Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: For Elise (7)
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"Phew..."
I let out a deep sigh after ending the broadcast.
It wasn't because I'm some kind of moral bankrupt.
This was a perfectly reasonable decision based on a combination of factors.
'Boss drops don't just pop out automatically after you kill the boss.'
In other words, I had to rummage through the top of the tower thoroughly.
It'd be a boring process, and this was the princess's room, to boot.
'No thanks to being immortalized as "Streamer rummaging through a girl's room.jpg" on stream.'
In short, this scumbag—who's totally a moral bankrupt—didn't pull this stunt just to watch viewers squeal in excitement while waiting for the next broadcast. Got it?
Of course, more comments make me happier.
As long as they're not just insults, it's proof I'm doing well, right?
Sigh. If only the viewers understood my heart.
'First things first, maybe split the investigation team into two groups.'
Items known as drop items generally fell into three categories.
Monster byproducts, magic stones, and objects unearthed from the dungeon.
Those were the three types I was aiming for this time.
"Call Ancestor Spirits."
I summoned more little ghosts with my remaining mana.
"You lot search around here. The rest of you, come down to the base of the tower with me."
- Kyu!
- Kyu~.
I sent the ghosts down to the bottom of the tower.
There were two large holes in the ground below.
Hmm. At least it was painless. Silver lining, I guess.
Oh, wait—ghosts don't feel pain anyway.
Vampires? They're the enemy, who cares. Heh heh heh.
'Considering air resistance, the one farther away must be from the Vampiric Princess, since she still had at least one wing left... Yeah, this hole's probably where the boss mob crashed.'
Let's not get into which hole was bigger... or who weighed more between them.
Sensitive topic, even if they're summons and monsters.
Besides, they're true ghosts and vampires.
Feels like a curse from the recently deceased might come flying my way.
Ghosts having body weight is weird enough.
'Chain gate, so drop quality should be good.'
I investigated the hole where the Vampiric Princess had fallen.
No sign of the boss mob around the crater.
'Uh... this is getting ominous.'
A chill ran down my spine, making me shudder.
With Queen Elizabeth, I'd extracted the soul from the corpse.
But the Vampiric Princess? No corpse at all.
She must've completely vaporized in the sunlight.
'Does that mean I can't even turn her into an undead?'
Shit, what if this ends up a total bust?
If I tell the viewers waiting for Princess-chan's grand debut, "Ta-da~! Actually, it failed!"—knife-wielding maniacs will really break into my house.
The secret society Bathory Clan, here for the princess's revenge.
'Hold off for now. Do what I can first.'
I had the ghosts dig through the dirt, and drops came out.
One was a magic stone, the other a fang.
'OK. Keep the magic stone for now.'
Heh heh heh, you adorable little gold nugget.
I pocketed the magic stone quick and focused on the fang.
A bit elongated for a human tooth.
'A fang, huh. Not bad.'
No specific use listed, but that didn't matter.
I'm no expert anyway.
'People don't know exactly what roles computer semiconductors play, but they use 'em just fine anyway, right?'
Let the pros figure out the details.
Plus, I'd overheard a bit myself.
'Vampire fang... material for gear that enhances bloodsucking skills?'
You don't need to know electrical engineering to know what a utility pole's for.
My shallow knowledge was about that level.
'If I succeed in undeading the Vampiric Princess, I'll use it. Otherwise, wholesale it to some dealer.'
Won't fetch much since the use is niche.
Bloodsucking skills are exclusive to summons and monsters.
'What would a human even do sucking monster blood?'
Maybe sell to eccentric rich collectors.
A hunter biting a mob and sucking blood would be hilarious.
I sorted the item into the box for the porters.
Hunter Association-managed boxes to prevent greedy porters from pocketing drops midway.
Like "Please store valuables at the counter" at shops or gyms.
- Kyu!
Then the ghosts from the top of the tower descended, carrying a jewelry box with one gem inside.
"No way... you searched everywhere and that's all? For real?"
- Kyu.
"Damn... that's kinda lame."
Just one gem for a promising drop?
Does this mean I won't make much money again?
'And the gem itself doesn't even scream cash.'
I examined the dull ruby.
No skill to tell real from fake.
But one thing was clear.
'This gem's 100% cursed item vibes.'
Not just unsellable—probably costs to dispose.
How's the drop lineup this trash?
'Sigh... Did I use up today's luck pulling Psychometry at level 10?'
I didn't doubt the ghosts' search skills.
They're better at physical work than me.
"Anyway, good job."
- Kyuu~!
Even people know when to give up.
Especially after my own scumbag rant.
I took a sip from my water bottle while eyeing the gem.
"...Gah! Cough, cough!"
I spat out the water and choked.
It was that shocking—the ruby’s stats.
[Sapphire Dyed in Blood and Curse (Epic)]Effects: Defense -33. Magic Attack Power +333. Magic Speed +33%. Flame Magic Mana Cost -33%. Vampire race only. (Details unknown).
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[Sapphire, national treasure of the Kingdom of Lake and Desert] [Gift from the Iron-Blooded Emperor when he loved his daughter] [Once it shone blue, cherished as a treasure] [Born beneath a harlot, purer than any other] [Like the princess's blue eyes]
"...Insane."
My jaw dropped reading the options.
'Magic Attack Power... +333?!'
Over twice the Summoners Valley wand?
And a Magic Speed boost too?
'Magic Speed up is top-tier for casting and activation speed, right?'
S-tier among magic DPS options.
Casting time for incantations.
Delay before spell effects kick in.
Applies to all magic-related speeds.
'Like speed controls in auto-farming games.'
If a game lacks auto-farm speed settings but gear provides it, what's that item's value?
Mobile gamers get it.
This shifts the entire combat paradigm.
Huge feel difference with or without, for allies or enemies.
'If the Vampiric Princess had equipped this in the boss fight...'
That massive flame magic comes to mind.
With +333 Magic Attack buff.
And +33% Magic Speed...
"...Not a shotgun—straight-up claymore."
One hit, and El Ayla reverse-summons instantly.
Dozens flying at hyperspeed.
'Ghost cheapo block wouldn't cut it.'
Little ghosts vaporize on graze.
Fixed +333? Zombies one-shot too.
'Whoa. Broadcast would've exploded.'
Cold sweat beaded on my back and cheeks.
Dunno why the Vampiric Princess herself didn't equip it, but it could've been insanely dangerous.
"...Wait, then?"
I eyed the pit where the corpse vanished.
What if.
What if the Vampiric Princess equipped with this ruby joined our raid?
Answer's obvious.
'Trash mob clears and magic DPS issues solved in one shot!'
What? Debuff?
No need for that weak shit.
Monster defense whatever—overwhelm with stronger hits nonstop, you win eventually!
So I didn't hesitate anymore.
"Undead Rise!"
Scratch and win, or scratch and bust.
With this lottery ticket of massive prize...
Only two choices.
"No need to look. This plan's a failure."
"...Pardon? Could you say that again?"
Ilryun Guild headquarters, guild master's office.
Ihan's eye twitched at her father Lee Doo-sik's words.
"I said it doesn't even merit a test run."
Lee Doo-sik swept the report aside without a change in expression.
It was the plan Ihan had printed and brought.
"...What part was so problematic?"
"Your proposed 'remote summoning' plan isn't bad. Capital investment's reasonable. Worth implementing swiftly. However."
His deep-set eyes gleamed sharply.
Ihan still found that gaze of her father's heavy.
"The part where you position yourself as the core of this summoner raid... 'Fusion Team'? It made me chuckle involuntarily."
He grabbed a thick stack of the report.
Everything except the first three pages.
That was 90% of the project Ihan had planned.
"...Is there a reason I can't step up personally?"
"Planning to compete with Yeoto? Yourself?"
"Do you think I'd lose to him?"
"Don't talk nonsense. The gap between S-Rank and F-Rank is like heaven and earth."
Lee Doo-sik replied as if hearing something stupid.
To Ihan's ears, it didn't sound like praise.
Nor was it meant that way.
"...Then why?"
"I told you. You're not in the same league."
Ihan shut her mouth.
To quietly heed her father's words.
"An S-Rank like you, stooping to be compared with an F-Rank hunter? Once you bear Ilryun's name, such recklessness is unforgivable."
"Because the risk of me failing against him is too high?"
"Failing. Is an S-Rank beating an F-Rank a success?"
"...No."
"Jumping into a fight you win but gain nothing from is for mad dogs. Want to be a dog?"
"...No."
Lee Doo-sik stared piercingly at his standing daughter.
"Yeoto cleared a gate beyond his rank. An E-Rank one, estimated top difficulty."
"Yes. I watched the stream."
Pioneer and rival. Had to review the footage.
Did her father watch Yeoto's stream himself?
Unlikely. Probably just reports.
He'd always told the raid team to ignore Yeoto.
"And you?"
"Pardon?"
"Could you solo a gate above your rank... one of the Top 10 Gates? With your power alone, like Yeoto?"
Top 10 Gates.
The world's ten infamous S-Rank gates.
No hunter could solo them.
Not even seasoned S-Rank like Lee Doo-sik.
Much less—this was a ridiculous question.
Yeoto soloing E-Rank gate.
Ihan soloing Top 10 Gate.
Can't equate the two.
Like elementary kid solving middle school problems vs. mathematician tackling Millennium Prize.
Lee Doo-sik himself said it: S and F aren't comparable.
"...I understand."
But Ihan didn't voice excuses.
Would just earn cold scolding.
24 years in, she'd learned that lesson inside out.
"The public won't consider that. To beat Yeoto in competition, need more impact than him—or face ridicule."
S-Rank lagging behind F-Rank?
Worldwide laughingstock, obviously.
"Then let me ask again. Is your 'remote summoning' superior to Yeoto's long-range summon skill?"
"...No."
Versatile, sure. Any summoner can do it.
Pros and cons vs. Yeoto's.
But original outclasses it.
Everything but versatility is inferior.
Yeoto's summon skill was that broken.
"In results and tech, falls short of Yeoto."
Shff-.
Lee Doo-sik slid the papers toward Ihan.
Like clearing useless clutter from his desk.
"In short, wielding inferior skill to an F-Rank, you insist on dropping to his level to be mocked by the ignorant masses as a clown."
Irrefutable point, father's indifferent gaze.
Felt like her mouth was sewn shut.
"...My judgment error. I'll revise."
Ihan reached hastily for the papers.
To dispose of this shameful failure quick.
-Thud!
Her hand stopped abruptly.
Lee Doo-sik's hand rested atop the papers.
Scarred, callused—like rock.
Ihan strained not to flinch.
"I'll say it once more. Listen well."
Slowly raising her head, there was her father's stern gaze, unblinking like a stone statue.
"This plan's a failure at a glance. Scrap everything but the summoning method. Ensure no one else sees it."
"...Yes."
"And remember. Even at hunter peak, if you only raid gates, you're unqualified to be guild master."
His hammering tone bowed her head.
Ihan saw her own cowering toes.
"Corporate competition is modern war refined. Commanders lacking leadership are replaced by guns and bombs, no matter their strength. Same for hunters."
"...I'll keep it in mind."
"If you don't want your prime wasted as 'next guild master' subordinate..."
The brutal hand lifted from the papers.
Ihan's documents crumpled like trash.
"...Prove it with results, next guild master."
"Yes. I will."
Deep bow, then Ihan withdrew.
Straight to her office, fired up the shredder.
Vrrr...!
Crunch...!
Weeks of planning shredded mercilessly.
Time poured in, passion, joy—all gone.
Nothing new there.
Rrring-.
As the remnants ground away, Ihan redialed the missed call from manner mode.
[Yes, miss. 3rd Raid Leader Jegal Seung-hwan.]
"You called. What's up?"
[Regarding observers for the upcoming promotion exam. Left a message since you were away—didn't it arrive?]
Ihan checked her smartphone screen.
Several messages indeed.
"...Forgot to check. Father say anything about selecting observers?"
[Said to leave it to you, miss.]
An exam, huh.
Yes, an exam.
She closed her eyes, then opened them.
"Got it. I'll go this time."
[You'll go personally...?]
"Need it for project planning. Want to see our regular guild members' level firsthand."
S-Rank Ihan can't fight F-Rank Jeong Do-jin.
Of course she'd win.
But Yeoto has edge over Ihan.
Skill making even S-Ranks take notice.
'Win 100 times, break even. Compared once, lose.'
Ihan half-lidded at the shredder.
Whatever truth, if father thought so, she'd follow.
'Need a specialist team. C-Rank core, competitive with Do-jin on equal footing.'
How to build and run it.
Her next challenge, her exam.
To show guild master potential.
[Understood. Leave preparations to me.]
"Yes, please. Bye."
Hand with phone drooped.
Ihan sprawled on the sofa, face buried.
Rrring-!
But barely lay down, bell rang again.
No mere seconds of freedom for Ihan.
'...It's fine. Still work hours anyway.'
Ihan rose from the sofa without delay.
Work ends when done. No easy jobs.
Others same.
Clock out, lock door, crash.
"Hello. What's this about?"
Cold voice flowed through speakerphone.
Ice: water droplets struggling to become rock.
Hard as rock, unshakable as rock.
Oath of clumsy droplet flower.
But Ihan didn't pity herself.
"...Pardon? Hunter Jeong So-won will observe the exam too?"
Even cold rocky moon gets sunlight.
While sun shines, moon glows bright.