episode_0074

“… You fight cowardly. Still, if you lose, you lose. Kill it.”

Kylie, who had collapsed, said in annoyance.

The man with the sword pointed at her neck looked down at her disapprovingly.

Kylie closed her eyes and waited for death.

In the end, death never came.

The sword was taken away, and the man squatted down and was at eye level with Kylie.

“… The strong have a duty to kill the weak.”

Hearing the man’s words, Kylie slowly opened her eyes.

“That’s your principle, right? That’s why I’m so obsessed with power like a pervert.”

“Then?”

“Hmm. I have one question: What happens when the weak become stronger than the strong?”

“There is no need to be new. Relationships of power are not always absolute.”

“Surprisingly, there is flexibility in this area.”

Kylie glared at him in a tone that made it seem like he knew her well.

“This is my first time asking something strange. What are you doing?”

“Ian. Hero manager.”

“Hero… ? Manager?”

Two years ago, Ian reached out to Kylie, who had lost to him.

“If you become a hero, I can give you whatever power you desire or whatever. What should I do?”

A warrior.

It was something I had never thought about.

However, I couldn’t help but be tempted by the words that gave me strength.

In order not to be controlled by the golden rule of power, she lived her whole life obsessed with the pursuit of power.

“… You are fundamentally weaker than me. If we fight again, I will win. What does a guy like that want to teach?”

“Aha. Is such a proud person now so bad?”

“… … .”

“Okay, don’t hate it.”

When Ian tried to let go of his hand, Kylie reached out and grabbed him.

“… Can you guarantee?”

“Hmm. If I risk my neck, will you believe me?”

“You must keep what you just said. If not, I will take your head.”

“Wow, be scared.”

That was Ian and Kylie’s first meeting.

*

Taken, stolen.

Hurt, get hurt.

Kill, die.

The people Kylie saw were beings who could only repeat such violence.

She did not suddenly feel sad or despair in such a reality.

Just recognized the logic of power.

The strong survive.

The weak die.

He understood, accepted, and finally embodied the providence of nature as his own.

The strong have the duty and right to kill the weak to become stronger.

The weak have the responsibility to become victims of the strong.

A diet of the fittest.

Survival of the fittest.

Winner takes all.

That was Kylie’s own golden rule of strength.

So she took it before it was taken away, and killed it before it died.

But she never once assumed that she was the underdog in the golden rule she set.

She was always strong, and pursued the position of the strong, so there was no reason to think about the position of the weak.

Since everyone she met was weaker than her, she killed them without hesitation and absorbed their power.

Then I lost to Ian for the first time.

She tried to die according to the Golden Rule of Power, but Ian took her.

That was the problem.

I became the underdog for the first time.

Ian saved her life despite the days of slaughter he had committed.

That wasn’t the only problem.

Ian was inherently weaker than Kylie.

The reason he was able to beat Kylie was, to borrow Kylie’s words, ‘miscellaneous skills’.

A battle filled with tricks and trickery, where technique is the main factor.

That was the way Ian, whose output itself was extremely low, chose to survive.

Kylie didn’t approve of that kind of strength.

It was closer to a struggle than to strength.

I can’t admit it, but I felt so pathetic and angry at myself for losing to something like that.

Apart from not being able to admit it, she was about to die because losing meant losing, but Ian saved her life.

The problem doesn’t end.

Ian encouraged Kylie and helped her grow.

That was something that couldn’t happen to Kylie.

It is acknowledged that the relationship between the strong and the weak can change at any time.

However, the strong do their best to take care of the weak and make them stronger than themselves.

I couldn’t imagine it.

It was the same for Ian.

The Kylie he knew was just a madman drunk with power.

It was only much later that I learned that this fanatical belief was named the Golden Rule and was followed like a rule.

Just three months after I met Ian.

“lost.”

Kylie is over Ian.

“There are no such monsters… . Are you really, are you human?”

“… … .”

She aimed the sword at Ian’s neck, who had fallen.

If you stab him like this, he will die.

Now Kylie is the strong one and Ian is the weak one.

So that’s okay.

No, it should be so.

Because that’s the golden rule of strength.

Kylie She has never made an exception.

but… .

“… … .”

Ian looked up expressionlessly at Kylie, who was on the verge of killing him.

His face is the same as when I first saw him, and he has always been like that.

No matter what you do, if it is against your will, you will not be forced to do it.

Except for a few times, when we had them study economics or ethics or something like that.

“… Why did you save me?”

“Hey, do you think everyone just kills everyone like you?”

“I guess not. However, I was too dangerous to save in your shoes.”

“Well. It’s up to you.”

“I… .”

Kylie was about to say something, but kept her mouth shut.

She herself didn’t know what she wanted to say.

How you feel about Ian.

Hatred and murderous intent.

Admiration and sympathy.

Complex emotions cause confusion.

“You… You’ll regret not killing me.”

“As long as you do well, nothing like that will happen.”

Kylie retracted the sword with difficulty.

Ian looked at her, smiled and spoke forlornly.

“… Don’t die, man.”

As if I had seen Kylie die.

“Someone dies… .”

Kylie couldn’t see his face anymore.

*

Ian became weak.

To be precise, he felt that way because Kylie was stronger than him and was getting stronger day by day.

Even as Kylie achieved her quest for power, she hated being distant from Ian.

To Kylie, Ian was both strong and weak at the same time.

He was both his teacher and his prey.

Even though he was weakened, Ian still taught Kylie.

Kylie, the strong one, still had something to learn from Ian, the weak one.

He was a contradiction of the Golden Rule.

By his very existence, Ian completely denied Kylie’s life.

To erase that contradiction, Kylie had to revise her golden rule.

‘The strong can select and save the weak according to their abilities, and have a duty to take responsibility for the weak.’

The reason Kylie got drunk on purpose is because of this revised rule.

If you become a weak person who can’t control your body, Ian can take care of you again as a strong person.

“It is the role of the strong to take responsibility for the weak… . Because only when I am like this can you fulfill your mediocre role and duties… . I am giving you a chance.”

Covering it up and ignoring it did not mean that the contradiction would disappear.

She herself knew that it was far-fetched.

There was only one solution.

He, who became strong, kills Ian, who is weak.

Every time I made a resolution, I failed.

Because I hesitated.

I couldn’t kill him.

Is it a feeling of affection, or is it a kind of sense of responsibility that comes from becoming a strong person again?

It was difficult for her to accept those feelings, so she stayed away from Ian.

When I looked at him, I felt like my life was being denied.

So I expelled him.

So, I was going to kill him right now.

‘ah… .’

He only realizes it the moment he decides to kill Ian and does it.

‘I am for you…’ .’

It’s not like Ian is precious or something like that.

just.

‘Thank you… .’

Thank you.

For saving me, raising me, and guiding me.

Because I can let you stand here.

I was thankful.

That feeling of gratitude was so scary.

The strong do not appreciate the weak.

do not do that.

It is a natural virtue of the strong to receive favor or tribute from the weak.

So, gratitude should always flow from the bottom up.

Even feeling that for Ian, a weakling, was a contradiction of the golden rule.

‘I’ve been trying to ignore that… .’

Ian knows everything.

Do anything.

He listens to anything.

The light of infinite kindness casts a deep shadow of oneself.

‘You made me like this… .’

Ian made it though.

Kylie agreed.

She didn’t want to face her weak side.

I’m afraid of becoming the underdog.

Like the people he saw, he was afraid of being taken away, being swayed by his thoughts, becoming weak, and falling apart.

I was afraid.

I feel like the fact that I harbor and feel those emotions proves that I am a weak person.

Emotions have always been the weapon of the weak, so it felt like she would become weak if she thanked him.

That was a memory of one day, as usual, I was drunk and carried Ian on my back.

‘Ian.’

‘why.’

‘… thanks.’

‘Try to talk about that with a sober mind.’

‘Noisy. Since I’m thanking you for carrying me, there’s nothing else to thank me for.’

‘Oh, yes.’

As I was a drunken weakling, it was the only moment I could thank Ian, the strong man.

Actually, I knew everything.

I couldn’t be honest about my feelings without drinking alcohol.

I just ran away because I was scared.

Because I don’t want to be the weak one.

Regardless of the logic of power and plunder, the existence of Ian, who was kind to him, was so difficult and unfamiliar.

Because I believed that one who does not dwell on such things is a strong person.

The truth that I have been ignoring while pretending to be strong bursts out from within my heart and rips my heart like a flower in full bloom.

‘What have I done… .’

The sword has already been unleashed.

This is the ultimate catch technique that I learned from Ian, and a technique that only Kylie, who has excellent output, can use.

‘no… !’

Kylie twisted her shoulder, distorting the trajectory of the sword energy.

***

Why is Kylie here?

Why are you looking at me with that face?

Why are you raising mana?

While I don’t know, I wonder if it reminds me of my first meeting with Kylie.

I just cursed under my breath.

‘Crazy bitch…’ .’

I can see the technology I’m trying to use.

The reason I can follow Kylie’s body with my eyes is because I taught her and know all of her habits.

‘That combo… .’

I created it, but only Kylie can use it.

Two sword techniques are fired at almost the same time at very short intervals.

The first is fan-shaped and sweeps widely across the front.

Noisy and confusing.

The second sword energy is forged as thin as paper and released quietly.

It is shaped like a blue crescent moon and looks beautiful as it matches Kylie’s fluid movements.

Noise and silence.

Scope and point.

A technique close to a frontal assassination that uses two conflicting elements to shake the opponent’s perception.

While you are confused by the first sword energy, it is a technique that is already suitable for the second sword energy.

Because all mana must be raised twice at the same time, it is a technique that only Kylie can use, as the mana output itself is explosive.

And now Kylie used it on me.

I can’t stop this with my power.

I can’t help it… .

‘Carty.’

Ring of Subordination, second function.

‘Help me.’

Anytime, anywhere.

When the owner wants it.

[yes.]

A subordinate can move to the master’s side.

-bang!

Kati appeared without a blink of an eye and drew her sword, canceling out the first sword energy.

The two sword energies collided in the air and resonated, exploding in all directions.

The ground, which had been rising as if it would swallow me up, now began to explode in all directions.

A second sword energy flew in with a gap so narrow that an ordinary person would not be able to perceive it.

Unlike the large and noisy one fired earlier, the thinly forged crescent-shaped sword was quiet and silent.

At least it is a skill that I can recognize because it was taught to me.

Kati swung his swords with both hands and caught it from the front.

-Click!

The black energy scattered into pieces along with the sound of glass breaking.

People were in a daze, unable to react to the sudden situation.

-Cow!

A dome-shaped wall of ice rose up to trap me and Kylie.

An ice wall with a unique dark blue color, made up of several layers of high-hardness ice… .

The exploded wave crashed into the ice wall.

The ice that hit it shattered loudly and scattered to the floor.

No one was harmed by the waves due to the ice wall.

All of this happened in less than a second.

“Kathi… .”

It’s very rare, but whenever I’m in a situation where I can’t handle it, I’ve used Kati in an emergency.

This guy is capable of fighting against one person from the first party.

Still, I never thought I would receive it from the front.

“Are you okay?”

I quickly took out the remaining elixir and asked.

“I’m fine.”

Kati answered calmly.

There wasn’t a single scratch on my body.

When I urgently asked, he was so fine that I was embarrassed.

… Was Katy this strong?

“Master, are you okay?”

Kati asked, glaring at Kylie.

“… Uh, uh. Yes, thanks. Thank you.”

I have a defensive artifact for survival, but I’m not sure if I can block it against Kylie.

The reaction was too late to activate it.

By the way, that guy, Kylie, tried to twist the sword at the end so that I wouldn’t be hit by the second sword.

Kati was afraid that the sword might hit someone else, so she defended herself.

“command.”

“First of all… . Please stay like that in front of me.”

“Yes.”

Kylie looked at me with trembling eyes.

No, is it true that you are looking at me?

but.

What she has done now cannot be taken lightly.

The problem isn’t just that they tried to kill me.

It’s not close, but with Kylie’s power, there’s a prince and a king not far away.

Thanks to Kati, the two sword powers were completely canceled out, but it wasn’t like there were no victims at all.

The waves resonated with each other and disappeared, distorting the ground and causing the ground to rise, several buildings collapsed, and people nearby fainted or fell down vomiting blood due to the shock wave alone.

Even though the ice wall blocked it, it was that much.

The good news is that

The fact is that the prince and the emperor were not injured.

It seems that the Wolf Gang, the leader of Lazuri, and several military police units blocked it.

But their condition was not good either.

The body is staggering just from being touched by the remainder of its power.

Ordinary military police officers and Lazuli members even collapsed.

The protected prince and emperor are looking at me with surprised eyes.

All onlookers will feel the same way.

Kylie, one of the first warrior party, did something crazy in the middle of the city.

I too am shocked and out of my wits.

From indirect support to the Anti-Imperial Coalition to acts bordering on terrorism in front of people… .

Various… . Wait, what is this energy?

“Master. Be careful.”

Yes, I knew he was here when I saw the ice wall… .

***

There was no reason to be happy when I found Ian.

Kylie’s sword energy spewed out at Ian with clear murderous intent.

It was a technique that Sylvia had also seen a few times.

I use the secret technique that Ian taught me to kill Ian.

“Kylie… ?”

It was an unbelievable sight.

Why on earth are you doing this?

What did Ian do wrong?

Even though he knew it was an extravagant idea for him to do, he felt that this was a cruel treatment.

She didn’t have time to think further.

‘First of all, starting with Ian… .’

The moment when an ice wall made of multiple layers is erected in front of Ian and at the same time, they are about to rush in to protect him.

-bang!

A new type with silver hair appeared and shattered the sword energy.

The target completely blocked the second sword energy, and the two resonant waves were about to explode.

Sylvia quickly deployed the ‘ice wall’ she had prepared to protect Ian in a dome shape and protected the surrounding area.

“Phew… .”

Only after confirming that Ian was fine, did I recognize the person who protected him.

‘Carti… .’

My heart, which had been pounding out of fear that Ian might die, slowly calms down.

I also felt lonely.

Maybe, it could have been me who protected him.

Next, a cold murderous intent toward Kylie filled my heart.

“Lee, Ian… . wait for a sec. This is a misunderstanding, so I have something to tell you… .”

Without hesitation, Sylvia cast a spell on Kylie, who was trying to say something to Ian.

‘There are a lot of people… . ‘Big magic won’t work.’

Immediately after, an ice sphere fell vertically from above Kylie’s head.

“… !”

Kylie reflexively swung her sword upward.

-Kagagagak!

“Keuheuk… !”

Kylie, who barely managed to block the surprise attack, vomited blood and deflected the ice spear.

The ice spear slipped from Kylie’s sword and stuck in the ground, continuing to descend through the ground.

-Knock knock knock… .

As the sound of digging into the ground shook the surroundings like an earthquake, Sylvia appeared.

“Si, it’s Sylvia… !”

Everyone’s eyes were focused on her.

She moved forward, pushing aside the collapsed ice wall.

Even Ian spotted her.

Sylvia resisted the urge to face him and glared at Kylie.

“Kylie… . Are you crazy?”

“Why are you here… .”

“That’s not important.”

-Tsuzuzusut… .

The ground that Sylvia stepped on froze, and the ice slowly spread around.

She swept up her bangs and spoke as if making a declaration.

“You dared to attack Ian. That’s important.”

“… … .”

Kylie held up her sword even as blood poured from her mouth.

The air became heavy.

It’s hard to breathe, as if I’m drowning.

Even Kylie found it annoying, so it was natural that ordinary people and low-level superhumans would suffer.

Sylvia’s specialty is water and ice type magic.

She was currently using mana to create moisture and increase the humidity in the air.

If anything happens, to use all that moisture to seal Kylie.

‘But at this distance, Ian might get caught up… . ‘Do you think Kati can protect you?’

The civilians around them began to faint just from the two of them exuding murderous intent.

-Blah, blah… .

The ice she stepped on piled up in layers, making a sound of breaking inside.

Before we knew it, a blue demonic energy flowed from Kylie’s body, which had raised her mana.

If this continues, the city of Fiorene may disappear.

“Stop.”

Someone stepped between the two.

“Both of you step back.”

Former manager of the 1st Hero Party.

“Are you planning to kill everyone here?”

Ian started scolding them.

“Get back now.”