Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Free Sleeping Bag and Saintess' Wrath
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What? What? This is burdensome.
Just do what you normally do.
You still don't know much about the laws of the wild, huh.
.
.
Words like that spilled from Cheon Seo-yun's mouth.
She'd said even more, actually, but since she was mumbling them around mouthfuls of meat, this was all I could make out.
Either she was seriously misunderstanding something, or she'd lost her mind.
One or the other, but it didn't matter, so I let it slide.
"Eat slowly. It'll be a disaster if you choke."
I didn't want to lose my wild bait over something as trivial as meat.
So I even poured her a drink and set it in front of her myself.
"Keep eating. I'll head to the tent for a bit."
"Huh? Oh."
Whether she was touched by the surprise service or not.
I left Cheon Seo-yun staring blankly at the drink and ducked into the tent.
I tidied up my gear to move toward Reina's position.
And picked out one item that might tempt her to carry around.
"This should do."
It was a spare sleeping bag I'd bought—a premium line from a famous mountaineering brand, made of goose down, so it was warm and lightweight.
More than enough to get through the chilly nights and dawns on Mount Geumgang.
[Trait, Manifestation, activated.]
I manifested a plain dagger and lightly sliced my left palm.
Drew just enough blood, then inscribed the spell.
Drip, drip—
I held my left hand near the activation core of the spell.
Bluish runes spread with red pigment.
Thirty-two strokes of the Wind Control Technique: Blood Mist Lure.
A spell that uses the caster's blood as a medium to attract demonic beasts.
It had a track record from the auction house—severing Medusa's head in one go—and from battle, driving demons into a frenzy and stripping their reason.
Probably the same mission this time.
Once the spell was complete, a small pattern etched itself onto the back of my left hand.
Proof that the link was established.
Now, unless I voluntarily dispel it or all the blood in my body dries up.
I could activate Blood Mist Lure whenever I wanted, at will.
"Take good care of it."
I transplanted this aggro spell into the inner lining of the sleeping bag. Then reinforced it simply.
Spent 3 SP to turn the spell's signature red smoke colorless.
Now even Cheon Seo-yun wouldn't notice easily. All set.
I folded the sleeping bag neatly, wrapped it in its cover, and stepped outside.
The tent came down with one button press and went into my subspace pouch.
"What the..."
I walked toward Cheon Seo-yun, who was staring at me with wide rabbit eyes in shock.
And held it out.
"Take this too."
"What's this?"
"Sleeping bag."
"A sleeping bag? Why this?"
"Don't need it myself. If you need it, it's yours. No points required—it's free."
"...For free? Even if it's extra, this is too good."
Cheon Seo-yun waved her hands as if declining, but her mouth was grinning ear to ear.
It was so very Cheon Seo-yun that I chuckled too.
"Take it quick if you want it. Or I'll give it to someone else..."
"There's someone right in front of you—who else?"
Cheon Seo-yun snatched the sleeping bag lightning-fast.
Hee hee—
She hugged the plush premium sleeping bag tight, clearly loving the feel.
"Ahem, thanks. I'll put it to good use."
"No problem. I'm the one who should be thanking you."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Keep treating it that preciously. Starting tomorrow, it'll be working hard.
I swallowed the last words I couldn't say aloud.
Instead.
"Tomorrow's when PvP starts. Go find Baek Sa-young right away and form an alliance or something. Starting tomorrow..."
I advised her to pair up with a strong ally.
She'd become everyone's target soon.
With two, they could eat in peace, take turns sleeping...
Well, my real plan was a contingency for if the weird ones' forces were stronger than expected.
While Cheon Seo-yun and Baek Sa-young pulled aggro, Joo Ah-rin and I would go meet... no, rescue the Mountain Lord.
Extermination team: Baek Sa-young and Cheon Seo-yun. Infiltration team: me and Joo Ah-rin.
A 2v2 diversion op known only to me.
"I'm off. Good luck. Next time we meet, we won't part on such good terms."
I headed south, leaving Cheon Seo-yun asking where I was going.
Reina had already linked up with Lee Dong-wook's crew—five GPS dots lined up together.
I had to arrive before they pulled anything.
Reina had zero social experience, so she couldn't escape those thugs' grasp.
Even if by some miracle she did...
"Hold up."
A chill crawled up my spine, making me stop.
If they failed, that'd be a problem too.
Reina had zero flexibility—she wouldn't let them off. And using excessive force before PvP started meant disqualification.
"Damn it."
Either way, things were getting hectic.
* * *
Mount Geumgang's night, turning from cool to downright chilly.
A campfire spreading warmth, the mouthwatering aroma of natural high-protein pork.
Students gathered cozily, chatting animatedly.
To Reina, who'd never had a normal school life, the scene was a K-drama and coming-of-age flick rolled into one.
"Before you eat, right? Come join us."
"Then excuse me."
So she sat down for now.
Slipping in among people who felt vaguely familiar but weren't in her memory—strangers, she decided.
Of course, she knew they could turn on her anytime, and even if they did, it wouldn't matter much during midterms.
But Reina thought—no, forced herself to believe—she couldn't give up the romance she'd dreamed of for so long over something like that.
...Truth was, she was starving.
Too hungry to care about friend or foe—gotta eat first.
"You know how to use chopsticks? We carved these ourselves."
"Thank you."
"Eat first. We can introduce ourselves while you do."
Lee Dong-wook guided her kindly, winking at Kang Cheol-min.
Then the guy lording it over the center of the barbecue circle.
Short and stocky so not super visible, but his presence screamed leader of the pack.
Kang Cheol-min cleared his throat with a "Kehum."
Glancing at Reina with a flushed face, he nodded at Lee Dong-wook.
Meaning, I'll allow your introduction. The lackey moved.
"You know Kang Cheol-min? One of Class A's aces..."
"Slurp."
"More famous by his nickname Iron Fist..."
"Nom."
"His overall ranking is an impressive..."
"Korean pork is delicious."
"......"
But conversation wasn't happening.
Oblivious Reina was already lost in the wild boar.
Still elegant in her saintly grace, savoring each bite like a gourmet.
Suddenly, a vein bulged on Kang Cheol-min's temple.
He glared fiercely, and Lee Dong-wook swallowed hard.
He was about to hurry up and speak, reclaiming attention stolen by the pork...
"Who butchered it?"
"That guy. I mean, Kang Cheol-min."
Luckily, opportunity knocked.
Lee Dong-wook gestured proudly, and Kang Cheol-min finally puffed up his shoulders, prepping his intro line.
"I'm Kang..."
"Ah, there you are. Hidden behind the pig. Are you the butcher master?"
"No, I'm not the butcher, I'm the leader here..."
"Impressive skill. And with such basic gear too."
"......"
Reina meant it as thanks.
But the awkward downward gaze as she half-stood, and being demoted from leader to butcher, irked Kang Cheol-min.
No, upset him.
He was one of her welcoming fans too.
"...Haha, he's good at everything. Eat up. Cheol-min, come here a sec."
Quick-witted Lee Dong-wook cut in smoothly.
He dragged Kang Cheol-min to a secluded spot where even moonlight barely reached.
And asked.
"What now?"
"What do you mean? Stick to the plan. We have the sleep herbs collected."
Kang Cheol-min snapped curtly, but truth was, it felt awkward.
Even if ignored, a fan's a fan.
"Got it. Once she's asleep, snag her live watch and bail. Three hours and it's day three—we'll rack up points."
"Watch your words. Not bail—strategic retreat."
"Yeah, yeah. You could handle her solo anyway. Just don't wanna cause a fuss. Good chance to test the sleep herbs too."
"That's part of it, but... using my fist on that frail body doesn't sit right."
Kang Cheol-min eyed his fist bitterly.
A ruthless glint in his gaze as he stared at the weapon.
"Heh, with bonus points, that's 30 easy."
Lee Dong-wook, unconcerned, pulled out sleep herb powder and approached Reina.
Sleep herbs were the raw material for sleep aids. Even the toughest foe drops after one spoonful.
That's why he'd raised his hands in triumph upon finding them.
As a magic specialist with interest in potions, he'd praised himself endlessly.
Even Kang Cheol-min, who usually dismissed him openly, had bowed to its efficacy.
This was their chance.
The weaklings' hope, their lifeline to climb.
"Reina, want some seasoning powder?"
Lee Dong-wook sat naturally beside her, shaking the powder.
Good for stamina recovery, a bit salty too—perfect salt substitute, he lied.
"Intriguing. Please do."
Of course, Reina held out a piece of meat without suspicion.
He sprinkled a pinch.
White powder fluttered down onto the meat.
Eyes sparkling with anticipation, Reina bit in. Lee Dong-wook clenched his fist, certain of success.
"Mm."
Reina chewed thoughtfully.
Silence until she swallowed with a gulp, then spoke.
"It's got a burnt taste, somehow."
"What? No way."
Unexpected, Lee Dong-wook tilted his head.
"No, definitely burnt. The taste of Satan..."
And with Reina's sinister smile, the mood shifted instantly.
No time for "Huh?"
"Uwaaaak!"
Lee Dong-wook crumpled from excruciating pain.
Something had flown in and smashed his chest—it was a wild boar hind leg bone.
Reina had whacked him with the bone she'd stripped clean.
"You fucking!"
Sensing something wrong, pale-faced Lee Dong-wook tried to cast a spell...
Pwoomf.
...But it ended there.
"Khek!"
Too fast—no afterimage even. No chance to react.
"You bastards, what are you doing? Help me quick..."
Lee Dong-wook yelled at the rest of his team.
Crack—
But they'd all bolted—no sign of them.
"You traitorous shits..."
Splat—
"You think you'll get away with this."
Rrrrip—
"Ah, no, Saintess! Please!"
Relentlessly pummeled, Lee Dong-wook was dumbfounded to the point of tears.
He'd confirmed she ate the sleep herb—no effect. And the easy mark saintess turned out scary strong.
"Sp-spare meeeee!"
Reina picked up another fallen hind leg bone, holding one in each hand. Lee Dong-wook backed away in horror.
One hurt this bad—two might kill him.
"Hold up a sec."
An unexpected savior appeared then.
No idea why that punk was here, but it worked.
Reina stopped the beating—no, the attack—listening to him.
"Ha, Ha-yul, save me! That bitch is crazy."
Lee Dong-wook bolted over, face forgotten.
Whiiiir.
A drone arrived sensing the commotion. He sighed in relief.
Saved now.
If Park Ha-yul bought time, he'd show his wounds to the drone and confess.
"Shoo~"
But suddenly, Park Ha-yul muttered to himself and shooed the drone away.
"You crazy fuck, why chase the drone? Like that'll make it—huh?"
Whiiiir.
It actually left.
"...What the hell."
"What else? Evidence disposal, dumbass."
Evidence disposal?
Lee Dong-wook tilted his head, then felt bone-chilling killing intent from Park Ha-yul's back.
He'd thought him just a book-smart potion nerd, freeloading off the brew clan.
But the aura pouring from him now—Set Yoon-gi level. Maybe more.
Swish.
Transparent threads seemed to bind him, the pressure overwhelming. Lee Dong-wook realized things had gone south.
His bad feeling became reality fast.
"You're just following your script too, but I've put up with you too long. Not in the mood. Eat fist first."
Park Ha-yul blew on his fist—ha—then thrust it out.
Pwoomf—
"Hup."
Lee Dong-wook's vision flashed white again.