Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Existence
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"I don't really feel like chatting with you."
"Like it or not, it seems like we'll be tangled up in all sorts of ways from here on out. I get why you dislike me, but keeping up this wall forever won't help anyone."
"Why do you think you and I will get tangled up?"
I had no idea what she was thinking, but Yeo So-cheon's face flushed red.
'What a prickly personality.'
"I heard it from the saintess of another world. She said this world is in danger right now."
"...Ha! Don't believe a word that lecherous woman says. She lies every time she opens her mouth—you can't trust her."
I'd half-expected it, but Yeo So-cheon really seemed to hate that saintess.
Was it because she served a different god?
'She might've played a few tricks, but she didn't seem like a bad person.'
Sure, she'd messed around a bit in the shop window, but she was the one who'd been a huge help in surviving this brutal world, so my feelings toward her weren't bad at all.
If anything, the untrustworthy one here was Yeo So-cheon.
I was grateful she'd freed me from being a Seed Demon, but she'd basically tossed me alone into this harsh world.
If I hadn't met Master, I probably wouldn't have survived unscathed this long.
"So, does that mean this world isn't actually in danger?"
"Of course it is! Even if hordes of those twisted wraiths that defy the natural order come at me like mountains, with me here, I can handle them no pro—"
"Swearing on the name of the Heavenly Deities?"
"..."
Yeo So-cheon's mouth snapped shut.
We hadn't known each other long, but I'd already figured out how to handle her to some extent.
She had strong pride and convictions, didn't take others' opinions easily, but she was extremely sensitive about anything involving the Heavenly Deities.
The reason she'd come to me before was punishment for my rude actions toward them, after all.
According to the saintess, she was like this world's equivalent of a saintess, so it made perfect sense.
That's why I'd asked her now.
Could she swear on the Heavenly Deities that this world wasn't in danger?
-Grip
Yeo So-cheon clenched her fist tight and bit her lip.
Frustration was plain on her face.
Just looking at her, I could guess her answer.
"...Truth be told, it's a little dangerous."
Unfortunately.
"...It's dangerous?"
"W-well, not as bad as you might think? The King of Bloodsuckers, lurking somewhere and biding his time, can't move freely yet. I'm blocking the other wraiths."
"Then what about all the Bloodsucker stories popping up across the Central Plains?"
"Th-that's... just thrashing around! He can't act himself, so he's sending his minions to try something..."
"Then you need to stop it!!"
The more we talked, the more frustrated I got.
Even if blocking wraiths was her job, incidents in the Central Plains were something others could get involved in too, right?
"Why suffer alone? Ask for help from others too—that death thing..."
It was at that moment.
-Thud
"No!!"
Yeo So-cheon frantically clapped her hand over my mouth.
"...?"
"Ah. Th-that... I'll explain later, so don't say that name. Got it?"
-Nod
I didn't fully get the situation, but it didn't seem like she was blocking my mouth for no reason, so I nodded obediently.
Only then did her hand leave my mouth.
"...Listen carefully. That one... well, those who reach a realm transcending concepts and command them beneath their hand—they gain power just from people recognizing and acknowledging their existence. It doesn't amount to much from one or two, but if it's hundreds, thousands..."
Her solemn expression, one I'd never seen before, left me speechless for a moment.
"Even if you learned of him unavoidably through that lecherous woman, you speaking it aloud is another matter. Try not to utter his name if possible. And definitely don't tell anyone else."
"...Got it."
Only then did Yeo So-cheon step back a bit and wipe her hand on her sleeve.
Probably got my saliva on her palm while covering my mouth.
"But then why did the saintess tell me about it...?"
"Well, in her world, probably everyone knew of him, so she might've forgotten that fact. Or she figured one more wouldn't hurt."
"...Maybe."
It felt a bit off, but I figured it could be.
It was a decades-long war staking the fate of the world, so everyone there likely knew of him, making the restriction basically meaningless.
"...Just to be sure, you haven't told the Sword Empress or anyone else, right?"
"Uh... probably not."
"Good. Who knew that head of yours had uses beyond setting ladies' hearts ablaze."
"...Pardon?"
I thought I'd misheard and asked again, but Yeo So-cheon flushed red once more and waved her arms.
"Th-that last part was a slip! Forget it!"
"Uh... okay..."
Hearing that made me think—this body's face must be exceptionally handsome.
Of course, I'd seen myself in mirrors and reflections in water, so I knew my looks were outstanding, but...
'Enough to say something like that?'
Whether it was that handsome to a woman was hard for me, a guy, to judge.
To me, she looked like a short, childish kid.
'...Height.'
Suddenly curious, I looked at Yeo So-cheon in front of me.
"...What?"
"Got something I'm suddenly wondering about."
"...Why does that make me uneasy?"
"Between you and me, who's taller?"
"Ha."
Yeo So-cheon sighed with an exasperated look.
"You call that a question? I'm obviously taller."
"To me, we look about the same."
"...Look straight."
-Thud!
Yeo So-cheon shoved me against the wall and planted her hand beside my head.
The classic wall slam.
"Still look the same?"
"..."
Up close, I could tell her eye level was slightly higher.
-Squish
I felt the distinctly feminine part of her body press against my chest, but I turned my head away and grumbled.
"...Yeah, yeah. You're taller."
"Heh. Be careful next time."
"Don't strut over a measly 1-2 cm."
"I don't know your world's units, so that means nothing to me."
"Tch."
I wanted out of this position, but with her arm still there, I was trapped.
"..."
"..."
"...You're not even looking at my face—why stare like that?"
"No, just thinking your world has some amazing tech."
"This cloak isn't from my world, but..."
Still, it was an incredible cloak.
It shrouded the face in darkness to hide identity, and its added functions—ventilation, insulation, cold resistance—were perfect, keeping cool in summer and warm in winter.
Plus, it was large enough to cover my frame, which I found plenty useful in this world.
My uncovered body was small and skinny, easy pickings for trouble in this rough place.
That wasn't why inn errand boys got into scraps so often, for nothing.
In that regard, my setup was far better.
It hid my build, my face—even in a lawless world, it deterred easy trouble.
Think about it: who'd pick a fight with someone using sorcery to hide an already absurdly handsome face?
Even I'd avoid it unless desperate.
"But you really can't see my face, right?"
"...Yeah. Even focusing my internal energy to pierce it doesn't work."
'...What an artifact.'
A veil even she, at her level, couldn't see through?
Considering her status, it was extraordinary.
-Thud!
At that moment, the door to the next room burst open, and Dang Ayoung's father emerged with Dang Ayoung.
Her father strode out first, spotted me, and hurried over.
Yeo So-cheon had instantly broken the wall slam and stepped back the second the door opened.
"Did you two have a good talk..."
-Grab!
Before I finished, he seized my shoulders with both hands and spoke gravely.
"You'll take responsibility."
"...Pardon?"
"You've made my daughter like that—you have to take responsibility. Too late to undo it, so you'll do the deed."
"N-no, what are you suddenly..."
"No refusals. We'll cover the wedding budget entirely, so don't worry—just prepare..."
"At least explain what's going on?!"
"My lord. Now that it's come to this, I leave myself in your hands. My side's given permission, so let's pick a wedding date..."
"Why are you acting all mushy too?!"
I flailed in panic at Dang Ayoung's father demanding responsibility and Dang Ayoung calling me "my lord."
In the sudden chaos, I spotted Yeo So-cheon standing off to the side.
"..."
For some reason, she was sniffing her sleeve.