Rachel giggled. In the meantime, Yu-Seong simultaneously picked up two spears with both hands, then threw one of them straight toward the Barrier and ran head-on.

“You crafty gold nugget!” Rachel threw the hatchet toward the thrown spear once again and blocked Yu-Seong’s attack with her index finger.

Clang-!

Yu-Seong’s spear shot high into the air with a metallic sound. He felt a shock in his stomach from the counterattack again. However, his spear did not stop. He tried to hit Rachel’s head using the spear while winding it straight inside from his lifting action.

Of course, the trick did not work at all. Rachel recovered the hatchet with her left hand and struck Yu-Seong’s spear with her index finger once more.

“Kueeek-!” cried Yu-Seong. He spat out blood, feeling extreme pain even though he was wearing the Pharaoh’s Caprice which had turned into a battle suit that reduced the shock.

‘I would have already died if I did not wear this battle suit. Damn!’

Yu-Seong cursed inwardly and picked up the spear. He threw it at the Gate of Life once again, even though his vision was blurry. At the same time, he stretched his right foot toward Rachel and tried to hit her chin.

“You’re still crossing the line. You should get punished, my gold nugget.” Rachel smiled and lightly flicked the tip of Yu-Seong’s toe with her index finger.

Crakakack-!

Yu-Seong’s heel was tattered and twisted with the sound of bones breaking. His pupils became wider than a lamp. His scream rang loudly while he rolled on the floor in extreme pain, as if his brain was burning up.

“Aaaaaagh-!”

“Don’t worry, gold nugget. Humans don’t die just because they lose each one of their limbs,” Rachel said as she retrieved the hatchet that was stuck on the floor again. She purred, “But if you lie down like that, I’ll want to throw this again since I’m bored. Ah, for reference, you won’t die easily even if your limbs get cut.”

“…uck. Shit!” Yu-Seong swore and got up. He had to stand on one leg because of the bent ankle, so his posture was quite awkward. However, he couldn’t lie down. He glared at the smiling Rachel with bloodshot eyes, as if wanting to tear her to death.

“Marvelous!” Rachel exclaimed.

Spark shot out from Yu-Seong’s entire body.

“Huh? You still have a hidden ability.”

After that, Yu-Seong used Wind Control and rushed toward Rachel, though he didn’t get a proper speed since he had to rush on only one leg.

“Uwaaah-!”

Using her index finger, Rachel stabbed into Yu-Seong’s shoulder when he reached to hit her with a scream. Then, a hot and sharp touch stirred his shoulder indiscriminately.

“Ahhhhh…”

While he struggled with pain, his sensation of touch disappeared. Through his bloodshot eyes, Yu-Seong could see Rachel licking her index finger which was soaked in dark red blood.

“Hmm… Sweet taste.”

“Ha…”

Yu-Seong clicked his tongue. Rachel had received his Spark head-on as if she did not feel anything.

‘I did expect this, but…’ 

This was an extremely huge gap. The idea of fighting and winning against such a monster was also absurd. It was something impossible in the first place.

Rachel tilted her head. She saw Yu-Seong kneeling and bowing his head deeply as if drooping on the floor. She asked, "Are you giving up now?"

“No way.” Yu-Seong raised his head and laughed. Then, he lifted a spear on the floor with his intact right hand and used Spark again. He threw the spear toward the Gate of Life once more and gave strength to his kneeling knees.

‘I never expected I’m going to actually do this.’ 

One would have seen this in a comic on Earth, a stance reminiscent of a powerful attack that gains momentum. Likewise, Yu-Seoung’s head brushed past Rachel’s chin by bending the knees. Rachel’s eyes, both full of madness, showed off her deep murderous intent as she saw Yu-Seong.

‘His eyes are alive even in the midst of this. Cute gold nugget.’ 

Suddenly, Rachel felt very regretful. “Aah, I would’ve killed you right away if it wasn’t for the money.”

Rachel threw the ax once again with her left hand toward the flying spear. She could feel her heart beating.

‘How long has it been since I’ve been this excited? Regardless of how much I get…’ 

She desired to kill Yu-Seong right away and be able to observe his brain. How could he still have that gaze after being beaten this much? Generally, people might feel quite scared or desperate at this point.

‘This is fascinating!’ 

Rachel unknowingly aimed the tip of her finger at the center of Yu-Seong’s forehead.

Crakakack-! 

There was a loud sound that everyone could hear.

“Huh?”

First of all, Rachel turned her gaze in the direction of the sound. Yu-Seong – who soared high with his head stretched in a rather ugly position – also turned his head.

The hatchet flew, cut Yu-Seong’s spear in half, and heavily struck the ground. It caused many cracks like lightning. It was collapsing.

Rachel’s mind was first filled with curiosity about Yu-Seong recklessly rushing toward her. However, a thought suddenly came to her mind. She exclaimed, “You…There’s no way. Did you plan this from the beginning?”

Rachel looked at Yu-Seong with surprised eyes. The first thing that came to her mind was the time when Yu-Seong scattered a large number of spears, which she had thought was a completely useless action. Then, she remembered him throwing the spear that seemed like it had little meaning. All that time, Rachel was focusing on keeping the Barrier Scroll and threw the hatchet toward him.

‘Since I’ll lose If I go out of the circle.’ 

This novel is available on bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Rachel didn’t mean to keep the rule, but she kept it to enjoy the game with Yu-Seong. But now, it seemed her position was the complete opposite.

‘It wasn’t me playing with the kid. Instead, I was following the path this crafty gold nugget guy planned.’ 

The thick concrete floor could not be broken with Yu-Seong’s ability. In contrast, for Rachel, it was easier than a piece of cake. It was a very simple but ridiculous matter like how the lightly thrown hatchet broke the ground. That was why she didn’t take it seriously… Her carelessness had led to this situation.

Rachel turned toward Yu-Seong in surprise, spotting the smile on his face.

This had been Yu-Seong’s first thought from the moment he had first spoken to Rachel. The Barrier could not be broken from the outside unless by the same Barrier Master. However, on the outside, there must have been people waiting to help Yu-Seong. For example, Jin Do-Yoon and Jin Yu-Ri who may have been contacted, people following Rachel, or countless people who would flock after hearing the fuss.

Therefore, Yu-Seong’s goal was not to win the game against Rachel from the beginning. His goal did not change even a bit from the first moment Ghost appeared.

‘To break the Barrier and open the Gate of Life.’

Actually, it was close to gambling. If Rachel – who was arrogant but clever – had noticed Yu-Seong’s intention in the middle, all plans would have been in vain. However, Yu-Seong’s plan was successful right now. What else could be said more?

“You were lucky.”

Or as always, Rachel’s gambling luck was bad.

Kwakwakwang-!

A loud thunder sound ranged out then the floor began to collapse and pour down as she ended her words. Then, a distortion phenomenon that seemed to sway the space occurred briefly and the Barrier began to break.

At the same time, a roar like glass breaking was heard. Starting with the area where the Barrier Spell was drawn, the rooftop collapsed. However, in front of Rachel’s toes, the building stayed still as if afraid and could not move on any further.

“Ahaha, hahahaha-!” At the chaotic and destructive scene, Rachel burst into a crazy laugh. There was no more rationality left in her eyes.

“How fun! Choi Yu-Seong, I’m having so much fun!” Rachel lifted Yu-Seong, who was on the verge of falling due to standing right in front of her, by the collar. She looked straight into his dark eyes with a mad gaze. “Wanna live, right? So, you really want to live?”

Seriously. That was Yu-Seong’s only thought even when he felt like he was going to fall off the collapsing rooftop. Rachel’s cheeks reddened when she saw Yu-Seong’s eyes, responding as if she had just witnessed the most beautiful artwork in the world.

‘Like it, like it, like it, I like it so much. They’re such gorgeous eyes that I want to dig them out whole and use them as a decoration at home.’

She couldn't bear it. Rachel could no longer stand her raging instinct, laughing. “But what should I do? I just want to kill you so much. Of course, I won’t kill you easily. I’m already looking forward to the moment when you beg me to kill you, you know? Before that, how much fun could you make me! How much fun will it be? Kyakyakya!”

It was at that moment that a silver flash flashed over Rachel’s right wrist.

Slash-! Rachel was monstrous and untouchable to Yu-Seong, but her wrist was cut in vain. Because of that, Yu-Seong thought he would fall like a broken kite again. That would have happened if there wasn’t the hand holding him at the back of his neck, dangling not much different than Rachel. In the blurry vision that seemed to be far away, Yu-Seong struggled to turn his head to the side and looked at the person who held him like a mother cat lifting her baby.

“You idiot. You are messed up like a rag.”

The person spoke quite bluntly and had a rather odd appearance.

‘A rabbit mask?’ 

Yu-Seong had expected support from someone like Jin Do-Yoon or Jin Yu-Ri, but the person who had shown up was completely unexpected. However, he definitely saw the word ‘rabbit mask’ in the original novel. The problem was that he didn’t remember it clearly. To be exact, it was difficult to even maintain consciousness right now.

The Rabbit Mask was a figure also known by the code name ‘Myo’, belonging to the Special Police Force.

Choi Mi-Na faced Rachel, who was looking at her with a gaze full of anger. It was quite a contrast from Mi-Na’s bizarre wide smile.

Regardless of Rachel's heart-fluttering expression that was likely to be seen in any horror movie, Mi-Na didn’t seem to get affected by it. She lightly stretched her stiff neck.

“Still, you did well. It’s weird to say this is a gift, and I don’t really like you, but don’t worry. From now on, this noo-nim [1] will protect you,” Mi-Na said.

Was there ever a time when the word ‘noo-nim’ and the sound of bones rubbing and cracking were this reliable?

‘Please… I leave it to you.’ 

Yu-Seong thought he felt quite at ease for some reason. He replied with his eyes and then went unconscious. Clearly, he had reached his limit.

1. The respectful form of noona, which guys call their older sisters ☜

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