Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Failed Creations
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"...It's over."
As the final mist creature exploded and vanished, Woojin leaned against the wall, exhaustion etched into his features.
Kelduan's stomach wall undulated like a sofa, cradling his body comfortably.
'After taking down that many, just one level... Leveling up sure gets tougher as you go.'
He wondered if things would improve once he reached the Labyrinth Tower, but there were mountains of tasks to handle first.
'I want to head to Kaisha's Tomb soon... but without info, that's tough right now. Gotta stop by Fenril's Nest before leaving, no question.'
"Urgh."
Confirming just over a minute left, Woojin pushed himself up.
"No matter how you slice it... gotta get out of here first."
It was finally the last wave.
[Kraaawrk.]
That was when it happened.
Spluuurt―――!!
The stomach walls Woojin leaned against split open, spewing forth unidentified green liquids.
As the pooled water and liquids touched the floor, white steam like vapor rose up.
Sizzle...!!
The remaining debris melted away in an instant.
Woojin hurriedly pinched his nose and scanned the surroundings.
Gurgle...!!
From the split stomach wall, things other than digestive fluid began surging out.
"Those are..."
Woojin grimaced at the objects tumbling to the floor from the ruptured wall.
Those were likely the reason Kelduan was corrupted.
[Gruk.]
They were none other than the human golems he'd seen in the alchemists' building.
Three human golems in total.
And the number of human heads attached to their bodies numbered dozens.
[Save me...]
[Mommy...]
The heads embedded in the golems' bodies, drenched in green digestive fluid, mouthed words with gaping mouths.
"Failed creations... That's too much."
Woojin bit his lip, anger surging unbidden at the sight.
But reality was far from kind.
That was the level floating above the lead human golem's head.
The other two were Lv.80 and Lv.83.
Up until now, the monsters had topped out around Lv.60.
No matter how he looked at it, the difficulty didn't match.
"They made this to be cleared?"
Maybe Kelduan's waves truly ended at the ninth.
Kelduan wasn't in a normal state—it was corrupted.
Mutated by the corpses and monsters the alchemists dumped into the lake.
And this wave might be an extra one added as a result.
"...Damn it."
His head spun from the acrid smoke born of the digestive fluids.
Woojin shook his head and gripped his sword.
Could he win?
[Kuuuwaaaaa―――!!!]
The golems charged at Woojin.
Shaking off his thoughts, he swung his sword at them.
-What do we do...! What are we gonna do!! Give me back Luen!! Right now!!!
Setsuna circled Naiad, her face streaked with tears as she screamed.
-How can I believe that!! You let Master get eaten by a turtle without a word! You made Luen disappear!! You liar!!
Naiad gave a faint smile toward the screaming girl, as if watching a child.
-H-Huh?
-W-What are you talking about!!
Naiad extended a finger toward her chest.
Woooom...!!
A soft light began emanating from Setsuna's dress.
-H-How did you...
-Eh...? But this isn't even a village...
Setsuna stared in shock at the dimensional gate appearing before her, then looked back at Naiad.
At that moment, the Fairy Queen's figure appeared within the dimensional gate.
Setsuna quickly stepped back and bowed deeply in greeting.
-Naiad. You've played a mischievous trick. Luen is an elf more than qualified to contract with a spirit.
-Still the same as ever.
The Fairy Queen puffed her cheeks slightly at the words, showing her discomfort.
Naiad paid no mind to her expression.
-Understood.
The Fairy Queen turned as if there was no more to discuss.
-...You're not mad, right?
Setsuna, having overheard, asked the Fairy Queen with worry.
-Of course not. And don't worry too much. Naiad may seem gruff, but she's a kind spirit.
-Her...?
-She lent the power of your dress to open the gate to the Fairy Forest. Calling me here means she wants me to help you two.
Setsuna glanced at Naiad upon hearing the queen's words.
Arms crossed and head turned away, yet somehow intensely tuned into their conversation.
-You've contracted with Master, and you were also born through Ulldin's blood.
Setsuna nodded at the queen's words.
-Don't forget you're the only one connected to both of them. Surely, you can give them strength.
-I-Impossible! With my abilities, there's nothing I can do!
-What are your abilities?
-...Huh?
Setsuna looked at Naiad.
-You're still young. A time to learn and grow. You must have the power of learning.
The queen gently stroked Setsuna's cheek.
-Ancient Wisdom...
The power to absorb memories from old or high-grade objects.
-But here... there's nothing like that?
-Why think there's nothing when the oldest being in this world is right there?
-Uh...
-Everything she wears was made at the dawn of time.
The queen gazed at Naiad.
For some reason, her back seemed to tremble faintly.
Thud―――!!!!
Woojin's waist buckled.
"...Gah!!!"
He hit the floor with a scream torn from his throat.
[Kuoooo―――!!!]
The golem reared its head like a gorilla and roared, then slammed down its massive hammer-like fist with all its might.
Bam―!! Bam―!! Boom――!!!
Each time the two golems' fists hammered from above and below, Woojin's body jolted limply beneath them.
His body began to blur faintly.
Kabooom―――!!!
Just before he vanished completely, the golem smashed the spot where he'd been.
"...Guh!"
Woojin's body reappeared and was flung upward.
[Hungry... pa...]
[Waaah... waaah...!!]
[Tasty... gonna... eat...]
The heads on the golem's body muttered disjointedly, making Woojin's head feel like it would split.
"Urgh... uuek...!!"
Staggering to his feet, he retched up blood-mixed vomit.
[I wanna go home...]
[Give... it back...]
[Where... am I... They've locked me up...]
[No...! No...!!! Mommy...!!!]
"Ah."
Woojin stared blankly at the golems with unfocused eyes.
'...That's cheating.'
Home.
A word that might mean little to ordinary folk, but the instant he heard it, Woojin's strength drained away.
The black dragon would've been better.
At least it hadn't rattled his mind like this.
The golems were lower level than the black dragon, but their maddening screams and wails were driving him insane.
With even the Valor trait that had barely held him together gone, his mind crumbled utterly.
[Kuuuwaaaaa―――!!!!]
Two human golems remained.
Seeing his state, they cackled as if claiming victory.
On the brink of death, his physical abilities rose, but his shattered will left his fighting spirit in the dust.
Whooosh―――!!!
The golem's fist targeted him once more, sending his body flying from the impact.
Kekeke...!
Keekeeekeke...!!
"Shut... up!!"
Dragon Heaven 2 Gates - Strike
Tap.
Woojin's sword halted.
The golem had blocked his arm before the skill could activate.
Craunch―――!!!
The golem bit into Woojin's shoulder.
"Gaaah...!!!"
He screamed and pounded the golem's back, but it only clamped down harder.
Crunch...!!
Like a beast tearing prey, the golem ripped flesh from Woojin, exposing his shoulder bone raw.
His vision turned red.
His exhausted body and wavering mind could no longer lift the sword.
Vroooom―――!!!
The golem's fist flew toward him.
"Damn..."
He wanted to dodge, but his body wouldn't move.
Woojin squeezed his eyes shut.
That was when it happened.
"...!!!"
Swooooosh――――!!!!!
In that instant, a flying arrow embedded itself in the golem's head.
[Kuaaaa―――!!!]
"Master...!!!"
Was he hallucinating?
It looked like Luen.
"Snap out of it!!"
Feeling Luen shake him, Woojin finally realized it wasn't a hallucination.
"...How?"
His face full of bewilderment.
Behind her, Setsuna was visible.