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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“[Done! Form the core! Quickly!]”
“L-Like this?”
“[It’s complete! A 3rd stage formation! This one learns quickly!]”
“Hehe.”
A strange sight unfolded where the giant centipede and the fox embraced, bouncing up and down in joy.
In the clearing, carved out of the forest, a beautiful formation glowed with a blood-red light, spreading outwards.
This was a 3rd stage formation, a multi-layered curse, painstakingly completed by the centipede, who had drained my essence dry, under Guiho’s tutelage.
‘Impressive. So this is the realm of high-ranking curse users.’
The 0th stage formation, unlocked by my trait, was essentially a blank canvas. It merely declared this space under my influence. It had no actual effect.
The 1st stage formation allowed for the user to exert influence within the formation. It granted detection abilities, making it usable like a CCTV.
The 2nd stage was when curses could be applied to the formation.
Sleep curses, weakening curses, etc. – any curse could be attached to the formation, and using the detection ability, it could be applied to anyone who entered.
But the 2nd stage had a limitation, only one type of curse could be applied at a time.
That limitation was overcome in the 3rd stage, the multi-layered formation.
It allowed the user to unleash two or more curses on anyone who entered, a true disaster for the unfortunate victim.
‘Curse users… They deserve to be persecuted.’
Unlike magic, which gradually dissipated over time after being cast, formations were semi-permanent. And demonic energy was even harder to detect than magic power.
A concealed formation, inscribed into space, was nearly impossible to find, even for skilled curse users.
And the centipede could create clones. She could set up multiple multi-layered formations in different locations simultaneously.
Once mastered, it would be like planting invisible, wide-range landmines everywhere.
No wonder mages suppressed and condemned curse users, calling them evil and unclean.
They were simply too powerful, with no countermeasures.
[Well done! Sogong! Well done! Hahaha! I’ve decided! Sogong will be my direct disciple from now on! This one might be able to achieve not just double-layered formations, but triple, no, even beyond that!]
“Thank you, Master!”
“Sogong?”
[I gave this one a name. I can’t call my disciple a bug, can I?]
So, Guiho had given the centipede a name.
Sogong, Sogong, Sogong…
Well, it didn’t sound bad.
Nowhere near as good as my naming sense, but not bad.
But why Sogong?
“But why Sogong? She’s a giant centipede, so shouldn’t it be something like ‘Daegong’ or ‘Geogong’?”
[This one’s heart and mind are small, and its vision is narrow. So, I named it ‘Sogong,’ meaning ‘small centipede.’]
“Ah. Now that I think about it, it’s a perfect name. Well done.”
“Master! Is that what it means?!”
[Do you have a problem with your master’s decision?]
“Of course I do! Give me a prettier name! Like Elizabeth! Or Christina! There are so many good names!”
[Ugh… You prefer those gaudy Southern names…? In the North, we give our children humble names to ward off evil spirits. You don’t even understand your master’s heart. Tsk, tsk.]
“I-Is that what it means…? Th-This unworthy disciple! I will gratefully accept and cherish the name ‘Sogong’ that Master has given me!”
The centipede bowed deeply, accepting her new name. Guiho’s sweet talk seemed to have worked.
To accept her as a direct disciple… Guiho must have taken a liking to her.
She had been disgusted by her at first, calling her a monster, but now she seemed to love the fact that her body was overflowing with demonic energy.
[We’ve completed the formation for your former lover, so my disciple and I will now begin our secluded training. Why don’t you join us in seclusion until you unlock the 1st stage formation?]
“No thanks. It’ll take me over a hundred years with this body. Go enjoy your secluded training with your disciple.”
[Oh? You’re suddenly speaking formally? You’ve been treating me so rudely, and now you’re being polite just as we’re about to part ways? You cunning bastard. You know a good ending leaves a good impression, don’t you?]
“Think whatever you want.”
It wasn’t that. My feelings had simply changed.
At first, she seemed like an immature, childish fox.
But over time, Guiho had shown a more mature side, reflecting on her past, regretting her mistakes, and even repenting.
And most importantly, Guiho was trustworthy.
Because we had been sharing the same goal for a long time.
[I never thought you would also be aware of that monster from the other world, and preparing to fight it. 200 years ago, I was ambushed by four of its apostles and received a fatal wound. That’s why I’m in this state. Ever since I decided to take revenge, my heart hasn’t changed. I might have lost my power as the Great Guardian, but my duty to protect the North hasn’t disappeared. I will definitely get my revenge on that monster.]
Guiho gritted her teeth, her voice filled with killing intent.
The Four Heavenly Kings were the ones who had inflicted the wound on Guiho’s core, weakening her to this extent.
In other words, Guiho and I shared a common enemy.
The final boss, Draken.
‘The power of the Great Guardian is truly formidable. To think she was on par with the Four Heavenly Kings 200 years ago.’
The Four Heavenly Kings from 200 years ago would have been a different group.
The current Four Heavenly Kings were still underdeveloped, a motley crew.
But 200 years ago, they were a true dream team, the strongest of the strong.
To think she had survived against four of them at once…
If Guiho regained her former strength, she would be the most reliable ally I could ask for.
[Especially that damn Blood Ghoul! I hate that one the most! It observed my curses and copied them in an instant! Its magic, its swordsmanship… there was nothing that wasn’t troublesome! It was the one who delivered the final blow to my core! Ugh! Just thinking about its pale face makes my blood boil!]
“…”
The Blood Ghoul from the Four Heavenly Kings 200 years ago…
Wait. That was Transylvania.
‘I can’t let those two meet.’
I couldn’t let them meet, even by accident.
And Transylvania couldn’t know that I was close enough to touch her chest.
I had to keep that in mind.
[I’ll train Sogong to be useful in the upcoming battle!]
“M-M-Master? What are you saying? You want me to betray Lord Draken…?”
[Didn’t you already betray him? You’ve been hanging out with humans all this time.]
“That’s not betrayal! I’m just cooperating a little because they give me essence!”
[That’s what they call ‘betrayal’ in the real world, you fool.]
“B-But…!”
Sogong slumped her shoulders, her face pale with despair.
To be trained by her master and become a weapon to strike down Draken…
Or to spend the rest of her life running from the Four Heavenly Kings…
The choice was obvious.
‘I’ve gained a reliable ally from an unexpected place.’
An alliance with a former Great Guardian, even if she was now weakened…
It was incredibly reassuring.
And she was even offering to personally train a genius curse user into a weapon.
I could leave Sogong to Guiho from now on.
[Even though I look like this, I was once the Great Guardian! I have plenty of essence! You can train while absorbing mine! Now, let’s go! Into seclusion!]
“Uwaaaaah! Master’s essence looks disgusting! I want to absorb Yoo-jin’s…!”
Sogong was dragged away by Guiho, who had her by the scruff of the neck.
It felt refreshing, like seeing off a troublesome daughter who was finally getting married.
Relieved, I let out a sigh.
But then, Undecided suddenly turned her head and glared, her eyes wide open.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Detection… activated. Someone… in the forest… has entered.”
I had set up Undecided’s 1st stage formation at the entrance of the forest.
If it had been triggered, it meant someone was here.
And at this timing, there was only one person who would come to the Sancheong Forest.
“Let’s hide.”
“…Okay.”
It was Yerina.
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This is dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Even though I knew nothing about curses and was insensitive to demonic energy, I could tell immediately.
This formation… was not ordinary.
“Ughhh!”
“…”
Inside the massive, crimson-glowing formation, Alicia writhed in agony, her hands and feet bound.
Seeing that, I lost all reason.
“Alicia!”
I didn’t know what traps lay within, what curses awaited…
But my feet moved on their own, pulling me into the formation.
It was a bait, I knew that. But seeing Alicia suffering right before my eyes, I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.
If I hesitated and lost Alicia, that would be unbearable pain.
A few curses wouldn’t kill me. This strong body could handle it.
“Just… a little… longer…! Ugh! Hold on!”
The moment I entered the formation, my body felt heavy, as if a giant boulder was weighing me down. I felt like I could collapse at any moment.
But this was nothing.
It was a little difficult, but I could still move forward.
The real problem would be a surprise attack while I was vulnerable…
‘Transylvania is guarding me. It’s fine.’
At that moment, Transylvania, standing outside the formation, met my gaze, her sword drawn.
I didn’t entirely trust her, but the Slave Contract Inscription was still in effect. She would do her best to protect me.
Unless dozens of archmages swarmed me, they wouldn’t be able to break through Transylvania’s guard.
I had to rescue Alicia and get out of here quickly!
“Ugh!”
“S-Sister… No… Don’t come in…!”
“Shut up, you nuisance! This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been captured by some strange curse user!”
I snapped at her, venting my frustration.
Instead of bottling up my anger deep inside…
I lashed out at my most beloved subordinate.
My only friend.
My precious younger sister.
But at the same time…
…this anger was directed at myself.
“Why did you get captured like an idiot, and make me worry?!”
I had almost doubted Alicia.
I had almost believed that she had betrayed me, that she had coveted my man.
I was so angry at myself for that.
Was there anyone who cared for me as much as Alicia?
Was there anyone who followed me as sincerely as Alicia?
Was there anyone else who saw me as a person, not just the Frost Duchess, besides Alicia?
Only Yoo-jin.
I had almost cast aside one of the only two people in the world who truly cared for me, overcome by a moment of weakness.
Thank goodness I gave her another chance.
If I had made an irreversible decision back then…
The thought sent chills down my spine.
Just imagining casting aside Alicia and regretting it later… it hurt.
That’s why…
…I was even angrier now.
“It’s dangerous because of the curses!”
“I’ll… just… cut them all down!”
I drew my sword and swung.
But the blade passed harmlessly through the red flashes floating in the air.
Nothing happened.
And then…
“Ugh?!”
The counterattack came.
An attack that mirrored my own, perfectly symmetrical.
I twisted my sword to block it, but the impact sent me flying back, out of the formation.
“Reflection?!”
What kind of childish curse was this?!
A curse that reflected attacks?!
They were determined not to let me rescue Alicia easily…
“Sister, I’m fine! Don’t get hurt…”
“Shut up, you little brat! I’ll never abandon you! Never! So just focus on finding a way out of there! Stop talking nonsense!”
I gritted my teeth, wrapped bandages around my injured hand, and drew my sword again.
I stepped back into the formation.
Taking heavy steps, I advanced towards Alicia.
‘A curse that reflects all attacks…’
Clang.
I swung my sword lightly, and another attack came flying at me.
A blade materialized out of thin air, but I blocked it effortlessly.
‘The time lag is about 0.3 seconds.’
There was a time lag.
Knowing that, the solution was simple.
It wasn’t much different from my initial strategy.
“I will cut it.”
There was nothing in this world that couldn’t be cut.
That was what my father had taught me, and I knew it to be true.
Tangible or intangible.
As long as I could touch it.
As long as I could see it or feel it.
It meant I could cut it.
So, I would cut it.
I would cut the curse.
I would cut the formation.
But the problem, as always…
…was ‘how.’
“Reveal yourself!”
Boom!
I stomped my foot forward.
I activated Beast Mode, unleashing my suppressed primal instincts.
My blood vessels expanded, my blood flow accelerating.
I focused all that power into my eyes.
My capillaries bulged, threatening to burst, but they were reinforced by my magic power.
Tears of blood streamed down my face.
It was only four days since my last spar with Transylvania, so activating Beast Mode again put a significant strain on my body.
But focusing all my power into my eyes for a second would be enough.
One second was enough to see things that were normally invisible.
“I see it!”
And just before Beast Mode deactivated…
…I found it.
A faint, shimmering orb at the center of the formation.
A strange structure, made of demonic energy, invisible to ordinary sight.
My intuition told me…
That was the formation’s weakness.
Its core.
I had to cut that.
That was all I needed.
As a swordsman, if I had something to cut, I didn’t need anything else.
I would just cut it, without question.
I couldn’t see or feel it now that Beast Mode had deactivated, but…
The orb was definitely there.
I had memorized its location.
Now, all I had to do was take a deep breath.
Raise my sword, and swing.
I didn’t know if this attack would shatter the orb.
I would simply put all my strength into it.
If I failed, I would be struck by the reflected counterattack and die.
If I succeeded, I would win.
It was a simple gamble.
“Cut!”
Clang!
A shattering sound echoed through the air, though there was nothing there.
The pressure that had been weighing me down vanished.
The red flashes that had been dancing around me faded away.
The last thread of red light reached Alicia’s heart, then vanished with a pop.
And then, something unclean, nestled deep within Alicia’s chest, was revealed.
Had she been under a curse all this time?!
“Sister…”
Alicia looked around, her eyes wide with disbelief.
She was unharmed.
Her restraints were gone, and she was free.
Seeing that, I felt a surge of emotion.
I dropped my sword and ran towards Alicia.
“Waaaaah! I was so scared!”
Thank goodness.
Thank goodness she was safe.
I embraced Alicia.
And I cried, and cried, and cried.
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“Waaaaah! I was so scared!”
“Huh…”
Transylvania clicked her tongue, watching the two beastmen, tangled together, sobbing in the ruined formation.
‘She could have just dragged the rabbit beastman out of the formation, and the curse would have been broken.’
It was a 3rd stage, multi-layered formation with two curses: a slowing curse and an attack reflection curse.
The solution was extremely simple.
Just get out of the formation.
Don’t fight inside it.
The blood oath embedded in the rabbit beastman’s heart would also break the moment she left the formation.
The formation’s creator, Yoo-jin, had probably anticipated this solution,
‘Drag Alicia out of the formation.’
‘To think she actually broke the formation that was designed to be unbreakable…’
Was her understanding of curses that abysmal?
It seemed the Queen of Palana had mistakenly assumed that she couldn’t move Alicia without disabling the formation.
She had perceived the formation as just another ‘thing to cut.’
And she had seen the formation’s core, which should have been invisible to non-curse users, and cut it.
Could the formation’s core actually be cut physically?
It was a sight Transylvania had never seen in her centuries of life. It was baffling.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Y-Yes, Sister… But Yoo-jin-”
“I know! Yoo-jin was captured by that evil curse user too! I’ll kill him… I’ll chew that bastard up…”
Alicia’s ears drooped, overwhelmed by Yerina’s killing intent.
She trembled in fear, embraced by Yerina, but Yerina, unable to see Alicia’s face, just assumed that she was still terrified of the curse user.
She hugged her even tighter.
‘Sorry, Yoo-jin. If you get caught, you’re going straight to the ice cave.’
Transylvania decided to offer Yoo-jin her condolences in advance.
He had miscalculated.
He should have factored in this woman’s twisted affection and madness for him.
If Yerina caught him and learned the truth, he wouldn’t meet a happy ending.
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