Jan 21, 2024
Table Of Contents
How did I feel? I can speak about my feeling very easily and indifferently.
To some extent, I was embarrassed and disappointed. Of course, it is. As a modern person who grew up watching protagonists confront challenges and learn from fighting head-on, it didn’t feel honorable to run away. However, I felt a sense of freedom that I could take a breather.
After going through complex emotional feelings hundreds or thousands of times throughout your life, you no longer feel shame or disappointment. You become accustomed to running away.
I opened my eyes wide and looked at Cain.
“I survived. That’s what I think.”
A somewhat aggressive tone came out. Well, did he expect me to be inspired by one question and decide to go slay monsters or something? I didn’t hide the hostile gaze in my eyes.
However, Cain, unfazed, placed his palm on my cheek and said, “Don’t you want to try feeling something different?”
He looked relaxed, and a wicked smile appeared.
“survived. Let’s forget about that and instead think, “Wow, this is amazing”.
His red lips whispered seductively. The corners of his mouth naturally curved upward. Amidst all this, He said.
“Once we go the beyond level of survival, the world would change. Just surviving won’t be satisfying enough. Now that you know what you can do.”
It felt like a temptation from the devil. His eyes, tempting and resembling sweet red rubies, were firm and full of life. Suddenly, the touch of his hand on my cheek felt extremely warm.
I slowly swallowed saliva. It felt like there was heat inside my throat.
Then, at that moment, a familiar ding-dong sound echoed.
1. (Standing up) Okay, let’s go!
2. (Laughing) Monsters, shattered with a single use of my magic. The end.
3. (Taking off clothes) Let me feel something else…
In an instant, my blood ran cold. The choices the system presented me with were surprising as usual, but their content was urging me to face everything head-on.
Yeah, so even the system doesn’t like that I’ve been just running away all the time.
“Ha….”
Amidst this, the fact that option 3 still included ‘undressing’ was bewildering. Without much enthusiasm, I chose option 1. Soon, my body, against my will, stood up energetically.
“Alright, let’s go!”
I shouted while throwing a punch into the air fiercely into the sky. looked at me with a puzzled expression, seemingly amused by my sudden burst of energy.
“You’re quick to change your attitude quickly. You…”
He said that while standing up, looking a bit awkward but seemed to take it positively.
“I’ll help you right away, so don’t worry.”
Cain reached out his hand to me. I hesitated but ended up grabbing his hand. My hand fit perfectly into his large, soft hand. I worried about what would happen if the affinity rating reached 100 here or if an event triggered in front of monsters, but Cain just smiled at me. It was a reassuring, confident, and somewhat affectionate smile.
Well, even if I try to run away alone, I wouldn’t know how to activate the teleportation circle. It’s not much different from having no other choice.
I gathered myself and confidently followed Cain’s lead.
After a while, a vast plain-like area appeared. Houses made of intertwined sturdy branches were gathered closely together on the flat ground, as if someone had deliberately cleared the trees. It was a small colony.
There were about twenty kobolds wandering around. Some were sharpening their spears, others were lying down, and a few were engaged in conversations. Watching the scene from behind a tree, Cain spoke.
“We’re going to wipe out this group today.”
Cain’s eyes glowed strangely. He breathed in excitement and anticipation, squeezing my hand tightly and then letting go. However, I couldn’t feel as thrilled as he did.
These monsters… They seemed too human.
Walking on two legs, using weapons, forming a community to build a village – everything about them resembled humans. Moreover, they hadn’t attacked us. They were just peacefully staying in their habitat. Why should they be exterminated?
As if Cain could read my thoughts, he said, “Take a good look at those houses, Mana vessel.”
I examined the closest house closely, and then I noticed something I hadn’t seen before – the roof was made of intertwined branches.
“Bones…?”
“Human bones, and even children’s bones. They are perfect for building houses in terms of length and density.”
Cain explained.
“Kobolds regularly come down to human villages to capture children. Of course, children won’t be captured just like that, adults will resist. Then those adults will be killed and consumed as food, and the children will have their skin peeled off while still alive, separating bones. They make clothes from the soft skin and houses and weapons from the bones.”
I looked at a kobold sharpening a spear. The weapon, which I initially thought was made of wood, turned out to be a result of connecting and carving the bones of a child.
“Monsters eat humans, take parts from humans. Humans kill those monsters, get mana stones from the monster’s body. That’s just the law of nature – a relationship of killing and being killed.”
Cain’s tongue ran across his lips, and for a moment. A tongue with a slightly pointed tip appeared and disappeared.
“So, there’s no need to feel guilty. If we don’t kill them here, they’ll tear apart people from nearby villages as soon as tomorrow.”
His eyes glowed strangely. Smirking, he pushed me forward. Lost in thought, I was abruptly thrust forward by Cain.
“Now, let’s begin!”
Cain cheerfully shouted from behind, and the gaze of all the kobolds in the village turned toward me.
“Haha…”
I forced a meaningless laugh. Threatening sounds of kobolds hissing could be heard from all around. I quickly shook my wand.
“Ignis.”
“Hiss. Hiss.”
“Ignis! Ignis! Ignis!”
However, the wand obediently swirled through the air, not conjuring any flames. Perhaps the action irritated the kobolds; six or so of them at the front rushed towards me simultaneously.
“Hiss!”
“Ah, Cain! You said you’d help! You darned magician!”
“[Ignis].”
A large hand reached out from behind, covering the back of my hand. The hand, gently holding the wand, traced a graceful circle. Flames burst out from the tip of the wand without any margin of error, attacking the eyes of the approaching kobolds.
“Kieek!”
The kobolds, with injured eyes, recoiled with loud cries.
“Release the grip on your hand, and hold it like you’re holding an egg.”
Cain’s voice sweetly tickled my ears.
“[Ignis].”
This time, flames engulfed the bodies of about three kobolds. Startled by the sudden burst of fire, the kobolds ran aimlessly, scattering in all directions to avoid the flames.
“Let’s try exploding a bomb this time. You do it. Concentrate and visualize.”
It was indeed practical training. I decided to trust Cain’s hand holding the wand with me. I focused my gaze straight ahead and took a deep breath. Then, quietly but distinctly, I chanted while imagining a fireworks display.
“[Ardeo].”
A powerful stream of flames shot out from the tip of the wand. The stream unexpectedly split into multiple branches and rushed towards the kobolds. Then, with a series of pops,
Boom, boom, boom,
The flames exploded.
“Kieeeek!”
Several kobolds fell to the ground, apparently killed instantly. Some attempted to flee. I tried to look at Cain, but his hand, along with my hand, was firmly held by Cain.
“Don’t lose your focus. Try again.”
“Ardeo.”
“Once more.”
He spoke like a stern teacher. I recited the incantation as if enchanted by the authority in his voice.
“…[Ardeo].”
This time, I succeeded. Several kobolds fell again. Their green scales were burning black, emitting a pungent smoke.
“Good job.”
Cain released his hand. As his hand left, the back of my right hand felt cool, and my shoulders felt lighter. I felt a slight shiver. I had cast the spell. I had used this hand to unleash magic and kill monsters. As I stood there in a daze, Cain spoke clearly from the side.
“[Ferio].”
The spell he said was one he hadn’t instructed me on. It felt like he was slowly pronouncing it for me to hear clearly. And his spell quickly brought down the remaining kobolds, as if they collapsed without any groans of pain. Suddenly, my heart seemed to stop, and they lost their lives in an instant. I realized that the spell he just used was the “powerful instant-death magic spell” I had mentioned casually.
Standing amid the pile of fallen kobolds, like a broken puppet, a powerful magician who hadn’t taught me the spell turned to me and smiled.
“How was it?”
He seemed to be asking me if I felt ‘that feeling.’ I stared blankly at my hand and the wand connected to it.
“I don’t really feel it.”
“I survived, is that how you feel?”
“No, rather than that…”
I raised the wand and aimed it at Cain, who was smiling.
“[Ferio].”
Jan 21, 2024
Table Of Contents
How did I feel? I can speak about my feeling very easily and indifferently.
To some extent, I was embarrassed and disappointed. Of course, it is. As a modern person who grew up watching protagonists confront challenges and learn from fighting head-on, it didn’t feel honorable to run away. However, I felt a sense of freedom that I could take a breather.
After going through complex emotional feelings hundreds or thousands of times throughout your life, you no longer feel shame or disappointment. You become accustomed to running away.
I opened my eyes wide and looked at Cain.
“I survived. That’s what I think.”
A somewhat aggressive tone came out. Well, did he expect me to be inspired by one question and decide to go slay monsters or something? I didn’t hide the hostile gaze in my eyes.
However, Cain, unfazed, placed his palm on my cheek and said, “Don’t you want to try feeling something different?”
He looked relaxed, and a wicked smile appeared.
“survived. Let’s forget about that and instead think, “Wow, this is amazing”.
His red lips whispered seductively. The corners of his mouth naturally curved upward. Amidst all this, He said.
“Once we go the beyond level of survival, the world would change. Just surviving won’t be satisfying enough. Now that you know what you can do.”
It felt like a temptation from the devil. His eyes, tempting and resembling sweet red rubies, were firm and full of life. Suddenly, the touch of his hand on my cheek felt extremely warm.
I slowly swallowed saliva. It felt like there was heat inside my throat.
Then, at that moment, a familiar ding-dong sound echoed.
1. (Standing up) Okay, let’s go!
2. (Laughing) Monsters, shattered with a single use of my magic. The end.
3. (Taking off clothes) Let me feel something else…
In an instant, my blood ran cold. The choices the system presented me with were surprising as usual, but their content was urging me to face everything head-on.
Yeah, so even the system doesn’t like that I’ve been just running away all the time.
“Ha….”
Amidst this, the fact that option 3 still included ‘undressing’ was bewildering. Without much enthusiasm, I chose option 1. Soon, my body, against my will, stood up energetically.
“Alright, let’s go!”
I shouted while throwing a punch into the air fiercely into the sky. looked at me with a puzzled expression, seemingly amused by my sudden burst of energy.
“You’re quick to change your attitude quickly. You…”
He said that while standing up, looking a bit awkward but seemed to take it positively.
“I’ll help you right away, so don’t worry.”
Cain reached out his hand to me. I hesitated but ended up grabbing his hand. My hand fit perfectly into his large, soft hand. I worried about what would happen if the affinity rating reached 100 here or if an event triggered in front of monsters, but Cain just smiled at me. It was a reassuring, confident, and somewhat affectionate smile.
Well, even if I try to run away alone, I wouldn’t know how to activate the teleportation circle. It’s not much different from having no other choice.
I gathered myself and confidently followed Cain’s lead.
After a while, a vast plain-like area appeared. Houses made of intertwined sturdy branches were gathered closely together on the flat ground, as if someone had deliberately cleared the trees. It was a small colony.
There were about twenty kobolds wandering around. Some were sharpening their spears, others were lying down, and a few were engaged in conversations. Watching the scene from behind a tree, Cain spoke.
“We’re going to wipe out this group today.”
Cain’s eyes glowed strangely. He breathed in excitement and anticipation, squeezing my hand tightly and then letting go. However, I couldn’t feel as thrilled as he did.
These monsters… They seemed too human.
Walking on two legs, using weapons, forming a community to build a village – everything about them resembled humans. Moreover, they hadn’t attacked us. They were just peacefully staying in their habitat. Why should they be exterminated?
As if Cain could read my thoughts, he said, “Take a good look at those houses, Mana vessel.”
I examined the closest house closely, and then I noticed something I hadn’t seen before – the roof was made of intertwined branches.
“Bones…?”
“Human bones, and even children’s bones. They are perfect for building houses in terms of length and density.”
Cain explained.
“Kobolds regularly come down to human villages to capture children. Of course, children won’t be captured just like that, adults will resist. Then those adults will be killed and consumed as food, and the children will have their skin peeled off while still alive, separating bones. They make clothes from the soft skin and houses and weapons from the bones.”
I looked at a kobold sharpening a spear. The weapon, which I initially thought was made of wood, turned out to be a result of connecting and carving the bones of a child.
“Monsters eat humans, take parts from humans. Humans kill those monsters, get mana stones from the monster’s body. That’s just the law of nature – a relationship of killing and being killed.”
Cain’s tongue ran across his lips, and for a moment. A tongue with a slightly pointed tip appeared and disappeared.
“So, there’s no need to feel guilty. If we don’t kill them here, they’ll tear apart people from nearby villages as soon as tomorrow.”
His eyes glowed strangely. Smirking, he pushed me forward. Lost in thought, I was abruptly thrust forward by Cain.
“Now, let’s begin!”
Cain cheerfully shouted from behind, and the gaze of all the kobolds in the village turned toward me.
“Haha…”
I forced a meaningless laugh. Threatening sounds of kobolds hissing could be heard from all around. I quickly shook my wand.
“Ignis.”
“Hiss. Hiss.”
“Ignis! Ignis! Ignis!”
However, the wand obediently swirled through the air, not conjuring any flames. Perhaps the action irritated the kobolds; six or so of them at the front rushed towards me simultaneously.
“Hiss!”
“Ah, Cain! You said you’d help! You darned magician!”
“[Ignis].”
A large hand reached out from behind, covering the back of my hand. The hand, gently holding the wand, traced a graceful circle. Flames burst out from the tip of the wand without any margin of error, attacking the eyes of the approaching kobolds.
“Kieek!”
The kobolds, with injured eyes, recoiled with loud cries.
“Release the grip on your hand, and hold it like you’re holding an egg.”
Cain’s voice sweetly tickled my ears.
“[Ignis].”
This time, flames engulfed the bodies of about three kobolds. Startled by the sudden burst of fire, the kobolds ran aimlessly, scattering in all directions to avoid the flames.
“Let’s try exploding a bomb this time. You do it. Concentrate and visualize.”
It was indeed practical training. I decided to trust Cain’s hand holding the wand with me. I focused my gaze straight ahead and took a deep breath. Then, quietly but distinctly, I chanted while imagining a fireworks display.
“[Ardeo].”
A powerful stream of flames shot out from the tip of the wand. The stream unexpectedly split into multiple branches and rushed towards the kobolds. Then, with a series of pops,
Boom, boom, boom,
The flames exploded.
“Kieeeek!”
Several kobolds fell to the ground, apparently killed instantly. Some attempted to flee. I tried to look at Cain, but his hand, along with my hand, was firmly held by Cain.
“Don’t lose your focus. Try again.”
“Ardeo.”
“Once more.”
He spoke like a stern teacher. I recited the incantation as if enchanted by the authority in his voice.
“…[Ardeo].”
This time, I succeeded. Several kobolds fell again. Their green scales were burning black, emitting a pungent smoke.
“Good job.”
Cain released his hand. As his hand left, the back of my right hand felt cool, and my shoulders felt lighter. I felt a slight shiver. I had cast the spell. I had used this hand to unleash magic and kill monsters. As I stood there in a daze, Cain spoke clearly from the side.
“[Ferio].”
The spell he said was one he hadn’t instructed me on. It felt like he was slowly pronouncing it for me to hear clearly. And his spell quickly brought down the remaining kobolds, as if they collapsed without any groans of pain. Suddenly, my heart seemed to stop, and they lost their lives in an instant. I realized that the spell he just used was the “powerful instant-death magic spell” I had mentioned casually.
Standing amid the pile of fallen kobolds, like a broken puppet, a powerful magician who hadn’t taught me the spell turned to me and smiled.
“How was it?”
He seemed to be asking me if I felt ‘that feeling.’ I stared blankly at my hand and the wand connected to it.
“I don’t really feel it.”
“I survived, is that how you feel?”
“No, rather than that…”
I raised the wand and aimed it at Cain, who was smiling.
“[Ferio].”
