Dokgoseok and Dokgorin, who went to meet the final boss Weijichun, thankfully returned safely.
Or rather, judging by the way she was humming a tune, she seemed to be in even better spirits than usual.
“Miss, is something good happening?”
As I cautiously asked about her rare demeanor, Dokgorin blatantly lied with, “No? Nothing special,” her eyes giving it all away.
She clearly didn’t want to share the reason.
Well, it wasn’t something I absolutely had to know, so I decided to let it slide.
Anyway, after the two of them greeted Weijichun, we just had a regular meal and observed a normal birthday celebration before heading back to our lodging.
…It does make me wonder if it’s truly okay for nothing to happen, but honestly, it would be more odd if something were to occur.
After all, for those unaware that the leader of the Murim Association is an evil person, today is a joyful day.
But as they say, words can become reality, right?
I couldn’t help but be shocked when I heard the news the next morning.
It turns out that Weijichun, who had been drinking with acquaintances until late last night, suddenly collapsed and fell into a state of unconsciousness.
*
While having breakfast, Dokgorin chuckled to herself upon hearing that the leader of the Murim Association had collapsed.
‘Just as planned.’
Acute radiation syndrome.
What the Murim Association’s leader was currently experiencing were symptoms of that.
There are essentially two types of radiation exposure: external exposure and internal exposure.
In the case of external exposure, unless one is exposed to massive amounts of radiation all at once, survival for a longer period is possible, but with internal exposure, the moment one ingests radioactive material, it’s safe to say they are as good as dead.
Even the most resilient master would have no resistance to radioactive elements that destroy cells.
In fact, if my intention was to kill him right then and there, I could have used a larger quantity of enriched uranium, but I only used a trace amount deliberately to avoid implicating Dokgorin as a suspect in the death of Weijichun.
Thanks to this, he experienced a delay before collapsing, but by now, Weijichun’s body must have turned to rags.
No matter how strong he was, he would die within a week at most, and at least within three days.
‘Revenge is complete. Father.’
I hadn’t been able to put a proper end to things before my regression, but this time would be different.
By preemptively killing Weijichun, who could be seen as the root cause of all the events, I could prevent the downfall of the Dokgo family from happening.
And those who would have been killed by the assassins hired by Weijichun back in my original timeline, including family members and servants, would be saved.
All of this was made possible thanks to the devoted help and sacrifice of Chilbok, whom I met before my regression.
‘You protected me in my previous life, so in this one, I’ll protect you.’
As I made that vow internally, I watched Chilbok, who was blissfully eating without a clue.
Perhaps it was because my heart was clouded with affection, but just seeing Chilbok eat made me feel full of happiness.
‘Having two or three kids would be nice. They would surely take after Chilbok and me, making them incredibly cute.’
Of course, I’d eventually feel physically full as well.
*
Word of Weijichun collapsing while drinking with acquaintances spread throughout the city three days later.
According to the official announcement, the cause of his death was unknown.
Initially, there were suspicions that someone had assassinated him with poison, but since Weijichun, a master of the Murim Association, was basically invulnerable, and no poison was found in any of the food or drinks present when he collapsed, it was dismissed as baseless chatter.
People, who had come for the birthday celebration and found themselves at a funeral, donned white clothes and flocked to his funeral hall.
“I never thought the last time I’d see the leader was at the birthday celebration.”
“I can’t believe someone so healthy would pass away in just four days.”
“I heard he drank too much on his birthday and died from alcohol poisoning.”
“Hey! Who would misunderstand that? How could a master of the Murim Association die from alcohol poisoning!”
“That’s just what I heard. They say his complexion suddenly darkened while drinking, and he collapsed while coughing up blood.”
“Tsk, some people have no sense. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
As we listened to the murmurs of the mourners, we filed into the funeral hall of the Murim Association’s leader and bowed to his son.
“My condolences.”
“Thank you.”
His complexion was pale, likely due to the immense number of guests paying their respects.
He looked as though he had failed to sleep properly through the night.
“Your father’s sudden passing must have been a great blow to you.”
At that, the leader’s son nodded wearily.
“Honestly, I’m still quite dazed. I know everyone must die eventually, but I never imagined it would happen this way.”
“I fully understand your feelings. Stay strong, brother.”
“Thank you, even if it’s just words. You must be hungry after traveling such a long way; please have a spoonful of food before you go.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave…”
As the representative of our party, Dokgoseok finished his conversation with the mourners, and we all hurried over to the prepared table of drinks for the guests.
“It seems there are even more people than at the birthday celebration.”
As I looked around and said this, Dokgoseok chuckled wryly.
“That’s what happens when a prominent figure of the righteous Murim falls.”
Noticing Dokgoseok, who seemed a bit down unlike usual, I cautiously asked, “What was your relationship with the leader of the Murim Association?”
He poured alcohol into his cup and replied, “Nothing specific. But from a young age, I heard tales of his valor and nurtured dreams of becoming a hero. And that’s likely true for kids like Chilbok too.”
“Really?”
I glanced at Dokgorin, who was sitting beside me with a bit of hope.
She slightly nodded and said, “What brother says is true.”
Hmm, that explains why she showed such enthusiasm for the leader of the Murim Association, I guess there was a background to that.
I, knowing his true identity, would view everything negatively, but those unaware would see his death as the tragic end of a hero.
“Actually, I attended this birthday celebration hoping to ask the leader for a personal favor, but now that’s turned to dust.”
“A personal favor?”
Upon hearing his complaint-like words, I momentarily doubted my ears.
It was new information to me.
“What is it?”
Dokgorin, equally curious, perked up as well.
Dokgoseok, as if it was nothing to hide, candidly shared while drinking, “Have you heard the tales of various sects and families being attacked by unknown forces in the dead of night over the past few years?”
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Dokgoseok nodded knowingly and continued, “Rumors say it’s the work of the Demonic Cult, but it seems like there’s a certain pattern to it. I intended to pass on the information I organized personally to the Murim Association and request protection for the families… but with the leader’s death, everything’s gone awry.”
“….”
Listening to him, I felt as though the previously vacant puzzle pieces were falling into place.
The connection between the attackers preying on various sects, the leader of the Murim Association, and the tale of Dokgoseok selling Dokgorin to Weijichun.
Yet, as it was all speculative, it was difficult to draw a firm conclusion.
Upon suddenly donning a serious expression after hearing Dokgoseok’s story, Dokgorin next to me asked, “Chilbok, what are you thinking so deeply about?”
“No, I was considering whether there’s any other way. We’ve come this far, and it would be better to solve the matter on our trip.”
“But since the leader of the Murim Association has died, there are no longer any useful connections to the Murim Association. Unless they’re in a high position, asking for protection from a sect is…”
At that, I tilted my head. “If that’s the case, can’t we find Teacher Jeongalgyun?”
“!”
Dokgoseok looked at me, startled.
It seemed he had become so fixated on the leader of the Murim Association that he hadn’t even considered Jeongalgyun, one of the Murim Association’s generals.
“Chilbok, are you perhaps a genius?”
“…Is this really what anyone would think?”
Then Dokgorin, giggling softly, added, “Chilbok, you’re too humble, that’s the issue.”
“No, please stop, it’s embarrassing.”
With praises showered from both siblings, my face uncontrollably flushed like a ripe tomato, as I wasn’t used to compliments.
“Well then, let’s not waste any more time and drink up this and head to the Murim Association.”
Once the discussion reached some closure, and as Dokgoseok shook the liquor bottles, Kyungah let out a sigh as if incredulous.
“Even now, you’re still focused on drinking?”
“Leaving behind alcohol after drinking is simply not courteous to it.”
“Yes, yes, I suppose that would be true.”
As the two bickered by the table filled with drinks, it was just when I was about to grab some pancakes.
“Looks like all the familiar faces are gathered here.”
A familiar voice echoed, and as I turned my head, I found myself face to face with Jeongalgyun, a general of the Murim Association.
