Berserker Showdown: Victory and Trade Deal
Hana Yoon charged at me ferociously. But there was a huge difference between the me from moments ago and the me now. She wasn't that threatening anymore. I easily dodged her downward slash, slipped behind her, gripped my spear short, and sliced into her side. Blood burst out from her flank.
Looking back at her, I said, “Still tough as ever.”
“Urgh….”
This time, she actually took some damage—her knees buckled slightly. She barely kept from hitting the ground, like she was clinging to her last shred of pride. Not that it meant much….
She stood back up and glared at me, but the relaxed smile from before was gone. She looked pissed.
“What… what the hell did you do?”
“Like you, I did a little reinforcement. You're not surrendering already, are you? That'd make wasting those Coins sting.”
“I'm gonna kill you!”
The taunt worked again. Without even assessing her own condition, she charged while blood poured from her side. The desperate thrashing of a wounded beast? Her movements were way faster and sharper than before. But so what? We kept exchanging blows. I'd dodge and counter; she'd graze her cheek dodging my strikes. With that massive weapon, she couldn't counter immediately. Or so I thought….
Suddenly, Hana Yoon dropped her weapon.
“Die—!”
If she had no fangs, she'd use her gums. Without a weapon, she threw a punch. It slammed right into my left cheek.
“Guh…!”
It hurt. But it was dozens of times better than getting hit by that greatsword. It must've been her ace in the hole.
“Hyaah—!”
I spun my body and smashed the spear's shaft hard into her gut. It sank in so deep I thought it might pierce right through.
“Gaaack…!”
I didn't let the momentum slip here. I pressed the attack relentlessly. When she reached for her weapon, I kicked the embedded blade to knock it over. As she lunged for it, I bashed her back with the spear haft again.
“Argh!”
Even so, she stretched for the greatsword and managed to grab the hilt.
“Huh…?”
But she couldn't lift it. I pinned it down with my foot. No matter how strong she was, she couldn't exert full power from that position. And every time she strained, blood gushed from her side—impossible.
“No you don't!”
“You—!”
“Give up, or you'll die!”
I leveled the spear at her throat. The tip dug in just enough for blood to trickle out. The moment she twitched, I was ready to pierce her. We'd come this far—no mercy now. My victory was undeniable!
“Hah… hah… urgh…!”
“You don't wanna die here, right? Admit my win!”
“You piss me off…! Haaah… but you're strong….”
Her breathing was ragged, nowhere near recovered. Mine was just a bit quickened, like after some light cardio. Finally, she raised both hands in surrender.
“I surrender…!”
Back to her normal speech. Then she flopped backward.
Did I win…?
As my mind reeled a bit, someone came running from behind and jumped on me. It was So-hyun.
“Oppa, I knew you'd win! Wow—!!”
“Kang So-hyun…?”
I wanted to savor the victory, but of all people, she poked my injured shoulder.
“Ow… it hurts, it hurts! Get down—!!”
“Uh, wha…?”
She hopped off in surprise at my shout.
“Damn… my shoulder!”
“Oppa, you okay….”
“You little…! Haaa….”
She meant well in her excitement, but what could I do? I sighed deeply and held it in. Clutching my shoulder drew Seo-rin and Da-on over quick.
“Do-hyun oppa!”
“Kang Do-hyun!”
Da-on started healing my wound right away.
Heal
The wound was deep, so it'd take time, but the pain faded fast. Looking at Da-on's face, her eyes were misty.
“Why're you about to cry?”
“Don't get hurt!”
“Uh…?”
“Don't get hurt!!”
“O-okay… got it…!”
That kind of force from Da-on…. Seo-rin tossed in her quip too.
“Good work….”
I couldn't help smirking.
“Oppa, you're okay, right…?”
“Yeah… I'm fine.”
As I got treated, the Quest clear message I'd forgotten popped up.
You have cleared the Quest.
5000 Coins have been awarded.
Normal Skill Selection Ticket has been awarded. Select a skill.
Yeah, that's it! The sweet reward after the hard fight!
The moment the match ended, while some savored victory, others had to face defeat.
“The boss really lost….”
“That young guy's seriously strong!”
“Hope she didn't get hurt bad…?”
Those who'd believed only in Na-yoon's strength couldn't accept the result easily. Some marveled at Do-hyun's power. And plenty worried if Na-yoon was okay. Sure, part of it was “who'll protect us without her,” but mostly genuine concern for her well-being. Na-yoon had become their pillar, not just physically but mentally. The result of all her efforts so far.
“I picked a fight with that guy…?”
“You almost died, dumbass!”
“Shut up and follow me—boss's treatment comes first!”
“““Yes sir!”””
The guy who'd first picked a fight with Do-hyun's group shared his thoughts after recovering. (Side note: the one whose arm Na-yoon broke was still out cold.) They quieted at Jae-hoon's words—the de facto vice boss of the mart survivors—and rushed to Na-yoon.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, fine… help me up!”
“Yes… you guys, support her quick!”
Jae-hoon was older than Na-yoon but always used formal speech. He was smitten—not romantically, but with her character. He followed her sincerely, and even those who'd stuck with him from the gangster days now followed her. Na-yoon had that charm to captivate even thugs. Her looks helped too, of course.
“Take me over there!”
“Yes….”
The place she pointed to was where Do-hyun's group was.
Supported, she walked slowly over.
“Oppa, what's got you staring so hard up ahead?”
“Uh… Skills….”
I gave a vague answer, too focused on So-hyun's question.
Why does oppa get Skills again? she grumbled, but I ignored it. What could I do? This oppa was just too awesome!
But which to pick….
Choose 1 from the list:
1. N Evasion
2. N Calmness
3. N Crisis Detection
4. N Humanoid Monster Hunter
5. N Pain Tolerance
The options were the same as last time, minus General Spear Technique, with Pain Tolerance newly added. It didn't seem completely random now. It felt like they gave me fitting ones first, then slotted in more after I picked. Four matched last time, so probably right.
More importantly, what to choose….
This one's good!
I selected Pain Tolerance. After getting hurt, I got it—pain makes you want to drop everything mid-fight, roll on the ground, and scream. I powered through this time, but next time? Who knows.
N Pain Tolerance Lv.1 (0/100)
Grants resistance to pain.
Right as I picked the Skill, Hana Yoon approached. She'd been sitting for treatment but told Da-on she was good now and stood.
“I lost.”
“Yeah….”
“You're strong….”
“So, can we continue the trade now?”
“…Of course.”
Hana Yoon looked a bit apologetic. I'd worried she'd dig in her heels even now, but nope. Things had escalated, but I didn't hate it—and allying friendly with her seemed smart. Looking around, her people followed and worried over her like that; she didn't seem untrustworthy.
So I said to Da-on, “Da-on-ah… can you heal her too?”
“Huh…?”
“Please…!”
“……Okay.”
She hesitated but granted my request.
“Thanks!”
All I could say was thanks—wish I could do more. Da-on approached Na-yoon at my words and started healing.
Heal
“Amazing…. Sorry, I've been a total pain and now you're helping me….”
“Just know that!”
“Y-yeah….”
Da-on's sharp reply made even Hana Yoon sweat and look awkward. Maybe the pain too.
Once her treatment wrapped up enough, we got to proper trade talk.
“Um, Na-yoon-ssi? Boss? What do I call you?”
“You're my equal now…. No need for formal speech—call me whatever!”
“Hm….”
She offered first, so no refusing. Gotta drop formalities to get close.
“Na-yoon nu….”
But “noona” stuck in my throat. Come to think of it, I rarely said it. Not used to it. And she seemed the same.
“N-no need to call me noona….”
Her cheeks flushed a bit. She had this side too?
“Then, just Na-yoon it is. …Mana Stones, 3 kilograms, right?”
Na-yoon shook her head at my words. What now?
“After all this trouble I caused, 2 kilograms is enough. Oh, how much food for how many? Didn't even ask that.”
Oh!
“Six people.”
“Six…?”
Na-yoon quietly conferred with the guy next to her.
“For 2 kilograms, we'll give 5 days' worth of food. And it'll be the same going forward!”
Meaning, as long as we supply Mana Stones, food keeps coming?
“Thanks!”
“It's the least! And my offer still stands.”
“Offer?”
“Join us. We're equals, so not as subordinates. I can protect these people now, but who knows later…. With you, though, we could. No rush—think it over.”
Not a bad deal. Lots to mull, but pretty positive.
“Yeah, I'll think and let you know.”
Na-yoon smiled in reply. A really pretty smile! Thought she only did stoic….
Just wanna confess right now! But why…?
I glanced at Seo-rin and Da-on. Their stares were why.
“…….”
We're not even dating….
That'd earn me an earful… especially from Seo-rin.
Anyway, things wrapped great. Explained our situation, so she fronted food this once—bags full. We headed home. Gotta gather and deliver quick since we got the advance!