How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead - Chapter 17.2
Iann’s shimmering silver hair was suddenly drenched in green goo. His eyes flipped as fury overtook him, and he instinctively began chanting his spell. The creature’s spit had inadvertently jolted him into a half-awakened state. Magic circles lit up beneath the monster, to its sides, and even above it. A violent gale roared, followed by the crashing sound of destruction.
Kyaaah!
The monster, letting out one final screech, collapsed with a thunderous crash, spewing an oddly crimson liquid everywhere.
“Aaah!”
As the massive creature fell toward him, Iann teleported in an instant to where Derrick and Yuhwa stood. This was why he had tried so desperately to use fire magic!
Getting hit by the creature’s spit left Iann with only one thought: it had to die, no matter what. In his rage, he had unleashed a powerful wind spell instead of fire. The result? Iann was now thoroughly coated in sticky green and crimson goo.
Seeing himself in such a state, Iann felt tears well up in his eyes. He tilted his head back, desperate for some semblance of comfort.
“Derriiick.”
“Stay back.”
“Yuhwaa~.”
“I can heal you from a distance with divine power.”
“You’re so cruel.”
Iann’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Well, he supposed he couldn’t blame them. If their positions were reversed and Derrick had approached him covered in monster goo, Iann would have dumped water on him first, then teleported him straight to the temple.
“This is all because we’re holding the hunt on Kallian’s lands. The place is cursed, I’m telling you.”
Shooing away those rushing toward him with concerned cries of “Lord Iann!” Iann waved them off irritably. He gestured toward the monster’s bisected corpse, prompting them to redirect their efforts there.
“Take care of yourself. I’m heading over there for now.”
“I’m fine. Go ahead.”
Derrick left to assist with managing the situation. Despite her earlier words, Yuhwa stayed close to Iann, practically glued to his side. A small, glowing orb of white light emerged from her hands and seeped into Iann’s wounds.
“Hey, isn’t this gross?”
Iann grumbled, his tone light with teasing. Yuhwa’s unusually stiff expression concerned him.
“You worked hard. I’m making an exception.”
Finally, Yuhwa’s face softened into a faint smile as she replied playfully. Iann felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He had expected only mid-tier monsters, as described in the novel. But these were high-tier monsters, far stronger than anticipated. Iann felt a pang of guilt. The mid-tier creatures in the novel could be defeated from a safe distance, without anyone getting hurt. He had assumed it would be fine.
Even so, he hadn’t left Yuhwa’s side, just in case. Yet now she had to use her divine powers because things had gone so wrong. He couldn’t help but blame himself. He had been too dismissive of the novel’s foreboding force, and now Yuhwa had been put in danger.
At least she didn’t face the same peril she did in the novel, Iann tried to console himself.
Bam!
Just as he found comfort in that thought, chaos erupted again. Iann swiftly grabbed Yuhwa and pulled her back, casting a protective barrier to block the incoming attack. This time, it was a mantis monster. It wasn’t as bad as the silverfish, but mantis monsters were still on Iann’s list of detestable creatures. Its eight razor-sharp forelegs and countless hexagonal eyes made his skin crawl, but Iann focused on shielding Yuhwa.
“Are you okay?”
“…Y-yes, I’m okay. Really, I am.”
Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the fear she tried so hard to suppress. Iann bit his lip, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She had been trying so hard to act unshaken, but it was clear she was terrified. It was only natural—facing creatures she’d never seen before, seeing people get hurt, and almost getting injured herself moments ago. The fact that she hadn’t already broken down in tears was commendable.
Iann’s self-reproach flared up again. You idiot. You knew this was a story, knew its power to force events. Yet you still treated it lightly and brought her here.
He reflected deeply, his regret palpable. And he made a vow.
‘I’m sorry, Yuhwa. From now on, I’ll support whatever you do. Especially when it comes to love.’
Even if that love involved Kallian, Yuhwa would remain his top priority.
Iann quickly recited the wind spell he had used to cleave the silverfish monster in half earlier. Ensuring Yuhwa’s safety was the priority, and wind magic was the fastest to cast in the snow-covered forest. He knew he would have to witness the creature’s grotesque insides again, that its foul fluids would likely splatter everywhere. But it was the least he could do for Yuhwa after putting her in danger.
As his spell neared completion, Iann half-turned toward Yuhwa.
“Yuhwa, I’ll teleport you to where Derrick is. You’ll be saf—”
Iann froze mid-sentence. There was another one. He could feel it clearly—an attack coming from behind. He could block it, but doing so would delay getting Yuhwa to safety. It was entirely his fault for not checking his surroundings. Iann resigned himself to the consequences.
Just take the hit.
It all happened in an instant. Iann quickly made his decision and continued speaking.
“—e.”
“Iann!”
Boom!
The ground shook again. Expecting pain but hearing his name instead, Iann whipped around in surprise. And there he saw—
“Huh?”
Kallian.
K
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