Mod7 Translations

I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 313

Added 2025-02-20 21:26:14 +0000 UTC

Chapter 313: Chapter 4 (1)

I changed carriages and horses frequently, concealing my identity with nondescript clothing that covered my face and body, ensuring I wouldn't be recognized.

Thanks to these precautions, I arrived at Illeor, a remote region in the northern part of the Empire, far from the Bagrand Duchy, without being detected.

▶ Entered Illeor Field, Northern Empire. ◀

“…So this is it.”

Illeor was located on the opposite side of the Empire from the Bagrand Duchy.

They wouldn't be able to find me here, or even hear any news about me.

It was a clean break.

Just like in my past life.

The moment of severance had arrived.

I had longed for this moment,

Waited patiently, preparing for it.

It was a turning point in my life, a chance to escape the suffocating grip of that wretched family.

Escape. And freedom.

I had finally broken free from the shackles of family.

…But,

I didn’t feel the same sense of relief as I had back then.

Why?

I should be happy.

I had escaped that family, just like I had always wanted, and those Memorials, those glimpses into my past life, should have brought me a sense of closure, a sense of satisfaction.

But instead, I felt empty.

No, more accurately, I felt lonely.

Why? Was there a difference between then and now?

I had enough money to live on my own.

Contacting my family was impossible in this world without phones.

And if I needed to earn more money, I could always find a part-time job…

“Ah.”

I understood.

The difference between then and now.

“…Back then… I had Jieun.”

After declaring my independence, severing ties with that family, I had taken a taxi. Lost in thought, I hadn’t even noticed the time passing until the taxi arrived at my part-time job.

I had enjoyed the sweet taste of freedom, working without a care in the world, until the owner reminded me that it was closing time.

And as I stepped outside, a bag in hand,

-Why are you so obsessed with time? Are you sure we’re the same age?

Jieun had been waiting for me.

She, who worked the same part-time job, who always teased me about slacking off…

The only difference between then and now was Jieun.

“…Silly me.”

I shook my head, dismissing the thought.

“She’s not here. Why am I even comparing the two?”

I was getting sentimental.

I needed to focus on what was important.

▶ Next episode branch point reached. ◀

▶ Please wait until the timer ends. ◀

[Time Remaining: 19 hours 33 minutes]

I had successfully concealed my identity.

The Duchy wouldn’t be able to find me here.

And thanks to those who had helped me escape, there was little chance of being discovered.

But why was there a timer?

That was the unsettling part.

“I hope the game clear screen appears when this is over.”

I decided to wait, spending the night at an inn.

This place was safe.

***

A day passed, and noon arrived.

Or rather, 19 hours and 33 minutes. The status window appeared, right on time.

-Ding!

▶ Episode II: The Path of Independence has begun. ◀

“…Hah…”

…As I had feared.

The game wasn't over.

The clear message I had seen earlier had been for a single episode in Chapter 4.

Not the entire game.

“Well, I suppose I should have expected this.”

When I left the Duchy, I had considered two possibilities.

Carsein was bound to the Bagrand Duchy.

And Chapter 4, linked to the Another Plan, was about escaping. So, it was possible that the story would end here.

That the game clear message would appear.

That was the first possibility.

And the second,

While I had escaped the Duchy, I had only cleared Chapter 3 and the first episode of Chapter 4.

If there were more chapters, the story would continue, and I would have to keep playing until I reached the end.

That was the second possibility.

I only knew the story up to Chapter 3, up to the point of my escape.

So I had thought I would have to wait and see…

▶ You will be afflicted with a status ailment starting from Chapter 4. ◀

▶ Status Ailment: Independence ◀

[Rate of stamina depletion significantly increased!]

[Action cost and HP consumption significantly increased, and maximum values decreased!]

[Increased susceptibility to various status ailments and illnesses, including cold, frostbite, and hypothermia, with increased duration and severity!]

…

The system had chosen the second possibility.

“A status ailment?”

To be suddenly afflicted with a status ailment without any injury… it was a strange message.

But looking at the name, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

▶ Status Ailment: Independence ◀

Right. I had left home.

Reading the description, it was clear that there was no going back. I had left the Bagrand Duchy, and there was no place for me to return to.

Just like in my past life.

The approaching winter was harsh.

The biting cold, the chilling wind, it made my bones ache.

Even after returning from my part-time job and falling into a light sleep, the cold would jolt me awake.

My room had been a dingy basement, with a musty smell.

There was no heating, no soft, comfortable bed.

I didn't even have a proper blanket, I had to buy one myself. And instead of a soft mattress, I slept on the hard floor.

The room was drafty, the roof leaked when it rained, and the fluorescent lights would flicker and die whenever there was a power outage, forcing me to go outside and fix them.

Instead of a sturdy desk and chair, I had to use a rickety, broken one.

In short, this status ailment perfectly mirrored the hardships of independence in my past life.

So I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Seriously? That’s it?”

This was nothing.

I was used to this.

Of course, adapted to this world, to the game’s setting, it would be more difficult.

But it would still be better than staying in that house.

“Well, I’m already living in the northern part of the Empire, so I’m used to this.”

The question was, what would happen next?

-Knock, knock.

I heard a gruff voice.

It was the innkeeper, who had rented me the room.

“Hey, kid. You in there?”

“Yes.”

“Ahem. Are you looking for work?”

Work?

Why would he suddenly ask that…?

-Ding!

▶ A request has appeared. Will you accept? ◀

▶ Accepting the request will allow you to earn money based on your performance. ◀

“They’re looking for workers. It seems they’re short-handed in Illeor, being in the north and all. You can earn a decent wage. And you’re not staying here long, are you? Why don’t you give it a try?”

This…

This was familiar.

A sudden opportunity to earn money usually meant there was a hidden motive.

▶ Episode II: The Path of Independence is in progress. ◀

▶ Survive for the designated period with this status ailment. ◀

[A timer has been activated.]

While the information provided was limited, it was clear enough.

The Independence status ailment.

The simple instruction to survive.

And a timer.

The clear condition for this episode was likely to simply survive for the designated period.

But would it be that easy?

Of course not.

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

I had to prepare.

I didn’t know what would happen.

***

Meanwhile,

A group of nobles had gathered.

With so many present, it seemed like there would be a lively discussion.

“…”

But they all sat in silence, their faces grim.

And the reason for their silence,

Was a mysterious letter.

The letter, sent to each of them at the same time, contained these words:

[A survivor of the Wederos Kingdom remains. And they are within the Empire.]

The nobles, upon reading the letter, had initially dismissed it.

After all, the Wederos Kingdom had been destroyed long ago.

‘Who would play such a prank?’

‘It’s been years. Why would a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom appear now?’

‘Someone’s trying to spread rumors again.’

‘It must be some foolish child. Tsk.’

They had scoffed and ridiculed the letter’s contents.

Until they read the next line.

[Carsein Bagrand. He is the survivor of the Wederos Kingdom.]

‘Wh-what…!’

‘Young Master… Carsein?’

[Those with the Eyes of Wederos are said to possess the power to change the world. And indeed, haven't we seen proof of that?]

Below that, a list of Carsein's achievements was detailed.

And it made them wonder.

How could someone change so drastically in just one year?

Their initial curiosity turned into suspicion as they read the final lines of the letter.

[It’s not widely known, but Carsein has left the Bagrand Duchy. And if all the Westerners in the Empire have suddenly disappeared at the same time, what could be the reason?]

‘Could it be…’

‘The Wederos Kingdom… and the Western tribes?!’

‘Now that I think about it, his relationship with the Westerners was unusually close. I should have been more suspicious…’

‘What if… what if he really is a descendant of the Wederos Kingdom?’

And at that point, the mention of the “Eyes of Wederos” made them swallow hard.

If he truly was a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom, it was a plausible scenario.

He was an adopted child, an outsider brought into the Duchy, and it made sense that he might have awakened the Eyes of Wederos while living there.

So they had gathered here,

To determine the truth.

“You all received the same letter, didn't you?”

-Nod.

“…Tell me what you know.”

A heavy silence descended upon the room, then one of the nobles spoke, his voice trembling slightly,

“It’s… all true.”

“Wh-what…?”

“Carsein Bagrand is not at the Duchy. And neither are the Westerners. They seem to have… disappeared.”

“There are reports of the Western tribes purchasing weapons in bulk.”

“If that’s true…!”

“Perhaps… they’re planning a rebellion.”

Rebellion.

A terrifying word.

“A-a rebellion?”

“They have the power, and if they’re contacting the Western tribes to build an army…”

“…I agree. That’s the only explanation.”

“If that survivor is a member of the royal family, then it’s a distinct possibility.”

They possessed the power to overthrow the Empire.

The Wederos Kingdom, known for their exceptional abilities, were said to be able to see through everything.

The Eyes of Wederos.

The eyes that could read and analyze mana.

It was a power that could render the Empire’s magic useless.

If even a single one of them survived.

If that survivor was a member of the royal family,

Then they were a threat that had to be eliminated.

“Spread this rumor. The Imperial Family is favorably disposed towards Carsein, so they’ll try to protect him. We can’t let that happen. Do you all understand?”

-Nod.

They had to eliminate him quietly.

The method didn’t matter.

They had to eliminate Carsein secretly, without alerting the Imperial Family, the Western tribes, or the Bagrand Duchy.

-Ding!

▶ Main episode overlap. ◀

▶ Episode III: Those Who Fear Wederos has begun. ◀

▶ Enemy units have appeared! If discovered, pursuit will be initiated! ◀

▶ Use any means necessary to survive. ◀

[Time Remaining: ???]

***

It had been a while since she had last seen Carsein.