The Hidden Ending Strategy of a Veteran in a Dead Game

Chapter 10: Alleyway Event

Despite a bit of commotion, the choice of Explosive Circuit as my cultivation technique was finalized.

“This is bizarre. How could you learn a cultivation technique so quickly? I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

At first, Nohr hadn’t believed me. But after he verified my body by infusing it with mana, he couldn’t deny the truth.

Voom.

An internal vibration echoed within me—not a physical sound but the result of mana clashing and rebounding inside my body.

The Explosive Circuit of the Fonte family was a technique that—

‘Uses the heart as an engine to detonate mana.’

The more intense the explosion, the greater the power.

By accelerating the flow of mana through chain explosions, it produced destructive force among the highest of all cultivation techniques.

Moreover, its unique characteristic was that the longer a fight lasted, the stronger the user became.

On paper, it seemed like a broken, overpowered technique. However, there was a major downside.

“Good grief. First, you’re breaking your fists, and now you’re trying to blow yourself up from the inside?”

“Well, I’ll manage somehow.”

Its stability was terrible.

“The Fonte family didn’t meet their end for no reason, you know. Except for the first family head, no one survived long enough to achieve greatness. They all blew themselves up and died.”

The explosions caused backlash within the body.

As the technique evolved, its power increased—and so did the strain on the user.

Simply put, it was like attaching an unregulated engine to your body, one with no safety features.

Even so, the Fonte family had tried to make it work.

“The last known practitioner managed to advance the Explosive Circuit to 7 Stars, but that was as far as they got. They couldn’t go any higher despite having the potential. It’s a technique that tempts you to climb higher but ensures your destruction if you do.”

Stopping at the body’s limits—growing the technique only as much as the practitioner could handle—was the desperate compromise they’d chosen.

It wasn’t a terrible idea.

“Well, at least its power is 1–2 stars higher than other techniques at the same level,” I pointed out.

“You’d better hope so! Otherwise, it wouldn’t be worth crippling yourself over,” Nohr replied with a scoff.

True enough. The risks were high.

For a knight, cultivation techniques were a core element of strength.

How far one advanced a technique directly translated to their rank.

As for me—

[Explosive Circuit (1 Star) – Passive]

I was at 1 Star, equivalent to the 1st Rank by general standards.

It was an absurdly fast progression. Typically, learning a cultivation technique required sensing mana, circulating it, and building a vessel to contain it.

“You’ve already skipped the initiation phase, so I’ll teach you the training method. For example, I’ve mastered the Blood Bone, a technique favored by cadet branches of the family.”

While the Bayerle family allowed a degree of freedom in choosing techniques, certain cultivation methods were traditionally practiced.

For the direct line, there was White Bone, known for its regenerative properties. In contrast, Blood Bone sacrificed stability for heightened aggression.

“Each technique has its own traits and effects. Blood Bone absorbs scattered mana and blood to increase offensive power, whereas White Bone focuses on physical and mana recovery.”

The family’s methods were as savage as their reputation.

“I trained by continuing attacks even in extreme situations. Blood Bone thrives on aggression, so maximizing that trait is key.”

It was all about training in ways that enhanced the technique’s inherent qualities.

For example, the Ende family, which specialized in wind techniques, trained year-round in storm-ravaged mountains.

“Since the Explosive Circuit is an unusual technique, you’ll need to practice moving like a berserker in extreme conditions.”

I nodded. That was precisely what the technique demanded—a relentless engine that never stopped, even if it risked destroying its user.

It was also why I had chosen it.

With my Titan’s Strength, a perfect vessel, I didn’t have to worry about exploding.

Of course, that was—

‘After my body finishes maturing.’

For now, I was like a motorcycle fitted with a jet engine. I needed safety measures until I grew stronger.

“It’s an extreme technique, so finding ways to stabilize it will be crucial,” Nohr reminded me.

I acknowledged his warning.

“For now, at 1 Star, you should be fine,” he added. “But judging by how quickly you picked it up, I doubt your growth will be slow. Prepare for 3rd Rank advancement soon. I’ll have a gift ready when you do.”

I recalled that Nohr had promised a gift for passing his test.

What would he give me?

Hopefully, something better than the subspace artifact filled with potions.

‘A miracle elixir would be nice.’

That would be ideal. Failing that, a protective artifact would suffice.

Of course, the most coveted reward was a Rune.

‘But Runes are practically hidden treasures, not something you just get handed.’

Runes were among the few innate powers one could acquire, aside from traits and skills.

If there was one available, it certainly wouldn’t be given to me.

Still, I had to secure one eventually to perfect my martial artist build.

As I waved off Nohr’s concerns, I said, “If I get hurt while training, I’ll rely on the potions you gave me.”

“Do so. Oh, by the way.”

Nohr paused as we were about to leave the library.

“Do you remember I mentioned finding someone who could help you?”

“Of course. I remember.”

This was the person who had managed to wound Nohr—a feat requiring exceptional skill.

“You’ll meet them during the upcoming duel. Until then, focus on your training. If they take an interest in you, it could lead to an extraordinary opportunity.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Oh, I almost forgot—I’d like to shift to independent training in the afternoons. Would that be alright?”

“Hah! Training is something you do on your own! You don’t need to report every detail. But in the mornings, I’ll oversee things personally.”

With that, Nohr left the Steel Library without hesitation.

Before leaving, he instructed the guards to allow me access whenever I needed it, ensuring I had free rein.

“It’s only fair I repay him somehow,” I muttered.

Repayment wasn’t the right word.

Nohr had invested so much in me because he saw potential.

Still, I needed to meet those expectations.

After loosening up in the library’s training area, I tested the Explosive Circuit.

Huff. Huff.

The imaginary engine within me roared, beating like a second heart. The mana-rich environment of the library certainly helped.

However—

“This won’t cut it.”

It wasn’t enough for me.

I had no intention of growing stronger through conventional methods.

Not only did I lack the patience, but I also had my own approach—methods proven in the game.

“Time to get moving.”

Leaving the library, I noticed the sun beginning to set. Perfect timing.

And since I was hungry—

“Let’s eat out tonight.”

***

Though there had been some commotion, my choice of the Explosive Circuit cultivation technique was finalized.

“This is bizarre. How could you master a cultivation technique so quickly? I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”

At first, Nohr hadn’t believed it. But after verifying my body by circulating mana through it, he had to accept the truth.

Voom.

The internal vibrations weren’t physical but rather the result of mana colliding and creating a resonating force.

The Explosive Circuit of the Fonte family was a technique that—

‘Uses the heart as an engine to detonate mana.’

The greater the explosion, the stronger the power.

With its chained bursts, the mana flow accelerated and grew more destructive over time, making it one of the most devastating techniques available.

Its unique characteristic was its increasing strength as battles progressed.

However, the downside was significant.

“Tsk, tsk. Not satisfied with breaking your fists, now you want to blow yourself up from the inside?”

“I’ll manage somehow,” I replied confidently.

Its safety was abysmal.

“Do you even know why the Fonte family was wiped out? Aside from the first family head, no one lived long enough to achieve greatness. The rest all blew themselves to bits.”

As the technique’s power grew, so did the backlash.

Each advancement increased the strain, essentially strapping a rider onto an unregulated engine.

Still, the Fonte family had found ways to cope.

“The last practitioner advanced the Explosive Circuit to 7 Stars, but that was it. They couldn’t go further despite having the potential. It’s a technique that lures you higher, only to destroy you in the end.”

They had devised a desperate compromise: advancing only to the body’s limit and stopping there.

“Well, at least its power is 1–2 stars higher than other techniques of the same level,” I pointed out.

“And it’d better be! Otherwise, what would be the point of a technique that cripples you?”

The Bayerle family, with its immense influence in the South, ruled over a vast territory.

Its size was no exaggeration—practically a small kingdom.

This made sense, considering the Bayerle family had once been a kingdom in its own right.

In the distant past, they had conquered and expanded until they were absorbed into the Empire, resulting in their current form.

No wonder the central government kept a close eye on them.

To the Empire, the Bayerle family was an outsider—an immensely powerful and potentially dangerous one.

This was why the family had lost its position as Margrave of the South and, despite their might and fame, remained Counts instead of ascending to higher noble ranks.

At the same time—

‘It’s also one of the reasons they betray the Empire later.’

For now, the central government’s oversight wasn’t overly oppressive.

I used my training time to confirm where I was in the timeline compared to the game’s storyline.

The result:

‘Two years before the game officially begins.’

We were still in the prologue phase, two years before Season 1.

The Bayerle family’s betrayal of the Empire would happen five years from now, near the end of Season 3.

“So, the game begins in two years. I need to solidify my build by then.”

If I could start differently, I’d have a tremendous advantage.

In the game, if you had the stats of a mid-level character at the start, you were already ahead of the curve.

The Harmony of the Five Elements and Elemental Mastery—I needed at least these two skills. Without them, I couldn’t use high-tier techniques.

Of course, I couldn’t gather everything, but my first priority was ensuring I could use Smash without breaking my wrists.

Thankfully, there was a skill called Diamond Parts that could be obtained in Aiselon. I planned to acquire that first, then—

‘I’ll need to raise my good alignment.’

The boss of Season 1 had an evil alignment, so good-aligned skills were essential.

Though I still had two years, alignment didn’t change overnight. I needed to start earning goodwill now.

After much consideration, I had also decided—

‘I can’t let the Bayerle family become traitors.’

A stable family was more advantageous to me. Betraying demons was one thing, but betraying the Empire would require influence in the capital.

If the family was branded as traitors, the hurdles would be too high.

With my goals clarified, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

Since being thrown into this strange world, I’d been overwhelmed. Now that I had a clear direction, I felt a sense of relief.

Swoosh.

I sipped a warm drink, observing my surroundings.

Night had fully fallen.

For the first time since arriving in this world, I ventured outside.

I was in Aiselon, a satellite city near the fortress town of Wolf’s Cradle, where the family head, relatives, and key figures resided.

It was an unfamiliar yet oddly nostalgic place.

Honestly, it felt like I was on an overseas trip.

The streets were lined with food stalls. Though autumn was settling in, the night breeze was still warm.

People in light clothing sat at outdoor tables, drinking and singing, adding to the lively atmosphere.

“Ha! I told you! That guy’s all bark and no bite. One glare, and he folded right up!”

“Maybe he just thought your face was too ugly to deal with?”

“What’s wrong with my face?! I look ruggedly handsome!”

“Well, maybe lose the beard first, my friend.”

Drunken laughter filled the air.

But where there was light, there was also shadow. In the quieter corners—

“What are you staring at? Mind your business.”

“Hey there, handsome! Wanna have some fun?”

Thugs and half-dressed women beckoned to passersby.

Wolf’s Cradle, being a military stronghold, lacked entertainment districts or gambling dens. Such establishments thrived in satellite cities like Aiselon.

The Bayerle family knew of these places but left them alone. Soldiers and knights needed places to blow off steam, after all.

Even shady activities were tolerated as long as they paid their taxes.

‘Skip taxes, and you’re done for.’

No one dared operate covertly in the Bayerle family’s territory.

Even the alleyway gangs and organizations knew better. Most even paid extra as hush money, grateful for the leniency.

I had a specific reason for wandering into these shady areas.

The people I needed to find belonged to an alleyway gang.

The moon hung high in the sky, marking the appointed time.

‘It’s time.’

I left a coin beneath my empty glass and rose from my seat.

“Hey, kid! It’s dangerous to be out alone at this hour!”

“Where are your parents?”

“You’re no beggar, so if you’re lost, sit with us. No creep will bother you while we’re here! Haha!”

Some men drinking nearby called out to me.

Their concern was genuine. This world wasn’t safe for a child to wander alone at night.

“My house is close by. Thank you,” I replied.

“Well-mannered kid. I like that.”

I bowed slightly, earning chuckles from the group.

If they knew whose child I was, things might have gone differently.

Smiling faintly, I headed toward the alleys.

“Pickles and Bacon,” I muttered, passing by a hilariously named eatery and entering a narrow alleyway.

The atmosphere changed instantly. The main street’s vibrancy was replaced by silence.

Trash littered the ground, and foul odors filled the air, prompting me to click my tongue in disgust.

Soon, three hooded figures appeared before me.

Their shabby clothes and rotten teeth marked them as thugs. They eyed me with sneers.

“What’s this, then?”

“A kid? No fear, huh?”

Ignoring their taunts, I stretched my hands.

In Aiselon, an event triggered in this exact alley: the Three Rat Brothers Hunt.

“That’s right. I think the event name was Catching the Rat Brothers, wasn’t it?”

The thugs’ expressions twisted into scowls at my words.