Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Living Armor
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Living Armor.
Armor that moves on its own without a wearer.
It's a being close to a kind of golem.
In Dungeon Replay, Living Armor is classified as an undead.
Originally, Living Armor, being undead, cannot be worn by players.
Of course, that made sense.
Undead ultimately fall under Phantasmal Beasts.
They have no equipment equipping function.
'But.'
Now that everything has become reality.
Could he really not wear Living Armor?
'It's entirely possible.'
Leyzon was certain.
There was no reason he couldn't wear and walk around in Living Armor.
What advantages would Hanok gain by donning Living Armor?
For starters, obviously, his defense would rise far higher than with his current gear.
Living Armor becomes equipment with its own unique skills.
Moreover, possessing its own intelligence,
it could assist with movements even in areas where Hanok couldn't react.
'It's not just armor.'
Before being called armor, Living Armor also served as a weapon.
Hanok, true to his Sword-Tooth Clan roots, knew how to handle various weapons.
'Hanok can actively exploit these advantages.'
For a magic-user like Leyzon, Living Armor only offered defensive functions.
But for Hanok, it could grant infinite possibilities.
On top of that, Living Armor inherently had an auto-repair function.
For Hanok, who fought so roughly, there was no better equipment.
'Most importantly.'
Existing Auto-Growing Undead Creation had a drawback.
Undead grew automatically but at a sluggish pace.
'In other words, even if I make new undead.'
I couldn't use them aggressively like the existing ones.
It would take ages for the undead to grow.
But Living Armor was different.
If it could be worn.
'It can grow together with Hanok.'
Even hard-to-hunt Phantasmal Beasts could yield experience if tackled with Hanok.
This way, newly created undead could grow at a rapid pace too.
It satisfied two conditions at once: Hanok's growth and new undead production.
One stone, two birds.
Raising both Hanok and the undead simultaneously!
Nothing could be more profitable.
Above all, Leyzon was curious.
The first undead made with Auto-Evolving Undead Creation.
Just how far its effects would reach.
This data would be essential for navigating the game ahead.
"That's what it was! As expected of Leyzon! You had it all planned out!"
When Leyzon explained, Syria praised him lavishly.
Leyzon's shoulders rose proudly.
"I am a bit of a genius."
"Yes! Leyzon is a genius!"
As Leyzon puffed up, Hanok eyed the two with cold indifference.
His expression screamed, How long are these two going to keep this up?
Leyzon flashed Hanok a grin.
"Hanok, what do you think?"
Hanok had said he'd do anything.
But he probably hadn't expected to wear Living Armor.
Hanok had grown somewhat accustomed to undead while with Leyzon.
Yet his biological instincts still rejected them.
The occasional unease he showed toward them was proof.
So naturally, donning Living Armor would provoke resistance.
"......I said I'd do anything."
And soon, Hanok's mouth opened.
"Leyzon, Living Armor or whatever, I don't care. I want to get stronger."
A smile tugged at Leyzon's lips.
He held Hanok's attitude in high regard.
"Syria, cast shadows around us now."
At Leyzon's command, Syria immediately spread her shadows.
They extended out, enveloping Leyzon and Hanok in a round barrier.
No one in the mid-tier dungeon could breach Syria's shadow barrier.
So Leyzon could safely perform undead creation.
'Hanok's just made up his mind. Perfect timing.'
Leyzon wanted to act on Hanok's resolve right away.
He took best care of his own people.
When the iron's hot, strike it.
Leyzon opened the sub-space backpack he carried.
He'd traversed villages, scoured black markets, steadily collecting gear all this time.
And naturally, that included Living Armor materials.
Leyzon had envisioned this day long ago.
'Regrettably, I lacked materials worthy of it when making Syria and the kids.'
He'd been too focused on progressing the game.
The materials used for the initial undead were ordinary.
But time passed, and those undead grew into world-class powerhouses.
'So if I use top materials from the start.'
Naturally, they'd birth undead to match.
Leyzon began pulling materials from his bag one by one.
[Iron Tiger's Ore] [Squishy Mass]
[Spider Queen's Silk] [Orb of Protection]
All rare, hard-to-obtain, expensive stuff.
Leyzon piled the materials neatly.
Next, he started extracting equipment.
"Ah."
Hanok finally realized why Leyzon had bought all that gear.
The equipment Leyzon purchased in Geda Village was for this moment.
Undead exhibit traits based on materials used.
Having laid out all the worthwhile ones, Leyzon finished preparations.
"Hoo."
This was the first time using the skill since the game became reality.
Leyzon exhaled, a touch tense.
Soon, his hands began to move.
The skill's usage was imprinted automatically in his body.
So as soon as Leyzon willed it, his body moved on its own.
A black light formed at his fingertips.
That black light danced through the air, weaving this way and that.
Beneath the materials, a magic circle slowly began to draw itself.
Hanok's eyes gradually widened.
Hanok was a complete novice to magic.
Yet he instinctively sensed how advanced Leyzon's magic was.
Gazing at the magic circle, Hanok's breath caught in his throat.
He even felt fear at what Leyzon intended to create.
"Watch closely."
Syria advised Hanok.
"Leyzon's using his power for your sake."
Leyzon was an unprecedented stroke of fortune for Hanok.
Don't forget that.
Hearing Syria, Hanok nodded.
Leyzon's hands moved ceaselessly.
This was creation magic beyond EX-rank, at an incomprehensible ?EX grade.
Naturally, activating it drained Leyzon's mana in huge gulps.
Leyzon dumped pre-prepared mana potions into his mouth.
Expensive ones, each and every, but now wasn't the time to care.
Nothing was too precious to complete the undead.
The magic circle's light intensified.
Materials melted into it one by one.
Cold sweat beaded on Leyzon's forehead.
In the game, one click sufficed for creation.
Reality was different.
Leyzon had to personally draw each material into the process.
'Most importantly.'
Existing undead creation had a failure chance.
That held true in reality too, no doubt.
To minimize failure odds, Leyzon poured even more concentration.
His eyes began to redden.
The skill activation was effortless.
But the creation itself required his direct involvement.
'This is more grueling.'
He missed that single click.
But he'd never walked an easy path in life.
Sweat droplets trailed down his cheek.
'Yeah, the harder the path, the surer the reward.'
Before he knew it, a smile played on Leyzon's lips.
Why feel tense?
He'd overcome far worse countless times.
This wasn't gambling.
The outcome depended on his own efforts.
'I forge my own luck.'
Drip!
Too focused, perhaps.
Blood trickled from Leyzon's nose.
Concentration hit its peak.
Cold sweat blurred his vision.
Yet Leyzon kept his eyes open.
If he was making it,
'The best.'
With that iron resolve, Leyzon concentrated desperately.
Almost there.
Just a bit more.
As it neared completion,
Leyzon slowly lowered his hands.
His palms touched the magic circle, and he exhaled long.
It felt like a voice echoed briefly in his ears.
Then, the magic circle was engulfed in pure white light.
A flash filled the shadows, streaking past.
The intense light forced even Hanok and Syria to close their eyes momentarily.
As the light faded gradually, the two opened their eyes.
"Leyzon!"
Syria rushed to him first.
Leyzon, exhausted from the skill, slumped limply.
Supporting him, Leyzon exhaled and lifted his head.
There, he saw the magic circle crumbling into ash and scattering.
At its vanishing center,
a black kitten sat perched.
Black fur etched across its body.
Ash-gray patterns woven between the fur.
Thick forepaws and adorably short legs.
It looked nothing like Living Armor.
Syria's eyes widened at the sight.
As a fellow undead, she'd sensed the potential latent within that kitten.
The kitten met Leyzon's gaze.
Then it wagged one of the tails sprouting from its back.
"I see. You need a name."
Leyzon pondered briefly.
His eyes met the dazed Hanok's, and he spoke.
"Haron."
A name altered by one letter from Hanok.
"Haron it is."
Thus Leyzon named the kitten.
Haron leaped straight into Leyzon's arms.
"Meow!"
Leyzon caught it effortlessly.
So soft.
Especially the jelly-like forepaws he'd put extra care into. Amazing.
'Huge paws mean super cute!'
Thinking that, Leyzon ruffled Haron's head vigorously.
Haron purred contentedly.
Perfectly made.
"Leyzon, I know how to be cute too!"
Syria popped her head in, showing jealousy.
Leyzon patted her head as well.
That soothed her envy; she rubbed against his hand happily.
This one was cute too.
"Leyzon."
Meanwhile, Hanok approached.
"Want a pat too?"
"I'm not a kid."
Hanok puffed out his chest proudly.
Excluding Haron, he was the youngest here.
Right at the age where he wanted to seem mature.
Hanok's gaze fell on Haron.
"Uh, that kid."
He eyed Haron quizzically.
No matter how you looked, it wasn't Living Armor.
"Haron, go to Hanok."
Leyzon sent Haron over.
Haron stood before Hanok.
Haron and Hanok stared blankly at each other.
A Sword-Tooth Clan boy and Living Armor in black tiger form.
Made with Hanok in mind, they resembled each other.
Hanok tentatively reached out.
Haron lifted its hips and leaped at him.
Startled, Hanok hurriedly caught it.
The instant he did, Haron melted away.
"Wha, huh?!"
Hanok whipped around to Leyzon in panic.
Leyzon nodded reassuringly.
Black liquid enveloped Hanok's arms.
It shaped itself along his arms, soon forming gauntlets.
Gauntlets streaked with black and gray mane-like patterns.
Seeing them, Hanok's eyes bulged.
"Haron is a transformable Living Armor."
Leyzon explained.
"Still small, so gauntlets are the limit for now. But someday, it'll cover your whole body, Hanok."
Leyzon stroked Haron, now as Hanok's gauntlets.
Even in that state, it responded fondly to his touch.
"Haron will grow alongside you from here on."
Haron was Corruption Level 1, Infant Form.
It would grow through adventures with Hanok.
Strengthening Haron was Hanok's role.
Hanok's eyes changed.
Firm resolve shone through.
"I'll definitely grow with it."
Hanok gripped the gauntlets tight.
Leyzon smiled at the sight.
A man with goals is always cool.
Leyzon turned to Syria.
She astutely dispersed the shadows.
"Meow?"
Just then, wolf-like beasts gathered around the shadow's edge.
Curious about the sudden darkness, apparently.
They didn't know curiosity shortened lifespans.
Hanok drew a spear from his back with his gauntleted hand.
Battle lust burned fiercely in his eyes.
"Good. Hanok, Haron, time to grow."
"Yes!"
"Kyao!"
Lots of fertilizer scattered. Grow as wild as you like.