NOVEL NEXT Chapter 97
As soon as I opened my eyes, I patted my chest, feeling around for signs of life. Thump thump!
‘All good. What the heck happened?’
I wondered if I had really gone through a “do-over” as I rubbed my temples.
Right. The system log might have something for me.
[Trial Challenge Failed.]
[Time is rewinding.]
‘So, I failed the challenge and the time rewound, huh?’
While the fact that I had gone back in time was clear, there were still many unanswered questions.
Is the chance of retry unlimited?
If not, how would I know the exact limit?
And where the heck is Veronica?
‘It’s not just that. The biggest issue is that my body feels like trash, and everything’s pitch black.’
The overwhelming fatigue I felt at that moment was far beyond what I had experienced in the previous trials of lust and greed.
As soon as I regained my wits, the only action I could muster was to sit up and pat my chest again.
Ah cough. Hrumph.
But even that little movement brought forth a cough, and my throat was so scratchy.
“Ugh.”
On top of that, every joint in my body creaked, and my breath came in gasps, with only a wheezing sound that I couldn’t even spit out echoing in my mouth.
First things first, I had to check my status. I needed information from the status screen.
────
[Arin von Ukrasia]
[Strength: F] [Agility: F] [Durability: F-]
[Health: F-] [Magic: EX] [Luck: B]
[Possessed Traits] (Fold)
Inside of Chaos
Soul of the Dragon
Weak Power
One Language
Chance of Retry
Broken Vessel
────
…What the hell.
My stats were dismal, and aside from the traits bestowed on me during my transfer, everything I had earned until now had disappeared.
In its place were the new traits: Chance of Retry and Broken Vessel.
‘Figures. The details are all hidden.’
Though I couldn’t determine the effects of each trait, just from their names, it was clear that these two new traits had drastically tanked my stats.
Von Ukrasia.
Now that I think about it, right before I died, among the words I left for Veronica, I mentioned the 4th Prince.
But wait… if my memory serves me correctly, when I heard about her past at the time of recruiting Veronica, I distinctly remembered the figure in my memories being the 4th Princess, not the 4th Prince.
‘Could it be that the spirit and Veronica’s memories about the 4th Princess got mixed up? Because I barged in and flipped the script?’
That would make sense.
So, that assassin said 4th Prince before killing me, huh?
This cursed body must now possess the traits of the original 4th Princess, a direct result of the trial.
‘Then I’ve roughly assessed the situation. Now it’s a matter of whether I live or die; I just have to get moving.’
Creak.
“Ugh. Cough.”
One step. Two steps.
How on earth could a person live in this barely functional state? I lamented internally that I would rather drop dead than get killed again.
Click. Click.
“…?”
Trying to turn the doorknob yielded no results; pulling on it did nothing either.
Could it be that the 4th Princess was weak and was locked away under the pretense of protection?
No matter how vast the room was, this is a bit much…
Thud thud thud.
I tried opening my mouth, but no words came out, so I endured the pain in my joints and banged on the door.
‘It opened!’
“What business do you have? An order has come to prohibit leaving, so unless it’s important, please return inside.”
“That’s…”
“What business do you have? An order has come to prohibit leaving, so unless it’s important, please return inside.”
“…”
Well, it’s not like this is an NPC or anything.
I suppressed my cough and barely managed to speak, but all I received in return was the same robotic dialogue.
Thud.
Shocked into silence, I felt as though the door was slamming shut on my chance to escape.
“Sigh.”
In despair, I let out a sigh and lay back down on the bed.
While my mind raced for a solution, time continued to silently slip away.
‘…I’m hungry. It’s quite a thing to feel hunger in this situation.’
Still, they’d surely bring food when it’s time. So I rubbed my belly and waited silently.
“Meal for the 4th Prince is ready, please step aside.”
As expected, I could hear commotion outside.
Click.
The door opened, and in walked none other than Veronica, dressed in a uniform and carrying a tray.
I half-expected her to show up, but as they say, even a mouse can find sunshine; this is a stroke of luck.
────
[Veronica]
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Zk1Bamt2bEVERjVVWnhONjdsUHkyeXBCY0RwNlJsbk95ajZNSHo3ZlQ5bg
[Strength: D+] [Agility: D-] [Durability: C-]
[Health: C-] [Magic: B-] [Luck: C-]
[Possessed Traits] (Fold)
Armistice Sword and Shield
Defensive Sword
Strong Body – Armistice
Duelist
Resounding of Purity
Celestial Halo
Rage Challenger
Fragmented Time
────
Rage Challenger.
It seems this trial is indeed based on rage.
‘What the hell does censorship mean? Has the trial placed restrictions?’
No wonder she was wearing that uniform hat on her head.
Now that I see, her traits have been censored, and aside from the two Armistice types she had at this time, everything else was locked.
With her current state, I had my doubts on whether she could defeat the one who killed me, but still, I felt a sense of relief and tried to talk to her.
No, I meant to try.
“Is that all for today?”
Despite what bubbled up inside me, the words that came out were flat and somewhat suppressed.
It was as if the higher powers had dictated that in this scripted scenario, my role was simply to watch.
Then, against my will, more words spilled out.
“It’s truly boring. Just how long must I eat soup? Cough.”
“I’m sorry. I requested to add meat, but the head maid refused, citing the Prince’s condition.”
“Surely someone’s pulling the strings. Ha, I can’t even eat on my own terms. I can easily guess who’s behind it.”
“… You seem particularly troubled today. Please open your mouth.”
“Enough! I’ll handle it myself, hand it over! Hurry!”
My body moved of its own accord.
Clatter.
My body instinctively took the spoon that Veronica reluctantly offered, and unsteadily lifted it to eat the soup.
“Prince, no. Arin.”
“What is it? Huff Speak freely.”
She bit her lip and promised in a crushed tone.
“I, I will definitely protect you.”
“… How bland. By the way, I heard a grand banquet is happening today. Of course, there’s no way I could attend, right?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Tch. No, just take it and go.”
Click.
And just like that, I was alone again.
“Damn it. I can’t think of any solutions.”
Slowly, a picture was forming in my mind.
As the glorious 4th Prince with outstanding looks and the trait of Chance of Retry to boot,
To put it plainly, the 4th Princess would surely be a thorn in the side of the nearly assured heir apparent.
Thus, they must have sent an assassin to take care of me while everyone’s focus was on the banquet.
To help instill despair in Veronica, who I was facing.
‘But that’s not the important part. Looking out the window, the sun is already setting. If I can’t find a way, I’m going to die again!’
The sensation of a knife piercing my heart.
The clarity of pain from blood gushing out in my last moments.
Along with the overwhelming sense of helplessness that consumed my body, I couldn’t bear the thought of dying this time, even if it’s a trial.
… If I could help it.
*
Nightfall came as the sun set.
Bang!
“Anyway, taking the Prince away would only lead to disgrace and certain death. It ends here.”
With her head down, muttering ominously, Veronica barged in and cornered me against the wall of the large room.
It seemed the trial’s objective was to defeat the assassin and protect me, so quick escapes wouldn’t work.
“Arin. Stay here quietly. He’ll be here soon.”
“What do you mean by… Fine. I trust you. Be sure to win.”
“Yes!”
Tap.
“Well, well, it seems like you knew I would come? Did a little rat hide among your fingers?”
Just as we finished speaking, a man in a black hood with a piercing gaze arrived precisely on cue.
Though I couldn’t speak and my body wouldn’t move as I liked, there was one thing that worked correctly—
Inside of Chaos.
────
[Kuzran]
[Strength: C] [Agility: B-] [Durability: C]
[Health: C+] [Magic: B-] [Luck: C+]
[Possessed Traits] (Fold)
Desert Scorpion Sword
Fourth Finger
Law of Trading
Venom Manufacturing
Black Veil
Steps of the Wind
────
He was indeed strong.
In comparison to her, there was indeed a sizable gap of up to six stages in power.
Not to mention, most of her traits were locked!
Could Veronica really overcome this unfairness and pass the trial?
‘If that’s the case, what’s the point of my involvement? At this rate, it’s just as if a fake Arin or the 4th Princess could have taken my place.’
Whether I cursed inside or not, the fight had already begun.
[Due to the trait ‘Rage Challenger’, intelligence will be converted into power based on the accumulated rage from repeated failures.]
[All of Veronica’s physical abilities increase by three stages.]
[Resistance failed. Frenzy applied.]
Another hurdle to overcome.
Her pure white eyes blazed red, and the brightness of her keen intellect dimmed.
“You bastard, this time I’ll definitely take you down!”
Clang! Clang!
“Ugh! You’re dumber than a wild boar. Go ahead and try me! Well, if you can!”
The storm-like series of strikes from Veronica descended upon him.
CRASH!
The strangely bending sword, mimicking a scorpion’s tail, snuck in through the gaps and severed the flow in one swift movement.
“Gah!”
[Veronica casts ‘Falcon’s Ascension’.]
Just as she retreated, she took a large leap toward Kuzran, soaring like a bird.
“Ha! Too slow, isn’t it? Is that really your best shot?”
[Kuzran casts ‘Steps of the Wind’.]
[Durability drops two stages temporarily while all speeds increase.]
Swish—!
He easily dodged her shining blue magic-laden upward slash and caught her off guard with a counter.
A thrust targeting her heart.
“Ugh!”
Veronica barely managed to twist her body and avoid a fatal wound.
Her white uniform gradually turned red from the blood seeping out of her side.
“How about this? Let me tell you something fun—each of my ten fingers is dipped in a special venom.”
“Shut your mouth!!!”
[Veronica casts ‘Blinding Light’.]
The magic swirling around her sword sparkled with an intense white glow.
Fueled with rage, the blade surged forth and split Kuzran in half.
Flap!
“What made you think you could be at ease? That was merely my afterimage.”
His mocking words came, and while she thought she had cleaved Kuzran, she only sliced through the fluttering black hood.
“Ha. Ha.”
“You’re affected by the paralysis toxin, so soon you’ll be slowing down. Now, let’s see if you can complete your end of the bargain!”
Clang! Crack!!
While desperately clashing swords and attempting to find an opening, Veronica couldn’t keep up with Kuzran’s movements, which were aided by the poison, and ultimately had no choice but to leave an opening.
Whoosh.
Thud!
“NO!!!”
Unable to block the dagger hurled at her neck, Veronica screamed.
Guck.
And I lay there, the blade lodged in my neck as I gurgled blood and fell.
It hurt.
The stab wound in my neck was agony. The memory of my heart being pierced in the last round was fresh too.
Yet, more than the pain, irritation took precedence.
‘Died again. Does that mean I have to go all the way back to the start?’
Was it perhaps because I had firmly resolved to die early, given the overwhelming gap between the two? I could tolerate the pain.
I thought throughout the fight as I took in the scene.
How could she be so hasty? Why wield the sword like that? You should focus on the weaknesses instead of charging in blindly!
‘If only I could convey what I’ve seen through Inside of Chaos, maybe I might win if we could do something about the locked traits…’
…
Thump.
*
Once again, a dagger was thrown, this time piercing my abdomen.
I lost my head at the hands of the ones concealed in a black veil, and my heart burst from the blow imbued with magic.
As the prolonged fight dragged on, Veronica succumbed to the accumulated toxins, and I watched as she was defeated.
Thus, after experiencing countless deaths, I found myself on the brink of the 11th reincarnation.
By the time both Veronica and I were growing weary…
[After consecutive deaths, the Soul of the Dragon responds.]
[You gain the trait ‘Death Resistance’.]
Finally, the path was revealed.
The only way to lead her to victory.