Chapter 19
You often see scenes like this when you read Fantasy comics or novels.
He sensed the aura emitted by the enemy and realized it was a formidable foe.
I am experiencing that for the first time right now.
A Knight in black armor has lava dripping from it.
Honestly, even without sensing his aura, one could clearly see his strength just by looking at him.
Could a being who walked out of that furnace perfectly fine, covered in lava, possibly be weak? Of course he'd be strong as fuck.
Was he an enemy, or an ally?
The identity of that Black Knight was what mattered.
"Sir Carlos!"
Haelyn called out to the Knight in a bright voice.
Thank God! He must be an ally.
The Knight called Carlos looked our way.
Then, letting out a gloomy laugh, he spoke.
"Did you go out for a night walk without the servants knowing again, Lady Haelyn? I have been looking for you for quite a while. I thought you had fallen into the lava and died."
Haelyn's expression slowly stiffened.
Having grasped the atmosphere, I felt my expression stiffen as well.
Ah, fuck... Is he an enemy?
"Sir Carlos, don't tell me... Was this your doing?"
Carlos nodded.
"I did it."
Haelyn was enraged.
"...Why! How could you, the Knight Commander, betray the Dafriya Family!" "I was never loyal from the start, so it is not a betrayal." "How dare you! Do you think you can handle the consequences! When my father returns...!" "I cleared away the obstacles in advance just for him. When the Count returns, I will cut off his head and end this wretched oath."
Their conversation, which felt like a game's Story Progression, didn't even register in my ears.
I watched for an opening before launching a surprise attack, firing a Flame Strike at the Black Knight.
Kwaaaang!
"Huh?"
Haelyn looked back at me in panic.
I said.
"First Strike Wins."
If things look sketchy, attack first and ask questions later.
It was a lesson I learned from defeating the Old Mage on the 1st Floor, but... it seemed this wasn't a situation where it applied.
The Black Knight, revealed as the flames cleared, was perfectly fine.
He was so perfectly fine that it was baffling, making me wonder for a moment if my attack had missed.
"..."
The Black Knight glanced at me.
I laughed awkwardly. Haha.
'Am I fucked?'
Without even a single word like 'what the hell are you', the Black Knight raised the sword in his hand.
The moment the sword was swung, I used Time Stop.
...What is this.
Within the stopped time, dark red Sword Auras were sweeping toward us like a massive net.
I'm going to die. I'm really going to die from this.
Feeling my life hanging by a thread, I used Mental Concentration.
At the same time I released the time stop, I used Teleportation into a gap in the flying net of Sword Aura.
Kwagwagwagwagwa!
Along with a tremendous explosion, my body was swept up by the shock and sent flying like a piece of paper.
I'm dead... No, I lived. Did I live?
"Kueuu."
Unable to gather my senses, I barely managed to raise my upper body.
The surroundings were devastated, as if a carpet bombing had occurred.
It was hard to even understand what the Black Knight had just done. What the hell happened just from swinging a sword once?
"...!"
The Black Knight's figure could be seen through the dirt and dust.
He paid no attention to me, treating me like a bug.
He approached Haelyn, who was collapsed on the other side, and raised his sword.
Seogeok!
The sword fell, and Haelyn's head fell as well.
A message popped up before my eyes.
\[Failed the Hidden Strategy for Nightmare Difficulty, 2nd Floor. (1/3)\]
\[He was exiting the tower.\]
---
Returning to my room, I lay blankly on my bed and took a rest.
Fortunately, my body wasn't hurt anywhere, but I was in a state of slight mental shock.
"This is way too much..."
The surroundings were devastated by a single attack from the Black Knight, and I was almost torn limb from limb.
Even Flame Strike, the Highest Firepower I possessed, didn't work at all.
It meant he was an opponent I couldn't land a hit on by any means.
Maybe I had done something stupid from the start. He was a guy who walked out of lava perfectly fine, after all.
An opponent who was clearly far beyond my level.
I'm supposed to defeat something like that?
'That makes no sense.'
A conclusion came quickly.
He wasn't an enemy meant to be defeated.
And if Haelyn dies, the strategy fails.
Thinking about the Story Progression, it goes: encounter Haelyn > persuade and cooperate > it turns out the Knight Commander betrayed them > ?
Then what... is there anything else but one option?
Maybe it means to run away from that Black Knight. , taking Haelyn with me.
Now there was only one chance left.
After finishing my rest, I entered to use my last remaining chance.
It would be a shame if I couldn't clear it, but let's not overdo it. My life is the most precious thing.
\[Entered Nightmare Difficulty, 2nd Floor.\]
Past the platforms, past the Minotaur, and back to the forest.
I kept my guard up while waiting for Haelyn to ambush me.
Kaang!
"Wait! I have no intention of fighting!" "Shut up, Human! Die!"
Haelyn wouldn't listen to reason this time either.
Only after showing her the difference in our strength appropriately, like before, was I able to have a conversation with her.
"You understand, right? We have no reason to fight." "...I understand for now."
As expected, Haelyn made the same proposal.
"If so, Human, you shall take on the role of my Escort for a while. I have not completely withdrawn my suspicions yet, so if you are truly innocent, help me. Of course, I will bestow a fitting reward upon you later." "An Escort?" "Yes. The situation I am currently facing is urgent. My castle being covered in lava is because magic went wild..."
This is where the branch diverges.
I listened to all of her explanation and nodded.
"Of course I'll help you. But we shouldn't return to the castle." "What? What are you talking about?" "I saw it. There was an incredibly strong Intruder. I barely managed to escape without being caught myself. There were no survivors anyway. We need to run away from here right now."
Since I, a complete stranger, would only draw suspicion if I said the Knight Commander was a traitor, I explained it like this.
Haelyn's eyes grew fierce as she shouted.
"Are you saying that Intruder is still around the castle? Where is he?" "Huh? No..."
What are you talking about? Did you not just hear me?
"I said he's an incredibly strong Intruder, didn't I? I absolutely can't beat him, and you absolutely can't beat him either. If we run into him, we die." "So are you telling me to disgracefully run away, leaving behind the Intruder who destroyed my Family's castle!"
I was dumbfounded.
Why is she acting up with such useless pride.
"I will return to the castle. You follow me right now as well." "I'm not going. Do you think I'm crazy enough to go die?" "You coward, then get lost! I will go by myself."
Haelyn turned her back and walked in the direction of the castle.
Ah, seriously, this girl.
Realizing that persuasion wouldn't work, I blocked the path of the stubborn Haelyn.
"I'm telling you, you'll die if you go! Listen to what people say." "Move! You human, who do you think you are blocking?"
Was the theme of the 2nd Floor's Hidden Strategy perhaps calming a spoiled child?
"Just listen, please. I'm not saying we should run away; it's a strategic retreat. Don't you have to be alive first to get revenge? Why would you go out of your way to act exactly how the Intruder wants and go die? Isn't that right?"
I tried to persuade Haelyn while suppressing my annoyance.
"What is the reason you are trying so hard to keep me away from the castle? Now that I look at it, it's clear you are pulling some strange trick!"
The crazy Demonkin answered my efforts by swinging her sword at me again.
This is driving me crazy.
Chaeng, chaeng, chaeng, after exchanging blows, I used Teleportation again to catch Haelyn off guard.
"Kahak!"
Kicked in the back, Haelyn fell to the ground.
"Could you please just listen to me?"
Haelyn bit her lip tightly and shouted.
"Human, do not think you can make me submit by force!"
She won't listen to reason.
"Y-you bastard... Keueuk!"
I fought Haelyn again and hit her a few more times.
As the damage accumulated, Haelyn lost her strength, and I struck her sword hard.
Chaeng!
The sword flew far away, and I kicked Haelyn in the stomach, knocking her down.
I spoke to the agonizing Haelyn.
"I'm seriously begging you. Who do you think I'm doing this for right now? You'll die if you go to the castle."
Haelyn shouted, "Silence!"
"Kill me! You damn human!"
It seemed her distrust of me was already completely ingrained.
She attacked me first. So why is she acting like she's the victim for getting beaten up?
Okay, I give up.
I eventually gave up on persuading her.
Peok!
I used Teleportation behind Haelyn and struck the back of her neck with a Hand Strike.
"Keok."
Struck on the back of the neck, Haelyn slumped forward.
She didn't faint. She rubbed the back of her neck and glared at me as if she were dumbfounded.
...I guess it wouldn't work out like in the movies, huh?
I just forcefully tucked Haelyn under one arm and picked her up.
"Let go! Keueuk, let go of me! You Human!"
I was originally stronger, and since she had lost a lot of energy, her resistance wasn't very fierce.
Perhaps because the Exaltation Effect was still being maintained, my stamina was still going strong.
"Let's just go. I'm suffering like a dog trying to save your life!" "I said let go... Let go of me!"
Ignoring her, I started running.
The direction was the path stretching straight in the opposite direction of the castle.
Haelyn, who had been struggling, must have been quite frustrated, as she suddenly started crying.
"T-to subject me to such an insult, when you're just a Human...! Uwaaang! I'll kill you!"
She's really doing it all.
Since she was crying, she stopped struggling, which made it easier. Yeah, keep crying.
Not knowing how far I had to go, I just ran endlessly.
Honestly, I wasn't sure if this was right.
It was just the path I chose because fighting that Black Knight didn't seem like the right answer no matter how I looked at it.
If not, what else could I do? It would just be a shame.
Since the bawling Haelyn seemed to have calmed down, I casually asked.
"Where do we have to go to escape? That Intruder might be chasing us from behind right now."
Haelyn kept her mouth shut tight and didn't answer.
I really want to smack her on the head...
"...!"
At that moment, a chilling aura was felt from behind.
I looked back.
Haelyn must have felt it too, as she raised her head.
"...Sir Carlos!"
Fuck, is he really chasing us?
I started sprinting with all my might, like my feet were on fire.
"Sir Carlos! Over here! I am over here!"
Haelyn started shouting at the top of her lungs.
I shouted too.
"Shut up! That guy is the traitor!" "What nonsense! Now that Sir Carlos is here, you are dead, Human...!"
Yeah, no. You're the one who's gonna die.
He didn't even care about me.
Talking would only make my mouth hurt, so I just ran as best as I could.
No, I should refill my willpower first. I stopped time and fully replenished my depleted willpower. Then I ran again.
As I ran, I saw something chasing us.
It wasn't that Monster Black Knight. I could feel that he was still far away.
"What is that now..."
Pitch-black dogs with red eyes and bodies shimmering like haze were chasing after us at a fast speed.
"They are Sir Carlos's Tracking Familiars! You are already finished!"
Thanks for the explanation.
Soon, the dogs followed closely behind.
It would be nice if they were just tracking us, but they looked ready to pounce and bite at any moment, so I attacked too.
Kwaaang!
I fired a Flame Strike, which reduced their numbers, but a few were still left.
No, they're increasing again.
Fuck, how many of them are there?
"Ugh...!"
Just then, Haelyn suddenly twisted her whole body and threw a fit.
I momentarily lost my balance as well, and we both fell.
Haelyn jumped up and distanced herself from me.
"Hahaha! I clearly told you! You are finished!"
By the time we had fallen, the dogs had all caught up.
Haelyn shouted gladly.
"Over here! Come and hold this guy down?!"
The dogs lunged and attacked.
Ignoring me, they only went for Haelyn.
"Kyaaak! W-what are you doing!"
Haelyn flailed her arms, trying to tear the dogs off.
I watched blankly for a moment before moving to help Haelyn.
When I slashed the dogs' smoke-like shimmering bodies with my sword, they were easily cut and disappeared. They were just fast, not very strong.
"Hold on!"
As another wave swarmed in, I grabbed Haelyn by the waist and used the Leap Skill.
Soaring high up, I dropped a Flame Strike toward the dogs swarming below.
Kwaaaang!
Only then was I able to wipe them out cleanly.
Landing on the ground, I put Haelyn down.
She was bleeding from being bitten in a few places, but it didn't seem like a major injury.
Haelyn blankly gasped for rough breaths before looking at me.
"...Why did they attack me? Sir Carlos's familiars?"
I clicked my tongue and answered.
"That's why I said he's a traitor. They weren't chasing me in the first place, they were chasing you." "That makes no sense."
Haelyn had an expression of great shock.
Phew, I swear...
"It makes sense. If you've grasped the situation, let's go quietly now. Run on your own two feet."
It was annoying as hell, but it was fine as long as she had come to her senses.
I was anxious that she might throw another fit, saying she would fight the Black Knight, but fortunately, Haelyn kept her mouth shut and started running after me.
Given how well this crazy Demonkin was controlling her anger, that guy must really be strong.
"Just a little further and a bridge will appear." "A bridge?" "From there on, it is territory outside the estate. Carlos cannot leave this Dafriya Territory due to an oath, so we just need to cross the bridge."
Is that so?
Now I can see the Clear Condition. It would be over once we just cross the bridge.
"Haa, haa."
As we ran, Haelyn kept falling behind.
Did she hurt her leg? I could see her limping.
I didn't have much stamina to spare either, but I approached and picked Haelyn up again.
"W-what are you doing!" "It'll be faster if I just carry you and run."
Since there wasn't much left, this was better. If we get caught, we die.
Haelyn didn't struggle and quietly let herself be tucked under my arm.
I gritted my teeth and sprinted, then looked back and asked urgently.
"How much further?!" "...Just one more minute at this speed!"
There was a reason I was urgent.
I could feel that he was almost here now.
"...!"
From behind, a red flash of light suddenly sparked.
I even used the Leap Skill to jump forward.
Kugugugu!
The Sword Aura didn't fly directly at us, but along with the Shockwave, trees were uprooted and sent flying in droves.
"Ueok...!"
Haelyn and I couldn't completely escape it either and rolled on the ground.
Ah, should I just leave? I want to leave.
Because it would be a waste of all the suffering I went through to get here, I groaned and got up. I grabbed Haelyn and ran again.
"...!"
The bridge started to come into view.
But... the bridge was a bit too long.
With slight exaggeration, a massive bridge like the Hangang Bridge connected the distant cliffs.
"We just need to cross that!"
Final spurt. I run.
When I ran wildly and reached about the middle of the bridge, I looked back.
The Black Knight could be seen as small as a dot.
As if he really couldn't chase us any further, he had stopped in front of the bridge.
The thought crossed my mind that we would have been fucked if we were even a little late... Wait a minute, what is he doing?
Kuuung-!
As the Black Knight struck the ground with his sword, a massive vibration echoed out.
Crazy.
A dark red aura surged up like a tidal wave and covered the bridge.
About one third of the bridge was destroyed in an instant, followed by a chain collapse.
"Uwaaaah!"
I screamed as I dashed across the collapsing bridge.
The speed of the collapse was gradually increasing.
When there wasn't much distance left, I made one last full-power leap. Right after, the ground beneath me narrowly collapsed.
I flew toward the land on the opposite side.
The distance... is lacking!
"Kyaaaaaak!"
Perhaps sensing that we would smash into the cliff face and fall at this rate, Haelyn let out a resounding scream.
Just hold still; we won't die.
In mid-air, I threw Haelyn toward the opposite side with all my might.
And I also used Time Stop. I also used Teleportation.
Arriving on the opposite side first, I caught the flying Haelyn.
Having been thrown by me and caught by me, Haelyn looked up at me with a dumbfounded face, unable to grasp the situation.
Kugugugu.
The massive bridge completely collapsed.
I put Haelyn down and stared at the opposite side of the cliff.
The Black Knight, looking like a distant dot, seemed to be looking this way.
What are you looking at, you bastard? You said you couldn't come out of there.
I was anxious that the monster might do something weird again, but fortunately, he seemed to have given up and was turning back.
Drained of all my energy, I slumped down.
Spoiled child rescue was a success.
"Haa..."
Haelyn blankly stared at the opposite side before looking back at me.
I also exchanged glances with her with a less-than-pleasant look in my eyes.
Because of her, I felt like I had taken a path ten times harder than it needed to be, so I couldn't look at her kindly.
"...Human, what is your true identity?"
Haelyn opened her mouth.
"How did you know the Knight Commander betrayed us... No, more importantly, what is your reason for going this far to save me?"
I was too tired to even reply, so I just waited for the Clear Success Message to pop up.
But the message didn't pop up.
What the fuck, why isn't it popping up? I did everything.
"Human! I am asking you. What is your identity and what is your reason for saving me?" "Ah, jeez... You lived, so that's enough. Why are you questioning it? It's annoying." "Do not avoid the question!"
If I explained that the tower made me do it, would you even understand?
I answered half-heartedly.
"I just saved you because I wanted to save you. Happy?"
Haelyn tilted her head, then suddenly panicked and stuttered.
"W-what...! I am a Demonkin! We are of different races!" "Excuse me?" "Even though you are a Human, could you possibly harbor such feelings for me...? Of course, my beauty is enough to transcend races, but... Ugh!"
Haelyn placed her hands on her cheeks and shook her head.
"V-very well. I am also fine with a man who can risk his life for me. You have already proven yourself, so... there is no reason I cannot give you a chance..."
What is she saying?
How must you understand my words just now to interpret them with that meaning.
As I was too dumbfounded to speak, Haelyn smiled shyly and said.
"My name is Haelyn Dafriya. What is your name?" "...Kim Seohyeon." "Ki-m Seo-hyo-n? It is a unique name."
Before she said it was a weird name, but now it's been upgraded to being unique.
Haelyn took off the necklace around her neck, her bracelet, and her ring, and held them out to me.
"First, since you saved my life, I must bestow a fitting reward in the name of Dafriya. Choose one of the three. They are all precious treasures."
...Huh? A reward?
I stared in bewilderment at the accessories placed on Haelyn's hand.
Could this be the Hidden Reward? I have to choose right here?
"What are these used for?"
I asked first.
I need to know the effects to choose.
"The necklace is a medium that allows you to contract with a powerful familiar. I have not attempted it yet, but it might be possible for you, Kim Seohyeon." "A familiar?"
Like that pack of dogs chasing us earlier?
"What kind of abilities does the familiar have?" "Did I not say I have not attempted it either. You must check for yourself to find out."
As I shifted my gaze to the bracelet, Haelyn continued her explanation.
"The bracelet is a totem imbued with a Spirit of Darkness. If you catch the Spirit's fancy, you will be able to borrow and use its power." "A Spirit of Darkness... What are its abilities?" "It allows you to see through the darkness." "...Is that it?" "T-that is because my affinity with the Spirit is not high yet. The higher your affinity, the more abilities you can use."
Lastly, the ring.
"The ring is an heirloom engraved with the seal of the Dafriya Family. The ring itself does not have any special abilities. However, if you later come to the Dafriya Family with this ring, we will grant any one request of yours as long as it is within the Family's power."
In other words, it was trash.
Once I leave, we'll never see each other again. More importantly, isn't the Family ruined now?
"Hmm..."
I pondered over whether to choose the necklace or the bracelet.
I touched them wondering if the Item Information would pop up, but it didn't.
"Will you choose the bracelet?" "No, wait a minute."
Ah, I don't know what would be good.
But can't she just give me all of them?
I went through all this trouble, you know. Huh? I'm her lifesaver.
"They all look good." "Indeed. All three are fine treasures!"
I slyly glanced at Haelyn.
When our eyes met intently, Haelyn averted her gaze.
"W-what are you staring at so much? Hurry up and choose."
...Maybe? Should I give it a try?
There was nothing to lose by trying.
Embarrassment is momentary, but the fruits gained from it are eternal.
I knelt on one knee and gently held her hand.
"Lady Haelyn." "W-what—" "Could you give me all of them? Since all three belong to you, Lady Haelyn, I want to cherish them dearly."
Haelyn's pale skin turned visibly bright red.
It's fine. I'm not embarrassed. I'm not embarrassed...
As I repeated that in my mind and managed my expression, Haelyn bowed her head deeply and answered.
"T-then, take all of them..."
\[Successfully Cleared the Hidden Strategy for Nightmare Difficulty on the 2nd Floor.\]
\[Completely absorbing the Floor's Power.\]
\[Level Increased.\]
\[Level Increased.\]
\[Level Increased.\]
\[Level Increased.\]
\[Level Increased.\]
\[Moving to the Reward Room.\]
The scenery changed in an instant, and I was moved to the Reward Room.
As one looked around, there were Haelyn's three accessories and one skill stone.