Sixth Bad Ending Averted.
【Condition Met (6/15)!】
【<Black Wolf>’s second skill – Unlocked!】
【Condition Met (6/15)!】
【<Yellow Dragon>’s second skill – Unlocked!】
At the same time, the second skills of <Black Wolf> and <Yellow Dragon> were unlocked.
Since the situation was so urgent, I set the rewards aside for now and checked the skills first.
I started with Black Wolf.
【2nd Skill – Invincible】
◆Effect
: Once a day. Upon activation, a special effect – <Invincible> is granted for 90 seconds. No attack can harm you.
However, during the skill’s duration, you cannot harm your opponents either.
Once again, the second skill, like the first, wasn’t about raw destructive power, but was still an excellent skill on par with its rank.
‘At least I can worry less about dying. This will be useful in many situations.’
After organizing the information embedded in my mind, I checked the 2nd skill of Yellow Dragon.
【2nd Skill – Golden Battlefield】
◆Effect
: Designates a maximum circular area with a diameter of 1km as a <Battlefield>. The rank of <Yellow Dragon> will increase according to the number of allies present in this space.
However, beneficial effects will also be given to enemies within this battlefield as well.
It was a large-scale battle-appropriate skill worthy of the charming <Blessing of the Sun>.
‘Not necessary right now.’
Making a quick judgment, Na Han activated <Black Wolf>‘s 2nd skill – Invincible.
【2nd Skill – Invincible has been activated.】
【Countdown has started.】
【Time Limit: 80 seconds.】
If Black Curtain used its internal power as fuel to activate, Invincible seemed to enhance its power through external flowing energy.
‘The passive of Black Wolf. The strength of connected contractors from <Black Wolf> mercenary group.’
One contractor per ten seconds; once a day, a total of 90 seconds could be reached for invincibility.
‘… There are seven members in Black Wolf, aren’t there? So who are the other two?’
Due to heightened awareness, Na Han could now confirm the number of contractors but was not yet able to pinpoint their identities completely.
‘No, let’s think about it later. Ending the fight and escaping is the priority now.’
Reorganizing his priorities due to a survival instinct, Na Han wasted no time and interrupted the duel between the two.
“[…I’m going to survive.]”
“…Yeah. I’ll do whatever you wish…”
Luna, still with her cold gaze, looked down at Balkin, who was trying to commit suicide by piercing his own throat with a broken shield.
‘Is he bewitched?’
Since most information restrictions were lifted after averting the fifth bad ending, Na Han knew all the skills of the members already.
‘What exactly is this skill?’
There was no skill capable of such an effect.
Considering the surroundings, it was undoubtedly the 1st skill – Masquerade Ball. Na Han’s thoughts delved deeper into it.
Dozens of masks.
Each with different effects.
And belatedly noticed,
【Warning.】
【The current target is wearing the 0th mask – <Mother(S->>.】
【<Whispering(Ex-> is active.】
‘Mother’, the name of the mask.
Na Han only knew the skill’s details seen by the system, but had no knowledge of the <Souls> collected by Luna.
But action was necessary.
【<Mother(S->‘s soul has started infiltrating <Luna - Persona(SS->>.】
【Infiltration Progress: …8%】
【Luna’s consciousness is getting clouded.】
【Status Abnormality – <Infiltration> has started.】
【<Mother(S->‘s soul mildly resists the restriction – <Black Wolf(Ex->.】
As the restriction by <Black Wolf> was fading due to the <Mother> mask.
Although Na Han couldn’t predict what would happen the moment the restriction was released, one thing was certain.
If <Mother> completely infiltrated Luna,
“[…Ah. Leader…isn’t it…]”
The situation couldn’t be resolved without killing her.
Survival was necessary.
And for that, she needed to survive.
‘Then let’s find a way.’
Preventing the current situation and devising a plan to safely escape and rescue Luna.
The moment I established that goal, a new system window appeared before Na Han.
─『Sub-Quest Initiated!』─
◆ The Face Behind the Mask.
: You were a savior, albeit an imperfect one, for the <Black Wolf> mercenaries. Free Luna from her nightmare.
◆ Conditions.
1. Escape from the <Baron Gardner>.
2. Fully understand <Luna>.
3. Ensure the rest <Mother>.
◆ Rewards.
: Full memories of <Black Wolf>.
◆ Failure & Rejection.
: <Luna> goes berserk.
Just like the previous one, another sub-quest guiding Na Han.
‘First, wake up Luna, rescue Balkin, and escape. Understanding Luna or putting <Mother> to rest can wait till after the incident resolves.’
Even if Asha, the strongest in this world, gets sent away through Robin Hood’s subspace,
There will be returning heroes,
Other companions,
And reactions from House Gardner.
With all these dangers increasing, rescuing Balkin and escaping was a top priority.
‘How much time left?’
【2nd Skill – Invincible is active.】
【Time Limit: 75 seconds.】
Due to instinctive fast thinking, only 5 seconds had passed.
Despite the short time, Balkin’s shield had moved quite a bit.
‘This could get dangerous.’
Na Han didn’t hesitate anymore.
‘Focus. I am Black Wolf now. Be calm under any circumstances, yet imposing.’
He approached with neither too fast nor too slow steps and stretched his hand toward the shield.
Seeing this, Dalan muttered.
“Looks like you’re trying to block with force.”
To prevent the suicide of someone as strong as Balkin with sheer force would require immense power.
Probably only the leader or the vice-leader and Hanryang of <Black Wolf> could manage this.
However, the current <Black Wolf> had Han inside.
As mentioned before, it was like not knowing how to control it; thus, he could not fully utilize the power.
‘Still, there’s a way.’
Na Han also knew this and placed his hand on the shield.
…gu-gu-guk.
Since Invincible was active, his fingers wouldn’t be cut or broken.
Yet, lacking strength, his hands were dragged along, suppressing his motion.
“… Leader? Stop, Persona!! You’re attacking the leader!!”
The moment Dalan realized something was wrong with Luna while observing silently,
Na Han whispered in an even tone to the motionless Luna,
“I’ll bring you back.”
With those words,
【<Black Curtain(Ex-> unfolds at its maximum.】
The effect of <Black Curtain>, pulling life essence to its maximum and sacrificing a handful of it,
… .
The cold metal piercing two skulls, scraping the inner walls in a horrifying sensation.
Endless darkness.
SILENT Death.
A glimpse of peace.
A fleeting time, too short to count even in milliseconds, <Black Curtain>‘s maximized effect unfolded.
Something beyond human comprehension swept through Baron Gardner’s area and disappeared.
Everyone fell down except for <Black Wolf>‘s members and
“… Huh? What just happened…?”
Balkin, who recovered from <Mother>‘s influence after sensing something terrible.
Han approached Balkin while his frozen team members regained consciousness.
“…!! Wait. Step away.”
“In the Emerald Forest. Send someone from the family there.”
As the trembling Balkin involuntarily inched backward on the ground, Han didn’t mind and turned around after finishing his talk.
“How much longer do I need to wait?”
Even though the skill was over, a high-pitched voice still alerted Dalan.
“Apologies. I’ve called long ago; a blood ghost will arrive soon.”
“Call Hanryang and take care of Persona.”
“Yes, Leader.”
When Dalan attended to the still-dazed Luna,
Krhaaaaaaak!!
A familiar bird-like scream of flesh monsters echoed across Baron Gardner’s mansion.
“…!!”
Balkin’s consciousness finally returned.
Not having time to think, only acting on instinct,
‘I must die taking one of them with me.’
Still fearful as if floating in death, Balkin stood up.
If these were let alive, surely more terrible things would follow.
…clunk… clunk, clunk.
Instinct-driven Balkin, tightly gripping his broken shield, slowly approached the Black Wolves mounting the flesh monsters.
‘…Even if it’s just one. Only one.’
Because I am a hero.
I’ll bring peace to the world at the cost of my life; a noble knight.
Kaak!
“I won’t…!!!”
Just as Balkin clenched his teeth hard to activate a crushing charge, Han noticed something and advised him.
“Watch out for an Eclipse always.”
“Hiccup. Sure.”
“Then we’ll be off now.”
“Go. Hiccup.”
Without realizing, Balkin stopped and nodded while Han’s group fled.
Once again a terrible scream.
Together with the flesh monsters, Black Wolves flew away.
Splash.
The lone remaining Balkin, crossing his legs gently, slumped down sitting.
“Black Wolves. Next time we meet, even risking my life, I’ll bring you down.”
Even though speaking strongly, his tightly clenched fists were trembling,
“Still, why did I hear a splash when I sat… …Damn.”
It was a little past midnight murmuring of a slightly cooler Balkin.
Meanwhile, shortly after the escape, on the back of a flesh monster heading back to their hideout, <Black Wolves>.
While everyone was silent, Ruby, who was controlling the beast, sighed and spoke.
“We’re going to crash.”
Na Han, who had already anticipated this, only nodded without any particular reaction.
【Infiltration Progress: …24%】
No matter how we escaped well, Luna’s infiltration was still progressing.
‘It’s definitely the doing of this <Mother> entity. The infiltration speed is faster than expected, so I anticipated something happening soon.’
Regaining some stamina through the Iaso’s ring, Na Han asked Ruby.
“Estimated crash time?”
“Probably thre—…”
“Three minutes will suffice.”
“Wha…one…”
Huh? Sleepy.
2.
Meanwhile, shortly after their escape, the Black Wolves were riding on the flesh monster heading back to their hideout.
When everyone was silent, Ruby, who was controlling the beast, sighed and opened her mouth.
“We’re going to crash.”
Na Han, who had already anticipated this, nodded his head without much reaction.
【Infiltration Progress: …24%】
Even if we managed to escape well, Luna’s infiltration was still ongoing.
‘It’s definitely the work of this <Mother> entity. The infiltration speed is faster than expected, so I anticipated something would happen sooner or later.’
Regaining some stamina through the Iaso’s ring, Na Han asked Ruby,
“Estimated time before crash?”
“About three…”
“Three minutes will be enough.”
“Wha…one minute?”
Huh? Sleepy.
