The Weight of a Thousand Lives
Kang Yoonsoo pressed the middle button on his terminal.
After slaughtering over three hundred bandits, his level—which had been a mere ninety—had shot up by forty-seven.
It was a level-up storm like no other.
But such rapid growth would only work for now.
After level two hundred, raising levels became extremely difficult, and the amount of experience gained would be minimal unless he defeated powerful monsters.
‘First, I need to distribute the stat points.’
Kang Yoonsoo briefly considered which stats to add his remaining points to.
So far, he had only raised strength and regeneration, leaving his other stats woefully lacking.
If he followed the established route, he had no intention of raising the others.
After all, he could avoid dangerous paths on his own.
But this was his final life.
Kang Yoonsoo intended to walk a path so perilous that even he would struggle to survive.
No matter how strong his combat prowess or how powerful the undead he could resurrect, a frail endurance would make it difficult to press forward.
He distributed his points evenly across strength, endurance, and regeneration.
‘Level isn’t everything. I need to claim every secret technique, powerful weapon, and rare treasure for myself.’
“Grrrrr!”
White approached and licked the blood from Kang Yoonsoo’s cheek.
Anyone watching might have thought it was a pet’s affectionate gesture, but among werewolves, licking a bloodstained cheek was an act of pledging loyalty.
To White’s eyes, Kang Yoonsoo—drenched in the blood of countless slain enemies—appeared as a glorious warrior.
White spoke in the werewolf tongue.
“Rakuronin. Okan.”
Kang Yoonsoo understood the meaning.
‘I respect you. Human.’
It was ironic.
After killing so many humans, to receive respect from a werewolf.
Kang Yoonsoo moved to send White back to the summoning realm without a word, then paused.
This was the last time.
After a moment of thought, he changed his mind.
He pulled a small wooden cup from his backpack.
“Take it.”
“Iki ronid?”
The werewolf accepted the cup in confusion.
For White, who was accustomed to moving on all fours, holding a cup was rather awkward.
Kang Yoonsoo filled it to the brim with fine liquor.
“Drink.”
He shared the drink with White.
White dipped his large tongue into the cup, then wrinkled his face.
“Karug radin?”
“Alcohol is always like that.”
Kang Yoonsoo spoke lightly.
“Thanks for tonight.”
White’s fur stood on end all over his body.
Kang Yoonsoo sent White back to the summoning realm.
He descended the steep mountain path, following the muddy water that had overflowed from the landslide.
It was a chilling river where the bandits’ corpses floated and strands of blood mixed into the current.
Kang Yoonsoo scooped up a handful of water with both hands and washed the blood from his body.
Then he spotted a familiar corpse in the distance.
It was Arkan’s body.
The corpse, unable to withstand the violent current, was being swept downstream in a rather gruesome state.
The landslide had mostly subsided, and the water had grown calm.
Kang Yoonsoo jumped into the muddy water.
Only after swimming with all his strength could he retrieve Arkan’s corpse.
The armor had been badly damaged by the powerful current, but the other items were relatively intact.
◈ Cutting Power: 74
◈ A crimson blade enchanted with vicious magic. Legend says a mad vampire sprinkled his own blood to temper the sword. When it pierces a body, the blade drains life force like a leech.
◈ Absorbs blood from wounds inflicted.
◈ Attack power increases each time the blade drinks a creature’s blood.
◈ A ring belonging to a noble’s daughter. It features a luscious ruby. The Okanic family crest is engraved on the band.
◈ Belt worn by Arkan, leader of the Crossblade Bandits. It has six slots for carrying various items.
◈ Increases the chance of successful plunder when attacking villages or merchant caravans.
Kang Yoonsoo equipped Arkan’s items.
The only one he did not wear was the Blood Massacre Sword.
It was an excellent magic blade.
But Lavian’s longsword was also a decent item.
Kang Yoonsoo stored the newly acquired Blood Massacre Sword in his backpack for later use.
He also removed the armor damaged by the landslide.
It was light armor made of sturdy leather; he could have it repaired or melted down at a workshop later.
There were items from the other bandits as well, but he equipped only the best ones and stored the rest in his backpack.
Kang Yoonsoo continued down the mountain path.
The dark clouds that had wrapped around the sky cleared, and clear sunlight illuminated the mountain range.
“Haaaam.”
Shanette rose from where she had been lying and stretched.
The landslide that had erupted at dawn had been so loud that she hadn’t been able to sleep properly.
In contrast to Shanette, Iris had slept soundly while hugging Sally tightly.
Sally wore a deeply displeased frown.
Yet Iris smiled as she held the fire spirit, like a baby sleeping with a teddy bear.
Shanette, who didn’t fully understand the situation, smiled softly.
“Looks like the two of you have gotten really close already.”
It hadn’t been long since they met Iris.
Even after learning she was a doppelganger, Shanette felt no hostility toward her.
She had no particular complaints about traveling with her.
In fact, she felt a strange fondness for the girl, who was as pure as a child and knew little of the world.
‘…Still, seeing her with that man doesn’t feel great.’
Shanette was quite surprised by her own thoughts.
She walked out of the abandoned house.
A middle-aged man was sprawled on the dirt floor, fast asleep.
“Zzzzrgh!”
She lightly stepped over the sleeping Henrik.
Stepping outside revealed a horrific scene.
‘If we had been any closer, this mountain lodge might have been swept away too.’
The mountain in the distance had collapsed from the landslide.
Because they were far enough away, the abandoned house where they had stayed was safe, but the sight still sent a chill down her spine.
If they had camped anywhere near there, they would have been caught in the rushing torrent.
But there was an even greater shock.
“…Why is Kang Yoonsoo coming down from over there?”
Kang Yoonsoo was stepping down toward the abandoned house, treading firmly over the landslide debris.
As expected, he offered no explanation.
Shanette noticed that his outfit had changed.
Moreover, his movements seemed strangely sluggish compared to usual.
She asked in a worried tone.
“Kang Yoonsoo, are you hurt?”
Shanette was sharper than expected.
Kang Yoonsoo had intended not to answer.
But suddenly he stopped walking.
‘That’s right. This is the last time.’
He turned his head and spoke to Shanette.
“I fell.”
“That’s a lie, isn’t it?”
“…Yeah.”
Shanette sighed and fetched her backpack.
She pulled out a glass bottle containing a healing potion.
“I saved a few bottles because I thought we might need them later. Let me see the wound.”
“I can do it myself.”
“Are you really going to keep acting like this?”
With no choice, Kang Yoonsoo removed his top.
A penetrating wound remained on his abdomen.
The bleeding had stopped, but it was a dangerous injury that exposed bright red muscle.
Shanette looked at the wound and bit her lip hard.
“Where did you get hurt like this?”
Normally, he wouldn’t have answered.
But strangely, the words flowed from his mouth.
“I fought a bandit group.”
“By yourself?”
“Yeah.”
Shanette’s expression turned cold for a moment.
She remained silent for a while.
Kang Yoonsoo said nothing either.
A brief silence passed, and the only sound was the flowing water around them.
Finally, Shanette spoke.
“Why did you go alone?”
Kang Yoonsoo could not answer.
When he stayed silent, Shanette raised her voice slightly.
“Why won’t you explain it to me?”
Her face was angry.
“I can help too. You don’t have to carry all the heavy burdens by yourself, Kang Yoonsoo. We’re traveling together. I also received the Fragment of Power. No matter how dangerous it is, it’s fine. We can face it together.”
Her voice grew louder and louder.
As if all the emotions she had bottled up until now were finally bursting out.
There was a faint trace of resentment mixed into her voice.
“You’re not a doll, Kang Yoonsoo. When you laugh, let’s laugh together. When you cry, let’s cry together. When it’s hard, let’s struggle together. We’re companions. We’re traveling together. If it’s difficult, say you need help. I will do everything in my power to help you. There’s no reason for you to sacrifice yourself alone.”
Tears welled up in Shanette’s eyes.
Kang Yoonsoo looked at her.
And in those eyes, he saw his own reflection.
Himself, emotionless like a doll.
Could he even be called a person?
Kang Yoonsoo slowly moved his lips.
“I’m scared.”
He didn’t know what he was saying.
How long had it been since he had dragged out the tangled lump in his chest?
“I’m scared you’ll die.”
This was the last time.
If he failed again this time,
he would never meet his companions again—especially Shanette.
That… was something he hated more than anything.
“I won’t die.”
Shanette spoke firmly.
With tear-filled eyes, she dipped her finger into the healing potion.
She gently stroked Kang Yoonsoo’s wound with that finger.
“I won’t die. So you mustn’t die either, Kang Yoonsoo.”
The stinging wound began to heal cleanly.
The pain faded away.
Kang Yoonsoo looked at Shanette.
A warm touch brushed his cold lips.
The woman who wielded fire stole the lips of the coldest man.
With her eyes tightly closed, she trembled slightly.
The tremor reached the edge of their lips, and Kang Yoonsoo gently cradled the back of her head.
Shanette’s eyelids fluttered open in surprise.
And in her eyes, she saw her own reflection.
Could he find the life he had longed for so much?
In this thousandth life.
He could no longer remain indifferent forever.
Because this was the last time.
“Quite the eventful night. Well, with the mountains in this state, those knight order bastards won’t be able to chase us anymore.”
Henrik, who had woken up late, gazed at the mountain path carved away by the landslide.
When he saw Shanette’s bright red face, he raised an eyebrow.
“Did something happen? Why is your face so red?”
Shanette quickly turned her head away.
At the sight, the dazzling blonde beauty smiled faintly and tickled the stag beetle’s wings.
“Looks like we have one more person to take care of now.”
“Oh please. Are you saying it like you’re taking care of me too?”
“Then maybe you should drink a little less.”
Shanette approached Iris from behind.
When Iris gave her a puzzled look, Shanette smiled softly.
“I’ll tie your hair for you.”
Iris was beautiful in appearance, but her brilliant golden hair was far too noticeable.
Moreover, she was the princess’s doppelganger.
It was best not to draw unnecessary attention.
Shanette wrapped the dazzling golden hair with a pale-colored cloth.
She also took her behind a tree and changed her into somewhat neater clothes.
Now Iris looked like a sturdy country girl—perfectly natural.
Of course, even with a hood and plain clothes, her innate beauty could not be hidden.
“Thank you.”
Iris looked up and pressed her pink lips to Shanette’s cheek.
When Shanette flinched in surprise, Iris tilted her head.
“That child named Sally greeted me this way.”
Henrik wore a dumbfounded expression.
“Good grief. She’s not even a daughter copying her parents. From now on, I’ll have to watch every single action.”
Shanette took Iris’s hand and spoke firmly.
“Kissing someone on the cheek is only for very close relationships. Oh, and especially don’t do that kind of greeting to Kang Yoonsoo. Understood?”
“Hmm, this is difficult.”
Iris wore a thoughtful expression.
Even her slightly furrowed eyelashes were as beautiful as curves drawn by a painter.
“Let’s go.”
Kang Yoonsoo, taking the lead, spoke while shouldering his backpack.
They descended along the mountain ridge.