Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 68

68―――――

No choice!

Protagonist deployed!

“Are you alright?”

Huh?

Did I just hear things?

Sion blinked, staring at Kim Yu-hyun.

The protagonist, who rarely worried about others, was asking such a question.

‘Did this bastard eat something wrong?

Why is he suddenly like this?’

Maybe this guy isn’t into women, but men.

Thinking that, goosebumps ran all over his body.

‘No, right?

It’s not, Yu-hyun.

I know you were all lovey-dovey with girls in the Murim [martial arts world] world.

Did you just flirt?

You played with fire and shared love.

Huh?’

Fortunately, Kim Yu-hyun’s next words were enough to reassure Sion.

“Lucia was very worried.

It made me feel sorry for her.”

She must have been incredibly worried after hearing about Sion from Rishikida.

So much so that Kim Yu-hyun openly said he was concerned.

Sion subtly raised his arm to show he was fine, then returned it to its original position.

“More than that, what do you mean you moved the location to tell me something?”

“Ah, I was going to keep it a secret from Lucia, but I thought it would be better for you, her guard, to know what happened here.”

“…What happened?”

At Kim Yu-hyun’s question, Sion tapped the table with his finger, amplifying the atmosphere of 고민 고민 고민 [worry worry worry].

Thanks to that, Kim Yu-hyun had to look at Sion with an expression that said, ‘If you’re going to talk, talk, or don’t even start.’

‘First, a sigh.’

Sion sighed as if to be heard.

Then, he opened and closed his lips as if to say, ‘Ah, I really don’t know if I should tell you this or not,’ and made a sound again before closing his mouth again.

“….”

Kim Yu-hyun may be a powerhouse called the Sword Saint in Murim, and a skilled person even after coming to this world, eventually becoming a monster feared even by the 천족 [Heavenly Race], but in the end, he was an inevitable Korean.

And one of the characteristics of Koreans was that they felt very 답답해 [frustrated] when someone started talking and then stopped.

“You’re being uncharacteristically reticent, Sion.”

But the hidden meaning was, ‘I’m 답답해 [frustrated] to death.

Just tell me already.’ Sion could clearly sense that.

‘You’re Korean too!’

Muttering inwardly, Sion decided to get to the point.

“At first, I thought it was just goodwill.

The carriage was completely destroyed, and the horses were injured, so I requested them from the Konean viscount, and they gladly agreed.

So, I went to the viscount’s castle to thank them.”

“And?”

“Suddenly, the viscount said he would give me a gift and called a woman.

I thought that woman would bring the gift, but she didn’t.”

“…?”

Kim Yu-hyun’s eyes changed slightly.

From ‘I’m not really interested in your story, but I’ll listen,’ to ‘Tell me more.

Unless you want to see me 답답해 [frustrated] to death.’

“The woman herself was the gift.”

“…Excuse me?”

“In short, she was a slave.

There was a slave market in the basement of the viscount’s castle.”

At the word ‘slave,’ Kim Yu-hyun’s aura visibly turned fierce.

He himself had experienced slave life in the Murim world, where both his body and mind were incredibly exhausted, and the woman he had given his heart to was handed over to the enemy by traitors, used as a slave, and met a terrible end.

“He even guided me to the slave market.

It was 기가 막혀서 [unbelievable]. I wanted to get involved in politics, but I never imagined they would so casually use slaves.”

“…Sion.”

Kim Yu-hyun, who had been silent while listening to Sion, opened his mouth.

There was a faint but clear emotion of anger in his voice.

“Isn’t Sion a hero of this country?”

“I don’t think so, but others call me that.”

“If you’re called that, shouldn’t you act like it?”

“What are you talking about, Kim Yu-hyun?”

At Sion’s question, Kim Yu-hyun’s eyes and voice grew colder.

‘Wow, 씹숑키…. [a vulgar expression of surprise/disgust]

I’m scared.

He’s really scary.’

If you could kill someone with just a look, it would definitely be like that.

Or shoot ‘beams from his eyes’ like in the movies.

“I heard from my teacher that this country prohibits slavery.”

“That’s right.”

“Then why did you just back down after seeing what the viscount was doing?

Others call you a hero, so why did you back down after seeing injustice?”

At those words, Sion stared at Kim Yu-hyun.

Kim Yu-hyun seemed to realize the meaning of ‘Are you really asking because you don’t know,’ but he didn’t avoid Sion’s gaze and wanted an answer from him.

Sion deliberately sighed loudly as if to be heard and began to give the reason, or rather, the bait.

“You’re just a swordsman who wields a sword.

But I’m different.

I’m a noble, one of those who are outwardly flashy but rotten inside.

If I had tried to punish the viscount, he could have turned it around and ensnared me, making things worse.”

“But….”

“As you said, I’m a war hero.

But just because I defeated the external enemy doesn’t mean I can get rid of all the internal enemies.

The internal enemy is not like the external enemy that can be cut down with a sword.

You could say it’s a world where someone’s head is cut off with a single word, and your own head is cut off.”

“….”

“If I acted arbitrarily there, things would spread out of control.

I’m not a frontier count, and I can’t treat a viscount who has received a formal title from the royal family 함부로 [carelessly/disrespectfully].”

If the Konean viscount heard these words, he would have protested, ‘You already treated me 함부로 [carelessly/disrespectfully]!

Multiple times!’ but Sion didn’t even blink an eye while telling such lies.

The biggest sin in lying is getting caught with an obvious lie and 개 같은 [dog-like/terrible] acting skills.

At least, that’s what Sion thought.

If you’re going to lie, shouldn’t you manage your expression and package it well so that both the liar and the deceived can understand the situation?

“So, I secretly sent someone to the royal palace to dispatch an investigation team, and I’m staying here to be a witness and slowly uncover the truth, and also to wait for Lucia.”

“Why Lucia….”

“Because she’s 라이도 [Raido]’s daughter.

The daughter of the former court magician, who is definitely one of the top magicians in Hispania.

Because of that, the testimony here becomes more credible.

You may not know, but here, power is more effective in persuading the other party than logic?”

In fact, this was true.

If the eldest son of 클라우젠 [Klausen] and the daughter of the former court magician told the same story, no matter how logically the Konean viscount explained, their words would seem more truthful.

The weight of the name 라이도 [Raido] was not light, and the 가문 [family/clan] of 클라우젠 [Klausen] was not an ordinary noble 가문 [family/clan].

“But in the meantime, those inside….”

“Trying to save them without pretending not to know is the best I can do.

I’m sorry if you’re disappointed in me, but I’m a guy with a lot on my shoulders and a lot to do.”

“….”

“Honestly, I don’t even know if the royal palace will make this public.

The Kashgar rebellion hasn’t been fully resolved yet, and if they try to touch the slave market and find the list of those involved, the cornered rats might try to bite.”

He subtly gestures that you shouldn’t trust the royal family too much.

In other words, you have nothing to do and nothing to carry, so please make a fuss on my behalf.

That was it.

Kim Yu-hyun was silent at Sion’s words, then his eyes flashed and he opened his mouth.

“Did you say the slave market is in the basement of the viscount’s castle?”

“Yes.

I 원 참 [Oh my/Goodness].

That was also ridiculous.

No, what kind of crazy person made the path to the slave market inside the castle’s training ground, of all places, in the warehouse where they keep the sparring equipment?

I have to report this to the royal palace in detail.

More than that, Kim Yu-hyun, you….”

The presence that had been felt until just now suddenly disappeared.

Sion glanced to the side and could see that Kim Yu-hyun had suddenly disappeared from his seat.

“…Kekeke.

Kekekekeke!”

Not trusting the royal family is 개뿔 [nonsense], and with this much evidence, he could immediately 압박 [pressure/coerce] the viscount himself.

But Sion deliberately acted so that he couldn’t do anything about the slave market, and even if the royal family knew about this, they would handle it as quietly as possible, and as a result, he 던졌다 [threw] the bait to Kim Yu-hyun, saying that he didn’t know what hardships the slaves trapped inside would have to endure.

‘And our no-backing protagonist 물어분 [bit] the bait!’

Sion, who was 낄낄대던 [giggling], cleared his throat and erased his smiling face before heading to the second floor.

Then, he stood in front of a room, knocked, and went inside, where he saw Lucia just taking off her coat and 정리 [organizing] the luggage, and Rishikida, who was helping her.

“Sion?”

“Shall we take a walk, Lucia?”

Lucia, who blinked at Sion’s suggestion, immediately turned bright red.

She knew very well what he meant, and there was no reason to refuse a date.

“Master?

It might be dangerous for just the two of you to go.

At least a minimum of protection….”

Of course, Rishikida didn’t consider any of that and just said it was dangerous.

Sion now knew how to 설득 [persuade] this loyal knight.

All he had to do was tell her to wait with delicious snacks and a 상 [reward].

“Rishi, come here for a second.”

“Yes?”

Sion called the knight to his side and whispered in her ear.

“I received a precious item, so I’m going to give appropriate compensation for it.

If Rishi trusts me and waits here quietly, I can give you a very big 상 [reward].”

“S, 상 [reward]?”

“Yes.

With what you want most.”

‘상 [reward], 상 [reward], the 상 [reward] I want most…!’ Rishikida, who was muttering, nodded 열심히 [diligently] as if she understood Sion’s meaning.

Of course, Sion knew that she was by no means a person to be careless about.

It was obvious that she would look around without interfering.

“I, but are you really okay, Sion?

I heard there was an 습격 [attack] not long ago.”

Lucia opened her mouth slightly as she left the inn.

When Sion first asked her to walk with him, she was so happy, but soon she was aware of the current situation and worried, which was quite impressive.

“We just shouldn’t 벗어나 [stray] too far from the inn.

More than that, Lucia?

If it’s not an official occasion, you don’t have to 붙이지 [attach] the title of 공자 [young master/miss].”

“Yes?

But….”

“It feels strange to be the only one calling you by your name.

It would be nice if you could do that.”

“B, but….”

“Wasn’t it Lucia who said she wanted to get closer to me?”

That was the 결정타 [finishing blow].

Lucia seemed to 고민 [worry] for a moment, but eventually nodded and carefully opened her mouth.

“S, Sion.”

“Yes, Lucia.”

“Ugh!

Th, this is strange.

It’s very strange!”

“You’ll get used to it.”

Lucia was 파닥거리는 [flapping/struggling] because it was strange, and Sion was 안심시키는 [reassuring] her.

The two men and women walked silently for a while before talking again.

“There were a lot of things that happened in the royal palace.”

“That’s what I’m saying.

I think it was harder than fighting Nudia.”

“Was it that bad?”

“Of course.

It’s so tiring when the nobles are subtly fighting.”

“My father said he was 실증이 나서 [fed up] with the nobles and left the royal palace.”

To be exact, it was because he was afraid of becoming a court magician who would 때려죽이는 [beat to death] the nobles if he stayed in the royal palace any longer.

Of course, there was another bigger reason.

“저 [Um], Sion.

Can I ask you just one thing?

It might be a strange question, or maybe a big 실례 [rudeness].”

Sion waited for Lucia’s words, meaning to try, and she carefully continued.

“…Is there a place for me to 비집고 들어갈 [squeeze in]?”

“Excuse me?”

“Lilith is one thing, but I felt it from 클라우젠 [Klausen].

The way the knight Rishikida looks at Sion is different from the way a knight looks at her master.

What should I say, it’s more than just 충성 [loyalty]?

And in the royal palace, you were 내시고 [creating] a strange atmosphere with the princess….”

“Lucia?”

“That’s, so… I’m a little worried.

I’m 부럽기도 하고 [envious], a little… 미워요 [resentful].”

Lilith or Rishikida might be different, but Sion was 당황스럽기도 하면서 동시에 안도감이 드는 [embarrassed and relieved at the same time] because the most 현숙해 [virtuous] woman was saying such things.

Worrying and 질투하는 [jealous] was a positive sign for him.

Sion, who stopped walking, smiled and replied to Lucia’s words.

“Does every attack get 막아지나요 [blocked] if there’s someone 막는 [blocking]?”

“Yes?”

“Doesn’t it depend on the attacker’s 의지에 [will]?”

“Oh, th, that’s true.”

Are you 어장관리 [managing a fishpond – i.e., playing the field]?

Of course, I’m doing it.

Sion could say that 당당히 [confidently].

It’s too bad to give up on either side.

Everyone is the best card to make a living in the future, so you can’t 버릴 [throw away] the other one to get one.

If possible, he had to 쥐고 [hold] have both, no, three, no, all of them in his 손아귀 [grasp].

If he could survive the great war with the 천족 [Heavenly Race] with all his limbs intact, Sion was confident that he would 달게 [sweetly] any scale of 어장관리 [managing a fishpond].

‘시벌 [Damn]!

Originally, 악역 [villains] doesn’t 고민 [worry] when doing bad things!

To live as Sion, I think and act like Sion.

I don’t 망설이지 [hesitate].

I’m trash, I’m trash, I’m 개쓰레기다아아아 [a complete piece of garbage]!’

Lucia, who had no way of knowing Sion’s 속마음을 [inner thoughts], was just trying to hide her 부끄러운 기색 [embarrassed expression] and turn the conversation elsewhere.

“Th, more than that, Yu-hyun is not here.

Did he go out for some 바람 [air/wind]?”

“Ah, Kim Yu-hyun?

Well.

Maybe he really went for a 산책 [walk] as Lucia said?”

Of course, it was 지랄 [bullshit].

Sion knew where Kim Yu-hyun was headed and what he would do.

Like the ‘임 [player]’ in ‘StarCraft’ who 조져놓고 [screws up] the opponent in advance and 여유롭게 [leisurely] prepares the 핵 [nuke].

Sion 낄낄거렸다 [chuckled] inwardly, looking at the Konean viscount’s castle far away.

‘Protagonist 투하 [drop] has been 감지되었습니다 [detected].

푸하하핫 [Puhahaha]!’

―

“Hoo.”

Let’s think positively, isn’t it a good thing?

If the 클라우젠 [Klausen] frontier count 봐준다면 [overlooks it]!

Thinking that, the Konean viscount secretly sent a box full of 금화 [gold coins] to the inn where Sion was staying.

It was 피 같은 [blood-like], 자식 같은 [child-like] money, but it was much better than 쫄딱 망하는 [going bankrupt], so it couldn’t be helped.

‘빌어먹을 [Damn it].

Suddenly, 열불이 뻗치는군 [I’m getting so angry].’

Originally, he would have returned to the castle to rest, but the Konean viscount, who was 짜증이 미친 [incredibly annoyed], moved his steps to the underground slave market.

Three 묘은족 [Myoeun race] women who came in today are still 반항 [resisting], and he thought it would be 적당하겠다는 [appropriate] to relieve this 스트레스 [stress] on them.

“Viscount.”

“How are the 물건들 [goods]?”

“The same as always.

So, we still have them 재갈 [gagged].”

When I went inside the 천막 [tent], I saw three 묘은족 [Myoeun race] women tied up tightly.

In a 새하얀 나신 [pure white naked body] with not a single thread on, their breasts and even the woman’s 은밀한 [private parts] were exposed 적나라하게 [nakedly].

크으으윽 [Kheuheueuk]!

캬아악 [Kyaaak]!

They were still 울어대고 [crying] 사납게 [fiercely], but they seemed to 직감 [sense] their future.

The 불안하게 흔들리는 눈동자 [anxiously shaking eyes] were 확실하게 대변해주고 [clearly representing] that.

“Originally, I don’t 교육 [educate] the 물건들 [goods] well.”

The man’s hand follows the inside of the woman’s 허벅지 [thigh] higher and higher.

The woman 비틀었지만 [twisted] her body, saying 절대 안 된다 [absolutely not], but the Konean viscount 비웃듯 [mockingly] such a woman very slowly, but very 확실하게 나아갔다 [definitely advanced] towards the 은밀한 [private parts].

Finally, when his 손끝 지나가자 훑고 [fingertips passed and grazed] between the woman’s 가랑이 [crotch], the 묘은족 [Myoeun race] woman 움찔 [flinched] her body and 노려보았다 [glared at] the viscount with 눈동자로 [eyes] full of 분노 [anger] and 수치 [shame].

“Let’s see how long it lasts.

Your 잘난 자존심 [proud pride].

채찍 [Whip].”

Konean viscount 외치는 [shouting] that, 손을 내밀며 [reaching out] behind.

“채찍 [Whip]!”

Originally, he should have brought the 채찍 [whip] right away and 올려두어야 [placed] it on his hand with a 턱 [thud].

But for some reason, no one 내놓지 [handed over] the 채찍 [whip] to him.

He was already 짜증이 나있는 상태 [annoyed] because of the things related to Sion, and the workers were 넋을 놓고 [spaced out], so the viscount, who was 치민 분노 [raging with anger], was about to 내뱉으려는 거친 욕설 순간 [about to spew out a rough curse moment].

턱 [Thud]―.

Suddenly, something 묵직한 [heavy] went up on his hand.

The Konean viscount 반사적으로 붙잡았다 [reflexively grabbed] it, but 깨달았다 [realized] that something was wrong.

This was not a 채찍 [whip], but a 검집 [scabbard] with a 검 [sword] inside.

“What the….”

스르릉 [Sreureung]―.

With a 청아한 [clear] sound, the 검 [sword] was 뽑혀져 [drawn] from the 검집 [scabbard].

And the 청년 [young man] who appeared behind the viscount 스윽 훑더니 [quickly scanned] the surroundings with a 차디 찬 눈길 [cold gaze].

“…크큭 [Keukeuk].”

Soon, he 머금고 냉소를 [holding a sneer] 다가갔다 [approached] to the Konean viscount.

“어어 [Eo eo], 어어어 [eo eo eo]… ?”

In the 노예시장 [slave market] of the Konean viscount, it was the 순간 [moment] when 타노스 강림하는 [Thanos descends].

―――――――작품 후기―――――――

First of all, regarding the illustration!

I have already 맡긴 [entrusted] the work to two illustrators!

If you wait, a new illustration will be 올라가 [uploaded]!

The 딱지 [sticker] is just for the 독자님덜 [readers] to eat!

끼야야약 [Kkiyayayak]!

And 연참 [multiple chapters]!

Will be done this weekend!

If you put in a lot of recommendations before then, it could be more than 4 연참 [multiple chapters]!

The 딱지 [sticker] event winner will be 공개토록 [revealed] on Tuesday 연재 [serialization]!