Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Sisters
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Sisters.
"Ha, haha, long time no see, Yuseong."
Ermé quickly smoothed things over.
Her expression was one of utter bewilderment at what had just happened, but she seemed accustomed to situations like this. She rapidly composed her face.
The wicked smile had vanished, replaced by the Ermé I knew.
"……."
"……."
Sudden silence descended.
Ermé knew I'd seen something here.
And I'd confirmed the side of her she'd been hiding.
'But honestly, it doesn't bother me much.'
The atmosphere had spooked me into reacting without thinking.
But I'd never seen Ermé as some innocent type to begin with.
More importantly, she might get called a witch by others, but to me, she was a good person.
So.
To be frank, I didn't really think much of it anymore.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — …The dignity of a hero. The holy sword picked up on my feelings and said as much.
"Um, excuse me."
"Sorry, I startled you, huh?"
"Pardon? Yeah, for starters."
"You said you were practicing, but you made it all the way here."
"……You cleared all that? No, you're standing right here, so it must be true."
Ermé stared at me in disbelief.
Her face practically screamed that a mere level 4 thief couldn't have possibly done it.
'……It was a bit tight.'
Luck had been on my side a little.
But with [Thief's Extremity (S)], infiltration would be smoother from now on.
'Feels like I got a ton of EXP in stealth skills.'
Should be something to look forward to soon.
I thought that as I gazed at Ermé.
Her orange hair evoked the hues of twilight.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — This woman is a hero candidate… The holy sword began properly appraising her as it watched.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — I wonder what her status window looks like. ⚔ STATUS ⚔ Name: Ermé (Lv. 4) ⚡ Strength: 35 | 💨 Agility: 35 | 💪 Stamina: 35 ✨ Magic Power: 35 | 🛡️ Endurance: 35 | 🍀 Perception: 35 ◈ Gifts
— [Chosen One (?)], [Sword King (S+)], [Moonlight Sword (S)], [Flame King (S)] ◈ Skills
— [Moonlight (S)], [Phantom Flame (A+)] ◈ Techniques
— [Swordsmanship (Lv 30)] The information popped up in my head.
A status window similar to mine.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — What the hell is this woman? The holy sword flew into a rage after pulling up Ermé's status window.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — No talent, clearly… but she has something even I can't identify? The rank can't be measured? 'Is an unmeasurable rank such a big deal?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — …If it's a big deal, it is. If it's not, it's not. This world made by the gods is full of holes anyway. '……?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Simply put, she more than qualifies as a hero. She's overflowing with it. But this woman… she's stacked innate talent on top of acquired talent. How many fortuitous encounters has she scarfed down to end up like this? Could gifts and skills rise that high just from fortuitous encounters?
Whatever, that wasn't the point.
"Could you show me to my room, by any chance?"
"Sure, that's no big deal. But don't you have a house?"
"Oh."
Come to think of it, I did.
I'd even furnished it with alchemy equipment.
Which had cost me a ridiculous amount of platinum coins.
'……Starting to want a weapon upgrade soon.'
The blood-soaked sword wasn't bad.
But maybe from using it so roughly—I'd noticed its durability had worn down quite a bit.
'Worst case, I can use this guy.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Ha… to think I'd be treated like some backup option. 'We'll talk about that later. Home first.'
I gave Ermé an encouraging smile and left the clan house.
Absolutely not because I was scared of her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Suddenly, one thing came to mind.
'Fortuitous encounters can grant gifts postnatally.'
The holy sword had said that while looking at Ermé's status window.
If gifts could be acquired other ways.
'Kinda intriguing.'
……I'd only gotten them through the system, so I had no idea.
Or level-ups, that sort of thing.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Don't bother getting curious. That's a good path for the talentless, but not for you. 'Yeah?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — If that's what you've got from level-ups, you're a monster too. Among humans I've seen, you're the best after the First. 'The First?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — The First Hero, slayer of the original Demon King, Goddess's Sword. And ultimately, the true Godslayer who killed even gods. '……Doesn't sound like it fits with "hero" at the front.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Well, that guy's a lunatic among lunatics, an exception among exceptions. If anything, you're the closest, but even you can't compare to him. 'How much of a monster was he?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Before the Labyrinths appeared, people here considered level 3 the pinnacle of strength. Excluding heroes, that is. And that hero had already hit level 5 at age 10, before even wielding a holy sword. '…….'
Somehow.
This felt less like a human story and more like something out of mythology.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Exactly. He was ridiculously strong. He reached level 9 before turning 20, and before 30, he'd entered the realm of gods. To him, the Demon King was like kicking a roadside pebble. 'The Demon King?'
Learning about the strength of the one called the First Hero.
Made me curious about the Demon King too.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Over the past millennium, the Empire and kingdoms never mentioned the Demon King appearing. Volkan had said that when I'd asked about the Demon King.
Rishiel too.
They'd said there was no need to worry about such a being.
And Volkan had added something ominous.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — That doesn't mean the Demon King hasn't appeared in the last thousand years. It sounded really strange now that I thought about it.
The Demon King had appeared.
So why had the Empire, kingdoms, and other heterorace nations done nothing?
There was supposed to be tons of info in [Cradle].
But no one knew about it.
No related books either.
'If any exist.'
Just stuff about heroes subjugating the Demon King.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — …The Demon King isn't worth worrying about now. It's just a phenomenon. 'A phenomenon?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — The hero system was created by a pact between the First Hero and the Goddess of Light. I don't know exactly what they discussed, but the First wanted something, the Goddess agreed, and some 'phenomenon' resulted—which we end up calling the Demon King. The Demon King is a phenomenon?
Then do we really need to subjugate it?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Yes. It's humanity's evil coalesced into form. The Labyrinths are forcibly containing it for now, so it can't move freely. '……Why bring up the Labyrinths all of a sudden?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — What, you didn't know? '……………………No, I actually did know.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — Lousy liar. Anyway, two key points: Demon King is a phenomenon, and as long as the Labyrinths exist, it can't move much. 'Got it.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — The Eastern Continent might want to smash the Labyrinths instead. The holy sword chuckled mockingly.
Oh yeah, there was an Eastern Continent too.
'What's the Eastern Continent like?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — A world where the Labyrinths are liberated. No need to know more. A world where the Labyrinths are liberated? What the hell.
My head was starting to hurt for no reason.
'……Nah, just keep it simple.'
[Arcadia Alphie] from Japan.
I'm seeing this to the end and heading back to the real world.
I entered my house.
Not quite as grand as Cheongyurang's mansion, but close.
I flopped onto a nearby bed.
Might need to hire a maid or butler soon.
Or have clan members pay rent and live here—not a bad idea.
"……."
But when I see the end of this world.
And it's time to return to reality.
'I might not be able to choose.'
Probably.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The moment I opened my eyes, I got moving diligently.
Lots to do.
Head to the clan to ask about Labyrinth entry, get a new weapon.
'Weapon from the place Ermé recommended.'
Once you've got plans, time to move.
Early morning, but I was about to head out.
"……."
If not for the one waiting outside.
The moment I stepped out, a smiling woman greeted me.
Dressed as a nun.
Golden eyes infused with holy power. She seemed benevolent somehow.
'Got Veronica's face, alright.'
Veronica's twin.
Clara.
"……What brings you here?"
"I have a commission."
Clara smiled gracefully.
Her gaze on me was strange. Like she was resolute about something.
"Come inside first."
"I'll gladly accept your hospitality."
Unlike Veronica, she entered my home with elegant poise.
I eyed Clara.
No more pretending to tremble in fear.
Had she given up? Or tense about this commission?
In the reception room, I served her tea. A bit of a waste, but whatever.
"……What's the commission?"
"Haha."
She ignored me and sipped her tea.
Composing herself after coming all this way?
At that thought, Clara pulled a whiskey bottle from her bosom.
"……."
"Sorry, mind if I indulge a bit?"
Pop.
She uncorked the whiskey by hand and chugged it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — That's over 60 proof booze, and she's downing it? From someone here to commission you? 'This is why you don't hang around clergy.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ — No, at her level, even the church can't rein her in. The holy sword was dumbfounded.
She finished the whiskey.
"Urp."
She belched.
What a piece of work.
I couldn't help furrowing my brow, and Clara exhaled with a whoosh. A sweet, boozy scent wafted over.
"……What?"
"Sorry. What I have to say isn't something I can do stone-cold sober."
"……."
Clara closed her eyes briefly.
Moments later, she opened them with a resolute expression.
"I'll commission you. Kill my sister, Veronica."
"……."
She dropped a bombshell.