Chapter 97

97. The First Boss, Leang (15)

“Cough, cough…!!”

As the dust settled, Leang revealed himself.

He was breathing heavily, his sword embedded in the ground.

‘As expected.’

As mentioned earlier, [One Flash] is weak due to insufficient stats compared to the level.

Of course, it still exerts considerable power against an opponent of this level, given that it is a skill rated A through [Divine Imitation].

‘The first goal has been achieved.’

My objective is not to kill but to reform.

I need to incapacitate his limbs to buy time for conversation.

What about the second goal?

“H-how… How…?”

Leang muttered, disbelieving.

“How can you use One Flash?!”

Well, it seems the second goal has also been achieved.

To cause ‘mental shock.’ This was the second goal.

With this, the foundation for reform has been successfully laid.

Now, only the third and final goal remains.

‘To make Leang use the Fleurs family’s sword technique and then use that technique to defeat him.’

If I can achieve this goal,

I can successfully reform Leang.

“Answer me! Hurry up!”

Leang, without even tending to his own injuries, shouted loudly.

Moreover, the One Flash I used was even larger and more beautiful than his own.

His attention was completely absorbed by this.

“Huh, One Flash isn’t exclusive to you, Mr. Leang.”

“Haha, hahaha… Hahahaha!!”

Suddenly, Leang burst into laughter.

But then, he abruptly stopped and regained his composure.

“What? What’s wrong with learning the sword techniques of a noble family? In the end, aren’t you the same? You use and rely on the sword techniques of the noble Lesters family!”

I am ultimately just an imitator.

I have no right to lecture others.

Leang was saying this. But.

“It’s different.”

“…Different?”

“Yes. Mr. Leang, do you still believe that the sword techniques of noble families are the best? But I don’t think so.”

The beginning and end of sword techniques are the same.

Only the middle part differs.

“A moment ago, you told me to follow your example, didn’t you?”

“…”

“The path of imitation. As someone who has walked this path first and seen its end, I will give you a piece of advice.”

You are wrong, Leang. At the end of imitation,

“There is nothing.”

* * *

Click.

Regis, who had emerged from the box, cautiously looked around.

About 15 minutes had passed since Zero disappeared.

But nothing had changed here.

The children, including Senior Rodelin, had not come out of the building.

The mysterious portal that had swallowed Zero had also disappeared and had not reappeared.

And.

“…”

Luna, sitting still like a stone, had not changed either.

She was still staring at the spot where Zero had disappeared.

She might really turn to stone like this.

“Miss, Miss… Luna. Here… take this.”

Regis offered her snack.

Carrot-flavored potato chips. It was Regis’s favorite snack.

“Huh? Thanks. I’ll eat it.”

Crunch…

Crunch, crunch!

Suddenly, Luna frowned.

“What is this? It’s carrots?”

“Yes, they’re delicious.”

“…Not my taste.”

Regis’s head drooped.

There were too many people in this world who disliked carrots.

‘How can they not like something so delicious?’

Regis was feeling down again.

“Miss, Miss… Luna.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why… Why didn’t you go in with him? You’re so worried….”

Regis couldn’t understand.

If she was going to worry this much, it would have been better to go with him.

Even if Zero had refused, with Luna’s strength and determination, she could have gone in with him.

But she didn’t. Regis was genuinely curious about the reason.

“…Because we’re friends.”

“Huh?”

“I trust him. And… he said he wants to do it himself to grow. I have to trust him.”

“…”

“It’s okay. Zero will definitely come back.”

“How do you know that?”

Well,

“Because he promised.”

Promises between friends are always kept.

That was Luna’s creed and pride.

Zero was her friend, so she believed he would keep his promise to return.

“Of course, I’m a bit worried. But don’t tell Zero I was here, okay?”

“Huh? Oh… Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll definitely keep it.”

Luna’s gaze returned to the spot where Zero had disappeared.

Regis, munching on the carrot-flavored snack, thought to herself.

If she could become Luna’s

‘friend, it would be truly happy.’

* * *

The third secret technique of the Lafrel family.

Illusion Sword.

The first secret technique of the Lester family.

One Flash (一閃).

Thud, thud, thud!

Crash!

“Gah!”

Once again, Leang was the one pushed back.

Leang, who could use the techniques of five families, ten secret techniques.

He used all of them, but none of them surpassed my [One Flash].

“This can’t… This can’t be!”

“…”

“If our family had such excellent sword techniques! If only we had, I wouldn’t have become like this! I wouldn’t have made a pact with the devil!”

Leang was already mentally broken.

‘Stupid kid.’

I know.

No matter how hard you try to imitate,

Imitation is just imitation.

You can never become the real thing.

“What do you know! Not being born into a noble family is the same as giving up the dream of being a hero! No matter how hard you try, you can never reach their sword techniques! Just like now!”

“…”

“I wanted to be a hero! I wanted to be a hero whose name would be known across the continent, a hero that everyone would praise!”

The childhood dream of wanting to be a hero.

I could tell.

Leang’s mind was starting to collapse.

“Sword of Magic, Open!”

Crack!

Dozens of blood vessels sprouted from the magic sword and embedded themselves in Leang’s right arm.

A skill that increases attack power by 200% but increases the corruption rate by 0.5%.

Since Leang’s corruption rate is already close to 80%, it might not matter much.

“If I kill you like this, no one will understand. No one will know of your sacrifice!”

Unfortunately, the one who will die is not me, but you.

And a hero.

“Is like that, Mr. Leang.”

They are too busy saving the world to save the person right in front of them.

How can they be called heroes if they only look after their own interests?

I knew this very well.

From Luther and the parrot, and.

From the many heroes I’ve met in this game.

“There is one thing that is clear.”

“What is it!”

“You don’t have the qualifications to be a hero.”

“Shut up! Shut up!”

Choosing the path of a hero just to be praised.

It’s of poor quality.

Leang swung his magic sword. The demonic energy raged like a storm, enveloping the magic sword.

‘It seems this is as far as it goes.’

Leang has completely erased the memory of the Fleurs family.

He never used his own sword technique.

The hidden reward is abandoned.

Leang seems to have deviated far from the Leang I knew. Now, just.

‘Kill him.’

I made up my mind.

I was really going to commit my first murder.

I gripped the sword hilt tightly.

The first secret technique of the Lester family.

One Flash (一閃).

“Gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah, gah