The Fatal Strike
Thinking back, it made sense. The original novel described Mana Awakening as "the limits of the flesh vanishing, allowing mana to naturally accumulate in the body." But...
'Excluding the effects of Daily Immortal Decree, Monthly Lunar Chant, I've never once seen my mana increase...'
We called it Mana Awakening for convenience, but it wasn't about gaining a body that could use mana—it was about gaining a body that could accumulate it naturally. By that logic, I definitely hadn't awakened yet.
'Everyone else awakened sooner or later, so why am I the only one who hasn't?'
A penalty for entering the novel? No, that didn't fit—there hadn't been a single system message mentioning it all this time. If there was a penalty, there would've been at least some hint.
Because this body had zero talent? ...No, that wasn't it either. Half of this body's blood came from the "hero who saved another dimension." Long before the effects of SunDaily Immortal Decree, Monthly Lunar Chant kicked in, my senses of sight and hearing had been exceptionally sharp. The small stature and fat hid it, but the skeletal structure was solid, and the muscles had formed in perfectly ideal positions. Proof that this body held tremendous latent potential. If anything, overflowing talent for mana would be the norm.
By process of elimination, only one conclusion remained.
'It's gotta be the impurities piled up in my body.'
The skill effect was slowly purging them bit by bit, but apparently, there was still a ton left. Enough to block a proper Mana Awakening.
In that case, there was no need to desperately chase Mana Awakening as a quest reward. Once enough time passed and the impurities diminished significantly, it would happen naturally.
But...
*Gulp.*
'Strength, agility, stamina, intelligence, proficiency gains increased by 50%...'
What about all the proficiency I'd miss out on during that time? It wasn't just 10% or 20%. A whopping 50%. This was... hard to resist.
'...Even rationally, taking this quest makes sense. Gerard trusts me, so success odds are sky-high, and the rewards aren't just Mana Awakening anyway?'
The system must've thought the reward was stingy for a hard mode quest if it was just something you'd get with time—on top of Mana Awakening, it threw in a magic skill called Deceiving. I couldn't check the details like always, but it was exciting all the same. My first "magic" skill.
[*HARD MODE* Quest Accepted!]
"I accept."
*Ding!*
The dice had been rolled. Now I just had to wait for the revolution to begin. Right when it kicked off, Gerard wouldn't be able to pay me any mind like usual... perfect for a surprise attack.
…
"...So when exactly is it happening, sir?"
"Hmm... Probably in about four days."
"...I see."
"Get the trainees ready to lead as well. Oh, and I've assigned Trainee Wang Ja-gun to assist you besides yourself, so it shouldn't be too hard. Just gather them at the designated spot."
"Understood. Thank you. Then..."
*Creak... Thud.*
*Thud, thud.*
I chewed my lip. Four days... The revolution was starting later than expected. Time was tight.
I pulled up my Status Window to check the remaining time. The Monghwan Orb effect was almost up. By my calculations...
'It ends four days from now, in the evening...'
I had to move fast, or it'd be too late. I spent the time double-checking my plan.
*Time flew by.*
The day before it all began had arrived. The sun had already set, so when I woke up, this Combat Lodge would be plunged into unprecedented chaos—it was obvious.
There was something to do before dawn. I hurried to find Chris.
"Oh? Chanyoung!"
Chris greeted me with her usual smile. I took her hand and silently led her somewhere without people.
*Thud, thud.*
*Thud, thud.*
Sensing my unusually serious demeanor—unlike usual—Chris's face turned grave too. On any other day, she'd have blushed, thinking we were off for something embarrassing... But as I came to know her, she came to know me. We didn't need deep talks; expressions and gestures let us read each other's minds to a degree. The bond between us was strong.
...So I had to tell her ahead of time.
*Thud, thud... Tap.*
"Chris."
"Yeah."
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow... you mean that 'revolution'?"
"Yeah. Remember what I said last time about what we'd do if the instructors revolted?"
"We'd hide together until everything was over?"
"...Yeah. But something's come up I have to do."
"Something you have to do?"
"Yeah. I probably can't move with you. Can you hide on your own for now?"
"...Wh-why? What is this thing you have to do? Don't tell me... you're gonna confront them or something?! No! That's too dangerous...!"
Chris seemed to have caught on. Even without any hints from me. Was this that famous woman's intuition? Her beautiful eyes trembled with anxiety. It was my duty to reassure her. Everything would come out tomorrow anyway, but...
I lied through my teeth.
"Haha, no. It's nothing for you to worry about that much—just a minor thing. I just... need a little time."
"Then let me help! I can't send you off alone...!"
"It's fine. It'll be no big deal. I'm strong, right? Strongest among the trainees, at least."
"...I know you're strong, Chanyoung. But..."
"I said it's really nothing."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. We'll be apart just a short while. We'll see each other again soon."
"...Really?"
"Really. I promise. We'll meet again."
"...Okay. You haven't lied to me once so far. I'll trust you."
Chris nodded at my firm words. That "soon" would be much, much longer than she imagined... but we'd meet again in seven years. If my plan went off without a hitch.
I sent her off and went to Brack. He was spending his time in personal training at the field, just like yesterday. What a diligently hardworking guy—he was always at it. That's why I could make this request without hesitation.
"Brack. Tomorrow's events have nothing to do with you. Just watch over Chris for me for a bit."
"Huff! Huff! Hm?... Chanyoung? ...That's sudden and out of nowhere. Chris... you mean Ms. Bennett, your lover? And what do you mean 'events tomorrow'?"
"Something big's going down tomorrow. Chris might be in danger. Protect her in my place."
"...Your face says you're not joking. Understood. But this is a lover's role by rights. Don't forget starting tomorrow, that's your job."
"...Yeah."
I gave a bitter smile and nodded at Brack's words. Unlike with Chris, I couldn't tell him much. But this diligent guy would keep his promise to me. That eased my mind somewhat.
…
The chill dawn air tickled my nose. I closed my eyes, forcing sleep. But faint tension kept it at bay. Everyone else in the lodge was asleep except me.
*Rustle...* I propped up and glanced at Chris's bed. Naturally, she was out cold. I gazed at her sleeping face for a few minutes, then lay back down and finally drifted off.
No dreams that night.
…
Chris and Brack were hidden somewhere. Wang Ja-gun and the trainees were in the clearing for their usual run, as always. And I...
Was walking toward Gerard in the distance.
*Thud, thud.*
Five men and women stood around Gerard. All combatants I'd glimpsed in District 11. It wasn't hard to guess they were his former disciples, committed to the revolution. From afar, they'd looked deep in important talk, but they stopped and eyed me warily as I approached.
I'd already memorized their Status Windows. Not just them—all the combatants in District 11. No need to act suspicious in front of them.
"...A trainee? To... ahem! What business do you have with Mr. Gerard?"
"Haha, cut it out. He's a comrade who's decided to join our cause."
"Ah, is that so? Sorry about that. ...I'm a bit on edge today, you see."
"No need to hide the plan's schedule. This trainee's still a fledgling, but a dragon fledgling. He already knew today was auspicious."
"Heh... Must have the leader's thick trust."
"Indeed. Though... being young, he's not fully free of emotions yet... but raise him right, and he'll be useful for big things..."
They chatted casually with me right there. The combatants fully dropped their guard at Gerard's words. My being unarmed probably helped too—no sword, not even leather armor.
"But... Trainee Park Chanyoung, weren't you put in charge of leading the trainees? What brings you here?"
"Well... might be my imagination, but... I came urgently to report something."
"Report?"
"Yes. I just happened to overhear shelter staff talking inside. From what I caught, something like 'today... ...central command... ...secret order... same day... wipe them out... ...pretend normal...' ...It was from far away, and they scattered when they saw me, so I can't be sure."
"...What? Is that true?"
*Nod.*
I nodded solemnly. The six combatants, Gerard included, hardened their faces gravely. No matter how you sliced it...
'They'll think the plan leaked.'
"...How long until everyone rallies here?"
"The comrades in District 12, closest to here, said they'd need an hour to set out."
"Damn it! Trainee Park Chanyoung, you're sure? You didn't mishear?"
"...I definitely heard 'central command' and 'secret order' clear as day."
"Son of a—!"
*Thwack!*
Gerard kicked a rock. Mana-infused, it shattered into gravel and scattered. I pressed on to the excited Gerard. He couldn't regain calm. I had to keep pushing the situation.
"How about going to those shelter staff first and confirming what you heard properly? It's not confirmed yet."
"Right! What are you all standing around for? Hurry—!"
"Y-yes... sir!"
Gerard whipped around toward the lodge at my words, and the five combatants turned their backs to me, sprinting after him. All excited, all panicked. Their focus was entirely on the lodge.
The perfect chance I'd been waiting for.
*Tap!*
No battle cry. I just maxed mana into my legs and leaped. Toward Gerard's back.
*Stab!*
"Guh... ack?!"
The sword from my inventory pierced Gerard's back. The spine's resistance crumbled under my mana-enhanced strength. The blade pulverized his heart.
"...Huh?"
"L-Leader?!"
Instant death—no need to check. I didn't retrieve the sword. Every second was precious now. Far more than recovering a blade.
The moment I felt the sword impale his heart, I let go of the hilt and bolted without looking back. Had to get as far from the five combatants as possible.
*Tap tap tap!!*
"...A sword? Where'd he...? He didn't have one..."
"Instant death, instant death! The leader's gone!"
"...Fuck! What are you doing? Get him!!"
"Damn! Damn, damn! What the hell!!"
*Tap tap tap!!*
*Tap tap tap!!*
Still, their combat experience was vast. The ones who checked Gerard's pulse confirmed he was dead, snapped out of shock at my sudden betrayal, and gave chase.
Fine by me. We were already quite a distance apart. I was heading for the forest. Why the forest, not the Combat Lodge? To other combatants who didn't know about the rebellion yet, it'd look like I betrayed the Shelter and stabbed Instructor Gerard. No one would believe a green rookie over the District 11 comrades he'd shared life and death with. Obvious.
"Get that bastard!!"
*Tap tap tap!!*