Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Holy Nation and the Saintess
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Eventually, I couldn't find the divine artifact no matter how hard I looked.
"Hoo... Yeah. Even if I found it now, I couldn't make it right away anyway."
Maybe it'll show up on its own once I'm actually able to craft it.
I've only just managed to produce one piece of S-grade gear, and on top of that, I still can't make S-grade equipment except with that 5% synthesis chance.
[S-Grade Sacred Gear - 3%]
I thought the lock would vanish the moment I crafted S-grade gear, but nope.
That was one of the reasons I'd gotten addicted to synthesis like a gambler chasing S-grades... Sadly, things didn't go as hoped.
For now, as I decided earlier, I need to hunker down until I stockpile more A-grade gear.
This time, factoring in sales, personal use, and synthesis, it'll take even longer than before.
A twinge of regret hit me at the thought of not even attempting S-grade for a while.
"Heh heh..."
But just gazing at this iridescent beauty—the Eye of the Storm—is enough to fill me with satisfaction.
I can't wait to see Yena's reaction when she meets me after training in two days and gets this.
I'm itching with anticipation, but until then...
I'll just browse the Gallery and hold out.
[Why is that yours lololololol]
Author: B-Rank Longbow Holder
Do you think scoring B-grade gear for free is easy lolololol
Fr, but he snuck into the event anyway lolololololol
Fr lol, auction prices skyrocketed after he pulled aggro with the event
At this point, he really seems like the rep for the Blacksmith team
The second batch he dropped was no joke either
The Gallery was still buzzing with talk about me.
It hadn't even been a few days, so unless some huge new story broke, it was only natural.
The comments were overwhelming now, like every Awakener in the world—from top-tier hunters to everyone else—was piling in.
I jotted down nicknames from the decent ones I spotted while browsing, but obviously, I couldn't read every single comment.
'Should be fine.'
I'd said from the start that it'd be based purely on my subjective judgment. This wasn't some official event backed by sponsors.
It was all on my skills alone, so even if I picked just one random comment and gave it away, no one could complain.
Of course, I didn't want to hand it off to just anyone.
That's why I was diligently sifting through them as best I could.
And the first lines of the comments I noted down usually went like this:
'Hello. I'm a [Rank]-grade Awakener—.'
Might as well give it to someone who could turn into a good connection even after getting the gear.
There was still plenty of time before the announced deadline, so I'd gather as many candidates as possible and decide later.
Thus, the time passed peacefully. Or uneventfully, I guess.
I planned to enjoy these two laid-back days, watching A-grade gear slowly but steadily pile up in my inventory.
That's how it should've gone.
[Holy Nation's World Hunter Association Guild Withdraws ?? What's the deal???]
Author: Quick News Delivery
Seems like they're doing it to enter the S-rank gate fr?????
But they're pushing so hard, they must have some ace up their sleeve. Why not just cooperate? ;;
└Cooperating means gathering at least 6 S-rank Awakeners from around the world to raid the gate. If it were that easy, it'd have been done ages ago;;
└S-rank gates aren't all in one spot, and once you're in, you don't know how long it'll take, so jumping to another country's gate is tough;;
Everyone knows that, but what can you do? ;; Aren't they waiting for this generation's newbies finishing training to join before going—that's the smart play?
[Gregorio you crazy bastard, leave the Saintess behind!!!]
Author: Protect the Saintess
Don't drag the Saintess into danger just to save your own asses!!!
Fr lol
Saintess simps average lolol
The Holy Nation Guild had straight-up withdrawn from the World Hunter Association alliance.
The Holy Nation Guild boasted two S-rank Awakeners: the Guild Master and the Saintess.
As one of the top five powerhouse guilds in the Association, the fallout from their exit was massive.
The reason? Their declaration to raid the S-rank gate—the same one that had caused a stir before.
Looks like it wasn't some WWE-style posturing this time, but the real UFC deal.
When the Association opposed it strongly, the guild just quit the alliance and pushed ahead with the raid.
This weakens the World Hunter Association—the very organization formed to protect the world.
And checking the raid party the Holy Nation Guild announced? High chance of failure.
"Ah... This won't do!"
One of my few regular customers was heading straight into hell.
To figure out what happened and what comes next, I shot a DM to 'Holy Piss'.
⬆️
[Ah... So you've seen it.]
[Pretty much all the info you've checked out is accurate, Boastful Blacksmith sir.]
[Our Holy Nation Guild plans to wrap up raid prep within a week and enter the S-rank gate.]
[Sudden, right? Even with the World Hunter Association opposing it, the reason we're pushing ahead is...]
Thankfully, Holy Piss replied right away.
She even started sharing the full story—still friendly toward me and ready for my help. A bit of relief there.
[Mind linking up for thought-based chat like last time?]
[...Yeah, that'd be best. Please do.]
With her okay, I activated the VIP customer link right away.
"Me...?"
"Yes?"
"Connected... Ah, it's an honor to speak with you again, Boastful Blacksmith."
"Oh, same here. Situation's urgent, so mind sharing the details? I'm sure there's something I can help with."
"...Of course."
If things kept going like this, the S-rank gate raid was doomed to fail.
Sure, if the Holy Nation had some secret countermeasure they trusted, great—but if so, why would the Association object?
In the worst case, we can't lose Holy Piss. A healer rarer than any mage.
An S-rank healer, no less.
This wasn't personal bias for future favors—it's for Earth. Public good.
"To be honest... I don't know everything myself."
"Pardon??"
"So all I can share is what I've pieced together."
Confusing. And the situation didn't add up.
The Saintess was the Holy Nation Guild's one and only S-rank icon.
More symbolic than even Guild Master Gregorio.
"I thought this last time too... Your thought-communication ability is incredible, Boastful Blacksmith."
"Haha..."
Grateful for the praise, but why hype this skill all of a sudden?
"It's so useful right now, when I'm under surveillance..."
"What do you...?"
The Saintess—ranked even higher than the Holy Nation's Guild Master.
Starting with her bombshell confession of being monitored by her own nation, she began sharing everything: the S-rank gate raid plans and more.
First off, her situation:
She was holed up in her usual residence, but in reality, she couldn't step out without Holy Nation permission.
"So... you're imprisoned just for opposing the S-rank gate raid?"
"Yes... All because I 'lack faith'..."
What the...?
Even for the Holy Nation, isn't it still a guild of Awakeners?
Way more than I'd imagined.
Run less like a guild, more like a church.
This is straight-up...
"A cult, right?"
"..."
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