Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: A World Where the Labyrinth Tower Has Collapsed...?
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"A world where the Labyrinth Tower has collapsed...?"
Woojin echoed her words in a trembling voice.
"Yes. Isn't it amazing? It felt incredibly strange."
She recounted everything she had seen.
The final floor of the Labyrinth Tower floating freely, kingdoms crumbling in a world of ruin.
The landscape she had witnessed during her quests bore an uncanny resemblance to the other world Woojin had visited.
'No way... it can't be.'
Quests and events often triggered automatic cutscenes of past flashbacks or future hints—it was commonplace.
Games could easily feature all sorts of future glimpses.
"-How was Luen in the dream?"
"Hmm... well. She looked more mature? And she was battling monsters I'd never seen before. Elf troops were behind her..."
"-Heh...! Elf troops?! It's the Queen! The Queen!!"
Setsuna's words brought a delighted smile to her face, as if the mere image thrilled her.
"Yeah, she was incredible. Commanding hordes of spirits and firing spirit arrows!"
"-Wuaang...!!"
Unlike her sparkling eyes and bubbling excitement, Woojin's expression remained grim.
'You in the other world were firing spirit arrows nonstop too.'
And after drinking Camilla's blood to cure her demon blood affliction, contracting spirits would be a given...
'No. No. Don't draw connections where there aren't any.'
Woojin shook his head.
'It's just a game. Keep it simple. Nothing more than the Great Spirit's quest content.'
A future self appears, awakening new powers.
Just your run-of-the-mill event.
'...'
His mind could rationalize it, but the nagging doubt refused to fade.
"Seeing her made me think I could do it too. That's how I contracted an intermediate spirit."
The spirits he had glimpsed inside Kelduan's belly materialized the instant she finished speaking.
Spears tucked at their sides, they snapped salutes toward Woojin.
"Intermediate spirits... that's impressive."
"-^#$^ ($^#$%……!!"
One spirit began uttering incomprehensible words.
Woojin couldn't hide his surprise.
Lesser spirits merely obeyed commands, lacking true cognition.
Yet these clearly conveyed intent, even if their words remained alien.
"Now they say I can contract spirits of other attributes too."
"-!^&$% !$*$#!
"They want you to buy spirit contract scrolls quick?"
"......So it's just after my money."
Woojin chuckled at Setsuna's translation.
"But could you always understand spirit tongue?"
"-No. It's thanks to the Great Spirit's relic."
A golden tome materialized in Setsuna's hand, and the petal crown in her hair began to glow.
"-Absorbing memories from Naiad's relic unlocked this."
She tapped the ornament proudly.
'SS Rank... explains the instant level spike. Absorbing memories from something that broken.'
But reaching level 23 off an SS item meant future gains would be tough.
'Still... nine skills already mastered.'
Skill count alone rivaled a job-changed level 50.
Rank:BDescription: Replica of Naiad's Waterflower Crown. Despite being a copy, infused with Great Spirit power—unlocks partial Waterflower abilities.
"Recovery arts?"
"-Yeah. Nothing fancy. Minor wound treatment? Can't reattach limbs."
Woojin nodded.
Severed limb reattachment required mid-tier recovery at best.
'Still beats nothing.'
A party healer meant worlds of stability.
Woojin recalled the golem fights inside Kelduan and shook his head.
Potion depletion had been utter despair.
"You two pulled off something bigger than me."
Woojin addressed them both.
"We need a village anyway to regroup. Fingers crossed for spirit scrolls."
"Thank you."
The alert chimed mid-conversation with Luen.
'Pensir's all healed.'
Spot-on timing.
Woojin pulled a ring from his pocket.
'Right—nest still has unclaimed rewards.'
Time to tackle the backlog.
[Kuuuuwu――.]
Kelduan surfaced over the lake.
"Take care. No more swallowing people."
[Kuuuuwu―.]
The spirit beast nodded as if it understood perfectly.
Tong―.
Then it spat something from its mouth before Woojin.
A round egg.
"......What's this?"
Rank:SDescription: Egg of Azure 귀 Kelduan, a Primordial Spirit. Lays one egg every 200 years—extremely rare.
Mismatching the colossal turtle's bulk, the egg was merely handball-sized.
Not tiny by any means, yet astonishing that such a behemoth spirit emerged from it.
'100-year hatch time shocks more...'
Woojin eyed Kelduan, silently questioning the gift.
[Kuu―! Kuuuwu――!!]
"-Lake pollution lingers—dangerous for the child, it says."
Setsuna relayed via the cry.
Natural tongues covered divine beasts too.
Hell of an ability.
Woojin ruffled Setsuna's hair fondly.
[Kuuuuwuu―――.]
"-Move it to a good spot if you find one."
"Hmm."
▶ Certain methods can shorten the time.
The final line piqued his curiosity.
'Shorten the time, huh...'
"Alright. Good place found, egg gets left there. But if I hatch it sooner?"
[Kuuuuwuu――.]
"-Up to Master. Can't survive here even hatched—too frail."
"Understood."
Woojin nodded to Kelduan.
Inventory items weighed nothing, yet this living thing felt oddly heavy.
'Potions depleted just in time—freed space for the egg.'
Woojin checked his inventory.
The level 40 [Adventurer's Bag] from Baekhwagok had auto-ejected due to level restriction.
"Luen, bag out of commission for you too? Anything else leveled out?"
"No. Master's [Trinity Belt] good till 55... Bow's unlimited."
"Mind showing it?"
"Sure."
She handed over her bow.
Rank:CDescription: Mass-produced by artisan Sigmund for novices. Refined dozens of times—outshines most dungeon loot despite production origins. Best starter weapon, price notwithstanding.
Solid specs indeed.
Woojin's own C-rank [Raoul's Dragon Slayer Sword] clocked +150 attack—this was unthinkable for level 30 gear.
'Forums say Sigmund's opening mid-tier orders for level 50+ soon...'
Mass auction fodder aside, Central Continent arms were bespoke.
Prices? Astronomical.
Yet rankers lined up eagerly—cost be damned.
"Village run means full gear refresh for everyone. New bags too."
"Great."
"-Yes!!"
"Which village you thinking?"
"19th first—to link with the rest."
Labyrinth Tower's 19th village [Brown Cross] in Antarian Federation housed the [White Tavern] for Uldoa Union contacts.
"Esten Kingdom matters... alchemist checks, Weden keen on union meet."
Also revisit Aunt Leah's care and digs.
'No more nomad life... base would be ideal.'
No clan ambitions, but Central life hammered home the need for a haven.
'A haven...'
The notion stirred something wistful.
Survival scramble felt yesterday—now scouting homes. Surreal.
'Should be calm awhile.'
Kwaaaaaang―――――!!!!!
Then—searing blasts erupted around Woojin.
[Kuo ooo o―――!!]
Kelduan bellowed a scream-roar, diving lakeward.
Kwaang―――!!
Kwagagang―――――!!!!!
Back-to-back detonations turned the vicinity to an instant hellfire.
"Master......!!!!"
Luens cry pierced through.
She thrust a hand his way.
Kwagagagang――――!!!
But flames devoured her form amid the engulfing blaze.
"......Luen!!!!"
"Huk...... huk......"
Agony wracked him as Woojin awoke.
Crimson-black sky.
'......Huh?'
He bolted upright.
"No way?"
Head whipped around.
Charred forest, lake now fetid black sludge.
Kelduan's haven reeked vomit-inducingly.
The vista had...
changed.
"What in the world..."
Woojin caressed his frame.
Sensations rang real.
No VR telltale wrongness, no matter the fidelity.
"......Again?"
Third otherworld.
Woojin's features twisted.
What the hell happened?
War hit early?
Alchemists' doing?
Speculation swirled, but memory fixed on abrupt blasts...... and...
"......Luen."
Her flame-wreathed visage resurfaced.
Kwang―!!
He slammed a fist earthward in fury.
"Why now......!!"
Hurry back.
One slip, and she might perish.
"-Uu...... dizzy. Gonna hurl......"
Then—pocket twitched, voice emanated.
"-Master. Gut's churning. Sudden mess—what, war? Eugh......"
"......Se-Setsuna?"
Woojin froze in disbelief.
"How are you......"
Trembling gaze fixed on her.
This was otherworld.
Not the game.