"Neat."
Ms.Fairy facepalmed at my remark.
This window meant that the remaining goblins in the train had been killed.
The doors of the train would be opened now and everyone will come out.
I climbed on to the roof of the train. 2 metres to the right of the train was cliff that fell straight down into the ocean. To the left, however, was an open area. Most likely people will arrive here.
But, just in case, I remained on the roof.
From that open area onwards was a large expanse with dilapidated buildings in distance. They were similar to the skyscrapers back on earth.
Some buildings were untouched, albiet eroded. Some had been reclaimed by nature, with greenery growing along the walls.
Hell, some had even gone through drastic changes. One had sunk into the ground. One was fused into a mountain. One was covered with crystals. One was even covered by tentacles.
The sharp difference in terrain, the disparity of mana among the locations, the mana stored deep underneath, the possible dungeons scattered hither and thither.
"This place is an artificial world."
....|
There must be reason she's not replying.
"Are you afraid that I'll find every secret in this place?"
...No..|
She finally spoke.
Its just that I cant give you hints from now on. Only trial related hints can be given, but not for anything else.|
Kind of makes sense.
If the fairies helped with every single thing, the challengers wouldn't grow. They would be stuck as weaklings and would depend on the fairy for everything.
Plus, the fun show for the gods will become boring.
"The God of Wisdom feels wronged."
"The God of Fate feels wronged."
"The God of...."
"I don't care if you feel wronged."
Some of the gods who started watching are feeling wronged. What are you feeling wronged about?
Except for me, this place is hell for everyone else. And you guys just sit there and watch, ofcourse this a show to you. You guys made it.
"Some Gods awkwardly cough at your words."
You're the first guy I have seen to talk nonchalantly to gods. Even among fairies, only the ancient blood can talk freely in front of gods.|
Again, I dont care what they say.
Ugh, forget it. Right now when you fought the Goblin king, you got horribly injured. But you used your skill to heal instantly. That shouldn't be possible considering its rank.|
Yes, it shouldn't be possible, for an average person that is.
[Fire–Salamander Reinforcement], E rank. A Reinforcement skill that gives you the Racial Characteristics of the Fire–Salamander.
A lizard about the size of a komodo dragon, but with tougher scales, greater regeneration and strength and has fire related abilities.
When I got this skill, I didnt raise it till now, unlike the other skill.
But when I got wounded, I used it. After I pulled out the Goblin King's sword from my chest, I focused on it like I did with the [Black Skeleton Reinforcement] skill back in the train.
But I didnt evolve it, just grew it enough that I could forcefully heal myself.
Although, it was a tiring process, it's useful in emergency situations.
Will you evolve it now?|
"No."
?|
"If I evolve it, the already weak enemies would seem even more weak."
Isnt that the purpose of getting stronger?|
"It is, but if the enemies got even weaker, then it'll just be plain boring."
?!|
"I will grow stronger, I have time. But if I got super strong at the beginning, nothing will stand a chance. No human will try to attack, monsters would try to escape. Everything would become boring."
You're joking right?|
"No. Do you know how monotonous and boring life gets when the only living things you meet are just cannon fodder. I would rather have a little more excitement in my life please."
.....|
Ms fairy has be become speechless. I get it, my words would seem idiotic or just plain nonsense from her perspective, but she doesn't know what I've been through.
But on the other hand, growing quickly is crucial to my plan too. Maybe I can make a compromise. I mean I can still control and limit my strength even after I grow superstrong too.
"Hmm...."
I noticed that the people in the train have finally gathered outside in the open area to left.
"There are alot of people left..."
Ofcourse, since you killed almost all of the goblins.|
"I accidentally cleared the next two trials too didnt I? Shouldn't they have died? You know, as they failed those 2 trials?"
The 3rd and 4th trials were about surviving, like the 2nd trial. They survived but didn't do anything to survive, so they just didn't get any points or rewards.
Plus, when failure results in death, it refers to death by the trial monsters or traps, etc, meaning death during the process. Its not just instant death like in the 1st trial.
The 1st trial is special as it forces people to kill each other, so they need motivation.|
"So you guys chose death as motivation."
No, it's the will to live to be exact. Plus it keeps them on their toes for the future trials.|
"Threatening people to kill and survive for entertainment. Ok."
"Some Gods protest at your words."
"Some Gods quietly look away and whistle at your words."
"Some Gods feel wronged."
Its not like that! I told you before too. There are other reasons too!|
"Yeah yeah, whatever.."
*moans*|
Ignoring her moans, I notice that some people are arguing infront of the crowd. I recognize afew of them too.
I drop down from the train's roof.
People flinched and turned around to look.
They seemed to have remembered me as the guy who killed everyone in his own compartment. What else could be the reason that they backed away with pure fear in their eyes?
I ignored them and walked forward. They opened up a way for me as they backed away, how nice of them.
I soon reached the front of the crowd. Jungkook and the college girl were arguing with the ahjussi and 2 other guys.
They looked like gangsters. One was screaming while the other was silent.
"Do you really think you'll survive here alone? You saw those things didn't you? Do you think that they will be all? There will be more monsters and even bigger ones too, isn't it better to just join us?!" (Gangster A)
"Ofcourse, we know that there will be more monsters. We will kill them to grow stronger and survive too. That is the purpose of this tutorial, isnt it?" (College girl)
"Are you shitting me right now, is it that easy to kill monsters?! Look here, our boss is giving you a privilege by letting you join us.
And if you're not with us, you're against us and dont think we wont kill you b*tches!" (Gangster A)
Jungkook broke in.
"Why are doing this? There is no need for fighting! We should work together instead of making different factions!" (Jk—Jungkook)
"Hey look its Oppa!" (Girl)
It seems the girl noticed me. Well, I was gonna interfere when they actually started attacking, but it seems I'll interfere now.
"Hey." I spoke.
The gangsters turned there attention to me. They saw the huge sword attached to my back.
This was the [Goblin Ancestor's Sword] that I got. It was metallic grey but had numerous runes and tribal markings on it. It emanated a deathly aura.
I'm surprised they didnt notice the innate killing intent in the blade. Maybe they already feel like they are at each others throats.
Gangster A mustered his courage, or at least his arrogance and walked upto me.
"Is this the guy, Namjoon?" (Gangster A)
'Who's Namjoon?' I thought.
"Y-Yes, he's the one who said h-he would kill most of the goblins." (Ahjussi)
It was the ahjussi I helped. Did he turn against me after I left? Seems like it.
Should I punish him? Torture or quick death?
Hmm....
Eh, I'll let him live. Until he pisses me off atleast.
"Is what he said true, kid?" (Gangster A)
"A kid, huh. You must be saying that you're an extremely old man."
"Hey, watch you tongue. Unless you want it pulled out!" (Gangster A)
He's trying to threaten me. It seems he struck a nerve on my comment. He's conscious of his age, I guess that's why he's wearing a wig.
I put my hand on his head and pick up the wig.
There is a huge bald spot on the crown of his head. Man that's some serious balding. And he shouldn't even be 40.
He got flustered when I took his wig, he tried to cover his head with his hands, but became angry and gave up.
"I'm gonna kill you!" (Baldie)
He slashed his dagger at me. I dodged, very easily too. And yes, I did start identifying him as Baldie rather than Gangster A.
And I'm not ashamed one bit.
"Aaaaaaah!!"
Man, Baldie went berserk. Literally, I didn't think he would have the Trait [Anger]. I only noticed after he started emitting red energy.
As mentioned before, traits are rare. Meaning this guy has some right to be arrogant.
'But I don't give a damn about his arrogance, I just don't like his attitude.
Should I kill him? I kinda want to.'
"Hmm...."
This time he tries to stab my eye, I dodge once again.
In consideration for his trait, I decide to let him live for now. I wonder how he'll grow in the future.
'But still, I'm not letting him off this easy for attacking me.'
I pulled out my dagger and cut his wrist off.
He fell down. And when he saw his handless forearm, he started screaming.
"AAAAAAHH–" (Baldie)
It shouldn't be hurting that much as the adrenaline from [Anger] was still rushing in his blood. The actual pain will arrive when the adrenaline settles down.
Since he was getting noisy, I released killing intent, the same amount as I released against the goblin king.
He immediately shut up. Actually, he seems to be frozen in fear. I do hear some whimpering, but I'll ignore it as its a 'normal' reaction in this situation.
Fear in his eyes, forcefully holding his emotions back in the face of death, its a common sight. For me atleast.
Well, atleast he now knows he chose the wrong tree to bark at.
Another gangster started approaching. Unlike baldie here, he seemed more calm, more patient and smarter too.
From his demeanour, he seems to be the boss of this group.
"Hello there, my name Lee Hyung-jin, nice to meet you. If I'm correct, you are Kang Jin-woo. Right?" (Lee Hyung-jin)
Unlike Baldie, Hyung-jin here took the kinder and docile approach. Also, he used my old name. He must've heard from Jungkook.
Currently no one else should know my old name here, other than Jungkook.
Because he approached with a kind attitude, I pulled back my killing intent a little.
I should also get the problem of old and new names out of the way.
"Just call me Dante."
Hyung-jin made a confused face, so did Jungkook and the college girl.
And yes, I'm only calling this guy Hyung-jin cause I don't care enough to use honorifics for him.
"O‐okay, Mr.Dante....you are the one who went ahead to kill most of the goblins, right?" (Hyung-jin)
"Yes."
"Then you know the severity of this place, we should work together to survive. We all can tell that you are strong. That is evident by the fairy following you."
'Trying to butter me. That's useless effort.' I thought.
"But, even if you're strong, you're only human. You'll need our help too, the strength of numbers. You might've killed half or more of the goblin hoard yourself but remember the people behind you killed the remaining half."
Pfft—!|
Ms.Fairy tried hard not to laugh. While I was the opposite. I snickered first and then laughed out loud, so that everyone could hear me.
Haahahhahahah!!|
Even Ms.Fairy couldn't hold back for long.
Was this guy for real? They killed half? That's the best joke I heard since I returned!
"Why are you laughing? Is this some kind of joke?! What exactly is so funny?!" (Hyung-jin)
Looks like he got angry too. I spoke,
"What's so funny? Well, the fact that you all believe that you killed half of the hoard."
"What?! What do y–" (Hyung-jin)
I cut him off, this time with a serious tone.
"Did you even check the front parts of the train? Do you know how many goblins attacked in total?"
He became silent at my tone. That's a good reaction. I started adding my killing intent in small increments, so that it didn't seem sudden.
"500 goblins attacked the train altogether. All of you, including that college girl, that guy and that ahjussi, killed only 38."
Their eyes went wide and their jaws became slack.
'500 goblins! We only killed 38 in total?!', they all looked at each other.
"So tell me Hyung-jin, where did the other 462 go. Did they just vanish? Did they just explode without giving anyone any kills?"
Hyung-jin gulped. He didn't think that there would be such a difference in their kills. No ordinary person could've accomplished such a feat. But Kang Jin-woo— Dante, wasn't ordinary.
"Just in case you're too incompetent to understand my words, I killed them. Those 462 goblins died by my hands and this dagger. So tell me, are 462 and 38 equal halves? Is that normal in math?"
Hyung-jin clenched his teeth so hard that it started hurting him.
'Why is this happening? I just wanted to control this freak by bringing him into our group. He might've had individual strength but we had strength in numbers. But this difference in strength, aren't we just completely useless to him?', Hyung-jin was stuck in a dilemma.
"Hey, answer me.", I snapped my fingers in front of his face. He became focused on me again,"Is that math or not?"
"I‐its not." (Hyung-jin)
"Then how did we kill equal halves?"
"W‐we didnt." (Hyung-jin)
He barely had strength in his legs under my pressure. That's to be seen whenever I release so much of my intent infront of an ordinary man.
So I reduce my pressure (killing intent) that had build up, by a huge degree.
Hyung-jin breathed out, as if he had been holding his breath. So did other people. Some even fell down from the lack of energy.
"You want me to join your group. For that you'll first try to invite me with sweet lies mixed in truths. Then, later, you'll try to force me. So let me make something clear."
I walk up to him until I'm in his face.
"You are alive right now because I, that guy and that girl killed most of the goblins. And because I cleared the next 2 trials immediately."
People became even more shocked than they were before. While at it I, again, released my killing intent.
"There were hobgoblins and then a goblin king. If I'm not wrong, only a 10th of you would've survived if I wasn't there.
So for eachother's benefit, I suggest that we go on our ways and not interfere with eachother.
As for the guy, the girl and others who actively took part in fighting, listen to them and respect their decisions. Cause they alone are stronger than your gang. Is that understood?"
Some people began foaming as they couldn't adapt to the sudden removal and re-addition of the great amount of killing intent.
"Y‐y-ye-es..." (Hyung-jin in stroke)
He was stuttering. I guess this much is enough to bring them to terms with the reality they are facing.
"Good boy, now I'm leaving."
I backed away and then patted his cheek twice. I then walked over to Jungkook and the girl. I asked them to follow me to a more empty area.
And so they did, they didnt ask why but just silently followed..
Jungkook looked concerned and slightly afraid. While the girl, named Lee Su-jin, seemed a bit elated.
I wondered why.
Excluding these 2, a whole bunch of fairies also followed us. Only a few remained in the open area behind us.
It seemed that they were discussing somethings with Ms.Fairy. I heard her real name from them talking too, Isabella.
But I'll continue to keep callung her Ms.Fairy so that she doesn't get angry that I eavesdropped on the fairies' conversation, that they had in there own language.
Maybe she'll be more upset that I actually know their language and can understand them talking.
But I ignore them for now, as I have important things to discuss with these two myself.
"Jungkook."
"Jin-woo, or should I say Dante..?" (Jk)
"I prefer Dante. But since you know me from before ..'you know what', you can call me Jin-woo. But still I prefer Dante."
"Ok, Dante I guess." (Jk)
I nod at his decision. I'm not exactly the same person as I was before, hence it's a good decision to accept me as different.
"How are they, my parents and Jung-ah?"
I've been gone for 500 years (5 years on earth), I barely remember their faces or my sister's either.
"Excluding the fact that they remember you alot, they are doing good. Your dad got a promotion while your mom opened up her own small restaurant. As for Jung-ah, she graduated with great grades. Now she's going to college." (Jk)
"Good, they all are on earth...." I sigh, "I'm surprised you didnt propose to Jung-ah yet."
"Why do you say that?" (JK)
"One, you didn't mention it, you would have mentioned cause it's the greatest that would've happened to you. Two, you're not wearing a ring."
"Hahahaah...sometimes you feel like the same person, other times you feel like someone else. What happened to you man?" (Jk)
"This is just who I am. Just because I changed, doesn't mean I'm not who I truly am. I'm me, just like before. Only a bit more crazy."
"Huu.....Well, can't argue with that." (JK)
There is a moment of silence. Su-jin didnt interrupt us, she might have the instincts of a killer but atleast she knows when to remain quite, despite her eagerness to speak.
"Ok, what's next?" (JK)
"Both of you can ask 3 questions each, I'll answer them to the best of my ability. Of course you should ask the most important questions first."
"Ok, Lee Su-jin, you can go first." (JK)
"No, it's ok. You first." (Su-jin —SJ)
"Are you sure?" (JK)
She nodded.
"Huu....Ok, where were you for the last 5 years." (JK)
"Like I said in the train, I had been transported to another world. I cant tell you the name because of certain reasons, but I can tell you this that I spent 500 or more years there. It's hard to believe, but its true."
"Really?" (JK)
"Yes. Su-jin your turn."
She was a bit flustered that I called her by her first name, but she ignored it and asked.
"Why did oppa help us in the train, me and that ahjussi. I can understand your friend Mr. Kim, but why give us mana." (SJ)
"Simple, that ahjussi indirectly helped me as he had a newspaper and I could figure out the year and main crisis of earth. As for you, I felt something interesting in you, so I decided to help you too."
"I see." (SJ)
"Jungkook."
"When did you return to earth?" (JK)
"Literally moments before you noticed me."
"Ok." (Jk)
"Su-jin."
"Are you so strong because you still have your strength from that other world?" (SJ)
"No, most of my powers got sealed when I returned. The only thing I had left was small amount of mana, a good body and my techniques and skills. Skills as in capabilities, not the powers."
Su-jin nodded her head. She seem more excited after hearing that.
"What are you gonna do now?" (Jk)