Chapter 71
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Library of Records (5)
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"F-fuck... Why, why the hell are you all doing this?"
"Y-you crazy bastards! You're all demons! You fucking pricks!"
"Please... everyone, stop this... Byung-ok, why are you suddenly acting like this?!"
"Hurry up and enter the dungeon. That's all I have to say."
"You son of a bitch! Dieeee!"
"Hm..."
A man charged at Jo Chan-ho, swinging a sword, but there was no way he could win.
"Aaaah!"
The attacker rolled on the ground, screaming as his arm was severed.
"If you don't want to end up like this, get into the dungeon. We'll enter after you do. This is a notice."
Everyone was terrified by Jo Chan-ho's actions and words. It was only natural to fear him after he casually chopped off a man's arm.
Still, when people hesitated to enter, those standing beside Jo Chan-ho began intimidating them.
Those who had only hidden out of fear had no way to resist.
"You bastards! Get in there! If you don't, you're dead!"
"Move! Wanna die?!"
'Ha...'
From behind Jo Chan-ho, I could see my past self, trembling and desperately trying to ignore the scene with averted eyes.
I knew stepping forward back then wouldn't have changed anything, but it still soured my mood to witness it.
And so, the dungeon expedition began.
About forty people entered the dungeon.
"D-damn it!"
"Aaaah! Help me!"
Monsters blocked the front, and Jo Chan-ho's group the rear. Those lacking combat skills had no choice but to fight the monsters and start dying off.
Only after more than half had perished did they clear up to the boss room. Then the scene shifted.
The new sight was me in the Incarnation Clan's office.
'...After I became clan master.'
That was a hectic time right after I took over as master of the Incarnation Clan. I recalled it being about a year after entering Eras.
Clunk.
"...Clan Master, we have an important report."
My past self, face etched with exhaustion, questioned the man.
"Ah, yes. What is it?"
"...It's... the Myth Clan Master is dead."
"...What?"
'When Yoon Yeon died.'
I remembered that incident as a massive event in the neutral nation.
It hadn't been long since the previous top three clans were replaced, and now one of the new top three—the Myth Clan—was collapsing in a huge scandal.
"We don't know the details yet, but from what we've gathered, there's suspicion of a spy inside the Myth Clan colluding with the Lawless Clan."
"A spy?"
"Yes. This Myth Clan expedition was essentially a trap set by the Lawless Clan. The Myth Clan Master... didn't even leave a body behind. Someone burned it..."
"...How do they know she died if there's no body? Is there zero chance she's alive?"
"...Because her remaining clothes were found at the site of the scorch marks... and her bloodstains around it."
"I see. What about the spy?"
"...We don't know who it is yet. They just... escaped."
The spy in the Myth Clan was never uncovered throughout the first round. It was confirmed they joined the Lawless Clan, but after that, they vanished without a trace.
'That's why many speculated they were killed off.'
"...I see. What about the Myth Clan now?"
"Many members have left, and the rest are split over the clan's interests. They're basically done for."
"That's a shame..."
"Still, it's not a bad situation for our clan."
"True. Oh, right—how's the clan promotion and recruitment going?"
"Ah... It's not failing badly, but honestly, it's not great. Probably because of the 'formerly fallen clan' label..."
"Hm..."
"Actually... We tried recruiting the Guardian Priest from the Myth Clan, but another clan beat us to it."
"Ah... Too bad. You're talking about that young boy, right?"
"Yes. Do you know him?"
"Yeah, I remember seeing him during the Tutorial."
"Come to think of it, you and the Guardian Priest were Training Facility classmates, Clan Master?"
"Yes, exactly. He had real talent... What a shame."
"...I'm sorry, Clan Master. I should've made it happen somehow... My incompetence."
"No, it couldn't be helped. Good work."
"Yes, then..."
Looking back now, I think things would've changed a lot if we'd successfully recruited Yu-hyeon back then. The siblings wouldn't have died, and Yun-seong wouldn't have broken.
'...But this time is different.'
The second round is different. I'll do my utmost to give everyone a happy ending.
In fact, the second round's situation is going extremely well.
'But... when the hell does this end?'
A good amount of time had passed, but there was no sign of it stopping.
'...This is...'
The scene shifted again, revealing an unforgettable memory.
"Welcome to the clan, Lee Yun-seong."
"...Please take care of me, Clan Master."
The moment Yun-seong joined our clan.
He looked very different from now—gaunt face, utterly emotionless.
Unlike now, where he shows some emotion, back then Yun-seong seemed utterly dried up inside.
"Have we... met somewhere? Your face feels familiar..."
"...Probably from the Tutorial. We were in the same class as you, Clan Master."
"Ah... Sorry, that was rude of me."
"It's fine, Clan Master. Don't worry about it."
Even knowing this wasn't reality, I bit my lip hard.
In the first round, I hadn't remembered Yun-seong back then. He hadn't stood out during the Tutorial, but seeing myself forget him made me furious.
'Seo Yu-ju, you idiot.'
Scenes of time spent with Yun-seong began flashing by.
Yun-seong had exceptional administrative skills, so he usually handled work beside me, and we grew closer over time.
"Ah... Yun-seong, thank you."
"No problem, Yu-ju. You must be tired—have some coffee at least."
His thoughtful care, his kindness. Watching myself gradually fall for his talents was somehow embarrassing.
Yun-seong wasn't great in combat, but excluding that, his abilities were top-notch, so over time, all the clan members came to acknowledge him.
After many scenes, I saw him bringing in Geom-hoo.
"...Name's Wi Ho-yeon. Nice to meet you."
"We're truly thrilled to have you join the clan."
With Geom-hoo recruited too, his standing in the clan rose, and everyone treated him well.
As time passed, a blushing scene appeared.
"...I, I like you, Yun-seong..."
"......"
It was me confessing to Yun-seong.
'It's showing even this?'
I'd been incredibly nervous then—more than facing a legendary-grade boss monster. No further explanation needed.
"I-it's just... spending time together... Your personality is so great... A-and your face is too... uh..."
So nervous I could barely string words together—my past self on full display.
'...My first confession ever, so maybe it's natural. Still embarrassing as hell.'
"...I understand. I'm truly happy from my side."
"D-does that mean...?"
My face bloomed with anticipation for his response.
"I feel the same about you, Yu-ju."
"Ah... Ah... Hic... Hnng..."
My past self was so overjoyed tears started flowing.
"Wh-why are you crying all of a sudden? Y-Yu-ju?"
"Hic... Because... I'm just so happy..."
'Mortifying...'
"Stop crying. You're making me flustered."
"Okay... Sniff... Anyway, Yun-seong."
"Yes, go ahead."
"We're... d-dating now... How about dropping the formal speech?"
"...Hm..."
"D-don't you want to?"
"...No, let's do it."
"Yeah! Hehe..."
"...."
"Um... Y-Yun-seong... Call me by name?"
"...Got it, Yu-ju."
"Hehe..."
'...I was that happy, huh.'
Watching these past memories didn't feel good. Because I knew the ending that followed.
Soon the scene changed to one that shook my eyes.
I bit my lip hard—I couldn't watch it sane.
'...Don't show me this...'
A battlefield-like landscape filled my view. Corpses everywhere, flames raging.
"...Cough..."
"Y-Yun-seong... No... Hic...!"
"...Urgh... Run... away..."
"N-no... Don't give up, Yun-seong...! I'll... save you somehow... Please..."
"Cough... I'm... done for... You at least run... quick...!"
"H-how can I leave you...! Please... You can live. I'll save you... It's because of me..."
My past self was in full panic. Truthfully, back then... I couldn't keep calm. Yun-seong had ended up like that protecting me.
"Guh... Seo Yu-ju...! Get it together... You have to survive at least...!"
"Ah... Ah... Better if we..."
"...And... cough... This isn't... your fault... Don't feel guilty."
'Idiot, how could I not feel guilty...'
Yun-seong had voiced concerns about my decision back then, saying it might be risky. But swayed by everyone's positive opinions except his, I made the fatal call, leading to this.
"No... It's because of me... Because of me, Yun-seong, you..."
"Pathetic sight, you two."
Suddenly, a hooded woman spoke up.
"Y-you...!"
"Seo Yu-ju of all people, bawling like a child... That man looks done for soon. Well... I did that to him."
'You bitch...'
My target for revenge. The cause of my second round stared back.
I didn't know her name. In the first round, no one knew her name or face—just that she was the head of the S-rank criminal group. Rumor had it she killed the previous head to take the position.
Eras turned to chaos because of her and the criminal clan's schemes, forever embroiled in war.
My past self weakly gripped a spear and stood. No chance of winning, of course. Zero odds—just reflexive to protect Yun-seong.
"You... What the hell are you?! Why do this to our clan?!"
"...People always want to believe only what they see. Like you, Seo Yu-ju. Even if I explained, you wouldn't get it. And unfortunately, I can't explain anyway..."
"Wh-what bullshit... Justifying your crap? You're just a lunatic... Do you know how many died because of you...?"
"...So? Gonna fight me? In that exhausted state?"
"No reason not to..."
"...Seo Yu-ju!"
"Ah...?"
"Please... just run... Urgh... Listen to me...!"
"No! I'll... protect you... We'll go back together!"
As my past self lunged at the woman, some clan members arrived.
"Clan Master!"
"Ah...! Everyone...!"
"What... L-Lee Yun-seong?"
"Perfect timing, everyone. That woman...!"
"Cough... Everyone... listen to me. Hurry... take the Clan Master and run."
"Lee Yun-seong, what...? Run? What about you...?"
"I... have no chance of surviving. If the other Lawless arrive, it's over. Hurry...!"
The clan members bit their lips at Yun-seong's words. Having shared life and death, their grief was natural.
"...Forgive us, Clan Master."
They seemed resolved, grabbing me and fleeing. With no strength left, my past self couldn't shake them off.
"No! No! What are you doing?! Let gooo! Let me gooo!"
"Please... We can't waste Lee Yun-seong's sacrifice. Clan Master, please...!"
"Yun-seong, Yun-seong's still there! Let go! No, Yun-seeeong!"