Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 147

147

“Hold it right there, are you cheating?”

“You keep looking back.”

At Sion’s words, Kim Yu-hyun sighed and quickly turned his head.

He then returned to his usual expressionless face, but Sion had already seen through his inner thoughts.

“···It’s chilly; shouldn’t we go inside?”

Currently, Sion was outside the carriage, sitting on the coachman’s seat.

Kim Yu-hyun, finding the situation quite awkward, tried to change the subject.

But it was no use against Sion.

It was a rare, or perhaps the first, opportunity for Sion to exploit Kim Yu-hyun’s weakness.

It’s easier to boss someone around later if you tease them properly when you have the chance.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you take an interest in a woman.”

“···.”

“Lucia, who’s right next to you, is a beauty, and Lilith goes without saying, and···.”

“I have no intention of setting my sights on a woman who already belongs to someone else.”

Oh, so that’s why you keep getting beaten. What a fool.

Just because there’s a defender and a goalkeeper doesn’t mean the ball won’t go in, right?

It all depends on who’s kicking it.

And that’s not even the important part right now, is it?

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“···There are circumstances I can’t fully explain.

I hope you won’t try to find out more.”

“Even though we started off on the wrong foot, after suffering together this much, aren’t we at least close enough to be called ‘friends’?”

“I am, I am just a passing stranger, and you are a noble of the kingdom.”

“Are you saying I’m the only one who loses out by being friends?”

“Almost everyone who gets involved with me always ends up in a bad way.”

It sounded like a threat, but sadly, that was Kim Yu-hyun’s past and reality.

And if this follows the progression of the novel, it could also be his future.

In fact, from the Murim world [martial arts world], Kim Yu-hyun had always lost the people around him.

The master he followed, the friends he trusted, the subordinates he cherished, and even the woman he loved.

It got to the point where readers jokingly called him a grim reaper, like Conan or Kindaichi, who brought death wherever he went.

‘Of course, those who died were all on Kim Yu-hyun’s side, and as a result, his mentality was shattered to pieces every time, even though his body became stronger.’

Some might ask if constantly experiencing hardship doesn’t naturally build resilience.

If such a question were directed at Sion, he would shout, ‘Damn it, there’s a limit to everything!’

If unbearable things keep piling up, a person will either collapse or break down beyond repair.

Unless someone is born with an incredibly strong mentality, such things can never be truly gotten used to, no matter how many times they are experienced.

Kim Yu-hyun was exactly that kind of case.

What he gained from the transmigration was a strong body and a sponge-like ability to learn.

But even so, it didn’t do anything for his mental state.

If he could remain unscathed while the people around him kept dying, it would either mean he was pretending to be fine or that he had already collapsed from the inside and could no longer be called a ‘person’.

‘It’s a wonder he’s still holding on after going through all that.’

There was much debate about why the Supreme was so mentally weak and whether he deserved the name of Sword Immortal.

Each time, Sion would write comments not so much to defend the author but to explain that Kim Yu-hyun’s mental state couldn’t possibly be strong, in an effort to help people understand the character.

“What is it?

It’s quite eerie for a warning, and somewhat flimsy for a threat.”

“···It could be both, or neither.”

“Your acquaintances were unhappy.

Then I’m the opposite.

The people around me are happy.

Do you know why?

Because I intend to make it that way.

My life goal is to always take care of my people once they become mine.

Wanna bet?

Will I become unhappy, or will you become happy?”

“You’re quite confident.”

Of course, I am, you protagonist.

I’m a reader who knows the tragedies you’ll face in great detail.

Thinking that, Sion decided to address the part that had strayed from the topic again.

“The story has gone quite far afield.

Let’s go back.

You seemed to be quite close to Eos Baylor.”

“···.”

“And you said that the story you told me was something you heard while talking to Eos.

I don’t think you’re the type to use your looks to extract information, or should I say your handsomeness?

Anyway, I don’t think you’re capable of such a thing.”

“I had no such intention.”

Saying that, Sion let out a small sigh and cautiously opened his mouth.

“I think I just felt a sense of familiarity because she reminded me of someone from the past, without even realizing it.”

Oh.

This guy is slowly revealing his true feelings?

Sion chuckled inwardly and quietly waited for the next words.

“It’s a foolish thing to do.

To be lost in old memories again···.”

“Someone once said that memories are the nourishment for living tomorrow.”

“Excuse me?”

“Someone said that.

I didn’t make it up, so don’t worry.

Anyway, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with getting a little sentimental while reminiscing?”

Perhaps it was because he heard something unexpected.

Kim Yu-hyun looked at Sion with a slightly bewildered expression.

He remembered that almost everyone he had encountered so far had told him in strong terms to not get lost in memories and to face reality.

He had whipped himself on, thinking that their words were right.

‘But this man, Sion Claussen···.’

He was different from them.

Too different.

And he was so confident.

“People live by looking back sometimes, thinking about the past sometimes, and so on.

If you only look ahead, you’ll suffocate from looking at the path ahead.”

If you get tired because the path ahead is too long and rough, turn around for a moment and look at the path you’ve come.

And remind yourself how far you’ve come, how hard you’ve worked to endure, and have the courage to move forward again.

It was definitely written that way in the ‘Badass Quotes Collection’ that his father had bought.

“So, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting lost in memories for a while, so let’s just move on.

So, what’s your answer?

What do you think of Eos Baylor!

Huh?”

“···.”

At Sion’s question, Kim Yu-hyun began to stare at him intently.

Sion was worried that he might ask, ‘Are you trying to steal her from me?’ and was about to snap back that he had no such intention.

“She is a virtuous woman.

Her martial prowess is impressive, but her ability to lead her people stands out.”

“I’m asking for a subjective evaluation, not an objective one.”

“···You’re being strangely proactive.

Are you that curious?”

“I’m just helping you out because I feel sorry for you being alone while I’m surrounded by women.”

“I appreciate the thought, but I have no intention of doing so yet.”

“How frustrating.

Saying you have no intention of doing so ‘yet’ is just another way of saying you have no intention at all.”

“···.”

“A person who is not honest with themselves will eventually regret it.

You’d better keep my words in mind, Kim Yu-hyun.”

From Kim Yu-hyun’s perspective, it was absurd.

The person giving him unsolicited advice was just a young man in his twenties.

In contrast, he had reached the age of fifty.

He was a ghost who had experienced things that the young man sitting next to him could never even dream of, no matter how many times he was reborn, a ghost so worn down that everything was now blurred.

But, ironically, the young man’s words were quite sharp.

They flew into his heart and pierced him, but instead of hurting, they made him feel a little relieved, as if they were clearing a blocked meridian [energy pathway in the body].

Don’t be swayed by emotions, deceive yourself.

That’s how you can survive alone.

Sion Claussen’s words to him, who had been telling himself that like a mantra, were a little immature, yet somehow full of confidence, making him think that maybe he could try doing that for once.

“Why are you asking so much about Eos Baylor, Duke Sion Claussen?

Are you perhaps trying to take care of her because she is the sister of Zhan Temujin?”

“It’s not that, I was just wondering how to catch and destroy the guy who almost killed Zhan and Eos, and I was going to include you if you said you’d join.”

“···What are you talking about?”

Kim Yu-hyun’s demeanor changed in an instant.

The calm lake from just now had instantly turned into a raging sea.

Even Sion, who didn’t know much about mana or killing intent, couldn’t help but blurt out, ‘Wow, shit.’

“Kim Yu-hyun, the story you told me last time.

Remember?”

“···Are you talking about the story I shared with Eos Baylor?”

“Yes.

After hearing that, I thought, maybe the events that happened among the various tribes in the north were caused by someone in the kingdom.”

“Who is it?”

“The ones who would profit the most.

The ones who can still profit even if things go wrong.

Wouldn’t those be the prime suspects?”

“Are you suspecting the nobles of the kingdom?”

When Sion nodded, Kim Yu-hyun, still not hiding his sharp demeanor, continued in a slightly subdued voice.

“Do you have any evidence?”

Sion shook his head at that.

Unfortunately, there was no concrete evidence.

Come to think of it, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave evidence behind.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have even thought of doing such a crazy thing.

At Sion’s reaction, Kim Yu-hyun sighed.

“You’re not saying you’re going to start something without evidence, are you?”

“Why?

Is there a law against it?”

“I, I don’t care, but you are different.

Duke Sion, weren’t you a noble of this country?

A being whose reputation spreads like wildfire once bad rumors start.”

“That’s right.

I can guarantee that there will be at least five carriages full of guys who will pounce on me like a pack of dogs to try and find some flaw in me now that my name is more well-known.”

Kim Yu-hyun was about to open his mouth, saying, ‘See?’ at Sion’s nonchalant tone.

“But, on the other hand, there are just as many guys who will clap and cheer if I catch anything.”

“Excuse me?”

“If we set up a hypothesis based on the story you told me, we can see that the nobles of the north were playing tricks in the middle to fill their own pockets.

They would receive goods from the tribes at a value of 10 and sell them for 20, 50, or 100.

Without knowing that, the tribes in the north would work hard to catch monsters, as they could trade just by catching monsters without having to plunder.

Then, all the nobles in the north would unite and say, ‘Ah, if too many goods are gathered, the price will inevitably drop a little!’ and gradually lower the price.

From 10 to 8, to 6, it would plummet.”

“···.”

“If they want to earn more money but the price keeps falling, what can they do?

They can only get more quantity.

If the north had formed a single united country, they could have done something, but since they are tribes that are divided into small pieces, even that is impossible.

They have no choice but to be played with.”

Kim Yu-hyun rolled his eyes around, pondered, and then cautiously said.

“I don’t know the details, but even listening to this, it’s definitely a huge crime, do you think they would commit it without fear?

The nobles of the kingdom, I mean.”

At that, Sion chuckled.

Greed is something that those who already have it indulge in more.

If they earn just a little more, if they take just a little more, it seems like it would be the best.

Those who have eaten meat know what tastes good, and those who have enjoyed it have even greater greed.

“I don’t know about anything else, but the fact that they went bankrupt in three years is too strange.

They caught so many monsters that the species was almost wiped out and sold them to the kingdom, but the tribes were left with nothing?

This is strange no matter who looks at it.”

“If that’s the case, the tribes would have realized something was wrong a long time ago···.”

“Why didn’t they realize something was wrong a long time ago and formally protest to the kingdom?

It’s obvious.

Doing so would be the same as showing their weakness to other tribes.

They pretended to be okay.

Unfortunately, the warriors of the north still see each other as enemies.

That made the situation worse.”

Sion guessed that the nobles of the north probably knew in advance that the barbarian tribes of the north were at odds with each other and couldn’t get along well, and for that reason, they gradually adjusted the situation so that they wouldn’t unite.

‘There are definitely smart guys.

This is a serious matter, almost to the level of rebelling against the royal family.

Even so, the fact that they started it means that they are confident and capable enough not to get caught.’

In times like these, it’s useless to probe them as they want, try to find evidence, or use persuasion or threats.

They are guys who have already finished preparing and have already cleaned up all the evidence.

They have probably already persuaded and even eliminated those involved.

“Kim Yu-hyun.

If this hypothesis is correct, then Zhan Temujin and Eos Baylor would have definitely died in the end.”

“What does that mean···.”

“In any case, Eos tried to prevent this from escalating into a war with the kingdom, and Zhan called for a war with the kingdom.

If I hadn’t intervened, I wouldn’t have been able to stop their conflict.

Think about it.

In your opinion, Zhan and Eos.

What would be the result if those two fought?”

The result is obvious without even looking.

The moment they each back down, they know that the tribe members behind them are in danger, so they would have tried to stop each other even if it meant killing their own sister.

‘Mutual destruction.’

That word lingered in Kim Yu-hyun’s mind.

And immediately after that, the face of the woman he had once loved so much came to mind.

The woman he had whispered love to, the woman he had promised to build a small house and become each other’s companion for life once everything was over.

And when he remembered her face, which did not lose its smile even at the moment of her death, Kim Yu-hyun unknowingly bit his lip.

“It may just be a hypothesis, but at least you know me from seeing me by your side.

Have I ever chased after a pipe dream with strange ideas?

I’m confident that I haven’t.”

“···.”

“You know, Kim Yu-hyun.

Humans are originally so cunning that they will spill even the secrets of their parents and children with just a little stimulation.”

Unfortunately, he was not familiar with ‘torture’.

He didn’t even bring the carbonated water that was the most useful this time.

No, before that, he had no intention of making them open their mouths with such jokes.

It was a matter of interrogating those who had tried to push the country into war, and since he was a little tired, he needed a way to deal with the suspects as quickly and effectively as possible.

‘And Kim Yu-hyun is a Murim warrior who knows that method very well.’

Protagonist, strongest, Sword Immortal, putting all that aside, Kim Yu-hyun is also a ‘person’.

Even if he wants to judge rationally, how can he when he thinks that a complete stranger was trying to put someone who suddenly reminds him of old memories in danger?

‘Looking at it this way, the author is really too much.

He deliberately set the atmosphere, tone, actions, and even the energy of Eos and that Murim woman to be similar, making Kim Yu-hyun’s heart ripen, and then suddenly a mutual destruction ending.’

The author may be the problem, but Sion, who is taking advantage of it, is no match either.

Of course, Sion would give an answer that he could not admit that part at all.

“···I’ll have to ask them myself.

To those guys.”

And finally, the answer flowed from the mouth of the grim reaper.

―――――――Author’s Afterword―――――――

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