Reincarnated Jester: Taming Players-Chapter 110: New Weirdo

There was about a one-kilometre distance between them.

He could easily cover that distance, but he didn’t change his pace, walking at a calm pace.

Her sudden appearance wasn’t something he expected.

Not this quickly, at least.

But it made sense for her to be in the ruler god’s realm, as he was the one who manipulated the siblings.

One part of Jung pitied her.

She had a terrible brother who didn’t care about her, despite being a caregiver.

Yet, it didn’t mean he would casually befriend her and act as if nothing had happened between them.

It was only his brotherly instinct, but he wouldn’t help her one bit.

Ori and others noticed her presence as well, but not a single comment was made.

So they neared her, anticipating the next trial.

Seeing their expressions, Jung mused, as he was the one who was going to clear the test anyway.

The girl noticed Jung; her reaction was calmer than he anticipated.

"She recognized me and knew I was going to appear," he guessed. "She is probably working with the ruler again."

[You are free to think that way. But it’s a flawed assumption,] the system said without explaining.

"Interesting," he muttered and called out. "Long time no see. How have you been?"

Hearing his usual cocky attitude, but with a different voice and body, Leora snorted and said,

"I wish I could say that I missed you."

She was changed somehow.

Radiating a more mature, collected aura, she appeared calmer than ever.

"And here I was, waiting for the hug," Jung said sarcastically but added. "Old Leora would have raged upon seeing me and threatened to kill me."

"As much as I miss her, I don’t want to return to those times."

Even her voice and appearance matured.

She lived through four years, which Jung had skipped, resulting in growth.

"Before we discuss this trial, I have one question for you."

Suddenly she changed the topic and said seriously.

"Is it about your brother?" Jung inferred right away.

"Yes," she said slowly, nodding. "You killed him; I know that much, but how did it happen? Was it painful for him? Was he sad to go? Is there anything he said for you to deliver to me?"

Jung reflected on her question.

Not because he struggled to answer, but for the lie he was willing to feed her.

"I inflicted as much pain as I could. He deserved that much, and as he begged me to kill him, he pleaded to let you go, asking for mercy."

He lied through his teeth.

His dislike of Astra or Leora didn’t waver, but as an older brother himself, he didn’t want others to experience something he still had a difficult time dealing with.

"You softie," Nero teased but complimented as well. "You did the right thing. No need for her to know how heartless her dead brother was. She should at least have a good memory of him."

[And he is doing it by antagonizing himself—as if he were a bad guy. But there is more, right?] Vex agreed with her bestie, yet she understood something more profound.

Hearing their deductions, Jung snorted, shaking his head.

"I’m a simple-minded man," he said, smirking.

As for Leora, she examined Jung but quickly dismissed his words.

"What a lie you baked. I know my brother. There is no world he would have begged, especially for me or others. I still don’t get how someone like him was the caregiver, and even why the Archeons selected him."

Players and the sage god listened carefully.

The Earthlings had heard of the Chosen One before, understanding that he was destined to protect the world.

Now they found out that Balatro had slain him.

It caused various ideas about his motives, but listening to their talk, they also learnt that this so-called Chosen One wasn’t the greatest choice.

Ori was silent this whole time.

Not once did he open his mouth, yet he was actively listening with apparent interest on his face.

"You caught me," Jung said, raising his hand to the sky as if surrendering.

Leora eyed him.

"How did you know? Did you lie because of it?" she asked.

"Who knows?" Jung answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Can we go now?"

The girl nodded and announced, "You passed my trial. I’m granting permission to go with your journey."

Jung didn’t immediately move, confusing Leora.

Before she could question him, he called for the system, revealing her long-term plans.

"You advised not to kill her, but I doubt it was because of this half-assed trial. There is something grander in play. She is someone I might need later, along with players, Snowshade and your brother."

[Good deduction. I had a hunch you would decode everything, and you are correct as always,] Vex answered.

After getting her confirmation, Jung locked eyes with Leora, and instead of walking through the crumbling barrier, he said to the girl.

"You are coming with me. No negotiations are allowed."

Leora practically jumped out of her shoes, glaring at him.

"What makes you think I want to come with you?"

"And when did I ask your opinion? If you don’t want to get slapped again, you better come with me."

She was reminded of the slap she got some time ago.

Four long years passed for her, but for Jung, two months had gone by.

Closing her eyes, battling her hatred and swallowing her rage, Leora agreed to his demand but added,

"I hate you more than you could ever hate me. My brother was an ass, but he was still my brother. I’m not the same girl you knew once, but my thoughts about you would never change. If I get the chance to kill you, I would gladly do so."

It was a warning.

Her attempt to remind Jung of how much she despised him.

"Good to know," he answered, ignoring her threat.

Leora was Tier VIII this time around, and her progress was definitely terrifying, not that Jung cared or feared.

"Let’s go," he said, announcing to his crew, stepping past the barrier to reach the last trial before he met the ruler god.

It had taken him only five months to find it.

Instead of the snowfall and the wall, he had to overcome it with his wits.

It was a vast crater, blocking his path.

Someone stood in front of it.

"Who is he?" Jung asked, not recognizing the person with colourful attire.