Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Engraving (3)
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Two days had passed since the two burly men arrived.
Hoo slurp—
"Phew..."
The old woman sipped her warm tea and leaned back against the chair.
Meeting Southern warriors after so long and preparing to engrave the mark stirred fresh emotions in her.
Truth be told, she wondered if one of them was truly Southern, but that wasn't her concern.
Everyone had their own circumstances, after all.
She was no different.
'Maraki...'
It had been over a decade since she and her only son fled the South and settled here.
Her promising warrior son had made a name for himself as a mercenary and was steadily establishing himself in the city.
But one day, ten years ago.
He headed to the northern mountains as usual... and never returned.
She had stayed here alone ever since.
'I thought I'd just live out my days quietly here and die.'
Though lingering regrets kept her from leaving Tarak, she had lived long enough and had no more will to go on.
Living in a remote part of the city, she rarely encountered fellow Southerners...
"Granny! We're here!"
"Hahaha—! We brought meat to boost your energy, old timer! Eat up hearty and let's get to it!"
Rowdy noise came from outside.
The old woman chuckled and rose, heading to the door.
Though an unexpected bond with these young warriors, she didn't mind it.
...It reminded her of her son, whom she could no longer see.
"Meat's fine and dandy. But my teeth are weak; chewing's no fun."
She grumbled complaints, but a small smile played on her lips.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After a hearty meat feast, preparations for the engraving began.
They had chosen tender meat for her teeth, but she devoured more than expected.
'They say most Southerners are carnivores with huge appetites...'
Even at her age, Southern blood ran strong.
"Smack— Haven't had meat in ages; it's giving me some pep. Nice and tender, high-quality stuff. Heh heh heh..."
"Hahaha! Picked it special for today, just for you."
"Don't worry, lad. For that effort, I'll put my best into it."
Tools were prepared: needles from ground monster bones, mysterious liquids from ogre blood mixed with potions, and all sorts of eerie items.
"You lie down here... And you, furry one, better wait outside. You're distracting. If patients come, tell 'em half a day."
"No worries, granny. I'll send 'em packing nice."
The bearded man nodded reliably and headed out.
"Eh... That fella might just scare the neighbors off for no reason."
Tsking lightly, the old woman shook her head and turned to Harley lying on the workbench.
"Well, damn. What a massive body. This won't be easy."
Engravings required precise patterns in exact ratios on set spots.
Bigger body meant larger area, more materials, and harder work for the shaman.
Of course, greater size amplified effects, so warriors preferred bulkier builds.
"First time engraving a Great Warrior straight off without Warrior mark. Heh heh heh..."
Both marks overlaid the same path.
The 'Warrior's Engraving'—a flaming pattern from heart to neck—with a more intricate layer atop became the 'Great Warrior's Engraving'.
"Alright, starting now. Bite this."
"Eh? No need, elder. Just get on with it!"
"Heh heh... It'll hurt plenty. No regrets later; bite now?"
"Hahaha! Needless worry. Pain means nothing to a true warrior!"
Pain held no meaning for him anyway, so he firmly refused the wooden block.
With that, she began without further urging.
"Phew..."
With a small sigh, faint light glowed from the engraving on her face.
The 'Shaman's Engraving', etched as taught by her master.
She dipped the bone needle deep in dark-red liquid and pulled it out.
Then stabbed it into Harley's heart...
"Eh?"
The needle sat atop his chest muscle, not piercing an inch.
"This rascal's skin's too tough; needle won't stick!"
"Huh?"
An unexpected hurdle.
His monstrous body shrugged off attacks without sufficient energy...
As he flustered, the old woman tsked, rolled up her sleeves.
"Fine! I'll handle it; just lie still. Tch... Good thing it wasn't real meat, or I'd be stumped!"
Her engraving glowed brighter; pale energy coated the needle.
For hours after.
The procedure proceeded quietly without issue.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity has met the conditions and gained enlightenment. Acquired skill 「Kalkos-style Combat Engraving」. The final needle prick under his chin sent vitality surging through his body.
Harley instantly understood what happened.
Latent life force in his muscles and bones was drawn into the completed engraving, instantly activating all physical abilities.
'Impressive. Way more efficient than enhancing with 「Bio-Aura」.'
And if he infused aura into the engraving too...
True to form, Harley acted on the thought immediately.
The ornate flame pattern of the 'Great Warrior's Engraving' on his chest slowly reddened, flickering like real fire.
And...
"Uwooo—!"
Faint haze rose from his entire body.
Clenching his fist produced a menacing crunch.
'At this level, I could smash an ogre barehanded without 「Body Transformation」.'
Grinning gleefully, Harley snapped to and checked on the old woman.
She had collapsed in place, panting heavily.
"...Tough bastard. Didn't even whimper. Is pain numb for you?"
"You alright, elder?"
"Just overdid it; drained. Haven't engraved in over ten years; pushed too hard."
Her pale, sweat-drenched face tugged at Harley's heart.
Despite her age, piercing his tough body had taken a toll.
'With many more engravings left, this is trouble...'
He was convinced: she needed proper care.
Three square meals of meat and supplements, regular exercise, stress relief to build stamina.
"Elder..."
"I need rest now; get lost. Or I'll keel over."
She staggered to bed and flopped down.
Seemed he'd broach it later.
Leaving the pouch of remaining payment on the workbench, he stepped out to find the bearded man dozing in a chair.
"Hey~ Turaba!"
"Uh... Huh? Harley? Done?"
Rubbing his eyes, Turaba stood and gawked.
"O, oooh—! That's the Great Warrior's Engraving!"
"Hahaha!"
The Southern warrior admired it with envious eyes.
Not the simple flame of regular warriors, but vivid, dynamic flames stretching from chest to neck, fully exposed on his bare torso.
'Ah! So that's it!'
Harley realized why old-generation Southern warriors dressed that way.
'Not just muscles—to flaunt their engravings too!'
Regional, ecological, cultural factors combined, but Harley ignored them.
Shoulders back, strutting proudly, he felt—or imagined—more envy in the stares.
"Turaba, effects are great; why only Southern warriors use it? Not that secretive."
If shamans could leave freely, techniques could leak anytime.
Yet he'd never seen outsiders with engravings.
"Side effects, mostly. Harsh conditions. Main issue: constantly drains life force."
From completion, it sucked life force ongoing.
Enhancement outweighed it, but tolerance varied.
"Southerners born with strong vitality; suits us."
Others found aura training more efficient for on-demand boosts.
Thus, Southern warriors lagged in aura handling...
"Got it. Doesn't matter to me, a proper Southern Great Warrior now! Wahahaha—!"
"Right? My buddy's a Great Warrior! Kekeke!"
"Pahaha!"
"Kuhuhu!"
Their laughter echoed down the alley.
Of course, no one complained about the pair.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ah! Sir Heinz! Up already? Is that okay?"
"Ahaha, light walking's fine. Could've sooner, but the healer priest was strict."
"Still... Best be cautious till fully healed?"
Saintess Riesta fretted; Heinz chatted amiably.
Much improved, he was allowed outings.
Perfect timing for today, an important day.
"Elven Kingdom delegation leaves today. With our ties, we should see them off."
The elf delegation, after trials, finally returned home.
Heinz shared bonds with leader Rapori; best show face one last time.
Once parted, unlikely to meet again.
'Rare for a High Elf to lead personally.'
As rulers, they'd rarely leave the World Tree unless exceptional.
As they talked by the gate, the elves entered under priest guidance.
Rapori's group now included two more: High Elf candidate Cecily... and Harris, the elf Harley sent.
"Sir Heinz, heard you were badly hurt. Sure you're okay out here?"
"Really, I'm fine. Lady Rapori."
Church and delegation exchanged farewells everywhere.
Long stay bred friendships; it took time, but farewell loomed.
Woooong—
"Then we'll go. Won't forget the Church's hospitality."
"Hope good relations continue. Farewell..."
After Riesta and Rapori's words, the elves vanished into the gate's blue vortex.
They'd trek days to continent's east end, then cross to Enamel Continent their way.
With Harris.
His heart raced like an explorer eyeing new lands.