Commit Suicide Right Here
Generally, a Type 2 monster is something an active C-rank hero could take down solo.
Yeah, C-rank by active duty standards.
'Even among monsters, the ability gaps are huge. Sometimes you even need an A-rank hero.'
Ja-an, the academy's top student, would be scraping B to low A-rank if measured against active heroes. Han Ye-seo was below B.
It was a bit much for a fatigued Ja-an to handle alone.
One of his teeth was missing. His cape was in tatters, and his breathing ragged.
He'd pushed himself just because his instincts screamed it was bad news.
Probably chained big techniques and picked low-probability options a few times.
"…Can you do it?"
"I'll try."
Not "I can," but "I'll give it a shot."
His condition must be pretty rough.
Han Ye-seo was immune to most physical attacks, so I wasn't too worried about her, honestly.
Though my legs were mostly numb, I forced myself upright.
I picked up the spear from the ground.
"Han Ye-seo."
"The other side—she should join up once she's done."
Good, she hadn't died.
Relief washed over me.
The bisected Type 2 monster rose again.
Behind it, eyes gleamed.
Reinforcements… A Type 3 swarm trailing it.
Seemed like the leader of this assault.
'So that's why killing that one in the previous loop made the others go berserk.'
Hold them off alone?
Maybe impossible from the start.
"Let's hold."
Ja-an said.
"We have to."
We pressed backs together. Blood and sweat mingled, a foul stench rising.
In the muck, we swung. Thrust, block, slash, roll, back to thrust… Repeat.
One minute passed. Ten minutes.
…
My brain, tallying time, soon shifted questions.
How long now?
Limit reached.
My spear shaft was splintering. Ja-an's sword—plain quality—already in pieces.
Told him to snag a relic or something.
Sitting in a pool of blood, I stared blankly at the approaching monsters.
"…Funny, this being the end."
"Sorry."
"What're you apologizing for? You fought harder than me."
"…Sorry."
A chuckle escaped.
Should I tell him regression fixes everything?
'Ah, might be the timing to witness Ja-an's death.'
Monsters target the weak first… Would I go down before him? Probably couldn't see his death this time.
Ja-an opened his mouth.
"Actually, I…"
Boom! Boom! Boom—! Explosions echoed from afar, chaining off.
"…Huh?"
"No, nothing. But that sound…"
The sky split.
A massive, elongated pillar tore through the air, smashing the monster swarm's center.
Boom—! The shockwave launched Ja-an and me skyward briefly before slamming us down.
I craned my neck, scanning.
Dust-choked streets. One man stood there.
Worn coat, white-gray hair, a huge, plain elongated…
"Pillar?"
"Sword, rookies. You held well."
The guy I'd only seen in community memes, in the flesh.
Ha… In the last loop, I'd glimpsed him from afar before dying. Such a waste.
Ham Deok-gyu, current A-rank hero. Ability: Sword.
'The ability to wield swords masterfully.'
One trap in that description.
He could masterfully wield almost anything that looked like a sword.
A monster with all stats A+ except intelligence could weaponize nearly anything he touched.
In the most absurd ways.
That rectangular pillar? Probably insisted it was a sword to trigger his ability.
Ham Deok-gyu approached us.
"Situation?"
"…Monster swarms pouring from three directions."
"Got it."
"One I cleared. This one's Ivy Lane cadet."
"Hm… Frail body, but useful ability, it seems."
Ham Deok-gyu eyed me with keen interest at Ja-an's words.
I clutched my torn clothes, minimizing exposed skin.
He shifted gaze.
"Sorry."
"…It's fine."
"No, not about your state. Sorry for being late."
"That's fine too."
He nodded.
Turning to Ja-an:
"Who's on the last direction?"
"Cadet Han Ye-seo."
"Mm. Understood."
"…You know Han Ye-seo?"
"I memorize all A-class cadets' names and faces. Below that? No value."
No value… Stings a bit.
I'm the real valueless one.
Ja-an's lips parted like he might speak, then closed.
Decided against it.
Surprising.
Thought he'd snap at that attitude.
Ham Deok-gyu spoke.
"Shockwave cleaned the small fry. Heading to Han Ye-seo."
"…Yes."
"Hm, Ivy Lane can't move—stay put. Ja-an, follow."
"Pardon?"
"Efficiency."
Ja-an glanced at me, worried.
"I'm good."
No, not really. Anxious as hell.
'Checkpoint.'
Regression point established.
We'd cleared the big hurdle. Perfect timing before splitting from Ja-an.
Whatever happened after he left, regress to checkpoint and whine for him to stay. Done.
Didn't know Ham Deok-gyu's personality well, but he wouldn't ignore a sincerely pleading girl.
Ja-an still hesitated.
Go save the main heroine, idiot.
"Go."
"…Got it."
Finally.
Slumped, I watched them go.
Till they shrank to dots, far off. Just watched.
Could I… do it too?
"Son, that's not possible."
"…Ha."
Father's voice had been frequent lately—now Mother's after ages.
Eyes sprouted from earth and sky.
"Should I say daughter now? So pretty. Mom was gorgeous young too—wanna see pics?"
"……."
"Hey, so… Die with me? Milk with pesticide. TV says it's easy, painless…"
Ah, that time.
Dad stepped out briefly; she brought two milk glasses.
Her who never cooked.
Refused—she force-fed, so I puked it up.
Funnier: She never sipped hers.
Scared to die herself.
Anyway, Mask guy should show soon.
If drugging to recruit me, he'd appear with side-effect reducers for a deal. Injected a month ago.
'No addiction, just hallucinations and whispers—what were they planning?'
Irritated. At them thinking this controlled me. At others scheming to use me.
'Whatever—nothing I can do now. Won't show personally? Recruitment's your goal?'
Sigh. Considered their side. If I were the enemy: Contact, inject addictive drug.
But non-addictive. Just visions, voices. No withdrawal, symptoms worsening slowly—but bearable.
Needed more for relief, like addiction. But weaker than booze or smokes.
No other symptoms at onset. Can't addict in one go.
If me, lure to spot, negotiate. Second dose timing.
'Why guess this breach was theirs.'
Ham Deok-gyu here cleaning up, yet no show? No contact now? Baffling.
"I'd have brought the dope first."
Or items, relics, cash—what target needs. Why not? Needed answers.
"Is that so?"
"…?"
I tried rising.
"No need."
He pinned my shoulder one-handed.
"You…"
"Yes. We know each other? Met how many times?"
"Mask…"
"I have a name too."
The masked man hid expression, eyes crescent.
Smiling.
The teleporter who jabbed my neck, slipped syringe in pocket.
Ability: Quid Pro Quo—Reveal info once, teleport once.
"Who are you?"
"No one's around—I'll answer. We're your allies."
"What?"
"Honest answers to all questions. Test with my ability if uneasy."
Test… yeah.
Frankly, zero fondness for this hallucination-gifting bastard.
What'd trouble him most?
Mulling, I tossed:
Testing if he'd balk.
"Commit suicide right here."
"Understood."
Bang—! Pulled gun from pocket, shot his head.
"Wha—!"
I yanked syringe, jammed thigh. World flipped.
Blackout.
Back to checkpoint.
Loop again.
See off Ja-an, Ham Deok-gyu.
Sit, savor view.
Wait. Footsteps behind—sense if focused. His level.
"Drugs."
"…Need some?"
"Trust you."
"Pardon?"
"Answer my questions."
"Ah, second time now. Or more loops?"
"I'm asking."
Mask man went quiet.
Sitting, I questioned him.
"You know about my regressions?"
"Yes. Colleague has precog-like ability."
"Your goal?"
"Spread the truth."
"…Truth?"
Mask man paused.
Gazed into void.
"Ability users are monsters by nature."