Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Library of Records (7)
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"...What?"
"I said I'd let you kill more people."
Jo Chan-ho stared at me with a blank, dumbfounded look, clearly never expecting me to say something like that.
Even I couldn't help but let out a ridiculous chuckle at how absurd the situation was.
'What... what the hell is this lunatic doing...!'
"...Did I hear that wrong? You said you'd let me kill more people?"
"Yes, that's right."
"...Lee Yun-seong, or should I just call you Yun-seong? Did you eat something bad? What kind of nonsense is this?"
He'd dropped the formal speech entirely, which showed just how ridiculous he found the whole thing.
'Damn it... what the hell is going on?'
I couldn't make sense of the scene. Or more accurately, I didn't want to. I had a pretty good idea of what first-timeline me had been thinking.
"You know the situation we're in isn't great..."
"...So? Is that a reason for me to let you live?"
"You like killing people, right?"
"...What?"
"Don't you enjoy murdering?"
"..."
"How about a deal?"
First-timeline me must have been taking a gamble. I could understand it—the outlook wasn't good. Even after the dungeon was discovered, no one was trying to conquer it.
Most people weren't even hunting monsters. And challenging the dungeon with just this group would be suicide. We were stuck, unable to move forward or back.
First-timeline me must have been getting impatient.
"I'll give you a solution to fix this mess, Byung-ok. In return, you let me live. Of course, you won't trust me right away, so I'll hand over my weakness too."
"Ha... hahaha!"
Jo Chan-ho laughed like a madman for a while before wiping his mouth and speaking.
"Heh... this situation is actually pretty funny. Hahaha... I never even imagined something like this."
"..."
"So, what's the plan? You have a way to resolve this?"
His response was positive, but he didn't lower his sword. Naturally, he couldn't fully trust my words yet.
"Yes, of course. Not only will it let you kill more people, but we can clear the Tutorial too."
"How?"
"Throw the useless fodder into the dungeon and use them as meat shields."
I'd half-expected it, half-hoped not, but my guess was right. The Tutorial's difficulty wasn't normal, so I figured something had gone down in the first timeline, but I never imagined I'd actually come up with that plan.
"Execute anyone who resists under the pretext of discipline. It'll serve as a warning, and fear will make the rest obey you."
"..."
"Don't worry about others rebelling against you. Most of the people with any combat ability will back you up. Everyone dies if they sit around doing nothing, right?"
"Ha..."
"The majority will probably drag the ones hiding out to you themselves. Their own lives are on the line."
Whether he'd set aside his doubts at my answer, Jo Chan-ho finally sheathed his sword.
"Puh... puhahaha!"
It was understandable for him to drop his suspicions. After all, no normal person would think up something like that.
'...Fucking dog.'
"Ah... sorry for misunderstanding. You're even worse than me."
His words didn't sound like praise at all. It just soured my mood even more as I watched.
"No, it's understandable. It was a gamble on my part too. I wasn't sure if you'd trust me."
"Haha, what a brilliant idea. Using the fodder as bait... I love it. I'm even feeling guilty for not thinking of it myself."
'Fuck...'
"But... I have a request."
"Hm? What is it?"
'Ha...'
I could predict what I was about to say next.
"I'd like you to announce the plan, Byung-ok. You already have my weakness, so this should be fine, right?"
I understood why he'd make that request. From my position back then, I probably didn't want everyone knowing I'd come up with the plan.
'...I must have been scared of how Yu-hyeon and Yu-rim would look at me.'
The "weakness" first-timeline me was referring to was the fact that I'd thought up the plan.
"Hm..."
"You'll announce it, and I'll back you up."
"Got it. But..."
Jo Chan-ho pressed the sword back to my throat as he continued.
"I trust you won't get any funny ideas. You understand?"
"...Of course."
The next scene showed Jo Chan-ho explaining my plan to everyone.
Naturally, the others' reactions were ones of horror.
And so... those who opposed were killed, those who refused to fight monsters were forced into the dungeon, and the Tutorial was cleared.
Watching the whole process left me with a thoroughly foul mood.
"It couldn't be helped to survive." Anyone could say that. But the fact remained that I'd thought up and carried out that plan.
'...Annoying.'
A rational decision, but inhuman.
Before I could even sort out my emotions, the scene shifted.
'Yoon Yeon?'
It was a scene of me talking with Yoon Yeon in what looked like an office.
"Clan Master, so Yu-rim, Yu-hyeon, and I are sitting out the expedition this time?"
As I'd guessed, first-timeline me had joined the Myth Clan.
It seemed like Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon had joined too. From their attire, it looked like some time had passed since.
"Yeah, probably. The rookies should train at the clan."
"...I'll join the expedition too, Clan Master."
"...Really? Any particular reason?"
"Just... something's bothering me. I'm a bit uneasy."
"Hm... Didn't we review it a bunch of times? The conclusion was there were no issues. You're being too paranoid."
"True, but... you never know. I've proven my abilities plenty of times. Take me on the expedition."
I watched the scene intently. My gut told me this was where the Myth Clan's downfall began.
'...I need to figure something out.'
My feelings toward Yoon Yeon... I wasn't sure what they were exactly, but they weren't negative. If possible, saving her in this timeline would benefit me.
'It's a perfectly rational thought. Yoon Yeon is useful to me.'
She knew my abilities and was cooperative, so it made sense to help her once.
"Fine, I'll take you then. If that's what you want..."
"...Thank you, Clan Master."
Still, it seemed first-timeline me was a pretty trusted clan member to her.
The scene shifted again. What appeared next was clearly not a good sight.
I was supporting Yoon Yeon as we moved. Myth Clan corpses littered the area, and I was cursing while desperately trying to keep the gravely wounded Yoon Yeon alive.
My arm had an arrow in it too, so I wasn't unscathed.
'...'
"Fuck...! Damn it! I told you, didn't I?! Something was off!"
"...Cough... It's the first time... I've seen you show emotion like this... heh..."
"Damn it, you think this is funny? Shit...! What do we do now... Fucking outlaws, spies in the clan... fuck!"
'Outlaws, spies.'
First-timeline me wasn't keeping calm. Anyone could see we were cornered. My face looked panicked.
"...Just leave me... You know how this ends anyway, right?"
"Shut up with that crap. You're... the Myth Clan Master. Don't give up..."
"Ha... The living should live... You gonna die with me?"
"...Fuck, who said anything about dying? Don't jinx it. We can both make it back alive. Just stay quiet—it's a tough spot."
As Yoon Yeon said, even I could tell it was completely unlike my usual self. My emotions were running high.
No explanation needed. The desperate expression said it all.
'...'
Another problem: as we moved, Yoon Yeon's blood trail kept going. Enemies would track us easily.
First-timeline me knew it too, looking even more frantic. But there was no way to stop the bleeding in time.
Yoon Yeon seemed to realize there was no hope and shoved my supporting arm away.
Naturally, she collapsed to the ground.
Thud!
"What... what are you doing?!"
"...You at least, live."
"Damn it!"
For now, first-timeline me hooked his arms under her armpits, carried her over, and propped her against a nearby rock.
"...I have... cough... a favor to ask."
"...If it's to leave you behind, I'm not listening."
"Pfft... You're so stubborn."
"...Says the Clan Master."
"If those guys... capture me alive... it won't end well..."
"..."
"...Kill me... and burn the body...?"
"W-what?"
"...If even the corpse... is left, they'll desecrate it... Sorry to ask this of you."
'......'
"...You have a dagger, right? Use that... kill me and burn me. Last request."
"..."
"...Heh, why the face?"
"Just... be quiet..."
"...Just in case... don't do anything reckless for revenge... Got it?"
"Is that... the issue right now? Fuck..."
"...Harsh. No need for cursing. It's my last moments."
First-timeline me... was biting his lip until it bled. He'd probably known all along. That he couldn't save her.
"...Yoon Yeon."
"...Oh, you've grown? Calling me by name now? Cough... You always said Clan Master..."
"...Fuck..."
"...Ah... Sorry to take it back... but just burning me... might be enough..."
"..."
"...My mind's... fuzzy... Sleepy..."
"..."
"I'll... just rest a bit..."
Not long after she finished speaking, Yoon Yeon's breathing stopped.
"Ha..."
"......"
"Yoon Yeon."
"..."
Of course, calling her name repeatedly brought no response. Dead people can't speak.
"...Burn."
After staying still for a while, finally accepting her death, first-timeline me cast the spell with a blank expression. Soon, Yoon Yeon's body began to burn.
"...Sorry, but I can't grant that no-revenge request. Fuck... stupid woman... That's why I opposed it..."
"Damn it... you never listen. It's your own fault for being so dumb... Serves you right, you idiot."
I averted my eyes from first-timeline me's tear-streaked face. It wasn't a pretty sight.
As first-timeline me stood there motionless for a while before finally leaving, my submerged consciousness rose back to the surface.