Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: 48. Rusty Swords' Resting Place (5)
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Huff. Huff huff...
The boy was breathing heavily.
His ragged breaths reached the tip of his chin past his Adam's apple. On his knees, saliva dripped from his mouth.
He was Yoo Ji-tae's second 「Archduke's Shadow (SS)」.
"Pathetic... You're already this exhausted?"
Clone One was thoroughly displeased with Clone Two.
The boy (Clone Two) was weak. He couldn't properly wield the lord's authority contained within his body. At best, he was using maybe 1% of it.
That much was understandable. He was a newborn lifeform, and the artifact used as his material was low-quality for a Level 5.
The lord had two Level 5 artifacts. Since the better one went to her (Clone One), something like this was inevitable.
"I'm not that tired..."
Even then, his mouth kept running.
"Don't want to do it?"
"I said no, why do you keep asking..."
Obedience was useful. But obedience was something every 「Archduke's Shadow (SS)」 possessed unconditionally, regardless of the clone's state.
To distinguish whether a clone was exceptional, one had to judge by 'ability' and 'will'.
Ability? As mentioned, it was trash-level, unbelievable for a lord's clone.
Will was the same.
"Then stand up."
"Wait a bit..."
"I said stand."
Clone One approached with a stern expression. Then she kicked the young one's chest.
It was an abandoned junkyard in some fallen nation, devoid of human traffic. Though a light kick, the impact exploded like colliding with a truck at full speed. Bam! The boy flew far off, bounced on the ground three or four times, and buried himself in shattered car wreckage.
Rumble! Debris poured down.
Clone One walked leisurely toward the fallen boy.
"I gave you plenty of time to catch your breath. Now stand."
"Haa, haa..."
Staggering. Wobbling. The boy barely rose to his feet. His body lurched forward dramatically. As if about to vomit something up, he shook several times before finally retching blood. Crimson splattered the ground.
"If you whine even in simple combat training like this, how will you serve the grand plan? Would you even want to use yourself?"
"Haa..."
"Straighten your back. Before I break it."
A chilling voice pierced his ear.
Only then did the boy wipe the blood from his mouth and straighten up.
One eye swollen from the blow. Blood trickled from his torn cheek.
"You're not handling Guardian properly."
"Ah, I'll do it. Just let me..."
He grumbled as he closed his eyes. Only then did his wounds begin to heal.
"I said it again. You."
"Must become strong. Obey the lord with loyalty. Prioritize and protect the dragons' happiness above all. I know. I remember it all. Everything else too."
"......"
The boy raised a finger to wipe blood but paused. His thumb and index were gone. The rest were bent in impossible directions, broken from the impact.
"Ack..."
Pain hit him belatedly. The boy gritted his teeth and invoked Guardian.
It was the lord's blessing related to 'body repair'. Each time a broken finger realigned, he let out a scream. When the missing fingers regrew, he couldn't even breathe, tears streaming down.
"All done?"
"...Yes."
"Then pick up your weapon."
But the woman was merciless.
The boy picked up his sword without complaint.
.
.
.
When training ended, the boy—Clone Two—was a total wreck. Clone One applied medicine to his body. Due to various restrictions, the lord couldn't learn abilities to heal others, so this was her best effort.
"......"
Lying down, Clone Two raised an arm to cover his eyes.
As clones, they harbored no personal emotions. Neither did. But just as he questioned the lord's thoughts, Clone Two seemed puzzled by her attitude.
"I like training. But does it have to be this harsh?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"What do you mean?"
"No... I don't mean why do I need to when the lord protects the dragons anyway."
"Then."
"Just, couldn't I get stronger slowly?"
"No."
Clone One's words were firm.
"When. Where. What. How. Even foreseeing, we can't know perfectly. Any mortal with will is the same. Even our lord isn't exempt."
"......"
"So you and I must always be prepared. We need to reach full readiness ASAP. That's why methods like this are necessary."
The boy didn't respond.
"You are a being the lord created. Without you, the dragons' happiness would be jeopardized. So every drop of blood and tear you shed will add to their safety and joy."
"I won't cry though."
"Blood and sweat then."
"Blood's always included."
"Why? Do you think this is harsh? That someone must bleed for others' happiness? And that someone happens to be you?"
"No? Auntie, you're great, but you look down on me too much. I'm an Archduke's Shadow too."
"You think you're on my level, you phoenix chick?"
"Same as you, Auntie. So why would I think that? That's my reason for existing."
Yet his gloomy tone betrayed him. Clone One sighed inwardly. How did she end up raising a kid?
Still, he had his cute moments if you watched.
"We'll start again later. Rest for an hour."
"30 minutes is enough."
Bluffing.
Then, as if reconsidering, the boy spoke again.
"No, 35 minutes..."
She snorted.
Was the lord in his first regression this brazen too?
Having the irreverent thought briefly, Clone One shook her head.
Bom waited silently until Yoo Ji-tae finished his log.
Leaving alcohol alone would just mean he'd drink solo eventually.
So Yoo Ji-tae decided to teach Bom about drinking. If she found joy in it, alcohol could be a good companion.
"Here."
"Okay."
Among the fruit seeds was one shaped like a glass.
Used like a cup.
"Cheers."
Clink. Yoo Ji-tae and Bom tapped seeds.
They tilted them. Red infused liquor slid down throats. Over 80-proof, brutally strong. Flower scent assaulted mouth and nose like a bomb.
"...Cough."
She seemed to swallow fine, but Bom coughed.
Then her eyes widened round.
"This is so hot..."
"Hot?"
"Yes. I can feel it going down."
She traced from her neck down her chest and belly with a finger.
For snacks, Bom prepared fruit. Dungeon fruit resembling mangoes.
They downed a few shots wordlessly.
Bom spoke with a slightly sulky face.
"I think I'm getting drunk."
"Naturally."
"When I turn my head, the world follows slowly. That's being drunk, right?"
"Yes."
"But it's unfair."
"What is?"
"Why am I the only one drunk?"
"Then."
"You're not drunk, right, Ajusshi?"
"I am."
The regressor had lowered his metabolism to human levels. That showed how precious the liquor was.
"But why do you look fine?"
"It's strong stuff originally."
"Then can I feel your emotions a bit?"
Dragons assimilate to emotions and thoughts of those they touch skin-to-skin.
She probably thought he was lying. Of course, the regressor could hide if he wanted, but he obliged her wish.
Bom pressed her index finger to his hand's back.
"It's real..."
Her sulky eyes curved oddly.
Probably the alcohol. The faint touch of her finger on his skin felt more vivid.
The regressor didn't welcome the situation itself.
Her hand touching his was awkward.
As he tried to pull away, Bom gripped his fingers tight, as if sensing it.
"Where you running?"
She giggled.
So he dulled his senses more.
His body felt awkward. Lowered metabolism for intoxication. Dulled skin senses. Killed false presence to let her honesty shine.
For the first time since entering the 7th regression, the regressor was in a normal human state.
"But why alcohol all of a sudden?"
"Ah. I've wanted to try drinking for a while?"
"For a while?"
"Yes. Don't remember well, but... Mom drank a lot before. Red like made from blood..."
Bom held up the infused liquor. Lost in thought briefly, similar hue.
"Thought I'd drink alone someday. But no chance..."
"So now's the chance?"
"Right? Curious if you'd get drunk too."
Her hum and smile showed she was tipsy. Relaxed eyes, dopey grin. A new expression for him.
"You have a buzz?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Get calm."
"So you, Ajusshi..."
Clink.
"Hmmm... Why calm?"
"Don't remember well. Think I messed up drunk once before. Became like this after."
"Mess up when drunk?"
"Yeah."
Clink.
"Ah. Spilled some..."
"Waste."
Bom brought lips to liquor on the wooden table. Slurped it up.
"What're you doing."
"You said waste..."
"Not like that."
"Hm... Come to think, kinda dirty... Why'd I do that...?"
Then dopey smile again.
Clink.
"Ugh... This is seriously strong..."
"Told you."
"Kinda get what drunk is... Feels good."
"Drink moderately, sober up before the kids come."
"Okay..."
Clink.
"Hmmm... Oh. Snack time. Here, ahh—"
"......"
"Good."
Downing high-proof shots nonstop, she seemed drunk too. Yoo Ji-tae ate the fruit she offered, asking something he normally wouldn't.
"Why always trying to feed me."
"You won't eat if I don't..."
"Don't need to."
"Always like that, makes me wanna feed more..."
Clink.
Clink.
Clink.
"See? Won't eat without."
"......"
Hee hee hee. Bom laughed foolishly. The infused liquor was nearly gone.
He seemed quite drunk now too. Bom's face and eyes, once routinely glanced, lingered unusually long in his gaze.
Bom caught it.
"Am I pretty...?"
This green-haired girl, knowing her own cuteness, pouted at his lingering gaze. Awkward smile, then fox-like grin as she poked her cheek with a finger. Acting cute.
He stared blankly at her face like watching TV. Awkwardness swelled more. Bom still held his fingers.
Knuckles visible. Nails too. Veins under pale skin caught his eye. Time to end the session.
"Last shot."
"Okay..."
Problem arose. Heavily drunk Bom couldn't grip her glass properly. Human drunkenness differed slightly; her polymorphed body synchronization lagged.
Thought gripped, hand slipped off. After failing several times, Bom scowled at the innocent glass.
"Why... Won't grab..."
"......"
Yoo Ji-tae grabbed her glass and poured. Bom took it clumsily with both hands.
Last shot down. Gulp. Gulp. Liquor slid slowly. Bom exhaled weakly. Alcohol scent bloomed.
One fruit piece left.
Bom stared blankly at it.
"This... Wanna eat..."
"Huh?"
"But can't pick up..."
The regressor pondered briefly. Asking to be fed?
"Wanna eat... Can't pick..."
Reached for fruit—but it stayed, hand lifted empty. Bom's face grew sadder.
"Wanna eat... Wanna eat..."
"......"
Dopey, relaxed eyes looked at Yoo Ji-tae.
He sighed, grabbed the fruit, and offered it.
Bom looked up at him, sad-faced, mouth opening.
Fruit slid perfectly in.
Drunk, hard to control mouth, jaw, body.
Next instant.
Bom bit Yoo Ji-tae's finger with the fruit.
"......?"
Her blank gaze slowly shifted between his eyes and hand.
Warmth in her mouth felt; Yoo Ji-tae pulled his finger out. Then his dulled senses ignored orders, sharpening vividly.
In that moment, deep unease surged from his chest.
"What're you doing."
Bom burst into giggles, flopping.
Aha ha, waving hand.
"No... Wasn't on purpose..."
"......"
"Mistake, mistake..."
"......"
Gaeul stared blankly out the window.
Mid-mountain, searching for cute chicks. Needed photos for Ppivung, realized too late she'd left her watch.
So Gaeul was heading back briefly.
But nearing home, intense floral scent wafted. Curious, Gaeul peeked through the window slyly.
Unni and Ajusshi were drinking.
Wow. Drinking...! Gaeul's thoughts stopped there.
Before seeing Bom's expression.
"......"
His face hidden by her back.
Suddenly Bom laughed. Heard "mistake", but unclear what.
But Bom's eyes on Yoo Ji-tae were crystal clear.
"......"
From drunk Bom's expression and gaze.
Gaeul felt dizzy, weird, wondrous.
Heart pounded.
"......"
Unlike usual scatterbrained self unable to focus long, Gaeul couldn't look away for ages.
By session's end, belated "oh no", fled first. But at mountain base, heart still raced.
Thump thump...
Only then Gaeul wondered.
What did I just see...?