After finding myself thrown into a cell, I turned toward the owner of the voice—a girl with long purple hair and starry eyes of the same color. She was wearing a witch's robe, just like in light novels.
That means another girl had joined the group.
Nevin.
"How are you, Klo Yuthnir?"
"I'm not okay."
Nevin covered her soft chuckle with the fan she always carried.
"I can see that. After all, you're going to become the ultimate villain who threatens the kingdom."
As if I wanted that.
"What are you going to do with me?"
"As you know… we'll hand you over to the kingdom and claim our rewards."
"And if the kingdom doesn't reward you, then what?"
" That's actually a good point. "
Nevin turned to the other cell and pulled her hand sharply toward it.She used pull magic . Suddenly, a face appeared—one unfamiliar to me.
"Let go of me, you wretch!"
Elithia?
"Why did you capture Elithia? She's not even associated with me."
"True, she has nothing to do with you, but she's worth a hefty sum too. She's also an important character."
Silence fell for a moment. Nevin stared at me, savoring my tension. But this time, I broke the pattern.
"Do whatever you want."
Everyone turned to look at me—even Elithia, who couldn't move.
Elithia lunged at the iron bars with her fists and screamed at me.
"You bastard, Klo! I was wrong to think you were changing! You're still the scum I've always hated!"
"Ah… alright. I'll let you two continue your conversation. One of my subordinates will bring you food so you don't starve, and these two will guard you. So don't cause trouble."
Nevin left, her robe swaying with each step.
I examined the place—it looked like an underground cell, walls made of stone, and cone-shaped confinement chambers.
After Nevin left, I stared at the guard in front of me.
"Hey, guard. Can you come closer? I want to show you something."
The idiot did as I said, and as he got close, I mustered all my strength and slammed my head into his.
The guard collapsed, unconscious from the sheer density of Klo's skull. I quickly opened the system to check my inventory.
[Inventory]
_ Magic Powder
_ Ignis Sword
I tapped on Magic Powder.
[Do you want to retrieve it?]
"Yes" "No"
I pressed "Yes," and it materialized in front of me. I grabbed it.
Before the other guard could get close, I lightly smeared the powder on the ends of the iron bars. One of them dropped into my hands. As the guard approached, I smashed the iron bar into his head and knocked him out cold.
I continued applying the powder to create a small gap to escape through. Then I checked the guards for the key—and found it.
I ran to unlock Elithia's cell, who looked confused by what I was doing.
After freeing her, she apologized for what she'd said earlier.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were still the scumbag who hurt me. But you've been trying your best to protect me and think of me. Thank you."
I smiled as I looked at Elithia, who seemed flustered by her own words.
"Don't worry about it. Right now, we just need to find a way to escape."
I won't lie—this moment did leave something in my heart. For the first time, someone looked at me positively and appreciated my concern.
I grabbed Elithia's hand and we walked toward the door at the far end. When we opened it, we found a tunnel lined with many doors.
I looked at Elithia, hoping she'd give me some clue to think about.
"Do you have any idea where the exit might be?"
"Usually, it has a sign above it that says 'Exit.'"
"Wow."
"Don't mock me."
We continued walking through the tunnel until we reached its end, where there was a side path to the left.
But it was soaked in blood, littered with swords and scattered corpses.
We walked slowly among the bodies until I heard a piercing sound from behind. Elithia slowly let go of my hand.
I turned around slowly… only to see her coughing up blood and collapsing, holding her wound.
The one who stabbed her was a man in a black scarf covering his face—looked like some kind of thief.
Before he could stab me too, Nevin appeared and cast a spell to deflect his sword.
"Step back, Yuthnir."
I didn't respond. All I could do was stare at Elithia, who was fighting for her life. I couldn't bear the sight, and I started crying… until I suddenly flew.
I couldn't feel my lower half as I hovered in the air, until I saw them—my legs, still standing.
Time slowed. I blinked slowly.
And the moment I opened my eyes… Elithia was in front of me.
I looked around, and a system window popped up in front of me.
[Notification]
"You only have one chance left for the 'Rewrite' ability."
I looked back at Elithia, who tilted her head in confusion at my weird behavior.
"Klo… what's wrong?"
I kept staring at Elithia, my hand shaking as I held hers… then I suddenly hugged her.
I wonder why I was so afraid to lose her, even though she's just a character from my imagination… or maybe even if fictional characters became real and spoke kind words to us, would they still remain fictional?
"Klo… um… it's kind of embarrassing for you to do that, you know."
I stopped hugging her and pulled away with a smile.
"What's wrong with hugging my childhood friend?"
"That's even more embarrassing than the hug itself."
I agree with you.
"Weren't we heading out through this door?" she asked, her face red.
"Let's wait a moment. There's something I need to do."
I opened the system and upgraded my physical and energy stats.
I had 120 C and needed to use it wisely. Every upgrade cost 10 C.
I opened the shop first and searched thoroughly for something useful—until I found what I needed.
"Healing Potion"
_ Cost: 50 C
_ When the drinker is harmed, they won't take damage.
Duration: One full day.
I clicked purchase.
"Do you wish to confirm your purchase?"
Yes.
After confirming, the potion materialized in my hands. I handed it to Elithia.
"Summoning magic? How did you manage that? Even I haven't reached that level… and what is this bottle?"
I looked at Elithia.
"Please drink it. It'll protect you from any harm."
"Even from you?"
Sigh "Even from me."
Elithia laughed, then drank the potion.
A glowing blue aura surrounded her body as protection.
Now I had 70 C left.
I used the rest to upgrade my other stats.
[Stats]
[Physical Strength 4 -> 7]
[Agility 2 -> 4]
[Aura 10 -> 12]
Upgrade complete.
Now we'll go through the same path again, but before that, I need to summon my sword.
Opened the system again.
[Inventory]
_ Ignis Sword
I tapped it.
I brought my hands together and slowly moved them apart as the sword began to take shape.
The sword appeared, and I held it in my hands.
Honestly… it was a badass moment.
I looked at Elithia and saw she had stolen a sword from one of the fallen guards.
Sigh.
"Let's go, Elithia."
This time, I swore to protect Elithia and escape from the dungeon I dragged her into.