Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Unquenchable Flame of Revolution
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The black rag-shrouded Syungsung swung a strike at the Red Cape.
Clang!
With a crisp ring, the Red Cape's neck twisted at an exquisite angle.
"Guh..."
This blow had landed with lethal precision, leaving her staggering.
And rightly so. What Syungsung had swung wasn't an ordinary acorn.
「Sage's Protection」
A craft born from the Sage's hands.
The acorn that started alongside one crow has awakened its power.
Perfectly block an enemy's attack with this item to inflict a brief stun.
It was a craft bearing the lofty name of Sage's Protection.
The description even stated it would stun on a perfect block.
...Of course, Syungsung had just swung it wildly, but one could argue it perfectly parried the attack.
The best defense is a good offense, after all.
A powerhouse like the Red Cape wouldn't fall to a single hit, but she was already scorched by my flames.
With her body frozen in place, the hunter's silver arrow pierced her thigh, seizing the opening.
Splat!
It hadn't sunk deep, but that arrow was forged from sacred silver.
Against an impure being like a witch, it was bound to deal massive damage.
"Kuh..."
In that instant of her leg buckling, the black wolf's shadow stirred once more.
Shrrrip!
The shadow burrowed into her flesh, binding her body.
Krunch!
My flames.
Syungsung's strike.
The hunter's arrow.
The wolf's shadow.
No matter that she was the Red Cape—even she couldn't endure this barrage unscathed.
"Ngh... So... frustrating... The revolution..."
Whoosh.
The flames clinging to her body flickered out.
I was briefly startled, wondering if her mental fortitude had extinguished them, but thankfully, that wasn't the case.
Thud.
The flames died because there was nothing left to burn.
And with that, the Red Cape fainted.
"Phew, we got her..."
"Caw! Kakaka!"
Syungsung lunged at the black wolf as he began chanting some strange incantation.
"Ow! What the hell?!"
What the hell from you!
You nearly resurrected the enemy we'd just beaten.
I pecked at the black wolf's hand as he tried to shoo me away.
"Eek! Not there! Wait, hold on!"
Huh?
What did I peck?
"You two seem to get along well. Lucky we managed to capture her alive. Wolf, crow—you both did great."
The black wolf and I turned to Hansel in unison.
"Hmph. Says the guy who just sniped from afar with a crossbow."
Black wolf.
I was thinking the same, but you can't just say it out loud.
He'd had the easy job of shooting from range, but we couldn't deny Hansel's contribution.
Those arrows were silver ones, after all.
They were effective at neutralizing witch-like powers.
And Syungsung had even used one like a spike.
"...I'm grateful you held the front line. Made it easier on my end."
Saying that, he pulled rope from his pouch.
I doubted such flimsy rope would hold the Red Cape, but better than nothing.
The Red Cape wasn't dead.
Just unconscious.
Her face had reverted from that grotesque witch mask to her original one.
"So, hunter, what's next? After all our help, you won't spout nonsense about hunting me, right?"
The wolf growled, glaring at Hansel.
"...Chasing you at first was a misunderstanding. Probably this witch's scheme, pinned on the wolf. So now, I've no reason to hunt you."
"Hmph."
The wolf whipped his head away.
"And I'm not so poorly trained as to aim a crossbow at a comrade-in-arms."
Good.
Hansel and the big bad wolf had no intention of fighting.
While they tied up the Red Cape, I'd focus on my own task.
[Sub Quest: Big Bad Wolf completed.]
"Kak!"
I let out a quiet cheer.
Finally, the quest was done.
It was an odd one—not kill the wolf, but capture the Red Cape—but completion was completion.
[Quest rewards will be distributed.]
The quest reward was a random upgrade to one of my skills.
Not chosen—pure RNG.
Syungsung draped over my eyes as I awaited the result.
What would it be?
Bird's Wisdom or Crow's Eye would be ideal.
Especially Crow's Eye!
Ticka-ticka-tick.
A slot machine whirred in my ears.
The utterly random sound had me clasping my wings in prayer.
To the necklace around my neck.
「Gretel's Token」
The precious necklace Gretel received from Hansel.
Slightly increases Luck when equipped.
Gretel's Token, boosting my Luck!
If this works, I'll pluck a few feathers for you... please!
[「Crow's Eye LV3」 level has risen.]
[「Crow's Eye LV4」 level has risen.]
"Kakak!"
The desired skill had leveled up.
Not once, but twice!
「Crow's Eye LV5」
The crow's eye that adores all things shiny.
Reveals more information and discerns shinies.
+ Achieved LV2: Overcomes night blindness.
+ Achieved LV3: Strengthens night blindness overcome effect.
+ Achieved LV4: Insights into human traits.
+ Achieved LV5: Steals human traits.
"Ka! Kakaka!"
Jackpot.
It started as a simple skill for clear night vision, but these levels unlocked insane effects.
Insight into human traits!
And even stealing them!
Let's check the nearest human: Hansel.
【Hansel LV20】
One surprise after another.
No skills visible, but now I could see Hansel's traits.
And look at the text below.
No longer limited to defeating or visible targets for feather theft—I could act more proactively.
Meet that condition, and steal away.
Plus, stealing weakens the foe directly.
Trait removal or nerf makes fulfilling conditions a solid strategy.
But this one's condition was... weird.
"Kak."
Hey wolf, up for round two?
"What's with that look, crow?"
I shelved stealing Hansel's feather for now.
Nothing appealing, and that condition was bizarre.
The wolf next?
【Traits】
"Caw..."
This one's tricky too.
Moon's Curse piqued interest, but no real reason to steal the wolf's feathers.
I had similar ones already.
Now for the main event: the Red Cape.
"Wolf, how the hell did you tie her like that?"
"Huh? Like this?"
No clue why it was a torturous hogtie, but it should hold.
【Red Cape LV44】
The moment I saw her traits, I bolted toward her.
"Caaaaw!"
Something about it screamed bad news.
Unquenchable Flame of Revolution.
A name primed to reignite in crimson flames any second.
I could steal her feather by defeating her now.
...No weird condition needed.
I couldn't choose which trait, though.
Just glowing feathers.
But instinct screamed.
That red one.
Definitely that feather.
I dove into the witch's bosom.
"Shwoong! Shwaaaang!"
Syungsung, misunderstanding, yanked my head feathers.
"Why does this crow keep burrowing there?!"
The black wolf wagged his tail in confusion, but I had no choice.
That red feather—no, crimson feather—right there.
I nearly got dragged off by Syungsung's grip on my crest, but I finally snagged the target feather in my beak.
"Caw... peep..."
Stopping Syungsung from plucking my feathers felt harder than the fight.
But now I could relax.
No worries about her rising with "revolution's flames burn twice."
Status confirmed her trait was gone.
「Unquenchable Flame of Revolution」
If your will doesn't break, you can rise again.
This trait permanently vanishes after one use.
Using the trait turns your body red.
Yeah, figured as much from the name.
A trait to rally once when downed.
Amazing—one extra life, basically.
Though with her still out, it takes time.
But I wouldn't use it.
Great effect, but the side effect unnerved me.
Body turns red.
Not just color—felt like it'd corrupt my mind too.
"Shwoong?"
Syungsung eyed the red feather.
Sorry, but a ghost carrying this might spell horror.
Can't toss it, so tuck it in a wing corner.
"Kak!"
Quest reward secured.
Next: haul this witch to Gretel.
Might get more info—and extra rewards.
Not just rescued Hansel fully, but captured the Night Witch alive.
Maybe clues on Dorothy too.
"Kakakaka..."
I crowed an auspicious call.
"Crow, your face looks super sleazy right now."
"Kak."
What face?
"And your neck's all... What? How'd you do that? The glow..."
With the Red Cape bound in red rope atop the black wolf's back, we headed for Gretel's cottage.
Better than rewards? More rewards.
Time for the bonus.