Without a moment's hesitation, I shattered the glass case and grabbed the gem inside. Then, the space before me appeared to split apart with a *crack*. Beyond the rift lay an entirely different world-a plain covered in green grass with a Korean-style palace visible in the distance.
I asked X with a dazed expression.
"X, do you know what this is?"
[This treasure's name is 'Forgotten Space'. It summons a forgotten realm that can be freely utilized according to the user's purpose. Can be equipped in my socket for 'Quick Use'.]
Though the appearance of another world was shocking, what surprised me more was seeing a Korean-style palace again-something I'd witnessed in my past life.
I wanted to explore the Forgotten Space, but now wasn't the time. Those bastards would be frantically searching for me after my disappearance.
Though I'd recovered X, there was no guarantee I could defeat them in another fight. While X's capabilities were extraordinary, my basic stats were too low to utilize him properly. I needed to find Karin and escape before being discovered. If possible, I'd rescue the women trapped in the hall too.
Ah!
When I absently reached into my pouch, my fingers brushed against the unused Elite Capsule.
Why hadn't I used this earlier?
I immediately opened the Elite Capsule. A brilliant light erupted from within, revealing a small object-a sturdy, unadorned silver ring that nonetheless exuded luxury.
[You have acquired The Victor's Ring.]
[The Victor's Ring]
- Mental attacks nullified.
Huh?
I slumped to the floor, staring blankly at the 'mental attacks nullified' option. Then overwhelming regret crashed over me.
Why hadn't I used this sooner? With this ring, I could've ignored Sras's mental attacks.
Memories surfaced-how I'd voluntarily stepped out of X and offered myself to those bastards under Sras's hypnosis. The horrific torture that followed. The sexual torture was grueling, but the memory of needles piercing deep into my skull was sickening to imagine.
I could've avoided it all.
I wanted to tear at my hair, but since I was wearing X, I only ended up pounding on his exterior.
KWA-KANG!!
The warehouse's steel door flew off its hinges and embedded itself in the far wall. Dust billowed as the wall crumbled, revealing figures approaching through the haze. Massive arm muscles-Todd. He'd smashed the steel door with brute strength. I cautiously slipped The Victor's Ring onto my finger while watching the entrance. No more falling for cheap tricks like mental attacks.
"Heheheh, so this is where you were hiding."
Behind him entered Rick wielding a Heavy Kitchen Knife and Sras eating from a can. Sras frowned at the dust settling into his food, then whipped his tentacle across Todd's back.
SHWAK!!
"Hik! Hiiik!"
"Dumbass! What if dust gets in the food? Want punishment after so long?"
Todd paled instantly, bowing repeatedly to Sras.
"S-s-sorry! Todd stupid. Todd make mistake."
"Ugh, your stupidity is beyond curing."
Sras threw his dust-contaminated can toward the floor near me.
CLANK-, CLANK-, CLANKCLANK, CLANK.
The can's contents spilled across the floor-chunks of meat swimming in brown sauce and round white objects. One rolled to a stop before me. A human eyeball.
!!
Instantly, I recalled how those bastards had stripped skin and organs from women in the hall, leaving only flesh. They'd been making human canned food here.
A horrific thought flooded my mind. I hadn't found Karin in the hall.
Could she have become one of these cans...?
I shook my head violently.
Impossible. Good people like her shouldn't suffer such fates. First, escape these bastards. Karin must be alive somewhere. I'd find her no matter what.
Sras noticed the shattered glass case on the floor and-for the first time-looked visibly panicked as he stared at me.
"You took it?"
His expression confirmed it-this object was crucial to them.
Unlike his usual composure, he seemed at a loss. I tightened my grip on the Forgotten Space in my left hand.
Time to use this.
He looked ready to pounce. I quickly leaped backward to create distance, then pulled out the Hardcore Saw and held it near the Forgotten Space.
VROOOM-VROOOOOOM!!
As the Hardcore Saw's flames began heating the Forgotten Space, Sras turned pale and shouted.
"You crazy fuck!! Stop now!!"
Ignoring him, I aimed the saw at them and spoke coldly.
"Answer my questions if you want this back safely."
They fidgeted anxiously, eyes locked on the Forgotten Space.
"Three days ago, you captured a blonde woman in her early twenties. Where is she now?"
They exchanged glances, shaking their heads. Sras ground his teeth with a *GRRRK*.
"We don't track every captive our underlings bring. She's probably with the other women. Give that back, and maybe we'll help look."
"She's not there."
At my terse reply, their expressions darkened. Sras fell silent. There was nowhere else they kept captives besides the hall.
Both sides silently acknowledged negotiations had failed.
If Karin was...
The thought unleashed unbearable rage.
Fucking bastards.
I stashed the Forgotten Space and unleashed the Minigun at them.
TUDUDUDUDU-!!
Die!!!
Walls, floor, and ceiling shattered under the barrage, filling the air with dust. Their figures vanished from sight.
No way this killed them. Fighting all three in this cramped space was suicide. Escape outside first.
As I looked up to exit through the broken ceiling, Sras's giant tentacle-eye was waiting. It seemed poised to hypnotize me again-useless now thanks to The Victor's Ring.
Just as I prepared to leap, I sensed Rick and Todd approaching from behind.
Too close. I'd be caught.
They were right behind me.
A devastating attack would hit any second. If I didn't dodge, this could end me.
In less than 0.1 seconds, I racked my brain for survival. My conclusion...!
I locked eyes with Sras's tentacle-eye and stood rigid. Behind me, I heard the Heavy Kitchen Knife and fist tearing through air toward my back. Just before impact, Sras shouted.
"Stop!!"
Had his shout been a fraction slower, I'd have taken fatal damage.
"Pathetic shits!! What if you break it?! She's under my hypnosis now. I'll handle her-get away from her!"
Thankfully, my gamble worked. My stats were too low to beat them fairly. Only tricks could win this.
"Come here."
Sras beckoned. He seemed utterly convinced I was hypnotized. I approached with stiff, mechanical steps, pretending to be entranced.
Sras eyed my clenched fist nervously. His outstretched hand trembled like a scared child fearing loss.
"Give me the gem you took."
With robotic movements, I retrieved it from my pouch and handed it over. Sras's pupils shook as he stared at the Forgotten Space. His tension was palpable. Now-while his attention was fully diverted-was my chance.
I drew the Hardcore Saw in one swift motion. Its blade slid beneath Sras's armpit. A single upward slash would sever his right arm. His eyes remained glued to the gem.
VROOM-!! VROOM!!
Without hesitation, I severed Sras's right arm, then-confirming he hadn't reacted-cut through his tentacles too. I snatched the Forgotten Space as it tumbled through the air and stuffed it back into my pouch.
He screamed reflexively from the shock.
"Guhk!!"
But he seemed unable to comprehend what had happened.
The vast stat difference between Sras and me meant this attack only succeeded because he'd let his guard down while focused on the Forgotten Space.
He stared dumbfounded at his severed tentacles and arm on the floor. I smirked. Sras snarled, face contorted with rage.
"How?!"
THUD!!
I kicked him in the abdomen. His body flew backward, crumpling between Gelder barrels. Off-balance, he couldn't evade.
TUDUDUDUDUDU!!!
I unleashed the Minigun directly at him. Nearby Gelder barrels turned crimson with his blood.
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