Chapter 448
Chapter 448
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 449
Chapter Title: The Dawn One Day Before Subjugating the Snowy Mountains' Great Spirit
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The dawn one day before subjugating the Great Spirit of the Snowy Mountains. Beneath a vast plain not far from the village, I was checking the growth I had achieved over the past year and eight months.
［Stats］
Stamina: 97.2
Strength: 94.62
Mana: 96.1
Speed: 61
Agility: 109.6
Dexterity: 35
“……Overall, they've gone up by about 5, right?”
It might look like I hadn't grown much on the surface, but since my stats had already reached their peak, this was actually pretty solid progress.
Even so, I felt an inexplicable sense of regret.
Probably because I hadn't experienced the insane stat explosion from my early regression days this time around.
For example, through constant consumption of elixirs.
“Gretel's absence really hits home now.”
Looking back, Gretel had been a huge help to me.
She listened well. She made elixirs. She kept me company.
On top of that, her wood-based labor skills were top-notch, reducing my workload.
Where in the world could you find a summon like that?
“I wonder if she's doing okay.”
I could somewhat predict how the other main characters were faring, but Gretel was a complete mystery.
According to Pico, Han Se-yeon had taken her in, but their compatibility seemed poor, so I couldn't help worrying.
I hoped she wasn't crying in fear every day.
“……Still.”
My return to the real world was now truly just around the corner.
Four more months.
If I could hold out for four months, I could go back to my original world.
……Having that thought alone made a hollow laugh escape me for a moment.
“Unbelievable. 'Original world,' my ass.”
My actual 'original world' was elsewhere, yet that place felt like home without me realizing it.
“I must have gotten too used to it.”
Tsk. I clicked my tongue softly and stretched my arms wide.
“Ugh! Alright, time to get ready.”
Tomorrow was the day I'd attempt to subjugate the 'Great Spirit of the Snowy Mountains,' one of my goals set since early in my regression.
And as befitting its title of 'Great Spirit,' it possessed power rivaling a disaster-grade beast.
Though I had grown tremendously over the past year and eight months under Kim Jung-hee's tutelage, a head-on fight with it would be reckless.
So, I needed to make every preparation.
First, I checked my available points.
[Available Points: 312,500]
Even without interfering in the main story or battling villains, I'd accumulated quite a bit.
Enough to buy an S-grade trait, or even a low SS-grade one.
Naturally, these points were earmarked for the Great Spirit subjugation.
[Entering the Point Shop.]
[Quick Spend!]
[It's been a year since your last visit!]
[As a special gift for your return, a present has been awarded!]
“……A special gift?”
I checked the details with some curiosity.
[All Items 10% Discount Coupon???]
Description: Purchase one item from the Point Shop at a 10% discount.
*Duration: 3 days
“A coupon. Not bad.”
I'd half-hoped for access to a special shop like before, but no such luck.
Still, I wasn't disappointed.
The discount wasn't amazing, but better than nothing.
Plus, the pricier the item, the more I'd save.
With anticipation, I opened the search bar and typed in a keyword.
What I needed most right now.
A racial counterskill efficient against specific races, like 'Dragon Slayer' or 'Demon Slayer.'
［Searching for 'Spirit.'］
Ding!
►［Trait］ Contract with the Great Flame Spirit (SS)
►［Item］ Legacy of the Blazing Spirit (A)
►［Item］ Eye of the Green Spirit (S)
►［Item］ Secret Tome for Novice Summoners Dreaming of Contracting a Great Spirit Vols. 1–4 Set (S)
A disorganized list scrolled out before my eyes.
Most were contract-related, with nothing on counters.
“……Hmm. Wrong keyword?”
There had to be at least one trait with racial counters.
But no matter how I searched, nothing fit.
Just as I was sinking into deep thought over this unexpected snag.
A scene from the original story flashed in my mind.
“Right. That existed.”
In the original, someone had neutralized Lee Hyun-joo's summons in a brilliant way.
A top-tier wizard, former leader of Britain's special forces, now retired, known by the moniker 'Enigma.'
His trait name was definitely…… I entered a new search term.
[Searching for 'Blessing of Reversal.']
[Blessing of Reversal (S)]
Category: Trait
Description: A blessing that turns the tables.
[Passive Effects]
►Life Reversal
When HP falls to 20% or below, HP instantly recovers to 60%.
*Cooldown: 3 days
►Mana Reversal
When remaining mana falls to 20% or below, 60% of mana instantly recovers.
*Cooldown: 3 days
[Active Effects]
►Attribute Reversal
Hit the enemy with Reversal Magic to reduce all attribute resistances by the amount of their highest attribute resistance for 10 minutes.
►Flow Reversal
Reverse the enemy's mana flow to temporarily induce mana backlash.
Requires physical contact with the target.
*Cooldown: 5 minutes
►Trait Reversal
Shortens the cooldown of one trait or skill by up to 30 days.
*Cooldown: 15 days
Price: 170,000 points
“Found it.”
As expected of an S-grade, it had a variety of abilities.
True to its name, it 'reversed' situations, and among the actives, 'Attribute Reversal' was dramatically effective against attribute-sensitive monsters.
For instance, flame spirits generally had high fire resistance, so reducing all resistances by that high amount made opposing attributes hit much harder.
“But what's this?”
While examining Blessing of Reversal, there was one unfamiliar effect at the end: 'Trait Reversal.'
“……Shortens cooldowns by up to 30 days?”
30 days was a long time.
Using it in battle would let me chain abilities like 'Rune Binding' or 'Battle Lust,' of course, but it could also meaningfully cut the 365-day cooldown on 'Blessing of the Demonic Tree.'
“Whoa. Jackpot. I had no idea.”
It felt like unearthing treasure.
The price was a bit steep for an S-grade, but the utility was endless.
“Can't pass this up.”
I bought it without hesitation.
[Used All Items 10% Discount Coupon??? to purchase 'Blessing of Reversal.']
A pure white light burst before me, slowly seeping into my body.
Then another message appeared.
[Acquired trait, 'Blessing of Reversal.']
The day of the decisive battle dawned.
The pitch-black boundary sky began brightening as a red sun rose, and the monsters that had howled all night fell silent, as if asleep.
With all preparations complete, I headed to the village entrance.
Upon arrival, about 20 villagers, including Kim Jung-hee and Jung Min-ha, stood ready in full armor.
“Everything ready?”
I nodded at Kim Jung-hee's question and glanced at the 20 people gathered around him.
“Yes. But these people……”
“They volunteered to help with the Great Spirit subjugation. Don't let the looks fool you—they've trained directly under me, so they're better than most ritual wizards.”
They gathered to help me?
I eyed them skeptically, and Jung Min-ha chuckled.
“We've suffered the most from the Great Spirit of the Snowy Mountains. Of course we're helping take it down.”
Unexpected reinforcements.
I'd felt some burden about facing the Great Spirit alone.
Wait, did that mean Kim Jung-hee was helping too?
Glancing at him with misplaced hope, he shook his head as if reading my mind.
“I'd love to join, but if I leave, the village barrier collapses. Can't help it.”
A bit disappointing.
With his S+ mana grade, he'd have been a huge asset.
“It's fine. I've already received plenty of help.”
Not empty words.
Over the year and eight months of his guidance, I'd gained immense insight.
I was far stronger now than when facing Cruas.
If I returned to the original world in this state, I'd wield greater influence than before.
Kim Jung-hee smiled faintly at my words.
“Good. Then take care.”
“Alright, let's move.”
Jung Min-ha patted my shoulder.
After final goodbyes, we headed south toward the Snowy Mountains.
I'd visited once via the virtual world, so no map needed.
“……I thought so last time, but have you been here before?”
Jung Min-ha asked quizzically as I led the way.
Fair point—not normal for a first-time boundary visitor to guide.
“Not in person, but similar experience.”
“……Similar?”
She looked puzzled.
“Something like that.”
“Oh. What?”
Soon, we reached our destination: the southern boundary, ［Frozen Valley］.
A fierce blizzard and biting gale obscured our vision.
Whoooosh!
“..Ugh.”
The extreme cold, piercing even ［Cold Resistance］, froze our expressions and halted us.
We quickly donned our prepared insulated gear.
“Ugh. We'll freeze before we even subjugate it. Where to now?”
“Where was it……”
I scanned around and pointed at a massive peak.
“That way.”
“……You sure you know the path?”
“Yeah.”
I took the lead again.
The villagers following to help looked dismayed at the endless ridges.
As we neared the goal, monster and spirit encounters grew frequent.
Monsters fell easily to magic, but spirits were tricky.
'Spirit Materialization Ritual' was overkill for small ones, so I used my silver sword.
Fortunately, my reinforcement skills had leveled up, making it manageable.
……And so time passed again.
“Here.”
We finally arrived.
Looking around, it matched perfectly the site from the virtual world where the Snowy Mountains' Great Spirit was sealed.
“Here?”
I crouched and swept away the snow with wind magic.
Jung Min-ha muttered in surprise.
“……What? Thought you were a light wizard.”
Soon, all snow was cleared.
At the same time, Outsider's Privilege activated, revealing the hidden ritual on the ground.
The villagers noticed it too, faces shocked.
“……A summoning circle?”
“A sealing circle.”
I placed my hand on it and infused mana.
Woooong!
Intense light emanated from the circle.
A chilling mana surged, pressing down on the entire space.
And a message appeared.
[The sealed 'Great Spirit of the Snowy Mountains' has been released.]