WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint ◈
Chapter 85: Episode 17 - SSS-grade Talent (4)
「The greatest of virtuous men can become the worst of mass murderers.」
This was a line describing the “Divine Doctor Guam” from TWSA.
Heo Jun[1], the Divine Doctor Guam. According to the records in TWSA, Heo Jun’s later years were spent not in the pursuit of medicine but of poison mastery. Like many historical figures who eventually became Constellations, Heo Jun had achieved a level far beyond what history recorded.
「“If I can create a poison capable of killing anyone, I can create a panacea capable of saving anyone.”」
After being exiled following the death of King Seonjo, Heo Jun spent his final years up to the 7th year of King Gwanghae’s reign obsessed with a single question: Why does a poison act as a cure for some while remaining lethal for others? Then, in his twilight years, he reached a mystical conclusion.
「“What determines the effect of poison is not the body but the soul.”」
The result of analyzing the essence of a thousand souls: the Thousand Spirit Poison. What flowed from Seolhwa’s entire body was precisely this poison. In truth, Donguibogam was a record of Heo Jun’s failures on his journey to creating this poison (or so TWSA claimed).
I delivered an unrelenting strike toward Seolhwa, who was spewing Thousand Spirit Poison.
Thwack!
With a loud crash, she was sent flying.
As long as her poison was neutralized, Poison Beauty Lee Seolhwa wasn’t particularly difficult to subdue. After all, her fame among the Ten Evils was built upon the power of the Thousand Spirit Poison. If I hadn’t obtained Donguibogam, I too would have become one of her stepping stones to notoriety… but today, luck wasn’t on her side.
[The constellation Divine Doctor Guam anxiously watches you, looking apologetic.]
[The constellation Divine Doctor Guam hopes you’ll show mercy.]
[You have received 300 coins.]
The Parasite infection wasn’t something the Divine Doctor Guam had intended. In other words, Seolhwa’s attack on me wasn’t truly her will, either.
Still, expecting mercy for just 300 coins…?
[The constellation One-stroke Scholar hopes you’ll show mercy.]
[The constellation Bald Army General hopes you’ll show mercy.]
[You have received 300 coins.]
Ignoring the responses from the constellations, I approached Seolhwa. She was crawling on the ground, trembling in fear. From a distance, I could feel Junghyeok’s gaze piercing through me. If she died here, it would leave him deeply scarred.
Looking down at the fallen Seolhwa, I spoke.
“You.”
I wasn’t addressing Seolhwa herself but the Parasite Antinus residing within her.
“Get out while I’m asking nicely.”
“Keek?”
“It’s not too late. Go back to fulfilling your duty as a Guide. Teach people your skills, live peacefully, and coexist with us.”
“…”
“If you work hard, who knows? You might even become a constellation someday.”
The Queen of Parasites, Antinus, despite her monstrous appearance, was a powerful hero. Though her abilities were currently restrained by plausibility limitations, if she continued her role as a guide and built up her legacy, becoming a constellation in the future wouldn’t be out of the question.
“…I hate you… all of you…”
The problem was that she viewed humanity as her mortal enemy. I glanced at the vibrating Catastrophe Meteorite.
“I feel sorry for what happened to your world. But does that mean you need to destroy this one too? Are you planning to recreate the same tragedy here?”
“…You will all die.”
Watching Antinus laugh menacingly, I sighed. If she wouldn’t leave voluntarily, I had no choice but to force her out.
I didn’t want to use this method. Not only would it cause immense pain to Seolhwa, but once Antinus left her body, I’d have to face her directly.
I glanced at the sky. I already owed a debt to the constellations of the Korean Peninsula, so this time, I’d be the one to give something in return.
[You have activated the special property of Donguibogam - Incomplete Version.]
[Donguibogam - Acupuncture Volume conveys the essence of mystical Eastern medicine.]
Since my version of the Donguibogam was incomplete, I couldn’t perform miracles like crafting deadly poisons or reviving the dead. But I could manage simpler treatments.
For example, extracting a parasite from someone’s body.
To ensure effective treatment, I had no choice but to restrain Seolhwa’s movements. Twisting her arm behind her back, I immobilized her. If someone were to see us now, it might look like I was embracing her from behind. Let me be clear—I had absolutely no ulterior motives. Only a lunatic would have those thoughts about Junghyeok’s ex-girlfriend.
[You have activated the exclusive skill Pressure Point Lv.2.]
I began pressing various acupuncture points across Seolhwa’s body. Soon, her skin turned red in several areas, and I inserted mana-infused needles into each point.
“Kiiieek! It hurts! It huuurts!”
Seolhwa’s screams filled the air as she writhed in agony.
I continued pressing her acupuncture points.
“Kiiik! Keeek! Kyahhh…!”
Gradually, her screams changed. They shifted from the cry of an insect to that of a human. Who knew that a few needles could expel a parasite? Long live Eastern medicine.
[The essence of mystical Eastern medicine takes effect!]
[The constellation Divine Doctor Guam looks at you with satisfaction.]
Leaving the now-exhausted Seolhwa gasping for air, I stood up. The black poison that had once flowed from her body was now replaced by yellow mucus slowly oozing out. This mucus was none other than the body of the Monarch-Level Parasite.
“Hngh… ugh…”
This should satisfy the constellations.
[The constellation Divine Doctor Guam expresses gratitude for your benevolence.]
[You have received 500 coins.]
Seolhwa’s eyes slowly opened. Though her focus returned, her senses hadn’t fully recovered from the Parasite’s control. In her current state, she couldn’t even clearly see my face.
“Who… are you?”
I knew exactly how events would unfold if I answered that question. Several regressions in which Yu Junghyeok successfully recruited Seolhwa had played out in a similar way. Right now, my identity wasn’t what mattered.
“I was sent by Yu Junghyeok.”
―Kim Dokja. Don’t waste your time with nonsense.
Junghyeok’s angry voice stabbed into my ears.
Seolhwa’s expression shifted.
“Yu Junghyeok? Who’s that?”
“You’ll find out soon.”
Poison Beauty Lee Seolhwa needed to join Junghyeok’s group here.
With the appearance of the Prophets and the destruction of the Absolute Throne, the flow of this world was slowly deviating from what I knew. While perpetuating the mistakes of the original story was undesirable, constantly encountering unknown futures was just as troubling.
Therefore, it was necessary to manually adjust the balance at critical junctures.
Some events had to unfold as they were, while others had to change.
Despite the complications, this round of Junghyeok’s regressions was slowly aligning with the ideal version I envisioned. Poison Beauty—or rather, Medicine Sage Lee Seolhwa—could become an integral part of that ideal.
“Dokja, it’s all taken care of on our end!”
Turning around, I saw Suyeong and Sangah approaching, both covered in blood.
It was astonishing. Had the two of them really cleared out that many enemies on their own?
Even with Poison Beauty Lee Seolhwa absent, the main forces of the Poison Beauty Group weren’t easy to deal with. For them to have wiped out the group’s core combatants alone rendered our original strategy almost unnecessary.
At this rate, their synergy could rival that of Lee Jihye’s Ghost Fleet and Gong Pildu’s Armed Zone combination.
“Wait. Don’t come any closer.”
I stopped them in their tracks. Without immunity to the Parasite, it would be dangerous for them to approach. The battle wasn’t over yet.
―Keek… humans…
The yellow mucus that had left Seolhwa’s body began to coalesce at a single point in the air.
The Queen of Parasites, Antinus.
She was terrifying even in her parasitic state, but outside of it, she was even more so. The viscous substance moved like a swarm of tiny insects, shaping itself into a new form.
Her true body was composed of nutrients absorbed over countless years. A lithe torso with elegant curves, muscular legs, wings reminiscent of dragonflies, and a tail like that of a scorpion. Her body was mostly covered in insect-like carapace, yet overall, she resembled a bipedal creature more than a true insect.
The real battle was about to begin.
“Stay back or you’ll get infected!”
Her sharp tail darted toward my abdomen.
[The effects of Donguibogam - Incomplete Version are active.]
[Your body is immune to Parasite infection.]
The strike was so fast that even with my agility exceeding 50, I barely managed to grab the tail. If I hadn’t, it would have pierced straight through me.
Keek.
She seized the opportunity, using her captured tail to slam me into the ground. My body hit the floor with a thud, pain surging through every nerve.
She was strong. Even without her parasitic abilities, she had grown more powerful.
This was raw strength comparable to that of a Tier-5 Monarch-Level Insectoid. If Antinus unleashed her full potential, she could rival the degraded Fire Dragon I had defeated previously.
Despite her world’s destruction, she had once been a hero. Her strength was comparable to Lycaon, who had emerged from the Yellow Meteorite.
But it wasn’t a hopeless fight.
For a Guide to behave this recklessly before the fifth scenario had even concluded was a clear violation of scenario rules. Moreover, she wasn’t just killing a few people—she was trying to awaken a catastrophe prematurely. This meant she had abandoned her plausibility.
Crack!
Signs of plausibility backlash were already manifesting on Antinus’s body. If I could buy enough time, her physical form would collapse even without my intervention. This was a fight I could win simply by holding out.
The question was how much I’d suffer in the meantime…
That’s when the Imyuntar’s Talisman in my pocket began to vibrate faintly.
Buzz.
Ah, of course. I had forgotten about this. Straightening my aching body, I turned to face her.
“Sorry, but I’m not your opponent.”
Boom!
Before my words had even finished, a silver streak ripped through the air with the force of a sonic boom. A dazzling mane fluttered in the sky, and the creature landed before me with a thunderous impact.
Standing over three meters tall, the Prince of the Imyuntar, Lycaon, rose with ferocious vigor radiating from his body.
“I have come at your call, Master.”
Footnotes:
[1] Heo Jun (Korean: 허준; 1539 – 9 October 1615) was an ancient Korean physician. He was the royal chief physician of Naeuiwon during the reign of King Seonjo and King Gwanghae of the Joseon period in Korea.
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