Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Soul Veil Plunder
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Clan.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Rishiel spoke as if my thoughts were utterly ridiculous.
"You've absorbed the souls those guys possessed, haven't you? That's reward enough in itself."
'Reward in itself?'
"In cases like those guys, you might call it a 'large vessel.' Hunting monsters in the Labyrinth is akin to devouring their souls."
'......Devouring souls?'
I recoiled in horror.
Me, consuming scum like that?
"That's not what I mean. Well, in a way it is, but it's far different from what you're imagining."
'I see.'
"Anyway, since you've beaten down such a beast, your own vessel will expand even further with this level-up."
'......So that's what you mean by reward in itself.'
"Exactly. And right on cue, a level-up."
Not just me—level-ups were happening all around.
I slowly closed my eyes.
A system window popped up in my mind.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Acquired Gift: Fighting Spirit Enhancement (A).] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Gift: Synthesis (B) proposes synthesis of Fatal Constitution (A) and Fighting Spirit Enhancement (A).] [Proceed with synthesis?] ......What the hell is this?
I narrowed my eyes at the blue window.
Understanding it was simple enough.
Synthesis meant combining the new gift with Fatal Constitution.
'......It's gotta be good, right?'
It came automatically, so there must be some synergy.
I went ahead and tried the synthesis.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Battle Aura (S) has been completed.] The effects from Rogue Mastery and Plunder kicked in immediately.
An energy different from mana surged through my body.
"Ugh......!"
In an instant, everyone around me backed away, staring at me.
'......An enhanced version of fighting spirit, huh.'
Unlike before, the fighting spirit moved as easily as my own body.
It felt like a new organ had formed, but it wasn't burdensome.
"Guhk......!"
"Kugh......!"
"W-Where's this killing intent coming from?! There's something stronger hiding?!"
Chaos erupted all around.
A few orcs, weakened from battle, fainted outright.
The other party members looked on the verge of passing out too.
'First things first.'
I reined in the power.
This force was too wild.
Like an untamed beast, snarling viciously in all directions.
"Ch-Friend?"
"Don't worry, it's dead."
"Good."
Volkan looked like he wanted to ask something but held back.
"Still, you'd best handle that power with care. That level of fighting spirit...... In my younger days, I'd only ever seen it from one orc hero."
Volkan left me with those words.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We were debating what to do after taking down the boss.
"For now, I recommend heading up."
Volkan, who'd fought at the forefront, spoke first.
"This whole incident is blatantly suspicious. We have too little info on these things."
"Too little info?"
"Even if I'm from the orc race—the dimmest of the five races—at my position, information flows in naturally. But on these guys? Nothing."
-......I hate to admit it, but that orc's right. I have no info on them either.
Rishiel having none was surprising.
Seeing Volkan so troubled confirmed they truly knew nothing.
In that case.
'The one here who might know this stuff.'
I stared steadily at Ermé.
Ermé stared right back at me. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, like How the hell did you take that thing down?
'No, is that even possible?'
Normally, it shouldn't be, right?
Ermé probably had some method, but I wasn't sure.
"Greybone Horses. And the Dark Knight we just took down, presumably. Their common thread? Both are tied to souls."
"Souls? Why bring that up out of nowhere......"
Volkan trailed off, eyes widening.
"No way...... You don't mean those existences I think you do?"
"Probably? Sounds weird to say it, but they're unique to this place."
"......How do you know that? No, never mind. I'll keep quiet on this. Thanks for the intel."
"Quick on the uptake, huh?"
"......Your friend's female is one dangerous creature."
"Hey, stop calling her 'female' this and 'female' that—what's that even mean......"
Crackle.
I ignored their banter and focused on my new gift, Battle Aura.
⚔ GIFT ⚔ Battle Aura (S) 💫 Gift allowing extreme control over fighting spirit and mana. ◇ Fighting spirit & mana control bonus. ◇ Fighting spirit & mana maximization bonus. ◇ Detect opponent's weakness in battle. ◇ Mana, mental, sensory bonuses. ◇ Absolute intimidation vs. weaker foes. ◇ Intimidation vs. stronger foes. ◇ Favorability bonus (opp. sex with dangerous tastes only). "......"
Unlike Plunder and Rogue Mastery, which had single-line descriptions, this one had a whopping seven effects.
The massive fighting spirit I'd unleashed earlier was because it had spiked so suddenly I couldn't control it.
I kept reading the description.
Plenty here would be hard to test on the spot. Like intimidation bonuses against weaker foes.
'......But what's this last one?'
Favorability bonus? And only for opposite sex with "dangerous tastes"?
'Our party's fine, though......'
No one like that, so no issue.
"Yuseong, you look kinda dangerous."
"Hic, heuk, hick......"
Ermé licked her lips while eyeing me.
Rozenta made weird noises.
"......"
Is this really okay?
For real?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Our party parted ways with Volkan's.
"This matter...... might be more dangerous than it seems. Friend, no disrespect to your skills, but the Labyrinth is treacherous."
"Noted."
We descended to the 5th floor.
Without that Dark Knight who'd eaten the gray lizard, it wasn't much trouble.
But Megane, Teresa, and Rozenta were exhausted, so we decided to rest here for the day.
I went out to scout the surroundings, just in case.
'......?'
Outside on recon, I sensed something off.
Something...... unnatural was here.
It was subtle.
Or rather than subtle.
'Magic?'
-You okay?
Rishiel eyed me curiously.
-What's up?
'Something's over there.'
-Something there? From what I see......
Rishiel narrowed her eyes at the spot I pointed to.
But she looked back at me, clueless.
'......Even Rishiel can't see it.'
I scanned it with Plunder.
Plunder.
The gift that could steal anything.
Other gifts were great, but this was my core ability.
And when I activated Plunder.
'I can see what I can steal.'
Looking for plunderables, I spotted them.
'Bags, swords, spears, staves, and [Soul Veil]?'
That veil looked ominous.
Rogue Mastery was telling me: that's the most valuable thing here.
-Hey?
I focused.
My head throbbed like it might split.
Hot liquid trickled down from my nose.
'This is......'
I felt it: this was on another level from anything I'd stolen before.
And as I reached out, something latched onto my hand.
Flash!
Crash! Clatter!
In my hand was the veil-like thing, and inside it, countless bags and weapons.
"......"
Staring at the scene, I thought.
'......Gotta take it back.'
They only gave EXP?
With rewards this generous?
'Won't forget you, Dark Knight.'
You were better than the Greybone Horse.
No, even the Greybone gave me 500 platinum coins.
'......Are these guys actually good?'
Your sacrifices won't be forgotten.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Plans changed. We decided to head up quickly.
"Jackpot, jackpot, jackpot! So many items! Of course, since Yuseong found it, it's yours, but......"
"Some of these we can buy rights to, right?"
"......I'll share some."
"Really? Yuseong, we're thrilled, but you can't survive this harsh world being that nice!"
Ermé fretted over me.
Though her eyes were full of hearts for it.
'Give a little more, and she'll fall head over heels, damn it.'
The others were stunned but pleased with the shares.
This was the right call.
'We took down the Dark Knight ourselves.'
And another thing.
'No way I could carry this alone.'
Too much luggage. The whole party needed backpacks, stuffed to the brim.
'Even used one Hidden Space slot.'
Not counting Rishiel's Soul and Lucia's Obsession taking up space.
Thus, we exited.
Exiting was easy.
'......'
-Kieek! Kieeeek!
3rd floor Arachne.
They fled in panic at the sight of me.
-Kreeeek! Kieeeeeek!
2nd floor Hobgoblins.
They shoved each other trying to escape upon seeing me.
"......Yuseong, is your new gift some kind of fear inducement?"
"......Not exactly."
Absolute intimidation against weaker foes.
Way more terrifying than expected.
'In other words.'
I thought, watching party members lugging bags as they ran.
'This party's now.'
A mismatch for me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Outside, fresh air—not the Labyrinth's stale stench—greeted us.
No sign of Volkan around.
But what I saw.
'Sylvana, Ragna?'
A pale-faced elf was visible.
Why was an elf here?
Before questions piled up, Volkan elder appeared before me.
"What're you? Leveled up recently?"
"Yes."
"First, tone down that fighting spirit. Everyone else is freaking out."
"......?"
I was controlling it already—what was he talking about?
'Oh, maybe this.'
Like the first time I'd toggled off Fatal Constitution, I tried turning off Battle Aura's passive.
Then.
"......Hahk, hahk!"
"Whoa, insane. Thought a floor boss was glaring at me!"
Sighs of relief all around.
"......"
Probably that elf Sylvana at first.
Didn't check surroundings properly.
"More importantly, what's with the luggage?"
"Loot from the floor boss."
"What, does a floor boss hand out this much? With you, probably fought right in front of it."
Volkan elder clicked his tongue.
'No, I'm not some disaster magnet.'
Does he think chaos follows me everywhere?
I glared incredulously, and he chuckled.
"Get inside already. Got stuff to give you."
"Stuff?"
"......? Didn't hear? In the Cradle, from [Level 4] on, you're treated like proper folk."
"......"
Never heard that.
Flustered, I glanced at the party—they were too.
"Yuseong, I knew you were naive about the world's dark side, but......"
"From Level 4, kingdoms treat you like nobility, and the Empire grants semi-noble knight status."
Such a thing existed?
"Surprised you didn't know? Nah, forget it. You've only been here a month plus."
Volkan elder eyed me like a monster.
No, this is seriously unfair.