WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: smol_anon

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 45: Episode 10 - Future War (3)

The scenario had barely started, and yet, it was already happening?

I tried to recall the original story, but I didn’t remember the invasion starting this early. It meant a variable had emerged. Soon, the headlights cut out, and I could hear the murmurs of voices in the darkness.

“Ah, we’ve finally broken through Chungmuro.”

“Hah, it sure took a while to clear such a simple scenario.”

“Hey, quiet down. They can hear us. Don’t you know each station has different scenarios?”

I signaled my group, and they picked up their weapons and stood up. The key to a battle was to take control of the position first.

I took the lead, followed by Hyeonseong and Huiwon, with Sangah bringing up the rear. Gilyeong was still asleep, so we left him where he was.

A few seconds passed, and four figures emerged from the darkness, walking toward us. I called out to them.

“Stop right there.”

“Oh? Well, well.”

The man halted in surprise at the sight of my drawn blade. The gleaming bike came into view. I could hear weapons being drawn in the darkness, but the man’s voice was faster.

“Wait a minute. Let’s all calm down. Goodness, this is scary. Can’t we just talk?”

“Drop your weapons and approach slowly.”

The man obediently laid his weapon on the ground and raised his hands as he came closer. Under the light, his appearance wasn’t bad—his face carried a reasonably friendly look, with thin eyes curving gently.

“Please don’t be so wary. We didn’t come here to fight.”

“Then...?”

“Well, let me introduce myself first. I’m Kang Ilhun, the deputy leader of the ‘Dongdaemun Group.’”

Kang Ilhun? It wasn’t a name that immediately rang a bell. Plus, he was the deputy leader of Dongdaemun... something felt off.

[The exclusive skill Character Profile has been activated.]

The fact that the skill worked meant he was definitely a character from the novel.

+

<Character Details>

Name: Kang Ilhun

Age: 31

Patron constellation: Talkative Schemer

Exclusive attributes: Rumor Specialist (Common)

Exclusive skills: [Weapons Proficiency Lv.2], [Speech Lv.3], [Rumor Mill Lv.1]

Stigma: [Incitement Lv.1]

Overall stats: [Vitality Lv.12], [Strength Lv.13], [Agility Lv.13], [Mana Lv.10]

Overall evaluation: Despite being matched with the wrong sponsor, limiting his potential, he possesses decent stats to serve as a regular soldier. Given his propensity to spread rumors, be cautious around him.

+

A rumor specialist, huh... It was already time for these types to start showing up.

Kang Ilhun looked at me nervously.

“And may I ask your name?”

“Kim Dokja.”

“Ah, Kim Dokja...?”

Upon hearing my name, a flicker of surprise crossed Ilhun’s face, but it was only for a moment.

“Nice to meet you, Kim Dokja-ssi. I see you have the flag, so you must be the representative.”

“That’s right.”

He scrutinized me carefully and then glanced at the others around me, likely assessing our strength. He was observant, but unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong opponent.

“Finished with your assessment? Let’s get to the point.”

“Haha, my apologies. We had to ensure our safety as well.”

Ilhun continued without faltering.

“As I mentioned, we didn’t come here to fight. We’re here to make a... ‘proposition.’”

I glanced at the people accompanying Kang Ilhun. None of them had a flag.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“Well, if you’ve read the rules, you’d know, right? If we were here to fight, our leader would be with us. After all, only the representative can use the ‘flagpole.’”

True. That much was true.

“What’s your proposition?”

“We’re here to propose an alliance.”

The mention of an alliance caused a stir among the group from Chungmuro. Kang Ilhun grinned playfully.

“Ah, I see you’re new to this, since Chungmuro just opened up. Actually, the fourth scenario has already been ongoing for two days.”

“...Two days?”

Sangah murmured reflexively, and Kang Ilhun nodded.

“Yes, the third scenario varied slightly between stations in both content and duration. Didn’t you know?”

“Ah...”

Our third scenario had just ended, so there was no way for us to know that. In the original story, Chungmuro joined the scenarios later than other stations.

This meant we were at a disadvantage in terms of information.

Given that, Kang Ilhun’s alliance offer was a well-timed temptation. We needed information, and they needed our strength. The question was, what were they scheming?

“It’s hard to trust such a sudden offer. How can I be sure you don’t have ulterior motives?”

“Hmm, you’re right, Dokja-ssi. It’s understandable not to trust us right away, so let me lay it all out. To be straightforward, ‘Chungmuro’ is not our target.”

“And why should I believe that?”

“You can choose to believe it or not. But think carefully. If Chungmuro were our target, we’d have brought our entire force. To be honest, the most vulnerable time for a ‘flagpole’ is right after a station opens.”

It was a logical argument.

“What if our target station is ‘Dongdaemun’?”

“Haha, we’re not worried about that. We already know which station is targeting ours. We didn’t come to you on a whim.”

“So, you’re suggesting that since we have different target stations, we should help each other clear the scenario... Is that right?”

“Exactly. It would be better to cooperate in situations like this, don’t you think?”

Ilhun nodded, smiling. As I pondered, Sangah spoke up.

“Excuse me, I have a question.”

“Yes, what is it, miss?”

“...Why did you come to Chungmuro specifically? If you’re from Dongdaemun, you could have allied with other stations.”

It was a sharp observation. Ilhun’s face momentarily stiffened.

“Ah, well... As I said, Chungmuro just ‘opened.’ What I mean is... hmm. The other stations have already formed alliances. But we assumed Chungmuro hadn’t yet... Haha, if I may ask, have you already formed an alliance?”

Hmm...

“No, we haven’t.”

Ilhun’s relief was evident.

“Then why don’t we form an alliance with Dongdaemun? You won’t regret it. We even have a ‘surefire strategy’ for clearing this scenario.”

“A surefire strategy?”

“Yes, our group has uncovered a hidden secret about this scenario.”

Ilhun smiled confidently as he made his final pitch.

“I’ll tell you more if you agree to ally with us.”

Soon after, I gathered Sangah, Hyeonseong, and Huiwon to discuss our next move. Sangah spoke first.

“What should we do? Would it be better to ally with them for now?”

“I’m against it. I don’t trust them. Something feels off.”

Huiwon said bluntly, and Hyeonseong immediately countered.

“But if they have information about this scenario, it might not be a bad idea to at least listen. I agree with Huiwon-ssi, I don’t trust them either, but...”

The group then turned their eyes to me. I shrugged.

“Well, here’s what we’ll do...”

Having made our decision, we called back Ilhun and the Dongdaemun group, who were wandering around Chungmuro.

“We’ll decide after we meet your leader.”

“Oh, really?”

“Where is your leader?”

“He’s back at Dongdaemun. If it’s alright, I can guide you there...”

“Lead the way.”

We climbed onto the back seats of the bikes they had ridden in on. I brought Hyeonseong, Sangah, and Huiwon with me. I had intentionally left Gilyeong behind with Gong Pildu. He had exhausted himself with [Inter-Species Communication] and was still unconscious. Of course, I didn’t forget to instruct Pildu to keep him safe.

“Let’s get going.”

The engine roared, and the bikes began to move. About twenty seconds later, I spoke up.

“By the way, Ilhun-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“Did anyone mention anything else about Chungmuro?”

“Huh? What do you mean...?”

“For instance, that there might be a terrifying guy named ‘Yu Junghyeok’ hanging around there...?”

“Haha, what are you talking abou—”

On cue, our team leaped off the back seats of the bikes almost simultaneously.

“Sangah-ssi!”

Sangah’s [Thread Binding] shot out, ensnaring the wheels of all four bikes at once. The bikes tangled together, crashing with a loud roar.

KA-BOOM!

“Argh!”

The Dongdaemun group members were thrown off their bikes, screaming.

Luckily, our group hung safely in the air, clutching onto threads that Sangah had anchored to the ceiling. It was like a makeshift seatbelt, her movements so nimble she could have been Spider-Man.

Covered in dust, Ilhun shouted.

“W-what is this?!”

“What do you mean? I should be asking you that.”

I looked down the tunnel.

“If you were planning an ambush, you should’ve worked on your stealth skills.”

They were so obvious, even I could detect them without [Perfect Senses]. Realizing something had gone wrong, Ilhun screamed.

“Attack!”

Almost simultaneously, hidden figures sprang out from all sides of the tunnel.

I knew it. They were after my flag.

[The character Jeong Huiwon has activated the skill Hour of Judgment.]

[The Absolute Good constellations have consented to the use of this skill.]

[The Hour of Judgment is now active.]

“Huh? I didn’t think it’d work... They do whatever they want, don’t they?”

Huiwon smirked, swinging her sword through the darkness.

“These scumbags sure are hard to find.”

Her cold voice echoed as her blade glided through the tunnel. All I could see were crimson eyes flickering with [Demon Slaying], and with each swing, someone screamed.

“What the...!”

“That crazy woman... Argh!”

Swish! Slash!

Even against what appeared to be at least ten enemies, Huiwon wasn’t pushed back. It was clear how much her stats had improved after clearing the hidden dungeon.

I easily subdued Kang Ilhun with [White Flash Qi].

Just a few hours ago, I had been fighting Yu Junghyeok, so taking down someone like him wasn’t even a challenge.

“Dokja-ssi, Chungmuro...!”

Hyeonseong shouted, and when I turned, I could see the chaos unfolding back at Chungmuro. As soon as we left, someone had ambushed it. I quickly had Sangah tie up Kang Ilhun, then raced back toward Chungmuro.

The platform was already a battlefield.

I decided to hold back for a moment to assess the situation. There was something I needed to confirm first.

“What the hell is this?!”

Dozens of fighters, coming from the direction of Myeongdong, were swinging their weapons wildly at the Chungmuro group. Looking closer, their weapons seemed familiar.

“T-that’s the weapon Kim-ssi had!”

It seemed the ‘Landlord Coalition’ who had headed to Myeongdong had already been defeated by them. To these attackers, drifters who had lost their groups were nothing but live sacks of coins.

Among the charging enemies, one person stood out—a man with a red flag tied around his head like a bandana.

“Forget the fighting! Just plant the flag, and we’re done!”

So that guy was the ‘representative.’

Footnotes:

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