Chapter 383

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Chapter 383: A New Family (4)

“What… what is this?”

Yeongwoo stared at Aratubank with a startled expression.

It was shocking enough that his second uncle had been sealed inside the coffin in such a brutal manner, but to think that the uncle inside the coffin was still alive—he hadn’t anticipated that at all.

And on top of that, the fact that the uncle sealed inside the coffin was loudly talking was beyond anything he could have expected.

“How can a sealed person still talk?!”

At last, Yeongwoo began to understand the full effects of Aratubank’s sealing ability.

【Will of the Living】

| The closer to the states of “Alive” and “Happy,” the more damage reduction is gained, ranging from 5% to 25%.

【Legacy of the Dead】

| In the “Dead” or “Decayed” state, gain a 20% increase in attack power.

The terms “survival/happiness” and “death/decay” written in the description didn’t only refer to the moment of sealing but also reflected the real-time condition of the person.

‘Wait a second, then this means…’

Yeongwoo blinked rapidly.

【Will of the Living】

| The closer to the states of “Alive” and “Happy,” the more damage reduction is gained, ranging from 5% to 25%.

‘The maximum damage reduction rate can only be achieved if the sealed person is in a state of happiness… So, doesn’t that mean the uncle trapped in there has to be happy for the sealing effect to reach its maximum potential?’

There was no need for further analysis; it was undoubtedly true.

The forcibly sealed person needed to feel happiness, by any means, in order to achieve the maximum damage reduction rate of 25%.

‘Damn it, what kind of nonsense is this? This is ridiculous.’

When Yeongwoo glared at Aratubank with a face full of complaints, a similarly disgruntled voice echoed from inside the coffin-like mythical shield.

∴ What’s with that look? You annoyed about sticking with me for a long time? Well, I’m just as pissed off about it. So how about letting me out right now? I’ll forgive everything that’s happened so far.

Song Jungho’s voice grew calmer as he continued.

After all, there’s a saying: “Even if you’re dragged off by a tiger, as long as you keep your wits about you, you’ll survive.”

Song Jungho was pouring all his effort into escaping this ridiculous trap.

He couldn’t possibly spend his entire life trapped in that coffin, could he?

∴ Nephew, no, Yeongwoo! You’re listening, right? Let’s reconcile! We’re family, aren’t we?

Song Jungho spoke the word “family” with genuine sincerity.

A moment ago, this would’ve been unthinkable for him, but right now, if it meant escaping the coffin, he felt he could accept having a nephew like Yeongwoo.

∴ Hey, hey! Didn’t you say I’m your only remaining uncle? Is this how you’re supposed to treat such an important family member?

He wasn’t wrong, but in this reset world where the Jinhyeon Clan had been reorganized, his plea fell on deaf ears.

“I’m sorry, but someone has to be in this shield, and there’s no one else available. Like you said, you’re my only uncle left.”

Swoosh.

Yeongwoo drove Aratubank into the ground.

Thunk!

Then he fell into thought.

‘I’ve sealed him, but… how on earth do I make Uncle happy?’

| State: Survival/Anger

In the meantime, his uncle’s emotional state shifted again, from “Sorrow” to “Anger.”

Yeongwoo found himself facing an unprecedented challenge.

Leaving his uncle in an angry state would result in losing too much.

The gap between a 5% and 25% damage reduction was immense—like heaven and earth.

Especially for someone like Yeongwoo, who dreamed of venturing into space, this kind of versatile effect was something he had to secure at all costs.

‘I wish Uncle could just be happy.’

Muttering to himself while staring at the sky, Yeongwoo eventually pointed his sword at Aratubank and spoke.

“Uncle, what would make you happy? While you’re in there, I mean.”

∴ If you’re going to keep spouting nonsense, don’t even bother asking me.

“But it’s possible to be happy, even while trapped. I’ve done it before, you know?”

∴ What kind of lunatic are you? What the hell are you talking about?

Yeongwoo, however, was completely serious.

After all, there were “friends” of his locked away in the Returnee’s Chamber out there, beyond the universe.

Although they were technically his captives, they seemed to live relatively decent lives—or at least, Yeongwoo thought so.

‘Of course, they have televisions and chess there…’

Not to mention, they were occasionally allowed to venture outside into the world.

‘Ah…!’

A sudden idea struck Yeongwoo like lightning.

His eyes widened, and his mouth fell open.

“Uncle, I’ll let you out.”

∴ What? Are you serious?

“Yes, but on one condition.”

∴ …Condition?

“When I’m asleep or in battle, you have to return to the coffin. Think of the time I let you out as a sort of vacation.”

∴ What?

Song Jungho was left momentarily speechless at Yeongwoo’s absurd yet utterly serious proposal.

And then…

∴ F-Fine. Let’s try it. It’s still better than being trapped in here forever.

Surprisingly, he readily agreed to Yeongwoo’s suggestion.

“Really? No running away after I let you out, okay?”

∴ I swear. No running away.

“Alright, then.”

After confirming his uncle’s promise repeatedly, Yeongwoo took a deep breath and opened Aratubank.

Clink!

The crimson substance inside surged out, gradually releasing Song Jungho’s massive body back into the outside world.

Ssshhh!

From within the red waves, Song Jungho’s figure slowly emerged.

As before, he appeared as a majestic Thunder Dragon, with sparks of lightning dancing between his scales.

It seemed he retained all the powers of a Thunder Dragon as well.

In other words…

∴ You fucking brat, die—!

Crack!

Song Jungho lunged at Yeongwoo without hesitation, swinging his massive right claw at his unsuspecting nephew.

Swoosh!

!

His furious claws left behind trails of lightning, carving bright white paths through the air. Soon, those paths coalesced—

Bang!

As if he had anticipated it, Yeongwoo intercepted the strike, already holding out his Illegitimate Shield.

“Uncle, I'm disappointed in you.”

Holding the shield casually in one hand, Yeongwoo spoke.

Hearing this, Song Jungho replied with a trembling voice.

∴ Hey, I didn’t run away as promised, did I?

He realized instantly that this insane nephew wasn’t just morally dubious but also no slouch in martial prowess.

“Well, you’re not wrong about that.”

Yeongwoo nodded in agreement, as Song Jungho drew his front paw back and suddenly began radiating an intense white light.

Fwoooosh!

“Ugh! What is it this time?”

Blinded by the sudden flash, Yeongwoo stumbled back, clutching his Aratubank shield.

He sensed a massive presence close by.

However, the hologram function of the regional swordsmanship system wasn’t activating, leading Yeongwoo to a conclusion.

“Damn it, Song Jungho! You broke your promise, didn’t you…?”

He guessed his uncle had chosen to flee.

Whoosh!

As the white haze cleared, Yeongwoo’s restored vision caught sight of a thunder dragon desperately fleeing through the distant skies.

Despite its massive size, the creature’s speed was astonishing—it had already covered several kilometers.

[Translator - Night]

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Yeongwoo looked down at the Aratubank in his left hand with a calm yet sinister gaze.

Why?

[RETRIEVE]

Because the Retrieval Menu had appeared on the shield’s surface.

As if the system had been designed with this very scenario in mind.

‘No matter how I see it, this clearly means to retrieve the escapee the clan set loose, right? It has to be.’

Even Yeongwoo found this function a bit too ruthless.

But what choice did he have?

For the glory of the family, someone had to make sacrifices.

“Uncle! Your field trip is over!”

Yeongwoo shouted, activating Retrieve, and the massive body of Song Jungho, still fleeing in the distance, suddenly glowed red.

And then—

Swoooosh!

In an instant, his colossal form was sucked back into the inside of the Aratubank.

“Whoa!”

Even Yeongwoo, holding the shield, was stunned by the overwhelming retrieval force.

For Song Jungho himself, it was far worse—

∴ Aaaaaargh!

A guttural scream erupted from him as he was dragged across kilometers in the blink of an eye, locked back inside the shield.

|STATUS: ALIVE/DESPONDENT

“…”

Song Jungho had turned transparently pale, almost ethereal in his despair.

Yeongwoo carefully examined his uncle’s status window before cautiously addressing the shield.

“Uncle, are you okay?”

Thankfully, Song Jungho managed to respond, albeit weakly.

∴ Damn it… Did I just become a genie in a lamp?

‘As expected, he’s a true member of the Jinhyeon Clan. His mental fortitude is solid.’

Believing there was still room for negotiation, Yeongwoo offered a half-hearted but plausible olive branch.

“You’ve seen it too, haven’t you, Uncle? The special features of this shield.”

∴ So what?

“To be honest, I only care about the default effects. I don’t need to pander to you just to get some extra damage reduction.”

Of course, this was practically a lie.

“But wouldn’t it be better for both of us if we tried to get along? I want you to be happy too.”

∴ Then let me out.

“I can’t do that.”

∴ What the hell, you insane brat! Then what do you expect me to do?

“Wouldn’t it be better to make the best of this situation rather than being enemies? Choose the lesser evil. I’ll offer you two welfare options.”

Yeongwoo held up two fingers as he spoke.

“As I said earlier, during my sleep and important battles, you’ll need to remain sealed. But outside of those times, I’ll let you out whenever you want.”

He folded one finger as he finished speaking.

Song Jungho asked, cautiously.

∴ And the other option?

“The other option? The Right to Annihilation.”

∴ …What?

“If you truly find life as a sealed entity unbearable, I’ll give you the opportunity to end it. You can do it yourself, or I can assist.”

∴ You… insane… bastard.

“Simply being alive and conversing with me right now is already a privilege, Uncle. Every other mutant that landed in Seoul has either died or become my slave.”

Yeongwoo tapped the surface of the Aratubank meaningfully.

“Isn’t it better to live as a genie in a lamp than to die and disappear completely? You can safely observe from within.”

∴ Observe what?

“Your sister’s wedding.”

∴ ……!

“And the rise and growth of the great interstellar clan, Renaissance.”

At these words, Jiseon, who had been silent until now, jumped in shock and rushed forward.

—What are you talking about? Why are you suddenly bringing up ‘Renaissance’?

“Didn’t we settle this last time? That’s what we decided to name our clan.”

—When?! You lunatic!

Grinding her teeth in frustration, Jiseon unsheathed her greatsword, but Yeongwoo anticipated her move and blocked it with a well-placed kick.

Clang!

He then turned back to his second uncle, who remained in the shield.

“One more thing, Uncle. I promise you this.”

∴ …What’s that?

“One day, I’ll grant you complete freedom.”

At this, a status type appeared on Song Jungho’s window that Yeongwoo had never seen before.

Flash!

|STATUS: ALIVE/SUSPICIOUS

The “Will of the Living” effect applied to Yeongwoo increased its damage reduction bonus from 5% to 10%.

‘Huh?’

Song Jungho’s tone became cautious as he asked.

∴ Complete freedom? When would that be?

Yeongwoo paused, giving it some thought, before replying.

“When the Aratubank is no longer needed. I promised to return it to my brothers. No matter how late it is, I’ll release you by then.”

Song Jungho fell silent for a moment before asking again.

∴ No, I’m asking—when exactly will that be? At least give me a timeframe so I can have a shred of hope.

Yeongwoo nodded in agreement.

A goal was necessary to cling to even the faintest glimmer of hope.

After counting with his fingers, Yeongwoo finally folded all of them and told Song Jungho:

“Before a hundred days pass, I’ll set you free.”

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