Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Ch. 116 .｡.:✧ Rescue Mission (Not Really) (1) ✧:.｡.
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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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They were certainly no ordinary fighters, these guardians of the Great Guardian of the North.
They were skilled enough to dismiss most mercenaries as mere “weaklings.”
Of course, they were no match for me now that I could wield sword energy. I couldn’t use my full power, as a single Iron Blood Storm Slash would obliterate them all.
‘Do they not know her true form?’
This level of strength was hardly enough to protect a weakened Great Guardian. It seemed they didn’t know that she had lost her power.
I didn’t bother fighting them. I just grabbed Guiho and flew away.
For a moment, when they blocked the exit with a wall of bodies, I felt a surge of panic.
I even considered cutting them down. But thankfully, the centipede… creature…’s sleep spell worked, allowing me to slip past. And I was able to fool the masters who had resisted the spell and pursued me by impersonating Transylvania.
Alicia, who had been hiding nearby, added her wind magic to the sword energy I unleashed at the end.
It was nighttime, so it would be difficult to distinguish between my sword energy and Transylvania’s wind. And since I was only using Dakia Style swordsmanship, including the ultimate technique, they had no choice but to believe it was Transylvania.
Immediately after, I jumped off the cliff, escaping to a place they couldn’t follow. It was a plan I had devised for emergencies, and it worked perfectly.
You might be wondering how I survived jumping off a cliff so high that even the reclusive masters of the North wouldn’t dare to follow.
The answer is simple.
“Ugh… Owww… I’m going to die…”
I didn’t.
If it had been the real Transylvania, she probably would have been fine, using some technique like air walking or cat transformation…
But I lacked such skills. The best I could do was try to avoid landing on my head.
As a result, my legs were completely shattered, a mangled mess.
My arms were also a disaster.
Not from the fall, of course…
[Grrrr! Growl! Grrr!]
“Stop biting me. Your bite isn’t even that strong.”
…But from Guiho, who was trying to escape by biting my arm.
Her bite force was only about twice as strong as Undecided’s.
Cute.
No matter how hard she gnawed on my arm, she could only manage to tear through my clothes and skin.
It was pointless if she couldn’t break my bones.
No matter how much she bit me, I never let go of her scruff.
“Oh, Undecided, you’re here. Hurry up and heal me. I’m dying. And get this thing off me.”
“…Bad… doggy…”
[Yelp!]
Undecided, who had arrived late, whacked Guiho with her club, knocking her unconscious.
I was finally able to receive treatment.
After using up several expensive, high-grade potions, my bones were mended enough for me to walk and run, but… If I used a technique that strained my body, like Iron Blood Storm Slash, my bones would probably break again.
It seemed like I would have to take it easy for the next two days and focus on recovering.
‘Healing magic would have completely healed me, even from serious injuries like this…’
I was suddenly reminded of Jill’s healing magic, which could restore even the most grievous wounds.
In the past, when I didn’t know much about magic, I would have just thought it was an amazing feat…
But now I knew that 7th Circle No-Attribute magic was something you had to develop through countless trials and errors.
Of course, she did plagiarize some of Petenburg’s elixir recipes…
“What happened? Did you get what you wanted? Eek! What’s that giant fox…!”
“I spent three hours in that filthy, disgusting, smelly, creepy sewer! And I used up a lot of demonic energy! So… you better be prepared to give me a lot of essence this time!”
The centipede… creature… who had transformed into a young girl, now covered in grime, and Alicia, still in her bunny girl outfit, approached me.
It seemed they had both managed to escape the chaos.
“I got what I wanted. Here’s a cultivation technique that will cure your sister.”
“Ah.”
“It’s up to you to figure out how to get Yerina to practice it. But if she does, her Mania will subside.”
“Th-Thank… you…”
I tossed the Art of Sensory Control to Alicia.
I couldn’t deliver it personally and tell her to practice it…
It was a mission Alicia had to complete.
If it worked, Alicia would benefit from Yerina’s improved mental state…
And it would make it easier for me to escape.
Most importantly, Yerina’s relationships would improve.
“It’s time to make a plan.”
“What plan?”
“A plan to return you to your sister.”
This was the crucial part.
I had to return Alicia safely to Yerina for her to even consider the Art of Sensory Control.
I held the unconscious Guiho in my arms and started to think.
“First, I need to learn some basic curses.”
Now that I had the Curse Formation trait and a millennia-old hag to teach me… I could finally start learning curses.
Of course, considering my talent, I wasn’t expecting much…
But maybe being able to use curses would give me more options.
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“What did you do in the North this time? Transylvania, your bounty has increased tenfold.”
“Hmm. I’ve been up to so much lately that I can’t quite recall.”
“…”
Yerina sighed, glaring at Transylvania, who responded casually.
Recently, Transylvania’s wanted posters had resurfaced in the North.
The bounty had been in place for over a hundred years, but it had essentially been ignored. But the recent, significant increase in the reward amount had brought it back into the spotlight.
However, no one knew the reason for the increase.
The Hundred Flowers Riot, a casino in Cheongna, was the one who had offered most of the bounty, but they refused to disclose the reason. It was frustrating.
Yerina could only speculate that it was related to the recent fire alarm malfunction incident.
“Is it alright for a slave to be so defiant towards their master?”
“Haha. Unfortunately for you, I don’t bow to anyone. Except for one person… So if you want me to submit completely, you’ll have to take my head.”
“…”
Yerina puffed out her cheeks at Transylvania’s defiant attitude. She had engraved the Slave Contract Inscription onto their heart, but… perhaps because they were a dead, soulless being, the magic’s effect was weakened. Or perhaps Transylvania’s willpower was so strong that it partially negated the magic.
[T/N: im still doing the whole pronoun thingy with transylvania since nobody but yoo jin knows shes a she lol]
Whatever the reason, Transylvania was both her slave and not her slave.
Normally, those bound by the Slave Contract Inscription couldn’t disobey their master’s orders.
They would die if ordered to, and even if commanded to do something impossible, they would struggle to fulfill it.
But Transylvania was different.
They followed most of her orders, compelled by the magic…
…but there were certain things they refused to do, even in the face of death.
“It seems the history of the Slave Contract Inscription is shorter than my own. It’s overloaded, trying to suppress my ego. If it’s something I desire, or a simple task that doesn’t trigger a strong reaction from my ego, I’ll follow it obediently. I’m also compelled to follow the inscription’s primary directive – to hunt down that rabbit beastman, Alicia, and your man. But orders that challenge my pride or contradict my values have no effect on me. Like… an order to bow, for example. Or an order to kill an innocent person.”
“You’re not the type to indiscriminately slaughter innocent people?”
“What do you take me for, Queen of Palana? I might be a murderer, but I’m not a sadist. I’m not going to pretend I’m not evil, but I can proudly say that I’ve never done anything shameful. Well… except for kneeling before that damn demon bitch who borrowed her master’s authority. That was a little embarrassing…”
Transylvania muttered, swallowing their humiliation.
Yerina found them strangely intriguing.
According to rumors, Transylvania was a bloodthirsty, indiscriminate killer.
But after meeting them in person and talking to them… their image was quite different from what she had imagined.
‘Their swordsmanship is exquisite. I wouldn’t stand a chance against them without using Beast Mode. If I spar with them regularly, my skills will improve dramatically…’
Should she just activate Beast Mode and spar with them all day?
Yerina felt her heart pound with anticipation at the thought.
Transylvania, sensing her intense gaze, shivered with an unknown fear.
“Anyway… Tell me everything you know about Yoo-jin.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
“Why not? We’re chasing Alicia, and our ultimate goal is to find Yoo-jin. Are you defying a direct order from the Slave Contract Inscription?”
“I apologize, but this falls under the purview of my ego, where the inscription has no effect. If I encounter Yoo-jin, I will fight him with all my might, subdue him, and even tie him up for you. But I will not betray him by revealing his information.”
“And why is that?”
“Yoo-jin is my friend. A precious friend. In this era, he’s the one who understands me best, and we share a mutual respect. I cannot betray a friend like that, especially not through deceit. If it were an open confrontation, a fair fight… that would be a different story.”
“Hmm. Sounds like a real bromance.”
She had acquired an unexpected asset, but it was strangely useless in the area it was supposed to be helpful.
Calling Yoo-jin their ‘friend’, their ‘companion’… It seemed they were quite close.
But even if she beat and tortured Transylvania, they wouldn’t talk.
Yerina clicked her tongue, suppressing her frustration.
Her unexpressed anger settled deep within her heart, fueling the beast that would one day be unleashed.
“Yoo-jin…”
Yerina clutched her chest, her heart aching, and whispered the name of her beloved.
She had been devastated when she discovered Alicia’s betrayal.
Alicia had gone to Elvenguard behind her back…
…and it had been confirmed that she had been with Yoo-jin.
Yerina had wanted to deny reality.
But she had overcome it.
She hadn’t lost control and activated Beast Mode.
She had told herself that she should give Alicia, who had a sliver of her trust remaining, one more chance.
So, she had let Alicia escape.
She had wanted to torture Alicia and destroy the Yevgenia family, but that would have been an irreversible act, a mere outburst of anger. She had restrained herself.
She had planned to pursue Yoo-jin after releasing Alicia but Transylvania’s interference had ruined everything.
She even wondered if Transylvania showing up and hindering her was all part of Yoo-jin’s plan.
‘He’s not just running away… He’s actively avoiding me. Why?’
There was a time when she had worried that her memories of Yoo-jin were just delusions.
She had doubted her sanity, wondering if her regression was just a dream.
It seemed like only yesterday that she had cried tears of joy, finally certain of his existence.
And now, she was worried for another reason.
That perhaps… Yoo-jin was avoiding her.
‘No. He must have a reason.’
No.
Yoo-jin had always been several steps ahead of her in the previous life.
The way he had moved freely while time was frozen in the ice cave… it seemed he knew about her regaining her memories.
So, Yoo-jin must be fighting to prevent something, using the knowledge he had gained through regression.
‘A great threat is approaching?’
If it was important enough for Yoo-jin to ignore even her…
…a threat to the very existence of the continent?
Had the Great Guardian gone mad and started rampaging?
Or was that otherworldly being from Basel launching an invasion?
No, that was too far-fetched…
‘Hmm… I want to help him. No, wait. Yoo-jin is weaker than me. I should keep him safe, locked up in the house, and deal with that threat myself.’
Was he avoiding her because he didn’t want her to be in danger?
Or was the threat something particularly dangerous to her?
He couldn’t possibly be avoiding her because he didn’t want to be involved with her…
The thought made her a little sad.
If he had told her, she would have mobilized all of Palana’s resources to help him.
She would have taken care of everything, making sure he didn’t have to set foot in any dangerous places.
Of course, she didn’t distrust Yoo-jin.
He was the only one she trusted.
The Yoo-jin who only looked at her, loved only her, and cherished only her…
Of course, there had been some… incidents.
There had been those bitches who gave him strange looks wherever he went…
She had identified the Saintess, the Witch, the Priestess of the World Tree, Admiral Francesca, Sword Master Solra, the Third Princess of Gallia, the Governor of Britannia, and many others as potential threats and was keeping a close eye on them…
But she trusted Yoo-jin.
He would never give another woman a chance.
He wasn’t the type to flirt with every woman he met.
“Ah… I want to see him so badly…”
She was getting impatient.
She wanted to confront Alicia about their relationship and learn the truth.
‘I think I have a pretty good idea about what’s going on.’
She was a little afraid, but… it was fine.
She would be angry, but she could control herself.
They said there was no man who could resist the allure of a rabbit beastman in heat.
She would forgive Alicia as long as she swore to only look at Yerina from now on, to never even brush shoulders with another woman.
So, Yoo-jin…
Hurry up. Please hurry up and come out.
She was starting to feel desperate.
Yerina thought to herself, her breath coming out in ragged gasps.
“This is…”
At that moment…
Transylvania’s expression changed.
Simultaneously, Yerina’s eyes narrowed.
Their eyes met, and they both realized…
They had found Yoo-jin’s trail.
‘Finally!’
She had rushed here after hearing that someone resembling Alicia had been spotted in Cheongna…
And the traces were surprisingly strong.
Transylvania had found Yoo-jin through sword marks on a tree and Yerina had detected Yoo-jin and Alicia’s scent in the area.
Yoo-jin was nearby.
Certain of this, they both accelerated their pursuit.
‘Why is Yoo-jin here…?’
She was happy to have found his trail, but a sense of unease washed over her.
This was the last place she expected to find him.
The Sancheong Forest, considered the most dangerous place in the North.
A place where negative energy flowed like a river.
The pleasure city of Cheongna had been built next to the forest to suppress its negative energy.
‘It’s also known as a training ground for curse users…’
Strange totems were scattered around…
Abandoned cursed dolls…
And unfinished formations drawn on the ground…
Yerina frowned as she looked around.
She hated nothing more than those disgusting curse users who wielded sinister powers.
She couldn’t believe Yoo-jin was in a place like this.
“The flow of demonic energy is…!”
At that moment, demonic energy swirled around them, as if caught in a whirlwind, and was sucked away.
Startled, Transylvania and Yerina dismounted and ran towards the source.
They arrived at a clearing, where trees had been neatly felled.
“A large-scale curse formation!”
In the center of the clearing a massive formation, glowing crimson, was etched into the ground.
And in the center of the formation was Alicia.
She was bound and writhing in agony.
Their initial shock was quickly replaced by another wave of astonishment as they sensed the overwhelming flow of demonic energy.
Both of them had experienced Yoo-jin’s magic power firsthand, so they could tell…
…that this demonic energy…
…had been converted from Yoo-jin’s magic power.
‘Heh. So he’s decided to play the villain.’
Transylvania chuckled inwardly, looking at Yerina, who was still standing there, dumbfounded.
It was designed so that anyone familiar with Yoo-jin would recognize his traces.
He wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that he was the one behind this formation.
So, Yerina’s perception of him as a flawless, righteous person would be shattered.
Transylvania, sensing Yoo-jin’s plan, nodded.
“Ah! Aaaah!!! It’s Yoo-jin’s demonic energy! He’s being exploited by an evil curse user… forced to have his demonic energy extracted… No… No…”
“…?”
“A curse user powerful enough to subdue Yoo-jin and Alicia and create such a massive formation… He must be a petty, spiteful, cowardly, manipulative bastard who seduces women like they’re sausages on a string! Ugh! What do we do?!”
“Huh…”
Transylvania let out a sigh, watching Yerina rush towards the formation to rescue Alicia.
Did the Queen of Palana truly know Yoo-jin… or not?
She seemed confused.
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