Chapter 151
“What is going on here?”
The red-haired elf standing before me is undoubtedly the Zenon I know.
Still, just to be sure, I checked Zenon’s status screen.
[Name: Zenon]
[Nickname: 163,400,157th official hero. Tenth son of Galan Forest. Supreme One.]
[Level 137]
[Health: 1010/1010 Mana: 770/770 Physical Status: Normal]
[Strength: 139 Agility: 154 Intelligence: 101 Hero Sense: 11]
Everything matches exactly what I remember. It’s definitely the Zenon I know.
No, but it certainly wasn’t like this before. The grotesquely twisted face, the disturbing breaths, those otherworldly eyes… they’re still vivid in my mind.
“… Was it all a dream?”
What nonsense.
It would have been better if it had been a dream, but what I witnessed in my previous life was undoubtedly real.
So does that mean this is the dream? Am I hallucinating? Are you actually a new member of the Coffin Boys?
“You. What are you doing here?”
I couldn’t get anywhere just pondering on my own, so eventually I managed to ask Zenon the same question that I had inquired amid the fiery blaze.
However, Zenon responded with a cynical smirk.
“Doesn’t it look like I’m in the waiting room? I’m participating in the Martial God Tournament.”
“Why are you participating?”
“Well… it’s to earn the living expenses to live with Gena. Asking such an obvious question.”
“… Is that true?”
I growled and asked again. Zenon stared at my expression then closed his mouth tightly.
What sort of nonsense is this, Zenon? I’ve seen and heard everything! Your expression conveyed the message clearly, and it seems he understood.
“What about you? What are you thinking? Drenched in blood like the Shadow of the Moon? You’re absolutely out of your mind. Even without seeing your face, I knew it was you from how you act.”
Unlike in my previous life, Zenon didn’t mercilessly eliminate me with no chance of reply. Instead, he came up with a lame excuse.
Judging by his way of speaking, it is indeed Zenon. It feels real. It feels real, and yet I can’t comprehend the situation at all.
I squeezed my eyes shut and thought for a moment.
‘Let’s… organize my thoughts.’
The first time I met Zenon again, in this current timeline, it would be when I met Mari, the Butcher.
At that point, Zenon had already transformed into a creature emitting a grating breath. His status screen was riddled with question marks when I checked it.
The second time we met was tonight.
That was during a surprise attack. His breathing had become even more labored, and flames were shooting out of his sword.
And now, the third meeting.
At a point only a few hours later than the first meeting, he’s still the Zenon I know?
‘Have I not triggered some kind of trigger?’
Upon reflection, Hector had said something like this. There were times when Zenon would regain his senses.
Some factor that’s different from my previous life might be inhibiting the transformation of Zenon, who occasionally regains his senses.
‘What the hell could it be…?!’
On one hand, doubts were dominant in my thoughts.
I gripped Vestark tightly.
‘If it’s now!’
Zenon in his right mind is much weaker than me.
It’s easy to kill Zenon. Killing the root. I can erase the attack on that burning mansion right now. Given everyone’s attention, it might still be better to kill this guy here!
“…….”
For a moment, I locked eyes with Zenon.
Surprisingly, I hesitated. He’s in his right mind now. What would he think if I suddenly raised my sword? Would he blame me? Would he still be worrying about Gena as he dies? These thoughts keep holding me back.
[There is no escape.]
But then the scene of that room came to mind, and that message dominated my thoughts in deep crimson.
That’s right. The lesson I’ve learned painfully through repeated returns is this: I’m no true hero. There are far more people I can’t save.
I shook off my hesitation, gritted my teeth, and tightened my grip. I prepared to make my move.
‘Alright. Let’s go!’
And at that moment—
Keeeing! The event managers appeared from all sides, surrounding me and pointing their swords at my neck.
“……!”
There were more than a dozen people. They had arrived the moment they detected my movement. Their movements were much faster than expected.
It was as if they had gone through this situation numerous times. A seasoned technique of suppression.
“Challenger, please release your sword. If you approach Challenger No. 512 any further, it will be deemed as malicious intent, and we will execute immediate punishment.”
The gleaming eyes of the event managers were directed at us. They’re urging the delay since the already tight tournament is being delayed further.
Even as I was being dragged away by the event manager, I continued to direct accusing glances, but Zenon eventually looked away. The sound of his footsteps grew distant as he moved toward the arena.
‘Damn it.’
For a brief moment, I glanced back at Zenon’s retreating figure, but with no means of action, I ultimately gave up.
I trudged back toward the contestant waiting room.
“…Next time, don’t hesitate.”
Suddenly, I looked back. Zenon was still walking toward the arena.
What? Did I hear wrong? Feeling as if I’d been bewitched, I was stroking my ear when suddenly,
“Next time you see me… Absolutely. Don’t forgive me.”
I hadn’t imagined wrong. Zenon had glanced at me with a complex expression and left this message.
And then, as if nothing had happened, he walked onto the arena.
“…….”
The meaning of those significant words became clear very soon.
Zenon remembers everything. The memory of the nightmare he caused is still inside Zenon himself right now.
What’s going through that kid’s mind as he said those words? I truly can’t imagine.
So, I just nodded heavily.
“…I have no intention of forgiving you. Me too.”
Zenon didn’t respond. He must have been too far away by the time he reached the arena to hear.
An opponent also ascends from Zenon’s side. It was a rather unfamiliar attire, but a strangely familiar face. My eyes widened.
“From the Blue Side, Challenger No. 1125! Wolhee!”
The referee’s announcement confirmed that I wasn’t having a vision.
That’s right. Now that I thought about it, it wasn’t just No. 512 that felt familiar. No. 1125 was familiar as well.
My first opponent Zenon. The opponent after my first reincarnation, Portia.
These two were clashing in the present timeline.
“Match 25 arena, commence!”
I didn’t even have time to marvel at the incredible coincidence as the match began.
After a brief probing battle, both suddenly closed the distance toward each other. Both pulled out their weapons simultaneously.
Swoosh!
Portia pulled out an ordinary longsword from her back.
Back in the previous life, she used a plain fan. Could this be to hide its true nature? My head tilted slightly to the side.
I shifted my gaze briefly to Zenon. Zenon pulled out the short daggers that had pierced me in Kern.
“Dagger?”
I furrowed my brows when I saw the weapon Zenon had drawn.
“Huff!”
Kaaang! With a sharp battle cry from Zenon, a high-pitched metallic sound rang out as the sword swung by Portia collided with Zenon’s daggers.
Swish! Zenon’s signature ability, instant teleportation, was activated. Suddenly appearing behind Portia, Zenon thrust the dagger into her.
Kang! Kaaang!
Once again, consecutive metallic sounds echoed.
As if Portia had anticipated it, she blocked without even looking at Zenon and successfully deflected the successive attacks with ease, almost like performing an elegant dance of attack and defense.
“…Gkk!”
I could see Zenon’s shoulders convulsing violently. His carefully planned sneak attack was effortlessly thwarted, so he must be flustered.
Zenon immediately used instant teleportation to create distance, appearing at a distance. There was an unprecedented sense of caution in his movements.
‘Why… isn’t he using the Mieutheung Sword?’
Instead of the red curved sword he had at his waist, he had drawn the dagger.
Why? It’s not like this kid would want to play around like me. Could he be hiding his ultimate means?
I stared intently at the red curved sword.
[Item Information]
[Name: ???]
[Modifier: ???]
[Details: ???]
[Reinforcement Possible Count: 0]
Damn it. Another question mark? I swallowed my foul language and kicked the ground out of frustration.
Why does the Eye of Mimir, which is already max level, keep showing question marks?
“Big brother! Why isn’t the Eye of Mimir displaying proper info! It’s max level! Why isn’t the status screen showing? Is this some sort of game, Big brother!”
Frustrated and feeling cheated, I immediately complained to the GM. It’s convenient to complain since the GM is attached to my waist.
-Well? There can be various reasons for the unavailability of the display, so I don’t know either, man.
Big Brother Sooho replied with an annoyed tone, like a true customer service representative from a major game company.
Damn it.
“Hey, Big brother, don’t you sense some incredible power from that red sword? Last time, it was always so overwhelming!”
-Ye, the red elf with the Dragon-etched Katana? It’s giving off quite a strong vibe. Like… strawberry-flavored Ryu Seung-ryong mochi?
“Are you out of your mind?! Get lost!”
I decided to leave that useless Big Brother Sooho alone at that point.
I continued to watch the fight between Zenon and Portia. The situation was gradually turning unfavorable for Zenon.
“Gkk…!”
Zenon was trying to disrupt Portia’s line of sight by running around the arena, but whenever he attacked, Portia somehow knew in advance and blocked his moves.
Pa-Pa-Pa! This time, Zenon’s form multiplied into dozens. It was the illusion magic he used to toy with me in Kern.
The fake Zenons came in to pressure Portia one after another. She seemed a bit startled by this unfamiliar trick at first.
However, it didn’t last long.
“Haaat!”
Portia briefly drew in a breath, lowered her sword horizontally, and then swung it forcefully like a windmill.
Pa-chak! The trajectory of Portia’s sword swept across the arena. Invisible shockwaves were fired like bullets, tearing apart the illusions in an instant.
“Stinger.”
I immediately recognized the technique, having copied it from Adrang.
I see. So the Marketeuriseu school mainly focuses on Ki-based combination skills; it seems everyone can use this Stinger technique.
When mastered, it can unleash multiple Ki projectiles at once. I let out a low whistle.
“Your tricks won’t work.”
Keeee! Portia raised her sword and pointed it at Zenon. Only the real Zenon stood like a mournful rock amidst her.
“Geet…!”
Zenon stepped back while hissing. His visibly flustered demeanor betrayed his unease at being overwhelmed far beyond his expectations.
‘Of course that would be the case.’
I clicked my tongue sympathetically at Zenon.
It’s already a tough situation when there’s a difference of dozens of levels. Here, there’s a gap of over a hundred.
This is practically a match between a healthy adult in their twenties and a newborn. Portia’s victory is easier than twisting a baby’s wrist.
“Groh…”
Finally, Zenon’s gaze shifted to the curved sword at his waist. After pondering for a while, his hand slowly approached the hilt of the Mieutheung Sword.
And at that moment, everything before my eyes seemed to shrink and my senses expanded.
“…Uhgh…!”
My Hero Sense activated. The intense sensation of impending doom hit me, making me hold my breath instantly.
As my perception expanded, time itself seemed to slow. Amidst these sluggish thoughts, one hypothesis came to mind instantly.
‘The trigger… hasn’t been pulled yet?’
Let’s consider this. Zenon already knew I was the Blood-soaked Moonmaster.
Hence, in our previous confrontation, he didn’t hesitate to draw the Mieutheung Sword.
“…Can it be?”
But now, Zenon hesitates to draw it.
I don’t know why. Regardless, Zenon is currently in his right mind, and it’s evident that the Zenon in his right mind is deliberately avoiding drawing it.
“Stop.”
Suppose Zenon has been lucky enough to face only easy opponents, sparing him from needing to draw the Mieutheung Sword. If the difference is as simple as that compared to my previous life…
That is, what if drawing the sword itself completely triggers the possession?
“Damn! Don’t draw that sword, Zenon!!”
I sprang toward the arena.
The event officials sensed something was up and tried to stop me, but my speed was too fast even for their reflexes to block me.
Even still, my speed couldn’t compare to the speed of gripping the sword at the waist.
“Eye of Mimir!”
I hastily brought up Zenon’s status screen, but…
[Status Abnormality — Possession]
[Details: The subject undergoes a change of state due to mysterious power. The changed state will be displayed.]
[Name: Zenon]
[Nickname: 163,400,157th official hero. Tenth son of Galan Forest. Supreme One. Heir of Mieutheung]
[Level: 137]
[Health: ???/??? Mana: ???/??? Physical Status: Madness, Possession]
[Strength: ??? Agility: ??? Intelligence: ??? Hero Sense: 11]
The system had pronounced its sentence.
‘So it was…!’
The nickname “Heir of Mieutheung” appears only when the Mieutheung Sword is drawn.
The world spun dizzyingly. My desperate run came to a halt. I stared blankly at Zenon, who was frozen in place.
“…Cch…”
Zenon momentarily let out a choking sound.
Grgrgr! The motionless Zenon began to convulse as joints twisted violently throughout his body.
And then…
“Hhssh… Hhssh…”
A grating metallic sound began emanating from beneath his mask.
My heart started pounding wildly.
—Damn it! What is that sword?! How could it…!
At that moment, Big Brother Sooho’s shocked voice boomed out. I instinctively focused on Vestark.
—Hey, Jeong Yong! Get away! That thing is utterly incompatible with you!
That was almost identical to what Big Brother Sooho said to me last time.
At that moment, I realized. My assumptions were correct. Zenon is in the process of transforming.
—Don’t get cut by that sword! Just touching it would make you a monster even worse than him!
Big Brother Sooho’s loud shout confirmed my intuition.
I wanted to interrogate him further about the specifics of the sword, but then I abruptly turned my head toward Zenon’s opposite side. Portia came into view.
Shaking her head like a mad person, she muttered.
“… No.”
Portia seemed a bit startled by the sudden change in momentum, but quickly regained her stance and prepared to counter.
“Hey X! Portia! Run away!”
I ran toward the arena again and shouted at Portia with all my might.
She looked directly at me, startled to hear her real name.
I seized the moment and yelled desperately.
“Quick, escape!! This isn’t something you can stop…!”
And at that moment, a sharp cutting sound rang out.
By the time I had reached the edge of the arena, Zenon’s figure had already arrived behind Portia.
Following Zenon’s motion, a crimson sword glow flickered like flames.
“Uh… Huh?”
A vertical slash appeared on Portia’s puzzled face. Blood gushed out along the straight cut, dividing her body into two.
Splatter! Her cleanly bisected body rolled across the arena floor. Organs and entrails spilled onto the ground, spreading messily in all directions.
“…”
A suffocating silence fell over everything. The spectators, myself, even Zenon, all shared the same stunned silence.
Waaaahh—! The roaring cheers from the arena spectators erupted shortly afterward.
“Shsh… Shsh…”
Amidst the thunderous cheers,
I remained steadfast, my mouth firmly shut, as I glared at Zenon who continued to emit metallic sounds.
