Chapter 2: Regression (2)
The tip of the dagger slashed down on my forearm without hesitation. The oozing blood clotted into a long mass, transforming into a dark red spear. The flames flowing from the tip and wrapping around the shaft were blindingly pitch black.
— Grrr!
Rauchitas, who had looked down on me and ignored me, raised all three heads stiffly in unison. The spikes on his back swayed up as if on alert at the appearance of the spear that had stolen his eyes.
His gaping mouth was filled with jagged teeth.
If it were the original me, I would have collapsed, unable to withstand the intimidation, before even making eye contact with him.
But now, I felt not even the slightest tension.
I was certain.
That bastard is weaker than me.
“Come at me, you mangeful lizard bastard.”
— Kaaah!
The creature howled as if in response. The entire cavern shook at the roar filled with killing intent.
With a heavy rumbling of the ground, the three-headed dragon fully rose to its feet.
It has no wings. Instead, it coats its leopard-like agility with a vicious curse.
Its long, spotted tail swings wildly as it raises its spines.
Bang!
Its four legs kicked off the ground. Sharp claws left long scars on the earth, and its massive body charged toward me.
The old me would never have even perceived that terrifying movement, traversing half of the vast cavern in a single leap.
But for me now—
“Why don’t you just crawl around?”
It felt like nothing more than a puppy trotting along.
This is my younger brother, possessing the third-fastest speed among the world’s strongest and teenage rankers.
At this very moment, I am faster than my brother, who would not have so easily allowed the attack of a baby three-headed lizard if he were alone.
I leaped into the air with a twisted sneer.
Crash!
Its claws savagely dug into the spot where I had been. A pile of flying rocks pounded against my shield.
— Grrr.
Four eyes with severely narrowed pupils glared at me.
Looking down at him, I cast a skill that filled the status window.
“Blue Willow Leaf.”
Leaves visible only to the caster scattered. The gently swaying willow leaves were uncharacteristically leisurely and beautiful.
Lightly stepping on the slender blue leaves, I soared back up.
— Kyaaa.
The enraged Rauchitas jumped up in response, but I dodged his claws with ease. Curses shot out like venomous stingers pounded futilely against my shield.
Boom!
The baby lizard snarled as it landed on the ground without even touching my collar.
If you feel wronged, come back with wings!
My little brother didn't have a flying skill. Yet, he would dance in the air with these blue willow leaves as if he had his feet firmly planted on the ground.
That damn bastard who could do anything.
“No, wait, he couldn't cut off that useless older brother.”
Muttering to myself, I set the spear in my hand aside.
Pitch-black flames wrapped around the blade and climbed up to the tip of the shaft. My hand and even my forearm were engulfed in flames, yet I felt not the slightest bit of heat.
Rather, it was chillingly cold.
Pulling my arm back as far as I could, I hurled the spear at Rauchitas.
Whoosh!
— Aaaargh!
Crunch.
The shot spear pierced the left side of Rauchitas's head. Black flames shot up, engulfing, swallowing, and melting the skull.
The lizard, driven mad by pain, thrashed about wildly, swinging its claws and teeth at me, but it was too slow.
Thump! Thump!
Flapping and pounding the ground repeatedly, it looked like an eel dragged ashore.
It was a ridiculous sight.
That bastard is ridiculous, but I am ridiculous too.
Blood trickled down my arm once again. The blood pooling at my fingertips turned black and transformed into a new spear.
Crunch!
— Groan! Aaaargh!
After smashing the left head, I crushed the right one as well.
The only remaining head in the middle was blind. It was a wound left by my little brother.
Having finally lost all sight, the creature stopped running. It curled up, its scales standing on end as if terrified.
“…This is too easy.”
It was so easy it brought tears to my eyes.
This little bastard is going to slump in such a short time.
If I were to burn even the one remaining head, no matter how resilient the dragon, it wouldn't be able to hold out, but I aimed for the legs instead.
I severed the limbs of the creature, which had become as helpless as a fish drying up on hot sand, one by one.
Slowly, gnaw, gnaw.
The gruesome screams turned into screams, groans, and fell down as dying gasps.
The ground was slushy like a swamp of blood, but Rauchitas was still alive.
I stuck out my tongue and crouched on its limp mass.
[Duration – 00:07]
Time was almost up.
Once the skill effect wears off, I will die just from the poison oozing from Rauchitas's corpse.
I really am a useless piece of shit.
“But what would I do if I survived?”
If it becomes known that Yuhyeon died because of me, wouldn’t I face public execution?
It felt like if I were tied up in the town square, people from all over the world would flock to stone me.
“I’d go down in history, I’d be in textbooks. I’ve already been cursed at enough, but now I’m going to be cursed for generations. Haha.”
Not that I have anything to curse at, though.
So why did you die instead of me, you stupid little brother?
It was a truly pointless thing to do.
Ah, fuck.
I should have just died back when my leg was broken, instead of getting rescued. Then I wouldn’t have had to see such a filthy mess, and Yuhyeon wouldn’t have died.
Who on earth saved me for no reason?
I tapped the scales of Rauchitas, who was gasping for his last breath, with my palm.
“I don’t think I have much time left either, so don’t feel wronged. Seriously, why did you pop out of a D-rank dungeon? Or maybe the administrators just messed up the numbers.”
Either way, it doesn’t matter to me now.
Lacking the energy to dodge before the skill effect wore off, I sprawled out flat on my back.
“Maybe I should have just stayed quiet, waving a cheering stick behind Yuhyeon.”
I should have just lived off the protection of my arrogant younger brother; what is this damn inferiority complex anyway?
Just then, a reward window popped up, presumably because Rauchitas was completely dead.
[Impossible Achievement! You have hunted a dragon alone!]
Yuhyeon landed a hit on me too, so why is it called ‘single’?
Is it because of the huge time difference? Or is it because I’m already dead?
[Legendary Title ‘Dragon Slayer’ Granted!]
Dragon Slayer.
It sounds like a title with impressive stats, but I didn’t even bother to check.
Who cares? It’s still just a pumpkin, no matter how much you draw lines on it.
Then, my level increased, and items appeared one after another.
[Gate Stone x 10]
[Grade 1 Enchantment x 5]
[Red Dragon Greatsword]
[Wish Stone]
Huh?
A Wish Stone?
I was casually scrolling through my inventory when the Wish Stone caught my eye.
It was an item I'd never seen before.
“Judging by the name, it sounds like it grants wishes.”
No way. Surely not some kind of cheat item.
Thinking it was absurd, I sprang to my feet.
Opening my inventory, I saw a red orb slightly smaller than a fist. Swallowing hard, I took the orb out and checked its information.
[Wish Stone – Mythical Grade. Grants one wish desired by the user.]
Is it true?!
“Then my little brother—!”
[※ However, resurrection of the deceased is not possible.]
“…Crazy?!”
The last warning belatedly caught my eye.
I mean, what is this Mythical Grade if it can't even bring a single dead person back to life!
If you're a god, you should at least be able to hold the power of life and death at will!
“Damn it, then what does that make it?! It can do everything except bring people back to life? I, I just……!”
I clutched the Wish Stone so tightly it threatened to shatter.
The things I could do with it instantly flooded my mind.
If it granted me anything, I could become stronger than Yuhyeon. I could maintain my current state. Then I wouldn't face any criticism.
People would quickly forget the heroes of the past and praise the new ones.
I could take the position I had envied so much.
I could rise higher than anyone else, in a much more glorious place.
Lost in delusion, I rolled my eyes, then let out a long sigh.
"…Yuhyeon, you. You really are putting me through the wringer right up to the very end."
He might regret it.
No, he definitely seems likely to regret it.
Well, then let him regret it. I've already coated myself with layers of regret; what difference would adding one more make?
"Hey, Wish Stone. Can you turn back time?"
As if answering my question, the red orb began to glow.
You can't bring the dead back to life, yet you can do this?
Turning back time looks much more impressive, though.
It's ridiculous.
“Then, go back to before I came in here... no. Just turn back about five years. Keep my memories. I’ll live quietly this time.”
If I don’t step forward, I won’t get yelled at, my leg will be fine, and Yuhyeon won’t have a headache because of me.
Everything’s great.
I’ll just live like a jobless slacker, sucking up to my successful younger brother.
[Would you like to turn back time?]
“Yes.”
The light of the bead grew even stronger.
My vision turned blood red, then finally flickered white.
And...
In my restored vision, the scenery of an unfamiliar room lay before me.