RAAGOAT 03

Chapter 3

<The Subordinate (乙) offers a portion of experience points.>

The unidentified line of text rapidly flickers and disappears.

Subordinate (乙) Han Bi-yeol. The maniac I know, the one dancing with his sword over there—is that right?

I glanced over.

My God.

He’s glaring at me too.

Our two gazes collide hotly across the length of Hangju Bridge.

“…You, what kind of trick are you pulling…!!”

His fierce, axe-like eyes bore into me.

“Gyaaaaak!”
“An, another gate!”

Then, the space near the existing gates distorted. It was the occurrence of additional gates.
‘Ah.’

[On August 17th, a shocking Gate Break of ‘as many as five gates’ occurred at Hanju Bridge.]

The latter part I had arbitrarily filtered suddenly flashed by.

[Government ministries and guilds have decided to form an investigation team to uncover the truth behind this Multi-Gate Break.]
[Hunter Seo Bo-Seok, currently A-rank and a strong candidate for Korea’s first S-rank, is expected to be selected as the team leader.]

“…haha.”

A hollow laugh escapes.

Now I get it.

I guess this is the advantage of review.

This Multi-Gate Break was the trigger. A part I had inadvertently missed in my past life snagged on my memory.

‘Investigation Team Leader Selection.’

The public is in chaos. A perfect situation to frame someone is laid out. Hostile forces used that gap to target my brother…

Gnash.

How could they?

To a hero who devoted himself to society!

I gritted my molars and scanned the area. Greenish arms were pushing through the outer edges of the gates.

“Damn it, there are Hobgoblins mixed in too!”

The man was desperately swinging the emergency hammer, trying to block the beasts’ approach.

Passengers who realized he was no ordinary person took refuge behind him.

“Don’t clump together like that! If you bunch up, you’re easier targets for the goblins!”
“B-but-!”
Kang!
“Scatter, quickly! For now, just put the kids behind me, and those who can move, pick up something and throw it!”

The goblin’s temple shattered under the man hammer.
Kkeureuk.
The follow-up wave trampled the convulsing creature as they approached.

The D-rank man swung his hammer, kicked, and held back the goblin horde.

“P-please save us…!”

People hid behind cars, begging for help. Unconsciously taking out their phones, they belatedly realized it was useless.

“The signal… the signal…”

For some reason, communications always go dead when an Abyss Gate occurs. That’s why civilians caught in one had to vaguely wait for hunters.

“Kkiyaayaayaaya!”
A scream.
“P-please! At least spare the child!”
Another person’s scream.

I clenched and opened my eyes tightly.

‘…I can’t just stand by idly.’

I have to twist fate.

I don’t care about the will of whatever entity sent me back.

I’ll live as I want!

“Damn it!”

Han Bi-yeol, who had been spewing curses, finally withdrew the glare he was shooting at me.

“It’s suffocating enough as it is! If it weren’t for ‘that matter,’ I wouldn’t be doing this kind of free service, damn it!”

Han Bi-yeol spat out his words like phlegm and eventually resumed exterminating the beasts.

Ping!
A clear sound.

The red thread connecting my fingertip to Han Bi-yeol’s back was still intact.

It stretched and shrank elastically.

‘It’s… sturdy?’

While I was dazed.

“Hunters really are different.”
“No wonder they’re distinguished from regular Awakened.”
“Until yesterday, I thought hunters were overpaid for their salaries? I take all that back. They earn it, that salary.”

Some onlookers shed tears of emotion at Han Bi-yeol’s strong work ethic.

It seemed I was the only one thinking differently at this scene.

Then again, if I hadn’t been stabbed by him, I would have been fooled too…

‘He’s definitely acting like this for a reason.’

I’ll find out gradually.

My life and this incomprehensible phenomenon are the top priority.

I barely managed to pull my upper body up.

Cough, cough!
Ugh.

It’s painfully prickly. It feels like pine cones are rolling around in my lungs. At least this is an improvement.

<The Superior (甲) SeoWonSeok’s level has become 2!>

It must be thanks to this message.

When your level rises, it refills your drained stamina to full. At least, that’s how it works in games.

<You can check with numerical values. Proceed?>

“Hey! Hey! Are you okay?!”

The man, who had been busy beating goblins, looked at me with worried eyes.

I thought he’d have a bad personality from arguing with the driver, but he seems quite sentimental.

“Judging people by first impressions really is dangerous…”
“Hey you! Get a grip! You’re muttering to yourself out loud!”
“…Ah.”
I’m dazed.

“man, please, just don’t shake me for a bit.”
“Kid! I’m doing this so you don’t fall asleep!”
“I feel like I’m going to vomit.”

Seeing him back away slowly…

A sigh escaped my pale lips.

Anyway, I’m a bit calmer now.

Only then could I focus my gaze squarely on the air before me.

Name: SeoWonSeok
Level: 1 ➢ 2
◆ Stamina: +3
◆ Agility: +5
◆ Mental Strength: ─
◆ Magic Power: +2
◆ Luck: -44
◆ Intelligence: Measurement requires some time
◆ Traits: ─
◆ Awakening Ability: [Undetermined]
◈ Blessing: Blessing of the True Bloodline

I blinked my eyebrows repeatedly. It’s still visible.

‘Status Window.’

Currently, it’s already been 20 years since gates first appeared.

The initial sharp confrontation with the unknown supernatural phenomenon has loosened, and full-fledged research is beginning. That research continues into the future, beyond the present.

‘They invested aggressively everywhere.’

Yet, the cause of gates appearing and the basis for Awakening remain unclear.

Some complained in gruff voices, asking why there isn’t something like a status window.

In reality, no such thing existed.

But now…
It appeared.
Status or Stat Window.
A self-objectification that doesn’t consider my will at all.
It’s bewildering.

But I don’t feel entirely good.

‘The state of my stats…’
It’s downright despairing.

Stamina and Magic Power have a plus, but they’re single digits. Even if I want to hold hope, thinking they look okay, the judgment standard is written below.

Luck: Minus 44.

That’s a two-digit number…

Fury welled up from my dantian.

“Ugh!”
“What! What’s wrong?”

Everything is annoying!

“If you’re worried, come closer and do it!”
“My wife says if I smell like vomit, she’ll complain… asking if I drank again.”

The man showed a thin, toothy smile and gave a thumbs-up.

“But your voice is strong, so you must be better! By the way, what’s your ability? Ah, before that, you’re not D-rank, are you?”

The man face brightened.

“I’m not D-rank.”
“As I thought!”
Hope flashed in his eyes.
“Then at least B-…”
“E-rank.”
“…What?”
“The lowest.”

The spark of hope was extinguished.

Undaunted, I looked around to assess the situation.

From the center, the blood of beasts pushing in from all sides was forming concentric circles.

The signs were definitely suspicious.

What ability?
That’s something even I need to find out.

Timely, the status window was stamped onto my cornea.

<Blessing of the True Bloodline Open Event!>
※ Event Information
· This event is only effective for a set period. (Remaining time – 2 hours 59 minutes 37 seconds)
· The event bonus from experience points offered by Subordinates (乙) bound by a Life Contract with the Superior (甲) is slightly increased. (Total Subordinates bound by Life Contract so far: 2/??)
· If the number of Subordinates is increased within the time limit, you can enjoy greater perks in the 2nd quest!

Instantly, a sharp roar pierced through.

Ugh!

The horde of beasts, throwing back their heads and erupting with ferocious cries, surged onto the road. Reddish ghost-fires flowed from their eye sockets.

Damn, I’m the one who awakened, so why are you all so extra?

My curiosity was soon resolved. By the status window.

The second wave will begin soon. (2/??)

‘It even gives notices like this?’

It was absurd, but I quickly regained my composure.

Meanwhile.

“These damn monkeys!”
Chop!
“No matter how many I kill-!”
Stab!
“There’s no end, you bastards!”

Han Bi-yeol was putting up a fight in his own way.

But he couldn’t focus solely on the fight. Even while swinging his sword, he kept persistently shooting glances at me.

‘He doesn’t seem to know the details.’

If he did, he would have abandoned everything and charged at me.

I felt Han Bi-yeol’s selfishness viscerally, and his baseness is proven by his name.

“Hey… what should we do?”

A dark cloud settled on the man face.

Come to think of it, we haven’t even introduced ourselves, so I’ve been calling him man.

‘Guess it doesn’t matter.’

Anxiety seems to be cutting off the man tongue.

“If we stay like this… waiting will lead to disaster…”

As he said, the tide was slowly turning. The beasts’ momentum grew fierce, and the gates spewed green waves like broken faucets. Even a B-rank hunter had his limits in holding them back.

Sure enough, even I broke out in cold sweat instead of blood.

“Wait and see.”
“Do you have something in mind?”
“……”

I couldn’t give a definite answer. I squinted, churning my anxiety at the tip of my jaw.

“So, you do have a plan?”
No, not you.

‘Status Window.’
Respond, quickly!

Blessing of the True Bloodline
★★★★★★★★★★ Mythical!
: A blessing that can only be granted by ■■’s ■■■.

The activation condition for the Blessing is, as mentioned above, 「Exchanging Blood」. Once this is satisfied, a mutual Life Contract is established between the Superior (甲) and the Subordinate (乙), regardless of the other party’s will. *Only the Superior (甲) SeoWonSeok can annul the Life Contract.

∴ Once a Life Contract is established, the Subordinate (乙) cannot cause any form of additional harm to the Superior (甲).

This is a scam.

Just reading the explanation leaves my mouth agape.

‘It’s… automatic hunting.’

The lines of text obstructing my vision finally clicked into place.

I put strength into my eyes.

The vile bastard was swinging his sword, sweating profusely.

“That guy is my Subordinate…?”

Condition: Exchanging Blood.

His sword pierced my stomach, drawing my blood. Then, in my final struggle, I bit his neck.

‘With that bite, I tore his skin, unintentionally mixing our blood.’

Thus, the condition was satisfied.

“Huh, huh huh.”

There’s a point to note. My Luck, shining at minus 44 points.

My gaze fell on the last paragraph.

But!

ⅰ. In proportion to the depth of the Blood Communion, the amount of experience points the Superior (甲) gains increases.
ⅱ. If the Superior (甲) personally hunts alongside the Subordinate (乙), the <Special Effect: Synergy> occurs, increasing the amount of experience points gained.
ⅲ. Additionally, hidden abilities of the Blessing are unlocked according to level, and the number of Subordinates also increases.

Additional conditions are plastered all over.

And they’re troublesome in many ways.

In short, to see maximum efficiency, one must aim for either Blood Communion or the <Special Effect: Synergy>.

I don’t yet know what Blood Communion is. I don’t have the time or mental space to figure it out right now.

‘Then.’

Let’s aim for the more intuitive Synergy effect. Excessive information clouds judgment. Let’s focus on just two things.

First, the experience point bonus from this open event or whatever.
Second, taking direct action to multiply that effect.

“Phew… Hot breath escaped through my teeth. I can move. I picked up the dagger I had pulled from my thigh.

‘My condition isn’t bad.’

Most goblin weapons are salvaged from hunters’ corpses. They’re fine as killing tools.

Looking at the blood-glistening blade, I shifted my gaze to the Abyss Gate.

Among the mass of goblins, I spotted a Hobgoblin. Red pupils shimmered dangerously within the shadow of its robe.

‘Usually, killing such a host closes the gate.’

More common knowledge for any hunter than a regressor’s knowledge.

Of course, that vile bastard couldn’t not know.

‘He’s deliberately leaving the host alone.’

That guy clearly looks like a host.

We must kill the Hobgoblin.

Otherwise, goblins will spawn almost indefinitely.

Goblins are already monsters that rely more on numbers than the individual danger level of each creature.

And now four gates have appeared at once.

Huh, stay calm.

‘I’ve seen worse.’

My mind won’t go blank or anything.

For a civilian, an adult male, if you just protect your body, goblins are monsters you can handle to some extent.

A thousand times lucky, the Gate Break location is Haengju Bridge.

If they swarmed from all directions, there’d be no escape. But on the bridge, their routes are only front and back.

If I had to add one more, maybe from above?

“You green monkey bastards!”

Han Bi-yeol.

‘He’s definitely hiding something.’

He should be angry normally.

But I didn’t tremble with rage.

<Han Bi-yeol gains 217 experience points.>
<Han Bi-yeol gains 769 experience points.>
<Han Bi-yeol gains 342 experience points.>
<The Subordinate (乙) Han Bi-yeol offers a portion of the acquired experience points.>

“Thanks to your scheme, I’m gaining benefits.”

I said it, I’d make you my slave and work you.

I caught my breath briefly. I shouted from the center of Haengju Bridge, transformed into a mess.

“man!”
“Huh, huh? Me?”
“man, protect the elderly and weak over there!”
“What about you?!”

You’re an F (E)-grade! His inner thoughts wanting to add that were evident on his face.

I turned my back to the man and lowered my stance.
“Hunters will arrive within 20 minutes.”
I think I saw in the news that rescue personnel arrived around that time.
“Let’s just hold out until then.”
“…Hey!”

Just then, a couple of goblins climbing along the bridge’s support towers and cables lunged. Drooling purple tongues. I thrust the dagger forward.

Thud!

A cracking sound traveled from my elbow to my shoulder. It didn’t particularly give me chills. Having rolled through the abyss of hunter society, I’ve done worse countless times.

I snapped the dagger, splitting its neck, and maintained the blade’s kinetic energy. The blade drew a crescent. The eerie trajectory successively shattered temples.

Even though the blade had scrambled its brain, it spasmodically thrashed its dagger. A goblin’s vitality is tenacious. It only fell after finally leaving a gash on my shoulder.

Whoa!

I pulled out the dagger.

Goblin blood seeped into the wound that hadn’t fully healed yet.

‘Ugh.’

A stinging pain near my solar plexus.

The paralyzing poison was about to spread rapidly.

Thump!

∴ Once a Life Contract is established, the Subordinate (乙) cannot cause any form of additional harm to the Superior (甲).

I clenched and opened the hand gripping the dagger hilt. The bloodless fingertips regained a pinkish hue.

“…So that’s how it is.”

I felt the paralyzing energy swirling in my body rapidly draining away.

Bubble bubble.

As soon as I muttered, foam boiled from the wound etched into my arm.

Soon after, it healed cleanly.

Strange. Because the Blessing’s description clearly said ‘additional harm.’

Wasn’t the stab wound just now not an additional attack?

<Blessing of the True Bloodline Open Event occurs> <Synergy effect between Superior and Subordinate occurs> <Superior’s gained experience points doubled!> <The Subordinate (乙) Han Bi-yeol offers a portion of experience points> <Superior SeoWonSeok’s level rises from 2 ➢ 3!>

“……”

I suddenly looked at the scenery beyond the status window.

Our eyes met again.

Han Bi-yeol scowled.

He seemed displeased, perhaps having realized that I, whom he thought was trash, was an Awakened.

“Ugh.”

In that brief moment, anxiety rose in Han Bi-yeol’s eyes.

Then, his behavior pattern changed from his previous approach of just pretending to fight.

Han Bi-yeol began hunting in earnest.

It seems his secret plan has already gone awry, so he intends to quickly finish up and deal with me.

<Han Bi-yeol gains 342 experience points X 10>

“Work hard.”

I cheered Han Bi-yeol on.

The big ones will be cleared by him. In return, the small-fry goblins are my share.

“Let’s see how much synergy effect we get.”

I kicked up another dagger with my foot. As soon as I caught it with my free hand from mid-air, I rolled forward.