What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 368

#368

Connection (5)

The man’s hair, darker than night, seemed to vibrate with suppressed energy. The scene was one of shock and disbelief.

The witch, an echo of ancient life, who ensnared nobles with her beauty and enchanting songs.

The Trial of the Moon, a divine decree sent by the Main God to the Empire.

“…Precious child.”

Bare, unadorned feet. Mysterious blue eyes that held a depthless wisdom. A delicate figure approached, scattering a fine mist in her wake.

Long, flowing hair cascaded onto the floor, pooling like the still surface of a dark lake.

Her sleeves were embroidered with the crests of Liester and Statia, symbols of intertwined destinies.

A lavish diamond necklace adorned her collarbone, and a single ruby glinted on the ring finger of her left hand.

‘Engagement ring.’

“Do you recognize me?”

‘Crunch.’ The Crown Prince’s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding together.

The rising tide of revulsion sent goosebumps prickling across his skin, a knot of nausea twisting in his gut.

How could Romero Claire Liester’s bloodline fail to recognize the infamous villainess, Yuliter Statia?

How could he not recognize the woman debated by countless historians and sought after by luxury-seekers, the woman immortalized in thousands of paintings and celebrated in countless songs?

The protagonist of tragedy, the villain of an era?

“……”

“I recognized you at first glance.”

The woman whispered, her voice a gentle caress.

Hair, unrestrained by a hood, sparkled with an inner light, interwoven with countless jewels.

Sad eyes, pools of sorrow, looked as if they were perpetually on the verge of tears.

A slender hand, pale and delicate, slowly reached out to touch the Prince’s cheek.

In stark contrast, Cedric Liester’s expression, as he glared at her, was like a glacier forged in the heart of a furnace.

His eyes, frozen with an ancient anger and burning with a timeless hatred and desire for revenge, were as eerie and desolate as a dead sun.

The man did not hesitate, his actions swift and decisive.

This woman was a traitor, one who had stabbed Liester in the heart and fled. ‘Swish―!’

-Thud, thud! Thwack!

“Ah……”

Three daggers, launched from unseen hands, flew from all directions and pierced her body with deadly accuracy. The doll-like figure staggered, her movements faltering.

It was an execution of ruthless precision and perfect aim.

‘Yuliter’ looked down at her body, a small groan escaping her lips. Back, stomach, and heart… all vital points.

“I understand.”

“……”

“I understand everything. You resemble that person….”

She offered a sad, fragile smile, as if on the verge of shattering, and gently stroked the man’s cheek.

There was not even a tremor in her cool fingertips. At the same time, a very strange phenomenon occurred. ‘Swish….’

-Thud, thud, thud!

The sharp blades passed harmlessly through her, clattering weakly onto the grass, their purpose thwarted.

The man clenched his jaw, his mouth a tight line of determination. Of course, he had no intention of backing down.

‘Snap!’ The moment he snapped his fingers, sparks of pure energy, like miniature lightning bolts, erupted.

‘Whoosh―!’ The holy fire, erupting from the black leather glove, swept across the lawn in a corner, consuming everything in its path.

Spreading over the nettles and devouring the thorny vines greedily, it resembled a ravenous demon with its mouth wide open.

Charlemagne called out to his master anxiously, but Cedric was deaf to everything but his burning rage.

The surroundings were instantly transformed into a raging sea of fire.

The woman’s ornate priestly robes burst into flames, consumed in an instant.

The crimson gaze of the Prince was branding her with an unforgivable mark. ‘Whoosh…!’

“Once is enough. Just once….”

However, Yuliter’s face betrayed no fear or pain. Only a profound sadness.

It seemed she harbored a story more desperate than even the fear of becoming ashes.

Cedric spat out the words, constantly emitting Ether [a magical energy source].

“You’re trying to use me to meet Great-Grandfather? What nerve!”

Then, a sharp pang of pain flashed across the priest’s face for the first time, momentarily breaking her composure.

She stared at the young man for a long moment, her eyes slightly widened in surprise, then gently raised the corners of her lips in a sad smile.

Her faint voice seemed to tremble with a mixture of emotions.

“…You misunderstand, darling.”

Again, that look of understanding, as if she knew something he didn’t.

Even in the heart of the flames that burned and cursed her bones and flesh, she remained serene.

“I wouldn’t even dream of such an opportunity. I dare not hope.”

“You’re deceiving the Imperial Family now…”

“Shh.”

Yuliter made a soothing sound, like calming a frightened child.

Her other hand came up and carefully cupped the Prince’s other cheek, her touch surprisingly gentle.

The vision blurred, distorted by the blood-red flames.

The woman’s nape, touched by the fire, was burning like dry paper.

Tears welled beneath her eyelashes, shimmering in the firelight.

“So, I’ll borrow your strength for a moment.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry. I must see that person….”

“Ugh!”

‘Flash!’ With her apology, Cedric’s pupils dilated in shock and pain.

Then, a terrible dizziness washed over him, and a horrifying sensation of having all the Ether in his body forcibly extracted overwhelmed his mind.

It was a robbery on a scale far beyond what had been flowing, little by little, from the cracked vessel [referring to his damaged Ether pathways].

‘Ugh!’ With a strangled groan, the man finally buckled at the knees, his strength failing him.

The collapsing body refused to obey his commands. He couldn’t even manage to remove the woman’s thin hand from his face.

All the strength drained from his muscles, and the damaged vessel instinctively adopted a defensive posture to protect itself from further harm.

‘Thud!’ Black hair finally scattered over the ashes, a stark contrast against the gray.

The blurring vision captured the image of Yuliter absorbing the fire, drawing its energy into herself.

She, who was burning from the outside in, revealing her dark interior….

-Flash…!

Was once again being drawn, like an illustration on a blank white canvas.

It was spreading like watercolor, gaining texture and depth like an oil painting, transforming before his very eyes.

Cedric felt his sanity slipping away, his grip on reality loosening.

An empty sacred stone, drained of its power like him, lay rolling beside him.

‘Crack, crack.’ Gradually, his own inner sparks of energy faded, dimming into nothingness.

“No……”

You, shouldn’t come. The man’s lips moved, forming the silent plea. That was the last coherent thought he managed to muster.

‘Heeheehee!’ The black horse’s desperate cry faded into the background of his consciousness, a distant echo.

*

But there was no time to be confused, no time to dwell on the unfolding events.

“……”

“……”

I bit my lip, a nervous habit, and exchanged a quick glance with Sir Johann. He nodded seriously, his expression grim.

I immediately grabbed the empty sacred stone and, accompanied by the Divine Beasts, began to run.

If an emergency had occurred beyond the crack, we needed to hurry even more, every second counting.

There was no time to panic, no room for hesitation. When I burst through the door, I was greeted by a welcome face.

“Mr. Hwino!”

“Oh my, Angel. Please be careful! You must protect your hands with paper before opening the carriage door.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind!”

‘Welcome.’ I hugged Hwino tightly, overwhelmed by his presence after he had traveled all the way from Honing Village.

There was no time for warm greetings or lengthy explanations, but my heart swelled with relief to see his complexion had improved, a sign of his recovery.

I also hugged Elizabeth, who radiated a newfound hope and brightness, deeply grateful for her support.

Francois was waiting next to me with his arms open, ready for an embrace, but I pretended not to see him as I walked into the bedroom with everyone else.

‘Thank you for your hard work. Thank you so much.’ As I whispered my gratitude on the way, the Marquis smiled dazzlingly, his appreciation evident.

Francois had recruited not only the ‘Sword of the Main God’ [a title or organization] but also local experts to assist us, bolstering our efforts.

Kuhn, who Hwino was diligently taking care of, was still too young to accompany us on this dangerous mission, a fact that tugged at my heart.

I felt reassured knowing there was someone with intimate knowledge of the sword’s power and history among our allies.

He and the residents, including Joanner, had been assisting the soldiers ever since the Imperial Army had been stationed in Honing, providing invaluable support.

These days, they were closely assisting the wizards’ research into the sword, lending their expertise. It was thanks to their knowledge of the surrounding ecology and geography, as well as their literacy, that they were able to contribute so effectively.

“I’ll do it. I’ll do it myself.”

Soon, I stood in front of the closet and declared my intention with unwavering enthusiasm.

The Bakari troops decided to wait patiently in the living room until the situation was resolved, their presence a silent promise of support.

Hwino, who had distributed protective masks to everyone (including the Lesser Pandas), replied calmly, his voice steady.

“Yes, we have selected the smallest pieces possible. Please wear this first….”

The protective gear had evolved tremendously while I wasn’t looking, a testament to their ingenuity and dedication!

When I was in Honing Village, everyone wore simple thumb gloves with paper layered on the cotton for protection.

But what I received now were finger gloves with paper meticulously stitched tightly onto the leather, a significant improvement. Amazing.

“After covering your forearms well, please accept this. It is heavier than it looks, and you can grip it tightly. If you think you are going to drop it, quickly step back to protect your feet.”

“……Yes.”

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry, as I looked at the sword fragment Hwino handed me. Its weight was substantial, a tangible reminder of its power.

‘Kkiheung, kkiheung!’ The excited Divine Beasts were jumping and soaring around me in a frenzy, sensing the presence of the powerful artifact.

It seemed like they had brought an S size [small size], but it was still the size of a large chainsaw, an unwieldy and intimidating weapon.

Of course, it was a crude shape, lacking a handle or any ergonomic features. It was simply a black, flat meteorite, rough and unrefined.

It took dozens of seconds just to get into position, the weight straining my muscles. Ugh, heavy.

-Squeak, squeak!

“Yes, it fell from the sky. Now I’m going to use this to save Irang, Pink Sister, and Black Brother.”

-Kkiwooowoong!

Demi circled around Hwino’s feet, chirping and cheering, her excitement palpable.

He was overjoyed to see the Divine Beast for the first time, his eyes wide with wonder.

Seeing the little ones like it so much, I thought my theory wasn’t too wrong, a small comfort in the face of the unknown.

I resolutely raised my head and looked at Sir Johann, meeting his gaze with determination.

He, who had finished all the preparations, grabbed the closet handle and asked one last time, his voice filled with concern.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to do it?”

“Yes. It’s probably safest for me to do it. I have experience crossing over.”

I smiled brightly, trying to reassure him and myself.

That was the case with Biryeom’s Ark [previous event]. This world is relying on me, placing its hopes on my shoulders.

In other words, it means that it is less burdensome for me to take on dangerous tasks, as the world seems to favor me in these situations.

Surely this place won’t attack or push me away. I have to believe that.

…Maybe? Please?

“I will follow your orders.”

-Click

Sir Johann, who answered calmly, opened the closet door, his expression unreadable.

Immediately, darkness that seemed to be alive, a tangible presence, greeted us, swallowing the light.

A ‘crack’ resembling a jellyfish, pulsating and rippling in an amorphous shape in the air, filled the doorway. Goooo….

“Main God.”

“Good heavens (Mon dieu)! It’s strange no matter how many times I see it,” Elizabeth exclaimed, her voice a mixture of awe and apprehension.

Elizabeth and Francois stood close to me, their presence a source of strength and support.

The two were already heavily armed, taking out rapiers and maces, wearing masks for protection, and covering their shoulders with paper, a makeshift defense against the unknown dangers.

Seeing that, the Lesser Pandas, who had learned from them, grabbed short twigs with their front paws and shook them wildly, mimicking their protectors.

Anyone would think this side was a gang of robbers….

“Then, let’s split it.”

I approached the closet with a determined look and held out the sword fragment, my grip firm.

I was worried that my hands would tremble, betraying my fear, but it was quite heavy, so that didn’t happen, the weight grounding me.

A creepy sound came as I put the sharp part on the end of the crack, a disturbing sensation. Glug!

“Eugh.”

‘Glug,’ it’s not a slime! I felt nauseous for no reason, my stomach churning.

Fortunately, no abnormalities occurred, no immediate threats materialized.

As I had hypothesized, the crack was accepting the influence of the sword as it was, allowing it to interact with its unstable energy.

Hwino, who was in a cultural shock, watched us from over there, unable to breathe, his eyes wide with disbelief.

I gritted my teeth and gently widened the crack, pushing forward with all my strength. Now, let’s go save my friends, please! I pleaded silently.

-Glug, glug….

“Eugh.”

-Kkieut

Split, Gala Show! [referencing a performance or event]

*

“Heo-eok!”

Christel nearly screamed as she jumped up from her seat, startled awake.

She had been plagued by a terrible nightmare while dozing off, leaving her shaken and disoriented.

Her forehead was damp with cold sweat, and goosebumps were all over her neck and back, a physical manifestation of her fear. Her dry throat was scratchy, and she was struggling to catch her breath.

It was so soon after waking up, but she couldn’t remember the contents of the dream at all, the details fading like smoke.

Except that the Prince appeared, his presence lingering in her mind. Or was it a nightmare because he appeared? She wondered, a shiver running down her spine.

“Heok, whew. I’m sorry……”

She took out a hand-washed handkerchief and looked around, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

She belatedly realized that she had made too much noise, disturbing the peace.

Even though it was unpleasant, the sacred ceremony was supposed to be in full swing―

“Huh?”

But no one was there. The seats for believers were completely empty, devoid of life.

Gain was genuinely embarrassed and blinked her eyes in confusion.

Did it already end? Did I sleep that long? But no one woke me up and went home? She questioned, her mind racing.

“……You woke up just in time.”

As she turned around, she met the eyes of an old man, his gaze unsettling.

He was sitting alone in the back seat, and his face, smiling kindly at me, was somehow eerie, sending a shiver down her spine.

But when you think about it, everyone in the village had that kind of atmosphere, a strange and unsettling aura.

Christel tried to calm her breathing and answered, forcing a smile.

“Yes, it seems the event is over. I slept too sweetly because I was tired―”

Then her voice stopped abruptly, cut short by a sudden realization. Her blue-gray eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

The old man’s body was slowly breaking apart, disintegrating before her very eyes. ‘Rustle….’

“Thank you for coming today, miss.”

“Sir, are you not feeling well, Sir!” She cried out in alarm, her voice laced with panic.

‘Aaaaaah…!’ He instantly turned into blue powder and scattered into the air, vanishing without a trace.

The fine particles sparkled constantly and danced on the wind, a macabre spectacle.

Gain, horrified, hurriedly ran to his seat and looked around, searching for any explanation.

There were no remaining items or traces, nothing to indicate he had ever been there. It was shocking, a complete and utter disappearance.

There was only one flower she had never seen before in the believer’s seat, a single bloom in the place of a human being.

“What is this… What kind of flower is it?” She whispered, her voice trembling.

She hurriedly grabbed it and looked around, examining it closely, but both the bud and leaves, which resembled seashells, were unfamiliar, alien to her.

The cool touch and unpleasant scent were strangely familiar, triggering a faint memory.

Gain paused as she rubbed the pollen on her fingertips, her brow furrowed in thought.

The sparkling cyan-white particles were something she had seen once before, a fleeting glimpse from the past.

‘Then what should I do……?’ She wondered, her mind racing.

‘I think you can help. Really. Anything is fine.’ The words echoed in her mind.

Yulrus. The powder that child smeared on me and ran away, a moment she had almost forgotten.

Instantly, goosebumps rose all over her body, and she felt a chill, a premonition of danger.

Gain raised her head sharply and scanned her surroundings again, her senses on high alert.

Now that she saw it, there was an unidentified flower next to the seat where the old man was sitting, a silent sentinel.

The seat next to it was the same, another flower in place of a person. She groped frantically with both hands, her heart pounding in her chest.

The seat next to the next seat, the seat in front of it, the seat in front of the seat in front of it… the pattern was repeating itself.

“Crazy, what is this.” She whispered, her voice filled with dread.

In every believer’s seat, there was a flower lying instead of a person, a chilling replacement.

At the same time as the lightning-like realization struck her, a strong wind rushed into the temple, howling through the sacred space. ‘Whoooo―!’

-Squeak, clang!

“Ah, damn it!”

-Thwaaang!

She quickly rushed forward just before the entrance door slammed shut, but she couldn’t get out by a hair’s breadth, her escape thwarted.

Christel gritted her teeth and shook the doorknob, her frustration mounting. ‘Thud, thud!’

The door, which was locked as tightly as iron just by being pushed by the wind, made her hair stand on end, a primal fear gripping her.

She quickly turned her gaze to find the side door, desperate for an escape route. Her feet shot out before she could even think, driven by instinct―

-Tadat, tadat!

-Kwaang!

“Damn it!”

Again, the door slammed shut, trapping her inside. ‘Whiriririk, thud!’ Gain immediately took out her whip and assumed a fighting stance, ready to defend herself.

Yes, it looked like a haunted house complete set from the beginning! She thought grimly.

“Speak up if you have something to say!” She shouted, her voice echoing in the empty temple.

“It’s really all done now,” a voice replied, chilling her to the bone.

‘Thud!’ Gain immediately lashed her whip in the direction of the voice, her movements swift and precise.

‘Crack!’ Sharp ice blades shot out like bullets towards the altar, a deadly barrage. ‘Swish, swish, swish!’

“Ah, are you crazy?!” A voice cried out in alarm.

-Wooowoong!

But they all stopped in the air just before reaching their target, their momentum halted by an unseen force.

It was because the priest Eta was holding the sleeping Princess Marguerite Diop in her arms, using her as a shield.

Gain squeezed her chat-heat [likely a magical ability] and glared at her as if to kill her, her eyes burning with rage.

It was that woman after all. That human had a nasty scheme! She thought, her suspicions confirmed.

“You… What are you? What do you want?” She demanded, her voice filled with venom.

It was nowhere to be seen where she had thrown away her black headscarf, revealing her true form.

The priest’s long hair covered more than half of the altar, a dark and unsettling presence.

It was definitely a different appearance from what Christel had seen before she fell asleep, a transformation that sent shivers down her spine.

The priestly robes had become unspeakably ornate, adorned with countless jewels, and the necklaces and rings were also dazzling, radiating an unnatural light.

Eta hugged Marguerite’s head and whispered, her voice soft and menacing.

“I’m sorry… I just want to borrow your strength once.”

“What? Why would I?” Gain retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm.

“There is someone I want to meet,” Eta replied, her eyes filled with a desperate longing.

“Then go meet them yourself. Why are you taking innocent people hostage and doing this?” Gain challenged, her anger simmering beneath the surface.

Then the woman made a very painful face, her features contorted in anguish. To the point where Gain felt a hint of guilt, a flicker of empathy.

“The crack in the World Tree won’t last long. I no longer have the strength, time, or opportunity…,” Eta explained, her voice filled with despair.

It was then, at that very moment.

‘……Christel!’ A voice called out, faint but unmistakable.

Gain flinched and turned around, her body reacting instinctively.

Even though she had been taught by her teacher not to show her back to the enemy, she did so without thinking, her heart pounding in her chest.

She wondered if she had heard a hallucination for a moment, her mind playing tricks on her.

She stared at the tightly closed entrance door, her eyes searching for any sign of movement, and just as she turned her head back, she heard it again.

“……Sir Christel! Where are you!” The voice was clearer this time, filled with urgency.

Ah―

“Gain!” A familiar voice cried out, filled with desperation.

For a moment, her heart seemed to stop, frozen in fear.

There was only one person in this world who knew that name, a secret she had guarded closely. The revelation sent a shockwave through her entire being.