Chapter 35

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 22, 2025

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“It’s over. It’s over!”

Hong Seo-min declared confidently.

Her lips twitched like a worm.

She watched arrogantly, like the leader of an evil organization, thinking this must be the best seat in the house.

– Jin-young, are you okay?!

– Damn it, I got hit. It feels like my stomach’s been pierced.

– I’ll stop the bleeding for you. Lie down. Are you okay? It’s not a penetrating wound.

– Really? Oh, your undressing skills are still top-notch.

Swish.

– ……All bark and no bite.

– Huh?

– Turn your head. Ugh, I don’t even want to see your face.

What’s wrong with her?

Hong Seo-min’s eyes narrowed.

How dare she get blood on the man who’s going to be mine?

I’ll kill her, whether by slicing her or cutting her off. It’s also a problem that a man is wandering around such a dangerous place. If it were me, I’d make sure he builds up his masculinity.

– Slowly, take deep breaths. I’ll prepare some sedatives for you.

Considering his large build, it might not be so bad.

“This is fun.”

The view is great.

The screams are loud too.

Isn’t this the best seat?

“But my throat’s a bit dry. I finished all the cola….”

Hong Seo-min checked her pulse.

Her mana was disrupted.

Was it because she stayed in the gate for too long?

Even Awakened Ones, the new humans, can barely withstand the gate and the tower.

Of course, Hong Seo-min is an exception. She’s strong. She made a deal with the tower to gain power.

Those fighting Mirginos below were exceptions too.

“Hey. Drinks. I’m thirsty.”

-······.

Your Majesty of Puppets, I apologize, but we’re out of sparkling water.

The puppet bowed its upper body sadly.

“None? How dare you, useless trash.”

Hong Seo-min clicked her tongue.

Tsk, if only there were some popcorn─ Hong Seo-min threw an empty Coca-Cola can at the male puppet as if venting her anger.

The puppet caught the can with a thud and put it in a black plastic bag. There were already dozens of similar bags.

“Ah, this is boring. All of them. Even the puppets are nothing but trash. Honestly, except for that man. I thought I’d die of boredom. Right?”

Scratching her ear.

Nodding.

“Right. Killing Mirginos was really unexpected. It’s not like he’s some movie character.”

Hong Seo-min leaned back against the chair with a thud. Then she shrugged her shoulders.

“Frankly speaking…… Huh. Who would put an A-rank monster on the first floor of the tutorial?”

The puppet turned its head toward Hong Seo-min. Its facial features didn’t move.

After all, it’s just a puppet.

Hong Seo-min felt like it was asking, “Wasn’t it you?”

“Right, it was me. I did it. I didn’t expect that stupid girl and that man to get involved. But these rookies have been making too much noise lately, so the tower begged me. It’s no fun if it’s too easy. Huh.”

The puppet bowed its head in response.

“……Tsk. I’ll have to switch soon.”

Hong Seo-min clicked her tongue.

This is why talking to yourself makes you go crazy.

It was made just a few days ago, so it couldn’t even speak.

Maybe I’m the crazy one.

Hong Seo-min pondered this in front of the puppet. As always.

Why did I make it into a puppet?

I saw it on Stargram.

I thought the original was handsome.

So I tempted him, and he fell for it.

Too easily.

At first, Hong Seo-min thought it would be fine. Maybe this time would be different.

But it was a huge miscalculation.

‘There was nothing. No taste, nothing.’

Absolutely nothing.

No scent, no smell.

A flower without fragrance.

No charm could be found. What’s the point of being beautiful if there’s no scent? In the end, it’s just for show.

Hong Seo-min’s deviations are always like this.

Judging by appearances.

Using every method to possess them.

Playing with them a few times.

Walking around outside.

Teasing the women walking by.

Controlling them like game characters.

A storm of cheap dopamine, like low-quality frozen food or cheap drugs, rushes in.

Hong Seo-min feels tipsy, as if drunk on alcohol, then returns to reality.

The satisfaction of having something only she can enjoy. That sensation fades.

A common low-quality toy. That’s the impression left behind.

The packaging is good, but the content is worthless.

The same goes for nutrition.

It’s something that drains people.

“Die.”

-?

“Die, I said.”

Hong Seo-min ordered the puppet to self-destruct. Then she interlaced her fingers and rested her elbows on the armrests.

Fidgeting her feet.

This impulse is new.

The impulse to possess.

“······That’s why you shine even more. Right?”

Hong Seo-min whispered.

She knows it’s inaudible.

But she doesn’t want to keep it inside.

She couldn’t take her eyes off Lee Seong-han.

Because he’s perfect.

He’s different from other Awakened Ones.

Especially the S-Ranks.

Kang Mi-young, the stone-headed S-Rank who only focuses on strength and martial arts.

That blue-haired idiot who thinks she can do everything with just her light—completely different!

He can counter me.

He’s also good at scheming.

The word “genius” isn’t wasted on him.

‘A worthy opponent.’

Hong Seo-min smiled. In a way, isn’t this what she desired the most? Something she could have but was just out of reach.

A genius.

An opponent.

A rival.

“Hehehe.”

He’ll soon be in my hands.

Hong Seo-min closed her eyes, thinking of the final line she’d deliver.

“?”

Exactly 30 seconds later.

“Hands up!”

“I surrender.”

Hong Seo-min was arrested.

* * *

“Kang Jin-young! The dragon is breaking through in that direction. Be careful!”

“Charge! Dodge it!”

2nd floor spectator seats.

Kang Jin-young hurriedly used magic in a panic.

Mirginos’ charge pattern. It pulls its body back and pierces through like a bullet with a flap of its wings. If hit, it’s instant death except for the tank.

She stretched her arm straight out.

“B, Blink!”

She chanted, but nothing happened.

[Magic use has been canceled.]

“I can’t use magic. Ah.”

Thud───!

Mirginos smashed through the double-layered pillar. Kang Jin-young’s legs trembled like aspen leaves.

The central pillar of the spectator seats.

Made of ordinary wood, so its durability is weak.

It’s a miracle it’s still standing, given the lack of maintenance.

｢Ah.｣

Even a 4th-generation tank couldn’t withstand the charge attack.

“Damn it!”

Kang Jin-young, who was on the railing, fell below.

“Jin-young!”

Lee Seong-han quickly ran and jumped down first.

[Starting ‘Automatic Combat’.]

Mirginos was buried under the debris of the double-layered floor. Now’s the chance.

He prepared to catch her as soon as she landed. He spread his arms wide to cushion the impact.

“I’ll catch you!”

Thud.

He caught her.

His enhanced stats were a big help. As expected, it was good to train in seclusion. The puppet experience was good too.

｢Am I alive? Did I not die from that dragon’s head?｣

Kang Jin-young, who was like a startled baby bird.

She opened one eye first.

Her whole body was drenched in cold sweat.

Lee Seong-han carefully held her and ran. A cool breeze blew.

｢Phew. As expected…… he’s handsome. Ugh.｣

Kang Jin-young felt relieved inside. She felt like the protagonist of a movie.

“Uh, uhhh.”

“Are you okay?”

“······No. Seong-han. Blood!”

Drip. Drip.

Bright red blood droplets fell on Kang Jin-young’s suit.

Fortunately, it stopped quickly, but her shocked expression didn’t fade.

“It’s okay. I actually need more blood!”

“You need more blood?”

He moved his feet lightly, continuing to run toward the opposite side of the stage.

Lee Seong-han had a plan.

70% of the human body is water.

Paper weakens when wet.

Isn’t blood a liquid too?

“So if I pour it there…… wouldn’t it melt?”

“Seong-han, are you crazy?”

“I’m completely sane right now! I feel like I’ve chugged caffeine!”

Kang Jin-young listened to the explanation and glared at him as if to say, “Is this another one of your nonsense ideas?”

“Blood clots, you know. What are you going to do about that? Do you have hemophilia or something?!”

Hemophilia.

A disease where blood doesn’t clot. Of course, I don’t have it. If I did, I would’ve gone into public service. Ah, but I’m Awakened, so maybe not?

Ding~!

[‘Block’ has recognized clotting factor Factor VIII.]

[‘Regeneration’ has allocated resources needed for blood production. 100,000 won per liter.]

Cheapskate.

[‘Regeneration’ says contract workers are why this is bad and adjusts the price. 70,000 won per liter.]

Okay, perfect! While Lee Seong-han was running with Kang Jin-young in his arms].

“Sir! This way!”

“Understood.”

Kang Mi-young prepared to strike with her sword from the spectator seats.

They were already pushed to the wall of the spectator seats.

A desperate situation.

That was the first word that came to Lee Seong-han’s mind.

“Ugh, my back feels like it’s out again.”

“Again?”

He carefully sat Kang Jin-young down and prepared to face the enemy.

For now, Kang Jin-young is OUT. She poured out all the magic she had prepared, but it didn’t even make a dent. Now it’s Phase 2.

“Do you really think it’ll work?”

Kang Mi-young asked nervously. Even an S-Rank can’t break through this iron fortress. It’s natural to be cautious.

“Of course.”

“I’m afraid of how far your abilities can go.”

“There’s a saying that if you’re going to die anyway, it’s better to die pretending to be crazy.”

Hehe.

[Automatic Combat] quietly activated.

Mirginos was already drenched in blood. All of it was Lee Seong-han’s blood. The scent of blood was so strong it spread here.

Of course, it’s fine.

Because of [Regeneration]. He only pushed himself to the brink of death.

His body hurts, and he’s tired, but thinking of the rewards, Lee Seong-han can’t help himself.

What could it be?

A shortened service period?

A reward vacation?

A strength enhancement ticket?!

“Hehehe.”

Laughter leaked out.

For now, Phase 1 of this plan is complete. Isn’t blood a part of the body too? So its characteristics can be involved.

“In other words. That thing.”

“……It will die soaked in your blood.”

“Exactly.”

If you remove the clotting factors from the blood on Mirginos?

Just imagining it makes me smile.

‘Let’s begin.’

[‘Block’ removes clotting factor Factor VIII.]

Clotting factor Factor VIII.

A substance involved in blood clotting.

If that’s gone, the blood remains in liquid form.

Therefore.

[Status, ‘Hemophilia’ acquired.]

[Bleeding has started!]

Mirginos’ entire body turned red. Clotted blood flowed, soaking the paper.

[‘Block’ removes the target’s magic.]

This round is already as good as won.

* * *

The silence was broken while I was closing my eyes and imagining.

The messenger puppet had returned.

The people locked underground were screaming to be let out.

“Huh.”

They’re going to die soon anyway.

No need to pay attention.

“Kang Jin-young and Kang Mi-young are nothing special. Definitely.”

-…??…?

“Are you sure? Huh, you’ve gotten cocky as a messenger. Your discernment has decreased. Tsk tsk, look at them. They were so fierce, but now they’re struggling. Stupid girls.”

-……?

Hong Seo-min scoffed. The game was already over. They would die, and Lee Seong-han would be dragged before her.

She thought she was lucky herself.

Enduring hardships to achieve a goal.

She smiled as if mocking.

No matter how much the opponent annoys her, the winner is ultimately herself.

[The connection with the paper puppet, Mirginos, has been severed.]

“What?”

For a moment, the flow stopped.

She hurriedly turned on the screen.

Mirginos was melting. Like paper soaked in water. But I cast a 7-circle blocking spell. How did they break through?

What’s with that blood?!

-Now! I’ve dispelled the magic, so just cut it down.

-Got it.

Kang Mi-young bowed her upper body and drew her sword. A sword wind flew toward Mirginos.

Swoosh───!