Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: Another Victim
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As I mentioned before, failing to promote doesn't mean you can't get a happy ending.
In fact, there was even a term for the condition to reach the true ending without promotions or awakenings: 【No Promotion, No Awakening True】.
As games age, all sorts of deranged playstyles emerge, and a prime example is 【Warrior Eve No-Promotion No-Awakening No-Damage Manju Fist True】—a playthrough where you clear the game without getting hit even once by Eve in close combat, without promotions or awakenings... a straight-up lunatic strat. But hey, cool and prideful plays come out too.
That's why the developers made the promotion quests downright filthy.
Under their vicious policy of 【Want new illustrations and gear? Then grind, baby】, the quests are pure, nasty grindfests.
So that's how Eve is looking right now.
1. Defeat 500 monsters (500/500)
2. Defeat 1000 monsters (300/1000)
Eh, none of my business.
Whether Eve's out there sweating bullets slaughtering monsters or not, Feltiya's overwhelming power has her back.
"Come to think of it, you said your little brother came here for some new growth?"
"Mm. That's right."
"This desert, as you can see... not that I'd say it myself, but there aren't many sights to behold?"
"I know. I came to gather materials myself."
"Gathering materials, huh? I see..."
"Hm? Something wrong?"
"Oh, no... I just thought maybe you siblings came to visit your big sis's place. But it's purely for material gathering and hunting... Hehe. It's nothing."
Ah, got it.
If it were a visit, you'd check out the house, chat a bit—what's with just hunting and foraging?
Hm.
Fair point.
But...
"We're here purely for hunting and foraging. Nothing else."
"......Ah. R-Right?"
"I don't know how attached you are to this place, but you should brace yourself too."
"Uh, b-brace myself?"
"Once we close the Eight Gates of the Demon Realm, you can leave this barren desert and wander the world. Don't get too attached. Time to prep for leaving the nest."
"...Ah."
"So I don't see this blasted Burst Desert as your home. After three hundred years of waiting, there'll surely be a far lovelier nest."
That's how it played out in the main story too.
"...Y-Yo, Yon-seok."
"Whatcha doing?"
Feltiya poked my cheek with her fingertip. Poke.
Ha!
If my stamina were still 2, that'd be dangerous, but I can take it now. Haha! I'm strong!
"Yo, Yon-seok... d-don't... don't just casually say stuff like that to your big sis. No. I mean, no?"
The strength drained from Feltiya's fingertip, and the pokes slowed.
"Anyway."
"Y-Yes!?"
"I need to find some materials. Can you help?"
"Of course! You promised to help your big sis find a new nest when you head out into the world later, right? Gotta return the favor!"
......
No memory of that promise... but sure, helping find a one-room place is doable.
I'm a pro at spotting killer one-rooms anyway.
"So what are you looking for, little bro?"
"Mm. Crimson Flame Cactus fruit and petals. Know any?"
These only spawn on certain turns if you time it right, so no guarantees, but a dragon might know where they grow.
"Oh! Of course I do! Such pretty flowers!"
"Right? They evoke molten lava, blooming like flames, fruit and all."
Perfect, she knows.
Materials secured...
"Hiyahaaap! 【Light Spear: Single Shot: Hit】"
Eve's kiai echoed from afar.
Come to think of it, that girl...
Yelling doesn't amp up her magic or anything...?
Huuu... Kruuu... Ugh!
On the way back, Eve was noisy as hell.
She ended up bagging a thousand in total. Impressive grit.
Or maybe from the third quest on, it gets easier, so she went all-in while she was here?
Or did she think it'd ramp up like 500, then 1000, then 1500?
"What's the next trial?"
"...500 monsters tainted by darkness."
"Mm. Not easy."
"...Why is it always like this..."
Obviously, the next one adds conditions to the monsters.
Can't exactly say "playing the daily quests, huh?" when she doesn't even know what games are.
What can ya do? Gotta learn if you don't know. That's the world.
"But you did snag one reward at least."
"Yeah..."
Eve grumbled but sighed and flicked her hand.
Mana enveloped her body. Standard mana shield so far—blocks attacks equal to your mana pool.
But the moment Eve focused, the mana clung tight to her skin.
"Magic Shield."
"...You know it?"
"Obviously."
Mana shifts form and structure into a shield. At this point, it's not mana—it's magic.
Meaning Eve can now negate attacks up to Strength 6 completely.
Costs less than 1 mana to nullify Strength 6? Sounds busted... but it's still Strength 6.
"Still... kinda meh. Good skill, but."
"Don't worry."
"...Huh?"
"Mark my words. The skill from finishing all the trials will be way more useful."
Eve's eyes went wide.
What, you don't trust me? I'm a game vet...
"Wolfram."
"Yeah."
"...Was that encouragement just now?"
You took it that way?
Sheesh. Haha.
I answered with a laugh, and Eve beamed back.
Walking toward the sunset, our middle fingers gleamed in unison.
I decided to cook in the spacious yard.
"Lilia, mind helping out?"
"Good. Lay down an ice mountain here on this terrain, make a crystal lake there... Yeah, like that."
Like sculpting terrain on the ground. More precisely... yeah, like a architectural model.
Artificially crafting mountains and lakes. The 1.5m square model depicted a full mountain range.
I pulled out the Crimson Flame Cactus flowers and fruit we'd gathered thanks to Feltiya and dove into cooking.
Alright then. Time to get cooking.
Honestly, what I'm attempting is insanely high-end cuisine.
Not sure if you can even call it cooking—way beyond Craft 15, but with all the buffs stacked, who knows.
This is a gamble.
Success is jackpot... failure? Eh, I can make excuses.
I crushed the bright red fruit and petals, melting them into sugar water, when Lilia peeked over.
"That's right."
"Yep. Even redder, blazing hotter."
No way.
Couldn't be.
Is it that risky? ...Eh, no words.
But my affinity's high. If I crunch the numbers right... it'll work.
Lilia whined from the side.
"Lilia. You ice folk really hate the scorching tribe that much?"
"I see. Your queen feels the same?"
"Huh..."
Aren't you the real red ones?
Whatever. Done.
Just like I remember you. Relieved.
"Got it. Then go fetch your queen."
"Yeah. Freshest meal's right after it's made."
"Mm. Be back in three hours."
Lilia, still eyeing my dish skeptically to the end, vanished. I nodded and ramped up the cooking.
Three hours should about do it. Before then...
"Man, been ages since I used this. Hope it works. Ahem. Ahh."
Throat check too.
About three hours later, a gale like tearing flesh roared from afar.
Leading the pack was a vision in pure white.
I rarely praise looks.
This game is full of hotties anyway. Even generic extra Milmyu's cute.
But hers was another level. Perfectly sculpted.
Fitting, since the Ice Queen can shape her form at will.
That was her—the Ice Queen.
Laya Dia Frost.
That epitome of beauty led countless snow fairies and stood before me.
"I hear you've made a mysterious dish."
Her voice was eerie too—like blended with the wind.
Official lore says she bounces ambient cold air into sound waves or whatever. Dunno the mechanics.
Anyway, not the point.
The real show starts now...
【Indeed, Ice Queen Laya Dia Frost. I have fulfilled your request.】
Time for Super Yi Young-jin von Loengrin's Dark Hell Gale Fool Mouth Art to shine.
"Is this... the dish for me?"
【Precisely.】
"...It's red. So very red. Red enough to evoke those loathsome fire folk. No—it's an exact replica of their lands."
Exactly.
What I made was... a massive sugar sculpture.
Lilia's mountains and lakes had been pristine white, but pouring in melted Crimson Flame Cactus and sugar, topped with chocolate mix, made it look like flowing lava.
Snowfields and ice lakes turned active volcano and lava lake, with a woman in flame-dress at the center.
Crimson Flame Empress Gran Felice Flame. Laya Dia Frost's arch-nemesis.
So I invited the Ice Queen... and served a sugar craft of the scorching volcanic zone.
Now.
Let it begin.
"Do you wish to face my wrath head-on? Even if you bear that one's blood, will such insolence be forgiven?"
【Calm yourself, Laya Dia Frost. The explanation comes now.】
"You invite me, then show me such a delicate model of those fire folk—how could I not rage?"
Crank Imperial Bloodline to max for pressure.
【I said calm down. If you call yourself a ruler, cultivate the habit of hearing me out.】
"...Fine. Speak."
Good.
We're almost there.
The turn she gave me to use Hell Gale Mouth Art? Ball's in my court.
【You said it was your first meal. And you wanted it freshest.】
"...So?"
【Then, what makes the most memorable meal? Hell, what meaning does a meal even hold?】
"......Eating? The meaning of meals?"
Fairies basically don't "eat." Lilia Snow's the odd one.
They don't grasp the concept.
Time for Super Teacher Yi Young-jin to drop some EDS docu knowledge.
【Meals are a right granted only to the strong. The weak are merely devoured. Eating something is a privilege only the strong can exercise over the weak.】
"......?"
【Ice Queen who's never dined before. I focused on that. So, what would make your first meal worthwhile? What feels most 'fresh.'】
"Ah... Aah."
Get it now?
【Only one choice. Laya Dia Frost's first meal has to be those loathsome fire folk. Crimson Flame Empress Gran Felice Flame.】
"......"
【Isn't this the greatest courtesy Wolfram von Loengrin—descendant of Midgard's mightiest sky, Hark von Loengrin—can offer your domain?】
The winds died down.
The chill faded, cool mountain breeze caressing me.
"...First, this foolish queen apologizes for failing to read your deep intent."
"Apology accepted."
Laya Dia Frost bowed deeply; I nodded in return.
"One more thing, Wolfram von Loengrin. The request was mine alone... but may we all partake in this feast?"
【Of course. The dish is yours to command.】
Laya smiled at my words, and the ice fairies who'd heard my speech erupted in thunderous applause.
"In this cold, dark world, today I meet the greatest heir of noble blood. May this alliance shine eternally."
【I concur.】
"With this dish, we'll unite once more, drive out those fire folk, and build our Millennium Ice Kingdom."
【If so, I want for nothing.】
"Ah. Call me Laya from now on."
【I'm Wolfram. Or just Wolf.】
"Yes. Though different tribes, fellow bearers of grand ideals. Wolf."
Laya and I nodded and shook hands.
Felt like gripping a snowball, but faction play seems to have landed well.
Eh.
Faction play's like that. Can't be helped.
Commit to the coin flip, ride it out.
"To commemorate our pact, I wish to reward you beyond the request. Anything you desire?"
"Mm."
Plenty.
So.
What to claim as reward?