Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: Wandering Steps (2)
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Not only do they refuse to let go, they obsess over keeping the Players under their control.
What is the true nature of that behavior?
Can we say it's not just a desperate flailing to avoid losing influence to some new emerging force?
It's packaging their own selfish desires as some grand cause.
'And yet they talk to me like I'm some traitor selling out the country.'
Whether it's these guys or those, their self-justification is an art form.
'Well, I'm not planning to pick apart every little thing and have a conversation about it now.'
Doesn't seem like I have the right to do that anyway.
So I decided to go the easy route: grab one embarrassing weakness and use it to pin them down.
After escaping the barrier, I passed by the silver badges I'd knocked out on my way into Brigadier General Kim Jong-hwa's residence.
'Time to head back.'
Before returning to Bihar, I stopped by a big mart and stocked up a mountain of snacks.
Next up was the subway station I'd told Choi Sung-woo about in advance.
Because there was something waiting for me in one of the storage lockers there.
Theory books and workbooks suited to Kim Yul's level of knowledge, as Yang Tae-ho had informed me.
'I told him to buy them while I was in China.'
Choi Sung-woo had faithfully carried out the errand.
Having gathered everything, I headed to a secluded spot and swept attribute mana around the books.
Just in case there were any electronic devices, to fry them.
The edges of the books got a bit singed as a result, but it wasn't a big deal.
With all the prep work done, I hesitated for a moment.
Honestly, I wanted to go see the twins.
But after some deliberation, my feet took me to the hospital instead.
'If I see them, I won't be able to tear myself away again.'
Better to suppress the longing for a while than leave with heavy steps.
It'd be more efficient for focusing on hunting and training in Bihar.
'Plus, I have something to give Kim Yul.'
Deciding not to delay any longer, I quickened my pace and retrieved the item from the locker.
[Companion of the Arch-Thief Owl]
• Classification: Relic
• Acquisition Difficulty: Unique
• Rank: ★★★★★★
• Description: A dagger that shared death with Owl, known to steal not just treasures but even human souls. The gaze of the Seven Gods, who watched his history with interest, imbues it with special power. This dagger, able to mimic Owl, steals the magic manifested before it and allows use whenever desired.
• Stealable Magic: 1/3
It was the dagger Kim Mu-won had been carrying—a permanent relic like the Kerax series.
'Relics are largely divided into three types.'
Multi-use ones with a limited number of activations.
'Once used up, the relic shatters and vanishes.'
Most fell into this category, like the handkerchief that squeezes out tears—effects so baffling you wonder what they're even for.
Next were recharge types, which require time before additional uses after activation.
'Mostly ones with built-in wide-area magic.'
Unlike magic stones that vanish after one use, these allow permanent use of specific spells.
The downside is the long cooldown, but even accounting for that, they were popular relics.
An interesting point: most came from heroes who shone on the battlefield.
Name a relic, and the Ain of that region all know the person.
'And finally, permanent relics that don't fit either of those.'
These have unique powers unlike standard magic, often with separate usage conditions on the relic itself.
The conditions are things like needing approval from a thought-form, or only stealing magic manifested right in front of you.
These permanent relics generally have high ranks.
'The Companion of Owl is a whopping 6-star.'
Kerax's Spear is 7-star after enhancement, so rank-wise, not a huge gap.
The effect isn't bad. No, it's excellent.
'Charging it with magic instead of mana.'
Free of attribute restrictions, and you can use up to three new spells even without knowing their formations.
'Honestly, more tempting than Kerax.'
Despite the enhancement effort, Kerax's Spear had been useless, while this dagger's conditions seemed far superior.
At first, I thought of keeping it, but I'd changed my mind.
Decide to give it to Kim Yul.
'Her SNS ID showed her birthday's coming up soon.'
Lately, Kim Yul's been repairing her dagger more frequently over the past few months.
She'd even switched weapons twice.
'Relics have higher durability than normal weapons.'
They withstand most impacts easily.
In fact, I'd never had to repair Kerax's Spear despite using it.
So I thought this might suit her.
Among the party, she was the only one without a relic weapon, and it bugged me oddly.
'If she feels left out, it'll be a headache.'
She acts like it doesn't bother her, but Kim Yul craves belonging more than you'd think.
Probably from some deficiency in her upbringing, I speculated.
'Definitely family issues.'
Of course, I hadn't pried deeply.
No confidence that I should get involved.
'Whatever it is, it's personal.'
She hadn't asked for help, so for now, I'd watch and wait.
Shaking off stray thoughts, I stowed the dagger in the locker.
'It's not my main anyway; better for Kim Yul.'
She'd started studying mana on her own recently, which was commendable, so a gift it was.
With my decision reaffirmed, I arrived at the hospital.
But I had to stop short of my destination.
“'We'll see about that'? The patient's not waking up, and that's all a doctor has to say?!”
“Eek! Sir, p-please calm down! Let go of that first...!”
A familiar voice rang out.
I hesitated briefly, glancing toward the source.
'In stealth mode, low risk of being spotted.'
I moved that way while chatting Kim Yul.
- K: In Bihar?
The reply came almost instantly.
- Kj: Yeah, dyeing my hair. Got inspired by hyung's head lololol
- K: Training?
- Kj: Sun's not up here yet? Finished yesterday's quota.
- K: Where's Tae-ho hyung-nim?
- Kj: On Earth? It's his regular checkup day. Why? Wanna tag along next time to check?
Right, his wife had her outpatient visit today.
- K: Don't do anything stupid.
- Kj: Aye aye~ But you done with stuff? When you coming?
- K: Soon
- Kj: Okok
Closing the chat with Kim Yul, I spotted Yang Tae-ho's back beyond it.
Baseball cap and mask hiding his face, but definitely him.
He was gripping the doctor's collar, fuming.
'The hospital for his surgery was here, huh.'
Not many places can do transplants.
This was a pretty famous university hospital in Seoul, so nothing strange.
Feeling how small Korea was, I messaged Yang Tae-ho.
- K: Hyung-nim, heading back soon. Need anything?
Yang Tae-ho, mid-harangue, suddenly flinched, body trembling as he stopped.
Moments later, eyes squeezed shut, he released the doctor.
As the doctor bolted away, a reply arrived.
- Pudding: Came to Earth for wife's outpatient. I got it handled, no need to worry.
Mentions the visit, but nothing more.
Pry? Or play dumb?
While I pondered, another message came.
- Pudding: Joining hunt schedule tomorrow if you return today?
Glancing between his chats, I replied briefly.
- K: Yes.
- Pudding: Got it. I'll return on time too, see ya later.
My eyes narrowed instinctively.
'Didn't he say his wife collapsed?'
Yet planning to return tomorrow?
'Thought he and his wife were super close...'
A surging unease left me speechless.
Because of Yang Tae-ho's answers not adding up?
Instead of confronting, I stayed hidden, observing him.
In that time, he briefly lowered his mask and rubbed his dry face roughly.
My gaze fixated stubbornly on the scar at his mouth.
'No word on anything yet.'
Failed to meet Gillenios? Met but keeping quiet?
Related to hiding his wife's collapse yet planning return?
Thoughts chained endlessly.
Meanwhile, he entered the ER right beside him.
After brief hesitation, I tailed him.
Wandering the complex halls, glancing around briefly.
Unlike usual, Yang Tae-ho's shoulders slumped downward.
Beyond them, a shockingly gaunt arm and shoulder, jawline hidden by hair—my steps halted automatically.
'...Not like this.'
Sneaking around to position for striking his family anytime wasn't polite.
At least, not in my book.
If another Player approached my family like this, I'd treat them as enemy regardless of reason.
So I slipped out of the hospital, heading to a walking path.
Scouting CCTV angles, finding a blind spot was easy.
From a locker corner there, I pulled out a baseball cap and mask, donning them.
Removed the magic tool always in my ear.
The overly familiar white guise gave way to my slightly strange true appearance.
The difference from before: red-dyed hair.
Only then did I drop stealth and re-enter the hospital.
Pushing the cap lower, I consciously hunched my shoulders and slouched.
'Never thought I'd use this here.'
Originally prepped for parting with Lily's group, in case of warning them.
If a moment came where unfavorable records might stick to me.
Focus eyes on the red hair to distance from K and Kang Hyun-woo.
I'd practiced gait and posture in mirrors for it.
Result: a convincingly stooped stance.
'Thought Lily's shift made it useless.'
Practice wasn't entirely wasted.
'Even if spotted with Yang Tae-ho here, they won't suspect I'm K.'
Even suspecting K, reaching Kang Hyun-woo is impossible.
I'd checked multiple times—no connecting dots.
Back in the ER, I approached with deliberate heavy steps.
Yang Tae-ho, slumped, reacted soon enough.
Tension coiled, ready to grab whoever approached from behind.
Hadn't turned yet, but aware of my presence.
Seeing that, a chuckle escaped me.
'If he planned to brush it off casually, he'd have barked already.'
No need to push.
Approaching him openly like this, that reaction was appropriate.
Anything less, and he wouldn't qualify as my party member.
"Hyung-nim."
I called out before getting too close.
He whipped around, eyes widening hugely.
I gave him a moment to process before speaking again.
"May I come closer?"
"Y-yeah, yeah. Come on over here. Whew, feels different seeing your face like this."
I stepped beside the bed and said,
"Don't misunderstand first. I had business here too."
No need to mention my gate entrance was here.
"Hospitals are open to anyone anyway."
Yang Tae-ho smiled awkwardly, spreading then relaxing his hands.
Then, peeking at me from under his cap, he cleared his throat.
"That message earlier, were you testing me?"
"...Saw you in front of the ER. Sorry if it bothered you."
"Sheesh, well... apology accepted. I know your personality. Showing your face means you considered me."
The mild-mannered, conflict-averse Yang Tae-ho I knew.
No trace of the fiery doctor-grabber from before.
Of course, I understood that side too.
'Family sick, and he's fine? That'd be the weird part.'
I lowered my gaze to the woman on the bed.
Never imagined seeing Yang Tae-ho's family like this.
Gaunt frame, yellowed skin, sunken eye sockets.
Taking in her evident illness complicated my mind further.
To sort it, I held my words briefly.
Meanwhile, Yang Tae-ho let out a long sigh and began his tale.
"After the miscarriage, her health took a real hit, you know."
Damn System