1.
Damn side quests.
The additional conditions for <Bloodstained Gold> are threefold.
【1. Only one member of the <Black Wolf> Mercenary Corps may accompany you.】
This condition was fulfilled by bringing <Ruby Red> alone instead of other members.
Of course, Ruby, who suddenly declared herself a member, feels more distant compared to the others. However:
‘Among A-rank mercenaries, only the best of the best are affiliated with the Mercenary Alliance, and only a select few of those become branch managers.’
In other words, Ruby, a branch manager under the Mercenary Alliance system, is at least A-rank or higher.
Considering that Lactea is C-, and Luna and Han-Ryang are D-rank, this arrangement actually worked out for the best.
Next is the second condition.
【Second, rescue the <Saint> trapped in the underground chamber before she succumbs to <Corruption>.】
As soon as the quest appeared, I hurried to Viscount Gapelt’s domain with Ruby.
“Captain! I’ve got her!”
“…Safe.”
We narrowly managed to fulfill the condition.
I approached the trembling woman, extended my hand to help her up, and asked.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah… Yes. Th-thank you.”
“Are you hurt?”
“…Thanks to you, I’m unharmed.”
We succeeded in fulfilling the second condition by the slimmest of margins.
Interestingly, the word <Nun> had changed to <Saint>.
Saint?
Had I been reincarnated with foreknowledge of the original plot, I could have used this detail somehow. But as things stand, it’s just another uncertainty.
“Well then, let’s get out of here.”
“Oh…? Aren’t you mercenaries? I thought it was customary to offer a reward.”
“It’s fine. Just go. Follow the path we came in through.”
I smoothly sent her on her way after fulfilling the sub-quest condition.
“W-wait! Please wait!! At least take this!!”
“Sure. Thanks. Now go.”
“This is collateral. It’s really important to me… I’ll come back for it soon, I promise…!!”
“Do as you like. Goodbye. Please go.”
With that, she finally left, leaving me holding a mysterious black object.
“…Black Fang. I’ll burn them alive.”
.
.
.
【Congratulations!】
【The bad ending – <4. Black Fang (A-)> has been prevented due to your choice!】
【Number of bad endings prevented: [4 / 15]】
【Next bad ending – <5. Tyrant’s Omen (A)> has been set above the main scenario.】
.
.
.
The similar name to <Black Wolf> gave me chills, though it was likely just my imagination.
Regardless, the second condition has been fulfilled. Now for the final one.
【Third, complete all conditions before dawn tomorrow.】
After gathering information from Ruby and learning the mansion’s layout, quite a bit of time had passed.
‘It’s nearly midnight now, so at most six hours until dawn.’
Within that time, I need to assassinate <Viscount Gapelt> to complete the sub-quest.
‘Of course, I feel guilt.’
Assassination.
Killing someone.
Even if I don’t kill him directly, I’ll give the order and witness the moment.
However—
-The orphanage. They killed everyone and burned it down.
-The viscount said to give her to you. Said to hang those things as decorations and send them over.
After hearing the disgusting words from a soldier’s mouth, I felt strangely at peace.
As if the body of <Nahan>, the one I’ve reincarnated into, desires this outcome.
So what choice do I have?
“Ruby.”
“Yes, Captain?”
“I want to have breakfast at the base.”
If I don’t want to die, I have to kill.
I’m sorry for thinking this way, even though my hands won’t get dirty.
But—
“As always, whatever you wish, Captain.”
At least the members of <Black Wolf> don’t seem to mind such things.
“Lead the way, Ruby.”
“Yes, Captain!!”
Mutual benefit is the only option.
“Eek! Captain! Can I kill them all!?”
“…Spare the servants for now.”
“What!? They’re just like Gapelt! We already have all their info! They’ve been pocketing bribes, trafficking people, selling orphans’ organs, and killing for money…”
“Cancel that. Do whatever you want.”
I had thought to preserve a shred of conscience, but they had discarded theirs first.
“Captain, you’re the best! Seriously, the absolute best!! Ugh, I want to savor this and kill them one by one, but since you told me to finish quickly…!!”
Before she even finished speaking, Ruby snapped her fingers.
Snap!
Creak…!
At the same time, crimson spears pierced through the bodies of those who had become living skewers.
With a sickening crack, their bones transformed, turning them into spiked, grotesque dolls.
The first doll to form immediately lunged forward at Ruby’s command.
“Mon… Monster!!”
“What are you idiots doing?! Stop it!!”
The soldiers and mercenaries formed ranks and unleashed attacks to halt the creature, but—
Crack! Pop!
The creature twisted its joints at unnatural angles, evading all the attacks.
“Wa-wait—!”
Crunch!
It impaled the hearts of two mercenaries and tore the throat of a nearby soldier with its teeth, killing them instantly.
“What are you mercenaries doing?! Fight properly!!”
“Dammit, don’t you know our team is all B-rank or higher?! That thing is—!”
Snap!
Crack!
It only took one minute for the creature to annihilate an entire mercenary corps and a squad of soldiers.
“Phew! Did you see that, Captain?! We might finish before midnight at this rate!”
“Yeah. Uh, sure. Great. Amazing.”
Ruby’s power far exceeded my expectations.
‘Wait, that’s considered A-rank?’
Then just how strong are the Empress and the Hero, who are said to be S-rank…?
‘Yep! Let’s just lay low!’
Forget the main story; after finishing this sub-quest, I’ll stay out of sight until all bad endings are prevented.
“Captain, you’re the best!! I could even rip out my heart for you!!”
“Uh, thanks. You’re amazing too, Ruby.”
“Ehehe. Just wait a bit longer, Captain!”
…Yeah, this crazy one.
I need to avoid getting involved with her as much as possible.
“How do you like them, Captain?! Aren’t my babies adorable?!”
“Uh, yeah. Cute.”
“Right?! They’re so good at their job!! Ugh, they’re just too cute! I want to bite them!! I can’t resist—I’ll go bite them right now!!”
“…Ugh. Wow. Go for it.”
As I stifled my nausea, trying not to vomit at the sight of blood, flesh, and scattered entrails—
“Smooch! Mwah! Did you hear that? The Captain thinks you’re cute! So gather your friends and play together!”
Ruby, fully immersed in her madness, clapped her hands together.
Clap!
…Rumble…!
The entire mansion trembled.
“Ruby?”
“Yes, Captain!!”
“Just to be sure…”
…The building isn’t about to collapse, is it?
Hesitating, not wanting to seem too alarmed, I saw Ruby grin as she answered.
“That’s right, Captain. I’ve gathered allllll my friends here as one big group.”
“…Huh?”
That’s when I realized.
From the basement to the third floor, Ruby had created around 100 human skewers.
In other words—
“Alright, everyone, it’s free hug time!!”
At her command, 108 unstoppable monsters began to move.
“Run! RUN!!”
“Argh!! I’ve been bitten, help me!!”
“…These monsters…”
As chaos erupted on the third floor, we ascended to the fourth, and finally, to the fifth floor, where Gapelt was hiding.
Just as Ruby had said, we arrived before midnight.
“Well then…”
With the tension somewhat dissipated, I was about to open Gapelt’s door when—
Ding!
A cheerful notification sound accompanied the system message that appeared before me, momentarily forgotten in all the chaos.
【Progress: …100%】
【<New Information> and <Skills> about <Nahan> are unlocked!】
The cold iron that had once encased my heart melted as if forged in a blazing furnace. The sensation flowed through my body, filling me from my toes upward.
It was an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar feeling, cold yet warm—a paradox that left me momentarily frozen. I opened the status window.
‘I’ll review the information later; for now, let’s focus on skills that could be useful.’
As soon as I finished the thought, the window appeared.
But this time, it was different. Instead of the usual blue system window, it was black with white text.
【Skill List】
– Veil of Shadows (Ex) (Partially Unlocked) (4/6)
– Restricted Access (Ex) (4/6)
– Restricted Access (Ex) (4/10)
All the skills were Ex-rank.
‘Is this the privilege of a reincarnated protagonist I’ve heard about?’
Though only partially unlocked, seeing the rank erased any complaints I might have had.
As I stood there, processing the newly unlocked abilities, Ruby, who had gathered her army of one hundred, leaned in with a sly grin and whispered in my ear.
“Captain? It’s almost midnight… Don’t you think it’s time to open the door?”
Having just finished understanding the functions of Veil of Shadows, I offered Ruby a faint smile and nodded.
“Why are you asking? Hurry up and open it.”
“Kyaa! Should I kill him immediately?”
“No. I have some questions to ask first.”
“Ah, I see!”
Ruby clapped her hands, tilting her head as she circled around me.
“Should I go in first and ‘prepare the meal’? You’ll get the answers you want right away.”
“No need for any harsh ‘cooking.’ A polite conversation should suffice.”
“Hmm…?”
“Just open the door already, will you?”
I couldn’t wait to test this overpowered skill.
The sudden gift from the system had me itching with anticipation as midnight drew near.
After taking an hour to climb from the basement to the fifth floor—
“Yes, Captain! At your command!”
Clunk!
The door to Viscount Gapelt’s room finally opened.
And with the softest, most congenial tone I could muster—
“Hello. You must be Viscount Gapelt, right?”
.
.
.
【Veil of Shadows (Ex) Activated.】
◆ Effects
- If the target feels even the slightest fear toward <You>, from that moment, the target perceives <You> as the embodiment of death itself. The status effect <Terror> will linger until their final breath.
- Restricted Access. (4/6)
- Restricted Access. (4/10)
.
.
.
“G-gahhh! I-I can’t b-breathe, gahhh! Stay, stay away!!”
“…You said you’d ask politely, Captain.”
“…I thought that was polite enough.”
Anyway.
Now that the target was thoroughly terrified, it was the perfect moment to extract information.
I crouched before Viscount Gapelt, who was trembling in a corner, and asked quietly.
“Tell me everything about the Empress.”
And in the next moment—
“It’s you… Gahh… I knew it! You’re the Emperor’s Mad Dog, the Black Wolf!!”
…Black Wolf?
.
.
.
【<Black Wolf Mercenary Corps>】
– Alias: Incompetent Mercenary Corps (Temporary), Trash Heap (Temporary), Mercenary Kindergarten (Temporary)
– Rank: D (Temporary)
– Members:
◆ Captain: <Nahan – Black Wolf (New!)
.
.
.
What the hell is this, you cringy idiot.