Chapter 58: Useless Protagonist
A tattoo like the terrorist’s.
Could that really be just a coincidence?
’No. That’s impossible.’
Tattoo culture wasn’t common in the Empire. Sure, mercenaries sometimes got small markings or charms for luck, but even then, they were frowned upon—seen as something crude or rebellious.
So what were the odds that an academy student and a terrorist would have the exact same tattoo?
Close to zero.
’There has to be a connection between them.’
It wasn’t a suspicion anymore—it was a conviction forming in my gut.
But then, another thought tangled my reasoning.
If Lina really had ties to them... why would she protect me during the explosion? She could’ve easily left me to die. Instead, she shielded me, risking her own life.
And she wasn’t weak, either—she had taken down that ogre during the attack like it was nothing.
Could someone like that really be part of a terrorist group? Someone so... kind?
’None of this makes sense.’
My head was spinning, thoughts colliding with no answers in sight.
Before I could think further, the tension in the air snapped like a drawn bowstring.
"Step aside if you don’t want to die."
"I cannot do that!" Edmund’s voice was steady, but his stance tightened.
"Then I have no choice."
The man raised his arm—his tattoo glowing faintly blue—and muttered a cold incantation.
"Ice Spear."
A flash of mana erupted, and a massive spear of glimmering ice took form in front of him.
Then—
Whoosh!
"!"
Clang!
Edmund’s blade met the ice head-on, shards scattering like glass as he barely deflected the attack.
"Ugh...!" He gritted his teeth, bracing himself.
But the man wasn’t finished.
"Ice Arrow."
His voice was calm, almost casual, as dozens of translucent arrows appeared behind him—each one glinting dangerously under the light.
"An ice mage?"
Even after witnessing the sudden blast of cold air, Ed kept his composure, calmly analyzing the situation.
As expected of the protagonist.
He must be able to deal with this kind of magic easily.
Go, Edmund. Show us the power of a protagonist.
Finally—I was about to witness the power of a true overpowered, the kind of overwhelming main character I’d only ever seen in comics. My eyes sparkled with anticipation as I watched the battle unfold.
But then—
"...Gahk!!"
"...Huh?"
Contrary to every expectation I had, Edmund was struck head-on by a barrage of ice arrows and went down like a sack of potatoes.
No dramatic counterattack.
No clever comeback.
Just—collapse.
He hit the ground with a dull thud, completely motionless.
No way.
That... that couldn’t be right, could it?
He’s the protagonist.
My brain refused to accept what I was seeing. There was no way the main character could be taken down by a few low-tier spells. Even I could’ve dodged those.
"How could the protagonist fall so easily...?" I muttered, disbelief twisting in my chest.
"...Fuck."
"Oh my?" Lina, who was standing beside me, blinked in surprise at my outburst.
I couldn’t help it. The frustration just slipped out.
I must have overestimated him. Despite already experiencing how this world didn’t perfectly mirror the comics I remembered, I still expected the same old cliché—a powerful, overpowered hero who could turn the tide with a single move.
But apparently... reality had other plans.
’If he’s not a overpowered, then what’s the point?’ I thought bitterly.
A protagonist who wasn’t overpowered was just a pretty-faced extra pretending to be important.
And right now, Edmund looked less like a hero and more like a background character waiting to be rescued.
In short he’s useless.
Lina’s voice broke through my thoughts. "What are you going to do now?"
Her tone was calm, but her eyes were sharp.
Because after Edmund’s defeat, the battle had turned completely in favor of the terrorists.
The air was thick with frost and tension.
And for the first time, I realized something terrifying.
If the protagonist couldn’t save the day... then someone else would have to.
And unfortunately, that someone might be me.
The student council members guarding the door—where the princess was most likely being held—were starting to falter under the enemy’s relentless assault.
"Can you use that magic from earlier? The one you used on the ogre?" I asked, glancing at Lina.
She shook her head without hesitation. "Sorry. I don’t think I can."
Her tone was calm, but the answer made my stomach twist.
That blood magic of hers—strong enough to pierce an ogre’s heart—could turn this entire situation around. She should’ve still had enough energy, especially since she’d already absorbed my blood.
’So she does have power left... but she’s refusing to use it.’
Was she really siding with the enemy?
"Argh!!"
"Hold the line! Don’t let them through!"
The cries of the student council echoed through the hall as one after another began to fall. At this rate, the princess would be captured—and once that happened, there’d be no saving her.
But charging straight into enemy territory, with the tide already turned against us, would be suicide.
I needed another plan. Fast.
My eyes darted around the chaotic corridor, searching for anything—anything—that could help shift the balance.
And then, I saw it.
’Wait... is that...?’
Just a few meters away, lying beside an unconscious body—Edmund’s sword glinted faintly in the light.
My pulse quickened. That sword was no ordinary weapon. If I could get to it—
I turned back to Lina, my mind already racing.
"Alright, forget about offensive spells then. Can you use support magic?"
Her crimson eyes flickered briefly before she nodded. "...That’s possible."
"Then I’ll need your help."
"Leave it to me," she said simply.
So she wasn’t completely against me. Despite being aligned with the group trying to kidnap the princess, her goal must’ve been different. She couldn’t—or wouldn’t—attack them directly, but she was willing to lend me her strength indirectly.
’Fine,’ I thought. ’The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’
That was good enough for me.
"What kind of spell do you need?" she asked.
"Haste and Strength," I replied.
"Understood."
Haste to move faster. Strength to hit harder. Simple but effective.
Lina raised her hand, her fingers tracing unfamiliar sigils in the air as a faint red glow surrounded me.
"Haste."
Her voice was low but steady, and the magic washed over me like a rush of fire and wind. My muscles felt lighter, my blood hotter.
I shifted my stance, testing my balance, and my boots barely made a sound as I landed.
Perfect.
Now it was my turn to move.