Chapter 62

 

“Huff, huff, huff...”

 

Running.

 

Running.

 

And running even more.

 

Racing through the narrow cave paths, over and over.

 

“Damn it, damn it… Kyung-Joon, do something!”

 

“Pant, pant, when, when will it end…”

 

“Huff, huff, that’s... it’s supposed to work... this is strange... I’m sorry…”

 

I try to urge An Kyung-Joon over and over again, but all that comes back is a feeble lamentation without malice.

 

“Grrrrrrrrr!”

 

The usual monstrous wolf, now compact in size, is frantically chasing from behind.

 

Whoosh!

 

Whether it’s a skill or not, the monster wolf leaps forward, its white fur blazing blue.

 

Clang!

 

Timely enough, I managed to fend off its teeth, but I’m nearing my limits.

 

My arms ache from blocking several attacks already, and my breath is caught up to my throat.

 

“Damn this…”

 

The situation…

 

How did it get to this…

 

***

 

“Damn it…”

 

The sensation of my nose bone snapping is still vivid.

 

Under normal conditions, I would have caught myself with my arms even if I fell forward, but I couldn’t do so this time because my arms were momentarily paralyzed from blocking the giant wolf’s surprise attack.

 

Perhaps evasion is better for me than defense. If my stance in blocking any attack is even slightly awkward, I would end up with a broken wrist, dislocated shoulder, or fractured fingers, and would immediately regress. After all, despite being in the ranks of superhumans, the human body is still so fragile.

 

“Sigh…”

 

As I was internally reviewing the recent battle and pondering on how I should have handled it,

 

“…”

 

I still can’t shake off this cold, sharp feeling. Initially, I thought it was the wolf’s lingering murderous intent, but something felt off, so I removed my palm from covering my face.

 

“…Hm.”

 

Upon opening my eyes, I met the gaze of Kang Chan, who was staring at me with an impassive face.

 

It seems he heard me mutter under my breath, “Damn it…”

 

Did he think I was cursing at him? Well, the situation does suggest that.

 

“…It wasn’t about you…”

 

I briefly considered responding with the brashness of a thug, but then I recalled Choi Ji-won from the tutorial and decided against it, seeing Kang Chan’s icy gaze.

 

It’s more rational to try to curry favor now than to provoke him and risk a beating that could lead to regression.

 

“…Everyone’s waiting.”

 

Kang Chan seems to accept my apology, uttering just what needs to be said in his deep, low voice, and then leaves the cave where I am.

 

“…”

 

Kang Chan. Just as the internet portrays him in various ways, the person I met in reality is also an enigma.

 

For starters, I’ve never heard anyone use the word ‘greenhorn’ outside of YouTubers. He barely speaks, and he always maintains an expressionless face as if embracing the vanity and emptiness of life.

 

Moreover, he constantly exudes a subtle aura of presence - Menace? What is he looking at that keeps him on guard all the time? Does he, like me, regress upon the slightest contact?

 

“...Would I win if we fought?”

 

I found myself curious about how strong Kang Chan really was. His name alone sounds incredibly formidable.

 

Judging by his well-trained muscles and overall demeanor, he seems to be on a similar level to Choi Ji-won... Well, I guess I’ll know for sure when I see him fight the giant wolf.

 

I rose from my spot, dusted off the dirt from my back with a couple of pats, and then walked along the cave path.

 

This time, I won’t be caught off guard by any surprise attacks.

 

***

 

The events that followed were identical to the previous regression.

 

We all gathered together, everyone was surprised to hear Kang Chan’s name, we opened the stone door, picked up weapons, and then walked endlessly along the narrow cave path.

 

“…”

 

How long did we walk, battling goblins and bats along the way?

 

After a considerable time, we could see the familiar large cavern in the distance.

 

“Woah…!”

 

Suddenly, feeling something, I jumped on the spot. It was a bit embarrassing, but it couldn’t be helped.

 

 

I plan to use this curiosity trait to firmly draw attention.

 

I step back cautiously as if on guard, and manage to squeeze out a forced bead of cold sweat.

 

My gaze is consistently directed towards the ceiling.

 

That’s right.

 

“I feel something… something strong.”

 

Saying ‘A monster wolf might come out of the ceiling, right?’ lacks credibility, and I can’t reveal my ability to regress.

 

So, as a second-best option, I pretend to have a sharp sense that allows me to detect the monster wolf in advance.

 

“If we use An Kyung-joon’s spear throw for an initial attack…”

 

As I was roundabout explaining that ‘the monster wolf is on the ceiling’,

 

“Wait.”

 

Interrupting me was Kang Chan.

 

He suddenly furrowed his brow,

 

Whoosh!

 

And began to emit an intensely menacing aura!

 

“?!”

 

Startled, I hesitantly backed away from him.

 

How many people had this man killed? My skin bristled, and I imagined I could smell blood in the air, though there was none.

 

Feeling threatened, I instinctively drew my sword, and Doksuhee, equally alarmed, grasped daggers in both hands.

 

“Uh, uh, no, no. He’s an ally! Just wait!”

 

An Kyung-joon seemed on the verge of insanity, speaking nonsense into thin air.

 

But the menacing aura that had quickly filled the space vanished just as swiftly.

 

“...I’ll be back soon.”

 

Kang Chan, with a deeply furrowed brow, began to retrace our steps back the way we came.

 

“Where, where are you going…”

 

But Kang Chan didn’t respond.

 

He simply walked silently, exuding a tangible aura of menace from his entire body.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Had he sensed something?

 

I was debating whether to follow him or wait as he said, feeling almost brain-frozen in the abruptness of the situation, mouth agape.

 

“...Jun-ho.”

 

This time, An Kyung-joon gently placed his hand on my shoulder.

 

“...There’s something I need to tell you, now that we’re on the verge of battle.”

 

“...What is it?”

 

“My ability... I can’t control it.”

 

“…”

 

What is this...

 

What kind of situation is this...?

 

***

 

Kangshin (Possession).

 

It’s a word that means a supernatural being possessing a human or an object.

 

In reality, it’s like a shaman being possessed by a deity during a ritual, and in creative works, it’s a technique often used by mystics like priestesses or sorcerers, carrying more of an Oriental than a fantasy vibe.

 

“My ability is... ‘Kangshin’. Specifically, it’s the spirit currently attached to me that’s my ability, and I can willingly relinquish control of my body to it...”

 

So, when An Kyung-Joon revealed his ability as ‘Kangshin’, an inevitable, awkward silence enveloped us.

 

“Maybe… the reason you came to floor 3-5…”

 

Doksuhee asked cautiously.

 

“That’s right... I was forced to come here because of the demands of the spirit attached to me... It threatened to never let me sleep unless I entered the hardest difficulty…”

 

An Kyung-joon nodded, looking defeated.

 

Indeed. I had wondered why someone as timid as An Kyung-Joon would enter the most difficult level. It turns out it was against his will, driven by the spirit attached to him.

 

“What do you mean by ‘you can’t control it’?”

 

“...The condition for activation is that I must feel a threat to my life.”

 

“...”

 

Was that why, when Kang Chan exuded that killing intent earlier, An Kyung-Joon was trying to suppress the spirit? I thought he was just talking nonsense to the air, but apparently not.

 

According to An Kyung-Joon, the spirit attached to him is a master of spear fighting. Not only is he skilled in throwing spears but also in basic spear techniques.

 

“But the problem is, once Kangshin activates, it’s literally uncontrollable...”

 

The issue is that once the spirit takes over, control is completely lost. Although the spirit isn’t evil and sometimes listens to An Kyung-joon’s requests, it has a very willful personality.

 

Activation, effects, and even termination are all enigmatic aspects of Kangshin. It’s no wonder An Kyung-Joon is hesitant to activate his ability.

 

“That’s why I’m hesitant to actively engage in combat…”

 

“...And waiting for Kang Chan to return before fighting doesn’t seem like a good idea either…”

 

Even after about 30 minutes, there was no sign of Kang Chan returning. Should we just wait indefinitely, as An Kyung-joon suggested?

 

“Is there some level of cooperation possible, though? With that spirit.”

 

An Kyung-Joon didn’t reply. Doksuhee was the one who broke the silence this time.

 

“Jun-ho, should we three just give it a try? I’ve thought it over, and... I think we can do it, the three of us.”

 

Doksuhee pulled out a dagger and began to carefully explain her ability.

 

“I might not be sure about other things, but... I’m confident in my destructive power. I think my ability will really complement Kyung-joon’s.”

 

Her ability was surprisingly different from her initial image, but if what she said was true, then the three of us could feasibly take down the monster wolf.

 

“...The spirit also seems to think it’s doable...”

 

“...Then let’s do it.”

 

Well, if it goes south, I can just regress.

 

I readied myself, committed to overpowering the wolf with the three of us.

 

“…”

 

We slowly entered the cavern, and soon, we faced the wolf lurking in the ceiling.

 

“Grrrrrr...”

 

Realizing it had been spotted, the monster wolf descended from the ceiling, growling menacingly.

 

Even I felt a tingling sensation on my skin from the murderous aura it exuded.

 

“...Let’s go! Kyung-joon!”

 

But it’s okay. With the three of us, we can definitely win.

 

Doksuhee held her daggers in a reverse grip, and I drew my sword from its sheath.

 

It was 3 against 1... but it’s okay. With our teamwork, we can definitely win...!

 

“That…”

 

However, An Kyung-joon’s voice was too weak and frail for someone who had become a spearmaster.

 

“Why won’t it work… I’m really scared I’ll die…”

 

He lamented that the Kangshin wasn’t activating properly, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

 

“This isn’t... That…”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Doksuhee and I just stared blankly at An Kyung-joon.

 

Lick-

 

The moment the giant monster wolf licked its lips as if it had found a tasty snack,

 

“...Let’s just run back the way we came.”

 

As if on cue, the three of us started running like mad back the way we had come.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

 

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