It has been six hours since I left the hideout.
“It should be around here.”
Arriving at the <Emerald Forest> located in the north of the island, I followed the memories of the <Yellow Dragon> and took steps forward.
The Emerald Forest truly lives up to its name.
Huge trees and various colorful plants grow densely, slowing my progress.
Thanks to the robust body of <Nahan>, it wasn’t as difficult as it looked, but due to the incident at dawn and lack of sleep, I gradually felt exhausted.
“Ah, whatever. Let’s just rest a bit.”
Eventually, I found a suitable rock, sat down, and took out my water flask to drink.
After quenching my thirst, I consumed some dried meat and fruits I bought at the island’s market.
I naturally assumed that a short rest and food would restore my stamina, but…
“…Now that I’m full, I’m even sleepier.”
Oddly enough, I felt even more tired.
Come to think of it, after living peacefully for almost a month, I’ve been running around like crazy the last couple days.
I thought I would live peacefully for a year, but I didn’t expect to be thrown into the middle of all this.
“Still, what can you do?”
If I want to survive, I need to keep moving.
Shaking off the creeping fatigue, I stood up and started walking again.
“<Black Wolf>‘s memories.”
The information naturally absorbed in my head differed from the <original work> contents or <setting collections>. It seemed I had to face the related <incidents> directly for them to open.
In other words,
The <Black Wolf> memories currently accessible to me were only those related to the <Yellow Dragon>.
Even these were mainly basic information such as the <Yellow Dragon>‘s hideout, behavior, and speech patterns.
“But with this level of information, it should be enough to impersonate the <Yellow Dragon>.”
I won’t be able to wield the immense power of the strongest among the Ten Masters – the <Yellow Dragon> right away, but I should be able to at least act the part physically.
I managed to navigate the situation last dawn by pretending to be Black Wolf, and if I can impersonate Yellow Dragon just as well…
“Maybe I can complete the bounty request.”
Just as I was about to reopen the bounty request given by the Emperor while walking…
【Entering <Yellow Dragon's Barrier(SS)>!】
I felt as if something thin and soft was passing through my whole body.
“It’s just as I remember.”
A top-tier barrier laid down to keep it hidden from the <Black Wolf> members.
-So, what do you plan to do now…? No, what do you plan to do now, Captain?
This was the place where Black Wolf recruited the fifth member of the <Black Wolf>.
The remains of a shattered cabin,
tree trunks with only their bases left,
thanks to which the sky was wide open.
Though time heals all wounds, and the battlefield had somewhat recovered, the traces of the battle were still heavily visible.
“Did these two fight and then become friends?”
They must still not be on bad terms, right?
…Eh, whatever.
“Even if they’re among the Ten Masters, all <Black Wolf> members except Laktea are under <Restraining>. Anyway, they can’t fight back.”
…Probably.
“Fine, let’s hurry up and move.”
With only three days left including today, I needed to quickly grasp the power of the <Yellow Dragon>, meet the fifth member, and complete the bounty request.
“Is this really the result of human combat?”
While clearing away the excessively scattered debris to find the <Yellow Dragon>‘s mark, I glanced around.
After taking less than ten steps, my gaze fixed on one spot.
“…Found it.”
In the middle of the chaotic plain, there was a giant rock like someone had placed it there. Below it, where the roof was hidden, a small hill rose up.
A sword buried with its sheath,
a neatly placed armor set nearby,
and a crude necklace.
“That’s obviously expensive.”
Thinking it might be a high-grade artifact, I called up the system panel, but it turned out to be only gold-plated with no special effects.
Clank, clunk.
Jingle.
After suppressing my disappointment and equipping everything, the light of the necklace inside shone.
【Low-grade Artifact – <Reina's Magic Mirror(C-)> Activated.】
【”You are my only light, so take pride in yourself just a little more.”】
The name and voice, input as if directly made by the Emperor himself, belonged to Reina’s. Thanks to this, I was able to confirm the appearance of the <Yellow Dragon>.
A flashy armor interwoven with gold and platinum,
a long sword as big as a body that looks sharp at a glance,
and an elegant helmet with the mark of the Yellow Dragon.
Compared to Black Wolf, who only wore a shabby robe and mask, it was several times better.
– Big brother, can’t you speak more nicely?
“…Oh, right.”
Anyway, it was better than Black Wolf.
“Is it not too heavy?”
Clank.
Though it appeared to be quite heavy from its flashy appearance, after moving my body slightly, it was just the field of view obscured by the helmet that was a little inconvenient. Otherwise, it moved quite easily.
After which, I also practiced the minimum necessary movements while holding the greatsword – vertical slashing, horizontal slashing, diagonal slashing – adapting fully.
“Alright. Next is skills.”
After pondering what to check first, I decided to reconfirm the <Black Wolf>‘s skills.
【Owned Skills List – <Black Wolf>】
-Passive: Black Wolf(Ex)
-Skill1: Black Curtain(Ex) (Partially Opened) (4/6)
-Skill2: (Restricted Viewing).(Ex) (6/15)
-Ultimate: (Restricted Viewing).(Ex) (10/15)
For now, the only open <Black Wolf> skill is the first one – Black Curtain(Ex).
【Skill1. <Black Curtain(Ex)>.】
◆Effect
: If the opponent feels even an instant of fear against <you>, from that moment onwards, the opponent will perceive <you> as death itself. The abnormal status <Ex Fear> against <you> will linger until the moment of their death.
If the opponent feels even a single moment of fear against me, the skill that grants the abnormal status <Ex Fear>.
The A-grade mage Gauffelt and the 13 fallen knights, even the S+ rank Emperor, all recoiled immediately after being struck by <Black Curtain>. It was certainly a god-tier ability.
Of course, it appeared that higher-ranked opponents such as Reina, who feel emotions stronger than fear, could manage to resist, but it wasn’t perfectly so.
‘Let’s find out more later.’
The more I discover about this skill, the more I can utilize it in various ways.
“Ah, by the way, there was a passive too?”
I finally checked the <Black Wolf(Ex)> written in the passive and called up the effect window.
【Passive. <Black Wolf(Ex)>.】
◆Effect
: Designate a target to make a contract and place the <Constraint of the Soul>. You accept the constrained target as a <Black Wolf> member. The more members you have, the stronger your power becomes.
However, if the member dies, <you> will also die.
…I might lose my mind.
“So that’s why I received a warning message when Hanliang was in danger, saying that I would die too?”
Damn.
When I thought the worst-case scenario was running away, it turned out that if a member dies, so do I.
“…Alright, let me just give up and accept it.”
From the moment the truth of <Black Curtain> was revealed, my role became to prevent bad endings.
Thus, whether living as <Black Wolf> or as <Yellow Dragon>,
let’s move as cautiously as possible and complete the <Main Quest>.
“Okay, done with Black Wolf.”
It seemed that among the remaining 15 bad endings, 6 of one kind and 10 of another needed to be prevented to proceed.
“Slightly disappointing.”
The <Black Wolf> and <Black Wolf> depicted in the original work were powerful enough to be considered the strongest in the world, but right now, all I can do is bluff.
Still, since we’re not even done with the prologue yet,
【Equipped Items】
-Transcendent level – Ring of Iaso (SS+)
-Legendary level – Ring of Vulcanus (A+)
-Legendary level – Necklace of the Demon Slayer (A+)
-Legendary level – Robin Hood’s Pocket Dimension (A-)
-Regular level – Reina’s Necklace (C-)
the equipment should be able to compensate.
So there’s nothing to do but prevent bad endings as quickly as possible and gain the next skill.
“Anyway, I’ve confirmed Black Wolf and the artifacts… Now there’s just Yellow Dragon left. I hope he has some usable attack skills.”
Whispering my wish silently, I called up the <Yellow Dragon>‘s skill list.
【Owned Skills List – <Yellow Dragon>】
-Passive: Sun’s Blessing(Ex).
-Skill1: Daylight Annihilation(EX). (New!)
-Skill2: (Restricted Viewing). (6/15)
-Ultimate: (Restricted Viewing). (10/15)
Yellow Dragon also had only its passive and the first skill open, just like Black Wolf.
“Let’s see…”
【Passive. <Sun's Blessing(Ex)>.】
◆Effect
: Sparkles brightly. How stylish. If a subject who has respect for you sees the shining light, they will fall under the abnormal status <Adoration>. <Sun's Blessing is the best in the world!>
“…Now I know why it’s so shiny.”
As they say, the shinier something is, the more dangerous it is.
I haven’t tried it personally, but it seemed like a lower version of <Black Curtain>.
“Alright, it’s passive. I didn’t expect much anyway. It’s fine as long as the main skill is good, right?”
Pushing aside the useless passive like an oddity, I brought up the effect of <Daylight Annihilation>.
“Show yourself, Daylight Annihilation. You seem like a cool one from the name alone.”
【Skill1. <Daylight Annihilation(EX)>.】
◆Effect
: Flash───!
Furthermore, all aura is consumed! ExhaustedExhausted! FallOver!
“…What is this?”
This was the moment I somewhat understood why Nahan was the captain of <Black Wolf>.
Despite wanting to try it once to confirm, I decided against it because of the red warning of ‘exhaustion’.
After contemplating for quite a while, I finally decided,
“…It’s like a flashbang, huh? So it’s not completely useless.”
Making a somewhat rational judgment, I sat on a moss-covered cabin fragment.
“Anyway, I’ve now recognized everything I have… Ah, what was that <Impersonation>?”
The faint blue window that appeared whenever I got into character as <Black Wolf>.
Since I got too absorbed in the act to check in the first place, I don’t remember what was written.
Like the skills, I tried to bring up the information for confirmation, but…
【Unable to View.】
: Condition not met.
Only an unfriendly status window popped up, and there was no other gain.
Not that it stopped me from acting, so I decided to check later and dismissed the window.
“Well, then, this is really the last one.”
The Emperor’s second request.
Rustle.
Squeak.
I took out the <Designated Request> that I had already placed outside the armor.
“Never trust anyone easily.”
That’s something I wrote.
Whoosh.
Without wasting any time, I turned the page to confirm what was written, when…
“Hey, if it’s something good, let me see it too.”
Someone snatched away my <Designated Request> and immediately put distance between us.
“Never trust anyone easily? Tsst, it sure looks twisted from afar, I thought it might be erotica. That’s why I rushed over, right?”
Just when I was concentrating, they approached without a sound, making my heart sink. However, I masked my reaction and turned my head to chase after them.
Lean muscles,
Long unkempt white hair,
The half-closed eyes beneath them.
He looked like a well-built neighborhood grandfather and was the fifth member of <Black Wolf>,
◆No5. Dalan – Strange Dragon(S+) (New!)
One of the Ten Masters.
Strange Dragon Dalan.
“It’s been a while, Captain.”
I immediately dived into acting as <Black Wolf> and simply responded to the ignored greeting.
“Bring it back.”
“Of course, I must return it. However, that handwriting is rather pretty, don’t you have a lover yet?”
“I wrote it. Bring it back.”
“……Hehe, really?”
Dalan approached again with a kind smile and handed me the paper.
Tuck.
I was about to casually take back the <Designated Request> when Dalan’s squinting eyes slightly opened, and a steely gaze poured out.
“I’ve been observing with suspicion, but this handwriting isn’t the captain’s, is it?”
A surge of overwhelming pressure.
“Is this <Eclipse>? ”
A whisper-like killing intent that seemed ready to cut me down no matter what my response.
‘I’m going to die.’
As the incoming punch made me instinctively close my eyes, I activated the skill to survive.
【Skill – <Daylight Annihilation(EX)> Activated!】
The optimal subconscious action. Blinding Dalan’s eyes to put distance between us.
【Flash───!】
I intended to do that, but an immense aura-laden blade was fired out.
Chiiiiirrrrk!!
An awe-inspiring destructive power that makes one’s mouth drop open.
【Catastrophic Strike!】
【<Yellow Dragon's Barrier(SS)> is destroyed!】
【*All aura consumed! ExhaustedExhausted! FallOver!】
The rapidly dimming vision.
‘If I fall, I will really die!’
Hanging on to the fading consciousness by a thread, I managed to regain focus when I found myself maintaining the stance as if I had swung a gigantic greatsword.
What I could see from my perspective was the ruptured barrier.
Clouds bisected, trees cleaved in two,
And,
“D-D-DCaptain. Were you hurt by my suspicion? I sincerely apologize. Shall we talk it out now? Conversation is a good thing, isn’t it?”
The already persuaded (somehow) Dalan,
“However, capturing <Black Wolf> by imperial decree… What do you plan to do now?”
“…What?”
“Haven’t you read the content yet? Please take a look. Capture and bring back <Black Wolf>. The Emperor is ordering you, the captain, to capture yourself.”
It was just the headache-inducing bounty request content.
