Jumping the first antag

The two men dashed towards the debris, into the ruins of what used to be a street, trying to escape the rampaging monster furiously tailing them.

Hyosung grabbed Black's collar, using all his might to toss him into a broken ridge he spotted earlier, before launching himself too.

The creature continued to rampage in the same direction, leveling objects and devouring any sign of life it sensed, creating a chance for them to escape, but only by the skin of their teeth.

By a string of luck, they managed to escape with their limbs intact, but the same couldn't be said mentally, as they were tired and battered, trying to catch as much breath as possible.

"Huff... Huff... Huff," Hyosung tried desperately to gasp for air, but his tired lungs and racing heart wouldn't let up.

In that moment, various thoughts occurred in his mind. 'Did I really write this? I remember adding some tense moments, but not this?!' And other similar thoughts popped up in his head.

"We're... Not gonna die. This isn't the end for us!" Black spoke with a stern voice, raising his head with confidence.

However, Hyosung couldn't help but pull a frown in annoyance, thinking Black was backed by plot armor, meaning his survival was 100% guaranteed, as for his... Even a mere 20% would be an overstatement.

"What are we going to do!" Hyosung drifted deeper into despair, as a puddle of sweat ran down his face like a stream.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the last option Hyosung had was to buy a chapter of his novel, locked in the system, to activate his ability "Reader's View."

Carefully considering how the system functions, it contained more cons than pros. After all, it makes the writer buy his own chapters using digital coins on his dashboard, known as "Author Coins." Not to mention the "Spoiler Tag" which prevents him from either revealing or thinking of any event yet to occur in the story, plus the role constraint he was under.

"Menu."

Immediately, the transparent blue panel materialized.

BING! BING!

[Username: user 6638]

'All right! I can still use the system to my advantage. All I have to do is read the current chapter... but for that, I have to unlock it.'

Using his finger, Hyosung scrolled the seemingly invisible screen, though in the eyes of Black, he was madly playing with thin air.

[Book Chapter 1]

[Title: The Wars That Began]

[Price: 3,500∅]

His eyes widened with shock. "That much for one chapter? This is an insane rip-off!" He muttered with rage in his tone.

Black was still frozen in place, confused, yet observant of Hyosung's behavior, while he, on the other hand, was busy cursing like a lunatic.

"I wrote this mess, which means my life is in my hands, and so are the decisions involving it..." He confirmed to himself before moving on. "I'll buy this chapter and use the gifts in my inventory as best as I can."

His will strengthened, and his resolve displayed brightly on his face. With swift and precise finger work, he tapped the screen, purchasing the chapter, leaving Black to fear his mental health.

"BING! BING!"

The alert tone reverberated in his head.

[Purchase successful]

[3,500∅ has successfully been debited from your coins]

[You have successfully purchased 1 chapter of the book "Tales of Taken"]

[You have successfully received bonus points]

[You have successfully received your first privilege]

[Notification: You have been granted access to read the purchased chapter from Reader's View]

With a roaring voice, "Yes!"

"Aaahhh," Black jumped, startled by his unpredictable burst of emotion.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for his brain to catch up to his thoughts, snapping Hyosung out of his daydream.

"Wait, how does this work? Do I just read, or..."

His brow's furrowed with rage, yet he couldn't be blamed. He spent 3,500∅ on a chapter which he could only glance through, without making any alterations whatsoever.

But it wasn't over yet, as he could still turn it around in his favor, since he had the perfect guide from the beginning till the end of the scene.

He might not be able to use spoilers, but there was never a rule against aiding the MC as a background character, not to mention their past, present, and future hovering beside him as text.

A sense of relief slowly started to take over his body. "I have a plan that will 100% guarantee our victory."

"........."

"Black, you've been mining and molding iron since you were 12 to build your strength, right? I'll need your certain skill set because I'm barely physically strong."

"Wait, how did you know about that?" His mind was puzzled. "I never told you that... unless..."

'Is he suspicious of me?'

"Are you a psychic or something?"

"I wish... but no, I'm not."

"Then are you some sort of skilled spy, 'cause that's the last thing that can explain a lot of stuff since the beginning."

"Would have been cool, but I'm not."

"Huh! Then what are you then?"

"Me? I'm just... a novelist!"

"Ummm... I don't understand your point."

"Just follow my lead, Black." Hyosung leaped out of the ridge where they hid.

[... Black remained patient, waiting behind the ridge for Adeysus to return, knowing full well it wouldn't take long to retrace his leaking mana.

After a few minutes passed, his patience shriveled, crawling out to confront it head-on, shoulders broad with confidence as he poured out his mana. The bright colors which danced around served as a guarding light, directing Adeysus to his path...]

Hyosung's eyes latched onto the transparent screen, reading every sentence, paying no mind to his surroundings.

Slamming his clenched hands against the ridge, "This isn't going to work. I'll lure him to me by..."

"Don't!" Hyosung shrieked. "At least not yet... like I said, I'm not physically strong, so I need to gain a safe distance, y'know."

"I advise you to run away. I have to lure it back before it reaches the gates of the Middle Districts, taking the lives of those there, including the Nobles controlling the chaos." He lowered his gaze, a sense of duty filling his tone.

Hyosung raised no arguments, immediately heeding Black's advice, dashing far away from where he stood until his figure lost shape in the distance.

Black acted just as the novel revealed.

His message was received. Adeysus, already making his way to the dividing wall, saw the bright colors beaming upwards, the surging energy slamming against it, diverting its attention in the opposite direction.

Adeysus sped like a fired arrow, redirecting its menace towards the energy source. Black stood in wait tightening his muscles, readying his stance to react at the slightest moment, ceasing his mana burst.

WHOOSH!

The loud sound of breeze cutting grabbed his attention, focusing his gaze at every angle, leaving no blind spots.

Adeysus sprang forward with nimble footwork, firing a sharp kick from behind, only to be intercepted by Black's wrist at the last second.

Wasting no time, Black countered, aura oozing from his fist as he struck, slamming a strong blow at its center. At first, its armor skin nulled the force, until the crimson mana on his knuckles swirled, amping the damage.

The null force resurfaced, shooting a greater pressure in its chest, suspending Adeysus in mid-air for a quick second. That quick second more than enough time for Black to strike harder, getting in a few more hits, inflicting more damage.

Wasting no time, Black fired both fists rapidly with blinding speed at its body, each hit calculated. The air around him swayed to his movements, crimson mana birthing and dying with every strike, the color flickering on their bodies.

The mana around Black's left fist pulsed, then swirled, dying down, forming an orb. The color turning to a dim orange.

"One more... Spiral Gun!" Black summoned, driving his fist straight through its armored skin. The orange beam adorned on his fist dispersed, circumvoluting in a flash.

The air split vertically in 2, strong gusts of howling winds cleared the lying scraps, lifting Adeysus far above the ground before tossing him away like a used rag.

Its body crashing on the crisp ground due to gravity caused a loud CRUNCH! forcing the ground to tremble.

Adeysus slumped, but it wasn't enough. Cracks on its armored body enclosed, its injuries regenerating, springing another attack at Mintugakye, applying more caution.

Striking his hardened fist against the floor, Black distorted its path, tripping Adeysus off balance, before applying force through his palm on the flying gravel, firing them towards it like bullets from a machine gun.

Black had already inflicted considerable damage, but not enough to put it down. The difference in Mz and attributes was too great, the biggest hindrance its speed and regeneration. If the fight came down to who had the better durability, Black would lose, same for speed, only having an edge in physical strength.

It'd be a predicament if Adeysus specialized in magic spells and affinity, but that didn't seem to be the case. He'd have to be versatile with his physical strength to have a sharper edge, inclining his life in the process.

Adeysus screeched! before firing its body towards Black, wind splitting in its path. Mintugakye did the same, veins rising on his battered body as he sped.

As they collided, the resulting blast from the impact resembled a nuclear bomb, sending a mushroom cloud of smoke and dust above the ground.

Suddenly, a fierce wind burst in its middle, two glistening lines of light danced around each other, soaring to the sky, clearing the ashy clouds, twirling in every direction, each collision like an implosion.

Hyosung stood from afar, glaring at the scene, vague sunlight from the clearing clouds reflecting on his skin. He had already assessed the situation thanks to the Reader's View, having to act with precision before White arrived.

"The greatest problem is its speed, though White already has that area covered. In the novel, Adeysus escapes, but I don't want it coming back to bite me in the future, so we'll have to end him here. But that regeneration..." He struck his fingers against his chin, muttering to himself in the deserted area. "Wait!"

'Inventory.'

The transparent blue screen appeared before him.

BING! BING!

{Inventory}

["Author's Eye" Lvl 1]

["Reader's View"]

["Alter" Lvl 1]

["Awareness" Lvl 1]

"AUTHOR'S EYE," he ordered in a cold voice.

Hyosung's eyes shone a bright blue, his perception heightening, focusing his view on Adeysus like a lens, locking onto its body, revealing a new set of information on the screen.

PING! PING!

{Assessment}

[Name: Adeysus, Heaven's Dark Knight]

[Mz: 4]

[Strengths: Overwhelming speed, low-level regeneration, flexible body structure, armored skin, 6-inch claws, intellect]

[Origins: ???]

[Type: Humanoid Beast]

[Danger Assessment: D-RANK]

[Weakness: Adeysus has an impressive regeneration rate, but don't be fooled, it's not as fearsome as you think. Once overwhelmed with severe wounds, the time rate increases. In order to defeat Adeysus, his heart needs to be struck in one go! Its heart...]

"Insane, this shit's actually useful!" A smile stretched across his face as he burst out.

Grabbing a displaced rod from the ground, he ordered, "Alter."

Distorting its iron, the rod's appearance changed as crimson energy pulsed around it, stretching across his hand as a 12-inch sniper rifle, sparks dying at its edge.

"Cool as hell, it actually worked!"

Gazing at the screen once more, "Awareness."

A stretching sensation struck like he were fabric, his senses sharpening abnormally. Everything within his range was crystal clear beyond his gaze, even the action of microbes couldn't escape him.

He saw the fight like he were there, feeling the force of their exchange and heated tension, their every move and attack under his surveillance.

Sounds of footsteps rang like loud bells, but he couldn't feel his head nor his body, like he were a wandering spirit, showing a clear depiction of White heading towards them as if she were on a screen.

Hyosung aimed the sniper rifle, but couldn't feel his arm nor fingers. The Awareness skill already difficult to use, yet he managed to pull the trigger, catching Adeysus off guard.

Though it didn't hit.....the bullet was far too slow, merely grazing its hardened skin. Fortunately creating a short opening for Black to slam a powerful blow on its face, sending it spiraling downwards.

Bang! The ground crumbled under Adeysus' weight shattering from the force, dust rose along with the gravel.

As it struck the ground, White appeared from out of thin air, moving with elegant steps, as if choreographed, cutting through its leg with her unsheathed blade in an instant.

'What was that?... No, who was that?' Adeysus' mind raced.

Dark greenish fluids gushed out in streams from it's knees, White's blade cut through its thick, armored skin like butter, immobilizing it, making her presence felt.

'Insane... is this a female human? She holds no expression... her face is more lifeless and hollow than mine.'

A throbbing pain slammed against Hyosung's head, the aftermath of using the Awareness skill stepping in.

His vision cracked like glass, his ears deafened before reverting back, streams of blood seeping out of his nose and eyes.

Clearing the liquid which came from Adeysus off her blade's edge, she swooped in for a finishing blow, aiming for its neck.

Black swept in, using all his might to propel his damaged body forward, aiming for its chest.

Clenching onto his temples, still feeling the slamming pain hyosung roared, "Finish this!!"

White's sword glistened as it cut through its neck slickly, the sound of slicing bone tearing through the moment's silence, spraying the greenish liquid on her white cloak, tainting it.

"Deep Impact!" Black's fist pulsed with an amber light that merged with his knuckles, digging it into Adeysus' chest, but something was strange... its chest was hollow.

A bright flash of light illuminated on his face, nearly blinding him and White, freezing them in their steps, the heat it emitted intense, similar to the sun.

'Final Absolute,' Adeysus' head ordered, still suspended in mid-air. 'You thought my heart was in my chest? Foolish humans... this beam of intensified mana will destroy both your weak bodies. After that, my body will regenerate just fine, and I'll terrorize this tainted place you tried so desperately to protect!'

The energy swirled into an orb with a bright beam, about to implode, increasing in size and matter as it charged.

PEW!

A bullet kissed the muzzle's warmth farewell as it passed out.

Piercing through the barriers of air blocking its path, past the swirling energy, past the destroyed buildings and burning scraps, past the outskirts of the Poor Districts...

Making its way through the forest trees and shrubs, following a straight, clear trajectory...

Piercing through a large, beating stump rooted deep beneath the ground.

A straight hole carved through, sizzling its middle.

The intense light ceased, shrinking before dispersing back into specs of glitter, taking the tension along with it.

Silence washed over the area like a flood

Hyosung fell flat on his back from weariness, the splitting sensation still coursing through his skull, his heartbeat calming, loosening his grip on the rifle, it's muzzle sizzling as well.

A sense of relief blew through him, along with the wind. He waited for the perfect moment when Adeysus would be immobile, aiming the rifle despite his unbalanced sight.

He couldn't have the bullet intercepted midway; it stood no chance against Adeysus' speed.

What truly helped was the Awareness skill that revealed the thread of mana connected to its heart, though the exact position was out of the skills current range. He took a gamble, which paid off.

Not to mention this was the chapter in which Mintugakye and White got killed off in the story as a plot twist, then again they held no importance after this arc.

A part of him couldn't let that happen, or rather he saved them to save himself, as a result, he altered an important part of the arc, though the extent was still unknown.

Black sat on the floor, feeling his heartbeats at his throat, trying to process what just happened.

"Where's Urane...." His lips parted still glaring at the evaporating steam with widened eyes.

White stood composed, still staring coldly at Adeysus' remains, pondering.

The ambiance of the area lightened, the tension dissipating along with the dark clouds, making way for the sun's bright and blissful rays to fully shine, cleansing the previously grim view.

Oddly enough, the sky had changed. What hung above the clouds wasn't the gorgeous blue of the atmosphere, but rather hideous glass cracks, stretching throughout Hadon.

The false sky was breaking.....