NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Foolproof Plan
“Ah, damn it. I can’t take this anymore.”
I muttered to myself as I wiped the blood from my forehead—it was a wound I’d sustained from smashing my head into the floor in a fit of agony.
After an onslaught of countless memories from my previous life flooded in, the period of stability inevitably brought on a severe “sage time” effect. I was currently seated on the floor due to this very aftermath.
It’s sort of pointless just sitting around wasting time, so I decided to take a moment to objectively assess my situation.
“First off, the Box of the Dead was incredibly helpful for the restart.”
When I first obtained this item, I questioned how exactly I’d use it, but employing it as a time capsule to the past was clever. Given the dire situation, it was an impressive act of quick thinking from my previous life.
Moving forward, I decided to use the Box of the Dead in the same manner. Though, to be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure it had any other use besides this.
First, I tore off part of my shirt to make a cloth strip, just as I’d done in my previous life, and finished writing on it what hadn’t been completed before.
“Don’t—move rashly. Just focus on the residual memories. Remember, you’re already dead.”
The last line was a mix of humor and a warning.
The early iteration of myself moving recklessly was likely due to not yet experiencing death. Reminding myself of this fact would greatly benefit my awareness.
“Alright. Now, if I switch…”
I removed the original cloth strip and replaced it with the new one.
This way, even if I were to reincarnate again and wake up, the box wouldn’t emit that bluish-purple light signaling an item refresh. The next version of myself, who in the end is still me, will recognize the anomaly and understand this is not my first awakening here.
This awareness would help me tap into the “grind meta,” and like my present self, give me time to think things through slowly.
Suddenly, I turned my head and carefully examined the surrounding area. The sewers branched off into four separate directions. Based on the direction where I was killed by the assailant, there was the path in front, the one behind, and to the left and right. Four total directions.
“Let’s rethink this.”
The pile of bodies I discovered during my 18th life was in the rear direction, and I had been repeatedly killed in the forward path. The sewer leading backward ended abruptly at the pile of bodies, while the forward path stretched on for some distance.
“Which means… assuming the assailant carried my body, this implies he has already visited the area by the pile.”
I widened my eyes, instantly discarding the notion that I had merely crossed paths heading toward the pile of bodies. Instead, I either caught up with the assailant who was moving in the same direction, or the assailant sensed my presence from behind.
“How insane…”
I needed to choose fast. To avoid meeting the assailant, which direction should I go? Definitely not forward. Should it be left or right?
No. I shook my head quickly as the answer flashed into mind.
“Backward. I’ll head toward the pile of bodies.”
All I’m trying to do is buy time at this moment. I have no concrete certainty regarding whether the left or right paths offer any advantage.
I clenched my fists and frowned, muttering under my breath.
“I don’t want to waste my life.”
Minerva’s words, “Don’t get damaged,” lingered faintly.
Dying, no matter how many times you’ve “survived” it, remains utterly terrifying. Even after dying 100 times, my 101st self will most certainly still fear death.
Experiencing death 19 times has already been more than enough for me. A 20th iteration is highly undesirable.
“Whether this guy’s purpose is patrolling or killing… he likely won’t return to a place he’s already visited.”
Unlike the left or right, I am very familiar with the short sewer leading backward. I already know it well since I’ve been there before. The assailant won’t return to the pile of bodies anytime soon.
This evidence, derived from numerous deaths in my previous life, was quite a feat.
“Shall we move on?”
Once I’ve made a decision, there’s no reason to hesitate.
I immediately stood up and started walking toward the sewer leading backward.
Ultimately, my goal is to exit this sewer system.
After all, I need to emerge from underground if I plan to boast as a hero and embark on adventures or whatever else.
“In case we’re still at the beginning of the story here.”
If the assailant ends up being an obstacle to my exit, I’ll need to defeat or evade him. This calls for some sort of power—minimal combat ability at least.
For this purpose, three key factors are necessary in my mind.
“First, a comprehensive map of this sewer.”
I need to familiarize myself with the geography of this place and also track the movements of the assailant.
I’ve already been working on this based on my memories of previous lives. In fact, one of the past versions of myself managed to reach the end of the forward sewer. Thus, the maps for both the forward and backward paths are nearly complete.
Of course, I perished at the hands of the attacker who was lying in wait just before reaching the end, confirming definitively that there’s no exit that way. So, sooner or later, I will need to explore the left and right paths as well.
“Second, leveling up.”
No matter how much I devise escape plans, in the worst case scenario where I encounter the assailant, my current power level becomes critically important.
My current level is 2. The highest level I achieved in my previous life was with the 17th version of myself. That was the corpse lying in the pile with a level of about 11. Consequently, my 18th reincarnation began at level 5, having gained 38% experience.
“But even then… I was no match for him.”
Certainly, it was a sudden surprise attack, as it always has been. However, the heightened agility granted by a higher level meant the wounds were less severe.
I did attempt to fight back, but it was futile. The assailant’s skills far surpassed my current level.
At the very least, I need to level up to at least 20. To be safe, aiming for around level 25 is better, even if only to be able to respond to his attacks.
“Lastly… fully charged Ether.”
The numerous functions of “Ether” weren’t fully understood until my 18th rebirth. With the attacker being so vastly superior to me, I must utilize Ether to its fullest potential.
“Even in my past lives, Ether had filled up on occasion.”
However, I either overlooked it or didn’t have the chance to use it. Most often, I was struck suddenly while maintaining a tranquil adventuring atmosphere, leading to my immediate end.
Only my 18th life, when I provoked the Hunting Rat and subsequently teetered on the brink of death, did I discover the usefulness of Ether through the timely appearance of water Ether.
“All I need is time. The method is simple.”
The plan is straightforward: wait until the necessary Ether appears. If unnecessary Ether emerges, drink it immediately and wait again for what I need.
This is what I call the “Ether Indian Rain Dance Operation.”
“Attack Ether is unnecessary. My goal isn’t to defeat the assailant.”
Currently, combat strength, specifically fire Ether, is not necessary. My plan is to fully charge all 10 Ethers with defense, agility, and restoration Ethers only.
According to my current plan, the ideal strategy is a 433 setup. No, it’s not football. It means: 4 for restoration, 3 for defense, and 3 for agility.
“With all this preparation, I should at least have a fighting chance.”
So, what am I currently doing?
Hiding among the mountain of bodies and waiting endlessly.
“Ah! The stench… !!”
Naturally, staying concealed among decaying bodies isn’t an easy task.
The smell alone is overwhelming, my feelings are incredibly uneasy, and every now and then, when I scratch an itch on my abdomen, maggots come off with my fingernails. When I shift uncomfortably, an eye from somewhere rolls into view. I nearly passed out.
And this is the second day I’ve been doing this.
“Hang in there… I have to survive…! Hold on, Park Jeong-yong…!”
The reason I’m enduring this is simple: preparation in case the assailant shows up. Pretending to be a corpse is better than actually becoming one, isn’t it?
Try dying twenty times directly.
Through repeated deaths, the only thing I’ve realized is that death is something that only grows increasingly terrifying. If I can survive, I’d willingly do anything, even something this extreme.
“Alright, it’s almost time…”
I stared intently, tears forming in my eyes, at the Ether Bottle.
It’s almost time. Due to the urgency, I’ve become so acutely aware of my body’s timer that I can predict almost precisely when the Ether will appear.
And sure enough, soon a radiant glow erupted from my body.
The purified light was entirely drawn into the Ether Condensation Bottle. Full of hope, I turned my gaze to my panel:
[Skill Success – Ether Collection (Passive)]
[After meeting a set time requirement, you have successfully collected Fire Ether in the Ether Condensation Bottle.]
[Time remaining until next Ether generation – 3 hours]
“Fck this!”
I immediately swallowed the bright red Ether, the energy filling me with an overwhelming strength despite the despair of knowing I’d have to stay here another 3 hours at minimum.