Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Chapter.9 Star Fall (5)
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***
People say the way you see the world changes depending on your mindset.
‘Ahh, Director Ahn, you were right. Giving up is so damn relaxing....’
He just let it all go. Not out of anger, but sincerely. He figured as long as things stayed within a controllable scale, he could try to manage them, but what could a mere Professor do against a god?
‘Yeah. I’ve been too much of a hero complex sufferer all this time. Thinking everything has to be done by me to work right, that I have to know everything to solve it. Back to basics. Back to those days when I was trembling in fear that just walking around would blister my feet and make me bleed out! I’m a scrub! A scrub who can’t see through Lady Mute’s ingenious schemes! Uhihihihihi!’
- Take a Look : The kid’s eyes are totally gone.
- Jokasss : You wouldn’t do the same? Fuck, honestly, what did the Professor do wrong in this seed? It’s a miracle he rolled this trash character—made for laughs by that bastard—to this point. Check his streaming rankings. He’s 5th. 5th place with a no-spend realistic random character, right under that Goldman Sucks old fart who throws money around like soda. I used to joke that he should just die already, but I can’t watch anymore. What’s the point of running around like a dog? Seeds that are gonna burst do it on their own. This game’s a total shitshow.
- Deer Drug Please : Ugh, who dumped a brick wall in the chat? TL;DR please.
- Jokasss : The game’s too pitiful to even enjoy anymore. / His rankings prove the effort. / Shitshow game fuck.
- Deer Drug Please : Got it.
- Whale is Coming : Maybe the devs did this on purpose? Looks like they thought, “Oh, if he raises it like that, he’ll steamroll to the next world,” so they tweaked the game with admin powers. When you cash in extra options at character creation, balance patches wreck your seeds so bad you can’t clear. They could’ve fiddled with that to make this.
- Number Three : Kingly move. All-clear Gedroits Company coordinates were a rubber check. Never intended to let it clear.
- Highway Nacho Man : Look on the bright side. Professor must’ve made bank as a streamer, and his high ranking now is because he pioneered a new route no other rankers could play. Probably top rankers like Rabbit Duo or Thousand Stream Emperor will use this playthrough as a springboard for a farm-heavy 3rd world clear seed. It had meaning in its own way.
- Heung An Mandu : ‘Use this Professor playthrough as a springboard’ lololol Springboard treatment lololol
- Professor : I ain’t dead yet, you fuckers.
- Nutria Pass : What, the corpse is talking.
- Jokasss : He’s got his number for the afterlife and is in line. What’s that different from being dead.
‘Tsk. These guys pretend to comfort but just scratch at my nerves. Their attitude flips like illegal U-turn Kim Lady.’
Of course, it wasn’t total surrender. It just meant narrowing his once broad perspective a bit. He’d been pressured by Hyde to somehow make this game work out, but with things this messed up, it was now a whatever-happens-happens mindset. His shoulders relaxed, and what he needed to do right now crystallized clearly.
“You there, baldy.... Ahem! Brother Dimanus? I saw Bishop Senadis had message magic on you earlier, so can you all see us too?”
“Y-Yes.... That’s right....”
Okay, good. Two-way video call.
“Then cast one more communication. Won’t take long. Just something I want to show you real quick.”
“Uuum.... Mana’s low, but if it’s quick....”
“Othman? Vision magic, please. Same observation point as yesterday.”
“Got it.”
Moments later, light poured from the holy relic, revealing a somewhat annoyed Senadis.
“Brother Dimanus, you know the capital’s in dire straits. I told the hero to report back immediately....”
“Bishop! That’s not....”
She seemed swamped, glaring at papers with messy hair. She’d cut off any second, so he jumped in.
“Hold up! Bishop Senadis, you see this?”
“This voice.... Hero Professor. What is....?”
Her angry tone melted like snow when he shoved a vision magic eyeball right in front of her eyes in the light.
“This is....”
“Let’s confirm first. That initial mission—can I drop it? Queen assassination. Grateful for the high regard, but charging an evil god with one relic is a bit....”
“Of course.... With your current power, sorry, but you can’t reach the queen.”
The Professor nodded like it was obvious. They were nominally a hero party, but the real ‘hero’ badge-holders were leagues beyond monsters. Compared to someone who flattens hills with one sword swing, he could face himself without guilt.
Senadis stared in shock at the Chamber Maid in the watery eyeball footage.
“Heavens.... That thing made it all the way here?”
Huh? What? He’d prepped a long explanation.
“You know.... what that is?”
“Few in the church know, but shortly after the oracle, they started appearing one by one in nations bordering the north. The magic tower temporarily named it ‘Maid,’ suspecting it’s a commander leading hordes of mutants. From what you say, you know its true nature?”
Her tone trailed with an unspoken ‘You? How?’
“Yeah, well. You know. Me and the queen have this special, secret relationship.”
Tapping his temple, Senadis nodded in understanding.
“Isaac Mandalius’s experiment. You learned through the mutant link, huh. As expected, you’re not someone to discard lightly.”
‘Whew! This setup’s so convenient!’
The lore of being linked to mutants via the mage’s experiment. It meant discrimination, but it was the perfect way to relay real-world intel to NPCs.
If he just blurted, ‘That’s a grade-1 mutant called Chamber Maid, a factory for making mutants. Actually, I know all the named bosses and how to fight them~’ with no basis?
====
‘You.... How do you know that? Even the magic tower scholars don’t?’
‘Huh?’
‘He’s a monster spy!’
‘Evil god’s minion!’
‘Heretic! Heretic! Heretic!’
‘Kill him! Burn him! Tear him! The light will scorch you!’
====
The insomnia-crab-jumpy church and royals would lynch him on the spot.
But with the pre-framed ‘unique case who regained humanity after mutant infection,’ the same question becomes: ‘My body’s infection factor heard it! The queen spoke through her sacred collar!’ And it clicks.
“That ‘Maid’ mutant is a production facility making mutants outside the northern hive.”
High-level info, no sweat.
“Production facility....”
“Half-baked queen. Can’t extract traits from eaten creatures, but uses life info from the real queen to spawn mutants. Leave it, and in under a month, low-grade mutants will overrun every inch around here.”
“Such.... Light preserve us....”
Seeing Senadis clutch her rosary, the Professor continued.
“So, I’ll take that thing out. Cancel the recall.”
That’s why the comms and vision magic to explain. King’s Land, with the Radiant Church HQ, was at risk—defy recall on personal action, and post-crisis they’d nab him for ‘impure loyalty’ or some BS. Church wants all hands for merit awards. Like reporting leave in the army. Go AWOL silent, it’s desertion.
“....Approved.”
Finally, permission from the bishop.
“Considering the severity and target value, I approve Hero Professor’s solo action and will report officially. Brother Dimanus, cancel your recall too. Assist the hero.”
O! Autonomous action plus one cleric.
Then, a attendant priest appeared in the relic light, whispered to Senadis, and left.
“Seems we’ve covered it, so ending comms. Hero team from Traveler’s Temple arrived outside. Latura Ro Haram.”
“You’re swamped. Thanks for the hard work. Latura.”
Whoosh!
Before finishing the rite, the relic dimmed, Senadis vanishing.
Annoying reports done. Situation grasped!
Intel and measures for immediate action secured. Now, just execute and control variables.
Clap!
The Professor clapped loud, snapping the dazed party to attention.
“Alright! Complications sorted, rested enough—let’s move! Our party this way! Soldiers heading to King’s Land that way!”
“Uh.... Professor? I’m lost—which is which?”
To Aldrich’s blank question, the Professor grinned.
“Obviously, marching right into that swarming mutant nest in Pellas is this way, and facing the mutant horde eight times bigger than the one massed against Lordric forces is that way!”
No need to say both sides’ faces went ashen.
***
Crackle, pop. Sizzle—
Around a campfire on dirt, the six huddled, eyes on the Professor’s stick-drawn Pellas map.
“Simple: bait and blade.”
“Draw eyes, assassinate the VIP in the gap.... Textbook.”
“Assassination’s only complex if you assume no detection—plan for it, and it’s straightforward.”
After sorting the mess and tucking in the soldiers screaming ‘Heeeero! How can you do thiiiis!!! Save Kiiiing’s Laaaand!!! Lordriiiiic!!!’, he’d led the party back to that hill for the briefing.
“First, roles. Blade—the real assassin. Who....”
The Professor scanned the group.
Water mage, 5th circle. Versatile. Stamina wimp. Old.
Black mage, soul sorcerer. Unknown.
Hero unit, troll. Tanky. No stealth. Durable. Lately shadowing the black mage, learning something.
Werewolf. Fast. Strong. Agile. Elastic, quiet, swift mover.
Monk. Talking radio. Boomer.
‘No brainer.’
Swipe!
“Borca wins.”
Maintaining stealth prayer takes massive stamina—olds out. Notum, stealth’s antithesis, out. He had stealth chops, but werewolf Borca’s instincts and senses were perfect.
“Mages.... Othman, water mage, I know somewhat. Aldrich, what can you do?”
“Ahem.... Soul sorcery shines in mystery and secrecy.”
“Say that in a Radiant Church dungeon?”
“Mass illusion, weaken, pain curse.... For assassination, dull enemy senses around target unnoticed. For bait, illusions for chaos or rage triggers for friendly fire brawls.”
O. More useful than expected. Thought soul sorcery was undead-only. Not a funeral usher?
“Overlaps with regular black magic?”
“Not overlaps—we’re the original! Corpse-touchers are fakes!”
“Hm.... Originals, huh. Black magic has combat spells like cursed fireworks, toxic bog, corpse bomb summons. Soul sorcery must have mains beyond support?”
“....Can’t say.”
“....Hear those church dungeon bells....”
“Really can’t! Can’t cast casually, and naming it triggers taboo backlash!”
“Tch. Aldrich on support then....”
Professor noted in system memo: ‘Aldrich, has some badass secret combat thing. Direct combat capable.’
“Notum....”
“Grwor?”
“....Go with Aldrich.”
Similar tankiness. Bluntly, most useless here: Notum. Smart for troll, but combat’s average troll level. Hero unit name feels undeserved, but recent growth signs.
“Grwor. Ghost old man. Look.”
“Hm? Ooo! Notum! Yes! Subjugated a wandering soul! Didn’t even teach contracting yet!”
“Worak? Subjugate.... Minion? No. Just talked, followed. Heh heh heh, soul cute. Small fierce soul.”
“Yes! Start small—birds, mice, squirrels, gentle weak ones to get used....”
“Grwor? This orc soul, ripped five ways. Sprays black smoke, keeps biting.”
“Eeeek! G-Give it here! That’s a grudge spirit! Quick!”
“Guok. Ghost old man. Likes free, bald head. Good stuff, pay for.”
Post-black mage fight, shadowing Aldrich all day grwor-woraking questions—already this growth.
‘Misjudged. Thought warrior hero from natural strength, but that’s just troll. Real talent elsewhere!’
Ding-!
Watching Notum roll tiny souls on fingers, a long-missed welcome alert. System sounds muted for focus, so this must be big.
[Info Update: Hero Unit - Notum: The troll you took as companion has beyond-imagined potential. Astonishingly, this female troll awakened her race’s innate shamanism alone, without guidance! / Confirmed Traits: Comprehensive Physical Lv.2(Racial), Self-Heal Lv.3(Racial), Super Strength Lv.3(Racial), Intelligence Lv.9(Racial Penalty: Lv.3 reduction.), Soul Guide Lv.8(Special)]
- Soy Sauce Gaybar : Whoa, fuck. Intelligence 9.
- Jokasss : First words in forever, and that’s it. Welcome back, Gaybs. Thought you died.
- Soy Sauce Gaybar : Died a few times.
- Jokasss : Bullshit.
- Speed Wagon : Probably legit. He’s Dome folk. Must’ve suffered.
- Deer Drug Please : Right, said he’s in Dome. See Professor? Really symbiotic with variant on arm?
- Number Three : Heard Professor bro paraded huge outta Dome, missed it?
- Soy Sauce Gaybar : I-I.... I know nothing! Don’t even know who Professor is!
- Speed Wagon : If that lunatic’s this spooked, embargo’s brutal. Dome’s vibe rougher than thought.
- Soy Sauce Gaybar : G-Game talk, game! Intelligence 9 with special stat! Wow! Hero unit! So cool!
- Deer Drug Please : ....Must’ve suffered bad. Kid came back broken.
- Nutria Pass : But intelligence 9 super high? Awesome Blue Line way west free trade zone, 5 judges average int 8 right?
- Jokasss : Racial penalty, effective 6. 6’s still small kingdom strategist level.
Opening sidelined system window, Notum’s info and chat flood poured out.
- Professor : Anyone know Soul Guide~?
- Jokasss : Shaman trait.
- Professor : Not you~
- Deer Drug Please : Guides souls.
- Professor : Wanna leave?
- Speed Wagon : Soul Guide. East Great Desert shamans/prophets, rare black mages, mostly southern deep forest tribe shamans. Rarer than mages (2.5% jobs), shamans ~0.25%. Few survivors, data scarce. Confirmed: World 2 troll boss shaman had Soul Guide Lv.5.
- Professor : Always indebted, Speed Wagon. BDSM Shelter coords public now—drop by, I’ll host royally.
- Speed Wagon : ....
- Speed Wagon : Business via DM. Got it.
“O. Coming for real?”
Just gratitude, but good reaction? Contact later.
Notum: shaman confirmed. Rare troll shaman.
‘Boss shaman Lv.5 Soul Guide—how genius is Lv.8 Notum? Intelligence not just smart. Learned our language by eavesdropping? Like dogs barking years to speak dog!’
Notum grinning, juggling blue-glowing-then-black-flaming soul on palm. Even shaman-illiterates knew she wasn’t average.
‘6 days post-black mage fight achievement. Not trash, treasure!’
“Got it? Stick to Aldrich always? Yeah?”
“Grwor. Big small human. Never lost listening. Will listen.”
Wanted to park her safe solo, but risks [Isolation], [Racism], [Passive], [Combat Refusal] traits. No choice—glue her, watch till growth.
Memo: Notum. Average warrior. Max-pot shaman. Support Aldrich assassin team with.
“Alright, summary! While I and Othman draw eyes, Aldrich and Notum back Borca to behead the ‘Maid’! Questions?”
Swipe!
Othman shot hand up instantly.
“One thing unclear.... I’m rear support, safe-ish, but you tanking the assault head-on—how?”
“Uh.... Just gonna take the hits?”
The Professor cackled at Othman’s ultra-serious face. Old man thinks I’m suicidal.
“Trust and follow. Don’t plan to die. No confidence beating that horde, but holding them alive.... Even double the numbers, doable.”
“How?”
“Heh heh heh. You’re a mage. Imagine.”
Tapping temple at Othman’s double-serious face.
Berserk regen might not tank high mutant Lv.3+ damage.... But if prep works, no one in 3rd world outlasts him in mutant wars.
***
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