Chapter 27

Chapter 2. Cannibalism Among Kin (2)

[Vatol's vampiric sword's proficiency is low, so the skill's level has been adjusted.]

[The skill 'Heat Storm' has changed to 'Heat Flame.']

[Heat Flame]

Level: D+

Proficiency: 0.0%

This is the initial form of Hargan (Lizard King)'s unique skill, Heat Storm.

It can artificially generate flames on the desired tool. As proficiency increases, it gradually becomes more intense.

'A unique skill? And a buff skill, too?'

Yeonwoo clenched his fist as he checked the skill details.

The aftereffects from the skill combo seemed to have disappeared as if washed away by water.

Even though it was downgraded to a lower level, he had obtained a unique skill, after all.

Unique skill.

This is similar to unique, but slightly different.

Both types are special skills that can only be possessed by specific targets.

Naturally, within the tower, no one else could possess them.

Not only were they incredibly powerful, but they were also rare.

However, a unique skill was a bit different from a unique item.

Most unique skills were typically possessed by boss monsters.

Therefore, even if they were killed, they would reset to their original settings when the cycle was renewed.

Even though his younger brother had hunted Hargan a long time ago, it was the same as this tutorial.

Thus, even if Heat Storm was a unique skill that only Hargan could possess, if it could be stolen, several players could end up with it.

At least in theory.

However, skill theft was a top-tier option, so it was not common, and it was even harder to obtain in the tutorial.

Especially since Vatol's vampiric sword was among the top-tier options with such capabilities.

In other words, Yeonwoo was the only player who had stolen Hargan's skill.

Although he didn't obtain Heat Storm due to the lack of proficiency, this was still a significant achievement.

A buff skill.

One that could imbue a tool with fire attributes.

'If specific attributes can be imbued into artifacts, the power can only increase. That's why attribute artifacts are traded at high prices.'

However, Yeonwoo no longer needed to obtain attribute artifacts.

Moreover, the Heat Flame skill seemed to be versatile depending on how it was used.

Fire, being one of the most aggressive and expansive attributes.

'I need to experiment with it later.'

Yeonwoo closed the skill window with a sense of satisfaction.

Focusing on the newly acquired skill had somewhat alleviated the aftereffects.

He slowly got up, staggering, and Kan and Doyle supported him.

"Are you okay...?"

Kan looked at Yeonwoo with a worried gaze, unable to continue speaking.

After all, Yeonwoo had to endure the full force of the flames Hargan unleashed at the end.

Yeonwoo's clothes were almost burned to ashes, leaving burn marks all over his body. The mask he was wearing was also partially melted and deformed.

"I'm fine, don't worry. I just find it a bit difficult to move. This will heal on its own with time."

If not for the energy drain from Vatol's vampiric sword, the injuries would have been much worse.

Yeonwoo waved his hand lightly.

"Still, man."

"Yeah, bro. We don't know if there are any other injuries, so sit down for a bit."

But even so, Kan and Doyle couldn't hide their worried looks.

They kept hovering around him.

Yeonwoo briefly pondered how to get rid of these annoying people.

Then he realized there were other people around and pointed towards the nest with his chin.

"I'm really fine, so don't worry about me. More importantly, is it okay to leave those people over there? They might be in more danger because of Hargan's flames."

Only then did Doyle remember that people were still trapped in the human farm.

He quickly took Kan and moved towards that direction.

Yeonwoo finally managed to lean against a half-burned stump and rest.

He closed his eyes and meditated again to completely calm the aftereffects.

* * *

The rescue of the slaves was swift.

Fortunately, the Heat Storm Hargan unleashed did not reach the human farm.

It seemed to be designed to minimize external damage, as it was likely a place to store food for the young lizards.

"Thank you, really thank you!"

"Uhhhh."

People burst into tears as the chains and restraints binding them were removed.

When they regained their composure.

They kicked Hargan's dead body several times.

Other players also chased and vented their anger on the still-living lizardmen.

All of them had been on the brink of death and barely survived.

Just a few days ago, they had to watch their laughing and chatting companions being eaten by baby lizards.

Naturally, their anger boiled over.

Kan and Doyle watched silently until their anger subsided.

When the commotion calmed down a bit.

A middle-aged man with a shaved head approached as a representative.

"Let me thank you again. Thanks to you, we could avenge our fallen comrades... They can now rest in peace."

Kan and Doyle waved their hands.

"No, no. We just did what we had to do."

Kan shook his head calmly.

If it were his usual self, he would have proudly answered, but he tried to be as humble as possible, knowing the heavy atmosphere.

Still, his eyes were filled with pride.

Then the middle-aged man asked casually.

"By the way."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Are you Vatol, the Blood Sword?"

"Ah, I was trying to keep it a secret, hahaha!"

Kan scratched the back of his head, trying to look embarrassed, but couldn't hide his smile.

People's eyes widened and they started murmuring.

"Is that really Vatol, the Blood Sword?"

"Of course! That's why he could defeat the Lizard King!"

"I've only heard about him. He's really amazing. I can't even come close to his level."

"Then the person next to him must be Foshy Tail, right?"

"Seems like it."

The more people praised him, the wider Kan's smile grew, almost reaching his ears.

Doyle shook his head, watching his brother.

Does he really want this much attention?

But Kan, while grinning, didn't forget to take care of the people around him.

"Hahaha! Thank you for such kind words. But I didn't defeat Hargan alone. I just assisted. Without my friend... Ugh, I don't even want to think about it."

Kan shook his head playfully.

His attitude helped most people relax and ease their tension and fatigue.

But when they turned their heads in the direction Kan pointed.

Their expressions hardened again.

There, Yeonwoo was sitting alone, far away, with his eyes closed in meditation.

People averted their eyes from Yeonwoo.

Some even openly frowned or spat on the ground as if they had seen something disgusting.

Kan, sensing the unusual atmosphere, asked cautiously.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Is this person a player who travels with Sir Vatol or Sir Doyle?"

"Yes, he is."

"If so, I must warn you to be careful with this person."

Kan's expression hardened.

"I would like to know the reason."

"When Sir Doyle first found us, this person suggested leaving us behind instead of saving us."

The middle-aged man glared at Yeonwoo, his face contorted.

Other players also recalled the argument between Yeonwoo and Doyle.

Even though Doyle eventually sided with Yeonwoo, the only image they had of Yeonwoo was of someone coldly abandoning them.

Kan glanced at Doyle with a slightly hardened gaze.

A look that asked if it was true.

Doyle wanted to explain why Yeonwoo had to say such things, but with so many people watching, he sighed and nodded.

The middle-aged man took this as 'agreement' and continued excitedly.

"So, I might be overstepping, but this person is not even human...!"

"Excuse me, that's overstepping."

At that moment.

Kan turned around with a cold expression and cut off the middle-aged man's words.

The middle-aged man's eyes widened in surprise.

"W-What?"

"You've overstepped, big time. You."

Kan approached the middle-aged man with a twisted smile.

The middle-aged man stiffened under Kan's cold gaze, as did the other players.

But regardless of their reactions.

Kan approached and jabbed the middle-aged man's chest with his index finger.

"For whatever reason, this guy is also one of your saviors. He's my and Doyle's comrade. And he was the most injured in the fight with Hargan."

Kan no longer used honorifics.

Honorifics should only be used for those who deserve them.

Such fools who don't know gratitude?

What do they know.

"Yet, you, who were stupidly captured by lizardmen and barely survived, what? Be careful of this guy? Where are you spouting such nonsense?"

"......!"

The middle-aged man's face turned bright red with humiliation.

His tightly clenched fists trembled.

But.

Kan laughed at him again.

"Why? Are you going to hit me with those fists? Go ahead. Come on. What? You were scared of the Lizard King, but since we're just players, you think you can take us on? Go ahead, hit me. Quickly."

Kan even offered his cheek.

The middle-aged man's eyelids trembled.

He looked around, hoping someone would help him.

People he had been trapped with in the farm, who had sworn to die together.

But no one took his side.

They just avoided his gaze, not wanting to get involved.

The middle-aged man finally realized his situation.

"I-I'm sorry."

"What? I can't hear you."

Kan frowned even more and leaned his ear close to the middle-aged man's mouth.

"I'm... sorry."

The middle-aged man's voice trembled.

Pfft.

Kan sneered and took a step back.

"Who should you be saying that to?"

It was obvious who he was talking about.

The middle-aged man bit his lower lip and looked towards Yeonwoo.

Yeonwoo was still completely uninterested.

He was just meditating.

Kan pointed at Yeonwoo and motioned for him to go.

The middle-aged man slowly approached Yeonwoo with trembling steps and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry. I didn't recognize my savior and spoke rashly. Please forgive me."

"......"

Yeonwoo showed no reaction for a long time.

The longer he waited, the more the middle-aged man couldn't straighten his bowed head.

Then Yeonwoo slightly opened his eyes, nodded lightly as if annoyed, and closed them again.

"......"

The middle-aged man finally straightened his bowed head.

The players watching the scene remained silent.

The strong and the weak.

The one-sided relationship in the tower was clearly evident here as well.

* * *

The middle-aged man, Brand, returned to where the people were gathered with a tight-lipped expression.

People started to leave, thinking Brand might say something.

The empty surroundings.

Brand bit his lower lip and sat down in a roughly suitable spot.

'Dirty bastards.'

Brand gritted his teeth.

When they were trapped by the lizardmen, they needed him so much.

Whenever they needed something, he always risked his life to get it from the lizardmen.

Now that the situation was difficult, they all avoided him.

It was dirty and miserable.

Moreover, he resented Kan and Doyle for belittling him just because they saved him.

And.

He hated the person who caused all this the most.

"Brother."

At that moment, a thin man cautiously approached Brand.

Eiden. The guy who followed him the most in the human farm.

Initially, Eiden led a group of about four or five people.

When they were all dragged into the human farm, Brand saved him from almost dying.

Since then, Eiden started to follow him, calling him 'brother.'

Brand also got close to Eiden because he was diligent and quick-witted.

But when he asked for help today, Eiden was the first to avoid his gaze.

"What is it?"

Of course, he couldn't expect a good response.

When Brand coldly shot back, E