Damn System

Episode 19

Chapter 5 K(3)

When I saw the blade that suddenly appeared, I was completely frozen.

I lay down on a plain, flat rock.

But why did the weapon appear next to my face?

The answer came very easily. Because it was there where I lay!

“Uhhhhh.”

With the bread in my mouth, I hurriedly rolled my body to the side.

Chills ran down my spine. I just almost screamed.

If only I had sat and lay on my right side a few more centimeters.

That blade would have pierced my head or neck.

My heart was beating at an unusual rate.

The sudden death crisis was truly terrifying.

I was barely able to calm down after several minutes.

When I managed to get my still-trembling body up, I could see very well the scene that almost killed me.

A rock covered with bushes and moss, and a blade protruding from the edge of the rock.

“her!”

I laughed out loud because I was so dumbfounded.

I quickly climbed onto the rock and grabbed the part of the stick that had no blade.

I tried to pull it hard, but it didn’t come off easily as if it was caught on something.

In the end, I pushed the bladed part upward like a lever.

There was a coo-kung, and a rock rolled down from behind the bushes and trees.

Only then did the blade’s body appear.

“window… … ?”

Why is this here?

I picked up the window and looked around.

The spear I had had a pointed tip like a harpoon or arrow.

But this spearhead looks like a double-edged sword.

About 15 cm long.

And one more blade on each side.

If you look only at the head of the spear, it looks like a cross.

There was also an incomprehensible pattern engraved in the center.

‘No, is it a letter?’

I stared at the intaglio and swung the spear once.

“oh.”

Unknowingly, an exclamation came out.

Even though I didn’t know much about weapons, it was clear that this was better than the spear the system gave me.

In terms of overall weight, this one is lighter.

Moreover, it is much better balanced when swinging.

The hardness is also much harder than the spear I have, and there is no rust on the blade.

It was fine enough that I could use it right away. It was an unexpected harvest.

I swung the spear a few more times to familiarize myself with it.

I quite liked the spear that came into my hand at an unexpected moment.

But apart from that, things got complicated in my head.

A coin found in the valley and a spear that jumped out of nowhere.

‘Strange.’

These are not familiar things to me.

I took some of the loot out of the locker.

No matter how you look at it, this is gold. Coins made of gold.

Let’s leave aside the jewelry with gold and jewels.

But what is this gold coin?

Who in the world uses such heavy coins these days?

‘Maybe it’s a commemorative product.’

Maybe it’s not currency, but medals?

In fact, this window was also strange.

In an age when guns and even nuclear bombs were made, what is the meaning of such a cold weapon?

swish, whirric.

While rolling the spear in his hand, his head was also spinning.

Black blood from monsters, mission sheets, summons and injuries, stuff out of date.

When I put the pieces that were fragmentarily apart, I came up with an unpleasant and ambiguous picture.

Suddenly, my expression hardened.

‘It’s a land with monsters.’

Where is this? Where in the world do I live?

‘Is that monster somewhere on Earth?’

It was an absurd assumption.

No matter how large the Earth is, the number of monsters on missions ranges from hundreds, thousands, and even tens of millions.

I never forgot the number at the bottom of the mission list.

In my mind, I was already convinced that it was the number of monsters.

But it doesn’t make sense for humans to live without knowing that many monsters.

In the end, there is only the conclusion that this place is not Earth.

‘Although this also makes no sense.’

If that’s the case, this damn game won’t make sense.

Considering what I have seen so far, the latter guess is more convincing than the former.

‘If this isn’t Earth.’

The problem follows, but there is no way to know.

In the meantime, one thing was clear.

‘It must mean that civilization exists.’

Following gold coins, gold ingots, and accessories, isn’t there a technology that can make the spear I hold in my hand?

It is proof that there is civilization on this land.

‘I don’t think monsters will use spear knives.’

But you seem to know that this spear knife is dangerous.

That would mean that at least someone had used this spear on those monsters.

It was when my eyes narrowed.

「Patch for update is in progress.」

Suddenly a system message popped up.

Startled, as I shuddered, I saw a familiar number at the bottom of my field of vision.

「Progress rate 0.01%」

What is an update patch? so suddenly?

I glared at the numbers, frowning.

We couldn’t figure out why the system suddenly proceeded with an update.

You will be able to check it only after that progress is full. just have to wait

“Tsk.”

My head feels like it’s going to explode from the information rushed in in a matter of minutes.

Shaking my head, I put the ring and gold coin into the storage box.

‘Let’s go back and think.’

Immediately after looking at the bread that had fallen on the floor, I opened a new one.

With the bread in my mouth again, I looked around.

‘First of all, the mission.’

Organize complicated thoughts one by one and now is the time to do a mission.

Well well.

As I chewed bread, I opened the mission window and saw the counter.

MISSION

[02-07(1/5)]

Eliminate enemies. (5/7)

Two monsters left.

A mission that may not be on Earth.

A few snippets of information were very helpful in making a decision.

‘It takes too long to keep going around like this.’

When I objectively evaluate my combat power, I can deal with about two at once.

There are only two left.

I started taking out the things I had prepared in the locker.

It was something I had prepared because I was bothered by the plants being left unattended during the promotion mission.

Large-capacity oil and matches for businesses like a restaurant.

‘I didn’t come here with a promise to start a fire unconditionally.’

If this isn’t Earth, at least there won’t be anyone to report me.

In the first place, I’m the only ‘human’ on this mission.

So it would be good to try it once.

‘If it’s hard to find it on my own, I can make it come on my own.’

I poured oil all around.

Tak, Tak, the fleeting moment of lighting a match and throwing it passed slowly.

I was a little worried because it was a place with a lot of greenery.

The fire that started to burn once spread quickly to the surroundings.

I walked with my back to the flames and launched the butterfly high.

‘Let’s see.’

Will the remaining guys see the flames and run? Or will you run away?

I was thinking of betting on the former.

Because the monsters I’ve been through have been belligerent.

There is no way to run away after seeing an anomaly.

It has been several minutes since I hurriedly walked away from the scene of the topic.

“2.1 magical energy is absorbed.”

「Absorbs 1.8 mana.」

「Absorbs 1.5 mana.」

“Magic power 1.3… … .」

Mana began to be absorbed in a heap.

And through the butterflies floating in the air, I saw a large mass of magical energy approaching at high speed.

Now is the time to finish the mission.

* * *

Returning back, Jong-hun’s lab was empty.

I took a breath while purifying the contaminated magic power still remaining in my body.

It wasn’t that easy, but I did it by myself.

I’ve never been happy with this game, but the sense of accomplishment was another matter.

“Whoa.”

I let out a long breath and opened the locker.

The moment I confirmed what was in it, I grabbed both of my hands.

‘there is!’

Thankfully, the system didn’t touch my loot.

The last time was 10 million won, and this time it was obviously more expensive than that.

If it continues like this, I have thoughts of being a little more active in the mission.

I put the spear into the empty space with the corners of my mouth raised.

Only then did I realize that my clothes and hair were singed.

As I guessed, the monsters flocked to the place where the flames soared.

While dealing with one, the other intervened, so it was a bit difficult.

There were no injuries that were life threatening.

‘My stomach hurts a little too badly.’

I brushed off my tanned hair and headed for the tripod where the camera was.

After that, I stopped recording and picked up my cell phone lying next to me.

When I dialed Jonghun’s number at the top of the call list, the signal started to go.

turr, turr.

『Hyunwoo?』

There were only a couple of calls, but Jong-hoon answered the phone right away.

“Yes, mister.”

“Where did you get hurt?”

“It’s okay this time.”

Fortunately, he was not seriously injured in the second battle.

『Wait a moment. Go soon.”

“You must be busy, but please come slowly.”

After finishing the call with Jonghun, I checked the recorded video.

When I quickly rotated the video, I got confused.

Until I disappeared with the white light at dawn and reappeared a few hours later.

The camera just took pictures of empty space.

I thought it would be all delusion.

‘I won’t go to a mental hospital.’

As I sighed repeatedly, I heard the sound of urgent footsteps.

The hand pressing the door lock was also in a hurry.

Before long, the door to the lab burst open, and Jong-hoon appeared from beyond, breathing heavily.

His eyes scanned me quickly. I gave him a shy smile.

“I’m home.”

Seeing me like that, Jonghun’s face twisted strangely.

For a while, I opened my mouth as if I had something I wanted to say.

Jong-hoon came inside and closed the door.

“Let’s see the wound first.”

“It’s really okay this time… … .”

“right now!”

It was a harsh tone. He wasn’t going to let him go home until he showed his wounds.

I looked at Jonghun’s eyes and took off his clothes.

“Grunt.”

Jonghoon let out a pained sound.

‘It’s pretty good compared to last time, but.’

That’s not to say there weren’t any injuries.

The abdomen and back were bruised black, and there were quite a few wounds where the flesh was torn here and there.

When I entered the mission site, Jong-hoon, who received the first aid kit, pressed my stomach and asked.

“What about the pain?”

“very… … .”

I just hoped it would pass.

The reason I decided to seek help from Jong-hoon was to prepare for a truly fatal injury.

It’s not like I wanted them to take care of all the injuries they could endure.

But when I saw Jonghun’s wide-eyed gaze, I couldn’t bear to lie.

“It hurts.”

In the end, I chose this job.

“Why is the back… … Just in case, let’s take a lung X-ray and an abdominal CT first. I also treat leg wounds.”

“yes.”

When he answered quickly, Jonghun’s eyes softened.

After fresh disinfection of the wound, I was dragged by Jong-hoon and received various examinations and treatment.

Because of the result of abdominal muscle rupture, I had to be held in the hospital for about two hours.

My heart was at ease. I finished the level 2 mission well without any major risks.

It was very satisfying to get valuable loot.

* * *

Until now, after quite some time had passed, it seemed as if I could hear Jonghun’s voice in my ears.

‘It’s fortunate that I’ve been able to recover to some extent thanks to the potion.’

Otherwise, he would have been held much longer.

I rubbed my ears and swallowed a sigh.

Injuries will not be avoided in the future, and Jong-hoon will be nervous every time.

‘I have no choice but to get used to it.’

But unless you can’t get out of the game, it’s something you’ll have to get used to.

It’s a waste of time to hang on to problems that I can’t change right now.

I read the uncomfortable mind and organized the rewards I got from this mission.

The first thing I checked was the attribute stone.

I took out the rainbow-colored stone that had been dormant in the storage box for three months and focused my mind.

When my elemental magic exceeded 50, I felt something different in my magical power.

It’s the same liquid, but different colors?

Unlike the red magic power, it was achromatic.

I saw it clearly when I recognized that fact and took out the separated mana.

Transparent magical power shimmering like a haze in summer.

When I brought it to the attribute stone.

“Use attribute stone (higher grade).”

「Determine the attributes that are suitable for the user.」

「The lightning attribute is granted.」

A system message popped up and the transparent magic power changed.

paper weave.

It was definitely lightning that was constantly shaking at my fingertips.

‘The existing magical power was like smoke.’

The magical power that had the attribute was different.

When materialized, it has a completely different form.

I thought as I stared at the sparks in my hand.

‘It’s an attribute suitable for the user… … .’

The attribute that suits me is lightning.

‘What is the basis?’

The question only lasted for a moment. I couldn’t ask the system, and it wasn’t a big deal.

‘Because it’s a senior, it must be good.’

The attribute stone sold in the shop had a whopping 30,000 mana. The upper level is 50,000.

It’s like using an item with a price that I couldn’t afford right away.

That alone was enough to satisfy.

Instead of obsessing over unknown reasons, I decided to focus more on the current situation.

“Status window.”