Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Cursed History
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Every unique entity in Lost World had a "History" tab that could be viewed by clicking "Detailed View."
The history recorded a brief summary of events since the entity appeared or was born.
Characters that players paid attention to, like Rakrak, had densely packed records of their connections to gods and countless feats. However, not everything was recorded; for ordinary people, it only noted things like their occupation, who they married, how many children they had and when, or near-death crises.
Thus, the history served as a kind of concise biography. Hwikyung's history looked roughly like this.
There was no unified calendar or historiography yet, so exact dates weren't listed, but the Earth-equivalent ages allowed rough timelines.
Seong-un watched Hegemonia scroll up and down Hwikyung's history in irritation. It didn't suit her majestic appearance, with horned helmet and fierce gaze.
"No, it's not there? I didn't see it wrong, did I?"
"What's missing?"
"No signs of intervention. Just lucky, right? Not lying?"
"Think what you want."
"Argh, damn it."
Seong-un had intervened in Jadong Castle long ago, though not that long.
Hwikyung had already been born before other players were summoned to this world.
'Around 8 years ago.'
Seong-un believed scouting was one of the most crucial aspects of Lost World.
Discovering races, tribes, abominations, monstrosities, and ancient ruins in advance allowed setting the board for profitable future contacts, drawing closer to victory.
Problems existed. Even as a god, he thought alone with only one pair of eyes.
Without borrowing views through his subdomain, he had to move his divine body for observation. Fortunately, the Subdomain: Bugs was advantageous for scouting.
'Still, I think the Subdomain: Birds is best for scouting...'
Anyway, to Seong-un, it wasn't strange for Hegemonia to think 'Hwikyung, possessed by demonic essence' was cursed.
Ways to acquire demonic essence appeared variably in Lost World.
Ancient ruins were the model method, but typically, one possessed an already 'demonic essence-possessed' entity.
Varied by race, but these spawned randomly with visible traits like Hwikyung's 'horn' and added the special stat 'Demonic Essence.'
'But among demonic essences, some like Rakrak's lightning are good, others bad.'
Negative ones were distinctly 'curses.' Hegemonia's mistake was assuming 'Curse of Misfortune.'
'Curses have uses, but burdensome early when building bulk. Especially Curse of Misfortune, one of the worst. Just having it invites all sorts of bad luck.'
Seong-un thought it natural for capable, experienced Hegemonia to mistake probabilistic demonic essence for Curse of Misfortune.
'I did the same at first.'
8 years ago, Seong-un observed Jadong Castle entities, focusing on Hwiser and her offspring.
Jadong Castle would become a key stronghold, so even distant for Rakrak's tribe, he'd return here someday.
Castle lord Hwiser had above-average stats, her children inheriting decent ones. But the most unique catching Seong-un's eye was Hwikyung.
'First history check screamed Curse of Misfortune, no need for more.'
But Seong-un didn't jump to conclusions despite high probability.
This world, based on Lost World, was real with suspicious elements.
Plus, long observation time.
Managing locust swarms, checking Rakrak's tribe, monitoring rivals, while eyeing future targets like Jadong Castle key points.
Result: discovered assassination attempt on Hwikyung.
Found a servant smashing outhouse floorboards with a hammer, making them frail.
Initially unclear purpose, but saw Hwikyung enter: assassination.
'Fall into sewer and die; if not, broken limbs; lost in dark, starve. Even if survives, no culprit traceable. Past history looks accidental but all have intervention room. Maybe not first. Save first.'
But first fly swarm warning failed. Hwikyung deemed annoying, stepped on broken board anyway.
Hwikyung tumbled from outhouse into ancient sewer.
Seong-un more shocked than calmly accepting 'curse struck again' Hwikyung.
'...Survived? Unscathed?'
Next, created fireflies to guide escape.
But Seong-un suspected survival even without, confirming Probability Demonic Essence.
Sairan puzzled at arrow falling behind Hwikyung.
Realized out of reach, resolved lightning bolt, but arrow hit sudden gust, dropped.
'Big cave ahead, wind normal, but strong enough to down shot arrow eerie. Possible, but...'
Sairan's next move set.
Before assassin nocked second arrow, lightning shot from Sairan's hand.
-Boom!
Assassin absorbing atmospheric voltage charred black, fell; burning body fat seeped flames through cracked skin, sizzling.
Sairan embraced Hwikyung's shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah, yeah. Thanks."
Hwikyung felt time flowing properly again.
Only now did everything seem normal.
Raising head, Hwijun looked panicked last trick failed.
Beside, reluctant soldiers merely gripped spears from thunder.
Hwikyung spoke.
"I'm killing you and becoming castle lord."
"Don't make me laugh! Horned monster! You never fit us brothers from start!"
Hwijun spat unspoken grudge; Hwikyung nodded like long-heard.
Hwikyung advanced sword drawn, glanced at Sairan.
"Sairan, help."
"Of course."
Then distant dawn blue sky with hoofbeats.
"Stop!"
Even if mere errand boy, Hwikyung wouldn't stop, but voice revealed owner.
Horse rider backlit by morning sky approached.
"I said stop. Hwijun, Hwikyung."
"...Father."
Horse-mounted: Hwiser.
Behind Hwiser, her subordinates and Shu soldiers rushed stairs.
Hegemonia clenched fist.
"Done!"
"What?"
"Worth dragging with saber-tooth summon stall."
"...Knew petty? Anyway, what done?"
Hegemonia laughed inside helmet.
"Don't get? My time-drag won."
"Yeah?"
Seong-un smiled behind mask.
"Good. Explain why."
Hegemonia said.
"Forgot in kids' fight? Bet on paradox prophecy deciding Hwiser's heir. First, Hwiser here means all soldiers obey her. Even clan-bound, only wield if no lord or not against lord's will."
"So?"
"So? Hwiser picks Hwijun heir surely. Probably on spot; post-heir, Hwikyung powerless. Jadong lord unique. Can't seize just killing Hwiser. Lose legitimacy, clans revolt."
Seong-un shook head.
"No, premise wrong. Why Hwiser pick Hwijun?"
"What? Obvious? Saw it. Hwijun politically aligns with Hwiser. Hwikyung right or not, differs from Hwiser. She knows all."
Seong-un crossed arms silently.
"Hey, wait. Laughed?"
"No? Didn't."
"Heard laugh."
"Didn't."
"What? Bad feeling?"
Hwiser walked between Hwijun and Hwikyung.
"No more fighting. Deciding Jadong heir here now."
Hwijun inwardly flustered but seemed glad.
Hwijun, less than Hegemonia, thought himself likelier lord.
But Hwikyung eyed Hwiser differently.
"Father, story first."
Hwiser thought often heard. Habitually near-said 'busy, later.'
But Hwikyung's eyes emptied mind.
"...Horn grown."
"Yes. Father shaved beard."
"...What story?"
Hwikyung thought next words hardest. Came easy.
"Why try killing me so much?"
Sairan nodded behind.
Hwijun glared confused; Hwiser silent.
Distant, Hegemonia panicked.
Seong-un mocked panicking Hegemonia.
'Hwikyung seemed cursed because of Hwiser. Wanted Hwikyung dead since young. Never direct hands. Watched other clans. Ashamed personal grudge. Assassinations rare, cautious. Thus Hwikyung's demonic essence easily thwarted.'
Hwiser spoke.
"...When knew?"
"Guessed long ago, fooled self. Didn't want believe."
"...Won't remember Ryeo."
Long unheard name for Hwikyung.
"Married three, loved only Ryeo truly. Did anything for Jadong, but wounds filled. When couldn't continue, Ryeo approached. With her, anything possible. But..."
"Mother died birthing me."
Hwiser admitted readily.
"Yes. Thought you killed Ryeo. That damned horn. So cursed."
"But no."
Hwikyung tapped horn lightly.
Immature, sensitive.
"My horn no curse. Even said I ripped mother with horn birthing, odd. Horns grow; not born long. Lie too?"
"...Yes. Ryeo didn't die birthing. Hard labor. Midwife said body too weak."
Hwikyung nodded.
Felt relieved; guilt of killing mother lifted from father.
Hwiser looked utterly weary, exhausted—face brothers never seen. Might recognize older.
"Mother talk done. Pick heir."
Hwijun, holding words throughout, spoke.
"Father! Won't decide Jadong lordship endangering citizens on personal guilt?"
"...Juna, worry not. As heir decider, speak as Jadong lord, not father."
Hwijun somewhat relieved, eyes shaky.
Not Hwikyung.
To Hwiser, Hwikyung seemed resolute, decided before words.
'Why, Kyung? Looks like you deciding, not me.'
Hwiser opened mouth.
Voice hoarse.
"No more delay. Deciding. My successor as Jadong lord is..."
Meanwhile, Hegemonia noticed sudden shift.
Clasped hands, muttered anxiously.
"Please, please... God, Buddha, Allah..."
"...Think works?"