Chapter Forty-One
"Goodbye, my life full of harems..."
A strike...
That damn puppet didn't even let me finish my sentence—it went straight for my head.
I didn't have time to think. All I could do was raise my wooden sword... a desperate shield.
"Tssshhh!"
Its real sword clashed against mine. My weapon held for just a second before snapping in half.
The sharp sound of splintering wood echoed in my ears.
I looked at the broken sword in despair, but I didn't have time to grieve.
I felt something sharp rushing toward my head.
I leapt back—but not far enough.
The edge of the sword slashed across my side. Blood sprayed through the air before I slammed into the stone wall behind me and dropped to my knees.
"Damn it… this isn't fair. At least give me a real weapon!"
I looked up… the scarecrow hadn't stopped.
It charged, sword hissing through the air like the wind itself was screaming.
Another strike...
I ducked!
I felt the sword pass right beside my cheek…
Then suddenly—wham!—a powerful blow smashed into my ribs. My breath vanished.
"Ughhh…!"
I rolled across the floor. My entire body throbbed with pain. I honestly had no idea how I was still conscious.
I raised my head… the scarecrow walked toward me, slowly, step by step. It didn't rush. It looked like a butcher preparing to slaughter one of his sheep.
"Get up… get up, you coward…"
I pressed my hands against the ground, teeth grinding together. Every muscle in my body burned.
Suddenly, it kicked me in the stomach.
My body lifted off the ground and crashed down. I felt something break inside me.
"Khahh…!"
I coughed up blood.
My mind screamed: Run! But my legs wouldn't obey.
"Is this how I die? Now?"
I looked at it… sword raised, its lifeless wooden face unchanging. But the fear in my eyes was enough.
I raised my arm instinctively to block the blow.
Crack!
The sound of my bone shattering filled my ears.
My right arm fell limp—completely useless.
"Damn everything..."
It didn't care.
It raised its sword again. That same empty face. But my terror? That was real.
"I swear I'll get revenge... even if we meet in hell!"
A voice inside me screamed, clawing its way through the pain and fear.
"I wish I'd just stayed asleep…" I muttered weakly.
[Warning: Host is advised to retreat]
"Oh sure, now you say that," I muttered sarcastically.
Honestly, I didn't even know why my life had turned into this hell since arriving in this world—unknown monsters, broken training gear, and now I was about to die a pathetic death.
I couldn't hide the sheer disappointment boiling in my chest.
Just thinking about it made my heart pound. Even in my past life… I don't remember ever feeling this hopeless.
I looked at the blackened scarecrow standing before me—but this time, I couldn't do anything. My body was more than broken.
I spat...
The wooden man looked at the spit with visible confusion.
Even it hadn't expected that.
"Hurry up already. I'm done waiting," I said mockingly.
If I was going to die, I'd rather die with my pride. I wasn't going to hide anymore.
And as for the gods… I swear I'll make you my slaves, you bastards.
The scarecrow raised its metal sword high into the air, then brought it down, aiming straight for my chest.
A strike…
Blood sprayed from my body like a fountain.
My consciousness began to fade.
The world turned completely black before I lost it all.
"So, we meet again."
I opened my eyes and looked around, searching for the source of the voice… but all I saw were red flowers, swaying gently.
The place felt oddly familiar, though I couldn't quite place it..
That is… until I saw him.
The same figure I'd seen in the skull-filled realm.
But now… he looked different.
He was holding a glass goblet filled with red liquid, calmly squeezing flowers into it.
I didn't know why he was doing that, but this time—I had to know everything.
So I asked him, "Yeah, I think so too."
I wasn't afraid anymore. I knew I had already died. It would've been strange if I hadn't after all that.
I walked toward the man slowly, but with firm resolve. I had nothing left to lose.
"Can you tell me everything now?"
"..."
He looked at me with indifference and continued squeezing the flowers.
"Come on, tell me!"
I grabbed him by the collar and shouted with all I had.
"Hey…"
He looked at me, annoyed.
Suddenly, something immense crushed my shoulders—like I was carrying a mountain of stone.
"Ughhh… damn it!"
I glared at him, but he didn't care.
"Who do you think you're talking to?" the white-haired man said coldly.
As soon as he spoke those words, pain tore through my insides—like my guts were being ripped apart. The air suddenly reeked of blood.
"Second of all… why are you acting like you have nothing left to lose?" he sneered.
"Heh… what do I have left after losing my body?" I laughed bitterly.
"Haaah…"
He sighed, clearly exhausted, then added:
"First of all… who told you you were dead?"
"…Huh…?"
I couldn't help but scream.
Was he seriously saying I was still alive? Is this guy insane?!
"As for your answers…
I don't think it's time for that yet," he said.
And just like that… he vanished into the air.
The world cracked… and began to crumble.
But when I opened my eyes—
The real nightmare began.
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Don't worry about this note because I changed it but I still put it in the chapter so that the chapter reaches the required cheek only
I'm sorry…
Sorry for everything I'm about to say, and sorry that I'm even forced to say it at all…
But— maybe… maybe the novel will become paid.
I know… it might be a shock, maybe even a disappointment to some of you, but… there are things in life that are stronger than us.
University has started demanding tuition fees, and with each passing day, I feel like I'm sinking deeper…
I can no longer cover the costs with my part-time job… even that has become a burden heavier than I can bear.
I never wanted to reach this point. I was truly trying to continue… to keep it free for you all, just like I promised…
But life doesn't always give us what we want.
I know this decision is painful… and I know you're not obligated to accept it.
As a form of compensation, I will publish two chapters daily, and I'll start promoting the novel—
in hopes that it reaches those who deserve it… just like all of you reached me.
I'm sorry…
Sorry that I wasn't strong enough to continue without something in return.
And sorry that you're the ones most affected by this.
So… I hope you can forgive me.
If I manage to fix things, I promise I'll make it free again.
Also, I don't plan to shut it down now, but I might publish several chapters in advance.
As for the pictures, I will post a picture of Kim Hyul.