Chapter 192: We Will Live On.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 192: We Will Live On.
The atmosphere in the clan was somber. I hadn't visited Ragia's grave since the first day. I knew my mind and heart were a tangled mess that I couldn't simply shake off, but I felt I had to try.
I hadn't left my tent for about two days, which was more than enough time to think. I began to review the information about myself, as I still hadn't fully confirmed how I'd changed since Ragia's death. For one, my race hadn't changed.
I had a feeling I'd evolved into a Highest-Grade Demon, or perhaps a special species based on one.
[ Highest-Grade Demon (8th Seat of the 8 Great Sins: Sorrow) - Weapon Specialist ]
[ This individual has inherited the power of the Eighth Seat of the Eight Primal Sins. Its appearance is borrowed from that of a Highest-Grade Demon. While this is literal, the nature of the power it holds is slightly different. This entity, also known as Despair, is a formless, mythical being spoken of only in legends. The power of Sin, granted only to a worthy individual, is still faint but will grow stronger over time. Magic power is greatly increased. ]
So, my race hadn't actually changed. Since there was no visible effect on my appearance, I was, for all intents and purposes, a Highest-Grade Demon. However, the power I now held was entirely different. It wasn't just that my magic had increased exponentially; I could feel an unknown energy swirling within me.
The description said my form was 'borrowed,' which made me think that even if I were to fully awaken this new power, it would remain separate from my race. I vaguely recalled hearing rumors that some humans, who were unable to change their race, had received special powers in addition to their class. I'd dismissed it as nonsense at the time, but now that it was happening to me, the feeling was strange.
I began to wonder if the Sword Saint, the Queen of the North, or even Great Tribe Leader Agar—beings who possessed power beyond the norm—had been augmented by a similar force. Of course, that might not be the case. In fact, it was more likely not, yet I found myself nodding unconsciously.
In other words, a third power, separate from race or class.
It could be a simple bonus, or perhaps a preparation for my next evolution, but either way, it seemed incredibly useful.
It wasn't that I was lacking in power anymore. I clenched my fist. It felt as though the higher I climbed, the more I could see. I had reached a level where anyone would have to acknowledge my strength.
My self-assessment was more or less complete. The items I'd taken from our enemies had long since been sorted and stored in the warehouse. The clan members were carrying on with their duties, each nursing their own sorrow. And since today happened to be the day of a meeting, I finally headed out of my tent.
As I stepped outside for the first time in days, everyone greeted me, and I nodded in return.
“Thank you. Kkik.”
A little farther on, I was greeted by Nicole's mother, Najin's wife. Young Nicole didn't seem to know that the human I'd brought back was her father's killer, but she seemed to grasp the gist of the situation, because her mother was offering me her sincere gratitude.
I gently stroked the short goblin mother's head.
“I only did what had to be done.”
And it was true.
I made my way down into the cellar, where groans of pain echoed in the darkness. Even before that, a foul stench assaulted my nose. It was a disgusting place—the new prison I'd had built to contain Park Hyeri.
Her limbs had been severed. Park Hyeri sat with her head bowed, grinding her teeth. Unable to bear the fact that she'd been abandoned by her 'older sister,' she muttered endlessly.
“Unni... Unni...”
Her mad rambling was quite a sight. The mere sight of her face made irritation surge through me, and I stomped on her. Only then did she seem to realize I was there. Park Hyeri shrieked.
“You... you! You son of a bitch...”
Her voice was thick with malice, but unfortunately, there was nothing she could do. She bared her teeth at me, but that was the extent of her power.
“Don't be so disappointed. I'll throw that bitch you call 'Unni' in here with you. Not that she'll give a damn about you, of course. Pathetic wretch.”
“You son of a bitch! I'll kill you! If it wasn't for you...”
It seemed she was trying to pin all the blame on me. All the better. It was far more amusing to have her resent me. As she kept talking, I kicked her in the mouth, sending her sprawling to the floor. There was nothing more to say. When I stepped outside, a familiar figure was waiting.
Lee Wanyong.
I had a feeling I knew what he wanted. Lee Wanyong never made direct requests. Instead, when he wanted something, he would make thorough preparations before approaching me.
It had been the same with managing the human slaves, and when he took the position of supervisor for various construction projects. He was clutching a bundle of leather scrolls covered in writing. When I gave him a cold look, Lee Wanyong nodded and spoke.
“What is it?”
“W-well... it's about... the underground prison...”
“You can take charge of it.”
I expected him to launch into a long explanation, but I figured I could trust him with it. No other words were necessary. Judging by his flushed face, he was more interested in the side benefits, but that was no concern of mine. However, I didn't forget to add one thing.
“Don't kill her. If she happens to die, you'll be the one taking her place in there.”
“Y-yes! I... I understand!”
The man nodded repeatedly, a faint smile playing on his lips. With Ragia's death, we were short on people to handle such tasks anyway. If he was willing to step up, it wasn't a bad thing.
As I walked, I considered the current state of the Blood Dagger Clan. The most urgent matter was to fill the position of chieftain.
Ragia hadn't been the strongest, but she was a competent leader.
She had managed the clan perfectly whenever I was away, and there were no internal disputes or incidents. It was no exaggeration to say she managed the entire clan like a living organism. She was level-headed and always viewed the clan with the clear perspective of a third party. It was only natural that there was no trouble.
“Hmm...”
The one who could achieve the most similar level of efficiency was, without a doubt, Hakajin. He was one of the few intelligent Green Skins and had assisted me brilliantly alongside Ragia. But he wasn't level-headed enough.
He was smart and knew how to embrace the entire clan, but he lacked the charisma to keep the members in line. He could be a great leader, but he wasn't cunning enough to unite so many strong-willed individuals.
Mev was also out. She was capable, but her current position as the clan's matron suited her best. If I were to make Mev the chieftain, there would have been no reason to remove her from the position during the previous incident. More importantly, considering what would happen after her child was born, she would need to focus on child-rearing, making the chieftain's role too demanding.
Orbo of the Shield was more dependable than anyone, but for the same reason as Hakajin, he wasn't cunning enough. Baek Ahyeon, who was just waiting for the day she could leave the clan for the human cities, was obviously out. The still-immature Goblin Three Sisters were also out of the question. If I entrusted the clan to them, it would descend into chaos, not stability.
In truth, I had two candidates in mind.
Jung Hayeon and Gark.
Jung Hayeon, who had been with me since the clan's earliest days, was qualified. As a former human, she was intelligent. Though a magician, her combat ability wasn't bad, and she had done much to contribute to the clan's development. Her dependency on me could be seen as a flaw, but she was capable.
The second was Gark. His dependency on me was also a flaw—this was precisely why Ragia's presence had been so important to the clan. Everyone was dependent on me. Gark and Hark were no different.
But Gark was strong. What I wanted to demand from him was responsibility. A sense of responsibility stronger than anyone else's. Hark was the same, but Gark had shown me more than I could have ever imagined. The role of chieftain would be no different. The clan would develop a different atmosphere than it had under Ragia, but I didn't think that would be a bad thing.
After running through it dozens of times in my head, the answer finally became clear. I walked toward the open ground at the center of the clan. As I had given them prior notice, the others were waiting for me, their eyes gleaming. Perhaps because they knew we had gathered to announce the selection of a new chieftain, their eyes were filled with tension. Amusingly, the Goblin Three Sisters looked particularly nervous.
“For Blood Dagger!”
The cheers began to ring out. We had already spoken enough about Ragia, so I didn't bring up any other stories. I simply looked at the stoic figures standing before me and slowly opened my mouth.
“The new chieftain is Gark.”
All eyes turned to Gark. The reason I chose Gark over Jung Hayeon was that Jung Hayeon had originally been human. Gark was a pure-blooded Green Skin. He understood them better than anyone, and the time he had spent with them was incredibly long.
He seemed a little surprised. Not just because he had become chieftain. He was startled that I had called his name.
The other Green Skins also looked a bit surprised. Gark stared at me, his mouth agape. He was worthy.
“This Gark will do his best.”
Gark placed a hand on his chest. This was different from battle. He would stumble often, go through much trial and error, and need a great deal of help.
“I'm counting on you.”
But he would not give up. I looked into Gark's eyes, which were as deep and still as a lake, and nodded. Hark nodded as well.
“Hark, and Hakajin, I trust you will support Gark well from his side.”
Hark, who probably hadn't expected his name to be called, spoke with pleasure.
“For Blood Dagger.”
“I will follow your command.”
I straightened up slightly and clapped the shoulders of those nearest to me. They were all like brothers to me. To achieve what we wanted, we had to become stronger. Until now, I had certainly fought with that mindset.
But from now on, I felt I had to become stronger for their sake as well. To protect them. And above all, to survive and live on in this world. I nodded, and Gark raised his hand toward me. I reached out my hand toward Gark as well.
We fall, we get hurt, we rise, and we struggle. That is the Green Skin way of life. We get injured, we grieve, and we laugh. But this, too, is a way of life.
Great Tribe Leader Agar's final message began to fill my mind.
‘Anai Totka.’
I opened my mouth to speak to them. They were, in truth, meaningless words, incredibly obvious words. I knew the meaning each of them held would surely be different. But still, I spoke.
“We will live on. My precious brothers.”
I smiled.