Chapter 408. Daily Life (4)
Setting aside the explanation that followed, the fact that Choi Jin's younger sibling was brain-dead was crucial information. That transformation-type Awakener was in their twenties, and since there was absolutely no news of them sustaining severe injuries during dungeon monsters or otherwise, the abrupt ntion of a funeral was highly suspicious.
'Judging by the atmosphere, it definitely seems like she died because of the [Knight's Oath].'
After that, Kim Giryeo continued with a few more questions.
"By the way, has your sister's case been investigated by the police?"
In response, Choi Jin answered. Since it was a case of a young person dying suddenly, of course, there had been a brief inquiry into the circumstances. However, the process had not escalated into an official investigation.
"No, why wasn't there an investigation? An awakened person died in such an abnormal way."
"Hunter Kim Giryeo."
At this point, Seonwoo Yeon added an explanation.
"Death caused by a contract-type artifact isn't considered murder under the law."
"What did you say?"
"For now, that's how it's treated..."
For reference, this situation isn't much different in many developed countries. Artifacts used for agreents, like the [Knight's Oath], fundantally require the consent of the living being. Stamping a sleeping—or unconscious—person's thumb is aningless. Of course, there were cases where a curse was forcibly imposed through threats, but even if such circumstances were discovered, law enforcent ultimately only holds the act of assault itself accountable.
"What, the law works like that?"
So far, deaths caused by the [Knight's Oath] are not recognized as homicide. Especially when it's impossible to determine what the clauses written on the artifact were, or who the counterpart contract holder paired with the deceased was.
"Unless asurent techniques improve, we have no choice but to attribute deaths caused by contract penalties to the individual's negligence."
If that's the case, wouldn't it have been better to just ban this dangerous item entirely? The blond man briefly thought, but almost imdiately a counterargunt ca to mind.
"Well, banning artifacts would have caused its own set of inconveniences, too."
How could anyone just ignore it, when a magical vessel capable of erasing the deep-rooted fear of mistrust in humanity—and establishing trust even more reliably than the law—has appeared right before us?
"Anyway, it's sothing that would have been used illegally regardless. And even if the magical effect itself was a 'benevolent promise,' it's the kind of thing that becos dangerous once broken."
After that, Seonwoo Yeon continued to relay, as best as she could, the precedents she knew regarding the [Knight's Oath]. They weren't entirely precise, but she had once seen a case on a portal site's main page where the act of concluding an unethical clause itself was judged as a cri.
"But even then, in the end, you'd still need to get your hands on the original artifact carrying the brothers' fingerprints."
Now, with the background roughly understood, it was clear that this case would be difficult to investigate through normal procedures.
True. After all, humans on Earth still can't properly distinguish between an awakened being's mana and the mana applied during status effects. So what could one expect on a primitive planet of magical studies like this?
"Hunter Giryeo?"
The fourth S-rank Hunter had returned from his reverie. There were many things on his mind, but judging solely by the information at hand, he didn't have many options.
"More importantly, the important party's mouth is sealed by a contract."
"So, how can this be made easier?"
"It can't be helped."
After a long silence, Kim Giryeo finally spoke.
"Hunter Choi Jin."
"...Yes."
"Then, this is my last question. Has your younger sister already been cremated?"
The person who had placed the contract on the sisters with the surna Choi. Honestly, he wasn't entirely sure about the details yet, but it seed unlikely that such minor topics would have been strictly restricted, so the conversation soon continued.
"In my family... we don't do cremation."
"Is that so?"
Choi Jin's eyes continued to redden.
"And to begin with, they couldn't co to terms with the situation itself... so they kept worrying, and as a result, the funeral procedures were all being delayed..."
One A-rank Hunter had remained silent throughout the funeral. But perhaps feeling she finally had soone to lean on, Choi Jin began to pour out her innermost thoughts to the visitors before her.
"How did things really turn out like this? This is all my fault."
To be honest, at that mont all she wanted was to die. Yet her younger siblings' injustice still hadn't been resolved, and above all, because of the contract bound to her own body, she couldn't even use her life as she wished. The situation was unbearably suffocating. So Choi Jin could only shed tears filled with lant—until, suddenly, the visitor before her offered an unexpected word of comfort.
"It's not your fault."
A calming word.
"This isn't your fault..."
To be precise, it was the mont when an ambiguous sentence popped out, as if it were ant to continue. Kim Giryeo didn't say anything further and paused for the ti being.
"So, Jinhee hasn't been cremated yet, right?"
What appeared next was that characteristically dry, pale expression. Even amid such serious conversation, the alien maintained a calm deanor—an artificially asured serenity. But whatever shape his face took, the fact that the hunter's body had been well preserved was, in any case, good news for him.
"The question is whether Choi Jin, the bereaved family mber, will allow access."
Seonwoo Yeon, observing the surroundings, worried briefly for herself—she was the only person who knew the identity of the blond young man.
"Excuse ."
However, the other person's reaction that followed was far beyond what she had anticipated.
"But, Hunter Kim Giryeo..."
The bereaved family mber, who had just managed to stop crying, was the first to voice a concern—for a complete stranger.
"Hunter, are you asking these questions all this ti with the intention of helping ?"
"Why?"
"Actually, I've heard sothing before. It wasn't properly verified, so I've tried not to pay much attention to it until now."
"What's your point?"
"I clearly heard sowhere that Hunter Kim Giryeo has been resting for health reasons. So, could it be that by coming here like this, it's putting so burden on you...?"
The untily death of a close relative, and on top of that, a cousin with whom there had been a fairly close relationship passed away around the sa ti. Yet, in the midst of such an extre situation, she was thinking about soone else's health.
"Genes are a scary thing."
It was said that the degree of kinship was fairly distant. Yet now, the dragon hunter before his eyes bore quite a few similarities to Ahn Yoonsaung—for example, the deep hue of her eyes and the unique texture of her skin that made her appear younger than her actual age.
"I'm not sick."
Moreover, although acquired rather than innate, she was also at the sa A-rank level. The mage, who had long studied primitive humans, spoke the truth. After putting aside concerns about his own body, he continued to relay the information to the other party.
"And if sothing like this happens, it's only natural that I step in. There's no need to calculate the pros and cons in the first place."
"Why...?"
"In fact, right now, Choi Jin and I are in the exact sa situation."
"Situation?"
"I just lost a younger brother that I cherished, too."
By the way, since he clearly stated his reason for interfering, he should be able to openly suggest a shortcut.
"Anyway, this is a truly unavoidable request. I'm sorry, but could I briefly examine your younger sister's body?"
At the center of everything was the B-rank Transformation-Type Awakener. Kim Giryeo surmised that the younger sibling, Jinhee, would possess the most information, and he imdiately asked for the bereaved family's consent. This was so he could use [mory Search]. Of course, so injury damage still remained in his respiratory system, but what at a little was overexertion for an Archmage, just for a day?
"My sister's... body?"
Kim Giryeo. He was the fourth S-rank to appear in the country. True to his reputation, his appearance was also suspicious, making him seem distant when first encountered. However, he had already shown kindness, such as safely rescuing his younger sibling who had been wandering in midair. Moreover, he was exceptionally capable—he was the only one who noticed that a certain sister was under the [Knight's Oath].
"..."
Now, she hated the sa person to the point of shuddering, but she decided to trust this one individual just one last ti. Choi Jin nodded her head, affirming this judgnt.
"After all, he was soone Jinhee often wanted to see again..."
Then, the consent of the bereaved family has been obtained.
After that.
As soon as the archmage obtained legal visitation rights, he went to the deceased and perford his customary magic—commonly referred to as "opening the head." Fortunately, despite the ominous na, it didn't actually harm the body.
"Hmm?"
About 30 minutes later, the mories of the deceased appeared before the mage's eyes.
***
[Thunder God's Stone Hamr].
An item that can generate a small amount of lightning according to the wearer's will, and, most importantly, cos with a strong elental resistance effect. Recently, it has beco an artifact that electrical engineering companies from various countries are pooling their efforts to secure for non-awakened bidders—because once the tool is in their hands, the company's electricians would no longer get seriously injured.
[Efreet Heavy Armor Set].
Additionally, this is a cutting-edge item famously validated by the Hanshin Guild at great expense. Being primarily defensive equipnt, the armor has already proven useful outside of hunting grounds—protecting against volcanic eruptions and other extre high-heat environnts. Lately, renting it costs billions, but still, it's not unusual for a researcher's tools to be expensive.
[Dungeon Shock Generation: From Despair to Hope... The 'Exceptional Performance' of Drugs Found in Gates Continues to be Verified]
Humanity on Earth experienced a period of chaos following the ergence of monsters. However, once a certain level of public order was restored, the advantages of this unusual situation began to erge.
[A New Lifeline for Severe Trauma Patients: Successful Regeneration of a Foot Two Years After Amputation Using Dungeon Drugs]
The advent of magic brought a certain refinent and progress to the world. Moreover, in previous history, technological advancent and environntal destruction often went hand in hand—but the new divine resource, mana, was truly revolutionary even in terms of carbon emissions. At the very least, the polar bears were thriving. The threat of monsters was certainly frightening, yet for ordinary people on Earth, the arrival of magical power was surprisingly welco.
"Hunter Choi Jin! You were a key figure in the successful operation to reclaim the capital of South Korea. Could you say a few words?"
"It's an honor to see such a rare high-ranking Awakened in person! May I ask what you plan to do with the imnse earnings you'll receive in the future?"
"Well... I haven't had any concrete plans so far... but for now, once I return ho, I've decided to give my parents so potions as a gift first..."
"Potion?"
"My mother injured her fingers while working in a factory when she was young. Now, even those old injuries can be completely healed with dicine."
"Excuse , but where do you live?"
"I live in Chuncheon. I was just called here briefly, but once the work is done, I'll probably head straight ho..."
From that ti, she had a short bob-cut style and a distinctly urban look. In her twenties, Hunter Choi Jin was a typical success story benefiting from the Dungeon Shock phenonon.
"By the way, can we wrap up the interview here? I have a dinner appointnt."
"Of course. Of course."
And there was a pair of eyes quietly watching the coverage of these modern-day reporters.
About the sa height as Choi Jin. Perhaps due to another genetic factor, their vision was also not significantly different, so they didn't wear glasses.
"Hey! Jinhee!"
The world once observed by soone with that na flowed into her mind.
"All my work in Seoul is over now."
The scene of Choi Jin running from up ahead was a mory from when the deceased was still alive. Yet, before the archmage began thoroughly scanning the deceased's mind, a brief thought flickered through his mind.
"Co here! Let's go eat dinner with Unnie."
Co to think of it, people in this world often ntion that the world has progressed thanks to the Dungeon Shock... he wonders what would happen if a few new cases appeared at this point.
"What do you want for dinner? What should I get you today?"
"Cheese dakgalbi."
"You had that yesterday, didn't you...?"
For example, a patient with a congenital brain disorder resulting in reduced intelligence, or soone so trusting that they are easily deceived. For such individuals, could the world truly have beco easier to live in after the advent of magic?
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