Ch.26Survival Instinct

“You’re spouting arrogant nonsense just because you got lucky and escaped once.”

The moment he heard the voice, Nahan instinctively called up the system window.

‘Information access. Balkan Gardner.’

【Name: Balkan Gardner.】

-Alias: Guardian of the Empire

-Rank: SS-class.

-Information: Eldest son of the <Gardner> family. Possessor of a simple and rough personality. Through a series of events, he came to wield the <Shield> and broke through his limits to reach the realm of Sword Master. Currently in a state of <Rage> due to feelings of loss.

‘SS-class.’

This confirmed it.

All members of the Hero’s party were merely described as S-class in the novel, but in reality, they were all extraordinary powerhouses who surpassed double S.

‘Assessment complete. Now to find a solution.’

The original plan was to have Hanlang and Luna’s restrictions lifted to deal with Gardner and Asha while Lactea searched for the celestial barrier.

During that time, after the sixth bad ending, “The Hero’s Return,” was concluded, he would pretend to lose, release Hestia, and escape to their hideout.

‘But that’s impossible now.’

Gardner, whom he had assumed to be S-class, was actually SS-class, and the power associated with that rank far exceeded expectations.

Time,

Power,

Plans.

Everything had been thrown into disarray by Balkan’s mere appearance.

To overcome this situation, he needed to rely on something intangible like luck or talent, and as he realized this, a certain scene came to mind.

-You know what, hyung?

-What?

Nahan’s only friend ■■ always used to look at him with sparkling eyes and say:

-Your acting, Han-hyung… it’s like… a God-given talent!

Since it wasn’t entirely wrong, Nahan came to think of acting as his greatest talent.

So here’s the question:

If <Nahan came to think of acting as his greatest talent>, what did he consider his greatest talent before that?

The answer is:

‘…How can I survive?’

It was his <Survival Instinct>.

He first realized this talent more than a decade ago.

-I’m sorry, Han-ah. But if I adopt all the remaining children…

-Nothing will change. Director, you just need to raise the children, and I’ll continue earning money and bringing it to you as I’ve been doing.

-But Han-ah!! Outside is!!

-It’s okay. I’ll be careful.

Despite Nahan’s desperate efforts, the orphanage went bankrupt, and while wandering the streets, Nahan encountered the boss of the “Black Dragon Gang.”

One of the culprits behind the orphanage’s bankruptcy.

Seoul’s number one violent organization.

A vicious loan shark.

-Wondered where you ran off to.

-…You’re a good runner, sir.

-Shut up, you little shit.

He immediately recognized Nahan, caught him with difficulty, and asked:

-Where did your director run off to?

-I don’t know.

-Want to die?

-…No?

SMACK!

Nahan ran away.

-Ugh, that crazy bastard…!! What are you waiting for? Catch him!!

He ran and ran, fleeing for a long time.

And he succeeded in escaping.

The “Boss,” who had lost his target for the first time that day, later recalled the incident and asked:

-Tell me honestly. You didn’t get caught that day; you let yourself be caught, right? Afraid the director would die?

-…Yes, boss.

-Wow, you amazing bastard. That was the first time we lost someone in Seoul. You know that?

-I just didn’t want to die.

-Come on. Who wants to die?

Nahan shrugged, and watching him, the boss clapped his hands.

-Now I get it. Your talent isn’t fighting or running away or anything like that.

-Then what is it?

-Survival instinct. There are always guys like you. Nothing special normally, but when pushed to the brink of death, their brains work overtime and they become stronger…

Guys like monsters.

And now, back to the present.

With death before his eyes, all of Nahan’s thoughts revolved solely around survival.

‘Why is Balkan angry?’

Hestia’s death.

“I’ll tear you apart and kill you, Hesti—”

“I didn’t kill her.”

“…? Don’t interrupt me. Listen to the end. I’ll tear you apart and kill you, for Hestia’s soul.”

“Hestia is alive.”

With a response faster than comprehension, Nahan stopped Balkan’s thoughts. Belatedly understanding the meaning, Balkan revealed his hostility and asked:

“…Are you human?”

As if he obviously didn’t believe it, his deep resentment seemed to ask how someone could kill and then desecrate the dead.

Publicly, it was indeed the Black Wolf who killed Hestia, so his resentment wasn’t incomprehensible.

But Nahan could see it.

Balkan was standing here not as a ‘hero’ but as Hestia’s ‘family.’

Therefore…

“……”

In Balkan’s eyes, as he waited for Nahan’s next words, a thread of hope had blossomed.

This meant Balkan couldn’t kill him until he spoke his next words.

‘The initiative has returned.’

Grasping this instantly, Nahan maximized the effect of <Villain> and asked:

“Didn’t you come to kill me?”

“…Shut up.”

“If that’s what you want.”

Nahan shrugged and turned away as if he didn’t care.

Simultaneously, he assessed his surroundings.

The warriors were still looking up at the roof like dogs chasing chickens, and behind them stood three people who had appeared out of nowhere.

Count Gardner,

The lady of the house,

And Asha.

The three, who had been exchanging opinions, turned toward Nahan.

‘I thought they’d bring the rest of the party members, Marin and Selena, but they’re alone. That’s fortunate.’

In the dim silence, Nahan abandoned his original plan.

‘Keeping only Lactea’s mission intact, I’ll restructure the plan to fit the changed environment.’

First, the primary threat: Balkan.

“What did you mean?”

“Mean what?”

“When you said Hestia is alive.”

He can’t kill me until he hears the information he desires.

“Hmm? You told me to shut up, so I forgot?”

“…Speak. Before I tear you apart.”

“Oh my, I’m so scared I can barely open my mouth.”

So I’ll keep him occupied and within my sight by stalling for time.

‘Next, the members of the Gardner family.’

While it’s necessary to have people spread the Black Wolf’s evil deeds, a battalion-sized force of B to A-class warriors is certainly threatening.

However, due to the previous attack, they must be gripped by fear of the <Black Wolf>.

“The gazes are burdensome, Tal.”

“Night. Time to sleep—sir.”

“Don’t put them to sleep directly, just a lullaby.”

“Yes, Commander.”

No sooner had he given the order than Hanlang, with his massive body, jumped down toward the ground.

BOOM!!

Dust rose as he landed, and simultaneously, a system window appeared.

【No.3 – <Tal – Hanlang(A+)> begins his goblin play!】

【Warning!】

【No.3 – <Tal – Hanlang(A+)> requests the release of his restricted power!】

The Black Wolf’s restriction.

A contract that suppresses the power of its members in exchange for strengthening the <Black Wolf>.

A devotion of gratitude and pledge from those saved by the <Black Wolf>, voluntarily offered.

‘Approved.’

With that, power that had been sealed for a long time was released according to Nahan’s choice.

BANG!

Simultaneously, the giant who had buried his head in the ground raised it.

“Time. To sleep—sir.”

White energy infused the once crude stone mask, and the face of a beast contorted playfully.

【Restriction release approved.】

【No.3 – <Tal – Hanlang(A+)>’s rank returns to its original level.】

【(A+) → (S+).】

CRACK!

After taking a step, the house-sized figure disappeared and reappeared in the center of the warriors.

“Eol—su.”

BOOM!!

With both fists clenched, he lifted his left foot and stomped the ground, causing numerous earth pillars to rise and lift all the warriors into the air.

“AAAHHH!!! W-what the hell is this?!”

“Jump down!! Jump down before it gets higher, you bastards!!”

“He activated it by stomping! The remaining men, aim for his feet first!!”

Some warriors who quickly jumped down rushed toward Hanlang, but the stone mask turned to face them.

“Do not. Step—sir.”

CRUNCH!

Crunch, crunch!!

All the ground touched by Hanlang’s gaze melted like an ant lion’s pit.

“We’re sinking!! Grab onto something!!”

“Gulp!! M-mage!!”

“Kuhup! Kek, kuh…!!”

Time taken to neutralize a battalion-sized force of B to A-class warriors: just 30 seconds.

Nahan thought:

If he had known how to release the restriction during the battle with the Emperor and had done so, the victor that day would certainly have been Hanlang.

“…Not. Killing—sir.”

Hanlang, having finished the battle, turned his massive body toward the reinforcement warriors who had arrived late.

“Stop him!!”

“For the name of Gardner!!”

“For Lady Hestia!!”

Judging by the absence of family crests, most seemed to be mercenaries staying here.

‘Mercenaries are typically good at looking after themselves. The battle won’t escalate.’

With this, the second threat was eliminated. Now only the final, third threat remained.

Having removed two of the three threats, Nahan cast his gaze toward the last one.

“It is night now. Even with one great light, the darkness of night is still far more vast.”

A crisp warning, enhanced by the Villain effect, flew toward its target.

The third danger.

The one with the highest risk compared to the other two:

“I understand. You are indeed evil.”

The Hero of Light, Asha Mirabel.

She gently pushed aside Count Gardner and the lady of the house and raised her head toward the roof.

And the next moment.

“Catch him, Balkan.”

【<Judgment(SSS+)> activates.】

The fastest and strongest strike, honed to perfection, which even Asha herself couldn’t activate many times.

A flash similar to Balkan’s, but much faster, flew toward Nahan.

‘I must kill him with one strike.’

If she gave that man any more chances, she might be counterattacked.

Asha had noticed it.

That the man radiating killing intent toward her was <Black Wolf>, the leader of the <Black Wolf>.

Just as the sharp tip of the holy sword was about to pierce the <Black Wolf>’s neck.

BOOM!!!

With a familiar energy, Asha’s body was pushed back.

Despite being hastily activated, the hero’s best strike had been defended against.

There was no need for lengthy deliberation.

Asha cleared away the rising dust and asked the one who had blocked her:

“What are you doing, Balkan?”

The one who had blocked the Hero of Light was none other than the Guardian of the Empire.

Balkan, barely holding up his shattered shield, said to Asha:

“I’ll handle this myself, so go back, Asha.”

The third threat had been neutralized.