Chapter 2

< Regression (2) >

I drew a long line down my forearm with the tip of the dagger. The blood that seeped out coagulated and transformed into a dark red spear. The flames that burned from the tip of the spear, wrapping around the shaft, were blindingly black.

- Rrrrr

Lauchitas, who had always looked down on and ignored me, raised all three of his heads at once. The spines on his back, which had taken my eyes, rose as if in warning. His mouth, wide open, was filled with jagged teeth.

If it were the old me, I would have collapsed, unable to withstand the overwhelming presence before even meeting his gaze. But now, I didn't even feel a hint of tension.

I was certain. That thing is weaker than me.

"Damn lizard brat, come at me."

- Roar!

The creature roared in response. The roar, filled with malice, shook the entire cavern. The three-headed dragon fully raised its massive red body. It had no wings, but instead a sleek, agile body wrapped in a thick curse. Its spotted, long tail whipped around, bristling with spines.

Thud!

The creature's four feet pounded the ground. The claws, like the scythe of death, left long scars on the floor. Despite its massive size, its movements were incredibly fast. In a single leap, it crossed half the cavern. If it were the old me, I wouldn't have even noticed such a movement.

But now, I am different.

"Why don't you just crawl around?"

It felt like a puppy running up to me. My brother, who was the third-fastest among the top ten ranked, would not have allowed the three-headed lizard brat's attack so easily. But at this moment, I am faster.

Thud!

I leaped into the air with a twisted smile.

Claw!

The creature's claws raked the spot where I had been. I calmly looked down and used an overflowing skill.

"Blue willow leaves."

Leaves that only the caster could see fluttered around. I stepped on the leaves with my feet and soared upward again.

The agitated Lauchitas leaped up as well, but I easily dodged his claws. The curses that shot out like venomous spines were blocked by my shield.

Boom!

The lizard brat growled as it landed. If you're so upset, grow some wings!

My brother didn't have a flight skill. But he used these blue willow leaves to dance in the air as if he were standing on the ground. That damn kid could do anything.

"But, he couldn't sever the useless older brother."

Muttering, I held the spear sideways. Wrapping it in undulating black flames, I drew it back as if it were a bow.

Whoosh!

- Roar!

The spear I launched pierced Lauchitas' left head. Black flames shot up, and the pierced head melted away instantly. The dragon, driven mad by pain, thrashed about, swinging its claws and teeth, but it was too slow.

Thud! Thud!

It thrashed and pounded the ground like an eel dragged onto land. It was a ridiculous sight. The brat was ridiculous, but so was I.

Bleed, and create a new spear.

Crack!

- Gasp! Roar!

I shattered its right head as well. The middle head, having lost its eyes, flailed helplessly. The creature, with its scales raised all over its body, stopped running and crouched, seemingly terrified.

"This is too easy."

It's so easy that I almost cried. This brat is so easy to finish.

If I burn the remaining head, even a dragon with strong vitality wouldn't survive, but I aimed for its legs instead. I cut off its limbs one by one, as it lay powerless like a fish drying on hot sand.

Slowly, bit by bit.

The roars turned to screams, then groans, and finally to the gasps of a dying creature.

The ground was a swamp of blood, but Lauchitas was still alive. I sat on his limp body, clenching my teeth.

The time is almost up. When the skill effect ends, I'll die from the poison emanating from Lauchitas' corpse.

What a useless guy, me.

"But what would I do if I survived?"

If it's known that I caused Yuhyeon's death, I might be publicly executed. If they tied me to a stake in the square, people from all over the world would come to stone me.

"Maybe I'll be remembered in history and even in textbooks. I've been hated a lot already, but now I'll be a legacy of hate. Haha."

So why did you die instead of me, stupid brother? It was really a useless act. Ah, damn. I should have just died when my leg was broken and no one rescued me. Then I wouldn't have seen such a dirty sight, and Yuhyeon wouldn't have died. Who the hell saved me for no reason?

I tapped the scales of Lauchitas, who was taking his last breath.

"I won't live much longer, so don't be upset. Why did you jump out of a D-rank dungeon? Or did the administrators miscalibrate the stats?"

Either way, it's none of my concern now. I just lay down, too exhausted to avoid the poison before the skill effect wore off.

"I should have just lived a quiet life, waving a cheerleading baton from behind Yuhyeon."

Let the talented brother protect me and live a sweet life, what's the point of this inferiority complex.

Then, a reward window appeared, indicating that Lauchitas was dead.

[Impossible achievement! You have hunted a dragon alone!]

Yuhyeon also dealt a blow, so why is it "alone"? Maybe there was a significant time difference.

[Legendary title 'Dragon Slayer' granted!]

Dragon Slayer. It sounds like a title with great stats, but I didn't bother to check. What do I care? A pumpkin is still a pumpkin even if you draw a line on it.

Then, my level increased, and a series of items appeared.

[Gate Stone x10]

[1st Rank Grant x5]

[Great Sword of the Red Dragon]

[Wish Stone]

Huh? Wish Stone?

While casually scrolling through the item window, the Wish Stone caught my eye. It was a new item to me.

"From the name, it sounds like it grants wishes."

No way. No way it's some scam item.

Even though I thought it was impossible, I suddenly stood up. Opening my inventory, I saw a small, red sphere slightly larger than a fist.

Swallowing dryly, I took out the sphere and checked its information.

[Wish Stone ? Mythic Tier

Grants one wish of the user's choice.]

Is this real?

"Then my brother—!"

[※However, resurrection of the dead is not possible.]

"······What the—?!"

The final note caught my eye too late. How can it be mythic if it can't even resurrect the dead! If it's a god, it should be able to control life and death!

"Damn, then what can it do? Everything except bringing people back to life? I, I just—!"

I clenched the Wish Stone tightly.

Instantly, a myriad of possibilities flooded my mind. If it grants any wish, I could become stronger than Yuhyeon. I could maintain my current state.

Then, I wouldn't be hated. People would quickly forget the past hero and praise the new one.

I could take the position I had always envied.

From a much more glorious position, I could rise higher than anyone else.

Lost in my fantasies, I rolled my eyes and sighed deeply.

"······Yuhyeon, you really are making me suffer until the very end."

I might regret it. No, I will definitely regret it.

Then, what's the point of regretting?

I've already layered so many coats of regret; one more won't make much difference.

"Hey, Wish Stone. Can you turn back time?"

The red sphere began to glow as if in response to my words. If it can't resurrect the dead, why can it turn back time? Turning back time seems more impressive, how ridiculous.

"Then, take me back to before I entered here, no, just take me back about five years. Keep my memories intact. This time, I'll live a quiet life."

If I don't stand out, I won't be hated, my leg will be fine, and Yuhyeon won't have to worry about me. Everything will be better.

I'll just live a quiet life as a useless freeloader, enjoying the success of my talented brother.

[Do you want to turn back time?]

"Yeah."

The light from the sphere grew even stronger. My vision turned a deep red, then suddenly white.

And.

In the restored view, the unfamiliar room came into focus.

< Regression (2) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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