Episode 65: Who’s This?
“Uh… I owe Mr. Jung Yong an unreturnable favor.”
“Hmm? Oh. Ah, yes.”
So it was you. Seop Baek seems very grateful for being saved at the Halsenberk Castle, no doubt about it.
I felt a bit uneasy and immediately waved it off.
“Nah, I did it for my own good, so don’t think anything of it.”
This is 100% pure truth.
I feel uneasy not because I’m embarrassed but because my conscience is pricking me.
“Hmm, but in my hometown, when we receive a favor, we have to repay it somehow. It’s only proper.”
What a troublesome custom from your hometown. Even when the person doesn’t want to be repaid, you must? That’s like an obsession, isn’t it?
While thinking this, I gave a careless response.
“Well, if you must, go ahead and repay it.”
“Yes, sir. That’s why… I…”
Seop Baek faltered with her words and stood up from her seat, moving towards me.
Then she approached the cramped sofa where I sat, and soon she sat down, pressing close to me.
‘What the…?’
I momentarily stopped breathing at the soft scent coming from her.
Seop Baek hesitated for a while, then brought her face closer to mine and said,
“I would like to express my gratitude. Anything you want me to do, I’ll do it.”
Her eyes were moist, and her face was as red as if it could burst at any moment.
I realized definitively now that it wasn’t because of the campfire.
She was obviously very embarrassed.
“Anything?”
“Yes, anything.”
Hearing her firm reply, my heart started racing wildly. I couldn’t calm it.
I’m not stupid enough not to understand what she’s saying. I’m not some anime protagonist, and she’s not some anime heroine. So yeah, she must be talking about the same thing I’m thinking of.
“Mr. Jung Yong… please tell me any wish you have.”
Seop Baek’s shoulders trembled as she leaned her body against me and rested her head on my shoulder.
Game over. At this point, it’s harder not to misunderstand.
“Um… well… uh…”
Alright then. This beautiful lady with her black hair has kindly presented this opportunity.
Should I finally graduate from my celibacy? Not bad, right? Frankly, at the age of 24, it’s about time I did.
Or, rather, I have a few years of being late.
These days, even middle school kids graduate early, don’t they?
‘This is it. Let’s go! Let’s move!’
When will I get another chance like this? This kind of beauty.
Even if she wasn’t a beauty, how easy would it be to find someone who’s expressing this much interest openly just for me, Park Jeong-yong?
Today’s the day I’ll cross the Rubicon.
“Then, let’s say…”
“Ah, yes…!”
Seop Baek startled and closed her eyes tightly as I spoke.
Witnessing this, I made my decision. I couldn’t help but let out a sigh-filled smile.
Do you know why a sucker is called a sucker?
Even when you’re aware of the situation and know what’s beneficial for you, you get all riled up by the surface charm, and inappropriate words pop out of your mouth. That’s why you’re a sucker.
“Just keep this in mind.”
“Ah… yes?”
“Later. When the truly decisive moment comes, I’ll ask you for a wish. Consider it as holding it in reserve.”
“Ah… ah?”
Seop Baek gives me a perplexed look, tilting her head repeatedly.
Then, she realizes that I’ve indirectly refused her, and her head droops down. She remains silent for a while with her head bowed, seemingly sunken.
“…”
What is she thinking? I hope she’s not wondering if she’s unattractive.
Should I retract my action and go for a one-night stand?
No, that would be too sleazy, wouldn’t it?
Frankly, I’m torn right now. To be honest, I feel so regretful I’m about to go insane.
“Damn it, does life mean anything? I have my own kind of philosophy in place, that’s all.”
However, accepting someone’s body in exchange for a favor feels cowardly.
If I take advantage of this girl, who doesn’t even like me, out of obligation, then I’d be the villain—not someone else.
I know. It’s a sucker move.
But what can I do? I think this kind of act is utterly cool for me.
“…”
As I lament internally, a low chuckle suddenly escapes from beside me.
Seop Baek is laughing. Her laughing while wiping away tears is both very cute and, to the same degree, pathetic.
Seop Baek looks at me with a bittersweet expression and says,
“It’s like I expected. Honestly though, I’m a little disappointed.”
“Take it easy. I’m through to the bone like this.”
“That’s right. Because you’re that kind of person… I’m doing something like this.”
Seop Baek glanced outside the window. The stars were reflected in the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Seop Baek suddenly turned her gaze back towards me.
“Yes. Then, I’ll wait for you. Until that crucial moment comes.”
“… Alright. Keep your neck clean while waiting. I’ll make a wish you’ve never imagined.”
“Wow. Scary.”
She chuckled it off with a teasing smile and rested her head on my shoulder.
Despite the cold weather, I could feel the warmth emanating from Seop Baek. Almost automatically, lewd thoughts invaded my mind, and I quickly chanted the national anthem to keep my patriotic mode running.
For how long did I sit rigid like that? Suddenly, Seop Baek strongly embraced my arm and said,
“When the sun rises tomorrow… please forget everything that happened tonight.”
“Alright, sure.”
“Of course, it’ll be tough for you… but I don’t want our relationship to get awkward because of this, okay?”
“… Alright, sure.”
Like a parrot, I repeated the same words, and Seop Baek giggled.
Right before she slid into the covers, she looked at me one last time and spoke.
“Make sure to meet me with a smile when I wake up. I’ll smile too.”
Seop Baek left those words and dashed into the tent like she was escaping.
“…Alright, sure.”
I aimlessly stared out the window, echoing her same words. Seop Baek smiled faintly, lay down, and started breathing softly.
For how long did I just sit there in a daze? Suddenly, I snapped out of it and tried to clear my foggy mind.
“Wow, what is this? Is it time for the sun to rise already?”
Already, beams of dazzling light were spilling through the window.
Out the window, a light that was blinding my eyes slowly expanded from the distance.
Even though we are in a country closer to the western side of the continent, for some reason, the sunrise seems clearer than in Mittelrand.
“I guess I’ll try to get some rest too…”
Stretching my stiff body, I started relaxing it and tidied up the surroundings.
Just as I was about to slip the emblem into my backpack, something caught my eye.
“What?”
The emblem was glowing brightly.
For a good while, I failed to comprehend what this meant.
By the time I did understand, it was, as always, too late.
“It’s still not morning?”
Then what the hell is that massive, blinding source of light outside?
“What the hell is that?”
Simultaneously, a sense of crisis overwhelmed me.
A light so bright that I thought it was morning. I felt inexplicable and extreme fear from this absolutely abnormal phenomenon.
“Seop Baek! Get up! Hurry!”
“Ugh, huh? Oh… Mr. Jung Yong?”
I jumped up and shook Seop Baek awake, immediately making a decision.
The most important thing in this situation. I immediately ordered Seop Baek, still drowsy from sleep.
“Defense skill! Use the strongest defense skill you can on Ruci. Right now!”
“Yes? Ah, Mr… Jung Yong. Could you explain what this is all about…?”
“Hurry! We don’t have much time!”
“Yes, yes!”
Though completely baffled, Seop Baek obeyed upon seeing my serious face.
“Qi Bai Yu Hua.”
With a soft chant, dragon qi dispersed in all directions, forming a protective shield.
Satisfied, I saw the Demon King safely protected inside the shield.
“Damn it… just… any place we can hide…!”
I frantically brought out the Box of the Dead and searched everywhere around me.
But due to my anxiety, I couldn’t find anything suitable to place inside the Box.
I gritted my teeth and unsheathed my sword.
And in that moment, I made a swift decision.
“Ugh…!”
Despite the intense pain that surged, I endured it.
After closing the Box of the Dead, I let out a sigh of relief.
Grumble…
And at that very instant, a distant sound reached my ears.
I reflexively turned my gaze to the window and froze in astonishment.
“God dammit… What the hell is that…!”
Boom!
A grand explosion, followed by a shockwave and cascading pure white light, was the last thing I witnessed.
It was all white. I faintly heard someone screaming.
Everything faded away.
*
[The point of reincarnation has been renewed.]
[Date – Continental Calendar Year 1108, January 12, 11:30 AM]
[Location – Markeiteuriseu. Upper region of the Promised Plain, Kern Residential District]
“Hold it right there!”
The panel appeared belatedly, and with wide eyes, I pursued the red-haired vagrant. The vagrant briefly turned and then slipped into a quiet alley.
I clicked my tongue and tried to immediately follow, but…
[Name: Box of the Dead]
[Notification: Item Renewed – Items from the Box of the Dead in previous life have been updated.]
The panel obstructed my view, stopping me from pursuing further.
I momentarily sucked in my breath and, under its influence, reached for the Box of the Dead.
Click. I opened the Box of the Dead and silently stared at its contents.
“…”
A thumb.
A solitary thumb was inside.
Judging by its size and length, it was probably mine.
“Mr. Jung Yong? Why are you suddenly…?”
“Uh? Eh?”
Seop Baek managed to catch up, clutching my collar worriedly.
For a while, I stood there like a zombie, dumbly uttering meaningless sounds.
And like a mourning stone, I remained rooted to the spot.
