※Contains depictions of bloodshed

※This may be more gruesome than the previous story. Please continue with caution if you are sensitive to such content.

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“Please kill James-san. Then, I will save you both.”

“…”

The forest goes silent.

The sound of rustling leaves and the cries of birds returning to their nests can be heard in the distance.

Now, what will they do…?

Darren was the first to move.

He crawls along the ground, drawing the sword from his waist with one hand.

And then—

“Die‼”

“Agh⁉”

He swung down at James’ head.

The dull sound of a skull splitting open.

That is… likely instant death.

Yet, Darren doesn’t stop striking.

“It’s your fault! If you hadn’t gotten me involved in such a shitty situation‼”

“――”

He strikes over and over.

Even as flesh is crushed, bone shattered, and brain matter spills, he doesn’t stop.

Of course.

The limbs he lost won’t regenerate with a potion.

James had a wet cloth on his face.

From this, one can infer that severe injuries such as fractures or missing body parts can’t be healed with a common, store-bought, low-grade potion.

In that case, a higher-grade potion is necessary.

An 【Elixir】, with effects like full HP recovery, nullification of status abnormalities, and reduction of ST consumption.

Similarly, 【Nectar】 also offers full HP recovery and status abnormality nullification, plus MP consumption reduction.

And then there’s an 【Amrita】, which provides full HP recovery, status abnormality nullification, and continuous HP recovery.

Without using such rare items, severe injuries can’t be healed.

But those are rare drops from challenging dungeons.

Ordinary citizens like them can’t get their hands on them.

First off, it’s questionable whether they’re even in circulation, and even if they were, they’d surely be monopolized by kings, nobles, and aristocrats.

There are high-level healing spells with similar effects, but due to demand, the cost of treatment would likely be astronomical.

“Damn it, damn it‼”

“…”

“Huh?”

Oh?

When Darren continued kicking the dead body, Joe had snuck up behind him at some point.

Joe drew the dagger at his waist and thrust it toward Darren’s neck.

“I was the one dragged into this pointless crap!”

“Cough… Choke…”

“Always, always, always‼ You always bossed me around! I’m not your lackey or underling‼”

“Ga…a…”

This is interesting.

Judging from his complaints now, Joe seemed to harbor resentment toward Darren.

His pent-up feelings exploded due to this game.

With a vacant look in his eyes, as if possessed by something, Joe repeatedly stabbed Darren’s neck with his dagger.

Over and over…

Eventually, Darren’s HP vanished, and he was completely dead.

Then Joe threw the dagger and pleaded for my help while rubbing his forehead on the ground.

“I’m sorry! I understand‼ I’ll take what happened here to the grave! Just say I got injured by a stray monster! So please, save me‼”

“Sure…”

“! Then――”

I slowly approach Joe, who is crouching down.

Joe, whose eyes are filled with hope.

His face, wet with tears and covered in mud, is dyed with overflowing joy.

And then—

“Guh⁉ What?”

“…”

“Why…?”

I drove my sword into his chest, ensuring it was a fatal wound.

I aimed for where the heart is, so it’s a critical hit.

Joe struggles in pain.

To keep him from falling, I thrust the sword again.

“Argh‼”

“Save you? Do you think there’s such a convenient story?”

“No way…”

“That’s right. From the start, I planned to kill everyone you know?”

Joe, with his face contorted in pain.

Before long, stopped moving.