episode_0096

In the latter half of the story, Seo Jae-hyeok, who had been kind and innocent until the first half, changes into a very vicious character. It’s almost as if he’s become a different person than he is now.

‘You can’t even do it.’

‘Oh my god, you idiots. What am I going to say? This is so fucking fucked up, my mouth is glued shut.’

‘What the heck? That little bastard who lost his mother.’

This is all the lines Seo Jae-hyeok would say. How did he, who seemed incapable of swearing even a little, change so much? It was all something that happened naturally while living with his teacher, Yoo Su-ho.

As a teacher, Yoo Soo-ho was always by his side, and Seo Jae-hyeok’s kind personality seemed to be frustrating. So he forced him to use a lot of swear words, saying it was a good way to learn how to provoke. Naturally, he refused at first, thinking it was bad, but he couldn’t help but use it because he kept bothering him, and after repeating this for about half a year, it naturally became a habit and his speech changed. Thanks to that, in the original work, he was born as a being who spits out swear words that are incomparably worse than someone like me.

‘Of course, it’s not just the way you speak that has changed.’

In the original work, Seo Jae-hyeok has come to resemble his master Yoo Su-ho in every way, including his behavior and personality. Thanks to this, he has even changed into a style that allows one to see Yoo Su-ho’s lightness and ease when fighting.

When I first saw it transformed into a novel, it was a huge shock.

‘Then, it would have been the same in the previous round.’

Considering Seo Jae-hyeok’s hidden talent, it is certain that Yoo Soo-ho would have been his dedicated teacher just like in the original, and if we consider that, his personality would have changed to a similar state to the latter half of the original. In that case, although it is unlikely, we can assume that the line I said was often said in previous episodes.

Because it was a provocation skill he often used.

‘This should be enough to stop it.’

Of course, it’s just a guess, so it might not have been used in the previous round. I don’t know if it was just a waste of time. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t try it, and above all, if I succeed, I can easily lead the situation in the direction I want.

‘So, what was Seo Jae-hyuk like last time?’

Could it be that he was always a pure and kind boy? Or did he turn into a dirty, tainted adult like in the original?

Tell me the answer.

I looked at Yusera, who must have known the truth.

A start, her body trembled for a moment. It was as if she was reacting to a single word I said.

Yusera stopped walking for a moment and turned toward me, maintaining a heavy atmosphere. Since she had a cold appearance from the beginning, someone seeing her for the first time might think that this was her usual appearance. However, I often hung out with Yusera, so I could sense that something was different, even if it was subtle.

I take a deep breath and stand still, trying my best to act as if nothing happened. But strangely, my body feels tense and my fingertips start to tremble.

“What is it?”

Unlike usual, she doesn’t use the polite word ‘Yoo-seo’ when speaking to me. This probably means that her condition is not normal.

“What are you talking about… … .”

For a moment, Yusera stopped talking. It seemed like she couldn’t hold back her anger and her throat was blocked.

“Are you curious?”

I spoke in a soft voice, trying not to provoke Yusera as much as possible. I had to let this go as lightly as possible.

He spoke in a desperate voice, unable to even take a deep breath.

“Because I can explain it to you. Calm down and talk to me, can you?”

I want to swear at the situation right now, even if it’s not a good situation. But I know better than anyone that it won’t bring anything good, so I act out of character. At this very moment, I’m lower than Yoo Seo-ra.

No, maybe my position was lower from the beginning.

“Let me ask you a favor.”

Yuseo lowered her head and did not respond at all. It was as if she could not hear what I was saying. I even thought that maybe it wasn’t a joke, but that her ears had really been eaten by someone.

I tried to laugh at such a ridiculous thought, but the situation was still not good enough for that.

Thud thud.

The guy approaches. After a moment, he raises the sword he was holding towards me. It was a situation that I could have expected to some extent, but he still doesn’t stop talking.

“Let’s just talk for real. I’m doing this because I really want to. Can you do me a favor?”

Yuseo continues walking as if he didn’t hear what I said. Maybe he just doesn’t know who I am and thinks I’m an enemy.

No, it’s not that I don’t know, I just decided that they’re the enemy.

I realized that the conversation wouldn’t work any longer anyway. Perhaps these last words are the only words I can say to Yoo Seo-ra.

That’s why I raised my voice and shouted.

“Hey you little shit! Honestly, if you don’t have a conscience, can you do me a favor? I can explain everything you want to know, you little shit!”

Kwakwang!

Suddenly, a loud noise like rocks breaking apart erupted. It took me a moment to understand what was happening.

bang!

I quickly fired the gun I was holding, then moved my legs and took a few steps forward. It would have been easy to predict, since my immediate actions were limited.

I fired a few random shots. Then I ran towards a pillar standing nearby and hid right behind it. Of course, since it was a suicide note, I would have seen where I went, and I decided to aim for that part too.

First, let’s organize our thoughts.

Obviously, Yusera’s condition is not normal. Even simple methods might work at this point, and if that’s really possible, winning isn’t impossible.

I gripped the gun tightly and looked around while leaning against the pillar. If it had been the usual Yusera, I would have hidden somewhere nearby just like I did, but since I didn’t do that, it seems like his mental state is definitely not right.

‘If not, it’s not worth it to me.’

I click my tongue and taste the unpleasant truth, but at the same time, I am as aware of the reality as possible and prepare to pull the trigger.

Wooo!!

I gather all my mana with all my might. Unlike before, I could directly feel the great burden on my body. It seems that I have already reached my limit. A groan escapes me.

‘Fuck. I’m going!’

I quickly stepped outside the pillar, took aim, and pulled. I heard a loud bang, and then all I could do was pray for it to hit Yusera.

grasp!

I had expected it to be a skill level like that of Yu Seora, but I could see that the bullet was deflected in a strange trajectory and bounced off. Even I could feel that the power was truly great.

It’s a reality that’s so funny it’s almost unbelievable.

“… … .”

Yuseo stood there as if he had been struck by a bullet, then quickly turned his head towards the direction the bullet had come from. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he raised his sword and swung it with the rising mana.

Kagang!!

A sword aura flew towards me. It was definitely another sword made of mana, and I could feel a stronger killing intent than usual.

Since it was a situation that I could have expected to some extent, I quickly used my mana to turn my body. Then I quickly moved my legs and got away from Yusera.

He moved to another pillar nearby, picked up his gun, and decided to think about his next plan.

‘Fuck, is there no way?’

I bit my lips, feeling frustrated that there was no way to solve it right away. Maybe all I can do is just hold out until Yoo Seol-ra comes to her senses.

‘유서라 개새끼.’

Suddenly, memories of my time with her come back to me as if it were yesterday. Memories of the few months we spent together.

And all those good memories, and even the memories of dealing with Yoo Seol-ra over and over again.

It’s funny, but it was only after I was in a crisis that I was able to laugh it off.

‘Chew.’

How can I properly fight Yusera?

I have fought against Yusera several times. And of course, I have lost every time. I wonder what the problem was there.

“… … .”

But I couldn’t come up with an answer. If that’s the only problem, then it’s that I’m not an awakened person. If that’s really my only problem, then it means that I was wrong from the beginning.

The funny thing is, it’s the truth that makes me want to turn away.

Thud thud.

The sound of footsteps laughs at me, as if this is my grave.

My intuition was right from the start. This is truly my last stage.

‘I’m going to die anyway?’

As soon as I realized that fact, I was able to erase my fear.

I felt all the worries that had lingered deep in my heart, from my family and friends to my doubts about what had become of my world, disappear.

I was able to let go of all my foolishness for a moment.

I closed my eyes tightly for a moment and then opened them again.

“… … .”

As if she saw me move, Yusera approached me with eyes full of life. The sword in her hand was oozing with mana that contained the clear intention to kill. At the same time, I felt a sense of inexplicable sadness approaching me.

I remembered the thoughts I had had since I first became friends with her.

‘Why on earth… … .’

What happened in the last episode that made you change like this?

What happened there?

Before you returned, you were… … .

“It didn’t happen like this.”

Perhaps I should have asked her the moment she returned, but now I say it. Naturally, the will comes to me without any response.

He lifted his head, which had been bowed, and aimed straight at Yusera. There was not the slightest tremor in his hands, and he simply looked at her as if he were doing something natural.

From now on, what I will do with my life has been decided. Even at this moment, I will act only for Yoo Seo-ra. And for that, I have to stop her from going to Seo Jae-hyeok here.

“… … .”

I thought back to the daily life I spent with Yusera. And with that, I started to gather all the mana in my body with all my might.

I took a stance and slowly aimed at the target. However, the point where my gun was pointed was not where Yusera was. Instead, it was pointed at an empty wall.

“Hoo.”

This isn’t even a gamble. To be honest, it’s just crazy. But if you want to land a proper attack on her, there’s nothing you can do but this.

I pulled the trigger slowly without even questioning it.

Very slowly.

Full of hesitation.

bang!

Bullets fly.

Yuseo doesn’t show any reaction when he sees me like that. He just approaches me slowly at the same speed as before. He’s probably just taking his time.

I just watch the scene.

He takes a step closer to me like that.

It was that fleeting moment.

grasp!

A bullet flew from somewhere and hit Yusera. In an instant, her posture changed. For the first time, she looked around with a cold expression of pain.

‘… … .!’

I hurriedly hid myself without even being able to think properly. I ran behind a pillar and quickly assessed the situation.

‘I made it, fucking did it.’

He just attacked in a way that Yusera couldn’t predict.

And the way to do that was to simply bounce the bullet off the wall. Of course, that would be impossible with a normal bullet, but the bullet I shot was surrounded by mana, so it could fly without slowing down.

Because with this method, we can definitely attack Yu Seo-ra, who has already lost her mind.

But of course, the drawbacks were clear.

First of all, I couldn’t predict the bullets because the marksman skill didn’t work here. Because of this, I felt a great sense of insecurity from the beginning.

Secondly, I really wondered if Yusera would not be able to react. If she saw the bullet flying and stopped it, my plan would have failed completely.

Above all, if I failed even once, it would be just a dog’s death. So, in this case, it might have been better to just confront them head-on, which would have a low chance but a surefire way to attack. However, no matter how much I thought about it, it was impossible with my current mana, and in the end, there was only one way left.

So I tried.

‘And it worked.’

I looked at Yusera again. She was looking around as if searching for something.

‘I get it now.’

From the beginning, I never risked my life. But now, I risked my life in this ridiculous situation, and I succeeded. So the meaning is simple.

‘Then the next one will be the same.’

I quickly took up my stance and faced the wall. Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger, then quickly pulled the other way.

The bullet flew in a straight line, then bounced off the wall and changed its trajectory. Then it quickly headed towards Yusera.

Yu Seo-ra just stood there, unable to foresee the situation. Unfortunately, the bullets he fired this time completely missed the mark.

Still, the barrage of bullets did not stop. I pulled the trigger until my mana ran out, and the attacks continued to fly towards Yusera.

Only then did Yuseo realize that the bullets were flying at her, so she moved her body around to dodge them. It seemed like it was difficult to block all these bullets with her mana. Thanks to that, my unpredictable attacks were aimed at her.

Perhaps the bullet’s echo alone won’t be enough to tell where I am. For now, I can attack while keeping my body hidden.

“… … Hmm.”

I paused for a moment to assess the situation. If I continued like this, my mana would only run out. If that were the case, I would have to give up my life even more. I took a deep breath, filled my entire body with mana, and ran toward Yusera.

“Haaap!!!”

I quickly put strength into my sword and swung it at Yusera.

Kang!

Certainly, it was powerful because it was surrounded by mana. However, it was also causing me immense pain.

“Eeeeek!!!”

I feel like the pain is doubled because I keep complaining about using up the mana that I lost for no reason. Since it is something I can’t help, I endure it as much as I can and take a step forward.

After observing the situation for a moment, Yu Seo slightly pulled away and tried to swing his sword at me. However, I suddenly saw that and moved first.

Pfft!

An incredible force exploded right next to me. In a situation where I could only exclaim in admiration, she launched her next attack without even waiting.

I caught that sight and immediately anticipated it and dodged.

Pfft!

The flow continues.

Yusera continued to attack without stopping. But this time too, I quickly anticipated it and twisted my body to dodge.

Paaang!!

All of it was predictable.

It was probably because of my swordsmanship skills. For a moment, I burst out in laughter.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

This skill was not given to me to use swordsmanship well. It was given to me to have a chance to deal with Yusera, who was good at swordsmanship. When I realized that, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Even with my laughter, Yuseo doesn’t wait and launches his next attack. It will probably be even more powerful.

However, we have prepared countermeasures in advance.

I quickly pulled the trigger and fired at the wall. The bullet ricocheted off perfectly and hit her.

“Ugh!”

Only then did Yusera let out a groan. I swung my sword without taking advantage of the opportunity. Then, as if she was flustered, she immediately backed away from me.

In fact, the sword didn’t contain even a little bit of mana.

I looked straight at Yusera.

“Now, do you feel like you’re fighting?”

When I spoke mockingly, he walked slowly as if answering me.

Yeah, let’s fight some more.

Let’s fight some more, if only to find out when you’ll stop.

This friend is chew.