episode_0022

It was the perfect time to devise a plan.

Upon hearing my devised strategy, they furrowed their brows and spoke to me.

“So… are you suggesting we just watch the ritual?”

“Is that… right?”

“We must intervene! What nonsense!”

“I agree as well.”

Rain and Ahhrak countered my suggestion of watching the ritual, while Elise and Leiana.

And

“…Could you please elaborate further?”

“I would also like to request that.”

Ment, a middle-aged mercenary, and Ranger Leona, curiously wanting more details.

Observing them, seasoned from various experiences, I chuckled inwardly at their heightened awareness.

Then, I calmly explained.

Even disrupting the ritual, the disparity in power between us and the creatures is dire.

Rather than disrupting the ritual, we might get trampled by the orcs swarming near the tent.

So, what should we do?

Exploit it.

Everything around us, the current situation.

That’s how humans are.

We’re weaker than orcs,

Less attuned to mana and shorter-lived than elves,

Less dexterous than gnomes and lacking in strength and endurance,

Deficient in many ways compared to giants,

And have no chance against dragons.

How then do humans dominate over half the continent?

Because humans survive by exploiting anything they can.

What we need to exploit now is maintaining the ritual.

Sustaining such grand magic is inherently taxing.

While the ritual endures and our powers wane, I strategize from within as others prepare for the ‘hunt’ outside.

Starting with the most threatening foes if possible,

And the moment the ritual concludes.

As success eases tension and our drained strengths hit rock bottom,

I will eliminate the ‘most threatening foe.’

“…Who speaks?”

Why ask that?

Naturally,

“It’s me.”

Amidst orcs dangerously milling about inside, Bi Han’s declaration to kill the most threatening foe was akin to the ramblings of a madman at the bottom of a slum, yet oddly unassailable.

Ment and Leona maintained their composure, already deeming the plan quite sound.

Rain and Leiana were pondering how to deal with the most threatening foe.

Elise thought it might be too much responsibility for Bi Han to face the enemy alone.

Was it guilt prompting her thoughts? She dismissed the fleeting idea like water under a bridge.

As everyone ruminated silently, Ahhrak spoke up.

“Employer, weak.”

‘This brat?’

Bi Han glared at Ahhrak’s words.

Admittedly, Bi Han’s body was frail. He acknowledged that.

But he refused to accept his weakness. That was non-negotiable.

Before Bi Han could prove his strength by striking Ahhrak on the back of the head, Ahhrak continued.

“When our axes clashed, when you lifted the Employer, I noticed. The Employer is weak.”

Everyone subtly agreed with Ahhrak.

Just by looking at him, Bi Han seemed feeble.

Although orcs could disguise their appearance, a somewhat developed physique emanated a distinct aura.

However, no such energy exuded from Bi Han.

Hence, everyone was taken aback when they first faced him.

“But, the Employer is strong.”

Ahhrak remembered.

Bi Han effortlessly displayed a strength that even his father, the tribe chief, couldn’t match.

His seemingly blunt techniques with the orc’s sturdy body seemed heaven-sent.

Swearing by it, Ahhrak had never witnessed such seamless mastery.

When the Employer asked him to lift him, feeling the toned yet fragile body, Ahhrak realized.

Yet, Bi Han’s unique demeanor made Ahhrak cautious.

The arrogant air typical of the powerful, the confidence that nothing you do poses any threat to me, made Ahhrak realize.

“The Employer is a strong one.”

Bi Han was indeed strong.

Thus, Ahhrak concurred.

If the ‘situation’ mentioned by the employer comes, as an employer, one will surely succeed.

Bi Han nodded satisfactorily at Ahlak’s words.

This kid suddenly said something unpleasant, making me think I should scold him, but he made an unexpected remark.

He then asked others.

“Do others agree as well?”

After a moment of silence, everyone raised their hands one by one.

“I agree too.”

“I agree.”

“I agree.”

The remaining two.

Elise and Leonine.

Elise, with a complex expression, asked Bi Han.

“Why are you going to such lengths?”

A sudden question without further words.

Instead of asking ‘what,’ Bi Han calmly replied.

“Because it needs to be done.”

If we don’t catch that anger in advance…?

It’s a crazy boss that gets stronger in real-time, so if we can’t catch it in the late game, we won’t be able to either.

We must catch it before the mid-to-late game, really.

Knowing or not knowing Bi Han’s inner thoughts, Elise sighed and said.

“…Make sure you come back unharmed.”

“…Okay.”

She’s really kind…

Even when her family was ruined, Elise, who remained steadfast and only sought revenge, overlapped in Bi Han’s mind, bringing tears to his eyes.

This time, there won’t be such a thing…

So, Elise, let’s not go into dungeons alone to earn tuition fees at the academy, and let’s not do part-time jobs for equipment repairs. The busy Elise who earned money and sought revenge in the game won’t rise again.

Making such a vow, the last remaining Leonine raised her hand and asked.

“Can you really kill it?”

Oh

The tears that almost came out just now were held back.

“If it’s the ‘most threatening enemy,’ it would likely be either the exhausted chieftain or something that comes as a result of consciousness… Can you really do it?”

It was a valid question.

Since they don’t know my exact strength, it’s natural for them to be curious.

If I entrusted it to them and attacked after becoming conscious, wouldn’t it be a total wipeout if they said, ‘Oh, seems like your DPS is lacking? lol.’

It was very annoying to doubt my lack of DPS, but instant confidence is necessary for the gathered guild members.

I nodded my head to his question.

“Of course.”

“…Do you have some ancient artifact?”

Did I answer too confidently?

Leonine pried.

Well, what’s the name of an ancient artifact anyway.

I don’t have one yet.

I’ll go get one from the dungeon later when I have time, but for now, I don’t have one.

Ahlak was right.

I am weak.

My physical body has nothing but an S-level determination, physically cursed with no stamina, agility, strength, or even mana.

But whether it’s a chieftain or a powerful foe, I can kill them when they’re vulnerable.

How?

Well

Sometimes people say even in cafes that stats determine everything.

They’re like fools.

Stats are important indeed.

But fighting isn’t about stat battles.

For a moment.

Just for a moment stronger than the opponent, you can definitely win.

That’s what combat is.

Kneeling down, I released and unleashed a sprint that had been stacked over and over again while drawing the energy of Palma spread throughout my body into my right arm.

As the creature gathered around my solar plexus began to unravel, I thought about it later and stretched my legs.

【Sprint 9 Stacks】 【Right Hand of Annihilation】

Zero point zero one second

In this moment where I put everything into it, I behead the creature.

—-!!!!!!

A feeling of bones shattering in my legs along with a sonic boom.

Arriving at the destination as soon as I departed, I cut the red orc’s throat.

-Swish

I then thrust myself towards the chieftain standing beside the creature.

-Kwahng!

What do you think, Leonine?

Now you understand, right?

…

The orcs couldn’t comprehend what was happening before their eyes.

The god had finally descended to the earth.

They knelt, worshiping the god.

With a loud sound suddenly heard, something happened.

The head disappeared from the god’s body, and the chieftain flew off somewhere.

In that place, all that remained was a black orc with twisted legs and spewing blood.

No… It wasn’t a black orc but a human with black hair.

“[Chwiik!! A human! A human has appeared!]”

“[Where did they appear from?!]”

“[Where has our god gone?!]”

“[Where has the chieftain gone, Chwiik?]”

A human suddenly appearing in place of their god and chieftain.

The confusion among the surviving orcs reaching its peak.

-..Everyone, attack.

A voice laden with oppressive force commanding obedience.

Along with that voice, the chieftain, his face contorted like a demon, appeared.

“I, the chief sorcerer Akat, swear by my name to slowly crush and devour your soul, human.”

Akat, venting cold rage, his face twisted in anger.

Seeing this, Bi-han let out a hollow laugh and released the tentacles reaching out from his empty body, moving explosively as if confined for too long, exploring everywhere.

As the energy surged through his body, ready to charge forward.

“Everyone, now’s the time!”

“We’re going!”

Spirit Archery Specialist Skill

High Wind

Rising along with the familiar voice, arrows shot forth towards the enemy riding on the wind.

Before admiring the skill that excluded only Bi-han from its path, spiritual beings descended around, except for the two providing rear support fire.

“We’ve arrived!”

“As expected, our employer is strong.”

“..Impressive.”

Except for the two providing rear support fire, everyone stood beside me.

Elise, the only one not speaking, gazed at me with a heavily distorted face.

That expression… roughly translates to ‘You said you wouldn’t get hurt, yet here you are lying again,’ right?

“..I said I wouldn’t get hurt.”

See, I told you so.

When the protagonist, as usual, interferes with Elise’s story and gets injured, Elise’s response is predictable.

About to praise my keen observation skills, I realized the pain in my neck and spoke.

“It’s really nice of you to come and get me, but…”

“Leave me and go back.”

Can you leave me alone for a moment…?

“..What?”

“?”

“Huh?”

“Are you crazy?”

While everyone expressed it with their faces, Lady Rayana actually said it aloud.

Although she covered her mouth with a face of realization after speaking.

Staring at someone with a ‘are you crazy?’ face honestly hurts…

But really, can’t you leave me alone?

Or maybe come back in a bit?

Right now…

[The deepest and widest arrogance sits slantedly, smiling.]

[Arrogance speaks. ‘Is this finally the first appearance?’]

Is this really the limit?

The chieftain seemed more composed than expected.

I thought he would be twice as exhausted, but he must have replenished his vitality accordingly.

So, I just let go of the control I had been barely holding onto.

Who gathered the arrogance within me and repeatedly struck my neck?

Pama (Dispelling Magic)

If I gather all the Pama into my right arm, and now that the Pama has dispersed, who remains within me?

Arrogance.

Then, what will happen if I release the very last bit of control?

Yes,

I will become arrogance now.

Well… it’ll work out somehow.

[The deepest arrogance… is you! No longer hiding yourself!]

Perhaps due to an instinctual aversion, those around me retreated.

Energy poured explosively from my body, eyes turned black, face pale and cracked legs mended.

Elise, astonished at herself, or… what was her name again? Gazed dispassionately at the faces of insignificant humans before turning away.

A green beetle arrogantly buzzing around.

If it saw itself, it should bow its head in reverence and offer itself.

I suppose I need to show the difference in status.

[The deepest and widest arrogance speaks.]

“Now, shall we crush these insects who know nothing of their place?”

It was time to demonstrate the disparity.