Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 241

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 241

Lately, strange omens had been appearing around the world.

In several island nations in the Pacific Rim, signs of earthquakes appeared simultaneously, and in some volcanic zones, dormant volcanoes began to emit hazy smoke.

The magical interference phenomenon that started in Northern Europe eventually turned all of Europe black for a week. Monsters rampaged in several dangerous areas and dungeons, crossing barriers and attacking civilians.

One of the few fortunate aspects was that the unexplored areas of Northern Europe suddenly began to shrink.

From the magical interference phenomenon, the figures for sensory confusion and natural deformation were also rapidly decreasing.

News reports daily questioned whether the ominous events occurring around the world were due to the unexplored areas of Northern Europe.

Of course, there was no concrete evidence.

However, people all over the world vaguely felt an ominous premonition that something significant was about to happen.

“……This is a total mess.”

Lee Seo-hyun, reading a newspaper next to me, shook her head.

-……At 14:32 on the 17th, Mount Etna erupted, spewing lava up to a height of 200 meters, affecting civilians…….

The newspaper reported that one of the volcanoes in the Holy Kingdom had become active.

The force was so great that the yang energy [positive, active energy in traditional Chinese philosophy] around it was rapidly rising, severely affecting the surrounding ecosystem and civilians.

“Is this all because a Class 1 monster was released from the unexplored areas of Northern Europe?”

“Yes, probably. But please, keep your voice down. This hasn’t been made public yet.”

“What’s the problem? They probably don’t understand Korean, right? Yahoo! Hello~!”

Lee Seo-hyun waved her hand at a white man passing by the cafe.

“……Ugh. This brat.”

I shook my head, holding my forehead.

“What? Brat? Is that how you react after seeing your sister for the first time in years?”

“Who’s your sister?”

“Who else would it be!”

“The only sisters I have are the sixth and second eldest.”

“I’m your sister too! You impudent little brother!”

“……Do you really want to be called ‘sister’ that much?”

“What? It’s not that I want to be called that! It’s just natural for you to do it! I was born before you!”

I sighed.

Talking with Lee Seo-hyun makes me feel like I’m getting younger.

No, maybe I am actually young?

“More importantly, how was it?”

Lee Seo-hyun suddenly asked.

“How was what?”

“The Class 1 monster.”

“…….”

I closed my mouth.

Class 1 monster, the king of the unexplored areas of Northern Europe.

There were no words to adequately describe it.

It was impossible to express that incomprehensible feeling simply by saying it was strong.

“……It didn’t seem like a creature that humans could handle.”

That was the only answer I could give.

I doubted whether it was even a living creature; it was something beyond common sense.

“You’re saying that? I heard Ron Russell and Serena were there too.”

“It wasn’t enough.”

I said honestly.

I wasn’t sure if the people there could capture ‘it.’

At least not without someone who could use the Mind Sword.

“It was that bad…….”

“The world will probably become very noisy because of that dragon’s ascension. That’s what kind of being it was.”

The ascension of a dragon has great significance, even in terms of magic.

Especially if that dragon is an evil being, not an auspicious one.

‘But I have a feeling that the appearance of a Calamity-grade monster is just the beginning.’

It felt like a gear that should never have been moved had started to turn.

‘The puppeteer said that guy was Jormungandr’s discarded skin from the primordial beast.’

A clone, an incarnation, or a discarded skin.

He said that the Class 1 monster was a bastard child of the primordial beast.

‘Then what was the primordial beast?’

Why, and why does it exist, and what is it?

He said that because humans exist, the beast appeared; because the beast appeared, human power grew stronger; and because human power grew stronger again, the sleeping ancient beings began to awaken.

Cause and effect are connected like a snake biting its tail.

It’s similar to the Buddhist theory of dependent origination and the law of cause and effect.

Because this exists, that exists.

Because that arose, this began to happen.

‘……If that’s really the case, then what am I?’

After gaining a deeper understanding of myself by obtaining the Mind Sword, such questions arose.

I am a regressor who died once and was reborn, with black energy dwelling in my body, and I was chosen by the sword forged to cut that black energy.

Half of my bloodline is the indomitable martial bone influenced by the primordial beast, and the other half holds the power to purify the beast’s power.

I felt that all these complex flows of causality were extending from me.

And…… all of it was connected to one thing.

‘The primordial beast.’

The being known to have once wiped out the world.

I have a feeling that these numerous omens are signaling its resurrection.

‘Is that my destiny?’

If there was a reason and condition for gaining such great power, then the target my power should be directed towards was also beginning to take shape somewhere.

Because that’s what they say destiny and providence are.

‘But I have no intention of following it.’

I dream of freedom.

Even if I submit to destiny, it must happen under my will, and I must never be swayed by uncontrollable fate.

“Uh, um…… that…….”

Around that time, Lee Seo-hyun, noticing the change in my demeanor, glanced at me and sipped her coffee.

“Ugh, d-did I say something wrong……?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Ah, no, your expression suddenly…… no, I’m sorry if I offended you. Maybe it’s because I’m talking so much after a long time…… H-hey, is it because I told you to call me ‘sister’? Or is it because I’m a bit harsh……? It’s just…….”

Lee Seo-hyun fidgeted with her fingers and rubbed her coffee cup.

“Geez.”

I chuckled.

Whether it’s causality or destiny, being in front of her makes all those worries feel stupid.

“Why are you laughing!”

“It’s nothing. I just had something to think about. More importantly, how have you been?”

Lee Seo-hyun leaned back against the chair and nodded nonchalantly.

“I’ve been fine. Honestly, it’s been hell training, but I’ve been treated like a hero since the Holy Kingdom incident.”

Lee Seo-hyun was one of the major contributors to the Holy Kingdom incident, so she deserved such treatment.

“Oh, and I’ve been learning swordsmanship under Saintess Christina.”

“……What? From Saintess Christina?”

Saintess Christina was, without a doubt, one of the strongest martial artists in the world.

To be receiving instruction from her.

Besides, no matter what anyone said, Lee Seo-hyun wasn’t an outsider in the Holy Kingdom.

‘The future has changed.’

This might be one of the futures I changed.

Lee Seo-hyun had simply finished her training in the Holy Kingdom as an outsider and ended her warrior life in the original timeline.

“Well, I didn’t learn any special techniques. She just sparred with me and gave me guidance.”

Lee Seo-hyun smiled.

She said that, but Lee Seo-hyun had made tremendous progress under Saintess Christina.

With the guidance of one of the strongest martial artists in the world, she also had a good rival to compete with, Serena.

Aside from nearly dying dozens of times over the years due to missions and training…… honestly, it was a time when she gained too much.

That’s why she still hadn’t returned from her warrior life.

“Well, I heard the news about you too. They call you Baekya, right?”

“Hehe, hmm! Y-you knew about that?”

“I heard. I heard you cleared a quasi-Class 2 dungeon with Serena. I knew you’d become much stronger, but that’s amazing.”

The future had changed, but Lee Seo-hyun had obtained that title just like in her previous life.

And Lee Seo-hyun was a warrior worthy of that grand title.

“It’s just a false reputation! False reputation! I still have a lot to learn!”

She pretended to be humble, but the corners of her mouth twitched like crazy.

I chuckled at the sight.

“You say that, but you look very proud?”

“N-no, I’m not!”

“Anyway, you’re quite impressive. You’re very popular in Europe, you know.”

“R-really? I don’t really know. Hehe. It was all just luck~”

Lee Seo-hyun waved her hands and smiled sheepishly.

She was always happy to hear that she was being recognized.

Especially when the person saying it was Lee Cheol.

It felt like a reward for all the bone-grinding training.

‘Of course…….’

Lee Seo-hyun calmed down a bit and glanced at Lee Cheol.

She had gained fame in the world by experiencing so much in the Holy Kingdom, whether it was dungeons or gates…….

But could she compare to this monstrous ‘brother’?

After the Holy Kingdom incident, he hid his identity but gained a somewhat cool title of Black Emperor, and then he suddenly returned to the family and wreaked havoc.

She heard that he had acquired some territorial rights in the unexplored areas and even ousted Lee Cheol-joong, a member of the Council of Elders.

Lee Seo-hyun knew because she was a member of the Soongmoo Lee family.

She knew that Lee Cheol was able to do that because he had excellent political skills as well as strong force.

‘I used to want to surpass him so much…….’

Now she was just indifferent.

Rather, she purely admired him.

There was a time when she wanted to catch up with Lee Cheol, but now it felt more important to conquer herself than to catch up with Lee Cheol.

Was this what they called growing up? Or was it compromising?

Still…….

“Anyway, I’m your sister. Got it?”

“What are you talking about again all of a sudden?”

Lee Seo-hyun smiled.

“Anyway, I was thinking of slowly returning to the family…… and it’s noisy right now, and you came too. So I’m going back for those reasons.”

“When you say it’s noisy…… are you talking about the family?”

“Yeah, well.”

There was my influence, but it was probably because of the conflict between the eldest brother and Lee Gun-seong.

‘Well, I’m getting curious too.’

I was constantly receiving reports on the situation through the Black Turtle Society and Jeong Jin-soo, but I had no idea what the atmosphere would be like when I actually went to the family.

“Okay, let’s go back together since we’re going that way.”

“Then how long are you going to stay here? If we’re going, let’s go to the airport quickly.”

Lee Seo-hyun tapped the table and said.

Conversely, I tilted my head.

“Airport? What airport?”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you. Don’t worry. We don’t need to go to the airport. And I’m waiting for the driver to come now.”

“What does that mean?”

Lee Seo-hyun asked with a puzzled expression, but I didn’t answer.

Soon, a well-dressed middle-aged man in a suit approached our table.

“I’m sorry for being late, Mr. Lee. I’ll take you right away.”

“It’s okay. Let’s go right away then.”

“Uh, uh?”

I naturally got up from my seat and boarded a stretched limousine with extended pillars, a high-end sedan model.

Lee Seo-hyun, who followed, also sat down awkwardly.

“Wh-what is it?”

“What is what?”

“No, if we go this way, it’s not towards the airport……?”

“We don’t need to go to the airport. There’s a separate airfield in the Holy Kingdom.”

“Oh…… really? No, wait a minute, an airfield?”

Soon the car stopped at the airfield.

Without the troublesome procedures or carrying luggage, we went out to the airfield.

“A ch-chartered plane…….”

Lee Seo-hyun was amazed with her mouth open, but I corrected one thing.

“It’s a private jet. Not a chartered plane.”

“Wh-what? This plane is yours?”

“Not only the plane, but this airfield is mine too.”

Lee Seo-hyun blinked with her mouth wide open.

“No, how?”

I smiled and replied.

“I told you before. I have a lot of money.”

Lee Seo-hyun stared blankly at Lee Cheol, who was boarding the plane.

‘It’s, it’s awesome!’

Was that guy this rich?

It’s annoying, but it’s cool.

‘St-still, I’m his sister, so I have to be confident.’

Even so, Lee Seo-hyun swallowed hard.

In fact, it was Lee Seo-hyun’s first time on a private jet.

* * *

The plane soon took off.

I opened the closed window and looked at the 운해(雲海) [sea of clouds] spread out before me.

‘Returning to the main family after 3 years.’

The always turbulent main house.

I didn’t visit even after the incident, and I was busy going back and forth between Russia and Europe.

The competition for the position of head of the family will begin again.

And…… as always, I had no intention of losing.