Chapter 34: The Ace in the Hole
“Hm…”
I sat quietly in the room, fixing my gaze on the pitch-black panel that had appeared before my eyes. The time had come for the update of the save point (?), the so-called regression point of time-space regression.
[The point of immortality has been updated.]
[Date – Mittelrand Kingdom Year/547, December 19, 7:00 PM]
[Location – Halsenberg Castle, Knight Caesar’s Room]
[Notice – The Immortal Demon King is nearing hatching.]
[Notice – Until the Immortal Demon King is fully resurrected, the regression point will be updated every 12 hours.]
In one hand, I held the Demon King’s egg, which continuously emitted an ominous glow.
The size had now surpassed that of an ostrich egg, but its weight was even heavier. It seemed fitting, given that it housed a Demon King; even the weight was extraordinary. The aura it emitted was unsettling.
“Um… Jung Yong.”
As I gazed silently at the egg, Seop Baek, who had been lying quietly beside me, cautiously spoke up.
I glanced at her.
“Yes? What is it?”
“Uh… what is that egg?”
“Do you want to eat it?”
“Am I some kind of pig?!”
Seop Baek lightly protested, puffing out her cheeks. She seemed to think I was teasing her.
But if you consider her voracious appetite over the past few days, it wasn’t just a light joke. She was clearing out three pots of food a day rather than just bowls.
‘Certainly, she’s not a pig, but…’
Still, Seop Baek was on the thinner side, so she did need to eat more.
However, her complexion had visibly improved, and her cheeks had regained some flesh, so she no longer looked as frail as before.
Even more accurately, she was becoming a stunning beauty far exceeding my expectations.
“That… I just asked because it’s emitting a strange, ominous energy… it’s making my spine tingle.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Yes! Jung Yong, how can you hold something like that and feel nothing at all?”
Seop Baek stared at me, genuinely amazed.
Of course, having some black, sticky substance emerging doesn’t feel good, but it’s not as if it’s so revolting. Perhaps it’s because I’m an Egg Guardian, and this kind of energy feels familiar to me.
Nodding my head, I asked her:
“Seop Baek.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Are you a healer?”
“A healer? What’s that?”
“A restorative specialist. Isn’t recovery your forte?”
“Oh, yes. I’m a master of healing and support techniques.”
Seop Baek nodded and then placed her hands on her chest.
—Grooool!
Then, a transparent energy gathered in Seop Baek’s palms, forming a small dragon.
The shapeless dragon emitted a transparent, mysterious light. It moved seamlessly and settled around Seop Baek’s shoulders.
—Gooooh…
The dragon seemed to be watching me quietly, waiting for an order.
I stared at it with wide eyes. Seop Baek noticed this, smiled slightly, and explained.
“This is my Qi Dragon. His name is Aran. He helps by healing wounds or activating the body when asked.”
“Hmm.”
It was indeed amazing.
But putting aside the marvel, I’m performance-oriented, so I don’t plan to end this just with a theoretical interview.
Pointing directly at the dragon, I asked Seop Baek:
“Hey, what level of recovery can this dragon achieve?”
“Level… of recovery?”
“Can it heal a slash wound? Attach severed limbs? Or even revive someone at the brink of death?”
“Hmm… what level you say…”
Seop Baek paused to think.
She glanced at my face briefly, muttered something like ‘Should I tell him?’, then seemingly decided, nodding, and continued.
“Do you think my being able to survive for three years in that prison without being killed explains it?”
“That’s sufficient.”
I nodded, looking at the dragon with renewed interest.
‘Are you kidding me? This isn’t a healer; this is like Hua Tuo.’
Not only is she worth her pay as a cook, but her recovery skills are top-tier. This girl truly is a blessing.
As I marveled with a nod, Seop Baek, slightly embarrassed, scratched her cheek and said:
“Everyone who came with me was killed by that insane maid. But she couldn’t land a fatal blow on me. It was all thanks to Aran.”
“Hmm.”
“After realizing there was nothing she could do with me, she locked me up in that dungeon.”
“… That’s how it went, huh.”
Seop Baek’s expression grew darker as she spoke.
“Yes. After that, she never showed any interest in me again. Time passed, and I eventually drifted into a coma, completely under Aran’s care… until you passed by, Jung Yong.”
Seop Baek’s face was pale with fear at the memory of Leira. I could fully relate to such fear, so I just solemnly nodded.
If she’s capable of this much, my plan’s success rate will improve dramatically. The ability to allow a person to die twice but only face it once is beyond helpful.
‘But her body isn’t fully healed yet, so I should just leave her be for now.’
For now, I decided to consider her as reserve power number one.
The essence of my plan involves staking my life as the fundamental wager. If I can reduce the risks to this wager, I’d even seek Leira’s help, terrifying as it is.
So, after Seop Baek, I planned to approach Leira next.
I immediately grasped her shoulder firmly. As I leaned closer, she flinched and blushed immediately.
“Seop Baek, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
“A-Alright! Yes!”
Hmm. I told her to listen carefully, not close her eyes. But since closing her eyes wouldn’t block her ears, it’s fine, I suppose.
I quickly got to the point.
“Tomorrow morning, I’m going hunting.”
“… What?”
Seop Baek, looking slightly taken aback, blinked and questioned.
I began explaining the situation to her.
“To be honest… I struck a deal with the lord here…”
I recalled the recent exchange in the reception hall with Halsenberg and continued explaining to her.
*
“Haha. Good! Let’s hear your plan, Eldritch Slayer Park Jeong-yong.”
Though the words sounded positive, Halsenberg’s expression was anything but pleased.
It seemed like he felt mocked. A hint of discomfort was evident on his face, and the title with which he addressed me carried an undertone of sarcasm.
I didn’t mind. Whether he sides with me or not is entirely up to his judgment. If he doesn’t, I’ll simply resort to another plan.
“I’ll be leaving this castle soon.”
“…!!”
“My level-ups through routine hunts are over. Quickly defeating Eldritch, clearing my debt to you, and bidding farewell without regrets—that’s my plan.”
“… That, that’s true.”
Taken aback by my straightforwardness, Halsenberg nodded uncertainly.
I smiled slightly at his reaction.
“So, the plan I’m about to discuss is not exactly orthodox.”
“Then? Not the right path? Is there a wrong one then? And what might that be?”
My confident attitude seemed to spark a glimmer of hope in the sarcasm-filled tone of Halsenberg’s voice.
I grinned as I continued speaking.
“Halsenberg, don’t you feel something unusual?”
“What exactly?”
“We’ve wiped out their vanguard, yet Eldritch’s army remains unusually quiet. Don’t you find that strange?”
“…!”
Halsenberg stared at the ruined base of the Undead army, muttering to himself,
—This is odd.
He remembered distinctly.
Back then, what could have felt strange was unknown, but now it’s clear.
‘The fact that Eldritch hasn’t retaliated.’
What makes Undead terrifying is their ability to quickly revive after being destroyed, attacking us before we can regroup.
But during the month spent eradicating the Undead, the ones we had clearly eliminated long ago should have had enough time to resurrect, yet there are no signs of retaliation.
Undoubtedly, this would be an oddity Halsenberg cannot make sense of.
It can’t be helped; only I know the truth behind this phenomenon.
“Then, Halsenberg, the attacks from our enemies, which were once fierce, have completely stopped since a month ago. What’s changed between then and now?”
“Hmm….”
Halsenberg fell into deep thought, stunned, before his eyes widened.
The widened eyes immediately focused on my face. A voice filled with disbelief emerged.
“…You. You participated in the hunt.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“You mean it’s because of you? Are you the reason our enemies haven’t retaliated?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I am sure of it. Swear it on my left testicle.”
When a man stakes that, it’s the real truth.
Halsenberg, if you’re a real man, believe me.
“Still, I can’t believe it. Can you show me proof?”
But Halsenberg ultimately shook his head and asked me. His disbelief is disappointing, Halsenberg. Really, take it or leave it.
I clicked my tongue in frustration and shook my head.
“No, there’s nothing I can do about that. I have proof, but I can’t show it to you.”
“What? If you want me to believe you, you must show me proof!”
“That’s true, but showing the proof will make you cut off my head before facing Eldritch.”
“What? What do you mean by that….”
The reason I can’t show any proof is simple.
That proof is the Demon King of Immortality.
The Egg demonstrates mutual interaction with the Undead army.
That is, the Undead affecting the Demon King and the Demon King affecting the Undead and their leader, Eldritch.
In simpler terms, Eldritch has also detected this.
The unusual aura emanating from us hunting the Undead now.
It’s the heralding of the return of their ruler.
‘They… Eldritch has detected the Demon King of Immortality.’
I infer that the cessation of retaliation stems from this.
There’s no other plausible explanation, and this fits perfectly.
‘But how do I explain this to him?’
That’s why I questioned his hatred for heroes earlier.
Experience tells me that reckless gambles resonate better with skeptical opponents.
Halsenberg likely perceives me as a baffling existence right now.
Unclear if I’m good or evil, an annoying con artist or a trustworthy hunting partner, he can’t grasp my essence.
But precisely because of that,
my unverifiable persuasion has a chance to work.
“I cannot, regardless, show you the proof. However, it’s certain that I possess the power to suppress these enemies.”
“… That’s… an incredibly hard story to believe, isn’t it?”
“I don’t expect you to believe it. But I’m fully invested in this. As you’ll see, my plan involves me entirely shouldering all the risks.”
“…”
“Halsenberg, I won’t dare ask you to risk your life. Just follow my directions, and grab a chance to escape when you can. Back to the castle. As usual.”
For a while, Halsenberg didn’t respond. I waited patiently.
Of course, it’s difficult to believe. It might feel like being played.
‘But if my assumptions are correct.’
If my judgment of Halsenberg’s character isn’t wrong, the answer is probably already decided.
Because no one desires to protect this land more than him, no one hates Eldritch more than him.
No matter how absurd my proposal sounds, you can’t refuse it.
“… That you stake your life. Incredible nonsense.”
Sure enough, Halsenberg opened his mouth with a heavy expression.
Then, he confidently approached me, extending his fist as he always does, a trust-worthy smile on his face.
“Likewise, I will risk my life. I’ve lived until now precisely for this moment.”
“… Well considered.”
I grinned in satisfaction and forcefully connected fists with him.
After clearing my throat a few times, I began explaining in a serious tone.
“Then, let me outline the plan.”
