Chapter 18: Date with Soojin (3)

Chapter 18: Date with Soojin (3)

Date with Soojin (3)



My memories of fighting only stretch back to kindergarten, where I distinctly recall squabbling over a toy. Since then, I've steered clear of physical confrontations. Despite learning martial arts and hitting the gym, there hasn't been any pressure, as it all adhered to predefined rules.

Finding myself in the body of a soldier amid war is a completely different matter from being skilled at shooting or wielding a sword. Talent for violence? That's a memory from the days of Baek Taeyang. He might have gone on a rampage like a beast in this situation, even against monsters. But I'm not Baek Taeyang. Witnessing people bleed in front of me is not something I'm used to.

Seeing Soojin fiercely battling in front of me, the thought crossed my mind that I should help, but my body didn't act on impulse. Internally, I felt an urge to turn around and run away immediately. Despite having the body of an awakened, deep down, I'm just an ordinary person who has lived a good life.

But I have to move.

Hiding behind a girl and remaining passive doesn't align with my nature. It's not because I'm inside Baek Taeyang's body; it's Lee Taeok's instincts resisting.

Fear? Perhaps initially.

Terror? Certainly enough to feel.

Anyone would be overwhelmed when encountering an unknown situation for the first time, but

I can't stay like this anymore.

Just because a more experienced senior will fight in my place doesn't mean I should just stand still. Baek Taeyang has the power to protect people, and just staying still like this is unacceptable.



[Dignity Named Taeyang] agrees with Lee Taeok's thoughts!

Act now! Show it! Prove it!



My trembling body calmed down. The legs, stumbling in the swamp of fear, came to a halt. Step by step, I moved forward.

When countless people cry out for salvation, there's no way a person can handle it alone. Someone has to help. My innate body isn't meant to hide behind a girl.



[Urgent Quest]!

Additional Monster Spawn!

Annihilate all monsters in the corridor!

Clear Conditions :: Goblins(0/21), Kobolds(0/14), Orcs(0/3)

Reward :: (Combined with the previous urgent quest) / Penalty :: Deletion of the Dignity Named Taeyang, ???



I don't like the quest that urges me to step forward. It worsens the situation. But it doesn't matter. No matter how bad it gets, I'll clean up everything.

Monsters poured in, and those witnessing goblins screech screamed in horror.

"Hey, save me, damn it! You're an awakened!"nove(l)bi(n.)com

"Why the hell are you saving that brat first! Save me! Save me!"

"It's all your fault! If we die, it's all because of you!!! Everything!!! You killed them!!!"

The shouts of the people brought me back to my senses. Amidst those cries, Soojin silently swung her fists, moving tirelessly to prove herself. She could have hated me for just standing still, but there was no indication of resentment, not even a hint.

Soojin, wiping away tears, stood up and was coming towards me. Despite her disheveled clothes and messy hair, she looked remarkably cool. It was certain that I wouldn't have been able to do anything if she hadn't been here with me.

"Wait! Stop!"

Just as I was about to finish off the orc by striking its neck, a voice echoed right in front of me.

People dressed in what seemed like special forces attire, holding various weapons, began to rush in. Even to an outsider, they appeared to be a rescue team composed of awakened individuals.

"Sorry for being late."

The rescue team approached the civilians smoothly.

They're really good at their job.

The injured were immediately transported, and those not seriously hurt were moved for further investigation. They also inspected each person's recording devices and deleted all footage recorded at the scene.

Since the rescue team could secure video data from the corridor's CCTV, they deemed the civilians' data unnecessary. The fact that civilians had separate data was itself problematic.

In reality, it wasn't too late. Nine minutes after the incident, there might have been casualties. Fortunately, there were two academy students present at the scene, so there were no fatalities.

That's good.

I briefly stopped at the command to halt, but I thought it wasn't directed at me. As I attempted to strike down the orc's head again, my hand was suddenly grabbed.

"Didn't you hear the command to stop? Student Baek Taeyang?"

I lifted my head to face the man who had earlier barked the order at me. Memories of his expert command during the chaotic moments with the rescue team flashed in my mind. Is this person the leader? But why did he tell me to stop?

As I stared, this person with a shaved head scratched his head and spoke with a dignified expression, "Monsters coming out without properly passing through the gate is a first this time. Therefore, a sample survey is in order."

White-gowned researchers emerged behind Mr. Bald. They slowly started trussing up the orc with what looked like a rope, clear that they intended to took it away as is.

What about my quest? What about my reward? What about my penalty?

"All thanks to the performances of Student Baek Taeyang and Yoo Soojin, we can conclude this incident."

"We're really thankful."

Mr. Bald released his grip on my hand and executed a bow. All the agents not entangled with civilians greeted both Soojin and me. Soojin replied with a double-armed wave, basically saying she only did what had to be done.

"And to think, leaving behind such a splendid sample truly impressive."

To a researcher's comment, Mr. Bald nodded. It seemed they were eager to snatch up the orc and dive into researching the enigmatic phenomenon.

[Coercion activated! Pinpointing the target.]

[Target: The creature right in front of you]

Clearly, I wasn't entertaining the idea of letting that happen. Leaving it behind? Who said anything about letting it live? Grabbing the bowl just as I was about to finish the soup? No way.

I activated Coercion, applying pressure to the agents nearby.

[Bash activated! Strong power gathers in the right hand!]

I swung my right hand, delivering a decisive blow to the orc's head. In an instant, its head burst, showering everyone nearby with green blood.

I need to complete the quest. What on earth are they blabbering about?

With an incomprehensible expression, I looked around. The once warm atmosphere now tainted with green blood.