Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
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I sat on the sofa, staring into my smartphone.
A decent amount of points had piled up. Today, I planned to spend these saved-up points.
'First up, Yeongcheon Style.'
One hundred twenty points. I hesitated a little.
If I had no idea about Yeongcheon Style's advanced techniques, Lightning Flash and Dark Shadow, I might not have bothered leveling it up.
'Yuria reached Aura Expert and keeps growing... while I'm stuck here.'
I had zero talent for mana. I was what they called mana-insensitive in the 'Hundred Returns' world. No matter how much I practiced mana breathing techniques, I couldn't accumulate mana in my body. I desperately needed a Mana Awakening Potion.
'But to buy a Mana Awakening Potion, I'm short on cash by a mile.'
The Mana Awakening Potions sold at the Magic Tower cost around 40 billion ner. Even most nobles couldn't throw that around lightly.
'Borrowing from the Fructus family isn't an option either.'
Forty billion ner wasn't pocket change for the Fructus family. They could spend it if they wanted, but the issue was my talent. I didn't have enough swordsmanship talent to warrant their investment.
I was currently known as an inventing genius in the estate, but the Fructus family was ultimately a martial house. Their foundation was swordsmanship.
'That said, I can't reveal my true skills.'
Yeongcheon Style was an assassination sword art. The Fructus family wouldn't approve. Plus, I couldn't even use mana, let alone store it, so showing off was pointless anyway.
Revealing my skills would also tip them off that my body was perfectly healthy.
'And losing the "frail noble" title would suck too.'
Having heart disease came with perks. For example, I could skip formal events like social parties by claiming poor health.
'Sigh. If only I had talent in magic.'
Forget mana—I had no aptitude for magic at all. I'd tried learning from Hasent and Yuria, but I couldn't even grasp what they were saying. It was too far removed from the modern common sense I'd grown up with, a completely alien concept. Modern science felt easier than magic.
'I shouldn't obsess over mana. My real foundation isn't mana—it's the Playful Life app.'
I leveled up Yeongcheon Style.
The moment it hit Lv.7, a chunk of knowledge I'd never known before etched itself into my mind. I closed my eyes and absorbed it as best I could.
Yeongcheon Qigong (Shadow Heaven Qigong).
It was a way to handle mana suited to Yeongcheon Style.
It was similar to the mana breathing methods in the 'Hundred Returns' world. You could accumulate mana through breathing.
I gave a wry smile.
'...What's the point of knowledge if I can't even feel mana? Like Se-young noona said, without sensing mana, it's useless.'
I'd half-expected this, so it wasn't a huge shock. Just mildly irritating.
Fifty-three points left. After some thought, I decided to boost my stats a bit.
The rest goes to Random Gacha.
"Life's all about that one big hit."
Life really is one big gamble.
Ever since awakening the Playful Life app, my entire life had changed. Without it, I'd probably still be at home jerking off.
'Maybe a Mana Awakening Potion will pop out of Random Gacha.'
I hit Random Gacha seventeen times in a row with gusto.
And then, the jackpot of all jackpots exploded.
Elixir Restores all wounds and cures all status ailments. Even congenital disabilities and diseases are fully healed. Price: 15,000 points
※ Note: The elixir in the bottle is the exact dose. Consume it all at once for full effect.
Fountain of Youth Drinking it makes you 5 years younger. Price: 1,000 points
※ Note: No effect on children 8 years old or younger.
"Yee hawwwwww!"
I let out a victory yell and bounced around the room in joy. The rest were duds, but the Fountain of Youth? That was the real jackpot. Gathering 1,000 points with enough time was no big deal.
It makes you five years younger per sip. And at just 1,000 points, it's a steal.
In other words, lifespan ceases to mean anything to me. Assuming I stay home safe and sound, I could live a thousand—no, ten thousand years.
"Eternal youth! Fuck yeah! I'm Elf Sung Yu-jin now! Kuhahaha!"
Gifting it to my parents would be the ultimate filial piety. Selling it to others? I'd be a billionaire overnight. Of course, that's just fantasy for now. I'd stash it deep in the house for the time being.
"The Elixir's insane too."
Despite my words, my face was expressionless.
The Elixir was incredible. It could heal congenital diseases and disabilities.
But I had Complete Recovery. It only worked on me, but I could spam it every twelve hours.
"Well, the Elixir has its own perks. I can use it on others."
Who knows if I'd ever need to.
Next, the Fate Level Up Ticket.
Honestly, it was kinda meh. I still didn't fully grasp what Fate Levels did.
'What I do know is that higher Fate Levels make the other person value me more deeply.'
Similar to affinity, but different.
Take Yuria and Hasent as examples.
Hasent's Fate Level is 5.
That day he swore loyalty to me, it jumped from 1 to 5 in one go.
I thought Fate Levels rose gradually, but no. They can spike if certain conditions are met.
Currently, Yuria and my Fate Level is 8. We hit it after sex recently.
'The crazy part? It was 6 before we did it.'
Yuria started at 2 from our first meeting. My business proposal meant something. Then, through training her, it reached 6. Nothing special there—I put more effort into her than into Choi Sun-mi.
'Jumping straight from 6 to 8 means that sex was super special for her.'
My body shivered. Realization hit.
Maybe it was because I'd trained her without penetration all that time.
'Of course...! Training can skyrocket Fate Levels!'
Anyway, holding off on the Fate Level Up Ticket. Best to use it at Level 9 since it's capped below 10.
'But higher Fate Levels are good, right?'
Aside from points on level-up, I couldn't feel tangible benefits, so I wasn't sure.
???
Hasent arrived at a rural village far from Pterus Territory, the heart of Fructus lands. The sun had set, replaced by a full moon in the sky.
Hasent perched on a tree, quietly observing the village. It was silent. With nightfall, most villagers had retired to bed. Unlike cities, few shops stayed open late.
'Young Master Eugene said the only butcher in the village.'
Hasent moved. Dark shadows writhed under his boots. Sound-dampening magic. Even stepping on fallen leaves made no noise.
He slipped through the village, staying hidden.
'...Found it. Thick stench of blood here.'
A rundown shack on the village outskirts. Hasent circled it, then slipped inside through a window.
He grimaced immediately.
Not just blood—the place reeked of rot. The interior was a mess. Filthy clothes and rags hung haphazardly on walls; blood-soaked butchering tools littered the table.
'Filthy bastard. Living up to his true nature.'
He wouldn't trust this butcher even for his own kills.
Hasent extended a hand toward the floor's shadow. It rippled, and a longsword slithered up from it.
He moved toward even breathing sounds.
A man sprawled on the bed. Blankets tangled, limbs dangling off.
Odd sight.
Early winter. Even with a roaring fire, it'd be chilly—yet this guy slept under a thin blanket without a shiver. As if it annoyed him.
'Filthy demon scum!'
The sword swung silently. Black aura cloaked the blade.
The man rolled aside, dodging, and leaped up.
"Assassin? Who sent you?"
His body jiggled and morphed. Whites of eyes turned black, pupils blood-red. Skin ashen, two horns sprouted from his forehead.
"Demon. You've hidden well."
"Not surprised to see a demon?"
His voice rasped—inhuman.
"You knew and came anyway! How?! The Church?!"
"No need to know. Die quietly, filth."
"Pathetic worm."
The demon charged. Claws extended twenty centimeters.
The bed splintered against him mid-leap. Brutish, yet fast.
'Those claws... probably poisoned.'
Low-grade demon. Mid Aura Expert level or higher. No room for carelessness.
"Hup!"
Hasent inhaled deeply and slashed. Severed the demon's shoulder. But the charge didn't stop.
"I'll cut off your limbs and take my time finding out!"
As it closed in, the floor shadow surged like a wall, batting the demon away. It crashed through the wooden wall, tumbling in the dirt. It sprang up, blood trickling from its mouth.
"N-Not some nobody!"
The demon's eyes darted as it backed away, seeking escape.
"Where to?"
Thwack! The sword flew, piercing its calf and pinning it down.
"Argh! You human bastard!"
The demon screamed, yanking out the blade. Hasent was already there. Its mouth split wide.
"Kekekeke. Fool. The moment you got close, you're dead!"
Its maw gaped, spewing green poison mist. Hasent slashed without hesitation. A shadow blade from his hand severed its neck.
The body crumpled. But poison mist poured from the stump with the blood.
"Kekekeke. Twenty years down the drain... but killing a strong human like you? Satisfying!"
Headless, yet it spoke.
Hasent crossed his arms, staring coldly.
"W-What? Why are you fine?!"
"Poison like this is everywhere in this world."
He knew magic and swordsmanship, but his trade was assassination. Building poison resistance was basic.
"Eeeeek!"
The demon gnashed its teeth in rage, then went still, truly dead.
"Hm. He said make sure to retrieve the demon's corpse."