Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Elizabeth No. 23
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“The target is Isia. After that comes your personal grudge. Got it?”
The man, Park Shin-woo, gave a casual nod at the voice addressing him. His actions would go against orders anyway.
Still, he knew better than to say it to the boss's face, so he just nodded vaguely.
“It's been half a year. Half a year to rebuild our base after you fucked everything up and ruined it. You wanna ruin it again?”
“Boss.”
“What.”
“Then why don't you go yourself? We got no manpower, but you're acting like you know everything from up top and just barking orders. You think that'll work?”
“.......”
“And Isia's gotten ridiculously strong, haven't you heard? She's seventeen and already learned Chant Severance—practically the first ever. Even I saw the news while I was locked up.”
“....What're you getting at.”
“Either come with me. Or shut up. Or don't bitch if I don't bring her back.”
“........”
“Think about it. How am I supposed to handle someone slinging Chant Severance by myself? Sleep magic? That only works when I'm sneaking in—”
Park Shin-woo's words didn't continue. Or rather, he couldn't continue. It wasn't a physical issue.
His words had simply been cut off.
“Fine. I get it. I'll go, alright?”
“Now that's more like it. I'll take Lee Seong-hoon. You'll get Isia. Got it? It's all for the freedom of magic. Right?”
“....Yeah.”
If it weren't for the manpower shortage, he'd rip this guy apart. The one called boss thought that as he forced a nonchalant expression.
“Huh?”
A peaceful weekday evening. After a dinner so massive the table nearly buckled. We were all gathered peacefully, playing a game, when a weird window popped up in front of me.
Of course, the timing couldn't have been worse. Levatein was perched on my lap, watching with delight.
Sion was giving tips left and right, guiding me along. Raphael was grumbling but showering me with items anyway.
Lachesis was force-feeding me buffs.
What do I mean? In an RPG, we're fighting the boss, and the fully buffed DPS drops dead.
This was a blunder. No excuse for it. A cat's piercing shriek came from ahead.
Raphael stared at me with unfocused eyes.
“Um.”
A powder keg ready to blow. But with Levatein on my lap, she wasn't charging right away.
I racked my brain as fast as I could. Benia's recovery speeding up was good news. As long as she came out sooner, whatever.
But did they have to notify me right now? Couldn't it have slipped in quietly when no one was looking?
I had no clue what triggered it. The timing was awkward too. They could've just not told me.
Coming to the same conclusion, I found my answer. My desperately churning brain spat out—
“Sorry! A blue window just popped up outta nowhere!!”
Own it boldly. That's how you handle this stuff. It really did pop up suddenly—what could I do?
Not my fault, right? Act of God. Beyond my control.
Yeah. Exactly.
“I said sorry, so forgive me!!”
[You think that'll fly, nya?!]
“You thought that'd work?!”
Guess not? As I scratched the back of my head, Raphael lunged and grabbed my collar.
Of course, she carefully set Levatein down from my lap first.
Thoughtful of her. Now how about some for me—
“I dumped all my items on you!! You trash!! You said no saves in this game!! One death and it's over!!”
No reason, huh. Yeah, figured as much.
“Yeah. Game over.”
“Then why are you so calm?! You're trying to gloss over this, aren't you?!”
“But still, Raphael? There's a saying: spilled water can't be gathered again. You know? Meaning, what's done is done. Accept it and start a new game—”
“Die!!!!!!!!!!!”
Man, not buying it. What a shame. Also, quit shaking me? I'm fragile. Shake me with that strength and I'll die for real.
“Levatein. Your oppa's specialty is saying cool-sounding stuff to dodge the point.”
[Dad can't do much else.]
“Yeah. But at least he's doing that much, right? He did apologize.”
[Dad's so nice!!]
“See?”
“Die!!!!!!!!”
This nice guy was dying right in front of them—weren't they gonna help? Were my kids just gonna watch a man die?
I don't remember raising heartless brats like that.
Right? I didn't.
“Raphael. Calm down and hear me out. A blue window popped up. Blue window? You know, the system—”
“My items!! My character!! You took all the essentials and then die!! What am I supposed to do!!”
No. That's what I'm trying to explain. Stop shaking me.
“Elizabeth No. 23!!!”
“Elizabeth?! When did you name her that?! And it's No. 23? Not the third? She was a person, your character! Right? A person!!”
And where'd 23 even come from? We're on our second run.
“This is Elizabeth's turn!!”
Please.
[Fa, familiar? Be-Benia's... su-super? Recovery...? It'll take 1~3 days from now?]
“You heard that.”
After barely calming Raphael down, I had Levatein—the only one besides me who could see my blue windows—read it aloud.
Everyone seemed to get it now, but still, way over the top. What did she gain from flipping out like that?
“That doesn't bring back our save file, though.”
“True.”
That's why I apologized. Anyone'd think I was some shameless jerk refusing to own up.
[Nyaaaaack!!!]
“....”
I'd placate the still-fuming cat later and looked down at the one gazing up at me.
Black twintails, eyes sparkling bright.
“Benia? Who's Benia? Another stranger?”
Come to think of it, I'd forgotten to introduce Benia. And even if I had, no one could've seen her till she emerged.
Guess it's unavoidable.
With the topic already out, I picked up Sion and sat him beside me.
“Sion.”
“Yeah!!”
“Have you ever seen any dragons besides your parents?”
Dragons are an exclusive race.
Everyone not of their kind is inferior. Trash not worth dealing with. That's how dragons see it.
But they live long lives, so they're extremely friendly with their own kind.
It's like... wary of outsiders, but thick as thieves among themselves. Village mentality.
Exactly that.
That's why I asked. Had he met any selfless dragons? The answer was as expected—
“Nope.”
Figured. I grinned at the puzzled Sion.
Seeing me smile, Levatein smiled too.
“Listen up, Sion. Benia's a dragon.”
“A dragon?!”
“Yeah. But she got hurt by some bad guys, so she's resting in my Inventory.”
Nod nod.
Sion nodded vigorously, staring up at me. Probably thrilled—this was probably his first time hearing about another dragon since hatching.
“And that's happening in three days.”
“For real?”
“Yeah.”
“I wanna meet her!! I wanna meet her!!”
“In three days. Three days. Could be tomorrow. Or three days.”
I stroked his head to calm him, and Sion stopped flailing his hands.
Then he muttered, “Three days... three days...”
“Wh-what do I do, oppa!! I've never met a dragon before!! Mom said all dragons are family!! C-can I just meet her like this? Sh-should I change my hair or something?”
“Adorable. You're fine.”
“A-adorable?!”
“Yeah.”
“R-really?! Benia's not scary or anything, right?! I wanna talk a ton!!”
[Benia's not scary at all!! She's kind and gentle!!]
“Really?!”
[Yeah!! She reads fairy tales, teaches studying, and saved Dad tons of times.]
That phrasing's a bit off. I could've handled it myself—she just jumped in unasked.
“A guy?”
[Benia's a girl.]
“Oh... then—”
As I watched the two little ones dive into an excited chat about Benia, something crept up beside me slyly.
Eyes narrowed, lips pouted—the blonde dummy.
She sidled up, cupping my ear with one hand to whisper.
“Seong-hoon.”
“What. Just say it.”
“Just... this feels more like scheming villain stuff.”
Not bad. Got a vibe to it.
“What's on your mind, Blonde 004.”
I played along, and Raphael giggled before continuing.
“You messed up big time with me today.”
“........”
True. But it wasn't my intent, so maybe only 50% my fault?
No takebacks.
“Then make a promise.”
“What.”
Probably chicken or pizza. I'd buy it if she asked—no need for promises, though—
My prediction didn't last. Raphael kept talking, and I could only stare at her face.
“If you're teamed with someone else tomorrow—not me—don't say a word to any girls. Deal?”
What the hell was this? Seeing her smile like she'd won, only one word escaped my lips.
“No.”
“Huh?”
“You don't get training? How do you train without talking?”
Be reasonable.
Raphael's eyes darkened a bit.
—But I said no? Clearly refused? She sulked all evening and didn't say a word to me after?
“Thanks, Raphael.”
Really thought she'd ice me out completely.
Because—
“So this is how the teams are shaped. One low-stage, one high-stage, two mids.”
“Looks like it. I'll be team leader. No complaints?”
No one I knew anyway.
Should've just agreed. Would've taken less flak.
[Serves you right, nya.]
Why're you still sulking?