Chapter 22 - Counterattack(4)
“Keuk… Damn it.”
I crawled a short distance and leaned against a tree stump to catch my breath.
Thick blood oozed out from the dozens of stab wounds on my abdomen.
It was a wonder that I was still alive after losing this much blood.
It was luck that I bought that split second, and it was also luck that I didn't miss it.
In a way, Namyr's betrayal and turning away was luck.
Even though he injured me, he had bought me time.
Fortunately, there were some first-aid tools inside the Supply Cube I had carefully stored away after catching the Dark Dog.
Thanks to that, I was able to bind my bleeding abdomen with a bandage.
However, that was merely a silver lining in a disaster.
A reversal far too insufficient to turn the incident around.
Psychologically and physically.
Maletta's absence was felt in an instant.
Maletta's 'Blazing Restoration' skill, which used to be cast as a matter of course after every battle, was not here.
There were no restrictions on the quest, but Maletta's power, which had been the only thing restricted, was not here.
She, who would calm my heart just by being by my side at times like this, was not here.
Erin, Namyr, and my other companions were not here either.
My equipment was also somewhat damaged from the surprise attack, and the enemy had a hundred subordinates.
If I were at least in good shape, it would be a different story, but my body was injured to the point where even walking was a struggle.
“Damn it.”
This was the worst-case scenario.
Of course, I did use some kind of ‘trick’ earlier.
But that was something to be used at a ‘critical moment,’ not something I could use from the start.
I still couldn't create 1 from 0.
In the end, there was only one unreasonable thing I could rely on in this situation.
I let out a brief sigh, feeling pathetic for having to rely on such an uncertain method.
But since I had no other particular means, I just composed my breath.
“Hey, Quest.”
[Did you call?]
The Quest window.
I called out to the Quest window, which had been hostile to me until now.
As if it had been waiting for it, the Quest window changed its content and answered me.
I took it as a sign that it was willing to talk.
So, I first asked it the question that came to my mind.
“How did that bastard know my information, and how did he even obtain it?”
This was what I was most curious about.
How did that man know my information?
And how did he obtain that ability?
“It could be a simple quibble. But the skill's name is Returner's Privilege, for starters.”
[…….]
“He’s a guy who didn't even notice when I blocked his attacks a couple of times with a skill. To suddenly know and obtain it.”
One of the two could be managed if he was being stubborn.
Either he obtained information about me and prepared in advance.
Or he copied my ability and used it roughly.
But no matter how I thought about it, having both was strange.
He perfectly copied my ability and killed Maletta by landing a heads.
After that, he also noticed what I was using and destroyed the coin before it could roll.
“Was that guy also transmigrated like me? Or if not….”
[That is not the case. In this world, there are no other transmigrators besides you, Kang Woon.]
Since it didn't seem like the Quest would speak first, I presented my own possibilities.
And the Quest quickly shut them down as if they were baseless claims.
That was unexpected, but it wasn't important, so I just watched the updating text.
[It seems someone similar to me has intervened.]
“Someone similar to you?”
That was the possibility the Quest presented.
Someone similar to the Quest had intervened.
I didn't know the details, but it probably meant that Arges also received a quest or something like that.
Still, I didn't plan on confirming my reasoning just yet, so I just made a vague guess.
I needed more information.
[It is difficult to explain the detailed concept, but do you happen to know of a deific being?]
“Don't know what that is.”
[To use an analogy, it's like a god.]
I didn't quite get that analogy.
The only thing I ever believed in was myself, not a god.
As if it had read my sullen expression, the Quest immediately added an explanation.
[Would it be easier to understand if I say it's a higher-dimensional being?]
“A higher dimension?”
[Yes. To use a slightly more familiar analogy, it's like a GM.]
“Ah, that I can understand a little.”
At the end of that explanation, I could hear the answer that my initial reasoning was correct.
The answer that a GM-like being had intervened and given him an unknown power.
That guy didn't say it directly either, but spoke in a roundabout way; if it was an unknown power, there was nothing else it could be.
But that didn't help, nor was it the main point.
What I needed now was not the ‘why.’
“Don't you have anything like that? Something to overcome this situation.”
It was the ‘how.’
This was the main point.
So, what I would gain here, and how I could overcome this situation with it.
At my direct question, the Quest paused for a moment.
Fortunately, it didn't last long.
[Originally, we are not able to provide direct assistance.]
“Hmm.”
[Just as a GM would be accused of improper intervention if they openly gave rewards to a user.]
The Quest said that both Arges’s quest and itself couldn't provide help.
Meaning it was something it couldn't do, and that what Arges received was strange.
Of course, the analogy was wrong.
In reality, they did it just fine.
Was this a reflection of reality?
“But it’s different now. In the first place, Arges also received direct help.”
[That is strange. But unfortunately, we do not have time to deduce it together.]
I pressed the point, feeling a bit stubborn, but the Quest window pointed it out sharply.
It was right.
There was no time.
Now that the obstacles named myself and Maletta were gone, the village where Erin was resting was an undefended empty house.
If Arges were to invade now, the villagers, including Erin, would be annihilated.
If that happened, not only would I lose people, but the quest would also fail.
With Maletta also dead, I would be left all alone in this world.
That alone must be avoided.
No, I must stop it.
I did not want to face such a future.
“I'll be blunt. Can you provide me with help in ‘any form’?”
I wasn't expecting much, but still, the only thing I could rely on right now was the Quest.
So, even though I had heard the answer that direct help was difficult, I forced myself to ask.
Of course, I had predicted the answer would be negative.
I thought I might have to bet everything on the single ‘coin’ I got from the previous quest.
A single coin that could be used once in any situation.
[…I can.]
But the Quest spoke, defying my expectations.
It brought up the words that it could provide help.
“Really?”
[I cannot openly give you information or a new ability like that person did. However.]
I asked back hastily, unable to believe it, and it drew a line, as if to say it wasn't complete help.
[I can provide indirect help.]
After drawing a line, it drew another line.
The name of that line was ‘help.’
After the Quest said that.
The Quest window, which had only displayed dialogue, updated, showing a quest for the first time in a while.
As if it were the identity of the help it was offering me, it displayed only favorable conditions.
[ Good Fortune. Bad Fortune. ]
This is the only means I can offer you.
Objective : You must brace your resolve.
You must find a means of resistance.
Reward : The means of resistance is temporarily restored.
If it is equipment, it recovers only 1 durability.
Literally, it wasn't a direct means.
Nor was it a ridiculously difficult condition to achieve.
Brace your resolve, and just find the means.
It even revealed a hint about the means in advance through the reward description.
The fact that the means took the form of ‘equipment.’
“A means of resistance, equipment, huh. Equipment, equipment….”
Equipment that can be restored, a means.
I wondered if it had hidden some equipment somewhere on the forest floor.
But since it said it couldn't provide direct help, it couldn't be something the Quest was creating.
In that case, it had to be equipment that ‘already exists’ and that ‘I can access.’
Since my injured self couldn't go far, it was also clear that it had to be equipment that existed ‘nearby.’
First of all, it wasn't Maletta's or Namyr's, nor was it Arges's equipment.
My injuries were too severe to go underground, and there were no villages or ruins nearby.
Then there was only one thing left.
After some thought, I suddenly remembered the Grade 4 from Rekenhate I had met at the entrance of the building.
I remembered the spectacled man who was instantly cut down by Maletta.
Although he died futilely at Maletta's hands, a Grade 4 was still a Grade 4.
I thought his equipment was likely the means this quest was pointing to.
I walked, staggering, towards the forest that had now become a flatland, opposite to where I had been leaning.
The search didn't take long.
The man's pathetically severed lower half was extremely conspicuous.
And as if my prediction was correct.
It didn't take long for the Quest window to update either.
[ Good Fortune. Bad Fortune. ]
You have found the means.
The means is temporarily restored and has 1 durability.
1 durability can endure for about 3 minutes.
Reward : You acquire the +13 Rekenhate-made Twin Pistols.
Simultaneously with the update, a part of the pile of ashes on the floor began to glow brightly.
Soon, the ashes became two black pistols of a rather cool design.
Moreover, this weapon seemed to have its own ‘skill.’
As I grabbed the pistol grips, the Quest window updated and this time displayed ‘skill information.’
[ Skill : Twin Pistol Barrage ]
A skill exclusive to twin pistols.
Can be used by shouting the skill name while holding both pistols.
The caster will automatically repeat a 360-degree spin, firing a total of 240 bullets without reloading.
The bullets apply 100% of attack power.
Has a 2-hour cooldown.
The skill's effect seemed to be something like that.
A common ‘area-of-effect skill’ found in games.
I could tell from the 360 degrees and the spinning.
And this skill.
It was obvious that this was an incredible skill that could help me overcome this situation.
“With this.”
I could quickly clear out the subordinates and have a one-on-one duel with Arges.
Of course, due to my physical condition, it wasn't a completely advantageous condition.
Nevertheless, if the subordinates existed, my chances of winning were 0 anyway.
This meant this skill was one that could create 1 from 0.
If I had my way, I would have charged in right away, but I had to be fully prepared.
My eyes then fell on the pants that the severed lower half was still wearing.
He was a Grade 4, so his pants must be good equipment too.
Of course, the fact that they belonged to a corpse, and a stranger at that, made me feel reluctant.
So I was about to just wear them over my own pants.
[Equipment cannot be worn simultaneously.]
“You said 3 minutes, right? After 3 minutes, I’ll be in my underwear, won't I?”
[The pants are not damaged. Do not worry.]
Thanks to those words, I had no choice but to take off the pants I was wearing.
“This is a bit embarrassing.”
[Shouldn't you live? There's no one watching either.]
“Damn it, you’re right.”
It was a relief that Erin or Maletta wasn't here.
Of course, even if they were, I would have worn them in this situation.
Enduring that embarrassment and discomfort was certainly effective.
Just like when I first put on the 'Returned Warrior Set' equipment, my body felt incredibly light.
The degree of injury I felt also lessened, to the point where I could run slowly.
“My body feels lighter.”
[As you have felt, equipment enhances the body.]
“No wonder my body felt light in the tunnel. So that’s what the stat increase option is.”
[Even an ordinary person with no connection to combat can fly in the sky if they wear good equipment.]
As expected, I knew the equipment had such an effect.
Yes, it had to be that good to be worthy of being called a ‘means of resistance.’
[You will not be able to use the weapon for long. It is an item that should have turned to ash, brought back through a loophole.]
“It’s enough as long as it lasts for the time it takes to defeat him.”
[Then that's settled.]
Now that I was about done with my preparations, the Quest window gave me a final warning.
I, too, had already finished formulating a plan, so I calmly accepted the warning.
And so, the preparations were complete.
The preparations to start the 3rd round, which would put an end to the 1-win, 1-loss record, were complete.
However, before I started the battle.
There was a question I wanted to hear an answer to from him.
“…If I defeat him.”
It was about Maletta.
“Maletta will come back too, right?”
Maletta had vanished due to a power ‘similar’ to mine.
I had a feeling that perhaps Maletta might never return.
That the mountain of stories I had yet to hear from her might be buried as they were.
So.
I asked about her.
[…From here on. It all depends on your actions.]
There was no definite answer that I wanted.
But there was also no denial that I feared.
[If you act swiftly, you will win, but if you act complacently, your journey will end.]
The Quest, which was now so confusing whether it was an enemy or an ally, just left uncertain words.
It just left words that could be either encouragement or a notice.
[Please defeat the enemy and seize a moment of peace.]
However, that was actually fine.
The lack of a definite answer meant it wasn't a case of ‘no possibility.’
I knew all too well what that meant.
In the end, everything in the world.
If you do it until it’s done, it gets done.
Isn't that right?
If this current situation was the yet-to-be-decided future of a coin.
I just had to show them and land a heads, turning it into a definite answer.
I had lived like that until now.
And I would continue to live like that in the future.
Because I am.
Kang Woon of Bad Fortune.
[I wish you good fortune.]
With those words, the Quest window completely vanished.
I, too, loosened up my body and assumed a full combat stance.
Alright, then.
From now on.
The real counterattack begins.