Chapter 21: Backstab Crisis (II)

The viewers were devastated to realize that their hard work had led them to this hopeless ending.

-What was I doing for those 200 hours of gameplay?

-Huh…? Why am I crying?

-Bastards who claimed they were pros got one sad defeat LMAO

-Hey, is Purple going to show us the real ending now?

-It’s just one backstab after another!

-Isn’t this a full-blown backstab crisis?

-LMAOOOOOOOO

Naturally, the chat room was overflowing with shock.

“Ah…I should’ve tried out the previous route first.” Lee Kyungbok couldn’t hide his disappointment upon seeing the chat. If he had experienced the original ending beforehand, he too would have been equally stunned like the other viewers.

-It really is the multi-play route!

-???: But I came for the first playthrough?

-???: Well, I’m just too good… LOL

-Purple said it’s the original route

-I feel like we’re truly in another world now

The viewers perceived his statement as deceptive. Lee Kyungbok felt slightly wronged but didn’t think there was a need to clarify further.

After the video ended, he searched the room more thoroughly but found nothing else.

“It seems this footage covers everything. Then let’s proceed.”

Lee Kyungbok whispered softly and followed Sandra up the stairs.

A cut scene immediately followed.

John and Sandra emerged on the rooftop.

“John! Over there!”

Following Sandra’s pointing hand, they spotted military helicopters approaching from afar.

–Is this Rigendum finally showing up?

–The soldiers took their sweet time getting here.

–Is this the escape ending?

–But what about Sandra Arkham? What happened to the vaccine?

–It could be that extracting only Rigendum was just a ruse all along.

–Anything is possible with Sicasica.

–LMAO Sicasica LMAO

As viewers speculated on how the video might end, Lee Kyungbok sensed an ominous presence lurking below.

Considering it feels even darker than Overlord…this must truly be the final boss.

At that moment, something shot out from beneath them. With a loud bang, the projectile pierced through one of the military helicopters. Amidst trails of smoke, the chopper spun wildly before crashing into another building and exploding.

“What—what was that?”

“Huh?”

“What the hell just happened?”

“Is she the final boss?”

“Oh my goodness…!”

“What is this?!”

The viewers, John, and Sandra couldn’t hide their shock. Amidst the rising black smoke, a crimson figure emerged and effortlessly landed before them. Their eyes widened as they recognized who it was.

“…Jessica?!”

It was Jessica clad in a blood-soaked gown.

“How is this possible? I’m sure I killed her…!” exclaimed Sandra, incredulous at what she had witnessed despite being the one who fired the fatal shot.

Jessica sneered and spat out something from her mouth—a deformed bullet that hit the ground with a clunk.

“I knew it felt too easy to end.”

-Jessica drank the elixir too.

LOh man… So she was the final boss?!

The viewers immediately realized Jessica’s true identity.

“You foolish creatures chose the harder path.” The tone of her voice had completely changed as she looked down at them. Although physically shorter than Sandra and John, she began transforming before their eyes.

Her clothes ripped open to reveal gray skin, protruding bones, and hooklike appendages emerging from her back. Her appearance resembled that of the final boss, Overlord.

-Overlord but female?!

-Haha! I thought they were going against tradition, but here it is!

-So the ultimate boss of Bark series really is Overlord after all.

-ROFL even mutated, still a bagel tho

–Wow, that’s your type?

–Is this some kind of fan service for the Cica Clan?

–Lolz!

Jessica glared at them with her reddened eyes and declared, “I’ll take him for myself.”

“Shut up, you crazy bitch!” With Sandra’s outburst, control was returned to the hunters.

–Hah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Instantly throwing shade?

–Feels good, huh? Ha-ha-ha!

–Wh-whaaaat?!

–Sandra… I can’t stop shaking…

Lee Kyungbok panicked momentarily, but the viewers were delighted. He immediately started firing arrows to draw Jessica’s attention.

“I guess we have no choice but to defeat her while protecting Sandra.”

–Looks like it.

–Purple can totally do this!

–Go for the happy ending with Sandra!

–Not sure… This seems too hard even by human standards.

-Purple-wise, it might be easy?

-What is Purple-wise? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Unlike other boss battles, Sandra wasn’t isolated from the fight. Of course, Sandra was providing support fire, but her assistance had limited effectiveness. It indicated that the difficulty level had increased significantly. However, this wasn’t the only problem.

‘Her weakness keeps moving.’

Lee Kyungbok frowned deeply. Unlike the Overlord they previously defeated, Jessica’s core nucleus within her body was irregularly moving. It was undoubtedly due to her body transformation ability.

“Get back!” In the meantime, Sandra yelled while aiming for Jessica’s head. A hole appeared with the gunshot, and Jessica momentarily froze before starting to move again.

“Sandra!”

Lee Kyungbok swiftly targeted Jessica’s knees. As she stumbled, Sandra hastily retreated from her grasp.

“Whoa… That was close.”

“So dangerous!”

“This is why we need rocket launchers!”

“She has hidden tricks up her sleeve…”

“Even with rocket launchers, this would be insane difficulty.”

Viewers expressed their concern as they watched the two characters struggling. Unlike his usual proactive approach, Lee Kyungbok wasn’t taking any aggressive actions this time. This was because he hadn’t yet found a viable solution.

‘Even if I pinpoint and pierce its weak spot, it won’t matter if the vulnerability keeps moving.’

However, he didn’t give up. Instead, he calmly assessed the situation.

‘I can only do my best to contain it with the weapons currently available. We need more firepower.’

While restraining Jessica’s movements, Lee Kyungbok scanned his surroundings. The helipad was wide open with no structures nearby, but that made something stand out all the more clearly.

[JET FUEL]

The label on a red barrel indicated its contents: aviation fuel for helicopters, accompanied by a flame symbol warning of flammability.

That’s it! Lee Kyungbok’s eyes lit up.

Unfortunately, there appeared to be only one barrel, presumably as emergency backup, and he couldn’t tell how much fuel remained inside. Nonetheless, since there was a chance, he had to investigate. After blasting off Jessica’s head again with his shotgun, he bolted across the ground.

“Sandra!”

“Oh…!” Taken aback, Sandra caught the heavy object thrown her way—a golden shotgun held firmly in both hands.

Question marks flooded the chat window.

“Hang on just a bit longer!” he shouted as he leaped forward.

“You’re going to pass it off to Sandra?”

“Purple’s moral compass is broken…”

“A black-hearted corporation like Purple even here?”

By handing her the shotgun, Jessica’s attention would shift toward Sandra. It was akin to using her as bait, and understandably, viewers couldn’t comprehend his actions.

“I have enough control over my powers. I’ll assist from beside you.” Lee Kyungbok smiled dismissively at their concerns, but the audience remained uneasy.

-Purple has that killer smile again…

-Would he sacrifice the heroine if necessary…?

-What an inhumane approach!

-I never thought Purple could be so scary.

-I believe in Purple! He’ll take care of everything!

-Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Had this been any other streamer, viewers likely would’ve abandoned ship amidst the criticism. However, based on his past performance, they continued to trust him.

Soon, they realized what Lee Kyungbok was aiming for.

-LOL? Is that a fuel drum over there?

-I knew it LOL

-I couldn’t see it earlier because the camera moved too fast LOL

-Purple spotted it though?

-Let’s blow this place up!

The viewers could barely contain their excitement.

However…

“Huh?” Lee Kyungbok stared at the drum with wide eyes.

-Huh? It’s empty LOL

-Is this some kind of prank? LMAO

-Aw man, stop joking around LOL

-This stream is lit LOL

-Purple’s on fire! Wow, he’s really going all out.

Contrary to the lighthearted chat, Lee Kyungbok looked extremely serious as he lifted the drum effortlessly, clearly indicating how little fuel remained inside.

-Who’s in charge of refueling?!

-Emergency supplies should always be full!

-Rigendum is slacking again!

-What now? What now? What now?!

-Save Sandra, please T_T

—Make lunch, make lunch! Make lunch, make lunch!

The chat window was exploding with messages.

Lee Kyungbok’s eyes darted around quickly before he promptly toppled over the drum barrel and spilled its contents onto the ground. He then checked below while rolling away the empty container.

A bioengineered weapon on the loose along with zombie mercenaries.

Below this dizzying height lay a living hell.

This should do it.

Lee Kyungbok swiftly finished his task and stood up.

—What did you just do?

—I don’t know what’s going on!

—Don’t run! Face them head-on!

—Why isn’t she staggering? Why isn’t she staggering?!

—So chaotic! It’s so chaotic!

—Let’s use Purple’s strategy!

While some viewers still clung to hope, most anticipated defeat.

Lee Kyungbok’s actions proved those doubters wrong as he aimed his gun and fired at Jessica from behind, catching her off guard.

“Jessica!”

Both women turned toward Lee Kyungbok’s shout. Standing precariously on the edge of the rooftop, it was clear to all that one false move could send him plummeting down.

“If you don’t hurry, she’ll lose her viability!”

“John—ahhh!” As Jessica spun around, she struck Sandra with her hook by surprise. Then, she charged at Lee Kyungbok with terrifying speed.

Just a little longer…

Lee Kyungbok timed his shot perfectly, pulling the trigger just as Jessica crossed over the fuel he had spilled earlier. Sparks ignited the liquid, creating a sudden blaze, but Jessica casually stepped through the flames, reaching out for Kyungbok.

He fell backward without resistance.

-What if you reverse ‘sal’? What if you reverse ‘sal’?

-Quickly? Quickly? Quickly? Quickly?

-If this works, he’ll be legendary LOL

-Hold on tight! She’s falling!

-Dude? Is he playing around? Dude? Is he playing around?

-Wow LOL aiming for it

The chat window was utter chaos. Only a few viewers understood Lee Kyungbok’s plan and were impressed by it.

“Bye-bye.”

Lee Kyungbok stopped his descent. He had previously lodged a combat knife between some cracks in the wall, which he now gripped tightly. As Jessica followed closely behind him, he aimed his gun at her head.

With a loud bang, her skull exploded.

When Jessica’s head is damaged, she temporarily stops moving.

Under normal circumstances, she could have halted her fall using the grappling hook mechanism on her back, but Lee Kyungbok seized the brief moment to change the outcome.

Unable to overcome inertia, Jessica plummeted straight down. Before his combat knife snapped, Lee Kyungbok kicked off from the wall and grabbed onto the railing.

The viewers tried to comprehend this unbelievable situation.

-LUL? What? How did he do that?

-When did he stick it there?

-He placed it when looking down earlier LUL LUL LUL LUL

-Wow LUL Thought he was just distracting her but actually…

-Did he plan all that in such a short time?

-LP Without a rocket launcher, falling damage is key.

-Purple did it again!

[‘CapCompany_kor’ has sponsored you 100,000 won.]

[Wah… This sponsorship is purely out of admiration. Honestly, I thought clearing without a rocket launcher was impossible. The word ‘legend’ doesn’t even suffice.]

Then with the sponsorship, the chat window became a cauldron of excitement:

–Developer’s words about Legend being true? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

–Purple did it again!

–Is this human…? Then what am I?

–Breaking NewsT he Patent Office urgently announces that ‘Physical’ expression can only be used by Purple.

–Purple just ㅋㅋㅋㅋ does everything well ㅋ

–This isn’t possible gameplay! This isn’t possible gameplay!

–Breaking News Johnny Legend applies to change his name to ‘Johnny Purple’.

Meanwhile, Lee Kyungbok lightly regulated his breathing and looked down. Jessica, covered in blood, was trembling as she tried to recover her body.

“As you said yourself. Zombies like compatible factors.”

Jessica possessed a body with incomplete but still compatible factors. The swarm of bio-weapons experiments and zombies started tearing apart Jessica. It didn’t take long before the screen went dark, indicating Jessica’s certain death.

“Ah, now it seems to be the ending.”

Only the final part remained for the hidden route of Bio Crisis.