Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: 46-2. What the Sun and Moon Signify
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Two mismatched elixirs. Pine took one look at them and called them the Sun and Moon Elixirs.
A vermilion elixir radiating such an intense glow that just staring at it made your eyes water, and a single vial of ice-cold liquid that sent chills racing through your entire body.
"I heard about these from Father a long time ago, Licht."
Pine was holding the elixir with her Masterpiece equipped, the heat so intense it felt like it could sear flesh.
"One grants the power of something that bit into the sun itself."
Anyone could tell she was referring to the Sun Elixir.
Slosh. The liquid, like molten sunlight, rippled against the glass walls.
"The other is said to bestow the power of something that swallowed the moon whole."
A brilliant blue liquid, so lustrous it could pass for a captured piece of the night sky.
"...You said they only existed in myths."
Pine picked up the vial on the opposite side to balance the heat and cold as they clashed and canceled each other out.
A pristine white room. Staring at the elixirs within, I swallowed hard.
'Rewards from the temple's deepest sanctum.'
No way they could be bad. Eating one had to be even more effective than a swordsmanship elixir, right?
Maybe the Nameless Saintess had left them as a final bastion for when Pine became her.
Without Emperor Locke's brute strength or Empress Bellin's innate magic, they might not have been able to defeat the Demon Lords.
So both boosted magic or strength. Perfect.
"Let's split them."
I suggested it while glancing at the others around us.
A strategic call. Even without me and Pine—like this time—the hero couple needed to handle a full serving on their own.
Dennis and the Heavenly Demon could help too, but there had to be a reason they were forced to withdraw in the final battle of the sequel, Black Heart.
"How about Kainel takes the Sun Elixir, and you take the Moon Elixir?"
The Light Hero and Blazing Flame Mage. These two might be my last hope.
If things kept going like this, Pine could end up as the Nameless Saintess.
It was already confirmed via flag checks and future visions. I needed to create as many variables as possible.
"Licht, you sure you can drink it?"
Kainel used a freezing spell to pick up the elixir. His ugly grimace said he was recoiling at the poison-like appearance.
"Helmet Guy... I don't think Kai should drink this..."
Even his handsome face twisting up like that was apparently cute to Ariel, who watched fondly.
An item ending in "elixir" was obviously consumable. It had to be safe to use, right?
"...Then I'll try it first."
I took a deep breath and grabbed the blue elixir.
A bone-chilling cold. My fingers stuck to it like I'd grasped an icicle.
"C-C-Cold..."
Even my usual polite speech faltered. My body shook violently, teeth chattering.
'How the hell do you drink this...?'
My mind blanked. Could anyone pour this down their throat and survive?
Just grit my teeth and chug? What's the worst that could happen? I'd already met my favorite character—great timing if I died now.
I poured the liquid inside straight in. The sparkling blue elixir hit my tongue.
"...Urk."
Cough. Way too cold. No way I could drink this. It wasn't made for human consumption.
It felt like dry ice burns, so I stopped and shuddered.
There had to be a way. A safe way to consume it.
"Pine, is there anything written there...?"
I decided to check for clues first.
We'd solved the statue puzzle to get here. No way the temple's trial would leave the reward useless.
"Nothing, Licht."
Unfortunately, there was zilch. Just the two wolf statues kissing before we entered.
Wait... could it be?
The statues from earlier were clearly paired up. So that meant...
"Pine, what if we have to pair up and drink them together?"
It sounded ridiculous even to me as I said it.
Kainel and Ariel being allowed in was already suspicious. Were they lovers or something?
"...What?"
There was a four-person party requirement too, so it wasn't impossible.
"E-Elixir... mouth to mouth...?"
"Ariel, probably not. Licht couldn't even hold it in his mouth."
The Moon Elixir was freezing. Holding it in your mouth would kill you.
If it were that simple, it wouldn't be the Temple of Will. The Temple of Emotion, maybe.
"Pine, want to hug me and help me drink it...?"
"H-Hug... and drink...? S-Sure...?"
No other ideas came to mind. To thaw the cold, only Pine's tail popped into my head.
"Wh-What did you just say...? Licht?"
That pure white, soft tail that had kept out the north's brutal cold.
"Let's hug, Pine. W-Wrap me with your tail... It won't be cold then."
Saying it out loud was mortifying. My face scrunched up.
My heart wouldn't calm down. Just relax already. It's just a hug, Lee Soo-hyun.
"...H-Hwah."
Pine cupped her cheeks, blushing furiously. Her golden wolf eyes shook with anxiety.
"Pine, don't be scared. I won't do anything weird."
"N-No... It's not that... I know you won't..."
Now she was waving her hands frantically. Fine when she did it, but not me?
This was serious. Probably no guy experience. The saintess-era Pine wouldn't have been like this.
I was done agonizing. Just imagining losing her was horrific.
"Sorry, Pine."
...I'd have to hug her myself.
I wrapped her gently in my arms. Not too tight, not too loose—enough for her to breathe and feel safe.
"Hic! Sniff."
Pine jolted, starting to hiccup. That startled?
"Sorry. The wolf statues were doing this, so..."
Lame excuses tumbled out, laced with unnecessary fluff.
What if this failed? My body moved before my brain.
"Soo-hyun's... such a pervert puppy..."
A tiny whine from my arms. Using my real name— she was mad.
I stroked her head immediately.
"Hmph. Th-This won't make me forgive you..."
Her soft white hair under my hand, wolf ears flopping down. Words and body out of sync.
Not begging for pets, but those stiff ears folded reflexively.
Guardrails down? Or my touch felt good?
"...You really won't forgive me? Pine sis? I'm hurt."
I tossed out an old joke. Her icy expression finally melted.
"Hehe, fine. I forgive you... Knight."
Pine smiled brightly in reply. She'd unequipped her Masterpiece, wrapping me in her thick tail.
"...Why are they like that?"
"No idea, Ariel."
Ariel rubbed her eyes watching us, incredulous at what she saw.
Why? What? You two just kissed. A hug's nothing embarrassing... Okay, it was.
"Licht..."
Pine pressed closer. Like a squeaky doll when I hugged tight.
Soft skin brushing everywhere, sweet scent teasing my nose.
I had to steel my will. It kept crumbling. Felt like collapsing and doing nothing else.
"Time to drink, Pine."
The elixir's chill noticeably lessened. This was it.
Sharing body heat with Pine, I started downing the Moon Elixir. A cool, blade-like sensation slid down my throat.
"Tasty...?"
What? Why was it tasty? Like soda mixed with lemon.
Reminded me of energy drinks I chugged before possessing this game.
Then it happened. Midway, like something was stuck—the flask ran dry.
Tap tap. No matter how I shook it, the Moon Elixir didn't budge. Split perfectly in half, like a cut cake.
"...Why can't I drink more?"
I stared at the faulty elixir, full of regret.
Kainel drank the Sun Elixir much the same way.
"What is this? Only half... came out?"
Like someone force-fed spicy food, he hissed through clenched teeth in agony.
But yeah, seemed like a set amount per person—only half.
"Gimme, Kai!"
Ariel snatched it like a thieving cat and gulped the rest without hesitation.
"More came out...? Hiiing. So hoooot..."
Clink. The Sun Elixir emptied clean. Spicy like Kainel's, she wiped her mouth.
An elixir split precisely between two people.
"Huh, Kai. I feel... something hot and draconic rampaging inside me...?"
"Me too. Don't tell me..."
New power stirred in the hero couple who'd met the conditions.
The Blazing Flame Mage, sensing something, spread her palm and cast a spell.
Beside her, the Light Hero swung his holy sword with glee.
'Together... sharing it between two?'
Pine Granasia pondered their forms, lost in thought. Swoosh, her white hair shifted.
The Moon Elixir cradled preciously in Pine's hand. Still only half left.
'If I drink this... then Licht too...'
The helmeted Black Knight was off testing the elixir's effects with sword drills.
Chance to sneak a sip—now or never.
Pine swallowed hard. The elixir touched by lips precious to her.
Drinking it would make calling him pervert puppy pointless. This was worse.
Indirect kiss. Even a northland cheek peck had burned her face.
"Kiss" alone made her shy. Why overreact like this? She hated her changed self.
Licht's sudden hug earlier had her tail bristling in shock.
'...Still.'
Examining the remainder, Pine made her choice.
'I want to stand by Licht's side, be his strength.'
Pine downed the Moon Elixir.
The slightly moist rim could've plunged her pure heart into filthy thoughts.
"Hic... Sniff."
But Pine Granasia was always steadfast with her feelings.