Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Ch. 58 .｡.:✧ Kali (4) ✧:.｡.
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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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For a long time, I couldn’t move at all.
Because Undecided was hugging me and wouldn’t let go.
In the end, I gave up.
I decided to give up and just keep stroking Undecided’s head.
If I did this and charged her mana, she would quickly get up on her own.
“Get off me now.”
“…No mana.”
“Don’t lie. I’ve been stroking you for over 10 minutes, how can you have no mana?”
“…”
Having no more excuses to make, Undecided’s mouth closed.
As she gently got off, Undecided stood on her own feet without clinging to me anymore.
Finally, I could see her face.
She didn’t shed tears, but her face was a complete mess.
It seemed she thought I wouldn’t be able to save her.
Of course, that was impossible.
How much money did I invest in Undecided?
I had to save her, even if just because it would be a waste.
[Achievement Unlocked]
›
› Hunted the Druid Kali!
› Four Heavenly Kings Elimination Progress: 1/4
At that moment, a system window appeared in front of my eyes.
It was the first time that I had defeated one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
⚙ System Notification ⚙
› You can steal 2 traits from the Four Heavenly Kings you hunted.
What?
Before I could even rub my eyes in surprise and look again, the screen moved on.
[Select Traits to Steal]
› 1. Trait: Sturdy Spider Web
› 2. Trait: Night Vision
› 3. Trait: Nutrient Absorption
…As expected of a Heavenly King, there were more than just one or two traits.
The system window numbered up to 40.
At first glance, it seemed like a luxurious buffet, but not quite.
Most of them were tailored to Kali’s body, so there was no way for me to use them.
Even if I could use them, the efficiency would be low.
I did check them one by one just in case, but as expected, there was nothing appealing.
I kept scrolling down like this to the last window.
And the long-awaited number 40.
Trait: Heavenly Armor Plate
Deploys a spherical armor plate that reflects all external impacts. Mana is consumed to deploy and maintain it.
This is what I need.
The strongest defensive trait in this entire game.
This isn’t just at the level of being sturdy.
It provides perfect protection against all physical forces.
Of course, the Heavenly Armor Plate isn’t invincible either.
The rate at which mana is drained is quite fast, making it difficult to sustain. And it can be removed by certain magic, like what I did earlier.
Of course, even those exceptions were extremely rare.
Considering that most magic attacks ultimately dealt damage through physical force, there would be hardly any instances of it being destroyed under normal circumstances.
⚙ System Notification ⚙
› You stole the ‘Trait: Heavenly Armor Plate’ from the Heavenly King Kali.
Good.
Actually, this one trait is enough.
⚙ System Notification ⚙
› You can steal 2 traits from the Four Heavenly Kings you hunted.
I can choose 2.
If I exclude the Heavenly Armor Plate, the rest are all mediocre, but if I find the most useful one among them…
17. Trait: Camouflage
Camouflages the appearance of an object.
This one will be somewhat useful.
I can bring a sword to places where I have to be unarmed and things like that.
Of course, until the proficiency rises sufficiently, the duration of use will be short and there will be many limitations.
As soon as I finished selecting, I opened the status window.
Initial Trait: Guardian Knight
When protecting someone, your stats are amplified. When not triggered, your base stats are reduced by 5 as a penalty.
Trait: Inspect
Reveals information about items.
Trait: Dakia-style (lv.10)
Learns a forgotten ancient one-handed sword technique. Increases understanding of one-handed swords.
Trait: Merida-style (lv.9)
Learns the traditional elven one-handed sword technique that incorporates human swordsmanship. Increases understanding of one-handed swords.
Trait: Frost-style (lv.9)
Learns the swordsmanship of the Frost royal family. Increases understanding of two-handed swords.
Trait: Reputation
Checks your reputation score.
Trait: Weak Point
Allows you to see the weaknesses of monsters. Effective against all types of monsters.
Trait: Heavenly Armor Plate
Deploys a spherical armor plate that reflects all external impacts. Mana is consumed to deploy and maintain it.
Trait: Camouflage
Camouflages the appearance of an object.
Hmm.
Satisfactory.
I don’t have a particularly large number of traits, but they’re all useful without any trash.
Filled with only A-grade traits I discovered while repeatedly regressing.
Considering that it’s only been 4 months since my regression, it was tremendous progress.
Moreover, I prevented the corruption of the World Tree and even eliminated one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
It would be difficult for the initial situation to be better than this.
‘Moreover, the Four Heavenly Kings don’t even know my name yet.’
Of course, I did get properly targeted by the Heavenly Kings.
I smashed Belphegor’s avatar and caught Kali, so they won’t treat me as a small fry anymore.
They will try to eliminate me with all their might.
But that’s only if they can find me.
How will they find me when they don’t even know my name?
Even the main heroine trio who know me well couldn’t find me, so it’s out of the question for them.
“What is this black thing? It was formed by gathering dark energy…”
Alicia carefully approached the black orb rolling next to Kali’s corpse and asked while poking it with a branch.
“Ah, that. It’s a mana stone.”
“What? This is? Then perhaps the black mana stone you had is also…”
“Yeah. It’s the same thing.”
“…?”
Alicia alternately looked at the black orb on the ground and the black mana stone in my hand.
“Uegh!”
Then she turned around and started vomiting.
It seemed she never imagined that this mana stone was made from such a disgusting enemy’s demonic energy.
It would have been better if she didn’t know.
‘Another top-grade mana stone.’
Of course, I have a delicate taste, so it doesn’t matter at all to me.
I’m just satisfied to have one more high-end mana stone.
But what should I use this for?
It’s not like I’ll get particularly stronger just by hanging mana stones all over my body.
For now, I should process it and decide whether to use it myself or sell it based on the additional effects that appear.
“Alicia. Keep your back turned.”
“What? Why?”
“It might be a difficult sight for you to see.”
“What could it possibly be… Uegh!”
Splat.
I stabbed a dagger into Kali’s corpse, and as soon as I cut it open, the sound of vomiting came from behind.
I told you not to look.
The core of a dungeon is usually located in the final room.
But in the unique dungeons created by the Four Heavenly Kings, no matter where you look, you can’t find the core.
Because the core of a unique dungeon is the Heavenly King’s heart.
“Undecided. Hold this open for me.”
“…Okay.”
“Ugh. Why is it so deep? How far do I have to cut?”
“The sound! The sound is too graphic!”
“Then cover your ears too.”
“My ears are too long, so they don’t get covered! This is why humans are…!”
“What do you want me to do about it?”
Splat.
Squish.
After struggling with the disgusting spider body for a while, I finally found the heart.
The moment I cut out the heart…
Rumble…!
A big vibration resounded throughout the entire dungeon.
It was a sign that the dungeon’s core had disappeared and would soon collapse.
We had to get out quickly.
“Ifrit. Go up and bring a ladder.”
“W-w-wait a minute!”
At that moment, with a crack and a crunch, the cocoons’ shells cracked.
Ifrit reflexively tried to throw fire, but Alicia shouted and stopped him.
There was a reason she stopped him.
“People…?”
What came out of the cocoons was none other than people.
Elves.
There was a big commotion.
Dozens of elves were discovered in the middle of the dungeon.
They were none other than the elves who had entered this dungeon a long time ago.
It seemed Kali had trapped them alive to feed them to the baby spiders.
Unfortunately, some had already been eaten by the baby spiders and died, but some survived.
In the midst of the dungeon about to collapse at any moment.
I was worried there would be too many people to evacuate, but it wasn’t a big problem.
Because there was a shortcut from the final room to the entrance.
The elves quickly brought ladders, and the evacuation was completed in an instant.
All the living were safely rescued.
The bones of the dead were also collected as much as possible and brought back.
As soon as I climbed up last and crossed the entrance, the dungeon collapsed and crumbled.
I almost died.
“You are…”
“Remember this. You have never seen me. Understand?”
“Yes…”
After silencing the rescued elves, we came to the surface and were greeted by a refreshing breeze and sunlight.
Of course, there was no welcoming crowd sending cheers.
In the first place, the existence of the dungeon under the World Tree was a secret.
There was no way the fact that the dungeon had been destroyed would be announced.
It was comfortable and good for me, who would be in trouble if my name became known.
“We are always filled with apologetic feelings, Mr. Cheon Michael Jackson. To have accomplished such a feat and not be recognized by anyone…”
However, the elders didn’t seem to think that way, as they kept fidgeting in front of me.
We had already agreed to receive the reward for destroying the dungeon separately.
If this goes well, I think I can make one more request.
“Dad! What took you so long!”
“Haha… I’m sorry.”
At the sound of a sobbing voice, I turned around and saw a male elf staggering and walking, and an elf boy wearing a baseball cap running towards him.
The boy, who ran so fast that his hat came off, crashed into his father’s arms.
‘I believed he would be alive.’
They say if you believe strongly, it becomes reality.
Fortunately that seemed to be the case.
I turned my back on the dramatic reunion of father and son.
It seemed I didn’t need to get the baseball cap back.
I’ll tell him to keep it as a memento.
After the commotion passed, we first washed up, ate, and rested thoroughly to soothe our minds and bodies.
Alicia was exhausted because this kind of dirty and violent battlefield was her first.
I had too many minor injuries.
They were just wounds that would heal quickly if I just aligned the broken bones and applied a potion, and there were no major injuries.
“But why can’t I use magic?! Wasn’t I supposed to have mastered it?”
However, the problem was elsewhere.
I definitely thought I had awakened to magic in that dungeon.
I even broke the Heavenly Armor Plate that was impossible to destroy with physical force.
But why am I still unable to use even 1st tier magic?
“Hmm. Are you sure you concentrated properly?”
“I’m telling you, I did? Look at this! I can use telekinesis just fine!”
“Hmm…?”
When I lightly moved my hand with a swish, the cup that was far away flew over and fit snugly into my hand.
It was simple telekinesis magic that had become as easy as breathing.
Seeing that, Alicia made a troubled expression.
“Awakening to the 5th tier magic, telekinesis, yet unable to use basic magic… This is really the first time I’ve seen something like this. Do you want to go to the Magic Tower with me? I think a tremendous amount of research papers could come out using you as the research subject.”
“Don’t say such scary things. I don’t want to be dissected.”
“I’m joking. All the magic you’ve learned so far has been non-attribute magic, right? Maybe you only have an aptitude for non-attribute magic.”
“That can’t be…”
It was absurd.
What kind of trash character is this?
I also want to shoot fireballs and swing electric whips like a normal person.
Attribute magic was not only easy to raise in stages starting from basic magic.
But there were also many opportunities to learn separately because many people have mastered it.
But non-attribute magic had none of that.
I can only hope to accidentally gain enlightenment on my own, or pray to accidentally meet a hermit master of non-attribute magic.
This isn’t a martial arts novel, so I don’t know what kind of nonsense this is.
“Ha. Whatever. At least I learned how to use telekinesis.”
“Um, Yoo-jin.”
“Huh? What?”
“Are you going to keep letting her bite you…?”
Alicia asked with a slightly troubled expression.
Ah.
Is she talking about Undecided clinging to my back?
I had become so used to the sensation of being bitten that I had forgotten she was even there.
“…Nyam nyam.”
“What’s the problem? It’s not like it’s wearing out.”
“I-it looks a bit unseemly.”
“What’s wrong with this? Normally, people would think it’s a habit of younger siblings biting a lot.”
“Biting the nape of the neck…? Did you come from a different world than me?”
Alicia wrinkled her brow as if despising me.
I had nothing to say because it was true.
I did actually come from a different world.
“Anyway, it’s about time… Hmm. It’s time.”
“Time for what?”
“It’s a secret.”
I detached Undecided, who was drooling with a ‘bweh’, and got ready to leave.
Undecided, was staring at me blankly with a slightly regretful expression.
“I’ll be back soon. Explore Elvenguard with Alicia or practice magic while waiting.”
“…Okay. I’ll wait.”
Undecided now had a determined look in her eyes.
Eyes filled with strong trust in me.
I smiled, roughly ruffled her hair once, and went outside.
“Is it over there?”
I took out a small note from my pocket.
It was an invitation.
The address was written here, but I seemed to have wandered around for a long time because Elvenguard’s geography and address system were unfamiliar to me.
It would have been much faster if I had asked for directions.
But I insisted on finding it on my own, and it ended up getting dark.
“You made it well? The path must have been complicated.”
“Hahaha. It was quite a struggle.”
As the door opened, the priestess, Mia, greeted me with a bright smile.
It was the first time I had seen such a smile from her.
Just looking at it made me feel good and smile too.
“Come in quickly.”
“Excuse me. Do you live alone by any chance?”
“Yes, that’s right. No one can enter the priestess’s house.”
“Except me?”
“You’re an exception. Because I invited you personally. You’re my first guest, Yoo-jin.”
Mia decided to make up for the promise of treating me to a meal by cooking for me herself.
I never expected to enter Mia’s house where she lived alone like this.
“Oh…”
The house smelled nice.
A pleasant scent of wood and Mia’s body odor were subtly mixed, creating a smell that made you want to keep sniffing.
“I’ll bring out the alcohol first.”
“Is the food not ready yet?”
“Actually, it’s all done, and I just need to heat it up.”
“Then why…”
“I want to chat. You didn’t make the promise just to get a free meal, right?”
“Of course not.”
Mia brought out a bottle of alcohol and placed it on the table.
30-year-old Trium.
She seemed to remember that it was my favorite drink.
Then Mia sat with her chin resting on her hand and stared at me intently.
Intently enough to make me feel a bit burdened.
“I’m really indebted to you this time.”
“The price is hearing the World Tree’s prophecies for a lifetime. It’s enough.”
“It would be convenient for us to just give you that and shut our mouths. But that would make us feel uneasy. So… If there’s anything you’re curious about, please ask! You’ve already seen all of Elvenguard’s dirty laundry anyway, right? I can tell you almost anything.”
She has a conscience.
As expected, Mia is the best.
If it were the high elf elders with no conscience, they would have tried to gloss over it, saying, “Isn’t this enough?” after reading the situation.
There were so many things I wanted to ask Mia about now.
First, starting with what I was curious about from the first day.
“You said the reason Ifrit went on a rampage was because he found out about the dungeon, right?”
“Yes. That’s what I said.”
“How exactly did Ifrit find out?”
This had been bothering me all along.
In the previous 12 rounds, Ifrit had never once gone crazy trying to burn down the World Tree.
It was certain that it was due to a new variable that appeared in the 13th round.
But I still didn’t know what it was.
I think I needed to know that to get rid of this lingering uneasiness.
“That guy’s personality is such that he would obviously go berserk as soon as he heard. Who the hell told him?”
“Ah, that person… Actually, they’re not from Elvenguard.”
“There’s someone other than the people of Elvenguard who knows about the dungeon?”
Considering it was Elvenguard’s dirty secret, they must have tried their best to hide it.
But there was someone outside Elvenguard who knew about the dungeon?
Who could it be?
“Outside Elvenguard, there’s only one person. A woman named Yulia Petenburg knows about the dungeon.”
“…”
What?
Why is Yulia’s name suddenly mentioned?
My heart sank.
Cold sweat poured down profusely.
“That woman came to Elvenguard a week ago. I think she must have told the Great Spirit of Fire then. Ah. This alcohol was also a gift from Ms. Yulia when she visited.”
“Oh no…”
Mia pointed to the bottle of alcohol and said.
30-year-old Trium.
It was the alcohol Yulia taught me about and that I enjoy drinking.
Yulia, who originally had a feud with Elvenguard and never even came near here.
Yulia’s actions had changed.
There was only one reason I could think of for that.
‘Yulia also regained her memories…’
It was now certain.
The fact that the memories of the three main heroines had all been revived.
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