Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Inevitable Descent Begins (Part 1 End)
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Three minutes had already passed since Chae Yeon-hwa had pushed me back into the hospital room.
She was still standing there silently in my arms, clinging tightly without a word.
...This is dangerous.
If there was one thing I'd clearly realized after returning from that world of illusions...
It was that my mental fortitude was far weaker than I'd thought.
I could tell just from the system alerts going wild on their own right now.
[Trait Mental Resistance (B) activates. Partially resists Skill Dreamlike Fragrance (A+).]
[Trait Steadfast Resolve activates. Perfectly resists Skill Dreamlike Fragrance (A+). Perfectly resists Skill Twilight Banquet (S).]
[100 SP awarded as reward for overcoming the high succubus's temptation.]
Doesn't this succubus ever get tired...? She knows I resist every time, yet she keeps trying.
Even with just Mental Resistance before, one look at Chae Yeon-hwa's face—her red lips and faintly flushed cheeks—
would draw me in like I was being sucked into her eyes.
But now, thanks to my S-Rank mental resistance trait, overcoming her temptations was no longer difficult.
And this time, having confirmed even more clearly that I was perfectly resisting her skills,
Chae Yeon-hwa looked up at me slightly from within my arms, puffed out her cheeks, and pulled back a little.
"You're really too much. How can you not fall for my temptations even for a single moment?"
"I'm the one who's curious. You said you've never even had skinship with a guy, so how are you so good at this?"
When I asked in a slightly suspicious tone, Chae Yeon-hwa covered her mouth with one hand and replied.
"Oh my? What's with that cute question? Are you doubting me, by any chance? If Hyun-sol wants, I can prove it right here, right now..."
"I'm sorry."
"No, I don't like being doubted, so let me make it clear..."
"I'm really sorry!!!"
I barely managed to stop her from yanking down the H-line skirt she was wearing.
"Uh... anyway, let's stop with this talk. Can you tell me now? Why did you come all the way here?"
"To check on Hyun-sol's condition, of course?"
Chae Yeon-hwa continued smoothly as she perched her hips on the bed I'd been lying in.
"I never imagined you'd actually become the master of the Eternal Frost Crystal.
Even the Apostles didn't dare try to absorb that relic as it was."
"I wouldn't have attempted something so insane under normal circumstances. The situation forced my hand."
"That's true. So... how does it feel to be the seventh SS-Rank trait holder in the world?"
"...How did you know?"
When I asked in a flustered tone, Chae Yeon-hwa smirked and picked up the pillow I'd been hungry on until this morning, sniffing it.
...What the hell is she doing?
Ignoring my gaze entirely, she sniffed for about 20 seconds.
Then she tossed the pillow into her subspace and began explaining.
"How did I know? Simple. Excluding Wol Ha-yeon, all the other SS-Rank hunters acquired their traits through post-awakening methods, not innate awakening."
"...Really?"
"Yes, really~ It's not well-documented among humans,
but our demon records have it all detailed."
If what Chae Yeon-hwa said was true, couldn't they produce more SS-Rank hunters comparable to Apostles?
That would raise the odds of victory in the war against the demons... and even deal with the Demon King.
"That won't work."
Spotting me lost in thought, Chae Yeon-hwa cut me off firmly.
"You were just thinking something like, 'Maybe we can make more SS-Rank hunters,' right?"
"...Yeah, pretty much... Why not?"
"Because there are no more SS-Rank relics left on Earth."
She answered my question as if it were obvious, then stood up.
"Anyway, you look fine, which is a relief. You haven't had lunch, right? Let's go eat."
"Got it."
A brief moment of reflection confirmed she was right—it was a pointless hypothetical.
I'd only gained the potential for an SS-Rank trait by absorbing the Eternal Frost Crystal, an SS-Rank item and relic.
Without another like it, it was impossible. I'd been calculating on nothing...
Feeling my face heat up, I followed her out of the room.
As we left the hospital, a crisp early autumn breeze brushed my collar.
Chae Yeon-hwa walked ahead, maintaining her usual alluring smile.
"Hyun-sol, there's a great place nearby. Follow me."
For some reason, I felt uneasy.
"Uh... just so you know, I'm a broke student. If it's expensive..."
Chae Yeon-hwa burst into laughter as if she'd flip over.
"Pfft—! Oh my, that's adorable. You think I'd mooch off a student? I'd be offended."
"...Good to know."
The place she led me to was far too upscale for "near the hospital"—a luxurious Korean restaurant.
The doorman opened the door, leading to a pristine hallway and a private room at the end.
"Here."
She entered naturally, like a regular.
"Table for two?"
"Yes. Two sets of the hanjeongsik course, please."
Once ordered, the scent of hot tea filled the quiet space.
I took a sip and cut to the chase.
"...Surviving is great and all. But what are your plans now?"
Chae Yeon-hwa swirled her teacup, then slowly raised her eyes.
She smiled—a smile more dangerous than any skill.
"I've finished negotiating with the Association Chairman."
"...What?"
"A simple deal. In exchange for info on the demon world I know, some plans the Apostles and demons are preparing, and the Korean Hunter Association's base...
I'll act as their collaborator in a few risky situations."
"...And?"
"If Hyun-sol permits it—"
She leaned forward slightly.
"I plan to work at the Academy as a barrier arts professor from now on."
"......What???"
"It means I won't go unless you allow it."
"Why?"
"Why? —"
She propped her chin, smiling.
"From the moment you saved my life, I'm your subordinate. That's how succubi work."
"...I never accepted you as a subordinate, Professor Chae."
"Oh my, I knew you were popular, Hyun-sol, but isn't this overconfidence? Or are you taking the caught fish for granted?"
Her smile turned chilling in an instant.
"Do you know how many creeps hit on me in the demon world? Especially that ugly elite orc captain—ugh, so persistent in courting me."
"...I don't want to hear this already."
"Me? He kept groping, so I chopped the orc captain's body into dozens of pieces and shipped it back to his master."
"Pardon?"
"Exactly as I said. I rocket-delivered the corpse to what was once the Apostle of Silence, who had some fame back then."
I gaped at her.
But Chae Yeon-hwa ignored me and continued, as if she had more to say.
"And there's the Apostle of Charity. Know him? Probably not. That guy who acts all kindly while biting others."
"...That guy?"
"Yeah. He kept obsessing over me as war spoils—so I hid, fought, and fled for two months with barriers and greatsword arts... So, the conclusion?"
"......?"
Midway through her past tale, she tilted her head as if realizing something odd.
"I don't know why the story went this far. Anyway, my point is: I'm super popular, I chose you, so why keep pushing me away?"
"Uh... sorry?"
I wondered if I should apologize, but no need to argue.
I said I didn't get the subordinate thing but permitted her to stay at the Academy, ending the talk.
The hanjeongsik arrived, and we ate quietly for a bit.
As the meal neared its end, Chae Yeon-hwa set down her chopsticks and met my eyes.
"Hyun-sol."
I swallowed mid-bite and looked up.
She smiled slowly—beautifully enough to instinctively feel danger.
Her eyes softened, faint rose-gold mana shimmering in her pupils,
her lips curving in a line that shook the mind just to see.
Even with Steadfast Resolve active, my heart thudded hard once.
"...Thank you for saving me. For giving me a chance. For handing me the possibility of achieving my dream."
Expressing her gratitude, Chae Yeon-hwa added with a slightly chilling gaze—
"Someday... I'll make your heart turn to me, no matter what."
With that, she rose quietly and left the room.
The door clicked shut.
What remained was my pounding heart, shaking my whole body—and my slightly rattled expression.
I didn't fall for it.
I held out, Vow of Purity?
I really didn't do anything.
It's just because I haven't been discharged long. My body's still off... yeah...?
I tried convincing myself, but the pounding wouldn't subside.
Is this... really just my body?
Or—
I took a deep breath, but my heart raced madly.
I'd need to rest thoroughly today.
A little before Kang Hyun-sol and Chae Yeon-hwa finished their talk.
Rewind time just a bit.
At the center of Seolga's utterly ruined courtyard.
Where everyone from Seolga had gone to the hospital for treatment, leaving no one behind.
A small, agile figure held a communication crystal, talking to someone.
With the corpses of the Lord of Indulgence, Pasara Nevrigos, and the Lord of Ruin, Azator Harmegeon, at its feet.
"I've just confirmed all the information you requested, Apostle of Pride, Teoba-in."
The figure brought the crystal to its mouth and continued the report.
"First, securing the Eternal Frost Crystal seems to have failed. Its presence is completely gone."
「I see... I sent four Lords, and they still failed. My mistake for trusting that trash.」
The voice from the crystal held no regret, no irritation—no emotion at all.
Fitting for the Master of Pride.
A perfectly failed plan, yet the voice remained arrogant and haughty.
Teoba-in muttered as if chewing something over, then spoke.
「What about the Lords' corpses?」
"I secured Indulgence and Ruin. But Comparison's whereabouts are unknown, and Obsession survived. Just my guess, but... given the circumstances, she may have betrayed us."
「Why do you think that?」
"Because the weakest one survived in the most intact state."
「……A valid guess, indeed.」
Whether Obsession's Lord Kalias truly betrayed them wasn't urgent to confirm now.
The most important thing for the Apostle of Pride was that his descent method was now completely gone.
Yet even confirming total failure, Teoba-in remained composed.
The reason was simple.
He'd planned this with failure in mind.
「I'll check on Kalias with that woman, Versein Alma. You, Rakitea, secure the souls and authorities of the dead ones. Combining their power with the authorities of the fallen will ensure the descent proceeds without issue.」
"Oh! So the descent is finally happening?"
「Yes. And the day I descend will herald the end of the human world.」