Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Outlaws
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As we stepped out of the Library of Records, a blast of cold air hit us head-on.
It hadn't even been a full day, but it felt like at least a week had gone by.
Probably because we'd been in that record room.
I wasn't the only one feeling it—the rest of the group started murmuring one by one.
"Whoa, why does it feel like so much time has passed now that we're outside?"
"Yeah, tell me about it."
For someone like me, it hit even harder. I'd unexpectedly seen records from my first playthrough, and whether that was the cause or not, my sense of time felt a bit off-kilter.
Honestly, my emotions still hadn't fully settled. The scenes I'd witnessed had been that shocking.
"...Let's head back to the carriage for now."
Just as Seo Yu-ju started to speak, something came flying straight at us.
"Lee Yun-seong!"
In an instant—no more than a second—Wi Ho-yeon, who was right beside me, yanked me back.
"Huh?"
-Splat!
A thin line sliced across my cheek, and a trickle of blood welled up.
'Ice?'
I'd caught a glimpse—it was definitely an ice spike that had grazed my cheek.
Seo Yu-ju deflected the next wave of incoming magic and weapons.
Ting—
While I stood there dazed, Seo Yu-ju shouted.
"Yun-seong! Get back...!"
Wi Ho-yeon and Seo Yu-ju took the front, and everyone else quickly grasped the situation, shifting into combat stance.
'What the hell are these guys?'
About ten figures came into view. One of them opened his mouth.
"Damn it... Aren't they 0-year players? How'd he dodge that?"
One thing was clear: we'd been ambushed. And for some reason, they knew who we were.
Another barrage of ice spikes—clearly magic—hurtled toward us.
Seo Yu-ju spun her spear, batting them away, then charged straight toward the source of the magic. Wi Ho-yeon followed right behind, rushing the attackers.
For now, I quickly checked their status windows. There might be some dangerous ones among them.
They were all middling at best. Their stats weren't bad, but thankfully, none seemed like a real threat.
One of them swung his sword at Seo Yu-ju and yelled.
"You rookie bitch, you don't know your place...!"
But Seo Yu-ju wasn't one to just take it. She blocked his swing and immediately counterattacked.
Ka-clang!
"Wh-what?! You damn...!"
The guy looked totally flustered—Seo Yu-ju's skills far exceeded the average 0-year player.
"Shut your mouth."
Her voice was icy cold, probably furious that I'd nearly died.
"Gahk!"
Moments later, a spear pierced his gut.
'What about the others...'
Wi Ho-yeon had just taken out another one. The rest of the group seemed to be struggling a bit.
No major injuries yet, but if things kept up, casualties were likely.
Lee Yu-rim looked in danger, so I cast a spell right away. Not expecting it to hit the enemy—just a distraction to help her.
The man swinging his dagger at Lee Yu-rim halted as a wall of fire suddenly appeared, backing off.
'Mana...'
One spell had drained a third of my mana, but saving Lee Yu-rim made it worth it.
With the guy's attention drawn to my sudden involvement, a spirit's attack struck from behind.
Slash—
"Gaaahk...!"
One leg severed, he lost his balance and crumpled to the ground.
"Fuck! Aren't these the newbies from this batch?! Why are they so strong?!"
The two facing Kim Ho-won and Cha Hyun-jin shouted. They'd clearly underestimated us as 0-year rookies and attacked.
'These bastards... outlaws?'
It had crossed my mind earlier. Their outfits screamed bandit, not proper adventurers. And ambushing us right after we left the Library of Records? Suspicious.
Plus, no other clan would bother with us. Incarnation Clan was on the decline—picking a fight wouldn't gain them much.
'Outlaws hanging around nearby.'
My guess: they'd been lurking in the area. The sudden tower rising from the ground must've drawn them in, and they spotted us entering.
Kang I-seo's arrows were annoying one guy, so he charged her. The others were tied up in their own fights, no room to help.
"Shit...!"
No choice—I cast another spell. Mana drained sharply again, but neither she nor I were cut out for close combat. Had to stop him before he closed in.
Flames shot toward him, forcing him to halt his advance.
"Damn it!"
Boom!
I'd hoped for a hit, but no such luck. His clothes were just singed a bit. He'd reach us soon at this rate.
Confirming I'd cast, he switched from Kang I-seo to me and charged.
Stab!
"Gahk...!"
"Sorry, Lee Yun-seong."
'Whew... that was close.'
A sword burst from the guy's chest—I flinched. Wi Ho-yeon had finished him off.
She bowed to me.
"Despite being your guard, I left your side. My failure."
"...No, thank you for saving me, Ho-yeon."
She'd taken out two already, then rushed over when I looked vulnerable.
"Understood. I'll support the others now."
Battle wasn't over, so she headed to help. Kim Ho-won and Cha Hyun-jin's side was starting to look dicey.
'We're still weak.'
"Got it, Ho-yeon. Go."
She rejoined the fray at my words.
'Four left.'
Six down on their side, zero losses on ours. Some injuries, but no criticals or deaths—the tide had turned.
They realized it too and started cursing.
"Fuck! What the hell are these guys?! Why are we losing to a bunch of chicks?!"
"That coachman lied, didn't he? Damn it!"
'They got our info from the coachman?'
Something must've happened to him.
"Gaaahk!"
Wi Ho-yeon claimed another, and two of the three bolted. Couldn't let them go— they'd come back for revenge.
Whoosh!
"Gaaaah!"
One fleeing guy ignited from my spell; an arrow dropped the other.
"Ah... Ah..."
The remaining female mage collapsed to her knees. She could picture her fate.
'The one who first hit me with ice magic.'
"Pl-please spare me... I, I beg you..."
As Seo Yu-ju approached, the mage clasped her hands and begged.
"I'll do anything you say. Please, please spare me. I was wrong. Please...!"
Tears and snot streaming—pathetic. Never imagined it'd happen to her.
'Pathetic. Thought she'd walk away unscathed.'
Seo Yu-ju spoke to her.
"Fine. Answer properly, and I'll let you live."
"R-really...?! Y-yes! Ask anything! I'll tell you everything!"
"You're outlaws, right?"
"Ah... Th-that's..."
She hesitated, so Seo Yu-ju shifted her spear.
"...Guess I'll have to cut off a finger to loosen your tongue."
"N-no, don't! Y-yes! We're outlaws!"
"Good. Keep answering like that. Second question. You ambushed us right as we came out— you knew about us?"
She'd picked up on the same oddity I had. Had to clarify.
"Y-yes... That's right..."
"...How?"
"From... the coachman..."
"Coachman?"
"Yes... We found the carriage... He told us. That you were 0-year players from Eternity Clan... The tower popped up suddenly, we checked it out, saw you going in..."
They'd found the carriage, got intel from the coachman. Hearing we were rookies, they decided to attack.
"What about the carriage and coachman?"
"Th-the carriage is fine... Coachman, we just tied him up..."
'Planned to steal it after killing us.'
"...I see. Where's your loot stashed?"
"L-loot?"
"What? You precious about it? Money over your life?"
"N-no! The money's here! Mine... And check those bodies over there!"
Seo Yu-ju's ruthless side surprised me. First time seeing her lean into threats like this.
She took the pouch from the mage.
"Sure?"
"Y-yes! Really! For real... Glrk..."
"Got it."
"...Gurk... Why... You said... you'd spare..."
"Have you ever spared anyone? Hilarious, an outlaw expecting mercy."
The others—minus Wi Ho-yeon—looked shocked at Seo Yu-ju's move. They'd believed her promise.
Wi Ho-yeon was unfazed, even relieved.
'Right, her title's Outlaw Hater or something.'
Seo Yu-ju shook blood from her spear and addressed us.
"Remember this, everyone. No mercy for outlaws. Just like they taught us in the training facility. Pity for them is a useless emotion."
"Yes... sis..."
"...Understood, ma'am."
"Good. Let's head back to the carriage."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Back at the carriage, fortunately, as the mage said, nothing was stolen.
They must have planned to take it after killing us.
“Mmph! Mmph!”
The coachman was tied up at the carriage. Upon seeing us, he desperately signaled to be saved.
Seo Yu-ju cut the rope with her spear, and he thanked us.
“Th-thank you…”
“…No need. We were ambushed by outlaws.”
“Ah…! Th-that…!”
He looked guilty. From his position, of course he’d be uneasy under our gaze.
Whether he was threatened or feared for his life, that was his situation. From our perspective, because he leaked information, we were ambushed.
‘It’s written in the contract from the start.’
A coachman leaking employer information is a clear contract violation.
He knew it. Relief crossed his face briefly for being alive, then it turned pale.
“S-sorry. I had no choice! They threatened me…!”
Except for Seo Yu-ju and Wi Ho-yeon, the others looked understanding. But Seo Yu-ju, a Regressor, and experienced Wi Ho-yeon kept cold gazes.
Trying to rely on us being rookies, he looked at the others and pleaded.
“They said they’d kill me if I didn’t tell them! From my position—”
“No. That’s not our concern.”
Seeing the conversation lengthen, I stepped in.
“Y-yes?”
“What matters is that you violated the contract and we nearly died because of it.”
“Th-that…”
“We can pursue this legally. Even if the outcome is good, you’d lose your job.”
That was true. No one would hire a coachman who leaked employer information to outlaws.
No one cares about his circumstances—only that he leaked information.
“P-please show mercy! I was wrong! Please…!”
I looked at Seo Yu-ju, indicating she could decide.
Understanding, she spoke.
“We won’t take this that far. But we’ll take back the hiring fee we paid. And we won’t cover return expenses.”
“Y-yes! Understood!”
Even this was lenient. Another clan might have demanded multiple times the penalty.
Knowing that, the coachman bowed repeatedly in thanks.
Now, it was truly time to return to the Clan House.