I Was Mistaken as the Novel’s Hidden Boss

"Stop lying." 

 

I never lied. 

 

"You think you are smart, huh? You think us humans cannot grasp your goal?" 

 

Oh please, tell me if you know my goal. I want to know. 

 

"Just so you know, we are already aware of your plan. Your acting has long been exposed, your plan has been uncovered. Acting clueless won't fool us anymore." 

 

What plan?? What acting??? Lady, are you delusional??? Have you checked in the hospital??

 

"But there's still one thing which baffled me."

 

Oh, finally. Can we hold a two way conversation now? 

 

"How can you use Koreans?" 

 

"..." 

 

"What? Cat got your tongue?" 

 

Siiiiggh. 

 

Even when I said nothing, her suspicion still rose. At this rate, communication is entirely out of the box. 

 

Bloody hell. Can someone talk in place of her?? I'm just frickin' tired of her antics man. Not a single of my word reached her. 

 

"Well, regardless, you won't escape from here. It's quite an experience to talk with a disaster class monster like you. Surprisingly, you adapt to our language quite fast. Not even an hour is needed for you to perfectly use korean." 

 

I wish I could shout 'BECAUSE I BORN AND LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY' but I could predict how they would react to my warcry. 

 

"Because you are a monster from Korea's red gate? Haha, you even had humor." 

 

Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. 

 

"I never killed a human—"

 

"Yet." 

 

"..." 

 

Right. Fine. Since when did I become a people pleaser anyway? If they are still delusional, I just need to back off and let them live in their own fantasy. Simply cutting them off is the best course of action here. I now understand how Sisyphus felt when he had to endlessly push that sphere stone upwards. Poor guy. 

 

On a side note, the attitude of this bitch threw me back to some unpleasant yet delightful memories. 

 

Back when I was still actively playing WOTF, there were a lot of discriminatory acts towards us non-humanoid players. 

 

In WOTF, there are lots and lots of character options. You could literally tailor almost any aspect of the avatar to your liking. The possibility is near-endless. But there are only two biological races you could choose. Humanoid, and non-humanoid. Those who still have a human face and four limbs are considered humanoid. 

 

Those who don't have human face characteristics and could add more limbs other than the four, are non-humanoid. In the non-humanoid community, my avatar is what you would call as 'Chimera'. Well, most non-humanoid players are Chimera. It was because the nature of the customization is unique. There is no rule. You could choose any part of a trait from a plethora of choices and build your own character like a lego. 

 

For example, I consist of 50% dragon, 30% predator, 10% mimic, and 20% specter. The threshold is 100%, but you could buy up to 50% additional traits. Based on your choice, you will then get racial skills, three for each person. [Body Morph], the skill I used to slightly adjust my vocal cord so I can speak korean, is one of them. 

 

Due to the nature of WOTF that is split between two main modes, there are basically two worlds in one game. One, story campaign mode. This is what the majority of us came for. And pvp mode, where all the psychopaths gather. Unlike the story mode which has rules and clear goals, the pvp server has no such things. I'm not exaggerating when I said that place is lawless. 

 

The campaign players that already reached the ending but still want to play the game, will be petrified by the cultural difference between pvp and campaign mode. Relaxation time? Enjoying the summer? Raise a farm? Haha, there is no such thing here. Get stronger, that's the rule and the law here. 

 

Magic, from Tier 1 to Tier 9, the higher the count, the more difficult it is to master. Then there are Martial Arts, Weapon Arts, base stat, special stat, skills, alchemy, and many more. There are numerous ways for players to get stronger. Just like the character creation, there are no set rules for this. You could master everything, from magic to martial arts, to alchemy. Create a magic to your liking, concoct an elixir with alchemy, creating your own movement technique. It's precisely because of this wide range of freedom, WOTF is loved by gamers worldwide. 

 

And due to the old age of the game, most veteran players did master lots of things. For me, I'm a hybrid between magic, martial arts, alchemy, and tank. However, my initial discipline is magic. If you ask what my speciality is, I would still answer magic. The reason why I pursue hybrid path is not because I want it, but because humanoid factions are all bitches. They would spawn kill us, actively hunting newbies 'fresh from the oven', and ambushing people anywhere and everywhere. 

 

I— no. We, the non-humanoid players, all mostly choose hybrids for the sake of our own survival. Even if I'm the 'artillery magician' type, I would be dead if they get close to me, so I have to learn martial arts. But the compatibility is terrible, so I maxed my dexterity and defense. Apparently, that's not enough, so I learn alchemy to create agility stat potion and to increase the choice of my playstyle.  

 

Unsurprisingly, our hybrid playstyle is compatible with non-humanoid characters. And so, we began our counter attack. It was quickly escalated to a great war between two races. 

 

I could still remember the shiver when we faced off in that vast plain. No strategy and just fight like a wild animal in heat. All millions of players worldwide, just die and respawn and run to the battlefield again. With no penalty when we die, it was truly a sight of madness. Chaotic and bloody. But it was incredibly fun. 

 

The event lasts for months, before we all just suddenly laugh in the midst of combat. 

 

It was at this time when I earned my alias, Lord of Cinder. 

 

Oh, and, there was a player that was facing me the most at that time. A blockhead and a professional chuunibyou, with severe delusional syndrome like that white haired girl. Even after the event, he would not stop harassing me, so everytime we see each other, there will be blood. 

 

Honestly it was annoying because he only goes for me, but in the end, I'm the one who misses him the most when I have to focus on my thesis. 

 

Haaahh, let's stop reminiscing. 

 

Now the implication is clear, there's no way me and humanity could reconcile. But, I feel like downright destruction and massacre is not the right answer. I'm also a human… 30 minutes ago. Even if I had a hunch that I probably won't feel guilty when I do the deed, my philosophy and mindset did not differ from when I was still human. 

 

I'm a pacifist. But that doesn't mean I would just let them kill me. I just don't want useless destruction. 

 

But at least I want to scare that bitch to death. Her overbearing attitude reminds me of that jerk professor. 

 

"Support, huh." Instantly, I changed my stance. Shedding the magician scent and equip the martial arts. I guess they knew it too, their gaze changed. They are wary. But that won't make any difference. 

 

"Do you think you could survive by the time they came?"

 

With that statement, I took one step. 

 

And I instantly appear in front of their tank. 

 

[Tengen Movement Technique, Land Stride]

 

"!"

 

The sudden escalation of the current situation left him agape and failed to quickly respond to my kick. I hit his left side, a little bit more powerful than I imagined because the poor guy was bouncing like a skip stone in the water. His body was thrown a bit farther than I calculated, but he's a tank, so he should be fine.

 

"WOYONG!" the woman, instead of responding to my assault or preparing to counter, foolishly shouted her colleague's name and took her eyes off me. 

 

That's a mistake, lady. 

 

[Void Constrain]. 

 

Immediately, her whole body got entangled with a pitch-black chain which also restrained her skills and magic. 

 

"What! Is! This!" Her face flustered, but instead of despair, she got incredibly mad instead. But even if you glare at me, you still can't use your power, miss. Instead of getting mad at me, why don't you got concerned for this little boy right here? 

 

Oh, and, I just realized this since we finally face each other this close but, damn, she's gorgeous. I bet she established the new beauty standard here. I mean, just look at that perfect head proportion, that pointy nose, and that small but juicy peachy lips. Must be easy for you, huh? Even with that shitty personality of yours, I bet men would still line themself for you. 

 

Ckckck, this is why this society is doomed. 

 

Done observing her face, I turn my head to face this magician that— oh? You're casting right now? Damn, brother. I need to evaluate my assessment of you. Quickly putting a distance between us, and start casting in front of your enemy when your legs are shaking like a vibrator, that's a good job, brother. And using the fastest spell to cast, no less. Damn. I'm sorry I called you a boy. You are definitely a man. 

 

I was going to incapacitate him with my racial skill, [Aura of Domination II, Despair], but I cannot leave this brave challenge unanswered. Therefore, I would show you a little reason why I am called the Lord of Cinder. 

 

Instantly, my hyper focused state let me see the world in slow mode. At this moment, I'm contemplating about what magic I should use. 

 

By the pattern of his circle, that's probably fifth tier magic. And the element is… earth? Ah, no. It's metal. Probably a projectile type of magic. Hmm, then, I should use that fifth tier fire magic. 

 

[Kagutsuchi Divine Arrow] 

 

From my finger, a fire blaze. I move another finger to stretch that to the back. My posture resembles an archer. The completion of my spell rapidly faster than his. If he's your average caster, they will be flustered and end up canceling their casting by accident. But I see no such things in him. I bet even if I fire this arrow, that man would still be casting until it's done. 

 

Heh. Inwardly, I was smirking. The indomitable human spirit rocks! 

 

"[Silver Spiral Lance]!" 

 

There you go. A magician disease of shouting every little spell they use. But strangely, it's not cringe today. Rather, I felt greatly moved. Is this perhaps a form of chivalry among magicians? Like how the knights will let the enemy know their names in a sacred duel? Then, I should repay the courtesy. 

 

"[Kagutsuchi Divine Arrow]." 

 

With my softly spoken word as a signal, both of us simultaneously unleashed our own spell. 

 

*FWISSHHH*

 

The supersonic speed of my spell leaves a trace of fire in its trail. While his is a wild wind and dusty track. Exactly a quarter of a second after the launch, both spells met in the air. 

 

*BAAAMMM* 

 

The collision created a big and intense explosion. My fire and his metals both vanished into particles, but it was evident that mine was a little bit superior. 

 

"Gaaahh!!" 

 

And he cannot entirely nullify the force my spell generates. His body, which was already weakened because of mana exhaustion, was propelled by the explosion. The damage is negligible, but he cannot sustain another bout. Even if his eyes still blazed with determination. 

 

"You!!! I will kill you!!" 

 

But it seems our lady here cannot grasp the situation and lashed out instead. Could you see? He's just exhausted. Well, if no medic were to tend him in 5 minutes he could potentially die, but in 5 minutes I would already be gone. 

 

… um, that tank is surely just unconscious, right? Yeah. Yeah, he must be. 

 

I rotate my body to face that woman again. But how shocked am I when I saw tears flowing from those blue-ish eyes. 

 

M-maybe my prank is too much? 

 

Just before I took a step to approach her, my perception caught three— no, four people advancing from various angles. The nearest, is from my east, the fire wall.

 

I turn my head facing in that direction where a sharp presence could be felt beyond that wall. If I have to rank them four, this presence is the most dangerous of them all. Although we are separated by the wall, I could feel the gaze. Just like how I stare into that person, they too, stare at me. 

 

*SWISH* 

 

Suddenly, a sharp energy shot towards me from beyond the fire wall. A rather familiar energy. 

 

From the silvery color, the sharpness, the shape resembling that of a crescent moon, I am sure this is the [Lunar Swordsmanship]. 

 

There are three [Crescent Moon]. The biggest are shots to me. And the other two towards the [Void Constrain]. Shattering it in just a second. 

 

I lift my right hand towards the incoming assassin blade right in my neck, and simultaneously cast three defensive spells in quick succession to stop the incoming Sword Aura. 

 

*CLINK*

 

The sound of metal meets metal reverberates into my ears. The assassin seems to be stunned, unaware of the fact that I already sensed him from miles away. But, the three [World Separator] shattered almost instantly after colliding with her Sword Aura. The assassin instantly vanished, leaving me with the incoming [Crescent Moon] to deal with. 

 

I raised my hand which was used to block the assassin, and silently cast a spell. 

 

[Agni's Cursed Touch]

 

The seventh tier spell works like a charm. The once intimidating Sword Aura instantly vanished, burning to ashes in my hands. It was just then, the wall came down as the duration had come to an end. 

 

And there, I see it. A masterpiece among masterpiece from God's creation. If that white haired lady is the new Korean beauty standard, then this silver haired woman hands down the Guinness world record of the most beautiful human currently alive. 

 

She's every human's type, for real. 

 

But it's a shame that she came here to take my life. Along with three of her teammates. One assassin defending the unconscious tank, one battle priest in my back, healing the magician and severing my escape route. One fire mage on the front, shielding the white haired lady. And finally, the silver haired beauty, practitioner of [Lunar Swordsmanship]. 

 

Damn. I wonder if they will believe me if I told the truth about my birth? 

 

Mmm. Yeah. Impossible. 

 

Then, shall we dip?