Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Blood Wolf
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There is a place called the Infinite Prison.
A place filled not with living people, but only with souls.
Souls are literally souls.
They are left with only a semblance of form, like a shred of a painting, and nothing else.
To compare it to a game, they are like NPCs you can see on a monitor?
But communication was still possible.
Not through words from a mouth, but through the resonance of soul with soul.
However, only within the permitted range, bound by prohibitions.
All the souls there are those who died in their previous lives and, by some transcendent law, made a contract. Therefore, it's impossible for them to escape this place by their own power.
But there is a way to escape.
If someone just calls for them.
Namely, a Summoner.
If a Summoner calls them, they manifest with a physical body.
It's no different from gaining life.
The fact that you can see something with your eyes, smell with your nose, taste delicious food, hear, touch, move....
How great a blessing these trivial things are.
When souls, i.e., the Summoned, are called out into the world, they take on the task of helping their Summoner conquer the Tower.
The complete conquest of the Black Tower.
If they succeed, they gain complete freedom.
But it wasn't easy.
Because humans were fragile beings.
Across worlds as numerous as the sands of a beach, over tens of thousands of years, failure was piled upon failure.
Summoners died one by one, inside or outside the Tower.
What happens when the Summoner who manifested a soul dies?
It's simple.
They can't get out.
The hope of gaining complete freedom also disappears.
This time too, they didn't have high expectations.
As always, the Summoned souls would lose their Summoner, fall into despair, and wander the Infinite Prison, swaying like madmen.
But they say this Summoner is a little different.
They say he safely overcame the Cabalan's Curse.
Only one Tower collapsed due to the curse.
Whether it's exaggerated or not, quite hopeful rumors are spreading through the Infinite Prison.
『They say he's already summoned seven people.』
『Really? Are you sure? Seven people? And he's still fine?』
『It's not a story I heard directly. I heard it through the grapevine too.』
『Hoh, the sly assassin, the stupid meat shield, the arrogant shrine maiden—I knew up to them had manifested,』
『You should add the beastman worker and the lazy magic gunner. They say they're all receiving the Summoner's abundant love.』
『The mad heretic inquisitor also went out. Honestly, even that bastard got called.』
『But who's the remaining one? That's six people.』
『There's a rumor that the Mad Demon also succeeded in manifesting.』
『Ah, so that's why this Summoner has lasted long. If you have the Mad Demon with you, at least the 60th, 70th floors shouldn't be difficult.』
『I don't think it's necessarily like that.』
『What do you mean?』
『I heard the Mad Demon was treated poorly? They say he was kicked out right after appearing because he offended the Summoner's mood, and his satisfaction was at rock bottom.』
『...The Mad Demon treated poorly? Why on earth?』
『There's also talk that this Summoner's disposition is different from previous Summoners.』
『How is it different?』
『How would I know? The souls who have been with him would know.』
『I'm curious. Where are the ones who went out? It would be nice to meet them.』
『Don't know. It's a bit too spacious here to tell.』
『Anyway, isn't the Random Summon coming up soon? It's about time for one of us to go out.』
『Random Summon or not is up to the Summoner's heart. If the trait isn't enhanced, they might skip it.』
『That depends on the Summoner. Some just summon without thinking.』
『Right. A Summoner I was with a long time ago was like that. He could only summon 5 at a time, but his catalog had 25. I was one of them.』
『It's harder to endure if you're summoned once and never called again.』
『It seems I must be the one to go out in this Random Summon. The Summoner from Earth is clearly destined to become an emperor, so shouldn't I teach him the basic qualities?』
『Don't make me laugh. An emperor? He should become the world's hidden master, manipulating even emperors in the palm of his—』
『Talking about hidden masters. Just smash everything. If you drop one meteorite on countries that don't listen, they all become quiet.』
『Yeah, because of you, that Summoner died taking 10 nuclear warheads. You crazy sorcerer bastard!』
『Ha! Don't speak recklessly! You son of a bitch! Do you even know how many long years I lived in agony because of that?』
『So you should have done well from the start, without regrets.』
『If I go out, I could replace the sly assassin. I can make sure no enemies remain around the Summoner.』
『Rule by force doesn't last long. You must capture the hearts of humans with sacred power. Only I can make the Summoner a god worshipped by humans.』
『Everyone, wake up from your dreams. Who knows who will go out.』
『I have a good feeling this time. I think I'll go out.』
『Me too.』
『At this point, I'm curious about the administrators' reactions.』
『Why talk about those damn administrators?』
『Because those bastards won't stay still. Only one Tower collapsed during the Cabalan Curse event.』
『Right. They'll say it's not fun and start their bullshit again with emergency patches or adding new content.』
『Vermin bastards.』
『Someday, I'll definitely kill those bastards. My last lingering attachment is avenging my previous Summoner.』
『Me too.』
Joo-hyuk's Namyangju villa.
For three or four days, he truly did nothing but eat and play.
The Mad Demon was called occasionally as a drinking buddy.
Frankly, the Mad Demon could be burdensome at times.
While chit-chatting and talking, he would suddenly find himself sinking into the thought, 'Wouldn't it be worth trying to conquer the world?'
The Mad Demon was an eloquent speaker.
He spoke so well.
'I have to be careful.'
In a moment of carelessness, he might experience a moment where the subdued President of the United States was bowing his head before him, saying, "I offer you America!"
He absolutely did not want that.
Just the thought was unpleasant.
Truthfully, Joo-hyuk also had his own values and life goals.
But they weren't that firm.
Shallow values that could always change.
Ah, the ordinary guy with a fickle mind, swaying like a reed.
So, sorry, but he called the Mad Demon only sporadically.
He devoted much of his time to the existing Summoned he felt comfortable with.
He cleaned with Razix, exchanged bland jokes with Kosak, lay in a hammock for a nap, and when he got bored, he even entered the Tower.
They said item restrictions were lifted, and reward probabilities were greatly increased. He was curious if it was true.
The Lightning Wyvern, said to have the most beautiful hide among wyverns. Since it's a flying monster, it wouldn't come down unless you pulled it.
"Hoek!"
Kwak kwak kwak kwak!
Starting with Razix's farming.
Razix was digging the ground with fierce momentum.
When he poked a rock or hard ground with the golden pickaxe, clunk! A bluish stone would get caught on the tip of the pickaxe and come out one by one.
'...What's this?'
Kosak picked it up and examined it.
"It's a high-grade magic stone."
Oh! High-grade magic stones come from gathering too?
It definitely had changed.
"As expected! It's the universe's best worker Razix. Applause!"
Clap clap clap clap!
"Hoeheh..."
The beautiful glow of a high-grade magic stone, the size of a fist, with a deep blue hue.
"Sergeant Veronica,."
"Sergeant, Veronica Caliber!"
"If it's a high-grade magic stone, will the magic gun's power increase?"
"Of course. The power of a magic gun is determined by the quality of the magic stone."
"Ah!"
But there was no need to use it as magic gun ammunition.
Regular magic stones were enough.
Thus, the amount of high-grade magic stones mined in one conquest was about 30kg.
He'd sell this all at once later.
'Shall I try catching the wyverns now?'
The mission was to catch 15.
He skinned and collected each one as he caught them, and when he caught the last one.
The reward?
'Hmm.'
The magic stone reward had changed too.
Regular and high-grade magic stones simultaneously.
About half and half.
But?
'...Huh?'
What's this Healing Potion?
Four Tower-Exclusive ones, and one Healing Potion without the "Tower-Exclusive" modifier.
'Could this be?'
'...'
My God!
'So, "restrictions being lifted" meant this? It wasn't just that the variety increased?'
It means it applies to wounds suffered outside the Tower too.
In other words, even people who aren't Players can use it.
The world was going to get noisy again.
That aside, this Healing Potion...
'I should give it to my father.'
Even though the hip fracture he suffered before is said to be fully healed, just in case.
Another day passed.
Joo-hyuk still hadn't returned home.
Because there was a special event today.
The Random Summon event.
The day to welcome a new family member.
The Random Summon cooldown had just ended.
Before summoning.
"Should I use the Summon Attribute Change Ticket or not."
If used, one from among Golem, Spirit, Magical Beast, Phantom Beast, or Divine Beast would appear. If not used, one Summoned being would be summoned as before.
"I vote in favor of using the ticket. Currently, our Holy Sword has come to his senses, but if another weirdo comes out..."
Weirdo,
Who, me?
Anyway, Kosak was in favor of using the ticket.
"I agree. How much has the Master's mood been disturbed by Kosak or Bardin until now? Even the lowliest creature has its uses. Please use the ticket."
Gyeon Dal-rae also said to use it.
"Diverse tactical changes will become possible. Even in our Magic Empire, we tamed magical beasts and deployed them on the battlefield."
Veronica and the other Summoned had no objections either.
Then let's use it.
What would be good to come out?
Joo-hyuk had also done some research beforehand.
Through internet galleries frequently visited by Summon-type Players.
They all said each had pros and cons.
However, they shared the commonality of being difficult to handle.
The tendency grew worse as levels increased.
Why can't Summon-type Players suck honey?
Even Summon Players in the 50s were rare.
Because it took a considerably long time to properly handle summons.
Human-like bipedal golems.
But their intelligence is very low.
Spirits have high utility.
But they say building loyalty is hard.
Magical Beasts are too violent.
Sometimes uncontrollably so.
Phantom Beasts have a tendency to act willfully.
Divine Beasts have strong pride.
In severe cases, the master-summon relationship can even reverse.
Thus, with all summons, loyalty and intimacy are important.
So the first few times, you just get familiar with their faces, exchange simple instructions to build rapport, and then have them hunt.
They say if the max loyalty is 100, you need to raise it to at least 80 for hunting to be possible.
Well, so what? Whatever comes out is fine.
Cabalan is dead, the Curse of Averages is over, it's okay to take a break once in a while.
"Let's do it."
The summoning location was the Namyangju villa.
Evening, but a time before it got completely dark.
Beside a roaring bonfire, he tore the Summon Attribute Change Ticket.
Zzip!
"Random Summon."
Whoosh! Paat!
Something crimson appeared.
Neither a golem nor a spirit.
'A wolf?'
The size was about that of a large dog.
For a summon, its body was on the smaller side.
But an incredible energy was felt.
Enough to make his skin tingle.
What type?
A Magical Beast, Phantom Beast, or Divine Beast.
Blood Wolf
⚔ Grade: Stage 1 (Level 71)
🛡️ Type: Magical Beast
⏳ Manifestation Period: 10 Hours
🔄 Re-summon Cooldown: 3 Hours (Applies after Summon Release)
A Magical Beast.
Joo-hyuk had finally summoned a non-human summon.
Perked ears, coarse mane hair spreading in all directions, the color a reddish blood hue, and pitch-black eyes without whites. Its feet were large, with sharp claws protruding from the split gaps.
"Grrrr..."
The Blood Wolf growled warily at the changed environment.
'Hmm, big dogs are scary.'
Small dogs are one thing, but.
Still, let's fulfill the master's duty.
Joo-hyuk made eye contact with the Blood Wolf.
Since it's the first meeting, he should at least greet it.
"Ah, hello, Blood Wolf."
However,
Whoosh!
The Blood Wolf turned its head away as if uninterested.
'Why is it like that?'
Is it sulking?
Should I pet its head?
For quick bonding, physical touch is best.
So, as he approached and tried to put his hand on its head—
"Grrrrr..."
The Blood Wolf bared its white teeth and glared at Joo-hyuk with eyes full of aggression.
With an expression saying, "How dare you lowly thing touch my head?"
"Uh..."
"Grrung!"
Jjeok! The Blood Wolf's widely opened mouth, sharp teeth.
What? Is this bastard... going to bite its Summoner?
That's when it happened.
"Hey, you mutt bastard! Where do you think you're showing your teeth?"
Swaeeeak!
Kosak slammed a shaker kick right into the Blood Wolf's face.
The Blood Wolf, sensing danger, tried to turn its head to avoid it, but—
Pwoop!
As if that would work?
Who was Kosak?
"Gyaek!"
The Blood Wolf's head spun around from the hit.
Simultaneously, Gobang transformed with Gigantification and grabbed the bastard's tail.
Chomp!
"A beast that attacks its master must be punished."
He lifted it up, whoosh! spun it around once, and then—
Kwaang! Slammed it straight into the ground.
"Gya-ga-ga-gaek!"
There was no time to stop it.
Razix also took out his pickaxe, fuming.
"Hoehehehek!"
Puk puk puk!
It got stabbed by the pickaxe too.
The Summoned were going berserk.
Veronica had already loaded her magic gun, and Gyeon Dal-rae's gaze was cold.
'...It's going to die at this rate.'
Then, the Holy Sword Bardin,
"O Light!!!"
Manifested a radiance and placed his hand on the Magical Beast Blood Wolf's body.
"Kiiing."
The wounds began to heal.
The Blood Wolf's unfocused eyes also regained focus.
'Hmm.'
Our Bardin has changed a lot lately.
Seems to be regaining the true essence of a holy knight.
Right, that's how a holy attribute should be.
The Blood Wolf also seemed moved, its eyes becoming docile.
As if to thank him for the healing, it tried to get up and lick Bardin's hand, but—
"You bastard! Where do you think you're putting that dirty snout!"
Bardin pulled his hand away and smacked the bastard's head right then.
"Get away! You ill-mannered beast!"
Pwoop!
"Gyaeng!"
Then, to Kosak,
"I'll heal it if it's about to die, so educate it thoroughly. So it never dares bare its teeth at our Lord again."
"Okay!!!"
The education began again. Without mercy.
Veronica also joined in, using her magic gun's stock to gently pound the Blood Wolf's body here and there.
Even Gyeon Dal-rae began spreading soybean paste on the Blood Wolf's body.
"Gyaek! Gya-ga-ga-gaek! Gyaaeng!"
Joo-hyuk felt sorry for the Magical Beast but decided to endure.
Because it wasn't the kind of dog humans thought of.
It was completely different from those cute puppies that wagged their tails wanting to love and be loved when they saw people.
It was a Magical Beast.
A fearsome creature that, if it went mad, would even bite its Summoner.
It almost did just now.
"Gya-ga-ga-gaek!"
And so the training (?) continued.
After time passed.
"Chung! Magical Beasts are splendid. There are no bad magical beasts in the world. The lonely magical beast trainer, the Beast President, this Kosak has trained it perfectly."
Was hitting it considered training?
"Summoner Bong, please try giving an order."
Hmm, what should I start with?
Something simple.
"Sit."
Hup!
As soon as the word fell, the Magical Beast Blood Wolf put its butt on the ground.
"Lie down."
Hup-dak!
"Oh!"
It listens well?
"Roll left."
Whirik!
"Roll right."
Whirik!
"Bang!"
At the gesture of shooting a gun,
"Kek!"
It even played dead.
Finally, throwing a stick,
"Fetch."
Hup-dak!
Even a hideous Magical Beast was quite cute when it listened well.