Chapter 437
Chapter 437
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 437
>Chapter Title: The 31st Word Overturns the Game Board
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Kang Seol noticed right away, the moment he stepped into the room, that they had tampered with the incense.
[Advanced Insight activates.]
[The scent of dreamgrass is mixed in.]
[If you fall asleep, you will plunge into a deep slumber.]
His Insight ability, honed in the Pitch-Black Labyrinth, proved its worth here.
He shoved an herb that repels drowsiness into his mouth and chewed it noisily.
'Betrayal?'
Zian's betrayal.
But it wasn't all that shocking. A traitor's mouth inevitably bites another traitor's tail.
Endless cycles of betrayal were simply their way. Still, one thing puzzled him.
'The timing couldn't be worse.'
If Zian was plotting betrayal, he should have avoided a situation like this at all costs.
Kang Seol's forces might have been split in two, but they were still fully operational. He could mop up those chatting outside in seconds.
And yet Zian had betrayed them.
So why? No—he got it now.
'Maybe it's not betrayal after all.'
A set of choices appeared before him.
[Before falling asleep, you detected someone's scheme and entered a state of heightened alert. Zian's betrayal seems the most likely culprit. How will you proceed?]
1. Wake everyone up immediately and interrogate them.
2. Lie in wait for the culprit to strike, then counterattack.
3. Sneak out quietly and confirm everyone's safety.
4. Track down the missing Zian's whereabouts.
……
The bed right next to his lay empty, ownerless. Zian's bed.
Karuna hadn't slept either. His eyes were wide and alert, awaiting Kang Seol's command.
Kang Seol had been about to ask Karuna to check on Tansia's safety, but he decided it was too risky—they might be overheard.
Besides, something that had happened recently nagged at him.
—You're not her guardian, Kang Seol. Keep this up, and she'll end up as your weakness.
'...She'll have to handle it herself.'
Tansia needed to protect herself.
Kang Seol pressed a finger to his lips, signaling silence, then silently opened the window and released his crows.
The crows scattered in an instant, gliding soundlessly through the night sky.
'...Found them.'
The missing Zian and the married couple were conversing a short distance from the house.
The crow edged closer, listening carefully to their words.
"Where's Barua?"
"I can't disclose his location."
"That's harsh. You don't trust me?"
"It was Lord Barua's personal request. He said not to tell a soul...."
"He's airtight.... Or maybe you don't even know where he is?"
"If you're fishing for info, I'd advise against it."
Kang Seol pieced it together from their exchange: they had known each other from the start, and Zian had deliberately led the group to this house.
'But... their tone feels off....'
There was a hierarchy between them, sure, but they came across as deeply wary of Zian.
"And he added that you're not to be trusted, Zian-nim."
"Whoa... that's a low blow. Next time I see him, I'll give him an earful. Anyway... what's your read on things?"
"......"
"You agree? Am I really that untrustworthy?"
"I'll hold my tongue."
Zian fell silent for a moment, then spoke again with a sigh.
"Then let's just take what we each want and part ways cleanly. Do it a few times, and trust might build. For now, how about an info swap?"
"...Very well."
"How's the plan? Everything on track?"
"Proceeding smoothly. The Great One anticipates completing the seal before the sun sets."
"Faster than scheduled?"
"The enemy's power is swelling too rapidly. He must be wary of that."
Kang Seol zeroed in on the figures they mentioned.
'The Great One... and his foe?'
Figures still veiled in mystery.
"Now it's your turn to ask."
"The Special Task Force is a front—they're really the crows who killed Tekon. Correct?"
"...You've already pieced that together?"
"Correct?"
"Sigh... yeah. That's them."
Kang Seol's expression soured.
'Handed over our intel.... Not a huge deal, but still.'
His judgment on whether it was betrayal or not kept wavering.
"How can we trust that's the truth?"
Ting-!
Zian flicked something their way.
"This is...."
"Right? Crow insignia."
"Indeed. The Special Task Force... dangerous elements."
"You don't have the full picture on them yet?"
"Is that a question?"
"No! Not a question. Skip it if you want. Anyway, those crows nearly got me killed too. I thought Tekon went down easy 'cause he was weak, but even Benhu and Assiri got trashed...."
"Truly regrettable. Still, despite your heavy losses, your ongoing strength bolsters the Council immensely."
"If you get it, then play nice... Next question."
Zian watched them with serpentine focus.
"Have you recovered the Fragment of Assertion?"
"That's a question I'd rather dodge."
"Answer me. Recovered?"
"......"
"No answer? Then we're done talking."
"Understood. To be precise... not yet."
"Last I heard, that guy's disciple stepped in."
"The Triem lot's interference is proving a real obstacle."
"Kuhat! Fair enough. But with the disciple involved, you're still having issues?"
"Don't underestimate them. In raw power, they might even have the edge."
"...Hm. So you'll snag the item soon?"
"Word is they're heading into the ruins shortly. Once they do, we can recover the fragment... No—our turn for questions."
The couple scowled. Gone was their affable demeanor; in its place stood cold-blooded killers brimming with menace.
"Let's be frank. We don't trust you."
"......"
"But we hesitate to believe a esteemed Council member would defect overnight. Tell us. You who pledged all sacrifices for the grand design...."
"Spare me the flowery bullshit. You're wondering if I'm the traitor... or the one hiding fangs. Right?"
Even Kang Seol, eavesdropping, flinched at the question.
Zian continued.
"Are you truly following the Great One's grand design?"
"What a question! If you're testing our loyalty...."
"That's the weird part about this 'grand design.'"
"......Are you denying the Great One's will?"
"Not denying it. I just don't know enough. But it's suspicious as hell."
"What blasphemy!"
"Lame. Way too lame. Can't mask the rot—Kokoro nearly choked on it. Fine, you wanna know if I'm a traitor? Here's your answer."
Zian's presence shifted.
In that instant, an unyielding spirit dominated the space.
"I'm no traitor. I never planned to side with you in the first place."
"Traitor confirmed! Die!"
Zzaaak-!
Woodudududuk!
Walls of bone erupted, shielding Zian. He spun on his heel and bolted for the house, yelling.
"Kang Seol! You're watching, right? Help me! They're gonna kill me!"
"Kuh... He's trying to wake the other one. Take him out before he...."
That was when it happened.
A flock of crows swooped in from nowhere, coalescing into a hazy human silhouette.
[Ensemble: River Cleave activated.]
[Draw your sheathed blade with blinding speed to inflict massive damage on a single target.]
[This is an unavoidable strike.]
[Applies 50% fixed damage to large opponents.]
Whoooong-!
A total blindside ambush. The kindly couple vanished; only battle-hardened warriors remained, scrambling to block the descending blade.
Kwaaaaaaaaak-!
The sword shattered their intentions and carved downward.
Plop...
A straight gash scarred the ground where the blade passed, soon brimming with blood.
Corpses mangled beyond any hope of regeneration.
Kang Seol glanced back, and Zian shrugged.
"Whew, if you were watching, you could've jumped in sooner. Alright! Let's frisk these guys. Might turn up something useful...."
Zian approached the crumpled bodies, then paused as if struck by a thought and looked toward the house.
"Right—the kid! The kid's in danger too!"
Kwaaaaaaaaaang-!
In that instant, a massive arm exploded through the second-floor wall of the house. Tangled in its claws were clothes belonging to the boy Tansia shared a room with.
"Huh...."
Zian peered up at the second floor, where Tansia made her appearance.
"I-I didn't hesitate this time!"
"...You caught something finer than a goat, kiddo."
* * *
"Liar! That happy family from last night were Council informants!?"
Sindio, absorbing Zian's debrief, was too stunned to close her mouth.
And understandably so—she'd slept soundly without a hint of suspicion.
"Kahaha! No bad vibes at all?"
"Bad vibes? In the ungoverned zones, tons of folks live isolated. Are you saying we should suspect every last one...."
Sindio whipped her head toward Tansia! Who was grinning ear to ear.
"No way... Was I the only one who missed it?"
No one nodded outright, but the silence said it all.
"...Should we turn back now?"
The one who ought to have been most vigilant had been the most oblivious. The realization hit her hard.
Flutter...
As she reeled, a magical bird alighted on her shoulder.
"Whoa, what's that?"
Zian asked. Sindio replied.
"Long-range comm spell."
"What if someone swipes it?"
"It's coded. Only I can read it."
Ziiing...
Sindio received the message from the bird, whispered a reply, and sent it off again.
"Expedition team's assembled. They've already shipped out."
"I see."
"Let's hang back a bit—at least say hi."
"Nah, no time for that."
Sindio bristled at Zian's icy tone.
"What do you mean? They're...."
"The Council's moving faster than we thought. Fail to stop them now, and our options get cut in half going forward. They'll seize total control."
"So you're saying... move out before the expedition catches up?"
"Obviously."
"But... that guarantees friction with the expedition team."
"Who gives a damn? Expedition or no, it changes nothing for us."
"Well... true, but traveling together would make it easier to get backup in a pinch...."
"Backup? Better off if we don't need each other's help."
"Huh? What're you talking about?"
The night before, Kang Seol and Zian had discussed their next stop. Their trust had improved, but only just.
Zian shot Kang Seol a sidelong glance as he spoke.
"Truth is, that's the real kicker. Where we're headed next is west of the plains...."
"Route change? Weren't we tundra-bound?"
"I told you—the enemy's one step ahead, so we reroute. We handle our side first."
"West of the plains... hold on...."
Sindio jolted upright.
"Surely you're joking... You sane?"
"I'm never sane. Talk to the sane one here."
"You're insane! That's Triem!"
Kang Seol smirked.
Predictable reaction to Triem.
"No helping it. Council's already set foot there, butting heads to grab what they want. If we're fighting them, we step into their backyard."
"You're all nuts... Triem...."
"What's Triem?"
Tansia looked up at Kang Seol. He flashed a grin.
"A little kingdom inhabited solely by ogres."
"Kahaha! Sounds fun!"
"No problems there."
Sindio muttered in exhaustion at the group's blasé vibe.
"...Should we turn back now?"
In the end, swayed by Zian's promise of a plan, she grudgingly agreed to follow without protest.
And a few days later, Sindio regretted not turning back.
"No way! Let go! I'm heading home! You bastard!"
"Whoa! You promised to keep an eye on me! C'mon, watch Lord Zian proper!"
"Enough... I don't wanna die for real. Okay? Please, everyone, just stop. If you're dying, do it at home!"
"Way past that. Triem scouts've probably caught our meat scent by now."
They were already deep in Triem territory.
A shattered human city, as if carpet-bombed. And in the distance, colossal shapes lumbering closer.
Thud...
Kuuuung...
Kuuuung...
"They're coooming! Incoming!"
The ground quaked beneath their advance.
"Yup, here they come."
"Ogres! It's ogres! What do we do!?"
"Nothing to do but hope our pal's right."
"......"
Thudthudthudthudthud-!
The ogres' footfalls quickened.
They'd definitely spotted the group.
Jamad's bulk had somewhat prepared them, but the ogres' sheer scale still sent hearts pounding.
"Uhhe! Hit the jackpot... meat galore."
"Roast 'em! Gonna taste great!"
"Can I snag one first?"
"Me toooo!"
The ogre pack babbled among themselves in their guttural tongue. Four of them, each the size of a house.
Fetid breath poured from their maws, feral savagery radiating from their frames.
Plains apex predators—no escaping an encounter like this.
The ogres closed in, encircling the group.
"Snuuuup... heeeee...."
One drooled rivers from its jaws—profoundly unnerving.
Poke poke...
Sindio jabbed Kang Seol's back.
"Hey... do something...."
Hurry up and execute if there's a plan. Fair point—too late once they're ogre chow.
A half-baked gamble of a scheme, but with the ogres closing in and yammering, Kang Seol foresaw success.
'I can hear them. So... I can speak.'
Ever since deciphering Alkatron's tonguecraft, he could comprehend and speak the languages of myriad races. This was no different.
Kang Seol spoke calmly in their guttural dialect.
"Greetings. We are your guests."
Zian and Sindio jumped at the bizarre, unknown speech spilling from Kang Seol's lips.
It was ogre-speak. A language nigh impossible to learn under normal circumstances.
After all, you'd get eaten long before mastering it.
Kang Seol's words stunned more than just them.
"Kruuuuu...."
One ogre stooped low, thrusting its face to Kang Seol's nose.
Its gaping maw could swallow him whole in one go.
"It... spoke... chewy meat...."
[Charm activates. Additional affinity gained.]
[Sudden quest 'Talking Meat Chunk' triggered.]
[This quest is highly dangerous.]
……