NS - Chapter 446
Chapter 446
“Death Knight? Is that really a Death Knight?”
[That’s correct, Master. However, it’s dangerous, so you shouldn’t approach… Haah…]
All I had heard was Charon saying [That’s correct.], so I immediately opened the car door and hopped outside. As if they had predicted my behavior, Charon immediately followed me out and took out a protective artifact, [Jewel of the Seven Seas]. 1 칠해의 보옥. To be honest, 칠해 could be interpreted in many different ways. Like 칠해 could mean laquer. But I chose to interpret it as 칠+해 (seven + sea) because it sounds more beautiful. But, I didn’t care–that was a Death Knight!
“Charon! Sketch that!”
[…Understood, Master.]
Whenever a new dungeon scenario or monster appeared, I always made it a priority to join the expedition—observing safely from a distance and recording every monster, trap, and even the armor and weapons they carried into my personal database.
Well…Except for the [Tower of Command.] That dungeon had left me so traumatized that, even though I was more than capable of entering now, I still hesitated.
‘Have I grown old and soft?’
I had never thought that, in all of my 70 years of life, but the shock I had received after hearing *that* piece of news was tremendous.
Regardless of our age gap, that place resulted in the death of a person who was the only one to uniquely understand my creative vision… The thought of inevitably reliving their death upon entering that dungeon overwhelmed me. That was the truth behind my reluctance to visit the [Tower of Command].
‘Though, if that guy knew what I thought of him, he’d try to use those emotions from his resting place in hell.’
However, I didn’t quite hate that shrewdness. And, those emotions clashed with my professional side who desired to see the unseen [Tower of Command].
Then, in the midst of that dilemma, a ‘Death Knight’ appeared before my eyes–the very monster the Lich Lord, the boss monster of the [Tower of Command] was said to summon. The air was thick with sinister and dangerous energy, yet, to me, this sudden appearance felt like an unmissable opportunity… or perhaps, a direct provocation.
“Anyone can see that this monster is obviously meant to provoke me, right Charon?”
[That’s what I believe, Master. So, it would behoove you to be cautious…]
“What kind of idiot would send a Death Knight after me, huh? Hmm?”
[……]
“They must have known what I like!”
[……]
“And yet, they’re so stupid… That’s quite the feat.”
Flick–!
As I spoke, I flicked my finger. In response, the seven orbs that had been spinning behind me began to glow brilliantly, aligning themselves in a spiraling formation around my body.
At that moment, the Death Knight, which had been standing still with its sword raised, finally moved cautiously. It withdrew its blade.
[…….]
Charon breathed a barely audible sigh of relief behind me, but, rather than maintaining distance, I took another step forward. In a booming voice, I pressed at the Death Knight, “Death Knights are one of those rare undead breeds that pledge loyalty to a Master, hm?”
[……]
“Then, the fact that you’re standing your ground here means your master ordered you to do so…”
[……]
“Does your master want my life? Or do they want to commission something from me… Answer me!”
The Death Knight’s eyes flashed blue before replying to me–
[My Master had only commanded me to stand in your way.]
“What?”
“L-Lee Dojin-nim!”
At that moment, I heard my chauffeur’s urgent voice.
Whirling around, I saw the chauffeur’s pale face. Butwhat truly caught my attention was the figure of a man standing behind the driver, gripping his shoulder.
I almost rubbed my eyes—the silhouette before me overlapped too perfectly with the last time I had seen that back. Even the outfit was identical to the one from the countless replays of [The Tower of Command] interview…
“…You…”
Despite hearing my hushed murmur, the man arrogantly refused to turn around.
But…
“Have you been well, Dojin-nim?”
A voice–one that still lingered in my memories–tugged at my ears.
[Master!]
A sudden dizziness struck me, making me stumble; Charon grabbed my hand as hard as he could, holding me steady. Only then did I realize—I had nearly made a disgrace of myself. But even as I became aware of it, simply remaining standing was all I could manage.
The man, as if sensing my elevated emotions, turned around incredibly slowly. Or perhaps my shock was affecting my perception. His face, unforgettable after a single glance, appeared just as I remembered, with that same self-assured smile etched onto his lips…
“It’s been a long while. It’s me–Seo Dawon.”
The man greeted me calmly, as if we had just met last week.
“You…” After uttering that one word, I rushed towards Dawon. I hugged him as if to confirm his existence.
* * *
As soon as Lee Dojin embraced Dawon, she easily noticed that he wasn’t a living human being.
At first glance, just by analyzing her expression, Dawon came to a startling realization—her feelings for him ran deeper than the emotions he had once held for her while he was alive.
A bond that transcended age, a connection that could be called deep friendship or mutual understanding—he had only come to recognize it after death. The irony of it left him momentarily speechless…
“You wretched bastard. What are you scheming now? You think you’re the only bastard who’s died unjustly?” She said 2 I don’t know how to properly describe this, but… She’s speaking informally and fondly. And She’s speaking kinda like a grandmother–it’s a bit old-fashioned.
“I’m the only one capable enough to come back.”
“Pffthahahaha! Well, I can’t argue with that. All the busybodies around me kept flapping their mouths about how forgetting would be the best–that letting go is the answer… But of course someone as ambitious as you wouldn’t stop. Of course. That’s what I thought.”
“……”
“Ha, Haah… Fine. You’ve resurrected, then.”
“……”
Seo Dawon looked down; Lee Dojin’s smile almost split her face, but tears had welled up in her eyes.
This woman had always been honest and sincere. She was an artist who had freely cried and laughed anywhere–only such a candid person could make these masterpieces.
“Then, the traitor must be Bae Jaemin, hm.”
Plus, she was remarkably bright.
And relentless.
Dawon didn’t answer and, instead, knocked down the chauffeur, who had been blinking in shock.
Of course, the Mage didn’t forget to deftly catch the body before he fell to the floor. He also didn’t forget to erase the previous 10 minutes so that the ensuing conversation would only remain in his and Lee Dojin’s memories.
‘Charon’ stepped in between his master and the Mage, glaring at the latter.
“Charon.”
[Master. He is now a defiled, unholy being. He is no different from the Death Knight behind him. No–rather, he’s many times more dangerous than the Death Knight. Please step back.]
Lee Dojin shook her head and laughed, “Seo Dawon is a client who came to ask me for a favor. He came back after dying–isn’t that quite romantic?”
[Master…]
“Artists can’t resist romantic things, don’t you know.”
In the end, Charon, unable to break his owner’s stubborness, was forced to stand back. Dawon smiled and opened the back door of her car.
Lee Dojin entered without hesitation and sat down in her seat; Seo Dawon headed towards the driver’s seat. Charon glared at Seo Dawon’s back, shuddering at the overwhelming stench of blood emanating from him. However…
‘Master’s calling is especially shining at this moment…’
The obedient earth spirit ultimately could not make her refuse the guidance of this unholy being.
No matter what, Lee Dojin was the most radiant soul Charon had ever encountered—a Master Blacksmith of unparalleled artistry. Her stubbornness had led to countless dangers, but in the end, she had created just as many masterpieces.
Charon knew that Lee Dojin’s soul should not be stopped when it shines–with purpose, following her calling. But…
‘What to do… This ominous energy…’
Charon, shuddering as he sniffed this gruesome scent, rolled the jewel in his hand to quell his soaring anxiety. Meanwhile, the driver, who had been left asleep by the roadside, only regained consciousness a couple of hours later—just in time to realize that something had gone terribly wrong.
However, by that time, Lee Dojin and Choi Lee-kyung were already awkwardly sitting opposite each other in a sitting room.
TL: If you guys are confused about Dojin’s feelings for Dawon, It’s mostly…. like a Half grandmother energy and half “finally found another artist!” energy.
Footnotes Section
- 1: 칠해의 보옥. To be honest, 칠해 could be interpreted in many different ways. Like 칠해 could mean laquer. But I chose to interpret it as 칠+해 (seven + sea) because it sounds more beautiful.
- 2: I don’t know how to properly describe this, but… She’s speaking informally and fondly. And She’s speaking kinda like a grandmother–it’s a bit old-fashioned.
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hecticspring
I love all these encounters