Chapter 95
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Gacha Addiction
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"Crows and wolves, huh. Good material."
Moona was sticking out his beak and staring at me.
What the hell? Weren't you translating the text?
Moona shrugged like it was no big deal.
Not sure if that's his shoulder, though.
"It wasn't written in anything too complicated, so it didn't take much time."
Seemed it wasn't in some ancient script or anything.
"Of course, the handwriting was godawful, which made it a bit tough... but I managed to decipher it."
So it was terrible handwriting.
Makes sense when you think about what the Tin Woodman looks like.
How hard must it be to write with those golem-like fingers?
Of course, he probably wasn't like this back in the day, but he always wore that tin armor, so...
"There was a lot of miscellaneous stuff, but if I boil it down to the essentials, it was about the Tin Woodman's life. He adventured, gained a heart, fell in love, then lost that love again."
Moona recited the journal's contents in a calm voice.
"After losing his love, he lost his heart too, and in trying to regain love through alchemy, he ended up like that."
Just like how the Scarecrow became a monster chasing wisdom and knowledge, the Tin Woodman was the same.
"As for the alchemy he used... hmm, I should compile that separately. If I sift through the info and pick out what you need, yeah. There's also stuff about another Host of the Eternal Night."
Another Host of the Eternal Night.
Who that was? Obvious as hell.
"Head north from here, and you'll find a castle dyed scarlet. That's the Lion Heart King's Castle. And the Cowardly Lion you're looking for is none other than that Lion Heart King."
[Main Quest: Lion Heart King's Castle has been unlocked.]
Yeah, I was wondering when this would pop up.
We took down the Tin Woodman, so a new quest makes sense.
【Lion Heart King's Castle】
1. You defeated the Tin Woodman and succeeded in annihilating a Host of the Eternal Night. But there are still more Hosts remaining, and the Tin Woodman provided information on them.
2. The Lion Heart King, also known as the Conqueror King, a tyrant, is the new Host of the Eternal Night.
3. With the information left by the Tin Woodman, and the help of the Sage and the girl, you plan to approach the Lion Heart King's Castle.
4. A perilous journey lies ahead. The Night Witches will begin their full activities, and the Lion Heart King is expected to be far stronger than any foe you've faced so far.
5. Yet your will does not break. To annihilate the Eternal Night. And furthermore, to find Dorothy, you take another great step forward.
Quest Clear Condition: Arrive at the Lion Heart King's Castle.
Who decided I'm taking another great step forward?
...Not wrong, but still.
The Scarecrow became a monster, the Tin Woodman a golem.
And the Cowardly Lion? Apparently the Conqueror King known as the Lion Heart King.
This guy's on a whole different level from the enemies we've fought so far.
Owning a castle is problem enough.
Up till now, it was one-on-one in small villages or ruins we could visit.
But a king with a castle?
Just getting there will be an issue.
"The Lion Heart King's Castle. Guess that's our next stop."
Fighting him in my current state? I'd probably lose.
The win against the Tin Woodman wasn't even a perfect victory.
He didn't use his crown, and I had Black Wolf's help.
Though that's part of my abilities, I suppose.
Planning to use Black Wolf against the Lion Heart King too.
If he has a will like the Tin Woodman, it'd be easier, but I doubt it this time.
He's got that tyrant king title.
Even if he has a will, it won't be benevolent.
So likely stronger than the Tin Woodman, coming at us full force.
Plus, he'll probably have numerical superiority, so beating him like this is damn near impossible.
But that's fine.
As a reward for taking down the Tin Woodman, I got something huge.
Something to shore up my lacking power.
"Swung!"
Swungswung, wearing the crown, held out the red gem I'd touched earlier.
This isn't just any gem.
It's one that lets me combine traits.
In fights, I use everything at my disposal.
Play to the bird's strengths over weaknesses, double down with traits.
That's my main strategy: exploit every option to bait carelessness and pull off irregular tactics.
For me, being able to combine traits?
Means my total power jumps.
More traits, more moves I can make.
Swungswung's gem.
I stared hard at the girl's love token, fiddling with it.
...So how do I use this thing?
Just put feathers around it?
As I pondered, the helpful status window sent a message.
[You can now combine traits.]
"Kawk!"
[Pay three trait-imbued feathers and a small fee to combine traits.]
Three feathers!
And a small fee?
"Kawk..."
It takes money too?
The box from the Tin Woodman had silver and gold coins, so no issue right now, but still, it pisses me off taking my precious cash.
Can't be helped, though.
Not like I'm ignoring this power.
Ding.
The status window added another message, like it wasn't done.
[Combining three traits creates a new one. Low chance for a superior trait.]
Superior trait.
Name says it all: better trait.
But low chance...
And it costs money for a gamble?
Something feels off.
Makes me wanna punch the ceiling.
[Combining three of the same trait guarantees a superior trait.]
"Kawk!"
Good, there's a guaranteed way for superiors.
Call the random one trait synthesis, the sure one trait evolution.
I've got plans for evolution.
Sturdy Femur from hunting those rats.
Got so many duplicates, no big loss.
Synthesis, though?
Tough choice.
Can't touch feathers like Unquenchable Flame of Revolution, Pheromone Manipulation, or Luminescence.
Superior would be jackpot, but failure weakens me.
"Sturdy Femur""Damp Body""Sharp Beak"
Scrap traits from Skarnass.
From skeleton, water ghost, tree eater hunts.
Sharp Beak's usable, but the other two? Nah.
Sturdy femur or damp body ain't helping.
Perfect for first synthesis.
No regrets if they flop.
[Combine traits?]
Placed three feathers neatly before the red gem, and that popped up.
Of course.
"Kawk!"
Nodded yes, and a silver coin from the box turned pure white light.
One silver per synthesis.
Swallow hard.
Yeah, investment for power.
Fwaaah!
Three feathers merge into one in white light.
New trait born at last.
From useless to power-up.
「Alluring Tail Feather」
Tail feather size increases.
Easier to attract the opposite sex's interest.
"Kawk?"
"Kagak!"
I eyed the falling feather with bated breath.
Slightly pink-tinged.
Pink's new, so gotta be good.
Come on!
New trait buddy!
「Alluring Tail Feather」
Tail feather size increases.
Easier to attract the opposite sex's interest.
"...Kawk?"
Couldn't believe my eyes.
What the hell is this?
Why does this trait even exist?
Next thought: what I sacrificed for this crap.
Three feathers for this?
And silver too?
"Kaaaaawk!"
Flapped wings in rage.
Where do I even use this?!
I'm not some plump-ass kiwi bird.
And even if I plump up, no gain.
Glared at the status window.
Can't let it win.
"Hm, little whirlwind. Your eyes look strange."
"Shwooo..."
Moona and Swungswung looked worried.
But I'm fine.
Totally normal.
Won't lose like this.
I'll win for sure.
Keep losing, but one superior and I take the W, right?
"Kawk kawk kawk..."
With that, I yanked feathers from my stash.
One's gotta be a jackpot, yeah?