Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Great Chieftain (2)
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Anyone who knows Yuria Grayhauncher would first wonder why she's always surrounded by people.
It'd be the most accurate to say it's hard to catch her alone.
But someone who knows she harbors two beings capable of causing catastrophe would be horrified to spot her wandering by herself.
Yuria is a walking time bomb. Carrying two uncontrollable entities within her.
And.
Feynol Lifek knew that better than anyone.
A mage from the Heresy Inquisition is drilled relentlessly on information about demons and their vessels. It's only natural, since purging them from the world is their lifelong mission.
They're educated to the bone on their dangers and evils.
Especially in her case.
She didn't even need the training—she'd felt them firsthand.
“...”
Feynol closed her eyes and suppressed the 'presence' stirring within her heart.
The Tristan Duchess or Yuria might still be clueless about what 'this' truly was.
But she knew its existence all too well.
With excruciating clarity.
“You came to see me on purpose.”
She smiled brightly at the woman across from her.
As Feynol broached the subject, Yuria nodded gloomily from her seat.
She'd just confessed sneaking here alone, without even going through her saintly guardian.
And the reason why.
“...I think Dawood hates me.”
Her voice came out in a mumble, so deflating it made Feynol's body sag just listening.
Anyone who'd heard Yuria's full story could guess as much.
Having lived isolated from others for so long, she was hypersensitive to their affection.
Especially with the 'White Devil' inside her, whose trigger for rampage was tied to that.
“...”
Feynol silently lifted the teacup she'd offered.
That man Dawood's every move was laughable from her perspective. Nothing more or less than a clown's farce.
Just looking at what he'd done to Yuria—it sounded absurd to her. Nothing but a philanderer's tired excuse.
But.
“Of course. You won't regret it at all.”
Feynol couldn't let that man Dawood slip away.
Not with 'this' dormant in her heart.
No matter how ridiculous these demon vessels seemed, getting tossed around by such nonsense—she couldn't show it.
She had to use everything, anything.
To keep that man in her grasp.
“First.”
So.
Her task now was to exploit this gift that had rolled right into her lap fully intact.
And the very first step toward that.
“Why don't you start by taking off your clothes?”
“...My clothes?”
“Yes. All of them.”
Yuria's face twisted grotesquely.
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Think about it.
Once I've shown her Elnor, Tatiana's options for baring her fangs at me become extremely limited.
Not intentional, but it puts serious pressure on her side.
‘Bought me a good chunk of time, at least.’
That's why I'm winding through Hunter's Night to hunt the Water Dragon, then the volcanic zone for another beast, then more beasts for some kind of brand—dragging it out.
Compared to the Main Quests so far, it's like a caterpillar crawling.
And, as always.
This goddamn world I transmigrated into is itching to screw me over.
No way it'd let me take the easy route.
Right before my eyes, the Great Chieftain of the tribal alliance is proof.
“...”
Dizzying.
That's the first thought hitting me.
Of course.
I'd sensed something off on the way here.
“Why didn't you bring Liru Garda and Kasa Garda?”
“...Would you, High Priestess?”
It started from the moment I dumped them with Elnor and came alone.
If Liru, bearer of the Blue Devil of Wrath, got dragged into whatever scheme this guy has and rampaged, it'd be a disaster. That's why I stuck her with Elnor—untouchable even for Tatiana—and came solo.
Even so.
“...Whatever. That's more like my 'hobby' anyway.”
He just shrugged it off.
Like it didn't matter.
And the rest of it was even stranger.
Meeting the Great Chieftain is a grand affair in itself.
Just look at Hunter's Night, where the entire Crucible of Struggle heats up—the biggest reward is pleading your wish directly to the Chieftain.
Even if it's the weakest of the three hegemonies, meeting the leader who rules a nation is no small matter.
But.
All those procedures skipped.
Here I am in the 'audience chamber,' facing Allan Ba-Tor. No other chieftains, not even attendants.
Reason became clear the instant I saw him.
Tatiana wouldn't want anyone witnessing this.
Not because she didn't want to advertise brainwashing him with the relic. That's minor.
Allan's current state.
Was far, far worse.
“...”
The original Allan Ba-Tor.
Appears brainwashed by Tatiana's relic from the start, but clear her easily and you face his true self.
A bold man, that's the word.
Hot-blooded. Jovial. Bluntly straightforward yet honorable. Loyal, braver than anyone on the battlefield, neighborhood big-bro vibe off it.
But this.
Not worthy of the name.
No returning to that form.
Ever.
I stare at the abomination on the jade throne.
Muttering curses inwardly at the monster before me, and the black armor covering it entirely.
Looks like masterfully crafted gear at a glance.
I'd agree, if not for the tubes and syringes linked to the armor pumping in all sorts of 'curses.'
Allan's face beneath is hidden. Not even sure if he's alive.
But.
Something viscous 'thing' coils around his motionless body, visible inside the armor.
Tentacles like from sea creatures.
Sprouting from face to everywhere. Not stopping there—they cling to his form, twisting grotesquely.
Like a human-shaped meat doll crudely mashed from unformed flesh chunks.
A form I recognize.
“...Incarnation of the Reverse Tide.”
I groan it out.
Reverse Tide Masharon. Inverted tidal wave.
Chapter 4's game over trigger.
When it awakens, the entire Crucible of Struggle sinks into the sea—no exaggeration.
And now Allan.
Has become the vessel to 'summon' that cursed being.
Dummy data in the original game, scrapped for being too hard, I heard.
Makes sense.
Even Tatiana risks her life summoning one Incarnation—forces multiples on her.
Destructive power rivals a two-shard Elnor rampage.
And.
‘...This is already final mutation stage.’
At this point, Tatiana can summon the Reverse Tide whenever she wants.
No stopping it now.
Enough to approach me confidently, factoring in Elnor.
She brought something that won't lose to her.
“You do notice everything at a glance, huh? Just like the Foreseer said.”
Tatiana shrugged at me.
“As you guessed, the Great Chieftain has received His grace and become a glorious Incarnation.”
Her face held that light smile.
“Soon, the inverted tidal waves will manifest in this world through his flesh.”
Even as she continued.
“Too bad Liru Garda and Kasa Garda couldn't see this.”
With that, Allan's armor slid open. Between the tentacles enveloping him, 'things' embedded sporadically came into view.
“...!”
Seeing it.
I instantly knew why she wanted Liru and Kasa brought.
“...You psycho bitch.”
I choke back vomit, spitting it out.
The things absorbed into Allan's body as 'fuel.'
Now I get the 'hobby' remark. Just the kind of twisted shit from this freak with sick tastes.
Kasa maybe, but.
Liru must never see 'that.'
Bearer of the Wrath Devil—she'd rampage on sight.
“...The Foreseer's orders?”
“No. My own judgment.”
Figured.
Allan wasn't meant to be 'wasted' like this.
Sure, Incarnation of Reverse Tide needs a mighty host. Wouldn't work without Allan's caliber.
Even so.
His position is 'Great Chieftain.'
Climbed there through scandals, but still head of the tribal alliance. Even if this blows over, massive backlash.
Hurricane for Foreseer cultists too.
But.
“He only commanded me to 'do my utmost.' To kill you, by any means.”
“...”
Tatiana said it lightly, still smiling.
“So that's what I did. My utmost. In a way that ensures your death.”
This psycho bitch.
Doesn't care about that.
Fine if sacrificing a hegemony's leader upends the continent.
As long as she kills me.
Casually.
Like it's natural, since the Foreseer ordered it.
‘...Total nutjob.’
Knew it when she threw away her life before.
She's insane.
No other word.
“...”
Cold sweat trickles inside.
Honestly, I'm fucked.
Massive variable crumbling my boss fight premises.
I'd prepped assuming Tatiana and Allan.
Not Tatiana plus ancient sea monsters!
Elnor tied to me—I could throw myself to calm her rampage. But pure killing intent from that power...
“...”
Horrifying just imagining. Straight-up death sentence.
But still.
I don't give up life instantly—tolerance from countless scrapes like this.
But ultimately, there's a 'hitch.'
Clutching hair turning white, I speak.
“...One last question, then.”
No expectation she'll answer straight, but I'm half-convinced—confirming.
“Why show me this beforehand?”
“...”
“If you're doing your utmost to kill me, no reason to tip your hand. No reason to let the Liru and Kasa thing slide. Right?”
Frankly, summon it here—game over.
So she called me for 'something else.'
That's why I'm staying calm.
“The Foreseer.”
Tatiana continued in a flat voice.
For this.
Her usual fake smile and tone washed away.
Almost like.
Jealousy that I took what should've returned to her.
“Has His eye on you greatly.”
“...”
“Told me not to crush you without resistance. Let you struggle your utmost. So.”
“...”
“One day, Dawood Campbell. The grace period He gave you through me.”
“...”
So.
Find a way to smash monsters rivaling Elnor's rampage in one day.
How nice.
“...”
Undeniably.
“Struggle. Survive if you can. Nowhere to run—only fight.”
Delivered in even tones.
“Against the inverted tidal wave about to swallow you.”
A death sentence.
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“...Fuck.”
Back turned to Tatiana and Allan, exiting the 'audience chamber'—the curse slips out automatically.
Truth is, my situation's pretty hopeless.
Never faced a boss ballooning this fast with such short prep in all the scenarios so far.
“...”
I wipe my face, feeling my parched mouth burn.
One day. Twenty-four hours from now.
No matter how I sort the tasks in my head.
With my 'current available' manpower—impossible.
Only one option left.
Borrow the hand of the one I swore never to tangle with.
[Gift-Related Character Alert]
▼ Feynol Lifek
[ No Favorability Stage ]
[ D-1 Until Related Event ]
Time to meet the bastard I never wanted to see, even in death.
Sooner than planned.
Mulling that.
A window popped up abruptly.
[System Message]
[ This action has a high chance of triggering a special interaction with 'Yuria'! ]
[ Recommend equipping the 'Playboy' title beforehand! ]
“...”
No, the title's fixed anyway—no equipping needed.
What the hell are those two up to?
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