Chapter 65: Chapter 65

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Chapter 65: Personality Test (5)

The white snake's body was still white.

However, "Obstruction of Duty Execution" met the trait "Rebellion" and became the title "Disobedience."

[The core of the object is visible.]

The moment this mysterious message appeared.

‘That...!’

Inside the white snake’s pure white belly was a pitch-black stone lodged within.

A single mass of dark blue hue.

‘It’s an item.’

Anyone with half a brain could tell.

Thinking I needed to examine it quickly, I stepped closer, but my brows furrowed at the noise that suddenly pierced my ears.

"What kind of penalty is this out of nowhere? Are they crazy?!"

"This is absurd! What did hyung do to deserve punishment? If anything, he should be rewarded!"

"Isn’t it because of us? We recklessly shot at the hair and tried to follow him..."

The voices of my comrades, angry on my behalf.

When did they all make it in here?

Their agitated words fired off one after another with intense fervor.

"These, these... XXs who XX’d and XXXX!"

[TL/N: This is how it was in the raws…. Im curious about the cuss words too….]

Hmm…

They were really mad.

"I’m fine now."

The foulmouth was so riled up, hurling curses on my behalf, that I couldn’t find the right moment to interject.

Still.

"XXX XXXX XXXX XXX?!"

"Stop."

It felt like my ears would rot if I let this continue any longer, so I interrupted.

Especially since Yura was present.

"It’s fine."

"!!"

Then, everyone looked at me in utter shock.

"Eunho! Can you see me?!"

"Hyunggg!"

"H-How are you speaking? The broadcast said all communication would be cut off for an hour!"

【Many observers are astonished by the remarks of the subject ‘Lee Eunho’!】

【An anonymous observer slams their desk, saying they knew this would happen!】

Moments ago, there was a broadcast about penalties or something, so they must be surprised to see me recover so quickly.

Of course, I couldn’t share details about things like the "Rebel" trait.

"...Strong willpower?"

I threw out an excuse.

I figured they’d interpret that as me not wanting to elaborate, but instead—

"Damn... Of course, it’s different with you...!"

The foul-mouthed one slapped his knee with a thud.

【‘The Raven of the Administration Bureau’ clenches their fist, exclaiming that true comrades are indeed exceptional!】

【‘External Affairs Department's Rookie’ admires the mental fortitude of subject ‘Lee Eunho’!】

【Many observers are moved by the subject's willpower, which transcends the system!】

The observers were deeply impressed.

‘…Wait, they actually believe this?’

While I blinked in disbelief—

"I knew Eunho would overcome anything!"

"Exactly, hyun!"

Jieun, Jaehyuk, and the others nodded in agreement one after another.

"Jinsol, I guess willpower really is key!"

Even my blonde-haired friend nodded along.

Hmm.

Something felt off.

Could this be...?

"Could everyone step out for a moment? I’d like some time alone."

On a hunch, I made the request.

"Ah, yes! Of course!"

"Got it, got it! Take your time!"

"Let’s go, Jinsol!"

The group, who had been hovering around with worried faces, left like the tide receding.

Without question or hesitation.

Almost as if my words carried the weight of a superior's command.

Ah.

I get it now.

[Your words gain power.]

It was because of the title effect.

* * *

Inside the now quiet arena.

The sunlight reflecting off the white snake’s skin stabbed at my eyes.

‘It’s peaceful.’

The mission was over, and the "eyes" that had been following me had vanished long ago.

And with everyone gone, I could savor this rare feeling of solitude.

So then…

Crunch!

As I dismantled the massive snake.

Squelch!

I plunged the sword in reverse and pierced it.

The blade carved through skin that was tough yet elastic, slicing through soft flesh as I ripped and tore it apart.

And finally—

Splat!

A deep blue mass emerged amidst the crimson innards.

Encased in a slimy, gelatinous substance was a hard stone.

As the slick, mucus-covered lump began to slip to the ground, I caught it just in time, greeted by a cheerful notification.

[Congratulations!]

[You have obtained the White Snake’s Ten Thousand Bloodstone!]

A Ten Thousand Bloodstone, huh?

With a name like this, I thought the benefit would reveal the "core of things" or something similarly profound, like "Essence of the White Snake."

As I inspected the stone, larger than my palm, and turned it over in my hand with a sense of unease, a translucent system window appeared before me.

▣ White Snake’s Ten Thousand Bloodstone

-A bloodstone formed by the congealed blood of ten thousand people devoured by the White Snake.

Can be used as an item or absorbed into the body.

A stone created from the solidified blood of deceased lives.

This dark blue stone, glowing faintly on its own, appeared to be the last remnants of the souls who died in agony within the snake’s stomach.

‘If I had been weaker than this creature, I would have ended up the same way.’

Its venom would have paralyzed me, and I would have been eaten alive, slowly dissolving in its stomach.

Me, or that blonde guy from earlier.

The thought made me shudder.

Clearing my mind, I read through the description carefully.

What it detailed was extraordinary.

-When used as an active item: Heals all injuries and ailments and restores the user to the most perfect condition. Usable five times before breaking.

-When absorbed into the body: Restores 10% of total health at the brink of death. Unlimited use, but requires recharging after each activation. Use with caution.

‘This is…!’

So that’s how the snake recovered after taking a direct hit from both my attack and the blonde guy’s.

An item comparable to Jaehyuk’s super-regeneration ability.

For something obtained unexpectedly, the effects were astounding enough to make me laugh despite myself.

But now, the real question:

Do I use it as an item, or absorb it for a weaker but rechargeable effect?

Considering my current situation, the more necessary option is…

‘This one.’

After a brief moment of deliberation, I made my choice.

[Would you like to absorb the Ten Thousand Bloodstone?]

"Yes."

Though the effect would be diminished, the peace of mind that came with "absorption" won out.

‘Five uses isn’t exactly stingy, but I’d hesitate too much to use it at the right time.’

Even if it were ten uses, the result would be the same.

When there’s a limit, I’d instinctively hold back, saving it "for the perfect moment" that might never come.

But survival doesn’t work like a savings account.

What matters is now.

‘Use what you can, when you can.’

With this logic solidified in my mind, I placed the stone firmly in my palm.

Wooong—

The stone in my hand emitted a low, steady vibration, almost resonating without pause.

It felt as if letting go was out of the question, so I grasped it tighter.

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Fwoosh!

The bloodstone ignited in blue flames.

The dark blue flames flickered as if to consume my hand.

Fueled by the remnants of its crimson core, perhaps?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Even if that’s true—

Even if this is a grotesque object forged from countless deaths—

[Absorbing the Ten Thousand Bloodstone!]

I’ll use it.

The more horrifying it is, the more determined I’ll be to wield it to survive.

No matter what.

[Congratulations!]

[You have unlocked the skill "Resurrection."]

[Would you like to view the skill’s details?]

"View."

「Resurrection (Lv.-): Restores 10% of total health when all life force is depleted.」

「Recharge Requirement: Absorb sufficient blood after each use.」

「Uses Available: 1/1」

One use.

One guaranteed second chance at life.

10% health isn’t enough to turn a losing battle around, but—

‘It’s like gaining an extra life.’

An unexpected windfall, no doubt about it.

And on top of that—

▣ Venom Pouch of the White Snake

-A venom pouch extracted from a venomous snake.

It is filled with a deadly poison that, when absorbed, spreads through the body within a minute, shutting down metabolism and hardening internal organs.

-Usable Count: 10

I even obtained the venom pouch.

‘That fight was worth it.’

After all, if you don’t take risks, you gain nothing.

In a world like this, that truth is absolute.

Carrying the weight of a boulder-sized satisfaction and a grain of lingering bitterness, I made my way toward the survivors.

That’s when a woman in a leather skirt approached, leading a friend.

‘Um, thank you for saving Jinsol earlier… Please take this.’

She handed me a small tin case.

"Wait, is this that medicine from before?"

"Oh, come on! I would’ve been fine on my own!"

"Stop talking nonsense and shut up. You almost died, remember?"

"Dammit…"

Ignoring the blonde guy’s grumbling, I graciously accepted the offered medicine.

Seeing Jieun smiling in the background, it seemed the woman had insisted on giving it to me herself.

The reason was clear.

"Thank you for saving me!"

"…"

"Hurry up and thank him properly!"

"…Thank you."

It must have been to get her friend to greet me.

Lucky him, to have a friend who cares so much.

I took the round tin case the woman handed me.

As I opened the lid, feeling the cool metal against my fingers, a refreshing scent, reminiscent of mint, wafted to my nose.

▣ Basic Healing Ointment

-Healing ointment made by a novice pharmacist. Applying it to a wound can aid recovery.

Severe wounds may require multiple applications.

-Remaining uses: 7

I wouldn't know its exact effects until I tried it...

‘This will come in handy when Sola isn’t around.’

I couldn’t rely on our lone healer to always be by my side, after all.

Anyway.

"I’ll use it well."

"Oh, yes! Thank you so much!"

With less than 40 minutes remaining on the title’s effect, I left the blonde and her friend behind and headed toward my companions.

Gathered on the sidewalk near the crosswalk, sitting huddled together on the pavement blocks, they looked like students on a field trip.

"Uncle! Are you okay?"

Yura, who had been playing with Mr. Hanul, ran over, grabbed my pant leg, and asked.

"We were really worried about you, Eunho."

"So was I!"

Jieun, Lee Yeji, and Jaehyuk all approached, speaking with concern.

“Worried? Please. Even if you threw a dragon at this guy instead of a snake, he’d still gut it to get the loot. Don’t you know him by now?”

The foul-mouthed one started spouting absurd logic again.

It made no sense, but Jieun and Jaehyuk, so gullible, began nodding along to his words.

"What are you talking about? You were the one who worried the most!"

“W-when did I ever?!”

Lee Yeji, looking exasperated, shot back, causing the foul-mouthed one to shout in protest.

But he was soon silenced by Yeji’s rapid-fire rebuttal.

"Are you sure you’re not suffering from memory loss? You were stomping your feet, panicking about what would happen if he got poisoned."

"You’re so annoying! Shut up already, will you?!"

"And earlier, you were cursing non-stop about penalties and whatnot. It was so embarrassing—I could barely stand to watch. Ugh!"

“Fan club president or something, huh? Ho ho!”

Even the cleaning lady joined in, teasing her.

The foul-mouthed one cleared his throat loudly in embarrassment and scratched the back of his head.

Just then, an announcement began to play.

[Attention survivors in the ‘Yongsan District.’]

[The final mission will begin at 11:00 AM sharp. Please prepare accordingly.]

“It’s starting!”

“11:00… That’s now, isn’t it?”

“They’re starting right away?”

AM 10:59.

And when the flickering clock struck 11:00 sharp, the system mercilessly announced the mission’s start.

[Final Mission: Conquest begins now!]

“Conquest…?”

“Damn it, is this another one of those ‘set the place on fire and shake the ground, then tell us to overcome it’ kind of things?”

“Ugh… Don’t say such things. Words have power, you know.”

Even in the midst of this, the foul-mouthed one and Lee Yeji were bickering, making me almost laugh in disbelief.

— Zzzing!

A subtle vibration in the air was felt.

It was as if something incredibly heavy had fallen to the ground, but only the sound had been erased, leaving behind the pulse in the air.

And then.

“Are you two really arguing in a situation like this?”

Jieun’s voice cut through, tinged with laughter.

“!!”

Except—it wasn’t ordinary laughter.

It was twisted, grotesque.

“Eunho, is something wrong?”

“Jieun…”

“Yes! What is it?”

A face as red as if it had been dunked in a bucket of paint.

Jagged, crooked teeth, all sharp like fangs.

Eyes replaced with fists-sized flames instead of pupils...

It was like...

"…Why does your face look like that?!"

“…What did you just say?”

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