Reincarnated User Manual - Chapter 221: My Name Is… (6)

“Didn’t a bullet just lodge into his head?”

Yoru trembled, unable to comprehend the situation.

“…I’ve lived to see the day I get shot.”

Minette’s revolver slipped from her hand.

‘…Is he a monster?’

Minette’s heart pounded so loudly she could hear it in her ears, and a warm sensation spread from her lower body. She could barely stand due to the numbness in her knees.

“…How?”

Yoru stepped back, staring at Shiron. The opponent showed more openings than before, probably due to the bullet lodged in him, but Yoru couldn’t swing his sword. The scene was too unbelievable, and fear took hold of him.

“How are you still alive?”

The gun. A recent self-defense tool issued to the emperor’s dogs. Yoru knew its power well.

She had been shot several times. She had killed opponents who had guns, so she understood how powerful a weapon it was.

The wielder’s skill was insignificant, but the bullets had enough force to penetrate Yoru’s protective qi and tear her flesh.

Without the protective qi, the bullets would have pierced her flesh.

So, if one hit a vital point like the head, it would create a clear hole, like being skewered by an iron rod. The speed was so fast that Yoru couldn’t dodge it once fired.

Fortunately, after realizing the danger, she swung her sword to kill her opponent before they could pull the trigger.

“Your head was pierced! I saw one hit your neck…? And your chest too?”

“Is that thing on your shoulder just for show?”

Shiron spoke, exhaling deeply.

“A weakling’s self-defense tool has no effect on me.”

“…”

“I could have dodged it, but I didn’t.”

He didn’t even blink as he spoke.

“Even if a child throws a pebble, avoiding it only diminishes one’s dignity. To me, it’s merely… that much.”

“I see…”

“Yes, this… is the difference between you and me.”

Shiron gritted his teeth, adjusting his expression.

‘…It hurts like hell.’

The pain was like having centipedes crawling under his skin or nails driven into every part of his body, making him feel like he could faint at any moment.

However, Shiron acted as if nothing was wrong.

He had thought a lot about his ‘storage’ ability and had conducted many experiments.

He had stabbed his thigh with a dagger and thrown a sword into the air, catching it with his hand.

‘It didn’t hurt back then.’

As expected, the bullets caused no damage. Shiron sensed the remnants floating inside his body and confirmed they were bullets.

However, for some reason, the pain remained. Didn’t it not hurt every time he stored something? He recalled catching the dagger Latera had thrown without any pain.

‘What is this? Is the enemy using something different?’

[I, I’m not sure? The bullets were definitely sucked in…]

Latera was also greatly shocked, knowing how much pain Shiron must be experiencing.

[Shall I grant you the blessing to alleviate pain?]

‘No, I can endure it.’

Shiron banished all thoughts from his mind. If their attacks seemed effective, all of his efforts would be for naught.

At the end of the underground tunnel, the sound of metal clashing had been getting closer. Lucia must be fighting.

Seeing as it still hadn’t ended, Shiron guessed their opponent was either numerous or strong.

“You’re weaker than me. This has been proven.”

Despite the dizziness, Shiron continued his act.

“So, barbarian, become my slave.”

“Do you think I would agree to that?”

Yoru didn’t hide her look of disgust. Shiron sneered.

“Didn’t you come to save your companion? If you refuse, your companion will die.”

“Princess! Don’t listen to him!”

Minette shouted with a horrified expression.

“If I’m a burden, I’ll take my own life!”

“No, don’t!”

Yoru turned around in shock. There stood Minette, a resolute look on her face, a dagger aimed at her own neck.

“I won’t let that happen.”

Shiron manipulated mana to create an ice spike. The sharp spike flew and pierced her slender shoulders.

Splash—

Minette’s dagger fell from her hand.

“What, what are you doing!”

Yoru screamed, running towards Minette. Turning her back on the enemy was extremely dangerous, but she was already desperate.

The opponent was an unbeatable monster, and both she and Minette were badly wounded.

Furthermore, their comrades hadn’t joined them, as if something was blocking them, weakening her resolve even more.

“She’s losing a lot of blood…”

Yoru’s voice trembled as she held Minette.

“…Weren’t you going to take her as a hostage? Doesn’t it make sense to keep her alive?”

“It’s not a fatal wound.”

Shiron smirked, spitting out the bullets.

“Why would I kill a valuable hostage?”

Yoru looked at the sneering man and lowered her head.

“…If I become your slave, will you save her?”

“Of course. I never lie.”

“Really, if I become your slave…”

Yoru couldn’t finish her sentence due to the humiliation. Shiron felt satisfaction, knowing he almost had her.

“That’s a lie. Do you think I’m crazy to mix with a barbarian?”

“But, you just said you don’t lie!”

“…Accept it with some flexibility. I’m getting annoyed.”

Shiron’s face contorted in pain. Despite removing the bullets, the burning pain persisted, making it harder to maintain his act.

“But making you a slave is true. And I’ll also treat that woman full of bullet holes. I promise on my honor, no, on His Majesty the Emperor’s honor…”

“Princess!”

Minette interrupted desperately.

“…Princess, don’t listen to him.”

“Damn it. Do you want to taste more spikes?”

“Princess…!”

Minette shouted with a pale face. She was dizzy from losing too much blood, but she could clearly feel the vibration shaking the ground.

These numbers and momentum must be Silleya’s people. Minette firmly believed that even if she died, her comrades would rescue the princess.

“Tch.”

Shiron clicked his tongue and scattered his awareness in all directions.

Those places were not where Lucia was. The walls Shiron had broken through. Behind. Above. There were many signs of hostile people.

-Hey! Where are you!

The only saving grace was Lucia’s presence, coming through the crumbling stone walls.

“Hey! Are you okay…”

Before Lucia could finish her sentence.

Rumble-

The ground started to shake violently.

It wasn’t Lucia who caused it. Nor was it Shiron’s doing. No sane person would wield excessive power in such a narrow tunnel.

Dust started falling as the ceiling of the underground tunnel, unable to withstand the vibrations, began to collapse.

Seeing Shiron stagger, Lucia stomped the ground harder.

At the same time, she deflected all the numerous sword strikes shooting from above.

She didn’t pay attention to Yoru, who was between her and Shiron. What was important to her now was not executing the barbarian but Shiron’s well-being, and thanks to that, Lucia safely reached Shiron.

Shiron, supported by Lucia, used mana to clear the dust.

Numerous people holding swords.

Clearly, they were barbarians in black clothes, surrounding Yoru as if protecting her.

“Princess, are you alright?”

“…Soi. Not me, Minette.”

Yoru spoke to the woman supporting her. The leader of the Chusaldae. Soi looked down at Minette.

‘A traitor… Instead of giving her life, she became a burden.’

Unable to protect the princess, instead putting her in more danger. She was still shamelessly breathing instead of committing suicide.

If Yoru weren’t watching, or if the enemy weren’t right in front of them, she would have ordered her to commit suicide immediately.

“Phew. You’ve all gathered, haven’t you?”

Shiron pushed Lucia’s support away and continued to provoke. His condition was such that he could collapse at any moment, but he wanted Yoru to perceive him as an unbeatable monster, so he gritted his teeth and mustered strength in his legs.

“Ungrateful worms of the Empire. Do you all want to die together?”

Instead of lifting his holy sword, Shiron pointed his finger forward. Despite the pain, like centipedes crawling under his skin, he managed to conjure up blazing lightning.

“Where do you get the nerve to talk like that?”

Soi glared at Shiron, her face full of anger.

That damn man had ruined the princess. Since realizing that, her mind was consumed with rage, making it difficult to think rationally.

Tap-

“Stop.”

Yoru grabbed Soi’s shoulder to halt her. Her eyes moved from Shiron to the red-haired girl.

“If we keep this up, we will all die.”

“…Understood.”

“Stop pretending to be tough. What do you mean you understand? Are you scared?”

Shiron spat at the enemies trying to turn away. Soi and all the Chusaldae’s blood boiled. Dozens of killing intents focused on Shiron, making his dizziness worse.

“You scum!”

“…Cross the line, and you die.”

Lucia stood in front of them, protecting Shiron. Though she boldly provoked them, Shiron was in a terrible state. Look at his hand trembling, despite the lightning at his fingertips.

‘I should have come sooner.’

She regretted it briefly, but there was nothing Lucia could do. There were too many enemies on the way, and the underground tunnels kept collapsing, forcing them to dig through the walls.

After a brief standoff, Yoru was the one who eventually backed down.

Yoru stopped the Chusaldae again and turned around.

“Are you running away?”

“…Yes, I’m running away.”

Yoru replied calmly with a drained voice. Now was the time to retreat. Yoru knew well that continuing the fight would yield nothing.

So, she let go of her regrets while being supported by the Chusaldae.

“But next time, I won’t run away. Shiron Prient, I’ll become stronger…”

“I am Kyrie.”

Shocking words.

Yoru’s eyes widened, meeting Shiron’s gaze.

“What?”

“Shiron?”

Lucia looked at Shiron with a dazed expression. Shiron kept his composure, sneering at Yoru.

“Didn’t you hear? I’ll say it again, I am Kyrie.”

“…”

Yoru was at a loss for words at the repeated confession.

Confirming the identity of the benefactor who saved her life from an endless cliff, whom she had always kept in her heart, she could only grit her teeth as if they would break and urged her legs forward.