Chapter 753
Chapter 753
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 753
Chapter Title: False Reputation
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Ekaterina decided to stay in Veroprin. The defeated Veroprin had no choice but to comply.
Park Su-ho woke up the next day. No sooner had he opened his eyes than he was told he had to face Ekaterina's three trials. I stepped forward before her.
"Su-ho needs time to recover. I'll take one of the three trials in his place."
"You? You think you can handle it?"
She laughed silently. It was a mocking laugh.
"You seem interested in people from another world. I'm from Earth, just like Su-ho."
"You're from another world too? Well, considering that unusual power of yours, it makes sense. Fine. You can take the first trial. But if you fail, you'll suffer a painful death."
Ekaterina's eyes gleamed sharply. These weren't empty words. She genuinely intended to kill me in agony if I failed.
"Yu-jin hyung! I'm fine! I'll do the trials myself!"
Park Su-ho grabbed my arm in a panic. I turned to look at him. He was in no shape to even politely call good. More than half his body was wrapped in bandages. He'd received potions and magic healing, but there were limits to that. The damage he'd taken and the accumulated fatigue were too severe for a quick recovery. He needed at least two more days of rest.
"I'm not taking all the trials for you. Just one. Focus on recovering. That's the best thing you can do, right?"
"......Yeah."
Park Su-ho nodded reluctantly. He'd passed out ridiculously during his fight with Ekaterina, but I was stronger than him, and my condition was far better.
Honestly, I suspected Ekaterina's intentions. I couldn't fathom why she was bothering with these trials. The most suspicious part was the power play. It felt like she was trying to break him by making him recognize their hierarchy.
"Lady Ekaterina. What do the trials entail? What must I do?"
"You saw that small lake on the way to Veroprin. The one to the east from here. Bring back the gem inside it."
"A gem...? What kind?"
"You'll know it when you see it. It looks like a gem to anyone. Surely you've seen a gem or two in your life?"
"...Of course."
I'd half-expected it, but Ekaterina had planned this from the start. Otherwise, the trial made no sense.
"You must complete the trial alone, without anyone's help. The time limit is until sunset today. If you don't return, or if you do but without the gem in your hand.... Heh. You know what happens."
From the sneer on her lips, she clearly thought I'd fail. If she weren't such a beauty, I'd have poisoned her breakfast.
'I still have some aphrodisiac left. Should I slip it to her? ...Nah. Too easy.'
I bowed to Ekaterina and left the room with Park Su-ho.
"Hyung, are you sure? That woman's definitely up to something."
"Even if she is, we have no choice. Besides, I'm confident. She's underestimating me way too much."
"......At least take some gear. You'll have to go underwater, so let me grab some magic tools."
"No need. She said no help from anyone. Better not give her any excuses later."
"Sigh.... I'm sorry. You didn't have to get involved because of me...."
Park Su-ho's face twisted with guilt.
"Don't make that face. This is between you and me."
???
Before leaving the city, I went to check on Park Su-ho. I wanted to at least say goodbye, seeing how worried he was.
On my way to his room, I paused. The door was slightly ajar, and a woman's voice drifted out.
'Park Su-ho alone with a woman in his room? No way....'
I'd already scoped out all the beauties working in the governor's mansion. By my standards, there were four, including Elishia. The other three weren't quite on her level, but still.
"Lucia. I'm fine. It's not as bad as you think."
"No. You need to rest as much as possible, Governor."
It was a voice I'd never heard before. Bright and bubbly.
Definitely not one of the beauties I knew.
"I want to see Yu-jin hyung off. It won't take long. Five minutes tops."
"Didn't Yu-jin-nim say he'd be back by evening? It's not like you're parting forever. Do you really need to see him off?"
I stepped silently using the Eternal Heaven Style footwork, suppressing my presence as I approached the door. The room was bright in the midday light.
"Yu-jin hyung is risking his life to take Ekaterina's trial in my place. I can't just sit here."
I peered carefully through the crack in the door.
There was Park Su-ho, propped up slightly in bed, and a woman tending to him. Her outfit marked her as a maid from the mansion.
I examined her closely.
Dark orange hair tied back simply to avoid getting in the way of work. Petite build. A-cup chest, narrow hips. Her skin was fair and clean, though.
Her face was average. Not ugly, but not pretty enough to call her one. She didn't meet my beauty standards—just your typical woman.
My interest vanished instantly. What was her name again?
"Governor, please. Take care of yourself. If something happens to you... I..."
"Lu-Lucia?!"
Park Su-ho panicked and comforted her as she started to sob.
"A-alright. I'll do as you say. Calm down."
Lucia clearly had special feelings for Park Su-ho. But he seemed oblivious.
'Park Su-ho's surprisingly dense.'
Even back in reality, Park Su-ho was popular. His face was average by my standards, but I'd heard girls from the Hunter Department call him handsome. His vibe was approachable, easy to talk to.
Plus, he had talent. He'd even mentioned getting hit on by a few female classmates because of it.
'But this guy's standards are sky-high.'
That's what I'd learned hanging out with him. Maybe because of his stunning little sister, but he showed no interest in ordinary women. The ones who caught his eye—Elishia, Matilda, Ha Seung-hee—were all exceptional beauties.
"I know how much you all care about me. Thanks, Lucia."
"......Do you really?"
"Of course. I'm the center of it all, after all. I've been too complacent. Seeing you has made me realize a lot."
"......"
Lucia stared at him with slightly hollow eyes. Park Su-ho just smiled amiably.
If she confessed her love right then, he'd panic but firmly reject her. Why? She didn't measure up.
'Park Su-ho. Ekaterina's mine. No—all the beauties in this world are mine. Including your little sister.'
I smirked coldly and quietly backed away. Then I left the mansion without saying goodbye.
???
I rode hard for an hour and reached the small lake Ekaterina had mentioned to the east.
Seeing it, I let out a hollow laugh.
'This is a small lake? Did that woman go blind?'
It was at least 2km across, and the water was overflowing.
'What the hell happened to make it flood like this with no rain?'
Water spilled over everywhere. And the currents were rough like the sea. Jump in carelessly, and you'd drown for sure.
Splash!
Water sprayed high.
"Hiiing!"
The horse reared in fright and bucked wildly. I knocked it out with a solid smack to the head and tied it to a nearby tree.
'This lake is a death trap if you're reckless. And she wants me to find a gem somewhere in there? Ha....'
I was reminded again that Ekaterina was a shaman. This trial required special abilities to overcome.
'Park Su-ho might've handled it easily. Bring modern gear or use his tattoo's magic.'
I recalled her calling him from another world. She must've known about his special powers from the start.
'But I'm no ordinary guy.'
I stripped off all my clothes and waded into the flooding lake. My legs stepped into the water without hesitation. It was chilly, but I'd adapt quickly.
'One of my skills is Blessing of Water.'
I could walk on the surface, breathe underwater, and move freely in it.
I dove in. The currents inside were even fiercer than they'd looked from outside. But I could handle it.
'Visibility's good too. Head to the center first.'
I swam along the bottom. The one thing I didn't want was the gem buried in the mud—that would double the time.
'Found it.'
Luckily, it wasn't buried. A striking red ruby that caught the eye immediately. It even glowed from the lake's center. The problem was something around it.
'Spirit...? Ghost...? Neither, it seems. What is it?'
It was made of water. Shapeless yet with form. It rushed toward me—fast. Unarmed, I unleashed brain lightning.
Bzzzzt!
Blue lightning radiated from my body in all directions. I swam toward the gem in that state. It circled me warily, unable to attack through the electricity.
I grabbed the gem.
It latched onto me, heedless of the damage. Long, tentacle-like appendages wrapped around my arms, legs, and neck, dragging me to the bottom.
I hit the lakebed. The tentacle around my neck tightened. It meant to strangle me.
'Should've aimed to snap my neck instead. Lightning!'
I ramped up the output. Lightning flashed around me. Then I felt the tentacles binding me dissolve.
The lake's currents calmed. I rose to the surface and stood on the water. The overflowing waters receded slowly, returning to normal.
'Hm?'
A savory smell wafted up.
Hundreds of electrocuted fish floated belly-up. I'd grilled every one nearby.
'First trial. Easier than expected.'
I headed back to Veroprin.
???
"......"
Ekaterina's face crumpled when I returned with the gem in under three hours.
"Is this it, by chance?"
"......That's the one. You got it quick. No one's help?"
"I handled it alone. There was something guarding it, but once I dealt with it, the flooding lake calmed."
Ekaterina inspected the gem closely, turning it this way and that, then nodded.
"No lies there. Fine, I admit it. You passed the first trial."
"Glad you acknowledge it."
"You thought I'd renege? I'm Ekaterina Vasilinova. I give credit where it's due."
"No, I didn't think that.... Sorry if I offended you. I'll take my leave."
I tried to withdraw to avoid provoking her.
"Stop."
I halted.
Ekaterina approached with clicking heels. She stopped close enough to touch, gazing up at me steadily. I was taller, so her clear sky-blue eyes looked up.
'Staring like that makes me want to pin you down.'
After staring intently, she tilted her head with a strange expression.
"Weird. Even looking again, you're just some average joe.... But clearing my trial this fast means you're no average joe...."
"Average joe? Me? Even in my world, I'm acknowledged as a genius."
"To my eyes, you're average. Or should I doubt my own eyes?"
"Not that. I just meant I'm not as weak as you think."
"Oh? Shall we check?"
Ekaterina grinned. A water whip extended from her index finger, coiling around my body.
"...Can't even dodge this? Park Su-ho dodged it over ten times, but you..."
"Seems you're mistaken. I didn't fail to dodge. I chose not to."