Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Episode 48. Haven of Rusted Swords (1)
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‘Transmission complete, my liege.’
In a certain office in the Lair.
The incident with BM had been relayed to the clone. Having received his thoughts from the room, the clone briefly sifted through his own ‘memories’ before conveying additional intent to Yoo Ji-tae.
‘However... there is one matter I dare to humbly question your wisdom on, my liege.’
The clone shared memories with the regressor. But there were memories he did not share. Things like ‘events affecting personality’ were only lightly shared, for instance. This was the regressor’s arrangement to ensure the clone’s smooth operation.
And memories related to the chimera fell into that category.
‘Do you truly intend to aid him—BM?’
The clone asked.
At present, what Yoo Ji-tae needed to be most wary of was neither dragons nor demonkin. The malice beyond the horizon of providence was a hassle, but he could crush it with his personal power.
What he needed to guard against even more was the uncontrollable reversal of time’s flow.
It was the same context as needing a specific time and place to kill Wei Lian and Noah.
For that reason, Yoo Ji-tae didn’t casually grant power or information to just anyone. Because he was a being who could twist the flow of time. Fortunately, the world’s flow had ‘causal corrections,’ so the so-called ‘butterfly effect’ didn’t exist. However, there were powerful causal chains that merely appeared like butterfly effects.
Thus, ripples could never shake the sea.
However...
‘As you know, my liege, humanoid chimeras are entities that can disrupt the flow of the future.’
‘They are exceedingly dangerous and destructive. It was fortunate that BM repeatedly failed in the previous rounds. In my memory, they remain an element to exclude this round as well.’
Humanoid chimeras were dangerous.
Dangerously so, to the point they couldn’t be casually considered. They became massive risk factors.
After all, it was the humanoid chimeras and their kin who led BM’s otherworld ‘Arandot’ to ruin.
Yet Yoo Ji-tae did not abandon BM.
On the contrary, wasn’t he giving him a chance? If he had the chops to challenge the underground labyrinth again, go ahead and try.
That was when it happened.
Yoo Ji-tae’s intent was transmitted.
‘...Understood, my liege. BM was slain by you in rounds 5 and 6. In rounds 3 and 4, he committed suicide right after the Second Great War ended.’
In rounds 5 and 6, BM was killed by Yoo Ji-tae because he tried to plunder the underground labyrinth.
But why he committed suicide in rounds 3 and 4—the clone did not know.
And now, the reason was transmitted from Yoo Ji-tae.
‘...Well, well. He seemed so composed, but he was a madman after all.’
The clone let out a hollow chuckle.
The more one possessed, the greater their attachment to life grew. Like Qin Shi Huang desperately seeking the elixir of immortality. Thus, BM must have been a man deeply attached to life. The time and history he had accumulated were immense.
Yet BM was the type to live out his remaining years as a bonus.
‘Understood.’
The conversation ended there. As the clone pondered the dangers of humanoid chimeras, and the reasons and goals behind the liege’s intent to aid BM...
Suddenly, another directive came from Yoo Ji-tae.
‘...Understood. Pardon? A new shadow, you say?’
Yoo Ji-tae had ordered the creation of a new 「Archduke’s Shadow (SS)」.
The materials for the clone’s creation were level 5 artifacts. And even for the current Yoo Ji-tae, he possessed only one such artifact. It was an item even a regressor struggled to obtain.
What was the reason for making a new clone?
As a being with its own personality, the clone’s curiosity surged. But it did not inquire about the future that would unfold.
The liege was the one who devised plans.
‘Understood.’
And he was the one who followed them.
A week later.
A young boy opened his eyes in the clone’s house.
Around 15 years old. A face resembling Yoo Ji-tae’s. But without the sharp gaze or aura, the child gave an innocent impression.
“Hello.”
Clone 1, still disguised as the young Japanese woman ‘Hashimoto,’ greeted the boy.
The boy looked up at her. He tried to put on a tough, sullen expression, but unmistakable fear lingered in the corners of his eyes.
When their eyes met, the boy slyly averted his gaze.
“Hey.”
“...Yes?”
“Not gonna answer? I said hello. How are you?”
He seemed slightly startled by the sharp tone.
Clone 2 glanced at Clone 1 before cautiously replying.
“Oh, hello...”
Clone 1 felt a strange sense of novelty.
Originally, 「Archduke’s Shadow (SS)」 was modeled after the base of an existence. Her case was special, but the boy before her must resemble Yoo Ji-tae before he weathered life’s storms.
In other words, the boy was Yoo Ji-tae from the first round.
Pure. Prickly. Grown up without family, full of loneliness. A boy with dreams of becoming a soldier.
“W-Why are you glaring at me?”
“What?”
“I said hello too...”
Clone 1 crossed her arms and stared at the sulky boy.
How to make this one useful going forward?
That was his assigned task.
The flower-thawing cold had passed, and the cherry blossoms had fallen.
The time when pressing a hand to the road felt warm.
The second quarter of the campus ranking tournament had ended.
Yeoreum took first place again.
“Unni! Congrats!”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
“What? Not happy?”
“No, I am.”
She seemed outwardly nonchalant. She didn’t openly brag to Bom or Gaeul. Even when praised, she just grinned awkwardly.
“Good job.”
“I know. Me too.”
Even with Yoo Ji-tae’s praise, she held back her excitement.
But the moment they left Room 301, her attitude flipped. Spotting rivals from the Colosseum rankings, she’d yell, “Hey! You’re OOth place!” at each one. She was so loud that even Sophia fled upon hearing her.
“Where you going! Get over here, 7th place?!”
“What can you do about it, you crazy bitch! Let’s see if you’re still first next quarter!”
“Bet I won’t be 7th, though?”
“(Trembling).”
Bom finished her first novel. Right after completing it, she posted it.
Surprisingly decent, a small publisher even reached out.
But Bom rejected the offer.
“It was good. Why reject?”
“They’re a shady publisher.”
“Shady?”
“Yeah. They gouge unpopular works and force-print books. My novel was honestly meh. Wouldn’t have placed in a contest.”
He shrugged it off.
So Bom started remaking her work.
Gaeul, with improved mental fortitude, diligently attended classes and got along smoothly with friends again. She was smiling more like before.
The chick and Winter played and ate heartily. Their runaway antics continued, but Yoo Ji-tae knew and let it slide.
No one in 301 knew, but the chick clearly had purpose and plans. Despite looking like a fluffy ball, it was pretty hard-boiled inside.
The regressor decided to watch silently.
Around that hectic daily life...
A message came from Myeong Yong-ha.
—Let’s go on a trip, Ji-tae!
At the end of the second quarter, Yoo Ji-tae had applied for ‘family field trip’ with the academic affairs office.
A week-long vacation.
Southwest Nevada, USA.
Las Vegas. The city of gambling and entertainment, famous even before the New Era.
A few years ago, a massive artificial lake was built in the barren northern desert outside Las Vegas. In the center of the lake stood Peace City, an artificial island. Recently, it had become the world’s top military resort.
Aboard the private jet to Peace City, Myeong Yong-ha explained why.
“After the Great War, the military clamped down hard on the elite class.”
“Yeah.”
He’d taken off his infimask and donned stylish sunglasses.
Like it was someone else’s business, he continued.
“But these soldier bastards spent over a decade—or more—in the field. Their lives drifted so far from family and friends. As you know, Ji-tae, even around me, tons have PTSD.”
The story of a soldier who startled at a book falling and massacred his own family was infamous.
Even superhumans weren’t mentally superhuman.
“Seeing them around is heartbreaking. I fared better as a druid, but... anyway. They fought hard, protected families, made money. But now they’re detached from daily life, struggling to fit in. Peace City’s built for them.”
“...”
“What do we know? Killing or surviving. Use that to impress families a bit. That’s the intent.”
That was why Myeong Yong-ha had asked about field life experience.
For the next week on a deserted island, Yoo Ji-tae had to lead them to survive. Forage food, build shelter.
“It’s barren? Chop trees for houses?”
“Hahaha! No way. Resort pass is billions per person.”
He paused.
“Huh... Good question. Just heard it’s great.”
Myeong Yong-ha searched on his watch.
“Ah, there. Recreates fun bugs, plants from dungeons in interesting setups... as events. Details vague, but KM-13 trees? Fun already.”
KM-13: Trees from S-grade+ ruin dungeons. Bear fruit based on liquid given, like water.
Yoo Ji-tae nodded. Not his thing, but new environments would thrill the kids.
They returned to the VVIP lounge.
Myeong Yong-ha’s family mingled with the dragons, having fun. Winter chatted with eldest son Myeong Jun-il. Gaeul held the second son, a baby, eyes sparkling. Yeoreum lounged on the sofa, scratching her belly while watching her watch.
A familiar yet unfamiliar face: Bom with Myeong Yong-ha’s wife, Jung Ha-won. An old lady sat laughing with them.
She was Ri-hwa. From the Total Nature Association, brought by Myeong Yong-ha.
As Yoo Ji-tae entered, Bom’s gaze naturally stuck to him. She waved. Ri-hwa smiled wrinkledly at him too.
“Drink?”
Myeong Yong-ha offered champagne. Yoo Ji-tae clinked glasses.
His eyes turned to the dragons.
Winter ate jelly. Myeong Jun-il sat beside, sneaking glances. The boy cautiously scooted closer.
Winter turned to him.
“H-Hi, sis...”
“...”
Unlike her former sullen greeting stare, Winter lightly smiled and nodded. Result of Bom’s etiquette lessons.
“Whatcha eating?”
“...Jelly.”
“Looks yummy.”
“...”
Jelly. She rarely had it now. Ate all Ajusshi bought. But today, outing special—Bom bought some. Winter indulged.
Myeong Jun-il, usually indifferent to sweets, hesitated then spoke.
“S-Sis.”
“...?”
“What flavor’s the yellow one?”
“...Tangerine?”
“Red one?”
“...Strawberry?”
“White one?”
Mid-bite, Winter turned to him.
“...Why?”
“Huh? No, just... looks tasty...”
“...Hm.”
“Sis. Can I have just one white?”
Winter slyly smiled.
“...Sure.”
“Huh? R-Really?”
Myeong Jun-il brightly extended his hand.
Winter eyed his hand, tilting her head.
“...What?”
“Huh? You said one?”
“...Didn’t.”
Only then did Myeong Jun-il realize. He’d asked if one was okay. Winter’s ‘sure’ meant no.
“Aah...”
Myeong Jun-il deflated.