I want to accompany you.
Even just for a moment.
To know what kind of being you are. To understand how you orchestrated the nineteen iterations of my life. And thus, to determine how I should treat you and my life.
I want to confirm it, even just a little.
"That is why, if we have Young Master Reivaj meet with this man, the truth will quickly be revealed."
Aged Kimchi spoke before he realized it.
A proposal to the commander of the fortress.
Though it came out unconsciously, it was not impulsive. He had long considered it. A miraculous being who resembled the Summon of Duty. He wanted to observe that being up close. He wanted to make a judgment.
"...."
This was an important matter to him.
He was fully aware that he was not a normal being. Of course. Normal people do not remember their nineteen past lives. And not all those nineteen lives are filled entirely with bloodshed and slaughter.
That's why.
He wanted to confirm it.
Having finally begun to live of his own free will in this twentieth life, he needed to know who he truly was. What that being who had guided him truly was.
'After I confirm it…'
He didn't know.
There would be a conclusion at that moment.
And that conclusion would guide the rest of his life.
Once he finished his proposal, Aged Kimchi fell silent, and the commander who received it brightened.
"Huh? Is that really true?"
Commander Wolkos was genuinely surprised.
And also, in some way, relieved.
'I've been quietly troubled about this… but now the second son of the Asrahan family is willing to vouch for that suspicious man?'
His name was Kim Jangcheol, was it?
A man who came from the abandoned land, hauling a load of black potatoes. A man with unclear intentions, highly suspicious. Claiming to act under secret orders from the king. Yet, oddly cooperative in attitude—making him all the more confusing.
That's why he'd been a headache.
Letting him through peacefully was impossible, but detaining him felt burdensome. Sending a confirmation letter to the king? That would take quite a bit of time too, which was also a burden.
But now, Reivaj has stepped forward.
As if to cleanly solve all his worries!
"Sir Aged Kimchi, if your words are true, this is truly delightful and welcome news. If the second son of the prestigious Asrahan family of the capital is vouching for his identity, then I can believe it. So, if I may ask, could you bring Young Master Reivaj here?"
"That won't be difficult."
"I ask it of you."
"Understood. Please wait just a moment."
Without looking back, Aged Kimchi left the reception room. To bring Reivaj. Leaving the commander and Kim Jangcheol alone.
"...Ah, come to think of it, I didn't even tell you to sit. Here, please. And forgive my rudeness."
"........"
The commander awkwardly(?) smiled and gestured toward a seat.
Perhaps it was thanks to the proposal he just heard from Aged Kimchi. Now that he knew Reivaj would be vouching for him, he seemed more at ease.
Somehow, the commander's demeanor toward him had gotten noticeably more friendly compared to earlier!
'…It's over, it's really over, I'm f*cked!'
The suddenly smooth and gentle treatment from the commander was slamming Kim Jangcheol's crisis-alert button. He now fully realized the gravity of the situation.
'You crazy bastard! Why'd you accept that damn proposal! Why! Who the hell is this Asrahan guy! Huh!?'
If he could, he wanted to grab the commander by the collar and shake him violently.
He just felt wronged.
He had planned to cooperate with the commander and be detained in the fortress. While the commander sent a letter to the king, he'd steal a generous amount of seeds from the fortress storehouse and escape.
But then that unexpected bastard Aged Kimchi, using an even more unexpected method, interfered. And this damn commander played right along!
"......"
Accompany him?
With Aged Kimchi?
'Absolutely not.'
Someone who, at any time and any moment, could disassemble his limbs with a mere gesture. Someone who could kill him whenever he wanted.
No, someone who was literally created and raised to kill him.
"......."
And now he had to move together with someone like that?
Just the thought sent chills crawling over his skin.
But he couldn't think of a way out.
Running now?
Not a chance.
He wouldn't get far before being caught.
That bastard Aged Kimchi's stamina and speed were at a level that completely surpassed his own limits.
'But if this Asrahan guy exposes my lies?'
His identity would be revealed on the spot.
Confirmed as a member of the demon race, bang bang bang.
In that moment, Aged Kimchi's full-body dismemberment punches would land—pow, pow, pow.
His skull would be pulverized.
Without mercy. No exceptions.
"...."
That dreadful feeling of being in a checkmate trap. At the edge of that dreadful premonition, Kim Jangcheol made up his mind.
'Right now, I need to grab the commander and run.'
First, he had to survive.
That was his only way out.
Resolute, Kim Jangcheol prepared to deactivate the effect of the Elixir of Transformation and remove his disguise. He braced himself to leap at the commander and take him hostage.
But just then—
Knock knock knock.
"This is Aged Kimchi. I'm coming in."
"......."
It was already too late.
The door opened.
That bastard Aged Kimchi's murderous face slid into view, and right behind him, a man as handsome as a celebrity appeared, leaning on crutches.
Thanks to that, Kim Jangcheol, who had just jumped to his feet, collapsed powerlessly.
'…No, seriously, why the hell is that guy still in the fortress, huh?'
So, this precious life of mine really is over.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
His ears buzzed.
A creeping certainty of death.
In that haze, Kim Jangcheol watched the montage of his life flash before his eyes, without skipping a single scene. And he braced himself. Since escape and resistance were no longer options, he figured at least he could die with some dignity.
Thanks to that (?)—
"…is indeed an envoy bearing a secret order from His Majesty."
"Oh, so it was true."
"Yes. Originally, I wasn't supposed to reveal this to the commander either, but given the circumstances…"
"I understand. And I heard nothing from the young master. That's what you can believe."
"Can I trust your word?"
"On the honor of my house, I swear I have not met with the second son of the Asrahan family today, nor heard a single word from him."
"Excellent. Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"..."
Thank you?
Don't mention it?
What… the hell… does that mean?
As Kim Jangcheol was watching the early middle part of his life montage, reliving the memories of his first love (?), he blinked at the unexpected voice tickling his ears. Then, he glanced back and forth between the smiling commander and Reivaj.
'…What the hell. What did those two just talk about?'
He hadn't caught it properly.
But he could tell the mood.
'No way… That handsome bastard, the so-called Young Master Reivaj, vouched for my identity? Said I'm truly a royal envoy?'
It sure seemed that way.
Judging by how the commander's demeanor had become even more courteous than before.
"Sir Kim Jangcheol, was it? I nearly committed a great offense by failing to recognize an important figure. However, I was merely doing my utmost to carry out my duties as the fortress commander, so I can only hope you'll forgive my mistake with your generosity."
…Um?
"Ah, now that I think about it, even saying this might be rude. After all, I have never met Young Master Reivaj today, heard nothing from him, and have not met you either, sir."
…Huh?
"So then, let us be on our way. Alongside Young Master Reivaj, of course."
...What?
He was speechless.
But at least one thing became clear.
'That Reivaj really did verify my identity and even vouched for me?'
That would explain the commander's attitude. Which meant, at the very least, he wasn't going to be immediately executed for being a member of the demon race.
But there was no time to relax.
"Come, shall we go together, Sir Kim Jangcheol?"
"..."
Reivaj gave him a faint smile.
He looked so damn handsome, it made Kim want to snap a picture. But now wasn't the time.
"Ah, uh, yes. Let's do that."
As naturally as possible.
Without being awkward.
He struggled to control his stiff movements and followed Reivaj out of the drawing room. And he watched the young master's back closely.
'So he really is a true envoy, under secret orders from His Majesty.'
It was truly ironic.
He had only made up that story to get out of a tight spot. That's all it was. Yet, in the same fortress, there really was a true envoy under secret orders.
And that envoy was a companion of that bastard Aged Kimchi!
"......"
What, is the universe just trying to screw me over?
A surge of deep resentment welled up in him.
At the same moment—
Reivaj was also casting a subtle sidelong glance at Kim Jangcheol, who followed behind.
"...."
Is this… fate, woven by the heavens?
A sudden thought struck him—strangely meaningful.
'To meet another envoy on my way back, after failing to carry out the royal mission…'
He suddenly recalled the request he'd received earlier from Aged Kimchi.
When Aged Kimchi returned from seeing the commander, he'd said it outright. That he needed help. That, just this once, he wanted him to tell a lie on his behalf.
"....."
He said there was someone impersonating a royal envoy. That it would be difficult, but if possible, he wanted him to vouch for that man's identity.
At first, he was surprised.
The supposed secret orders were too detailed for a fake. They were identical to the ones he had received from His Majesty.
'…If it were simply a fabrication, then a coincidence? No, even if that were the case, there's no way he could've replicated the royal order word for word. Besides…'
He had heard it once before.
That he wasn't the only one entrusted with the royal orders. That there were other envoys, moving covertly to increase the chance of success.
'Then this guy… he must be one of those other envoys.'
He had realized it instantly, the moment Aged Kimchi asked for the favor. That was why he accepted. And because he wanted to confirm it himself as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Reivaj Asrahan."
"…Kim Jangcheol."
The second son of House Asrahan reached out his hand for a handshake. Kim Jangcheol forced a straight face and gave his name.
Then he checked Aged Kimchi's expression beside the young master.
"....."
He looked like he could snap at any moment. Like he'd suddenly throw a punch, just like when he finished off the 4th Star Master.
What was he supposed to do?
If he tried to block it carelessly, he might survive, sure, but end up with his arms shredded into ribbons. That'd hurt more.
"......"
He felt like he couldn't breathe.
Caught in a terrible premonition and the presence of murderous intent, he didn't even know how he managed to smile, or respond.
By the time he came to his senses, Zephyros, the Four Heavenly Kings, and the rest of the crew had already joined up with Aged Kimchi's group.
And that guy, the servant from Aged Kimchi's group or whatever, had shamelessly boarded the chuno cart!
"Oh my, to think I'd live to ride in such a fine cart!"
"...."
The servant—Dyoll or whatever.
He looked just like a potato.
With that potato face on that cart, it felt like there was just one more chuno onboard.
…Such random thoughts were instantly blown away.
With the commander's polite parting words, sending off both groups—Aged Kimchi's and Kim Jangcheol's—as a single unit, out of the fortress.
"Farewell, everyone!"
"..."
That intense sendoff, as if desperate to quickly get rid of all the troublesome VIPs he didn't want to host in the fortress. He looked like he'd wave goodbye with both hands if he could.
And just like that, they passed through the rear gate of the fortress.
With the deadly Aged Kimchi. Enduring the constant glances he shot this way. Worrying about when he'd finally drop the act and show his true self.
They crossed the gate, the restored bridge, and the second rear gate of the fortress.
From that point on, it was truly human territory. A place completely unknown to him, never encountered in-game.
An endless road stretched out before him.
"Prrrrrr! Snort!"
Was it because she was excited to finally set foot on the land of the human world?
Sirgi, in alpaca mode (?), flared her lips with a snort. Asurat also twitched his drooping beak with a shake.
Of course, Kim Jangcheol's own shoulders were trembling finely.
"Well then, let's continue, shall we?"
Aged Kimchi said, staring straight at him.
Continue?
To where?
Don't tell me… the final destination of my life?
"....."
So this is what it feels like—to be on the same bus as a killer who could snap at any moment.
To escape the killer, you have to get off the bus. But to get off, you have to stop the bus. And to stop it, you have to press the stop button. But the moment the bell goes beep, the killer in the seat across from you might suddenly whip out a knife—that kind of dilemma.
"Y-Yes, let's do that."
Did the reply he barely managed to force out sound awkward?
He could only pray it didn't, as Kim Jangcheol took one reluctant step after another, like a man being dragged to the slaughterhouse.
And that evening—on the very first night of accompanying Aged Kimchi, before the campfire was even lit—he made a bold move.
A sudden, desperate escape in his underwear—a full-blown midnight runaway.
[T/L: I am not getting any support from webnovel platform, so please support me and read ahead chapters on my ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]