Chapter 117
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Full-Scale Movement (2)
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Just by looking at the name, one could sense that the Avici Prison was no ordinary place.
It seemed to be a kind of divine punishment, a site reserved for those who violated certain taboos decreed by great beings...
Nevertheless, humans were said to possess a unique advantage there.
So that's why they wanted to entrust the task to me—someone who had just crossed the threshold of transcendence and was beginning to adapt to the process of opening up.
At least, judging from everything I'd seen so far, the Merciful Crown wasn't the type to irresponsibly dump work on someone without reason.
More than anything, there was one thing I could clearly sense. The Merciful Crown wanted to help '0' as well.
Otherwise, why would he refuse the power of Cheonyeon?
No matter how useless it was outside the ocean, wasn't it the strongest force imaginable within?
If he had no intention of ever leaving, there was no need to reject it.
So, to borrow the Merciful Crown's power in the name of '0', I needed to lift his curse.
That was the initial reason I'd brought it up, after all.
...Though honestly, things had escalated more than I'd expected, leaving me a bit flustered.
There's a reason you've been hiding in the deep sea all this time.
No point drawing attention from the outside world.
With a power unusable beyond the sea, there was no need to catch the eye of land-dwellers.
'Come to think of it, he mentioned forbidding contact with humans.'
That had come up during our first exchange with the Merciful Crown back in Baratrein.
So the task you're entrusting to me is to find and retrieve someone imprisoned in the Avici Prison?
Strictly speaking, just meeting them is enough.
Retrieve the memories afterward and return—that's it. No need to bring them along.
Retrieve the memories...
Memories?
Memories we've lost.
The curse's form is complex, but the one placed on us is straightforward.
I hear it was deliberate.
...Deliberate?
You can even choose the curse?
Serkanos must have had some serious backing.
Or maybe I should be shocked at the extent of Sephirot's power.
So how do I extract those memories?
I'll provide the method.
And regarding the compensation...
I see spirit herbs that elevate one's realm as priceless treasures... but they might fall short for you.
Was he offering to pay more?
Digging deeper, this wasn't just a simple transaction for either of us.
Lifting his curse would benefit me greatly too.
But purely in terms of compensation, I needed more info on the Avici Prison.
It already felt far from easy, even with these fragments of knowledge.
I'll lend you my power whenever you need it.
Though it'll mean more once the curse is lifted.
The reason I wanted his power now was clear: the forces of evil.
Their movements were growing bolder, and I needed strength to counter them.
I could borrow plenty in the name of '0'...
But for personal matters, even '0' needed justification. No matter how grandly phrased, there were limits.
It wasn't a bad offer. Assuming, of course, that I had to lift his curse anyway.
I didn't know the Merciful Crown's exact realm, but he was strong—maybe not Tower of Intellect level, but close.
I want more precise information.
Compensation can come after.
Understood.
I'll tell you everything I know.
The Merciful Crown shared various details.
Especially why only humans could access that place.
The reason I'm entrusting this to you is that humans enter the Avici Prison without any effects.
Or rather, humans aren't even captured there to begin with.
Records state humans were never considered from the moment it was created.
That said, some suspicion lingers.
Even hearing this now bred suspicion in me.
A prison that drags in taboo-breakers—humans excluded?
That's what I thought until now.
But after learning about Sephirot and pondering it...
I suspect Sephirot took some measure.
That makes more sense.
Even if it's a place where long-lived races who can't truly die are imprisoned, exempting humans is suspicious.
Needs more thought.
With the Hero dead and Sephirot missing...
I'm not sure humans can still enter safely.
...Can't deny that.
Do you know anything about the Avici Prison's structure?
Of course.
The Avici Prison was divided into layers.
The one the Merciful Crown sought was in the first layer.
The closest one.
Though even that might have changed by now.
Are you certain they're still alive?
We can sense if he's alive or dead.
Alive, then.
Any idea on the location?
You're really going to do this?
Are you worried about me?
No.
Overconfident much?
Old records aren't reliable now.
Got any recent records?
Planning to make yourself the new record?
Thought you were the quiet type... didn't expect this side of you.
The Tower of Intellect wouldn't know. That ultimately, this was something I had to do to help myself.
Am I coming off too casual?
Of course, I planned to test the waters with an avatar first.
After hearing such ominous descriptions of the Avici Prison, jumping in personally would be foolish.
No matter how necessary it was.
I could even consider it precisely because I had the option of an avatar.
I like your attitude.
...What? Suddenly?
This could be something I help with.
You?
Why?
Bored with all the quiet lately.
Body's getting stiff.
One issue, though...
Can we even meet there?
That was the concern—not something else.
The Avici Prison.
From the descriptions so far, it was a place even mighty transcendents feared to tread, humans being the sole exception.
Besides, the Tower of Intellect wasn't one of the long-lived races that could be imprisoned there originally.
Of course, barring the great beings, I knew he had the power to handle it...
Then, a message arrived from Blazing Glory, who had gone quiet to sort his thoughts.
Don't recommend it.
Why?
No matter how confident you are, it'll be a tough fight for you.
It had been a year since Blazing Glory joined this chat.
The Tower of Intellect had never explicitly stated his realm, but through conversations, others likely sensed he held the greatest might here.
Those who joined before Rosellin and the Son of Valor knew his exact level.
There was an undercurrent vibe to it.
Whether Blazing Glory knew or not, he was trying to dissuade him.
Whoa.
Haven't heard that in ages.
And those words seemed to provoke the Tower of Intellect instead.
But he paused quickly.
Hold up.
Who are you, anyway?
Someone who knows Avici well.
"Knows it well"?
Did you build the place or what?
Or are you locked up in it?
If imprisoned, you couldn't be here.
...Need to think more on this.
What do you have to think about so much?
Change your name.
To "Blazing Thoughts."
Calm down.
He seems connected to Avici somehow.
I know that.
Blazing Glory.
You asked before what you could do to help.
Not knowing how to contribute.
Indeed.
Then just say it.
What you're thinking.
If you know about Avici, spill it.
That's how you help.
I see.
Then I'll speak.
...This works?