Chapter 140
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Swamp of Oblivion (9)
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I analyzed the poison's components and handed them over to the medical team.
I could identify the ingredients, but making an antidote was beyond me.
With the poison's makeup figured out, my part was done. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the antidote to be ready.
Not in Yoon Yeon's tent, but in a temporary one provided for us, it was just me, Wi Ho-yeon, and Kang I-seo hanging out.
"Ha, talk about overly devoted."
"What? What's your problem this time?"
"Jeez... First Ha Yu-ri, now Yoon Yeon? Seriously..."
"Come on, man. We have to save someone who's dying, right?"
"...You always have a way of slipping out of everything."
"...Whatever, my mouth's the only thing hurting."
Lately, Kang I-seo had been nitpicking everything, finding fault at every turn.
"Damn, just your mouth? Feels like your dick's gonna hurt later too."
"...You crazy bitch, do you even think before you speak?"
Maybe my attitude rubbed her the wrong way, because Kang I-seo turned to Wi Ho-yeon.
"Ha... Mr. Stoic Guard, what do you think? Don't you feel like Lee Yun-seong's out there charming women? At this point, it has to be on purpose."
"...I'm Lee Yun-seong's guard. I follow whatever my charge does."
"Ugh, I'm losing it."
Kang I-seo clutched the back of her neck and let out a groan at Wi Ho-yeon's response.
"...That said, it's true that a lot of women seem to get tangled up around Lee Yun-seong."
"...What? Ho-yeon...?"
I was caught off guard, never expecting those words from Wi Ho-yeon.
"See? It's true! Even she feels that way—what more proof do you need?"
"....."
"You know, I couldn't understand why Seo Yu-ju was always flipping out over you at first. But damn, just shadowing you once and it all clicks."
"No, this is bullshit. I'm dying here. Even if I was banging Ha Yu-ri, or Yoon Yeon, or hell, both at the same time, why the fuck should anyone care?"
Those two weren't even my girlfriends. And on this continent of Eras, if you had the power, a guy could have multiple women, or a woman multiple men. It was allowed.
'Yeah, Seo Yu-ju's got that history from my first go-around and feelings for me, so I get her tantrum. Annoying, but fine. But why's this kid getting worked up too?'
"...W-what?"
"Isn't that right? Shit..."
"So what? You gonna fuck them?"
"Not saying that, but even if I did, what's the problem?"
"...Don't."
"Don't what?"
Kang I-seo replied with a pale face.
"...Just don't."
'What the...?'
I was baffled by Kang I-seo's suddenly sickly expression.
"Hey, you okay? You sick or something?"
"...No. I'll step out for a bit."
After Kang I-seo left the tent, I turned to Wi Ho-yeon, clueless.
"Ho-yeon, did I do something wrong? Why's she acting like that all of a sudden? She looks like she's in pain..."
"I don't know either... She just went pale like that..."
'Shit, what's going on? She's not actually sick, is she?'
I'd never seen Kang I-seo make that face before, so I couldn't help worrying.
"...How's your body feeling?"
Crack—
Yoon Yeon rolled her shoulders in response to my question.
"Much better, thanks to you. Paralysis is mostly gone. Vision's still out, though."
"Vision's not permanent, so don't stress it."
"Hmm... Worried about me, sis? Anyway, you saved my ass again."
"...We're just helping each other out. You've helped me plenty too, Yeon-noona."
This was just mutual aid, nothing more.
"Dunno. Feels like I've gotten way more from you than I've given. Hell, I basically owe you my life."
"...Life? Someone would've figured out the poison eventually."
"Ha, you really believe that?"
"....."
"Sometimes I notice you never acknowledge what you do for others."
Even without her sight, Yoon Yeon felt like she was staring right through me, piercing my soul.
"I don't know why you do it, but it makes me a little sad seeing you like that."
"Sad about...?"
"...You can't accept yourself. Or rather, you won't. That's how I see you, at least."
"....."
"Not saying it's bad. People are different, after all."
...This was why I hated deep talks with Yoon Yeon.
From afar, she seemed like a woman obsessed only with martial prowess, but up close, she was different.
She had an insight that cut straight to people's hearts, sharper than any weapon.
"...What's your point?"
"...Nothing big. Just want to repay you."
"Repay?"
"Yeah. Can't right now in this state, though. Once the expedition's over and my eyes are good, then."
"You don't have to—"
"No, I'm doing it whether you like it or not. And... I realized something."
"Realized what?"
"I figured out how I feel."
'What...?'
For a split second, I wondered if she had feelings for me, but I dismissed it as silly.
'Ridiculous...'
"......."
Yoon Yeon didn't answer. She just stretched and stood up.
"...Wanna take a walk?"
"No, hold on. You're blind—what are you doing?"
I panicked. A sightless woman suddenly wanting to stroll? No way I could stay calm.
"No need to freak. Big battles are out, but walking or daily stuff? I can manage."
"What? Aren't you blind? How...?"
The reason for my shock: Yoon Yeon was navigating around objects flawlessly.
"Kinda embarrassing to say it myself, but at my level, I can sense outlines and shapes with mana for a good while."
"Holy shit..."
"Anyway... But seriously, it shocked me."
"...Shocked by what?"
"How I was totally defenseless like that, and you did nothing? Most guys would've at least tried something sneaky, but you... Sigh."
"What are you— Oh."
'Wait. Shit...?'
"...Yeon-noona. You sensed everything back then too?"
When I analyzed the poison, she could track my movements.
Her body wasn't normal then, so not like now, but still.
"...I was pretty shocked. Made me think Riki was onto something."
As I sat stunned, she shuffled over awkwardly and spoke.
"What're you doing? I can make out objects, but you gonna let a woman in this state walk alone?"
"Jeez, you're way stronger than me—"
With her body mostly recovered, fighting Yoon Yeon now? I'd lose for sure.
Blind or not, I had zero confidence against her. It was insane.
"You're hopeless. Quit stalling and guide me, won't you? Life Savior."
"Fine. But drop the 'Life Savior' title. It's cringey."
Stepping outside, Park Seo-hwa greeted us.
"Thank you. Our clan master barely made it thanks to you."
"No big deal. I just ID'd the poison. The real heroes made the antidote."
"No, if not for you, Lee Yun-seong... I had no idea you were an expert on toxins. Impressive."
"Haha..."
Couldn't reveal my Unique Trait, so I played it off as general knowledge.
A few had questioned it, but results were what mattered.
"Sis, you sure you're okay? Walking and all...?"
"I'm good. This much is fine. Plus, he's here."
"...Don't push it."
"...True, no sight is a hassle. Lucky it's me—most would be helpless."
Not arrogance; it was fact.
Average players lose all function without sight.
Only someone like Yoon Yeon could pull this off.
"Anyway, I'm mostly fine, so no worries. Better get a report, though. Situation?"
"...After that Legendary monster fight, small fries keep popping up. We're handling them at base. Seems the presence draws them, sis."
"Casualties?"
"Not too bad yet. But..."
"...Go on."
"A few more are gradually losing senses. Small percentage overall, but..."
"Something's wrong."
"Yes. Problem is, some key fighters are among them..."
'Zone 1's in trouble.'
Yoon Yeon herself was blind.
With top firepower tied up and others failing, smooth progress was impossible.
This wasn't about willpower.
No normal person has lost senses before, let alone fought like that.
Mid-report from Park Seo-hwa, a man came running up, gasping.
"Rear guard's clashing with monsters now!"
"...Details?"
"Multiple Big Shapes and a few White Golems. Both have strong physical resistance—we're struggling."
'White Golem?'
Sounded like a Zone 1 monster.
Yoon Yeon spoke.
"Lead the way. To the fight."
I froze. A blind woman heading to battle? Unthinkable.
"Wait, what? You going to the front?"
"...I'm the overall commander. Of course."
"Sis! What are you saying?!"
"Just guide me. Big Shapes aside, White Golems will rack up losses. We go minimize that."
"Sis..."
"I'm healed enough. Sight issue I can handle somewhat. No arguments—guide."
Park Seo-hwa relented to Yoon Yeon's stubbornness, signaling the man.
"...Alright, everyone follow."
The scene was intense combat.
Key losses explained the struggle.
'...Big Shapes are one thing, but that White Golem's the issue.'
A massive one had six or seven average players swarming it.
Tanks held the line up front, buying time as mages chanted.
"...Kang I-seo."
"Yeah?"
"See that glowing round spot on the golem's chest?"
"Yeah, barely visible..."
"Think you can hit it with mana-infused arrows? That's the weak point."