Following Monk Seungju’s lead, we made our way down the cliff.
“So it’s really that powerful of a monster.”
“Can we even handle this?”
“With Sergeant Shin here, at the very least, we should be able to run away.”
The squad members were tense.
“If you’re really doing this out of concern for my life, I’m fi—”
“That’s enough. Monk Seungju, just focus on delivering word of us properly to the temple later.”
“Hmm.”
Even our guide, Monk Seungju, couldn’t shake the worry from his face.
But once we arrived in front of the barrier—
—Huhuhu... how pitiful. I thought I had bestowed my grace upon a weak being. And yet, to be betrayed like this...
“......”
A voice echoed from inside the barrier.
Did it really think it had been betrayed?
There was even a slight tremor in its tone, as if it were on the verge of tears.
“T-That’s not what—”
—Not what? Do not lie! That thick scent of blood and iron, so overwhelming it cannot be hidden! It reeks of battle... of slaughter!
Despite Monk Seungju’s attempt to explain, the entity within the barrier wouldn’t calm down, its voice filled with indignation.
I could more or less guess what it was talking about.
The thick stench of blood. The smell of oil-soaked metal...
There was no way I wouldn’t understand.
The two beings currently waiting within my shadow.
[Vampire Baron]
[Iron-Eater Mak]
—It seems to be talking about us.
No doubt referring to Ariella and Kkamangi.
—Impressive. Even while we’re hiding in your shadow, it can still sense our presence.
—Kkiing.
Just moments ago, when listening to Monk Seungju’s story, this thing had exuded an aura of transcendence.
Now that I was considering the high probability of a battle with it, there was no reason not to deploy these two.
At least, that’s what I had thought—
—Though I will surely die here, I will not go down easily...!
“...That worked a little too well.”
I never expected it to get so scared before we even started fighting.
Though they were currently allied with my squad...
If we were to be completely honest, those two were essentially boss monsters.
According to the [Combat Power Measurement Device], they were classified as blue-tier threats—actual, genuine monsters.
And that’s not even counting the army of vampires that Ariella had created.
‘Wait a second. Now that I think about it, our combat power is insane, isn’t it?’
Unless we were dealing with an organized force like the [Green Manes], I couldn’t see us losing under normal circumstances.
“...Hey, did you hear that?”
“Yes. Loud and clear.”
That’s when I heard the murmurs from behind me.
“A creature that could easily wipe out ten of us just admitted it can’t handle Sergeant Shin alone...”
“Well, ‘ten of us’ is a bit misleading. Corporal Jeon Gwangil is included in that number.”
Right.
Other than Gwangil, no one else knew that I was controlling vampires.
From the soldiers’ perspective, there was no way for them to know that the monster was referring to something other than me.
“W-Wait... is Benefactor Shin Youngjun really that powerful? Just how strong is he...?”
“Hard to say. He doesn’t talk much about himself.”
“We don’t really know how strong he is. Just that he’s... overwhelming.”
“Whoa...”
It’s not that I don’t talk about it.
It’s just that there’s nothing worth talking about.
—I see... but come! I will at least leave a fitting scar on you...!
It wasn’t just that they were unaware of the two creatures in my shadow.
The fact that this thing, which had initially sounded so powerful, was now speaking as if its own death were inevitable...
It would be stranger not to misunderstand.
...But.
‘This isn’t so bad, is it?’
There was no way this entity was weak.
The mere fact that it was capable of proper conversation despite being from another world...
That alone marked it as an extraordinary being.
And yet.
Despite all that, the creature within the barrier had no confidence in winning against Kkamangi and Ariella.
Regardless of the circumstances...
Those two were my allies.
Hmm.
In that case—
‘Might as well be shameless about it.’
I opened my previously closed eyes.
Then, staring at the black veil that covered the cliffside, I spoke in an indifferent tone.
“I never said I was going to kill you.”
—...What?
At my casual remark, the voice inside flinched.
Of course.
It claimed it wouldn’t go down easily.
But that didn’t mean it wanted to die.
“Do you want to live?”
I folded my arms.
Wearing an arrogant expression, I continued.
—...If I say I want to live, will you spare me?
“Of course. However—”
According to Monk Seungju...
This thing was most likely the Trainer NPC.
“In exchange, we’ll make a deal.”
Which meant—
“Hm. What would be a fitting price?”
I was going to drain it dry.
“Everything you have should be enough.”
***
—...Everything?
The voice inside the barrier muttered in shock.
It was trying to grasp the full meaning of my words.
I decided to be direct.
“Hand over all the knowledge you have. Starting with the martial arts you taught Monk Seungju.”
—Martial arts?
To me, it was an obvious demand.
But the voice repeated the words as if they were unexpected.
—Why would someone like you want such a thing?
“What do you mean, {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} why?”
—Martial arts are techniques created for the weak to overcome the strong. A way for those who would naturally be weeded out by nature to survive against predators... But you, you exude the presence of a warrior who has no need for such things.
This guy...
He could sense the presence of the two monsters lurking in my shadow.
But he hadn’t realized they were separate from me.
—The little tricks I have would be meaningless to someone like you.
“And who are you to decide that? Whether I need them or not is my choice.”
—...Fair enough. Perhaps they might be useful to the ones behind you.
Then, silence.
As if he was mulling it over.
—In the past, I would have dismissed such a request outright... But I have already taught that bald monk. I suppose there’s no reason to refuse now.
“I’d appreciate a quick decision. Do you want to fight and die, or hand over what you have?”
If it kept hesitating too much...
I was considering using the two creatures in my shadow to persuade it.
—Fine.
The entity finally gave in.
—I will pass down the martial arts that I possess to you all.
‘Nice!’
Internally, I wanted to jump for joy.
But since I was in the dominant position here, I maintained a calm, composed expression and gave a casual nod.
“A wise decision.”
—Then... step inside.
...What?
That last part made me pause.
“Step inside?”
—Passing down martial arts is not a simple matter. And you are not alone.
“Monk Seungju never mentioned stepping inside.”
—You mean the bald one?
I could feel Monk Seungju flinch behind me.
—He was weak. I had no choice but to teach him, but I never intended to let him in.
“So we’re different?”
—It’s not you that’s different. It’s the situation. If I don’t teach you, you’ll kill me. That bald monk took three days to learn. Do you plan on spending that long on this cliff?
If one person took three days...
With ten people, it could take thirty.
‘I mean, we could set up tents and do it... but still, that’s a bit much.’
The real issue was—
‘By "step inside," it must mean inside the black veil.’
