Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: §Spirits' Playground of Dreams☆ and Illusions♡§
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I slipped away from the crowd for a moment and sat down under the shade of a tree.
The scent of damp earth and soft grass tickled my nose, and I could feel my tense body gradually relaxing.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
The 'Ancient Spirit Shop' has been unlocked.
Finally, I had the leisure to properly check out that suspicious shop.
I glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then muttered under my breath so no one else could hear.
"...Ancient Spirit Shop."
At that moment, the green crystal embedded in the tip of my staff glowed faintly, and a translucent window unfolded in the air.
⚔ STATUS ⚔
[Ancient Spirit Shop]
[Coins: 100]
The name made it sound like it would be overflowing with amazing items, so I scanned the shop list with eager eyes.
"...Huh?"
But contrary to my expectations, the simple-designed shop window was completely empty.
Literally, nothing there.
Then, at the bottom of the window.
A small line of text in the corner caught my eye.
[Time until auto-stock update: 22:58:50] Form a 'contract' with a spirit to search for desired items directly.
The moment I read it, I unconsciously furrowed my brow.
'I can form a contract with a spirit?'
I'd never even considered it.
How do you even make a contract?
And if I do... what changes?
'If I run into monsters in a gate, will the spirits fight in my place?'
I'm not even a spirit mage—can I contract with spirits in the first place?
My mind was swirling with questions when—
"Healer! Try this! It's inari sushi I made myself!"
A woman who had approached me at some point held out a large piece of inari sushi.
The rice bulging plumply from its fist-sized pouch...
Just looking at it made my mouth water.
"Oh! Thank you!"
I was starving anyway, so I took it without hesitation and took a big bite.
The sweet-salty flavor of the fried tofu exploded in my mouth.
Crunch crunch—
Gulp.
The subtle sweetness of the syrup soaked in smoothly, blending perfectly with the crunchy texture of the fillings, banishing my hunger in an instant.
'She made this herself...'
It was so delicious that genuine admiration spilled out.
Savoring the aftertaste of the vanished inari sushi.
I pulled a cookie from my bag and offered it in return.
"These are cookies I baked myself! Have them for dessert!"
The woman who gave me the inari sushi took the cookie with sparkling eyes.
"Really!? Cookies baked by the Healer herself...? Oh my god, I'll treasure this gift..."
But her expression hardened the moment she looked at the cookie.
"These... are cookies, right?"
"Th-the shape's a bit off, but the taste is really good..."
"......"
A short yet long silence passed.
...Looks like I need urgent research on improving cookie aesthetics.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Everyone seems to have rested enough, so let's continue the raid."
At the White Night Guild Master's command, all the Awakeners, including me, climbed the stairs to the next floor.
"Let's clear this one fast too! Let's go!!"
"Please take care of us, Healer!"
Maybe because we'd cleared the first floor faster than expected.
The Awakeners' faces showed a sense of accomplishment mixed with a strange confidence.
But as we ascended the stairs, the rapidly rising temperature cooled the excited atmosphere.
"...Ugh, it's so hot..."
"Is the second floor a sauna or something?"
"Why is it so hot and humid..."
The sweltering heat, dizzying to the mind, felt like stepping into a giant steamer.
When we finally reached the top of the stairs.
A massive iron door loomed before us.
Unlike the one on the first floor, its surface was thickly covered in blue rust.
And steam rising from the door's cracks gave an ominous foreboding.
"...Opening it."
The White Night Guild Master pushed hard on the red-hot door handle.
The moment she did—
A blast of scorching heat rushed in.
Salt-laden humidity and a thick oily smell spread simultaneously.
"What is that...?"
Beyond the door stretched the sea.
But not the sea we knew.
The blue waters were gone, replaced by a black-stained surface.
Even the waves rolling in from afar writhed like clumps of waste oil instead of clear water.
The intense sunlight stabbed down from above.
Even breathing in felt laborious, naturally letting out shallow breaths.
Once more, system windows appeared before me and all the other Awakeners.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Zone 2 Entry Confirmed] - Boiling Breath Sea [※ The entire sea is rapidly contaminating due to the black oil film.] [※ If contamination reaches a certain level, the sea level will rise rapidly.] [Clear conditions updated.] - Defeat 'Contamination Source, Tar-Marin' (Time limit: 20 minutes) - All party members die if contamination reaches 100%
And at the same time.
A massive shadow rose above the water's surface.
"...Huh?"
Something was swimming through the black sea like it was floating.
It was a ship.
Corroded iron plates.
A twisted hull.
Dripping black oil from cracks in the hull, a massive vessel grotesquely surfaced, skimming the sea.
"What? That's..."
"...Just a big ship, right?"
A few Awakeners muttered in confusion.
"Gate mid-boss, Tar-Marin! Everyone, battle positions!"
The moment the White Night Guild Master raised the alarm—
Bwaaaaaang—!
A deafening horn like a ship's blast rocked us from head to toe with gut-wrenching vibrations.
I and all the other Awakeners instinctively covered our ears and collapsed in place.
⚙ STATUS ABNORMALITY ⚙
[Disorientation / Nausea Induced]
"Ugh... damn it, what is this...!"
Someone staggered to their feet, then clamped a hand over their mouth as they retched.
The others barely held themselves up, swaying as they looked around.
That was when.
Something plopped off Tar-Marin's bow. Plop, plop—
- Pwaang!
- Bang!!
The black, alien blobs flew toward the sea, splattering sticky oil everywhere they hit and spreading.
⚠️ CONTAMINATION ALERT ⚠️
+10% Contamination
[Sea level rising]
[Time remaining: 18:45]
'The sea level's rising already?'
My heart sank at the following warning.
- All party members die if contamination reaches 100%
At this rate of spread, the sea would swallow us before the time limit.
...Only then did I realize.
It wasn't just some 'ship.'
It was the embodiment of a disaster that could wipe us all out.
"End it before the next pattern! Everyone to positions!"
At the White Night Guild Master's sharp cry, the Awakeners moved in unison.
Melee DPS and tanks couldn't reach the 'monster' floating in the sea's center.
So they focused on scooping out the black oil slicks with pre-prepared purification gear.
The mages closed their eyes and chanted spells.
Ranged DPS with bows or rifles quickly moved to high ground and took shooting positions.
"Now! Everyone, fire at once!"
Magic, bullets, and arrows sliced through the sky toward Tar-Marin all at once.
Clang—
Clang, clang clang—!
However.
All attacks bounced off as if blocked by something.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Tar-Marin is enraged.]
The moment the system window popped up again.
Bwaaaaaang—!!
A deafening roar like a horn shook the sea and land, enveloping the area in vibrations.
Tar-Marin spewed black orbs everywhere again.
⚠️ CONTAMINATION ALERT ⚠️
+30% Contamination
[Sea level rising abnormally]
The distant waves now lapped perilously close to our toes.
The ship had noticeably drawn nearer too.
Only then did I see the black oil film enveloping Tar-Marin's hull.
'No way...'
That explained why attacks weren't landing...
At that moment, memories of fighting a boss with Full Moon Guild elites flashed by.
The boss immune to all attacks—until I shattered its barrier with Holy Light, making it an easy kill.
...Maybe the same situation now.
No time.
Not certain, but worth a shot.
"Wha—? Healer...! You can't go into the water now...!"
Someone shouted urgently, but I dove into the sea without hesitation.
No time to explain.
Splash splash—!
I cleaved through the black oil floating on the sea.
The seawater wasn't cold—it scalded like boiling water, burning my skin as if my body was melting.
'Need to get closer still.'
Oil bubbles surging on the surface blinded me.
The intense heat made my vision spin.
But I couldn't stop.
To hit Tar-Marin's film with Holy Light, I needed to be much closer.
My body screamed in agony, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through the currents.
Finally, Tar-Marin's shadow loomed overhead.
I clasped my hands, focusing mana.
Fwaaash—!
The arrow-like flash pierced the black film cloaking Tar-Marin's hull precisely.
And then.
⚙ BARRIER DESTROYED ⚙
[The contamination barrier protecting 'Tar-Marin' has been removed.] [Tar-Marin's main body is exposed.] [Tar-Marin's attack resistance greatly reduced.]
The system message confirmed my judgment was right.
"Now! Attack!"
I shouted with all my strength.
No sooner had my cry ended than the Awakeners unleashed their firepower.
Arrows, magic, bullets rained down on Tar-Marin.
Kaboom—!!
With a roar, the hull split, black oil geysering up like a grotesque scream.
Tar-Marin twisted its massive body in agony, shaking the sea.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Enraged Tar-Marin spews 'Contamination Essence.']
⚠️ CONTAMINATION ALERT ⚠️
+50% Contamination
[Sea level rising rapidly]
"......"
Breaking the oil barrier around Tar-Marin was definitely right.
Without it, no attack would have worked.
But.
"Ngh...!"
Tar-Marin's next pattern came much faster than expected.
Before I could escape the sea, the water level surged.
Sticky seawater reached my nose, and sensation faded from my body.
Pressure crushed my lungs in the hot water.
Air rose to my chin.
Vision blurred.
I felt my body sinking heavily.
Is this the end...
As deep despair set in—
A rough splash cut through the water, and strong hands gripped my arms.
"Healer! Are you okay?"
It was the White Night Guild Master.
"Just hold on a bit longer!"
In the boiling heat and sticky contamination, her hands held my arms firmly.
Each time black waves surged, she shoved her shoulders and back against the current.
Yet she steadily embraced and carried me forward without faltering.
And finally.
The moment solid ground touched my toes.
She twisted her body, shoving me hard toward land.
I hit the shore and coughed violently.
Foul mixture of oil and seawater refluxed up my throat.
'Dizzy...'
Couldn't even breathe properly.
My body felt like lead, ready to collapse.
'No... it's not over yet.'
Even as consciousness faded, I saw ranged DPS staggering in pain.
Squeezing out my last strength, I reached out.
Cast Purify to cleanse their debuffs and laid a recovery field at their feet.
At the same time, all strength drained from my body.
Vision went black.
I lost consciousness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
- Splash
- Whoosh...
Faint wave sounds slowly brought my eyes open.
The first thing in my sight was the system message window.
✨ ZONE 2 CLEARED! ✨
[Survivors: 20/20]
As my vision focused, the White Night Guild Master's worried face came into view.
Two healers had their hands on me beside her.
Light streams from their fingertips spread over my body.
'So this is what a Heal feels like...'
A warm air caressing my insides.
My whole body gradually, softly reviving.
I slowly turned my head to gaze at the sea.
The oil-smeared waters were gone; now clear, transparent blue sparkled under the sun.
Birds flapped wings, soaring into the sky amid it.
"Beautiful..."
I murmured softly, and the White Night Guild Master beside me smiled gently.
"While you were unconscious, we took down Tar-Marin. Contamination's all gone, and the sea level's back to normal."
She glanced toward the distant sea, then continued.
"Thanks to you diving in and breaking Tar-Marin's contamination barrier."
No sooner had she finished than message windows unfurled before me.
📜 SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION REWARD 📜
You have been deemed the key contributor in 'Boiling Breath Sea'.
The following special rewards are granted for your unique achievement.
[Relic-Grade Title Acquired]
- Prelude of Purification: Title bestowed upon the one who played a decisive role in reviving 'Boiling Breath Sea'.
● All skills gain purification effect.
● Status resistance +50%
● +30% chance to acquire Legendary+ grade items
- Certain 'spirits', 'guardians', and 'ancient beings' begin to take notice of you.
'...What? Relic-grade title?'
Before I could fully grasp the situation.
⚙ SPIRIT NOTICE ⚙
[Ancient Spirit 'Groa' shows high favor toward you.] [Ancient Spirit 'Groa' has sent you an invitation.] [§Spirits' Playground of Dreams☆ and Illusions♡§] [§Enter now☞ // www.gro...]
"......?"
Suspicious messages began popping up before my eyes.