episode_0030

Take your time and organize your thoughts. No matter how much you feel like you’ve discovered something, there’s a big difference between organizing and not doing it.

‘First, that strange pattern is made up of the plus mana I used, then the sword that Lee Ji-hye is holding, and lastly, the monster that strangely awakened for some reason.’

The rest of it is just meaningless lines and shapes. It’s unclear, but at least that’s what it looked like to my eyes.

So then what exactly does that pattern mean?

Even if you think about it simply, it’s clear that those three are somehow related. So at least aside from the simple things like the items inside this gate, you have to think about what they have in common in another way.

If the answer is that easy and simple, then nothing will change in the end and we will not be able to find a solution.

‘First of all, I know for sure about the plus mana I used.’

So I thought about that first.

Other than that, the drug had no other effect. It was just increasing the amount of mana. I could tell that by using it myself. In fact, that alone was a great effect, so what else could I need?

The features were captured so easily.

So, let’s first look at the commonalities between monsters and swords, focusing on the ‘plus mana’ that we are most familiar with. First, the sword.

‘What are the special features of that sword?’

Think about it.

Since it wasn’t in the original, I need to think about it carefully. Especially since I’ve never even used it properly.

Think about it slowly.

As a feature, when you hold it, like the ‘Plus Mana’ I used, your mana amount increases. Not only that, it’s also good as a sword on its own.

The shape was simple and there was no flashy decoration, giving it a clean feel.

When I saw it, I couldn’t think of anything else.

‘Let’s just think about it to this extent and move on.’

Finally, we have to think about the remaining most unknown entity, the monster.

‘What’s so special about him?’

The shape of a monster comes to mind.

First of all, it has the characteristic of being extremely strong. Even though it was only the beginning, it caused Yoo Soo-ra to get hurt quite a bit. When I first saw that scene, I was quite shocked. Because Yoo Soo-ra, who had been portrayed as someone who could defeat anyone, was hit.

Even if you think about it theoretically, it’s an amazing sight.

Considering that she regressed back then, it’s fair to say that the monster is completely strong, as she’s second only to Yoo Soo-ho in terms of pure fighting sense.

He is strong.

‘And unlike the original, it even awakened.’

At first, I didn’t know why he had awakened. When I first saw it, I couldn’t help but be surprised, and honestly, I felt like my head wasn’t working properly.

But somehow I had a feeling that I would know now.

It’s because of me.

In the original, I first defeated the monster and then used ‘Plus Mana’. And then I went outside without any problems.

But what’s the situation now?

Before I could even defeat the monster, I used ‘Plus Mana’ first. From there, things started to go wrong compared to the original.

The most important difference from the original.

The sword I brought.

Then how did it come about? It wasn’t in the original, but it just suddenly appeared on the road I was passing by.

What is that?

It was an item that appeared when you used the drug before the black monster was defeated. And at the same time, because you used the sword, the monster awakened.

‘That’s ridiculous.’

So that’s why it’s different from the original. It was just a minor action.

So does that mean that the black hole was actually a trap? And that I should have just ignored it and gone back without being greedy?

Is that the only way to defeat the monster?

I don’t think so either.

Finally, there is a sword shape engraved on that wall.

In short, it can be explained that the sword is something important. If it was simply a trap, it would be right not to carve it.

So, it wasn’t a trap, but rather a weapon that appeared due to conditions.

A weapon that appears only when you use Plus Mana.

‘That kind of weapon.’

Then why did the monster awaken at that time?

My guess is that he did something he shouldn’t have done.

If the sword really was a trap, then why wouldn’t the monster awaken as soon as it was picked up? It clearly tells us that holding it itself isn’t the problem.

‘I’m sure.’

So how did the monster awaken?

That was a fact that could be known just by recalling what we had done before the bastard fell.

Let’s look back at that time.

I kept shooting and with one blow, Lee Ji-hye cut off the guy’s chest.

Yeah, using that sword.

To summarize, it is like this.

The monster awakened because Lee Ji-hye used a sword. In the original, it was defeated without any of that, so there would be no awakening there.

At least that’s what I’m guessing.

Then why did the monster awaken when Lee Ji-hye used the sword? To put it simply, it would be because the act of using the sword should not have occurred.

Then, does that mean I shouldn’t have used a sword?

So in the end, ignoring it was the answer?

I don’t think so. After all, if that’s the case, then the conclusion again is that the black fact was a trap. So I thought about it. If the sword wasn’t a trap, why did that happen?

The answer was simple.

That black drug, the one who used ‘Plus Mana’, should have had it. Only that person was allowed to use it.

Then why did you only give it to those who used ‘Plus Mana’? Even if it’s something that qualifies you to do so, anyone can use it as long as that monster isn’t there.

I made a quick guess there.

The conclusion left me feeling quite certain.

You can easily defeat that monster by attacking it using only ‘Plus Mana’. In other words, it is a monster that is created to be defeated only by conditions, not by qualifications or anything like that.

‘It’s quite possible.’

As evidence, the monster is sick and is far from the sword. Perhaps it is indirectly telling us to use those two to defeat it.

It would be appropriate to think of the fact that the monster’s body color is drawn in red as a warning to be careful.

‘If it becomes like this.’

I recall the original information and try to come up with the most appropriate strategy.

First, if you enter the gate, go straight into the maze and take out ‘Plus Mana’. Then, after using it, go straight back to the monster. As you go back, you will find a sword, and you can just use it to cut the monster.

This is what I think is a classic strategy.

It seems simple if you just know it, but it’s a difficult strategy because there’s no way to know it. It felt like I had to clear a dungeon in a game.

‘good.’

A proper conclusion has been reached.

Since I’m still going to be leisurely with this strategy, I just need to attack using my sword and it’ll be over.

‘however.’

I don’t have any mana right now. I’m not kidding, I don’t have enough mana, I have too little.

‘Oh my god. What should I do with this?’

I frowned and continued my thoughts.

What can I do when I don’t have enough stamina? Even if I buy time, will my mana return properly?

If I had thought properly, this wouldn’t have happened.

I’m getting really annoyed.

If only I hadn’t been so stupid, something like this wouldn’t have happened.

“Hoo.”

I tried to calm down as much as possible.

Still, it’s a good situation. At least it’s better than before.

Eventually, there was an answer, and even though it was small, there was a possibility.

I was able to survive.

“Ugh, shit.”

No matter how hard I tried to plan, I couldn’t come to a conclusion. In the end, I had no choice but to leave it to luck.

That’s all I have to do.

“What are you thinking?”

While I was deep in thought, Lee Ji-hye spoke to me. I turned my head to check her expression, and it seemed as if she was filled with doubt.

Although I feel quite uncomfortable, I decided to explain what needed to be explained.

“You may not believe it, but I want you to listen to what I have to say.”

So I explained all the thoughts I had guessed as concisely as possible. I couldn’t give the reasons because I was short on time.

“Is that true?”

“At least I think so.”

Lee Ji-hye seemed to keep thinking about whether that was right.

“Anyway, since it has come to this, please give me the sword.”

“Okay.”

They’re just trying to pass it over lightly.

Well, I did that originally, so I guess it’s okay.

“Then what should I do now?”

“You can wait outside.”

“Outside?”

“Yes. Please go out and wait.”

I spoke lightly and loaded the gun. Lee Ji-hye opened her mouth, frowning as if she was dissatisfied with something.

“I can help you too.”

“Instead, it would be dangerous. Just stay out.”

Then I immediately reached out my hand. It was a request for a sword.

Lee Ji-hye looked at my hand and suddenly grabbed it. For a moment, I was so flustered that I couldn’t react, and Lee Ji-hye looked at me and said,

“I can help you.”

His tone of voice felt softer than usual when he spoke to me.

I guess that’s how sincere he is.

Or maybe he’s just trying to convince you as much as possible.

No matter what happened, I just kept repeating the same thing.

“It’s okay.”

“I’m not okay.”

Lee Ji-hye was glaring at me as if she was about to sigh.

Ultimately, the reason I don’t want to act with Lee Ji-hye is because she could get seriously injured. If that happens and her condition worsens and she acts differently from the original, I could be in quite a danger.

In that case, even if it’s dangerous for me, I’d rather send her out first. That way, I can feel safe too.

But there is no more time.

Now, even I, a common person, can hear the sound of the monster breaking through the wall. I have no choice but to accept it.

I took a deep breath and said.

“Okay, then please do it.”

“Yeah.”

As soon as the conversation was over, we turned towards the direction where the sound came from.

Now that it’s come to this, I plan to use Lee Ji-hye properly. No matter how dangerous it may be.

‘Then what should we do?’

First of all, I can no longer use mana. Even if I could, I should not use it in order to use the sword as much as possible.

So in the end, all I have to do is keep pulling the trigger.

“Please give me the sword first.”

I spoke to Lee Ji-hye in a light tone. Lee Ji-hye nodded as if she understood and immediately handed me the sword.

Fortunately, the black mana still had quite a bit left. It should be enough for me to use.

‘If I just recover my mana here, it’ll be completely over.’

It was certain.

He stands there ready to fight.

“If you just attack properly with that sword, it’s over?”

I thought about those words for a moment.

It’s not that simple. If you look at the picture on the wall, there’s a bottle and a sword together. That means you have to use the mana in the sword and the ‘plus mana’ together for it to be effective.

I opened my mouth with a simple guess.

“No. To be exact, you have to attack using mana as well.”

“So, your mana should be restored?”

“That’s right.”

Lee Ji-hye, who was lost in thought at my words, spoke immediately.

“Then I’ll buy you some time.”

“Yes?”

“Where have you been hiding all this time?”

surely.

That was a plan I had thought of as well. However, if that happened, Lee Ji-hye would be in danger, and on the other hand, my mana wouldn’t be restored to the point where I could take that risk.

That’s why I deliberately avoided that plan.

Above all, it seems that he didn’t care about the plan because he didn’t know if Lee Ji-hye would do it.

‘But he said he’d do it.’

There’s no way to stop her anyway. If I could, she would have already gone out.

“Ha, I understand. Please.”

“Don’t worry. If you feel it’s dangerous, you come out and help me.”

Easier said than done.

I don’t know if I can get that timing right, which could be dangerous.

“And I will run away if it becomes that dangerous.”

You’re joking.

The reason he stays isn’t because he’s kind or anything like that. Of course, it’s true that he cares about me to some extent and wants to help me.

It’s just that he got excited because he heard me say that he could take down that monster. It’s funny.

In short, the guy was more likely to keep fighting rather than running away, so I could recover more mana.

If a third party saw this, they would just think that Lee Ji-hye has a sacrificial personality.

I almost burst out laughing for a moment. To that extent, Lee Ji-hye’s actions and tone were like a joke to me.