Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The White Jade Serpent
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Skills.
The most crucial setup—and everything—in Dungeon Replay.
Depending on how you configure your skills, a character's tendencies can vary wildly.
Where can you learn such skills?
Mages head to mage towers or magic tome shops.
Warriors visit holy sites suited to their class.
Knights go to the royal palace, and so on.
Every class has its own places to pick up skills.
But that's only up to B-rank.
From A-rank onward, you have to take down a boss Phantasmal Beast.
Then use a skill book.
A skill book that randomly captures one of the boss Phantasmal Beast's skills.
That's how Pioneers acquire their skills.
But boss Phantasmal Beasts possess multiple skills.
Which means you might end up with something totally unrelated to your class.
It's basically a gacha system with no pity timer.
Still, the silver lining is that skill books almost always sell for a profit—no real loss.
You can cash one in and buy the skill you actually want.
The problem is, Leyzon's a Necromancer.
Buying one would flag me to the Empire instantly.
Leyzon knew the Empire's intelligence network all too well.
So in the end, he'd have to farm every skill himself.
Extreme grinding.
His head was already spinning at the thought.
But it beat being unable to get them at all.
And right now.
Leyzon was on a carriage journey to snag those skills and push for ascension.
Rumble rumble—
Amid the jolting ride, Leyzon had a realization.
"Urp."
He clamped his mouth shut against the rising bile.
Who knew travel I'd only seen in-game was this rough.
The carriage was absurdly uncomfortable.
Narrow, bumpy, sweltering inside.
Worst of all.
Slow as hell.
Sure, faster than walking.
But it was still pulled by horses.
Horses that needed frequent breaks, unlike modern cars.
My subway-and-sedan-spoiled butt. Farewell.
When he got back to reality, he'd appreciate cars like never before.
Now he knew the true value of what he'd always taken for granted.
Gratitude for modern civilization.
Crunch crunch!
Unlike Leyzon, though.
A certain someone lounged blissfully on the carriage roof, scratching his own neck with a hind leg.
A 6-Ascension Sword-Tooth Clan boy.
Hanok Wilbria.
The boy Leyzon had recently added to his party.
Unlike Leyzon, Hanok handled carriage life without issue.
In that time, the frail air he'd once carried had mostly faded.
Thanks to adapting to Leyzon, in his own way.
Leyzon: a good guy who doesn't kill.
That was the impression etched in Hanok's mind.
"That guy's a local, huh."
Leyzon muttered as he popped a tough strip of jerky into his mouth.
"Leyzon, can I have some jerky too?"
"Here."
Leyzon handed a piece to Hanok, who had poked his head through the window.
Hanok took it in his mouth and chewed thoroughly.
Fishy jerky so tough even loose-lipped Leyzon struggled with it.
Worse than modern dog treats, even.
Yet Hanok devoured it like a delicacy.
Guess I'm not over modern stuff yet.
Leyzon chewed his own piece to the end.
For Pioneers, jerky was an ever-present staple to gnaw on.
Couldn't show weakness by refusing.
Especially as a Necromancer on the run.
Had to avoid suspicion at all costs.
Eating jerky was training in itself.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
This world had its own unspoken rules.
Leyzon chewed with the face of someone savoring a treat.
The expression tricked his brain somehow—it was starting to taste decent.
"Man, you eat that like it's nothing. That stuff's infamous for being cheap and nasty."
The coachman struck up a conversation.
Leyzon paused mid-chew.
"This is the famous bad jerky?"
"Didn't you buy it at the entrance to Damascus Market?"
"Yeah, I did."
"That's the spot—cheap 'cause it's mass-produced, but the low-grade meat's barely spiced. Total garbage taste.
Still, broke Pioneers line up for it to save coin."
Pioneers faithfully proving hunger was the best seasoning.
Saw all those Pioneers there and figured it was decent. Nope.
Who'd have thought it was trash even by this world's standards.
Leyzon's gaze drifted to Hanok.
Reminding him of the boy's impoverished past.
Hanok wasn't just good at eating cheap jerky.
He was used to it, plain and simple.
"From that look, you had no idea."
He hadn't.
Leyzon eyed his jerky for a moment, then resumed chewing.
"Well, whatever we eat next'll be better than this, so no big loss."
"Haha, optimistic fella!"
Crunch crunch—
Yep, the more he ate, the better it got.
Times like this made his iron stomach a blessing.
Several days into the carriage trek.
Having walked stretches when his butt got too sore.
Leyzon finally arrived at the Sahā Realm Dungeon village.
Poison Recovery (B)
—When poisoned, partially replace the poison with mana.
The Sahā Realm Dungeon.
Known as the Snake Pit.
This was the spot for his 7th Ascension quest.
And home to a skill he had to obtain.
The very first skill he needed, no question.
This skill held zero value for standard classes, obviously.
But for a Poison Necromancer? Mind-blowing.
Poison Necromancers came with Poisonous Constitution (C).
Meaning they were perpetually poisoned.
Add Poison Recovery (B), and suddenly mana flowed endlessly.
A one-of-a-kind mana regen skill for Poison Necromancers.
The reason Poison Necromancers can solo mid-tier dungeons.
Purely thanks to Poison Recovery's massive impact.
Mana recovery is a must.
Leyzon had struggled with mana shortages just recently.
He felt the need for reliable mana more acutely than ever.
But what's this?
Sahā Realm Dungeon Village: Sahā Village.
Sahā Village lay far from the Empire's capital.
Yet as a hub on major trade routes, it served as a waypoint.
Mostly merchants, Pioneers, and inns preying on them.
Not a huge resident population.
Normally just a quiet spot with a Pioneer guildhall.
Today, though, it buzzed unusually with crowds.
"This place isn't usually this packed."
Leyzon muttered as he hopped off the carriage.
"Huh? Buddy, you came to the Sahā Realm Dungeon clueless?"
The coachman piped up right on cue.
"Something happen in the Sahā Realm Dungeon?"
More Pioneers than merchants.
Made him suspect trouble in the dungeon.
"White Jade Serpent showed up."
Leyzon's eyes widened round.
"For real?"
"Leyzon, what's a White Jade Serpent?"
Hanok hopped down, questioning Leyzon.
Even as a 6-Ascension Pioneer, he had zero clue.
Asked, and he just said, "Can't you just punch it?" Simple brute logic.
Sword-Tooth Clan have innately tough bodies.
If it doesn't work, you're just not strong enough—that was their creed.
Even frail-looking Hanok was Sword-Tooth Clan.
Force solved most problems for him.
"The White Jade Serpent is a rare white-grade Dragon Palace Beast that hatches from black-grade Black Iron Snakes in the Sahā Realm Dungeon."
The coachman explained in Leyzon's stead.
As he said, White Jade Serpents were scarce Dragon Palace Beasts.
Black Iron Snakes were already rare black-grade Dragon Palace Beasts.
And among them, a whopping 0.01% chance.
Even grind-hardened veterans from multiple rounds never spotted one.
But rarity alone would just make it an exotic Phantasmal Beast.
"The reason for all this fuss? The drop from that thing."
The coachman’s eyes sparkled dreamily.
"The Peerless Gem—only from White Jade Serpents! Insanely valuable."
Leyzon had never seen the gem himself.
Its name: Peerless Gem.
"Swallow a Peerless Gem, and it upgrades one of your skills by a rank, no conditions!"
"U-Upgrades skill ranks?"
Even disinterested Hanok's eyes bulged.
S-tier to EX? Game-changing performance.
High-tier Pioneers would pay through the nose.
"L-Leyzon! We snag this!"
Hanok looked manic.
"Yeah, I want it too."
Leyzon was drooling buckets.
But his eyes caught the massive crowds.
The coachman nodded knowingly.
"With this many, tough to score. Word is, Steel Wolf Guild's joining the hunt."
Major guild meant top Pioneers galore.
Could he compete?
[Leyzon! Leyzon!]
Syria called out brightly.
[Shall I catch it for you?]
Leyzon's eyes flashed at her words.
Oh yeah—forgot about Syria.
Syria Nosferatu: the Vampire Queen.
High-tier Pioneers? Pfft, who cares?
Pioneers were tiered like this.
Beyond that, 16+ Ascension.
Each gets a unique title.
15 Ascension: Hero-tier Pioneer.
16 Ascension: Bronze Hero-tier.
17 Ascension: Iron Hero-tier.
18 Ascension: Silver Hero-tier.
19 Ascension: Gold Hero-tier.
20 Ascension: Platinum Hero-tier.
Post-15, stats double per Ascension.
A fresh Hero-tier at 150 stats? Bronze Hero starts at 300.
Iron, Silver—the gap explodes.
Each Ascension was a whole new realm.
Syria's Corruption Level: 19.
Pure combat power alone.
To restrain her? Ten Silver Hero-tiers.
And that's just holding her—even then.
Taking her down? Different story entirely.
Peerless Gem's worth the shot.
Leyzon licked his lips.
Never dreamed such a chance would drop.
A prize within reach, and pass it up?
Fortune favors the bold.
Me, give this up? No way.
He'd chased luck relentlessly.
Time to grab it again.
Leyzon bared his teeth in a grin.
"Syria, let's hunt it."
[Yessir! Time to flex hard—been too long!]
Syria's shadow fluttered excitedly.
"Woo!"
Hanok wagged his tail, dancing along.
"Leyzon Party—deploy!"
But Leyzon hit another snag right away.
Pumped to claim the Peerless Gem, he'd marched right up.
Only for the soldier at the entrance to block them.
"Safety rule 'cause of the crowds. Minimum three-man parties."
The Sahā Realm Dungeon was swamped.
Hence the three-person minimum.
"Can't we slide by as two? No connections here."
"Plenty of Pioneers around already. Rules are rules."
If that worked, he'd have done it.
No give at all.
Bribe him?
Even in-game, bribes were 50/50.
Success: through. Fail: Empire slammer.
That damn Empire. Tempted to wipe 'em out first.
They're doomed anyway.
Leyzon backed off for now.
Headache of a situation.
"...Hanok, anyone you know here?"
"Can't tell human faces apart yet."
"Got it."
He knew Hanok's social circle was wrecked.
Hanok drooped.
Now what?
[Leyzon! Leyzon!]
Syria called again.
[What if I join the party?]
Was she a miracle worker?
"Hanok, someplace out of sight."
Leyzon moved them first.
In a quiet spot, he tapped the shadow.
"Syria, elaborate."
Syria emerged at his words.
Her hair fluttered gorgeously.
Still petite, same as when she entered.
Hanok's fur bristled instinctively, ducking behind Leyzon.
Right—first time seeing her directly.
Syria smiled at the sight.
Found him cute, probably.
"A warrior handpicked by Leyzon himself, hiding behind him?"
Nope. Just pissed.
Her smile dripped menace.
Hanok's tail stiffened; he bolted up a nearby tree.
Curled into a ball atop it, trembling.
Some agility.
No way frail Hanok could face her killing intent head-on.
"Syria, enough."
"Yes."
She reined it in at Leyzon's command.
Leyzon approached the tree.
"H-Hiss!"
Hanok went feral, hissing like a threatened cat.
Syria's eyes sharpened.
Hanok scrambled down.
Now sniffling tears.
"Syria, Hanok—you two'll see plenty of each other. No fighting."
"Yesss."
Syria bowed her head at his stern tone.
She listened well when told.
Wouldn't happen again.
"Hanok."
Sniffling, Hanok clutched Leyzon's hem.
"Sniff, I-I'm frontline, b-but I ran... sorryyy."
Ah.
Less scared of Syria, more ashamed of fleeing.
Leyzon smiled, ruffling his head with a big hand.
"It's fine. I know you won't bail when it counts, Hanok."
In battle, Hanok was dead serious.
Leyzon knew that, and that's why he'd accepted him.
Comforting Hanok, Leyzon turned to Syria.
"Syria, explain that party idea properly."
Syria had suggested joining as a party member.
"I'll show you!"
She tapped her shadow.
A red shadow rose, enveloping her.
Out emerged a Half Dark Elf like Leyzon.
Deep skin tone, ears a touch shorter than a full elf's.
Same height too—slender beauty.
Hair, eyes, face: nothing evoking Syria.
She drew a dagger from her waist, twirling it deftly.
Skill that widened even Hanok's eyes.
Performance done, she posed with a hand on her chin.
"How's this? Looks like a Half Dark Elf matching you, right?"
Her eyes gazed at Leyzon, brimming with charm.
Like a kid fishing for praise.
Pure Syria vibe.
"Impressive."
Leyzon nodded approvingly.
"Hanok, her scent?"
Just to check, he asked Hanok too.
"D-Dark Elf mixed with human."
Even Hanok couldn't tell.
Regular soldiers? No chance.
"Syria, perfect. You're a genius."
"Heehee, of course! Whose undead am I?"
She beamed at the praise.
Who'd peg that infamous Vampire Queen?
"What about the Pioneer ID?"
"Lemme see yours real quick?"
Leyzon handed it over.
She slipped it into the shadow.
Moments later, an identical Pioneer ID emerged.
Name changed to Leyna.
"Soldiers only check the name anyway, right?"
Leyzon approved.
"But couldn't you just use 'Syria'?"
"This look's your sibling! Names gotta match!"
Ah, that's why Half Dark Elf.
Added that backstory.
She was thrilled, so they rolled with it.
"...Siblings?"
Hanok tilted his head at the unalike pair.
He still didn't know Leyzon's real face.
"Alright, let's go."
Leyzon led Hanok and Syria straight to the soldier.
En route, stares poured in.
Unlike masked Leyzon, Syria's stunning looks drew eyes.
She strode confidently, unfazed.
Vampire Queen aura.
Good girl, our Syria.
"...Go on in."
The soldier gawked blankly at Syria's ID.
Enchanted by the fox, it seemed.
Leyzon shared a grin with Syria and slipped inside.
Sahā Realm Dungeon: the Snake Pit.
Inside flipped the outside vibe completely.
No spider den—this was a jungle.
A glance up: glowing stones on the ceiling blazed.
Soon, forearm-thick snakes slithered toward them.
Leyzon cracked his knuckles.
"Syria, Hanok."
Syria drew her dagger; Hanok gripped his spear one-handed.
"Let's go."
Time to smash the Sahā Realm.