1.
When did it all start?
Nahan had developed a mysterious talent that others didn’t possess.
That talent was none other than <acting>.
Whether he was watching a movie,
reading a book,
or looking at comics,
Nahan could perfectly replicate any <character> he encountered.
– Hey, older brother, your acting is amazing! You were the only one among the volunteers who looked like a real actor.
– Tch. Drop it. Anyway, just leave it, don’t ask me to do this kind of thing again.
– No way! I’ve changed my mind. Older brother, have you ever thought about going to an acting school? I’ll pay the tuition. Give up your gang activities and give it a try, how about it?
– …What?
Thanks to a precious connection, he discovered his talent.
-I’ll ask father to withdraw the lawsuit if you promise to attend seriously. In return, you must really work hard. I’ll also help you find a proper place to live so you can stop the dangerous dormitory lifestyle.
– I’m not a gangster yet… It’s just that I don’t have a home… Fine. Why am I even talking to you? Anyway, I’ll consult with our senior.
– Yes! He accepted, right!?
– …Don’t expect too much.
For the first time in his life, a light entered his life as he sprinted towards the abyss.
Somehow,
A month later.
For the first time in his life, Nahan seriously dived into the field of <acting>. About another month passed when…
– Older brother Han! The president of the acting school contacted us. They said you’re a genius!
– …But I haven’t fought there yet.
– Not about fighting!! About acting, acting!! The president said you’re ready to go straight to the field!! In fact, they trust that you’d succeed if you went out there!!
Nahan grew enough to be recognized by the legendary actor-turned president.
– …You’ve completely become the character.
– …How is such acting possible? Could I ever reach that level someday?
– …Contact the agency immediately. We’ve found a must-recruit actor.
Everyone praised him,
– Wow, just a month?!
– Just a month of learning?!
– Well, what’s your secret?
People asked about the secret of his <acting> but Nahan couldn’t easily answer.
To those who asked seriously with sparkling eyes,
he couldn’t just say,
“I can do it, so why can’t you?”
And in fact,
– …I don’t know.
Nahan didn’t know the answer himself.
He had some guesses, but to sum it up, he just did it and it worked.
It might sound like a ridiculous excuse for someone with a natural talent, but,
it was the truth,
just simply doing it.
…
…
…
【Phase 2 – <Immerse> completed.】
【You perfectly reproduce the figure of <Yellow Dragon> with complete accuracy.】
…
…
…
That’s all it took.
‘<Yellow Dragon>‘
One of the ten strongest in the continent.
Normally quiet, but when spoken to, he’s actually jovial, cheerful, and kind.
However,
If you make him your enemy, there’s a side of him you might face eventually.
“Damn…! What are you exactly?!!”
“…I am <Yellow Dragon>.”
That side is the visage of the Overlord.
【<Blessing of the Sun (Ex)> has been activated!】
Clang, clang, clang.
A gold-lit figure holding a greatsword approached, warning.
“This is your last chance. Take them and flee right now, and I won’t chase you today.”
Nahan wasn’t afraid anymore.
<Yellow Dragon> would surely do just that.
2.
The atmosphere of the opponent changed.
– Smile brighter; you’ll survive that way.
– Exactly, try smiling brighter.
– Even if your smile could tear your lips, laugh.
– That’s how you’ll survive.
A nightmare surfaced.
“This is your last chance. Take them and flee right now, and I won’t chase you today.”
The dazzling oppression weighed down his body.
– Don’t tremble; that’s how you’ll survive.
– When it’s too hard, wear a mask and cry.
– Keep trying, keep striving.
– Until one day, even while wearing a mask, you can smile.
Behind the pale face hidden by the mask, a strained smile was faintly visible.
The fourth member of the <Black Wolf>,
Luna – Persona stared at the approaching <Yellow Dragon> and thought to herself.
‘…I want to live’
How could I have been saved, when there’s still so much to do?
I’ve endured to live a long life.
Not a life where I cling to survival to avoid death, but a life where I accomplish my desires one by one, living happily.
Such a life began when I was 23. Merely five years of a happy life.
Only five years of happiness in 23 years of existence.
To compensate for the painful 18 years, I need to be happier for the next 13.
‘Am I going to die like this?’
Krrr.
Tiny white teeth clenched together with a menacing sound.
“Didn’t you hear? They’re all criminals! We’ve just cleaned them up.”
“It’s the Sun’s judgment.”
“What about all the people who’ve died? Those who chose death after suffering too much?”
“…It’s the Sun’s judgment.”
The dazzling facade of hypocrisy.
‘<Yellow Dragon>… must certainly be a knight.’
Judging from the pleasant smell, he’s not an evil person, but his sweet words mean he hasn’t yet seen the reality of the empire.
That’s why he doesn’t understand our, the captain’s, grand purpose.
– Think carefully, Luna. The role of the <Black Wolf> is cleaning up. Even if the empire stands upright after our work, we, stained with blood, won’t be able to reach that place. We must live in the night forever.
– It’s fine. I’ve gotten used to the night now. And most importantly…
…I’ll be with the captain at night, won’t I?
Recalling the past, the forced-up-turned corner of her lips relaxed gently.
Her trembling fingertips,
her wavering pupils,
her shrunk shoulders,
All returned to their brutal thug-like state, as if nothing happened.
“…Anything for the captain.”
Even if it meant,
risking my life.
Tock tock.
Just as Luna regained her wits and tapped her mask with her fingers, a pale-blue system window appeared before her eyes.
【Warning!】
【The fourth member of <Black Wolf> <Luna - Persona> is attempting to break the <Restriction>!】
At the same moment, Nahan’s body felt heavier.
‘This sensation… I’ve felt it before.’
Just like during the previous battle with the emperor, when he felt it from <Hanlyang - Tal>.
[Passive. <Black Wolf (Ex)>]
◆ Effect
: Designate a target, make a contract, place a <Restriction of the Soul>. Accept those under the restriction as members of the <Black Wolf>. The more members there are, the stronger you’ll become.
*However, if a member dies, <You> will die as well.
◆ Members
: Number currently… (8/10)
Gurgle.
【Time left until <Restriction Break>: 00:00:29】
Luna’s mask began to transform like black liquid, wrapping around her entire body.
Instinctively, he knew.
If she broke the restriction in 29 seconds, while her breaking it wouldn’t harm him, it would cause great harm to her.
And this ‘harm’ meant,
‘in the worst case, Luna might die.’
However, it couldn’t be allowed.
Not because of sentimental reasons like getting too precious within a month or what <Black Wolf> intended, but for a purely realistic reason.
‘In the original <Babylon> story, the story begins when the hero returns.’
Based on the original’s hints, there was a high probability that the sixth bad ending would start when <Luna> and <the Hero> meet.
What if Luna died today, diverting drastically from the original’s flow?
The bad ending would approach in an unpredictable form, turning most of the original and set-up information useless.
That means, as <Yellow Dragon>, the situation I need to create today is,
‘send Luna and the Black Wolf away without killing them and quickly wrap up the situation.’
Having made up his mind, Nahan stepped towards Luna without hesitation.
Creeeek!!
The emanating energy was enough to melt armor and inner flesh upon contact.
Gradually detecting his approach through the sweet scent, Luna raised her head and warned.
“You’ll die if you continue like this.”
Her words were true.
Unknown if it was Luna’s skill or a side effect of breaking the restriction, the thick black aura that seeped out indiscriminately dissolved everything it touched.
If his hand touched her body, it would surely melt instantly, armor and all.
‘But I have to touch her.’
I’m merely playing the role of <Yellow Dragon>, and I can use only a small part of my abilities.
Without using <Black Wolf>‘s abilities, if subduing Luna and sending the rest of the members back costs just the loss of my left arm,
“Sorry, I’m not merciful enough to wait for you to transform.”
What the heck,
I’ll lend it for a while.
Thump.
The moment the golden armor touched Luna’s shoulder, which was gradually turning black,
Crack!
“!!!”
From the moment of contact, his armor began melting away quickly, forcing him to touch her shoulder with bare hands.
【Transcendent Artifact – <Ring of Iaso (SS+)> has been activated!】
【<"Remember, no pain can kill you."">】
Endless repetition of melting and healing.
Despite the immense pain, all he had to do was hold on. With just 10 seconds left until her restriction breaking, Luna frowned and asked.
“…? Are you crazy?”
He had often heard that.
“Such words… kuup, I’ve heard a lot…!!”
“….What?”
She couldn’t understand.
Luna expected that if she became defenseless, Yellow Dragon would deliver that first blow.
Since there was no way to avoid it, she decided to survive somehow and take a mutual destruction gamble with her life.
However,
Grrr!
Yellow Dragon had only approached her with unbearable pain, trying to touch her with his bare hands.
‘Exactly why?’
No matter how she thought, she couldn’t understand the reason. Luna was full of questions,
but it was common for frightened people to make unpredictable actions.
“I’d be grateful if you just die.”
She smiled, confident in her victory.
But soon after.
【Condition met – <Physical Contact>.】
【Legendary Artifact – <Necklace of the Demon Slayer (A+)> activated.】
【<"Covet, then it shall be mine."">】
A faint, crazed voice brushed past Ruby’s ear with only one second left for the restriction breaking,
【Greed – Steals all <Mana> from target <Luna-Persona (S-)> in the form of <Aura> for 5 seconds.】
【Mana Depletion!】
【<Restriction Breaking> failed!】
A dizzy feeling accompanied by extreme fatigue and a heavy body surged through her,
“Didn’t I tell you I’d be grateful if you just died?”
“Wha…?”
“Sorry, but I prefer that no one dies, so I’m grateful.”
While barely holding onto fading consciousness, she shouted at Yellow Dragon, only to find him smiling again, already gripping his greatsword.
“Therefore, don’t try to die easily.”
“Eh…?”
What is this?
‘Why my captain…?’
The moment Luna recalled the sturdy figure from someone in Yellow Dragon,
【Skill – <Solar Annihilation (EX)> has been activated!】
【Blinding…!】
The golden strike that previously targeted her now soared towards Hanryang and Laktea, striking them directly.
…
