Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Confronting Madness
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My connection with Eldest Uncle runs surprisingly deep.
In my first life, I died trying to save a patient, and that patient was my eldest uncle, Heuk Biwon.
‘How many decades has it been since I last saw him?’
No one could cure him.
His illness killed not only others but himself as well. He was a tragic figure.
‘He died young in my second life, too. And in my third, I was so focused on becoming great and returning home that I paid him no mind.’
Because I knew that was a mistake.
I'm here now to face the things I'd turned away from.
“Can we go in?”
The place where Eldest Uncle was confined was described as a cellar, but it was really just a large warehouse.
“Yeah, it should be fine.”
One of the warehouse doors was wide open, and a red string lay on the ground.
Heuk Gyewon had told me that was the signal for safety.
“Looks like he's come to his senses.”
‘Whew, what a relief.’
I get to see the sane version of my eldest uncle.
This is great. If he were still mad, I would have had to wait.
‘If only Uncle were awake, I might have tried even if he was still mad.’
Can't be helped.
Competent physicians and apothecaries always travel with warriors.
On this continent, where war is rampant and fortunes are made from it, they often have to see dangerous patients.
“I think Father went to the garden.”
“...The garden?”
Could you even call that a garden?
The place Heuk Gyewon pointed to was riddled with craters, and not a single tree was left unscathed.
“Those are the marks he made when his madness was at its worst.”
Soon, I spotted a man in the garden.
Long, wavy hair swayed carelessly at his waist.
His black robes were worn so loosely they looked merely draped over him.
I could only see his profile, but he was incredibly handsome.
As if sensing our gaze, Eldest Uncle slowly turned his head.
A languid impression, like that of a vagabond. Red eyes.
A chill ran down my spine.
‘Something… is wrong.’
It was a sense I'd honed over long years of treating patients.
‘Damn it, his eyes are unfocused!’
My whole body was screaming a warning.
“B-Bwother…?”
“Th-This can't be…”
I turned my head and saw my brother sweating profusely.
Dilated pupils. Trembling eyelids.
‘…A panic attack?’
I understood the situation instantly.
I don't know why, but his madness hasn't ended yet!
Just then, Eldest Uncle's unfocused gaze locked onto us as if by some cruel trick.
“Get back!”
*Thud!*
The next moment, I was on the ground. My shoulder throbbed with pain.
‘It's not dislocated, is it?’
I looked up to see a deep crater where we had just been standing.
‘He's insane!’
If I stay still, I'll die!
Eldest Uncle, having slammed his fist into the ground, was now dusting off his hand.
Our eyes met. The man grinned and tilted his head.
A familiar scene.
‘...Ugh, you, get away, now...!’
The moment I died in my first life was just like this.
“Heuk Biyu!”
Heuk Gyewon snatched me up. Thankfully, he dodged backward with nimble speed.
“Can't you attack with water or something?”
“I can't!”
*What? I'm a healer, you fool!*
*If I had combat skills, I would have beaten the Crown Prince to a pulp in my third life!*
“What do I do? What should I…!”
Heuk Gyewon seemed to be panicking.
And yet, they said he inherited his father's talent in its entirety.
*CRASH!*
His skill in dodging attacks while fleeing was extraordinary.
We were finally cornered. My cousin set me down and stood beside me.
Tiny sparks of lightning began to crackle at my brother's fingertips.
“…I'm not confident with lightning strikes.”
His voice trembled slightly.
“Get a gwip, Bwother!”
“Hah, hah… This is strange. This madness should have, should have ended long ago! He opened the, the door!”
“I get it, so dodge! Dodge!”
To make a poison smoke like the one I used on Heuk Daewi, I need ingredients.
“Bwother! How many minutes can you dodge fow!”
“You should be asking how many *seconds*…”
“So how many seconds!”
“Ugh, thirty seconds!”
That's not enough! I opened the lid of the water flask I was carrying.
The moment Eldest Uncle closed in with terrifying speed, I plunged my fingers into the water.
*SWOOOOSH!*
Water rose like a wave and engulfed Eldest Uncle.
“You…!”
I normally use this for diagnosis, but like this, I can immobilize him for a moment.
“Bwother, I can't, can't hold him fow long!”
Having regained some of his composure, Heuk Gyewon waved his hand in the air as if making the sign of the cross.
*KABOOM! CRACKLE!*
Lightning erupted from the boy's hand and struck Eldest Uncle.
‘He's basically Pikachu.’
*Awesome, brother! You didn't hesitate to zap your own father!*
“But why is he perfectly fine!”
“Of course he is! Father is a lightning user too!”
*You should have told me that sooner, you idiot!*
“Let's wun away!”
“No, he'll catch us in no time.”
Eldest Uncle, in the throes of his madness, seemed truly insane.
Seeing his eyes glinting like a beast's through his wet hair sent a shiver down my spine.
‘I can't hold him for long.’
Luckily, we'd created some distance, but there was no telling when he'd close it again.
I took some herbs out of my pocket and chewed on them furiously.
‘Ah, damn it! If only I had a little more water! Or if my ability was more refined!’
Whether it's medicine or poison, the right mixture is crucial. My young body and age were a hindrance at times like this.
Finally breaking free from the water, Eldest Uncle blocked our path. For the first time, Heuk Gyewon drew his sword.
“I'm not confident. I've never even lasted three exchanges against Father…”
“Still, have some confidence! We have to suwvive! Twust me!”
My brother gave a faint smile.
“…Besides my father, you're the only one who's ever said that to me.”
*Dude, don't raise a death flag!*
“Would Eldest Uncwe want this? If you die, who's gonna make Biyu's food!”
The last part was obviously a joke.
I could feel the tension leave Heuk Gyewon's body. Lightning began to gather at the tip of his sword.
“Right, I get it. Thanks. Because you bought me time, I was able to gather the lightning.”
*So you had to charge it up?* I nodded.
It was enough time for me, too.
“…I have no choice but to try.”
It wasn't Eldest Uncle's fault that he was attacking his son.
“…Father will try to corner us.”
They said that when seized by madness, Eldest Uncle was left with only the instinct to hunt something.
It was the most dangerous type of madness, one driven solely by 'murderous intent.'
“Haaaah!”
*Clang!*
Heuk Gyewon stepped forward and confronted Eldest Uncle.
*What the? He's fighting better than I expected.*
‘No, is he holding back?’
But the standoff was brief. The moment lightning began to form in Eldest Uncle's hand, Heuk Gyewon was sent flying.
“Kuhk…!”
I didn't even have time to call out to him. Before I could throw the thing in my hand, Eldest Uncle was right in front of me.
*Crap, he's so fast…!*
*Damn it, Uncle! I'm a baby! And a physician! A healer who's supposed to be protected even on the battlefield!*
“Damn it, Father!!”
I squeezed my eyes shut as the fist flew toward me.
*Ah, hell. Who would've thought my fourth life would end at the age of three!*
*Ugh, I was just getting started! I just barely managed to fix up my other uncle!*
“…Aren't you supposed to dodge when a fist is flying at you?”
A familiar voice, one I knew well.
At the same time, I felt my body being lifted into the air.
…I'm not dead?
I saw Eldest Uncle's fist, blocked, trembling furiously. A stream of water was wrapped tightly around his hand.
‘Water?’
“Ugh, and I have a type disadvantage, too.”
I looked up and saw a sharp, aristocratic face.
“What kind of trouble is this to wake up to?”
It was my uncle, Heuk Birang.