The Golden Giant's Hand
The tip of my sword pierced through the core buried in the sludge monster's belly.
The moment it did, messages scrolled across my vision.
Boss Monster 'Explorer Jude' defeated!
Massive experience gained!
Reward: Hidden dungeon route activated!
"…Hidden route?"
The moment I voiced my confusion, a red line like an arrow stretched out from under my feet with a low hum.
'Sung Hyun-sook' provides information: This is the arrow pointing to the hidden route!
Mom must be used to this kind of thing. As expected from a legendary player who'd seen it all.
"So I just follow this arrow? Nice and straightforward."
The arrow pointed beyond the iron door the sludge monster had opened.
All I had to do was follow the line…
"Hmm."
But the atmosphere made it awkward to just take off walking.
I sheathed Sword of Salvation and turned around.
"Ugh, uwaaa…."
"Am, am I dreaming right now?"
"Damn it. I don't know what's what anymore…."
'Sung Hyun-sook' bursts out laughing: What a total circus!
Milo Holt, his neck twisted 180 degrees. Gawkers standing dumbly before his corpse—my Giga Golem (culprit). And the squad members staring at the scene in shock and horror.
…Less a circus, more a surreal mess.
"Th-that monster over there. Doesn't it kinda look like Vice Captain Paul?"
"Hey, that trash isn't our vice captain anymore."
"Is that really the point right now…."
Flash—!
They kept staring too much at my Giga Golem, so I unsummoned it, feeling oddly prickly.
As the glowing golem vanished, the squad's surprised gazes shifted to me.
Those eyes demanding an explanation.
What, you want me to spill the secrets of Spirit Summon?
'Sung Hyun-sook' advises: Just ignore 'em!
Taking Mom's sage advice to heart, I spun on my heel and followed the red line.
Beyond the iron door was pitch darkness, the path winding every which way.
"Without this arrow, I'd have been lost in three minutes flat."
'Sung Hyun-sook' says excitedly: But isn't this reward worth a little hardship? Heart pounding already!
"Considering all the crap I've been through here, this is the least—urk!"
Mid-conversation, a sharp yelp escaped me.
A statue had popped up out of nowhere.
A woman in a veil. The surroundings were utter black, but her surface glowed faintly.
"…Damn, nearly stopped my heart."
The arrow stopped right at the statue, so this must be the end of the hidden route.
So… what now?
'Sung Hyun-sook' suggests: Try smashing it!
"Hmm…."
No system message popped up no matter how long I stared.
I did sense faint mana from inside, though.
Following Mom's advice, I carefully swung my fist and shattered the statue.
Boom—!
As stone shards flew, something gleaming caught my eye amid the rubble.
"Listen to Mom, and rice cakes fall into your lap even in your sleep."
Constellation 'Sung Hyun-sook' beams with pride!
I grinned.
It was a Skill Orb.
This had to be the same skill Milo got in my first run, right?
=====
Name:Golden Giant's Hand
Type:Active
Grade:S
Description:The right hand of a giant soldier who guarded the ancient empire 'Amiran'.
Effect:Summon a freely controllable Golden Giant's Hand. The summoned hand cannot be destroyed by any means.
* However, the hand's activity range is limited to a 5m radius around the user.
Thankfully, no frustrating twist like a different skill popping out.
Golden Giant's Hand—in simple terms, a skill that summons a third hand.
Its uses were obvious: just an extra hand to hold another weapon.
"But the more skilled the user, the more its true potential shines."
Constellation 'Sung Hyun-sook' agrees!
For example, imagine Mom holding two Swords of Salvation, one in each hand.
That alone would daze any enemy. Now add a spear or blunt weapon on top.
And not switching—instead, wielding them simultaneously.
"Whoa…."
Even imagining it—and she's my mom—it was terrifying.
If I were the enemy, I'd just bite my tongue and die.
'Sung Hyun-sook' smiles warmly: Exactly the skill 'my son♡' needed!
"This solves how to wield Sword of Salvation and Pandora's Box together perfectly."
For someone like me who didn't want to give up either, it was priceless.
Perfectly timed, as they say.
Might as well test it now.
Golden Giant's Hand summoned!
The instant I activated it, a massive golden-gauntleted hand appeared above my head.
…A bit too massive, but adjusting mana output shrank it nicely.
Someone might ask: What's the difference from using telekinesis for two weapons?
'It's different.'
First, no mana drain while active. Huge compared to telekinesis gobbling mana per second.
"Oh, this is wild."
I made a fist, dodged imaginary blows, twisted fingers—my eyes lit up as the Golden Giant's Hand obeyed perfectly.
"Feels totally natural, like I've had it since birth."
Thanks to the system, my mind linked seamlessly with it.
No grueling training needed—that's the second big difference from telekinesis.
"Perfect."
All the stress from those bullshit trials melted away.
The moment I dismissed the Golden Giant's Hand with satisfaction.
Reward claimed! Exiting hidden route!
Dungeon closing shortly!
In a blink, I was back in the cavern.
…And inevitably, face-to-face with the Sword & Glory squad again.
'Sung Hyun-sook' sighs: This vibe's awkward for everyone watching!
Tell me about it. Why does the dungeon close so slowly at times like this?
Still, I had something to say to them.
'My fault their guild's future is shaky….'
With captain and vice both gone, things looked grim.
They deserved it, sure, but courtesy called for an apology.
"Thank you."
As I pondered how to apologize, they beat me to it with gratitude.
The female player who'd chewed out Milo earlier.
Flustered, I scratched my cheek.
"N-no, I don't deserve thanks…."
"If Mr. Hwang hadn't stepped in, 43 of us would've died pointless deaths."
"…True, but."
"And you took on two iron doors alone back there, sparing us casualties."
That was just to farm more XP.
…Can't say that honestly.
From their view, yeah, I was their lifesaver.
"…And above all, we've just realized…."
She trailed off faintly, glancing at the squad before meeting my eyes.
"In the second trial, everyone here chose option 1. Meaning you dodged 2 as well…."
"Yeah, I picked 1."
"…Sorry, but it doesn't make sense. We chose it for comrades, but you had no stake—why…."
Her question left me stumped for a reply.
She had a point.
Why did I pick 1?
Sure, it benefited me. But…
'Beyond the calculation, I just couldn't pick 2.'
Why not? Quick reflection gave the answer.
Surprisingly simple.
"My parents sacrificed their lives to save as many as they could."
"Yes, we know. They opened the Abyss to drive out the apocalypse…."
"So as their son, I can't sacrifice someone else just to save myself. Stranger or not."
If someone else had picked 2, I'd have been a random death candidate too.
Not 2% chance of not dying—2% chance of dying.
I knew that facing the dilemma.
But even now, I don't regret my choice.
'Sung Hyun-sook' can't contain her emotion: That's my son♡!
'Sung Hyun-sook' adds: Even if you'd picked 2, Mom would've respected it!
Respect, sure—but maybe a bit disappointed too.
Disappointed enough for a few smacks on the back.
"We hear about you even in London…."
The woman looked genuinely shocked by my answer.
"Seeing you in person, you're beyond what we could imagine."
"Nah, not really."
"It's only right to repay our savior somehow…."
She smiled bitterly.
"But as you see, our future's uncertain."
"This is kinda my fault—."
"No need to apologize. If anything, we're lucky. Without you, we'd have kept calling that lunatic 'captain.'"
"…What now?"
"Who knows. Hard to stay in a guild with this disgrace… Probably go solo soon."
It'd be great if they all joined Black Lion.
The thought hit me in the second trial—not one picked 2.
Players with that character? No harm getting closer.
'Pure fantasy, though.'
Can't meddle in their lives.
Then she beamed and offered her hand.
"Someday, I hope we can repay this debt."
"I'll be waiting."
A gut feeling flashed.
This wouldn't be our last meeting.