A Lich Makes Geniuses Out of Fools
Field Boss Golden Horn. The leader of all roe deer, and one of the "Golden Series" that randomly wanders across the continent. Since Golden Horn usually spawns in forests or grasslands, you can roughly predict its spawn location, but fundamentally, it’s a random spawn. It’s a guy that happily trots all over the continent by itself.
Yeah, so the fact that I’m meeting this deer bastard here right now makes absolutely no sense. Do you have any idea how many forests there are on this continent? How do I end up face-to-face with it right here?
—Snort...
Golden Horn’s eyes flashed with a strange light. Its eyes, like black Go stones, were staring exactly at me. Most beast monsters that appear in forests are non-aggressive, but as a field boss, this bastard doesn't play by those rules. It attacks unconditionally.
“So, you want to go, huh?”
—Snort, snort.
The beast took a step toward me.
“You’re absolutely insane. What, do you think you can take me because I look like this?”
Of course, Golden Horn wouldn't care about the circumstances of me possessing a Lich’s body. But if it underestimated me, it was thinking very, very wrong.
Clench.
I gripped the tree branch tighter.
“You know what? Back in the day, I actually recorded and uploaded a video of myself taking down the entire Golden Series with nothing but a tree branch and a roll.”
It had over a hundred thousand views. Though, the comments weren't exactly positive. People said they couldn't follow along even after watching, or asked if it was a cleverly edited fake.
“Come on in.”
Does it understand me? Golden Horn stomped its hooves violently into the ground. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, it charged straight at me.
“Predictable, as expected of a beast. You deer bastard.”
They say it’s a high-difficulty threat, but that’s only because I’m so pathetically weak right now. Fundamentally, Golden Horn is an early-to-mid-game field boss. If you know the attack patterns, you can deal with it however you want. In this case, the answer is to not panic and roll to the right.
CRACK!
Golden Horn, which barely grazed me, knocked down the trees behind me like matchsticks. If I’d been rammed, I would’ve been done for in one hit. Not that I was going to let it hit me.
“You can do that a hundred times and it won't work!”
I stood up with a relaxed smile. It was a bit unexpected that the first monster I’d hunt after possessing this world was a field boss, but this should be fine. The rewards are decent, too. But...
“What the... what’s wrong with my arm?”
My arm, bent at a strange angle and dangling loosely, caught my eye. Is that white stick poking out from under the skin my arm bone? What the hell.
“I dodged it, though.”
Even though I dodged, it hurt much more than I expected when I threw my body to the side. In the game, you can roll around frantically in all directions without any risk. Is this what it’s like in reality? Estelle’s frail body had its arm bone shattered from a single roll.
—Snort.
A hint of irritation could be seen in the steam from Golden Horn’s nose as its attack missed. The beast shook its neck, shedding the leaves tangled in its horns.
“Hey, hey, time out. My arm is—”
However, the despicable Golden Horn, which had no sense of sportsmanship, charged again. I threw my body to dodge again, but this time...
“Ah, damn it—”
I sprained my ankle. Every time I rolled, parts of my body were breaking. Well, realistically, this is what usually happens when someone who has never trained their body in their life moves violently. This isn't good. Because of that realism, I’m about to die.
“Surrender.”
Golden Horn ran all the way up the hill, then used its momentum to make a wide turn and headed back toward me.
“I want to surrender. Tell me the terms of the negotiation you want. I’ll listen to anything—”
The beast’s pair of spear-like horns were getting closer.
“Damn it—”
My body won't move. I resigned myself and quietly closed my eyes. This must be what it feels like right before getting hit by an 8-ton truck.
When I opened my eyes again, the sun had already set and everything was pitch black. How many hours had passed? I didn't know when I resurrected inside the mansion because I couldn't tell the passage of time, but now I have a rough idea. Is the time it takes to resurrect about eight hours? I don't have a clock, so it’s not exact, though.
“Ugh...”
It’s a different feeling from when I died in the mansion. It feels like the filthy sensation of every bone in my body being shattered once and then put back together. Anyway, I learned a lesson. For now, my physical stats can't keep up with my experience. I shouldn't be too arrogant or pick fights recklessly.
‘Thankfully, the phylactery is fine.’
I praise myself for throwing the phylactery (tissue box) into a nearby bush in anticipation of the worst-case scenario. As long as the phylactery is safe, a death like this is just a mere happening.
... Huh?
I narrowed my eyes and sniffed. Why does the smell still linger? This foul beast stench...
A beat late, my brain realized the abnormality, and the blood in my entire body turned cold.
—Snort.
Red eyes flickered in the darkness. Damn it. Is this for real? Why are you waiting for me?
“Isn't this a bit much? It should’ve been enough that you killed me once—”
Thwack—!
I couldn't get any more words out. The beast’s horns pierced through my back and came out the other side. Did it puncture my diaphragm? I wanted to say something, but all that came out of my mouth was a sound like air leaking from a balloon.
It’s dazzling. The sound of birds chirping reaches my ears. Eight hours have passed again, and this time it’s morning?
‘I didn't think it would wait near my corpse.’
How on earth did it know I would resurrect? Did it notice something strange? Or is it just the stubbornness and obsession peculiar to beasts? Whatever it is...
‘I shouldn't get up right away.’
I lay flat with my cheek pressed against the dirt floor. I can feel it. The beast is definitely still lurking around me. It’s best not to move until it gets far away. I endured even the ant crawling over my forehead, pretending to be a corpse for a long time.
Step, step.
—Snort.
As expected. My intuition didn't fail me. ‘You crazy deer bastard.’ Did you really watch over me all night? My head was spinning. Why are you doing this to me? What kind of grudge is so deep?
I heard the sound of Golden Horn approaching.
‘I have to hold my breath—’
Inhale.
I did my best to pretend to be a corpse, even stopping my breathing. The beast’s hot breath blew over the back of my neck.
—Snort, snort.
The filthy deer shoved its wet nose into my head and sniffed. ‘I’m dead. I’m gone. Can’t you just go away?’
After a while, the breathing moved away. Did I barely manage to fool it? But I didn't hear the sound of Golden Horn’s footsteps going anywhere else. For some reason, the beast seemed to be standing blankly by my side.
‘What is it?’
I wanted to lift my head right now and see what was going on. I was dying of curiosity. Without realizing it, my eyelashes twitched ever so slightly. At that moment...
CRUNCH—!
With an unpleasant rupturing sound like a watermelon being smashed, my vision turned red.
「Trait: Resurrected due to the effect of Undying.」
「Due to the aftereffects of Undying, a portion of your stats is permanently lost.」
「However, as they have already dropped to the minimum, your stats will no longer decrease.」
I’ve been hit by Golden Horn three times in a row. I can’t win by fighting back. Playing dead doesn't work either. It’s a difficult situation, but.
“...But what can you do? Your opponent is me.”
I spat out the blood pooled in my mouth and stood up. Naturally, Golden Horn was nearby. It’s not even surprising anymore. The beast, which had been calmly grazing within my line of sight, lifted its head when it saw me. Those soulless eyes. Eyes that don't let you know what it’s thinking.
“If you want it that much, I’ll teach you the difference between a beast and a human from now on. Are you ready?”
—Snort.
As if to answer, the beast cracked its neck and spun it around. I faced the beast. And then...
I turned my back and ran with all my might.
Thud, thud.
Soon after, the sound of the beast’s hooves chased me from behind, terrifyingly close. Can I escape like this? Of course, that’s impossible. No matter how fast a human is, they can't beat a roe deer. Even if Usain Bolt were in my place instead of me, he would’ve been caught. Let alone Estelle with her pathetic stamina, it’s impossible.
“Huff, huff— damn it—”
My breath reached the tip of my throat. I moved about 20 meters from where I originally was. This isn't bad. It’s better than expected. I shouldn't be too greedy. I threw the phylactery onto the grass beside me without delay. And at the same time as I looked back, a pair of horns rushing toward me entered my vision.
As planned.
... ... ...
Time passed.
Resurrection, flight, and death were repeated. What I did was simple. When I resurrect, I pick up the phylactery and run away as hard as I can. Golden Horn notices and eventually follows me to kill me. But in the meantime, I can move a short distance. The most important thing is to be careful not to let the phylactery be destroyed. Fortunately, Golden Horn didn't notice that the reason the Lich keeps resurrecting is because of the phylactery. That makes sense, as strong as the beast might be, its brain was still that of a beast. It wouldn't have had any reason to obsess over a shabby tissue box instead of the living, moving me.
“Whew—”
I advance forward, little by little but surely, risking death while carrying the phylactery. It’s almost like American football. I don't die, but repeating this kind of thing was mentally exhausting. However, it was time to end this, too.
“Is this the place?”
After all that suffering, I finally reached my destination.
“You thought I was running away blindly without any thoughts, didn't you?”
—Snort.
Golden Horn showed its gums and twitched its lips. Are you mocking me, you beast? That’s understandable. It must have been fun to kill me dozens of times as I ran away without even being able to counterattack. But you know what?
“From now on, it’s my turn, you deer bastard.”