Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Sweet's Awakening
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"What the fuck!"
Primal emotions surged up from the depths of his heart.
Terror, despair, fear, doubt, distrust...
Thrown into a life-or-death crisis, Sweet felt his heart pounding.
Could he really dismiss this as just a 'game'?
He glanced at Raven, who had lost an arm.
Drip- Drip-
Blood drops kept falling relentlessly.
Yet Raven was still resisting with her remaining hand.
At this rate, she'd clearly die from excessive blood loss.
And what was he doing in the midst of all this?
Just standing there, watching.
'Should I just die and respawn?'
A cold calculation showed no chance of victory.
Dying and resuming the main story from there would be the smart choice.
This was a game, after all. Not reality.
Starting over would restore Raven's arm too, right?
The word 'give up' loomed in Sweet's mind.
At that moment...
"...I'm a coward who fled alone from a fallen kingdom."
The voice came from ahead.
While single-handedly blocking the Black Illusion Rabbit's attacks.
The one slowly dying squeezed out every last bit of strength to speak.
"An even more horrific disaster revived, and my kingdom fell because of it... Urk!"
💥 CRITICAL HIT! 💥 -[Damage value] HP
[Multiplier or effect]
As if refusing to give its prey any respite, the Black Illusion Rabbit's onslaught grew fiercer.
Haa... Haa...
"Run away."
Raven's voice cut through her ragged breaths.
Sweet bit his lip hard at those words.
"I'll be the decoy."
📜 NEW QUEST 📜 [Escape the Darkness-Devouring Forest]
A choice appeared.
The one he'd only seen days ago during a broadcast.
"Why do you have to be the sacrifice instead of..."
...me?
Raven was an NPC. To her, this world was reality.
Sweet was a player. To him, it was mere entertainment, just a game.
Their deaths weren't equal.
Hers was final. His was just a new beginning.
"I've already abandoned my entire kingdom once and fled."
If I turn my back here, I won't have the face to meet those who went ahead.
Her words carried resolve.
Raven intended to fight to the end.
Even knowing it was doomed to death.
"...We don't have much time left."
True to her words, Raven looked like she could collapse any second.
She barely held her sword up, merely blocking the Black Illusion Rabbit's assaults.
Even that failed to dodge every attack, damage accumulating.
And through it all, Sweet did nothing. Couldn't do anything.
His body wouldn't move, gripped by a soul-crushing despair he'd never felt before.
"Even now."
Shiver-
His rigid legs refused to budge.
Yet his damn hands trembled worse than ever.
That pathetic sight ignited a fire in Sweet's heart.
"Energy Bolt."
He chanted. Desperation and self-directed rage filled the cry.
But no Energy Bolt fired, only worsening the tremors.
"Fire, Energy Bolt."
He wished. He shouted that wish. It carried the power to save Raven.
Nothing happened. No dramatic protagonist awakening in crisis.
Grit-!
"Please. Energy Bolt, damn it!"
Blood burst from Raven's mouth as she resisted to the last.
Beyond her, the rabbit-faced demon grinned grotesquely.
Seeing that smile, its phantom illusions leaped at Raven, half-kneeling.
"Die, you fucking rabbit bastards-!"
Desperation peaked into rage.
A clear will pierced the world.
His hands stopped shaking.
"Energy Bolt."
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Energy Bolt Mana sphere launches forward per caster's will.
A mana orb shot forward at the caster's command.
The Energy Bolt struck only the illusions precisely.
Confusion flickered on the Black Illusion Rabbit's smug face.
"You're dead, you fucking rabbit bastard."
Energy Bolt.
Stepping forward boldly, he chanted it once more.
Kreeeech-!!!
The Black Illusion Rabbit hidden in the illusions let out a shriek.
"Does it hurt?"
The attack had shaved off about 20% of the Black Illusion Rabbit's health.
Four more direct Energy Bolts would kill it.
But the rabbit knew that too, refusing Sweet any breathing room.
It kept hiding among illusions, endlessly summoning more.
If this war of attrition dragged on, Sweet's mana would deplete, leading to defeat.
But.
✨ LEVEL UP! ✨ Lv9 → Lv10 A level-up hit at a miraculous timing.
A pure white light erupted, illuminating the darkness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 💬 Indie Minor Game Gallery Gem-anbun Gallery generally allowed streamer broadcasts.
Odd, considering most game galleries banned them.
But Developer Gate and Daehyeop Kim's uniqueness made it semi-mandatory.
Banning them would leave no hot topics anyway.
―――
— Sweet's awakening scene is fucking movie-like [345] — Why the hell is Raven a dude? [785] — Reason why devs are fucking smart [501] — So when's the full release, you fucks? [430] — Raven << All-time fave NPC [555] ―――
📰 Why the hell is Raven a dude? Imagine if Raven was a girl Big-tiddied smiley swordswoman sacrifices herself for me Big-tiddied smiley swordswoman flirts to chat with me Spending deep nights with big-tiddied smiley swordswoman Why the fuck is Raven a dude tho Recommend 755 Oppose 125
―――
— Weebs' fantasies are fucking gross — But recs don't lie, right? ↳ Reply Look at those recs piling up — Yeah, girl version is hotter — Idiot, it's good cuz he's a guy — (chud) GTFO my gallery ↳ Reply Lmao kekekeke — Gay normalization is peak chud ―――
📰 Reason why devs are fucking smart (Daehyeop Kim's 1st awakening clip) See how he picks off illusions bit by bit for EXP Grinding slow, but hits Lv10 Result? Awakens and solos the Black Illusion Rabbit (Sweet's 1st awakening clip) Sweet's situation similar to Daehyeop Kim Was grinding mobs to just shy of Lv10 Succeeds staffless cast in dramatic moment One-shots aggroed illusions on Raven, levels up Awakens and roasts the Black Illusion Rabbit whole What impresses me: All this is dev design Tons of posts proving Black Illusion Rabbit clears this way now Once or twice coincidence? More than that? Devs << Their design skills are insane Perverted freaks who get romance Recommend 680 Oppose 5
―――
⭐ Top Comment — [Reply 501] Perverted director and maid hehehe — Bye ↳ Reply PPAP'd kek — Whole maid for goodbye lol — Actually trying it, that part breaks your brain That's the point tho Wanna try it bad Betatesters so jealous fr ―――
With Daehyeop Kim followed by Sweet succeeding against the Black Illusion Rabbit...
The gallery buzz focused more on the NPC Raven than the two.
Raven's a guy. No, busty swordgirl. He's good as a guy. Hotter as girl. Etc.
As the first companion in Akare's journey, she drew massive attention.
"Spoiler bait central."
From the omniscient director view, Raven was exceptionally special.
Sole survivor of a fallen kingdom. Ties to the Elder Lich.
Growth potential, character, story. And raw charm.
Above all, there was a decisive reason she was picked as a main story centerpiece.
"But gotta hold back."
Knew it all, but spoilers were bad.
"Daehyeop Kim... progressed faster than expected."
After the first main story—traveling with Raven—
Players part ways with her briefly in the Empire's capital.
Then reunite later to continue.
No matter the choices...
It all led to the 'Elder Lich Raid' by design.
'Daehyeop Kim's on the mercenary route.'
Sewer inspection quest leads to Black Mage's Trap.
Clearing it unlocks Cradle of Black Magic dungeon.
Clear that for Elder Lich revival breadcrumbs.
"Still, solo's impossible."
Daehyeop Kim now Lv15.
Gear equipped limited to Lv10.
Vs. Cradle's boss Servant of Darkness at Lv17.
'Martial Artist's boss-specialized, sure.'
Mages for hunting, Martial Artists for bosses.
But enough to bridge level gap?
'I could.'
Theoretically yes. For someone like me.
I.e., impossible for Daehyeop Kim.
Martial Artist strong in bosses, but Servant was a melee blender.
"Got the feel now. Clearing for sure this time."
―――
— Season 32427 clear declare Boss has 10+ patterns, this works? Lowbie zone but looks brutal ―――
Daehyeop Kim declared clear confidently on screen.
But his 58th try ended in failure again.
"Ah, dying nonstop is rough. Getting hungry too. Kinda tired."
―――
— Uh oh Endurance buildup incoming fml — Stop right there — We're sorry — Daehyeop nooo? ―――
Viewers reacted sharply to the usual endurance buildup.
As if waiting, Daehyeop Kim smiled softly and murmured.
"That's it for today's stream."
[Daehyeop Kim's broadcast has ended.] The screen went black with his final words.
Chat flooded with curses and rage-flame emojis.
Tsk... Not easy.
Stream off, but I could still see Daehyeop Kim muttering to himself.
Watching his dungeon run live in Akare, after all.
"Just need one ranged DPS."
Daehyeop Kim grumbled, exiting the dungeon.
Out through the filthy sewer path to the plaza.
He headed to the gates at the capital's outer wall.
"Looking for party members, huh."
All betatesters still on first main story.
Fastest? Streamer Sweet.
Picked Mage right from Hall of Heroes, blasted through.
Hunting-specialized job made him quickest.
"Grab party, gear up in Black Mage's Trap first..."
Streamer habit, he kept mumbling plans.
"...Party grinding levels faster too."
Solid strategy.
Martial Artist shines in parties via Spirit of the Martial Artist synergy.
He knew, hence waiting here.
"About that timing now."
Observer mode long, she finally appeared.
Walking toward Daehyeop Kim waiting at the gates.
Familiar armor, sword, aura.
"Hm?"
Daehyeop Kim turned at the presence.
"Who are you?"
He didn't recognize her.
Of course. Recognizing would be weirder.
Pfft. Forgot me already?
Daehyeop Kim narrowed his eyes, gauging her.
Met before? Voice familiar?
Not really, but aura felt familiar somehow.
So he focused more.
"...No way."
Armor design, sword shape, familiar vibe.
"Raven?"
Only then did she beam a smile.
"You've grown much stronger while we were apart."
Daehyeop Kim stared at her—Raven—in stunned silence.