WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈
Chapter 213: The Things That God Possesses (3)
──────
The Golden Dragon lived in a colossal tower.
Known as the Sky-Piercing Spear for its height, and the Golden Heaven Tower due to its golden pavilions. Its oldest name was the Yellow Spring Tower, for it overlooked Nirvana from the earth.
Seven thousand years had passed since the Golden Dragon built the tower. Through seven overlapping millennia, the gold remained brilliant. In the ancient past and even now, the Yellow Spring Tower stood sacred, like an umbilical cord descending from heaven.
In the southeast of the kingdom, the tower was visible from everywhere. It had been there long before the kingdom was founded. Its mere existence became a faith. People revered the mysteries of the world.
Even after seven thousand years, the pavilion in the sky remained unchanged.
“I decree a hunt.”
Yet, humans had changed.
“All nobles, hear this.”
The humans, once slaves to dragons, had now established their own nation.
“Organize a hunting party. Lords, send your soldiers. This is a royal command.”
The dragons had thought of humans as foolish and weak, their short lives making it hard to maintain continuity in their nation.
Humans might have been slow, but they were not foolish enough to forget who once enslaved them. The kingdom made it a national policy to eradicate every dragon kingdom from the face of the earth.
“The military quota for each title is as follows: Marquises, one thousand. Viscounts, two hundred. Barons, fifty. Honorary Viscounts...”
Hundreds of thousands of troops gathered.
Yet, the hunts failed solely due to the Golden Dragon's powers.
Every dragon is born with a unique power. The Golden Dragon's power was [Instinct]. It unleashed human greed in its rawest form.
Brave warriors entering the Golden Dragon's domain were consumed by murderous rage. Innocent soldiers were swallowed by lust. Adventurers, once calling each other brothers, fractured over loot. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd hunting decrees all ended in the kingdom's army retreating in disarray.
It had always been so, and it was expected to be the same this time.
"......."
The Golden Dragon gazed at the girl before her.
Was her name Jaa Soo-Jeong?
She resembled a flower bud about to bloom, with a faint toxic fragrance seeping through its petals, which the dragon could sense.
“Why do you remain sane?”
“It’s simple. I already live according to my instincts.”
The flower bud imitating a human spoke. She pronounced the dragon tongue with practiced ease.
“I obtained what I wanted because I wanted it, acted because I desired it, and killed to live. If those who follow their instincts are called mad, then I have been mad for a long time. Golden Dragon Emperor, you may be able to restore a mad person to sanity, but you cannot drive someone who is already mad mad again.”
“There’s sense in what you say.”
The Golden Dragon looked over the humans behind the girl. Dozens stood silently while Jaa Soo-Jeong spoke.
“However, that’s only your story. Why then do they too remain sane?”
“Hmm, that is strange, isn’t it? Why is that?”
Jaa Soo-Jeong smiled.
“Why don’t you try to guess, Golden Dragon Emperor?”
"......."
The dragon looked at the humans again.
There was nothing wrong with her power. The humans were panting heavily, fists clenched as if they wanted to kill and ravish someone at any moment. Their faces red with desire. They were silent, yet their bodies swirled with passion.
One commonality stood out.
An emotion stronger than lust or bloodlust governed them.
The Dragon Emperor, adept at reading emotions, quickly identified it.
“Indeed.”
It was [Fear].
“They are all afraid of being hated by you.”
“Yes."
Jaa Soo-Jeong’s smile bloomed.
“I am loved, after all.”
The Golden Dragon understood the truth and shuddered.
These humans were boiling with bloodlust and lust. It was simply that the feeling [I do not want Jaa Soo-Jeong to hate me], the fear that they might disappoint her, suppressed every other emotion.
Even the fear of death.
The dragon had to ask.
“Love?”
This?
“Yes."
Jaa Soo-Jeong affirmed.
“People often say they love themselves. That they love themselves the most, as if it’s obvious. What kind of love is that?”
Jaa Soo-Jeong hummed, her voice weaving a melody.
“Very few people find themselves so lovable that they cannot bear it. Such people are exceedingly rare. When people say they love themselves, that love is the feeling [I do not want to lose this]. They mean they do not want to lose this life, this moment, this very life.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong slowly extended her left hand.
“Then, fearing to lose me is also a form of love, isn’t it?”
"......."
“Ultimate Sword Duke?”
Upon her call, a duke approached and knelt, kissing her fingertips.
The Duke, an Ascendant over two thousand years old, was undoubtedly the kingdom’s strongest swordsman. Even then, it seemed perfectly natural for such a duke to kneel before her.
“Rather than losing me, they would sacrifice their own lives. To them, I have become such a being.”
“The Yellow Spring Tower, said to be impregnable. To think its solution was actually love. It is conventional, but interesting precisely because it is conventional. What do you think? Are you not entertained, Dragon Emperor?”
In that moment, the Golden Dragon realized who was the stronger one and who the weaker.
“……I want to live.”
The Dragon Emperor trembled.
“Spare me. ……Please.”
The dragon had shrunk into human form. Atop the pavilion was a garden, and at its center was a fountain. At the golden fountain, the Dragon Emperor pleaded. The tremors made by the dragon’s shaking body rippled intact across the fountain’s surface.
“Of course.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong stroked the dragon's chin.
“I will save you. Such a beautiful being you are.”
“Please......"
“However, you haven’t answered my question yet. The method to care for those already dead. Do you know it, Golden Dragon Emperor?"
“I don’t know. But, I know others who might. They are Dragon Emperors too. I will give you their names and locations. So…”
“Yes."
Jaa Soo-Jeong’s touch was gentle.
Understanding everything.
“There have been three hunts to conquer this place. The most recent was 20 years ago, with about 100,000 casualties. Including the uncounted, nearly 200,000. The royal family and nobles will swarm like bees to strike your neck.”
"......."
“Don’t worry. I will handle it."
Splash. The water in the fountain distorted.
The Golden Dragon's hair spread and fluttered on the water’s surface.
“There is only one price.”
“What is it……?”
“Love me.”
A drop of water fell somewhere.
+
[The Golden Dragon's Gaze]
Rank: EX
Effect: Those within the skill's range become engulfed in their instincts. Logic paralyzes and reason dulls. Suppressed desires, needs, and greed are liberated.
This skill reveals the ‘essence’ of its targets. It can be applied not only to living beings but also to objects. If desired, you can perceive the essence of all things. You will view the world from an omniscient perspective.
*However, you are also included in the skill's range.
+
The Golden Dragon became a pet of Jaa Soo-Jeong.
“There’s a dragon called the Earth Bone Dragon beyond the mountain range in the desert.”
For the first time in her life, loving a partner, the dragon dedicated everything to her.
The Golden Dragon used her power for Jaa Soo-Jeong. She recited her knowledge for Jaa Soo-Jeong and devoted the rest of her life to her. She knew well what ruin awaited a dragon who fell in love with a human, but her knowledge weighed less than a single blink of her lover's eyelids.
“The Earth Bone Dragon?”
“Yes. She possesses the power of immortality. Everything she touches turns to sand, and every life she grasps gains eternal life. A bit unorthodox, but..."
“Hmm.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong laughed.
“That’s interesting.”
The dragon felt happy.
+
[Earth Bone Dragon's Skull]
Rank: SSS+
Effect: Stores the memories of the living. Stored memories are kept in a 'box.' This box can only be destroyed by the owner of this skill.
As long as the box remains intact, you can repeatedly produce bodies of individuals inheriting the same memories. The bodies can roam the world, accumulating new experiences, which can then be 'updated' into the box. Of course, only if you permit it!
Even if the body of the individual is destroyed, the box remains unharmed. Bestow the privilege of immortality on those around you.
*However, memories of a destroyed body cannot be updated into the box.
+
The Earth Bone Dragon soon became Jaa Soo-Jeong’s pet.
“Perhaps the materials are still a bit lacking.”
The Golden Dragon and Earth Bone Dragon nuzzled against Jaa Soo-Jeong's lap. Jaa Soo-Jeong slowly stroked the golden hair of the Golden Dragon and the black hair of the Earth Bone Dragon. Each touch on their foreheads made the dragons tremble.
“I’ve gained the [Eyes] that see everything. I’ve also acquired the [Head] that stores memories. But it’s still insufficient to encompass even those who have already died. Is there no better method?”
“At the end of the great river......"
The Golden Dragon opened her lips.
A sweet breath flowed out.
“There is a child called the Glacier Dragon. A bitter cold rages where that child lives. The wind becomes snow midway through its flow, and the sea becomes ice midway through its surge.”
“Interesting. Tell me more.”
“The Glacier Dragon freezes people it takes a liking to in a special way... It turns them into pillars of ice. The pillars can never be destroyed or melted, except by the Glacier Dragon. Remarkably, when the Glacier Dragon melts one, the person trapped inside awakens as though they had merely closed and opened their eyes...”
“So?"
“The Glacier Dragon has the power to stop time.”
The Golden Dragon rested her face against Jaa Soo-Jeong's lap and looked up at her other half.
“If it can stop, it can accelerate. If it can accelerate, it can be controlled. Isn’t that right......?”
Jaa Soo-Jeong smiled sweetly.
“How adorable.”
The dragon felt even happier.
+
[Glacier Dragon's Breath]
Rank: EX
Effect: You can control the time of a chosen person. You can revert them to the past or stop them in the present. You can move them to any moment in the timeline you've observed.
*However, you cannot move them to a time you have not personally observed.
+
The Glacier Dragon became Jaa Soo-Jeong’s pet.
“Ah.”
All the materials were finally gathered.
At last, Jaa Soo-Jeong exhaled in relief.
“Nice.”
The dragons were happy beneath the sound of her breathing.
“Good.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong herself was also happy.
Perhaps.
[Act 3.]
[Kingdom Hunt.]
At this point,
There was no political power that could stop Jaa Soo-Jeong.
There were six Dukes in the kingdom and, accordingly, six factions. The Performance Faction followed the Duke of Amusement. The Pioneering Faction followed the Absolute Sword Duke. The Religious Faction followed the Duke of Myriad Gods. The Inner Capital Faction followed the Duke of the Inner Capital. The Bedrock Faction followed the Bedrock Duke.
*Banseok means bedrock.
Jaa Soo-Jeong was ‘loved’ by all six Dukes.
Despite the unprecedented situation of a Viscount owning dragons, the nobles couldn’t openly oppose her.
If the royal family had deemed Jaa Soo-Jeong dangerous, there might have been a chance. After all, who else but the royal family could restrain a rampant noble?
The current King was known as the Sun King.
Having reigned for over 90 years, they hadn’t attended a single noble council in the last 60 years. During a rebellion 60 years ago, the Sun King executed their own daughter.
The Sun King could find no value in a nation that could exist only by killing their own kin.
Where there was no value, they saw no reason for their existence.
The King secluded themselves.
In the 60 years of their seclusion, the kingdom decayed.
“Your Majesty.”
The fragrance of petals is strongest when they wither.
“Please heed my request.”
“Do you regret killing your daughter?”
“Because Your Majesty ruled the nation, a rebellion occurred. Whatever policy you pursue and however you govern, somewhere in this royal domain someone must inevitably be sacrificed. The more one governs, the more sacrifices one creates. It is so no matter who rules, and therefore it is so when you rule. Would nonaction not be better, then?”
“……”
“Let the wise exercise their wisdom. Let those who desire power obtain it. Your Majesty only needs to exist here. If that’s the only royal path you can take......"
Jaa Soo-Jeong sat at the base of the throne.
Reaching out, she gently caressed the cheek of the King, who hadn’t shown any expression for the last 60 years.
“Leave everything to me.”
The aroma of peaches filled the audience chamber.
“I suppressed the rampage of the Red Nails, which no one else could suppress. I stopped the Stone Assembly, which no one else could stop. I crushed the rebellion raised by the Heaven-Rending Cat in the southeast. I revived the Royal Army abolished by the Eosik Treaty, defeated the Golden Dragon threatening the kingdom’s south, took in the Earth Bone Dragon encroaching upon the Great Desert’s territory, and captured the Glacier Dragon that had frozen the waterways east of the great river. The Duke of Amusement. The Absolute Sword Duke. The Duke of Myriad Gods. The Duke of the Inner Capital. The Bedrock Duke. The six Dukes who had been rotting with time now have beating hearts again in exchange for giving me their hearts. Behold. I have accomplished deeds no one else could.”
“……”
“I am competent.”
“……”
“I am the most competent.”
"......."
“So, Your Majesty.”
The whisper of a capable minister of the age was sweeter than the praise chanted by a treacherous minister for all ages.
“Entrust it to me.”
Her violet eyes half-opened.
“Are you afraid you will misgovern? Then misgovern. I will seize it back. Are you afraid you will make a mistake? Then make one. I will reverse it. Are you perhaps afraid you will lose your mind? It is all right. Go mad.”
“……”
“You need only go mad for me, and me alone.”
For the first time in 60 years, the stone statue spoke.
“Why."
The once-praised Sun King of the kingdom was puzzled.
“If you are so competent, the kingdom is useless to you. If you can give everything to the kingdom, the kingdom can give nothing to you. Why do you seek my favor? I can give you nothing.”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, you are under a misconception.”
“What is it?”
“I am in audience with Your Majesty.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong gently rose from her kneeling position.
Her gaze met the monarch’s.
“What I desire is Your Majesty. Just as you have always dreamed of an infinitely competent being, I long for Your Majesty.”
"......."
“Become my very own foolish monarch.”
Their breaths intertwined.
“I will make you the wise monarch of the age.”
The statue crumbled under the peach scent, and the sun was mesmerized by the petals.
In the midst of crumbling and bewitchment, the King asked one last question.
“……I’ve already committed great sins. Too many have died. I don’t deserve to live as a sage, so should I remain a dark monarch and atone in history? Just as the dead can’t be resurrected, the spilt sins cannot be reversed. My death and a new ruler would be better for you.”
“Ah.”
It was the same curse once spilled by the witch.
Back then, Jaa Soo-Jeong had no answer.
“It’s okay, Your Majesty.”
Now, it was different.
“I can now care for those who have died.”
She had become a bit more competent.
“Not just for the dead, but for all beings.”
“How......"
“Entrust everything to me.”
Jaa Soo-Jeong smiled coquettishly.
“Just love me.”
That December.
Jaa Soo-Jeong was bestowed the title of Duke.
The seventh Duke in the kingdom's history and the youngest ever awarded.
The Kaleidoscope Duke.
In the kingdom, it was customary to shorten a Duke's title to two syllables. The Duke of the Ultimate Sword became the Absolute Sword Duke, while the Duke of Formlessness became the Duke of Amusement. Likewise, the Kaleidoscope Duke was more often called by the two-syllable title coined by the people than by the three-syllable title bestowed by the King.
**They abbreviate the 3 letter Korean titles to 2 letter Korean titles.
The State-Toppling Duke.
The Duke who brought the nation to ruin.
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
