Chapter 73

 

Step. Step. Step.

 

Even as I walked silently through the cave, my mind was whirring furiously.

 

Let’s reevaluate our party once more.

 

First, there’s me, the regressor:

 

While my combat abilities rank among the top tier, the penalty that regresses me upon a mere injury significantly undermines my actual combat effectiveness.

 

Second is the enchantress with her unique ability:

 

Her ‘explosion’ enchantments are incredibly useful, and in the last moments I remember, she was pulling out a piece of a wolf’s heart, about to do something. The true value of her ability also needed to be ascertained.

 

Third, there’s An Kyung-Joon:

 

He may fool around in the mirror room, but his physical strength seems formidable. The wooden spears he throws are imbued with terrifying force, and against golems, he wielded a spear of unique design.

 

Lastly, there’s Kang Chan:

 

He can punch with a terrifying power along with a murderous intent.

 

“...Interesting.”

 

Among the four members, three were hiding their true selves.

 

I concealed the fact that I was a regressor, An Kyung-Joon hid the spirit that fought in his stead, and Kang Chan concealed the true nature of his ability. It wouldn’t be strange to title this ‘Players Hiding Their Strength’ squad.

 

Objectively speaking, we weren’t lacking in firepower. Kang Chan’s ability was conditional but nearly cheat-level in effectiveness, the enchantress was a versatile supporter capable of everything from long-range attacks to defense, and An Kyung-Joon was immensely powerful once he successfully let the spirit handle his body. Though, his intelligence seemed a bit lacking.

 

Thus, I decided to enact a plan that anyone sane would think of.

 

That is, to confront the golem head-on.

 

“Now, everyone. Would you care to hear me out for a moment?”

 

Just like in the previous iteration, An Kyung-Joon swiftly dealt with the wolf. We passed through the mirror maze without issue even with our eyes covered, and Kang Chan easily smashed through the trap corridor.

 

“Aargh! Aaargh!”

 

The problem was the ‘fear’ room as usual, but having already experienced the unending regression even in death, I was somewhat desensitized to it, or perhaps the content of the fear had changed.

 

It was a nightmare where a deranged version of me was massacring acquaintances. Initially, it was agonizing to the point of tears and snot, but at some point, I managed to snap out of it. Probably because deep down, I believed ‘this is just a trial.’

 

“...Have you awakened?”

 

“...We cleared it at the same time.”

 

When I stood up, my eyes met with the tearful enchantress. Considering she had woken me up in the previous iteration, this was significant progress.

 

“This metal... has the property of returning the impact when it is subjected to a certain level of shock.”

 

Thus, once again, we found ourselves standing before the room housing the golem.

 

“...Let’s get ready. I can feel the energy from up ahead.”

 

“...Is it really that powerful?”

 

“Beyond what you can imagine. According to my ‘Insight’ ability, it might be stronger than all of us combined.”

 

The difference this time was that we were fully prepared to face the creature.

 

After bluffing about having a fictional ‘Insight’ ability, I repeatedly emphasized the formidable strength of the golem ahead. Initially met with skepticism, the team eventually came to believe my words.

 

“Kang Chan, please cover the rear...”

 

Knowing the truth that Kang Chan was out of his element, he was positioned at the back.

 

“Su-hee, prepare the wolf’s heart in advance...”

 

I had the enchantress ready, holding the finely chopped wolf’s heart.

 

“And, Kyung Joon, please get ready to fight. Seriously this time.”

 

I encouraged An Kyung-Joon to bring out the spear with the elaborate design we had seen before, instead of his old wooden one.

 

“...Alright.”

 

Finally, with shields in both hands, I focused on the front. There was no point in me attacking. My focus had to be on mitigating the aftermath of the attacks.

 

With all preparations complete, the four of us swallowed hard, facing the motionless metal mass.

 

“Haap...!”

 

The enchantress’s hand, holding a piece of the monstrous wolf’s heart, began to glow blue. The heart piece slowly disappeared like melting ice cream, leaving only a blue flame dancing above her hand.

 

Whoosh.

 

The enchantress, with delicate touches, caressed the flame, then slowly placed it onto An Kyung-Joon’s spear.

 

Upon contact, the flame instantly turned transparent and started to fiercely blaze along the blade of the spear. Remarkably, despite various feathers attached below the blade, they remained unscathed by the flames.

 

“...Hmm.”

 

An Kyung-Joon nodded in satisfaction.

 

He twirled the elaborately designed spear, relaxed his shoulders, and then smacked his lips in anticipation.

 

“Haap!”

 

He hurled the spear towards the metal mass.

 

With a screeching sound that seemed to tear through the ears, the spear flew in its trajectory only to return towards An Kyung-Joon, reflecting off the magical metal’s property.

 

But with a calm expression, An Kyung-Joon reached out his hand smoothly.

 

The spear, which had been flying back to harm its master, vanished into thin air at one moment. Or rather, it hadn’t disappeared; it was caught in the hand of its master.

 

If one could summon a spear out of thin air... recalling a thrown spear wouldn’t be too far-fetched. The critical point here is that there’s a way to counteract the reflective property of the metal.

 

With a thunderous rumble, the metal golem quickly reassembled itself upon impact. Cracks were spread across its right arm, the marks left by An Kyung-Joon’s spear.

 

“...Hmm.”

 

It was clear that this wasn’t enough. Though the metal mass had cracked, the impact wasn’t strong enough to shatter it, and the pieces of the wolf’s heart weren’t infinite.

 

If there was something like a ‘core of the golem’ to target, we might have tried more... But this sleek golem had none.

 

Even Kang Chan’s murderous intent had no effect. The combined deadly first strike of the enchantress and An Kyung-Joon didn’t deal significant damage.

 

And my attack... it goes without saying.

 

The situation was clear. We lacked the offensive power.

 

The power to smash this golem into pieces.

 

I shook my head in disappointment and lightly bit my lip.

 

 

 

***

 

“...”

 

It was proven once again that Kang Chan’s punch was essential to bring down the golem.

 

Or, if we faced it head-on, we might somehow manage to win. There might exist a future where we emerge victorious after bleeding, gritting our teeth, and crossing the line of death - If only I wasn’t in a position to regress upon a mere injury. With both Kang Chan and I practically useless, bringing down the golem seemed like a distant dream.

 

Therefore, we need to reach the golem while conserving Kang Chan’s ‘punch.’ With that dazzlingly destructive punch, we could instantly dispatch the golem that deflects physical attacks.

 

Whether defeating the golem would mark the end or if another trial awaits us is uncertain. However, one thing is clear: Kang Chan’s strength is essential to defeat the golem.

 

But the ‘trap corridor’ also necessitates Kang Chan’s strength. Except for An Kyung-Joon in his other form, all of us are vulnerable. Even a mere graze from an arrow would send me regressing.

 

In summary, the problem is simple: Kang Chan’s strength is needed in two places, but he can only use his punch once.

 

And for such a simple problem, there’s usually a simple solution.

 

***

 

“Haap... ‘Iron Wall!’ Done!”

 

“...Huff.”

 

I take a deep breath and stride forward.

 

Clunk.

 

The moment my foot touches the sleek stone floor, the sound of metal interlocking somewhere triggers, and precisely five arrows are shot toward my position.

 

In the previous iteration, I had leaped back to avoid them. This spot is just at the beginning of the trap corridor, with a safe zone behind. There’s no reason not to dodge backward.

 

Yet, I grit my teeth and twist my body.

 

Armed with a pair of shields taken from the room where weapons were first provided, I deflect the arrows coming from the sides. Lifting my left leg, I dodge an arrow aimed at my ankle, rotate my body by 90 degrees to avoid another targeting my ribs, and turn my head to escape an arrow aimed at my face.

 

Adopting a bizarre posture was necessary to block the arrows... but what mattered was the fact that I had dodged them.

 

“...Haah.”

 

I carefully step down, pressing my foot back onto the ground I had just tread.

 

Having observed the direction of the incoming arrows in the previous iteration, I could dodge them with relative ease. It’s a good start, and I could rejoice at this promising beginning but...

 

“...Damn.”

 

Being the one who dodged, I could sense it. If I hadn’t known, I wouldn’t have been able to dodge. This wasn’t something that could be managed with reflexes alone.

 

The arrows were too fast, their trajectories cunning, and they were nearly silent. Even someone with animalistic senses would struggle to navigate this trap.

 

“Damn, damn...”

 

For someone like me, who regresses upon the slightest injury, this is the worst possible trial. Yet, I take another step forward.

 

Clunk.

 

The sound of something locking into place is heard, and simultaneously, six arrows are launched. I managed to deflect two and instinctively dodged another two, but completely missed the remaining pair.

 

Whoosh!

 

Luckily, I acted quickly. The arrows hit parts of my body covered by leather armor enchanted with ‘Iron Wall,’ and since they merely grazed rather than struck directly, the armor held up with just some damage.

 

“Pant, pant, pant...”

 

I mentally retraced the paths of the arrows I had just avoided and took another step, choosing my next position not at random but based on my own set of rules to minimize variables.

 

“...Hmm.”

 

This time, no sound followed. Was it a safe spot? Just as the tension in my mind began to ease slightly...

 

Thwack!

 

“Ah!”

 

An arrow, delayed in its release, struck my back, and I screamed, collapsing forward.

 

 

 

***

 

“...Get up, greenhorn.”

 

I didn’t respond to Kang Chan’s words but shakily rose to my feet.

 

It’s easy to understand what I’m trying to do.

 

There are two places where Kang Chan’s power is needed.

 

But Kang Chan can only use his power once.

 

Therefore, one of these challenges must be overcome without Kang Chan’s power, purely on our own.

 

So... I will have to get through this damn trap corridor on my own.

 

I will navigate this arrow-ridden corridor without getting hit, not even once.

 

“...Attempt two.”

 

Even if it means regressing over and over again.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

 

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