Chapter 97: Undead Hunter Woo Hyo-Sung |
An excavation site formed around a mountain area.
Despite being outside the empire, it was heavily invested in, enough to be called a garrison area.
Workers for excavation, merchants seeking supplies and trade, the empire’s army gathered to protect them, and adventurers fulfilling requests.
Naturally, causing a commotion in such a prominent place would inevitably attract attention.
“You’ve made quite a spectacle. Marcus is working hard to quell the disturbance.”
While being investigated and resting in a military-guarded isolation area, I responded with an ambiguous smile to Jang, who came after hearing the news.
“Well, about that, you see…”
“No need to explain. I’ve already heard from the fortune teller.”
Yes. If Airi had been entrusted with the training proxy, they must have already exchanged information.
“So, was that previous incident the result of unlocking the potential of a high-ranking demon? To withstand such power and achieve meaningful results is truly remarkable.”
“Ah, no. It’s not as impressive as you think. After all, that was the armor’s power, not mine…”
“So what if it was the result of using armor? Most people would be overwhelmed and unable to use such an item, but you managed to use it effectively and achieve meaningful results, didn’t you?”
Jang spoke earnestly to me, who claimed it was merely the result of relying on the armor’s power.
His smile and the hand on my shoulder conveyed his sincerity towards me.
“Even the talent passed down through generations of skilled swordsmen is useless if the sword is never wielded… In a world where everyone has different qualities, it’s foolish to deem something useless just because it doesn’t meet one particular condition.”
“Yes, that’s true, but…”
“Be confident. At least in my opinion, you’ve admirably overcome the first hurdle to becoming a hero.”
Yes, my goal was to become a hero.
I still didn’t know specifically what he meant by a hero, but if I gained the power he mentioned, I could achieve anything I desired.
To restore Pheloi and also be recognized by others.
And to find a way to coexist with Airi and Merilyn, so that even in this world, I could live as I wished.
“Then, since you seem well-rested, let’s continue with the next training. We might need to do some mountain climbing. Are you confident in your stamina?”
As I was gathering my thoughts, Jang handed back the armor I had taken off.
Feeling my fatigue fade away, I donned the armor he offered and confidently replied.
“You needn’t worry about that. Since coming to this world, the most I’ve done is make use of my body.”
I could survive no matter where I’d be thrown.
For someone like me, whose only perceived strength was survival, mountain climbing was hardly a challenge.
Murmur. Whisper.
The problem was, this being an inhabited area, there was more to be mindful of than just my tasks.
As I left the isolation area and walked around the excavation site, I became aware of the stares directed at me.
Workers dispatched for work, merchants trading goods, adventurers here for quests, and even the soldiers controlling the area were looking at me.
“That thing just now, he caused it, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, the outsider in the black armor; it’s definitely him.”
It seemed the previous disturbance was widely known among the people at this site.
Indeed, it would have been odd if there was no interest, considering that a landslide would not have been surprising given what had transpired.
“But more than that, doesn’t his face look familiar?”
“Ah, yes. I remember.”
Moreover, my ability ensured that people who met me wouldn’t forget me.
Anyone who had encountered me in the past could immediately guess that the me in their memory and the me who caused the incident were the same person.
“Is that guy the Hero Hunter Woo Hyo…?”
“I’ve heard rumors, but I never expected it to be this serious.”
But why do those who remember me always remember my name in such a way?
No, really, it’s strange. My ability was to remember names correctly, so why do they keep omitting my family name?
“But isn’t the name Woo Hyo strange?”
“I heard somewhere that it’s also a sound of exertion, like ‘Woo Hyo.’”
“That’s not something a human would do.”
“Maybe he gave up being human. That’s why he can go around beating fallen heroes.”
Damn, just how far has this rumor been distorted?
But there was little chance of correcting a rumor that had already spread by clarifying it from my side.
“Now that I think of it, there’s something I’m curious about.”
Just as I thought I had to endure it as usual, Jang, walking ahead towards the ridge, stopped his staff and turned to look at me.
“I tend to forget things due to my age, but your name, in particular, remains clearly in my memory.”
“Ah, that’s probably because of my ability.”
An ability that wasn’t really a secret anyway.
After a brief explanation, he chuckled and began stroking his beard.
“So, it’s an ability that makes people never forget you?”
Yes, that was the entirety of my power.
Of course, that ability helped Pheloi’s self grow rapidly, but considering it caused Pheloi to go berserk and shut down, it wasn’t entirely an advantage.
Considering I was once influenced by my foreign status and the infamy of being a hero killer, it was hard to erase the perception that it was more a detriment than a benefit.
But…
“That’s a power quite fitting for a hero.”
“…What?”
The ensuing remark was contrary to what I had expected.
Feeling puzzled by this, Jang, who had stopped, resumed his steps and spoke with a hint of bitterness.
“No matter how strong and noble, there are heroes who fail to leave their names in history and are forgotten.”
“……”
“…Let’s continue.”
“Ah, yes.”
Forgotten heroes.
Hearing that, my gaze gradually lowered, eventually focusing on the spear in my hand.
Although it was unresponsive now due to a closed heart, the spear itself functioned well enough for use.
But at this moment, what I thought about was the soul that became the medium for this spear…
It was likely about someone who used the name ‘Tacchia Pheloi’ before the artisan who made this weapon.
‘Ironically, before even hearing the results, this world was hit by so many calamities that it made such things meaningless. Even the kingdom waiting for her return started to crumble beyond repair due to an unidentified plague.’
A hero acclaimed as a warrior, but forgotten in history as the kingdom that should remember her perished.
The thought that this being was related to the one before me was certainly not a mistake.
Anyway, from now on, I’ll begin my training under his guidance.
Following him alone, I ended up entering a cave on the mountain after climbing a trail on the mountain.
The reason we took a different path than the workers on the way up was because the excavation site prioritized locations secured for safety.
“Then, let’s start by finding suitable targets for training.”
“Ah, yes. We’re also to clear out the undead at the excavation site, right?”
Before coming here, I heard that this excavation site, where dragon bones were found, was already inhabited by numerous undead.
Initially thought to be naturally occurring wild undead, there had been testimonies of them digging tunnels, suggesting coordinated action.
From the situation, it could be interpreted that someone was using the undead for some reason to excavate dragon bones from this mountain.
“Yes, Marcus is quite eager about this. He’s even requesting adventurers to completely exterminate the undead on this mountain.”
It was likely the work of necromancers associated with a cult or liches from the undead legion.
Humanity currently held the upper hand, but it was a crucial operation, so the Imperial Army wouldn’t easily relax their vigilance.
If they falter even slightly in securing the dragon bones, it could go beyond a loss and become a threat to humanity.
“I was originally planning to just find a suitable place for quiet training, but it seems Marcus is keeping an eye on us. We need to produce some results to appease him, so I hope you’ll put some effort into the extermination while looking for training targets.”
“…I don’t know the details, but it seems you’ve made quite an enemy.”
“Chuckle. To him, it must have seemed like I’ve been wasting time all this while.”
Tap, tap.
We relied on the light of the lantern to move forward inside the cave.
Unlike tunnels with laid rails and central axes, the interior, untouched by human hands, was filled with a considerable eerie aura.
It was dark enough to be blind without light, making it impossible to work recklessly.
The adventurers’ task was to search the cave like a dungeon and, once it was secured, pass on maps and reports to prioritize the workers’ safety.
Growl, roar!
Yes, the very dangers have come to us.
As I grasped my spear and aimed its tip, the shadows lurking in the cave became visible in the light of Jang’s lantern.
Of course, they were not humans.
As I’d heard from the supervisors, we were the only ones tasked with scouting this cave.
Moan, groan…
Cackle, screech…
Groans squeezed out as if wrung from dry throats.
With them were ominous glare from eyes emitting malevolent magic and the stench of decay.
The undead, which I had seen quite a few times in this world, had come here in response to the presence of the living.
“It seems like we’ve encountered obstacles before finding our training spot. Can you handle them?”
“Yes, I can handle the undead.”
At least, no notably dangerous undead had been found before coming here.
I could handle ordinary undead without Pheloi’s help, but I shouldn’t be complacent given their numbers.
The most terrifying thing about the undead was when they, holding a numerical advantage, charge without fear.
-Moan, groan…
-Uh, uh…?
But when the distance with the undead narrowed, instead of charging at me, they stood still and gazed at me blankly.
I wondered why they were acting this way, but only for a moment.
-Uh, Woo Hyo…
-Uh, Woo Hyo…?
Hearing the groans coming from their mouths, I realized what was happening and gradually relaxed.
Yes. This had happened before, a few months ago, in a dungeon.
Undead were, after all, those who had died and come back to life.
Their brains, necessary for preserving memories, have rotted, essentially leaving them in a state akin to dementia.
Without the intervention of a sorcerer or a higher entity, they were left with only a strong obsession with the living.
My ability forces my name to be imprinted in the consciousness of whoever or whatever had it.
-Woo Hyo…
-Woo Hyo, Woo Hyo…
In other words, the undead, devoid of thought, end up fixating only on my name, the only thing remaining in their minds.
Unless they were like the Four Knights, possessing consciousness, it was clear why ordinary undead didn’t attack me upon seeing me.
Yes, I understand, but…
-Woo Hyo…
-Woo Hyo! Woo Hyo…
…Damn it.
Now they’re even straining their throats to scream.
Creak, creak!
Whatever the case, it was easy to deal with them when they just stood there stupidly.
I sliced all the unsightly ones with my spear, and eventually, silence fell in the cave.
Seeing that they didn’t rush in even when their companions died, it seemed I wouldn’t have to worry about them getting caught up in any kind of camaraderie later on.
“Haha, it seems your ability is useful in unexpected ways.”
Jang remarked, admiring how I easily annihilated the undead horde.
He seemed pleased that it made our job easier, but I didn’t feel particularly delighted after eliminating the undead.
-Uh, Woo Hyo…
Even now, see how the one with only a head left was straining to call out my name with the last of its strength?
I tried not to hold ill feelings towards my parents, but as these incidents continued, resentment was inevitable.
Dear mother and father in heaven, why did you give me this name?
On second thought, it wasn’t heaven but that world, but anyway…