I Start with 13 Hidden Traits Chapter-325

Ch-325. **The King of the Forgotten**

—

“………”

In the place where the storm had passed,
amid the awkward silence, Hudson could do nothing but roll his eyes restlessly, sneaking glances at Serengeti.

He couldn’t bring himself to properly meet her gaze.

Hiding his identity until now, persisting in lies—
that alone made him a grave sinner, one difficult to forgive.

“…Now I understand.”

Suddenly, Serengeti spoke.

Understand what, exactly?

There wasn’t just one or two questionable points, so Hudson pricked up his ears.

Serengeti looked at him with a cold expression and said,

“The Hydragon that appeared at the wedding. That was clearly Lord Randolph’s summon, wasn’t it? I wondered if I’d imagined it—but I hadn’t. Why did you do that?”

Even with a hundred mouths, he wouldn’t have enough excuses.

From Serengeti’s perspective, it could easily look as though Hudson and Randolph had deliberately ruined the wedding.

Hudson hurriedly shook his head.

“…I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional. The Demon Realm suddenly began invading Earth, and my body was under attack. I had no choice.”

“The Demon Realm is attacking the world of sinners—no, of ‘Players’?”

Serengeti frowned.

The idea that the Demon Realm was invading another dimension—especially Earth, the Players’ home—was news to her as well.

But it made sense she wouldn’t know.

Hudson let out a sigh and explained.

“It’s already happened twice. And it’ll keep happening.”

“Why is the Demon King invading Earth instead of Pangaenia?”

“…Because the Players interfere with him?”

The Demon King’s goal was invasion and conquest.

Yet no one knew the exact reason he left Pangaenia alone and targeted Earth instead.

Even the Grand Expedition had been carried out in Pangaenia.

So why suddenly Earth?

Many theories existed, but the most convincing was that Earth—and the existence of Players—posed a threat to the Demon King.

Seeing them as a potential danger and striking Earth first was, at least, plausible.

“If Lord Randolph hadn’t summoned the Hydragon back then, I would have died.”

Hudson said it calmly.

But there was nothing calm about what he said.

If Randolph hadn’t pushed him from behind, Hudson wouldn’t have been able to log out on his own—and would have met his end.

At the same time, ripples spread through Serengeti’s eyes.

“You said… if Oliver dies over there, then the you standing in front of me dies too, didn’t you?”

“The reverse is true as well. There are no exceptions.”

If Hudson died, Oliver died.

Both bodies—those of the two worlds—were equally important.

Not just death, but even severe injury would have a tremendous impact.

The two bodies were organically linked.

“…Can’t you come over to this side?”

“No. Pangaenia and Earth are different worlds. Hudson can’t go to Earth, and Oliver can’t come to Pangaenia.”

“But then… how is Mr. Park Hyun-myung in Pangaenia?”

“………”

“If it’s possible for Mr. Park Hyun-myung, doesn’t that mean it might be possible for Oliver too?”

“Serengeti. Hyun-myung is what you’d call an ‘exception among exceptions.’ A singular, overwhelming, unimaginable case.”

“But it’s still possible.”

“…Even a 0.000001% chance can technically be called a possibility.”

If anything, the odds were probably far worse.

But if the question was simply *possible or not*, then yes—it was possible.

Park Hyun-myung had done it.

That didn’t mean Hudson could do the same.

But that hardly mattered.

There was something far more important.

“Serengeti… is there anything else you’re curious about?”

Hudson asked cautiously.

This was not something that could be resolved easily.

She might be acting as though she understood—but true forgiveness or acceptance was another matter entirely.

Serengeti let out a deep sigh.

“…Honestly, I’m still confused. I don’t know what’s what. That Park Hyun-myung is Lord Randolph and also Lord Wilhelm—it’s strange. He appeared before us in his Earth form, but he never changed into Randolph’s appearance, did he? I think everyone found that odd.”

“…Do you think Lord Randolph died in the Tower of the War God?”

“Honestly… I thought that was entirely possible. That’s why I couldn’t say anything. Hudson, Isabella, even the Blade Dragon God—you all looked like you knew something.”

Hudson.
Isabella.
Even the Blade Dragon God.

They all seemed to already know about Park Hyun-myung.

But Serengeti—and the others—couldn’t adapt to the sudden appearance of Park Hyun-myung.

If he had at least transformed into Randolph right before their eyes, it would’ve been easier to believe.

“And yet, in the Tower of the War God, Lord Wilhelm defeated ‘Lord Randolph.’ After that, Lord Wilhelm disappeared, and Lord Randolph…”

She hadn’t asked why he couldn’t transform into Randolph because of what happened in the Tower.

To say “defeated” was, in the end, to say *killed*.

And yet, Park Hyun-myung appeared.

And this Park Hyun-myung claimed to be both Wilhelm and Randolph.

A contradiction.

All three had clearly existed simultaneously in the Tower.

To be honest, even Hudson found that part strange.

Why did Park Hyun-myung appear in this world?

And why hadn’t he transformed into Randolph?

That would have been the surest way to convince everyone.

“…Perhaps.”

Hudson’s expression grew deadly serious.

He continued slowly,

“Perhaps Hyun-myung has lost his form as ‘Randolph.’”

“…Lost it?”

“In the Tower of the War God, Lord Randolph fractured. His memories and experiences were embedded in the tower as if they were real. Wilhelm’s experiences may have fractured there as well.”

“You’re saying everything split apart?”

“Probably. In the end, ‘Lord Randolph’ was defeated by a recreated Wilhelm. But for some reason, even though the avatar died, he survived as ‘Park Hyun-myung.’”

“Then…”

“We must protect him.”

Hudson was convinced.

Randolph was dead.

And because of that, Park Hyun-myung had lost Randolph’s form.

He could no longer transform into Randolph after logging in.

*Hyun-myung was the only one who could enter the Island of the Gods.*

Perhaps that was why Park Hyun-myung survived even after Randolph’s death.

The Island of the Gods—where existing Awakened ones could not enter.

There, Park Hyun-myung alone had entered and awakened once more.

It could be coincidence.

But Hudson was certain.

If that was true—

“Hudson. Does that mean the current Park Hyun-myung isn’t as strong as Lord Randolph was?”

Serengeti’s expression hardened.

Hudson nodded gravely.

“For now. But I’m certain he’ll reclaim his rightful place.”

Until then, they had to protect him with everything they had.

In that instant, Park Hyun-myung became like a child left alone at the water’s edge.

Serengeti agreed.

From her perspective as well, Park Hyun-myung had yet to reach Randolph’s level.

“…So that’s why he became Raiga’s disciple.”

“Obviously a cover. To infiltrate this place, perhaps. Either way, we need to become stronger—strong enough to be his shield.”

Randolph or Wilhelm becoming Raiga’s disciple?

Hudson would’ve laughed at the absurdity.

If anything, Raiga should’ve been *his* disciple.

After a moment, Serengeti answered,

“That’s nothing to worry about. All the Round Table Knights are strong.”

She was confident.

Hudson, now inducted into the Order of the Round Table himself, would only grow stronger from here.

But he still couldn’t understand one thing.

“…Serengeti. What you said earlier—that all the Round Table Knights are alive. Is that true?”

What she had told Park Hyun-myung.

But all the Round Table Knights were dead.

All except Serengeti.

> *They’re all alive. Here, in the World Tree’s Dungeon.*

Yet Serengeti had said they were all alive.

…By common sense, that was impossible.

If they were alive, Randolph would’ve known—and would never have failed to reunite with them.

But the conversation ended there.

Park Hyun-myung seemed to understand and didn’t press further.

“You’ll find out soon.”

“Soon? When?”

“When we enter the dungeon.”

Serengeti smiled.

Yet not just anyone could enter the World Tree’s dungeon.

There was the qualification trial—and even a garden.

But Hudson couldn’t bring himself to ask more.

“Then… before that, I want you to tell me everything. About Earth. About Players. About Oliver.”

Serengeti’s eyes.

Eyes that thirsted for truth.

Hudson could no longer avoid them.

It seemed time to confess everything.

…Even if it meant Serengeti might leave him in the end.

—

—

Isaac closed his eyes.

Stories too unbelievable to accept.

And yet—truths he couldn’t deny.

“Whether you leave or stay—that choice is yours.”

As he wrestled with his thoughts, Isabella spoke beside him.

Isaac frowned.

“Isabella… are you really okay with this?”

“What wouldn’t I be okay with?”

“He approached us with lies, after all—”

“If he hadn’t, I’d still be wasting my life chasing hollow dreams and clinging to resentment.”

The futile dream of finding her bloodline.

In the end, the Dersian family had been hell to her.

She never wanted to return.

More than that, she had been able to recall her memories with Sonora—the most precious thing of all.

She could remember Sonora. Feel her presence.

If Randolph had never called her a *Star Bearer*—

She would have wasted time, never knowing the truth.

“…Didn’t you say there was someone you needed to find?”

“In the Holy Capital.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because being here is more important right now.”

“Sounds like they’re not that important.”

“…I’m just waiting for the right time.”

Sonora was in the Holy Capital.

A fact personally confirmed by Saint Seia.

Sealed deep within the Papal Palace.

Charging in recklessly wouldn’t solve anything.

They needed to slip in when oversight was lax.

During the **Festival of the Goddess**.

There was still time before then.

No need to rush.

*As long as she’s alive.*

As long as she lived, Isabella would save her.

“Isaac. We were chosen.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Out of the nearly thousand Divine Disease victims he saved, he personally sought out only us.”

That was why they were chosen.

Out of a thousand, he found only three.

Isabella.
Isaac.
Balte.

He healed their wounds, embraced them, and helped them move forward.

“And if you still dislike your choice and want to leave, I won’t stop you.”

“But I’ll be disappointed.”

“And I’ll never see you again.”

Isabella and Isaac had grown close.

They shared similar pain, and pride as vassals of Randolph.

But if Isaac chose to leave, Isabella would sever ties without hesitation.

Forever.

“…That’s a cruel kind of friendship.”

“It’s not just me. No one will see you again.”

“So you’re saying no one’s leaving?”

“What an obvious question.”

Even if Randolph had become Park Hyun-myung, he was still him.

Nothing had changed.

Isaac spread his hands and roughly rubbed his face.

“Damn it. Am I the strange one? After hearing something this shocking, how can you all stay so steady? You—and everyone else.”

“Because you’re human.”

“That applies to you too, Isabella—”

“Isaac. It’s because you’re a good person.”

“……”

“That’s why. If you’re going to leave, it’s better not to associate at all.”

Isaac was human.

The most human among all those gathered here.

A good man who suffered even over things he hadn’t done.

So if he were to leave, it was better they never crossed paths again.

Eventually, he would be tainted.

Isaac bit his lip.

Then he stood abruptly.

“…I’ve decided. I’m not leaving.”

Isaac made his choice.

Watching him clench his fist, Isabella let out a small laugh.

“Hyun-myung is far greater than you imagine. Half-hearted resolve won’t be enough to follow him.”

“Did you forget? I’m already a *Round Table Knight*.”

“…!”

Isabella’s eyes shook.

She hadn’t expected that answer.

But Isaac had only been briefly confused.

Deep down, more than anyone, he wanted to become a Round Table Knight.

He wanted to follow them.

Their legends.
Their myths.
The story of Wilhelm.

If everything stemmed from his own choices, then he had to see it through to the end.

Isabella—and even Balte—had held onto their faith.

How could he betray the grace of the one who chose and saved him?

He could not become something worse than a beast.

*…Me, a good person.*

…Yes. Because he was a good person.

—

—

 

Thus, everyone gathered before the World Tree.

Yet those who had assembled could not help but feel perplexed.

“Isn’t this too many?”

“It looks like nearly a hundred people…”

They had been told that only seven individuals would be allowed to meet the High Druid.

However, nearly a hundred had gathered here.

“You shall be divided into seven teams of thirteen, and enter the dungeon of the World Tree.”

The moment I revealed myself, I neatly resolved their doubts.

The reason so many had gathered was simple.

The rules had changed.

At the moment I revived the *Knights of the Round Table*—

《The “Knights of the Round Table” have been founded at the “Sanctuary of Honor.”》

《The “World Tree of Honor” verifies the qualifications of the “Order.”》

《Qualifications verified.》

《The “Honorable Ones” have gathered and proven their worth.》

《Furthermore, with the evolution from “High Druid” to “Druid of the Golden Scale,” the entry conditions for the “Dungeon of Forgotten Honor” have changed.》

《Seven captains possessing over 20,000 Honor, selected by the “Druid of the Golden Scale,” may each enter the dungeon along with twelve “members.”》

《Together with them, prove your qualifications to become the “King of the Forgotten.”》

《A maximum of 91 individuals may enter. As the number of entrants increases, the dungeon’s rewards grow greater and more extraordinary.》

The founding of the Knights of the Round Table—and the evolution of the Druid trait.

Those two reasons combined must have altered the conditions.

In truth, I didn’t care either way.

More entrants meant more competitors—and greater rewards.

That single line captivated me.

If the rewards of a *Primordial-grade* dungeon were to grow even further, I couldn’t begin to imagine what awaited at the end.

“Those gathered here are the top ninety-one who passed by proving their ‘qualification of honor.’ You shall all partake in the glory of entering the World Tree’s dungeon alongside me.”

“……The High Druid is human?”

At that moment—

The Elf Queen spoke, her voice filled with shock.

 

 

 

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