Chapter 152
Chapter 152
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: I Got Something Strange
I got something strange.
"What do you think?"
The crown prince muttered to himself in the empty space.
Whoosh.
In response to the crown prince's question, a shadow rose up and took form. The being shrouded entirely in black bowed its head quietly to him and spoke.
"I wouldn't know."
"Oh? Even you don't know?"
"Your Highness's Dragon Eye might reveal something... but to my senses, there's almost nothing detectable."
"Hmm."
At the man's words, the crown prince thought of Han Yuseong.
Dragon Eye.
The eyes granted only to those chosen in the imperial palace.
With the gift of spatial manipulation and his innate talent, the crown prince was the most likely candidate for the next emperor.
The Dragon Eye allowed its user to perceive many things, and his proficiency in handling gifts placed him among the top emperors in history.
Yet even with those eyes, that man wasn't clearly visible.
'No, I can see him.'
He could see the immense vessel he possessed.
And the contents filling that vessel were truly terrifying in scope.
But even so, something about him remained elusive.
Just when he thought he had him figured out, the man would suddenly surge forward in growth.
And when he tried to reassess...
He'd grown even more.
The Cradle had such properties, but he'd never seen growth this unchecked before.
Normally, progress should slow to a crawl.
But not for him.
'What the hell did he pick up?'
A man who could only let out a hollow laugh.
The crown prince leaned back leisurely in his chair and pondered quietly.
'I want him.'
He wanted to make him one of his own.
There were countless people desperate to become his.
The mightiest empire on the western continent.
Innumerable souls yearned to be the hands or feet of the crown prince, preordained as its emperor.
But he needed more like that man—far more urgently.
The title of crown prince meant little; the race to emperorship was still distant.
'The emperor doesn't die.'
In a world of martial arts and magic.
The previous emperor had been obsessively fixated on longevity.
He lacked gift talent.
But his exceptional martial prowess and magic had secured him the throne.
The longest-reigning emperor.
And the greatest one, too.
Thus, becoming emperor required an exceedingly long pursuit.
His influence remained undiminished, commanding the loyalty of countless dukes.
It was a marathon.
No shortsighted approaches allowed.
Which was why he desperately needed capable people.
Their youth would even be an advantage.
Tap tap.
The crown prince drummed his fingers on the armrest.
With his overwhelming performance, he'd left the biggest mark at this tournament.
The Genius Slayer, the Golden Witch Ermé wielding Sun and Moon martial arts, Cheongyurang who awakened Fenrir's blood... all had dominated spectacularly.
Everyone was buzzing that this hero tournament was unprecedented.
But those with eyes knew.
The true standout was Han Yuseong, selected as the Thief Hero.
'He made it possible to kill one of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings?'
The Magic Tower's lord, the emperor's hidden sword, and even Volkan—all confirmed it, so it must be true.
Which made it a headache.
His rivals knew it too.
"This'll cost a fortune."
He sighed, but a strange smile played on his lips.
*
The way home wasn't easy.
The reason was simple.
"Since I accommodated you, I'm borrowing this for a bit."
[Unfair. This device's owner...]
"How about 1kg of retinal alloy?"
[Unfair. This device requires 3kg per week.]
"You little—! Do you know how expensive that metal is?!"
[So, is it impossible?]
"...Fine, who the hell did you take after? Tsk tsk."
This, because he'd loaned it from Volkan.
'Well, that's not a big issue.'
I gazed at the meteorite in my hand.
A bizarre stone that seemed to embody the universe itself, with silver specks and stars appearing to shift within.
Starlight Stone.
Personally, retinal alloy had been my favorite metal.
But they said Starlight Stone was on another level entirely.
The holy sword and holy bow's excitement said it all.
'The problem is, I have to synthesize it with the Thunder Dragon Sword.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -I don't recommend that. -The girl agrees. The holy sword and holy bow opposed it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -The Thunder Dragon Sword is decent, but Starlight Stone is far rarer. -To put it bluntly, why use a copper sword when you could forge an iron one? 'Synthesizing with the holy sword feels off too.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -I'd suggest finding a material similar to Starlight Stone and synthesizing with that. -...My lady, I have a question. 'Speak casually.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Hee hee... I appreciate your consideration, master, but this suits me better. May I ask anyway? 'Sure.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -What is synthesis? -Hee hee, you wouldn't know. It's one of Yuseong's gifts. The ability to combine various items or gifts. -Such a gift exists...? The holy bow asked in a bewildered tone.
Was it that unusual?
Well, if it weren't that special, my gaming-obsessed friend wouldn't have recommended it.
Anyway, time passed like that.
"Hee hee, we're finally home."
Cheongyurang said, her tail swishing.
In other words, we'd arrived at the Cradle.
The first thing upon arriving was to check the house.
My place was in a safe area, but after being away so long, I went straight there just in case.
'I did apply for security systems.'
One gold coin a month—not cheap, but affordable.
Especially with all the valuables inside.
Thankfully, everything was fine.
Even cleaned spotless.
'I was thinking of making Cheongju Unit 2, but this might be good enough.'
Buying retinal alloy required not just money, but supply too.
Rushing it could cause issues.
'It's ridiculously expensive.'
Cheongju was incredibly convenient, and plenty of people would buy it regardless of price.
Still, ten platinum coins per kg? Insane.
Not incomprehensible given the performance, but still.
I flopped onto the sofa with a deep sigh.
Maybe because it had been so long since I was home, it felt unusually comfortable.
*
The next morning.
I headed to the guild building for the first time in ages.
A lively commotion echoed from inside.
Something going on?
"This humble servant believes they're preparing for the Labyrinth in earnest."
Cheongyurang said; she'd stayed in the guest room last night.
Labyrinth prep, huh.
Yeah, Volkan had mentioned it.
By the time I got back, we'd be able to enter.
'Guild master and all—maybe take the kids for a spin after so long.'
On the safer side, of course.
Up to around the 10th floor should be fine.
With that in mind, I entered.
"Sorry, but the Labyrinth is still too dangerous. On hold until Yuseong returns."
"Agreed."
Glasses pushed up his spectacles sharply, persuading the others.
Teresa nodded blankly.
"But our funds... Clan leader!"
Rozenta, looking surprisingly sober—first time in forever.
Something serious?
The alcoholic Rozenta not drinking?
As I stared at her in shock, everyone whipped around to me.
"Yuseong, you're finally here!"
"Congratulations. Heard you became a hero this time?"
Glasses beamed happily, and Lucia smiled softly.
News spread here already?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -We do have communication tools. It's probably everywhere by now. -Especially since humans took an unusual number of hero slots. Not as impressive as my master's, though. -You mean looks or skill? -Oh my, my master excels in both civil and martial arts. -Meaning he needs both at once. The holy sword's words left the holy bow silent.
I sighed inwardly and smiled at Glasses.
"What were you all talking about so seriously?"
"About the Labyrinth."
"Labyrinth?"
"Yeah. The guild master unusually closed it off and ordered us to hunt elsewhere temporarily."
"...What?"
Not resolved, then?
And relocating meant it could drag on.
"So we were debating."
"Living expenses aren't an issue with the clan funds, but it's literally the bare minimum for survival..."
Rozenta trailed off.
True, I'd deposited it strictly for basics.
'...Had to for employee welfare.'
The response was great, so no regrets.
It even kept the clan members sticking around.
'So, where to?'
I pondered.
The test tube guy mentioned Eternal Flame, a divine dwarf site.
Not a bad choice.
'But deciding on that feels...'
That distance? I could dash midway anyway.
Asking Ermé would be easy.
'...Just wait for Ermé?'
No way I'd get better intel than from a regressor.
So, make antidotes here and tend to staff welfare.
'They've worked hard on clan stuff— a month off won't hurt.'
Absolutely not because I want a break.
*
The day I decided to leave everything to Ermé.
I was having a bizarre experience.
'...Feels familiar somehow.'
When was the last time?
Like a twisted dream.
When I met the demon that crushed the Cradle.
And the beast Myeolgwang possessing Soyeon's form.
Similar vibe.
One more issue.
'...Not ominous this time.'
More like an odd coziness.
As I felt that, a shape entered my vision.
Utterly black.
Humanoid form.
Indistinct gender.
It felt like it was staring at me intently.
Then.
Tap.
It reached out.
Its finger touched my forehead.
I woke from the dream.
'What kind of dream was that?'
As I nearly laughed in disbelief.
⚔ SKILL ACQUIRED ⚔ [Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon (S+)] ......What?
Me?