1.
“You got lucky dodging once, and now you’re running your mouth arrogantly.”
The moment the voice reached his ears, Nahan instinctively called up the system window.
‘Access information. Vulcan Gardner.’
【Name: Vulcan Gardner.】
– Alias: Guardian of the Empire
– Rank: SS-rank.
– Information: Information: Eldest son of the <Gardner> family. Possesses a straightforward and brute-force personality. Through a series of events, he came to wield the <Shield> and broke through his limits, reaching the level of a Sword Master. Due to his sense of loss, <Rage> is currently in effect.
‘SS-rank.’
Now it was certain.
The entire Hero Party was only described as being around S-rank in the novel, but in reality, they were all beings who exceeded that, breaking past the limits of reason.
‘Assessment complete. Now, I need to find a way.’
The original plan was for Lactea to search for the Celestial Barrier while Han-Ryang and Luna had their Restrictions lifted, allowing them to confront Gardner and Asha.
During that time, as soon as the sixth bad ending—Return of the Hero—was concluded, he would pretend to lose and release Hestia before making an escape to the hideout.
‘But that’s impossible now.’
Gardner, who was assumed to be S-rank, was actually SS-. And the level of power that came with that rank far exceeded expectations.
Time.
Strength.
The plan—
Everything had been thrown into chaos by Vulcan’s mere presence.
To overcome the situation, he had to rely on luck, talent, or some intangible factor. As he realized this, a certain memory surfaced.
— Hey, did you know, Brother?
— What?
Nahan’s only friend, ■■, always looked at him with sparkling eyes and said,
— Han, your acting is… how should I put it? It’s like a gift from the heavens!
At first, it sounded absurd, but over time, Nahan came to think of his greatest talent as his ability to act.
That led to the next question:
If Nahan now considers acting his greatest talent, what did he think was his best ability before?
The answer was—
‘…How do I survive this?’
<Survival instinct>.
The first time he became aware of this talent was more than ten years ago.
— I’m sorry, Han. But if I adopt the rest of the children…
— Nothing changes. Director, you take care of the kids, and I’ll continue earning money and bringing it to you.
— But Han!! Outside, it’s—
— It’s fine. I’ll be careful.
Despite all of Nahan’s efforts, the orphanage went bankrupt, and he was forced to wander the streets. That was when he encountered the boss of the ‘Black Dragon Gang’.
One of the culprits responsible for bankrupting the orphanage.
The leader of Seoul’s most notorious criminal organization.
A ruthless loan shark.
—So this is where you ran off to.
—…You sure run fast.
—Shut up, you little shit.
The boss recognized Nahan instantly and grabbed him before questioning him.
—Where did your director run off to?
—I don’t know.
—You wanna die?
—…Not really?
Smack!
Nahan bolted.
—Tch, that crazy bastard…!! What are you idiots doing?! Catch him!!
He ran and ran, escaping as fast as he could.
And he succeeded.
It was the first time the big boss had ever lost a target. Later, recalling that day, the boss asked.
—Be honest. You didn’t actually get caught that day—you let us catch you, didn’t you? Because you were afraid the director would die?
—…Yes, boss.
—Damn, you little shit. You know, that was the first time we ever lost someone in Seoul. You get that?
—I just didn’t want to die.
—Pfft. Who the hell wants to die?
Nahan just shrugged, and the boss clapped his hands together as if he had an epiphany.
—Now I get it. Your talent isn’t fighting or running away.
—Then what is it?
—Survival instinct. There are always guys like you. They seem ordinary at first, but when you push them to the brink of death, their brain spins like a turbine, and they get absurdly strong…
Real monsters.
And now, once again—
Faced with imminent death, Nahan’s mind spun solely for the sake of survival.
‘Why is Vulcan enraged?’
Hestia’s death.
“I’ll rip you apart and avenge Hestia—”
“I didn’t kill her.”
“…? Don’t interrupt me. Listen until the end. I’ll tear you and your men apart to avenge Hestia’s spirit—”
“Hestia is alive.”
Before Vulcan could process the thought, Nahan had already responded. His words were so quick that they halted Vulcan’s thoughts.
Then, after finally grasping the meaning, Vulcan’s face twisted in fury.
“…Are you even human?”
His voice dripped with disbelief, as if he was convinced Nahan was mocking him—killing her wasn’t enough, and now he was desecrating her memory.
Officially, it was the <Black Wolf> that had killed Hestia, so Vulcan’s resentment was not entirely unreasonable.
However, Nahan saw something else.
Right now, Vulcan wasn’t standing here as a hero—he was here as Hestia’s family.
Because of that—
“…”
In Vulcan’s eyes, there was the faintest glimmer of hope as he waited for Nahan’s next words.
With this, Vulcan could no longer kill him—not until Nahan spoke again.
‘The initiative is back in my hands.’
Realizing this instantly, Nahan amplified the effect of <Veil of Shadows> and asked,
“You didn’t come here to kill me?”
“…Shut up.”
“If you insist.”
Nahan shrugged indifferently and turned his body as if he had no interest in the matter.
At the same time, he took in his surroundings.
The warriors still stood like dogs chasing after a chicken, staring at the rooftop. Behind them, three figures had appeared unnoticed.
Count Gardner.
His wife.
And Asha.
The three of them, who had been exchanging words, turned toward Nahan.
‘I thought they would bring the remaining party members, Marin and Selena, but it’s just them. That’s actually better.’
Amidst the heavy silence, Nahan scrapped his original plan.
‘I’ll keep Lactea’s mission as is, but I need to restructure everything else to match this new situation.’
First, the primary threat—Vulcan.
“What did you mean?”
“What do you mean, what did I mean?”
“When you said Hestia is alive.”
He couldn’t kill Nahan until he got the answer he wanted.
“Well, I don’t know? You told me to shut up, so I forgot.”
“…Speak. Before I tear you apart.”
“Oh dear, so scary. I almost answered, but now I think I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
Nahan continued to stall for time, keeping Vulcan within his sight.
‘Next, the members of the Gardner family.’
They were essential for spreading the <Black Wolf>’s notoriety, but a battalion-sized force of B to A-rank warriors was a serious threat.
However, due to the previous attack, fear of <Black Wolf> should already be imprinted in their minds.
“Their gazes are a bit much, Tal.”
“Night. It is time to sleep.”
“Don’t put them to sleep directly—just sing them a lullaby.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The moment Nahan gave the order, Han-Ryang leapt to the ground.
Kwaaaang!!
Dust exploded from the impact, and at the same time, a system window appeared.
【No.3 – <Tal – Han-Ryang (A+)> has begun his <Goblin Play>!】
【Warning!】
【No.3 – <Tal – Han-Ryang (A+)> requests the lifting of his <Restriction>!】
The <Black Wolf>’s Restriction.
A contract that made the <Black Wolf> stronger but suppressed its members’ powers.
A vow of gratitude and loyalty, voluntarily offered by those saved by <Black Wolf>.
‘Permission granted.’
The power that had been sealed for so long was unlocked at Nahan’s command.
Paaang!
At the same time, the massive figure that had been pressing his head to the ground lifted it.
“It is time. To sleep.”
The crude stone mask now glowed with a pale white aura, and a twisted beastly grin spread across his face.
【Restriction lift approved.】
【No.3 – <Tal – Han-Ryang (A+)> has reverted to his original rank.】
【(A+) → (S+).】
Crack!
The moment he stepped forward, his colossal body disappeared—only to reappear at the very center of the enemy ranks.
“Eol—ssu.”
Kwaaaaang!!
With both fists clenched, he lifted his left foot and slammed it into the ground. Instantly, countless earthen pillars shot up, launching the warriors into the air.
“Huuaaagh!!! W-What the fuck is this?!!”
“Jump down!! Get down before we go any higher!!”
“He activated it with a stomp!! Target his feet first!!”
Some warriors quickly leaped off the rising pillars and charged at Han-Ryang, but the moment they locked eyes with his stone mask, he spoke.
“You-Will-Not-Step.”
Crack!
Crumble, crumble, cruuumble!
Every patch of ground touched by Han-Ryang’s gaze melted into a pit, like an antlion’s trap.
“We’re sinking!! Grab onto something!!”
“P-Puhaa!! M-Mages!!”
“Guhhh!! Ughhh…!!”
Time taken to incapacitate a battalion of B to A-rank warriors—just 30 seconds.
Nahan thought to himself.
If he had known how to lift the Restriction during the battle with the Empress and had done so, the victor that day would undoubtedly have been Han-Ryang.
“…I-Do-Not-Kill.”
With the battle over, Han-Ryang turned his massive body toward the reinforcements arriving late.
“Stop him!!”
“For the name of Gardner!!”
“For Lady Hestia!!”
Judging by the lack of a family crest, most of them seemed to be mercenaries stationed here.
‘Mercenaries are the type to look out for their own hides. This fight won’t escalate any further.’
That marked the end of the second threat. Now, only the final and most dangerous one remained.
Having eliminated two of the three dangers, Nahan turned his gaze toward the last.
“It is night. No matter how brightly one light may shine, the darkness of the night still stretches far wider.”
A crisp warning, imbued with the effect of <Hidden Schemer>, flew toward its target.
The third and final threat—
More dangerous than the previous two combined—
“I am convinced. You are undoubtedly evil.”
The Hero of Light, Asha Mirabelle.
She gently pushed Count Gardner and his wife aside and lifted her gaze toward the rooftop.
And in the next moment—
“Hold him down, Vulcan.”
【<Judgment (SSS+)> has been activated.】
An ultimate, honed strike of unparalleled speed and strength—so taxing that even Asha herself could not use it multiple times.
A flash of light, similar to Vulcan’s but even faster, streaked toward Nahan.
‘I have to kill him in one blow.’
If she gave that man even the slightest chance, he might counterattack.
Asha had realized it.
The one exuding a murderous aura toward her was none other than the leader of <Black Wolf>.
Just as the razor-sharp tip of the Holy Sword was about to pierce <Black Wolf>’s throat—
Kwaaaang!!!
With a familiar surge of energy, Asha’s body was sent flying back.
Even though it had been hastily executed, her most powerful strike as the Hero had been blocked.
There was no need for prolonged thought.
Brushing away the dust that had risen around her, Asha turned to the one who had stopped her.
“What is the meaning of this, Vulcan?”
Blocking the Hero of Light—was none other than the Guardian of the Empire.
Barely holding together his shattered shield, Vulcan let out a strained breath and spoke.
“I’ll handle this. Stand down, Asha.”
The third threat had been neutralized.
