The Deep Swamp Bog (6)

The [Twin Head Troll] was born as the boss of the [Deep Swamp Bog].

A natural-born strong and predatory being.

Of course, it was destined to be hunted by hunters every time it respawned.
But a newly born entity wouldn’t know that.

It just didn’t understand the current situation.
It had never felt fear in its life since it was born.
Why on earth couldn’t it move with something behind its back?

“Kr-Krrruk!”
“Koo-Kueeeck!”

About three seconds.
The time during which the troll couldn’t even move its fingers.
Soon, the murderous intent that had been binding its body dissipated.

The Twin Head Troll, regaining its senses, became furious at the sight of Ma Hana retreating and focusing on recovery.

It was about to charge at her, but soon screamed in agony as a slash cut through its back.

“Roaaar!”
“Alright, alright, you play with me now.”

Yu Seha. The one who just unleashed an abnormal killing intent solely on the <Twin Head Troll>.

He smeared [Burning Flame] on his sword and gripped the hilt.

---

Thud, thud!

I watched the Twin Head Troll’s attack and closed the distance.

‘No tricks.’

As far as I knew, the Twin Head Troll possessed a Hero-grade skill called [Insane Regeneration].

Even in ‘GAL,’ it regenerated so persistently that it was called a zombie.

It was terrifying in the game, but seeing it in reality was far beyond common sense.

‘Damn, isn’t it absurd that its head regenerates after being blown off?’

Normally, it wouldn’t be like this, no matter what.

To be precise, the consumed mana amount was so high that it should stop regenerating at some point.

But there seemed to be no limit to that guy’s regeneration.
The reason it was possible was that the black gem, the size of a human head, attached to its chest, was continuously supplying power.

‘[Demon Stone].’

An illegal contraband that provides vast energy in exchange for consuming the lifespan of the equipped monster.

And it was a highly pure item, on a different level from the usual [Demon Stone].

This meant a lot.

All the events in the <Deep Swamp Bog> were likely the work of <Villains, Demons>.

Surely, a spy planted in the <Association> must have been up to some tricks.

And not just some ordinary back-alley thug.
There was a high probability that it was the work of a large-scale Crime Clan, comparable to the [Four Great Clans].

Many hypotheses came to mind but were shaken off.
Thinking is a luxury now.
Focus only on the opponent in front of you.
Given that the event had already occurred, calculating hypothetical scenarios was meaningless.

‘Focus entirely on the enemy now.’

Even a single hit would mean an express ticket to the afterlife.

The difference in abilities between us was absolute.

Luckily, it relied only on its strength, which gave me an advantage in compatibility, but only to a certain extent.

The premise that I was at a disadvantage never changed.

‘Still, I have to do it.’

If I don’t succeed, not only me, but…

“Cough…”

Right now, Ma Hana, who was leaning against a tree and suffering while drinking a potion, would be in danger.

‘Move.’

No matter what it takes, I will kill him.
Even if it means my death in the end.

‘At least Ma Hana…’

I will save my precious favorite character.

Bang!

I narrowly dodged his attack by a paper-thin margin.

Twisting the [Longsword] in my hand, I thrust forward repeatedly.

The thrust aimed in a straight line transformed into [Triple Thrust] and struck accurately in the eye.

“Kwoaaa!”
“…Tch.”

It doesn’t work after all.
Even though [Burning Flame] was hindering its regenerative power, it just ended up in pain, causing me to click my tongue.

‘Half-hearted attack power won’t work.’

[Triple Thrust] obviously doesn’t work, and neither does [Flowing Slash].
In that case, there was only one option left.
Now, I deployed the only technique that could surpass its regenerative power.

“Phew…”

I gripped my hand tightly.
The blue mana that swirled around the sword gradually turned red according to my will.

Crackle! As if lightning were raging, the ominous energy resonated along the blade.

A determination to stake my life here.

Resolve.

Imbued with the ‘killing intent’ naturally used since childhood.

Before the message even appeared, my sword struck the creature’s torso.

It was completely different from before.

The sensation of piercing the blade was chillingly sharp.

It was just a single straight line, but I instinctively knew that this strike had inflicted massive damage on the Twin Head Troll’s life.

“…?! Rooooar!”

The creature screamed in a dimensionally different pain.

I relentlessly unleashed the [Overlord Sword Technique].

With each swing, the rock-like carapace protecting the creature’s body was peeled away.

The derived skill [Rock Solidification] from [Gap of Rough Rock] was useless in front of the [Overlord Sword Technique].

Flesh and muscles were torn apart.
Even bones as sturdy as metal were easily cut.

Of course, I wasn’t in normal condition either.
Every time I swung, I felt a pain so intense that it made my mouth gape open.
The recoil spread throughout my body, making every cell feel like it was being seared by electricity.

Once again, I realized.
That Peng Jin-ah’s words were true.
That it was too early to use the [Overlord Sword Technique].

‘…So what?’

So what?
What does that matter?

Excessive?
It’s something I must do.
If I don’t, I die.

Our Meowi dies.

That one undeniable fact resolved me to run without looking back.

“Kkuaaah!”
“Kralarak!”

[Burning Flame] subsided.
It was difficult enough to maintain the [Overlord Sword Technique], so there was no choice.

The sound of cracking came from the center of the [Turtle’s Longsword].

No matter how great the <Significant Durability Increase> option was, expecting it to endure such a bloody battle was too much to ask for a Rare grade weapon.

Rather, it was precisely because it was the [Turtle’s Longsword] that it was enduring this impact to the sword until the end.

The more it did, the more I put all my effort into the [Overlord Sword Technique].

‘Inward… slice diagonally!’

The longsword, swirling at high speed, continuously cut and slashed the Twin Head Troll.

The path of the slash went beyond the knee of the creature and reached inside its calf.

The violently manifested crimson mana left scars that could not be healed by regeneration.

In the end, the Twin Head Troll bent its knees.

Immediately after, the wound began to heal rapidly.

At this rate, it would eventually return to its original state.
I silently cheered to myself.

This moment when all its defenses were left wide open.

I drew the dagger from my waist, which I had been preparing all along, and thrust it into the creature’s neck like lightning.

An artifact given to me by Ju Na-young as a gift.

A ‘holy relic’ that can only be used if you have a divine stat of at least 1.

I never thought it would be used this way, but thanks to it, I saw a glimmer of victory against this foe I could never normally defeat.

“Krk?!”

The Twin Head Troll looked down at itself in confusion.

Probably in pain, of course.
The injury didn’t heal at all, which must have surprised it.

[Dagger of the Pilgrim] was the top choice of equipment favored by Supervisors in PVP.

It was used for various reasons, but the biggest one was because of [Regeneration Seal].

‘Additionally, it receives a powerful buff strong enough to affect bosses.’

This wasn’t the only strategy.

[Dagger of the Pilgrim] had a very unique mechanism, only prohibiting the effect of [Insane Regeneration].
It didn’t prohibit the use of mana, which was a distinguishing feature.

‘And that distinction will…’

…become the deadly poison that would bring the Twin Head Troll to its demise.

“Krrrk, krrrhk?!”

Bubble, bubble!

As expected.

The veins on the Twin Head Troll’s body swelled abnormally.

Soon, the blood flowing through its veins turned purple and began to bubble and necrotize.

The creature consumed a vast amount of mana to maintain its [Insane Regeneration] at all times.

However, its regenerative power was currently sealed.

The unused mana was continuously being used to sustain the [Skill] that wasn’t activated.

This, in turn, circulated through its veins, causing it to go berserk.

‘Phew…’

I seized the moment when the creature was in agony and downed a potion in one shot.

‘Damn. Now I feel a bit alive.’

As expected of the recovery power of an expensive item.
It was like peeing on frostbitten feet, but it was a hundred times better than nothing.

‘…It’s fortunate that it evolved with [Demon Stone] into <Existence Evolution>.’

If it were an ordinary <Stone Troll>.
Or a naturally evolved <Twin Head Troll>, turning off the skill would have controlled it.

However, that thing was like a runaway locomotive, with a limitless engine called [Demon Stone] forcibly embedded in its body, running as if it had gone mad.

Until now, the [Demon Stone] must have given it infinite power, but now it would turn into a source of deadly poison that would eat it away.

“K-Kraaah!”
“Yeah… even rotten, it’s still Grade A, huh?”

I charged towards the creature that was screaming wildly.

Using the [Overlord Sword Technique] any longer was impossible.

The recoil alone would kill me on the spot the moment I tried to use it.

‘I’ll have to win with what I have left.’

A fierce battle akin to a dogfight.
This was originally the type of fight I was most confident in.

Whoosh!

I dodged the wildly swinging fists and closed in.

Using its chest as a foothold, I made a short jump.

‘Squeeze it…!’

I put my weight into the [Turtle’s Longsword] held in reverse grip.
I thrust it into its heart.
Grasping it forcefully with both hands, I twisted it open, tearing the wound.

“Graaaah!!”
“It’s not over yet!”

My will became a flame.
The flame soon transformed into [Burning Flame].

Perhaps because of the level-up, the fire burned even more fiercely.

The Twin Head Troll thrashed in agony, striking my legs and back with its fists.

Crunch!

I heard the sound of bones breaking, but I didn’t care.

With one hand, I grabbed the ‘cross guard’ of the longsword, and with the other, I clenched my fist.

Thud!

Just like that, I hammered [Rapid Strikes] into the ‘pommel’.

As if hammering a nail, I drove the sword deep into its chest.

“Die!!!”

Thud!

The moment the final punch landed.
The blade pierced through its heart and jutted out of its back.

“…Kuh… rrrk…”

Avoiding the falling Twin Head Troll, I landed on the ground.

---

“Phew…”

Maybe because I fell backward.
Luckily, [Turtle’s Longsword] was pulled out.
With trembling hands, I lifted the sword.
It was cracked and partly broken, but it had valiantly protected its master.

“…Thank you.”

Father often said.
The way I handled weapons was an insult to them.
That I was shortening their lifespan by forcibly increasing their power.

But thanks to that, I survived.
And, because it was the [Turtle’s Longsword], I was able to give it that attack.

While I was feeling grateful here, Ma Hana, who had somewhat recovered, came running with a “Meeeooow!”

“Seha!”

Oh no…
Tears were streaking down her face, indicating she had cried again.

I must quickly embrace that cute and lovable creature and pat her all over.

Just as I was thinking that…

“Growl…”
“…!”

The red signal flowing down my back.
It told me that [Eyes of Reversed Heaven] was not over yet.

I didn’t need to see it to know.
The fact that it had risen.

‘As expected, is it an A-grade…?’

C-grade at best.

In terms of pure attack power, it could be B-grade.

But ultimately, there was no way I could surpass the A-grade wall now.

I tried to move my body somehow.

But I didn’t have the strength to even move a finger.

My rapidly spinning brain quickly finished the calculation.

This is…

Okay…

‘…Dead.’

“Seha…?!”

It seemed Ma Hana realized it too, albeit belatedly.

Ironically, I felt relieved at her panicked reaction.

If she were terrified, she wouldn’t close the distance any further.

While I died, if she ran with all her might, at least she could survive.

But soon, I realized how foolish my judgment was.

Even if our positions were reversed, I would have done the same thing.

“[T-Taunt’s Shout]!”
“…! Ma Hana, no!”

She forcibly used a taunt and came running.
The movement of the Twin Head Troll behind me shifted towards her.

Ma Hana was at her limit too.
If she got hit even once in this state, she wouldn’t be able to get up again.
Even if she survived by luck, she’d be crippled somewhere.

‘Damn it!’

I don’t care if I die.

But our Ma Hana getting hurt.
Is something I can never allow!

Was it thanks to this?

I don’t know where I got this strength from, but I succeeded in grabbing Ma Hana and throwing her backward.

“Se-Seha!!!”

I turned my body, smiling brightly at her, who was crying out with tears.

“Kraaa!!!”

The approaching interlocked fist.

As I looked at it, I felt an illusion of everything slowing down.

―Son.
―Yes?
―Have you ever thought about meeting a girl?
―…Are you out of your mind? I’m only 15… Ah, stop hitting me!
―Cough, cough… You brat, I’m just worried. If I die… what will you do?
―…Well, I’ll just take on missions and go hunting. That’s all I know how to do, so what else would I do?
―…It’s my fault. I should have taught you something else… In the end, you’ll be abandoned and die. Cough, well, you’re good with computers, aren’t you? Why don’t you try broadcasting? Your nationality… Cough. I’ll manage it somehow. I’ve already connected with a broker. We can’t keep being used by those above us forever, right?
―…Really senile… Oh, I’m sorry. Anyway, what do you mean by broadcasting all of a sudden?
―Cough, I just mentioned it because that’s what young people are into these days. If you do that, maybe it’ll fix your sociopathic tendencies a bit.

Damn it.

Why is this kind of memory suddenly coming to mind?

Could this be that revolving lantern or whatever it is?

‘…I’ve always thought.’

Even if I die, I would accept it calmly.
I wouldn’t have any regrets about it.
I wouldn’t care what happens to someone like me.

Finally…

‘I won’t regret it.’

But it seemed not.
What if I die? As soon as that thought crossed my mind.

The first thing that came to me was the image of Ma Hana crying sorrowfully.

‘And Moon Bora…’

Ju Na-young too…
Professor Peng Jin-ah as well…
And others too…

Will they all be sad for me?

Unlike the place where I used to live, the people here were so kind that it seemed they would all cry for me.

That wouldn’t be a bad ending in itself.

But…

‘No.’

No.

To die before seeing the happy ending of my favorite character as a Supervisor?

‘I can’t allow that.’

I must live.
That thought alone ignited my central nervous system and something urged through me.

In all the years I’ve lived, I’ve never wanted to live so desperately as I do now.

In a moment, less than 0.1 seconds.

Somehow, I was already raising the nearly shattered [Turtle’s Longsword].

My mind, my body, my soul.

Now, I took the only move that could resolve this situation.

‘Recall.’

The strongest person I’ve ever seen in my life.
Peng Jin-ah, I projected her image.
Once I’ve seen it, I can do it.

‘Breath…’

The movement of the feet.
The trembling of the muscles.
The direction of the gaze.
Capture the flow and current of mana.

Before I knew it, I was deflecting the [Rock Fist] with my sword’s edge.

I won’t stop here.

It was slow and clumsy.
But surely, my sword was subtly twisting the target point of that guy.

I could see the bewildered eyes of the Twin Head Troll, sparks flying as if to explode.

‘Focus.’

Just focus.

I embodied everything Peng Jin-ah did into my own flesh.

The muscles in my arms and legs swelled and the veins bulged.

Blood vessels burst here and there under the pressure.

A powerful force that could turn my body into mush.

Drawing the optimal path based on this, and the ensuing speed.

Finally, it delicately wrapped around with the subtlety of ‘softness.’

A moment.

I am the sword wielded by Peng Jin-ah.
I had become that itself.

Here, as if filling the gaps of the nearly broken [Turtle’s Longsword], ‘White Flame’ wrapped around it.

A powerful white flame, on a different level than any firepower seen so far, mixed with [Burning Flame], emitting two flames.

I raised my sword towards the <Twin Head Troll> who was cowering in fear and slashed while shouting.

“[Peng Furious Wolf]!!!”