---
Chapter 16
Five Minutes of Survival
The corridor burned with heat.
Smoke filled the underground tunnel as pieces of shattered stone rolled across the floor.
Selene struggled to steady herself after the explosion.
Her ears rang loudly.
For several seconds she could barely hear anything.
But through the smoke…
She saw him.
her buyer.
Standing.
Barely.
His back pressed against the cracked stone wall, dust covering his clothes, blood trickling slowly down the side of his forehead.
Yet somehow…
He was smiling.
Behind the smoke, a shadow slowly stepped forward.
A tall man wearing dark robes.
Flames danced between his fingers like living creatures.
A mage.
And judging by the intensity of the spell he had just thrown—
Not a weak one.
"…Interesting," the mage murmured.
"You managed to escape this far."
Behind him, several armed mercenaries appeared from the corridor entrance.
Swords.
Axes.
Crossbows.
Their footsteps echoed like thunder inside the tunnel.
Alex wiped blood from his lip.
This is bad.
Really bad.
His body was weak.
He had only recently begun training.
And now he was facing trained killers.
Selene looked at him.
"…What do we do?"
Alex didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
A blue screen appeared in front of his eyes.
---
SYSTEM SHOP
Emergency Items Available
---
His gaze locked onto one option.
Overdrive Combat Potion
Effect: Temporarily enhances strength, speed, and reaction.
Duration: 5 minutes
Side Effect: Extreme physical damage after use.
Cost: 50,000 SC Coins
Alex blinked.
"…Fifty thousand?"
He almost laughed.
"I have three hundred."
The system responded calmly.
"Host may purchase using debt."
"…Debt?"
"Yes."
"Future SC earnings will automatically repay the balance."
Alex stared at the approaching enemies.
The mage was already raising his hand again.
Another fireball began forming.
"Well…"
Alex sighed.
"Looks like I'm going bankrupt."
"Purchase."
DING.
ITEM ACQUIRED
Debt: 47,000 SC Coins
---
A small glass vial appeared in his hand.
Without hesitation—
He drank it.
The effect was immediate.
Pain exploded through his veins.
It felt like molten iron was being poured into his muscles.
His heart slammed violently against his chest.
His vision sharpened.
Every sound became clearer.
Every movement slowed.
Alex clenched his fists.
"…Wow."
"Okay."
"That works."
Selene stared at him in shock.
The boy presence had changed.
Completely.
His eyes burned with dangerous focus.
The mage noticed it too.
"…What did you just drink?"
Alex cracked his neck.
"Medicine."
Then he reached into his coat pocket.
His fingers touched a small crystal.
A communication stone.
Every royal family member carried one.
If broken—
It would instantly alert nearby royal knights.
Alex looked at the stone.
Then crushed it.
Crack.
The crystal shattered in his hand.
Far above ground—
Royal guards suddenly froze.
One of them shouted.
"The prince's signal stone has been broken!"
"Move!"
Back underground—
Alex exhaled slowly.
Now I just need to survive.
Five minutes.
He looked at the enemies.
"Alright."
"Let's begin."
---
The first mercenary charged.
A heavy sword swung toward Alex's neck.
Normally, Alex would never react fast enough.
But now—
Everything felt slow.
He stepped sideways.
The blade missed him by centimeters.
Alex grabbed the man's wrist and twisted.
Crack.
Bone snapped.
Before the mercenary could scream—
Alex drove a dagger straight into his throat.
Blood sprayed across the stone floor.
The body collapsed instantly.
Silence filled the corridor.
The other mercenaries froze.
Selene stared at the corpse.
Her eyes widened.
That…
Had been the prince's first kill.
And he didn't even hesitate.
DING.
Shock Generated
Witness Shock Level: High
Reward: 3,000 SC Coins
The system spoke happily.
"Host has shocked everyone."
Alex muttered quietly.
"…Good."
"Keep counting."
The second mercenary attacked.
Then the third.
Alex moved like a shadow.
Punch.
Kick.
Slash.
The potion turned his fragile body into something terrifying.
One man lost his arm.
Another collapsed with a shattered jaw.
But every movement hurt.
His muscles screamed.
His bones felt like they might break.
Blood dripped from his fingers.
Selene's father whispered in disbelief.
"…He's a monster."
The mage raised his hand again.
"Enough."
Flames exploded down the corridor.
Alex jumped sideways.
The fireball blasted into the wall, sending stone fragments flying.
"You're stronger than expected," the mage said calmly.
"But you cannot win."
Alex grinned.
"I don't need to win."
"I just need time."
The mage frowned.
Then suddenly—
The ground trembled.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the underground halls.
The mage's eyes widened.
"…Knights."
Alex laughed.
"Told you."
The corridor behind the mercenaries exploded open.
Royal knights flooded inside.
Armor shining.
Swords drawn.
At their front stood Commander Roland Drake.
His voice thundered.
"Protect the prince!"
The battle erupted instantly.
Steel clashed.
Magic exploded.
The knights were elite warriors.
Within seconds, several mercenaries fell.
But the enemy was strong too.
Hidden fighters emerged from side tunnels.
Crossbow bolts flew through the air.
Alex collapsed against the wall, breathing heavily.
The potion's power was fading.
His body trembled violently.
Then suddenly—
A figure rushed past him.
"…Brother!"
Alex blinked.
"Elena?!"
His little sister had followed the knights.
Her face turned pale when she saw the blood covering him.
"You're hurt!"
"I'm fine," he said quickly.
But at that moment—
A mercenary broke through the knight line.
His sword raised high.
He lunged directly toward Alex.
Selene screamed.
"Look out!"
The blade descended.
Then—
Something happened.
The air froze.
A wave of pure magic exploded from Elena.
Her eyes glowed bright blue.
Wind spiraled around her like a storm.
The mercenary was lifted into the air.
Then slammed violently against the wall.
CRASH.
Everyone stopped.
Even the knights.
Commander Roland stared in shock.
"…Princess Elena."
"She awakened…"
Alex blinked.
"…Since when can she do that?"
Elena herself looked confused.
"I…"
"I don't know…"
Meanwhile—
The robed mage slowly stepped backward.
His eyes were calm.
Too calm.
"…Interesting."
"So the royal children themselves came."
He waved his hand.
A smoke bomb exploded.
When the smoke cleared—
He was gone.
Commander Roland cursed.
"He escaped."
Alex sighed.
"That guy must be VVIP3."
Selene stood quietly nearby.
Watching everything.
Watching the prince who fought like a madman.
Watching the sister who unleashed unexpected magic.
Watching the royal knights protecting them.
And for the first time—
Selene realized something terrifying.
She hadn't been purchased by an ordinary noble.
She had just stepped into the center of a storm.
Meanwhile Alex leaned against the wall, exhausted.
The potion's effect disappeared completely.
Pain flooded his body.
He groaned.
"…Next time…"
"…I'm charging extra for this."