I Reincarnated Into a Healing Game… and It’s a Zombie Apocalypse?! - Chapter 58

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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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Episode 58

The edge of the Northern Snowfields.

A desolate land where even the wind freezes.

There, minority ethnic groups had been living for hundreds of years. Among them, the tribe ‘Nanuk’ held the greatest power.

Even in the harsh environment, they continued their lives based on shamanism and their unique culture, finally building their own civilization.

Among them, one talent rose brilliantly.

His name was Lakshan Kurgh.

A genius shaman.

He could penetrate complex theories in an instant and master even high-level spells that took years to understand in just a few days. The Grand Shaman called him his most outstanding disciple and poured his affection on him without reserve.

“Lakshan is a child born under the stars. He’s Nanuk’s miracle.”

But Lakshan was not satisfied with such praise.

‘Just a shaman of these snowfields? I’m not someone who will be trapped in this narrow world and die of old age. My power should be directed toward something greater and more magnificent.’

To him, shamanism was not a purpose but a tool. Merely a means to overturn and dominate the world. And he waited for the day to make that a reality.

Then one day, he discovered a sealed altar beneath the Ice Gorge at the northern edge. Behind the stone door was an ancient book stained with blood, and in that book was written a single sentence.

[Use noble blood as sacrifice to open the rift of darkness.

Then the god beyond the shadows will choose you.]

The moment he read that sentence, one name came to Lakshan’s mind.

The prophesied child.

The being in whom Aibanu would dwell.

The vessel of god that the Grand Shaman had spoken of.

Lakshan’s eyes twisted with malice.

That night.

Someone secretly infiltrated the tribal chief’s home.

And he drew a magic circle on the floor with goat’s blood and began whispering the forbidden black magic spells in a hushed voice.

All preparations were complete.

Once the child entered, the god would awaken. The world would fall into his grasp. However, the first to open the door was an unexpected presence.

“Wh-what is this?!”

It was the child’s parents, the tribal chief and his wife.

Shocked eyes, frozen faces, and then screams that burst forth.

They shouted. They tried to flee. They tried to stop him.

But Lakshan whispered black magic without a moment’s hesitation. Red flashes filled the room, and blood scattered like petals along with tearing screams.

Shortly after, the door creaked open with the sound of small footsteps.

“Mom… Dad…?”

A small child entered the room. He knelt beside his blood-soaked parents’ corpses. He began to cry out loud, shaking the two people.

“Wake up… please…”

The child’s shoulders trembled, and sobs burst forth. Behind him, Lakshan spoke quietly.

“Those useless things defiled the magic circle. Such trash won’t do. It needs to be more noble, fresh… Yes. It has to be a child like you.”

The child slowly raised his head, his gaze crossing over the man standing in the center of the blood-red magic circle.

That child with pale violet eyes was Ishanka.

“Gasp…!”

Nana sat down heavily on the floor, breathing roughly.

‘What was that just now?’

She looked around with confused eyes.

The Royal Library.

Bookshelves still lined up before her eyes, and the hot pink hardcover book remained in her hands.

And.

Ding!

A translucent message window appeared with the familiar system alarm sound.

【Main Quest: ‘There’s Always Only One Truth!’ has been completed.</p】

5 million gold and a large amount of experience points will be awarded to Adrienne Rogueton.

Bonus: Hidden truth fragment acquired, partial information about hidden character ‘Lakshan Kurgh’ available for viewing.

※Real-time viewing is possible when using skill [Eagle’s Eye].>

Nana stared at the window silently, then soon let out a sigh.

‘So this wasn’t just a simple hallucination.’

It wasn’t a manipulated video or a scene shown by the system.

It was someone’s real memory.

Blood. Screams. The red magic circle. And the boy with pale violet eyes who was crying.

That child was definitely Ishanka.

Only then did everything connect clearly.

Why Ishanka hated black magic.

It wasn’t the kind of emotion that could be understood through explanation. It was the shadow of inescapable memories that a child had to bear.

Nana bit her lips.

That’s when it happened.

“Adrienne?”

A familiar voice echoed through the library.

Startled, she raised her head to see Ishanka poking his head out from behind the bookshelf.

The moment Nana made eye contact with Ishanka, she reflexively averted her gaze.

Ishanka hesitated upon seeing her like that, then carefully approached again.

“What’s wrong? Did you drop a book?”

His tone was gentle and calm as usual.

But Nana couldn’t bring herself to look into his eyes and shook her head slightly.

“I’m fine. Just felt dizzy for a moment.”

It was a lie. But she couldn’t think of a suitable excuse.

Those trembling eyes in the blood-soaked room from the memory she just saw. The pale violet eyes before her now resembled them too much.

Nana recalled the System Message again.

‘Tea recipe…’

If that really was a euphemism meaning secret, then that tea was definitely not fragrant.

A bitter taste that lingered in the mouth and was hard to wash away.

Once drunk, it was the unforgettable taste of truth.

* * *

After finishing their library exploration, Nana and Ishanka soon reunited with Lucas and Sam.

The four, judging that further infiltration would be too risky, exited the Royal Palace and decided to settle in a nearby abandoned house to share the organized information.

Lucas spoke first.

“There’s something our lord mentioned yesterday. If we need to enter the Royal Palace, it would be good to disguise ourselves as nobility. He said there are many nobles in the Central Palace, and since there are so many, they don’t all know each other.”

Sam and Lucas, referring to Brody’s opinion, went straight to Sam’s room, which was a bit away from the Central Palace, changed into clothes he had used in the past, and infiltrated back into the inner Central Palace.

Sam nodded and said.

“It was as expected. There were still nobles staying in the Central Palace, and no one looked at us suspiciously. Rather, the atmosphere was so familiar it was almost scary.”

Thanks to this, they were able to gather several important pieces of information.

First, the Central Palace is currently operating like a closed space centered around the nobles.

Second, the person practically managing those nobles is the Prime Minister, a figure named Alekson Lankaster.

And third.

“…Abamama apparently possesses something called the Stone of Life. That stone purifies contamination in the land and water, and even keeps zombies from approaching. That’s probably why only the royal palace grounds remained strangely intact.”

Sam’s expression darkened.

“That just didn’t make sense to me. That’s why I couldn’t reveal my identity on the spot. Something felt off. If that stone really had such power, then why is the entire capital in ruins like this? Abamama would surely have used that power for the people first.”

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Then, Ishanka, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“How much do you trust this country’s king?”

At the unexpected question, Sam’s eyes turned sharp.

“Are you trying to criticize this nation’s sovereign?”

“What I’m about to say isn’t simple slander.”

Ishanka’s tone remained calm.

“I’m not talking about baseless rumors, but something I saw with my own eyes. However, if you’re not confident you won’t regret hearing it, I’ll keep my mouth shut for now.”

For a while, Sam said nothing. Then he soon let out a sigh and loosened his clenched fists on his knees.

“…Fine. Let me hear what you have to say.”

Ishanka closed his eyes, then opened them and began speaking in a low voice.

“A few months ago, right after the continent was overturned by disaster. I sensed a strange presence in the forest where I was temporarily staying.”

At that time, Ishanka was surveying the political situation around the expanded territory after bringing down the Jupsel Federation.

Preferring to confirm things with his own eyes, he had entered the forest alone to assess the Kingdom of Helvetia’s movements.

In the midst of this, he heard a commotion in the distance.

Ishanka immediately stopped walking and hid behind a nearby rock.

Shortly after, he saw dozens of people moving in a line toward somewhere.

‘This many people entering the forest at once? Could they be the kingdom’s soldiers?’

Ishanka quietly followed that presence. And the place they arrived at was—

“The forest that had been dried up as if scorched was suddenly covered in green, and beyond that forest, a blue grassland spread out before my eyes like a lie. And in the center of it, dozens of people were tending the land like machines under one man’s instructions.”

“…Wait.”

Sam interrupted.

“Right now the entire capital is contaminated. There’s no intact land except for the royal palace and Nana’s Farm, but you’re saying there was a forest and blue grassland?”

“That’s exactly why it was strange.”

Ishanka nodded and continued.

“In the middle of dead forests and contaminated earth, only that spot was a vivid green. It was a landscape that absolutely couldn’t exist in the current situation.”

Sam frowned.

“It is bizarre, but… what does that have to do with Abamama?”

“Even after examining the palace, you still don’t get it?”

“….”

“The entire continent has died black, yet only the royal palace is intact. Who do you think could create such a bizarre blue grassland from within there?”

“…No way.”

Sam’s expression hardened.

“Are you saying the royal family created that grassland?”

“I’m more surprised that you’re only catching on now.”

Ishanka chuckled.

Sam seemed at a loss for words, moving his lips before barely managing to speak.

“If Abamama was trying to use that land for food cultivation…?”

“That’s possible.”

Ishanka nodded.

“But you see, there was a sign hanging at the entrance to that grassland.”

He spoke very clearly.

“Royal Imperial Ground.”

The moment those words fell, Sam’s eyes shook greatly.

“…What?”

He asked back, barely able to breathe properly.

“Are you certain about what you just said?”

“I’m certain.”

“He had people prepare a royal golf course?”

“Yes. That luxurious playground where the high and mighty enjoy their leisure.”

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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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