WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: smol_anon

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 29: Episode 7 - Landlord (2)

The Ten Evils.

The list and ranking of these Ten Evils might vary across Yu Junghyeok's different regressions, but in this world governed by the Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse, these ten were consistently cast as the primary villains.

Gong Pildu, the Armament Lord of Chungmuro, was one of these Ten Evils.

Therefore, if anyone had finished reading TWSA (admittedly, just me), they would undoubtedly recognize Gong Pildu.

[Green Zone 56/70]

Indeed, the size of his "room" alone set him apart. A room so vast it was impossible to gauge its size. The entire area was Pildu’s Green Zone.

For now, I decided to go by the book. Shielding Gilyeong behind me, I spoke up.

"Why do you charge coins here? Chungmuro Station is public property, isn't it?"

"Haha, it was until recently. But not anymore."

For an average human, 500 coins wasn't a trivial amount. And they wanted 500 coins just for stepping on their land... These guys were basically robbers.

"Fine, I'll pay. But I'll pay directly."

"What?"

"You're not Gong Pildu, are you?"

The guy was talking big as if he was Pildu himself, but he was just an extra from the "Landlord Coalition."

Where are you, Gong Pildu?

I quickly scanned my surroundings. Not him, not him either… If I were Gong Pildu, where would I be?

"Haha, you're a funny guy. Are you messing with—"

"Gong Pildu-ssi, where are you? Come get your fine."

Ignoring the guy, I started walking forward.

[You have trespassed on private property!]

A turret rose, immediately targeting me, but I didn't stop. Honestly, there was no guarantee I'd escape unharmed if the turret started firing. But I needed to show some grit here, or Pildu would take me lightly.

"That's far enough. One more step, and you die."

And finally, Gong Pildu made his move. A middle-aged man, comfortably seated on a bench surrounded by various supplies, glanced up from a magazine to look my way.

As expected, it matched the novel’s description. A slightly protruding belly, a balding head… This was indeed Gong Pildu, the representative of the Landlord Coalition.

"Not a face I recognize, but you’ve got guts."

"Considering I'm already upset about having to pay, there’s no need to hold back my attitude, right?"

[The character Gong Pildu has taken an interest in you.]

I was popular with villains, it seemed—first Kim Namwoon, now Gong Pildu.

"You're a smooth talker, but it'd be wise not to get too cocky."

He spoke with a friendly neighborhood uncle's smile, but I knew better. Gong Pildu was far from an ordinary neighborhood man.

[The exclusive skill Character Profile has been activated.]

+

<Character Details>

Name: Gong Pildu

Age: 48

Patron constellation: Defense Master

Exclusive attribute: Landlord (Rare), Land Owner (Rare)

Exclusive skills: [Private Property Lv.3], [Patience Lv.1], [Profit Calculation Lv.2], [Leadership Lv.2], [Incitement Lv.1], [Weapons Proficiency Lv.1]

Stigma: [Armed Zone Lv.3]

Overall stats: [Constitution Lv.9], [Strength Lv.11], [Agility Lv.10], [Mana Lv.19]

Overall evaluation: Gong Pildu is the representative of the Chungmuro Landlord Coalition. His skill Private Property synergizes with his Stigma, Armed Zone, giving him a distinct advantage in large-scale battles. It is recommended to avoid antagonizing him.

*Currently using the Starter Pack.

*Currently using the Growth Pack.

+

Armament Lord Gong Pildu.

Reading his profile made it all the more real. Not only did he have two attributes already, but his mana level was 19. No wonder he could secure a seat among the Ten Evils.

"So, what's your purpose here? You don't look like you’re here just to pay the fine."

Sharp as expected. I hesitated momentarily.

Should I negotiate, or should I try to subdue him immediately?

If I went all out from the start, there was a slim chance of success. However, Gong Pildu's [Armed Zone] was a formidable stigma. If I attempted to subdue him, I’d have to be prepared to face the turret and possibly get seriously injured.

What to do… I didn't have spare coins for additional stats either.

"Just a friendly warning, but you might want to avoid any rash decisions."

Pildu smiled, looking past me. The armed forces of the Coalition were surrounding Hyeonseong and the others. I raised my hands with a smile.

"Calm down. Tenants have a predictable purpose when visiting landlords, don’t they?"

"A room?"

"Yes. I'd like for me and my companions to stay in Pildu-ssi's Green Zone."

This was essential.

To clear the third scenario safely, we had to stay within Gong Pildu's Green Zone. However, as expected, his response was immediate.

"No. We don’t allow outsiders in the Coalition. But I might reconsider if you each pay 500 coins daily."

500 coins per day? He spoke as if he were selling some coin package. He was worse than a dokkaebi.

"That's a bit much, but I can offer information in exchange."

"What kind of information?"

"Information about Yu Junghyeok."

Yu Junghyeok. At the mere mention of that name, the landlords' faces changed.

"Junghyeok? Are you talking about that guy who recently caused trouble…?"

"You bastard! What's your relationship with him?"

"Pildu-ssi, this guy seems suspicious!"

Good. They reacted.

I figured Junghyeok would have some conflict with the Landlord Coalition by now.

In the original story, Junghyeok in his third regression should’ve been locked in a fierce battle with the Coalition. But what was that guy doing right now?

Pildu looked at me with skeptical eyes and asked.

"What's your relationship with Yu Junghyeok?"

"We’re companions who've shared life and death together."

"...Shared life and death? Not ‘fought together’?"

"Close enough."

"And why should I believe that?"

"Don’t, if you don’t want to. It’s not like you’ll lose anything, is it?"

I replied nonchalantly. Pildu would be hard-pressed to reject my proposal. Right now, Junghyeok was the only one challenging his authority in Chungmuro.

[The character Gong Pildu activates the skill Profit Calculation Lv.2.]

"Why wouldn't I lose anything?"

...?

"How do I know you’re not some scam artist? Don’t underestimate experience. In my years, people who look like you always skip out on rent."

He was so spot on it was almost insulting. But I couldn’t afford to lose this verbal battle.

"Believe me or not, it’s your loss, really."

At my words, Pildu’s face turned thoughtful. Without any hesitation, I turned to leave. Showing no regret was key. That way, he'd be more inclined to feel regret himself.

"Hold on."

As expected.

"You haven’t paid the private property fine. Where do you think you’re going?"

Damn him. I turned around, forcing an awkward smile.

"How much was it? 100 coins?"

"No, including the kid, it’s 1,000 coins."

A vein popped on my forehead. Did this guy think 1,000 coins was just pocket change…?

"That’s a bit too steep."

Even the dokkaebi didn’t charge that much, and yet I had to pay this boomer 1,000 coins?

Pildu grinned.

"Then you’re disqualified as a tenant. Die."

Instinctively, I shoved the men around me aside and dashed toward my allies. The first gunshot echoed with a loud bang, and Hyeonseong had already positioned himself behind me with a metal shield. Truly dependable.

"...Dokja-ssi. I don’t think I can hold on much longer."

Yet, even Hyeonseong, with strength and constitution levels nearing 14, sounded tense. His arm muscles were trembling, indicating that he couldn’t hold out against the turret's barrage with his current stats. With Huiwon absent, a direct confrontation would likely result in casualties.

"Pildu-ssi, hold on a moment."

In that case, I couldn’t afford a losing fight.

"What now?"

"It’s in your best interest not to fight us right now."

"And why’s that?"

The loss should fall on someone else.

"Because if you fight us now, you’ll die here."

Pildu’s expression froze. Even without my explanation, he must’ve noticed. The person descending on the escalator from the first basement level was exuding an overpowering aura.

It would be strange not to notice someone with that kind of presence.

"My close companion is on his way."

Yu Junghyeok. I never thought I'd be so happy to see that bastard again.

"Master, that guy… He's the one who pretended to be your companion."

With a shrill voice, Jihye pointed at me. And walking beside her, our protagonist, who seemed like he was acting in his own personal drama, approached with a menacing glare directed straight at me.

[The character Yu Junghyeok is greatly agitated.]

[The exclusive skill Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint Stage 2 has been activated!]

A brief wave of dizziness swept over me, and then I could hear his thoughts.

「How did he get here so soon?」

I waved cheerfully at him.

"Hey there, Junghyeok."

「…」

"Been well? You look good."

「…」

Jihye and Pildu were glancing back and forth between Junghyeok and me, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. They looked like they were convinced there was no way Junghyeok and I could ever be "companions." The air between us grew taut with tension.

"These people don’t believe we're companions. Could you back me up a little?"

But I knew Junghyeok well. This guy might kill people as easily as breathing, but he was someone who always kept his promises.

[Multiple constellations are watching closely, awaiting the answer of the incarnation Yu Junghyeok.]

[The constellation Demonic Judge of Fire observes the loyalty of incarnation Yu Junghyeok.]

Especially now, when the constellations were paying attention.

「…」

Yu Junghyeok’s eyes bore into me, cold and unyielding. He opened his mouth, but before he could respond, I quickly added,

"Oh, and it’d be great if you let us use the restroom too!"

Following this, Yu Junghyeok drew his sword.

A little later, we were safely using the restroom and had managed to make our way down to the Line 3 platform. All thanks to my reliable regressor comrade. I smiled and said,

"Good to see you too, you bastard."

"…So you survived."

Ultimately, Junghyeok didn’t call me a companion. But he answered Gong Pildu’s question by simply pointing his sword at the latter. Reluctantly, Pildu, who wasn’t looking for a fight, decided to let us go.

"Did you hope I was dead?"

"I didn't care either way."

The nerve of this guy. The sight of his arrogant face only made me more irritated. I wanted to punch him right in the jaw, but I couldn’t act on that impulse.

[The exclusive skill Character Profile has been activated.]

[There is too much information about this figure. The Character Profile will be modified to a Character Profile Summary.]

The full version, please.

[Switching to Full Character Profile for the character Yu Junghyeok.]

+

<Character Details>

Name: Yu Junghyeok
Age: 28
Patron constellation: ???

Exclusive attributes: Regressor <3rd round> (Mythic), Pro-gamer (Rare)

Exclusive skills: [Sage's Eye Lv.8], [Close Combat Lv.8], [Advanced Weapons Proficiency Lv.5], [Defensive Qi Lv.5], [Mental Barrier Lv.5], [Crowd Control Lv.5], [Deduction Lv.5], [Lie Detection Lv.4]…

Stigma: [Regression Lv.3]

Overall stats: [Constitution Lv.24], [Strength Lv.24], [Agility Lv.25], [Mana Lv.23]

Overall evaluation: (The complete evaluation is too lengthy to load.)

+

When I read about him in the novel, it didn't feel like much, but seeing it in person made it clear just how extraordinary this guy was. He was just entering the third scenario, yet his combined stats for constitution, strength, and agility were already over 70. And those skill levels... Damn, this is why protagonists get all the buffs.

"Do you have more to say?"

It seemed Yu Junghyeok was growing even faster than he did in the original third regression. A faster growth rate meant he was taking on greater risks… What was this guy plotting? I was starting to feel uneasy. I might have to investigate him soon...

"I asked if you had more to say."

"No, I was just admiring your face."

「...He’s got nerve.」

Nerve, huh?

This guy was so lost in his edgy, dramatic persona.

「But his arrogance is bothersome. Should I just kill him right now?」

"I was joking."

I quickly offered a smile. Junghyeok, disinterested, looked away.

[The constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband is disappointed in you.]

I had no intention of fighting Yu Junghyeok right now.

For the countless scenarios ahead, Yu Junghyeok was a vital asset. Even if we didn’t become real companions, he was worth thoroughly using to my advantage.

...Why did it sound like I was making excuses, even when I was stating the truth?

"So, you've formed a party."

Junghyeok scanned me and then glanced at the people behind me, his expression unreadable.

[The character Yu Junghyeok is a bit disappointed in you.]

…Huh? Why?

The answer came quickly.

[The character Yu Junghyeok has activated the skill Sage's Eye Lv.8!]

「I left Hyeonseong with him, and that’s all he could accomplish?」

I couldn’t say anything for a moment. It was true. Hyeonseong would’ve probably grown more if he had been with Junghyeok rather than me. Still… damn it. I’m just a regular reader who happened to know the future.

「Below expectations.」

Hearing his thoughts made it feel even harsher than if he’d said it aloud. Then, as Junghyeok was surveying the group, his gaze stopped, and for the first time, a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.

「...What is that?」

Footnotes:

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried