1.
Sixth Bad Ending Prevention.
【Condition Met (6/15)!】
【<Black Wolf>’s Second Skill – <???> has been unlocked!】
【Condition Met (6/15)!】
【<Yellow Dragon>’s Second Skill – <???> has been unlocked!】
The second skills of both <Black Wolf> and <Yellow Dragon> were unlocked simultaneously.
Given the urgency of the situation, I set aside the rewards and checked the skills first.
Starting with Black Wolf.
【Skill 2 – Unyielding】
◆Effect
: Once a day. Immediately after activation. For 90 seconds, a special effect – <Invincibility> is given. No attack can hurt you.
*However, while the skill is active, you also cannot inflict damage on the opponent.
Just like the first skill, this wasn’t an ability with sheer destructive power, but it was still an excellent skill worthy of its rank.
‘At least I don’t have to worry about dying. I can use this in various situations.’
After processing the information that had been injected into my mind, I checked Yellow Dragon’s second skill.
【Skill 2 – Golden Battlefield】
◆Effect
: Designates a space with a maximum diameter of 1km as a <Battlefield>. <Yellow Dragon>’s rank increases based on the number of <allies> within the battlefield.
*However, enemies on the battlefield also receive three or more beneficial effects.
A skill befitting the captivating <Sun’s Blessing>, perfect for large-scale battles.
‘Not something I need right now.’
Nahan made a quick decision and activated Black Wolf’s second skill – Unyielding.
【Skill 2 – Unyielding has been activated.】
【Countdown begins.】
【Time limit: 80 seconds.】
If Veil of Shadows fueled its activation by consuming internal power, Unyielding felt like it was being strengthened by external energy.
‘Black Wolf’s passive. It’s the power of the members connected through <Black Wolf>.’
For each contracted member, 10 seconds were added, allowing me to become invincible for 90 seconds once per day.
‘…But there are seven members in Black Wolf, so who are the other two?’
While Nahan was now able to sense the number of contractors, identifying them individually still felt beyond his capabilities.
‘No. I’ll think about that later. Right now, I need to finish this battle and escape.’
His survival instincts quickly reprioritized his thoughts. Without hesitation, Nahan jumped into the ongoing battle between the two people.
“【…I will survive.】”
“…Yes. If that’s what you wish, then anything……”
Luna still stared down at Vulcan with her cold gaze. Meanwhile, Vulcan was attempting to take his own life by driving a broken shield blade into his throat.
‘Is he entranced?’
Since most information restrictions had been lifted after preventing the fifth bad ending, Nahan had memorized all of the members’ skills.
‘What kind of skill is this?’
There was no such ability among Luna’s known skills.
Judging by the surroundings, it had to be Skill 1 – Masquerade. That realization guided Nahan’s thoughts in a particular direction.
Dozens of masks.
Each with different effects.
And then, he finally noticed—
【Warning.】
【The current target is wearing Mask No. 0 – <Mother (S-)>】
【<Whisper (EX-)> is in effect.】
The name of the mask, ‘Mother.’
Nahan knew the skill information provided by the system, but he had no knowledge of the <souls> Luna had collected.
Still, he had to act.
【The soul of <Mother (S-)> has begun eroding <Luna – Persona (SS-)>】
【Erosion Progress: …8%】
【Luna’s consciousness is fading.】
【Status Effect – <Erosion> has begun.】
【The soul of <Mother (S-)> is slightly resisting the Restriction – <Black Wolf (EX)>】
The restriction of <Black Wolf> was visibly weakening due to the influence of the mask called ‘Mother.’
Nahan couldn’t predict what would happen the moment the restriction was lifted, but one thing was certain.
If <Mother> completely eroded Luna—
“【…Ah. Captain… is that… you?】”
The only way to resolve what would come next would be to kill her.
He had to survive.
And to do that, he had to save her.
‘Then I need to find a way.’
A way to stop the situation before him, escape safely, and rescue Luna.
The moment he established his objective, a new system window appeared before Nahan.
──『Subquest Occurrence!』──
◆ The Face Beneath the Mask.
: You have saved the members of <Black Wolf>, but it was not a complete salvation. Save <Luna> from her nightmare.
◆ Completion Conditions.
- Escape from <Gardner Territory>.
- Fully understand <Luna>.
- Grant <Mother> its rest.
◆ Reward.
: Past memories of all <Black Wolf> members.
◆ Failure & Rejection.
: <Luna>’s rampage.
Like last time, the sub-quest seemed to be guiding Nahan forward.
‘First, wake Luna, then rescue Vulcan and escape. Understanding Luna and granting Mother’s rest can come after wrapping this up.’
Even if he had sent Robin Hood far away using his subspace, Asha was the strongest being in this world.
The returning Hero.
The rest of the Hero Party.
The Gardner family’s response—
Everything was growing more dangerous.
Right now, rescuing Vulcan and escaping took the highest priority.
‘How much time is left?’
【Skill 2 – Unyielding is active.】
【Time Remaining: 75 seconds.】
Only five seconds had passed due to Nahan’s rapid thinking under survival instinct.
And yet, in that short span, Vulcan’s shield had moved quite a bit.
‘If that blade goes any deeper, it’ll be dangerous.’
Nahan didn’t hesitate any longer.
‘Focus. Right now, I am Black Wolf. Move with composure. Yet remain imposing.’
He approached with measured steps—not too fast, not too slow—and reached out toward the shield.
Watching this, Dalan muttered.
“You intend to stop it with strength.”
To physically prevent someone like Vulcan from taking his own life would require immense strength.
Within <Black Wolf>, only the Captain, Vice-Captain, or Han-Ryang would be capable of it.
But the current <Black Wolf> was occupied by Nahan’s soul.
As previously mentioned, he was unfamiliar with controlling the body, unable to fully harness its capabilities, let alone exert such physical strength.
‘But there’s still a way.’
Aware of this, Nahan placed his hand on the edge of the shield’s blade.
…Creak.
With Unyielding active, his fingers could neither be cut nor broken.
Yet, due to his lack of strength, his hand was being pressed down along with Vulcan’s movement.
“…Captain? Stop, Persona!! You are attacking the Captain right now!!”
The moment Dalan realized something was wrong with Luna—
Nahan whispered in an even voice to the dazed Luna.
“Let’s go back.”
And at that moment—
【<Veil of Shadows (EX)> is being deployed at maximum output.】
He sacrificed a sliver of his life force to amplify <Veil of Shadows> to its limit.
…
A cold metal sensation bore into his skull, scraping against the inner walls of his mind.
An endless darkness.
A silent death.
A fleeting moment of respite.
The maximum deployment of <Veil of Shadows> lasted for a time too brief to even measure in seconds.
Something utterly beyond human comprehension swept across and vanished from the entire Gardner estate.
In the aftermath, only the members of <Black Wolf> remained standing amidst the collapsed mansion.
And—
“…Huh? What just….”
Vulcan, who had regained his senses after feeling something horrifying from <Mother>.
As the Black Wolf members remained frozen in shock, Nahan approached Vulcan.
“…!! W-Wait. Stay back.”
“The Emerald Forest. I’ll be there. Send your family’s people to the capital.”
Vulcan flinched and instinctively crawled backward across the floor, but Nahan paid no mind and simply finished his statement before turning away.
“How much longer must we wait?”
Even with the skill deactivated, Nahan’s voice still carried an overwhelming weight, snapping Dalan back to attention.
“My apologies. The summons were sent earlier, so the Blood Demon should arrive soon.”
“Call Han-Ryang and take care of Persona.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Just as Dalan took charge of the still-dazed Luna—
Screeeeech!!
A grotesque avian shriek echoed throughout the Gardner estate.
“…!!”
At that moment, Vulcan’s mind finally snapped back into place.
He had no time to think. His body moved purely on instinct.
‘Even if I die, I must take at least one of them down with me.’
Though still reeling from the sensation of death, Vulcan planted his feet firmly on the ground.
He was certain—
If they were left alive, far worse disasters would come.
…Step. …Step, step.
Driven purely by instinct, Vulcan gripped his broken shield tightly and slowly advanced toward the Black Wolf members, who were now mounting the grotesque bird.
‘…At least one. Just one.’
Because he was a Hero.
A noble knight who would sacrifice his own life to bring peace to the world.
Crack!
“I…!!!”
Just as Vulcan gritted his teeth hard enough to shatter them, preparing to activate his Crushing Charge—
Nahan turned his gaze toward him and gave a single piece of advice.
“Ah. Always be wary of Eclipse.”
“Hic. I will.”
“Well then, we’ll take our leave.”
“Go. Hic.”
Vulcan instinctively stopped in place and nodded, watching as the grotesque bird took off.
Once again, a horrific scream.
With the monstrous bird, <Black Wolf> disappeared into the distance.
Squelch.
Left alone, Vulcan slowly sank to the ground, pulling his legs together.
“Black Wolf… Next time we meet, I’ll stake my life to take at least one of you down.”
His words were firm, yet his clenched fists trembled violently.
“…But why did it make a squelching sound when I sat dow— …Damn it.”
And so, in the stillness of midnight, Vulcan muttered to himself, feeling just a bit more empty inside.
2.
Meanwhile, right after their escape, <Black Wolf> was returning to their hideout atop the grotesque bird.
As everyone remained silent, Ruby, who was handling the beast, let out a sigh and spoke.
“We’re going down.”
Already expecting this, Nahan simply nodded without much reaction.
【Erosion Progress: …24%】
Even though they had managed to flee, Luna’s erosion was still ongoing.
‘It’s definitely the work of that thing called <Mother>. The erosion’s progressing faster than expected, so I figured something would happen soon.’
After recovering some of his stamina using Iaso’s Ring, Nahan turned to Ruby and asked.
“Estimated time until impact?”
“About thre—”
“Three minutes is enough.”
“Two… On—”
Wait.
Huh?
Wai—
