Necromancer Survival

Chapter 410

The full story, as stated by the [System Message], was truly shocking.

All the dungeons and monsters that users had conquered were tools created by someone else. Moreover, these tremendously powerful entities wanted Dawon to become a dungeon monster.

"If what you say is true, then… How can Dawon-ie resist them?" I asked.

The [System Message] seemed to already have a reply in wait, as if it had anticipated my urgent question.

[He just needs to successfully revive. Once that happens, he will no longer be bound by the fate they weaved for him and will be able to live as he wishes.]

"……"

[After all, a hero is someone whose fate isn't predetermined.]

"That's…" I tried to hold onto the [System Message] and continue the conversation, but after my vague words, the screen began to flicker strangely. The blackened screen slowly returned to gray.

It seemed that there was a time limit for them to send messages by borrowing the System. Perhaps anticipating this limitation, the beings that referred to themselves as ‘Lost Stars' gave me their final, fragmented piece of advice.

[This time… our authority… will…. forbid… intervention… but… keep in mind… someday… you'll have to… make your choice…]

I'll have to make a choice some day? What choice? What am I supposed to choose between? There were other sentences that followed, but I couldn't comprehend them because several words and characters were missing. The last sentence turned into nearly illegible scribbles.

"Wait…!"

I scrambled to touch the system message, but my finger went through the translucent window and reached into thin air. In the end, with that unclear message, the [System Message] window reverted to its usual gray state.

[Rebooting…]

Just like a computer, the system restarted after a warning message. Afterwards, a blank screen [—–] appeared; all windows disappeared for a moment before the lights reappeared.

The [System Messages] returned to its usual business-like, professional tone and materialized a new window.

[Playing the memory of the deceased, ‘Jo Chan-young.']

Then, the area darkened, as if a distant light had been extinguished.

"Haah…" I felt a bit complicated, but I steeled my heart and closed my eyes. There was nothing I could do except to summon the last servant: Jo Chan-young.

* * *

"Uh….Huh?" I opened my eyes, slowly–as if waking up from a dream. And for about a minute, I just stared blankly up at an unfamiliar, high ceiling.

"This is…." After coming to my senses, I sat up and looked around.

First things first, I was laying atop a huge bed in a rather gaudy room. The bed was quite luxurious, with columns at each corner; a fluffy rug was placed underneath its feet.

"Where is this place…?"

There were even blue curtains draped around the bed. When I pushed them aside and took a proper look around the room, it felt like I was in a medieval era noble's bed chamber.

The wallpaper, windows, and furniture were all extremely lavish and opulent, and even the clothes I was wearing were a bit far from modern attire. The feel of the soft silk pajamas brushing against my skin felt oddly creepy.

"My body… looks fine, at least."

After a few shocking Vengeful Ghost Memories, I felt somewhat immune to strange situations. I looked around the room and discovered nothing immediately dangerous or signs of another human being's presence, so I carefully opened the door.

The problem was that even after opening the door, it didn't lead to a hallway or any other distinct space. There were spaces with doors and arched passages, but they all led to more bedrooms, dressing rooms, and more beds.

The entire space was extremely gaudy. I was initially struck by the splendor and beauty, but due to my anxiety and the rooms’ overly flashy decorations, my eyes suddenly felt fatigued. After walking barefoot for a few minutes, I began to feel quite uncomfortable.

‘It'd be nice if someone appeared.'

Just as I thought that and turned the corner–

Shwaaaa–!~

"This is…"

I had walked into what seemed to be a huge bathroom. Only then did I encounter a marble floor–a floor without rugs. I opened my mouth momentarily as I watched a lion's mouth gurgle and spout hot water.

"Is this place like… a theme park?"

Although the silk pajamas trailing after me like a skirt were a bit cumbersome, they didn't stop me from approaching the bath. I placed my hand into the hot water as if I were possessed.

"Huh?"

When I lowered my head over the water, I noticed that my hair was quite long… Because strands of long hair poured down from behind me.

"…No way, I'm not a woman, right?" I exclaimed, shocked.

But, I felt relieved after a brief grope(?) of my body. Fortunately, I was able to confirm I was still a man.

However, I still had no idea how my appearance changed, so I searched for a mirror near the bath. Luckily, I didn't have to search for long. Behind the bath, there was a massive sink and a large mirror that could easily accommodate three people.

Feeling a bit nervous, I turned to look at myself in the mirror.

"…Isn't this just me but with long hair?"

In the mirror, I saw myself wearing a long, slightly sheer silk dress, and, though I hadn't noticed it before, I was also wearing earrings: diamond-shaped gold earrings with what seemed to be a diamond gem set in the center.

"This… is that real?" Even though these earrings were fake things conjured by the Vengeful Ghost Memory, I couldn't help but pay attention to the luxurious jewelry. I fiddled with my earlobes as I gazed at the other parts of my body. The other features looked the same as it usually did… Or, maybe, was there some added baby fat?

"Am I a bit shorter than usual?"

At a second glance, I felt like there was quite a difference in height. And, I didn't know if it's due to my long hair length, but I looked younger? About 18 years old? In anycase, I couldn't decisively see myself as an adult. Come to think of it, I felt like my field of view was lowered a bit as well…

"…What kind of setting is this?" I frowned as I looked at myself in the mirror, but nothing much had changed. Perhaps I looked a bit more fragile. After heaving a sigh, I washed my face in the water to wake myself up. Then, I buried my face in a super soft towel.

"I know there are only high-end products, but…"

I picked up the toiletries one by one, before–feeling a little homesick–picking the soap in a heavy bottle that smelled a bit familiar and using it to wash my hands. However, the soap didn't bubble at all, so I wasn't sure if I had chosen correctly.

Jingle, Jingle–!

At that moment, I had just raised my hand, sniffing at the scent. Suddenly, I could hear a strange bell-sound from a short distance away. I poked my head out to look through the door.

"What?" Almost immediately, I noticed people wearing white, skirt-like uniforms. Their lips were tightly pressed together, and they were searching around; clearly, they were looking for something or someone. Just then, we made eye contact. Though I was momentarily nervous, it was a little late to avoid their approach.

‘Should I run away?'

Fortunately, they didn't try to hold onto me or show any hostility. They didn't even call out to me. Rather, they approached in a very polite manner, bowed their heads, and gently–with no disrespect–held onto the ends of my sleeves.

Jingle Jingle–!

Every time they bent their torsos, the strange bell-sound rang out again. Only then did I realize that there was a tiny bauble-like bell that dangled from the choker around their necks.

‘But why… aren't they talking?'

A strange silence hovered around us. I looked down at the three bowing people and reluctantly allowed myself to be dragged along. I couldn't keep bathing here, after all.

"When is he coming? Why isn't he here?"

Just then, amidst all this strange tension, I suddenly heard a child's voice from somewhere. The child seemed angry, for some reason.

"Why don't you even know where he went?"

A sharp slapping sound followed–the sound of something striking flesh.

Jingle, Jingle–!

At that moment, the sound of the bells on the chokers of those walking ahead seemed to catch the child's attention. From then until I entered the room, there was no more sound–not even the slightest noise. Nervously, I allowed myself to be led into a room draped with red curtains.

‘What is this smell?'

As soon as I entered the room, the scent of fragrant herbs assaulted my nose. Then, behind the overlapping red fabric, I saw a small shadow. As I gazed at it, the fabric was drawn up unexpectedly.

Startled, I looked at either side and found that there were far more people in this room than I had first thought. They were hidden in the shadows, pulling on ropes with their heads lowered, eyes downcast. The ones who had led me here had also vanished without a trace.

"……"

"Hyung-nim!"

Before my eyes, only a tiny child remained. And, as soon as the child saw me, his frowning face brightened; he ran and buried his face into my waist.

"……" I automatically hugged the child's shoulders, but my heart was pounding like crazy from the moment I saw his face.

"Where did you go? You said you'd be in your room." Dawon-ie whined to me in a childish voice.

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TL: That's a very philosophical way to describe a hero!

Sorry for the late uploads ya'll. I've been at a conference for two weeks (and will soon go on vacation too!) so I've been out of town T_T