Chapter 75

Episode 15 – A Kingless World (5)

By the time I realized, Song Minwoo was immediately in front of me . It was a tremendous speed . His agility must be at least above level 40 in order to achieve this speed .

“You?” He asked in a tearful voice . This guy had already finished his transition to an outside species .

[The 6th grade outside species, Song Minwoo has triggered ‘A Predator’s Threat Lv . 5!’]

[The character ‘Han Sooyoung’ has used ‘Mental Barrier Lv . 3’ . ]

[The character ‘Han Sooyoung’ has alleviated some of the effects of A Predator’s Threat . ]

In a moment, his hand shot out and grabbed Han Sooyoung’s throat .

“Keok…”

Han Sooyoung might not be in a perfect physical condition but it was too much for her to be suppressed at once .

The 6th grade outside species . It was the worst enemy to deal with right now .

It was different compared to the 5th grade fire dragon . At that time, my ice attribute overwhelmed the fire attribute and I could take advantage of the dull movements of the big monster .

But now…

Song Minwoo stared at me . “Did you break my coin farm?”

The tone was certain despite it being a question . Han Sooyoung screamed the moment she saw Song Minwoo’s white fangs . “Shit, kill him quickly!”

I used Blade of Faith while Han Sooyoung used Avatar . At almost the same time, Song Minwoo’s powerful kick arrived . The just created Avatar’s head burst while I went flying through the air .

[The 6th grade outside species, Song Minwoo has triggered ‘Accelerate Lv . 5!’]

Song Minwoo’s fist followed at a speed that was almost invisible . Head, shoulders, belly . The onslaught poured out towards those areas . Air burst out from me .

Han Sooyoung’s voice cried out, “Kim Dokja!”

…No, even if this was an outside species, how could he be so strong? It was too late to avoid the blow . I hurriedly raised my overall stats .

[16,000 coins have been invested in stamina . ]

[Stamina Lv . 24 -> Stamina Lv . 50]

[A giant-like physical fitness fills your body . ]

The pain quickly dwindled and it reached the point where I could tolerate it . But the situation wasn’t over .

“Kim Dokja? Where did I hear that name?” I heard Song Minwoo mumbling .

I could see this face through my defenses and that was the problem . This guy wasn’t strong . The problem was me .

[The effect of A Predator’s Threat has reduced your will to fight . ]

[A Predator’s Threat has slowed down your movements . ]

It was ridiculous . I overcame the threat of the 5th grade fire dragon only to be affected by this guy?

It was impossible . I had the Fourth Wall…

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ is shaking . ]

This situation had happened once before .

It happened when I fought Yoo Jonghyuk in the Theatre Dungeon and when I was immersed in Yoo Jonghyuk’s first person view… but now Yoo Jonghyuk wasn’t here . So why?

Song Minwoo roared and raised his claws . “…Kinda familiar . Do I know you?”

–Hey, Kim Dokja . What is this?

A familiar voice overlapped with the same voice .

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ is shaking . ]

I grabbed his wrist and answered, “I don’t know . ”

“Really? I think I remember . ”

–Stop reading and go and get me some bread . Yes?

[The 6th grade outside species, Song Minwoo has triggered ‘Memory Enhancement Lv . 3!’]

“I know you . ”

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ is shaking . ]

…Dammit . I see . Now I knew what the Fourth Wall skill was .

There was a smile on Song Minwoo’s face . “Strange . How does a geek like you survive up to this point? You were reading a novel every day . ”

“…”

“Haha, you are that person . Aren’t you the guy who was beaten up by me while reading a novel in your spare time? Don’t you remember?”

I remembered . Of course I remembered . A late rage filled my head .

“You are Song Minwoo . You should remember the face of your old school friend right? It is good . I was wondering if you were still alive . ”

When I was 17, I used to think that if I had the strength, I would tear apart this guy in front of me .

Song Minwoo kept talking . “The novel you were reading at that time . Where can I see it?”

The moment I heard this, a scene came to my mind . I had been sitting in my seat and scrolling through the novel when he hit me .

…Perhaps?

–This otaku, you are reading this? Is this fun? It is laughable .

Of course, the novel I was reading at that time…

Song Minwoo’s fist struck my abdomen and my body flew through the air . The moment I slammed into the outer wall of a building, Han Sooyoung’s avatars attacked Song Minwoo . The exterior wall of the destroyed building fell on me .

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ is shaking . ]

The Fourth Wall . It was an exclusive skill that I had from the beginning . I still didn’t know all the functions of this skill but I was confident of at least one thing .

This skill made me recognize this world as a ‘novel . ’

In fact, I often felt strange . I made judgments and did actions that weren’t possible in reality . It was like I was calmly watching this world from the outside .

It was due to the Fourth Wall .

“Shit . . What are you doing?”

An angry voice was heard . As I cleared away the pile of stones, the angry Han Sooyoung blocked my way .

Her dozens of avatars were dealing with Song Minwoo and the werewolves in the corridors of the building . Blood was flowing from Han Sooyoung’s nose and her blood vessels popped out as she struggled .

It was because Han Sooyoung was squeezing out every drop of her already low magic power to exert this strength .

“I believed in you but what are you doing now?”

I slowly raised myself while feeling a sharp pain in my bones . This was truly real pain . I had forgotten since the Fourth Wall acted as a cushion for this pain .

[Many constellations are confused by the unexpected development . ]

I endured the pain and stood up, shaking off the dust . “This is an awakening event . ”

“…What?”

“Where is the fun in easily winning all the time? Sometimes I should go through adversity .

“Oh, is that why you are so beaten up?”

“I was just thinking for a while . ”

[Many constellations are relieved . ]

The Fourth Wall was a skill that made reality like a novel . Then it was obvious why the wall was shaking . It was because I currently regarded Song Minwoo as ‘reality . ’ He was the asshole who beat me up and made my teen years a tragedy .

“…Do you know that bastard?” She was a writer and a really quick female . I stared at her and the hesitating Han Sooyoung hurriedly added . “I’m sorry . I didn’t want to hear it but the words he said to you…”

I replied honestly to the person who had Lie Detection . “Yes, I know him . ”

“I can roughly guess…”

“That bastard . He is obviously a trauma . ”

“…Where is the obvious trauma? A trauma is serious . ”

Han Sooyoung stated as she spat out blood .

“Then what is the problem? Han Sooyoung, you can help me awaken . If you tell me a few words from Ways of Survival, won’t I awaken?”

“Do you think I’m Lee Hyunsung?”

In the end, I had to solve this problem myself . I would have a hard time going forward if the Fourth Wall shook every time I met a person who stimulated my traumas .

Above all, I was 28 years old right now . I wasn’t a 17 year old who was flustered by a bully .

[A constellation who likes revenge has revealed his own modifier . ]

[The constellation ‘One who Overcomes the Late Trials’ is cheering for you . ]

[Some constellations are in agreement . ]

[A bounty scenario has occurred!]

+

[Bounty Scenario – Overcoming Trauma

Category: Sub

Difficulty: C

Clear Conditions: Some constellations, such as One who Overcomes the Late Trials has commissioned a bounty scenario for you . Overcome your trauma within the time limit and get rid of the specter of the past .

Time Limit: 1 hour

Compensation: ???

Failure: The contempt of One who Overcomes the Late Trials .

+

One who Overcomes the Late Trials was a constellation I had seen in Ways of Survival .

As far as I knew, this guy was a constellation of a different world… well, more of these constellations would start emerging in the fifth scenario .

In any case, this was a blessing in disguise . I threw Samyeongdang’s Straw Mat to Han Sooyoung .

“Wipe up your nosebleed and stay back . ”

“What?”

“It is enough . ”

I jumped over Han Sooyoung’s avatars towards the group of werewolves .

[6,000 coins have been invested in agility . ]

[Agility Lv . 30 -> Agility Lv . 40]

[An amazing wind lies in your body . ]

[15,500 coins have been invested in strength . ]

[Strength Lv . 25 -> Strength Lv . 50]

[Your muscles are squirming like they are monsters . ]

I should’ve done this sooner . I had been too wary since being hit by the ‘possibilities storm’ not long ago .

[The special option of Unbroken Faith is activated . ]

[The ether property is converted to ‘divine’ . ]

There was no reason for me to lose this fight . I just had a momentary lapse in judgment from the Fourth Wall shaking . If I thought about it, I had the means to overpower these guys . In fact, I had many methods .

The werewolves collapsed before my blade . Werewolves had the dark attribute, making them vulnerable to the divine attribute .

Moreover, I didn’t need to worry about the ‘no killing’ penalty with them . As I said, they were an outside species, not human . They weren’t my kind any more .

I found Song Minwoo’s face among the werewolves . His eyes slowly grew larger while Han Sooyoung’s voice was heard behind me .

“Hey! Is it okay?”

I didn’t answer . In fact, this situation was almost exactly the same .

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ is shaking!]

However, it would turn out differently from earlier .

“It’s okay . My awakening event is over . ”

I ran straight towards Song Minwoo .

Grrrrr!

A few thoughts passed through my head . If I used Ganpyeongui and called the ‘Hunter of the Hexagram’, this game would end easily . But I wouldn’t overcome my trauma by fighting like that .

This time, I had to fight with my own capabilities .

[The 6th grade outside species, Song Minwoo has triggered ‘Accelerate Lv . 5!’]

Song Minwoo’s body moved at great speed after Acceleration was triggered . He already had level 40 agility and now his speed was increased with the effect of Acceleration Lv . 5 .

I didn’t have any footwork skills so I was forced to use a shortcut .

[7,000 coins have been invested in agility . ]

[Agility Lv . 40 -> Agility Lv . 50]

[An amazing storm lies in your body . ]

If I didn’t have skills, I could use stats . I lightly dodged the flying claws and raised my blade .

“Kuaaaak!”

His arm flew through the air and I cut off his other arm . The confused Song Minwoo lost his balance . I didn’t miss this gao and cut off his legs .

Song Minwoo roared as his limbs were severed in an instant . Along with the roar, his severed limbs were growing back .

This was the privilege of a werewolf’s ‘Physical Regeneration’ . However, normally the speed was lower… this bastard, did he receive a ‘protection’?

Yes… this was better .

[The constellation ‘One who Overcomes the Late Trials’ is focused on your actions . ]

The goal of the bounty scenario was to overcome the trauma . The constellation wouldn’t be satisfied with an easy kill . I turned off the blade and used my fists instead .

[8,000 coins have been invested in strength . ]

[Strength Lv . 50 -> Strength Lv . 60]

[Your power has started to attract the attention of the giants . ]

[Your total stats have almost reached the limit of this scenario . ]

I grabbed Song Minwoo’s neck .

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’ is shaking . ]

Whenever I looked at this guy’s face, I felt the ‘17 year old Kim Dokja’ inside me shrink back .

Poor thing . From now on, I would get revenge for ‘him . ’

“Minwoo, I didn’t greet your properly earlier . ”

“What…?”

“It is nice to see you . ”

I hit him in the stomach .

“Kuheeok!”

“By the way, I was in pain a lot back then . ”

The 17 year old Kim Dokja was watching me in my memories . Feel free to watch .

“If you have a conscience, shouldn’t you apologize first?”

I held him with one hand and continued to punch . The chest, the stomach and the face .

“What is wrong with reading a novel? Eh? Did I harm you?” On behalf of the 17 year old Kim Dokja, I hit him again and again . “Bastard, I even used some money to buy the books . ”

His teeth were broken, his chest muscles damaged and his bones shattered . The nearby werewolves growled at the assault but couldn’t come close . I was giving out a Predator’s Threat despite not using any skill .

Real fear came from a strength that was on a different dimension . 10 minutes passed before Song Minwoo started begging .

Grrr! “S-Sorry, I’m sorry…!”

“Really? You’re sorry?”

“Yes! I’m really really sorry! I-I was young at the time…”

Of course he was . I knew . That degree of malice was understandable in his immature days . But .

“You must be mistaken… I wasn’t trying to get an apology . ” This was something that couldn’t be understood or forgiven . “In the first place, I’m not the one you should apologize to . ”

“What does that…”

“First, I will hit you until all my trauma has disappeared .

I watched the collapsed Song Minwoo and thought of my teen years . I was helpless, weak and only knew novels .

In fact, Han Sooyoung was right . There was no obvious trauma in this world .

All trauma was severe for the person involved so I didn’t think these actions would completely eliminate my trauma .

I would often have nightmares as the 17 year old Kim Dokja repeated the tragedy of that time .

Still, this might be a bit comforting . Just like when I read Ways of Survival back then .

The 28 year old Kim Dokja might be able to help the 17 year old KIm Dokja escape from the nightmare for a short time .

“Keok! Cough! S-Stop… stop…”

Just like ‘Yoo Jonghyuk’ was to me in those days .

“Keoook…”

How long did I hit him? Finally, there was a moment when I looked at Song Minwoo’s face and felt nothing .

[The exclusive skill, ‘Fourth Wall’s’ shaking has subsided . ]

[You have met the conditions to clear the bounty scenario!]