WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

Chapter 121

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I Had a Drink

"Teacher. We've got a problem."

The immortal came to me with a bottle of liquor and asked for advice. I hadn't even told him to, but he poured drinks into our cups and spoke with a heavy tone, like he was carrying the weight of life alone.

"What is it?"

"Didn't you say we'd escape this place the next time sunlight appears?"

"I did."

"Hm. What will you do once you're out?"

Life advice, out of nowhere?

I hadn't decided anything. Staying alive came first, and I hadn't had the room to think past the escape.

So I answered without much thought.

"I'll probably go back to where I used to live first."

"The military state? I hear they show no mercy to criminals there. Can you really go back?"

"The military state shows no mercy even if you didn't do anything."

"Haha! That's true! I know that well!"

"And I was already a criminal anyway, so it's not like I have anything to lose."

"Oh, now that I didn't know!"

The immortal laughed heartily, knocked back a drink, then got to the point.

"Teacher, there's something I'm curious about. Callis said she can't go back to the military state now."

"She probably can't."

"Why can't someone as high as a lieutenant colonel return to her own country?"

"She belonged to a secret society. They won't leave a traitor alive. She'd be assassinated the moment she returns."

"Hm! Wouldn't the military state protect such a valuable officer?"

"Know the easiest way for the secret society to kill the lieutenant colonel? Report her for taking orders from a different secret society than the military state. She'd be arrested and executed on the spot."

Level 3 citizens, people too valuable to replace.

But only too valuable, not irreplaceable. The military state puts preservation of the system above all else, and it ruthlessly purges anyone who goes against it.

Even Level 4 citizens can be cut down without hesitation if they oppose that will...

Though by Level 4, there's usually no reason to oppose the military state in the first place.

"That's awfully rigid! I've always felt this, but the military state's standards are too strict!"

Once he got a firm answer that returning meant death, the immortal made up his mind and said,

"Then I have no choice. Even if hardship awaits, it's better than death. In that case, I'll take her with me when I leave the military state."

"You're leaving the military state?"

"I have to. Otherwise she dies, if not me. And I won't be welcome there anymore either."

"Anymore? Rashy-ssi, weren't you never really welcome to begin with?"

"Haha! Right where it hurts. How did you know?"

"The military state doesn't like anything outside standard specifications. Unless it's wartime."

"Haha. The military state really is consistent."

The immortal muttered bitterly. His sigh carried the sharp smell of alcohol and a deep trace of regret.

The liquor supplied by the regressor was the rare Cheonrahyangju, alcohol that gets you drunk while keeping your mind clear. A legendary drink said to have been used by ministers of the old empire when they wanted to drink in the middle of crushing work.

No way I could skip out in a moment like this. I also downed the liquor shimmering in front of me.

The alcohol slid down my throat and burned deep inside. Then the clear aroma left behind soaked through my whole body.

"Khh. That's killer. This is real liquor."

As expected of top-shelf stuff selected by a regressor. I started to hold back, then emptied the whole cup.

When I set it down on the table with a tap, the immortal nodded in delight.

"We should thank the boy! This is on a completely different level from that harsh, bitter military-state beer!"

"Don't compare this with that trash liquor. It's a monstrosity made by cramming water-compression tech into cheap beer to boost ration and transport efficiency."

I still don't understand why something called standard-issue beer is classed as a Level 2 luxury item. Luxury should at least be luxurious.

"If you don't mix it with water, you can't tell whether it's beer or some horrible sludge that feels like someone smacking your head while you're swallowing barley porridge. Why is that a luxury item? It's the damage of efficiency-ism. Same result doesn't mean it's the same thing."

"Hahaha! That's a good description! I was surprised too. How did this become a country where you can't even drink properly?"

As our glasses went back and forth, conversation did too.

People with no shared memories tend to bond over hating the same thing at the drinking table. Like a true back-alley resident of the military state, I ripped into the place without mercy, and while the immortal agreed, he kept showing lingering attachment.

I asked,

"You haven't even been in this country long. Why are you so attached?"

"It's not that I'm attached. I regret that I couldn't become attached."

"If you're not attached, then just leave cleanly."

"That's what I regret. Even if I leave the military state, I don't think I'll miss it at all."

What are you talking about? That's obvious. Even the people living there probably don't miss it.

The immortal filled his cup to the brim and murmured,

"I thought the military state was an astonishing nation. It built cities, raised dams, laid roads. It even made the land flow like a river and connected the entire country."

"One of its few real achievements."

"In contrast, my tribe was only happy to plant the giant beans made by the military state. Maybe because we do not die, we have no ferocity at all. I admired the military state because it kept trying to build things."

Our cups clinked. He drained his drink and leaned back. His gaze drifted into the distance.

"In my tribe, from childhood we drink dirt-mixed water and eat dirt-covered grain and meat. Then on the day of the coming-of-age rite, we gather the energy built up in our bodies into one part. After that, we cut off the part closest to the earth and offer it to Mother Earth."

As the immortal talked about his tribe's tradition, there was a trace of remorse and longing in him. He rubbed his right arm and said,

"In that way, we offer a part of ourselves, bury it in the ground, and gain a new body. My right arm is that very thing, an Offering Deity."

So that's why his right arm kept running around on its own. He really had done some bizarre ritual.

Humans really do insane things like it's nothing.

"It did give us immortality... but maybe because of that, we stagnated. The military state builds a nation of iron, while all we've managed is changing what beans we plant. I got sick of seeing the same scenery I saw as a child, so I came to see the military state. But."

The immortal looked around once. The concrete color that seemed to symbolize the military state filled his eyes.

"I don't know. When I thought of my tribe, I felt resentment and longing. But this country... stirs nothing in me."

"Being locked in prison and left torn to pieces might do that."

"Haha. No. I don't care about something that trivial."

How is that trivial?

He laughed it off with that very immortal perspective and poured the rest of the liquor into his cup.

"Even if I stay longer, nothing will improve. I committed a crime, so I can't stay anyway. I've seen what I came to see, so it's time to leave."

Then he downed it in one shot and made his decision clear.

"I will cross the border and go to Great Mother. I'll ask Callis to come with me too, though I don't know whether she'll agree."

Of course she'll agree. She probably brought this up aiming for exactly that.

The immortal stood up. His face was a little red, but he walked just fine. He looked surprised at himself.

"Maybe because it's delicious liquor! I've had this much and only the buzz has risen, my mind is still crystal clear!"

"It's Cheonrahyangju, clear-drunken liquor. It only lifts your mood and doesn't harm your body."

"What a world. So many strange liquors!"

"You asked me to drink without even knowing what it was?"

"What would I know! Callis said we should drink, so I brought it out!"

Huh. Callis?

Then why bring it to me? Let's read his memory.

A quick skim showed that Callis had played the tragic heroine. With a wistful look, she said she had nowhere left to go and wanted to drink because she felt heavy. Together, if possible.

The immortal accepted and went to get the liquor.

"But once I brought it out, I realized Callis is an injured patient who can't even walk properly! I took the cup away before she could drink! Hah, that was close!"

So she got caught in her own trick. She's recovered enough to sneak food at night, so who told her to pretend she was still badly hurt?

Still, there was one problem.

"...And you brought it straight to me?"

"The bottle was already opened, so what else could I do? Someone had to drink it!"

"Why me of all people?"

"I can't give it to the young boy or to the blood demon who can't taste anything! Same with the beast ladies, so by elimination only you were left, teacher! And I had things I wanted to ask you anyway!"

If you do that, I'm the one who takes Callis's resentment.

This is why you read memories first when someone brings alcohol. Guess it's been a while, my guard slipped.

It wasn't malicious, so I didn't mind much, but Callis does have her wish.

I sighed and pointed at the cabinet.

"Rashy-ssi. There's medicinal liquor in that cabinet too. It's said to be full of fiery energy that defeats all kinds of impure forces and heals the body."

"Oh! There's such a strange liquor too?"

"Yeah. That one should be fine even for a patient."

"You should've told me sooner! She would've recovered faster!"

Not even realizing she was already recovered, the immortal hurried over and pulled out the medicinal liquor. He grabbed another cup, took a few pieces of meat for snacks, and left his seat.

"Then I'll be off!"

I waved him off.

Feel the cruelty of civilization, barbarian. You're already trapped.

Anyway, after getting out of here.

Hm. I've never thought about it.

First, I'll go back to the back alleys of Amitenggrad and collect the assets and items I hid.

After that, I don't know.

Nothing is more meaningless than grand future plans. The future is unpredictable. For someone who's been stuck for so long in an isolated Abyss, trying to predict the flow of the world is absurd.

Get out, gather information, and based on that, do my best each time.

To avoid danger and survive.

I'd had just enough to drink and felt good, so I stepped out into the yard to play with Azzy. I even brought a piece of chicken for her.

Then I saw something strange.

"Nyaa! Stop right there, nyaa!"

Beyond the space lit by the day lights, deeper in the dark.

Nabi was running in zigzags after a round light that kept fleeing.

"Nyaa! Pretty fast! But you can't keep up with my speed... huh? Nyaa?"

Something seemed to dart through the darkness where I could barely see, then Nabi dropped down smack onto the searchlight beam. She cried out triumphantly and pinned the light with her front paw.

But the light had no substance. It slipped through her claws, then slithered over the ground and fled. Nabi got even more riled up and chased after it.

"Nya! Nya! Pretty quick, nyaa!"

"Woof woof!"

"Nyat! Stupid dog, move, nyaa!"

This time Azzy appeared and stomped on the round light. Of course Azzy couldn't grab it either, and while she missed, the round light zigzagged away again.

That's strange. Searchlights are supposed to track objects. Why was it avoiding Nabi and Azzy?

I turned my head to look.

On top of the searchlight mounted on the outer prison wall, the regressor stood lightly and moved the beam herself.

The regressor was actually playing with Azzy and Nabi. And with this game, of all things.

"Will the sun rise in the west now?"

She used to say she couldn't handle them like beasts while in human form. Did she finally change her mind?

The regressor had been absorbed in moving the light, then met my eyes and flustered.

"Ah, uh. This is..."

"What brought this on? You're playing with them?"

"No, it's..."

'Nabi was chasing the searchlight by herself, but the light wasn't moving...'

Searchlights were made to chase escapees. Rather than run from Nabi, they'd try to follow her. So even if Nabi pawed at the light, it didn't move.

So after a while, Nabi would get bored with a light that only shone on her and come back. Prey that doesn't run isn't fun.

"So you felt bad seeing how disappointed she was, and moved the light yourself? Then Azzy joined in too?"

"Don't misunderstand! I just thought smoking mana herb all day might be bad, so I just..."

The regressor made excuses like she'd done something wrong.

Who said anything? What did she think I was going to misunderstand?

"Mr. Shei, good job."

"What?"

"Wow, you finally grew up. That's right. If you raise animals, you have to help care for them. Do you know how hard it's been doing all that alone every day... Whew. I'm so moved I could cry."

"You're lying. The corners of your eyes are dry."

"It's a figure of speech."

The regressor smirked and steered the light again. She moved the searchlight so Nabi and Azzy couldn't catch it easily, then suddenly blurted out,

"The tinned food you gave me. I've been using it well."

"As snacks?"

"Yeah. They liked it. I thought they'd hate it because it stinks and tastes bad..."

"Why are you the one eating it?"

"I only tasted it! Beast King or not, this body is still human! I had to check in case they couldn't eat it!"

"It wasn't made for humans, so of course it tastes fishy when you eat it. The only one here who eats both human food and dog food is Azzy. Trying to feed them human food in the first place is what's weird."

That's when it happened, in the middle of that ordinary conversation.

Thud.

The ground shook, and the searchlights suddenly started moving on their own.

The regressor had already taken her hand off the searchlight. Eyes wide, she glared toward the direction the sound had come from.

The searchlights detected a new intruder and pursued the trace. The beams that had been scattered in all directions moved in straight lines and converged on one point.

And at the point where those lines crossed, at the end of them.

One person stood there.

A tall woman with apricot-colored skin.

Black hair tied in a single strand flowed down her back. Earrings shaped like little human dolls swayed at her ears. Beneath loose, Taoist-like clothes, tightly trained muscles flashed into view. Five bracelets chimed a beat late.

"Woof! Danger!"

"Nyanyat! I was first, nyaa!"

Right on cue, the two Beast Kings arrived chasing the light. Azzy realized there was a human and twisted course, but Nabi, fully absorbed in play, charged at the woman at full speed.

A swinging front paw. A human directly in that trajectory. A Beast King's charge, an attack that's practically a disaster to humans.

But.

Thud.

Nabi's front paw was blocked by the woman's arm.

By spreading her legs and raising one arm, she withstood Nabi's strike.

No, can this even be called withstanding?

If a cat scratches a giant tree, do you call that the tree "enduring" an attack?

No one would put it that way. A giant tree was never going to break from a cat's claws. It was simply there, and the cat came and scratched it.

In that sense, she was like a giant tree.

And that wasn't all.

Azzy should've lost her balance while trying to avoid the suddenly appeared human and rolled on the ground.

Instead, Azzy was tucked under the woman's arm.

"Woof woof?"

While Azzy dangled there in confusion,

"King of Dogs, King of Cats. It seems I have found the right place. O Mother Earth, I give thanks. By your grace, I found my way even in this hell."

A low prayer rang out.

Nabi and Azzy both calmed down once caught in that sturdy body. Alone, and purely through physical ability, she had taken both Beast Kings head-on. It was an absurd feat.

The regressor's eyes widened.

'Why is she already here? She wasn't supposed to arrive until much later!'

When Azzy squirmed under her arm, the woman carefully set her down. Azzy hopped around her in little circles.

"Woof! Hello! Nice to meet you!"

"An honor, King of Dogs. A follower of Mother Earth greets the representative of existence."

She bowed to Azzy, and Azzy bobbed her head back in imitation.

"King of Cats..."

But Nabi, ever wary, had already run far away and was glaring at the stranger. The woman gave Nabi a small smile, then turned her gaze toward the prison.

Ah, our eyes met. She looked this way and shouted,

"I am a passing traveler!"

Then came another stomp.

Thud.

That small yet massive gesture announcing her arrival shook all of Tantalus.

"This meeting too was guided by Mother Earth. I ask to be hosted for one day as a traveler!"

All the world lies within Mother Earth's embrace, and all who set foot upon it are connected.

A host must not refuse a traveler, and a traveler must be as diligent as the host's own hands and feet.

The devout follower of Mother Earth invoked the old rules.

But to begin with.

If someone could come to this place where all ties with the world were severed, this Abyss that was their hell.

Then naturally, she was no ordinary believer.

Before I could read the memories of that follower of Mother Earth, I heard a thought from the regressor.

'Agent of Mother Earth. Jiseon!'

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