Ch.80Destiny+

# 80. Destiny+

“What do you mean by ambiguous? What does that mean?”

“Usually, clear things appear clearly defined, but ambiguous things aren’t like that. Either I see something truly difficult to describe, or I see more than one possibility.”

“And?”

“In this case, it’s closer to the latter. How should I put it… there’s a fork in the road.”

A fork in the road? What kind of fork?

“An important moment of choice will definitely come at least once, and depending on what choice you make, it will determine whether you can return to your homeland or not. But…”

“But what?”

“It’s ambiguous because while your choices will have an influence, you won’t be entirely in control of the decision. It’s not that your influence doesn’t matter at all, but overall, it feels more like water flowing along its natural course.”

“What does that even mean…”

So, my efforts and will don’t matter? It’s my future we’re talking about!

“Don’t worry too much, though. Looking at the overall outcome, you seem satisfied and happy in the end, so returning to your homeland might not be the most important issue. Of course, you might still be able to return home.”

Sigh. Figures.

I had high expectations since I heard this fortune teller was incredibly skilled, but in the end, it’s just this kind of vague talk.

Still, since they told me it would be a happy ending, I should thank them, right?

“But why did you smile just now?”

“Ah. That. Hmm. I wonder if I should tell you.”

“If it’s ambiguous like before, you don’t have to tell me.”

“No. It’s actually quite clear, but it’s the kind of thing that could influence events if I speak of it.”

“Judging by your smile, it can’t be anything serious, right?”

“That’s right. But even just mentioning that it’s connected to something about you could influence things and draw your attention to it, so I can’t speak carelessly.”

Oh really. This person is quite skilled at making people curious!

“Tell me.”

“You’re consenting?”

“Yes, I am!”

“You will become someone’s wife.”

“…What?”

“Regardless of whether you can return to your homeland or not.”

…Indeed.

That was definitely something that would influence me and draw my attention.

**

Soyu noona, who had gone in first, came out looking at me with an indecipherable expression before sitting in a corner and staring blankly into space.

‘What on earth did she hear to make that expression? Did she hear something bad about me?’

Perhaps she encountered something unexpectedly heavy in what I had thought would be a lighthearted experience.

Not just her, but the expressions of all my party members had turned serious.

Then Subin went in second, and she too came out with an expression not much different from Soyu noona’s.

The same happened with Seyeon, who went third, and Yuri, who went fourth.

Why were they all looking at me with such complicated expressions? If only they would just speak plainly instead of making things so frustrating. With these thoughts, I headed toward the fortune teller’s room, leaving Danya with them for a moment.

“Please have a seat, O human who freed Radaniya from the shackles of eternity.”

“Uh… yes. But your way of speaking…”

“One’s manner of speech changes according to circumstances. Whether someone is older, deserving of respect, or worthy of contempt.”

The fortune teller’s speech had changed dramatically. Was this a sign of respect for me as Radaniya’s liberator? I didn’t mind it.

“Before I have my fortune told, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Please speak.”

“My companions all came out with troubled expressions… is it possible to know why?”

“Regrettably, no. Revealing another person’s fortune to a third party is nearly taboo. Anyway, would you like your fortune told?”

I knew I wouldn’t get an answer, but I tried anyway. I wasn’t particularly disappointed, and I handed him a strand of my hair and told him my birth date.

“Hmm…”

As the fortune teller stared intently at my burning hair for a long time while repeatedly making sounds of contemplation, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. Was there something bad in my fortune too?

Even after the smoke had completely cleared, he continued rearranging his tools and muttering something for a while before finally speaking.

“It’s… difficult. Even after all these years, I still struggle with how to handle it when I look into someone’s fate and discover truths they may not want to know or find hard to believe. And I’ve been making a living doing this for decades.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Benefactor. Excessive greed can bring calamity.”

“Pardon?”

Too much of a good thing?

Me? What did I do?

“Could you specify what kind of greed you’re referring to?”

“You must either develop abilities that match your ambition, or reduce your greed. Otherwise, survival will be difficult. You could enter a path that would be quite miserable to describe in words.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Stranger from beyond the sky. This ‘homeland’ that all your companions have mentioned must be beyond that sky. It only became clear to me after glimpsing your destiny.”

Neither I nor anyone else would have mentioned our origins. And Danya can’t directly communicate with anyone except me anyway.

‘Can fortune telling reveal such things?’

I focused on the fortune teller’s words, forgetting even to blink.

“Your journey will not be short. And dangers are scattered throughout. However, you wish to draw a straight line to the end of your journey and break through as quickly as possible. If you continue as you are now, you will certainly face calamity at least once.”

“Are you saying that doing my best to move forward itself is excessive greed?”

Before setting out, I always make sure to raise the capabilities of all members, stock up on consumables, and equip the best gear possible. I share information thoroughly and make meticulous plans. When that’s not possible, I rely on extensive experience and improvisation.

That’s how I’ve always operated.

To be even more perfect, I’ve been gathering my party members one by one. We’re only on the third floor, and already there are five of us including myself. Only two more remain until we have the complete Veritas team.

I’ve been making steady progress like this, so how is that excessive?

“I’m not always 100% accurate, nor can I see every minute detail. However, I saw a thick, ominous fog of nearly blood-red darkness somewhere in your future. My abilities are insufficient to see exactly where, when, or how you will face calamity, but I couldn’t help but warn you.”

This is not a curse, but a warning.

The fortune teller emphasized again.

“Are you saying there’s something I’m missing… or that I should slow down my pace of progress?”

“Hmm. Well. I merely convey what I glimpse without disturbing it too much, so it’s difficult for me to give you exact instructions on what to do. So please take my words as a warning or advice, and don’t put too much faith in them. The fate I glimpsed may not unfold exactly as I saw it.”

Come on, sir. How can I not worry after you’ve scared me like that?

Still, I thought it was a hundred, a thousand times better to hear now that some dangerous event would definitely happen once, rather than knowing nothing. It would make me think twice before doing anything, wondering if it’s safe or if there’s a better option.

“And.”

“And what? Don’t tell me there’s more?”

Was I really such a greedy person?

“Hmm. Ahem. This is, well, miserable in a different sense.”

“What?”

“Youth and vigor don’t last forever. And a week has seven days.”

What on earth is he talking about?

“Ah. Um. Sir. So.”

“Remember my first advice. Either develop your abilities or reduce your greed. That seems to be all I can tell you.”

Miserable in a different sense, youth and vigor don’t last forever, a week has seven days? Develop abilities or reduce greed?

‘Could it be that what I’m thinking is correct? No, right?’

So, it’s coming at me suddenly like this? Really? This isn’t just my delusion but reality?

I tried to ask again, but the fortune teller just made an ambiguous expression and gave no answer.

My goodness.

**

The fortune teller added a few more words afterward, but honestly, they went in one ear and out the other.

My expression now was probably similar to my companions’.

Danya, who had been receiving affection (torment) from my companions, spotted me trudging back and quickly ran over, meowing. I reflexively embraced her and lifted her up. Ah, so healing.

“Nya nya nyat? Nyaat!”

[What’s wrong with everyone? Including you!]

“Oh right. Danya. The fortune teller wants to talk to you for a moment. Just the two of you.”

“Nyaang?”

[How?]

“He must have some method if he’s asking. Go see him.”

“Nyaaaaat!”

[You! Don’t pat my bottom!]

Oops, I did it without thinking.

As Danya gracefully disappeared into the room, five people with awkward expressions were left in the reception area, looking awkwardly at each other.

Among the fortune teller’s many words, the last ones had such a strong impact that I couldn’t look at them directly. No, rather, I found myself unconsciously backing away.

“Captain.”

“Uh, what?”

“Where are you going?”

“Huh? Where would I be going?”

“Right now, your body is leaning backward. Captain.”

Whoosh- whoosh whoosh whoosh-

The gazes of four women simultaneously focused on me.

– Benefactor. Excessive greed can bring calamity.

– And a week has seven days.

*Gulp*

“Captain.”

“Oppa.”

“Seonghyeon.”

“Hmm.”

And why is Soyu noona joining in?!

“Can you tell us what you heard? In detail.”

I was suddenly surrounded on all sides.

All I could do was nod my head.