Chapter 15

Chapter 15

[Changing Futures (4)]

Behind him, the Kraken threw down everything he could find, destroying it as he went.

To get off the bridge, I had to climb a mountain of scrap metal, where monsters lurked in the empty spaces, their eyes glowing.

How much longer would he have to run?

The look of despair on the peoples faces thickened.

Dont stand still, run away-! Climb the mountain somehow! If you want to live, climb the mountain!

When the hell is help coming!

Youre wrong, its over!

Time was cruel. Even with thousands of lives on the line, time passed too slowly. At best, ten minutes had passed since the Kraken had been reported.

Hearing the players reports, Eunha kicked at the rubble on the floor. Wiping the soot from his face with the back of his arm, he estimated how much more time he had to buy.

Before the regression, the Twelve had been dispatched to the scene half an hour after the Krakens appearance.

He now had about 20 minutes left.

Thats twice as long as hed been on the run.

I wonder if I can keep this up.

I shook my head.

The way out was completely blocked. Even if the players summoned their remaining strength, they wouldnt be able to protect the people until the time limit.

Even if they somehow managed to keep the monsters at bay, that was it. Since no one could take on the Kraken, running away from it wasnt easy either.

Yes, unless someone grabbed the Kraken by the ankles.

And if you die, no questions are asked.

In order to survive, someone had to die.

And he was the only one who could risk death here.

huhh.

It was a decision I had made from the beginning.

He would give his life to protect his family.

Eunha took a long breath, then exhaled slowly. Repeating the breath calmly, he released the little tension he had left.

Whoa.

He then pulled out a pair of scissors and a paring knife from the bag he was wearing.

Away from his parents eyes, he checked the sharpness of the blades, then sized up the distance between him and the Kraken.

Dad. Mom.

Slowly. Very slowly.

So that his body could adjust to the mana manifestation.

Little by little, Eunha drew the mana that had melted into his body outward. It flowed out like a thin thread, coiling around him like a snake.

Twenty minutes, twenty minutes.

Eunha, what are you talking about.

The father was speechless as he looked at Eunha wrapped in mana.

He paused for a moment at his sons strength.

Until then, stay with the players. Dont try to climb that mountain, dont try to turn back. Just stay here and hold on.

Eunha, what are you doing.

Eunha?

Euna, who had been sobbing while clinging to her father, looked up. Her tear-streaked face was unable to hide the anxiety in her eyes as she realized something.

Noona will protect them. Can you?

Eunha smiled softly.

She was the only one he could trust if he disappeared. Her mastery of mana would allow her to protect their family even if the players couldnt help them.

So please,

Twenty minutes.

Please.

Eunha, where are you going?

Eunha ignored his sisters reaching hand and turned his back.

He imbued the mana that had been floating aimlessly with an image. It wriggled like a living creature, permeating his entire body.

One step turned into two.

Two steps turned into four.

Each step increased the distance he traveled.

Ten thousand steps.

It was a chi kung technique, moving forward as if wrinkling the sky.

After his regression, he gritted his teeth and endured the pain it inflicted on his body.

His mana was not as high as it had been before the regression.

A body that had yet to overcome the elements.

The slightest lapse in concentration could twist the molten mana into a thread, causing him to lose a limb.

He knew the risk, yet he continued on.

A twisted limb was better than death.

Eunha!

No Eunha!!!

No Eunha, No!!!

He couldnt tell where the power came from.

It wasnt necessary to know now.

All that mattered was that the power that must have been at the bottom was exploding.

What must have been a tiny amount of mana was leaking out as it swelled.

I thrust my remaining scissor blade forward.

The mana that had been fluttering around with nowhere to go began to converge on a single point.

Aaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Once was enough.

Once was enough for a life of hell.

I will-!

Even with this one body.

This time, I will!

I will protect them!

Like a hailstorm.

The force drawn from the tiny amount of mana cut through the body.

Haahaha.

My head felt dizzy.

My mana was depleted.

As if it were a lie, the strength vanished from his body.

I lost control of my body as I fell forward.

I hit my forehead on the floor.

My vision blurred, but I felt no impact.

I couldnt feel my body.

I cant lose my mind here!

If I lose my mind, all my efforts will be for naught.

I didnt want to give in. I didnt want to taste helplessness anymore.

When I opened my eyes again, I didnt have the courage to face the transformed world.

So just a little bit.

Just a little longer!

I am a monster that kills as it comes, a monster that wields a sword to kill, a monster that wont die.

Ill use whatever means at my disposal!

Even if it means sacrificing someone else!

Not yet. Not yet!

Crawl if your legs wont move.

If you dont have a weapon, bite it.

As it is, it will end.

I vowed as I was reborn.

This time, I would protect it.

This time, I would get it.

I mean, Im going to-!

This is it!

His legs curled like whips, falling over his head.

Not yet, not yet!

Death was right in front of him.

The death he had wanted so badly in the past.

He had denied himself that death.

Now, more than ever, he craved life.

I, I!

I want to live. With my family.

I want to be happy.

I want to live happily.

I dont want to die here.

I cant die like this.

So, so

He sought a miracle at the edge of death.

The miracle he had so despised.

But the miracle was

decided,

Its now or never,

Yes, the miracle was

Leave my little brother alone!!

The world.

No.

It was dyed white.