Chapter 72
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Contracting Ezold
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zanjerko urgently wrapped her black hair around everyone, but it wasn't enough.
The moment Zanjerko's black hair touched the magic sphere, it shattered with a hissing sound, rapidly draining her stamina.
Lee Ru-ri hurriedly cast heals on everyone while racking her brain for a solution.
'A magic sphere powerful enough to break through Zanjerko's protection so easily. If it keeps firing orbs this size, there's no way to get close. What do I do?'
While Lee Ru-ri pondered, her contractors were trying various approaches to close in on Ezold.
Basilahan leaped as high as he could for a counterattack, but he couldn't dodge Ezold's massive magic sphere.
Even after hurling his spear to shatter it into thousands of blades and striking the heart, the enormous orb that filled the gate interior just kept crashing him back to the ground in a heap.
Zanjerko focused solely on recovering her stamina under Lee Ru-ri's heals.
Tiakl used Lee Ru-ri's dark mana to repeatedly summon small versions of himself, desperately trying to get one close to Ezold.
Drayger, too, resummoned Bewitched Draygers as fast as they vanished on contact with the magic spheres, unleashing a frenzy of black orbs.
"We need to find a way. Ah!"
Something flashed through Lee Ru-ri's mind.
"Regeneration Bone."
―Have you found a breakthrough?
"It could get me killed if I'm not careful, though."
―I can't let you do something so reckless.
"But... it's worth a shot. Because it activates at 100% success rate. Can you all support me?"
No one answered immediately, but Tiakl spoke up.
―How?
"If it looks like I might not collide perfectly head-on with the magic sphere, shove me in so I don't get hurt too bad."
Drayger, who had been listening silently, exploded in anger.
―That's impossible!
"Just trust me anyway. Don't miss the moment I deflect its magic sphere and send it back. And everyone, keep the pressure on—just enough so we don't die."
―How do you plan to block a magic sphere that ridiculously huge with your frail body?
Lee Ru-ri flashed a grin, then strode forward with a deep breath, steeling herself.
Ezold glared at her.
"I bet you can't even move from there."
The massive Ezold seemed slightly shaken by Lee Ru-ri's taunt.
"You've been pounding us without mercy so far—now it's your turn."
Lee Ru-ri shouted boldly and quickly summoned the Regeneration Bone.
Ezold hurled a massive magic sphere without hesitation.
"One shot."
Tang!
The Regeneration Bone from Kalikan.
A skill that blocked the first attack with 100% certainty and reflected it with 50% probability before vanishing.
Having once nullified Keres's attack outright, Lee Ru-ri confidently used the summoned bone to block Ezold's magic sphere.
The Regeneration Bone stopped Ezold's magic sphere far more easily than expected.
Though it was a coin flip, it sadly didn't reflect the first one.
Impressive!
Drayger shouted in excitement.
"The real fun starts now."
Provoked, Ezold began hurling magic spheres at tremendous speed.
Lee Ru-ri focused intently to keep her breathing steady, calmly resummoning the Regeneration Bone to block each attack.
The slightest delay could mean her body vanishing without a trace— a razor-edge situation.
"Fear of death? I traded that away to Keres ages ago!"
At that moment, the 50% chance triggered.
Ezold was swallowed whole by its own magic sphere.
Amid the deafening roar and shockwave, Ezold's staggering form faintly reemerged.
The contractors seized the opening and pressed the attack.
Basilahan struck first, his blade piercing Ezold's heart.
A small Tiakl swiftly marked it with a bright red brand.
To prevent Ezold from interfering, Drayger sealed its movements with a barrage of black orbs from his legion of Bewitched Draygers.
Zanjerko, her stamina partially restored, whipped her black hair deep into Ezold's flesh, slowly whittling away at its health.
Lee Ru-ri quickly checked Ezold's remaining HP.
About 3% left.
"Hold up."
Tiakl activated the mark on her command, seizing control of Ezold's body.
For the first time, Ezold spoke.
"Filthy things... kill them......"
"No, we won't kill you. Tell us your story."
―What use is telling you my story?
"You have the name 'Trapped in the Time of Despair.' Tell me where your despair came from. So I can find a way to pull you out of that frozen time."
Ezold stared into Lee Ru-ri's eyes.
Firm resolve.
―You're different from other humans. You don't fear me.
"Can't you tell from my friends beside me? I'm on your side. The only human who can hear your stories."
Ezold looked around at Drayger, Basilahan, Zanjerko, and Tiakl watching it from beside Lee Ru-ri.
―You all... have names too.
―Indeed. We gave our wills to our master and received new ones in return.
―Will......
Ezold slowly shrank its massive body and raised one hand deliberately.
A gigantic clock tower bell, previously only heard in sound, now materialized before them.
―My time stopped at four o'clock that day.
"What happened?"
―I can't even remember anymore. All that's left is despair, now fading even that.
"Join me. A fresh start."
―What meaning does that hold?
"It's too faint to recall, right? Then just forget it. We'll just punish the ones who locked you here. Sound good?"
Ezold gazed into Lee Ru-ri's eyes once more.
―Are you worth it?
"Just trust me, okay?"
Ezold shattered the massive clock tower bell with a surge of power.
―With my own will, I'll take one step forward from this imprisoning time.
Lee Ru-ri slowly invoked Aura of Submission toward Ezold.
The contractors watched the new contract form.
Ding!
[Ezold Trapped in the Time of Despair's favorability has increased by 10,000,000.]
[Cumulative favorability with the target is now 10,000,000.]
[Summon contract limit has been lifted.]
"Ezold, ready?"
―I don't know what it is, but begin.
Lee Ru-ri extended her hand toward Ezold and called out.
"Manifest."
Just like with Tiakl, her dark mana plummeted in an instant, enveloping Ezold.
"Something feels different from before, right?"
―Still frail, but definitely improved.
"Drayger, I've been working really hard. If you nag like Keres, I'll swear off summoning you forever, even if it bores me to death."
―An amusing threat.
As Lee Ru-ri bantered with Drayger, the dark mana dispersed, revealing Ezold—now with two legs.
"Now you can move around."
Ezold, once rooted in place and growing to attack, was finally free.
"Oh, wait—that means you'll fly around hurling those horrific magic spheres now...?"
―I can trap you in any time I desire if needed.
"Right, I've been wondering—can you trap anyone at any time?"
―No. The target must be within my consciousness.
"No matter how I think about it, that's a terrifying ability for an enemy."
Lee Ru-ri slowly checked Ezold's info.
"Wait, why are you SS-rank?"
―What is that?
"Um, well......"
Lee Ru-ri struggled for words, but Basilahan continued.
―It means stronger than all of us here.
―Of course. I was one of the lords who commanded you all.
"Lord?"
―Not anymore.
"You can just go on and off being a lord like that?"
―Precisely, when I imprisoned my own will, I was excluded from the lords' purpose.
"Do you... happen to not remember what the lords' purpose was?"
―Unfortunately, all that's left to me now is your rising will.
"Knew it. It's fine—we'll smash Teva and Deoter and find out ourselves."
―Did you say Teva just now?
"Yeah."
Ezold's expression twisted briefly.
"What's wrong?"
―Teva... a nostalgic name.
"Your speech pattern's a bit off."
―The source of my despair. Hearing the name brings it right back. Can I meet her?
"Yeah, Keres said if we gather more contractors and train a bit excessively, we might take down Teva."
―An honor to join in crushing the source of my despair.
"We'll hear the details later. For today, everyone head back. Teva's seriously strong. I'll prep thoroughly so you can all go wild when I call."
―I'll await it.
The contractors returned to their places, and Lee Ru-ri bid Ezold farewell before exiting the boss room.
"Kinda tired."
In the Hidden Gate waiting room, she called Residual Shadow.
"Seems like I completed the contract Keres mentioned. My stats still don't match what she said, though... Can you help out a bit, Residual Shadow?"
―Understood.
Having lingered too long in the B-rank gate, Lee Ru-ri quickly finished the clear certification and focused with Residual Shadow on clearing gates around Gangwon Province.
"My body's getting lighter and lighter— that's good, right?"
―You are continuously growing stronger.
Lee Ru-ri marveled at how her mind sharpened more with time, diving into gate clears until the generation cooldown kicked in.
"Hmm, B-ranks need to wait now. Cleared all the lowers—time to rest today."
―Understood.
Lower gates now took only as long as loot collection. Before exiting the final one, she checked Sion.
"Oh, I can buy an S-rank box."
Lee Ru-ri quickly purchased an S-rank random box.
[Random Box (S): Confirm? Y/N]
"Mana boost is urgent—please."
[Acquired S-rank Mana Increase Potion x5.]
[(Choice) Acquired S-rank Stat Increase Potion x5.]
[(Choice) Acquired S-rank Accessory Equipment Box x1.]
"Huh, accessory equipment—maybe a cube? Oh, but this reminds me of that jade dagger time. Hid the info and called it a 'choice.' Still, S-rank, so let's hope."
Lee Ru-ri immediately used the mana potions and boosted her stats evenly.
"To let my contractors use my dark mana freely, I need to focus on mana. Shall we check the box?"
Lee Ru-ri touched the S-rank Accessory Equipment Box with a thrill of anticipation.