A Skull Turncoat is a tenacious monster.
Even if I could have used heavy weapons like the Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle and A-985 Explosive Rounds, it wouldn't have been enough to significantly damage a formidable opponent like the Turncoat Rook.
But the Ankelenth's Spear is different.
Its cutting power and durability surpasses even the top-tier upgraded plasma swords.
That overwhelming destructive power definitely works against the Turncoat Rook.
["Why... why...?!"]
I had no choice but to deliver some news to the despairing Esther.
"He's not dead yet."
["...What did you say?"]
Sure enough, the Turncoat Rook was still alive.
"Ugh..."
Should I feel regretful? Well, it was certainly complicated.
["Rook!"]
Where is the weak point of a Skull Turncoat?
Since their body structure is similar to that of humans, their weaknesses are also similar — the head, heart, and other vital areas.
However, one major difference is that Skull Turncoats have far greater resistance to attacks on their weak points compared to humans.
For example... even if their heart is pierced, they can recover given enough time.
And if the attack didn't strike the weak point precisely, even more so.
'I missed.'
Though it was definitely a critical hit, the Turncoat Rook was still alive.
"You... bastard..."
To prove it, a monstrous growl erupted from the Turncoat Rook, whose chest had been pierced.
If I stayed here any longer, I would surely be caught in his wrath, so I dismissed the Ankelenth's Spear and moved backward.
Crash—!!!
Bone tendrils shot up like a tail, viciously sweeping the ground where I had stood.
If I had hesitated even for a moment, I would have been pulverized.
"Cough!"
However, I couldn't fully escape the shockwave, and all my wounds burst open at once.
Blood sprayed from my reopened injuries, splattering everywhere.
"Argh...!"
It hurt.
It hurt so much I thought I might die.
But as they say, pain shared is pain halved.
The Turncoat Rook was also staggering, severely wounded.
At this rate, our side, which had the numerical advantage, clearly had the upper hand.
["To... here."]
The Turncoat Knight charged at the Turncoat Rook, wielding a well-honed bone blade as if determined to end their long-standing feud.
Just as the Turncoat Knight and Horus leapt forward, bone spikes shot out from the Turncoat Rook like a porcupine's quills.
Pababababak!
A technique purely for self-defense rather than offense.
As a result, the Turncoat Knight had to step back and take a defensive stance.
The standoff resumed.
However, the situation was clearly different from before.
'Still... I managed to plant it.'
When I pierced the Turncoat Rook with the Ankelenth's Spear, I left a fragment inside his body.
Specifically, a piece of Janus.
I wasn't sure whether it would be effective against the Turncoat Rook, but at the very least, it would serve as a last resort.
Meanwhile, bone tendrils squirmed over the gaping wound in the Turncoat Rook's chest, trying to close the hole.
"Damn... I really got hit hard."
The Turncoat Rook glanced at his damaged chest and gave a bitter laugh.
"Still... I have to see it through."
Despite his grievous injuries, he showed no intention of retreating.
But opinions are only meaningful when both sides agree.
"No. The fight is over."
"Do you think I'll let you escape?"
"I never said I was running away."
The Turncoat Rook looked at me with a confused expression.
Instead of answering, I signaled Janus.
[Krrrk!]
Suddenly, the Turncoat Rook clutched his chest, his face contorted in agony.
It was inevitable.
The fragment I had implanted within his body was the same one I used to bind the Turncoat Knight to my will.
"...What did you do to me?"
"Technically, that's incorrect. I haven't done anything yet."
Of course, that was just a bluff.
The Turncoat Knight willingly became my subordinate, but the Turncoat Rook would never accept that.
No matter how much of Janus I had planted inside him, it would be nearly impossible to subjugate or kill him with just that small fragment.
'Besides, the Turncoat Rook is a powerful monster. That tiny piece alone isn't enough to kill him.'
But the crucial point was that the Turncoat Rook didn't know that.
Even he had never experienced having another bone parasite's fragment embedded within his body.
In other words, he couldn't afford to act recklessly right now.
"..."
"Deliver this to the Commander."
At the mention of the Commander, the Turncoat Rook's brow twitched.
But he didn't charge at me.
Part of it was because of the fragment of Janus within him, but more so because I mentioned it as a message for the Commander.
"Tell him that if she wants to save the lives of the Turncoat Rook and Esther, she shouldn't interfere with me anymore."
"You dare..."
"And one last thing."
I looked straight at the Turncoat Rook.
"I am not an enemy of the Shadow Order."
I added one more thing.
"For now."
Meaning it could change depending on their actions.
"Not...an enemy."
The Turncoat Rook mulled over the words before scoffing.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"If you don't, there's nothing I can do."
It wasn't meant for the Turncoat Rook, but rather as a message to the Commander.
Even if he didn't believe me, he couldn't do anything about the fragment of Janus lodged inside his body.
"Anyway, the fight ends here. If you insist on continuing, I'll respond. Do you want that?"
Before I knew it, Horus, the Turncoat Knight, and Esther had gathered around me.
[Krrrk!]
And Janus as well.
No matter how strong the Turncoat Rook was, fighting while injured and with something ominous inside him wasn't a wise choice.
Especially if that fight would lead to an undesirable outcome for everyone involved.
["Rook..."]
"Don't call me that."
["I..."]
Esther gritted her teeth.
A pointless gesture.
A mere expression of emotion.
But even so, I knew it was sincere.
It was different from how she treated me.
At least that much was clear.
["...Kill... him."]
At that moment, the Turncoat Knight stepped forward.
It seemed he didn't consider the fight over.
"Oh? You still want to go? I don't mind."
The Turncoat Rook smirked and took a stance, undeterred despite his chest wound.
Of course, I wasn't going to let it continue.
"Enough."
The Turncoat Knight showed no intention of letting the Turncoat Rook go, but his reckless action wouldn't help in this situation.
Even if the overall situation seemed favorable to us, dragging it out would only increase our own losses.
["Shut... up."]
"...Tch."
As expected, the Turncoat Knight ignored my words.
But Janus's voice was different.
[Krrk! Krrrk!]
["If kin... says so."]
I couldn't help but feel a bit bitter about the discrimination, but what could I do?
It wasn't like I was actually one of their kin.
'Wait, if that's the case, isn't Janus also not really their kin?'
Maybe they were just overlooking it since they were both bone parasites.
'Or maybe they think of me as Janus's host.'
Whatever the reason, it was a strange situation.
After that brief scuffle passed, the Turncoat Rook turned his back.
Since neither side was in any condition to continue fighting, arguing any further seemed meaningless.
"...Don't expect luck to favor you like this next time."
["Rook..."]
Leaving behind those words, the Turncoat Rook walked away.
I stood there, watching his figure disappear, and finally slumped to the ground as his silhouette completely vanished.
That was one hell of a brutal fight.
"Hah... Huff..."
I seriously almost died.
Gulp... Gulp...
I looked at the blood pouring from my entire body.
If I were a normal human, I wouldn't have survived — whether from the wounds or from massive blood loss.
'Looks like I'll be stuck recuperating for a while.'
Even if my body was tough, it was still a human body after all.
Of course, I needed to perform first aid before anything else, so I had Janus help me stitch up my wounds again.
"Ugh..."
My head was spinning, probably because I'd taken too many painkillers today.
It felt like if I fell asleep now, I might never wake up again.
'Still...'
I glanced around at the place where the Turncoat Rook had left and at the Turncoat Knight.
One way or another, we did it.
We drove away the Turncoat Rook.
'And I didn't even have to use my [Nine Lives] stack.'
Honestly, I thought I would have to burn through that when the Rook ambushed me.
But since the Turncoat Knight arrived faster than expected, I managed to save it.
All in all, it was a relief.
[You have survived an ambush by the Beyond Grade Named Skull Turncoat, the Turncoat Rook!]
[You have survived multiple near-death scenarios. You have acquired a new trait!]
[Acquired trait: "Tenacious Vitality."]
[Your Tenacity stat has increased.]
[8 -> 9]
[Your Luck stat has increased.]
[10 -> 12]
──────────────
[Tenacious Vitality]
— Gain relentless vitality.
"View Details"
──────────────
There's one rule about traits.
The simpler the description, the better the trait usually is.
'Because it means there are no conditional triggers.'
That's why [Tenacious Vitality] was an excellent trait.
Especially in this cursed world where survival traits were invaluable, [Tenacious Vitality] might not be of the highest rank, but it was still incredibly useful.
'Still, one thing bothers me...'
Gaining a new trait and increased stats was undoubtedly good news, but it wasn't entirely positive.
[Due to the total sum of your base stats exceeding 100, the effect "Beginner's Luck" has ended.]
The end of [Beginner's Luck].
Since the total of my base stats — excluding trait, honor and serum bonuses — had surpassed 100, it meant that the fortunate advantages I once enjoyed were no longer in effect.
'Already over, huh.'
The [Beginner's Luck] ended before even reaching the end of the Red Line stage.
Considering that some people might not even obtain [Beginner's Luck] until entering the Orange Line, this was quite a remarkable feat.
'I knew it would happen someday, but I wonder how things will turn out from now on...'
[Beginner's Luck] is one of those traits you don't really notice while it's active, but once it's gone, the difference is painfully apparent.
It meant that I could no longer predict what kind of misfortune might come my way.
'Even today's events happened despite having [Beginner's Luck].'
If I hadn't had it, what would have happened?
Maybe that first spear the Turncoat Rook threw wouldn't have just hit Horus's wing but something far more critical.
There was no way to know.
And that made it even more terrifying.
'Still... I have to keep moving.'
Wherever it may be.
["Kin."]
The Turncoat Knight looked at me.
It seemed like he was asking what to do next.
"Ah, you can head back now. Thanks for everything."
There was no point in dragging him along to Mount Noah, after all.
Even if I got ambushed again, I could just call him back.
["Under…stood."]
The Turncoat Knight nodded and turned away.
As proven during the fight with the Turncoat Rook, the Turncoat Knight had been a massive help.
'If I get the chance, it wouldn't be a bad idea to train him further.'
Since he was now bound to me, there was no harm in making him stronger.
'Alright then...'
I climbed onto Horus's back.
Although I wasn't in perfect shape, his previously torn wing had mostly healed.
"Let's go."
Home.
* * *
After that fierce battle, a voice echoed in the Turncoat Rook's mind.
It had been ringing ever since he was attacked by Carl Marcus.
『Submit.』
The Turncoat Rook knew exactly where the voice was coming from.
The fragment of the bone parasite that Carl Marcus had embedded in him.
However, the power was so alien that, in his weakened state, the Turncoat Rook couldn't do anything about it.
"...Shut up."
He growled, but the voice wouldn't stop.
『Submit.』
『Submit.』
『Submit.』