Breaking Up With the Heroine in an Otome Game

120 – Ouroboros (2)

120.

“Scream, aaah!”

“Ughhh, Mommy!”

“sh*t! Where are the heroes? When are they coming?”

Screams.

The screams resonate loudly.

The moans, cries, and the sounds of suffering people forcefully pierce the ears.

Just a moment ago, the streets were filled with people’s expectations, cheers, and joy, welcoming the Life and Auction Festival. Now, the entire street has turned into chaos.

Those who couldn’t escape in time are helplessly ravaged in the face of the disaster named monsters.

The monsters, like their own homes, demolish buildings, collapse roads, and ruthlessly prey on people.

“Kiriririri.”

“Grrr, grrr.”

“Kurruruk, kurrururuk, kurruruk.”

Steel-legged spiders, monkeys with poisonous red fangs, large-toothed wolves, flaming hyenas, large-winged thorn crows, and so on.

Various types of monsters rampage.

Perhaps the only relief is that the cracks in the sky seem to be gradually closing?

It seems like the phenomenon of the cracks is coming to an end.

“It was supposed to be a long-awaited vacation, and monsters had to appear.”

In the distance, the figures of some heroes can be seen.

“Damn monsters, daring to act so recklessly in this place.”

“Bubbling up, huh. It’s been a while since so many monsters appeared at once.”

“Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any particularly dangerous monsters. Ah, there, excluding that… the one that looks like a giant snake. But what is that monster exactly? An ancient creature?”

“Whoa, it’s freaking huge, that snake dude.”

Pro heroes who had come to the vacation-themed auction festival were utilizing their extraordinary abilities to subdue monsters and rescue people.

True to the name “pro heroes,” they were dealing swiftly and accurately with the situation.

Police officers from Busan were also discreetly arriving.

Bang! Gunshots echoed.

It might be difficult to pierce through the monsters’ hides with guns, but they could handle weaker ones to some extent.

The police officers did their best from their positions.

Engaging with the monsters, controlling traffic, and ensuring the safe evacuation of citizens kept them busy.

“….”

I watched that scene for a moment before once again radioing Yuseolhyun.

“So, Yuseolhyun. What’s on your mind?”

“Take our clan members, deal with the monsters reasonably, and help people evacuate.”

It was a subtle request, asking to act discreetly and skillfully, without revealing too much.

“Don’t touch that snake monster. Honestly, it looks too dangerous. I don’t want to unnecessarily expose our clan members to danger.”

Ouroboros was undoubtedly one of the powerful monsters.

While its offensive and killing abilities were not exceptional, its regenerative capability was outstanding, making it quite challenging to kill.

To deal with Ouroboros, it would likely take a considerable amount of time for the police or heroes within Busan.

Almost immortal, thanks to its near-infinite regenerative power.

To kill such an Ouroboros, a powerful strike is necessary, or targeting the same weak point, like acupuncture, is required.

Of course, for heroes without any specific information about Ouroboros, realizing such a vulnerability would demand a lot of sacrifice and time.

The sacrifices of people…

If I just pretend not to know, won’t a lot of people really die?

Heroes, police, civilians – regardless, many people will die, and it was as obvious as fire burning without seeing it, causing internal conflicts to rise within me.

… Sigh, seriously.

“Teacher, I’ll help too.”

“Wait, Soyeon?”

I furrowed my brows at Soyeon’s sudden words.

As I shifted my gaze, I could see Soyeon, with a determined expression, swallowing dry saliva and then gazing at Ouroboros.

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“The current situation was unexpected for you too, right? It’s like that, isn’t it?”

Yeah, I didn’t expect it.

There’s no precognition ability or anything.

It seems like Soyeon thinks that she couldn’t see the current situation with just her precognition ability.

“That monster… if left alone, a lot of people will really get hurt.”

Ouroboros was demonstrating an overwhelming presence.

It felt like an immense power incomparable to other monsters.

If there’s no one to properly restrain Ouroboros’s steps, it will rampage through Busan city, causing significant casualties and property damage.

And facing Ouroboros with the skills of the pro heroes currently dealing with those thugs over there seems inadequate.

The situation was such that Ouroboros, seemingly realizing that it was something even he couldn’t handle, chose not to interfere.

Ouroboros, the serpent, continued to observe the situation as if biding its time, but it would soon start moving.

A calamity akin to an unstoppable disaster, that serpent.

“I need someone to buy time until stronger heroes arrive. With the current me… I might be able to buy some time.”

Distinguishing between what a hero can and cannot do is crucial.

There’s only a thin line between tenacity and courage.

And Soyeon speaks.

Standing before that monster requires courage, not just tenacity.

Having spent the entire summer vacation defeating villains and monsters, she, now grown, seemed somewhat confident that she could restrain that monster’s movements to some extent.

Really.

This is the Soyeon I know.

As expected from the Pacific Soyeon.

“But do we really need to confront that snake-like monster? It might be better to deal with smaller monsters like other heroes, preparing the citizens…”

“Jinhyuk.”

Soyeon looked directly into my eyes.

Her clear and pure golden eyes gazed at me.

Within those eyes, there was a sense of determination and resolution.

“I don’t want to run away in front of that monster.”

An irrational malice.

The disaster known as a monster.

The lives of people.

It is said that they will not dare to turn their heads in the face of such things.

“I’m an aspiring hero.”

An aspiring hero.

That’s right.

So-yeon aspires to be a hero.

The hero So-yeon desires is someone who stands up against irrational evil and unstoppable violence without hesitation.

In such a situation, sacrificing my life would not be the hero she envisions.

“I don’t think I should run away in a situation like this….”

She looked at me with eyes that said, “How can you call yourself a hero if you retreat just because the opponent seems strong?”

I, too, simply met So-yeon’s gaze.

“Don’t worry too much. After all, I’m not alone, am I? We have Instructor Hong Dae-ye, a high ranker.”

So she calls him Instructor.

“And while dealing with ordinary monsters, the police or regular heroes would be sufficient, but that monster is different. Unless it’s a hero of equal or higher rank, they won’t be able to buy enough time.”

“….”

“So, Jinho.”

So-yeon tightly grips her sword.

“I’ll ask you to help people evacuate. You can find a safe place with others….”

“Hey, Jinsuyeon.”

I interrupted her with an unyielding voice.

“So, you’re telling me to just run away?”

With a furrowed brow, Soyeon grumbled in a somewhat brusque manner, blinking her eyes rapidly before jerking her shoulders in a perplexed manner.

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s not like that. It’s asking for help with the other monsters and the people who haven’t been able to evacuate yet…”

“No, you’re telling me to stay in a safe place while you risk your life fighting that snake bastard.”

I let out a deep sigh.

“Soyeon, think about it the other way around. If I told you to stay out of it and let me fight the snake alone, would you obediently nod your head? Of course not, right?”

Well, that’s true, but… No, our situations are different.”

“Enough with the noise.”

I was contemplating whether to confront the Ouroboros or make a timely escape, but now that Soyeon had made up her mind, I had no choice but to brace myself.

In the first place, I could partly blame myself for Yoo Da-hee summoning the monster.

If I hadn’t done anything today, it would have ended with just the stolen auction item.

Thinking that way, a strange sense of guilt and remorse uncomfortably weighed on my heart.

It felt as if I had brought this disaster upon myself, making it even worse.

That’s why I was somewhat relieved that Soyeon had stepped up like that.

Under the pretense that I couldn’t leave Soyeon alone, I could no longer argue and had to make a choice.

“I can’t help it. I’ll help you. Even if I tell you to stop, you won’t listen.”

“Huh, huh? No, what are you saying? It’s dangerous.”

It will be dangerous.

But you’re in danger too.

It’s different from when we fought the villains. You don’t have any information about that snake. It’s a bit…

Carefully choosing words while glancing around, he was selecting his words.

In essence, he seemed to want to convey the message, ‘Jinhyuk, you’re weak, aren’t you? Afraid you might get killed if you provoke someone?’

Well, the fact is, I am weak.

Thanks to the ranked match with Baek Yurin, many people started seeing me differently again. However, despite that, Soyeon still treats me as a weakling.

Well, not exactly weak, but more like considering me a somewhat ambiguous strong person?

“The name of that monster is Ouroboros. It has an endless regeneration effect and can spew flames and acidic liquid. The weak points are the third eye and the reverse scale.”

“……Huh?”

“And Soyeon, who’s going to fight directly? I’ll be giving orders from a reasonably safe place, just giving orders.”

I know very well that even my life is precious.

I have no intention of being reckless.

“Also, it seems like I’m not the only one who will help… Isn’t that right, Kang Dae-han?”

I briefly shifted my gaze towards Kang Dae-han.

Kang Dae-han was dealing with the approaching monsters nearby, keeping an eye on us.

He pierced the snake-like monster with a single thrust of his spear and took a step closer in our direction.

“I’m dealing with that snake creature. Soyeon is also getting involved. What about you? Thinking of running away, perhaps?”

“Me? Hah. That’s a funny thing to say. Lee Jinhyuk, there’s no need for pointless talk. I was planning to step forward even without you saying that.”

Without pride, he doesn’t seem like someone who would just back down willingly.

He even swung his spear at Yoo Da-hee until the end, even in a situation where he could lose his life during the midterms.

To put it positively, it’s determination; negatively, it’s a reckless personality.

“I’ll be the one to catch that snake brat.”

“Wait a moment? Daehan, what are you talking about now….”

Hukyeong Clan’s Ju Hwayoon hastily tried to dissuade Kang Daehan.

From her perspective, recklessly exposing the Hukyeong Clan’s youngest to danger would be embarrassing.

“He’s just a hero in training, Uncle. Just step back at times like this, okay?”

“But there’s no need to rush into such a dangerous monster like that.”

“Ha. Uncle, if you won’t help, then fine. I’ll handle it myself.”

“Hey, hey. Daehan! Ugh… seriously.”

Hwayoon, looking at the back of Daehan who rushed ahead as if her head hurt, shook her head in frustration.

It was quite awkward for her, knowing Daehan’s temperament well.

This is why I don’t form a team with Daehan. Controlling that guy is really tricky.

Well, at least manipulating him is easy enough.

“Wait, wait. Lee Jinhyuk, Jin Soyeon, are you two out of your minds? What are you talking about?”

Yuseolhyun, who was listening through the radio, suddenly raised her voice as if she couldn’t believe it.

“You guys are going to face that snake monster now? A building-sized monster? What on earth are you thinking? Stop doing foolish things and come ba…”

“Yuseolhyun, don’t you want to become the hero who saved Busan?”

“What?”

Yuseolhyun paused for a moment at my words.

“If you contribute to resolving a situation of this scale, it might help you get what you want in the end.”

“Jinhyuk.”

“I know the weaknesses, abilities, and characteristics of that serpent monster… so I know how to defeat it. If I can borrow your clan members, I should be able to bring it down.”

“How… I mean, the strategy for dealing with a monster we’ve never encountered before… Wait a minute.”

Yoo Seol-hyun seemed momentarily at a loss for words, then seemed to suddenly remember something.

It was a reminder of my ability to foresee the future.

“You know my ability, Yoo Seol-hyun. Have I ever let you down before?”

“…No, but the current situation is not as simple as to make a hasty decision.”

“I have shown you before, Yoo Seol-hyun. I believe in myself. So just trust me one more time, even if it’s deceiving.”

“We shouldn’t deceive… Ugh, really.”

Yoo Seol-hyun seemed to hesitate for a moment.

I had never refused her, using my future-seeing ability to bring her numerous benefits.

After all, I had never caused her any harm.

Even if it was quite a bold move.

“…Are you really confident?”

“I am confident, so I will take the lead. Am I not confident enough to be at the scene?”

“Unnecessarily, confidence… Ugh. Well, fine. I’ll leave the team members to you, but if anyone messes up, really, you won’t get away with it.”

“Don’t worry. It won’t come to that.”

That monster is quite powerful, but if we are careful, we should be able to handle it.

“Gaon Clan members, did you hear? I will continue to hold the command, so if anyone has any objections, speak up now.”

“…Are you planning to face that serpent monster right now?”

“Yes.”

A member of the Hana Gaon Clan posed a perplexing question.

“…What’s the plan?”

“Did you hear the radio? I know the weakness of that monster.”

“How so? It’s a monster we’ve never seen before.”

“Well…”

I paused for a moment before replying in a calm voice.

“I have that kind of supernatural ability.”

“Excuse me?”

The man’s response seemed incredulous.

Well, that’s understandable.

If I were in his shoes, I would probably think, “What kind of nonsense supernatural ability?” out of the blue.

But I can’t go around saying I have memories from a past life or that I can see the future.

“Anyway, everyone, don’t worry too much. I won’t ask you to do anything unreasonable. I just plan to keep that monster occupied until reinforcements from Busan arrive.”

“…Well, if that’s the case.”

Actually, that’s a lie.

If I can bring it down, I will.

And Uroboros is no ordinary monster.

It may look like a big snake-like creature on the surface, but should I really put all my effort into just holding it back?

“Kiiiriririri! Ki-ii, iiiiiiiiii!”

Bam!

Before we knew it, a fierce clash erupted between the formidable group and Ouroboros.

Amidst the chaos, I could see the members of the Black Shadow Clan fighting fervently.

Not only the formidable group, but also Hong Daye, was using their abilities to pressure Ouroboros.

“As the situation is critical, I will inform you of the detailed operation plan via radio.”

Ouroboros began to rampage in earnest.

I looked at Ouroboros with a calm gaze and said,

“Let’s go, everyone.”

The first raid-type monster, the extermination of Ouroboros, begins.