I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 298

Chapter 298: A Blatant Objective (4)

“Phew.”

Claire let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing her daughter's reaction, Isabella patted her shoulder reassuringly.

“You’ve worked hard, Claire. Taking on the workload meant for multiple families must have been exhausting.”

Claire rested her chin on her hand and replied casually,

“It wasn’t that bad. It was my duty.”

“There’s no such thing as ‘duty’ when it comes to your family helping out.”

“It would have been irresponsible to leave everything to you, Mother. Oh, right. Here.”

Claire handed Isabella an artifact.

“What’s this?”

“It’s for checking the enchantments on the horses. Since there wasn't enough time to train them properly, I placed a weak illusion enchantment on the flags and banners to help them adapt.”

“No wonder you looked so tired. You took on this task as well…?”

“Well, I have to do something to earn some time off. Maybe I can take Flora on a trip.”

“You’ve used up too much mana. You need to rest. I’ll be angry if you overwork yourself.”

Despite her words, Isabella looked at Claire with pride as she stretched tiredly.

“Anyway, I’ll rest for a bit. Sister should be back soon.”

“Alright. Get some rest. I’ll take over after the procession.”

“Okay. But…”

Claire, who had been about to leave, suddenly looked around and asked,

“Where’s Carsein?”

He was nowhere to be seen.

***

-Ding!

▶ Discovered an individual attempting to sabotage the carriage by replacing the wheel with a broken one. ◀

-Ding!

▶ Discovered an individual attempting to create a smokescreen by burning incense. ◀

-Ding!

▶ Discovered an individual attempting to shoot explosive arrows at the flags. ◀

The Founding Festival had begun, and with it, the appearance of enemies.

And there weren't just one or two.

This was how the game hindered the player, Carsein.

[Bagrand Duchy Reputation Rank: C]

[Founding Festival Field Danger Level: Caution]

Ultimately, the target of these schemes was a single person, but that was an internal matter, within the episode.

There were still external threats to consider.

The background of this episode, the reasons for its existence.

First, the Bagrand Duchy was in charge of the Founding Festival.

While the most prestigious family in the Empire, they were also the target of envy and resentment. There were plenty who would use this opportunity to attack them.

Second, the Bagrands were solely responsible for the preparations.

The overwhelming disparity in influence meant that their vulnerability wouldn't be easily remedied. Someone might try to exploit this and damage their reputation.

And finally, Carsein was a member of the Bagrand family.

He, who had once been a liability, had performed exceptionally well in both the symposium and the martial arts tournament, making him a target of resentment.

And his past as a commoner was a weakness that anyone could exploit.

These factors acted as external threats, reflected in the status window.

The reputation rank, the danger level, and the ever-present affinity values.

‘If I’m not careful, I’ll be bombarded with penalties. There’s a reason why this is the final episode of Chapter 3.’

I had to consider the triple threat: the family, the vassals, and the other nobles.

I sighed and looked around again.

And then I checked my watch. Something wasn't right.

‘It’s too late.’

I had apprehended the first culprit, but there were no signs of the others.

This was a bad sign.

In situations like this, I had to reconsider the first suspect.

It couldn't be helped.

▶ Using system functions carries risks. ◀

▶ Will you proceed? ◀

The triple threat also meant that I could use the episode’s special functions, at the cost of incurring penalties in those three areas.

And the most useful function was…

This one.

“Sir Carlton, order the knights to patrol the area thoroughly until I give the order to stand down.”

“Yes, sir!”

▶ Troop Command System ◀

[You can enhance security by utilizing the knights’ mobility.]

[Caution! Excessive workload or prolonged patrols may decrease the knights’ affinity!]

The penalty for using the knights was relatively low.

***

After ordering the increased patrols, I quickly headed to the prison where the first suspect was being held.

As I descended the stairs and entered the prison…

‘Wait… the air feels…’

This couldn’t be…

▶ Enhancing vision with mana. ◀

My enhanced vision revealed the flow of mana.

“Damn it! I knew it!”

A massive concentration of mana, far beyond what should be present in a normal person, was swirling within the prisoner's cell.

It was so dense that it looked like it might burst forth at any moment.

There was only one reason for such a concentration of mana.

A self-destruction spell.

I rushed towards the cell.

“Y-you! How…!”

“Shut up.”

“Ugh!”

I punched him in the gut, knocking him unconscious, and quickly dispelled the mana, preventing the self-destruction spell from activating.

“Phew. That was close.”

A suicide trigger. If the only source of information died, it would lead to an immediate bad ending.

And the fact that a suicide trigger had appeared meant…

-Slide.

“As expected.”

-Ding!

▶ Predicted Damage Type: Explosive Attack ◀

▶ Predicted Damage Range: Disruption and collapse of major facilities, including the central square. ◀

Three hours of waiting had been worth it. Examining the apprehended suspect had yielded valuable information.

▶ The material used in the explosives has been identified. ◀

◆ Frikshar Thermos

A material.

This meant I could trace its origin.

If Carsein knew the source of this material, he could pinpoint its production location and obtain a clue.

While I had to rely on my memory, since there was no system assistance, it was nothing compared to the college entrance exam.

◆ Frikshar Thermos

[A powder created from the secretions of a beetle found only in the Frikshar region. When combined with other ingredients, it becomes highly explosive when infused with mana.]

I added the information to my mental encyclopedia, and another notification appeared.

-Ding!

▶ You have identified the source of the material and uncovered the truth behind the planned attack. ◀

▶ Reward granted. ◀

‘Perfect.’

This was enough.

Uncovering the truth behind a terrorist attack was a significant achievement.

It would greatly increase the completion rate, and regardless of reputation or danger level, it would provide valuable information.

…However,

The form of the reward was unusual.

▶ Memorial granted. ◀

There were countless ways for this episode to create obstacles, whether by targeting Carsein, the Bagrand family, or the Founding Festival itself.

But a Memorial as a reward? That was new.

“…Hmm…”

Well, a Memorial wouldn't harm me.

It would provide information, a clue of some sort.

I had to see it.

Just as I reached for it,

The Memorial activated, bathing me in a white light.

▶ Hidden Memorial automatically acquired due to time limit. ◀

-Flash!

And once again, it wasn’t a Memorial of Carsein, but a memory of my own.

***

Another day, much like any other, passed.

My routine was always the same.

School during the day.

My secret part-time job at night.

And a few hours of studying and sleep before dawn.

But recently, there had been a change in my schedule.

Because of the company.

On my days off, especially weekends, I usually focused on studying for the college entrance exam. But lately, I had been spending that time at the company.

“My, my, someone’s had a bit too much to drink.”

“Hee hee…”

“Leave him alone. It’s a company dinner.”

“That’s right! We should enjoy ourselves!”

…And I had been forced to attend these pointless company dinners, reducing my time for my part-time job.

‘How long do I have to do this?’

I grumbled inwardly.

As my older sister, Eunseo, had said, I was learning about the company, but it was utterly useless.

It was a waste of time.

I could be studying, working…

I was wasting precious time.

‘Should I just finish everything at once? Then I can study in secret at the company.’

…That actually sounded like a good idea.

There was a daily quota, but there was no rule against completing it all at once.

I would put that plan into action. As my family was busy chatting with the other employees, I slipped away, heading back to the company.

And as I was walking,

I overheard someone on the phone.

“Yes, I understand. Changyeong-ro 50-gil. Yes.”

I had been passing by a small alley when I overheard the conversation.

The street name sounded familiar.

Well, it didn’t matter. I ignored it and continued walking.

But the next part of the conversation made me stop.

“Around 10 pm. I’ve… taken care of her left side vision, so a direct hit shouldn’t be a problem.”

“…?!”

What?!

-Thud!

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s done. Just make sure the payment… Huh?”

-Glance. Glance.

The man looked around, but didn't see anyone.

“Ah, it’s nothing. Just some trash rolling around. I’ll be on my way now.”

-Click. The car door closed.

As the car drove away, I emerged from the alley.

“…”

I clenched my fists.

The familiar street name.

The specific time.

The mention of impaired vision, a direct hit, and the chilling promise to “make sure it’s done.”

It was too much of a coincidence.

At that time,

At that specific location,

A middle-aged woman, driving a car, would be passing by.

I didn't hesitate.

“…Damn it!”

How could I get there in time?

I calculated the time, the distance, the route. I had to stop him.

There was only one way.

“Min-hyeok? What are you doing here?”

“…I’m sorry, sir. I think… I think your bike might break down today.”

“What?! What are you… Min-hyeok!”

-Vroom!

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