Chapter 855: A Choice of Three (5)
Creed Allen.
An early member who joined after meeting me during the wave when I was separated from the Anabada Clan. (Hanho)
“What do you think you’re doing!” (Knight)
A nearby knight noticed his desertion and hurriedly called out to him, but it wasn’t enough to persuade the man. (Hanho)
“Get back here…! Can’t you see that thing? We can win…!” (Knight)
“Win, my ass! Can’t you see? No one can kill that monster…!!” (Creed)
It was obvious what line of thought had led him to that conclusion. (Hanho)
The extreme pain had warped his judgment. (Hanho)
If that monster was truly an unkillable being, then his own escape would be justified. (Hanho)
“I, I’ve done enough…!” (Creed)
With those final words, the man vanished, following the escape route pioneered by his seniors.
“Damn it.” (Hanho)
To say I was flabbergasted was an understatement. (Hanho)
Not only did I save him when he was on the brink of death, but I even turned a blind eye when he did nothing and freeloaded, and this is how he repays me? By betraying us? And at a moment when we need every hand we can get? (Hanho)
‘This is why I hate rogues…’ (Hanho)
My heart felt truly desolate, but thinking of our time together, I decided to try my best to understand. (Hanho)
Because I had just realized something… (Hanho)
“Aaaaaaaah!” (Maria)
At some point, the song had changed. (Hanho)
「Maria Shuare Elloid has cast [Wind and Light that Caress Wounds].」
「For the duration of the song, all characters within range will receive a Healing (High) effect.」
As the injuries of the melee fighters grew uncontrollably worse, it seemed the main force had decided to increase the healing power. (Hanho)
Well, I had no intention of blaming them for that. (Hanho)
In fact, I thought it was the right decision. (Hanho)
However… (Hanho)
Join Discord
‘How bitter.’ (Hanho)
The situation was so dire that the absence of even one useless rogue felt like a loss, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. (Hanho)
Worse still, his actions seemed to have significantly dampened everyone’s fighting spirit. (Hanho)
“…” (Survivor)
“…” (Survivor)
“…” (Survivor)
No one said a word, but I could feel their eyes darting around. (Hanho)
Wondering if someone else would bolt. (Hanho)
Wondering if it would be better for them to run first, rather than watch it happen. (Hanho)
Swoooosh!
Even amidst the sprouting suspicion and dark thoughts, the torrential rain continued. (Hanho)
The knights and all the other melee fighters desperately dished out damage, but that tenacious creature just wouldn’t die. (Hanho)
No, beyond not dying… (Hanho)
“Aargh…! No matter how much I cut it, it just regenerates!” (Survivor)
“Someone do something! Curse it or whatever!” (Survivor)
At some point, the speed at which its body healed surpassed the rate at which we inflicted new wounds. (Hanho)
Open wounds closed, severed limbs grew back, and its crushed face reformed. (Hanho)
“The rain… I think it’s gotten a little weaker…?” (Survivor)
Moreover, the downpour that had been falling like mad had lost some of its intensity. (Hanho)
Simply put, it meant the creature’s HP had recovered quite a bit. (Hanho)
“It’s, it’s no use! It keeps getting tougher, and now my blade can’t even cut it well!” (Survivor)
The already wavering fighting spirit sank even lower. (Hanho)
But still, we had to press on. (Hanho)
Even if its life had already begun to recover, and all our efforts now only served to slightly slow that recovery. (Hanho)
“Do not fall back!! We just have to hold on a little longer!!” (Hanho)
I continued to shout, maintaining the front line. (Hanho)
Because if we waited, the time would come. (Hanho)
Just like this. (Hanho)
“Bjorn…! It’s ready!” (Ainar)
The good news came from the lips of Ainar, who had been diligently thrusting her spear. (Hanho)
“Then what are you waiting for! Hurry up and—.” (Hanho)
Just as I was about to tell her to shoot. (Hanho)
Whoooooosh!
「On the next strike, the ‘Soul Tracker’ effect will be added.」
The spear, having reached full stack again, shot past my head like lightning and lodged itself in the creature’s body. (Hanho)
This was truly the final gambit. (Hanho)
Thump!
I wondered what would happen. (Hanho)
It was a strike that had instantly brought the creature, which had recovered 20% of its HP after finishing [Self-Pity], to a near-death state. (Hanho)
Could this one blow end its life? (Hanho)
Puuuuuuush!
The green spear, carrying everyone’s hopes, dug deep into the monster’s torso. (Hanho)
[Kieeeeeeeeeeeek—!!] (Tetrasea)
It must have been a truly fatal blow, as the creature let out a scream of agony.
Swoooooooooosh!
The rain, which had been gradually subsiding, once again grew as fierce as before. (Hanho)
And… (Hanho)
「The HP of the Lord of Tears, Tetrasea, is below 1%.」
That was all. (Hanho)
It let out a terrible scream, but its body did not disappear. (Hanho)
In other words… (Hanho)
Plan B. (Hanho)
No, the Tetrasea raid had failed. (Hanho)
—
The raid had failed. (Hanho)
The reason was all too clear. (Hanho)
We lacked the firepower. (Hanho)
We had poured everything we had into it, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. (Hanho)
Now, no matter what we did, it was impossible to kill that monster. (Hanho)
Therefore, it was wiser to consider how to minimize our losses rather than continue the raid. (Hanho)
However… (Hanho)
“Why…” (Survivor)
“…” (Survivor)
A sense of regret lingered. (Hanho)
We had truly come so close. (Hanho)
Like a full cup of water about to overflow, it only needed a few more drops. (Hanho)
If only that rogue hadn’t run away—. (Hanho)
‘Stop it.’ (Hanho)
I had to accept the result. (Hanho)
I did the best I could. (Hanho)
So, any more regret from here would just be pathetic. (Hanho)
Swoooooooosh!
If that rogue had fought hard until the end. (Hanho)
Yes, perhaps that single tick of damage could have changed the outcome of this battle. (Hanho)
But that line of thinking was a bottomless pit. (Hanho)
If the six members of the Jagged Tooth Clan hadn't run. (Hanho)
If Armin had handled it better, or if I had stepped in earlier and managed the situation, if the mage hadn't provoked the first deserter. (Hanho)
If we had cast the mental protection spell sooner. (Hanho)
Or, if I hadn’t obsessed over the name ‘Hans’ and had actively accepted the forces from the Golden Ghost Clan. (Hanho)
If things had gone that way, today’s raid would have been a success. (Hanho)
By now, we would have been laughing and joking about what Essences and Floor Lord Artifacts dropped. (Hanho)
But, so what? (Hanho)
If I keep tracing things back like that, I’ll inevitably reach the conclusion that we shouldn’t have undertaken this expedition in the first place. (Hanho)
So… (Hanho)
Grit. (Hanho)
It was time to admit defeat. (Hanho)
“The raid has failed! Everyone, regroup with the main force immediately!” (Hanho)
Forcing my unwilling mouth open, I announced our defeat to everyone. (Hanho)
However, there was no particular stir. (Hanho)
They all knew it even before I said it. (Hanho)
That this raid had been a miserable failure. (Hanho)
“What do we do now?” (Survivor)
After the melee fighters had swiftly moved to the main force to avoid the pouring acid rain, that question was thrown at me. (Hanho)
However, this time, I couldn’t answer easily. (Hanho)
What should we do from now on? (Hanho)
While I was pondering that question, there was a group that had made their decision a step faster than me. (Hanho)
“Sorry, but we’ll be leaving first.” (Illuma Member)
It was the Illuma Clan, who had joined us while being sucked in by the [Earthen Body] in the Eternal Hall.
With three of their members dead, leaving only a Tank, a Summoner, and a Priest, they boldly declared their desertion. (Hanho)
“What? What do you mean by that! Once the collapse begins, we can shake off that monster!” (Armin)
“That may be so. But what happens after that? We don’t know when the stabilization period will end. What if the collapse begins while we’re waiting like this? Can we even hold on in our current state?” (Illuma Member)
“So, so what if you leave? What are you going to do after you leave? It’s not like you have a better plan, do you?” (Armin)
“We plan to look for the Golden Ghost Clan, just like the ones who ran away earlier. That will likely offer a higher chance of survival.” (Illuma Member)
It was a very reasonable and logical argument. (Hanho)
Even Armin, who had been the first to get angry, couldn’t offer a rebuttal. (Hanho)
“We are grateful for the care you’ve shown us until now, but we believe we have fulfilled our duty by trusting the Viscount and seeing this battle through to the end.” (Illuma Member)
“…” (Armin)
“I have to get my companions back alive.” (Illuma Member)
In the end, Armin could no longer hold them back, and soon, they too left the battlefield, following the escape route. (Hanho)
And… (Hanho)
“Since it has come to this, we have no choice either.” (Knight)
The next to go was the 4th Company of the Third Royal Knight Division. (Hanho)
“For the survival of the battalion, we will retract the command authority that was transferred to Viscount Yandel. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 39 of the Military Law…” (Knight)
The speech was long, but it boiled down to one thing: they were leaving to save their own skins. (Hanho)
Indeed, not long after, the 4th Company leaped off the cliff like paratroopers in a disciplined manner and vanished. (Hanho)
The rest was a given. (Hanho)
“S-sorry…!” (Maze Liner)
The Supernatural Ability user, Maze Liner.
“My apologies… I’ve used up all my mana anyway, so I won’t be of much help from now on!” (Elbain Cutter)
The Special Mage, Elbain Cutter.
And several other survivors who didn’t belong to any particular group. (Hanho)
Like people whose turn had come in a waiting line, they threw themselves off the cliff one by one. (Hanho)
Sizzzzzle!
All of this happened while I was getting hit by Tetrasea’s basic attacks, my whole body melting from the pain of the [Teardrop]. (Hanho)
But… (Hanho)
“You goddamn bastards!! Bjorn! Why are you stopping me! Just say the word and I’ll chase them down and smash their heads in right now!!” (Ainar)
There was no need to get as furious as Ainar. (Hanho)
Putting aside what I had done for them. (Hanho)
‘Because it was the natural choice.’ (Hanho)
We were a group that had united to survive. (Hanho)
They weren’t a close-knit group like the Anabada Clan, but third parties with no other ties. (Hanho)
The choice they would make at a crossroads of survival was already determined. (Hanho)
Therefore… (Hanho)
‘I guess these guys are the strange ones.’ (Hanho)
Putting my disappointment aside, I subtly checked on those who still remained. (Hanho)
Armin’s entire expedition. (Hanho)
Ainar and Bear Uncle. (Hanho)
The Priestess, Maria Shuare Elloid. (Hanho)
Hmm, she probably stayed out of religious conscience… (Hanho)
‘Why didn’t you go with them?’ (Hanho)
My gaze met his, and as I asked him with my eyes, an answer I hadn’t expected came back. (Hanho)
“I’m a bit tired of following trends now.” (Malid)
“……?” (Hanho)
“And didn’t you promise, putting your honor on the line? That if we just hold on, you would never make an issue of today’s events, even after we return to the city.” (Malid)
The vice-captain of the Jagged Tooth Clan, Malid Kevron. (Hanho)
Does this guy want to atone for something? (Hanho)
I couldn’t tell, but as he stated his reason, another person next to him spoke up with his own unasked-for reason. (Hanho)
“An, an achieeeevement!!” (Iria)
The Guild Master, Iria Adnus. (Hanho)
Right, this old man was here too. (Hanho)
I never thought he’d choose to stay in this situation, but… (Hanho)
“If I go back without leaving a proper achievement, I’m a dead man anyway!” (Iria)
True, from what I had found out, this old man had embezzled so much that the moment he stepped down from his position as Guild Master, his execution was guaranteed. (Hanho)
“Besides, you must have a plan, right? You didn’t stop them from leaving!” (Iria)
It seemed this old man was a much more hopeful person than I had thought… (Hanho)
Smirk. (Hanho)
I have no such thing. (Hanho)
If I had a plan, I would have said something to keep anyone from leaving. (Hanho)
Alright, I have a grasp of what to do now. (Hanho)
“Armin!” (Hanho)
“Viscount, don’t worry! No matter what happens, we will stay until the end.” (Armin)
…What is he talking about. (Hanho)
I appreciate the sentiment, but. (Hanho)
“Enough! You take the remaining people and leave! Ainar! Same goes for you!” (Hanho)
“Huh…? What, what are you talking about!” (Ainar)
“Don’t get excited! I’m not saying I’m going to die here! Let’s meet alive in the city! Until then, you’re in charge of taking care of Abman!” (Hanho)
Did she understand that I meant every man for himself? (Hanho)
Ainar didn’t answer right away, seeming to think for a moment before… (Hanho)
“Got it! Don’t worry about Urakburak!!!” (Ainar)
Yes, this is the advantage of a Barbarian. (Hanho)
That wasn't a cold judgment, but an idealistic one. (Hanho)
She believed my words that I would definitely return alive, 100%. (Hanho)
“How do you plan to handle this alone…?” (Armin)
“…” (Hanho)
“I have my ways, so don’t worry! It’s more of a disadvantage with you guys here, so don’t get any funny ideas and hurry up!” (Hanho)
“…I will see you in the city.” (Armin)
When I shouted in a firm tone, Armin seemed to think he had no choice and led the remaining people off the cliff. (Hanho)
“Bjorn!! Don’t get hurt too badly!!!” (Ainar)
After Ainar’s cheer from below the cliff, no more sounds were heard. (Hanho)
‘Don’t get hurt too badly, she says.’ (Hanho)
Is that really something you say to a tank? (Hanho)
It’s absurd no matter how I think about it, but I guess that’s just like Ainar. (Hanho)
I calmed my emotions and checked my surroundings. (Hanho)
There was no longer a beautiful hymn. (Hanho)
Only an eerie melody filled the torrential downpour. (Hanho)
“Alone again, huh…” (Hanho)
I chuckled and put on the ‘Crown of Anguish’ first. (Hanho)
There was no Priest to heal me anymore, anyway. (Hanho)
I had to take care of my own mental health. (Hanho)
「The character has equipped No.???? Crown of Anguish.」
「Total Item Level has increased by ???.」
Alright… wearing this definitely seems to have cleared my head a bit. (Hanho)
I looked at the only other being left in this canyon. (Hanho)
“Hey, just because I stopped dealing damage for a second, look at you, all healed up on the outside.” (Hanho)
As someone who had been beating it senseless just a moment ago, it was a profoundly demoralizing sight. (Hanho)
Judging by the amount of rainfall, the creature’s current HP was estimated to be around 20%… (Hanho)
“What, why aren’t you attacking?” (Hanho)
For some reason, the creature just stood there, glaring at me. (Hanho)
And… (Hanho)
「The Lord of Tears, Tetrasea, expresses a question.」
Surprisingly, human words came out of its mouth. (Hanho)
[Why…] (Tetrasea)
An Ancient Language that most people wouldn’t understand. (Hanho)
The pronunciation was poor, perhaps due to its oral structure. (Hanho)
Anyway. (Hanho)
[Are, you, smiling…] (Tetrasea)
The creature clearly spoke in human words, and for a moment, I could only be dumbfounded. (Hanho)
‘What’s with this bastard all of a sudden?’ (Hanho)
I hadn’t expected this kind of situation at all. (Hanho)
