Chapter 342: An Unexpected Neighbor
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 342: An Unexpected Neighbor
I stared at the screen that had appeared before me.
[Crystal Ball of Parqueris
Grade: Epic
The crystal ball of the great astrologer Parqueris.
Allows you to awaken your talent for astrology.
Allows you to divine the future.
※The future can change at any time.]
[Heart of the Fire Dragon
Grade: Epic
The heart of the fire dragon, Kardian.
It contains immense magic power. Consuming it will drastically increase your total magic power and grant you the ‘Blessing of the Fire Dragon.’
※Failure will result in your entire body bursting into flames, leading to death.]
[Unknown Grimoire #2
Grade: Epic
A fragment of an unidentifiable grimoire. Collecting the final piece will complete ‘Libramorphus.’]
I calmly read through the descriptions one by one.
First, the Crystal Ball of Parqueris. I dismissed it the moment I read the description. Awakening a talent for astrology was nice, but I had no interest in it to begin with.
If I really needed it, I could just ask Lumina to do a reading for me…
‘Ah, but she nearly fainted last time, didn't she?’
Hmph.
Anyway, astrology was a no-go.
The next item I focused on was the Heart of the Fire Dragon, and this one was quite tempting. Increasing my total magic power was great, but it was the additional Blessing of the Fire Dragon that caught my eye.
[Blessing of the Fire Dragon
Grade: Epic
The blessing of the fire dragon, Kardian.
When conditions are met, ‘Dragon Transformation’ becomes possible.]
A skill that allowed for Dragon Transformation.
Dragonfolk were a totally broken race, born with physical abilities and immense magic power far superior to other races. They even had retractable wings for high-speed flight. As if that weren't enough, they possessed different traits depending on their specific dragon type. With the Blessing of the Fire Dragon, it was highly likely I’d be able to manipulate fire.
For reference, the family of the world-famous actress Shin Yuna, the Cheonghae Shin Clan, was also composed of Dragonfolk.
“By the way, what kind of dragon gives its blessing to the guy who eats its heart?”
I found it hard to understand.
I decided to just assume it was a dragon with peculiar tastes and moved on.
[Unknown Grimoire #2]
“So this is where it shows up.”
The second piece of the Unknown Grimoire I’d bought from the shop a while back had randomly popped up as an achievement reward. It was a little surprising, but not shocking. I had half-forgotten about it, and it didn't seem to have enough merit to make me give up the Dragon's Heart.
But the moment I read the item’s description, I was at a loss for words. Specifically, it was the part about the grimoire that would be completed once all the pieces were gathered.
[Libramorphus
Grade: Unique+
A grimoire written by the First Tower Lord, Baylion Crowhurst.
It possesses the ability to replicate any book you desire.
Note: Single-use only.]
Baylion Crowhurst.
There wasn't a single mage who didn't know his name—the First Tower Lord and the only person to have ever reached the supreme realm of the 10th Circle. Moreover, even though hundreds of years had passed since his death, anything he had touched, be it an artifact, an elixir, or a grimoire, was priceless.
And if my memory served me right, Libramorphus was one of the ten grimoires he had revealed in his later years.
“I’m sure I heard it was destroyed in a fire long ago…”
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly without realizing it.
This was a grimoire from none other than Baylion, the 10th Circle Archmage who was called a living demigod. I couldn't just let this pass.
“…Can’t I just buy the heart with coins?”
[…]
I wouldn't have minded if they ripped me off a little. Thanks to hunting the highest-grade monsters in an A-rank gate, I now had over 40,000 coins.
But the app ignored me as usual.
“Tsk.”
Some things never change.
I let out a soft sigh and thought for a moment before finally choosing the grimoire fragment as my reward.
Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn't disappointed about the Dragon Transformation skill, but I might be able to find a dragon heart in another world. So, choosing the grimoire fragment was the right move for now.
[You have selected Unknown Grimoire #2.]
[Unknown Grimoire #1 and Unknown Grimoire #2 are combining.]
[Crafting…]
Ting—
[Libramorphus - Incomplete Version has been completed.]
[Libramorphus
Grade: ???
A grimoire written by the First Tower Lord, Baylion Crowhurst.
As an incomplete version, all of its abilities have disappeared.]
Thud.
A tattered book fell onto my head.
I checked it just in case, but most of the text was smudged or erased, making it impossible to read properly. At this point, it wasn't an incomplete version so much as an old, used book they'd just tossed me.
“So stingy.”
Putting my disappointment aside, I was about to toss the book into my inventory when…
Ting—
[Partial information about the final piece of Libramorphus will now be unlocked.]
[First Step Towards an Alpha Male
Grade: Special
Take the target’s virginity.
Target: Shin Yuna
Reward: ‘Sex Expert’ grade increase, Unknown Grimoire #3 (New!)]
※If any criminal acts such as blackmail or rape are detected, the mission will automatically be considered a failure.]
Thump.
I instinctively put a hand to my forehead.
“…Are these bastards actual dragon-fuckers?”
This was no different from them holding a knife to my throat and telling me to go fuck Shin Yuna. My head was starting to throb.
“Hoo…”
Flop—
I collapsed onto the sofa, rubbing my face with my hands, and swiped the screen away.
I desperately wanted the final piece, but fucking Shin Yuna was another matter entirely.
“I mean, how the hell am I supposed to do anything with the woman they call the next head of the Cheonghae Shin Clan…”
At that moment, the faces of Choi Hyena and Han Lael flashed before my eyes. Both were the next heads of two of the Three Great Families, the Seongbuk Choi and Jinryu Han families.
“…”
A wave of regret washed over me. ‘Maybe I should’ve just picked the Dragon’s Heart?’
But it was already too late.
After a moment of deliberation, I decided to think about it later. I was planning on visiting Shin Yuna soon anyway, so it wouldn't be too late to figure it out then.
Having reached a conclusion, I opened the shop, hoping for a change of pace.
But that was a mistake.
“…Cockatrice Gizzard, Mana Condensate, 5g of Mithril, Crystal Blackrose… What is this? Am I on a hidden camera show?”
Looking at the shop list, instead of a change of pace, all I could do was sigh. They were all junk items you could easily buy with money, and the overall price range was ridiculous.
“A rare-grade material for 2,000 coins…?”
No matter how insane inflation was these days, this was seriously crossing the line.
Just as I was shaking my head at the wicked app's sales tactics…
Ting—
[Update complete.]
[A reset function has been added to the shop.]
“…?”
Along with the screen that suddenly appeared, a new reset button materialized in a corner of the shop.
[Reset - 1,000 Coins]
“Ha.”
They were truly relentless bastards.
But even as I thought that, my finger was already moving toward the reset button.
[Owned Coins: 42,500]
Honestly, this was hard to resist.
*
Cairo.
Beneath a golden sunset, it was the name of a beautiful city that embraced the glory of the pharaohs and the blessings of the Nile, still singing of prosperity in this harsh world.
Though it spent its days in peril from monster invasions, the people of Cairo had not lost their smiles.
At least, not until a few hours ago.
“Kyaaaaaah!!!”
“H-Help me!! Aaaargh!!!”
“Mommy…!!”
“M-Monsters!! The monsters have invaded!!!”
Flames shot up from all corners of the city, and the streets were filled with the screams of people and the monsters chasing them. The city, which had become a battlefield overnight, was the very picture of chaos.
RUUUUMBLE!!!!!
At that moment, the ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.
The citizens of Cairo stared blankly as the Golden Magic Tower—known as the hope of Egypt, the beacon of Africa—crumbled to the ground.
It was hell.
And there was a man looking down leisurely at this scene in Cairo.
Trrr-trrr-trrr—
The man scowled at his ringing phone.
“What is it.”
—How is the situation?
A bizarre voice that sounded like nails scraping a chalkboard came from the other side of the phone. But the man’s expression didn't change as he continued the call, as if he were used to it.
“It’s done. Robbing an empty house with no Tower Lord present was never going to take long.”
Thud.
Something held in the man’s hand dropped to the floor.
It was the head of Leila Murad, a 6th Circle mage and the Vice Master of the Golden Magic Tower of Cairo.
Behind her severed head, the bodies of the Golden Magic Tower’s mages and hunters were piled up like a small hill.
“So, did you call me just to ask that one—”
—Lady Gremory has been eliminated.
KWOOM!!
In that instant, the man’s aura exploded outwards in all directions. The rough, ferocious energy caused nearby buildings to collapse.
“…And you expect me to believe that right now?” he said, his voice sounding like he was forcefully suppressing his rage.
—The information has been cross-verified through the American branch.
Crrrack—
“…Don’t tell me Mac Damon made a move himself.”
—The Black Tower Lord is not the culprit. We are investigating the details and will inform you as soon as the truth is uncovered.
“I’ll conduct that investigation myself.”
—No. You will proceed to London as planned.
“I am not your subordinate.”
—Does this sound like my decision alone?
“…”
The man’s face contorted at the words from the phone.
—Go to London and join the others. It’s a chance to bring down that arrogant Round Table.
“What’s the objective?”
—The Holy Sword.
“…That’s not a bad offer. Understood.”
Click.
The man ended the call and vanished, leaving Cairo in ruins and countless casualties in his wake.
*
The world is full of suffering.
I absolutely agree with that statement.
[Owned Coins: 2,300]
“…Is this a dream?”
Of course, it was reality.
A brutally cold reality.
I never imagined I’d blow my entire fortune hitting the reset button.
Of course, it wasn't all for nothing.
[Fist Demon Battle Gauntlets
Grade: Epic
Gauntlets made using millennium cold iron.
Has the ability to temporarily amplify the user’s demonic energy.]
[Grimoire of Castro
Grade: Epic
The grimoire left behind by Castro, an elementalist who wielded powerful lightning elements.]
[Paruru’s Ultimate Potion
Grade: Epic
A potion created by Paruru, the genius alchemist of the Pelanka Tribe, inhabitants of the tranquil forest.
Drinking it enhances all five senses.]
Looking at it this way, you could say it was a decent haul, but humans are greedy creatures. I honestly thought I’d get at least one Unique-grade item, but they were all Epic.
“Sigh, just my luck.”
Pop!
I got up from the sofa and uncapped the potion. It was best to drink these things right away.
Gulp, gulp—
The potion had a strange taste that was hard to describe. How should I put it? It was like coffee mixed with toothpaste water.
“The effect is legit, though.”
I could feel my sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch all become noticeably sharper. I could see farther, hear from a greater distance, and even faint scents were now vivid.
It was definitely worthy of being called an ultimate potion.
“What are you doing so early in the morning?”
Just as I was lightly stretching, the door opened and Noel walked out.
“You’re up?”
“Yes. Seoha-unni kept trying to suck on my breasts.”
“And you’re always touching Seoha’s butt.”
“But I can’t help it, it’s so soft.”
I had to admit, she had a point. Jeon Seoha’s breasts were small, but her butt boasted a truly firm and springy texture.
“Besides, the neighbors are being a little noisy.”
“The neighbors?”
Now that she mentioned it, it was a bit loud. It sounded like people were constantly coming and going.
“I think it’s because they’re moving in.”
“Moving in? Didn’t someone already live next door?”
I was sure a young woman lived in the apartment next to ours.
‘Hmm, did she move out already?’
Well, it wasn't that strange. A lot of people here were renters.
“Should we get something to eat?”
“How about pancakes? I made the batter myself while watching NewTube. Seoha-unni said they were delicious.”
“Really? Then let’s have that…”
Ding-dong—
Just as I was following Noel to the kitchen, the doorbell rang, which was a rare occurrence.
“Who could that be?”
“Should I get it?”
“…Shouldn’t you put some clothes on first?”
“You’re the one who took them off, Master.”
Smack!
“Aahn!”
“Just hurry up and get back inside.”
After getting a smack on the butt from me, Noel pouted and went back into the room.
Click—
“Who is…”
The moment I opened the front door, I was at a loss for words.
Dark brown hair and eyes that were more gray than ash.
It was a familiar face.
“Ah, h-hello…?”
“…What the hell are you doing here?”
Han Seoah, who greeted me with an awkward smile, was holding a plate of steamed rice cakes.
At that moment, I remembered what Han Lael had said.
—Oh, right. Seoah came to see me last night and suddenly said she wanted to move out and live on her own, can you believe it?
Thump.
I instinctively put a hand to my forehead.