Episode 16. Fifth Scenario (4):
I panted and asked,
"What is it? Is the instruction finished?"
"No, it's not that…"
"…Then am I doing something wrong?"
"Strictly speaking…"
"Stop beating around the bush and just say it."
"Everything is wrong with you."
His words were so sincere that I collapsed into a seat like I'd taken a nuclear punch. I drew in deep breaths and stared at the sky. The Great Hall floating above looked unusually massive, as if mocking me.
Seeing me like that, Lycaon went in for a confirmation strike.
"Guardian… you have absolutely no aptitude for [Path of the Wind]. Honestly, it seems you have almost no aptitude for any skill at all."
If I got this wrong, the world might actually end because of me.
Several more hours passed this way, and an entire day slipped away.
Now, only eight days remained until the start of the Fifth Scenario.
I didn't give up and continued to practice [Path of the Wind].
Of course, there was no real progress.
"Grrrr… Guardian, maybe you should just give up…"
"…Why can't I do it?"
Han Sooyoung, laughing at the spectacle beside me, said:
"Why? Because you have no talent."
"That can't be true."
"Why not? You're not even the protagonist. Don't think just because you've been doing well lately that you're Yoo Joong-hyuk or something."
Somehow, her words hit the mark and stung my pride. I frowned and said,
"Still, I understand everything in my head."
"Oh yes, anyone can go to Seoul National University in their head."
"I'm serious."
Truly, I remembered most of the insights related to [Path of the Wind]. Out of frustration, I had even borrowed a backup battery from some survivors an hour ago and reread the text.
"Left hand commands the Gale, right hand commands the Storm. At the place where straight lines and curves collide, the Path of the Wind will open."
"Ha… How… You really understand it!"
Lycaon, who was watching nearby, exclaimed in admiration.
Actually, what I had just muttered was one of Yoo Joong-hyuk's insights from the Annihilation Method.
In Annihilation Method, Yu Jung-hyuk grasps these adolescent-style insights—using "single quotes" with kanji annotations—and within just five minutes, he masters [Path of the Wind].
And yet, here I was, still unable to do it on the second day.
"How am I supposed to do this?"
"Eh? You just explained it perfectly… There's no more accurate way to say it."
"No, that's a metaphor."
"It's not a metaphor. Do exactly what you just said."
It was maddening. Even the Annihilation Method author's "explanation buff" couldn't help me here, because all the notes were vague, lofty abstractions. [The Fourth Wall] was useless in this moment. It could sharpen judgment and composure, but it couldn't give me talent I didn't have.
I got a little frustrated and said to Lycaon,
"Then try this: 'One wind meets another wind to form the Taeguk, then one wind meets another to form Yin and Yang.'"
Even though Taeguk and Yin-Yang were clearly Earth concepts, Lycaon understood perfectly.
"How did you possibly perceive such a profound incantation?"
"Stop talking nonsense and demonstrate it with your body."
"Like this, then."
Lycaon moved his hands, and winds from each direction began to form patterns. Two winds swirled together, and the combined winds blended hot and cold energies.
…Honestly, it seemed impossible.
You hear that and then do that technique?
Why can't I do it?
I felt a surge of stubborn determination.
"Then how about this: 'Four winds meet to form a compass, and then four more combine to create the pattern of the Bagua. Thus, the wind exists everywhere and nowhere.' Can you do this?"
That phrase was one of Yoo Joong-hyuk's insights from the ninth loop. Yet, even Lycaon looked confused this time. I said triumphantly,
"Can't do it, right? That's exactly how I feel."
"You… Guardian. Truly, I am grateful."
"…What?"
[Grade 5 Inhuman, 'Prince of the Imenthar, Lycaon' has gained a profound insight.]
Lycaon suddenly crossed his legs and began training.
[You have had a significant impact on the evolution of 'Prince of the Imenthar, Lycaon'.]['Prince of the Imenthar, Lycaon' feels immense gratitude toward you.][Several constellations from the destroyed world 'Chronos' express their thanks to you.][You have received 2,000 coins in support.]
Only then did I realize what had just happened. The damn wolf had, by hearing what I said, gained enlightenment instead.
Han Sooyoung was laughing so hard she was practically clutching her stomach and rolling over.
A belated sense of frustration crept in.
Perhaps I knew a lot about the Annihilation Method, but in reality, I didn't know anything about myself.
[Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Long Orphan', admires your pitifulness.][Constellation, 'Secret Schemer', is disappointed by your carelessness.]
Seeing these system messages floating in the air, I even considered finding a good backer and forming a contract. Of course, that was impossible because of my existing contract with Bihyung.
[Then why did you smash the throne? Stupid.]
Startled, I looked up and saw the transparent figure of Bihyung hovering in the air.
I spoke to him through the Goblin Communication.
"Can I ask now? What about that intermediate goblin?"
[He won't be coming for a while. He got disciplined properly, so he can't show up until the Fifth Main Scenario opens. Oh, and I leveled up the channel again. If all goes well, I might reach intermediate next month, thanks to you.]
"Well, that's good."
[What? You don't seem very happy. If I do well, it's good for you too, buddy.]
"If I become intermediate, I'll be unnecessarily busy."
Bihyung chuckled.
[Don't worry. Even if the other avatars don't care, I'll take care of you. Sure, the administration has been roasting intermediate goblins lately… but some guy twisted the logic so much it got noisy.]
I didn't need him to say who.
[Ah, of course, not talking about you.]
Obviously, he meant Yu Jung-hyuk.
In truth, Yoo Joong-hyuk's growth rate was narratively impossible. He was advancing at a speed that was essentially cheating.
[There's one who has grown abnormally fast, and even the administration can't touch him… seems like he's got a formidable backing.]
Yoo Joong-hyuk's "narrative consistency" wouldn't be an issue for the foreseeable future. After all, as long as there's a constellation capable of handling "consistency," it's not a problem—and Yu Jung-hyuk has such a constellation.
[By the way, don't you want the 'Growth Package'? If you buy it now, it's cheap. You're struggling because you can't learn that skill, right? This package would…]
"I won't. Growth Packages only apply to skills I've already learned, right? You showing up now just to suck me dry?"
There are penalties for using a Growth Package recklessly. Even the powerful Yu Jung-hyuk avoids them for a reason.
[Tch, you knew that…?]
Bihyung clicked his tongue disappointedly.
"Still, it's about time to start buying something."
[Current Coins: 62,372 C]
Thanks to selling the parts of the Fire Dragon, I still had a considerable number of coins even after maxing my stats.
If I had just 40,000 more, I could've bought [Heavenly Dragon Step], but now wasn't the time.
Bihyung brightened up and leaned in.
[Oh? Anything you want to buy?]
"Your new coin items should be coming soon, right?"
[…How did you know? Did you plant a spy?]
"Well, the new scenario's opening soon, so they'll obviously sell it. When it comes, let me know. I'll buy it for you."
[Huh, you're acting… unexpectedly generous.]
I ended the Goblin Communication there. There was nothing more to gain, and talking further would only frustrate me.
When I looked back, Lycaon was still absorbing his enlightenment. Han Sooyoung had quietly come closer, resting her chin on her hand as she watched me.
"So… what are you going to do now?"
"…I don't know. Thinking about it."
"Then why don't you just let me learn it?"
"What?"
"Or have the other survivors over there learn it instead."
I glanced at the group of people who had settled nearby.
It had been two days since the coin farm collapsed. The rescued survivors were banding together to care for other injured people.
The atmosphere was different from the victims at Deputy Yoon's coin farm. Perhaps Han Sooyoung's hypocritical benevolence had influenced them.
In the end, perhaps even hypocrisy can be a kind of virtue.
Han Sooyoung spoke again.
"So, all that matters is just learning the Path of the Wind, right? Then it doesn't matter who learns it."
"…Right, anyone just has to learn it."
"Then why do you insist on learning it yourself? Just to get the constellations' attention for yourself?"
It wasn't entirely wrong, but it wasn't completely right either.
"Only someone who possesses the talisman can learn the [Path of the Wind]."
"Then give me that talisman."
"That can't be transferred."
[Character 'Han Sooyoung' has confirmed that this statement is true.]
This woman… really.
"You're the first one even more suspicious than Yoo Joong-hyuk."
"Perfect timing. That skill—according to the original story—was supposed to be learned by Yoo Joong-hyuk, right?"
"Right."
"Then why are you suffering for it? You could just leave it to Yoo Joong-hyuk. It's not too late now, so let's go find him. Train him properly and reap the benefits. He could figure it out even without the talisman."
"Yoo Joong-hyuk doesn't listen to anyone else."
"I'll try to tempt him."
I stared at Han Sooyoung for a moment and then turned my head.
"Yoo Joong-hyuk doesn't like childlike body types."
"…Are you insulting me right now?"
"Besides, even if we find Yoo Joong-hyuk, it's a problem."
No matter how capable Yoo Joong-hyuk is, he can't learn [Path of the Wind] without the talisman.
That means he'd have to take the talisman from me—but the talisman is a bound item, and ownership only releases if I die.
In other words, Yoo Joong-hyuk would have no choice but to try to kill me.
And even aside from the talisman…
"You know as well as I do that we parted on bad terms last time. If we meet, he'll definitely try to kill me."
The memory of Yoo Joong-hyuk being sent flying, bloodied, by my 100-strength punch—yet glaring at me like he wanted to tear me apart—is still vivid.
"…True, that bastard was reckless when he tried to cut my throat too."
Han Sooyoung also touched her own neck, as if recalling the moment at Chungmuro Station.
"Besides, even if we wanted to find him… we don't know where he is right now…"
At that moment, distant murmurs of people reached our ears.
"There's an injured person! Help! It's serious!"
Someone had apparently found an injured person nearby.
[Constellation, 'Demonic Judge of Fire', expects your camaraderie.][Several constellations expect you to treat the injured.]
For the first time in a while, messages from the constellations, including Wooriel, popped up.
What's going on?
I took Han Sooyoung and headed toward the commotion.
A moment later, when I saw the injured person, I quietly glared at Bihyung, who was hovering in the air.
Bihyung shrugged and giggled.
[That's none of my business, buddy.]
Yoo Joong-hyuk, bleeding all over, was waiting for me there.