Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Became the Gallery's Only Reptile
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A brilliant halo of light matching each attribute enveloped Keter in the form of a blessing.
Even receiving a blessing from a single Spirit King was a rare event, yet here, not just one or two, but all the Spirit Kings were bestowing their blessings.
It was an unprecedented scene straight out of mythology.
We witnessed it with our own eyes and spoke to Ceres.
[Still, no need to worry.]
-"I put some care into making her, after all."
I had been concerned that having all the Spirit Kings bless her might strain her body, but seeing her stably gathering that power, it seemed my worries were unfounded.
-"This marks the end."
"Thank you."
And with that, the final Spirit King completed the blessing without issue.
Various energies similar to my own swirled around Keter, guarding her.
Once she grew a bit more accustomed to that power, she might be able to wield spirit forces to some degree even without contracting with spirits.
-"Then, with Keter as the symbol that we will not interfere with Paradise, this meeting is adjourned."
Ceres was now officially the complete master of Paradise.
As a visible symbol of that, her first creation, Keter, had been chosen, and Keter had gladly accepted her role.
And with that, the meeting concluded neatly.
However, the Spirit Kings had not yet departed.
It was all because of the decisive cause that led them to bless Keter as well.
The Earth Spirit King intended to resolve the problem that had driven him to this.
-"So, what do you plan to do now?"
-"···Return to my territory and handle it myself."
That was only natural.
Since even the highest-grade spirits couldn't intervene, the only option left was for the Spirit King himself to step in.
The other Spirit Kings nodded in agreement, raising no objections to the Earth Spirit King's words.
-"Then I'll take my leave."
-"What, not even offering a little help?"
-"If it's contamination, I'm more useful than you. I'll go in your place."
-"···Appreciated."
In response to the Fire Spirit King's words, the Water Spirit King stepped forward.
It was a valid point, so the Earth Spirit King accepted his offer without refusal.
-"Then we'll be off."
-"I'll send word separately."
With that, the Earth and Water Spirit Kings departed first.
-"I'm going too. Something strange—a sword—showed up in my area recently, so I need to check it doesn't cause trouble."
-"Then I'll head out as well."
-"Quite the entertaining spectacle today. If we meet again, we'll see."
Afterward, the other Spirit Kings returned to their territories, leaving only the Wind Spirit King and the Lightning Spirit King behind.
-"Everyone's grown remarkably stronger in such a short time. Especially you, El—your growth surpassed my wildest expectations. I can't tell you how shocked I was."
[I had a stroke of fortune.]
Yes, an enormous one at that.
Not only had my internal energies surged, but my body had grown several times stronger too.
Cheong had matured in appearance as well.
It was hard to believe such growth had happened in just a few days, even for me.
-"Silpi has grown a lot too. In terms of raw power, she could already challenge the highest grade."
[But I know spirit advancement isn't that simple.]
Even in the game, raising spirits was notoriously tough.
The conditions were brutally strict.
Silpi reaching mid-grade was lucky; otherwise, it would have taken much longer.
-"Still, looking at her state, she'll reach high-grade soon."
[Is that possible?]
-"Normally no, but her power is overwhelmingly strong right now."
So, she's just brute-forcing it with sheer power.
[Why haven't you left yet?]
I could understand the Wind Spirit King wanting to chat with us, but the Lightning Spirit King—this was my first time seeing her today. Why was she still here?
In response to my question, the woman, faintly sparking with electricity from her body, closed her eyes and replied.
-"I sensed a faint trace of my power here and was waiting to ask about it."
-"Lightning Spirit King, you mean an item containing your power is here?"
-"If it's not a mistake, yes."
An item infused with the Lightning Spirit King's energy?
The first thing that came to mind was the lightning-struck branch I'd picked up before.
Unfortunately, nothing else related to the Lightning Spirit King came to mind.
-"From your expression, you seem to know what it is."
[Yeah··· I picked up a branch from the human village we used to live in. It's rich in lightning energy from a strike, so I've been using it for training.]
-"Could you show it to me?"
[If you're the owner, no reason not to.]
I glanced at the Wind Spirit King.
I was wondering if I should ask her to leave since we'd need privacy.
-"Then I'll head back too. Silpi, I hope to meet you next time as a high-grade spirit."
-"I'll work hard!"
Noticing my gaze, the Wind Spirit King coolly decided to return to his domain.
Whoosh.
As expected of the Wind Spirit King.
Wrapped in wind, he vanished from sight in an instant.
His presence faded into the distance in the blink of an eye—his speed was unimaginable.
The Lightning Spirit King gazed at where he'd disappeared with a peculiar expression and murmured softly.
-"···Still as fast as ever. A fitting fastest Spirit King."
[Fastest Spirit King?]
-"Yes. Among all Spirit Kings, he holds the title for sheer speed, even surpassing me."
[Impressive.]
-"But in terms of single strikes, he's lower-ranked—balance. His attacks are slower overall, but each one packs immense power."
Lightning is renowned as an attribute specialized in high-speed, destructive attacks.
In Jijiyong, fire and lightning were the go-to for offensive magic.
"Ugh. I'll follow from a distance."
-"Beasts with fur seem to dislike getting close to me."
Cheong reacted even more intensely than when I first brought the lightning-struck branch, putting plenty of distance between us.
Her ears and tail were rigidly perked up—it was adorably cute up close.
Crackle. Crackle.
-"Ah, there it is."
[You can sense it?]
-"It's my power. If I willed it, it'd fly right here."
Then why move at all?
But the Lightning Spirit King shook her head at my thought.
-"It'd damage the surroundings with lightning."
[Then we'll have to go to it.]
It'd be nice if it could just fly over normally.
Instead, it causes AoE damage on approach.
Step.
[Here it is.]
-"You stored it inside that tree."
Upon arrival, the Lightning Spirit King immediately pinpointed the item's location.
I'd thought the ambient lightning energy might confuse her, but she found it instantly—impressive.
Crackle. Crackle.
She carefully picked up the branch, examined it from all angles, then frowned slightly and asked me.
-"You said you found this in a human village?"
[Yes. The village is abandoned now; it's covered in dust.]
-"Sorry, but could you take me there?"
[Did you find something?]
Crackle.
I felt nothing, but had she sensed something?
She tried to hide it, but the sparks bursting around her betrayed her emotions.
Anyone could see she was upset—who could refuse such a Spirit King?
[Sure. Let's move right away.]
With that, I carefully avoided agitating her further and headed to the village where I'd found the branch.
-"My King!"
-"The King has come!"
-"Everyone, stay calm! The King himself is acting for us!"
The Earth Spirit King passed by highest-grade, high-grade, mid-grade, and low-grade spirits as he headed to the contaminated land he'd been informed about, then turned his gaze toward it.
The contamination matched what he'd sensed across the land, but this spot was even stickier—clearly the source.
-"Water Spirit King, purify this place."
-"You sure you'll be fine alone?"
-"Yes."
No, actually, he wasn't fine.
He wanted to unleash his power right now and vent these emotions.
Thus, the Water Spirit King quietly complied and began purifying the land's contamination with his power.
-"It's definitely our antithesis."
-"How long will it take?"
-"10 minutes."
-"Got it. I'll resolve this within that time."
With that, the Earth Spirit King followed the energy he presumed was the culprit's and discovered a horde of pristine white figures.
Clack. Clack.
-"Those... skeletons?"
They were unmistakably human skeletons.
Why were things that should be buried in the earth walking around intact?
For the first time, the Earth Spirit King's eyes wavered at the sight of skeletons standing on two legs, moving as if they were still alive.
Clack clack. Clack.
Creak. Clatter clatter.
The skeletons grew more numerous the closer they got to their target.
Now a veritable army. Looking down upon them, the Earth Spirit King finally spotted the presumed mastermind.
Unlike the others, it exuded thick, churning death energy.
A monster lounging arrogantly on a throne made of skeletons, as if it ruled this place.
Boom!
-"Are you the culprit behind this?"
"Are you the lord of this land?"
The monster, unperturbed by the Earth Spirit King's sudden appearance, calmly posed a question in return.
As the Earth Spirit King fell silent, the monster spread its arms wide, gesturing to the contaminated land.
"What do you think? My territory."
-"Why is this your territory?"
"You ask the obvious."
Click.
"From the moment I set foot here. This is my domain."
How arrogant.
Foolish before a Spirit King, yet the monster was brazen.
Undaunted, it spewed death energy wildly, proclaiming to the calamity before it—and the world it would upend.
"I shall announce to the world: the existence of the Lich King, who defies death, subjugates all beneath him!"
A necromancer who overcomes death, commands it, and raises the undead anew.
The tyrant of death whose legend would echo into the distant future had now risen against the world.