Chapter 37

Jae opened the Status for the first time in six long years.

〔Status〕

Jae Kang [Cursed] [Corrupted Soul]

Level 150 [MAX]

Class : *Classes available

Health Points (HP) : 33,989 / 33,989

Mana Points (MP) : 731,543 / 731,543

Title :「Apostle of Sin」

Strength : 518

Endurance : 401

Race : Undead

Dexterity : 606

Agility : 529

Age : 22

Magic : 700

Wisdom : 567

Trait :「Steadfast Mind」

Luck : —

Distributable Points : 50

Titles :「Apostle of Sin」「Cursed by a God」「Sinful God's Affliction」「World Traveller」「Resurrected [x14]」「Goblin Killer」「Ambusher」「Discreet Killer」「Goblin Hunter」「Monster Eater」「Monster Killer」「Goblin Slayer」「Monster Consumer」「Inhuman」「Insanity From Pain」「Deranged」「Adaptive」「Elementary-tier Magician」「Apprentice-tier Magician」「Intermediate-tier Magician」「Wyvern Killer」「Advanced-tier Magician」「Drake Killer」「Chef」「Wyvern Eater」「Craftsman」「Clothier」「Basilisk Killer」「Reptile Killer」「Saint-tier Magician」「Gourmet」「Drake Eater」「Expert Clothier」「Serpent Killer」「Serpent Eater」「Expert Chef」「Expert Craftsman」「Wyvern Hunter」「Drake Hunter」「Wyrm Killer」「Reptile Hunter」「Natura Magician」「Wyrm Eater」「Wyvern Consumer」「Master Chef」「Master Clothier」「Salamander Killer」「Newt Killer」「Salamander Eater」「Newt Eater」「Wyvern Slayer」「Reptile Slayer」「Drake Slayer」「Master Craftsman」「Drake Consumer」「Monster Devourer」「Monster's Nightmare」「Reptile's Nightmare」「Wyvern Devourer」「Wolf Killer」「Wolf Eater」「Bear Killer」「Beast Killer」「Bear Eater」「Bat Killer」「Mammal Killer」「Spider Killer」「Bat Eater」「Mammal Eater」「Spider Eater」「Mimic Killer」「Mimic Eater」「Undead Killer」「Undead Eater」「Mimic Hunter」「Beginner-tier Enchanter」「Intermediate-tier Enchanter」「Beginner-tier Swordsman」「Advanced-tier Enchanter」「Intermediate-tier Swordsman」「Beginner-tier Healer」「Emperor-tier Magician」「Advanced-tier Swordsman」「Intermediate-tier Healer」「Knight-tier Swordsman」「Advanced-tier Healer」「Master-tier Enchanter」「Saint-tier Healer」「Master of Magic」「Ruler of Sloth」「Great-Sword Master」「Master-tier Swordsman」

Passive Skills :「MP Consumption Down [Lv.MAX]」「Automatic HP Recovery [Lv.MAX]」「Automatic MP Recovery [Lv.MAX]」「Tough Skin [Lv.MAX]」「Iron Skin [Lv.8]」「Enhanced Lung Capacity [Lv.4]」「Greater MP Regeneration [Lv.MAX]」「Sun Charge [Lv.MAX]」「Scales [Lv.1]」「Leap [Lv.MAX]」「Lash Out [Lv.1]」「Strengthened Bones [Lv.4]」「Healthy [Lv.MAX]」「Super MP Consumption Reduction [Lv.MAX]」「Supreme MP Regeneration [Lv.5]」「Life [Lv.MAX]」「Vitality [Lv.5]」「Limb Control [Lv.6]」

Active Skills :「Sneak [Lv.MAX]」「Power Burst [Lv.MAX]」「Intimidation [Lv.MAX]」「Withstand Pain」「Concealment [Lv.MAX]」「Mana Concealment [Lv.MAX]」「Fire Eating [Lv.1]」「Beast Howl [Lv.1]」「Echolocation [Lv.1]」「Faking [Lv.3]」「Camouflage [Lv.6]」「Bolster Defence [Lv.1]」

Magic Skills :「Mana Sense [Lv.MAX]」「Mana Manipulation [Lv.MAX]」「Wind Magic (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Earth Magic (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Fire Magic (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Water Magic (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Ice Magic (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Lightning Magic (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Light Magic (ALL) [Lv.7]」「Dark Magic (ALL) [Lv.7]」「Barrier Magic (ALL) [Lv.6]」「Enchantment Sensing [Lv.MAX]」「Remove Enchant [Lv.MAX]」「Enchanting (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Healing Magic (ALL) [Lv.9]」「Buff Magic (ALL) [Lv.5]」「Debuff Magic (ALL) [Lv.5]」

Enhancement Skills : 「Sense Enhancement (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Muscle Enhancement [Lv.MAX]」「Body Enhancement [Lv.3]」「Magic Enhancement (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」「Super Sense Enhancement (ALL) [Lv.7]」

Resistance Skills :「Mental Abnormal Status Nullification [Lv.MAX]」「Pain Tolerance [Lv.MAX]」「Slash Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Blunt Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Bleed Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Pain Resistance」「Acid Resistance [Lv.9]」「Poison Resistance [Lv.7]」「Bleed Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Decay Resistance [Lv.3]」「Heavy Tolerance [Lv.MAX]」「Heat Tolerance [Lv.MAX]」「Heat Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Heavy Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Drown Resistance [Lv.5]」「Hemorrhage Resistance [Lv.6]」「Greater Bleed Resistance [Lv.8]」「Pain Endurance」「Pain Nullification」「Trauma Resistance [Lv.3]」「Sickness Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Disease Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Petrification Resistance [Lv.3]」「Magic Resistance (ALL) [Lv.7]」「Impact Resistance (ALL) [Lv.4]」「Physical Resistance (ALL) [Lv.4]」「Broken Bone Resistance [Lv.MAX]」「Exhaustion Resistance [Lv.MAX]」

Combat Skills :「Combo [Lv.7]」「Close-Quarters Combat [Lv.5]」「Fighting Spirit [Lv.MAX]」「Throwing [Lv.4]」「Short-Sword Mastery [Lv.4]」「Axe Mastery [Lv.2]」「Club Mastery [Lv.2]」「Shield Mastery [Lv.2]」「Longsword Mastery [Lv.3]」「Cane Mastery [Lv.1]」「Battleaxe Mastery [Lv.1]」「Bow Mastery [Lv.1]」「Great-Sword Mastery [Lv.MAX]」

Perception Skills :「Mapping [Lv.8]」「Night Vision [Lv.MAX]」「Concentration [Lv.MAX]」「Aura Sense [Lv.7]」「Infrared Vision [Lv.1]」「Ultraviolet Vision [Lv.1]」「Memory [Lv.MAX]」「Thought Processing [Lv.MAX]」「Thought Acceleration [Lv.MAX]」「Super Memory [Lv.MAX]」「Thought Super-Processing [Lv.MAX]」「Thought Super-Acceleration [Lv.MAX]」

Communication Skills :「Seronian Language Comprehension [Lv.MAX]」「Goblin Language Comprehension [Lv.8]」「Small Lizard Language Comprehension [Lv.2]」「Telepathy [Lv.MAX]」

Production Skills :「Cooking [Lv.MAX]」「Crafting [Lv.MAX]」「Harvesting: Creatures [Lv.MAX]」「Harvesting: Produce [Lv.5]」「Clothier [Lv.MAX]」「Tailoring [Lv.MAX]」「Accessory Dismantling [Lv.MAX]」「Lapidary [Lv.6]」「Crafting: Accessories [Lv.9]」

Other skills:「Envy [Lv.7]」「Wrath [Lv.4*(LOCKED)]」「Gluttony [Lv.4*(LOCKED)]」「Unpredictable」「Sloth [Lv.MAX]」「Instinct [Lv.2]」「Pride [Lv.1]」

".........Jesus Christ."

Wait, wait, there are classes...? What the fuc--Actually, you know what? No. Just, no. Let's not deal with that shit. I really don't care if there are classes or whatever. Damn, I'll get a headache just by looking at it. At the very least... I'll just put the fifty points in like... Endurance, I guess.

There was too much to unpack, really, so Jae just decided to close the Status window and tried not to think about it.

"Ughhh..."

Jae groaned and brought his hand to his face as he thought back to the current situation.

What do I...

He lowered his hand a little, uncovering his eyes, and looked at the peacefully sleeping Rena.

"..."

He felt fatigued, mentally, and tired, emotionally. But, he still has stuff he needs to do.

"...Right then.", Jae stood up and looked towards the direction he thought the village was in; feeling dark when he could not feel even a single sign of life.

Why are these two all the way out here, and at this time?

Jae had already heard the answer to this question in the story that Bailey told him.

Demon Beast attack... Did he mean there was a monster?

If so, it would explain why Jae felt no presence of a human's mana other than Bailey.

But, was it really only these two that survived?

He thought all of these things while making his way over. And, soon enough, Jae came across a complete wreck.

"......"

Heaps of assorted rubble; marred human remains; devastated farmland; a well of bloody water with chunks of flesh and limbs in it―all kinds of horrible sights were spread out in front of him.

Wordlessly, Jae walked over to where the largest pile of rubble sat, before muttering to himself.

"Gadeun..."

His eyes shook for a moment as he recalled the two lively guards that protected the village, and the time he conversed with the village chief. It was a short but memorable time, and the more Jae thought about it while gazing upon the completely ravaged village, his expression hardened.

...Where's the thing that did this?

An inexplicable feeling―not rage, not regret, and not sorrow―was present within Jae. All he wanted right now, was to find the thing that was the cause of this tragedy, and so he pushed all of his detection skills to the limit.

It didn't take long at all for him to find the culprit. In fact, there were two signals; one, like that of a monster's, and the other, a Demon. They were walking amongst a cluster of shrubbery only about 100 metres away, and it was less than a moment that had passed before Jae appeared next to the two.

{Grrrr...!!}

"W-wha--!? Who the hell are you!? Where did you come fr--"

The young Demon-race man, who seemed to be in his mid-20s, and the monster―a two-headed, wolf-like creature with dark, oily fur―both jolted in surprise at Jae's sudden arrival.

However, the man instinctively paused in the middle of his sentence. It was out of fear.

"...I'll only say this once, so listen closely.", Jae spoke slowly, and in a flat tone, as he looked towards the Demon.

He wanted to flee or escape but found that he couldn't even move his body an inch. Glancing over to his tamed monster, he found that―

!?

―It was dead; its head completely missing. Immediately turning his gaze back towards Jae, the man watched the horrifying sight of the monster's head being devoured in front of his eyes.

.....My... My pet...

Along with great despair, all kinds of rage built up in his mind, but there was no way to let it out. He could feel it in his bones―as soon as he let out even the tiniest undesired squeak, his time would be up.

After swallowing down the last of the head, Jae clicked his tongue―as if in regret―and spoke.

"As I was saying, this is your first and last chance, so do what I say without another action."

No skill again. Unlucky.

"I am the one asking questions here. You will speak only when answering to me, and your life now belongs entirely to me. If you don't answer, lie, or subvert the truth―you die. So, who are you working for?"

The man looked surprised, "...I don't know what you're talking about.", causing Jae to snort in bafflement.

"Hah. You seem to think this is a joke?"

"..."

"You are a Demon but not a monster, sir. You wouldn't attack a small village like that for no reason, or out of xenophobic thoughts of the human race, right. I can already guess your goal, but there are some things I'd like for you to tell me personally."

The man still said nothing in reply, so Jae continued.

"Here. Let me add a couple of things: You will not withhold any information from me, and you will happily comply."

"..."

"Let me restate that these are not requests."

"..."

"No matter who you were previously the subordinate of―be it the Demon King herself, or even a divine being like God―let me assure you that no one on this planet is as welcoming of the truth as I. If you cooperate with me, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe. For life. I swear on my title as True Dragon's Apprentice and Arch-Mage."

Finally, Jae smiled.

"So, why don't we talk?"

The man stared at the floor for a while in a cold sweat, thinking hard and clearly anxious, before seemingly accepting his fate and looking back at Jae.

"...Understood. I'll tell you everything, so please... Please spare my life."

Jae's smile widened.

"Oh, why of course, sir. I adore cooperation."

...

......

About an hour later. Jae asked yet another question and was satisfied after hearing everything the man had to say.

"―So in short, the main culprit behind the discord in the Demon King's castle is the King's closest assistant? Well, isn't that convenient? So he shouldn't be running away any time soon."

"Well... To put it simply, yes. I highly doubt the minister would flee, due to his position..."

"Mm. Good. And his name is 'Des'?"

"Yes... Um, excuse me, but what exactly are you going to do with that information...?"

Jae ignored the man and nodded.

"I see. Well, that should be enough then."

He stood up and looked at the man who had freely given him plenty of useful information, before saying in an emotionless voice.

"It was helpful, so I'll make it instant. Any last words?"

The man only stared at Jae with widened eyes, before uttering a sound of confusion.

".....Eh? B-b-but you swore--"

"Guess not. Well then―"

*splatter*

Level limit reached. Excess experience points stockpiled until the limit is increased

Crushing the man's heart with magic energy, blood exploded.

'"True Dragon's Apprentice" and "Arch-Mage"... Hah. Of course, such things don't exist, moron. Not really a fair price for the lives of over a hundred villagers, huh.

He cleaned himself up with warm Water and Wind magic before returning to the campfire, where Rena and Bailey continued to sleep without a sound.

"...Sleep quietly; rest as much as you can, before all hell breaks loose."

Glancing at the two, he took a seat and began contemplating his next move.

It was just a few hours until Rena was the first to wake up―It must've been because she had already been completely healed, that her body didn't need too much rest.

"......?"

Silently opening her eyes, the girl questioned how she was alive, where she was, and why she didn't seem to hurt. As her heart pounded with anxiety, she grabbed ahold of her comfort blanket and looked around with unease and worry.

...At least, until she laid eyes upon Jae, who sat with his back turned. He was staring solemnly into the starry sky above.

"U-um...!", she called out.

Jae seemed to pause at her cry, though it was hard to tell without seeing his expression.

"Um... Th-thank you, Mr Adventurer!"

Standing up slowly, Jae turned around. A lonely, bitter smile could be seen on his face.

...

......

Bailey woke up a few hours later, about the time dawn broke.

"Ugh..."

"...Hey, kid.", Jae looked at the boy for a second before calling out.

"Ah!?"

Bailey jumped in shock and retreated backwards in a poor attempt to get away from Jae, who calmly blinked over and picked him up by the hem of his shirt with one hand.

"AAAAHHH!! Let me go, please! You--"

Quickly beginning to scream and flail about, Jae silenced the boy by letting out an aura of intimidation; one much less potent than previously.

"Mr Jae!"

The two heard a yell from the side and turned their heads. It was Rena, of course, and she looked both concerned and afraid towards the both of them. Bailey didn't know what to say about all of the girl's injuries being healed, and certainly couldn't even dare to speak right now, though he seemed to have turned his gaze away in shame for some reason.

Looking at Rena, who now wore a high-quality, cute white outfit―which was created out of her wyvern blanket―Jae sighed before speaking to the boy.

"So, what are you gonna do now?"

Upon asking this, Jae could see the visible confusion in Bailey's face, and so, elaborated.

"You have two options. Well, one, really."

The boy gulped, and Jae continued.

"―Repent."

"......."

Jae gestured towards Rena.

"Look, she begged me to spare you, even after all the shit you've done to her, okay? That's why you're not dead already, brat. So, remember that, and atone for what you've done to her; else I'm gonna have an exhausting time after your demise."

Looking in bewilderment towards Rena, Bailey eventually looked to the ground and muttered in a small voice.

"...What are my options?"

"Hm? Are you deaf, kid? I said it already, did I not?"

He placed Bailey back onto the floor and coldly looked him in the eyes.

"Once again, it's really quite simple. Either, you don't regret what you've done, and, as a result, pay the price of death... Or, you spend the rest of your sorry life repenting and atoning for your actions. As a tip, I really wouldn't recommend the former."

A moment of silence passed before Jae asked.

"Well? Which one is it? Hurry it up; I don't have all day."

"I..."

Bailey, staring at the ground, turned his gaze up to Jae. He realised from Jae's power and actions that the only thing he could do to survive this situation was to comply, even if he didn't truly regret what he had done.

"...Please... Let me repent......"

Jae nodded and took some items out of the Inventory. It included a worn-out cloak, an iron dagger, a couple of rings, and some potions. He handed them all to Bailey, who stood dumbfounded. His clothes weren't nearly as torn or damaged as Rena's were, so there was no need to go as far as to make him brand new ones.

[Oiii!! What the fuck're you doing!? Maniac! You know what that shitty brat did?! The FUCK is wrong with you!? Insane bastard!]

Just shut it. I want to respect her choice if she forgives him, even though I personally disagree with it... And, I can still make use of him. He wants to atone anyway, so it's fine.

"What're you waiting for? Put it on already."

"O-ok..."

Bailey equipped the items he was given. He put on the cloak, stored the dagger in a sheath on his belt, wore the two rings on his left hand, and fastened the potion pouch on his waist.

Hmm... While it'd be enough for most of the things that inhabit this forest, that dagger by itself probably won't be enough for higher-tier enemies. There isn't enough time to enchant it, so I guess I'll just reinforce another one for next time. Since it came from those soldiers, the current one should be good enough anyway.

As Jae put on a half-satisfied smile, Bailey began to sense something weird.

"U-um, what are you making me do...?"

The boy recalled the scant times when adventurers visited the village―the way they looked and dressed―and realised how familiar his current outfit looked to those adventurers.

...Don't tell me he's gonna force me to...

"―You're coming with us, first of all. What happens after we reach our destination, well, you'll just have to wait and see. Rena'll probably decide your fate since it's you twos' issue."

"......Oh... Okay..."

Bailey was relieved, as he had thought that Jae might have left him in the forest to fend by himself or something. Then, as he was going to be travelling with them, Bailey assumed that this would be his opportunity to prove himself to Jae.

The man in question, though, frowned.

"...I'll ask one more time. Rena, are you sure you want this? Brat, do twenty push-ups. You need to be competent to serve Rena."

"Uhh... Yes, sir...!"

"Yes, I'm sure... Mr Jae, thank you."

Bailey also began to think of Rena in a new light thanks to how she saved his life with this. Even if the risk never would have existed if it weren't for his bad decisions in the first place.

"When... are we going?", Bailey asked after finishing the push-ups. Somehow, he wasn't as tired or out of breath as Jae thought he'd be.

Bailey always had a secret dream of becoming an adventurer, just like any other boy his age. After thinking about really having the chance, he became overly enthusiastic and pumped up.

"Calm down. I need to pick something up from the village first."

""From the village...?"", the two children asked as they tilted their heads.

"Haah.", Jae sighed, "You'll see. Just follow quietly."

With his expression becoming more serious, Jae then had a single thought:

Don't expect anything. It could have very well been destroyed along with everything else... Fuck, I really hope it survived.

The three had walked silently over to where the ruined village remained and looked around the place with sorrow. It was, not the place they were born, but the place they had lived in for a period of time. It wasn't even a year for Rena, and not even twice that time for Bailey.

*Hic*

However, no matter the length of time they had stayed here, to see this place as nothing but a crumbling ruin, was an inflicted pain. The Bahgwud Village they knew, no longer existed; all of its original residents have perished, but even so, it wasn't the end. They would carry it all in their hearts, the people who loved them, who cherished them, and were like family.

"..."

As the two young children cried their hearts out, Jae didn't stop. He didn't pause his advance just to console them, as he was aware such tragedies happen often in this world. The sooner they get used to events like these, the better it would be for their hearts and minds.

After all, if one never stopped crying over what 'has been', he would never grow beyond the past, and in a world like this one, such a person would never receive a happy ending. Jae wanted these kids to grow not only beyond the past, but beyond the present and future, too. Though, what exactly that means...

...Jae doesn't yet understand.

"Now, where would he have hidden it... Probably there, right?"

Jae arrived in front of what used to be the village's largest building and used Wind Magic to push away all the rubble.

Sorry Gadeun, but your wrecked house is in the way.

Once the debris was moved, Jae found what he was looking for. He walked over to a blocked staircase leading below, cleared it up with Wind Magic, and made his way down.

Down here... is where he should've been keeping the relic.

Of course, what he was talking about was the relic Gadeun used to wipe Rena's memory of Jae so that she wouldn't miss him while she lived in the village. Seeing how, even after reuniting, she didn't seem to have any recollection of who Jae was, Jae thought the relic must still be working.

Depending on how it works, though, there's still the possibility that it only requires one use, after which the effect stays activated permanently... In which case, even if it's destroyed, there's a chance I can't get Rena's memories back.

From what Gadeun said, the relic only had the effect of erasing memories, and couldn't get back any ones that might've been lost; he was told that this was why it was locked away in such a remote location―because it was far too dangerous.

Though, since it wasn't used in generations before Rena's case, all the details were a bit shaky.

At the bottom of the stairs was a metal door with a strange, white-ish and half-translucent gemstone, placed firmly in the centre of it. After briefly studying it, Jae concluded.

"Hm. It seems to open when sufficient mana is injected."

Jae tried it, but for some reason, it was as if there was a barrier in the way―his mana just wouldn't be absorbed by what Jae assumed to be a modified mana crystal.

...? Does it only accept certain people? Well, it's not like that's going to stop me.

Using brute force and some physical enhancements, Jae expended a lot of effort trying to open the door and eventually managed to succeed.

"Phew... That was harder than I thought..."

Wiping his forehead, Jae examined the basement in which he found himself. It was a fairly sizeable area, but as there were various chests, tools, and miscellaneous items down here, it didn't feel too empty.

Fortunately, the basement seemed to be in good condition; it wasn't caved in, and nothing was destroyed, so Jae was hopeful.

"Ah..."

What caught Jae's attention the most though, as soon as he opened the door, was the overwhelming amount of magical energy he could feel roaming about the wide room. It almost felt to Jae, as if he was back in the Pride Dungeon for a second, before he recognised that it was a little different to the dungeon.

Jae wondered why he couldn't sense such a place when he came to the village previously; before he realised that it was because of the structure itself.

...It must have ground-up Demon horns mixed into the bricks and door or something,

Looking towards the end of the room, where the vast majority of the magical energy seemed to be originating from, Jae walked over to where something sat on a pedestal.

"..."

It was a peculiar, spherical object, wrapped in embroidered white cloth. Jae could feel the surrounding energy being sucked into the cloth, and so presumed that it must have a property similar to that of the Demon race's horns. Jae also noticed that it carried no dust or bugs, which one might've expected.

As Jae slowly removed the fabric, its faintly glowing, gold markings, distorted.

Is it absorbing mana from the surroundings to power itself? It's... a self-sufficient magic suppression item? Huh...

Intrigued by the item and deciding to study it later, Jae placed it in the Inventory before looking at the now-revealed relic.

"........."

What it was, exactly, was a bronze sphere―almost like a packed shell?―with many intricate carvings and indentations that ran all across it, and sections that were separated from each other, like landmasses on a map. The surface of the item hid beneath it dull versions of the usually vivid colours that are red and blue, giving an impression similar to that of old electrical wires, or a circuitry system. The sphere itself was about the radius of a grown man's head.

"...This......"

As Jae examined the relic, he quickly realised.

"Will I ever be able to understand this...?"

Just like how a child is unable to comprehend quantum physics, the item Jae held in his hands was far too beyond his comprehension. So much so, in fact, that he already felt helpless. But, more than this, Jae realised something.

This place is probably the only room in the entire village that's still intact. Why did nobody take shelter here? Because it was forbidden?

The sole person out of all the villagers who were even aware of this basement's existence was probably only Gadeun himself, and it was likely that, out of responsibility as chief, he simply couldn't allow anyone to enter the basement where such an item as the 'bronze globe' resided. But then, even Gadeun could've survived if he held out in this place, so why...

Of course, Jae already knew the answer to this question.

...You probably said something like 'If it is the fate of this village to perish, then I shall perish along with it', or some bullshit......

Jae only wore a strange smile, and his mutter echoed quietly in the dark basement.

"...What an idiot."