WVKWnovel Chapter 97: Undead Hunter Woo Hyo-Sung
Chapter 97: Undead Hunter Woo Hyo-Sung
Chapter 97: Undead Hunter Woo Hyo-Sung
An excavation site formed around a mountain area.
Despite being outside the empire, it was heavily invested in, enough to be called a garrison area.
Workers for excavation, merchants seeking supplies and trade, the empire’s army gathered to protect them, and adventurers fulfilling requests.
Naturally, causing a commotion in such a prominent place would inevitably attract attention.
“You’ve made quite a spectacle. Marcus is working hard to quell the disturbance.”
While being investigated and resting in a military-guarded isolation area, I responded with an ambiguous smile to Jang, who came after hearing the news.
“Well, about that, you see...”
“No need to explain. I’ve already heard from the fortune teller.”
Yes. If Airi had been entrusted with the training proxy, they must have already exchanged information.
Just as I was relieved that I didn’t have to explain anything, his gaze soon turned to the armor leaning in the corner of the room.
“So, was that previous incident the result of unlocking the potential of a high-ranking demon? To withstand such power and achieve meaningful results is truly remarkable.”
“Ah, no. It’s not as impressive as you think. After all, that was the armor’s power, not mine...”
“So what if it was the result of using armor? Most people would be overwhelmed and unable to use such an item, but you managed to use it effectively and achieve meaningful results, didn’t you?”
Jang spoke earnestly to me, who claimed it was merely the result of relying on the armor’s power.
His smile and the hand on my shoulder conveyed his sincerity towards me.
“Even the talent passed down through generations of skilled swordsmen is useless if the sword is never wielded... In a world where everyone has different qualities, it’s foolish to deem something useless just because it doesn’t meet one particular condition.”
“Yes, that’s true, but...”
“Be confident. At least in my opinion, you’ve admirably overcome the first hurdle to becoming a hero.”
Yes, my goal was to become a hero.
I still didn’t know specifically what he meant by a hero, but if I gained the power he mentioned, I could achieve anything I desired.
To restore Pheloi and also be recognized by others.
And to find a way to coexist with Airi and Merilyn, so that even in this world, I could live as I wished.
“Then, since you seem well-rested, let’s continue with the next training. We might need to do some mountain climbing. Are you confident in your stamina?”
As I was gathering my thoughts, Jang handed back the armor I had taken off.
Feeling my fatigue fade away, I donned the armor he offered and confidently replied.
“You needn’t worry about that. Since coming to this world, the most I’ve done is make use of my body.”
I could survive no matter where I’d be thrown.
For someone like me, whose only perceived strength was survival, mountain climbing was hardly a challenge.
Murmur. Whisper.
The problem was, this being an inhabited area, there was more to be mindful of than just my tasks.
As I left the isolation area and walked around the excavation site, I became aware of the stares directed at me.
Workers dispatched for work, merchants trading goods, adventurers here for quests, and even the soldiers controlling the area were looking at me.
“That thing just now, he caused it, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, the outsider in the black armor; it’s definitely him.”
It seemed the previous disturbance was widely known among the people at this site.
Indeed, it would have been odd if there was no interest, considering that a landslide would not have been surprising given what had transpired.
“But more than that, doesn’t his face look familiar?”
“Ah, yes. I remember.”
Moreover, my ability ensured that people who met me wouldn’t forget me.
Anyone who had encountered me in the past could immediately guess that the me in their memory and the me who caused the incident were the same person.
“Is that guy the Hero Hunter Woo Hyo...?”
“I’ve heard rumors, but I never expected it to be this serious.”
But why do those who remember me always remember my name in such a way?
No, really, it’s strange. My ability was to remember names correctly, so why do they keep omitting my family name?
“But isn’t the name Woo Hyo strange?”
“I heard somewhere that it’s also a sound of exertion, like ‘Woo Hyo.’”
“That’s not something a human would do.”
“Maybe he gave up being human. That’s why he can go around beating fallen heroes.”
Damn, just how far has this rumor been distorted?
Yes, the very dangers have come to us.
As I grasped my spear and aimed its tip, the shadows lurking in the cave became visible in the light of Jang’s lantern.
Of course, they were not humans.
As I’d heard from the supervisors, we were the only ones tasked with scouting this cave.
Moan, groan...
Cackle, screech...
Groans squeezed out as if wrung from dry throats.
With them were ominous glare from eyes emitting malevolent magic and the stench of decay.
The undead, which I had seen quite a few times in this world, had come here in response to the presence of the living.
“It seems like we’ve encountered obstacles before finding our training spot. Can you handle them?”
“Yes, I can handle the undead.”
At least, no notably dangerous undead had been found before coming here.
I could handle ordinary undead without Pheloi’s help, but I shouldn’t be complacent given their numbers.
The most terrifying thing about the undead was when they, holding a numerical advantage, charge without fear.
-Moan, groan...
-Uh, uh...?
But when the distance with the undead narrowed, instead of charging at me, they stood still and gazed at me blankly.
I wondered why they were acting this way, but only for a moment.
-Uh, Woo Hyo...
-Uh, Woo Hyo...?
Hearing the groans coming from their mouths, I realized what was happening and gradually relaxed.
Yes. This had happened before, a few months ago, in a dungeon.
Undead were, after all, those who had died and come back to life.
Their brains, necessary for preserving memories, have rotted, essentially leaving them in a state akin to dementia.
Without the intervention of a sorcerer or a higher entity, they were left with only a strong obsession with the living.
My ability forces my name to be imprinted in the consciousness of whoever or whatever had it.
-Woo Hyo...
-Woo Hyo, Woo Hyo...
In other words, the undead, devoid of thought, end up fixating only on my name, the only thing remaining in their minds.
Unless they were like the Four Knights, possessing consciousness, it was clear why ordinary undead didn’t attack me upon seeing me.
Yes, I understand, but...
-Woo Hyo...
-Woo Hyo! Woo Hyo...
...Damn it.
Now they’re even straining their throats to scream.
Creak, creak!
Whatever the case, it was easy to deal with them when they just stood there stupidly.
I sliced all the unsightly ones with my spear, and eventually, silence fell in the cave.
Seeing that they didn’t rush in even when their companions died, it seemed I wouldn’t have to worry about them getting caught up in any kind of camaraderie later on.
“Haha, it seems your ability is useful in unexpected ways.”
Jang remarked, admiring how I easily annihilated the undead horde.
He seemed pleased that it made our job easier, but I didn’t feel particularly delighted after eliminating the undead.
-Uh, Woo Hyo...
Even now, see how the one with only a head left was straining to call out my name with the last of its strength?
I tried not to hold ill feelings towards my parents, but as these incidents continued, resentment was inevitable.
Dear mother and father in heaven, why did you give me this name?
On second thought, it wasn’t heaven but that world, but anyway...