Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Gender Change Voucher for Sale - 2
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⚙ ITEM DESCRIPTION ⚙ 【Husk of Reincarnation】 【Reincarnate once into your desired race, age, or gender while retaining your abilities and soul (removes all existing curses and demerits)】 【Requirements: None】 An evening with snow falling outside.
Quite a few thoughts crossed my mind.
"…."
First off.
The very first thought that hit me was how sweet it would be to reincarnate as a "superior race." Like a dragon or an elf—races that outclass regular humans without comparison.
'Those are the only ones worth picking without a second thought.'
Any other race had pros and cons that were way too pronounced. Even setting aside that all non-troll beastkin were inferior to humans physically and mentally.
'Earth angels—the vampires have merits like wings, mist form, and animal control, but sunlight allergy is a killer drawback... Beastkin have superior physical prowess, but their mana affinity is far below humans.'
And races like centaurs or merfolk that I'd seen in gallery photos were too terrain-dependent. Their body structures were locked to specific environments.
So in the end, only two options remained.
Dragon or elf.
Plus, if I could add the attribute of the world's cutest high school girl beauty, I'd become an ultra-popular NPC showered with headpats from everyone, earning the climbers' fervent support.
"…."
But...
Honestly, I didn't feel any urgent need to change right now.
'My current life is already pretty stable.'
I'm 24 years old in this life.
Approaching peak physical condition and mental sharpness for a human. Far from death's door. And with the Blessing of the Sky, sudden death is unlikely anyway.
Even if a goblin assassin dropped from the sky.
'I can worry about it when I'm old and wheezing on my deathbed.'
Plus, my efforts had already won over a good deal of climber favorability. Not official yet, but I even had a sweet, flirty thing going with one woman.
My magic skills were improving daily, too.
Everyone acknowledged me as a "human."
"Hm."
Looking back, my current life was pretty decent.
'Changing race, age, or gender now might just throw everything off balance.'
So, use on hold. But I couldn't resist my curiosity.
'Still, I want to at least see how far the options go.'
I held the husk and kept muttering, "Just the selection screen..."
Squeeze—!
Suddenly, options appeared before my eyes.
【Please select your desired gender, age, and race.】 "!"
I skipped past the obvious gender and age options and jumped straight to race. But I couldn't help being disappointed by how few there were.
【Human Tribe, Dogkin Tribe, Catkin Tribe, Half Elf, Vampire Tribe, Multidimensional Tribe, Troll, Goblin, Orc, Ogre】 "?"
'What the? Why so few? Didn't it say any race? Dragons and elves are legendary here—confirmed via records and gallery proofs.'
Even other races I’d confirmed through the gallery weren’t listed.
'Maybe jumping from human to a superior race isn't allowed?'
But looking closely, something felt off. First, it said "Half Elf" instead of just "Elf."
"Hm...?"
Half Elf—Aslan's face immediately came to mind. And instead of "Beastkin Tribe," it specifically split into "Dogkin Tribe" and "Catkin Tribe," bringing faces to mind too.
Dinara and Hati.
People I'd met face-to-face.
'Beastkin include join-kin too, from what Fur Lover's authenticated shots showed—living around the 40th floor.'
Only races of people I'd met in person?
"…."
At this point,
I could guess the range of race changes.
Probably,
This item could only change you into races the user had personally witnessed and confirmed the existence of.
'Gallery or literature doesn't count.'
Pretty strict.
This way, you couldn't become a dragon without seeing one for real. Same for elves.
"Phew."
I stopped using the item without regret. Luckily, just browsing the selection screen didn't consume the husk. I tucked it away and thought.
'Better to witness more diverse races and use it when I'm dissatisfied with my body.'
It was a legendary ability reward from Angela, so I vowed to use it with utmost care. And pick the timing carefully too.
'Worst case, when I'm old, I can enjoy a rejuvenation life.'
Someday, after fulfilling all my duties as lord. Becoming a cool troll mage like my master—Grand Mage Sage Damian—and traveling a peaceful Midgard didn't sound bad.
'Trolls are kind, bold, sturdy, and the kings of beastkin.'
So for now—
Being Human Tribe Lord Lucius Baran was enough.
Okay.
"Understood."
That was it.
"…."
But...
【Multidimensional Tribe】
"?"
I had no idea what that one was.
Climbers who were beastkin or elf hybrids were surprisingly common, but nothing with a grandiose modifier like "dimensional."
'Any climbers like Aslan with NPC parents or Angela who changed races?'
Multidimensional Tribe.
By my stereotypes, it felt like some squirming, divine, extraordinary race. But no climbers looked the part.
"…."
'No clue if it's better or worse than human anyway.'
Couldn't waste time on unknowns right now.
'Gotta save this for real.'
For absolute life-or-death crises,
Or as a last negotiation tool.
I tucked away the Husk of Reincarnation.
That moment.
Someone knocked.
Knock knock
"!"
Niva?
-Savior! It's Angela. Mind if I come in?
It was Angela.
"Yeah, come in."
"Hehe, pardon the intrusion."
The door creaked open with a gust of winter wind. Brushing off the chill was the pink saintess in her white dress. She entered with sparkling crimson eyes.
Her mouth always beamed with a wide smile.
'This girl's always smiling whenever I see her.'
I welcomed the cheerful girl.
"Come on in. How are the sanctuary folks settling in?"
"They were a bit uneasy at first... but being near familiar land villages helped them adapt quickly. Some even say it's livelier and more fun than the sanctuary."
"I see."
"And Emil helped guide everyone."
"Emil?"
"Yeah. He said if he wants to become a priest, he has to help people."
"White Church gains a new talent."
The boy who announced the 52nd floor's opening.
Emil, who lost his village friends and parents, had healed his heart wounds over the past few months. He returned upon hearing the sanctuary people were flooding Waterwheel Village.
-Sister Lucia took care of me, so I want to become a priest who cares for people too!
Such a fine declaration.
But Angela's eyebrows furrowed in mild distress. She giggled, flashing her fangs.
"Actually, Emil wants to join the Celestial Star Church, not White Church. He plans to keep studying while commuting between Waterwheel Village and Baran."
"Oh."
I held back words, feeling awkward.
"Feels like a talent drain."
"Hehe, it's fine. The Celestial Star Church follows a fine goddess's teachings too. Wherever we are, we pray for people."
"Like Archbishop Albert?"
"Yes..."
Angela gazed wistfully out the window at the heavy snowfall.
"I never thought he'd set out on pilgrimage before the new year."
"Touring hundreds of kilometers of wastelands and abandoned villages could take years—we might not see him again."
"Yeah, that's the path he chose."
After tending the people's wounds, Archbishop Albert and the pilgrimage priests set out soon after. The elderly priests and sanctuary folk looked reluctant but didn't stop him.
Albert smiled with a mix of emptiness and relief.
-The sanctuary temple's fall has lightened my steps instead.
-That's... regrettable. We'll rebuild it someday. I promise.
-No need. An emptied field after harvest is nature's way. The temple fell because the Earth Goddess arranged her final blessing.
-Grateful you see it that way. May the morning star bless you too.
-Yes... And may the Earth bless you, Savior.
I already had the Blessing of the Earth, so his blessing had no effect. But it wasn't bad from a young archbishop who'd lived ordinarily.
Recalling a few days ago, I muttered.
"The Earth's blessing, huh."
"They say many felt it when the temple collapsed."
"Yeah. Didn't expect it to awaken divine abilities even in Baran's natives..."
Surprisingly, the goddess's blessing reached Baran's NPCs too. So Luciana and others on the verge of awakening divine abilities all did so simultaneously.
'Seven special-grade holy knights and eighteen priests awakened—.'
25 divine class.
Essentially, the reincarnation of the old "Brethren of the Celestial Star." They were training under Lucia now.
'Now Sister Lucia can step away from the church.'
For some reason, it comforted me.
'Though their combat power is way below climbers.'
Pre-Great Catastrophe.
It felt like some of the glory from my father and ancestors' prime had returned. In this city where everything ends with my death, new hope had emerged.
'Maybe that was the greatest reward for clearing the 52nd floor.'
I smiled.
"...Good."
"…."
Fidget fidget
Angela didn't reply, just fiddled with her fingers for a bit.
"Hey, Savior."
"Yeah?"
"How should I repay this grace of the 'Light of Life' ability? Without what you gave me, who knows what would've happened—it's horrifying to imagine."
"Ah..."
I'd momentarily forgotten.
'I'd gotten a surefire return item in exchange.'
Plus minus zero.
Something like that?
I answered.
"You've already repaid plenty."
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
"Hm... Uhm... Still."
"?"
Angela bowed her head slightly, face flushing as she spoke.
"W-Well. If, hypothetically, it's not enough repayment. I-I'll... repay it 'no matter how long it takes or how.' Just say the word anytime."
"No matter how long, no matter how?"
"Uhm..."
Angela twisted her body this way and that. Her entire visible skin below her pink hair turned red. It even made me tense up.
'What exactly is she offering?'
She continued.
"W-Well... Uhm. Hm."
"...?"
"P-Prayer partner or something."
"Ah, sure, that'd be great."
"F-Flying around together."
"That sounds good too."
"E-Eating together too."
"Blood, right?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Hahaha, if it's that, I'm all for it."
"R-Really?"
Angela asked with dewy eyes.
"Really? Even after quests end, I can stay by your side? Helping you, staying with you?"
"!"
Ah.
That kind of thing?
I nodded.
"Of course. Stay as long as you want."
"For life...?"
"Of course."
Lifetime talent contract? Welcome aboard!
I happily accepted the self-enlistment.
'Heh, welcome aboard. Priest, holy warrior, and air taxi.'
"!"
She clapped and sighed in relief.
"Hehe, what a relief!"
"…."
In that smile,
Memories of my childhood drifted hazily by.
"Hehe."
'The more I see her, the less she feels like just another person.'
A new life beyond death,
Sudden childhood responsibilities,
Endless days in a lonely land...
Sharing similar memories.
Just having someone like that nearby
Made a corner of my heart ache sweetly.
We chatted about year-end plans from there. Though a bunny crashed in midway, creating an odd vibe.
"Ahh!? Why are you here again—!?"
"Hehe, I'm a Baran resident now too!"
"Since when!?"
Sandwiched between the two women.
I quietly handled my work.
"...Hehe."
'Peaceful.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days later.
Under the snowy sky stood a horned little brat in rags, standing tall. The kid swept back his scruffy blue hair and declared.
Grrr
"This dragon rules the 30th floor as Dragon King! Human ruler! I challenge you to a duel!"
"…."
Bullshit.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 【Shall we exile the lower floor ruler 'Dragon King'?】 "…."
As I stared blankly into space.
The Dragon King flinched and backpedaled.
"W-Wait! Hold on! Just a sec! Stop the exile and hear this dragon out! For real, just a moment—! I'll kneel and beg if I have to!"
"!"
This guy.
Knew about the ruler system.
'Of course he would.'