Chapter 143
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Swamp of Oblivion (12)
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“Lee Yun-seong...”
Lately, my heart had been in turmoil.
Developing the Swamp of Oblivion? Since we'd succeeded in the first round anyway, I didn't have any major worries about it.
The reason for my unease wasn't that place, but something else entirely.
It was a man named Lee Yun-seong.
...That man is precious to me?
I'd realized I'd lost my memories while chatting with my clanmates.
During the conversation, they mentioned this Lee Yun-seong as if he were one of us, and since I had no idea who he was, I was understandably flustered.
It was only natural to ask Hyun-jin and Yu-rim about him while they were talking.
Seeing my reaction, the clanmates realized I'd lost my memories.
That's how I figured out that the Swamp of Oblivion's trait had wiped my memories, given their responses.
And one other thing.
I pulled a small piece of paper from my pocket.
It was written in my own handwriting.
『Lee Yun-seong is precious to me. He's the reason I regressed. If you ever lose your memories, read this and remember...』
......
It seemed the me from before losing my memories had anticipated this and left the note behind...
But the problem was, even after reading it and talking to the man, he still felt like a total stranger to me.
It was impossible to treat someone dear when no memories or shared history remained.
Ha...
On top of that, Lee Yun-seong seemed eager to close the distance between us, occasionally striking up conversations, but I felt nothing toward him.
If anything, it was just wariness and annoyance.
Of course, I didn't openly show my aversion or guard against him.
Because the me after regaining my memories would regret it.
What I need to focus on now isn't Lee Yun-seong, but the Comer Priest.
I'd participated in developing Zone 2 back in the first round too, and we'd trusted the Comer Priest.
We only realized later that he was essentially under the control of the White Gluttony.
Heading left instead of right this time had been a good call.
In the first round, going right had led to massive casualties from people losing their senses one after another.
I didn't know the principle behind it, but heading right led to a massive tree at the end, where the number of victims spiked dramatically.
That didn't mean the White Gluttony was there, though.
The bastard had a whale-like form and lurked in a lake as vast as an ocean, reached by sticking to the left path.
So how do you catch something living in a lake?
Surprisingly, the thing could swim through the air too.
In battle, it emerged from the lake, then fled back if badly wounded.
That's why it was such a pain to fight. Once it dove into the lake, players had no way to pursue.
The counter was fire magic.
Multiple mages using fire spells to evaporate the lake water—that was the strategy.
Then it had nowhere to run.
Since the massive lake was its lair, it had manipulated the Comer Priest to block players from reaching it.
If I take it down, my lost memories should return too...
Then everything would be fine.
Defeating the White and Black Gluttonies meant the Swamp of Oblivion development was over 90% successful.
The only concern was the Comer Priest.
Nothing like him vanishing had happened in the first round.
He'd only sown confusion with his words about our path, nothing like this.
Ha...
The White Gluttony, Black Gluttony—entities essential to eliminate for developing the Swamp of Oblivion.
For the Black Gluttony, we'd pinpointed its location and already fought it once, so the Zone 3 team wiping it out was just a matter of time.
The problem was the White Gluttony.
We still didn't know where that monster was, and communication issues with Seo Yu-ju only added to the frustration.
Damn... Even probing her intentions, she shuts down conversations one-sidedly. What am I supposed to do?
The Comer Priest had just vanished.
From my perspective, it was obvious he was plotting something.
And of all times, with Seo Yu-ju in this situation...
What rotten timing.
The development team was now pushing deeper inward.
With the enemy's nature clear, our course of action was straightforward.
A few skirmishes had broken out during the march, but so far, only Shapers and Big Shapers had appeared.
As we kept moving, Wi Ho-yeon approached me cautiously.
“...Mr. Lee Yun-seong.”
“Ah, yeah.”
“Are things okay between you and the Master? Um... Lately, you've looked pretty down...”
Wi Ho-yeon seemed worried about my relationship with Seo Yu-ju, knowing she'd lost her memories.
“Haha... It's fine. Though honestly, there's definitely more distance than before.”
“Don't take it too hard. It's just because the Master lost her memories...”
“I know. It's just... this bitterness in my mouth is unavoidable. Feels like all our history and bonds up to now have vanished...”
I surprised myself saying that. I hadn't expected to vent to Wi Ho-yeon like this.
She looked shocked at first, but soon seemed pleased that I was confiding in her.
“She's only lost her memories temporarily, but that's not her true feelings, so please don't get hurt.”
“...”
“I've consulted with the Master several times too. She seemed really confused, so if you wait patiently, she'll open up.”
“...Thanks, Ho-yeon.”
“No, no. Anytime you have worries, feel free to share. Helping like this is more than I deserve.”
I was genuinely grateful to Wi Ho-yeon.
Whether her words helped or not, I could feel her sincere concern.
But Charis chimed in from the side with a look like she was watching a farce.
“Ha, why worry over something like that? I can't fathom you fretting over relationships with that personality of yours.”
Damn, that's too harsh.
“Hey... I'm human too. Can't I worry about stuff like this?”
“Jeez...”
Wi Ho-yeon's face hardened at Charis's attitude, and she spoke up.
“Charis, didn't I tell you before not to use that rude tone? What kind of way is that to talk to your superior?”
Even when Charis had been rude to her directly before, Wi Ho-yeon hadn't reacted like this.
She tolerated disrespect toward herself, but not toward me.
“You're a riot too. You stay quiet when it's about badmouthing you, but flip out the second someone says anything to that guy...”
“He's the one I serve. Of course. Unlike you, I have respect and manners for my superior.”
“Must be nice with all that overflowing respect and manners. You'd do anything he says, huh?”
“Naturally. I do whatever my superior orders. Unlike some.”
Charis's eyebrow twitched, her lips curling as she seized on it.
“Ha... Anything he orders?”
“Of course.”
“You said it yourself. You'll do whatever he says. So even if that guy demands your body, you'd have to obey.”
“...Pardon?”
Wi Ho-yeon looked flustered for a moment.
She clearly understood what Charis meant.
“What? Planning to take it back?”
“Th-that's...”
“Ha, see? In the end, you have to look out for your own freedom. Treating yourself like a tool, no wonder it turns out like this.”
“......”
“All talk, obviously. Not blaming you, but you were lecturing me, so I wondered just how noble your loyalty is.”
I was about to intervene, thinking Charis's teasing had gone far enough, when Wi Ho-yeon bowed her head, face flushed, and spoke.
“...I will.”
“...What?”
“...I'll do whatever my superior orders. Th-that's... what a subordinate does.”
“Ha, are you insane? This is for real... I knew you were dumb, but not this dumb. Unbelievable...”
I was equally dumbfounded.
I never imagined she'd say that, and worse, it seemed like she actually would, which horrified me.
“Um... Ho-yeon, even if it's a joke, saying things like that... isn't good for you.”
“...”
“Pretend I didn't hear, so both of you, just drop it...”
“It's... not a joke. I mean it.”
Crazy, what is this woman saying?
Her face beet red, avoiding my gaze as she answered.
I was frozen, unsure what to say, when Charis sneered.
“You must love having a subordinate this stupidly loyal.”
“......”
“Why not just grab her now and drag her somewhere secluded? She won't resist. I can keep watch.”
“...Enough. My head hurts, so cut it out.”
I seriously felt a headache coming on.
“Why are you like this? You were quiet for a while, and now...”
“I told you. Get rid of me or her—one or the other. We really don't mesh.”
Yeah, no kidding.
From Wi Ho-yeon's side, Charis breaking discipline was a thorn in her side.
From Charis's view, Wi Ho-yeon was the polar opposite of her values.
Keeping them together always led to this.
The issue was I couldn't separate them.
What can I do? Time to get used to it.
My karma, no one else's fault.
We've been marching a while. Nothing showing up yet?
Just as the trek grew tedious, we reached an enormous lake.
“Whoa...”
Everyone gasped in awe. The lake's appearance was incredibly mystical and beautiful.
With a substance like snow piled up, scattering like stardust, the white lake was captivating enough to draw admiration from all.
If this were in a city, it'd be a world-class tourist spot for sure.
I only admired the sight briefly before scanning around, seeing no further path.
No other ways? Seo Yu-ju...
Glancing at Seo Yu-ju, I caught her tense expression.
...Tense?
What was tense-worthy about this beautiful lake? Just then, a whale-like cry echoed from the water.
The sound was so loud everyone clapped their hands over their ears.
A colossal shadow appeared beneath the surface.
“Wh-what's that...”
“Something's rising from the lake bottom!”
Emerging from the lake was a white whale.
...Is that the right size?
It was an insanely massive whale.