Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 010
Chapter Title: Goal, Nobel Peace Prize
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1.
Good thing I pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Fortunately, the save point hadn't updated.
The two choices that had popped up right before death.
[ 1. Kisara Resistance ]
[ 2. Paradise Management Bureau ]
I pondered it over, but I had no clue what they meant.
No idea why they'd appeared in that context, either.
Anything I don't get, I'll skip for now.
Plenty of other things to think about anyway.
“……Mmph!!! Mmm…?! Mmph…! Mmph…?”
While sharing an intense reunion kiss with Arbel and dropping into Necropolis.
I reflected on the wildly eventful 4th run.
Let's start with the quantitative gains.
+57 pt including the final challenge completion.
Achieved the feat 「Selective Death」.
Additionally, reached 'High' understanding of death.
Not bad.
Didn't earn as many points as the 3rd run, but I got a relic gacha ticket instead.
But what's this 'understanding of death'?
It popped up occasionally before, but nothing's changed so far.
“Hmm.”
Anything I don't get this time, skip it quick.
This run's real haul was the info farming—did an insane job of it.
In this shit world, 'not knowing means you die' traps are everywhere.
No joke— you'd need multiple lives and still come up short.
“My death constant, Kisara Yagyu.”
No clue what the Paradise Management Bureau is or what an Enforcer is.
But Kisara's way over-specced for a phase 1 boss.
Put simply.
“If we meet, I'm definitely dead.”
By genre conventions, she's not a boss meant to be beaten.
Get strong enough in 16 days to cut her throat?
Easier to cram no-base 16-day prep for college entrance and get into Seoul National University.
My only lifeline is Ceres, but...
No matter how I think about it, Ceres won't fight that woman for me.
In fact, she followed me toward E Sector and didn't help rescue Arbel.
Even though it would've been easy for her.
All that favor I'd built up? Sounds like I was just her cherished pet dildo or something.
Anyway.
This utterly vile bitch has two summon triggers.
One's the well-known: touching Universal Currency.
The other's a bit long-winded...
Oh no! Those bad guys launched the evil Project Z? Can't forgive that in the name of justice!
Enforcer Kisara, who ignores the mascot director's pleas, makes a super super rare appearance in Necropolis!
Villain purge!
Oh? Found Sedric in the shitter too!
Yay, side gig! You're purged too!
That's the batshit process that kills me.
Hide anywhere—once Kisara shows in Necropolis, it's instant Kisara delivery.
“The shit was dumped by Twilight Resource Development, so why splash on innocent me...”
To dodge this: leave Necropolis before 5 AM on day 16.
Or block Project Z somehow to cut off Kisara at the source.
“Haa............”
I'm usually a positive guy who doesn't lose hope easily.
But this is hard to swallow.
Why do I have to save the neighbors?
Those bastards who stabbed me in the side thinking of grilled intestines for dinner...
There is one way to solve this a bit easier.
“Reverse bunny Arbel... give her up?”
Necropolis first run, back when I didn't know about regression.
I sold Arbel's corpse and got Universal Currency.
I was desperate too.
Didn't expect to come back to life.
After reviving, I felt guilty inside and went all-out to save Arbel.
Of course, wanted to see her in the bunny girl outfit too. Arbel's seriously pretty.
But the result?
Got sliced to death by the crazy samurai bitch.
Died as Sedric stew to Akito and Arong.
Shot myself with a pistol.
Isn't that enough duty as a human?
Only 2 barrier talismans left now.
Death penalties range from trivial shit like resilient nails to hopeless ones like TS beam or One-Armed.
If I try saving Arbel too and end up with nothing but stacked penalties?
One-Armed, cripple, blind, kidney stones, alopecia, resilient nails, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, impacted wisdom teeth Sedric?
The more I die, the more pathetic 16-day survival Sedric becomes.
Humans become adults by taking responsibility for their own lives independently and with maturity.
And Kapuer becomes an adult when he sells his car.
I'm becoming an adult by giving up on Arbel.
The moment I tried erasing that inner choice.
'...Sedric.'
'I hate you.... Someone like you...'
Arbel's final look last run.
Even though she could've bitten my throat, she didn't.
And her lips that touched then pulled away from my nape.
“This cunning bitch planned this far.”
Knew she'd pull something like this.
Her face screamed man-eater from the start.
“Fuck! Fine! I'll save you! Put you in the bunny girl outfit!”
I steeled my resolve.
Save Arbel.
Definitely make her wear reverse bunny full-body stockings.
Eat apple mango bingsu together at Aden's top resort.
“Status window!”
《Joker Random Box》
- 1 draw: 30pt
- Consumable item that can become a powerful variable.
- Try getting that one card to shake fate.
Owned points: exactly 60pt.
Perfect for exactly 2 draws.
“I believe.”
More desperate than ever.
My heart burns with will hotter than a furnace and indomitable spirit.
-Duduk! Dududuk!
Please red. No, at least R blue.
Or SSR—hasn't come back since? We haven't seen your face once!
Contrary to expectations, result was white, C-grade.
I scowled.
“Ugh, don't even wanna look.”
Not curious what's inside.
Wasn't this the spot for a dramatic event?
I psyched myself up! Take back my resolve? Ditch Arbel?
「Sudden Festival」
- Grade: C
- Description: An unexpected festival that steals everyone's gaze.
- Effect: For 3 minutes above the sky you designate, a flashy massive fireworks show plays.
- Note: One-time use. Very pretty.
“Wow, great. 'Very pretty'? You fucking punk?”
Unboxing result was predictably meh.
Jokers need at least UC grade to be useful—anything less is worthless.
Drop status window and mind games, next gacha quick.
“Draw.”
-Dududuk! Dududuk!
Points left: perfectly 0pt.
All-in on this final draw.
Blue effect, R grade.
Sucks it's not SR, but this'll do...
「Mysterious Contract Stamp」
- Grade: R
- Description: Promise with the world, or break a promise.
- Effect: Can form new covenant or break existing one.
- Note: Usable on others too. Remaining uses: 2.
“Power-up event?!”
Prepped on covenants.
Self-binding contracts via taboos, rules, oaths—the world grants power proportional to their weight.
Name's grandiose, right?
Sedric's express power-up event, relying only on heroes?
I immediately raised the contract stamp.
“Covenant! I wanna make a covenant!”
Status window said.
[Do not meet qualifications]
“......”
Oh, right.
Covenants are for 1st Rank Mages and above.
Mid-value-up Joker—means nothing if you're worthless.
“Fucking stone-cold.”
As I tried shoving the two Jokers into inventory, one thing popped up.
The alert when I monocled Ceres.
1) Ceres Casian researched breaking 'covenants' 2 days ago.
2) Ceres Casian tossed all her high-heeled dress room shoes 14 days ago.
3) Ceres Casian leaked Twilight Resource Development's 'Project Z' (Necropolis biochemical weapon dispersal, est. 250k deaths) to Overnus Pharma 28 days ago.
From 1, Ceres was trying to break her covenant.
So, maybe this Mysterious Contract Stamp helps?
“Hmm....”
Put it on hold for now.
Still got one relic draw left.
Relics are rare— even UC Laplace's Eye has solid utility.
Decide next moves after this.
[Starting relic draw]
“Comeback life-reversal national treasury raid gazua!!!!!”
-Duduk! Kuku-duduk! Duduk!
O! Luminous red light!
SR like a sturdy stomach!
I hurriedly checked the contents.
It was a candle on a ornate golden candlestick.
Wax had melted halfway down and hardened around the base.
“SR as expected! Looks fucking baller!”
「Blazing Life」
- Grade: SR
- Trait: Sacrifice lifespan for powerful strength for 3 minutes.
- Sub-trait: Prevents 1 instance of combat incapacity, allows combat continuation.
- Note: Strength proportional to sacrificed lifespan. Irrevocable.
“Epic.”
Lets me use a life-burning ultimate...
Hits a man's heart.
Objective rating... not bad right now.
Lifespan? Of course precious.
My dream: live to 100, sweep casino all-in, die of heart attack.
But if I escape Necropolis, croaking at 80 from stroke is fine.
Sub-trait combat incapacity prevention and continuation? Nice.
In boxing, when willpower's there but body fails—this prevents that.
“Even rotten, it's SR.”
Irrevocable's a hitch, but...
Picky with hot or cold water now? Shoved it straight into relic showcase era.
Good.
Gacha done.
Current Jokers in hand...
Barrier Talisman (2/5), Mysterious Contract Stamp (2/2), Grave-Digging Monocle (1/3), Trivial Indulgence, Vanished Receipt, The Abyss Hotel, Suite Stay Voucher, Polite Speech Coupon, Sudden Festival.
Pretty stocked.
Goal for this 5th run.
“Help Ceres granny block Project Z and win the Nobel Peace Prize.”
No time for overthinking.
One goal's enough.
2.
Normally, I'd start by hunting thugs in the slums, killing Akito and Arong, taking over the fixer agency.
But not this time.
When did I ever follow the main route?
Already dying for time as is.
Right after gacha, headed to Ceres granny's rowhouse.
Knew the hidden key spot, so boldly snuck into the garage linked to her private elevator.
Hadn't waited long when Ceres stepped out of the limousine.
My plan was clear.
Deal with Ceres.
She was trying to block Project Z from the start.
Our goals align.
“Hmm? How'd you get in here?”
Auto-lights flicked on, and Ceres raised her brows in surprise.
Like she never expected a madman breaking into a mage's home.
“Picked the lock with the key.”
I didn't avert my eyes.
Locked gazes with her, fully confident.
This arrogant, dogmatic, paranoid Ceres likes this attitude.
“Interesting kid.”
I took a deep breath inside.
Good.
First, offer to remove the 'covenant' she's trying to break as negotiation bait.
If that flops, bring up Project Z directly.
Even mention Eiming from Hyun Gwi Clan—who she leaked to—already betrayed her.
Worst case, use 'Trivial Indulgence' to say sorry...! and bolt.
“Truly intriguing.”
Arms crossed, she approached with interest, leaning in to meet my eyes.
“Thank you...”
“Shh, stay quiet.”
Ceres reached a hand toward my eye.
She gonna pluck it out for my cheek?
PTSD kicking in.
I didn't flinch, and her hand caressed my face like appraising a sculpture.
“Ahahaha.”
Then Ceres burst out laughing.
“You're loved by death.”
What?
“Wanna work under me?”
This was unscripted.