Chapter 139

The Lucky One I

As mentioned in the previous story, in this world, 'monopolizing fortuitous encounters' is impossible.

More precisely, it's possible, but the aftermath is unpredictable.

Like eating a high-carb dessert cake that's bad for your health.

"Hmm."

And I pondered the same way someone on a diet would when faced with a delicious cake.

On the table lay the Monkey's Paw.

'Where does fortuitous encounter end and pure luck begin?'

For example... yes.

I toured the best restaurants in Busan to quickly establish a connection with Dang Seo-rin.

A tour composed entirely of her favorite dishes.

This information was gathered by me personally, over repeated cycles.

Would the Total Luck Law anomaly consider such knowledge obtained by a regressor as 'luck'?

'If so, that's quite unfair. It would mean my regression ability is also considered luck.'

I smirked.

After some research, it seemed the Total Luck Law wasn't that strict.

I had sacrificed sweat, time, and sometimes my life to obtain the knowledge of a regressor.

These were not random strokes of luck but the result of relentless effort.

Thus, even if I consumed elixirs like the 'Heart of Ten Legs,' there were no side effects. Dok-seo's worries were unfounded.

'Hmm. Then what constitutes true luck?'

I couldn't help but be intrigued.

'Should I test it?'

Coincidentally, it was the 590th cycle. For someone like me who enjoyed 'vacation cycles' every 5 or 10 cycles, it was perfect timing.

I finished my early schedule (recruiting the Saintess, enlisting Noh Do-hwa, etc.) after the regression.

Then I headed straight to Jeju Island.

The tutorial dungeon in Jeju Island had already been cleared. It opened much earlier than the one at Busan Station, so it was expected.

I picked up the Monkey's Paw near the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong, beside the already furry Kuro, and made my wish.

"Monkey's Paw, Monkey's Paw. Grant my wish."

-......

"First, give me endless luck."

Twitch. The Monkey's Paw trembled. This must be the correct way to make a wish.

"In other words, let me enjoy luck that I would never normally experience. Luck that seems nearly impossible."

-......!

"Second, let the side effects of this luck start exactly ten years from now."

-......! ......!

"Third, even if I make my wishes, delay turning my body into a furry creature for ten years. That's also a misfortune, isn't it?"

-......

At that moment, strange laughter echoed around me.

-Ukikikiki! Hee! Ukiki! Hik!

Monkey laughter. No, it was more like an AI mimicking monkey laughter, with an oddly mechanical sound.

Along with that sound, the Monkey's Paw suddenly disintegrated into powder.

"Oh."

If I had to interpret it, it seemed to say, 'Your wish is granted.'

The powder was all absorbed into my arm, but at a glance, there were no changes to my body.

'So, luck begins now.'

What events awaited me?

I stood at the summit of Seongsan Ilchulbong for a moment. But nothing happened.

"Hmm."

Was the wish granted properly?

I returned to the mainland, half-believing, half-doubting.

Despite being busy with settling the National Road Management Corps and various schedules, no overwhelming 'luck' occurred.

Just as I thought the Total Luck Law might not be so powerful and my wish might have failed—

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on my office door. Since I hadn't yet subdued Inunaki Tunnel in this cycle, I was temporarily staying at the National Road Management Corps headquarters.

"Who is it?"

-I've heard the greatest swordsman in Korea is here, so I came to visit.

I won the duel. But winning against as a 590-cycle regressor was a given.

The issue was the process.

The Sword Marquess fought me to a standstill for 101 rounds.

Aside from anomalies like the Sword Demon from the Dream Within a Dream vast void, he was at a level that could claim to be the best in the world.

He had the power to hold a front line against anomalies alone, this gray-haired maniac before me.

It was an excellent addition to our forces.

So I should have been happy.

But...

"Master, you are quite skilled..."

"Hoho! Although I am older, how can I accept such compliments from a younger, superior swordsman? Don't make this old man feel embarrassed."

"Yes..."

"Hmm! I will stay in Dongnae for a while. I am not yet ready to restore the glory of the Mount Hua Sect. I intend to train solely until I can at least match your skill, Undertaker."

"......"

Why did this feel so off?

Was this crazy martial arts fanatic really like this back in the day? Was he actually this good with the sword?

Am I supposed to believe this, anomaly?

"Heh."

"......?"

No, this was all an illusion by Go Yuri!

Damn it. To think she used such a trick without me noticing! Go Yuri, you are a terrifying child...!

I tried various methods to torture my cheeks but I didn't wake from the dream.

Damn it.

"Why are you doing that? It's not good for a young man to have a habit of self-harm."

I'm older than you by thousands of times.

No, that's not the point.

"Sir. You mentioned you experienced enlightenment and reversed your aging?"

"Yes, that's right."

"As you know, the world is dangerous these days, and such an event could be the work of an anomaly. Could you tell me specifically how you achieved this enlightenment?"

"Ah, no problem. The essence of enlightenment should be shared among friends!"

The Sword Marquess stroked his chin.

As if there were an invisible long beard there.

To the point where this performance art reached a level of expertise.

"I was meditating on the beach of Yuldoguk when it happened."

So, you were fishing on the beach of Ulleungdo? Got it.

"Suddenly, even though it wasn't night yet, the sky beyond the horizon turned into the Milky Way."

"......?"

"That's right. I suddenly had a moment of enlightenment. I realized the boundary between day and night is merely a human distinction, a fleeting moment in the endless cycle of time, where light and darkness alternate. Everything in the world is like that. Day and night hold their own beauty, and it is the privilege of individuals to appreciate these moments. Hoho! Thus, my desire to prolong this privilege is not selfish but a dedication to all transient beings!"

I apologize for transcribing this lengthy monologue, but the Sword Marquess really said all that.

I wanted to interrupt, but it was tricky. Sometimes I forgot, but this man (formerly old) held the key to our food supply.

I couldn't risk offending him.

"So... after attaining enlightenment...?"

"I woke up to find I had reversed my aging. Hohoho."

What is that?

That's just pure luck—oh.

Oh!

'Pure luck!'

I finally remembered the wish I made to the Monkey's Paw in Jeju Island a year ago.

That's right.

The Sword Marquess 'luckily' 'happened' to achieve enlightenment on the beach and reversed his aging.

This was sheer luck. An encounter that had never occurred in 590 cycles!

I glanced at the Sword Marquess. The old young man was laughing heartily.

And.

As will be revealed from now on, the Sword Marquess's reversal of aging was just the beginning of the 'lucky' events I would experience in the 590th cycle.

Footnotes:

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