Chapter 15: Chapter 14

Everything in front of his eyes turned pale green. It seemed like temporary shock. The smell of blood stung his nose. In his dizzy vision, he caught a glimpse of the blonde boy with eyes wide open like a rabbit.

The characteristic ‘Sanctification’ is being cast.

Ryu Seo-ha gritted his teeth and deployed the characteristic as planned, limiting the range to his own body as narrowly as possible.

The buff ‘Healing Regeneration’ is applied to the designated target (the caster himself).

The buff ‘Health Recovery’ is applied to the designated target (the caster himself).

He saw the awe-inspiring yet somewhat gruesome sight of the severed body part regrowing. Also the state of ‘what used to be his wrist’ rolling on the dirt floor, entangled with an enormous amount of blood.

The speed at which it dispersed, as if decomposing at a molecular level, was roughly similar to the speed at which his new wrist was regenerating. By the time only the mana suppressor was left lying in the puddle of blood that had pooled like a spring.

“Wow, that’s insane.”

The boy’s exclamation awakened his dazed mind. He tried suddenly expanding the range of [Sanctification], but seeing the reaction speed as the boy quickly jumped back, he gave up on an immediate attack. It was because he was estimated to be of quite a high level and grade.

“I had received reports, but seeing it directly is even more amazing.”

“……”

“Really, you’re not an S-class for nothing. Creating a new severed part. And your level must still be low.”

He could see greed frosting over in the boy’s eyes as he listed praises. It was a look of ecstatic imagination about what a great material it would be if he could extract the high-quality mana capable of casting such an ability.

Ryu Seo-ha, who had also cut off the shackles, gathered the silver thread with his bloodied hand and stood up. He felt extreme dizziness, worse than usual due to excessive blood loss, but was reluctant to use more mana. Because he hadn’t escaped yet.

“It’s amazing that you even thought of cutting off your own wrist. Didn’t it hurt? You didn’t even scream.”

Regardless of what the boy was babbling, he was busy carefully examining the picnic table, kettle, mat, bowls, etc. placed to one side. While completely enveloping his entire body with [Sanctification].

“Hey? Are you listening to me?”

It seems highly likely that this place is Russian territory now. The teapot was a traditional Russian samovar, and Russian was written on other products too. Though the possibility of it being a trap can’t be ruled out.

Next, he observed the direction of the tree shadows. Comparing the subtle differences between the current time and a few minutes ago based on his estimated current time from his remaining lifespan. He could quickly gauge the cardinal directions.

‘It would be good to check the tree rings too, but…’

Unlike Earth trees, dungeon trees don’t show a tendency to grow towards sunlight. It seemed better to postpone cross-checking and move south for now.

“What’s this? Have you decided to ignore me now?”

As he was about to take a step with his staggering legs, the blonde boy blocked his way with an openly disappointed expression.

“Yes.”

The boy’s expression changed strangely at Ryu Seo-ha’s calm reply.

“Why?”

“Shall we fight then?”

“No, we were communicating well until just now. I was even going to show you the altar in advance.”

He was grateful that the boy had fallen for it, but having learned his purpose, he had nothing more to say to him. Because he would never reveal any meaningful information before the ritual of preparing the sacrifice began.

“You said you had nothing more to tell the sacrifice.”

“Ah, are you angry because of that?”

Is this level of shamelessness necessary to operate in a shadowy organization? He was inwardly flabbergasted but didn’t want to waste energy on pointless arguments. He just nodded carelessly.

“Yes. So I’m going home.”

“I told you this is inside a dungeon? You seem to be letting your guard down just because you don’t see monsters right away…”

“I’ll manage to escape well on my own. Well then.”

Ryu Seo-ha, patting his blood-soaked patient gown, entered the dense forest without hesitation. [Sanctification] can be maintained for days. Of course, assuming there are no external attacks.

He intended to move as far as possible until he came across a city or people. He was worried knowing the size of Russian territory, but if it didn’t work out, he’d have to use the agility booster potion.

“Do you know which direction you’re going?”

“……”

“Oh right, where did the weapon you used to cut your wrist come from? We definitely searched you thoroughly.”

The bigger problem was the presence of the boy following a couple of steps behind.

“Ah, you left a dungeon clear reward unclaimed and used it right away, right?”

“……”@@novelbin@@

“I do that sometimes too. It’s more useful than you’d think. Though there are only 5 slots.”

“……”

“It would be more convenient if there was an inventory like in games. The space expansion pouches made by crafters have too many points that need improvement…”

The boy kept talking to himself, seemingly never getting tired of it. Should I say now that I actually think dungeons should be gone and monsters are the enemy of my parents? Would he attack me right away then?

He’s probably following me waiting for my mana to run out while maintaining [Sanctification]. For Ryu Seo-ha, continuing like this in a sort of mutual stare-down was the better option. So he had to endure, what else could he do.

After walking for a while, they left the artificial forest and a snow-covered mountain appeared. This was actually better. Climbing to a high point would make it easier to survey the surrounding terrain. He decided to start climbing without hesitation.

“You’re going to keep walking without resting?”

“……”

Climbing the darkened mountain with no proper path was more arduous than expected. His body, trembling with a high fever, wasn’t cooperating as much as he’d like.

The fact that he was like this even with the healing regeneration buff of [Sanctification] applied suggested it was a constitution issue rather than an injected drug. Probably related to the remaining lifespan problem. Anyway, it meant he wouldn’t die immediately.

“Aren’t you going to sleep? At least take a short nap.”

The boy urged him to get some sleep, while comfortably climbing the snowy mountain path that had become more treacherous.

“Hmm, it looks like you might collapse…”

One cannot handle mana while unconscious. If mana supply is cut off, the effect of [Sanctification] will also be cut off. In other words, if you don’t want to be exposed in a defenseless state, you shouldn’t sleep.

“You’re more stubborn than you look.”

Even the boy eventually shook his head at the sight of Ryu Seo-ha, who had been climbing the mountain for hours without responding once no matter what was said to him. When he finally reached the summit like that, showering his boiling body with sweat.

“Haa, haa…”

Catching his breath and straightening his back, he could take in the city spread out below his feet. A city engulfed in red flames.

❖ ❖ ❖

Ryu Seo-ha turned his head abruptly to look at the boy.

“Huh? Are you suspecting me now?”

The face asking with wide-open eyes looked innocent and guiltless, but his true nature was that of a member of a fanatical group. Given his fundamentally flawed ideology, he was bound to be the first suspect.

However, the Cult in the original work only operated behind the scenes. Until they learned that Choi Gang-hu had been to the Abyss. This means they kidnapped sacrifices bit by bit but didn’t cause incidents that would be exposed to the public.

“Hmm, let’s see.”

The boy, who had been pouting and showing signs of feeling hurt, took out his phone and started fiddling with it. It seems he’s given up on the lie about this being inside a dungeon.

As the boy tapped on the screen, perhaps doing an internet search, his expression became strange. At the emotion clearly visible even in the darkness, Ryu Seo-ha cautiously approached while widening the range of [Sanctification] a bit more.

FromHell’s Prospective Guild Master, Behind Terrorism in Russia?

Exclusive! Live broadcast of the fire scene in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk!

Gangseong Group’s heir Choi Gang-hu, Attempted consecutive arsons on Sakhalin Island…

Each internet article on the smartphone screen mentioned Choi Gang-hu’s movements. His name could be seen dominating the real-time search terms. Moreover, in the video the boy clicked on…

“Wow, that’s hot!”

It showed Choi Gang-hu indiscriminately using fire skills on a building with an onion-shaped dome roof. Ryu Seo-ha’s pupils shook like a sailboat caught in a storm. It seems he had come to rescue him directly.

‘Why is he doing that…’

Broadcasting a scene of rampaging like an S-class fire-type monster via live internet stream. Of course, being captured on camera wasn’t intentional, but was there really a need for such a flashy fireworks display?

Moreover, after using a specific building as kindling, he would vanish and then concentrate his attacks on another building quite far away. Even now, he was in the process of burning a new building with a Japanese-style tile roof.

“You two know each other, right?”

While staring intently at the screen wondering what on earth he was doing, the boy suddenly raised his head and asked with shining eyes. It was the look of a mad scientist who had discovered an interesting subject. He wasn’t normal to begin with, but still.

“How is that person pinpointing just those buildings to set on fire?”

Looking at the boy urging for an answer with a curious expression, Ryu Seo-ha swallowed the sigh that was about to burst out. Judging by the looks of it, he seemed to be selectively committing arson on the Cult’s bases.

It seemed he had thoroughly scanned the brains of the Cult’s lunatics with his mental skills. This was the kind of content that should only appear in the latter half. Rapid developments were rushing in at a level where the original flow couldn’t be ignored.

“Do you know who we are by any chance?”

Honestly, he felt deep relief at Choi Gang-hu’s appearance. His mouth felt bitter. With such a powerful existence like a cheat key within reach, and even showing goodwill, he naturally wanted to rely on him. It was a very dangerous tendency.

Choi Gang-hu is someone who could betray him at any time if necessary. The problem was that his heart moved on its own even knowing this. The great protagonist of a novel he was once immersed in. It was natural to feel affection and admiration.

That’s why he’s been more wary. It was the reason he kept looking for other paths. Like now, when he’s considering going down this mountain and asking locals for help instead of calling in Choi Gang-hu who’s rampaging down there.

Ryu Seo-ha looked down at his trembling legs. Even if he safely entered the burning city, would people willingly help an outsider? In that chaotic situation?

He had no passport and had entered the country illegally, and there was no guarantee that airports or ports would be safe. Moreover, it was uncertain whether he could maintain [Sanctification] continuously until he was safely returned home after explaining the situation and being guided to the authorities.

“You’re ignoring me again.”

Though he was less inclined because his condition seemed abnormal, it looked like he had no choice but to call Choi Gang-hu here. He could attract his attention, with his tremendous sensory stats, just by expanding the range of his mana.

Ryu Seo-ha immediately expanded the range of [Sanctification]. The barrier that had been tightly wrapped around his body stretched long towards the city while maintaining its height and width.

Controlling mana was not as easy as he thought. A translucent membrane that couldn’t maintain a fixed shape and twisted here and there like a snake flickered in his vision.

Just as the mana supply was about to be cut off, a noise slicing through the air rang in his ears. Bang! As the rocks on the mountain top shattered and scattered, Ryu Seo-ha slumped down.

“Wow, even the flying skill is incredibly fast…”

Kigigik!

Spark-like flames shot up. An unknown force aimed at the boy who was muttering in admiration bounced off in all directions. Hurriedly reducing the range of [Sanctification] to his body size, he unconsciously held his breath.

Because he caught a glimpse through the thickly rising dust. The sight of part of the opposite mountain peak being cleanly cut off as if by a giant knife. Also the figure of Choi Gang-hu with crazed eyes.