Chapter 103
However, the emotional explosion at the world-ending climax came to an abrupt end because of a single corpse that caught the edge of my vision.
It was by chance that I caught sight of it. Luci’s face was too close, and when I shifted my gaze, my eyes suddenly fell upon a lifeless body awkwardly lying there.
“What the hell… what is that?!”
The upper half of the body was grotesquely missing, and the burnt intestines sprawled across the road reminded me of the shield kites I used to play with as a child.
And atop the corpse’s torso was… my own staring face.
“…!”
I was struck silent by the sight of my own face, my expression suddenly stiffening. Noticing the change, Luci turned her head slightly.
And with a small gasp, she swallowed.
“Yikes! Hero, what the heck is that?! Did someone take a bite out of him and spit?! What in the world happened to you?!”
Why does she always forget the fact that I lose my memories every time I regress? Is it truly a case of intellectual collapse or is she deliberately messing with me?
Anyway… I’m more confused than Luci right now. Not only was I shocked to come face to face with my corpse, but my state of disrepair was alarming. Honestly, I’m hesitant to even attempt to restore the residual memory.
“Seriously… did I get chewed up by a giant or what?”
With an uneasy feeling in my chest, I slowly approached the body, raising the lantern as I went.
And then I realized.
‘Did I cry?’
Straight lines of moisture were evident around the eyes and cheeks of my past self.
I recalled the sudden emotional surge I had experienced just moments ago. Could it be that in my previous life, I died crying, and even after time had rewound, I cried again? Could it be like that?
‘Totally overreacting.’
Whatever happened to my past self, I don’t know. After all, time has already rewound, and such an event shouldn’t occur based on memories that don’t even exist.
I put away those absurd thoughts and brought the lantern closer to the corpse.
[Item Activation – Izanami’s Heart]
[Residual Memory from the previous life acquired.]
[Restored 255 Health Points and 120 Magic Points.]
[Strength restored by 0, Agility by 28, Intelligence by 0.]
[Combat Skill – The Eye of Mimir Level 17 restored.]
[All memories from the previous life restored.]
“Gr…!”
And with that, both the memories and stats from my previous life were fully restored.
The corpse disintegrated and vanished into the air. Simultaneously, the torrent of tears that had been flowing came to an abrupt stop.
“…”
I’m not entirely sure what I was thinking at that exact moment.
Nonetheless, I approached Luci. Sensing my sudden change of demeanor, she slightly furrowed her eyebrows.
Maintaining some distance, I asked directly.
“Why didn’t you stop Set-Pak from coming to me?”
“Huh?”
“In the previous life… Set-Pak returned to Kern, and you were there at the time, so there’s no way you wouldn’t have known.”
“Well, yeah, that woman was quite a handful.”
Luci scratched her ear, speaking nonchalantly. My frustration boiled over, and I finally unsheathed my sword.
Pabababak! My cloak split into thorns, and magical swords formed, hovering around her.
In the midst of those dozens of weapons, Luci stood proudly, looking up at me.
“Should I have stopped her?”
“That woman’s words were, in fact, correct.”
“Correct? What’s correct about them?”
“If you keep going like this, you’re going to die. We can’t just sit idly by and watch that happen. I must also step in. That’s what she said.”
“Well, why didn’t you stop her then?”
“I did say it, didn’t I? Her words weren’t wrong. If we let it go as is, you would undoubtedly die. Look. Didn’t you die? She was right all along.”
“…”
“This fool. Isn’t it obvious from just a glance? What excuse could I possibly have to stop her?”
I stepped closer to Luci. Though I didn’t swing my sword, I grabbed her collar and lifted her up. With our eyes level, I pressed my forehead against hers.
A growling sound escaped my throat.
“You knew I’d be resurrected, didn’t you? You should have said something! You should have told her it’s meaningless to struggle to save someone who will just come back to life!”
Hiss! The Demon King’s eyebrow twitched.
“Ho ho. If saving someone’s life is meaningless, then considering your life’s infinite anyway, it’s only reasonable for that woman to sacrifice herself first?”
“Yes! Why didn’t you…!”
Siiiik. Luci’s lips curved into a bold smile.
A smile filled with inexplicable joy and, at the same time, a hint of sorrow.
It reminded me of a child watching a snowman melt under the sun.
“Can humans who are truly alive casually say such things while still aware?”
At Luci’s sudden remark, my thoughts froze.
“…What?”
“Living beings are naturally supposed to fear death. They’ll do anything to prolong their lives by even a second. Even I am like that. Everyone is, except you, apparently.”
“….”
“Do you honestly feel that you’re still alive?”
I couldn’t answer.
Luci nodded knowingly, then forcefully slapped my hand that was gripping her collar. Reflexively letting go, I watched as Luci lightly landed on the ground.
“Hmm. Even when the regression point updates, a broken mind doesn’t return, does it? Or… did you encounter enough incidents to pile on the dark emotions in such a short span? Tell me, what exactly happened?”
For some reason, her piercing red gaze scanning me felt unusually sticky. I instinctively took a step back.
—M-monster, monster, m-monster.
Tara’s terrified voice echoed in my mind. My fingers wouldn’t even budge.
A voice from behind interrupted this moment.
“Isn’t this exactly what I warned you about? This is what happens when you stick with that woman.”
The voice, tinged with regret, was familiar yet unpleasant. I abruptly turned around.
As expected, there stood Minerva… with her usual composed demeanor.
*
“Yyek! You… minion of the Goddess..!”
Luci recoiled in dislike, hiding behind me. Her head peeking out cautiously, her eyes glared at Minerva like a suspicious cat.
“Huh.”
Minerva briefly glanced at Luci before quickly averting her gaze with a faint smile, showing no sign of regarding Luci.
I remained tense, watching the unexpected guest, while Minerva sighed and began to speak.
“You ignored my warning last time, and now we’ve reached this situation, haven’t we? How about it? Are you willing to quit cleanly and run away while you still can?”
“…Last time? Warning? What is this nonsense you’re spewing on your first appearance?”
Genuinely confused by what she meant, I exclaimed. With deep creases on her forehead, Minerva exhaled softly.
“Aha. You’ve no memory of it, I see. That’s not acceptable. You must timely retrieve those residual memories. Considering all the persuasion I had to do with the Three Fates to borrow this item, it’s regrettable that it went unused… Hmph.”
She finally sighed, clearly deeming the situation pitiful.
What are those all about? Could I have met Minerva in the lost memories? Given the heavy sigh, it does not seem like a joke.
While scratching my head, I inquired.
“Anyway, what’s the sudden business? I’m busy, educating here.”
Pwam! A blow struck my calf. It was surely Luci’s kick. I didn’t even glance at her.
Minerva paid no attention to the interruption, answering my question.
“Of course, I’m here to re-recruit you. Before things worsen further, leave Seop-Baek alone. Live in some quiet place like you’ve always wanted. If you properly control the Resurrection Sect, we will generously finance you for life. How does that sound?”
… Damn. She knows my needs all too well. A hidden ambition I secretly cherished—did she somehow already know when we met before?
Though inwardly startled, I snorted at her suggestion.
“To hell with that nonsense. It’s been nearly two months hanging around you all, and it’s become a matter of mixed feelings; I can’t just quit like that.”
“Puhh!”
Though I firmly rejected her, Minerva broke into an amused smile. Wow, though she’s really exasperating, she’s still beautiful when she smiles… or no, wait.
Confused, I looked at her, and she waved her hands defensively.
“Sorry. Sorry. It’s just… even after all those twists, you’re still the same somehow.”
This feels familiar somehow.
Ah. It’s the same thing the Demon King said to me after I kept repeating the same words in each of my reincarnations.
Could I have refused her similarly in one of my past lives? With no memory, this is frustrating.
“Hmm. Then I might as well repeat my exact statement from then?”
Minerva touched her lips as she said this, then gradually approached me.
Her usual composed gaze was now firmly locked on me.
“What are you planning to do? The Resurrection Sect is stronger than imagined. The leader of the corpse-manipulating Cassas Sect is already a nuisance. And even worse, Seop-Baek, someone you trusted, isn’t following your lead. How do you plan on breaking through this situation?”
Minerva’s words struck a nerve. I awkwardly evaded her penetrating gaze.
“… I’ll have another calm talk with Seop-Baek.”
“Talk? When you’re immortal and should focus on preserving yourself?”
“Yeah. She at least trusts that I won’t die. She’s smart, so if I explain carefully, she’ll understand….”
“Ughhh. This is driving me insane.”
Minerva exasperatedly scratched her head.
Then stepping right up to me, she began prodding my forehead with her index finger. Though slightly intimidated by her intensity, I maintained eye contact.
“Listen well. I’m telling you this now, but won’t say it a third time.”
“What kind of trickery are you peddling now..?”
“Park Jeong-yong, the hero. The woman’s trust in you is not genuine reliability.”
“….”
“Such blind faith… it won’t do you any good. If anything, it could hurt.”
As I stared directly into Minerva’s unwavering eyes, I realized she was genuinely concerned for me.
The sun will rise in the west tomorrow, I suppose. Though in this situation, I doubt I’ll be around to witness it.
“…Since I’m short on time, let’s call it a day. It feels like I’m speaking to deaf ears, and I’m getting tired.”
Minerva quickly averted her gaze, then turned around and walked away without hesitation. Her silhouette gradually faded, dissolving like a mirage. It was quite fascinating.
Just before she completely disappeared, she glanced back and muttered under her breath.
“Really, you’re still the same. Exasperatingly so.”
First and foremost, that was harsh criticism. Yet, strangely, my mood wasn’t ruined.
Perhaps it wasn’t meant as an insult but more like a sigh of relief… though on second thought, it’s still just criticism.
“Showing up out of nowhere, stirring up chaos. Go away already.”
Encounters with Minerva always end like this. Though this particular chat left my mind more unsettled than usual.
My mental state was already fragile from witnessing scenes reminiscent of a slasher movie. Why did she feel the need to visit and dash my spirits?
“Di-did she leave? Did that woman leave, hero?”
Luci finally emerged from behind me and started glancing around. I sighed softly at her absurd behavior.
“Yeah, she’s gone.”
This sight, where I earnestly argued and now feel quite abashed, was quite ridiculous. I shook my head to clear the unsettling thoughts.
Chup. Placing my hand on Luci’s head, I started patting her while speaking.
“From now on, if Seop-Baek tries to come and see me, stop her at all costs. Reasons don’t matter. Tell her I said not to come. No matter what, just keep her away. Got it?”
“Ugh… I-I’ll try my best. Just stop messing with my hair! I’m not your pet, you know!”
“Alright.”
As I smirked, a low rumbling sound, Ku-gu-gu-gu, reverberated. The horizon was glowing with a blinding white light.
It was the direction of the Promised Plains.
The gleaming explosion was the harbinger of the Astarte fragment summoning ritual’s beginning.
“I’m heading out to work. I’ll be back.”
“My dad… sigh. Fine.”
Using the Black Wings skill, I summoned crow-like wings and ascended into the night sky.
Starting anew with these restored memories definitely brought a sense of stability that was on a different level. I should aim to die and regenerate back to the same starting point in this lifetime if possible.
With such misguided thoughts of a living person in my mind, I idly fiddled with my dual swords.
