Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 560

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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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Choi Han glanced at the gaunt, unremarkable hand resting on his shoulder, then turned to smile at its owner—Kale Heniatus.

“What’s so funny?”

Kale grumbled, but his expression betrayed that he hadn’t yet fully composed his emotions.

Lee Sung-won, who had just arrived, observed Kale with evident surprise.
It was exceedingly rare for Kim Rok-soo to display his feelings so openly.

But Park Jin-tae was even more astonished than Lee Sung-won.

‘Kim Rok-soo making that kind of expression—’

The expression on my face—a mixture of gratitude and emotion, yet deliberately restrained—was truly remarkable.
Of course, there had been many surprising things because of me today, but nothing quite as striking as what I was showing now.

‘Who is this person?’

Someone I knew before?
Why am I so delighted to see them?
Park Jin-tae’s eye twitched slightly.

He was startled not only by my demeanor but also by this newly arrived figure.
Park Jin-tae barely parted his lips before asking the same question once more.

“…Kim Rok-soo. Who is this?”

My gaze, which had been settling my emotions, turned toward Park Jin-tae.
In that moment, something flickered in my eyes.

Park Jin-tae cautiously observed Choi Han without quite meeting his gaze directly.

A slight grin.
Park Jin-tae could see me smiling as I looked at him.
From that smile of mine, Park Jin-tae understood.

‘Ah. This bastard really is something.’

This bastard actually knew what his other ability was.
Kim Rok-soo’s finishing blow had landed.

“Why? Are you afraid?”

Park Jin-tae’s mouth fell open, but he quickly closed it without saying anything.
Kale chuckled at the sight.

Park Jin-tae’s second ability.
It was quite abstract, yet in a way, the most precise thing of all.

‘The pressure of the opponent’s strength.’

Park Jin-tae could sense whether his opponent was stronger or weaker than him through this pressure.

The weaker they were, the less pressure he felt. The stronger they were, the greater the pressure.

That’s why when Lee Soo-hyuk, who was stronger than him, was in this Central Shelter, he never resisted and quietly performed his duties.

‘And that’s also why Park Jin-tae’s hunts had a 0% death rate.’

There were times when they returned without securing food, but at least no one died on hunts where Park Jin-tae participated.
He had always avoided strong enemies.

‘Of course, he hid all of this from everyone.’

He had concealed his second ability from everyone.
But Kale was able to discern this unusual ability.

It was in the past when the Central Shelter had collapsed.
At that time, Grandmother Kim had told Park Jin-tae when the shelter was collapsing.

‘Jin-tae! We can do this if we all fight together!’
‘That won’t work! It won’t!’

Park Jin-tae had responded very strongly to those words.

‘Why are you saying that without even trying?’

When Grandmother Kim asked this, Park Jin-tae looked around at those who refused to flee with her, then shouted as if crying out.

‘I understand!’

Park Jin-tae was filled with irritation.
No, thinking about it now, that was fear.

‘…We can fight these ones right now, but the ones behind them—we can’t withstand them! We absolutely must flee!’
‘How do you know that—’
‘I just know! It’s my ability! I can sense how strong or weak they are through the pressure I feel!’

Park Jin-tae shouted in desperation.

‘I’ve never felt pressure like this before! If we don’t run, we’ll all die!’

Yet that man never fled to the very end.

He must have known he would die.
At Park Jin-tae’s level back then, the pressure he felt would have been nearly equivalent to the pressure of death itself.
He must have felt the power of the Grade 1 monsters crashing down like a tidal wave.

Kale could only describe Park Jin-tae in a single word.

‘A madman.’

Truly mad and amusing, yet now I understood very well the resolve that kept him from fleeing.

I would do the same.

I kept my mouth shut and quietly observed Park Jin-tae, whose gaze pierced through me.
Park Jin-tae’s clenched fists must be drenched in sweat right now.
Judging by the cold sweat beading on his forehead, his back was likely drenched in it as well.

‘He must be feeling an immense pressure.’

The pressure that Choi Han’s presence exerted on Park Jin-tae right now must be tremendous.

I tightened my grip on Choi Han’s shoulder.
I spoke while looking at Park Jin-tae and Lee Sung-won.

“He’s my younger brother.”

Choi Han looked at Kale Heniatus.

“My name is Choi Han.”

Kale Heniatus continued speaking, pretending not to notice that gaze.

“And he’s the strongest being on this land right now.”

Park Jin-tae and Lee Sung-won’s eyes widened.

“With him by my side, we absolutely won’t lose.”

A bright smile bloomed across Kale Heniatus’s lips.
Park Jin-tae and Lee Sung-won could see the absolute conviction dwelling in Kim Rok-soo’s eyes.

* * *

“We can have our conversation here.”

Even as Park Jin-tae spoke those words, he stole a glance at Choi Han standing deeper within the room.

‘…The strongest being on this land right now?’

He couldn’t help but acknowledge it, even as doubt crept into his mind about whether Kim Rok-soo’s words were true.

“For now, among all the living creatures I’ve faced, I’m the strongest.”

I felt a sense of pressure from Choi Han that was incomparable to that monster that Park Jin-tae had mentioned earlier and Kim Rok-soo had said was grade 1.

Lee Soo-hyuk won’t work either.

Lee Soo-hyuk was completely out of Choi Han’s league.

“How on earth could someone be like that-”

If there was a person like that, it seemed like they could endure even if grade 1 monsters rushed in according to Kim Rok-soo’s predictions.

‘Of course, I can’t be certain.’

Choi Han was far stronger than a single Grade 1 monster.
But Grade 1 monsters surged forward in an endless tide.
I couldn’t predict at all how Choi Han would fare against multiple monsters.

“Thank you.”

He tore his gaze from Choi Han at the sound of Kim Rok-soo’s voice.

“…Have a good conversation.”

With those words, Park Jin-tae closed the door and stepped outside.

The space Park Jin-tae had provided was quiet.
Just enough for two people to have a conversation.

“Sit.”

Kale Heniatus settled into a chair and gestured to the one across from him, and Choi Han took the seat.
The two faced each other in silence before Kale Heniatus’s mouth opened.

“Explain in detail what’s happened.”

As if he’d expected the question, Choi Han began to speak.

“Currently, the Gate of the Demon Realm in the Endable Kingdom is in a state where approach itself is impossible.”

The Sinkhole. That enormous chasm’s entrance was obscured by a black veil.

“Naturally, teleportation to the Endable Kingdom is also impossible.”

At the mention of teleportation being impossible, Kale Heniatus’s mouth opened immediately.

“What about Erhafen and Rosalind? And Bud?”
“As expected, you worry about others first.”

Choi Han shook his head as he looked at Kale Heniatus.

“Then you’re not worried? Go ahead and tell me.”

At Kale’s urging, Choi Han continued.

“Do you remember Vice High Priest Cotton?”
“Yes.”
“She was the Saint of the War God.”

…I see.
A Saint?
Kale had suspected Vice High Priest Cotton wasn’t merely a simple Priest since she wore the War God’s divine vestments, but he’d never imagined she was a Saint.

“She created a shelter.”
“…The place where the Ranger Unit members were confined?”
“Yes, that one. Currently, Erhafen and the others have all evacuated there. It’s said to be impervious to attacks from the White Star’s forces.”

Choi Han recalled the conversation he’d had with Erhafen.

“According to Erhafen, it’s a place blessed by the War God’s protection, so it can withstand at least three months, he said.”

Originally, the Temple of the War God had been the only shelter for the powerless during times of war.
It was said to possess formidable defensive capabilities.
Though not an official Temple, since it bore the God’s blessing and was created by a Saint, it should certainly be able to endure for three months as Erhafen claimed.

Kale’s lips parted.

“…That’s strange.”

Yet Kale sensed something amiss.
The Gate of the Demon Realm—one of the three Forbidden Zones of the Eastern Continent.

“Isn’t that supposed to be a place where the God’s hand cannot reach?”

Duke Fredo had certainly said as much.

“Originally, that’s correct.”
“…There are exceptions?”
“Yes.”
“…What kind of exception?”

Choi Han hesitated for a moment. In that instant, Kale’s tension spiked as he wondered what truth might emerge, and Choi Han’s lips parted.

“I don’t know.”
“What?”

Kale’s face contorted. Choi Han avoided his gaze.

“I apologize. It’s not that I don’t know—I simply didn’t have time to hear the details. I came here in such haste.”

Kale was left speechless.
How could he respond when Choi Han had come to rescue him without even hearing the explanation?

Yet Choi Han, reading Kale’s expression, added urgently.

“You can hear those details from Erhafen or Vice High Priest Cotton when we return.”
“Right. I can hear it later.”

With Kale’s acceptance, Choi Han continued.

“Yes. And according to what Erhafen observed, you have currently been trapped inside the black sphere for three days in an unconscious state.”
“Wait!”

Kale cut off Choi Han’s words.

“Three days?”
“Yes.”
“…But I’ve only experienced one day so far?”

So there was roughly a threefold difference in the passage of time?

“…I’m not entirely certain about that aspect. However.”

Choi Han hesitated briefly before speaking.

“Currently, the White Star and his subordinates have established an impenetrable defense around you inside the black sphere, making it impossible for Erhafen and those within the Endable Kingdom to approach.”

Choi Han swallowed a sigh.

“Similarly, those of us outside the Sinkhole attempted to approach, but we were unable to break through the black barrier sealing it. And—”

Choi Han paused for a moment.

‘Don’t speak of it.’

I recalled what Alberu had told me.

‘Don’t say much about the situation here. That bastard will definitely worry and overexert himself.’

Among those currently around me, Alberu was the busiest. He was moving the most to fill Kale’s absence.

‘Choi Han. For now, you—yes, you go help Kale. That test or whatever it is. I don’t know the details, but I hope you’ll finish it quickly and prevent him from becoming a demon.’

I had told Alberu some details of the deal I would make.
As I was leaving, Alberu added something.

‘I’m sorry. You’re truly a remarkable teacher.’

I understood why Alberu was apologizing to me.
I looked at Kale.

“In any case, that’s the situation, and I came here to save you, Kale.”

At those words, Kale wiped his face with both hands.

“That can’t be all. You don’t intend to mention the other surrounding circumstances?”
“…No.”
“Did someone tell you not to speak?”
“…You know well.”

A bitter smile played at the corners of my mouth.
Alberu had told me not to speak, so I hadn’t, but it seemed Kale had already guessed.
As a sense of unease welled up within me, my eyes met Kale’s gaze.

“…Tell me. What did the God of Death say?”

I closed my eyes briefly, then opened them and spoke.

“According to Kaige, you are currently trapped in a trial set by the ‘Enemy of God,’ the ‘Nameless God,’ and the ‘Sealed God.'”

…An enemy of the gods? A sealed deity?
Kale recalled those crimson eyes—the embodiment of ‘evil’, ‘despair’, and ‘solitude’.

“After that, I was able to converse with the God of Death.”

Choi Han began to recount the conversation he’d had alone with the God of Death.

“To survive that god’s trial, one must overcome the test itself, or so I was told.”

He hesitated briefly before continuing.

“However, no one has ever overcome that trial without the god’s assistance, and for that reason, I’ve come to offer my help.”
“Why of all people you—”
“Because I have the longest lifespan. I have a lifespan to trade, after all.”
“…That’s not how it works.”
“For me, it does.”

Choi Han offered a smile to Kale, whose face had twisted in distress.

“The God of Death said that only by receiving compensation can they interfere in the affairs of a sealed deity—though still a god. It’s the rule, apparently.”
“Rules can freeze to death. As if they follow them when it suits them.”

Choi Han shook his head at Kale’s words.

“According to Kaige, the God of Death also paid a price. Being sealed but still a powerful deity, interfering in that god’s trial demands an equivalent cost. She asked me not to hate them too much. That’s what Kaige told me.”
“Don’t worry. I hate the God of Death and sealed deities equally. There’s no ranking of hatred here.”

Choi Han let out an awkward laugh.
Watching Choi Han laugh with ease, Kale threw out a question bluntly.

“…But here’s what I’m wondering. Can this sealed deity manipulate the trial however they please?”
“That’s impossible.”

Kale was somewhat surprised by the unexpectedly firm response and looked at Choi Han.

“I asked the same question. The moment they called it a trial, that doubt arose in me.”

Choi Han had posed the same inquiry to the god.

“There are rules governing how gods approach humans,” Kale said. “These rules are absolute—even gods cannot change them—but the method differs for each deity.”

Kale suddenly recalled what the World Tree had once told him: that gods convey their will to this world through transactions or contracts with humans.

“For the God of Death, one of those absolute rules is that the Oath of Death must always be fulfilled. Similarly, this sealed god can create trials as an absolute rule, but cannot manipulate the content of those trials.”

Choi Han swallowed back a comment he had been about to make.
It was something the God of Death had told him not to mention for now.

‘That sealed god was sealed precisely because it broke those rules before. Of course, it wasn’t a rule related to the trials.’

It was the reason the God of Death had cooperated with Choi Han when he said he would come here.

“Kale. What is the trial?”

Choi Han hadn’t heard the exact details of the trial’s content from the God of Death.
He had simply come to help Kale.

“The setting seems to be Kale’s past, at least.”
“Right. My past. When I was twenty years old.”

Kale opened his mouth with a contemplative expression.

“…I’m not entirely certain, but it seems like I need to overcome the despair of my past.”

Choi Han nodded at those words.

“Kale. The God of Death said that if it seems you don’t fully understand the trial, I should convey this message to you.”

Choi Han’s calm voice reached Kale’s ears.

“The past cannot be changed. But the despair that remains in your heart from the past can be overcome.”

Kale found himself opening his mouth without thinking.

“…Ha! The despair that remains in my heart.”
“It seems the God of Death understands the trial well.”

At Choi Han’s words, Kale Heniatus responded with silence—a tacit affirmation.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Choi Han, we’ll continue fighting here from now on.”
“I understand.”
“I won’t be able to contribute my strength to any battles here. You’ll have to handle everything.”
“I understand.”

Faced with Choi Han’s composed demeanor, Kale Heniatus found himself speaking with an uncharacteristically blunt tone.

“…Are you fine with that?”
“Yes. I am.”
“You’re insane.”

Choi Han offered a gentle smile.
Kale Heniatus shook his head.

‘I can’t know the full situation yet.’

Kale Heniatus could clearly sense that Choi Han hadn’t told him everything.

‘I need to prioritize surviving this trial first.’

He was worried about the other members of the group.
He felt the need to move swiftly.
But that didn’t mean he would rush.
He would proceed methodically, one step at a time, following the original plan.

Kale Heniatus rose from his seat.

“Tomorrow, we’ll have a major battle. Many lives depend on it.”
“Yes.”

Choi Han also stood up.

“After we finish that, we’ll head to Busan Seomyeon.”
“Understood.”
“We’ll be able to see Choi Jung-soo.”

Kale watched Choi Han’s shoulders tremble slightly.

“And there’s an Unranked Monster there.”

There was a reason why Unranked Monsters had instilled fear across the world.

Unranked Monsters could destroy the new form of Central Shelter.

Thus, in the future to come, humanity—having rebuilt society with the Central Shelter as its foundation—feared Unranked Monsters most of all and regarded them as their greatest enemy.

Busan Seomyeon.
The place where a new Central Shelter stood, and where the Unranked Monster would seek to topple that Central Shelter and slaughter every human in the surrounding districts.

“That monster is quite powerful.”
“More than me?”
“Of course.”

I could say it with certainty.

“You can’t defeat it alone.”

And I added further.

“And that monster could appear in our world too. The probability is high.”

Choi Han’s face hardened.
Watching that hardened expression, I continued.

“Along with seven monsters even stronger than that one.”

The two of us looked at each other.

“I will kill that monster.”

I was determined to protect the Central Shelter in Busan Seomyeon.

“Choi Han.”
“Yes.”

As long as you’re by my side, I can definitely stop this first-grade monster.
Kale swallowed what he wanted to say and spoke differently instead.

“I can’t even feed you properly here.”
“I will call you Kale—”
“Call me hyung. If you call me Kale here, everyone will think it’s strange.”

Kale extended his hand to Choi Han, who hesitated.

“You may be older, but I’m only twenty anyway.”

Choi Han stared at that hand for a moment, then extended his own.

“Yes. I’ll call you hyung. Rok-soo hyung.”

The two shook hands, grasping each other’s palms.
For the first time since arriving here, Kale felt as though he could breathe—a reprieve from the weight of responsibility and duty.

* * *

11 AM.
In one hour, the Central Shelter will cease to function.

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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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