In the Name of God - Chapter 17.2
Instinctively, I focused on the core of the black energy. My eyes, straining as they took in every detail, widened further, allowing me to see even the tiniest nuances.
As expected, there was a central axis on the surface of the Lizardman Warrior’s body where the black energy gathered and spread.
‘The dantian.’
Without hesitation, I aimed my revolver.
Lee Sunho, noticing my movement, deflected the greatsword aimed at him and created distance. At that moment, I fired a bullet directly into the fully exposed dantian of the Lizardman Warrior.
Bang!
One shot was enough.
The bullet pierced the Lizardman Warrior’s dantian, and the black energy that had surrounded it burst apart like a balloon.
The Lizardman Warrior’s eyes, once red, immediately lost their color, revealing their original green.
Thud!
The massive creature, no longer regenerating, collapsed.
<System Message: Shadow-Corrupted Lizardman Warrior has died.> <System Reward: Lifespan extended by 7 days.>
The system window appeared as if waiting.
For a moment, I felt a faint black shimmer rising through my legs.
<System Message: A fragment of the shadow wishes to synchronize with you.> <System Message: Synchronization will allow you to recover part of your lost memories.> <System Message: Do you accept?>
I unconsciously held my breath.
A fragment of lost memory.
The memories I had lost upon entering this world were only those concerning my apostle.
“…Echo, is this true?”
-Yes, Master. The system does not lie.
Echo answered my quiet voice seriously.
-Once synchronization begins, you will be able to revive some of the memories lost due to the shock of entering this world. I cannot be certain which memories will return.
That answer was enough.
<System Message: If you do not accept within 1 hour, a penalty will apply.>
There was no need to wait an hour.
I accepted the system’s offer of “synchronization” in my mind.
<Synchronizing with the shadow fragment.>
As the system window notified me of the synchronization,
“Ugh?! Cough!”
An uncontrollable fit of coughing erupted. It felt as if everything inside me was being violently expelled.
Cough, cough! Ugh, huff!
Each cough felt like my entire body was being struck. A dull ache ran from head to toe, and my legs trembled, making it impossible to stand still.
I felt a heat surge to my head. My brain seemed to pound like a heartbeat, engulfed in immense heat that left me disoriented.
Suddenly, it felt as if boiling water had been poured into my chest. The heat surged up my throat, carried by the unstoppable coughing.
Cough, ugh! Hrk!
Through my fingers covering my mouth, dark clots and blood fell in drops.
-Master!
Sensing the severity, Echo shouted in alarm. Its voice pierced my mind, sharp as if a spike were being driven into my brain.
Meanwhile, a new message window appeared in front of my eyes.
<Shadow Adaptation: 1%>
‘Only 1%?’
I was dying, and it said I had adapted only 1%? Damn!
Did this mean I would have to endure this 99 more times to reach 100%?
I hoped not.
-Ma, ste…r…!
Echo’s voice crackled and then cut off. Its presence inside my hood felt empty.
“Seong Do‑yoon, are you okay?”
With Echo’s voice gone, I heard Lee Sunho’s concerned voice instead. There was a hint of worry and surprise in his tone.
‘Well, anyone would be worried if someone suddenly started coughing blood like this.’
As my legs gave way, Lee Sunho quickly supported me. He held me upright at a slight angle while covering my mouth as I continued coughing up blood.
“Where does it hurt? What should I do?”
I could not answer. It was my first time experiencing this, and the coughing and blood made it impossible to explain.
Lee Sunho gently held me to the side, stroking the area around my eyes.
“Just hold on a little. …You’ll be fine.”
I only realized I was crying after feeling the moisture spreading along his trembling fingers.
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