novelraw Chapter 52 : A New Companion
Chapter 52 : A New Companion
Chapter 52: A New Companion
Great Misfortune (大凶).
Just like Great Fortune, it was a fortune cookie with a 0.01% chance — the kind one had to pierce through sheer impossibility to obtain.
On average, about 30,000 people opened fortune cookies during the second episode...
‘Three people….’
Out of that massive crowd, only three could experience the “honor” of being struck by this misfortune.
And yet—
He was one of them.
“Ha….”
A hollow laugh escaped Kang Yohan’s lips.
No matter how insane the difficulty of the Forbidden Book was, this was too much.
‘I’ve only ever experienced Great Misfortune once myself.’
Back then, he had simply quit and prepared for the next round.
That was far more efficient.
But now—
Such a choice was impossible.
‘For now, I need to check what this Great Misfortune entails.’
Yohan began reading the first line.
[Ah, how ominous.]
He knew.
[You know, yet it is even more ominous.]
Was this thing mocking him?
It had a real knack for getting under one’s skin.
Even though he had written these words long ago, it still felt as if the system was laughing at his reaction.
He forced himself to stay calm.
Getting worked up meant losing.
After a deep breath, Yohan continued reading the note carefully.
[Even if you try to comfort yourself and steady your mind, it will mean little before this overwhelming misfortune.]
Rip—
The paper nearly tore in half.
Had he not gone through 999 regressions, it would’ve already been shredded to bits.
But Yohan, suppressing his rage, read on.
[The one who draws this fortune cookie must, throughout the duration of the second episode, engage in fierce combat every day against a being of at least 2nd Moon strength. However, repeated battles against the same being do not count. Failure to complete this task will result in the eternal loss of the source of your power.]
[Upon failure: All your overall stats will permanently decrease by 30.]
It was practically a death sentence.
Not only would his divine rank plummet, but losing stats themselves was fatal.
Even if he somehow recovered later, with those weakened specs, surviving the mid-episodes would be impossible.
As expected, the penalty for Great Misfortune was absurd.
‘In other words, failure is not an option.’
The problem was—
There were fewer than fifteen beings or monsters in this episode that possessed strength of 2nd Moon or higher.
Which meant surviving 30 days to clear the episode was mathematically impossible.
‘At best, I can buy about fifteen days.’
That left only one other way.
– Survive 30 days, or slay the Boss Monster.
Sigh.
Yohan bit his lip.
The original purpose of the second episode was to let players taste the horror of the coming Apocalypse for thirty days.
It was never designed to be cleared quickly by killing the Boss Monster.
However—
‘I’ll have to change plans.’
A Boss Monster he should’ve avoided after stealing a single trait…
Now became his only chance of survival.
Time remaining until the first confrontation with a strong foe: 24 hours.
Within that window—
He had to find a way.
To survive.
＊＊＊
“What did you get?”
Vivian Astraia, who had been watching beside him, looked up with curiosity.
Yohan couldn’t bring himself to answer.
“As expected of you, Yohan-nim! You must’ve drawn something amazing, right?”
“Well…”
“Ah, sorry! That’s obvious, isn’t it? At least a Good Fortune… no, probably a Great Fortune!”
“Uh… actually, about that…”
His voice trailed off.
How was he supposed to explain this?
After a moment’s thought, he decided to change the subject.
“Ahem! Of course I drew the best one. But anyway, Vivian, what did you get?”
“I got this.”
Vivian proudly showed him her note.
[Good Fortune: May all auspicious omens bless your path. The one born with this fortune shall have the luck to nullify an opponent’s ability three times.]
[If the skill or trait is of high grade, the nullification rate decreases accordingly.]
[Success rate: 75–100%]
Commonly known as a “Charm of Luck.”
Tch.
Talk about unfair.
One person gets Great Misfortune, another gets Good Fortune.
There was no way this wasn’t rigged.
But there was also no way to complain.
There was nowhere to complain to, anyway.
“Not bad. Though nothing compared to mine, of course.”
Yohan discreetly shoved the note marked Great Misfortune into his pocket.
Next on his list was finding a monster with at least a 2nd Moon rank.
He already knew the location.
However—
‘With just the two of us, we won’t be able to get everything we need.’
In the second episode, there were additional bonuses granted only to parties of six or more.
Mana regeneration increases by +10%.
Item drop rate increases by +50%.
Soloing or party hunting—of course, the latter was better.
There were certain items here that had to be obtained, and missing out on a 50% drop boost wasn’t an option.
Therefore,
His next focus was recruiting four more members.
His top candidate had been Seo Changhee, but the guy’s protagonist complex had flared up again, and he had vanished.
Dragging him along by force wasn’t worth it.
‘Ideally, I need a tank and a priest.’
Even though Vivian was a versatile type, she couldn’t yet unleash her full power.
Using too much strength would draw the administrators’ attention.
“I’m moving out.”
Yohan left Daejeon Station with Vivian in tow.
＊
The journey ahead was anything but smooth.
Looting and arson. Murder and robbery.
The aftermath of monsters and raiders had created devastation beyond imagination.
And it was only the first day.
In a few days, the “food and water spoilage event” would begin—then true hell would descend.
Along the way, they encountered several potential companions.
“What about them?”
Vivian pointed toward a squad clad in gleaming armor.
“No.”
They were all flash and no substance.
Besides, that group had already filled every position.
There was no room for them to join.
“What about the people fighting near the bridge?”
“They seem capable, but their composition’s unbalanced.”
Having five out of six party members as ranged dealers was simply a doomed setup.
They’d end up screaming at each other to protect themselves and most likely get annihilated.
“That side is…, no, never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Vivian, who had been watching the fight from the clearing, trailed off.
It was obvious to anyone that they were utterly incompatible as teammates.
“Kuha-ha! What an exhilarating strike! Come forth! I shall send you to Valhalla myself!”
A burly man nearly two meters tall swung a double axe like a madman.
He was from Northern Europe.
A true Viking warrior — with flowing golden hair and a thick beard to match.
Thwack! Thud!
Blood splattered, flesh flew.
It was impressive how he overwhelmed a troll far larger than himself, roaring with laughter.
At a glance, one might even mistake it for two trolls fighting.
“Hey, you lunatic! Stop rushing in alone and sync with us! You’re supposed to be the tank, damn it!”
“Heal! My arm—my arm’s been cut off!”
Complaints erupted among the Hunters fighting beside him.
“Brother, did you hear that? They’re asking for healing over a mere flesh wound.”
Behind him stood a slender woman, easily around 175cm tall, draped in wolf fur.
Judging by her primitive talismans and ornaments, she seemed to be a tribal priest or druid type.
“Unworthy of a warrior. A little spit would fix that much.”
“Right? I was thinking the same.”
One went berserk alone, while the other spat on wounds.
Their appearances were similar, and both bore the same tattoo on their shoulders — likely of the same origin.
One thing was certain: neither of them seemed entirely sane.
“I like them.”
They were perfect.
A tank and a priest.
Their classes were fitting, and their skills and personalities were fiery.
Usually, people like them were the ones who became promising prospects.
Of course, one mistake and they’d get delisted instantly.
When the battle finally ended, instead of cheers, curses were exchanged.
“That’s it for us! Hunt with you again and I’d die ten times over! Damn it!”
“Don’t you dare call yourself a priest ever again unless you want to get stabbed!”
“Kuha-ha! I won’t stop you, fledglings.”
“Even our clan’s grandma wouldn’t ask for healing over a scratch like that!”
The party disbanded.
The Hunters left their spots.
Only a trembling female archer, collapsed with weak legs, and the Viking duo remained.
Kang Yohan, who had stationed Vivian a bit to the rear, approached them.
“Seems like your party fell apart. How about joining us?”
At that, the man wiping blood from his axe glanced at Yohan.
“A scrawny rookie and a staff-wielding woman…”
He stroked his beard.
Then he stared straight into Yohan’s eyes.
“You. Are you strong? Strong enough for us to trust our backs to you?”
A thick killing intent surged forth.
That distinct barbaric aura of the Vikings froze the air like a predator stalking prey.
“No. Honestly, I can’t say I’m that strong.”
“Ha! So a little intimidation’s enough to make you tuck your tail, huh.”
The man clicked his tongue, disappointed.
But then Yohan continued—
“But I’m strong enough to take you down.”
Crack!
A vein bulged on the man’s forehead.
His grip tightened around the axe.
Even so, Yohan didn’t avert his gaze.
Three seconds passed—each one feeling like hours.
“Kuha-ha-ha-ha! Your eyes still burn even under my threat. I like it! Your body may be frail, but you hold a blazing fire within!”
The man burst into hearty laughter.
“Lagertha! Even in these outskirts, there are warriors worth meeting. From now on, we’ll fight alongside them!”
“Looks like my brother’s taken a liking to you.”
“Indeed! Kuha-ha-ha! Then, the four of us shall travel together.”
“No.”
Yohan shook his head.
Then he walked toward the female archer who was still sitting on the ground.
She was the one who had failed to follow the others and had been left behind.
“Five of us.”
Would she stay here alone and become prey for others—
or fight as a member of this party and give her all?
The choice was hers.
It wasn’t coercion.
“Eek?”
The archer shivered, her face pale with fear.
＊＊＊
“My name is Park Juhee… As you can see, I’m an archer. I was in Daejeon when I got trapped here.”
“I am Ragnar Lodbrok, warrior of the great Warhammer Guild! I came from the Scandinavian Peninsula to prove my worth!”
“I’m Lagertha, a primitive priest. Like my brother, I’m also from the Warhammer Guild. People often say we look alike, but we’re not blood-related.”
They exchanged brief introductions.
Of course, Yohan had already told Vivian to alter her tone and behavior slightly.
It was to blend perfectly into this episode — and Vivian agreed without question.
“By the way, did you open your Fortune Cookie?”
“I smashed that thing in half the moment I got it!”
…Huh?
He broke it? That thing?
“…May I ask why?”
“A true warrior never relies on luck!”
Hmm.
Maybe he should’ve picked someone else.
He might actually be crazier than he looked.
For reference, Lagertha’s spit truly did have healing properties.
Quite unsanitary, but apparently, it was a unique ability passed down through their tribe.
Anyway, minor wounds healed almost instantly.
‘Still… a bit concerning.’
But from what they showed earlier, they’d do their parts just fine.
In fact, Ragnar Lodbrok and Lagertha were both high-rankers — the 6th Star and 3rd Star of January, respectively.
With that, the party was formed. They chatted lightly as they moved swiftly onward.
About an hour later, they arrived at the Chungnam National University Hospital nearby.
Whoosh!
Thick black fog enveloped the entire building.
Flames flared from several windows, and occasional screams sent chills down their spines.
‘So, this is where it settled.’
Yohan scanned the surroundings.
The four strongest “Apostles” in Daejeon — excluding the Boss.
Among them, the “Gravedigger of the Gray Tomb” had taken root within the hospital.
A troublesome opponent, but unlike the Boss, these monsters were meant to be defeated.
Still, that didn’t mean just any team could take them on.
“There are people gathered over there — quite a few of them.”
Park Juhee pointed toward the main entrance.
As expected from an archer with the [Wide Vision] trait — sharp as ever.
But something felt odd.
Why weren’t they going inside the hospital?
The answer soon revealed itself.
A pure, innocent smile that didn’t belong in this demonic landscape.
A Saintess in shining white armor stood before the entrance, leading her paladins.
Daejeon was by no means a small city.
And yet, of all people, it had to be her again.
“Your efforts to drive out the darkness from the west are commendable. But please, leave this place to us and assist elsewhere.”
As expected.
The worst possible scenario had come to pass.
The Saintess had claimed the entire hospital as her hunting ground.
“Ah, I see. We’ll just head somewhere else then. Of course.”
“We honestly didn’t know the Saintess herself was here. Truly.”
Everyone waiting near the entrance hurriedly waved their hands, backing away.
After all, word had already spread about what happened at Daejeon Station.
No one would risk their lives just for a single hunting zone.
However—
“That won’t do.”
Yohan immediately refused her offer.
‘It’s not like I want to deal with that fanatic, but… I really don’t have a choice here.’
If it were up to him, he’d keep a strict three-meter social distance from that zealot.