Chapter 133

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 133

Chapter Title: Swamp of Oblivion (2)

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Three years ago, most of those who had ventured into the Swamp of Oblivion chose not to join this expedition for one simple reason.

It was horrifying to lose one of your senses.

Ha Yu-ri, however, seemed determined to participate in order to recover her lost memories.

As Yun Yeon had suggested, the expedition was divided into Region 1, Region 2, and Region 3.

The Eternity Clan was assigned to pioneer Region 2 alongside the Madan Clan.

This wasn't random or Seo Yu-ju's decision—it was the result of my input.

...I'll let Yun Yeon handle things her way, and I can pretty much force Ha Yu-ri to do what I want.

I had no desire to meddle in Yun Yeon's affairs. She'd manage on her own.

Convincing Seo Yu-ju had been quite the ordeal, though. She utterly despised Ha Yu-ri, after all.

It had been amusing when Eternity announced its intent to join Region 2's expedition. Ha Yu-ri looked like she'd lost everything in the world, utterly despairing.

In any case, I was currently at the Region 2 camp, set up just before entering the Swamp of Memory.

The representatives from the clans participating in Region 2 had gathered.

...Even divided into thirds, there are still quite a few people.

Naturally, the decision-maker for Region 2 was Ha Yu-ri, the Madan Clan's master.

But in reality, I'm the one calling the shots.

With Ha Yu-ri as my slave, I could issue orders and direct her as I pleased.

Not everyone had arrived yet, so while we waited, a man approached our clan's group.

More precisely, he came straight to me.

What the hell?

"Ahem, ahem. Nice to meet you. You're... Lee Yun-seong of Eternity, right?"

Since he greeted me first, I returned the courtesy.

"Ah, yes. That's me. Nice to meet you as well. And you are...?"

...Who was this again?

I'd memorized the names of all the key figures from the clans heading to Region 2.

Ah, right, I remember now.

"Ah, you're the master of the Brotherhood Clan. My apologies for not recognizing you right away."

"Haha, no need. I'm just grateful you know me. As you might have heard, I'm Kim Seok-ho, master of the Brotherhood Clan."

I had no idea why he approached me instead of Clan Master Seo Yu-ju, but his polite demeanor left a good first impression.

Let's see what kind of stats the Brotherhood Clan's master has.

...Not bad at all.

Seo Yu-ju, Yun Yeon, Ha Yu-ri, and Yanagiya Riki were the monsters, but Kim Seok-ho was plenty strong himself.

His stats weren't perfectly balanced, but having one over 90 was more than sufficient.

It was welcome news that a powerhouse like him was friendly toward me.

"I'm the one who should be grateful for such kind words. The Brotherhood Clan's reputation precedes it—I've heard it ringing in my ears nonstop."

My praise for his clan made Kim Seok-ho's mouth curve up so wide it nearly split his face.

"So, what brings you to me...?"

"Well... I wanted to express my thanks, that's all."

"...Thanks?"

Kim Seok-ho nodded as he replied.

"That's right. Thanks to Lee Yun-seong of Eternity exposing the spy from the Lawless side, our clan could finally breathe easy."

"Ah..."

Now I understood why he'd sought me out.

"Pioneering Region 2 together feels like fate, and expressing gratitude is only proper."

"Haha, thank you. It wasn't that big a deal."

"Not a big deal? How modest. A man who receives a favor should give thanks—and I always repay my debts."

...Good outcome, but it's a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bit burdensome.

"Oh! I've gotten carried away chattering. Anyway, I look forward to working with you."

"No, the pleasure's mine."

After Kim Seok-ho returned to his seat, Wi Ho-yeon spoke to me.

"Mr. Lee Yun-seong, that man just now..."

"Ah, he just came over to say hello. Nothing major, so no need to worry about it."

"Yes. More importantly... the meeting's about to start."

Looking around at Wi Ho-yeon's words, I saw everyone had gathered.

Ha Yu-ri drew all eyes as she spoke up.

"...Alright, let's discuss the Region 2 expedition."

After a brief silence, Seo Yu-ju questioned Ha Yu-ri.

"Madan Clan Master, you've been to the Swamp of Oblivion before. Was it Region 2 last time?"

"...Yes. So I'll guide us as far as I know."

This time, I asked a question.

"And how do you plan to proceed overall?"

"...Losing memories isn't a huge hindrance to pioneering. The real issue starts when you begin losing senses. Let's talk about that."

"How about this, then?"

All eyes turned to me.

"Everyone here knows losing sight is the biggest problem among the senses."

No detailed explanation was needed.

"...It'll weaken our forces, but if someone starts losing their sight, we should pull them to the rear. You said senses recover once you're far enough from the depths, right, Ha Yu-ri?"

"...You're saying exclude them from the expedition entirely?"

"No, have them wait in a safe zone where they won't lose senses, or assign them tasks they can handle there."

Kim Seok-ho chimed in.

"...Sounds good to me. I'm in favor. A blind person continuing would just hold everyone back."

"...Thank you. Next, losing taste and smell isn't too bad. Touch is where it gets tricky."

Touch was less critical than sight or hearing in battle, but still vital.

"From touch onward, it'll be extremely uncomfortable. Hearing... you can't communicate mid-battle, but outside of combat, writing works for basic communication. It'll be inconvenient, of course."

A woman spoke up.

"So... pull the blind to the rear and use writing for the deaf? That's the idea?"

"Yes, exactly."

Who was this woman again? Ah, Plum Blossom Clan's master.

Her name was Seo Mi-kyung, I recalled.

"One more thing: separate the deaf during battles since communication's impossible."

"...Why?"

"They can't maintain formation without it."

The blind couldn't fight at all.

The deaf could fight but not coordinate.

Those losing touch, taste, or smell would be inconvenienced but could still battle effectively.

As various opinions flew, the woman from earlier opened her mouth with a displeased, irritated expression.

"...All good points. But let's address one thing."

Ha Yu-ri looked puzzled at the Plum Blossom Clan master's words.

"What do you mean?"

"From what I know, everyone here is a clan master or high officer. Except one."

...Is she talking about me?

"Pardon?"

"That guy over there. The one from Eternity Clan."

Ha Yu-ri's face hardened at the woman's words.

"Why is some regular clan member here?"

...Her weird looks at me from earlier make sense now.

She'd looked unhappy since I started speaking, and now this.

Ha Yu-ri glanced nervously at me, while Seo Yu-ju's expression turned icy.

Seo Yu-ju glared fiercely as she spoke.

"Ha... what did you just say?"

"Come on, isn't it obvious? Why would a mere grunt be at a meeting like this?"

Ha... what a moron.

Like some law of idiot preservation, even after crushing Ha Yu-ri's spirit, this random fly buzzed annoyingly.

"...You done talking? I brought my clan member on purpose. Who are you to complain?"

"Ha... even so, a regular clan member...?"

"Hey."

"...W-what?"

"Deaf? I'm talking to you."

"Ha, a first-year brat propped up by her surroundings, doesn't know her place...!"

Huh?

It happened in an instant. Seo Yu-ju was suddenly beside the woman.

Everyone in the meeting was stunned. Most hadn't even detected her movement.

Only Ha Yu-ri and the Wave Clan's master—a major clan—had sensed it.

Even they watched in shock.

Seo Yu-ju placed a hand on the woman's shoulder and spoke again.

"Say it again. Who doesn't know their place?"

"Uh... uh...?"

The woman paled under Seo Yu-ju's pressure.

I'd been curious about Seo Yu-ju's stats after that display, so I checked her status window and let out a low whistle.

When did she get this strong...?

Most of her stats were over 90 now. She could stand toe-to-toe with the three great clan masters.

And her trait is Legendary-grade Divine Spear Unity...

"No answer? Need a spear through your throat first?"

"Ah, th-that... S-sorry..."

The woman trembled uncontrollably.

Her mind might not grasp it, but her body reacted instinctively to the terror, forcing an apology.

"Plum Blossom Clan Master. Watch your mouth from now on, got it? Calling my clan member a 'mere grunt'?"

"Ah... Y-yes...!"

"This isn't a joke. Etch it in your head if you don't want to die."

The woman nodded frantically, face ashen.

Seo Yu-ju returned to her seat and spoke.

"Sorry, everyone. I lost my temper."

A heavy silence followed, broken by the Wave Clan's master.

"...Incredible. Beyond belief."

No one replied, but their faces said it all.

"...I sensed it back at the training facility, but you're a real monster. 'Genius' doesn't cover it. I thought it'd take at least three years to catch up, but this is ridiculous."

Ah, this guy's one of the instructors from the facility. The big burly one.

Kang Hyeok-san, Wave Clan master—that was his name.

As a top-tier powerhouse, he'd clearly felt something from Seo Yu-ju's movement.

"You're too kind, Wave Clan Master."

He let out a dry chuckle before continuing.

"Ha, anyone with eyes would see that move and know it's no exaggeration. Humility at your growth rate is poison."

Even Ha Yu-ri couldn't deny his words.

Seo Yu-ju's growth was beyond dispute.

...Looks like Eternity's stock just skyrocketed unintentionally.

Thanks to one idiot, we'd sacrificed the Plum Blossom Clan to boost Eternity's name.

"Ahem!"

Kim Seok-ho drew attention, looking like he had something to say.

"...Brotherhood Clan Master. Do you have something to add?"

"...Yes. If I may say a word, even if it's presumptuous?"

"Ah... sure."

"Since Madan Clan Master ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠allows it. Regarding the trouble with Eternity's Lee Yun-seong just now—don't dismiss him as a mere regular member."

Seok-ho hyung. Why do you feel so reliable?

With allies like this, my shoulders naturally squared up.

I felt like the shadow boss of this place.

"Don't you all know? He's the one who exposed the Execution Sanctuary's spy. He even rounded up those vile traffickers distributing drugs in Silan."

"Ah... Now that you mention it, that guy...?"

"Right, the Lee Yun-seong from Eternity..."

Sudden backup fire had me wanting to dance.

My position in the Region 2 expedition seemed rock-solid now.

Thanks, Seok-ho hyung. I'll make sure you're comfy in the rear.