I Became an Illegal Cheat User – Chapter 136

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Commonly known as the Death Fog.

Lee Seo-yeon’s impression after entering it was this:

Disgusting.

Of course, she had thought so from the outside. But after actually entering, she realized how shallow her initial impression had been.

‘…This is too unpleasant.’

The stench of rotting corpses mixed in the air.

The unsettling energy that wrapped around her body.

Moreover.

The purple sky.

The purple earth.

Everywhere she looked, it was filled with purple.

It tormented her vision, beyond just her sense of smell.

Indeed.

Just as Lee Yu-jin had said.

Demonic realm.

This place was a demonic realm.

A place where humans couldn’t survive.

‘Is this why Death Qi is said to be more sinister than Demonic Qi?’

Noah, who had talked about Death Qi before entering the fog.

He had said…

If Demonic Qi specialized in corrupting people…

Death Qi specialized in killing them.

Lee Seo-yeon now understood what he meant.

Although not as much as Lee Yu-jin, she had been exposed to Demonic Qi, directly and indirectly, many times while fighting the Fallen.

So, she felt Noah’s words, the sinister nature of Death Qi, even more keenly.

After all…

‘…even after spreading my senses this far, I can’t feel any presence.’

There was nothing.

‘As soon as we entered the fog, we were scattered.’

Neither in her vision nor her senses could she detect Lee Yu-jin, Arthur, or Noah.

That meant…

“Special property.”

…there was a new special property besides the ones Lee Yu-jin had told her about.

‘Yu-jin told me about three special properties.’

Rapid corrosion of items not affected by the holy sword’s ability.

Inability to recover mana due to the absence of mana.

Doubled mana consumption due to Death Qi.

A new special property added to those three.

Forced isolation.

And.

‘…I can only see about ten meters ahead.’

Darkness.

Like being inside the eye of a storm, in the shape of a circle…

…it blocked her vision, with a radius of ten meters centered on Lee Seo-yeon’s current position.

‘Annoying.’

Beyond the invisible darkness.

Lee Seo-yeon frowned slightly at the darkness’s property of blocking both vision and senses.

Unpleasant.

Extremely so.

The air, the wind.

The sky, the earth.

She was disgusted by everything in this place.

“Phew.”

She exhaled deeply.

And she calmed her churning stomach and mind.

First.

‘Grasp the surroundings.’

Honestly.

Grasping the surroundings and all that…

She wanted to dash off and find Lee Yu-jin right away.

But.

Step.

The darkness of this place, filled with unpleasant, unsettling, and impure, malicious energy…

…was following her footsteps like a shadow.

‘The distance remains ten meters.’

No more, no less.

It neither widened nor narrowed.

Was it simply blocking her vision?

As Lee Seo-yeon thought that, a question arose in her mind.

‘…Did I really enter properly?’

Perhaps she had failed to enter for some reason and was drifting in some space.

That’s why she was alone.

But that question was quickly dismissed.

Rumble, rumble.

The rough texture she felt through her shoes.

The feel of the ground beneath her feet, not the floating sensation of being in the air.

The familiar texture of the earth, the same as outside, told her she wasn’t alone.

And decisively…

Hum, humm.

The golden aura enveloping her entire body.

The essential condition for entering this Death Fog.

The holy power, the Hero’s power, bestowed upon her by As through the holy sword, was even stronger than what she had seen outside, indicating that she had entered the fog successfully.

With those facts, Lee Seo-yeon, now certain that she had entered the fog properly, sighed briefly in relief.

‘…That’s a relief.’

There was no problem with helping Lee Yu-jin.

‘Now that I’m certain we’re in the same area…’

…I need to find him.

He must also be alone…

– Do you really think so?

…just like me, she thought, as a voice suddenly came from beside her.

At that voice, Lee Seo-yeon turned her head.

And there…

– Do you really think he’s alone?

…was a translucent “Lee Seo-yeon,” identical to herself.

“……”

Lee Seo-yeon stared at “Lee Seo-yeon” silently, with cold eyes.

A familiar appearance.

A familiar phenomenon.

The midterm evaluation in the first semester.

No, more precisely, even before that.

It had been appearing since her talent, “Sword Genius (S),” evolved into “Sword and Gun Genius (S+),” due to Lee Yu-jin’s influence, so she couldn’t help but be familiar with it.

But the “Lee Seo-yeon” whispering negative words beside her wasn’t the one she was familiar with.

After all…

– I don’t think so.

Her own eyes were black.

– I think you’re the only one who’s been moved to a different location. Yu-jin is with Arthur, that bitch, and Noah, the prayer warrior.

And “Lee Seo-yeon’s” eyes were also black.

But.

– Aren’t you anxious? That Yu-jin is with those two… no, with Arthur, that bitch?

The “Lee Seo-yeon” who was currently whispering negativity and anxiety had red eyes, not black.

Unlike the manifestation of her talent she had seen before, the one that controlled her desires.

– Aren’t you angry? That she’s still clinging to him, even after being together throughout summer break?

That infuriating bitch.

That disgusting bitch.

That damn bitch clinging to Yu-jin.

– Don’t you feel wronged? That she spent so much time with him, while you barely had any?

So, how about it?

Let’s get rid of her together…

– Stop right there.

– …You.

Just as “Lee Seo-yeon” was about to cross the line… a voice came from Lee Seo-yeon’s other side.

At that voice, Lee Seo-yeon turned her head away from “Lee Seo-yeon.”

– Saying anything more won’t be good for you, or for Lee Seo-yeon.

The same translucent appearance as “Lee Seo-yeon.” But this time, the manifested form of her talent had black eyes, just like Lee Seo-yeon.

It was the familiar manifestation of her talent she had often seen.

At the sight of that form, Lee Seo-yeon felt the throbbing in her head ease.

Perhaps sensing Lee Seo-yeon’s condition…

– …How dare you!

…“Lee Seo-yeon’s” face, which had been whispering like a demon, contorted.

– Um… could you please not use such harsh language while in Lee Seo-yeon’s form? It doesn’t suit you.

– Shut up!

– I just told you…

– I said shut up!

“Lee Seo-yeon” shouted and stomped towards “Lee Seo-yeon.”

– How dare you interrupt me?

– Dare, dare… could you please stop saying that? It’s really unsettling seeing you like that, in Lee Seo-yeon’s form.

I agree.

Lee Seo-yeon nodded at “Lee Seo-yeon’s” words.

At Lee Seo-yeon’s reaction, “Lee Seo-yeon” glared at “Lee Seo-yeon” with a furious expression and shouted,

– How dare a fake like you!

– ….

Fake.

At that word, “Lee Seo-yeon’s” mouth snapped shut.

At that sight, “Lee Seo-yeon” made a triumphant expression, as if asking if she finally understood.

– Yes, you fake, just keep your mouth shut.

No, no.

“Lee Seo-yeon” shook her head.

– Disappear. Stop babbling and disappear!

“Lee Seo-yeon’s” hand moved to her waist. And the moment she gripped the hilt of her sword…

– Um… I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re saying.

“Lee Seo-yeon,” who had been silently listening to “Lee Seo-yeon” with her mouth closed, said with a puzzled expression.

– Why am I a fake?

– What?

– You keep calling me a fake, but I’m definitely Lee Seo-yeon’s talent. And so are you.

– That’s because you…

– Ah, is it because of this?

“Lee Seo-yeon” raised her hand as if realizing something.

And then…

Stab!

…she thrust her hand into her own chest, more precisely, towards her heart.

And from within…

– Are you calling me a fake because of this?

…she pulled out a white sphere, shining brightly like a star.

At that, “Lee Seo-yeon” frowned, as if confirming the answer.

At that sight, “Lee Seo-yeon” tilted her head again, as if puzzled.

– That’s strange. You know what this sphere, this source of power, is, right?

And yet you’re calling me a fake?

Why?

Even though this sphere constitutes me…

Isn’t it very important to ‘us’?

As “Lee Seo-yeon” said that…

– Yes, it’s important! To me and to Lee Seo-yeon!

But!

– You were born because of that unreasonable power! You shouldn’t even exist!

– Ah, is it a problem that I gained sentience before you?

What?

It was simply…

– Jealousy?

At those words, “Lee Seo-yeon” stared at “Lee Seo-yeon” in disbelief.

But only for a moment.

– No!

She shouted in a voice filled with frustration, annoyance, and exasperation.

– Trial!

“Lee Seo-yeon” pointed her index finger at Lee Seo-yeon, who had been watching the bickering between her talents with amusement.

– It’s because of the trial, you damn bitch!

– Trial?

– Yes, trial!

Now that she had said it so directly…

…she should understand why I’m angry.

“Lee Seo-yeon” thought, looking at “Lee Seo-yeon.”

But contrary to “Lee Seo-yeon’s” thoughts…

– Trial? What trial?

…“Lee Seo-yeon” knew nothing about the “Trial of Talent.”

Ah.

Was this right?

“Lee Seo-yeon” looked at “Lee Seo-yeon” with a disheartened expression.

She wasn’t even angry anymore.

No, even if she wanted to be angry, she was too tired.

Still.

She opened her mouth.

– …Fake, listen carefully.

She explained the “Trial of Talent” to the fake, the irregular, who had been born due to Lee Yu-jin’s unprecedented power, the white sphere, the one who shouldn’t have existed, the one who shouldn’t have gained sentience from a single talent.

But.

– Do we really have to do that?

Damn it.

– I think Lee Seo-yeon can become strong enough without such trials.

The fake, the irregular, not only didn’t understand the “Trial of Talent,” but also didn’t do it.

– Sigh…

Damn bitch.

She wouldn’t listen at all.

“Lee Seo-yeon” chuckled, looking at “Lee Seo-yeon.” And then, erasing the disheartened smile from her face, she said,

– Fine… stay ignorant.

Because whether I do it or not, whether you want to do it or not…

Fate itself will impose the trial upon Lee Seo-yeon, our master.

So don’t regret it when the time comes.

That the karma accumulated through choices will explode all at once due to fate’s compulsion.

“Lee Seo-yeon” thought, lowering her hand, which had been extended towards Lee Seo-yeon.

But only for a moment.

– But I can’t stand this!

“Lee Seo-yeon’s” hand moved towards the hilt of her sword again.

And shing! The moment the sword was about to be drawn…

“Lee Seo-yeon?”

…a gentle voice calling Lee Seo-yeon’s name came from somewhere.

At that voice, the three Lee Seo-yeons, or rather, Lee Seo-yeon and the two manifestations of her talent, turned their heads simultaneously.

“There you are.”

A man emerged from the darkness, sighing in relief.

“Thank goodness. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

Lee Yu-jin.

The one she wanted to see so badly was approaching slowly with a gentle expression.

But.

Strangely…

“……”

– ….

– ….

…Lee Seo-yeon and the two manifestations of her talent were staring at Lee Yu-jin with cold expressions.

At Lee Seo-yeon’s behavior, Lee Yu-jin asked with a puzzled expression,

“Um… did I do something wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

But even at that question, Lee Seo-yeon didn’t open her mouth.

Instead.

Silently.

Shing.

She drew her sword.

“…Lee Seo-yeon?”

Lee Yu-jin stopped walking at Lee Seo-yeon’s sudden action.

Regardless.

Flare.

A flame, made of mana, ignited on the crimson blade of Dainsleif, Lee Seo-yeon’s sword.

A flame the same color as the blade.

Seeing that flame, Lee Yu-jin looked at Lee Seo-yeon with a hardened expression.

“Hey, Lee Seo-yeon? It’s me, Lee Yu-jin. I’m not a monster.”

At Lee Yu-jin’s words, the intensity of the flame on Dainsleif weakened.

Seeing that, Lee Yu-jin thought Lee Seo-yeon had understood his words and started walking again.

But at that moment.

Slash!

A slashing sound echoed.

At the same time.

“You think you’re Lee Yu-jin?”

Lee Seo-yeon’s cold, and furious, voice flowed into Lee Yu-jin’s ears.

At that voice, Lee Yu-jin shouted with a wronged expression. No, he tried to shout.

Slide.

If his head wasn’t falling off.

Thud.

“L-Lee… S-Seo… yeon…?”

Lee Yu-jin’s head, which had fallen to the floor, called Lee Seo-yeon’s name with a disbelieving expression.

“…Why?”

“Why?”

Lee Yu-jin, asking why she did this to him.

Lee Seo-yeon glared at Lee Yu-jin with sharp eyes, like blades, and explained the reason.

“Hair 0.3mm, nails 0.1mm.”

Because there was a difference from the one she saw today.

And decisively.

“Lee Yu-jin wouldn’t act like that in the middle of enemy territory.”

Especially in a situation where we were scattered.

“I… see.”

Lee Yu-jin.

Gurgle, gurgle.

No, the thing that was Lee Yu-jin.

The monstrous creature, having returned to its original form, said as if understanding.

“So that’s how it was.”

The monster, made of purple flesh, melted like slime, and let out a chilling sound as it rose from the ground.

But before it could fully stand up…

Slash.

Slash, slash…

Slash, slash, slash—!

It was torn to shreds by Lee Seo-yeon’s near light-speed sword slashes.

Plop, plop…

Pieces of the monster, no, the thing that was a monster, scattered across the floor.

Lee Seo-yeon, watching the scene with cold eyes, swung Dainsleif towards the ground, as if shaking off blood.

Of course, since Sword Flame was active, there was no flesh on the blade.

Still, Lee Seo-yeon shook it once, as if something dirty was on it.

The two manifestations of her talent, who had been quietly watching the situation beside her, spoke.

– Even with Sword Flame at its weakest, mana consumption is high.

– But we can’t not use mana.

– That’s true. Judging by the monster we just fought, it seems to regenerate unless attacked with mana-infused attacks.

– Still, it’s fortunate that we have a way to recover mana.

– Right, it’s fortunate that Yu-jin gave us mana potions.

– The amount of mana potions Yu-jin gave us is quite substantial. We can probably use mana freely for at least five hours.

– That’s good, but I think it’s best to minimize mana usage in case of unforeseen circumstances.

– Let’s avoid combat as much as possible?

– Yes, evasion over combat.

– Evasion over combat… not bad for a fake.

‘Hmm.’

Were they really on bad terms?

At this rate…

‘Aren’t they on good terms?’

As Lee Seo-yeon thought that…

– Right?

– No!

…affirmation and denial came simultaneously.

Seeing the two manifestations of her talent, Lee Seo-yeon thought,

‘No matter how I look at it, they seem to be…’

At that thought, “Lee Seo-yeon” was about to protest with a flushed face, but…

“Lee Seo-yeon? There you are.”

“Lee Seo-yeon, were you here?”

“Lee Seo-yeon-nim? Were you here?”

Voices came from all directions.

The words she was about to say were swallowed at the appearance of monsters disguised as her friends.

– We need to get out of here.

– …I agree with the fake.

But.

Before that.

“After I wipe out these monsters daring to impersonate Yu-jin.”

– After I wipe out these monsters daring to impersonate Yu-jin.

– After I wipe out these monsters daring to impersonate Yu-jin.

…we should move.

Flare!

Sword Flame blazed fiercely from Lee Seo-yeon’s sword.

[T/N: Y’all have no idea how utterly annoying that was to translate like that was a mind fuck of words but y’all are lucky I love ya and this story]

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