Chapter 69 - Inflection Point

Behemoth.

In the original work, it was a black substance that Dr. Kim Seonwoo would come to collect.

Composed of multiple layers of small black tentacles, it attaches to the user's body and strengthens the area it clings to.

Of course, Behemoth's utility doesn't end there.

Since it moves freely according to the user's thoughts, there are many ways to use it.

It doesn't necessarily have to stay attached to the body, as it can be bunched up like a fist and fired like a rocket punch, making its applications limitless.

In the original work, Kim Seonwoo used this to fight Stardus.

In other words, even an ordinary person can fight a superhuman as long as they have this.

So, doesn't that mean I could also go one-on-one with Stardus if I have this?

"....Are you not going to put that down?"

"Why would I put this down?"

I chuckled as I spoke to her while she growled at me with a stiff expression.

Before I knew it, Behemoth had completely enveloped my right hand.

Since my right hand was now made of tentacles—

I tried clenching my hand into a fist.

"It's good."

It felt great.

I could feel power overflowing from my right hand.

In particular, these tentacles seemed to be directly connected to my brain, giving them the advantage of moving exactly as I desired.

...Yeah, with this much, wouldn't it be possible to put up a fight against Stardus?

She was still just staring at me with a hardened expression.

It looked like she wanted to rush in immediately and tear this away from me, but that was out of the question.

Because she knew it would all be over if I just used teleportation to escape, she stayed still like that, unable to even lunge.

Teleportation really is a great skill.

"Stardus. Let me give you a piece of advice. Do you know what it is? It's to never trust a villain! Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't know this. Hahahaha!"

As I spoke slyly, her face contorted even further.

Right. Originally, I planned to stop here, say 'Peace out~,' and bail.

That was the plan.

Tsk. But it feels a bit wrong to just leave like this, doesn't it?

Since I've gained a new ability.

And to give Stardus a sense of caution.

I beckoned Stardus with my black-stained right hand and said:

"If you really want to take it... then come and try to take it from me."

Once I even went as far as to say that with a smirk, she didn't hold back any longer.

"...I'll beat you just enough so you don't die."

Boom—

In an instant, she kicked off the ground and flew toward me.

"Grit your teeth."

Along with those words, she began to thrust her fist toward me.

And me?

I had already finished loading my fist long ago.

However, a real man doesn't engage in a crude fistfight by clashing bodies directly with a lady.

The moment she arrived right in front of my nose and swung her fist.

I stayed right where I was but shifted back just a hand's span and aimed my fist.

Then, I fired it at her.

Ego-style Secret Technique—

Rocket Punch.

Crash.

The black, fist-shaped tentacles fired from my hand headed straight for Stardus.

Just like that, my fist collided with the one Stardus swung.

Boom—

The fists clashed with a thunderous roar.

Stardus seemed slightly flustered that my fist was actually withstanding her strength.

That's right. This is the power of Behemoth.

...Of course, I'm only able to withstand her power because I condensed all the tentacles into a single, small fist rather than just wrapping them around my arm. Plus, Stardus likely isn't planning to kill me, so she's holding back her strength to some extent.

But does that even matter?

What matters is that, regardless of the reason, I'm fighting her on equal footing.

"Hey!! Fight fair!!"

"When have you ever seen a villain fight fair?"

She shouted at me as I kept dodging around, firing nothing but tentacle fists from a distance, but I simply ignored her.

...And didn't Stardus just break character? Usually, she'd say something like, 'You scoundrel! Fight with honor!'

Hmm. I guess she's a bit pissed. Why is she so mad?

As the battle continued, I looked at her face; it was filled with anger and a sense of betrayal.

....Betrayal? Why on earth is she feeling betrayed? It's common sense for a villain to betray someone. I don't get it. She clearly hasn't tasted enough of life's bitterness.

And so, I continued the fight.

I kept teleporting away, landing cheap jabs with my tentacles.

Even though the room was large, since we were both flashing from one side to the other during our brawl, the walls were being smashed and everything was turning into a mess.

...I'm starting to get bored because it's becoming repetitive.

I'm getting tired from teleporting so much. It's exhausting.

Have I ever fought while moving my body this much? No. Honestly, it feels more like Behemoth is fighting for me, but still...

Still, with this much... shouldn't she have learned her lesson by now?

Watching her fly toward me, still full of energy and rage, I loaded my fist once more.

As she extended her fist toward me, I did the same.

Crash—

This time, instead of attacking from a distance, I wrapped Behemoth directly around my right arm and met her fist head-on.

My arm felt a bit numb, but this much was manageable.

Because this was going to be my last attack.

Now, I just need to talk a bit of trash and run away. Seo-eun must be worried.

With our bodies close and our fists still locked together, I gave her my final farewell.

"Today's lesson. You got it? You shouldn't trust a villain..."

That's right.

You shouldn't trust a villain.

Just as I was about to give her one last piece of advice—to not get stabbed in the back like this in the future—

It happened, quite suddenly.

Stardus was right in front of me, staring as if she wanted to tear me apart.

And the space behind her was completely empty.

Yes, it had been empty.

Until something suddenly lunged out from behind her.

It had a massive white face.

It was about two meters tall, and its mouth was grotesquely torn open.

It had white, sharp arms that looked like giant scythes.

So suddenly, it appeared out of thin air in an instant.

In a moment no one expected, appearing in the blink of an eye—

From the moment it emerged, it was already swinging those scythe-like arms toward Stardus's back.

In that moment, my thoughts came to a halt.

Stardus was still looking at me, completely defenseless, unaware of what was happening.

And before I could even process what to do, those white scythes were already flying toward her neck.

The one monster we hadn't managed to finish off.

*

《RKCB-1107》

[Tentative Name] Teleporter

[Notes] Maintain Class-A security as it can escape by teleporting. Be cautious as it attacks from behind.

*

Right. I think I remember reading something like that.

However, I didn't worry much even though I hadn't found it yet. I didn't even pay attention.

Because I had been killing all the other monsters so easily up until now.

And that complacency of mine has turned into a massive dagger aimed at Stardus.

What should I do?

It's too late to speak. The tentacles are already clashing with her fists. Using telekinesis would be too weak.

Grab her and teleport? I can't even reach her because she's clashing fists with Behemoth.

Well then. I have no choice.

I teleported right then and there.

Right behind her, to the exact spot where the monster was swinging its scythe.

And in her place.

I was the one who got stabbed.

Thuck—.

"What the...! What's happening?!"

Her scream echoed from behind me.

I stood back-to-back with her, taking the blow in her stead, and threw a punch at the creature just as it targeted her.

Crunch.

It was far too easy. Its head shattered and scattered like white powder.

Yeah. It was a creature that could be killed this easily, this simply.

It would have been much better if I had finished it off without a hole being punched through my chest.

"W-what is this! U-uh, you... why would you..."

Her voice, stuttering in utter confusion, reached me from above.

Well, she must be baffled. A villain she was fighting just a moment ago suddenly moved behind her to take a blade for her.

My current condition isn't good, to say the least.

I'm sprawled on the ground, blood gushing from a hole in my chest large enough to fit a fist through.

You crazy bastard. You actually pierced right through my body.

It hurts like hell.

"Cough."

I spat out blood right where I lay.

Bleeding from my chest, coughing up blood from my mouth. It's a total mess. Ha, haha...

"No... I mean... why... are you okay... damn it... why... what is..."

Stardus's voice drifted down from above.

I can barely hear her now because of the ringing in my ears.

I need to go back, quickly. To the mansion.

At this rate. I'm. Really. Going. To. Die.

Wait, even so. Before I go... I should say at least one thing. It wouldn't be right otherwise.

I squeezed out one last sentence with every ounce of strength I had left.

"Cough. This... this time... you... owe me... one."

I took one last look at her, still completely panicked, watching me with trembling eyes as if she didn't know what to do.

And just like that, I teleported. Back to the mansion.

I hope... I'm not too late.

Hahaha.

***

Late at night.

Inside a large mansion hidden deep within a mountain valley.

In the kitchen of that place. Three people were gathered together.

"Seriously, when is Oppa even coming home?"

Han Seo-eun, her white hair framing her face, puffed out her cheeks as she stared at her smartphone.

She was worried about Da-in, who had gone silent after descending into the basement quite some time ago.

"...Let's wait just a bit longer. And Ha-yul, don't you have school tomorrow? You should probably head to bed soon."

Ha-yul gave a bitter smile and shook her head at Subin's worried remark.

"No, I'll wait a little longer with you."

"Sigh. Honestly, this Oppa is always making us worry..."

Just as the three women's sighs were growing heavier.

Crash!

The sound of something heavy hitting the floor echoed from the living room.

"Oh! Oppa must finally be back!"

As soon as she heard the noise, Seo-eun scrambled to her feet and ran out.

The other two stood up and followed her toward the living room.

But then, a scream from Seo-eun, who had reached the room first, pierced the air.

"Kyaaaaaah!"

"Seo-eun! What happened?!"

Startled by the sudden scream, the two of them rushed into the living room.

What they saw was a hole pierced right through his upper body.

Blood was gushing from the wound, staining his entire frame.

It was Egostic, collapsed and slumped against Seo-eun.

"Oppa, Oppa! Oh... what do I do? Oppa!!"

Seo-eun was in a total state of panic, tears streaming down her face as she held him.

Seeing him collapsed, breathing faintly while bleeding out, the other two

were instantly thrown into a state of panic by the horrifying sight.

"W-what is... this... Ah... Ah... First, 9-1-1... I have to call... call..."

Her hands trembling violently, Lee Subin pulled her phone from her pocket.

But her hands were shaking too much; the phone slipped from her grasp as she lifted it, hit the floor, and shattered.

"Ah. No..."

As Lee Subin knelt down, still dazed, and fumbled to pick up the broken phone.

Ha-yul, who was beside her, was already moving toward him.

"Seo-eun. Move."

"Huh? Oh... okay..."

At Ha-yul's words, which were filled with a sharp resolve, the sobbing Seo-eun scrambled back to give them space.

Reaching his side, Ha-yul knelt and placed both hands on Da-in's body.

And then.

Flash!

The living room was suddenly flooded with a brilliant light.

***

Through my fading consciousness, a sudden sensation took hold.

This feeling of warmth spreading through my entire body.

Ah.

Ha-yul stepped in.

Looks like I wasn't too late after all.

I'm alive. As long as I'm alive, that's what matters...

Haha. I really almost kicked the bucket there.

When you live your life as a man, you've got to tap dance on the edge of death at least once. It'll all be a good memory later, right? 'Haha, that was a real close one!' something like that.

...The problem is what happens after I wake up.

Seo-eun, Subin, and Ha-yul must have all been traumatized.

And Stardus...

Whatever. I'll worry about that when I wake up.

With that final thought, I let myself drift away.

Good luck, future me...!