Chapter 373 – The Battle for Cornus (1)

“Ha… ha.”

With each gasping breath, the body parts of the reclining Cornus convulse.

Sweat, saliva, and tears seep through her white garments.

“Permocyanine. Start with about half.”

-Kiririk, Kirik.

A man wearing glasses adorned with magical circles gestures to his surroundings.

“Take it slow, no matter how urgent. This is the crucial moment.”

The magenta liquid inside the tube is drawn into the hose. As the sedative is injected into Cornus’ forearm, connected to the needle, her ragged breathing gradually subsides.

“Add another 40ml of Menedel.”
“…”

The man speaks softly as he moves his hand.

With a sharp knife, her forearm is cut open, revealing the horrifying flesh beneath.

In that moment, Cornus’ eyelids slowly rise.

Her eyes, pale and narrowed, scanned the surroundings as if searching for something. The gray pupils had lost their luster.

*Thud!*

“…Master. Why are you here all of a sudden?”

The door to the lab swung open, and a middle-aged man entered. Wearing leather gloves, he looked at the researchers surrounding the reclining Cornus in one sweeping glance before striding toward her.

“I came to check on the progress of the experiment. Are there any issues?”

“This is a sterile room… As for the report, I informed you that it would be compiled and delivered at around seven.”

Hyukwon paid no heed to the researcher’s words and gazed down at Cornus.

Her eyes, seemingly sightless, held Hyukwon’s gaze.

“…Dad?”

At her single utterance, a shadow fell upon the faces of the researchers. Even those who had been tackling this task with a sense of responsibility now found themselves mentally drained. Mere days ago, the experiment had faced a significant crisis, with even a suicide occurring.

“Daddy…”

Not father, but daddy.

Those who had known Sansuyu since she was a very young child bowed their heads in reverence.

“Damn it.”

A researcher mumbled from a secluded corner, utterly exhausted. The man who cursed was also a member of the Cornus family.

He had devoted himself fanatically to his research and took pride in it. He even sacrificed his own daughter. They were the ones who considered the death of their family members as a sacrifice they were not ashamed of.

In the midst of this,

On the verge of the family’s downfall… perhaps they finally had second thoughts. Sansuyu’s voice left some researchers spellbound.

“A knife.”

Sanhyeokwon shattered the silence.

Swiftly taking the knife from the researcher’s hand, Sanhyeokwon stabbed her in the midsection without hesitation.

-Swish!

The blade pierced through in an instant, without any sensation of cutting flesh. Blood spurted, causing several researchers to avert their gaze.

-Thud!

As the blade was withdrawn, a torrent of blood burst forth.

However, no more injuries were visible on Sansuyu’s body. The wounds had regenerated in a short time, but San Hyukwon remained composed even after witnessing such an astonishing sight.

“Your energy center is shattered.”
“…Yes.”
“You can’t even wield a sword properly. What’s your life expectancy?”
“Perhaps, a week.”

The meaning of those words was clear.

“Is it a failure?”

The researchers hung their heads in the face of the disheartening outcome. San Hyukwon lowered his gaze, looking at Sansuyu, whose eyes were still half-closed.

“Cornus.”
“…….”
“Do you resent me?”

Her emotionless pupils and skin, hardened like a corpse, no longer wavered. The size of her lungs had diminished, and she was unable to absorb nutrients properly. Her heartbeat was so faint that no one could hear it.

– Startled.

For a moment, Sansuyu’s head seemed to move diagonally.

No one knew if it was a single involuntary twitch or a sign of something more.

However, there was one exception: her father seemed to understand the meaning.

“…sigh.”

With a disheartened smile, San Hyuk-won’s cloak was draped over Sansuyu’s body.

“Enough with experimenting on Sansuyu.”

While unbuttoning his shirt one by one with thick hands, he gestured at the researcher.

“What? But now—”
“Implant the results into my body. I’ll take over from here.”
“The suitable candidate is the young lady. Haven’t all the other ladies and young masters left?”

Even the suitable candidate had failed. No matter how superior his abilities were compared to anyone else present, some things were impossible. The Cornus family’s secret desire had nothing to do with physical prowess.

“And Sansuyu was deemed the suitable candidate… Isn’t it because of her mother’s influence?”

No answer came back. Despite the discouragement from the surrounding researchers, San Hyuk-won continued to prepare, little by little. Sansuyu’s birth was the golden opportunity for the Cornus family.

It brought about greater progress than the culmination of the last thousand years. It was all thanks to Sansuyu that the once deemed impossible desire transformed into a glimmer of hope.

One more step from here. The researchers began to move in perfect harmony once again.

“I will move the young lady to the resting room.”

Seong Ji-ho, who had observed the entire process from outside the glass, entered late and guided the bed where Sansuyu lay.

“Do not perform life-sustaining treatment.”

Seong Ji-ho quietly responded to Sanhyeokwon’s icy words.

“Can I refuse this time?”
“…”

Eyes filled with emotions beyond resentment, even containing hatred and contempt. Nonetheless, Seong Ji-ho remains here as loyalty towards Sansuyu still lingers within him.

Understanding this, Sanhyeokwon merely frowned for a moment. He did not go so far as to stop him.

“Foolish man.”

* * * * * *

If you’ve received something from another, return the favor even more generously. What a kind-hearted young lady you are.

Such were the words of my foolish mother.

May I ask for Cornus’s help?

The young lady’s governess was no different. It seemed all mothers in the world shared this similarity.

– Creak, creak.

In the space where only the sound of turning wheels echoed hollowly, Seong Ji-ho suppressed his resentment and clenched his fists.

His parents still resided in his ancestral home. His parents, who would have already perished without receiving treatment, were now able to enjoy tranquility and sustenance, thanks to Cornus’s benevolence.

“…”

– Clunk.

Entering the sickroom and closing the door behind him, Seong Ji-ho sat in the chair next to the narrow table. He simply placed his hands on his lap and closed his eyes as if in prayer, without uttering a single word.

‘It is I who…’

I’m fine. I repeat it over and over again.
My mother told me to return the favor I received.
Though it may sadden her, I believe she will understand her son’s intentions.

Seong Ji-ho knew of Sansuyu’s memories concerning the unknown lady.
The woman with bright yellow hair, who always smiled radiantly.
Despite being human, everyone followed her; she resembled the innate goodness Sansuyu possessed during her childhood.

No, it’s different – Lady Sansuyu inherited her ladyship’s personality.

– They say I have immunity to certain drugs.

I met her by chance, and she was exceedingly young.

Considering she was twenty-five when we first met, it was as if she gave birth to Sansuyu immediately upon reaching adulthood.

Even though it was an unwanted marriage, she remained endlessly bright.
Even Seong Ji-ho, who observed this, wondered if this person wasn’t a fool.

“At this rate, it could be considered a luxury. The guild my father built up is thriving now.
The only regret is not being able to see our Suyu grow.”

Seong Ji-ho possessed memories that Sansuyu could not recall.
He hadn’t undergone experiments like Sansuyu, nor had parts of his brain ceased functioning.

In the verdant garden, she was radiant as she picked a basketful of red berries, her laughter infectious. She was so breathtaking that her image still resurfaced in his thoughts from time to time.

Her face continued to linger in his mind today.

His heart was swaying in a different direction than he initially thought, not to perish alongside the young lady.

“…Lee Si-heon.”

A white swing flickered before his eyes. The young lady and her mother sitting on her lap.
A Cornus fruit held in the hands of the cheerful mother and daughter.

“When the child grows up, I won’t be there… And the father isn’t a trustworthy person either. Ji-ho, please take care of her.”

Gritting his teeth.

His teeth clenched together, and the threadlike veins in his eyes burst.

Thump, thump, thump. A trembling heart. Seong Ji-ho took a deep breath.

His forearm quivered as if seized by convulsions. There were no cameras in sight. Seong Ji-ho steadied his breath and squeezed his eyes shut.

He thought:

‘I must save her.’

* * * * * * *

“We made it.”

The quality of the lodging was subpar. Since they started controlling the area around the Cornus family’s bunker, it took quite some time to find a hidden spot for their temporary accommodations.

“There are stairs in front of the king.”
“Don’t overdo it, I’m aware.”
“Alright.”

Aori helped him lie down on the bed. It was absurd to be in such a state just before setting out to rescue Sansuyu, but there was no other choice. The more he tried to conserve energy, the worse his physical condition became.

[Master…]
[Are you alright, Master?]

Two birds approach me with worry.

The only way to alleviate this here is by using magic… but it only serves to deplete my energy. I must maintain my optimal condition.

“Brother, lie down and listen. I’ll briefly touch on a few points.”

As Tae-yang focuses his attention, Aori and the two birds gaze at him.

[Hmph, what are you going on about when our master is unwell? Your head is adorned with bright yellow hair like a complete fool.]
“…Brother.”
“Eleanor, come here.”
[Kyaaak~ Please pet me~!]

Tae-yang looks at Eleanor, furrowing his brow.

“Well, anyway…”

Tae-yang resumes his explanation.

“We have already determined the route to rescue Sister San-su-yu, and I believe the spirits in that area are aware of this as well.”
[Hmph, I’ve already heard.]
[We’ve heard.]

Based on Seong Ji-ho’s information and assistance, it was possible to enter the bunker without bloodshed and without exposure to the artifacts. The most significant challenge had been the artifacts moving outside the bunker, so being able to infiltrate it before they were neutralized was an ideal scenario.

[It’s a piece of cake. *Chirp!*]

“…Of course.”

Tae-yang, casually dismissing Eleonor’s reaction, lowered his voice.

“Once we’re inside, there will be many variables. We will do our best to protect you… but the likelihood of death is high.”

Despite knowing the risks, Tae-yang and Aori chose to accompany him. Death was always a possibility, whether it be in a dungeon or anywhere else, but this time the stakes were different. It was as if they had turned their backs on the world itself.

“There are many concerns after death, but shouldn’t we focus on surviving first?”

Tae-yang pulled out a photo. The president of the Hunter Association and the president of the Korean Hunter Association.

“Mugung. When you encounter this elder… just run away. It doesn’t matter whether it’s you or Aori.”
“Taeyang, why?”
“There’s someone we absolutely cannot defeat, no matter what we do.”

Our goal has always been to rescue Sansuyu.
It was best to minimize fighting and avoid powerful enemies as much as possible.

“In any case, we must also consider the movements of the Flower. If Cistus suddenly appears with his clones, the entire area will be thrown into chaos.”

Be thoroughly prepared to use spatial magic.
I nodded at Taeyang’s words.

“Additionally, be cautious of Sanhyeokwon, the Lord of the Cornus family.”
[Why that tree? Its rank wasn’t that high either.]
“…”

Taeyang gave a bitter smile.

“For now, he’s the most significant variable. If, by chance, his experiment succeeds, we must flee as quickly as possible.”
“…”
“I understand your thoughts, but my priority is saving you.”

I knew it.
After exchanging glances with me, Tae-yang lightly clapped his hands, airing out the surroundings.

“I’ll discuss the rest as things progress. The spirits should return now. We should get some sleep as well.”

-Click.

The lights were immediately turned off, and Eleanor and Lucy returned to the spirit realm. There were five of us now, but when we were on the move, a few chosen termite warriors and mercenaries arranged by Seong Ji-ho would join us.

We were a small elite group, operating with the least number of people possible. Yet, the probability of success wasn’t particularly high.

I lay down on the bed, gazing at the faintly floating status window.
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= ==== == ===== == = ==
【 □ □□ 】
– Strength 2□ . 2
– Durability □8 .□
– Agility 23.9
– Health Points 2 1□2
– Magic Power 2□ .3

【This is an abnormal condition. It may interfere with using your full strength.】

【Change□ is necessary.】
【□     □?】
【 □?】
= == = = = == = == = == == =

Disintegrating.

Transforming into fine particles and gradually dispersing in the air, the letters became hazy.
As though I had materialized my container on the brink of shattering.

The immaterial fragments, fractured like pixels and transformed into polygons, fell beneath my eyelids.

【The World Tree of □□ expresses its concerns □□□.】

I closed my eyes, succumbing to the encroaching drowsiness.