Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: You're Really Bad at This
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People have to take responsibility when they screw up.
For example, if you mess up the cash register at a convenience store, you cover it out of your paycheck.
If you screw up birth control, you get married and own up to it.
That's what freedom means. That's why we can enjoy it.
No matter how harsh that responsibility might be.
And I had screwed up.
"Puhahaha! Seong-hoon, you wimp!!"
"........."
"What the hell? How does this even happen? A guy who's spent more than half his 25 years glued to a computer screen loses to someone who's barely touched a controller?!"
"...One more round."
"No way, Seong-hoon. I didn't want to say it, but I have to."
"...What?"
"You're way worse than me. Just give up and admit it, okay?"
"........."
I kept my head down, refusing to look up. I knew what would happen if I did. That damn blonde would be smirking, teasing me mercilessly.
No, I told her this was my first time playing a fighting game. It doesn't even exist in my world. Who the hell made this stupid game? It's weird. I shouldn't be losing.
I raised a single finger, head still bowed low.
"One more. Just once more, and I'll admit defeat."
"Tch. Seong-hoon, do you think I'm an idiot? This is already the third time. What if you win the next one by some fluke? I know your game."
Raphael sucked in a breath and unleashed a rapid-fire rant. Her diction was so crisp, every word drilled right into my ears.
"'Raphael, you suck. You're no match for me.' Then if I ask for one more round, you'll say, 'Why should I? The last one to win is the winner, idiot,' and treat me like the loser? Too bad! I'm not falling for that!!"
"...."
She was mimicking me so perfectly it pissed me off even more. I glanced up slightly, and there she was—waiting, hand over her mouth, grinning smugly with that golden hair.
Ah. What now? She's read my every move. Are you using mind-reading? Some kind of prophecy?
"Come on! Time to honor the deal!"
"Fine. Whatever."
I ignored her triumphant squeal and pulled my phone from my pocket.
"Wait! Go yourself. That's cheating!!"
"Why, when I have a maid? And don't you know it's dangerous out there right now?"
"Isn't Isia in danger too?"
"She's strong. Wraiths are no match for her. And if something happens, I've got Maid No. 2 as backup."
She kept yelling about cheating, but I couldn't send snacks out for a gaming session in this kind of danger.
"You would've just let me go if I'd won?"
"Obviously."
I tuned out her complaints about the unfair game from the start. Ignore. The world works like that, Raphael. Another step forward as an adult today.
With that, I dialed Isia.
Ring─ It connected after one tone.
[H-Hello!? What's up? Ahem! Ahem. Hold on a sec.]
I heard her warming up her voice with a few "ahh~ ahh~" sounds, then a much more polished tone came through.
[Yes, this is Isia. What can I do for you?]
"What're you doing? Never mind. Maid, go buy some snacks from the convenience store outside."
[Huh? You're calling at this hour just for that? It's almost 10! Didn't you see the safety alerts?!]
"I did. You gonna lose to a wraith? No way, right?"
[...Of course not.]
"Good. Handle it."
[Wait, seriously? No way. There aren't even any stores open this la─]
Click.
I hung up without listening. She'd pick them up and I'd grab them at the dorm entrance. Ah, maids are so convenient.
"Making a girl go buy snacks on the streets at 10 p.m. when criminals are crawling around..."
Put like that, it sounded kinda off. Stop. I don't look like a total asshole. No, really. I only sent Isia because she's capable.
We've played plenty anyway, so maybe rest until the snacks arrive─
With that thought, I flopped onto the bed, turned on my smartphone, and opened the internet.
Using the net here felt weird at first, but I adapted quick. This is human adaptability. This is the 21st-century civilized man!
I browsed forums to get a sense of the academy's situation.
And saw some unbelievable posts.
─This wraith incident is bad. Word is the Dawn Guild master's daughter got taken down too?
─That brown-haired girl with pink eyes? The cute one?
─Yeah, she's down and the academy's in chaos. Guild's been notified, and they might warp-gate in soon?
─Justitia's done for? First time seeing an academy this unprepared for wraiths.
Cold sweat trickled down. What the hell? Yang Min-ji got hit? She's got nothing to do with this incident.
"Ah."
Yang Min-ji never misses a spot where Kim Tae-hyun shows up, from early to late in the story.
She attracts incidents and gets targeted because of her skills. But those skills...
They're crucial. Without them, we're all dead. The whole world. Me included.
Something's wrong. I could see the gears of fate grinding out of sync.
I knew it wasn't a normal wraith incident, but this feels way off.
I quickly redialed Isia. But...
Ring─ Ring─ Ring─
"...."
A thought flashed: No way? Not her too? But the phone kept ringing mercilessly.
Ring─ Ring─
".................."
"Huh, Seong-hoon? Where you going?"
"Raphael. You know what?"
"Huh?"
"People have to take responsibility for their mistakes."
And now was the time.
"No stores are even open..."
Isia grumbled as she walked. Of course—with constant wraith alerts, who keeps their doors open this late? Even 24-hour convenience stores were down to 12 hours now.
Hardly anyone around. Just eerie air and the occasional cute cat darting out.
"It's just wraiths anyway."
Isia was confident. A few spells and they'd vanish. Still, caution was wise—but her master ordered snacks, so how could a maid refuse?
Lately, No. 2 (Sophia) was stealing her thunder. He barely called on her anymore.
I'm the senior maid. I'm more capable─
"Wait, isn't this a good chance?!"
The sudden thought startled her. She'd fully sunk into maid mode.
So that's what they mean by "circumstances shape the man." She passed the fully darkened main street into a shadier alley.
She knew a shop there. She'd checked everywhere else; this was her last hope.
Why not just order online? But snacks didn't qualify for magic delivery unless in bulk.
And bulk? No way she'd eat it all. Better to grab a small batch.
"Still feels creepy."
Rubbing her goosebumps, she pressed on—then spotted the source.
A dimly lit spot. Something was hurtling straight at her. Too far to see clearly, but one thing was sure.
It was dead on course. Flying right at her.
Even from afar: fluttering black robes, a body five times her size, and a scythe.
Instinct kicked in. That's a wraith. But don't wraiths skip weapons?
Shoving aside the unease, she leaped back and began chanting.
A third-circle spell.
"Darkness..."
One verse in, she gauged the distance. Plenty of room to finish.
Two verses. Three. Chant complete, magic formed—mana surged through her, unleashing the spell.
She targeted it, spewing a pillar of darkness.
The charging wraith got engulfed... but didn't vanish. Not a scratch.
"Huh? Why?"
No answer. Just a bizarre wail in response.
Distance closing fast. Bad news. Isia was a pureblood mage—no good at close quarters.
First, widen the gap with mana-boosted leg strength─
"Grooooar!!"
Before she could, the scythe slashed in. This'll cut me.
Something appeared.
Two knives blocking the scythe. Held reverse grip, not standard.
Even in the dark, blue-glowing black hair shone faintly.
"Wondered where you'd gone. What a freak."
He shoved the scythe back and reset his stance.
"Hand over the soul, punk."
He'd said it with bravado, but Kim Tae-hyun was a bit rattled.
Just clashing weapons told him everything. This monster was strong. Probably too strong for him right now.
But he didn't pull back his knives.
The reason was simple.
Yang Min-ji.
A nuisance of a girl. Always chattering beside him when he was alone, waiting quietly without interrupting until training ended.
That girl had lost her soul. Because she ignored warnings to stay in the dorms and came out to train with him.
So, as a decent person... who had to restore her soul?
Beyond that, this bastard had claimed five souls. All needed returning.
He set his stance. Poured strength into his knives, refined his mana, vitalizing his body.
"Here I go."
He charged with gusto, but the wraith wasn't even looking at him. Its gaze fixed on one thing.
The black long-haired girl. Someone he'd glimpsed at the department store once—same class, maybe.
The wraith ignored his attacks, reaching for her. He sliced off an arm, but it didn't stop.
Still mumbling.
"Thousand... angel..."
Angel? A flood of thoughts, but no time.
His thrust did zero damage. Arm kept coming. Kim Tae-hyun gritted his teeth.
"Angel?"
The area froze in an instant. Temperature plummeted, frost forming on particles.
The wraith's hand iced over thickest. Finally acknowledging the nuisance, it turned to him.
"If angels existed, demons wouldn't pull their crap."
No reply. He hadn't expected one. Ice spread from the frozen arm.
That bought a split-second stiffen. Enough—he grabbed the still-frozen girl and leaped back.
"Hey. You're in the way. Run."
"Huh? Wait, I can fight too, you know?"
Kim Tae-hyun scowled, pointing at the wraith—it had shattered the ice and regrown its hand.
"See? Still staring at you. Can't handle baggage in a fight. Go get backup or run. Just vanish quick."
"You're hilarious. Sure, it's creepy, but I can support with magic while you─?!"
Words fell on deaf ears. This girl was annoying as hell.
"Hey─"
No time to finish. The wraith raised its scythe for a massive swing.
No magic, no mana, no special powers. Just a swing. Yet wind pressure blasted them back.
Kim Tae-hyun flew, catching Isia to keep her from tumbling. They landed, him cradling her.
'Strong as hell.'
The invisible gap in power hit hard. Even a truckload of him might not cut it.
He gripped his knives.
"Not saying it twice. Run."
"No way."
Isia stood, drawing a magic circle. Kim Tae-hyun reset his stance.
The wraith raised its scythe high again...
And froze.
Its relentless gaze on Isia shifted elsewhere.
Farther back. A bit more distant.
Following it: two silhouettes.
─This place is creepy as hell. You sure? Scary vibes. Why'd we come here?
─Seong-hoon told us to buy stuff. Stores were all closed on the way.
─My fault? You lost fair and square. Admit it? Your fault, right?
─Your brain really works different. Gotta respect that.
─Thanks for the praise.
Before Kim Tae-hyun could react, the wraith was already flying toward them.