’m not exactly sure. But at least 30 or more… It won’t be more than 100, no matter how many.”
If the band of plunderers is divided into small, medium, and large groups, a group of less than 100 members belongs to the ‘medium’ category. Although I avoided the worst-case scenario, they might not be easy opponents. Above all, the presence of magicians is important.
“What are the enemies armed with? Are there any magicians?”
“They generally use the same memorization technique as me. There are no magicians… probably…”
“Are you sure they don’t exist? Or are you saying they might not exist?”
“To be honest, I can’t say for sure.”
I listened to her words and fell into thought.
“This doesn’t make sense, no matter how much I think about it.”
She came here to capture the damn killer right next to me, and she even provided the reason. In the current situation, where I can’t fully demonstrate my abilities due to the penalty of crossing over to another world, it felt incredibly irrational to risk my life. Even if I killed all those damn bastards, what would be left for me? It was an unfair situation with only risks and no rewards.
As I remained silent for a moment, she seemed to sense my unease and spoke with a hint of anxiety.
“Now that I’ve recovered, if you help me, there’s a good chance we can win.”
Her eyes, which had looked lifeless like frozen fish eyes just a moment ago, began to regain their vitality. No matter how tough she pretended to be, she was still human. Wasn’t it true, even with the posts she wrote on the bulletin board under the name “killer”? Singing songs on the bulletin board, saying she wanted to keep living even while being chased by assassins.
Perhaps leaving hundreds of posts and comments on the internet was her way of leaving a testament. After all, the posts left on the malicious board would never be erased and would remain in the database forever.
“I have a chance to win. I’m much stronger than you think.”
Even with injuries all over her body and in a situation where she couldn’t eat properly, if she was surrounded, she might have given up. But now she had allies and her body was fully healed. The desire to live must have resurfaced.
“We might be able to win. If the enemies are just guys who use swords.”
Choi Yebin closed her mouth as if she understood what was being said.
“If they have multiple wizards, they won’t approach us but attack from a distance. The more there are, the more disadvantaged we’ll be. Eventually, I’ll have to risk my life. They’ll probably target me first.”
Unless it was a fool, it was only natural to target the wizards in battle. Moreover, in this confined space, the use of fire magic was restricted, and the use of other area-effect magic had to be done carefully. If I made a mistake, I could be hit by my own magic.
I was heavily constrained, while the other side clearly had no reason to aim at anyone other than me. It was difficult to find a reason to risk my life for something that had no benefits. It might seem too materialistic, but isn’t everyone like that? I wanted to go safely.
That’s why I hinted at it.
“If things go well, I might be able to hold out here alone for about 24 hours.”
The moment I successfully escaped once. Besides fighting the enemies, I also had the option to stay here. If I used concealment magic, I might be able to hold out alone for about 24 hours. I sincerely thought so.
“If things don’t work out, I can fight them when the time comes.”
I had two choices, and I wanted to choose the safer one.
“I can’t go with you.”
Right after I said that, I cautiously began to gather mana in my body. It was in case the girl in front of me tried to thrust a knife at me or threaten me. It may seem cruel, but that’s reality. In real life, pretty girls don’t save you without any cost. Even in the novel I possessed, when they were cornered, many of them chose to fight together and I killed all of them. That’s what women are like. And even if the adjective “pretty” is added, it won’t change my actions.
“I understand.”
However, contrary to my concerns, she began to free herself from the magic I cast on her.
“…”
“I already knew. From the moment you appeared, it was a miracle. There is nothing more foolish than hoping for miracles or luck in this dirty world. It seems I’ve become quite weak as well, trying to rely on others after showing a glimmer of hope. That wasn’t how it was supposed to be… Sorry, I’ve rambled. I’ll handle it alone. Even if I’m caught and killed, I won’t reveal your existence or whereabouts to the enemy.”
As I watched her escaping, I couldn’t shake off my suspicions. After all, there could still be the option of sympathy and a surprise attack.
But she managed to cleanly escape from the hiding area I had set up. And in that instant, I felt pathetic for being so on guard.
“Ha…”
I felt an indescribable emptiness. But this is for the best.
From Noble mtl dot com
Soon, the battle will unfold, and either she will die or those assassins will die, resulting in one of two outcomes. Whichever it may be, I won’t be in danger. If I had thought of doing something pointless, what I just did now would have been much more reasonable.
With that reassurance, I thought of the virtual community. And then, an interface appeared before my eyes. Truly a convenient function. Being able to enter it freely, anytime, anywhere.
Suddenly, while looking at the posts, one catches my eye.
Nickname: killer
I just received the gift I wanted from the administrator.
I won the event and received the item properly, but unfortunately, I don’t think I can provide proof right now because the situation is very dangerous. I might even die. But thank you, administrator, sincerely. And thank you to everyone who has listened to my story until now.
Although killer’s post was like a farewell message, the comments were as unresponsive as always.
ㅇㅇ – Alpano lol
ㅇㅇ – Block the aggro
ㅇㅇ – What’s the point without verification?
ㅇㅇ – Is this guy a fake account or a friend of the administrator? Posting a message implying leaving the community right after winning the event?
ㅇㅇ – This seems like impersonation.
ㅇㅇ – Just go away. Such a sh*tty concept that doesn’t even work.
ㅇㅇ – Rest in peace, ActionBeam.
ㅇㅇ – Posting hundreds of messages a day and suddenly your life is in danger? Bullsh*t.
love peace – Killer, is it a dangerous situation? I will help you.
They say that life is a comedy when viewed from a distance, and a tragedy when viewed up close.
Before a young girl’s life came to an end, she posted her last words, and the only response she received was a few cold comments. Yeah, maybe countless people died like this. Perhaps there are many who lost their lives trapped in a sh*tty novel without even leaving a last message like her. Compared to them, her situation of being able to choose her own ending may have been better.
Let’s think positively, it has nothing to do with me, I muttered.
Looking at her situation, where even her comrades in the online community couldn’t comfort her, it made me feel dirty.
Come to think of it, if she were to die like this, wouldn’t she be unable to post a confirmation message that she received the items properly? If that’s the case, people will accuse me of being a fraud in the next event. The great administrator being accused of being a fraud. Even though it doesn’t seem like it, does it not seem too far-fetched?
“I’m not very honest either.”
I made various excuses, but there was only one conclusion. I hope that girl doesn’t die.
[Dispel Concealment Magic.]
Now that I’ve made up my mind, it’s time to act.
No matter how many enemies there are, now that it’s come to this, I will kill them all.