The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 292



292. The Prophet of Wederos (11)

—

—

After the festival, there was a light rest and enjoyable tea time, a walk through famous tourist attractions, performances by celebrities and plays by invited theater troupes, light outings and gourmet food, and so on.

Everything that could be considered a trip was carried out.

As enough time had passed, the sun was slowly setting, and the sound of magical fireworks bursting filled the ears and sky, marking the end of a well-spent day.

The Duke’s family was trying to end the day by watching the final flower of the festival.

“Don’t just take care of your fiancée, spend some time with us too!”

Claire chuckled.

Flora was whining right next to Carsein, and Carsein was naturally accepting her complaints.

Seeing that scene, their mother rarely smiled.

Even the sister who had friction with Carsein also chuckled.

Seeing everyone gathered together, Claire thought this was enough.

‘Roughly… it went well, right?’

Contrary to concerns, Carsein spent the day of the trip without any problems.

Even when enjoying mini-games with the family, there was no major friction, and he was well involved in other schedules without missing out.

And seeing that he spent time with his sister Arina without major friction or quarrels, it seemed that the purpose of this trip was roughly achieved.

Only one thing remained.

Reconciliation in their time alone.

‘…Why do I feel so uneasy?’

Strangely, the uneasiness did not disappear.

Even if she tried to erase the sense of incongruity, the sense of incongruity that had arisen at some point made Claire’s chest feel stuffy.

She worried that she might have forced it, but she was enjoying herself well.

She wondered what would happen if there was a backlash and friction occurred, but that didn’t happen either.

There was no incident of someone disappearing or an event happening in the middle, and they completed the schedule until the end.

Yet, somehow, there was a sense of incongruity.

“Is it… just my imagination?”

As she muttered that, Flora called Claire from afar.

“Little sister! What are you doing there!”

“We’re just lighting the bonfire. Claire. This is something we should all do together, right?”

“Oh, yes! I’m coming now!”

Yes. The trip was ending well, so what could be the problem?

It must be just her imagination.

—

—

Maybe.

-Ding!

▶Hidden Episode. You have cleared the awkwardness of the clumsy second sister.◀

▶Claire Bagland’s intimacy has reached 100%.◀

[ The 100% intimacy reward will be given at a specific time. ]

[ Condition: ??? after ]

From noble mtl dot com

*

▶Episode VII. The family trip of the Duke’s family is in progress.◀

▶Current activity points: 15330pts◀

▶Intimacy Lantern Status◀

[ Isabella: Blue ]

[ Arina: Light Green ]

[ Claire: Blue ]

[ Flora: Blue ]

By the evening, I had gathered almost all the points I needed.

Nevertheless, to prevent any unforeseen accidents, I did not miss the last schedule, which accounted for the largest portion of the points.

I also cut down my funds appropriately for each mini-game I performed.

Calculating the necessary points and proceeding with my family, most of the time I failed, and there were many entangling results… but there’s nothing to regret.

After all, to appease Arina, that’s the way it should be.

‘Well, looking back now, I can understand the expenditure of these funds.’

Think of it as a place like an amusement park where instead of an unlimited pass, each ride is individually priced, and the usage fee is paid afterward.

Since I didn’t come here by choice in the first place, the operating costs included match exactly with the money I have to bear.

Lastly, the episode status.

Arina’s lantern hasn’t changed yet to meet the episode clear condition, but that’s something time will solve.

‘Since I still have a one-on-one conversation left with Arina.’

The end of this episode is always concluded with a conversation with Arina.

For some reason, the most difficult choices seem to be in this conversation.

“Karsein.”

And to lead that conversation, Isabella came to me.

She said she had something urgent to discuss, so the other family members left.

—

—

To be precise, it must have taken Arina with it.

As soon as they were left alone, the familiar dialogue lines began to appear.

Along with the choices that followed.

“…This might sound strange, but this trip wasn’t just for fun.”

Isabella made a bitter expression.

“How about reconciling with Arina?”

A choice just appeared.

▶You can now attempt a conversation with Arina.◀

▶This conversation will proceed as a 1:1 dialogue, and choices will appear, so please be careful.◀

▶Would you like to go find Arina and attempt a conversation now?

[ 1. I’ll go now. ]

[ 2. Give me some time. ]☑

“Give me some time.”

“Alright. You must need some time too.”

Isabella left with a much more relaxed face.

“Is this the end?”

This choice doesn’t necessarily need to be carried out.

Because I could continue this conversation in another way.

If a small incident occurs and draws attention, this conversation will be forcibly buried.

For example, if Carsein suddenly encounters a beast and fights it off, or if a fire starts at the place we’re staying.

So, the memory of the conversation with Arina is far away.

What I said to Carsein.

How Carsein responded to those words.

I don’t remember any of it.

“Thank you for your purchase!”

-Ding!

▶You have purchased an item.◀

◆Dry Hay

◆Remaining Fireworks

If you place them in the right spot, the fire will spread from Carsein’s room, causing a commotion. If you stay outside and just buy some time so that the conversation with Arina doesn’t continue, all the conditions for clearing this episode would be fulfilled.

—

—

All that’s left is to waste some time somewhere, and it’s over.

Until the curtain falls on this unbearably tedious journey, I walked alone on the path.

“Now, all that’s left… are meaningless episodes that occasionally show up and gathering money.”

Many thoughts come to mind.

This is the path I’ve roughly been following.

I’m familiar with the process of gathering money and escaping.

But beyond that, I don’t know.

After completing this chapter and escaping, it’s a complete blank slate.

Will a game clear window pop up and reward me?

Or will it help me return to my reality after finishing the possession in the game?

I… didn’t know anything.

As I walked absentmindedly along the path, I found myself heading towards an alleyway.

Just as I was about to turn back, thinking I was too lost in thought.

-Thud.

“Karsein.”

A thick Westerner’s hand was on my shoulder.

“Pollux?”

“…I have something important to discuss. Can you follow me?”

*

The place Pollux led me to was even more deserted than the alleyway from a moment ago.

‘Pollux doesn’t seem to have anything to do in this episode?’

Even if he did, there’s no reason for him to be involved with a Westerner.

Pollux, who doesn’t care much about the Empire’s culture, appearing here seems unlikely.

This episode’s purpose is just to drain the player’s funds through a boring family trip, so this meeting felt even more awkward.

“…How did you find out I was here?”

Pollux, who had stopped not far away, answered in a heavy tone.

“Because the prophet of Wederos appeared and told me.”

“…What?”

“He told me you would pass through this path after finishing the festival here. That’s how I caught you.”

“Wait. That means…!”

—

—

“Yes. As you thought, the prophecy of the seer Beneris led me here.”

For a moment, my mind went blank.

It seemed impossible that he knew I would pass by at this exact time…

But since it was the seer’s words, I couldn’t completely ignore it.

“…So?”

“I came to deliver Beneris’s prophecy to you… but first, I have a question.”

“Hmm?”

Pollux, who had been staring at me intently, narrowed his eyes slightly and asked.

“What are your future plans, Karsein?”

“What plans… Well, I’m thinking of escaping from the hands of the Duke of Bagland.”

“No. That’s not what I’m asking.”

“What?”

“What I’m asking is, what are your plans as a stranger?”

It might seem like an out-of-the-blue question.

Pollux was now asking ‘me,’ not ‘Karsein.’

Yes. I shouldn’t answer this question lightly.

I need to reveal my true purpose.

“I will return to my world.”

“…”

“It might sound strange coming from a stranger. But, I was suddenly dragged here without knowing why. I almost died several times, and I’ve barely survived until now.”

Saying that this is a game world… is too much.

I can’t explain the status window, the episodes, or the choices.

But I can give this much of an answer.

“The term ‘stranger’ is accurate. I’m not Karsein. The place I come from is not this world. I have a place where I originally lived. You might not know that world at all… but I will return there.”

My goal.

My plan.

Even my future.

I could reveal all of it.

“I see.”

Pollux chuckled.

—

—

“If that’s the case, then there’s no need to tell you this prophecy. No, rather, it’s a prophecy you shouldn’t hear.”

Then he extended his hand to me.

Just like when I extended my hand to him.

“Just a side note, what’s your real name?”

I gladly accepted his handshake request.

“Kim Min-hyuk.”

“Kim Min-hyuk, got it.”

Pollux smiled as if that was enough.

This might not be a convincing answer.

Surely, there must be countless things he wants to ask.

Nevertheless, Pollux didn’t ask a single question.

-Bang!

“Oh dear. Time has flown by. Venerys told me to return by this time.”

“…Punctual as always.”

“Isn’t there a reason he’s called a prophet? Haha!”

He laughed heartily as he mounted his horse.

“Just a thought, but being from the Kingdom of Wederos might actually mean nothing. The kingdom was destroyed years ago, after all. It’s quite a paradox.”

“Come to think of it…”

This is an enormous paradox.

As I was feeling a sense of empathy, Pollux continued speaking.

“So I had this thought. Venerys, and you too. Maybe the power you possess from the Kingdom of Wederos was just a bridge to come here.”

“…!”

“I’ll be off now. I pray in the Western way that you achieve your desired goal, Kim Min-hyuk.”

-Neigh!

-Clop, clop.

“…A bridge, huh.”

A huge storm of discomfort swept over me at those words.

*

Venerys’ prophecies were always accurate.

Within the festival, Carsein moved as if following a pre-written script.

—

—

Destination. Time. Reaction. Action.

Nothing was beyond the prophet’s scope.

Thanks to that, I could hide and listen to all the conversations.

-Thud.

Harnie collapsed weakly.

“This can’t be…”

Go back…?

Not here, but to where I originally lived…?

“Then… what about me…?”

If you disappear.

I. The one who loves you…

-Drip. Drip.

The heartbeat that was full of excitement.

Stopped in an instant.

▶ Synchronization rate has reached 90%. ◀

[ Synchronization of Harnie character begins. ]