Sure thing!
—
Definitely.
Those guys protecting the master of the northern region, Taesu, had some serious skills.
They could call an average mercenary a ‘mere nothing.’
Of course, they were no match for me now that I knew how to wield sword aura.
With one Iron Blood Storm Slash, they’d be blown to smithereens, so I couldn’t go all out.
‘Do they not know Taesu’s true state?’
With this level of power, it was far from enough to guard a weakened Taesu.
They seemed clueless about Taesu losing his strength.
I decided not to confront them directly and openly carried Gui Ho.
When I blocked the entrance with a human shield tactic, I felt dizzy for a moment.
I even wondered if I should cut someone down.
But thanks to the sleep curse from the centipede girl, I managed to slip through.
I could trick the masters who chased after me by disguising as Transtilvia.
At the last moment, Alicia, who was hiding, added wind to my sword aura.
It was dark, so differentiating between my sword aura and Transtilvia’s wind would be tough.
If I were only using Dakia-style swordsmanship, it would be one thing, but since I was using the same technique, they’d have to believe I was Transtilvia.
Right after that.
I leaped down to a cliff where the masters couldn’t follow me.
I had planned this in case of an emergency, and everything worked out perfectly.
How could I be unharmed after falling into a cliff that even the secluded masters of the north wouldn’t dare leap?
The answer is simple.
“Ahhh! Ugh, I’m dying…”
I definitely wasn’t unscathed.
If it were the real Transtilvia, they would’ve used whatever tricks like levitation or cat transformation to be safe.
But since I lacked such skills, I had to make sure I didn’t land on my head.
Thanks to that, my legs were completely shattered and in utter chaos.
My arms were thoroughly mangled too.
And no, they weren’t injured because they fell off.
“Growl! Grrr! Roar!”
“Stop biting me already. Your biting power sucks.”
Gui Ho was chomping at my arm in a frenzy as if thinking it was escaping.
Even so, it was just a cute level of bite strength, roughly twice as strong as Mi Jeong.
No matter how hard it tried to gnaw at my arm, it only managed to tear through my clothes and pierce the skin.
If it can’t break the bones, it’s pointless.
No matter how much Gui Ho chewed at me, I never let go of its nape.
“Hey, Mi Jeong, are you here? Hurry and heal me. I’m dying. Get this thing off me too.”
“… Bad. Puppy.”
“Kyaah!”
Mi Jeong, who arrived a bit late, knocked out Gui Ho with her club.
Only then could I finally get treated with a potion.
I applied an expensive high-grade potion to barely patch up my bones, allowing me to walk and run.
But if I used a technique like Iron Blood Storm Slash that puts a strain on my body, my bones might just break again.
I’ll probably need to rest calmly for the next two days.
‘Healing magic can heal even the greatest wounds completely.’
Suddenly, I realized how remarkable Jill’s healing magic was, which could restore even such injuries.
If I hadn’t known much about magic back in the day, I would’ve just thought, “What a great achievement.”
But a non-attribute 7th tier magic means it requires endless crashes against the ground to develop, right?
Of course, I did borrow some of Petenburg’s elixir recipe.
“What happened? Did you get what you wanted? Ooh? What’s that big fox…?!”
“Filthy! Wet! Smelly! I’ve been stuck in a disgusting, damp, smelly sewer for three hours! I used up a ton of demonic energy! This time, I’ll need to absorb a lot of life force, so be prepared!”
At that moment, the filthy-looking centipede girl in the form of a little girl and Alicia, still in her bunny girl outfit, approached together.
It seemed like both had escaped the chaos safely.
“I got what I wanted. This is a mental method to heal your sister.”
“Ah.”
“You figure out how to get Yerina to practice with that. Anyway, once she does, the frenzy will improve.”
“Thank… you…”
I tossed Alicia the mental method I had.
I couldn’t just give it to her and tell her to train.
Ultimately, it would be Alicia’s mission to complete.
If that works, it’d be good for Alicia as well.
It would also make my escape easier.
More than anything, it would improve Yerina’s human relationships.
“Time to start planning slowly.”
“What plan?”
“The plan to send you back to your sister.”
This is the crucial part.
I had to safely send Alicia back so that whether it was the mental method or whatever else would be passed on.
Cradling the unconscious Gui Ho in my arms, I began to ponder.
“First, I need to learn curses by attribute.”
Now that I had the newly acquired curse trait and an ancient master gained from eating thousands of years, I could start learning curses seriously.
Of course, I wasn’t expecting much due to my lack of talent.
But who knows? If I could use curses, my options might increase.
*
“What on earth did you do in the north? Transtilvia, your bounty has increased tenfold.”
“Umm. I’ve done so much that I can’t even keep track.”
“….”
While glaring at Transtilvia, who answered as if it were nothing, Yerina sighed deeply.
Recently, the bounty for Transtilvia in the northern region had been reignited.
It had been neglected for over a hundred years, effectively ignored.
But now, with the bounty drastically increased, it had gained attention again.
For what reason, however, was not clearly known.
They said it was mostly offered by the casino in Cheongnan called Baekhwayoran.
But they wouldn’t tell the reason, which was frustrating.
I could only speculate whether it was related to the recent fire alarm malfunction that happened.
“Is it really okay for a slave to speak so confidently to their master?”
“Haha. It’s unfortunate. I have a principle of not bowing to anyone. Except for one person… So to completely subdue me, you’d have to cut off my head.”
“….”
Yerina puffed her cheeks slightly at Transtilvia’s confident attitude.
She clearly had driven the slave contract into the guy’s heart.
But was it because this corpse had a half-strength heart that the effect of the one implanted was diminished?
Or was it that Transtilvia’s will was too strong, rendering the magic partially nullified?
Transtilvia was Yerina’s slave while simultaneously not a slave.
Typically, the one from whom a slave contract is inscribed cannot go against their master’s orders and must obey completely.
If they say to die, they’ll die, and if told to do something impossible, they’ll struggle to fulfill it.
But Transtilvia was different.
For most of the tasks commanded, she obediently followed them.
‘However, those “certain tasks” she would absolutely not comply with.
“I guess my own history is more extensive than the history of the slave contract, so it seems like an overload when it comes to sealing my ego. If it’s something I desire or a simple command that doesn’t strongly interfere with my ego, I will fulfill it. Commands inscribed strongly within the slave contract, like chasing after Alicia the rabbit demihuman and your man, I will have to comply. However, commands that shake my pride or directly contradict my values won’t go through. For example, telling me to bow. Or to cut down innocent people.”
“Weren’t you the one who indiscriminately killed innocent people?”
“What do you think I am, King Palana? I may be a murderer, but I’m not a sadistic killer. I’m not going to make excuses saying I’m not evil, but at least I’m proud that I’ve never lived shamefully. Ah, kneeling in front of that abominable demoness who borrowed the power of that great being was a bit embarrassing…”
Transtilvia muttered, swallowing her humiliation.
Yerina found that somewhat intriguing.
Rumor had it that Transtilvia was a crazed murderer who indiscriminately slaughtered people.
But upon meeting her and having a conversation, she was quite different from the image she had been imagined.
‘Her swordsmanship is also splendid. If I don’t activate Beast Mode, she’s quite tough to handle. If I were to spar with that Blood Ghoul, my skills would likely improve drastically.’
I wonder if I should just keep activating Beast Mode all day and spar instead.
Yerina felt her heart pound with excitement and anticipation.
Transtilvia sensed her unusual gaze and trembled with inexplicable insecurity.
“More importantly, tell me everything you know about Yoo Jin.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be easy.”
“Why? We’re chasing after Alicia to eventually find Yoo Jin. Is it okay to defy the commands of the slave contract outright?”
“I’m sorry. It’s in the realm where the effects of the slave contract cannot reach, and my ego is influencing the most. When I confront Yoo Jin, I could tackle him with full power, suppress him, and bind him, but I can’t sell his information.”
“Why’s that?”
“Yoo Jin is my comrade. An irreplaceable comrade. In this era, he can be said to understand me better than anyone, and we can mutually respect each other. I can’t betray such a friend from behind. If it’s a fair confrontation and I can subdue him properly, that’s another matter.”
“Huh. You guys are real men, huh?”
While they had gained unexpected strength, it was oddly useless where it should be helpful.
From the way Transtilvia referred to him as a brother and friend, it seemed they were quite close…
But even if I beat her up and tortured her, she’d never speak about him.
Yerina clicked her tongue in bitterness and swallowed her annoyance.
The unvoiced resentment brewed deeply within her heart, accumulating to become fuel for the wild raging to be revealed someday.
“Yoo Jin…”
Yerina clasped her chest in anguish and called out the name of her beloved.
She was very distressed when she discovered Alicia’s betrayal.
When it was confirmed that Alicia came to Elvenguard without her knowledge and was with Yoo Jin at that time, she wanted to deny that reality.
But she managed to overcome it.
It wasn’t to the extent that my Beast Mode would unintentionally activate.
Now seems like the time to place just a sliver of remaining trust in Alicia.
So she let Alicia escape.
If it were up to her, she would have tortured Alicia and wiped out Evgenia.
But that was a point of no return and merely a fit of rage, so she suppressed it fiercely.
After that, she planned to release Alicia and track down Yoo Jin.
Then Transtilvia interrupted, ruining everything.
At this point, it was almost as if Transtilvia appearing to interfere was part of Yoo Jin’s plan.
‘Am I not just escaping, but completely being sidetracked? Why?’
There were times when she worried that her memories of Yoo Jin might all be delusions.
She doubted her mental state and wondered if even her regression was just a dream.
Just yesterday, she was crying tears of joy, convinced of Yoo Jin’s existence.
But now, she harbored worries for different reasons.
Maybe Yoo Jin is avoiding me.
Or that the impending threat is something deadly to me?
He wouldn’t dislike being entangled with me…
That thought made her a bit sad.
If he had just said something, she would’ve mobilized all of Palana’s strength to help him.
With her care, Yoo Jin wouldn’t even need to step a foot into dangerous territory.
Of course, it wasn’t that she didn’t trust Yoo Jin.
She trusted him.
He’s the only one she can believe in.
Only Yoo Jin, who looks only at her, loves her, and cherishes her.
Anxiety hasn’t entirely vanished, but…
It wasn’t that there weren’t odd women giving strange glances wherever he went…
No woman would pass up a man like Yoo Jin.
So she had been diligently observing him, keeping an eye on potential flirts such as the Priestess, the Witch, the Goddess of the World Tree, Admiral Francesco, Swordmaster Sola, the Third Princess of Galia, and Chief Brittany, among others…
Yet still, she believed in Yoo Jin.
Yoo Jin would never reveal any vulnerability to any other women.
He wasn’t the kind of guy who would joke around and flirt like that bastard.
“Ah. I want to meet him soon.”
She was getting antsy.
She wanted to investigate her relationship with Alicia and hear the truth.
‘I feel like I have a rough idea of what kind of relationship it is.’
She felt a bit fearful, but it’s fine.
She’d be mad, but she could endure that much.
They say no man can resist the temptation of a lustful rabbit demihuman.
From here on out, she hoped he would promise not to glance at another woman.
Thus, Yoo Jin.
Hurry up. Can’t you hurry up?
I feel like I’m getting a bit longing too.
Yerina muttered that in her mind and let out a deep breath.
“This is…”
At that moment.
Transtilvia’s expression changed drastically.
Yerina’s gaze sharpened simultaneously.
The two locked eyes and confirmed they were of the same thought.
They had discovered Yoo Jin’s trace.
‘Finally!’
Hearing the news about a rabbit demihuman resembling Alicia spotted in Cheongnan, they rushed over at once.
The traces here were surprisingly thick.
Transtilvia found Yoo Jin through the sword marks engraved on the tree.
Yerina located Yoo Jin and Alicia through the remaining scent in the vicinity.
Yoo Jin was not far away.
Both were sure and set off in pursuit.
‘Why is Yoo Jin here…?’
They were thrilled to find Yoo Jin’s trail but were simultaneously engulfed by a sense of unease.
This was exactly the place where it would seem most improbable for Yoo Jin to be.
The most notorious area in the North.
The Sancheong Forest, where dark energy flowed like a river.
The pleasure city, Cheongnan, was originally built beside it to suppress the dark energy of the Sancheong Forest.
‘It’s also famous as a training ground for curse casters…’
Strange totems visible everywhere.
Abandoned cursed dolls.
And half-finished formations drawn on the ground.
Yerina frowned as she surveyed the area.
Nothing was as vile as those who wield dark powers.
It was hard to believe that Yoo Jin would be in a place like this.
“Suddenly, the flow of demonic energy…!”
At that moment, the demonic energy flooded toward somewhere as if swept into a storm.
Startled, Transtilvia and Yerina dismounted and began to run.
The place they reached was a clearing made from neatly felled trees.
“Large curse formation!”
Inside, a massive formation was drawn on the ground, radiating a bright red light.
And at the very center of it was none other than Alicia.
She was bound, writhing in agony.
Shocked for only a brief moment.
Transtilvia and Yerina were engulfed by yet another shocking wave as they sensed the overflowing demonic energy.
Both had experience feeling Yoo Jin’s magical power, allowing them to affirm what this was.
This was magic that had been transformed from Yoo Jin’s own demonic energy.
‘Hoo-hoo. Is he assuming the role of the antagonist?’
Seeing Yerina’s face, still agape in shock, Transtilvia secretly smirked.
Anyone who knew Yoo Jin would recognize his traces designed for easy detection.
Yoo Jin wasn’t hiding the fact that he was the owner of this formation at all.
Thus, now, Yerina’s perception, which saw Yoo Jin as a perfect saint, would undoubtedly change.
Just as Transtilvia was about to nod in realization of Yoo Jin’s plan.
“Ah! Ahhhh!!! It’s Yoo Jin’s demonic energy! Was he forcefully exploited by an evil curse caster to extract his demonic energy?! No, no… no!!!”
“…?”
“To create such a huge formation by overpowering and suppressing Yoo Jin and Alicia! It must be some despicable curse caster who’s stingy, narrow-minded, and loves to use tricks! Ugh! What do we do?!”
“Huh…?”
As Yerina glanced at Transtilvia rushing into the formation to save Alicia, Transtilvia sighed in confusion.
It seemed King Palana knew either a great deal or very little about Yoo Jin.
She appeared strangely bewildered.
