Chapter 139
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Swamp of Oblivion (8)
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"... We've got a problem."
Everyone at the meeting focused on Ha Yu-ri's words. I was no exception.
"... Could we know what kind of problem it is?"
"To be precise, it's not a problem from our Zone 2."
"Then..."
"It's a problem from Zone 1, which the Myth Clan is leading as representatives."
My heart sank at Ha Yu-ri's words. Zone 1 was under Yun Yeon's command, after all.
'What happened to Yun Yeon?'
Suddenly, my heart started racing.
I asked in a trembling voice.
"What... what kind of problem?"
"... They say they encountered a Legend-grade monster in Zone 2."
I breathed a sigh of relief at Ha Yu-ri's words. It just sounded like they'd run into a Legend-grade monster.
'If it's a Legend-grade monster, could it be that White Devourer one?'
But you have to hear people out to the end.
"It wouldn't have been a big deal if it was just encountering a Legend-grade monster, but unfortunately, during the battle, the Myth Clan Master lost her sense of sight and is currently in serious condition."
'What?'
"What... did you just say?"
"It seems... unluckily, she suddenly lost her vision mid-battle due to the Swamp of Oblivion's trait. She managed to dodge the attack, but couldn't avoid a critical wound..."
"......"
Ha Yu-ri glanced at me cautiously before continuing.
"... They did manage to take down the Legend-grade monster, but with their lead explorer in serious condition, they urgently contacted us today."
Everyone murmured at Ha Yu-ri's words.
It was only natural—they'd all be flustered with a problem cropping up in the Zone 1 pioneering team.
"What do we do now? If the Myth Clan Master, one of our key forces, is badly hurt..."
"Shouldn't we halt the pioneering efforts altogether?"
"But if we stop now, won't the Swamp of Oblivion be deemed practically unconquerable?"
I couldn't focus on their words.
"Her life... Is her life out of danger? What if..."
"She's seriously injured, but the priests over there are treating her as best they can, and she's able to speak. She just can't move properly."
"....."
Noticing I was acting out of character, Seo Yu-ju took my hand from the seat beside me and spoke up.
"Yun-seong, are you okay?"
"Ah... Yeah. I'm fine."
For now, I didn't want to worry Seo Yu-ju unnecessarily.
"And they said the monster used poison. The Myth Clan Master's body is gradually going numb... Her lower body is completely paralyzed right now."
"Poison?"
"Yes. To make an antidote, they need to analyze the components, and they've extracted some poison for testing, but no results yet..."
"... In that case, there's one way."
All eyes turned to me at my words.
"What is...?"
"I'll head to Zone 1."
"Pardon? You're going to Zone 1 yourself, Yun-seong?"
"Yes. If things go well... I think I can treat the Myth Clan Master."
Think? No, I can treat her.
My eyes could even reveal the poison's components.
Seo Yu-ju reacted from beside me at my words.
"Yun-seong, what do you...? You're going to Zone 1 yourself?"
"Yes."
"But..."
"Zone 2 won't have any major issues if I'm the only one gone."
It wouldn't take much time anyway. A week at most.
But Seo Yu-ju seemed worried about me acting alone.
I understood—she cherished me so much that she'd hate me being away from her side.
She'd even grown her power to the level of a top-three-clan master now.
As long as I stayed by her side, she was confident she could protect me.
'But I have to go. No compromises—this is non-negotiable.'
I absolutely couldn't let Yun Yeon die so pointlessly. Absolutely not.
If I were in a dire situation, maybe, but I had plenty of leeway right now. Not going to save her would be insane.
'Even if Seo Yu-ju objects strongly, it's happening.'
But Seo Yu-ju would approve my proposal.
She and Yun Yeon weren't on great terms, but she knew how important Yun Yeon was.
"... Alright, Yun-seong. But on one condition. You're not going alone. Take Ho-yeon with you, just in case."
"Got it, Yu-ju."
Even better. It was wise to bring at least one ally for basic safety.
Ha Yu-ri was leading Zone 2, so out. Seo Yu-ju was Eternity's master, so out.
Ruska wasn't with the pioneering team. In this situation, Wi Ho-yeon was the only one suitable to go with me.
'Sharis if anyone else.'
And so, it was decided I'd head to Zone 1 to treat Yun Yeon. Just as we were about to depart...
"... I'm going too."
"... What? Why you?"
"What's with that reaction? Am I that shitty? Don't want me tagging along?"
Kang I-seo insisted on coming along as an escort too.
"No... that's not it. Did you get permission?"
"Yeah, from Seo Yu-ju. That stoic escort guy's melee, right? Wouldn't it be better to have a ranged class too, just in case?"
"......"
She had a point.
Having a ranged type alongside pure melee would be far safer. Especially in an unknown zone like this.
'It does thin Eternity's forces a bit too much...'
But it should be fine.
'Hyun-jin and the others can handle their share in Eras now, and with Seo Yu-ju and Lee Jae-hyo...'
Just those two were equivalent to two large-clan masters. Sharis was a native but had large-clan master-level power too.
When I didn't answer right away, Kang I-seo asked with an anxious look.
"What...? Why no answer? You really don't want me coming...?"
She seemed unusually fidgety for her.
"... No, a ranged type would definitely help. Let's go together—follow me."
Her face lit up at my words.
"F-Fuck... Making me nervous with that late-ass reply."
... Her face brightened, but apparently, curse words never left Kang I-seo's mouth.
The path to Zone 1 was one we'd already cleared, so fortunately, no monsters jumped out on the way.
If it hadn't been cleared, heading to Zone 1 with just three of us would've been a pipe dream.
No matter that Wi Ho-yeon was top-tier and Kang I-seo a solid archer now—fighting massive monster packs as a trio wasn't safe.
"Welcome. We got word from Ha Yu-ri. You have a way to save our master...?"
'It's that woman from before.'
Yun Yeon's adjutant. Park Seo-hwa, I recalled.
"Yes, that's why I'm here. But..."
What I'd noticed on the way: Zone 1's team had pushed much deeper than Zone 2's.
"You've advanced pretty far."
"Yes. Zone 2 found a village with residents, right? We've just been running into endless monsters..."
'They must've smashed through every monster in sight.'
Yun Yeon was probably the main reason they'd managed that.
"I see. For now... could I check on the Myth Clan Master's condition?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I was going to ask."
We followed Park Seo-hwa to a tent—obviously Yun Yeon's treatment area.
"......"
Inside, Yun Yeon lay with her eyes closed, face pale.
Her external wounds seemed treated, but the poison was likely eating away at her from within.
'Damn...'
For some reason, it overlapped with the scene from the Library of Records.
The one where Yun Yeon was dying.
"Yeon unnie... Someone from Eternity is here."
At Park Seo-hwa's words, Yun Yeon's eyes slowly opened. But...
'... Just like we heard—she's lost her sight.'
Her eyes weren't focusing on us.
'Looks fine externally. It's probably a zone-specific vision loss.'
"... Someone from Eternity came?"
She could still speak, at least.
I answered Yun Yeon's question.
"... I came."
"You... why are you here? What about Zone 2?"
"... Zone 2's fine. Progress is a bit slow, but no big issues. And it's not like me leaving causes any real problems."
"Really? Then why come here? I didn't want to show you this pathetic side."
Yun Yeon clearly hated showing her weak side.
'Yeah, it's a far cry from her usual confident, overflowing energy. I get it.'
From her perspective, she might even see her current state as shameful.
"Heard you got poisoned. Came to treat you."
"Treat? How? Your ability..."
It must seem odd to Yun Yeon.
The Unique Trait she'd seen was Hero-grade back then.
She didn't know it'd upgraded to Legend.
I spoke to Park Seo-hwa.
"Could I be alone with the Myth Clan Master? And I'd like the extracted poison sample."
"Ah, that..."
"... Do as Lee Yun-seong says."
"... Got it, unnie."
And so, only Yun Yeon and I remained in the tent.
"How are you gonna treat me? You know much about poison?"
Her face turned my way, but her vacant eyes stared straight ahead—an eerie sight.
"Nah, I know jack about poison. Just planning to analyze its components with my Unique Trait."
"What?"
"My Unique Trait ranked up recently. Now I can check other stuff's info too."
No harm spilling everything to Yun Yeon. She was a solid ally.
".... Haha, that's ridiculously OP."
"Yeah. Anyway... doesn't look good seeing you like this."
"Heh... Sorry if it sounds bad, but in my current state, I could take even you."
... She looked it.
"Hmm... This is your chance if you wanna try something."
"What...?"
"Chances like this don't come often. When I'm a frail woman."
"What're you talking about?"
Yun Yeon's sudden nonsense left me baffled.
"What else? Everyone else is outside. Perfect chance to do whatever. Tempted?"
"......"
"Scary, huh? So scary! Can't even resist if a guy's gonna have his way with me. What now? Eek!"
Her theatrical exaggeration suggested she wasn't at death's door—relief.
"Seeing you spout bullshit means you're better off than I thought. Anyway, stay still. Gonna check the poison components."
"... Wait, seriously?"
"What?"
"Um... might be rude, but can I ask something?"
"... What?"
"Don't get mad. Are you... impotent by any chance?"
"... What?"
"If it's true, I'm sorry and..."
"What the hell kinda nonsense is that?"
I was so flabbergasted I even called it bullshit to Yun Yeon.
'What the fuck? Why would I be impotent?'
"I... heard something from Ricky..."
"What...?"
"Ricky said... you seemed impotent?"
"... Ricky?"
"No matter how much she seduced you, no reaction... Thought you might be impotent..."
"What the fuck? Why would I let her stab me? Lust after her?"
Yun Yeon smirked mischievously at my words.
"Hmm... So if no aftermath, you'd go for it?"
"No... that's..."
"... Why no reaction just now?"
"... Am I crazy? Sorry, but I don't wanna get pummeled by Yeon noona's fists."
"What if I don't hit you? Why assume I'd hit you?"
"... Enough, be quiet. I'm trying to treat you first."
"... So you're not impotent, right?"
"Don't turn a healthy guy into a eunuch..."