Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Toward the Final Journey
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“Mm.”
I subtly turned my head to check my surroundings.
My teammates were all absorbed in examining their rewards.
Thanks to that, no one had noticed my mysteriously glowing box.
“Phew.”
A short sigh.
At the same time, I stared fixedly at the box on my palm.
[Item: ???-Grade Gift Box]
[Grade: ???]
[Type: Box]
[Description: Open it. The item you need most will appear.]
[Effect 1: Acquire a ???-Grade item.]
Why was that...
Somehow, I had a feeling I knew what would come out of it.
As an intelligent, learning animal, this was already the third time opening one—how could I not know?
That made it all the more intriguingly exciting.
Essences.
Just one of them was proven to be incredibly powerful in the previous trials.
Snap!
I boldly opened the box.
[Opening the ‘???-Grade Gift Box.’]
Rumble rumble.
The box began to vibrate along with the light.
A vibration felt only by me.
And the activating amplification energy.
[Item selection begins!]
[The Gift Box detects that you have a dedicated weapon!]
[Well, nothing to see here!]
[What you need most right now is something to strengthen your dedicated weapon!]
“......”
No, System?
The explanation felt kind of cute this time, different from before?
[......ing............. OK!]
[Item selected and found!]
Boom!
The trembling finally stopped.
At the same time, the mysterious light swirling around began to shift to green.
A clear, pristine blue-green symbolizing vitality.
[The source of life fills the surroundings.]
Huh?
I sniffed.
A fresh scent wafted in.
Like the grass smell on a mountain hike, it enveloped me.
The vivid essence of mountains and forests seeped into my weapon.
[The Water Essence smiles welcomingly.]
[The Fire Essence yawns as it wakes.]
“Oh.”
The essences, which hadn’t responded even when called before, now stirred.
[The Wood Essence looks surprised.]
[It asks if everyone’s been here.]
The newly appeared essence was the Wood Essence.
I gazed curiously at the message’s phrasing.
‘Somehow, it feels warm.’
The messages carried the essences’ wills and emotions.
The Wood Essence felt gentle.
And in that instant, I could tell.
It wasn’t the type to bicker and clash like the Fire or Water Essences.
[The Fire Essence says it’s unexpected for itself too.]
[The current wielder seems worth looking forward to, it says.]
[The Water Essence thinks there’s no way to expect anything—it’s an incredibly arrogant remark.]
[The Water Essence considers the ‘user’ a lowly being not even worthy of cosmic dust.]
Oh dear.
‘User’—that’s me, right?
The Water Essence has been prickly since last time.
Fwoosh!
I grew the red power within my weapon further and accepted the green power.
[Ring!]
[God-Slaying Grade item, Sealed Spirit of the Seven Essences (2/7) has been updated.]
[Acquired Sealed Spirit of the Seven Essences (3/7).]
Already three out of seven were collected.
I immediately checked the item info.
[Item: Sealed Spirit of the Seven Essences (3/7)]
[Grade: God-Slaying Grade]
[Type: Weapon]
[Description: Fragments of the seven essences that even the primordial gods feared. The seal will unbind once all attribute essences are gathered. Currently contains the Fire Essence, Water Essence, and Wood Essence.]
[Effect 1: Transforms into the user’s desired form.]
[Effect 2: Absolutely indestructible.]
[Effect 3: Uses the power of collected essences.]
[Effect 4: Vitality +3,000.]
“......”
Vitality increased by another 1,000.
At this point, it wasn’t even surprising.
Instead,
My curiosity about them only grew.
‘Just what are they?’
I knew they were terrifying existences, feared even by the primordial gods, from that alone.
But beyond that, I had no clue.
They wouldn’t explain even if asked.
They didn’t converse at all unless in special circumstances.
Just like the Water Essence said.
Maybe it really didn’t see me as worth more than dust.
I wouldn’t talk to the dust next to me either.
‘But still.’
If there were dust that could contain and control me in a weapon, I’d talk to it out of curiosity, wouldn’t I?
[The Wood Essence smiles.]
“Huh?”
[The Wood Essence gazes at you gently.]
Ooh?
Finally, an essence showing interest in me?
[The Wood Essence advises not to be too hasty.]
[The Wood Essence says that growth must come first to know the truth.]
Qualification.
It was a gentle way of saying I wasn’t yet worthy of conversation.
Actually, I’d sensed it even before reading the phrasing.
The Wood Essence was reluctant to converse with me too.
No, not reluctant—it felt distant due to a difference in stature.
Like how a human without atmospheric protection would be overwhelmed by direct sun exposure.
How could a mere human easily uncover a god’s history?
Just hearing it might shatter the mind or erase one’s existence.
“Smack.”
It was a shame.
It would’ve been nice if Elder was here.
The old man was currently unsummoned.
To summon him, the 12-hour cooldown needed to fully elapse.
‘As expected.’
Elder was the best.
Just floating beside me, watching over—such a reassuring presence.
“Everyone.”
It was then that Olena’s voice rang out.
“Did you get some nice rewards? Looks like you all opened your boxes.”
“SS-Grade again this time, of course. Feels like it’ll be my life’s weapon? Love it.”
“You too? Same here. Haha.”
Olena, Vladimir, and even Maxi.
Everyone looked pleased.
‘Well.’
No need for me to feel uneasy.
Unlike my teammates, I’d gotten another God-Slaying Grade item as a special perk.
What was there to worry about?
From experience, the unknowns would reveal themselves in time.
No—keep charging toward the goal, and they’d become clear naturally.
No need to be impatient, just like the Wood Essence said.
Step step.
Everyone began gathering in the center.
When the seven, facing Theme 5, met eyes.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze on the back of my neck.
Turning to look, the red-eyed swordsman was watching us.
Senior examiner, Demon Swordsman Luca.
“Huh?”
I was slightly taken aback.
Me, who’d faced the Shadow Shepherd Lord, hadn’t noticed him approaching so stealthily?
And not even an assassin, but a Demon Swordsman?
My god.
Was this the caliber of world ranking 25th?
“When...... did you arrive?”
I asked awkwardly.
At my question, the teammates turned in surprise.
Luca’s lip curled up.
“Well then, let’s get started right away. Quite some time has passed.”
His voice was strong and heavy, as always.
“There’s really not much left now. The other examiners have all gone home. In this dungeon, it’s just you all, me, and Lady Delaila remaining.”
“Not much left......”
I murmured.
Well, four out of six themes were already done.
It had been quite a long time.
Felt like clearing four top-tier dungeons nonstop.
‘No, five?’
Theme 2 was practically two dungeons.
Finding the Giant Castle and facing the Dragon Soldier.
Then unleashing the Giant Dragon and fighting Aranbalon.
‘Whew.’
Thinking about it that way, it really was intense.
No wonder they’re rankers.
“Honestly, your progress exceeded expectations—it was shocking. Not only did you shatter my past records...... but the new ones you set...... might remain unbroken for life......!”
He seemed to speak measuredly, but
Luca’s voice brimmed with excitement.
‘This guy isn’t all stiff after all.’
Was it because I’d grown?
I could sense humanity in Luca, whom I’d seen only as a ruthless iron-blooded swordsman.
I smiled.
“Just luck.”
“Don’t say that, Joo Dong-hoon. That’s self-deception. It mocks all the rankers who’ve endured these trials.”
He shook his head.
“Lucky to catch the Poison Smoke, lucky to find the Giant Castle first, lucky to slay the dragon, lucky to reach stage 5, lucky to hit 500,000 points? What nonsense is that.”
“I-Is that so?”
Hearing it, yeah, it did sound that way.
As I scratched my head, his smile deepened.
“Yes, your nation is known for humility, right? Land of Eastern Courtesy or something. But humility isn’t the only virtue. You must acknowledge when acknowledgment is due, and enjoy when it’s time to enjoy.”
“Good advice. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Ahem, anyway. I’m truly looking forward to what path you’ll take after these trials.”
“......”
“If you keep developing like now...... the solid world top 20 might shake up in a few years. No, it will happen. I believe so.”
Curiosity and anticipation.
‘Ah.’
Luca’s gaze was pure goodwill.
Toward me, with trials unfinished.
As a ranker.
No, beyond a ranker—he acknowledged me.
‘I feel it.’
His respect was palpable.
‘So this is the feeling.’
My heart pounded.
Acknowledgment from a top-tier ranker.
Wasn’t this the scene I’d always dreamed of as an E-rank hunter?
Summoning skeletons for training every day.
Researching ranker data and checking media.
The scene I’d harbored in my heart.
Ah.
Why was that?
My heart hadn’t raced when teammates praised me, not even when Elder did.
Thump thump thump!
Now it was going wild.
Absolutely berserk.
‘Ranker.’
The pinnacle of humanity.
Was acknowledgment from them like this?
All the accumulated fatigue melted away in an instant.
“So, keep striving. With the final journey ahead, don’t tire.”
Luca continued advising.
“For my sake too, as one who believes you’re the talent to represent this world. Understood?”
Soon, he raised his right arm.
Wooong!
Mana began rising around us.
His movement meant a new theme was starting.
“Huh, wait?!”
It was then that Vladimir tilted his head and shouted.
“Examiner. You said final journey? Isn’t it Theme 5 now? Weren’t there six themes?”
“Yes, there were.”
Rumble rumble rumble!
As the surroundings warped and the ground shook, Luca murmured.
“But Themes 5 and 6 proceed almost simultaneously. And this time...... it won’t take as long as last time.”
“......What?”
Vladimir’s eyes widened.
My pupils dilated too.
Together, the two.
So this really was the end?
“It’ll be that hard to endure.”
Luca’s voice somehow felt chilling.