The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 299



299. Explicit Target (5)

A dark, dim night road.

It was time for most company employees to have left work and finished their gatherings, a time to spend Friday meaningfully.

The darkness that matched this time of night limited visibility.

Additionally, the various structures located on the road further restricted visibility.

Finally, for another reason, visibility was triply limited.

Nevertheless, the car moved forward without any concern.

On this night road.

On this road.

Without knowing what was happening.

Soon, the vehicle moved towards its final destination.

Crossing the last red light, it reached the intersection.

The predicted place.

The exact time.

An event that the person involved had no idea about was prepared.

A sign that had been taken down for maintenance work a while ago precisely blocked the view, causing the car of a middle-aged woman to crash into another vehicle, making her the protagonist of a traffic accident that would spread through news reports.

However.

-Vroom!

──!

The collision that was supposed to occur at the intersection was nullified.

By someone who created a significant crack in this plan.

She was unharmed.

Having not even heard this sound, she just went on her way.

In other words, she knew nothing.

—

—

It was not known what had happened.

The vehicle that collided with the car was not the woman’s car, but a delivery bike of a high school student.

The incident was somehow resolved well.

Afterwards, Minhyuk woke up in the hospital room.

As usual, his family asked him what he was doing and how he got hurt like that.

“Just think of it as me being a fool.”

He did not answer about the truth of that day.

*

-Ding!

▶The hidden memorial has ended.◀

Seeing the scene shown by the memorial, I vaguely remember.

I forcibly took the bike to interfere with the designated plan and covered up the attempted murder disguised as a collision accident with a real accident.

…It was truly a foolish act.

Because of that, my whole body was torn to shreds.

In the midst of that, when the guy who was planning the murder got angry and attacked me, I had to fight with all my might.

I clearly watched his movements.

I had to move my body, which seemed like it would collapse at any moment, to subdue him.

Fortunately, the opponent was also seriously injured and his movements were slow, so the subjugation itself was successful, but it was not smooth.

I had to secure the phone that would be used as evidence in advance, and I had to buy time until the police arrived.

I used all my mental strength to drag out the time, and just when I was really exhausted.

At that moment, the police arrived and the case was closed.

By arresting the criminal who was preparing the murder plan and the one who ordered it.

That was the whole story of the incident, and another memory of mine that I had forgotten until now.

“…Yes. It’s my memory. Not Carsein’s memorial.”

With a heavy sigh, I recall it again this time.

Although it is still a mystery why it showed my reality instead of Carsein’s past…

Thanks to that, I realized who I had to protect in this episode.

Of course, maybe that thought is wrong.

I might have made a hasty judgment with limited information.

But somehow, my intuition and past experiences were telling me so.

—

—

▶Rewards will be given.◀

▶Search the man’s body to obtain the item.◀

-Swish.

The lack of information could be confirmed later. As I pulled out an item protruding from the unconscious man’s chest, the status window popped up again.

-Ding!

▶You have obtained an item!◀

◆Mysterious Note.

Without hesitation, I unfolded the note.

Although only a few short phrases were written inside, I couldn’t shake off the strange sense of incongruity.

The exact time was written.

As if someone had a thorough grasp of the schedule of this national foundation festival.

Among the vast locations, the exact route was specified.

It indicated how to avoid all eyes at the national foundation festival.

And.

There was a chilling instruction on how to use a certain item.

I knew what kind of item it was.

I could guess how it would be used and what would happen.

Even though no detailed explanation was written, I could tell.

It was none other than an assassination request.

This confirmed the kill.

There was no need to use the process of elimination.

Just by looking at this note, there was only one target.

“…This time, too, huh.”

The person I had to protect this time was also the one called ‘Mother’ in this house.

*

“…”

As the national foundation festival was in full swing.

Isabella was glancing around suddenly.

“Hmm…”

To Claire’s question about where Carsein had gone, she answered that he was busy with the security and defense organization chart, but Isabella couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

—

Of course, I wasn’t suspecting that child.

Hadn’t he completed the training course of the 1st Knight Division of the Bagrande Duchy without any omissions?

Karsein, who completed the course with a report of excellent performance, is a respectable knight.

However, it was no easy task to assign guards and manage minor incidents according to this tight schedule.

Isabella tried to ease her worries by lightly tapping her seat with her fingers, but eventually, she stood up.

‘I had to go back for an inspection anyway. It wouldn’t be bad to give Karsein a break as well.’

Using that as an excuse.

“Tell Claire that I’ll be back soon as I have some business to attend to when she returns.”

“Yes, Duchess.”

Isabella stood up and walked gracefully.

Her destination should have been the infirmary, the break room where the servants rested, or the reception room where the guests gathered, but now she walked a completely different path.

Because Karsein would be at the command post.

The command post and control room were located on the opposite side, and the royal ceremonial hall blocked this path. For now, she had to take a long detour.

But if she crossed that secluded alley, she could reach there without any trouble.

What does it matter if it’s a bit secluded?

Thinking that nothing would happen since it was the founding festival, Isabella entered the middle of the alley without noticing the awkwardness.

But then.

-Crash!

“What, what is this? What…!”

Suddenly, the path she was walking on was blocked.

By the rocks that had suddenly collapsed.

“I almost got seriously hurt. How could this happen…”

Isabella was a bit surprised but uninjured.

It’s fortunate that she didn’t even get a small scratch, but she couldn’t avoid the question.

“Why did these rocks suddenly fall in the alley?”

Looking around, there were no signs of shoddy construction.

It wasn’t enough to say they were used as building materials or for some purpose.

Even if she conceded that such things were used for the founding festival, it was the same.

There was no reason for them to fall at this timing near this alley…

“Enough. That’s not the problem right now.”

—

The small details can be asked to the servants at that time.

The urgent matter now was to recommend rest to Karsein and take back the duties.

*

A mysterious man, startled by a strange sound, looked around.

When he came to his senses, the path he had taken was blocked by a rock.

“Ugh…! What on earth is this…!”

And then, the same noise occurred in front of him.

The light that had been shining brightly was blocked, creating a deep shadow.

The man, bewildered, swallowed dryly as he looked around.

“What on earth is this? I didn’t even activate the magic tool, so why is it falling now?”

This was not the original plan.

Isabella was supposed to pass through this alley at this exact time, and she should have been brought inside.

She was to be isolated in this alley and taken away without anyone knowing, to be made to disappear. Just like her husband and biological son.

However, thanks to the malfunctioning magic tool, he was the only one isolated here, not Isabella.

“…There’s no choice. Even if it causes some commotion, I have to remove it myself.”

-Whack!

He smashed the malfunctioning magic tool.

And just as he was about to break through the blocked entrance with the mana infused in his sword.

“Well, who sent you?”

“…!”

-Clang!

Someone’s sword strike, swinging down from the air, accurately deflected his sword.

Several threatening attacks followed in quick succession.

Although he was helplessly pushed back by the unexpected attack, each strike was extremely precise and heavy. This was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

The voice was one he knew well.

That made it all the more surprising.

‘…Is this really Karsein?’

At that moment, when he was taken aback and had widened the distance.

The hood was torn to shreds and scattered.

“As expected, it was you. I was wondering why Theo Ramstair was suddenly released. So, you were targeting the Duke’s family from the beginning.”

—

—

His identity had long been exposed. The man threw off his tattered hood and replied.

“I won’t deny it, Lord Karsein. But you are strange.”

“What?”

“What I intended to do was to free you from the Duke’s family.”

Seizing the moment, he conveyed his master’s command.

“The Duke’s family accepted you and even completed the adoption, but they did not treat you properly. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

“The incidents you suffered at the Duke’s residence alone must be dozens, no, hundreds. If you count the ones influenced by external factors, it would double. Even those who called themselves your sisters must have tormented you more than others.”

Karsein remained silent.

The man continued to speak.

“In a situation where it wouldn’t be strange to kill them one by one, why are you trying to protect them?”

It was an incomprehensible action.

For Karsein, this situation should have been rather refreshing.

There was no need to go out of his way to save them.

To the question filled with the intent of not understanding.

Karsein answered calmly.

“If you’re trying to destroy the Duke’s family with such excuses, then you must be the minion who killed the former Duke and his legitimate son, Karn, right?”

“…!”

The man stiffened, hesitating.

“No matter how much crap I’ve been through, I don’t think I need to listen to the words of a psychopathic murderer who enjoys cleverly committing murders and ruining family relationships.”

“…You’re unbelievably stupid. Throwing away an opportunity like this.”

“I’m not so lacking in intelligence to accept that as an opportunity.”

“Since you didn’t align with my master’s will, I’ll take your life. It’s too late for regrets.”

With that, the conversation ended.

The secondary function of the man’s magical tool activated.

-Rumble!

In the narrow alley.

In this enclosed space, dozens of rocks began to fall.

The rocks were all just bait anyway.

The spells and magic engraved within them were the real deal.

—

—

-Sssshhh.

“…Crazy b*stard. Did you engrave magic on all the rocks?”

-Jingle!

“I’ll give you some money to take with you on your journey to the afterlife.”

This was the secondary function of the magic tool that hadn’t been activated last time, a trap prepared to completely cover this area after eliminating the target.

The magic engraved everywhere would greatly restrict movement within this area.

‘If you move wrongly, your limbs will be cut off, and in some places, stepping wrongly will cause an explosion. There’s no way for you to survive here.’

The battle would be decided quickly due to the unilateral difference in information.

A rock the size of a fist falls right in the middle of the two.

That rock didn’t have any magic engraved on it.

‘Good. This won’t react at all.’

As the view is obscured.

The moment the view reappears and the ground is kicked.

-Clang!

Contrary to expectations, the swords clash directly.

“Sorry, but my field of vision is wider.”

“…!”

“I’ve calculated everything. Even things like that.”

“Even so, a mere knight like you!”

Even without such things, it would have been enough to crush someone like Carsein with skill.

The sword strikes continue along a graceful line.

The space to block is limited.

From noble mtl dot com

Pushes to the end.

Instinctively felt.

If I push Carsein to the end like this, I can win.

Carsein is continuously weakening compared to a moment ago.

The longer the fight, the heavier the sword strikes, and both Carsein’s mana and sword energy are becoming disordered.

His condition is not intact.

So, the battle is decided in a short time.

The moment his strength wanes, I can cut off his breath immediately.

—

—

Before long, Carsein, seemingly exhausted, gasped for breath. Seizing this moment, the attack began, and the sword was lifted to one side.

With a clang, the blade flew through the air.

“Farewell, Carsein.”

The man smiled as he swung his sword down.

But… the sword didn’t move.

“No, it can’t be…!”

“The fare for the afterlife, it seems you’ll have to take it.”

With a jingling sound.

A loud explosion covered the alley.

*

My body was in tatters from the battle with the assassin.

It was no different from that time.

The fact that I was discovered by a guard instead of the police and immediately focused on recovery.

The fact that my family got angry upon hearing the sudden news of my injury.

And.

“How did you get hurt like this, huh?”

Isabella had no idea.

That made me feel strangely worse.

-Ding!

▶You have eliminated the assassin.◀

▶Successfully protected Isabella, clearing the episode.◀

▶Cleared Episode VIII. Blatant Target.◀

‘…It’s done. The episode is cleared.’

Now there’s only one thing left.

To escape from this house.