Trash of the Count's Family Book 2: Chapter 388: The Birth of Evil (5)
Previously on Trash of the Count's Family...
<The Birth of Evil (5)>
“…….”
Kang Geun Mok’s back was slick with cold sweat he barely noticed.
‘How?’
How had they managed to breach his defenses?
‘This shouldn’t be possible with the mana or magical prowess of this world?’
No, more importantly, how could everything be so eerily silent?
Kang Geun Mok’s residence wasn’t dubbed a fortress merely for its security enchantments.
Elite special forces were strategically positioned all around, tasked with guarding his home.
Normally, these guardians remained unseen.‘Yes. Just like currently.’
Everything appeared tranquil, mirroring any other day when Kang Geun Mok briefly visited his home. The place was utterly still.
‘I don’t even detect the scent of blood.’
There wasn’t a whiff of blood anywhere.
He couldn’t sense their presence either.
‘This implies-’
The individual currently gripping his throat… this adversary had completely neutralized all other threats to remain hidden within the house.
‘Is such a feat even conceivable? This is territory managed by the Transparent Corporation. This is a home the Chairman himself bestowed upon me. How could this place-’
Just as Kang Geun Mok’s thoughts began to spiral into complex anxieties…
“Why are you so tense?”
A voice reached him once more.
This casual, unconcerned tone…
He was certain he’d never encountered this voice before.
It was at that precise moment.
“How could he not be tense when you’re strangling him?”
A woman’s voice chimed in.
‘More-’
‘There was another individual present.
Yet, he couldn't perceive anything.
Well, it was only natural that a typical human like himself would struggle to see clearly in this unlit room, devoid of any illumination.
However, as his eyes gradually adjusted to the deepening gloom-
‘Three people……!’
He could discern faint outlines.
While the person holding his neck remained invisible, he could make out two figures seated upon the living room sofa.
Kang Geun Mok’s face, resembling withered bark, became beaded with cold sweat.
“Who are you?”
Despite his inner turmoil, the voice that emerged from his lips was steady.
Concurrently, his gaze had also settled.
“Who would know? Who do you suppose we are?”
“Did Ahn Roh Man dispatch you?”
“Oh.”
Cale emitted a soft sound of impressed surprise.
“It appears not just anyone can hold the position of Chief of Staff to the first Chairman.”
“So, you’re not affiliated with Ahn Roh Man’s faction.”
“Didn’t you essentially ask that question after already knowing the answer?”
“Yes. Ahn Roh Man’s side lacks individuals of your caliber.”
“Indeed. Had they possessed such strength, his aide wouldn’t have fallen victim to your fabricated murder scheme.”
A brief silence descended upon the space.
Rosalyn, perched on the couch and observing the entrance—the sole source of light—conversed with Alberu via magic.
– This Kang Geun Mok fellow won’t be easily swayed.
Alberu inclined his head, acknowledging her assessment.
The exchange between Cale and Kang Geun Mok…
A significant amount of meaning had already been conveyed within this brief dialogue.
– Kang Geun Mok seems rather astute.
Alberu concurred with Rosalyn’s observation.
– He bears a resemblance to young master Cale.
However, he could not agree with this particular comparison.
He subtly shook his head.
‘Cale Henituse.’
This brat is sharp, but rather than being cunning…
“However, Mr. Chief of Staff.”
‘He’s a brat who simply acts on his whims.’
“You are also aware that Honorary Chairman Han Taek Soo is not human, correct?”
‘Just as I suspected. He truly is a brat who does as he pleases.’
Subduing such a character would prove challenging.
“!”
Kang Geun Mok’s eyes widened considerably for the first time.
Even as the pressure on his neck eased, and the hand released its grip, patting his shoulder, he remained immobile.
“…Who are you?”
Kang Geun Mok repeated his question regarding the person’s identity.
However, the sentiment conveyed in his voice was markedly different from before.
Previously, he was merely assessing the situation; this time, his inquiry was genuine.
It happened at that very moment.
Click.
A soft sound echoed, and…
Paaaat!
The living room lights flickered on.
“!”
Kang Geun Mok’s gaze fell upon the individual who had activated the lighting.
“Why the surprised expression?”
A man impeccably dressed.
Fiery red hair and reddish-brown eyes.
The handsome man, appearing somewhat weary, was the speaker whose voice matched the casual tone he’d heard earlier.
‘…He is even younger than I anticipated.’
While he had inferred the speaker’s youth from the voice, Kang Geun Mok, now in his late sixties, observed that his opponent appeared exceedingly young, likely in his early to mid-twenties.
Smile.
Cale offered a gentle smile.
“I prefer to engage in conversation face-to-face. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Gulp.
Kang Geun Mok swallowed hard.
Face-to-face.
This implied only one thing.
‘…If a discussion doesn’t yield the desired outcome, he intends to eliminate me.’
The intruder who had infiltrated his home with such stealth was now revealing himself.
Essentially, this meant Kang Geun Mok’s actions today could very well seal his doom.
“…That sounds agreeable. Let us converse.”
Yet, Kang Geun Mok exhibited no fear.
– How remarkable. Despite being the adversary…
Cale heard Rosalyn’s voice through their magical link.
– He remains remarkably composed, likely a result of serving the patriarch of the Transparent Bloods for roughly fifty years. He also appears quite devoted. If we manage to enlist him as an ally, we could potentially entrust him with significant responsibilities.
Cale maintained a neutral expression in response to her words and inquired of Kang Geun Mok.
“Where shall we be seated?”
“…Follow me.”
Kang Geun Mok commenced his movement with a slow gait.
He then took a seat and gestured towards Cale.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Ha.”
Alberu let out a short, sharp laugh.
“…Not bad.”
With a chuckle, Cale occupied the seat indicated by Kang Geun Mok.
The arrangement of the living room couches…
They were positioned with two lengthy sofas facing each other, and single seats at either end.
Kang Geun Mok settled into the head seat and then pointed to the spot beside Alberu for Cale.
“Mm. I shall relocate.”
Alberu calmly rose from his seat and moved to sit next to Rosalyn.
Cale took his place alone on the long sofa and turned his gaze towards Kang Geun Mok at the head seat.
“You are likely here not for my sake, but for the Chairman’s.”
Kang Geun Mok’s expression was firm and unyielding.
“I am unable to disclose any information.”
He allowed Cale no time to interject before continuing.
"Even if that means I perish here today."
A smile then touched his lips.
“Naturally, if your intention is to collaborate with our Transparent Corporation, we welcome such an arrangement. We are always open to partnerships with individuals of exceptional talent.”
‘Oh.’
Alberu detected a genuine sincerity in Kang Geun Mok’s tone.
‘This will not be a simple matter for Cale.’
As this thought crossed his mind…
“Kang Geun Mok.”
Cale began to speak.
His voice was devoid of any emotion, carrying a strictly professional demeanor.
“Met Honorary Chairman Han Taek Soo during his teenage years and was subsequently saved by him. Has served as Han Taek Soo’s personal secretary ever since, with his calm and rational judgment highly valued by the Honorary Chairman. He supports Han Taek Soo with a devotion even closer than that of Han Taek Soo’s own children.”
Cale fixed his gaze upon Kang Geun Mok.
“Is Kang Geun Mok’s allegiance so profound that Honorary Chairman Han Taek Soo would heed Kang Geun Mok’s counsel in both corporate affairs and significant personal life decisions?”
“…….”
Kang Geun Mok offered only silence in response.
He had no intention of revealing anything further.
Not even if it meant his demise.
He also had a contingency plan in place.
‘Let’s stall for time.’
Should he fail to return to Honorary Chairman Han Taek Soo’s residence within one hour… No, if he did not establish contact with the Chairman within the next ten minutes…
He was confident that the Chairman would sense something amiss and dispatch his associates to the residence.
‘Yes. Ten minutes. That should suffice.’
This was the reason Kang Geun Mok felt a sense of ease.
However…
“But why do I perceive no sign of such loyalty?”
Cale had no intention of delaying the proceedings.
Ten minutes?
Why prolong this when they had no certainty about the fate of Ahn Roh Man’s subordinate by the time dawn broke?
‘I also need to witness Eden Miru’s birth.’
He had no inkling of Clopeh’s actions throughout the night.
Consequently, Cale moved directly to the core of the matter.
“Kang Geun Mok.”
While the world, and even Rosalyn, spoke of loyalty…
Cale reflected on the information he had uncovered.
‘You are aware that Honorary Chairman Han Taek Soo is not human, correct?’
The instant he uttered those words…
Cale, who had been nearby, or rather, not Cale but another entity… The individual with a knack for bluffing, the sharpest one in such matters, had made a discovery.
– Huh?
The Dominating Aura spoke for the first time in quite some time.
Its voice carried an imposing resonance.
– He is experiencing fear at this moment.
His fear wasn't triggered by Cale’s statement.
He was utterly terrified when you spoke of knowing Han Taek Soo wasn't human! I witnessed it! I have a keen eye for spotting such things! My perception is even sharper now that I've absorbed that chaotic power! He's incredibly scared! Is he completely consumed by terror?
It was at this juncture that Cale comprehended the reason why Han Taek Soo, no, why a Hunter, retained Kang Geun Mok's services.
The heads of the Hunter Households he had encountered thus far placed no faith in concepts like loyalty.
“You are afraid, are you not?”
“……!”
Kang Geun Mok’s eyes widened considerably.
This individual had not been subjected to brainwashing.
He was simply terrified of Han Taek Soo.
“Your fear of Han Taek Soo surpasses even your fear of death.”
It was for this reason that Cale posed his question.
“Why?”
How could anything possibly be more frightening than death itself?
“What did you witness?”
What on earth had he seen that compelled him to dedicate his life to Han Taek Soo?
The man’s body, resembling an aged tree, began to drip with cold sweat, but for a reason entirely different from before.
Cale, Alberu, and Rosalyn all observed that the knuckles of Kang Geun Mok’s hand had turned stark white.
Cale then posed a new inquiry.
"What did you witness that instilled such profound fear of Han Taek Soo within you?"
“…….”
However, Kang Geun Mok remained silent, offering no reply.
“You intend not to divulge it?”
Cale inquired once more.
“…Just end my life.”
Kang Geun Mok squeezed his eyes shut, abandoning his strategy of delay, and resolved to forfeit his own existence.
“How resolute.”
Cale also had no intention of prolonging the encounter.
He harbored no desire to extend this conversation.
What was the necessity for drawn-out interactions?
Had Kang Geun Mok possessed loyalty or some other sentiment, Cale would have expended considerable effort to persuade him.
But if it stems from fear—
“Kang Geun Mok.”
Cale called out in a low tone and asked.
“Are you not afraid of us?”
Kang Geun Mok’s eyes remained closed.
‘I am not afraid.’
His terror of these individuals paled in comparison to the dread he felt for Han Taek Soo.
He would welcome death over enduring what that inhuman entity might inflict upon him.
At that precise juncture…
“I inquired whether you lacked fear of me.”
The voice of the young man resonated once more.
Kang Geun Mok remained in silence.
It was then…
‘……!’
Kang Geun Mok sensed a creeping sensation on his leg.
No, it felt as though something was beginning to exert control over his immediate surroundings, albeit gradually.
This was not a mere scent.
It was warmth.
It was magic.
Not a remarkable ability either.
It was simply the ambient air.
Nothing had fundamentally shifted.
‘No!’
Subconsciously, Kang Geun Mok’s eyes fluttered open.
And then he beheld it.
He saw Cale gazing directly at him.
"Gasp!”
Immediately thereafter, an oppressive pressure descended, nearly suffocating him.
‘T-this much is manageable!’
Kang Geun Mok’s mind flashed back to a past recollection.
The instant, fifty years prior…
That was his initial encounter with something unleashed by an existence that was not human, or rather, an existence that surpassed humanity.
He recognized it then as something that instilled in him a primal fear for his very life.
Han Taek Soo.
That scoundrel was a monster, yes, but…
‘An even more terrifying monster……!’
He was certain he had witnessed it.
That was a monster, no, a malevolent spirit-
‘No… A divine entity of malevolence!’
He had indeed seen that horrifying spectacle.
‘If I wish to avoid becoming mere sustenance for that entity-’
That memory transformed into a phantasm, materializing before Kang Geun Mok.
‘Even if I must perish, I refuse to descend into that abyss.
I
I can persevere-’
“!”
Within that illusion, Kang Geun Mok perceived something.
The dreadful memory that held him captive…
The day he encountered Han Taek Soo and the monstrous entity he was nurturing…
He witnessed it within that very memory.
“H-how-”
‘Eyes.’
Eyes of a reddish-brown hue met his gaze.
‘This is an illusion.
No.
This is not an illusion.
This is the tangible reality.’
Within the construct of illusion, woven from his most harrowing memories…
Eyes that fixated upon him amidst that all-consuming fear…
Those eyes, while also instilling fear and causing him to feel suffocated, simultaneously-
‘Ah.’
They did not evoke dread.
Though frightening, they inspired a compelling urge to seek solace-
That particular gaze conveyed an unshakeable assurance: succumbing to this person’s authority would liberate him from the clutches of that dreadful recollection.
The illusion began to dissipate.
Kang Geun Mok apprehended the truth.
That calamitous entity Han Taek Soo had been instrumental in creating…
The vacant stare of that horrific impending birth, an entity for which the term ‘evil god’ was chillingly appropriate… and the potent, contrasting energy emanating from these eyes-
“Are you not afraid of me?”
Kang Geun Mok slowly turned his head towards the young man who posed the question in a subdued tone.
“…Can you-”
Kang Geun Mok, who had been ensnared by the disarray conjured by that terrifying illusion, felt the palpable restraint upon his physical form. Yet, he directed his inquiry towards the sole beacon of salvation amidst the chaos, the one that enabled him to grasp reality.
Kang Geun Mok found himself capable of asking because he had glimpsed that horrifying precipice.
“Can you offer me salvation?”
After fifty long years, he had finally discovered a guiding light within the turmoil.
This light possessed the inherent capacity to rescue him.
It held the power to achieve such a feat.
—
Translator's Comments
Kang Geun Mok… will he achieve freedom, much like Dobby?
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