Episode 42: Me, Incarnation
We retreated just like that.
Of course, at first, it was all abrupt chaos.
The moment I ordered the retreat, the atmosphere turned icy and irretrievable.
Surely, I didn’t make such an explosive announcement without any thought. We’ve had enough time to plan for these spatial regressions.
I had already prepared my excuse in anticipation of this moment.
“The enemies’ guard is much stricter than expected. Their numbers in the capital far exceed what I anticipated. Let’s be satisfied with observing the terrain and enemy movements today and come back tomorrow with a better strategy.”
“Wait, but Lord Jung Yong… yesterday it was the same thing, and now a sudden retreat? I just don’t understand…”
“My life and the fate of Halsenberg are at stake in this battle. We must minimize all uncertain factors and do everything possible to increase our chances of success. Today is not the day.”
“…Hmm, if that’s what you say, then I trust you. Very well.”
Fortunately, people quickly accepted my explanation and prepared for retreat.
To be precise, once Lord Halsenberg agreed, Lady Leira naturally followed, as if it were expected of her. And Seop Baek, being one of my party members, quietly obeyed without question.
Later, when we arrived back at the castle and the two of us were alone, Lord Halsenberg spoke carefully to me.
“But still, this retreat order was rather sudden. It felt unnatural.”
“… I apologize, Lord Halsenberg.”
I could not respond to his words.
I merely bowed my head in apology.
However, Lord Halsenberg did not press me further upon seeing my reaction.
“I do have one question though. Will this retreat truly help in killing Eldritch in some way?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
I nodded with certainty.
I’ve looped back twenty-two times from my death. No one in the world could want to avoid dying as much as I do right now.
This hint that I’ve put my life on the line to share—there is no way it won’t be of help.
‘When I encountered Eldritch, I must have caught something crucial.’
I had just been reflecting that it would only be during such an event that I would leave a message in the Box of the Dead.
Certainly, my previous self must have done the same.
‘Therefore, there’s definitely a difference between today and tomorrow.’
Between a Demon King’s egg yet to hatch and one that has already hatched—there must be some critical difference that I am unaware of.
“Ah, I see.”
Lord Halsenberg, having observed my attitude, slowly nodded.
“Once my mind is set, there’s no going back. I trust you.”
“… Thank you, Lord Halsenberg.”
“Just go rest for now. If you want to share a meal, you and that Seop Baek girl can stop by anytime.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
I bowed deeply, marveling again at the magnanimous personality of Lord Halsenberg.
In my position, I’d probably already be cursing and joking around about something like this. Truly, Lord Halsenberg is a great man.
Tsk. I had unknowingly clicked my tongue.
“Being a good guy getting screwed over—seems to be the same in this world or the next.”
Even in this alternative world, life doesn’t feel like it’s getting any better.
That thought crossed my mind as I saw the walls of Halsenberg groaning under the strain.
Regardless of Lord Halsenberg’s tragic fate—it needed to be dealt with. The priority now is hatching this egg.
There was nothing much for me to do, just waiting it out in this room.
So, as soon as I returned to my room, I took the egg out of my backpack.
“Hmm…”
Umm, ummm.
The egg, pulsating with a dark hue, had grown so large it barely fit into my backpack anymore.
No exaggeration—it was nearly as big as my torso.
Even more frightening was that every time it pulsed, I could feel it growing heavier and bigger.
It was literally growing in real-time.
“Could this thing really birth an actual dinosaur? Is the Undying Demon King this massive even as an egg? Is it some kind of Attack on Titan Demon King?”
I muttered to myself as I inspected the egg from all angles.
At that moment…
“Um… why are you playing with this egg in this room exactly…?”
Seop Baek, who had been quietly sitting on the bed, finally spoke.
I turned my head to look at her. She hesitated and bowed her head.
What is this suddenly bashful reaction?
Of course, it might be a problem that I suddenly came to her room instead of mine, but why now? We’re comrades, aren’t we?
I gave a vague response.
“It’s lonely being alone. Just killing time while waiting.”
“Waiting? For what?”
“There’s something to it.”
“Ah… okay…”
Seop Baek’s voice noticeably quieted.
What’s this disappointed reaction? What was she expecting to feel disappointed about?
Honestly, I’m still trying to understand her way of thinking. She’s a girl from a different world, after all.
Will we ever become good comrades? The future seems uncertain.
“Still, what is this egg? Whose egg is it?”
Trying to break the awkward silence, Seop Baek asked me bright-eyed.
I shook my head with a smirk.
“I’ll tell you when we get closer. It’s something that would cause trouble if you knew.”
As I bluntly rejected her, her face fell.
Her curiosity disappeared, replaced by disappointment.
“Still, why here… You’re just making me curious…”
“That’s fair. Maybe I’ll just go.”
“No! I didn’t mean—please don’t go…”
And so, Seop Baek and I engaged in idle chatter for quite a while.
When we ran out of things to talk about, we’d occasionally lean back on the bed to rest, or drink some water.
Eventually, Seop Baek, having lost the morning’s nervous tension, dozed off like a sick chicken.
The time passed idly.
The sun began to set, and it was time for the evening meal. I woke Seop Baek, and we ate together.
Thin soup and bread provided by Lady Leira, along with some vegetables and fruit.
“… It’s almost time.”
Night fell, and darkness enveloped the surroundings.
The moment was approaching. I focused my gaze on the egg.
[Time until hatching: 49 minutes]
The time was slightly past 6 p.m.
Since the countdown began, exactly three days have passed, leaving about an hour remaining.
In an hour, the next checkpoint would be reached.
As the panel mentioned, this checkpoint would indeed be the moment the egg hatched.
“…”
I quietly observed the egg, holding my breath. My hand slowly reached for the Vestark sheathed at my waist.
“If I sense even the slightest threat…”
I’ll kill it instantly.
Even though I’ve contracted with the lesser deity Minerva, my life will always be my top priority, no matter what anyone says.
If whatever emerges from this egg turns out to be the ridiculous monster Lord Halsenberg spoke of, it would be best to swiftly eliminate it before it grows too strong to handle.
Seop Baek, who was also watching closely, suddenly widened her eyes and said,
“Hey, it looks bigger than it was before dinner!”
“Likely so. It’s still growing.”
“Wow… If it keeps getting bigger here, maybe we’ll fit inside it too.”
“Exactly.”
Seop Baek, who was gently brushing the egg with her finger and admiring it, recoiled suddenly as a “wooooom” sound came from the egg, emitting an ominous dark energy.
I chuckled and returned my focus to the egg.
‘Really is getting ridiculously big.’
Seop Baek wasn’t exaggerating.
It had already surpassed two-thirds of my height. Now it was the size where an adult could easily kneel inside comfortably.
Chin in hand, Seop Baek lost herself in thought for a while before tilting her head and speaking.
“Exactly what is being born? I’m curious…”
“I agree. I’m dying to know.”
“Eh? You don’t know, Master Jung Yong?”
“I know the identity, but I have no idea what it looks like.”
“Oh! I see…”
Seop Baek appeared to understand and nodded. She then sat quietly beside me, staring fixedly at the egg.
… So we continued to stare at the egg in silence for a while.
“… When do you think it will awaken?”
“Soon.”
“How soon is ‘soon’?”
“Let’s see… in 23 minutes.”
“Eh? How do you know so precisely?”
“… Just a feeling.”
“Hmm?”
Seop Baek chuckled knowingly, her expression clearly saying, “You’re full of nonsense, dude.”
I saw right through you, Seop Baek. Try managing your expressions better.
Still, time passed pleasantly as I kept her company every time it grew too quiet.
Waiting for the egg to hatch in Seop Baek’s room definitely turned out to be the right decision. While musing on these thoughts…
Suddenly, a crackling sound could be heard.
“Hm?”
“…Was that just now?”
Both Seop Baek and I simultaneously fixed wide-eyed gazes on the egg.
It was breaking. Cracks appeared in the shell. Moreover, it was violently twitching, and dark light poured out from the fissures.
Seop Baek grabbed my shoulder and shook me as she shouted.
“It’s hatching! The egg is breaking, Master Jung Yong!”
“Ah, I know. I have eyes too. Stop shaking me, I’m going to throw up!”
The twitching of the egg became more intense, and spider web-like cracks spread across the surface.
Before we knew it, they covered the entire outer shell. The pitch-black aura leaking out reached its peak.
Crack!
The egg shattered into pieces.
Simultaneously, the figure curled up inside suddenly sprang up and boldly revealed themselves to us.
“Ahh, I’m awake!”
This was the very first utterance from the Undying Demon King, freshly hatched from the egg.
It was this.
