Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The Life of a Sub Protagonist Is Hard
Let’s give Bern a happy ending.
That was the first goal I decided on after possessing him.
Hero? Peace? The world? Screw all that.
Even if you try to pursue those goals, Bern’s life only becomes more miserable.
So this time, I decided to reach an ending where I can smile happily in his place.
As part of that, the first thing I did was cut ties with his childhood friend, and then I dropped out of the academy.
Some people might question that decision.
Wouldn’t it be better to stay in the academy and monopolize the power the protagonist would gain?
But anyone who has read Adochchoi would know.
Kang Junhyuk’s true strength isn’t some artifact or lucky ability—it’s his abnormal potential.
No matter what I do, the gap between me and him will eventually close.
So my goal isn’t to become stronger than the protagonist.
It’s to get a kind and beautiful wife better than that pink-haired brat, have one son and one daughter, and live a peaceful, happy life.
‘With Bern’s specs, it’s possible.’
At least in the early and mid parts of the story, Bern is basically overpowered.
For at least two years, it’s hard to find anyone stronger than him.
If I want to build the foundation for a happy ending, now is the perfect time.
‘First, I should go back to Bern’s home.’
Even though I read the character setting book, I couldn’t claim to truly understand him.
Because I’m not Bern—and I’m not the author.
Know thyself.
Like Socrates said, I needed to understand Bern better.
So I left the pink-haired brat behind at the academy and boarded a carriage heading north.
“A student leaving the capital right after enrolling in the academy? That’s unusual.”
“Haha, I had some unavoidable circumstances.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Bryant. My hometown.”
Technically Bern’s hometown.
But now, it’s mine.
“Oh? That’s quite far.”
“Do you know Bryant?”
“Of course! Isn’t it famous for coconuts?”
“…You know it well.”
Bryant was a northern village where it snowed even in spring and autumn.
Yet it was famous for coconuts—a tropical plant.
No matter how many times I heard it, it made no sense.
Was it a joke? Or did the author just not research coconuts?
“It’ll take at least 25 days to get there. Are you okay with that?”
“I’m fine. Ah—could I borrow some bedding? I’ll pay for it.”
“Of course! Make yourself comfortable!”
“Thank you.”
The carriage ride was terrible.
Hard floor, constant shaking like a trampoline, luggage hitting my shoulders.
Thankfully, Bern’s body was already used to it.
His trained muscles didn’t even flinch.
And after using magic, the discomfort vanished.
‘Magic in this world is really convenient.’
Unlike other fantasy worlds where you need deep understanding of mana or formulas—
Here, just saying the spell name activates it.
Application depends on imagination.
For someone who read a lot of fantasy novels, it was perfect.
Using a low-level wind spell, “Wind,” I reduced the shaking.
‘No phone or computer, but at least I won’t be bored.’
Experimenting with magic passed the time quickly.
Bern was a 5th-tier magic swordsman with plenty of spells.
Then—
“Ugh!”
“Hm?”
Neigh!
A scream from the coachman and the horses.
“What’s wrong?”
“A monster appeared!”
Looking outside—
Small green goblins surrounded the carriage.
Drooling, grinning.
“Sorry to drag you into this! I can fight, but there are too many—”
“It’s fine. I was getting stiff anyway.”
Perfect test subjects.
“Aha ha ha!”
“Kiik…!”
This is fun!
“Hahaha! You’re an amazing mage! I’ve never seen magic shake a mountain like that!”
“…Haha, thank you.”
“With you around, I won’t be scared on this journey!”
“…That’s good….”
Later that night, by the campfire, I felt conflicted.
Not because of the coachman.
But because of the fight.
‘Damn it.’
During the battle—
My gaze kept locking onto one thing.
The goblins’ necks.
At first, I thought it was coincidence.
But no matter how I moved—
My eyes kept targeting their necks.
That’s when I realized.
Bern instinctively aimed for necks.
‘So that’s why he always decapitated enemies…!’
An unknown character trait.
Probably something only the author knew.
Even after possessing him, I was still being messed with.
‘Shouldn’t have read that novel….’
The coachman passed out drunk.
I carried him to the tent.
Sigh.
Alone by the fire—
Then suddenly—
A sharp sensation ran through my body.
“This feeling….”
One of Bern’s skills activated.
Nocturnal Instinct.
A passive that activates at night when danger approaches.
My senses sharpened.
My thinking split into two.
It felt like having another mind.
Hide?
Impossible—the coachman’s presence is obvious.
Wake him?
Too early.
Ignore it?
Too risky.
Conclusion—
Handle it myself.
I extinguished the fire and entered the forest silently.
Then—
“Stop!”
“You can’t escape!”
“Stay away!”
A woman was being chased by two men.
Normally, I’d help.
But I didn’t know who was right.
Better to observe first.
Until—
“Help me!”
She ran straight toward me.
“How did she spot me?”
Then the men shouted—
“Who are you?!”
“No time! Kill him!”
They made the choice easy.
“Nice lineup.”
Slash—
I cut both their throats at once.
No hesitation.
‘…I thought I’d resist killing.’
But it felt natural.
Maybe because Bern had done it since childhood.
It was unsettling.
I turned to the woman.
“Th-thank you! You saved me!”
“….”
I pointed my sword at her neck.
She fell back—
Her hood came off.
“…Huh?”
Silver hair.
But more importantly—
A horn.
White.
Broken on one side.
She quickly covered it.
But too late.
“You’re a dragonkin, aren’t you?”
She flinched.
No need to ask.
But—
Why is a dragonkin appearing this early?
They were supposed to show up much later.