Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 377

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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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In the end, only a single word escaped Kale Heniatus’s lips.

“…What is this?”

It was a question that perfectly captured his state of mind.

What could this possibly mean?
I had experienced countless things beyond imagination until now.
Simply entering the world of a book titled “The Birth of a Hero” was something others would find impossible to believe, so I could accept most things with a shrug.

After all, I was Kim Rok-soo, who had experienced the kind of events that only occurred in raid novels or modern fantasy stories—monsters appearing on Earth, in Korea.
I was someone who had lived in such a world for over fifteen years.

“Human, what is wrong?”
“I do not know what troubles you.”

Hong and Raon gazed at me with concern, but I had no mind to answer them.

It was my first time.
Coming here, I was genuinely bewildered.

‘Could it be coincidence?’

Was it mere chance that the title and author of “The Birth of a Hero” that Kim Rok-soo had read matched those of the First Dragon Slayer’s records here?

Could such a thing be possible?
…Did coincidence truly exist in this world?

I had no room to think of anything else.
My hand pierced through the protective barrier enveloping the Altar and reached inside.

The moment the book touched my palm, I grasped it firmly.
The motion was urgent.

“Hum—”

Raon, who had been about to approach Kale Heniatus, clamped his mouth shut at the hand raised before him. Choi Han gently pulled the children back.
Bud was already standing with his arms crossed against the building wall, his expression hardened as he watched Kale Heniatus intently.
His face bore not even a trace of intoxication.

Choi Han surveyed the surroundings one last time before positioning himself beside Kale Heniatus, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
Yet Kale Heniatus seemed entirely oblivious to the tension surrounding him.

“…It’s real.”

Kale Heniatus traced his finger across the cover of the record book.

The title “The Birth of a Hero” was visible, and beneath it lay the author’s name.

Neran Berow.
Undoubtedly the author of the book Kim Rok-soo had read. When Kim Rok-soo first read “The Birth of a Hero,” he had been puzzled upon seeing the author’s name.
At that time, it was uncommon for writers to use such a formal English name as a pen name.
Of course, if it had been a fantasy novel translated from abroad, that would be different, but the “The Birth of a Hero” that Kim Rok-soo had borrowed was a Korean fantasy novel.
The protagonist’s hardships were somewhat excessive, but aside from that, the content through volume five followed the trajectory of a dimensional traveler—a Korean high school student—becoming overpowered and becoming the world’s hero.

‘But why?’

Why did the author of that fantasy novel share the same name as the author of this First Dragon Slayer record book?
Surely the name Neran Berow must belong to the First Dragon Slayer!

-That’s correct.

In that instant, Kale Heniatus’s body trembled slightly.
The voice of one who had remained silent until now echoed within his mind.

Jjangdol, the fearsome one.
His voice, strained with effort, reached him.

-I’ve been calling you, and I apologize for the delayed response.

Jjangdol spoke with apology in his tone.

-I was occupied accepting the immense power that entered your body through the crown and channeling it outward as is.

Kale Heniatus said nothing, waiting silently for Jjangdol to continue. As if understanding this, Jjangdol spoke immediately.

Neran Berow. That name belonged to the boy I had saved during my final battle.

The battle where Jjangdol had died—the last battle I ever fought.
Neran Berow was the only boy who survived that battle.

Kale Heniatus slowly closed his eyes, then opened them.

“Sigh.”

He drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Rustle.
Kale Heniatus’s fingers turned the first page of the book.
A preface was written there.

【This record is an account of a human who became a god by transforming the world into paradise and hell.】

In that instant, Wind Island—one of the three forbidden places—surfaced in Kale Heniatus’s mind.
The mural painted on the ceiling of the Temple located on that island.

A tale of a human who possessed all five natural attributes alongside the Sky attribute, leading an organization called the Dark Forest in an attempt to become a god.

That being had sought to become the sky itself, transforming certain lands into fertile paradises and others into desolate hells, thereby dominating the people.

Jjangdol had spoken of that being.

‘On the day I died, the White Star also fell.’

That being who sought to become a god was the White Star.
And now Kale Heniatus recalled what Jjangdol had said about the current White Star.

‘Kale, from what I can see, the current White Star seems to be imitating the Ancient White Star.’

The corners of Kale Heniatus’s mouth lifted.
The book now in his hands was the First Dragon Slayer’s record of the Ancient White Star.

Tap. Tap.
Kale Heniatus’s fingers tapped against the first page bearing the preface.

“That was it.”

The reason the current White Star could mimic the Ancient White Star was because of this.

“This record.”

The current White Star had imitated the Ancient White Star by studying this record.
That conviction settled firmly in my mind.

The next sentence came into view.

【I have willingly chosen to follow the Guardian’s final wishes.】

The word “Guardian” echoed in my mouth.

-Ahem, that’s me.

Jjangdol spoke in an awkward voice, but I dismissed it lightly.
Why?

“…Do you understand what this means?”
-What do you mean?

At Jjangdol’s question, I opened my mouth once more.
Pointing to the paragraph following the preface.

“What does this say?”
-…Such characters exist?

Jjangdol answered in a bewildered voice. But I barely maintained my composure at the voices coming from over my shoulder.

“Huh? You’re asking us? What kind of characters are these?”
“Never seen them before! Even the great me doesn’t know these characters!”
“No idea!”
“Don’t know!”

My companions answered in equally confused voices.
But between Bud’s voice and the average nine-year-olds’ voices, a very small voice brushed past my ear for a moment.

“…Huh?”

It was Choi Han.
He was different from his usual self.
His voice was hollow, devoid of spirit.

Kale composed his expression.
For the first time since arriving here, he felt grateful that he was good at managing his facial expressions.

The sentence that followed the preamble.
A sentence that neither the Ancient Jjangdol, nor Bud from the Eastern Continent, nor Raon who had learned countless languages could decipher—yet Kale could read it.

【In case a foreigner like me might come here someday.】

The characters written below it.

【Choi Jung-gun】

The surroundings were noisy.

“Hmm, we should research what these characters are. Are they ancient script?”
“Let’s ask Grandpa! Or, uh, uh, our, m-! Anyway, let’s ask someone!”
“These characters are fascinating! Though they don’t quite look like characters!”

Bud and the nine-year-olds chattered noisily. Because Kale, who had been deathly pale moments before, had asked his question with a somewhat composed expression, they tried all the harder to find answers.

But Kale could read these characters.
Because they were Hangul.

Yet Kale waited with a calm face, quietly, holding his breath, for one person’s reaction.

Amid the noise, a very small, truly tiny voice from Choi Han reached his ears.

“…Uncle?”

Ha.
Kale barely suppressed the laughter that threatened to burst forth.
It wasn’t from joy.

I was so dumbfounded.
Truly, utterly dumbfounded.

I felt like I might burst into hollow laughter.

Choi Han—a boy born into an affluent household, raised with his parents’ love and affection, growing up in happiness. Yet he had to traverse dimensions alone, and from that point forward, spent a long stretch of time in solitude within the Dark Forest.

Choi Han.
Choi Jung-gun.

Occasionally, Kale Heniatus harbored a thought that had crossed his mind since arriving in this world.
Especially after the White Star emerged, he found himself dwelling on this question far more frequently.

‘How did Choi Han manage to become the protagonist in this place?’

No—how could Choi Han possibly defeat the White Star?
Though he had companions like Rosalind and Rak by his side, in a world where Raon, On, and Hong didn’t exist—where most of his current companions were absent—how had Choi Han managed to overcome the White Star?

Such doubts occasionally surfaced in Kale’s mind.

Yet simultaneously, Kale pondered something else.

What he had read was content up to the fifth volume.
Then might there not be ‘something’ prepared for Choi Han beyond that point?
A power granted to allow the protagonist to triumph?

That was what he had thought.

And now, Kale had discovered that ‘something’ meant for ‘protagonist Choi Han’—something he had only pondered occasionally until this moment.

“Human! There are more of these strange characters written in the preface!”

There was still more Korean text inscribed in the preface.

【Whether this record reaches someone like me, a foreigner, or not, I cannot say. Of course, the probability that a foreigner would ever lay eyes upon this record is quite low.】

That was right.
The probability of them not seeing it was high.
How could a foreigner ever witness something located in a region beneath the Castle of Light, in the Underground Village, accessible only to those bearing the Dragon Slayer’s Crown?

However, Kale couldn’t help but think that, according to the original timeline, this record would have somehow ended up in Choi Han’s hands.

【Well, I’ll just keep it as a memoir.】

This record was simultaneously a documentation of the Ancient White Star and a memoir of the First Dragon Slayer Neran Berow and Choi Jung-gun.

【These characters can only be read by outsiders like me who came from the same place. Because I brought nothing from my homeland to this world.】

Suddenly, information about the First Dragon Slayer came to mind.

He had no blood relatives, I was told.
He never married and had no children, or so the records stated.

Why had I overlooked this detail?

Like Choi Han, he too was a man who had appeared in this world at some point.

The preface did not end on a single page.
As the Korean preface continued to the next page, Kale turned the page with the most composed expression he could muster.

Rustle.

The moment he was about to open the next page.
The instant Kale’s eyes glimpsed the sentence on the following page, he had to close the book immediately. Thanks to this, the others were unable to see what came next.
Then, Kale saw a hand reaching toward the book.

“I will.”

It was Choi Han.
His expression was calm, but at least Kale could sense that Choi Han was considerably confused.

Choi Han extended his hand toward Kale.

“Kale, may I… may I look at that book?”

And then Kale heard the voices of his companions around him.

“Oh! Choi Han! Do you recognize the letters? Did you figure something out!”
“Choi Han, please take a look?”

Raon and Bud spoke to Choi Han simultaneously.

“You drunken Mercenary King! Our Choi Han is actually quite intelligent! More than you!”
“That’s right! Choi Han is smart!”
“The youngest is right!”

Bud then had to endure the mockery of children averaging nine years old.
Throughout it all, Kale Heniatus maintained his usual expressionless face.

“Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han called out once more.
Perhaps he had just discovered traces of his homeland for the first time in decades—no, in countless years. And it seemed to be in the form of an ‘uncle.’
Kale Heniatus didn’t need to ask what Choi Han was feeling; he could sense it.

“For now.”

But.

“…Kale Heniatus?”

Kale Heniatus furrowed his brows as usual and spoke curtly.

“We don’t have time to examine just one book if we’re going to strike at the White Star from behind.”

Choi Han tried to say something, but Kale Heniatus beat him to it.

“You know my memory, right? I remember not just letters but images as well.”

Tap. Tap.
Kale Heniatus tapped the book cover.

“I’ll quickly record the contents inside first. Even if the characters are unknown, I can remember the entire image.”

The Mercenary King began clapping.

“Excellent! My friend is truly amazing! Excellent!”

Kale Heniatus naturally ignored that and continued speaking.

“Choi Han, do you understand this script?”
“…I believe I do.”

Of course he’d understand it if it’s Korean.
Kale suppressed a chuckle at Choi Han’s response and spoke as naturally as always. As naturally as possible.

“Good, then that works out better. For now, I’ll memorize every detail of this record book through imagery. After we deal with the White Star, we’ll come back and examine it more carefully.”

Several members of the group nodded in agreement.

“That way, even if something goes wrong during our battle with the White Star, I’ll have all the contents memorized. There won’t be any problem with Choi Han examining the text later.”

Kale spoke while looking at Choi Han.

“We need to hurry. If the White Star finds out that only Lord, Erhafen, Ron, and Vicross are at the castle without us, the rest of the group will be in danger.”

Choi Han finally tore his gaze from the book and nodded.

“You’re right, Kale. Let’s go quickly and come back.”

Kale felt relieved that Choi Han prioritized his comrades over traces of his homeland.
He raised his hand and waved dismissively at the group.

“Step back. I need to memorize this quickly, and you’ll slow me down if you fidget around nearby.”

The group nodded in understanding and stepped back.
As Kale watched them retreat one by one from him and the book, his mouth went dry.

Sweat formed on the palm of his hand holding the record book.
It was difficult to even open the book.

He recalled the contents that followed the preface he had glimpsed and closed earlier.

Record.
The moment I see it, everything is recorded—this power.
Unlike what he had told his comrades, I had been using this power ever since entering the village.
All the records were being engraved into my mind.

I glanced at the next page, and the moment I saw it, everything was etched into my mind.
The speed was something no one else could match, so I was able to close the book immediately.

Kale Heniatus could vividly recall the contents following the preface that were already inscribed in his memory.

The First Dragon Slayer Neran Berow, Choi Jung-gun, had recorded it.

【I realized I was aging very slowly. I could have lived for ages comparable to a dragon.】

Choi Han was the same.

【But he chose death.】

Choi Jung-gun had chosen death of his own accord.

【And I forged a sword containing the remainder of my life.】
【The name of that sword is the Calamity Sword.】

That name was familiar to Kale Heniatus as well.

The Calamity Sword.
One of the Ancient Powers passed down through generations of Dragon Slayers.

【I still think about it now.】
【If I had fought prepared to die, wouldn’t fewer Guardians have perished and the White Star fallen more quickly?】

Kale Heniatus began to grasp how the original protagonist Choi Han had defeated the current White Star.
No—he could almost predict it.

He must have charged forward with the resolve to die.

The final Korean sentence of the preface came to mind.

【If I were to return to the past, I would have fought, sacrificing my life to protect my comrades.】

What utter nonsense about freezing to death.
Sacrificing his life? For whose benefit?

Damn this birth of a hero.

Kale wanted to tear the book to shreds according to his nature, burn it to ash, and obliterate even those ashes until every trace of it vanished from the world.

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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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