Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Stake of the Undying
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“...What an overwhelming surge of magic. It feels like it's suffocating me.”
As the Dark Zone loomed closer, Alteon shuddered under the inexplicable pressure crushing down on him.
'I've never felt anything like this, even in the Labyrinth Tower.'
He was the number one priest ranker and had experienced up to the 7th floor of the Labyrinth Tower.
His skills could have taken him even higher, but as a member of the Papal Court, he specialized in field relief rather than dungeon combat.
“We should proceed with caution. It's filled with deathly energy, but it's still a proper divine incantation. Holy power alone can't fully purify it.”
Charles drew the Stake of the Undying and took a deep breath before speaking.
“Once the stake activates, we'll rescue that outsider first. Then, the knight order's holy power will weaken the Dark Zone, and the main force will advance.”
“Understood.”
Golden light flowed from the stake embedded in the ground, spreading along the Dark Zone's boundaries.
'As expected... one of the Papal Court's three great treasures.'
Even Cardinal Alteon had only ever seen it in its sealed vault.
Alteon couldn't help but marvel anew at the aura enveloping him, a faint golden aurora rising from his body.
Just before stepping into the Dark Zone...
A message arrived that almost sounded like her voice. It was from his older sister, Im Hee-jung.
'Talk about impeccable timing.'
-I had no choice. Papal Court orders...
Alteon frowned slightly as he replied.
-You have visions, right? I bought a few and sent them to you before.
Expensive paid items that could record footage.
Lisel—no, Im Hee-jung—had sent him quite a few in the past.
-Record everything no matter what. Use up every one you have if you need to.
“She always has a nose for a scoop.”
-What's the pay?
-Info on the uncharted Ice Archipelago our clan just claimed.
It was a tempting offer.
-Word is your order's looking for the four lost holy relics?
She truly knew everything, as expected from an info broker.
The ultimate quest for priests who followed the God of Light, Rasin, was to find the four lost holy relics.
One of them was the Crystal Holy Grail, and investigations pointed to the Ice Archipelago as its likely location.
-Come on, that's stingy. The grail's a job for holy knights anyway. Why would a priest like me go?
He probed her once more without accepting right away.
-If you're so curious, come film it yourself, sis.
-Deal, and I'll do dishes for a month.
-Laundry too?
-...Fine.
Satisfied, Alteon pulled a small orb from his inventory.
“Let's go.”
Charles nodded at his words and stepped into the Dark Zone.
-All footage belongs to me, got it?
He had no idea yet just how valuable the images captured within would be.
“Kraaaagh...!!!”
A scream erupted from Woojin in the darkness.
One arm had been severed at some point, the wound blackened, and the flesh of his right thigh was torn raggedly.
Zzt—.
Every time he put strength into his leg, it stung like an electric shock.
Both legs were ruined beyond even the title's effects.
“Huff— huff—.”
All he could hear was his exhausted breathing.
He didn't even have the strength left to hold his sword.
Bensina's voice echoed.
Woojin gave a wry smile at his words.
“Thanks for the praise... How about acknowledging me while you're at it?”
Bensina's eyes gleamed in the darkness.
That was the true reason he had come for Woojin.
“Heh... Why the rush? Were you really that scared I'd make some fresh-faced newcomer from the central continent kneel?”
Not the answer he expected, leaving Woojin bewildered by Bensina's bluntness.
“Damn... You just admit it like that? Leaves me speechless.”
Bensina spoke softly.
He wasn't wrong.
Higher floors never used NPC mercenaries in expeditions.
“So...? You planning to trap me here forever?”
“Heh, insane.”
Woojin laughed hollowly.
Then he gripped his sword in reverse.
“Then this should do it.”
But Bensina didn't flinch at his suicide attempt.
“...What?”
At that moment, space warped before Woojin, revealing people inside a hemispherical shield.
The face of the man straining with outstretched arms to maintain the spell was familiar.
“...Nisen?”
“Urgh!!”
His extended arms were blackened like they'd been dipped in ink.
The Dark Zone's malice was eating away at his body bit by bit.
“Snap out of it!! Don't fall asleep!!!”
Karlan's voice shouted toward someone behind him.
“...!!!”
It was Luen.
Her side was torn raggedly, just like Woojin's thigh wound, as she lay collapsed.
“You... fucking bastard...!! So the mighty dragon's been holding hostages all this time!!”
Woojin gnashed his teeth at the cunning black dragon's ploy and roared.
“Stop right now!!”
Whoosh...!!
Bensina spread his massive wings.
Crack...! Crackle...!!
Nisen's shield cracked like a net in an instant.
“Urgh...! N-No...!!!”
Woojin bit his lip watching Nisen's despairing face.
“I...”
Woojin hesitated, unable to answer.
Why was he even hesitating?
They were just NPCs.
Because Luen had exceptional talent?
Because she was a mercenary who followed his orders?
There were endless replacements for her.
Yet...
Why hesitate?
-She stayed up all night worrying about Master.
Setsuna's words flashed in his mind.
Even if it was just programmed behavior... she was the only one who worried when he vanished from the world.
-Master!!!!
...A hallucination?
Setsuna's voice seemed to echo from his memory.
Kaboom—!!!
That was when it happened.
Spheres of pure white light pierced the darkness, raining toward Bensina.
-Are you okay?!
Not a hallucination—it was real.
Woojin gazed at Setsuna appearing before him through hazy eyes.
“How...?”
-Lady Luen asked me to come to you. I'm the only one who can fly without entering the Dark Zone!
She circled Woojin as she spoke.
-I saw on the way. All the citizens have evacuated!
Shhh...!!
She poured the potion she carried over his head.
-Lady Karlan had it. She said she brought it when leaving her family.
-She said you'd need it, Master.
“Ah...”
His cheek twitched at her words.
In her own dire straits, she had passed her last potion to him.
Why?
He knew the reason without asking.
“I...”
Squeeze—.
He tightened his grip on the sword.
His answer was decided.
“Can't give up.”
The black dragon sighed lowly and spread his vast wings.
Roar...!!!!
Black magic erupted from Bensina's body.
[Eye of Concentration]
▶ Holds effects similar to Insight (Lv3) and shares read information with contractor.
Setsuna's eyes gleamed.
-Master!! Dodge right!!
She pierced the spell's trajectory and shouted at Woojin.
-Forward!!
At her cry, Woojin launched himself without hesitation.
Boom—! Boom—!! Kaboom—!!!
Bensina's magic narrowly grazed Woojin and missed.
Setsuna's body shone brightly in the dark, guiding him.
-I'll find the path!! Follow me!!!
Vrooom—!!!
Woojin dodged Bensina's attack and burrowed into his embrace following Setsuna.
Shhh...!!
As Bensina swung his tail at Woojin, he slipped between the dragon's legs and kept running.
Bensina, expecting an attack on his reverse scale, turned in confusion at Woojin sprinting away without looking back.
The black dragon took flight, instantly targeting Woojin's back.
“Setsuna. That true?”
-Uh, yes?
The black dragon opened his massive jaws to swallow Woojin.
In that instant, Woojin's body vanished several meters forward.
Crunch—!!!
The dragon's teeth clashed as he crashed to the ground after leaping.
“About all the citizens evacuating.”
-Ah! Yes!!
Woojin nodded at her confirmation.
“Then I can go all out now.”
Kaboom—!!!!
In that moment, a ferocious explosion erupted beneath the black dragon's foot. ```