Chapter 431
Chapter 431
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 431
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
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“…Giant’s blood?”
“That’s right, Artromil. Giant’s blood.”
One reason Kang Seol was shocked to hear the name Artromil was that this substance had vanished from Pandea’s history.
‘Artromil never appeared in continental history even once after Agras’s death.’
It had probably disappeared along with the Faces.
So why had it resurfaced here in a new form?
“You look curious about how we obtained Artromil… Mind if I ask how you know about it instead?”
“I ask the questions.”
“Yeah, figured you’d say that. What’s on your mind?”
“Did you… acquire Artromil recently?”
Gian’s eyes widened as he let out a whistle.
“How’d you know?”
“Answer me.”
“Spot on. Just recently. I didn’t even know a substance like this existed before then.”
Kang Seol’s guess was correct.
They had obtained Artromil only recently.
It lined up with the timing of the new drug, Home, spreading through the north.
So why had Artromil only been discovered now?
“We stumbled on this stuff purely by luck, to be honest. Up to that point, it was coincidence. After getting our hands on Artromil, though? Inevitable.”
The drug made from Artromil.
The incomplete body enhancements using Artromil.
But what had drawn their attention to Artromil after all this time?
What was it?
What event had happened?
Kang Seol pondered deeply before speaking.
“Found in the north?”
“Yep.”
“…Near Whigel Tung, then.”
At that, Gian looked flustered.
“You know that much?”
“There’s only one major incident that happened recently.”
Whigel Tung melting away.
The ancient nature slumbering beneath revealed.
“Exactly. Thanks to those Glacier Jaws. The permafrost melted, creating natural caves along the border. We found it in a few of those spots. You hear? Some idiots wandered too deep into Whigel Tung by mistake, ran into Glacier Jaws, and half died.”
“…….”
“If someone had caught on to Artromil’s existence before we did, it would’ve sparked a resource war.”
No matter whose hands this mysterious substance fell into, it was bound to bring disaster.
“But… you sure it’s safe lounging around here like this?”
“Huh?”
“I told you. Benhyu’s master happens to be staying in Shuriren. If I were him, I’d come after you and me before things spiral out of control.”
“You too?”
“They know I’m the type to spill everything.”
Gian smirked.
“There’s not even a shred of trust between us.”
“Didn’t you dive pretty deep into this mess yourself?”
“True. But… there are plenty of things I wish I hadn’t learned. Makes me itch to betray them, you know? Anyway, we’re getting friendly, right? Can we finish this chat somewhere safer? Those guys might just collapse this place and make it our tomb….”
Kang Seol sized up Gian’s gaze.
‘A snake’s eyes.’
Sly, constantly measuring his opponent. The kind who’d sink fangs into any gap.
But Kang Seol left no such openings. And even if he did, Gian lacked the skill to exploit them.
Kang Seol turned.
“…Let’s move.”
* * *
A carriage waited outside the ossuary.
Kang Seol had come alone, but once he wrapped up, a few from the cleanup crew joined right on time.
Ur and Tansia.
They were already in the carriage.
“You’re here!”
Tansia pounced toward Kang Seol as he climbed in.
Kang Seol brushed back her hair from her forehead a bit.
“Time to head home, Tansia.”
“Yeah… sleepy….”
Gian grumbled.
“Dragging a kid around too? Ugh….”
Kang Seol pressed a finger to his lips.
“Shh… Let’s go quietly.”
Ur spoke up.
“The others are with Han So-mi. She’s scatterbrained, but thorough with her work. Probably hunting for traces elsewhere.”
Ur tilted his head at Gian.
“Huh. Ended anticlimactically. This guy the ringleader? Different vibe from the one who fled earlier.”
“He’s dead.”
“Fit to die, yeah. Hmm… But why’s he unscratched?”
Kang Seol briefly explained what happened inside. Ur nodded.
“Quick on the uptake.”
“Ha… An old coachman and a brat. This ‘escort’ won’t protect shit.”
“Protect? You? From what?”
Gian repeated his warnings about a possible attack. Ur pondered, then replied.
“Doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”
Tansia scooted close to the coachman, tapped him, and whispered in his ear.
“Going home.”
Prff…
Snap-!
The reins cracked, and the horses started moving.
The carriage rolled at a steady pace. Gian curled up in the corner.
“What’re you doing?”
“Weak carriage like this? Bound to get targeted. Prepping in case it flips.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Yeah, just saying.”
“Odd guy.”
Kang Seol asked Gian.
“Back to my earlier question. Why cooperate with us?”
“Impatient, huh? If you must know… I’m sick of it.”
“Sick of it?”
“Just… like a tail wagging its head wherever. Can’t predict my own future? Better off dead. But not me.”
“So… you sense danger?”
“Something like that. Ah! Not betraying the organization yet, though. Just hoping someone might stop this—and boom, here you are.”
“You think I’ll thwart your plans?”
“You’re acting like it so far. If it looks better, I’ll flip anytime.”
As Kang Seol started another question, the carriage jolted.
Ur felt the shake and muttered.
“Rough road.”
“We’ve blocked the repairs. Lets us know when someone passes.”
“…What?”
“Passing through Hor Mountain Street now, right? Dark, no pedestrians.”
Ur glanced at the coachman, who nodded.
“Shuriren’s my turf. Know it like my palm blindfolded. Tonight’s Benhyu’s execution day, so my guys are up—no sleep. That old fart’s nearby too, probably scrambling to move.”
“…Old fart?”
Kang Seol’s question got an answer from Gian.
“The guy whose disciple you killed.”
“…You killed him.”
“Oh? Right. Anyway….”
Gian grimaced.
“We’re getting hit here.”
Hoo… hoo… hoo…
Gian took three deep breaths, schooled his face.
“It’s coming.”
Rumble…
Vibrations rose from below.
Felt like a bomb buried in the road, waiting.
Gian, expecting the carriage to flip, shielded his vitals—but he was the only one rattled.
Craaaack!
The explosion fizzled incomplete.
Frost blocked the heat and blast, snuffing it out. The carriage ended up encased in solid ice, protected like a glacier.
Hiss…
“Sleep it off.”
[Ur uses Light Sleep.]
[Induces sleep in foes with low Forest Resistance.]
[Target falls asleep, slowly recovering stamina.]
“Hey, isn’t this a bit much….”
Pssshhh!
Arrow volley rained on the ice block.
“…They mean to kill.”
Gian licked his lips.
“Take me out too. Spot any schemes right away.”
As Kang Seol moved to exit with Ur, choices appeared.
[The carriage you’re riding has been ambushed. Attackers haven’t revealed themselves yet. What will you do?]
1. Hide in the carriage and wait for backup.
2. Stay put and wait for them to speak first.
3. Step out and scout the situation.
4. Take Gian out with you.
……
Kang Seol grabbed Gian’s wrist, dragging him out.
“…Whoa, rude.”
Gian snatched handcuffs from Kang Seol’s uniform.
Knowing his game, Kang Seol let him.
Click…
[Gian is restrained.]
[Escort him safely to the Investigation Bureau.]
Gian cuffing himself.
Before leaving, Kang Seol told Tansia.
“Stay here, Sia.”
“I wanna go too!”
“Then the grandpa and horses are in danger. You gotta protect them, Tansia.”
“Oh! Tansia protects?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay! Old guy, don’t worry! Young Tansia’s got you!”
“…….”
Tansia, learning human speech from Karen to blend in.
Basics down pat, but word use still awkward.
‘Shouldn’t have left her with Karen….’
Kang Seol shrugged and stepped out.
Nearby buildings all occupied.
Not a sliver of light leaking, hinting as much.
—Gian!
Eyes appeared in midair.
‘Hiding their forms?’
Couldn’t tell whose eyes.
“Kang Seol.”
“Felt it too. Can’t pinpoint location.”
“Pretty good, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Suspicious mist cloaked the buildings.
“Wizard over there. That ‘old fart’ a mage?”
“Nah, Assiri’s no mage. Just a brawling geezer.”
“So one more guy.”
—Giiiian! Answer me! Or I’ll slaughter you right now!
Gian stepped forward.
Clink… clink…
Rattled his cuffs for show, pitiful expression on.
“Assiri! You came to save me! Thanks!”
—Fucking shameless lololol
—What’s with that touched look lmao
—Dialogue’s so slimy
Flabbergasted by Gian’s gall, the foe glared with those creepy eyes.
—Shameless, Gian. What were you doing while Benhyu died?
“I fought hard too!”
—Lies! Lies! I’d see it in your eyes after the job.
“Yeah! I’m innocent! Save me quick!”
—…Stay put quietly.
Gian muttered for Kang Seol alone.
“Old man… really got the repentance scroll. If they find out, we’re done… Hey, can you take the geezer?”
“…….”
“Can’t lose. Want help while we’re at it?”
“No need.”
“Then I’ll wait in the carriage.”
Gian retreated, yelling.
“I’ll wait!”
—…Mad bastard.
The eyes turned to Kang Seol.
—You thought you could kill my disciple and walk away unscathed?
Weird energy poured from the eyes.
Whoooosh…
Pop!
Ur darted behind Kang Seol.
[Assiri’s eyes use Sacrificial Eye.]
[Meeting the gaze brands Sacrificial Mark; guilt triggers flames dealing 10% max HP damage.]
Fwoosh…
The eyeball ignited, then—
[Dragon Blood Eyes immune to harmful eye effects.]
[Assiri’s eyes suffer mana backlash.]
—Damn it!
Boom!
The airborne eye exploded.
Assiri still unseen.
—Fun eyes you got. Taking them avenges my disciple.
Kang Seol and Ur exchanged looks.
“I’ll take old man.”
“Then I’ve got the mage.”
Flash!
Blue and black lights split apart.