Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Dreamer of the Future (2)
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Creak!
Pushing open the wooden door, an unpleasant screech echoed from the rusty hinges.
Several gazes from inside the building turned toward Maria and me.
“What’s with that guy?”
“Looks like some rich kid...”
Men with rough, menacing faces eyed us up and down like they were appraising livestock.
At first, it was just me, but when Maria followed behind, I heard snickers.
Their conversation was loud enough to catch the gist—they figured I looked like a knight escorting Maria.
Of course, Maria was a petite girl who barely reached my chest, so it made sense.
‘And with her face hidden, they’d naturally assume she’s a noble hiding her identity.’
[Ugh. Judging by appearances alone? Pathetic bunch.]
Gransesia clicked her tongue, scoffing at the mercenaries.
They seemed decent enough to me, but to her, they were just laughable.
“Hey! Don’t know how fancy your lady is, but we don’t come cheap!”
“Why’s she hiding her face like that? Show us a bit!”
Laughter and mockery rang out.
It was a perfect display of just how lawless Lyntria’s streets really were.
“They think I’m a noble and still say crap like that? Unbelievable.”
“Basically a lawless zone. Anyway, found him?”
“Nope. Doesn’t seem to be on the first floor.”
I scanned the room too, but no one stood out with notable traits. Mostly extras, no sign of anyone connected to Lutia either.
“Is this the whole Black Skull crew?”
“Why ask? You looking to hire us or something?”
A massive, muscle-bound man shot to his feet at my words. His already fierce face was scarred with multiple blade marks, making him look even more intimidating.
I let out a small sneer toward him.
“Nah. Just figuring if this is everyone, your mercenary band’s level is pretty obvious.”
“You little shit...!”
Several mercenaries jumped up at my remark.
The one right in front of me flushed red and swung a thick fist in one swift motion.
Thud!
“Gah!”
The mercenary’s body flew back, smashing through several tables before crashing down.
And that was the signal.
The ones still seated surged to their feet, charging at me all at once.
“Cocky bastard! You’re not getting out of here in one piece!”
As they grabbed their weapons and rushed in, I slowly clenched my fist and assumed a stance.
‘No need to even draw my sword.’
Most were sword users, with only two Sword Experts. Even in a group, they weren’t a threat.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Urk!”
In an instant, three mercenaries hit the floor rolling, front teeth shattered.
An attack blending Holy Heaven Martial Extreme with New Star’s essence.
New Star was already unmatched in speed among any technique, but adding Holy Heaven Martial Extreme made it utterly impossible to track with the naked eye.
Witnessing it up close, the remaining mercenaries finally realized things had gone south and hesitated.
“What’s all this commotion?!”
That’s when someone shouted from upstairs.
‘That’s the guy.’
I nodded, checking the newcomer’s traits. As expected, the grunts were down here, and the real deal was elsewhere.
“S-sorry, Vice-Captain. This punk provoked us...”
“Tch. You ran your mouths without gauging his strength. What’d you expect?”
The man called Vice-Captain clicked his tongue and glared sharply at Maria and me.
“What the hell happened? It was noisy downstairs.”
This time, a woman’s voice came from above.
About six mercenaries with lazy expressions followed the Vice-Captain down from the second floor.
‘As expected, all of them are the ones mentioned in the original story.’
Every one of those six had impressive skills.
‘Five Sword Experts, two advanced...’
Including the Vice-Captain who came down first, that made seven.
These must be the core of the Black Skull Mercenary Corps.
‘Way too elite for a mere mercenary band.’
No wonder they could fight disasters alongside the protagonist.
As I observed calmly, the Vice-Captain furrowed his brow.
“...I see you’ve got real skill, but barging into our base and starting a fight? Ballsy.”
“Taking mockery lying down makes you a pushover.”
“Sometimes restraint is the smarter play.”
“But not this time, right?”
His eyebrow twitched at my casual reply.
Then, admiration burst from the six behind him.
“Big bro’s got guts. So, who’s the girl trailing him?”
The only girl among them stepped forward with a bright smile.
Pink hair, red eyes.
I didn’t need her traits to know who she was.
Lutia, Maria’s mother.
[...Keuk. Big bro, huh? Big bro. How old is she acting like that?]
‘You’re seventy too.’
[Mine’s eternally young. And I don’t ham it up like her. Ugh, gives me chills.]
To me, they were both the same, but I let it slide.
As expected, Lutia looked like a girl in her mid-to-late teens.
Lightly dressed, exuding a sleek vibe, and clearly a top-tier fighter.
‘Hiding the succubus part, though.’
Obviously. Succubi were demons, after all.
“...Curious who I am?”
That’s when the quiet Maria murmured softly.
Her tone was its usual flat monotone, but I could tell she was suppressing her emotions intensely.
Rustle.
“Who do you think she is?”
Maria slowly removed her hood.
Long pink hair cascaded down softly.
“...!”
Lutia, who’d been watching us with curious eyes, froze.
“What’s wrong, Lutia?”
The others shot her puzzled looks at her odd reaction.
As if triggered by the words, Lutia bolted toward Maria.
Tap!
“Come on!”
She snatched Maria’s wrist in a flash and dashed out of the building.
The sudden events left the mercenary hall in stunned silence.
“What the hell got into her?”
“They kinda look alike. Sisters maybe?”
It took a bit before the mercenaries started murmuring.
Most talk was about Lutia’s blinding speed and the dragged-along Maria.
“Hey, who was that girl you brought? Never seen Lutia react like that...”
I ignored the Vice-Captain’s awkward question and strolled out.
My business was with Lutia, not these guys anyway.
* * *
Lutia and Maria were in a tavern a short distance from the Black Skull base.
Dangerous spot in lawless Lyntria, but no mercenary dared mess with a Black Skull member.
“......”
“......”
Seated in the corner, they exchanged glances but kept their mouths shut.
The awkward silence was palpable as I dragged over a chair and sat beside them.
“Pretty cold reunion for mother and daughter.”
“...Who the hell are you?”
“Hm?”
She stared at me like I was insane.
“You’re not supposed to be here. And no one said Maria would show up.”
“What?”
I froze mid-calm listen. Her attitude suggested she knew the ‘original story.’
‘This is...’
Checking her traits hurriedly, it all clicked.
Why she was here.
And why she’d abandoned Maria and left.
==
[Lutia Timons]
Age: 48
Gender: Female
Role in Story: Prophet (Supporting)
Abilities: Precognitive Dream, Succubus Charm
Notes: Maria Timons’s mother, and an ally aiding Fabian in Aintban.
An exceptionally strong succubus with unique abilities.
Can glimpse fragments of the future through Precognitive Dreams.
Her leaving the demon race, bearing Maria, and abandoning everything for Aintban—all driven by those dreams.
Fabian defeats the winter spirit and sword guardian Sior with her help.
Later, she aids Fabian’s group in escaping a top-tier demon, the crimson Count Margal, who attacks to seize their sword.
She buys time by trapping Margal in a dream, delivers final words to the fleeing Fabian, but ultimately dies.
==
‘Precognitive Dream...’
It explained all of Lutia’s baffling actions so far.
Why a demon married the Timons merchant leader.
And why she left for Aintban soon after Maria’s birth.
‘But not a general future—more like the ‘original’ future.’
Similar to my Synopsis ability.
Especially seeing only imperfect ‘fragments.’
‘Just via dreams, that’s the difference.’
But something else bugged me more right now.
‘This is bad.’
I planned to twist the future, averting the original story’s events.
A future where Lutia Timons doesn’t die.
Her traits shattered that hope the moment I saw them.
‘A top-tier demon with a title...’
Synopsis only called it a ‘demon attacking to steal the sword,’ so I figured it wasn’t a big deal.
I’d beaten advanced demons before, so I thought we could manage.
But this foe was a titled top-tier demon.
I’d overcome ridiculous crises before, but this one left me clueless.
“Why aren’t you talking?”
Lost in thought, Lutia pressed impatiently.
“Who are you? Why are you with Maria, who should be in Bellun territory?”
She was on high alert. Probably because I didn’t appear in her Precognitive Dream.
“I’m Clay Banheart, lord of Banheart territory right next to Bellun.”
“Banheart? That place is already gone...”
“What are you talking about, Mother?”
Maria cut in coldly as Lutia stammered in shock.
“The Count saved me. Without him, I’d be a maid in the Bellun Count family by now.”
“W-wait, Maria. That’s not your fate. You’re meant for something greater there...”
“Greater? Sold off as a servant? I have no idea what you’re going on about, Mother.”
Maria’s gaze was ice-cold. From her view, Lutia was just spouting nonsense.
“Wait, Maria.”
I stopped Maria, who was rare in showing real emotion.
“No need to get mad before hearing her out.”
“......”
She bit her lower lip, then nodded.
“Yes. Sorry. Seeing Mother got me a bit worked up.”
It wasn’t her fault. Anyone would react the same meeting a parent who’d abandoned them.
“Lutia Timons, I’ll ask one by one. Why’d you abandon Maria and head to Aintban?”
“That’s...”
I knew from her traits, but Maria needed the explanation.
Plus, traits weren’t always the full story.