WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 212: What That God Possesses (2)

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A nation in ruins.

Jaa Soo-Jeong was racing through the decaying kingdom.

"Rampage as you wish."

She had gained the favor of Duke Mu Wi-Sik, one of only six nobles in the kingdom. She was under the protection of a powerful patron. Nothing could stop her now.

The girl pointed her sword towards the era.

[Act 1.]

[Witch Hunt.]

The first boss was a non-human terrorist.

The Black Witch led the rebel group 'Red Nails'.

Originally, the Black Witch had reigned supreme in the Magic Tower, an elite among elites. Why had an elite who was not a demihuman at all, but a pureblood, suddenly fallen into violent terrorism? The world did not know.

"It's not that they don't know, they just choose not to."

The Black Witch sneered.

“When you live long enough, you see all kinds of things. You people stuffed children into rice sacks and kicked them until they died. Tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of demihumans are worked as slaves. I do not expect you to change your hearts now. Begging humans for a miracle is far more unrealistic than begging the gods. We merely...”

The rebellion of [Red Nails] shook the entire kingdom.

“I would simply love for you all to suffer.”

Noble ladies in the capital were kidnapped and tortured. A great noble who had reigned supreme in the south for seven hundred years was attacked and killed while on a tour of inspection. Members of the Special Forces directly under the royal family vanished in the southeast. Thousands of slaves escaped from a count’s domain and joined the rebels.

Without discrimination against social status, nobles or commoners, [Red Nails] tortured and slaughtered humans. Though there was a bounty on the Black Witch, no one could catch them. The powerful were terrified.

"How interesting."

Jaa Soo-Jeong smiled brightly.

"Let me make it even more interesting."

Using Duke Mu Wi-Sik’s connections, Jaa Soo-Jeong approached a princess. Princess Cham Beol-Sa was an Ascended, the commander of the Royal Special Forces, and infamous for her cruelty.

Collecting the right arms of criminals as a hobby.

"I will bring victory to you, Your Highness."

Jaa Soo-Jeong seduced the princess.

"I'm aware that Your Highness is troubled by the Red Nails."

"It's more of a toothache than a headache."

"The reason the teeth wobble is due to rotten gums, Your Highness."

Jaa Soo-Jeong whispered.

“The demihumans are in turmoil because the kingdom has failed to support them. Those blinded by revenge and committing massacres are only a tiny minority among the demihumans. Guarantee them life, equality, and honor, and the strength of the Red Nails will naturally diminish.”

+

[Royal Preceptor]

Rank: B+

Effect: Innate strategic genius. Wisdom in assisting a monarch.

One who possesses this skill instinctively identifies the enemy's weaknesses and devises actions to exploit them.

Quite literally, a talent born to support a sovereign. From politics to warfare, few schemes will escape this person’s insight.

*However, it activates only with sufficient information.

+

"......."

The Crown Princess silently studied the noble who had approached her.

"Your proposal is reasonable but difficult to implement. They've already turned their backs on the kingdom once. If we embrace them back as citizens, the humans and nobles won't stand for it. We can't risk the backlash of humans to stop a non-human rebellion. It's putting the cart before the horse."

"How dare I suggest Your Highness to embrace these lowly people?"

Jaa Soo-Jeong did not rush.

The princess had lost dozens of siblings as a child. Though famous for her cruelty, that cruelty had sprung from the horrors of her childhood. Jaa Soo-Jeong instinctively understood how to melt away the unhappiness born during those years.

"I'm a noble too."

Jaa Soo-Jeong decided to become like an older sister to the princess.

"A noble can take someone as a retainer, a private soldier, or even as a territorial citizen. Your Highness doesn’t need to personally embrace the rebels."

Warm eyes. A compassionate smile. Gentle touch.

Jaa Soo-Jeong slowly corroded the cruel princess.

The poison was sweet when melting ice.

"Your Highness."

Whenever the Crown Princess lamented her life, Jaa Soo-Jeong listened calmly.

Whenever the Crown Princess grew irritated, Jaa Soo-Jeong stroked the back of her hand.

Jaa Soo-Jeong often whispered how great the princess was and how much more dangerous the kingdom would have been without her.

"......Jaa Soo-Jeong."

By the time Jaa Soo-Jeong’s caresses had moved from the back of the Crown Princess’s hand to her shoulder, from her shoulder to her bangs, and from her bangs to her cheek, the Crown Princess was calling her [Jaa Soo-Jeong] rather than [Viscount].

"Tell me your plan."

"It's simple. Red Nails is a fragmented organization. I'll lead an elite team and crush their hideouts one by one. With each crush, I'll take the surrendered ones as my retainers or territorial citizens. I'll embrace those abandoned by the kingdom on your behalf."

"You'll step in for me, attracting attention and discontent."

"Yes."

"What can I do for you?"

"Love me."

The poison was sweet.

"......In private."

And fatal.

Under the favor of both Duke Mu Wi-Sik and the cruel princess, Jaa Soo-Jeong absorbed the non-human rebels. She guaranteed 'absolute safety' to the surrendered terrorists. Former terrorists became soldiers, citizens, and slaves of the Amethyst House.

"That crazy bitch is at it again!"

Of course, the conservative faction couldn't tolerate such behavior.

"This person stirred trouble in my territory as a commoner. Return them to me!"

“Several years ago, while my younger sibling was traveling on business, a slave broke free of their restraints and escaped. My sibling lost both eyes and was killed. I hear that slave is now one of Your Excellency’s retainers. I will compensate you handsomely, so please hand them over to me.”

"How dare you privately shelter national enemies. If you have loyalty to the kingdom, you should properly dispose of the captured rebels!"

Lords, merchants, and priests from all over the kingdom swarmed like bees.

Jaa Soo-Jeong just smiled.

"Putting on airs."

Jaa Soo-Jeong was strong.

“Whatever their pasts, they are now my retainers. My slaves. Under the laws of the kingdom, ownership of them belongs to me. If you still wish to take them, then challenge me to a duel or declare a family war against me.”

She won all three duels and the one family war.

She didn't give up a single non-human under her command.

+

[Guardian of the non-humans]

Rank: B

Effect: You easily gain the trust of non-human races.

Those suffering from racial discrimination are longing for your arrival. Break the chains of old slavery and liberate the kingdom's people. As long as you don't betray them first, the non-humans will follow you.

*However, humans despise you.

+

Initially skeptical, the non-humans gradually dispelled their doubts about Jaa Soo-Jeong.

Viscount Jaa Soo-Jeong established a village in a vast forest near the capital, providing the former terrorists of [Red Nails] with shelter and jobs. With each crushing of a [Red Nails] hideout, her village prospered.

"......."

The Black Witch made their move.

"Yes, I knew you would eventually act."

Jaa Soo-Jeong lured the main force of [Red Nails] using the princess as bait. They were surrounded from all sides. The terrorists had nowhere to run, and even if they did, the future of the organization wasn't guaranteed.

The Black Witch gnashed their teeth.

"Impudent brat... Well done."

"You were quite something too. Incompetent old fool."

"You think killing me will destroy Red Nails? We are the blood that flows from wounds. As long as your kingdom exists, we will never perish."

"I'll try my best."

Viscount Jaa Soo-Jeong swung her sword.

“I intend to create a new noble faction. Even if it takes decades, I will abolish slavery and gradually emancipate the mine slaves and serfs as well. I have already gained the support of the Performance Faction and the Non-Human Faction. Simple, is it not?”

"Ha."

The Black Witch bled black blood.

"You're just a naive child who knows nothing."

“Oh? What a slanderous accusation. If I know nothing, then 99.9 percent of the people in this world must be monkeys.”

“We are not seeking repayment. Still less do we seek compensation. No matter how peaceful an age you promise us, those who have already died will not return.”

Blood filled the witch's eyes.

“There are children whose backs were torn open by your lashes until they died. There are slaves whose ribs were broken in torture inflicted for sport, whose lungs were pierced, and who drowned in their own blood. You may not know, but we remember. Mad dog of the capital! If you cannot return the dead to us, then whatever you say is nothing but bullshit!”

"......."

Jaa Soo-Jeong hesitated.

Her violet eyes looked down.

The sword Jaa Soo-Jeong held pinning them down had pierced the Black Witch’s heart, and blood poured from the wound.

"You don't seek compensation...?"

It was a fresh shock for someone like Jaa Soo-Jeong.

“I can abolish slavery for you. It may take some time, but I can also eliminate discrimination between purebloods and demihumans. I am competent enough to do that. That must be the future all of you desire. Are you saying it does not matter?”

"We never cared about the future from the start."

The Black Witch launched their final magical counterattack. As soon as magic was detected, Jaa Soo-Jeong twisted the sword's tip. Crunch! The heart was shattered again. The Black Witch coughed up blood.

"Die."

"......."

"All of you, just die."

Jaa Soo-Jeong felt truth in the witch's curse.

"Indeed."

And she realized.

"I'm utterly incapable regarding deaths that have already occurred."

For the first time since the day she killed her father, Jaa Soo-Jeong felt helpless.

"I can do something for those still alive. Duke Mu Wi-Sik treasures me, and the princess cherishes me too. But... Yes, I can't resolve the unhappiness of those already dead. I hadn't thought of that."

"......."

"I'm still incompetent."

The Black Witch looked up at Jaa Soo-Jeong.

"What should I do, leader of Red Nails?"

"Do what..."

"How can I take responsibility for those already dead? How can I comfort those who live for the dead?"

Jaa Soo-Jeong's eyes were transparent.

Endless.

Though their heart was already stopping, the Black Witch suddenly felt a chill.

"Don't you know?"

"......."

"You don't know."

“Fair enough,” Jaa Soo-Jeong said with a nod.

“I suppose that is why you went around killing people who had nothing to do with it.”

"You..."

“Murder is the ultimate expression of incompetence. One kills because one cannot persuade, kills because one cannot reform, and kills because one cannot bring another under one’s will. Just as I killed the father who imprisoned me.”

Jaa Soo-Jeong's expressionless face was reflected in the witch's eyes.

"I couldn't change my father even after 12 years of trying."

Gone was the girl who sought love from the duke and gave love to the princess. Not a trace remained. Only a beast eternally moaning in agony.

"How boring."

Jaa Soo-Jeong tilted her head.

"Black Witch, if you don't know how to care for the dead, might there be someone else who does? Do you know such a person?"

"Such a human... couldn't possibly exist..."

"Indeed. There might not be among humans."

Jaa Soo-Jeong nodded.

"Perhaps among the dragons, someone knows."

In their final breath, the leader of Red Nails came to know.

"Thank you, Black Witch. Thanks to you, I realized my incompetence today."

The noble bowing politely before them was broken in some fatal way.

“Unfortunately, I will not be able to remedy this incompetence for some time. Most Dragon Emperors live outside the kingdom, and if I abandon state affairs now to chase after dragons’ tails, this kingdom will collapse in no time... Hmm. Yes. First, I must learn the language of dragons.”

Jaa Soo-Jeong smiled brightly.

“Please wait just a little. Once I discover how to care for the dead, you will be the first person I repay, Black Witch.”

"Monster..."

"Farewell."

Jaa Soo-Jeong beheaded the witch.

“When you open your eyes again, a happy spring will be waiting for you.”

Viscount Jaa Soo-Jeong instantly became a hero.

All but one of Red Nails' leaders surrendered to her. Those tired of terrorism retreated to her forest village, while those still thirsty for blood became her soldiers. The kingdom was falling apart. Even without the conflict between humans and non-humans, battlefields soaked in blood were everywhere.

Jaa Soo-Jeong collected the kingdom's poisons.

Known as 'Duke Mu Wi-Sik's Pet,' 'The Cruel Princess' Master,' 'The Hunter of the Black Witch,' 'The Successor of Red Nails,' her titles were too illustrious to be dismissed as mere luck for her young age.

But compared to the names she would acquire, they were modest.

"Hello, Golden Dragon."

A year after the witch hunt.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jaa Soo-Jeong, head of the Amethyst Viscount House."

She bowed gracefully.

Behind her stood numerous warriors.

The 'poisons' she collected over the past year.

[Capital's Supreme Sword] Ultimate Sword Duke, [Capital Army Leader] Viscount Shark Teeth, [Executioner] Baron Yoo Ik-Myo, [Last Leader of Red Nails] Joo Tan-Ha, [Undying Phoenix of the Inner Palace] Princess Nan Rak-Je, [Flower of Viscount Amethyst] Viscount Sim An-Chal…

Those who once dreamed, desired, hastened, welcomed, or ignored the kingdom's downfall. A formidable force that could overturn the kingdom stood behind Jaa Soo-Jeong. Their swords were stained with blood - blood of soldiers who leaped to protect the dragon.

"Though it might be rude to ask upon our first meeting."

Jaa Soo-Jeong smiled brightly.

"Do you happen to know how to care for those who've already died?"

That day.

Jaa Soo-Jeong captured a dragon that lived for thousands of years.

[Act 2.]

[Dragon Emperor Hunt.]

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