Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Fragments, Protect Your Life
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In the original D/Z SAGA, there were all sorts of production and life systems.
Honestly, aren't dungeon drop items better? They even have relics from the founding emperor. But it's not that simple.
Most items from the founding emperor or boss drops come with strict equip restrictions and are incredibly hard to obtain.
It's true that drop items usually have better options than crafted ones, but drops often have extreme effects too. Like cursed swords that deal 70% of the damage back to the user every time you hit an enemy.
Anyway. D/Z SAGA lets you reach the ending with just life skills and crafting. Combat is way easier by comparison—if you've got a top-tier party, just hand them good gear and play support from the back with buffs.
Anyway. Once you raise a production class to 【1T】 tier, you can craft some surprisingly fun stuff. Though the material costs shoot through the roof—you can even make flying ships.
Anyway, D/Z SAGA boasts insane crafting freedom, so the devs stuffed it full of hidden pieces... or more accurately, their twisted pranks. Like quests triggered by skills.
For instance, ranking up 【Shining Patissier】 to 【Miracle Patissier】 requires clearing a quest.
And of course, 【Fishing】 has its share of pranks too—the 【Undersea Temple】 questline.
While fishing, you run into a mermaid at a certain probability, chat her up, and get invited to the undersea temple.
Turns out the temple has a serious problem, which Kelters and crew solve. It's your standard sub-quest.
Super generic story, but it hooks gamers somehow... Anyway.
Honestly, while playing the game, I obsessed over how you even trigger the encounter.
Turns out...
It was bait.
How rattled do I have to be for Imperial Bloodline to kick in and calm my panic? Seriously.
The mermaid thrashed around wildly as she stared at us.
"Uh... Master. Is this a fish? Or a person?"
"It's a mermaid."
"I see. So we just eat the fish part and skip the person part?"
Oh, fresh take on butchery.
But that'd kill her either way, so no.
Anyway, we stared at the mermaid flopping on the fishing line, lost in thought.
Should we just toss her back nicely? Pretend we didn't see?
The 【Underwater Breathing】 skill is a pain to get anyway—retrying the clear would suck.
"Wolfram! Again, all by yourself. Step back for now!"
"You beast...!"
My bloodline buddy ranted excitedly from behind, then froze solid when she spotted the mermaid—just like me.
"...A mermaid?"
Yeah, that's right.
Man, if it was just me and Patrascheu, I'd have chucked her into the sea and played dumb. Now we've got unwanted spectators.
"Mmph. Mmmph."
Hmm.
No sending her off nicely now, so first things first—pull out the hook in her mouth.
First thing after unhooking her: Eve's swift healing magic.
"【Light Pillar: High-Speed Heal】"
"...Oh, ooh. All healed. I offer my thanks."
"You can talk? Wait, of course you can."
"I am the proud eldest daughter of the Southern Sea Dragon King, Ariel. Human speech is child's play for one of my intellect. Is 'nora' too hard? Very well, simpler words it is."
Yeah, figures.
Eve's eyes went wide at her intro, then she scowled and glared at me.
What's your problem now?
"Hold on. Eldest daughter of the Southern Sea Dragon King?"
"That's what she claims."
"Again? Making connections with big shots behind my back, then dumping the hassle on me later? Just like always!"
"Huh...?"
"What is it this time? Something from the imperial library? The great ancestor's arrangement? Or that lady's second foster daughter? How many more headaches are you adding to my list?"
"......I just cast the line, and she bit."
"You expect me to buy that!?"
No, really—what am I supposed to do?
"No, the man's tale is true. A delicious scent wafted from these waters, so I bit... and that was a splendid trap."
"It's called fishing. You got hooked."
"Indeed. So this is the legendary fishing I've heard tales of. I must warn my subordinates to beware. A fine lesson on our first meeting. My thanks for the wisdom."
"No problem."
My chat with Ariel flowed smoothly, while Eve tilted her head quizzically.
"You two really just met...?"
"First time."
"Yep. Today."
"For real?"
Yep.
You've been played, sis.
Eve grumbled as she backed off. If it was just Wolfram, it'd annoy her—but double the duo? Handle it yourself! She hunkered in the corner.
"Anyway, that was a delightful feast after so long. What did you make?"
"Dried land food mixed with animal fat. Bait fish would love. It's called chum."
"I see. Such bait exists on land. Even I was astonished."
"That good, huh?"
"Of course. Scatter this among the others, and my support base would... Hmm."
"What?"
"You came to hunt in these seas, and that was bait to lure other fish, yes?"
"Pretty much."
"【Then, would you sell that favor to me? I'll pay handsomely.】"
Oh.
Sub-quest trigger dialogue.
Now what?
I know the quest content. And the ordeal.
Honestly, it's a real pain to clear. 【Underwater Breathing】 is tricky enough to learn.
So... what now?
"Tell me the situation."
"...The seas are divided east, west, south, north. You know this?"
"Even the ocean has territories?"
"Precisely. The Dragon Kings' 【Faction War】 rages. 【War】 wouldn't be an overstatement. They call themselves a 【Blood Alliance】."
That word made the soul inside me twitch.
I know. I get the gist... but hearing it firsthand hits different.
"We are the weakest 【Faction】. And our southern seas are under 【Control】."
【Blood Alliance】 【Faction War】 【War】 and 【Control】.
Words no Korean could forgive—they stir gamer Yi Young-jin's soul.
Never forgive 【Control】. Seize your freedom.
A lifetime of D/Z SAGA... maybe that's why my chest boils with resolve.
"So?"
"I want to 【free this sea from control】. But it's no easy task. I need outside aid."
I know. That's why Kelters negotiates with the east, west, and north Dragon Kings in the sub-quest.
I want to help.
Smash that shitty 【Control】. Games should be free and fun—no room for oppression!
"But I can't learn Underwater Breathing. You know that? Combat-wise, I'd be useless."
"Hm. That delicacy you gave me. Chum, was it?"
"Yeah."
"Can you supply more?"
"...Not in huge quantities."
"No matter. Using that chum as bait, we can procure food with the same allure. It'll boost southern morale."
"And show off to the other factions, too."
"Exactly. This war is ours in the south. I'll ask for help, but not demand sacrifice. Will you aid us?"
"Hm."
This mermaid—Ariel—was bold and magnanimous in the original too.
If I refuse here, she'd just say, "A fine encounter," and leave.
That's smart. Getting tangled with her could mean getting mana-scanned at sea and dragged into fights with other Dragon King factions.
But...
But come on.
A 【Weak Faction】's 【Lord】 under 【Control】 snatches victory from stronger foes and brings 【Freedom】 to the seas?
That's romance. How do you pass that up?
"Fine. I'll help."
"Really? Even knowing aid to the weakest holds no glory?"
"Glory isn't measured by faction size. True worth lies in justice and honor."
"...To think such a man walks the land. Heh. Very well, man. Your name?"
"Wolfram von Loengrin."
"Good. When this battle ends in our victory, visit the seas. I'll introduce you to the Dragon King."
"......Got it. I promise. Chum as I make it."
"A promise? With me?"
"Of course. I keep my word."
"......Heh. Who knew the land held a man like you. I await that day from the heart."
Ariel nodded at my vow and dove into the sea.
Accepted the Undersea Temple sub-quest, but no complaints.
Call it a good ally gained.
"......Unbelievable."
"Fifteen minutes."
"Reeled in a nonhuman girl with a fishing rod... and rin her over in fifteen...?"
"Means the master's silver tongue is that sharp."
"......Trash. Enemy of women."
"W-Well, yeah. Even I think this is... intense."
"Heh..."
"You sound pleased?"
"No. Silly me for worrying. Thrones, ambitions—what does it matter? He's doomed to be chopped anyway."
"Chopped?"
"Yep. Brought four girls already, right? Now up to five in fifteen minutes."
"......"
"When he's chopped, one goes to the sea. Keeps the southern mermaids from raiding merchant ships?"
"B-But he's your dear brother? Chopping's... Nah, maybe he deserves it. I need zero pieces."
"Same."
The wolf and her bloodline buddy yapped noisily behind us.
What the heck?
Caught "chopped."
Fish talk?