The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 73

The Archduke’s Failure is a Genius – Chapter 73 (73/200)

Act 10: Hatching: The Archduke’s Failure Strikes Down

It’s been quite a while since I entered the fantasy action RPG game, .

It would be a lie to say I haven’t had doubts during that time.

A world where black mages raise the dead, legendary races like elves and dragons actually exist, and humans who manipulate mana wield superhuman powers.

I wondered if the time I’ve spent enduring in this world was all just a dream.

Whether I spent 10 years or 100 years in a dream, waking up would reveal it as nothing more than a fleeting dream, a moment’s amusement.

Beep! Beep beep!

“Manager Kim? Did you eat something wrong today? You need to answer the phone, hahaha.”

The smartphone on the desk vibrated incessantly, clamoring to be answered.

The screen displayed [Hye-sun♥].

A strange name.

It seems to be my personal phone, but who is Hye-sun?

-Honey? Are you busy right now? Sorry to call you at work.

The woman’s voice came through the receiver.

My response was reflexive.

“Who is this?”

-You don’t recognize your wife’s voice anymore? You’re pulling all sorts of pranks because it’s your birthday today.

Was I married?

And it’s my birthday today?

While confused, a strange sense of stability spread through my heart.

‘That’s right. It could be.’

I don’t know why, but this situation felt strangely acceptable.

-Anyway, I’ve set the birthday dinner table at home, so come quickly. You know your princess is really looking forward to playing with her dad after a long time. Right?

I was a father and a married man.

That’s right. I think I was.

Since it’s my birthday today, I should leave work on time.

I looked at the boss who brought me coffee, and he smiled brightly and said,

“Our department’s ace, Manager Kim! What’s wrong? Just say the word. I’ll take care of everything with a free pass!”

Excessive kindness.

Wondering what was going on, I looked at one side of the office, and there were words written on a large monitor on the wall.

Korea Insurance

Employee of the Month

Manager Kim Cheol-soo

“Insurance company… Employee of the Month?”

“Hahaha! Did you suddenly want to praise yourself? That’s right! Manager Kim has achieved the best performance this year, following last year, and has won the Employee of the Month title again this month!”

“I see.”

“Thanks to you, our department received a bonus, and we had a company dinner last week, but you seem to have already forgotten.”

Was I doing so well at the company?

Come to think of it, the expressions of the employees in the department towards me are all favorable.

They give me a light smile and bow, or a boss who seems to be at the executive level or higher pats me on the shoulder for no reason.

“Come to think of it, Manager Kim, I heard it’s your birthday today? Here, I’m in a good mood! Manager Kim, hand over all your work to me today and pack your bags.”

No matter how much I declined, it was useless.

The entire department, not only the superiors but also the subordinates, worked together to take over my work and forced me to leave.

Congratulations continued even in the elevator going down to the company’s underground parking lot.

“Manager Kim! I heard the news. Congratulations.”

From the greetings of subordinates.

“Hahaha! I told you, didn’t I? Manager Kim will eventually become a big shot. You’ve practically secured an executive position.”

To the encouragement of superiors.

“I heard you recently hit the jackpot with stocks. I’m jealous. Your wife is a former Miss Korea, you hit the jackpot with stocks, and you won Employee of the Year. I’m so jealous.”

To the jealous words of a colleague.

There were various types of remarks, but the common point was the intention to praise and support me.

Arriving at the underground parking lot, I rummaged through my bag.

As I naturally pressed the car key in my hand,

Beep!!

The lights turned on in a shiny luxury sedan.

Wondering if it was a dream, I pressed the car key several times, and the lights flashed on the same car.

It was an expensive foreign car.

Do I drive this kind of car to work?

Is it possible because I’m the ace of the insurance company?

Getting into the driver’s seat and starting the engine, I could barely hear the engine sound, and the soft vibration spreading from the engine enveloped my butt.

Without even stepping on the accelerator, just lightly touching it with my front foot, the car rolled on its own.

The ride was so comfortable that it felt like I was floating in the air and gliding down the road.

Touching the home address saved in the navigation system, the route guidance was seamless.

The traffic wasn’t even heavy today.

Becoming a racer in the city and enjoying a thrilling ride, I arrived home before I knew it.

Standing on the top floor of the most famous apartment in Seoul, I rang the bell.

I wondered when this place became my home, but I thought it could be possible if I hit the jackpot with stocks and became the king of insurance.

Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

There was no response from inside.

I turned the doorknob, and the door opened easily as if the lock was released.

As I entered the house, the interior was dark even though it was still evening because the windows were covered with blackout curtains.

“Honey? Hye-sun?”

I awkwardly called my wife’s name, but there was no response. Wondering if something was wrong, I tried to find the light switch, but,

Pop! Pop pop!

“””Surprise!!”””

A banner was hung in the 100-pyeong (approx. 330 square meters) wide living room.

(Congratulations) Manager Kim Cheol-soo’s Birthday (Celebration)

Helium balloons were attached to the ceiling and rolled around on the floor.

The speakers that had been installed in advance were constantly playing cheerful birthday songs.

Several men and women who appeared to be friends on both sides smiled brightly, wearing cone hats and setting off firecrackers.

“Happy birthday!”

“It feels like just yesterday you were wetting the bed, when did you grow up so much?”

“We’re paying today, so you just enjoy yourself.”

In front, Hye-sun, who appeared to be my wife, smiled with a three-tiered cake in front of her.

“Ta-da! Were you surprised? I contacted the company and begged them to let you leave work early.”

They said my wife was Miss Korea, and she was an amazing beauty even to my eyes.

She gave me a light hug.

The subtle scent of perfume tickled my nose, and I became dizzy.

“Everyone prepared this for you!”

Soon, a barrage of gifts began.

All sorts of the latest plastic models that I usually collected as a hobby were piled up, and there was also a friend who brought me a limited edition game CD.

Some friends even went abroad to get a signed ball from my favorite foreign athlete.

“Thank you.”

“Hey! Is that all?”

“Show some generosity.”

“This house has too little reaction.”

“Sorry. I’m just this kind of person.”

Friends put their arms around my shoulders in a friendly manner.

“You’re just saying that.”

“Yeah, how much have you done for us.”

“Really congratulations.”

I was surrounded by a group of people congratulating me and treated to a birthday feast.

One friend specially opened an expensive bottle of liquor he bought at the duty-free shop for my birthday.

Looking at the side dishes on the birthday table, there were nine dishes consisting of everything from land, sea, and air.

There was tilefish [a type of white fish] brought directly from Jeju [a South Korean island], special A++ Korean beef brought from Hoengseong [a region known for high-quality beef], and black-boned chicken known for its nutritional value.

It was a very luxurious meal, but what caught my eye was the most basic white rice and seaweed soup.

Slurp.

The hot seaweed soup went down my throat.

It’s the taste of home.

My eyes naturally became blurred.

“Ah…”

I’ve finally returned home.

To a place where everyone loves me.

I think I had a bad dream for a while.

But what kind of dream was it?

Well… it doesn’t matter if I can’t remember.

“Oh my, look at my mind. There was another gift, but I forgot about it?”

My wife, who had been carefully watching my reaction, raised the corners of her mouth, got up, and knocked on the door in the corner.

“Our princess! Come out!”

That’s right.

I had a cute daughter who wouldn’t hurt even if I put her in my eyes [meaning: someone very precious].

Hye-sun’s face was full of pride as she called for the baby.

“Well, I was originally going to talk about it after dinner, but I couldn’t stand it because my mouth was itching [meaning: she was eager to share]. Our princess is very smart, maybe because she resembles you. She got a perfect score on her dictation test at school today, you know?”

My daughter is good at studying too.

I haven’t even made time for her.

Pride filled my chest.

Creak.

The door opened, and I turned my gaze to the daughter who came out. Then, a girl with an unexpected appearance greeted me.

Silver hair flowing down like a waterfall.

Eyes with the Milky Way spread across the night sky.

A mysterious atmosphere spreading in all directions.

In particular, both ears are pointed.

“Uh… Hye-sun?”

“Why?”

“Is that our daughter?”

Both Hye-sun and I are native Koreans, but my daughter’s appearance is too exotic.

Does this make sense?

Then, the poker face of my wife, who had been smiling all along, faltered for the first time.

“Ahahaha!! Our princess even did a special makeup for Dad’s birthday today? Oh, you cute thing!”

She went and pinched her cheek, pinching it so hard that it looked painful even to me. Then, the daughter maintained a blank expression and slapped her mother’s hand with the back of her hand.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Why is our princess being like this today? It’s a good day.”

At this point, I felt something was wrong.

My wife hurriedly snatched the test paper from her daughter’s hand and showed it to me.

“Honey! Look at this. Dictation perfect sco…”

Thud!

This time, the daughter snatched the test paper from her mother’s hand and tore it up in front of me.

Then, my wife couldn’t stand it anymore and screamed at the child.

“Kim Yuri! Why are you being like this today?”

The daughter ignored her mother.

She only fixed her gaze on me.

Perhaps because of the mysteriousness she exuded, I couldn’t help but make eye contact.

The mouth of the child called Kim Yuri moved slowly.

“Mister, I’m Sasha.”

Sasha?

I’ve definitely heard that name somewhere.

“Stop it and come out now. If you’re any later, the mister and your mister’s friends outside will all be in danger.”

“Hey! Kim Yuri! What are you doing?”

The wife forcibly grabbed the hand of the girl who called herself Sasha, put her in the room, and locked the door.

“Yuri is very sensitive today? I’ll punish her properly, so don’t worry about it and enjoy the party.”

Something feels awkward.

Just a moment ago, I wished this moment would last forever.

Ever since I met the child named Sasha, the feeling that something was wrong hasn’t disappeared.

“Come on! Open your mouth. It’s freshly grilled beef.”

Wife handing over lettuce wraps with garlic, soybean paste, and chuck flap meat.

But the seed of doubt that was planted in my heart was gradually spreading like wildfire.

Once I thought one thing was strange, everything else seemed strange too.

When did I get married?

Did I really work at an insurance company?

Are my friends this devoted to me?

Crack—! Crack crack—!

Cracks began to appear on the wall.

The whole house shook with a slight vibration.

“Kyaa! It’s an earthquake.”

“It’s okay. This apartment is expensive.”

“That’s right. I saw on the news that it was properly earthquake-resistant.”

Friends and wife were trying to fix the situation while cheering each other up.

When the earthquake stopped, they all looked at me, but now I could feel the ominousness lurking beyond the affectionate eyes.

At the same time, the gruff voice of an old man echoed in my consciousness.

-Hey, kid! Stop showing off and get out of there. Was it Sion? The maid is in danger!

“…Sion?”

The group that was watching me flinched at the name I blurted out.

“Hahaha, what’s Sion?”

“Is it the name of a new plastic model?”

“That’s right. You like toys.”

No.

Sion is not a plastic model.

It was something else important.

I began to gather the fragmented pieces of memory one by one.

My head throbbed.

It was like piecing together a broken film the day after being drunk.

I refused all the drinks and food that my wife and friends offered, saying they were going to enjoy themselves in earnest.

Then, a scene suddenly came to mind.

A woman facing the sunset in a carriage.

Her purple hair shining especially brightly.

My loyal maid, who received the Tears of the Mermaid a while ago and secretly jumped for joy, but didn’t even try to show a good face on the outside.

‘For the first time in my life, I thought Young Master was a little cool!’

Ah! I remembered.

The protagonist of Sion Like.

Now an inseparable companion.

I had to go save her and Campbell, an ally in the North.

“What are you thinking so hard about? Let’s eat now.”

Wife’s sweet whisper.

But now that I’ve realized everything, it’s just a futile illusion created by greed.

I jumped up from the table.

“I have something to do. The meal was enjoyable.”

I tried to go out of the house through the front door.

Then, my wife and friends, who had been so busy congratulating me, came out in droves and blocked my way.

“What is this?”

“What do you mean what is it? It’s your birthday today. How can the main character leave? Sit down again. Let’s eat.”

“I don’t need it. I have to go.”

“No. You don’t have to go.”

Wife and I disagree.

Two burly friends stood on either side of me, crossed their arms, and tried to force me to sit down.

Their smiles already had a ghostly aura.

“Come on… don’t be stubborn and sit down now? That’s easier and better for each other, right?”

Here, I am an ordinary person who cannot use any abilities and becomes helpless when several people attack me.

But this is in a fantasy.

I see through that everything that deceives the five senses is a lie, and I close my eyes and ears.

I only use my sixth sense to find what I wanted.

Swish.

Then, in my hand was the Azure Energy emitting Heavenly Demon Sword.

“Honey? Put that down.”

“Where did you get that sword?”

“Stop the awkward acting. I’m going to get out of here anyway.”

At the calm gaze, friends and wife closed their mouths for a moment.

A cold silence filled the room.

The ominous energy emanating from my wife and friends grew thicker and thicker.

Before I knew it, they revealed their true colors, with the corners of their mouths torn to their ears and showing off their grotesque teeth.

“Hehehe… a talent who has penetrated the Fantasy Garden. Is it the first time in 20 years since the final battle?”

“If it weren’t for that High Elf, we could have enjoyed it more.”

“It can’t be helped. You have to be here with us forever. There is no choice.”

This was more comfortable.

The demons who had turned into demons rushed at me, and in response, I swung the Heavenly Demon Sword vertically.

It wasn’t the intention to kill the demons.

Since the demons in front of me are also beings in the illusion, they cannot be physically resolved by cutting them with a sword.

What I cut was just regret.

Grief for the real world.

A desire for success.

The enthusiasm to become an ideal head of household.

I accurately cut out the demons that were festering in my heart.

Crack crack—!

The world collapses.

A high-rise apartment.

An expensive car.

A blue sky.

The unfolded road.

Everything turned to ashes as if it were a dream for a moment. Throbbing pain and the stuffiness of the underground air returned.

I stood there blankly.

I finally escaped from the illusion.

How long have I been trapped?

I can see Sion right in front of me.

She was staring blankly into the air as if she was trapped in a similar illusion, and right in front of her, Greed, holding a dagger, was finishing her off.

“Hehehe, as expected, everyone is helpless against my Illusion skill. It’s only natural. Even Seven Stars would be reluctant to fight me because of the Illusion Eye.”

Just as the knife was about to pierce Sion’s heart,

[Wind Control]

[Instant Step Activated]

Becoming one with the sword and kicking the air, I properly stabbed Greed in the side.

Thwack!!!

“Kuh-uh-uck!!!”

This time, there was no artifact like an absolute defense shield, so I could properly feel the sensation. Greed, who had thoroughly believed in the Illusion Eye, was properly caught off guard by my surprise attack.

“Damn it! How did you get out?”

Greed’s eyes widened in shock.

I met his yellowish-brown eyes once again, but having already overcome the Illusion Eye once, there was no way I would be deceived again.

Greed grabbed his bleeding side and distanced himself from me.

Using that gap, I checked the condition of Sion and Campbell.

Both of them still had blank eyes.

If I kept leaving them alone, they seemed like they would be trapped in the illusion forever, so I decided to use shock therapy.

Shock therapy is a method of breaking the illusion world with external shock. I used the Heavenly Demon Sword to stab Sion and Campbell’s left hands.

If I did it poorly, I thought I would only cause injuries and not be able to help, so I delivered a sure blow.

[The power of exorcism is working.]

It seems that what was in Greed’s Illusion Eye was a type of incubus.

Unlike curses, it was not caught by the complete immunity skill, but instead showed weakness to the power of exorcism.

As the Heavenly Demon Sword containing the power of exorcism caused pain, Sion and Campbell, who had been staring blankly into the air with hazy eyes, focused on the pain that was coming.

“Huh?”

“…Ah?”

“Snap out of it. Both of you.”

Both of them, clutching their left hands in the midst of the raging pain, quickly grasped the situation and stuck their tongues out at Greed’s Illusion Eye.

“If it weren’t for Young Master, we would have been helpless.”

“What a really annoying guy. I’d rather deal with a Sword Master who openly uses a sword.”

I would have been in big trouble if it weren’t for Sasha.

I decided to resolve the confirmation of her abilities and the reward for this matter after escaping from this place.

Meanwhile, Greed, who had suffered deep internal injuries to his side and was bleeding profusely, was in a situation where he would die from excessive bleeding even if I didn’t attack him further.

That’s how properly my blow had cut deep into his internal organs.

Still, I approached with the Heavenly Demon Sword to finish him off.

“I know that you’re not the kind of guy to do that, but if you feel even a little bit of guilt, repent for at least one-hundredth of the sins you committed after you die.”

Greed, coughing and even spitting blood from his mouth, laughed at my words.

“Keuk! Cough! Hahahaha! Cough!”

Greed, laughing like a madman even while spitting blood, glared at me with a burned face.

“What? Repentance? What a ridiculous word. The world was endlessly cold to me with my hideous face, and I just returned the hatred that the world showed me.”

He must have his own circumstances. It wouldn’t be possible to rise to the position of a Great Commander with ordinary will. Surely there is a story intertwined somewhere, like Niflheim, whom I met in the North.

But there were too many slaves he had used as sacrifices and victims of the ugly schemes he had been subjected to, to sympathize with his unjust circumstances.

“Bear your karma in death.”

Thwack!!

The sword plunged into Greed’s heart.

Following Envy, the second commander of Twilight met his end.