Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Sodomora's Morning Star Hassan
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When I came to, everything around me was pitch black. What the hell? I was just in bed with Luna a moment ago.
Looking around, there was no bed, no inn room, not even Luna's warm skin—nothing but cold, dark darkness.
At least the sky had a round object floating in it, glowing faintly, so I could vaguely make out my body and the surroundings.
Splash-.
In that darkness, I existed naked. Something like shallow water lapped gently at my ankles.
Was it a dream? My mind felt too clear for that.
Shit, what is this?
I was feeling perplexed by this unexpected situation when—
Something slithered out of the darkness right in front of my nose. It was... something I couldn't even describe.
No, was "form" even the right word? It was bent yet straight, soft yet hard-looking.
And incredibly grotesque, wriggling like a monster straight out of a nightmare. But more than fear, I was just confused as hell—what the fuck was going on?
Little night.
Little moon.
Little Nox.
You've made contact.
Worship.
Praise.
Your fate.
It opened what must have been more than ten mouths all at once and spoke. Their noisy chatter merged into a single sentence.
Worship me, little being. Prostrate yourself before me, and I shall give you all of this.
Shit, worship what all of a sudden? Give me what?
As I wondered, a small platform rose bubbling from the dark water with a gurgling sound.
Atop it lay three fruits, shaped like pomegranate, apple, grapes, and such.
Home.
Ear.
Th.
In that overbearing voice, I picked up the most ordinary-looking apple.
Swoosh-.
It felt cool to the touch, like one from the fridge, and at the same time—ding-.
》Ruby dew kissed by the deep night《
『The primordial night Nox, called the mother of all things alongside Earth Mother Gaia. Even the king of the heavens, Jupiter, fears her. This is an apple she secretly nurtured without giving to anyone. Grown with her special methods, of course. No one's tasted it, so flavor isn't guaranteed.』
『Consuming it will expend Karma to strengthen your held Grace: Veil of Night.』
『Expend 1 Strength to upgrade Veil of Night to Cloak of Night?』
『Warning: 20% chance of Night Blindness.』
Expending Karma to strengthen a Grace? This was a new format.
Usually it'd be something like use Karma value for this—but this directly shaved off my stats to upgrade. Surprising, and that "warning" gave me chills.
What to be careful of? Risk?
Eat.
Accept.
Little being.
The grotesque thing kept urging me to eat the apple. But my head wasn't so muddled I'd swallow it blindly.
I carefully set the apple back on the platform and picked up the pomegranate next to it, so ripe it was half-burst. Warm, like a hand warmer, for a pomegranate.
Ding-.
》Delphi Pomegranate Bathed in Ample Sunlight《
『Pomegranates carefully grown in the grand temple's garden by Delphi's priestesses. But so overripe it's split open, revealing the inside. Pomegranates are usually good for women, but Delphi pomegranates are effective for men instead.』
『Consuming it will expend Karma to strengthen your held Grace: Amateur Handiwork.』
『Expend 1 Vitality to upgrade Amateur Handiwork to Warm Hands?』
『Warning: 90% chance of Follicle Weakness.』
Fuck this, follicle weakness!!! Gotta avoid that at all costs. Even in a scientifically advanced world, hair loss is basically permanent.
They say the scientist who cures baldness could slap every Nobel winner in history and walk free.
Anyway, I dropped the pomegranate like it was filthy and picked up the last one: grapes, plump and deep purple.
Ding-.
》Diana's Secret Grapes《
『The city of Artene, famed for philosophy and politics, is known for its bountiful grapes every year. The ripest, most nutritious cluster is offered to the city's lord and goddess of wisdom, Minerva. These were stolen by moon goddess Diana to eat in secret.』
『Consuming it will expend Karma to strengthen your held Grace: Amateur Handiwork.』
『Expend 1 Agility to upgrade Amateur Handiwork to Nimble Hands?』
『Warning: 80% chance of Tremors.』
Overall, it seemed like a chance to upgrade my Graces. But none jumped out as an easy pick. Could use more details.
"Is that all?"
….
The thing that'd been yammering worship this, praise that, now shut all its mouths.
Wasn't expecting much anyway.
From the text, Warm Hands probably literally warms the palms. Nimble Hands likely speeds them up.
The apple's Cloak of Night? No clue. But lowest risk.
Tough call, fuck. Gotta pick one?
I glanced at the grotesque thing.
Gurgle, gurgle.
….
It's so fucking weird-looking, starting to creep me out. Stuck here with this monster-thing? Horrifying.
If I don't choose, maybe I can't leave.
So I picked up the apple. No idea what Cloak of Night does, but safest risk-wise.
Nox's apple.
Eat.
Power of the Protogenoi.
Ignoring the monster's babble, I bit into the apple.
Crunch-.
Unlike expected, the crisp, tangy flesh burst in my mouth, shaking my head. Tasty as hell—I shoved the whole thing down.
Come again.
Little being.
* * *
I opened my eyes to a ceiling of tightly packed wooden planks and ochre wallpaper.
Familiar ceiling.
The interlude room at Nymph's Wings inn where I was staying. The open window let in sunlight and birdsong—chirp chirp chirp-.
When'd it get morning? Fuckin' wild dream. What does dreaming of eating apples mean?
My dad used to read fortunes and interpret dreams for old folks who came by, but I always thought it was bullshit, never bothered learning.
So no clue. Shit, just a dumb dream.
Class said dreams are unconscious expression, maybe my deep mind craving fruit.
Still, I muttered just in case.
"Chaos Eternal…."
Ding-, and text appeared.
『Name: Hassan Lv. 9 -> 8
Strength: 4 -> 3
Agility: 2
Vitality: 3
Karma: 37
Graces: Blessing of Chaos | Amateur Handiwork | Cloak of Night』
Shit, not a dream after all.
Strength down by 1. Level dropped too, accordingly. Frowning at the new Cloak of Night when—
Cloak of Night
『In low-light darkness, boosts chance of undetected stealth actions.』
Ooh-.
Grace descriptions now? Tried staring at others—nope.
Anyway, as I tried to get up, noticed the spot next to me empty. Luna up first?
The double bed felt awfully lonely alone. Where'd she go? Breakfast? Why not wake me?
Lost in thoughts—
Bang-.
The door to my room flew open, and a familiar pink-haired girl entered.
"H-Hassan, you're awake…!"
Luna, shy and embarrassed-sounding. Her pale face flushed bright red seeing me.
I was embarrassed too. Recalling yesterday, body heated up, dick stiffening again. How do lovers handle this every morning?
To break the awkwardness, I spoke first.
"Where'd you go? Thought you vanished."
"Y-You were sleeping so soundly, didn't wanna wake you…. Just stepped out for some air. Body feels super light, y'know? Th-Though between my legs is chafed and sore…."
She trailed off. Probably remembered yesterday from the leg pain.
"A-Anyway, here."
Snapping to, she handed me a wooden cup.
Took it—what's this? Inside, a sparkling golden liquid. Barley tea? Nah, shinier, sweeter smell.
"What's this?"
"This? Honey water. Got some from the Bashkir honeybees. You looked so tired, Hassan…."
Honey water, got it. Throat dry anyway, gulped it down—intense sweetness shook my brain.
Numbing sweetness melted away lingering sleep and fatigue.
"Tastes good."
It really did. Sweetness is a rare luxury here. When'd I last have something this sweet?
Sugar rush energized me.
"Good stuff."
"R-Really? Glad. Anyway, sun's high already. Lunchtime."
Already lunch? How long'd I sleep? Expedition fatigue from night watches piling up, maybe.
Anyway, Luna and I went down to the inn's first floor for brunch.
Sausage, corn porridge—mediocre food, but I barely noticed, fixated on the awkward silence with her.
Talk about yesterday?
Glanced at her—schk-. Blowing on hot soup, lips pursed cutely. Sexy as hell.
Those thin, glossy lips I kissed yesterday?
When her small mouth bit the thick sausage, my dick swelled painfully like an idiot.
Suddenly got why guys chase girlfriends so hard.
World felt different. All couples in this inn feeling this?
What even are Luna and I? Couple? Girlfriend?
Dunno.
Wanna do it again, though. But she said just that one day…. And breaking purity vow risks her life?
Fidgeting anxiously—
"…Hassan, what're you doing today?"
"Today? Uh…."
What to do today. Say massage in the room again? Shit, head full of that, can't think straight!
They say everyone's done it once, no one stops at one. Now I get why.
Hoo-.
Sighed softly, gathered thoughts and breath.
"Gotta hit the guild for pay."
"Me too. Let's go together!"
[Author's Note]
Thanks to lancer gasinda, PotatoServer, circle0810, yayayeah, HMR Clan, Kadeom, lololhi, kidonvg, and finally honor7 for the donation coupons!!! Truly grateful!!
Many sent manuscript coupons too. Can't list all, but thanks so much...!!
Thanks to everyone for recs and comments..!!
Worth holding breath for 4, feels great ㅠㅠ...!!