Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Immortal Demonic Tree
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[Immortal Demonic Tree (SSS)] [Tree Summoning (B)] [Summon Control Technique (C)] [Body Transformation (C)] [Fruit Creation (A)]
I could immediately check Gretel's abilities.
Honestly, looking just at the stats, there was nothing particularly special about them.
Her magic power and agility were a bit high, but the rest of her stats were quite low.
But Gretel's true value didn't come from her stats—it came from her 'unique traits.'
Among them were even SSS-grade traits.
The explanation was simple too. Tremendous swag flowed from that short sentence.
In truth, the power of 'immortality' wasn't unique to Gretel.
There were other beings who possessed immortality in different forms—whether it was a racial trait like Gretel's or a power obtained through 'mysteries'...
Even so, the power of 'immortality' was the ultimate trait, incomparable to any other.
This meant Gretel possessed something that special.
"Hope she grows up well."
Feeling proud once more, I stroked Gretel's back and sat down on the sofa.
Then, out of habit, I logged into the internet.
When I entered the news section, a few articles related to the joint training caught my eye.
[Korea, US, UK Joint Anti-Terror Training Scheduled, Location Classified]
Since this joint training was collaborative rather than competitive, like the semester-end exams, there wasn't anything sensational.
There were occasional negative articles about Lily, but I ignored them—there were always those overly patriotic types everywhere you went.
"...Joint training, huh."
Why had an episode not in the original story appeared? All sorts of guesses flashed through my mind.
I even wondered if it was truly the butterfly effect from my interventions.
On top of that, the training location was classified. They said it was to prevent terrorism and media attention, but it felt suspiciously off for some reason.
"...Nothing weird's gonna happen, right?"
A small villa somewhere in the mountains of Gangwon Province.
Han Se-jin's Jaun Subjugation Squad had gathered once more. Unlike usual, they looked tense as they stared at their boss, Han Se-jin.
"So, you've figured out Jaun's next terror target?"
Han Se-jin nodded at the question.
"Yes."
"How'd you find out? You plant a spy in Jaun or something?"
"A spy? That would be ideal, but no, it's not that easy."
Han Se-jin, lounging on the plush sofa with his legs crossed, spoke. Every gesture exuded charisma.
"I borrowed the power of a mystery."
"A mystery?"
"Yes. The Hanseong family owns various mystical artifacts. Of course, we have relics with prophetic powers too. Not as exceptional as the legendary holy relic, the 'Prophet's Altar,' though."
"...Prophetic relics, huh. You guys have it all. How accurate is it?"
"Since it's not a holy relic, only roughly. Plus, enhancing the prophecy's quality requires a lot of sacrifices."
Han Se-jin flashed a cruel smile.
For a moment, everyone in the room felt a chill.
They were all top-tier sorcerers with world-class power. Yet they felt fear toward Han Se-jin, who couldn't even wield magic.
"Man, this is nerve-wracking. Facing Jaun already."
"Feels like we're going to die."
"If they make us go through all this and don't deliver the promised goods, I'll kill them somehow."
"Same here."
The sorcerers grumbled at Han Se-jin.
He gave them a relaxed smile.
"Don't worry. I always keep my promises."
Then Elrin, who had been quietly watching, spoke up.
"When's the day of Jaun's terror attack?"
"This Sunday. Can't pinpoint the exact time."
"...Sunday. Location?"
Han Se-jin paused at Elrin's question, deep in thought.
"Not a location, per se—more like a place. The place is..."
Time flew by, and it was Friday.
Today, 60 students gathered in front of the school gate for the announced Special Class joint training.
Though it was for training, their luggage and outfits made it look like they were off on a trip.
"Where we headed? They haven't said a thing."
"Terror training, so probably some special spot."
As the atmosphere grew rowdy, a third-year student none of us knew appeared from afar.
"Everyone! Form up by groups in advance!"
At that, we started grouping up.
Special Class groups were usually pairs, but this training was six per group.
Groups were free-form, so mine ended up with me, Choi Seo-yoon, Song Seung-ah, Lee Seo-jun, Shin Young-jun, and Lee Hyun-joo.
It was a combination we'd seen occasionally during special activities.
"Sunbae, you didn't bring any luggage?"
Choi Seo-yoon sidled right up to me. I turned and showed her the bag on my back.
"Got a bag on my back."
"...Isn't that bag way too small for luggage?"
Most of it was in my subspace pocket.
Plus, I didn't have much to pack anyway.
I glanced at the case in Choi Seo-yoon's hand. It was about half her body size.
"...You heading to evac?"
She gave an embarrassed smile.
"It's three days. Just in case. Gotta pack plenty."
Then Shin Young-jun butted in.
"Hey, hey. Is Lily Rose coming today?"
"Probably."
Lee Seo-jun answered disinterestedly. Lee Hyun-joo added,
"Luke'll be there too, not just her."
"Luke? Oh, yeah."
Luke.
Second-year top student at the American Sorcerer Academy, ranked #2 in the world prospect rankings. Like all global prospects, he had a fierce rivalry with Lee Seo-jun.
Though Lee Seo-jun couldn't care less.
"Alright, now we'll gate to the harbor."
Park Jung-wan arrived late and announced.
The mention of a harbor caused a stir among the students.
"Harbor? We going to an island?"
"If it's an island that needs a gate, must be pretty remote."
"Not like that fog island last time, right?"
"Ugh, hate that."
Having gone through the fog island incident over break, worry flickered on the students' faces.
I couldn't help feeling tense too, not knowing what lay ahead.
We gated to a massive harbor.
A gigantic ship immediately came into view.
"Whoa, what's that ship?!"
It looked like a cruise liner. Its size was indescribable—easily over 16 decks from what I could see.
Probably holds 10,000 people easy.
Then I spotted the name on the hull.
Atlantis
...Wait, Atlantis?
A certain ship popped into my head.
The mana cruiser Atlantis.
A mystical vessel powered by the holy relic 'Poseidon,' which absorbed sea mana.
Anyone aboard recovered stamina rapidly from the sea mana, even during intense training.
That's why Atlantis was equipped with countless training systems and used by high-rank sorcerers as a facility.
The ship itself was a massive training complex.
"Wow. Never thought I'd ride the Atlantis in my life."
Shin Young-jun chuckled beside me.
"Tons of fun stuff on board."
"Heard there are rides too."
Lee Seo-jun and Shin Young-jun buzzed excitedly.
"As you can see, this joint training will be held on the mana cruiser 'Atlantis.'"
"Whoa—!"
A huge cheer erupted at the teacher's words.
"We'll now distribute tickets and keys. Those who receive them, board the ship. Next schedule via smart student handbooks."
After boarding, Lee Seo-jun and I headed to the private cabins.
The ship was so vast that reaching the privates took a while. But the ornate decorations in the halls kept it from being boring.
"This is insane."
"All gold. Wonder the cost."
"Thousands per piece at least?"
"Yeah? This it?"
About five minutes later, we reached the privates.
The key number matched the door.
"Yep. See you in 30, Kim Seon-woo."
"Yeah. Grabbing food?"
"Hell yeah."
Lee Seo-jun grinned brightly.
Pure high schooler vibe—made me chuckle.
"Cool. Later."
I unlocked the door with the key.
Beep-
"Whoa..."
Inside was a vast, luxurious space.
Like the exterior, the private was ridiculously opulent.
This rivaled top hotels. Actually, the ship was basically one.
Not just training—rides, spas, casinos, all sorts of entertainment.
I marveled at the sights before flopping onto the bed.
"So fluffy."
Sinking in, I closed my eyes.
The bliss was short-lived. Unease crept up from my chest.
"...All good, but..."
Why so anxious?
Mana cruiser Atlantis.
This ship's first sinking is in a year—winter.
In the original, it appeared for a graduation trip/training.
And coincidentally, an incident happened aboard that day.
The terror group Jaun targeted its power source, 'Poseidon.'
Lee Seo-jun and Yoo A-ra fought them off.
Right now, it'd be tough against them, but a year later, they'd grown enough. Still, sheer numbers overwhelmed.
Jaun stole 'Poseidon' and fled; the incident failed.
Suddenly, it hit me.
What if that event a year from now happens today?
I forced a smile.
"...Nah, no way."
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Night on the Atlantis
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9 PM.
I shook off the random thoughts on the bed and stepped out of the private.
Couldn't waste time on this fancy luxury liner.
Plus, late hour meant no training—free time.
Anxious about plot changes or not, might as well enjoy since I'm here.
Group dinner in 30 minutes. Wondering what to do meanwhile, I opened the guidebook.
Atlantis was so huge, no guide meant no clue where anything was.
"Hmm."
Tons here.
From magic training halls to every entertainment, shows—you name it.
Too many options, hard to pick.
And why so many damn bars?
Tsk.
'...Wanna go.'
But no can do. Student status.
If I'd come as Kim Jin-woo, could've enjoyed way more freely. Regrettable.
"...Not here to party anyway. Shut it out."
The booze thought brought Han Se-yeon to mind. She'd seemed swamped with new drug dev. Felt bad for her.
I leaned on the railing, gazing at the first-floor scene. Glitzy lights. Live show below, crowds watching.
Everyone looked so chill.
I used Outsider's Boon to message Han Se-yeon.
Reply came in under 10 seconds.
Fatigue seeped from the message. Yet her tone was oddly funny and cute—made me smirk.
After a moment's thought, I snapped a pic of the ocean view from the window. Framed so she wouldn't guess Atlantis.
Joking around, but messages suddenly stopped.
"Huh?"
Then another message arrived.
I hurriedly replied.
Then another followed.
After sending, messages paused again. About 20 seconds later, a reply...