Chapter 99

# 99

User Manual for the Reincarnated 099

Yuliena (4)

"Kiyoung, what's written there?"

"Oh, Heeyoung. It's a story about Gedric and Yuliena. I think I need to know this because of... well, this sword."

"Ah, you mean the book you found in the room inside?"

"Yes, that's right. As I read it, it turned out to be more interesting than I expected. It seems like a legend... well, anyway, it's fascinating."

"It must be interesting. Can you tell us what it's about?"

Seon Heeyoung's curious expression was clear in my view.

Judging by how she kept glancing at us as we walked toward Lindel, she was genuinely curious.

Actually, since we hadn't had much interaction beyond the volunteer work, I thought it wouldn't be bad to share the story.

Jung Haein, who was holding my arm tightly, also seemed to be sending wary glances at Seon Heeyoung but was clearly hoping I would tell the story.

The long march had undoubtedly been boring.

'It's not a long story.'

I thought it would be a good story to enjoy on our way to the destination.

"The story begins exactly ten thousand years ago."

"Ten thousand years?"

"Yes. It's a story from before the Holy Empire of Benigore was established. It describes a series of brutal battles. It was a religious war between the followers of the Cursed God and the followers of the Blessed God."

"Ah, I see."

"Have you heard of it before?"

"Yes. The current Holy Empire exists because of that religious war. It's an interesting story."

"Yes. At that time, Yuliena was a saint serving the Cursed God, and Gedric was a saint serving the Blessed God. They didn't directly confront each other, but they always heard stories about each other and stood on opposite sides. According to the book, they actually met on the battlefield 15 years after the war began. Anyway, a major battle involving almost all the troops took place."

"The Battle of Bermann Cliff."

"Do you know about it?"

"Most people who serve in the temple learn about it. Of course, I haven't heard about Yuliena or Gedric... but if the book you have is not a lie, it could add a new page to history."

"I don't know how the Holy Empire will react... but with some luck, it might happen. Haha. Anyway, many believers lost their lives, and Gedric and Yuliena fought until the end and fell off the cliff, ending the battle that day."

"What happened then?"

"Actually, the book doesn't describe what happened at that time. It only says that Yuliena and Gedric returned to their respective temples exactly one year later. Of course, Yuliena's diary describes it in detail, but there are many embarrassing parts, so I feel awkward explaining it."

You can probably guess what happened.

Gedric and Yuliena survived together in a cave at the bottom of the cliff for nearly a year and eventually developed feelings for each other.

When I gave a rough explanation of what happened in the cave, some people nodded.

Of course, I left out the explicit parts, but it seemed like an interesting story, and even the love expert, Park Deokgu, subtly moved closer.

"From then on, Yuliena and Gedric started to meet. The war also entered a lull, so they had more opportunities to meet. The Battle of Bermann Cliff caused significant casualties on both sides. Naturally, the two gods initially tried to separate them, but the two, who were already deeply in love, couldn't see anything else."

"I understand why it turned out this way."

"Yes. Naturally, they incurred the wrath of their respective gods. In that situation, Gedric built a small altar to the Cursed God inside the temple of the Blessed God... This place is the dungeon we visited, the Cursed Altar. They nurtured their love here and, as a result, incurred the wrath of the gods and were bound to this altar."

"Ah..."

The Cursed God cursed Yuliena, making it impossible for her to leave the small room of the Cursed Altar, while the Blessed God blessed Gedric, allowing him to eternally draw Yuliena.

This made Gedric wander endlessly, searching for Yuliena, who he could never find.

Of course, the Blessed God did not allow Gedric to find Yuliena.

"Poor them."

Seon Heeyoung nodded, and Jung Haein continued.

"It's understandable that they would be cursed. Building an altar to another god in the temple... It's a really hard concept to grasp. The undead outside the Cursed Altar are probably the result of the curse from the Blessed God."

"Gedric's diary mentioned that the Blessed God granted him the blessing of eternal life, but for them, it was practically a curse. The story ends here. Yuliena was left to wait forever for Gedric, who could never come, and Gedric was left to wander forever, searching for Yuliena, who he could never find."

It's not a heavy story.

But for Jung Haein, it was clearly very touching, as she was already sniffling.

"It's so sad. Waiting forever for someone who will never come..."

Naturally, I gently patted her head.

At that moment, Jung Haein seemed to seize the opportunity and hugged me tightly.

"So, does that mean the undead we found in the left room was Gedric? Brother?"

"Yeah, that's right."

We discovered Gedric and the undead group during the search for possible survivors.

They were lying down, unable to move, possibly due to the influence of Yuliena's fall, but we soon found out who the undead we discovered were.

We found an interesting item in his possession.

[Gedric's Engagement Ring - Heroic Tier]

[Can resist Yuliena's curse.]

Looking at the item in my hand, I had a rough idea of how the dungeon was supposed to be cleared.

I also understood why Kim Hyunseong kept wandering around at night and what the undead that the entire party saw here were.

The typical method to clear the Cursed Altar would have been to find Gedric wandering around first.

In other words, you had to defeat the monster Gedric, who respawned randomly, to gain the ability to resist the curse.

It's a challenging method, worthy of a Heroic Tier rating.

The altar is vast.

Considering that you might not find Gedric even if you wander around, it's almost like there's no strategy.

You would be exposed to Yuliena's curse and slowly die.

In our case, we found a way to resist the curse before finding Gedric.

If we had waited a bit longer, Kim Hyunseong might have found Gedric, but it was still a good outcome.

"Love is definitely scary."

"Yes."

I can empathize more than anyone.

Just looking at Jung Haein, who was hugging me, gives the answer. Anyway, we had no choice but to gather all the information about Gedric.

Yuliena's consciousness is currently sleeping inside the sword, but we need to be prepared in case she wakes up.

"By the way, we've been here for a while, but the reinforcements you mentioned haven't shown up."

"Who?"

"Lee Seulho, that old man."

"Ah, yes. It's probably because the Red Mercenaries haven't returned yet and there are various issues. We finished the dungeon faster than expected, after all."

"But shouldn't he have brought other people? We were lucky to have you and Kim Hyunseong, but if not, we might have died there."

"There must have been some reason."

'Reason, my ass...'

They probably wanted us to die here. It would be more advantageous for them.

While it might seem a bit awkward timing, Lee Seulho and the old guard seemed to have unavoidable reasons, according to Lee Sanghee.

"You're too kind, brother."

Park Deokgu and Jung Haein nodded, but Seon Heeyoung's expression didn't look good.

'She must not like it.'

The old men, including Lee Seulho, are no different from the vagrants in the slums.

They are useless and don't try to move on their own.

They sit in their spots and try to gain some advantage.

As I mentioned before, the only difference between them and the vagrants is that they had a bit more luck.

A cancerous growth in society, Lee Seulho is nothing more and nothing less to her.

'Is Lee Ji-hye doing well?'

The task I gave to Lee Ji-hye suddenly came to mind.

She would have almost perfectly completed the task I gave her, but I couldn't help but think that she might not have finished it in time for our return.

Then, someone came running from a distance.

'Park Gahyeon?'

The figure in my view was definitely Park Gahyeon, whom Lee Sanghee had sent to the guild ahead of us.

It was natural to sense that something had happened from her breathless running.

I was excited to hear the news she brought, but I was also a bit anxious.

She looked very anxious and flustered, which was unusual for someone bringing good news.

When she finally reached Lee Sanghee, she panted and spoke.

"Ha... Ha... Deputy Guild Master."

"Did you deliver the message? Why are you alone...?"

"I completed everything as you instructed. But... I have to tell you something... I had to come first..."

"Calms down and tell me."

She seemed hesitant.

She seemed to be considering whether it was safe to speak here, but she finally made up her mind. Soon, her voice reached my ear.

"The... Guild Master has passed away."

"What?"

"The Guild Master... has passed away."

"What... But the curse was lifted...?"

"I heard it was exactly three days ago. He passed away quietly while sleeping... I thought it was best to inform you, Lee Sanghee, first..."

"..."

Lee Sanghee's tightly closed mouth and Park Gahyeon's tears were visible.

Although I had never seen the Blue Swan's Guild Master, he didn't seem to be a bad person.

The atmosphere was visibly somber.

Actually, it's not a bad situation for our party. Without a Guild Master, it would be easier for us to seize power.

But...

'So suddenly?'

It's definitely a suspicious timing. It seems too convenient for the old men to be a natural death.

Of course, being exposed to the curse for so long could be dangerous, but something felt off.

'Lee Seulho?'

It's just a guess, but it's not an entirely implausible hypothesis.

"We need to hurry back to the guild... I know it's tough, but we'll have to increase our marching speed."

"Yes."

Of course, that was what we hoped for.

The expedition party started moving slowly in a somewhat somber mood.

Lee Sanghee, who was leading the party, was silent, and the other party members walked silently, comforting him.

The sight of the free city of Lindel eventually came into view.

Before reaching Lindel, the old men and Lee Ji-hye were waiting to greet us.

Seeing some members of the Black Swan, it seemed they wanted to show that they were heading here.

It was so absurd that I couldn't help but laugh.

"Congratulations on your safe return, Lee Sanghee. We were just about to leave..."

"More importantly, Seulho, what happened to the Guild Master? Did he really pass away?"

"Yes, he passed away peacefully."

"Where is the body?"

"For now, it's in the guild's basement. We were just discussing how to handle the funeral. It happened suddenly three days ago..."

"Ah..."

Their conversation was no longer of interest to me. As Lee Seulho and Lee Sanghee continued talking, I looked at Lee Ji-hye and tapped my head with my finger. She smiled and tapped her leg in response.

'Of course.'

I needed to hear the details.