Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: [Reality] A Man's Pride
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BOOM-!
Just blocking the claw sent a deafening roar echoing as my body was shoved backward.
My heels scraped across the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Urk!"
A groan escaped me involuntarily.
My arm was numb beyond tingling.
Even with Steel Body and Body Reinforcement stacked, my bones were still rattling.
What the hell is this guy?
I looked up to check it out.
Emerging from the red smoke: the oni, Hakuna.
It flashed fierce, murderous eyes and licked its chops.
"Grrrrr..."
Those glowing eyes piercing through the red smoke seemed to mock me.
At least floor 7... no, floor 8 boss level.
Maybe even stronger.
Either way, a head-on fight with my current specs was impossible.
"Lee Jun!"
Erika screamed.
"Don't just stand there! Swing the sword!"
"H-Huh? B-But..."
"No backtalk! Just swing it! You wanna die?!"
It raised its claw again.
Aimed right at me this time.
I could dodge if I wanted.
But protecting Erika behind me while dodging? No chance.
"Aaaah!"
Erika screamed, squeezing her eyes shut and swinging the sword wildly at the air.
A completely sloppy stance.
Not even worthy of being called swordsmanship—just reckless flailing.
But if that weapon's name is Hakunakiri Maru, it's a different story.
SHRRRIIIP-!
A chilling sound as the air itself tore apart.
Silver flashes fanned out from the blade of Hakunakiri Maru.
A razor-sharp slash that seemed to cleave space itself.
SWOOOSH!
The flashes pierced straight through the red smoke and the oni's form within.
"Kie...?"
Hakuna's charge halted.
A thin red line appeared at its waist.
And then.
Slide.
Its upper and lower halves cleanly separated and slipped to the ground.
The cut was so smooth, even the blood sprayed out late.
Thud.
The massive oni's corpse crumbled into dust and scattered.
In one hit.
That overwhelming oni vanished from a single sword beam.
"...Hah."
I could only let out a disbelieving laugh.
A guy I might barely take even going all out, gone in one normal swing.
Gear power is insane.
Now I got why Erika was so strong in the original story.
Talent or whatever— that sword was the real cheat.
Of course, only Erika could draw it, so that counts as talent too.
Erika stared blankly at the sword in her hands.
"Did I... really just do that?"
"Yeah. You got it. Who else here is holding a sword?"
"No way..."
I patted her shoulder, and only then did focus return to her eyes.
A straight jump of 19.
59.
The very brink of the Trustworthy Person stage.
But it stopped right at 59, without hitting 60.
Ah, figures.
There was a message about Lisa's affection cap unlocking too.
My guess back then was right.
What comes after 'Trustworthy Person' again?
Someone I like?
Probably something like pre-romance or 'on my mind' level.
Whatever it is, it's blocked for now.
Means I need an extra event.
No idea what condition unlocked Lisa's.
Too bad.
Still, 59 is plenty high.
Erika would trust me completely now.
Future bus driver growing strong.
"Lee Jun..."
Erika looked up at me with teary eyes.
"Thank you so much. Not just saving my life last time, but this too... And letting me get such an amazing sword."
"Just luck. Pure luck."
"No. If it weren't for you, I'd never have gotten a chance like this in my life. This favor... I'll repay it forever. I swear."
Erika hugged the sword close like a treasure.
Good girl.
They say you don't adopt black-haired beasts, but she's different.
Definitely heroine material—proper personality.
I grinned and offered my hand to help her up.
"Good. I'll hold you to it."
I grinned wider and patted her head.
Meaning, when I tackle floors 7 and 8 later, back me up with some DPS.
Plus, at night, repay in other ways.
Thinking of that soft ass I'd groped made my mouth water.
But Erika, oblivious to my thoughts, just looked touched.
"...Yes! I'll repay you no matter what! For you, Lee Jun, I'll do anything!"
Her eyes burned with determination.
Like she was swearing a knight's oath.
"Alright, looking forward to it. Let's head back for today. I'm beat."
"Yes! Get home safe!"
I escorted Erika back to the village and parted ways.
She kept turning back to bow in thanks.
Thinking of Erika growing with Hakunakiri Maru already felt reassuring.
She'd be a killer dealer for high-floor raids later.
After parting with Erika, I grabbed a whole roast pork from Orc Belly and stuffed myself silly.
Then back to the inn, locked the door, and flopped onto the bed.
"Whew."
Tension faded, and fatigue crashed in.
My arm that blocked Hakuna's claw was bruised purple.
Even with Earth's Blessing healing, it was still this bad.
If I'd fought head-on, I'd be seriously hurt somewhere.
"Gotta put some ointment on this."
Still, I was in a good mood.
Saved Lisa, farmed gear for Erika, caught the turtle for cash.
Did everything I set out to.
Now time to claim my rewards.
"Let's go home."
"Yeah."
Flash-!
In that brief flicker before my vision blinked out.
Some system message flashed by.
The familiar dizziness passed.
What was that? Couldn't read it properly.
I opened my eyes to the familiar ceiling.
A single guy's place, but instead of stale stench, it smelled faintly of fabric softener.
I'd come back right after Ia-rin cleaned, so the room was still spotless.
Checked the wall clock.
Spent ages in Abyss Miner, but not even a second had passed here.
Thrilling no matter how many times.
Felt like I ruled time.
Like that Doctor whatever from the ruined PC movie series.
A settlement window popped up before me.
Stat increases.
Trait acquisitions.
Skill gains.
Canned materials so far.
Monster kill list.
Special actions, etc.
All sorts of stuff scrolled up.
And then.
"Oh?"
Two levels at once.
Makes sense, considering what I'd been up to.
Even if low floors, wrecking the mine ecosystem like that? Natural result.
"Nice!"
The feature I'd been waiting for most.
Mining was fun, but getting stale.
Now I could suck honey from other worlds, then rotate back to the mines when bored.
The list grew.
Besides Iron-Blooded Alchemist, Love and Peace, and Abyss Miner, two new ones.
"Let's see."
I checked the new list.
'Magical Girl Lili my ass.'
Manga with super hot magical girls, tempting, but there's a trap.
The first reward's 'first transformation success.'
Not sure, but suspicious it'll turn me into a girl.
TS bullshit.
No matter how big my dick is, I ain't giving up dick and balls.
As a man born with 'em, absolute no.
'Ugh, but protagonist Lili and ally Meru are smoking hot though.'
My type of leads.
If I TS into a cute girl and hang with them, maybe okay?
Think on it later.
I scrolled down.
And the final fifth one.
'Bullshit, master physician? Just Joseon-era smut.'
Scoffe dat first.
Heoseol waving acupuncture needles, untying madams' robes—third-rate plot.
No fun, no interest.
But the second reward line killed that thought instantly.
[Reward 2: Elixir: Fengyang Pill]
"...Insane."
The legendary elixir Heoseol made to help the eunuch in the story.
Canonically extends 5cm + boosts stamina.
My gaze dropped to my crotch.
My sad little thumb—even erect.
Life of hiding it with towels at baths.
Liberation from that misery and shame I'd felt all my life.
In story, Heoseol makes just one. If I steal it and claim the reward for another...!
5 times 2 is 10.
3.4 plus 10 is 13.4.
"13.4cm..."
Not huge, but Korean average.
Finally, I could man up properly.
Gotta eat it. Fuck, this is a must.
Originally planned to go to Love and Peace for charm after dying/ending in mines.
But man's pride comes first.
Not right now though.
Grinded too hard in mines—mental drained.
Rest a few days, recover, hit peak condition to hog those Feng-dick pills.
"Chicken first."
Grabbed phone, opened delivery app, ordered chicken.
Turned on the PC.
Legend of Hi-os
My favorite shit game's screen greeted me.
Been a while since reality—chill with some gaming first.