WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈
Chapter 209: Cheat (2)
──────
“…My lover always forces difficult choices upon me.”
Raviel started to sigh but stopped herself.
A breath cut short midway.
During the remaining time, Raviel stroked my earlobe. I knew she refrained from sighing because she thought, [I don’t want to sigh in front of the face of the one I love].
“I understand that this is worth doing. If I were in your position, I would have acted exactly the same way. I understand that intellectually, but my heart cannot accept it so easily.”
It's only natural.
What Raviel said applies to me as well.
If I were in Raviel’s shoes, I would never easily allow it.
“Have you prepared an argument that will persuade that child?”
Raviel glanced at Jaa Soo-Jeong’s back.
“I’ve only observed her out of the corner of my eye for about a day, but she is a person of extraordinary resolve. No, it would be fair to say that resolve itself has taken human form.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong sees Raviel and Uburka [as they are].
To others, Raviel’s silver hair appears black, and Uburka’s green skin looks like flesh color. It’s a confusion of perception.
But to Jaa Soo-Jeong, this change in perception does not apply.
“She didn’t even blink when she saw me and Uburka the day before yesterday. That’s the kind of person she is. I don’t think she will easily agree just because you wish for death."
That’s where my opinion differs.
But for now, I sought Raviel’s consent.
“So, does Raviel grant permission for my actions?”
“Fine.”
Raviel stated her condition.
“If you die in front of my eyes.”
"......."
“If you perish right before me, I will permit it.”
I nodded my head.
“I will do as you ask.”
2.
“Everyone, please eat.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong walked in carrying a tray. Uburka also held a bowl in each hand. The menu was chilled chicken noodle soup. The noodles were rolled up in the bowl, with ice floating on top.
“I will enjoy this meal.”
I slurped up a mouthful along with the soup.
The cool dongchimi broth filled my mouth.
“…This is incredibly delicious?”
I couldn't help but marvel.
“Wow, it's really tasty. You seem to be a great cook.”
“The weather is hot, so I made chilled chicken noodles.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong said.
"The gemstone Raviel gave is so valuable, we won’t have to worry about a poor dining table for a while.”
"It's gratifying to see my gift valued.”
Two days ago, Raviel handed over an emerald gemstone as a thanks for letting her stay. Even to someone like me who knew nothing about gemstones, it looked extremely expensive.
Initially, Jaa Soo-Jeong refused it, saying it was [too much], but she eventually gave in when Raviel said, [Whether it is too much is for me to decide. As the homeowner, do you intend to treat me, your guest, like a beggar?]
Typical of the Ivansia Ducal Family. The wealthiest family in the Empire.
And that family is mine.
Uh-huh-huh.
“…Daddy. Your face is exceedingly unpleasing. Could you stop grinning while eating? It’s seriously embarrassing as a son.”
“Right. By the way, how did you dispose of the gemstone?”
I changed the subject.
“It wouldn’t have been easy to exchange a gemstone for money with a student status.”
“I have a classmate named Imiho. She is the third daughter of a conglomerate involved in second-tier finance and construction, and her family is locally influential. I asked her to dispose of it for me.”
“Huh?”
Wait.
Local magnate + second-tier finance + construction…. Oh, oh.
‘Isn’t that a gangster!?’
She asked a classmate from a gangster family to dispose of the gemstone?
‘Really?’
I looked at Jaa Soo-Jeong, who was eating noodles. She was expressionless. I couldn’t guess what kind of life lay beyond that expressionlessness, but it certainly wasn’t ordinary.
Jaa Soo-Jeong tilted her head.
“Is there a problem?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. I was just thinking that your circle of friends is rather interesting... More importantly, is it all right to tell an outsider like me all of this?”
“Yes."
Jaa Soo-Jeong answered succinctly.
“Because Kim Gong-Ja asked.”
Hmm.
“…I want to clarify. It's not because I am someone special that you answered, but simply because I asked, right?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
I shut my mouth.
Ever since we met the other day.
‘This person has no barriers.’
She seems to accept any question or request.
At least until now, she has never refused anything I said. Not even once.
When I wanted to talk, when I asked if it was okay to let Uburka and Raviel stay, Jaa Soo-Jeong accepted without any hesitation, always replying with a [Yes].
“Um, Jaa Soo-Jeong."
After dinner.
I decided to test my thoughts.
“I'm sorry to ask, but could I make a request?”
“Yes. If I can help.”
“Please come up and sit on the table.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong’s head tilted slightly.
Her blonde hair slid to the side.
“The table is not for sitting on, Kim Gong-Ja.”
“Yes. I understand. Please.”
"......."
Jaa Soo-Jeong slowly climbed onto the table and knelt in a formal seated posture.
"Hmm."
“Ugh?”
Raviel, who had been watching us, narrowed her eyes, while Uburka’s eyes widened.
Feeling a strong premonition that my judgment was correct, I made another request.
“Could you please place your hand on my head?”
“Yes."
Jaa Soo-Jeong placed her hand on my bangs.
I continued to ask.
“I’m hungry. I’d like some chicken skewers for a snack. Could you make them for me?”
“…Kim Gong-Ja.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong admonished me softly.
“Using me conveniently like this may have a negative impact on you in the future. Also, late-night snacks are bad for your health. In my judgment, Kim Gong-Ja is not hungry, but rather, you are making these requests to understand my behavior.”
“Yes. That’s correct. So, please.”
"......."
Jaa Soo-Jeong nodded and brought a basket.
She was actually going to leave the house to make chicken skewers.
“Wait a moment.”
Raviel grabbed Jaa Soo-Jeong’s shoulder. Once matters had gone this far, even Raviel could no longer refrain from intervening.
“Jaa Soo-Jeong, just to be sure, if a stranger on the street asks you for a little help or to follow them, would you go?”
“Yes."
Jaa Soo-Jeong readily affirmed.
“If I can help.”
“This is an extreme example, but what if that request was to be confined in a subsidiary facility for a year?”
“Yes. If I can be of help.”
Raviel pursed her lips.
After a moment, she muttered, “Indeed.”
“This is… dangerous.”
Raviel and I exchanged glances.
I nodded to share an understanding with her.
“Yes, it is dangerous, Raviel.”
“…The mind is sharp enough to discern others’ true intentions. To grasp others' purposes. But just understanding isn’t enough, if someone earnestly requests, she never refuses. No, at this level, it's more like she can’t refuse.”
Raviel frowned.
“Our conversation just now has convinced me. As you said, Gong-ja, this child truly is the Tower Master. At the very least, she is not a human being born and raised through any ordinary process.”
“Yes. This personality isn’t [formed] but rather [programmed].”
Like an AI reacting according to conditions.
Simply an existence responding to people's wishes.
“Jaa Soo-Jeong."
I knelt on one knee in front of the small blonde girl.
Finally, our eye levels matched.
Jaa Soo-Jeong, still holding the basket, looked at me intently.
“I come from another world. Raviel and Uburka are also travelers who crossed over from their respective worlds.”
“I see.”
Even upon hearing such an unconventional statement, Jaa Soo-Jeong's face did not change.
She just lightly nodded as if she had already guessed it.
“Open, Skill Card.”
I pulled out a golden card.
+
[Returner’s Winding Clock]
Rank: EX
Effect: Activates automatically upon death. You return to twenty-four hours before the moment of your death. Your memories and stats are preserved even after the regression.
*However, the higher your Hunter Rank, the more severe the penalty.
*Skill copied from Hunter Yoo Soo-Ha.
+
I showed my trump card as evidence.
“In our world, there are things called skills. It’s possible to move through space using skills, and even to turn back time.”
"......."
“As you can see, I possess a skill that allows me to not die even if I am killed. By presenting this skill, I would like to make a request to you, Jaa Soo-Jeong. Please kill me just once.”
“Why?”
“I believe you are a god overseeing our worlds.”
I looked straight into Jaa Soo-Jeong’s eyes.
“Our god implants a terminal in each world to represent her. The person who has lived the most unfortunate life becomes the candidate for this terminal.”
“I am that terminal?”
“Yes."
Then, I started my story.
About how I came into the Tower. The story of the director and Kim Yul. My experiences in the Tower, meeting my master, meeting Raviel. I offered my life as evidence to the girl before me.
"......."
For over an hour and a half, the story went on, but Jaa Soo-Jeong watched me silently throughout.
I closed my mouth and waited for her response.
“…According to your story, Kim Gong-Ja, there is certainly a possibility that I am the Tower Master’s terminal. The idea of using a contradiction to draw out the administrator and confront the truth behind her also has merit.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong extended her hand.
“You’re a hard-working person, Kim Gong-Ja.”
Her slender fingers slowly swept my bangs aside.
“Recently, Kim Yul suddenly disappeared.”
“Not only Kim Yul but several people disappeared. The ones who bullied Kim Yul. No one but me noticed their disappearance. I thought it was a rare event, but according to Kim Gong-Ja, it makes sense.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong stroked my head.
“If you meet the Tower Master, I would be glad if you conveyed my words.”
“What would you like me to say?”
“I am happy.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong quietly said.
A shiver ran down my spine for a moment.
“I love this city and the children living in it. I love the crying cicadas in summer and the sound of the radio leaking from the old windows next door.”
And I realized what I had misunderstood.
The child before me was not something akin to AI.
It wasn’t that she lacked emotions and thus accepted every question and request.
Simply.
‘She sees us all as [children].’
Seeing them as children she needs to take care of.
Even the unidentified monsters sleeping in the warehouse.
And even me, who is having this conversation now.
Though she may admonish and point out faults, she cannot refuse the last request.
In essence, this child is a mother.
“So please tell her not to worry about me.”
“…Yes.”
I nodded.
“I will definitely convey your message.”
“Give me the knife.”
I handed over the dagger I had at my waist.
Jaa Soo-Jeong received the knife and swung it a few times.
Seemingly getting the hang of it, she pointed the tip of the knife at me.
"......."
Raviel silently watched over me.
"Kim Gong-Ja. I am not strong, so I might not be able to end your life in one strike."
"I am prepared. It’s not the first time I’ve experienced this…."
"If it becomes painful, I’m sorry. I apologize in advance."
Shnk!
Before I could even finish speaking, cold steel pierced through my neck.
‘Huh?’
My vision shattered like a broken window, splintering into several pieces.
While the agony spread through the cracks, a corner of my mind felt absurd.
‘No, still. For a student to stab me in the neck immediately, without even a cooldown, does that make any sense...?’
My body swayed.
If I wasn't mistaken, Jaa Soo-Jeong had just swung the dagger once more.
‘It’s absurd….'
Within the torn vision, Jaa Soo-Jeong's face remained expressionless.
Her lips moved.
“May fortune be with you.”
Consciousness snapped, just like that.
Along with the usual announcement of my death.
[You have died.]
[Your current Hunter Rank is B.]
.......
[Re-enacting the trauma of your killer.]
[Extracting data from the original owner’s memory.]
.......
[Failed.]
[Data for trauma re-enactment is rejected.]
[Requesting data from Zuraqua… Failure. Rejected.]
.......
[Trauma cannot be re-enacted.]
[Requesting approval from Zuraqua.]
[Failure.]
[Approval from Zuraqua is denied.]
[The matter is not within Zuraqua’s agenda.]
.......
[Unable to cope.]
[‘The Master of All Lives’ manifests.]
At that moment.
“----Goodness.”
Someone.
No, something grabbed my chin.
Firmly.
“How annoying this is.”
It was a voice like red silk soaked in peach juice for days, then wrung out forcefully, spattering sweet juice in all directions.
“Though this humble one enjoys sowing coincidences in spring and harvesting them in autumn, I truly did not foresee this.”
It was a voice like a hundred vipers flicking their paper-thin tongues, the tips of all hundred tongues burrowing into one’s ear canals.
“How dare you peek into the past of the lesser one.”
I opened my eyes.
In the darkness, a girl was smirking.
This being looked exactly like Jaa Soo-Jeong, who was stroking my head in the old house just a moment ago, with one exception.
“The first time, I allowed logic to persuade me. The second, I pretended not to notice the flattery and let it pass. The third, I admired your spirit and made an accommodation. Fool that I was.”
The pupils.
“Now that we’ve reached the fourth time today, it is also my oversight.”
[The Master of All Lives] had purple eyes.
“Even so, a side path does not become the proper road, nor is a cheat accepted as the orthodox method. King of Death, you have done something truly amusing.”
Purple is perhaps the darkest color to illuminate something.
However, the purple of the Tower Master shone transparently even in darkness.
It was a brightness that illuminated not a person's face, but their heart.
“How should I punish this cheeky little minx?”
“I do not recommend clamming up like a mute. Once you learn just how thoroughly this humble one can boil and devour you, you will realize that silence is the most foolish choice. Go on, speak.”
I opened my mouth.
“It’s my first time meeting you formally.”
And I smiled.
“Tower Master.”
For the first time, I saw the face of the being who created this Tower.
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