The Black World (3)
Because of this, a sense of shame came upon me.
However, it was only right to get this done and over with
“I’m thinking of doing some tests…”
“Sure… I’m looking forward to it.” Kasugano had an expectant look as she spoke. One might even say she was overjoyed.
“I don’t harbor any negative feelings towards you.”
“Yes, I know you are punishing me, only because you care about me.”
“You can’t call it a punishment, but how you take it is up to you… First of all, you won’t be able to breathe from now on.”
With widened eyes, Kasugano stared at me. With her stoic expression, 1 wondered if she had been scamming me all along.
However, I realized my mistake as I heard her voice again.
“You must speak with magic.”
I felt embarrassed at this point. The shaman opened her mouth once again, and I saw her trying to breathe in.
“You won’t be able to breathe.”
A lot of my mana was used up in an instant.
I couldn’t even imagine that so much magic would escape, but it was a cheap price for taking full control over another’s body. I hadn’t even noticed that I was frowning.
The figure currently holding her neck and coughing was certainly not acting. As Kasugano rolled on the floor, stretching her hand towards me, I could tell how hard my order had been for her.
“Mas… Master… Cough…”
Against her will, air refused to enter her lungs, hence her struggle. Tears naturally flowed down her eyes, and her tongue had rolled out, craving for oxygen.
It would be a shame for her to die here.
“You may breathe from now on.”
And so, I ended the test.
With this, I could affirm that the contract between us had finally set.
After Kasugano regained her breathing, she spoke once more.
“T-Thank you. Master.”
I wasn’t sure why she was thanking me, but at least the spell was complete.
‘And so perfectly done…’
If there was one penalty after all this, it would be that I had to take responsibility for Kasugano from now one.
‘However, it should be fine.’
If I had seen the scene just before the incantation, I wouldn’t have even bothered doing the test. I didn’t even know why I had seen it in the first place, but I didn’t think it was because of the incantation itself. It was probably an occurring error during the connection of body and soul.
As I lifted her from the floor, I saw her looking at me with joy plastered on that innocent expression. Upon seeing this, my guilt came back.
I’ll be nice to her from now on.’
I know that I did something worse that had surpassed my actions the first time around. It felt like I had personally quided an innocent soul into the depths of hell.
After seeing her expression in the black world, I felt even worse for her.
‘Fuck…
However, it was a reasonable choice, and the result wasn’t bad, either. Kasugano looked happy with what had transpired, so it was probably a win
win.
“Of course, it’s reasonable, but still…’
The momentary guilt was nothing compared to a lifetime spent with an additional, strong ally.
“I don’t know what to say, but…”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“W-what is that…? That doesn’t even make sense.”
As Kasugano flipped her long hair, her embarrassed expression was apparent. She laughed a little and tried to switch into a sitting position. For now, it would be right to give her a reward for letting her come to me.
“Ah, master…”
I leaned in slowly, and she closed her eyes. As I kissed her on the forehead, she fell apart.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“Your actions in return for my trust aren’t comparable. And this is nothing compared to the warmth you’ve given me in the black world.”
“Ah…”
“It was only for a brief moment, but I think I saw what you saw.”
“What?”
“Then… You said I was a guy in a poor situation, right?”
“Yes. I did. W-why…?”
“I can’t understand, but perhaps we really are fated to meet, just as you said.”
Her face turned ecstatic upon hearing this. I had said what she wanted to hear.
It was then that I could hear noise from outside.
Jung Hayan?’
She had probably been alerted when I made physical contact with Kasugano Yuno. She said she would tolerate it, but she probably couldn’t in the end.
‘No…
I still had more things to discuss with Kasugano.
However, I couldn’t let Jung Hayan inside.
“I’m only being curious, but have you ever talked to someone else about me?”
“Of course not.”
“That’s a relief. So, that’ll be it for today’s meeting.”
“As you wish.”
“I know it’s already obvious, but please don’t tell anyone about our relationship.”
“Yes, alright.”
Seeing how she so easily accepted my instructions, it was possible that I had done the same back then.
| also nodded and went to open the door, and unlike before, it opened easily for me now. At this point, I wondered how I should comfort Jung Hayan, but then I saw a man I had never seen before I entered.
He was a little tall and had a long sword at the waist.
‘Is that a Japanese sword?
It looked ridiculous to carry a Japanese sword in a continent based on the Middle Ages. Was it a custom order? I couldn’t really focus.
However, it was probably because I noticed the man in question staring at
me.
‘What?’
I decided to check his information with my ability.
[Checking the status window and talent levels of the player Ito Souta.]
[Name: Ito Souta]
[Title: Celia’s Wind]
[Age: 28]
[Disposition: Careful Strategist]
[Class: Warrior (Legendary)]
[Class Effect: Acquisition of basic sword skills]
[Class Effect: Intermediate Swordsmanship Knowledge Acquisition]
[Class Effect: Acquisition of advanced sword skills]
[Class Effect: Acquisition of advanced magic operation knowledge]
[Stats]
[Strength: 81/Growth limit: Heroic or lower]
[Agility: 99/Growth limit: Legendary or higher]
[Health: 61/ Growth limit: Rare or lower]
[Intellect: 89/Growth limit: Heroic or lower]
[Durability: 66/ Growth limit: Heroic or lower]
[Luck: 34/ Growth limit: Common or lower]
[Magic 75/Growth limit: Heroic or higher]
[Equipment: Wind Sword (Heroic) 1602]
[Ability: Wind Blade (Legendary)]
[General review: This is a legendary class warrior. The overall high stats, especially the high agility stats, stand out. His low durability is a flaw, but it is unnecessary for him as an agile swordsman. It’s heartbreaking to see such low stamina. It is also noticeable that he’s obtained a legendary class as well as a legendary attribute. The only thing similar to our player, Lee Kiyoung, is his disposition. Please try harder.]
‘Everyone I meet is a monster.’
This one was a swordsman focused on agility. I didn’t know who he was, but he certainly didn’t look ordinary.
It was impossible for him to be an ordinary man. He was just as powerful as Cha Hee-ra, if not more.
Being a Vice Guild Master, I thought my own stats weren’t bad.
What was funny was that his disposition was a careful strategist, like me. Nevertheless, when I thought about the power he got, I felt like it was unfair for some reason.
With these thoughts, I went to pass by him.
“Mr. Lee Kiyoung?”
I felt the man’s hand slightly holding my shoulder.
“Mr. Ito, what’s wrong?”
I felt wary of him. However, this bastard kept looking at me, smiling.
‘I don’t like this…’
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yamato Guild’s Guild Master, Ito Souta.”
I was speechless for a second. The Lindel terror incident had flashed in my mind. Though it had not been enough for me to feel traumatized, remembering it still felt annoying.
However, I swallowed and still decided to shake the outstretched hand in front of me.
I couldn’t show any agitation in this state, lest he noticed this. Anyway, I was safe for the time being. There was no way he could hurt me in a place where conflict was completely forbidden.
I still had Kasugano in the room behind me, and Juliana was capable enough of preventing any surprise attack.
‘If I think about his agility stat, it’s unlikely…’
For now, it would not be too bad to talk to him casually. We were fated to meet anyway, and since I came here to formally protest against the Yamato Guild, I had to extract as much information as possible.
“It looks like you’ve seen me before.”
“No, I haven’t, but I’ve heard a lot of stories about you. You were the centerpiece of the recent Lindel terrorist incident, after all.”
‘This bastard…”
I could see a slight smile forming on his face as he spoke.
I thought it was only a pretense, but he was calmer than I thought.
‘A careful strategist?’
It was probably because he had the same disposition as mine.
“I was really surprised when I heard the news. An attack in the center of the Free City? Although our cities are different, I was worried since we both came from Earth to this place.”
“Ah… Right. Thank you for your concern.”
“By the way…”
“Yes.”
“They say that the Lindel made our guild the prime suspect in the attack.”
‘So what?
It felt too uncomfortable to talk about it here. Besides, Cha Hee-ra should take part in the conversation.
“It would be better to set up a place for this conversation later. I don’t think the timing is good now.”
When I turned to go, I felt a hand clutching my shoulder once more.
This time, it was Kasugano Yuno who came forward. Her quiet but heavy voice echoed.
“What are you doing to my client?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just wanted to talk a bit more.”
“Please, don’t be rude.”
That was when I felt a pulsating energy resonating from somewhere around
me.
‘Shit.
I wasn’t the only one who felt the unusual energy, as I could see a hazy curtain around me in an instant.
Looking sideways, I realized it was Kasugano Yuno who had memorized the spell. I could see the motherfucker still smiling.
I didn’t think he would do anything crazy here, but since they were the ones who had caused terror in Lindel, I had to think that they wanted to get rid of me for sure.
Kasugano Yuno, on the other hand…
No matter how strong a shaman was, as a magician, it would be impossible to win a battle. It wouldn’t take long to break through her shield and hit my throat as a warrior with his skills.
‘Hyunsung…
For some reason, I missed Kim Hyunsung’s warm arms.
Woooooooooooong!
Juliana jumped out, yet Ito Souta’s smile never faded.
Something was wrong.
“No, Juliana!”
I screamed, but it was too late. Juliana had already pierced the swordsman’s neck next to Ito.
‘What did the status window say? That he was a careful strategist?’
It was the perfect checkmate.
‘Shit.
After the man whose throat got pierced fell to the floor, Ito Souta grabbed the handle of the sword and began to speak.
“Well, well, well… What is this, Kiyoung-ssi? Threatening me with a sword, hm? And in the throne of the Holy and Great Benigore Holy Empire, no less! Pfft… And you killed one of my favorite subordinates…”
“Can I make a formal complaint on this?”
“If not… Can we take this as a declaration of war against our Yamato guild?”
It wasn’t only our dispositions that were similar.
We also acted in a very similar way.
I had no choice but to accept this fact as I looked into his provoking face.