I’m the Only One With Two Towers - Chapter 281
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Only I Have Two Towers Episode 281
Bait
Seoul Central Player Hunter Bureau.
I parked my motorcycle at the back door I frequently use.
“Looks like you got a new one. It’s sparkling clean.”
I flinched and took off my helmet.
I had sensed a presence on the way here.
I was just hoping inwardly that it wasn’t the case.
“Hello, Director Yoon Se-won.”
Officially, there’s nothing to feel guilty about.
But it seems my conscience hasn’t completely collapsed yet.
The memories keep surfacing.
The completely ruined artifacts I had sent back on the truck.
“I tried my best to restore them, but it didn’t work.”
Even though Momo and Camilla, who are skilled with their hands, cleaned and polished them frantically, the scattered divine power never returned.
Yoon Se-won shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, we agreed on it before I lent them to you. That they might get damaged. Of course, I didn’t expect them to come back completely unusable to that extent.”
It’s a confusing way of speaking – I can’t tell if she’s saying it’s okay or not.
Meanwhile, Yoon Se-won, who had walked over with leisurely steps, looked up at me.
“That aside, what exactly is Yoo Jin-hyeok’s identity?”
“Um… Runner?”
“That alone is already an incredible identity though.”
Yoon Se-won, who had trailed off, let out a thoughtful hum.
When lending the artifacts, Yun Myeong-uk, who is the chairman of Cheonryeong Foundation and her father, had spoken firmly.
He said that while he was lending them because it was her request, it was too great a sacrifice from the foundation’s perspective.
So he said that upon successful tower climbing, they would use the Runner for massive promotional campaigns for the foundation.
But until now, Cheonryeong Foundation hadn’t done any advertising or promotion citing the Runner.
And last night, Yun Myeong-uk told her the reason.
Cheonryeong Foundation had braced themselves mentally.
The condition of the returned artifacts was absolutely terrible.
It was obvious that the shamans who had lent them would be furious.
But contrary to expectations, none of the shamans got angry.
More precisely, far from being angry, they all shed tears saying it was their family’s glory.
“To borrow the shamans’ expression, it was clearly remaining on the damaged artifacts. The aura of a being who was called the greatest manshin since the birth of shamanism – an aura that made them feel infinite glory and emotion just from indirect contact. If it was damaged while being used by that person, then it’s heaven’s will. They actually thanked us for choosing them, saying they were grateful. Naturally, Cheonryeong Foundation, who had been prepared to be cursed at and provide compensation, could only be dumbfounded.”
‘So that’s why she said that.’
When shipping the artifacts back, Camilla had casually mentioned.
She said she was sorry for breaking them, but probably any proper shaman wouldn’t get angry.
I just took it at face value then, but there was a reason for everything.
It seems there’s something that shamans understand among themselves.
“I have a personality that can’t stand being curious, so I dug through our family history a bit. And it was really there. Records of a manshin who unfailingly helped Cheonryeong Foundation during rituals or ceremonies responsible for national affairs. But that was written hundreds of years ago, you know? How could the aura of a manshin who lived in that era… Hey, why do you keep moving away? I’m talking to you.”
Yoo Jin-hyeok, who seemed to be moving stealthily and had somehow gotten near the door.
Surely he wouldn’t actually leave like that?
Whirr. Click.
Yoon Se-won’s eyes widened.
“You’re really leaving?”
She stared at the firmly closed door.
Come on, no way. He’ll come back out, right?
“Stop joking around. It’s not funny.”
She walked over almost running and quickly swiped her card key.
Wow. He really left.
Sweat trickled down the side of her head.
“This is really completely ridiculous.”
Strangely, she didn’t feel angry.
Instead, a hollow laugh escaped.
Runner Yoo Jin-hyeok.
He’s as peculiar a person as his identity.
The isolation facility located in the restricted access area.
Jin Yun-ho, who had guided me to the entrance, spoke up.
“Beyond this door, there are no recording devices of any kind. Until Jinhyeok opens the door again, no one can enter or see inside.”
Jin Yun-ho handed over the only access card key.
He’s not stupid either.
He had long since realized that the Runner possessed unconventional abilities.
Even that Jinhyeok didn’t want to reveal those abilities.
So even though Jinhyeok didn’t specifically request anything, he had prepared this environment on his own.
“Thank you!”
I gave him thumbs up with both hands.
Such consideration – I’m always grateful for it.
“Well then, see you in a bit.”
Jinhyeok nodded his head, swiped the card key, and went inside.
Jin Yun-ho let out a small sigh at the slowly closing door.
‘I hope he gets something out of it.’
He had granted the request since Jinhyeok asked, but he was skeptical about whether he could obtain what he wanted.
Ryu Jin-su, chairman of Jaeeung Construction directly involved in the terrorism, and his son Ryu Seung-gwon.
Despite conducting intensive investigations, Ryu Seung-gwon knew nothing.
He wasn’t pretending not to know.
He was originally just a figurehead president role, so he really knew nothing.
That’s why Ryu Jin-su’s recovery was more important than anything.
Despite mobilizing all means – medical, awakened abilities, drugs, and so on – they failed to wake him up.
There was nothing wrong with his body.
It just seemed like someone had placed an irresistible command on Ryu Jin-su’s mind.
An absolute command to never wake up and slowly die.
He let out a small sigh and turned around.
He didn’t know how it would be possible, but he could only hope that Jinhyeok wouldn’t make a wasted trip.
And beyond the door.
Jinhyeok, who had entered inside, looked up.
The hospital bed located in the center of the space.
Ryu Jin-su was lying on top of it.
Even roughly counting, there were more than ten IV drips attached.
I approached closer and looked down at Ryu Jin-su.
It hadn’t been that long since I saw him at the building, but he had become extremely gaunt.
Though it seems inappropriate for someone who threw a person from a high floor to say that.
Whooooo.
Camilla, who had manifested, blew out smoke.
“The connection between body and soul is weakening. There isn’t much time left.”
Indeed, the heartbeat graph was gradually flattening.
And not long after.
Beeeeeeeep.
The graph drew a straight line.
As if she had been waiting, Camilla reached her hand toward Ryu Jin-su’s face.
I watched that scene with my spiritual sight opened.
“Come out. There’s nothing left to hold you now.”
With those brief words, Camilla raised her hand.
Something grayish-white emerged limply.
Though unstable in form, it bore an exact resemblance to Ryu Jin-su.
Gulp!
I’d never seen anything like it.
A soul with such complete appearance.
Was it because it was forcibly extracted?
Ryu Jin-su looked around with a bewildered expression.
“You are dead. I caught your departing soul. So answer what I ask.”
Ryu Jin-su looked back and forth between Camilla and me without saying a word.
Once he seemed to grasp the situation somewhat.
“Kahahahahaha!!”
He burst into laughter like a madman.
What a shame.
If he weren’t already dead, I would have slapped him at least once.
“Answer what you ask? Why should I, to the guys who made me like this? And if you’re going to ask favors, at least get on your knees. Bow your heads. Then who knows? I might show mercy and answer.”
Camilla exhaled smoke and raised one corner of her mouth.
“Interesting. When extracted as a soul, one usually becomes flustered and afraid.”
“Who do you think I am? I’m Ryu Jin-su, Chairman of Jaeung Construction.”
“What are you so proud of? I was saying you’re an unusually vicious and rotten human being.”
Ryu Jin-su chuckled and shook his head.
“I don’t know who you are, but you seem ignorant of worldly affairs. With your presumptuous comment just now, the probability of me answering has dropped even further.”
Did he think he held the initiative?
He even crossed his arms with a triumphant expression.
Camilla continued, unfazed.
“As one who tends to souls, I’m quite lenient with spirits. So I’ll give you a choice. Answer obediently, and I’ll guide you down a less painful path than usual. But if you don’t comply, I guarantee you’ll regret it terribly.”
Ryu Jin-su burst into loud laughter once again.
“What do I have to fear? I’m already dead anyway. Babble all you want. I won’t say anything until you two bury your heads in the ground.”
I shrugged at Camilla who was looking at me.
I had told her before coming.
That Ryu Jin-su would definitely act like this.
Camilla sighed deeply and spread her fingers.
The ring on her index finger glinted.
Soul Veritas, the necromancer’s ring obtained from defeating Mortarion, the Necromancer of the Century.
A ring usable even outside the Tower, possessing the unique skill ‘Inquiry’ that forces souls to answer.
“I originally try not to go against providence. No matter how rotten you were in life, I don’t forcibly send souls down more painful paths. However.”
Camilla wore a chilling smile.
“When you choose it yourself, that’s a different story. I gave you fair choices, and you chose the latter. So, don’t resent me.”
She didn’t wait for an answer.
Soul Veritas’s tendrils instantly extended to bind Ryu Jin-su.
His body contorted as terrible agony appeared on Ryu Jin-su’s face.
After a brief moment.
“It’s done. You can ask now.”
Camilla nodded and stepped aside.
I gave a thumbs up and approached Ryu Jin-su, who was consumed by Veritas.
And I asked.
About Crown Jackpot.
Prague, Czech Republic.
Click click click!
I’d lost count of how many times I’d pressed the camera button.
It was that beautiful.
Charles Bridge, called the symbol of Prague, with the massive Vltava River running through it.
After taking enough photos, I put away my phone.
Then I placed my hands on the railing and took a deep breath.
“Wow.”
The refreshing breeze entering my nose drew out an exclamation.
People didn’t go on and on about Prague for nothing.
‘It really is pretty. Magnificent.’
I’d kept putting it off and never came.
I did well to boldly declare a strike and come here.
Actually it wasn’t a strike but officially requesting vacation time, but anyway.
“Excuse me…”
Some tourists approached hesitantly and carefully spoke up.
“We’re really sorry to bother you during your trip… Could you possibly give us an autograph? We’re huge fans!”
“Of course!”
I carefully signed autographs for each person who flocked over afterward.
While taking photos and waving hands like that.
Ding!
A text message arrived.
“Huh?”
I couldn’t help but be puzzled by the sender.
Lee Kang-san, a Hunter affiliated with the Player Hunter Bureau.
We got along well and would chat whenever we gathered, but we’d never exchanged personal contact.
Lee Kang-san wasn’t that type of person anyway, being the ultimate lazy guy.
I tilted my head and opened the message.
“…What is this.”
My face hardened.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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