I Became a Veteran Who Has to Stir Up Trouble to Survive - Chapter 66

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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[066] The Truth of the World
After reviewing every word of the journal, I sank into profound contemplation.
Moments ago, I had been on the verge of collapse from exhaustion, but sleep had long since abandoned me.
“Regression…”
In truth, this was no unfamiliar concept.
The notion that characters within Belheim regressed upon death had been a recurring theory since the game era.
From the outset, Belheim’s original world was a tapestry woven from countless mythologies.
Like the Norse Ragnarok, the Hindu Kalpas, or the Aztec and Mayan myths of destruction and creation, the cyclical looping of worlds was a trope exhausted across cultures.
Belheim too had witnessed civilizations that collapsed merely half a century prior being referenced as ancient history, and achievements or abilities inherited from previous cycles occasionally manifested without explanation.
These phenomena intensified each time a character experienced death, eventually manifesting as characters spawning within distorted temporal frameworks.
While some players dismissed it as mere bugs, veterans like myself had begun suspecting this phenomenon might be fundamental to Belheim itself.
As levels increased, gods and demons would drop cryptic hints, reference characters who had died in previous cycles, and issue high-difficulty quests related to these mysteries.
‘Yet… this feels less like regression and more like a loop.’
Unlike true “regression”—returning to a specific point in the past—this felt closer to a “loop” where the world itself periodically repeats.
The journal’s erratic timeline and the way events unfolded slightly differently with each return to the past only reinforced this impression.
If that were true, I could formulate a hypothesis.
‘…Is someone forcibly looping this world?’
From the evidence, this journal and mansion were remnants left by my past self before the loop reset.
Knowing Belheim would reset, I had left messages for my future self in the cracks of this Distorted Space, which remained unaffected by the loop.
And such a phenomenon would only be possible because this was an imperfect loop, not a natural reset.
In other words, all of this might stem from some entity forcibly reversing time.
I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose, lost in thought.
I understood that this world operated as a loop, and that someone might be orchestrating all of this from the shadows.
But…
‘If my hypothesis is correct… who would do such a thing, and for what purpose?’
The periodic destruction and reconstruction of Belheim’s civilization.
Only the highest-ranking demons or gods could accomplish such feats.
Among the other transmigrators, had anyone else noticed the loop?
Why did the gods invite transmigrators in the first place? Mere entertainment?
Could the ■■ stat I had acquired be connected to all of this?
“Damn it… the more I uncover about this world, the deeper I sink into the labyrinth.”
My head felt ready to burst from the cascade of information.
I wished the journal had contained everything clearly, but crucial names and terms had been redacted, making it impossible to grasp the full picture.
As I clutched my throbbing forehead and gathered my thoughts, a familiar notification chimed.
Ding—!
「Do not let others discover the journal’s contents!」
「For security purposes, the book will be automatically retrieved!」
I watched blankly as the journal was sucked into the Distorted Space, finally regaining my senses.
‘At least now I know what I need to do…’
I checked the Quest I had recalled upon finishing the journal.
「New Main Quest Triggered! You have witnessed fragments of the hidden secrets concealed within this world!」
「Prevent the great catastrophe that will soon befall Liberta Coastal City! The aid of your companions will be absolutely essential!」
「Upon success, you will obtain invaluable rewards.」
「Upon failure, you cannot escape the approaching death that draws ever closer!」
「To survive in this world, you must complete this mission without fail.」
“Liberta Coastal City, then…”
I knew it well—a place name I’d heard countless times since the game era.
The epicenter of the second great catastrophe following the Medaolinum Dungeon, it was the city completely destroyed by the colossal beast Leviathan.
‘Surely they’re not asking me to slay Leviathan…?’
An absurd command—I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at it.
Leviathan was a transcendent boss monster whose level defied even estimation.
I’d heard it possessed power rivaling that of the gods themselves.
Even I, a former ranker, could never muster the courage to challenge it—a force of nature incarnate.
Yet what deserved attention was this: the past version of me described in the journal had already defeated Leviathan.
‘What magic could possibly have accomplished that…?’
Throwing myself into an inferno of imminent catastrophe was something I’d refuse even in death, yet I had no choice.
Having come this far, I had no option but to try, whatever the outcome.
Assuming the Quest was entirely truthful, survival left me with no alternative.
‘First, I’ll report the resolution of the Distorted Space to Belmont, then head to Liberta Coastal City.’
Perhaps I’ll discover some clue upon arrival.
I recited the contents from the journal in my mind as I lay down in the hammock.
* * *
The next day, Doran and his party arrived at the Free City through the Portal and immediately visited Belmont’s Mansion.
Belmont, who had been buried beneath piles of documents in the Study, lifted the corners of his mouth in a grin as he sensed their presence.
“You’ve arrived. I hear you successfully resolved the Distorted Space.”
Belmont’s gaze lingered on Doran as he skimmed through the exploration report.
“So… do you have nothing to report to me?”
“….”
“…Could everyone step out for a moment? I have something to discuss with Doran alone.”
Malton, Radi, and Karen bowed respectfully and left the Study. Doran leaned against the bookshelf and exhaled deeply.
“Did you… know beforehand?”
“Know what?”
“That mansion. I wanted to ask if there was a specific reason you sent me there.”
“Your reaction confirms it was indeed a Distorted Space created by a transmigrator. I was confident you could solve it easily.”
“….”
He was right—we were both transmigrators.
After all, I had created that place.
Doran sighed once more and spoke.
“If you covet the knowledge I obtained from the Distorted Space, I’ll prepare a separate report for you soon.”
“Yes, I look forward to it. Normally I’d interrogate you about everything right now, but I’m rather busy at the moment… So, have you decided on your next move?”
“Yes, I’m planning to visit the coastal city of Liberta.”
“Why there? Liberta is just a boring city—nothing but tourism and tedious errands, isn’t it?”
“No particular reason. I’m simply going for rest and recuperation.”
“That’s a lie. My eyes don’t deceive me. Don’t your companions often tell you that you can’t lie to them?”
“That’s hardly the case.”
If it were true, they would have discovered long ago that I’m a transmigrator.
Belmont, who had been smiling cunningly, suddenly furrowed his brow.
“Liberta, the coastal city… what a curious coincidence.”
“…Why is that?”
“I’ve heard troubling rumors from that region recently. Apparently, the mermaids have become unusually violent—suddenly turning savage and attacking people. I hope I’m merely being paranoid, but…”
Belmont stroked his beard thoughtfully, then turned to face me and spoke.
“Since you’re heading to Liberta anyway, investigate this matter on your way. And take my niece Karen with you. She’s still inexperienced, but as a mage, she should prove useful.”
“…That walking disaster? She nearly killed everyone by detonating a flame explosion in an enclosed space.”
“Consider that a minor indiscretion. Someone of your caliber should be able to manage her just fine, shouldn’t you? All the other mages have failed, but I believe you have the ability to nurture that girl’s talent. Even if I say so myself, I hold you in remarkably high regard.”
“Well… I have trained a few mages with mana runaway tendencies before, but…”
The truth is, I wouldn’t have overcome the final hurdle without Karen.
Moreover, based on what I’ve seen in the logs, mages specializing in flame attributes appear periodically, so there’s a possibility she could be Karen…
“Understood. I’ll employ her in my party and allow her to gain experience. In return, should we achieve results, I expect you to provide compensation befitting those achievements.”
“I pledge the honor of the Ignas Family to ensure fair compensation. However, should it become public knowledge that you’re an undead, I’ll have to draw the line.”
“That’s more than sufficient.”
I smiled quietly, bowed, and left the study.
Given that I’ll face countless crises ahead, I can’t afford to be picky about strengthening my forces—I need every advantage available.
Still, Belmont’s willingness to entrust his own blood relative to an undead remained difficult to fathom.
But as Belmont focused intently on his work, Karen peeked through the gap in the door and slipped inside the study.
“Well, do you have something to say?”
“Yes, Uncle. I have something urgent to report to you.”
Karen closed the door securely, took a deep breath, and then dropped a bombshell confession.
“Based on four days of observation, that man Doran… I’m quite certain he’s an undead!”
‘You’re finished now…’
Karen smiled with absolute confidence.
She had pretended to be docile and obedient at first, but all along she had been waiting eagerly for this very moment.
Her meek compliance, her unquestioning obedience to orders—all of it had been preparation for this revelation.
Hadn’t Uncle deliberately placed me in the same party as that man specifically to monitor whether he was truly undead?
‘Now that Uncle knows the truth, he’ll surely fly into a rage and order my arrest immediately!’
Karen was thrilled at the prospect of receiving recognition for her discovery, but for some reason, Belmont simply continued examining his documents with composure before responding.
“I already know.”
“Yes! We should capture him right now and— You already knew?!”
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
Belmont answered without even glancing at Karen, his expression cold and indifferent.
The words that followed were nothing short of a death sentence to her.
“Spend some time studying under him. If you’re expelled from his party for any reason, I will personally have you removed from the family this time.”
“B-but that man is an Evil Spirit?! A commoner, and male at that…! If he so much as laid a hand on me…!”
“I will hear no excuses.”
「Karen lets out a piercing scream!」
「Agility increased by 3!」
“Hmm…?”
At the scream echoing from the end of the corridor, Doran tilted his head in bewilderment and made his way toward the Portal.
To reach the coastal city of Liberta, where catastrophe would soon descend.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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