WeTried Translations

Translator: Joy

Editor: Joy

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Damned Transmigration ◈

Chapter 21: Unpredictable elements

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‘Why is he coming?’

Yuri wondered as Elena helped him into the house.

Moonlit Reveller, Chuk-sin-doo, one of the Four Guardians of the Martial Apex Venerables. A crazy bastard who did not even try to hide that he was a transmigrator with a name like that. Despite walking around like that without being hunted down, he had risen to the seventh tier as a martial artist and become a Martial Apex Venerable.

UrMumSpammer.

Chuk-sin-doo.

Cat Panties.

FUCKINGSEXY.

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎.

Those five, including Yuri, Lee Su-hyeok, had been known for all the wrong reasons on the overseas community boards. Lee Su-hyeok, who had only ever exchanged sensible opinions with other players, felt deeply wronged. Back when the community had been thriving, he had been called an idiot simply for being friends with those bastards.

Unlike the unfairly maligned Lee Su-hyeok, the other four deserved to be called idiots. The worst of them were USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎ and Chuk-sin-doo, who competed fiercely for the title.

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎ used an image of a rabbit-eared female character in every post and added USA to the end of every sentence.

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎

Isn't my character cute USA?

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎

How do I kill this guy USA?

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎

How do I get in here USA?

At first, Yuri could not figure out what the fuck USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎ was talking about. Only after turning off the auto-translate did he finally understand.

Isn't my character cute, usa?

How do I kill this one, usa?

How do I get in here, usa?

It turned out that USA did not mean America.

[Why the fuck do you keep sticking USA onto the end of everything?]

[Because I'm a rabbit, usa.]

[What bullshit is that?]

[I'm a cute rabbit, usa.]

After they could speak one-on-one, Yuri had asked why, but he still could not understand why USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎ added USA to every sentence. He did not think he needed to understand, so he left it alone.

If USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎ was an incomprehensible lunatic, Chuk-sin-doo was at least someone Yuri could understand to some extent. Unlike USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎, he could hold a relatively normal conversation.

[Are you Korean?]

[If you're UrMumSpammer, does that mean I can make mum jokes?]

[Do you have a mum?]

Chuk-sin-doo was an extremely active communicator who showed the warm camaraderie of a fellow Korean by commenting first on UrMumSpammer’s posts.

But that cheerful Korean sometimes went so wild that communication became impossible, especially on days when the footballer he followed had a match.

[Our hyung is insane LOLLLLLLLLL]

Yuri had no idea what was supposedly insane, but whenever there was a match, Chuk-sin-doo would begin posting nonsense several hours beforehand, calling it commentary practice.

Once the match started, he commentated on every single action the player took.

He commentated even when the player was not on camera.

If the player went to the bench, he filled the board with profanity instead of commentary.

Chuk-sin-doo was not the only football fan in the community. Overseas users enraged by his commentary would bring up trophies and scores to dampen his spirits, and every time, Chuk-sin-doo would counter with doctored images from who knew where.

“Hey!!!!!”

That madman was coming to Rutlan. Yuri did not know exactly when, but Chuk-sin-doo had said it would be sometime this year.

‘Are we friends...?’

Yuri considered it seriously. As fellow Koreans, UrMumSpammer, Chuk-sin-doo, and Cat Panties had talked fairly often.

[You mum-joking bastard, don't quit before then. I'll buy you a drink when I get there, lol.]

The promise had never been fulfilled, but they had made plans to drink together.

“...”

There was no need to think about it. The answer had already been decided. He should not approach Chuk-sin-doo.

Before becoming Yuri, he had been warned not to trust other transmigrators. No matter what kind of person Chuk-sin-doo was, Yuri had no reason to approach him first and announce that he was a transmigrator. Perhaps Chuk-sin-doo insisted on using that name so he could hunt the transmigrators who eagerly came looking for him.

‘Among transmigrators, there are those who devour other transmigrators to fatten their souls.’

There was no guarantee that Chuk-sin-doo was not one of them.

“I can’t make dinner.”

His body was still as heavy as a rock. Yuri sprawled across the sofa as he spoke, and Elena stared at him incredulously.

“I’ll eat on my own, so you just rest!”

“Alright...”

“What about your meal? Should I make something for you?”

“If Yuri eats your cooking, he might die.”

“Fuck, you startled me.”

Yuri whipped his head around at the sudden voice.

“When did you get here?”

He had honestly not even realized she was there. Haryeong stood by the window with an impassive expression and shrugged.

“It hurts my feelings to hear you say that.”

“Were you hiding on purpose?”

“I was hiding, but not because I had done anything wrong.”

“Then why were you hiding?”

“You may not know this, Yuri-nim, but it is taboo to watch someone else train in martial arts. Fist Wolf Bakerd-nim is exchanging the Fist of the Rending Cloud with you amicably, but I am not.”

“Hmm... that’s true.”

“You should have told me before training. I returned with the young lady without thinking much of it, then found Yuri-nim immersed in a trance and swinging his fists. Do you know how startled I was?”

“But I am a courteous assassin. I did not continue watching. I quietly backed away and went back outside through the main gate.”

Hearing that, Yuri realized Haryeong was right. She had been considerate of him. He blinked, then bowed his head to her.

“Th-thank you.”

“That is enough. In any case, the young lady’s cooking is not fit to eat, so have some bread.”

“I can fry bacon, at least.”

Elena glared at Haryeong.

“I learned for the first time today that frying bacon counts as cooking.”

“Haryeong, aren’t you going home?”

Normally, Haryeong would not enter the mansion once Elena returned. Yet today, she came all the way into the living room and sat on the sofa.

“There is something bothering me. I will talk for a moment, then leave.”

“What is it?”

“Is Moonlit Reveller really coming to Rutlan?”

“Well... I do not know the exact date, but apparently he is coming sometime this year.”

“Why is he coming?”

“How would we know?”

“Even Haryeong-nim does not know?”

“No. I heard that Moonlit Reveller was coming to Rutlan for the first time today.”

Haryeong folded her arms and frowned. Since she rarely revealed her emotions through her expression, the fact that she was frowning so openly suggested Chuk-sin-doo’s visit was no small matter.

“Maybe he’s coming for a visit.”

“That would be preferable, but since he informed Bakerd-nim beforehand, there may be a scheduled matter in Rutlan.”

“A scheduled matter...”

Elena tilted her head, unable to think of anything. After pondering for a moment, Haryeong spoke.

“The events at the Le Seyun auction house were strange as well. Harabel Ushia-nim, the Crimson Wing, a seventh-tier mage, personally put the formula for Scorching Blaze up for sale.”

“Yeah.”

“There may have been some sort of deal between Crimson Wing-nim and the Ascard Family. Moonlit Reveller’s reason for visiting Rutlan may also be connected to the Ascard Family.”

Haryeong’s dark eyes fixed on Elena. Under that lingering gaze, Elena blinked and pointed at herself.

“Me? Why?”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“About what?”

“Why is Moonlit Reveller coming to Rutlan? Why did Harabel-nim put the formula for Scorching Blaze up at the Le Seyun auction house?”

“...”

“The Tower Master of the Dersia Mage Tower has been friends with the Ascard Family Head for a long time. Would she not know the circumstances?”

“Y-you want me to ask her directly?”

“You are curious as well, are you not?”

Elena could not answer immediately, her eyes shifting from side to side. She was curious. But more than Moonlit Reveller’s reason for visiting, she wanted to know why Crimson Wing had put one of her unique spell formulas up at the Le Seyun auction house.

“Could it be because of the Namgung Family?”

Yuri, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“Orca-nim said it before. The Ascard Family does not like the Namgung Family.”

“So Yuri-nim believes the Ascard Family invited Moonlit Reveller to keep the Namgung Family in check?”

“Yes.”

“It is not impossible, but I find myself wondering whether they would really need to.”

Haryeong shook her head.

“The Ascard Family can drive out the Namgung Family using only the power it already possesses. They merely leave them alone because there is no need to act.”

“Is the Ascard Family that powerful?”

“Yes, they are. Their military power may be inferior to the Namgung Family’s, but the city of Rutlan itself is the Ascard Family’s power. They can also borrow the military power they lack from the Dersia Mage Tower.”

With that, Haryeong rose from the sofa.

“If you do not know, there is no reason for me to stay longer. I will take my leave.”

“Will you investigate separately?”

“I believe I should. No matter how bizarre Moonlit Reveller may be, he likely would not visit Rutlan for a negative reason and deliberately rampage through the city... but he is an unpredictable madman. If Moonlit Reveller decides to rampage through the city, there will be many difficulties in escorting Lady Elena.”

A bizarre and unpredictable madman... What on earth had Chuk-sin-doo done after transmigrating to earn such an evaluation? It seemed he had done more than merely reveal himself through his name.

“To challenge such a madman to a duel. Bakerd-nim must be quite the madman himself.”

“Couldn’t he win?”

“There is a difference in class between the sixth and seventh tiers. There may be an outside chance, but if the duel takes place, I believe Bakerd-nim will certainly lose. In any case, Yuri-nim, fighting from tomorrow.”

“What am I fighting for?”

“I overheard Bakerd-nim, and he seemed to be burning with motivation. Bakerd-nim will likely not teach as gently as I do.”

Leaving that taunt behind, Haryeong left the mansion.

‘Motivation...’

After seeing the secret manual for the Fist of the Rending Cloud and performing its forms today, Yuri had felt many things.

He could manage on his own somehow, but learning the basics of fist techniques properly from Bakerd, who had reached a high realm as a martial artist, was a good opportunity.

He had also felt the need to train his external arts. Bakerd had offered to teach him for a month, so if things went well, Yuri might gain advice beyond the Fist of the Rending Cloud.

“Are you eating?”

Elena was heading toward the kitchen when she turned back to Yuri with a small smile.

“Let’s just fry bacon.”

He seemed likely to receive intense instruction from tomorrow onward. He did not want to eat anything strange and upset his stomach.

* * *

The Tower Master’s room occupied the entire top floor of the Dersia Mage Tower.

“What do you want to say that has you acting so cautiously and fidgeting?”

Orca sat on the sunlit window ledge, twirling a teacup hooked over one finger as she sneered.

“Or are you planning to muddle my mind with this poison and squeeze an answer out of me? If so, it is useless. The Tower Master of Dersia will never yield to torture.”

“You are being far too harsh.”

Elena stopped tidying the cluttered desk covered with books and papers, then glared at Orca.

“You were the one who said you sometimes missed my tea, Tower Master.”

“I did say that. But I drank your tea a few days ago. My mouth still remembers the hell of that day, so I do not miss it now.”

“No matter how bad tea tastes...”

“Elena, your tea is exquisitely awful. Your brewing method, the time, the water temperature, even your sense in choosing tea leaves and cups are all dreadful.”

“You really are too much.”

“Elena. Fortunately for you, the things you lack have been replaced by talent for magic. That is why you are here, at the top floor of the Dersia Mage Tower.”

Orca chuckled as she released the teacup from her finger. It did not fall. It floated through the air with magic and settled on the desk Elena had been organizing.

“Your talent not only allows you to remain here, it also allows you to ask me personal questions. So stop hesitating and ask.”

“The formula for Scorching Blaze appeared at the Le Seyun auction house.”

Elena sighed deeply and perched on the edge of the desk.

“I heard Harabel Ushia-nim personally sold the formula. Do you know why?”

“A debt.”

Orca was not surprised to hear that the formula for Scorching Blaze had appeared. She already knew about the matter between Crimson Wing and the Ascard Family.

“The burning ancient tree on Surtr Volcano bears the essence of fire energy as fruit once every hundred years. The Ascard Family had watched over it for a long time in order to obtain it, and they finally acquired the fruit.”

Since it was a story that had not spread as a rumor among the public, Elena listened closely. Orca looked fondly at her prospective disciple’s eyes, glittering with curiosity, and continued.

“But the burning fruit never made it back to the Ascard Family. Crimson Wing, who had not yet reached the seventh tier at the time, intervened, stole the fruit, took Delia Ascard hostage, and fled.”

“D-Delia Ascard?”

Elena’s eyes widened. Delia Ascard was the direct granddaughter of the current Family Head.

“Even Crimson Wing likely had no intention of demanding ransom money. She probably intended to release Delia after securing the burning fruit, but Alfreon came to find me over his kidnapped granddaughter. So I went after Crimson Wing.”

Orca chuckled softly as she recalled that time.

“I secured Delia’s safety, subdued Crimson Wing, and brought her before Alfreon. Interestingly, Alfreon forgave the kidnapping of his granddaughter and gave Crimson Wing the burning fruit as a gift. Then he imposed two conditions on her.”

“What conditions?”

“One was that when Crimson Wing reached the seventh tier, she would put one of her unique spell formulas up at the Le Seyun auction house. The other was that she would grant one request from the Ascard Family. Alfreon showed great mercy simply by not attaching the word ‘unconditional.’ To be honest, I thought Alfreon would kill Crimson Wing.”

Orca smiled again as she looked at Elena.

“He even gave Crimson Wing the right to choose the formula. Naturally, she chose one she could afford to give up, but a seventh-tier mage’s unique spell formula has great value. Since such a formula appeared at a public auction rather than a secret auction, Le Seyun’s name must have grown even greater. Le Seyun must have gained dozens of VIPs, and powerful figures will surely attend the next secret auction in droves.”

“Powerful figures...”

Elena, captivated by the story, murmured quietly.

“Could Moonlit Reveller be coming to Rutlan because of the secret auction?”

Orca’s smile vanished at those words. Her eyes widened as she looked at Elena.

“Moonlit Reveller? One of the Four Guardians of the Martial Apex Venerables?”

“Yes.”

“He is coming to Rutlan? Who told you that?”

The fact that Orca, who seemed to know everything, was asking that question flustered Elena. After blinking for a moment, she told Orca about the auction house and what had happened yesterday.

“Fist Wolf Bakerd...”

Orca stroked her chin and sank into thought.

“He must be coming as a guest of the Ascard Family.”

“That’s what you think too?”

“You do not need to worry. He is famous as a madman, but he is a relatively harmless one.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means he does not do truly mad things. More than Moonlit Reveller, I am interested in your childhood friend.”

Orca wore a mischievous smile as she stared at Elena.

“I thought he had talent when I glimpsed him before, but perhaps his talent exceeded what I expected. It seems my eyes are not entirely accurate. Had I known, I should have brought him along when I took you ten years ago.”

“His talent for magic seemed ordinary, though.”

“You said he consumed half an Azure Heaven Pill, correct? It is not a bad level. If he had been carefully raised for ten years, he would have become something.”

Orca was not particularly stingy with praise. But it was extremely rare for her to praise someone who was neither part of the Dersia Mage Tower nor even a mage. At Yuri being praised and acknowledged, Elena’s lips and cheeks twitched involuntarily.

“A-ahem. Yuri said he wants to learn magic someday. When that time comes, I will try teaching him.”

“A martial artist is different from a mage.”

Orca turned her gaze toward the window.

“A mage can train alone until reaching a certain realm. They need only grow accustomed to spell formulas and focus on casting magic. But martial artists are different.”

“...”

“My eyes may not be entirely accurate, but I can say this much with certainty. Elena. Your childhood friend is not suited to be either an ornament or a pet. He is better suited to eat prey rather than feed.”

“Yes...”

Elena answered in a small voice.

“Even so, I am thinking of taking Yuri with me on an Adventurer’s Guild request next time.”

“So you do not intend to send him alone.”

“I-I will only go with him at first.”

With that excuse added at the end, Elena left the room. Orca remained seated on the windowsill, looking outside. She let out a short sigh and shook her head.

“This is not good.”

Fist Wolf Bakerd’s instruction would end in a month.

‘I’ll have to take another look.’

Footnotes:

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