Chapter 36: Low on Health but No Potions

Siloque coughed up blood painfully.

“Damn it, can’t I… look cool just once?”

He could no longer maintain a calm, indifferent expression—his insides felt like they’d all shifted.

No wonder he’s Lv10—just one punch and I’m half-dead.

As expected, I’m really not cut out for solo duels!

“Cough, cough… anyway….”

Killing the minotaur feels damn good.

With the taste of iron filling his mouth, Siloque still managed a relieved smile.

The first blow, he had endured with the skill .

The follow-up attack—he just took it with his flesh and blood.

Luckily, Principal Priest Priss had sealed Cliff’s talents and skills.

If he had activated the talent, he could have swung back up from the bottom of the cliff ages ago.

He accessed the Ring Chart, pulling out the Medium Healing Potion Cass had given him earlier—3,000R per bottle.

He glanced at his HP—the numbers dropped to 21, 21, 18… still slowly falling.

If I don’t use it now, I’ll be gone.

“Siloque!”

Just as Siloque was about to inject the potion, Cass’s voice made him pause.

A thought flashed through his mind.

I can’t drink it yet.

I can still do something with this pineapple-like body.

This is a game. This is a game…

Siloque endured the pain and put the potion back into the Ring Chart.

Cass, meanwhile, had rushed to the edge of the cliff with his sword drawn.

He could see Siloque across the gap, leaning weakly against the rock wall, motionless, with a pool of blood at his chest and on the ground.

“Siloque!!”

He couldn’t see Cliff or the others, but seeing Siloque’s battered state made Cass’s heart leap into his throat.

Cass looked around and realized the suspension bridge had broken.

He considered jumping across, but the distance was simply too great.

They could wait for the bridge to auto-repair, but Cass doubted Siloque could hold on that long.

He sent Bried his location, informed her of the exact spot, and urged the Rescue Team to hurry.

Frantically searching for a way across, Cass’s gaze finally landed on a tall tree.

Gripping his straight sword with both hands, he used the skill at full power, cutting the tree to use as a makeshift bridge—it was just the right length.

Ignoring the risk of falling into the abyss, Cass dashed across and finally reached Siloque’s side.

“Siloque, are you still conscious? I have a Healing Potion.”

Cass opened his Ring Chart and cursed.

Ahhhh!

I’m such an idiot!!

Because he’d been so excited to come, he’d mistakenly thought Siloque just wanted to hang out, so his Ring Chart was completely empty.

“S-Siloque…”

Tears streamed from Cass’s eyes as he cursed his own helplessness and lack of preparation.

Just because I don’t have a potion, Siloque might die.

Looking at Siloque’s pale face and purple lips, Cass felt his heart ache—deeply.

“Siloque… I’m sorry. You have to hold on. Bried is bringing the Rescue Team. They’ll be here soon.”

There was nothing else he could do but offer words of comfort—to Siloque and himself.

Siloque shakily lifted his hand and placed it on Cass’s shoulder.

“Bried?… I… it’s nothing… this is… the outcome of… having no power….”

“Siloque!!!”

Seeing Siloque still conscious, Cass felt hope—then heard those words and bit his teeth in regret.

No power.

Yeah, Siloque was right.

If only I were stronger, Siloque wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Cass couldn’t help but think of his mother, Vitoris Benol.

If she were here, someone as strong as her could’ve destroyed the source of the tragedy before it even happened.

But Cass—Cassia—was powerless. She couldn’t do anything.

Hoping, praying for things to turn out well—the compass of fate wasn’t in her hands.

She couldn’t control it.

Utterly helpless.

To think I talked about protecting Siloque from the start!?

Such empty words without any guarantee…

It was just self-satisfaction.

Siloque half-closed his eyes, glancing at Cass, whose head hung in frustration.

Although seeing a handsome guy cry for him would make any girl’s heart flutter, Siloque was male. He just found it a bit gross.

Seriously, you’re a grown man—do you have to cry like this?

We’ve only known each other for less than a week…

Objective accomplished.

With his own performance of severe injury, he’d dragged Cass into his darkest hour.

Made him realize that this world isn’t about naive slogans.

With no power, you really can’t do anything.

It increased his tolerance for hardship and, in turn, deepened their trust.

Bond strength +1.

The whip had done its job—now it was time to feed him some sugar.

“Cass… I won’t die…”

“Eh?”

Siloque opened the Ring Chart and took out the Medium Healing Potion.

“That’s… a Healing Potion! Thank goodness—this will heal you instantly.”

“It’s the one you… gave me. Help me… inject it… my arm’s too weak….”

“No problem.”

Cass wiped away his tears, took the potion, and carefully lifted Siloque’s pale arm to inject the medicine.

“Ugh!!”

Siloque sucked in a breath, his head still a bit numb—but the pain vanished quickly.

“Siloque… how is it? Did it work?”

“Yeah… much better.”

Siloque stood up and rotated his arm, full of energy—as if his severe wounds had been an illusion.

RPG worlds are insane.

That kind of injury would keep you bedridden for a week.

Yet one shot and you’re fully healed—what kind of cheat-tech is this…

“That’s great, Siloque. I’m glad you’re safe.”

Cass exhaled in relief, not even noticing the oddity—why didn’t Siloque use the potion earlier, but waited for Cass to arrive?

“Cass, I’m lucky you gave me the potion earlier. You also defeated the Priest, causing the barrier to vanish—otherwise, I couldn’t have run all the way here. Cliff and the others were chasing me. The bridge collapsed under the weight and they fell. I barely escaped…”

“Ah? Oh….”

Cass glanced at the bridge rope—it had clearly been cut.

Oh well, as long as Siloque’s safe.

Cass chose not to think any deeper.

“Actually, you shouldn’t thank me.”

Faced with Siloque’s praise, Cass felt uncomfortable.

“It was Bried who took down the Priest. She’s really strong—the Priest noticed her, but couldn’t even react before she was killed instantly.”

“…..Bried.”

“Yeah… As for me, all I did was run over here and inject your medicine… I’ve already sent her my location. She called the Rescue Team. They should be here soon. Let’s just wait here.”

“No, your potion was key. Without it, I’d really have died here.”

“I see… From now on, I’ll carry more items—just in case.”

He’d wanted to give some “sugar” to encourage Cass—boost his confidence through praise—but the effect was only so-so.

Bried…

Thinking this, Siloque’s expression darkened slightly.

She’s not supposed to be part of the scenario.

The story had deviated a bit again—Bried shouldn’t have met Cass at this time.

Still, things were under control.

Why was she in the Dungeon at this hour anyway? She never grinds this late…

Area D, First Floor.

Siloque remembered the term, and suddenly had an idea.

The clues connected.

He had indeed recommended a good grinding spot to Bried—one suitable for practicing talents.

Could she have believed him, gone there, and then happened to encounter Cliff’s group?

Did curiosity drive her to follow?

What a coincidence?

And she knew to immediately take out the Priest, meaning she’d been observing for a while.

On this side, there were only three including Bried.

Cliff’s team was larger and higher Lv.

Choosing to call for help rather than fight to the death was indeed the right choice.

Damn, this is my fault.

A well-intentioned suggestion had again caused a subtle butterfly effect.

“I’ll explain things to Bried. Cass, let’s go grind.”

“Ah? Are you serious? Shouldn’t you get checked? I can cover your medical expenses.”

“No need—I’ve got insurance. Trust in your mom’s company’s products. I’m perfectly fine. Getting stronger is our goal—you haven’t forgotten how miserable things just were, right?”

Cass hesitated for a moment.

Why is this guy so stubborn…

The main character’s gentle-man syndrome, I guess…

“If Siloque says it’s okay, then of course I’m happy to join you.”

“Good. Follow me. We don’t need to cross the bridge—the destination is nearby…”

The two were about to slip away.

“Si…loque……!!!”

Suddenly, a wretched, hate-filled voice came from below.

“Cliff!?”

Cass drew his sword first, assuming a defensive stance.

“He just fell down—looks like he’s not dead.”

Siloque wasn’t surprised, but drew his broadsword anyway.

Ready for Cliff to climb back up, Siloque cautiously peered over the edge of the cliff.

“This… is terrible.”

Cass muttered, following the voice and barely making out Cliff’s broken form at the bottom of the valley.

He’d seen countless monster corpses, but seeing a human-like body in such a state stirred sympathy.

“Should we… help him up? Poor guy….”

“Help?”

Siloque looked at Cass in disbelief.

Gentleness, mercy, pity.

Such saintly words made Siloque realize Cass was still too young.

Mercy to enemies is cruelty to oneself.

“Cass, leave him.”

“But…”

“What would saving him achieve? Would Cliff be grateful and promise never to do evil again? Apologize to all his victims? Or do you think he’d become your friend?”

“…..”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Siloque’s eyes dropped, his tone tinged with three parts anger, six parts resentment, and a hint of surprise.

“Think about what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come, Cass. The one at the bottom of the valley right now would be me—not that redhead.”

“!”

Cass muttered.

“Yeah. Cliff is the enemy. He didn’t have enough power, couldn’t protect himself, and so—this is the fate of the loser.”

A breeze lifted Cass’s bangs, and a trace of coldness appeared in his gaze.

Siloque felt Cass’s understanding was slightly off, but the general direction was correct.

It should be… fine.

At least Cass learned not to show mercy to villains.

“Siloque. Lead the way. Let’s go grind.”

“Good expression.”

Cass was proactive, and Siloque happily took the lead.

“…..”

Siloque cast one last glance at Cliff and raised his brow.

“Consider yourself lucky to keep your life.”

Siloque whispered.

No wonder he was the Main Character’s Early Boss.

I only regret not slashing his throat when I had the chance.

But even if I had, Cliff probably wouldn’t have died.

From the pine forest came the rustling of movement—likely Bried and the Rescue Team approaching.

Lv10, or maybe just luck, or… world correction force.

Whatever the reason, Siloque was certain of one thing.

Today was not Cliff’s day to die.

April 10th, 8:10 PM, Cliff falls.

Siloque added another entry to the Notebook on his Ring Chart.