Author Of Worlds: I Reincarnated Into My Novel As A Random Character
Chapter 12: I Am The Most Suitable For This Path Of Bloodshed

Chapter 12: I Am The Most Suitable For This Path Of Bloodshed

Matthew, who was standing nearby, acted as though he hadn’t heard Jin.

With the way things were progressing, it was highly likely Jin would kill the others soon, and then come for him.

Joining them in fighting that madman would be useless. It would only backfire.

Many thoughts raced through Matthew’s mind before he ultimately decided to go along with his risky plan.

Although there was a chance things could go wrong, following through with it would still give him the highest chance of survival.

He sat down carefully, right beside the terrifying shadow that had previously fused with the man from earlier. With narrowed eyes, Matthew watched as the battle unfolded.

After slaying the tall woman with the synth, Jin brandished the weapon and slashed at the man standing before him.

It was clear he was skilled with the synth, perhaps even more so than he had been with the dagger.

Matthew noted that from the start of the battle, Jin’s movements remained smooth and unhindered. Even while wielding the synth, he showed no signs of being slowed down.

In fact, his lethality had increased significantly. Compared to when he had used the dagger, his kill rate had nearly doubled.

In the blink of an eye, more than five people were injured, their limbs severed cleanly.

Jin had predicted that once he eliminated them, and then Matthew, he could destroy the Decay Heart and claim victory.

Because of this, he didn’t hesitate to leave his opponents barely alive.

Though they would still survive for a time, they wouldn’t live long, wouldn’t be able to stop him from completing the trial, and certainly couldn’t spread the corruption any further.

After crippling those five, only a few remained.

With swift, fluid movements, Jin crippled them too.

He exhaled heavily, trembling from the excitement coursing through him.

Then he looked around, scanning the area for any remaining figures. It didn’t take long before he spotted someone not too far away.

Matthew.

Jin narrowed his eyes as he registered the familiar presence.

Dragging the synth behind him, Jin slowly made his way toward Matthew, his body clearly exhausted.

The synth scraped against the cold, hard floor, producing a grating metallic sound that echoed through the space.

Matthew felt his heart clench painfully. He had only transmigrated into his own novel a day ago, and already he was facing a life-or-death crisis.

Is this how my protagonists felt during every Chapter of the story? Matthew thought with a deep frown, though he forced himself to remain composed.

He exhaled slowly, releasing a mouthful of stale air. He didn’t stand up.

Instead, he sat still and continued watching as Jin approached.

Within a few strides, Jin finally reached him.

Grinning wildly, Jin said, "We meet again, friend."

Matthew was filled with a strange, uneasy emotion.

Oddly enough, he felt compelled to engage the man in front of him.

"Although I expected we’d meet again, I didn’t think it would be under circumstances like this," Matthew replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Jin looked at Matthew briefly, then turned to glance at the shadow beside him, his brows furrowing.

"Looks like you’ve got a way out of this predicament, don’t you?" he asked, raising one eyebrow.

Matthew remained unbothered by his piercing gaze. He nodded.

"I do have a way to escape this situation. Hand me the Decay Heart, and I’ll help you leave this dream dimension safely."

His tone was inviting, but he was bluffing.

He had no real method to get out safely.

He simply didn’t want to go all the way, and was hoping to pass the trial without revealing his intentions to Jin.

But from the side, Jin sneered.

He might have believed a portion of what Matthew said, but he certainly didn’t trust him completely.

"Do you really think I came to this trial world just to leave empty-handed?" Jin asked coldly.

"I’ve killed so many people. My hands are soaked in blood. Do you really think I’d do all that just to return to a powerless life?"

Jin let out a twisted laugh, then continued, "Think again, young man. I’m already too far gone. I am the most suitable for this path of bloodshed."

His sharp gaze scanned Matthew.

"Looking at you, I’d guess you haven’t taken a life before. You think it’s easy, don’t you? If you want power, you have to be willing to walk the path of slaughter."

"Are you willing to forsake your humanity just to prolong your existence?"

"To keep living, no matter the cost?"

Matthew fell silent.

These were questions he had considered from the moment he awoke in this world. But until now, he had pushed them aside.

He didn’t have an answer.

What justification could there possibly be for taking another person’s life?

Many thoughts clashed in Matthew’s mind. He wavered, unsure, as he stared at Jin.

Seeing his hesitation and silence, Jin smiled knowingly.

Just as he had expected. Matthew’s mind was easy to manipulate.

While Matthew was still coming to terms with the idea of killing someone, Jin began moving again.

At first, his pace was slow, almost casual.

But noticing that Matthew hadn’t realized what was happening, Jin suddenly lunged forward.

It was only then that Matthew snapped out of his daze and saw Jin closing the distance between them.

What? He was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Jin to attack so suddenly, especially not while he was distracted.

Panic flooded him and he instinctively raised his arms in a feeble attempt to block the incoming synth.

But how could his bare flesh withstand such a powerful strike?

Jin had poured all his energy into it.

In an instant, Matthew’s arms were severed.

He was now armless.

His eyes widened in horror as the shock settled in.

For the first time, he truly felt fear... The raw, paralyzing fear of death.

As his body trembled and his emotions broke loose, the shadow behind him began to writhe, shifting and morphing wildly.

The monstrous form split apart, as though awakening from slumber.

And because Matthew was so close, the creature’s attention turned directly to him. I

t raised one massive limb to crush him.

Matthew’s thoughts were muddled by pain and fear.

He couldn’t think clearly.

The only thought that screamed in his mind was—

I can’t die. I have to live.

But... why do I fight so hard against death?