Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Overwhelming Gap (1)
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[Opening the shop window.]
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[Shop]
・ Current coins held: 3
・ List
- Items 10 coins or less (△)
- Items 50 coins or less (△)
- [Inaccessible]
- [Inaccessible]
- [Inaccessible]
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‘There are so many inaccessible things here too.’
Theo chuckled. Why so many secrets everywhere?
They seemed to correspond to items over 50 coins. Anyway, with the coins Theo currently had, he couldn’t even dream of them, so he wasn’t all that curious.
Instead, the other two caught his interest.
10 coins or less.
50 coins or less.
What on earth could be in there?
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[Items 10 coins or less (▼)]
- Weapons
‣ One-handed weapons (△)
‣ Two-handed weapons (△)
‣ Ranged weapons (△)
‣ Auxiliary weapons
- Armor (△)
- Accessories (△)
- Collectibles (△)
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‘They’re categorized nicely.’
Just like [Weapons] was divided into subcategories such as ‘One-handed weapons’ and ‘Two-handed weapons.’
[Armor] into ‘Upper body’ and ‘Lower body,’
[Accessories] into things like ‘Necklaces’ or ‘Rings,’
[Collectibles] into countless subcategories like ‘Potions’ or ‘Talismans.’
‘Interesting.’
But Theo put dissecting the shop window on hold for now.
Because Selphard and Natasha were approaching.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks to you.”
Theo nodded calmly at Selphard’s question, but didn’t forget to aim Moonwhite Sword at Natasha, who was following behind.
“What’s this about? I’m the one who helped you.”
Natasha looked a little upset.
She had helped him even at the risk of turning against Central Intelligence on Plum Palace Lord’s orders.
And this was the gratitude she got?
“You asking because you don’t know?”
“Don’t know what?”
“Ask Felix directly.”
“Felix……?”
What the hell was this nonsense?
‘Could it be?’
Then Natasha belatedly recalled one possibility.
Felix had been found gravely injured in the Dragon Cult’s territory right now.
She’d thought he’d gotten that way clashing with the Dragon Cult, but if not……?
“Go confirm quickly. If it was our side’s mistake…… I’ll apologize formally. Just know this incident has nothing to do with the Palace Lord’s intentions.”
“……”
Theo didn’t answer rashly.
He knew the Plum Palace Lord’s sincerity, but this wasn’t the time to show his hand carelessly.
This was politics through and through.
Natasha bit her lower lip hard, bowed to Theo once more, and swiftly left.
“Well, whatever happened, don’t hate them too much. Our captain thinks the world of you, and they do too.”
Theo nodded silently at Selphard’s words.
“Anyway, sorry for the late intro. I’m Selphard Gardner. If you join the White Dragon Knights, I’ll be your direct senior. Looking forward to working with you.”
Theo shook Selphard’s outstretched hand, a bit surprised inwardly.
Gardner—one of the Six Great Houses, famed for their ‘wolf pack’ unity. They rarely sent people outside, yet one had been assigned to the White Dragon Knights……!
Crunch!
“……?”
Theo looked at Selphard as his hand was gripped hard.
What was this guy doing?
Selphard grinned.
“You’re coming, right? To the White Dragon Knights?”
Theo smiled awkwardly.
“When our arm-proud captain went on and on about you, I wondered what the fuss was…… but now that I see you, I get why. I want you too.”
Even as Theo tried to pull away lightly, Selphard wouldn’t let go.
Like he’d never release it.
“Not just your skills—your personality too. Just come. Got it? Yeah? Yeah?”
Selphard leaned in with sparkling eyes, making Theo step back uncomfortably,
When suddenly, a hand grabbed Selphard’s nape.
“Stop forcing him. Seeing your creepy mug would kill any interest.”
“What’s wrong with my face!”
“Look in a mirror sometime? And until he officially becomes our junior, Theo Ragnar is still an heir apparent. Did they cut out your tongue? Use proper respect.”
The one peeling Selphard off was a woman of slightly small build.
She wore the instructor uniform with the White Dragon Knights emblem.
“This fool’s rudeness will be properly disciplined by me. Forgive the offense.”
“No need. Thank you for the help today.”
Theo’s polite greeting.
The woman, Arin Negative, looked a little surprised.
It was the first time she’d seen a Ragnar that young so courteous.
‘No wonder the captain’s obsessed. And Evelyn senior took him as a sword disciple? His personality’s too good?’
As Arin, who admired Evelyn most in the world, her fondness for Theo was growing by leaps and bounds.
“Seriously, you’re not my mom…… nagging like this……”
“What was that, punk?”
“Heh heh heh. Nothing, ma’am. This lowly one said zilch.”
Selphard playfully dodged Arin’s fierce glare and turned back to Theo.
“Anyway, we’ll be waiting for you to become our junior…… so come find us right after the Awakening Ceremony. Got it? Oh, and we’ll handle the cleanup, so no worries.”
Selphard tried slipping back to casual speech but caught Arin’s glare and awkwardly switched to respect.
Theo couldn’t help but burst into light laughter.
With such a free-spirited vibe, the White Dragon Knights might be pretty good.
Though he couldn’t commit yet.
“I’ll think about it positively.”
“Not positively—commit right here……!”
“Ignore this guy. We’ll head out first.”
Arin, sensing things dragging on, gave a light bow, grabbed Selphard, and left.
“Whew……!”
Left alone, Theo took a long breath.
The chaotic battlefield from moments ago was now eerily quiet, as if it had never happened.
He too had much to sort out.
* * *
Theo first recovered all the demon cores from the monsters Axion had summoned, and even got his hands on the ones the Dragon Cult had amassed.
Their base had piles of them.
Thanks to that,
He scored points and a ton of incantations for affinity arts.
‘They figured out the totem’s hidden piece but missed the one for incantations, huh.’
The fewer who knew about affinity arts, the better for Theo. Lucky break.
Theo had collected seven thunder affinity incantations so far.
Just two more to go.
Plus, he’d gathered plenty of ‘flame’ and ‘frost’ affinity ones—handy for sure.
And,
‘Finally hit 20 and unlocked new privileges.’
[Observing ‘Theo Ragnar.’]
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Theo Ragnar (15/Male)
・ Level: 20
・ Stats (▼)
Strength: 102 Agility: 42
Vitality: 26 Mana: 228
Intelligence: 24 Luck: 5
・ Skills (▼)
- Lesser Drake Fear
- Hatchling Synchro
・ [Inaccessible]
・ Current coins held: 3
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Theo inwardly cheered at finally surpassing level 20.
Just a digit change, but it brought an indescribable sense of accomplishment.
The feeling of growing step by step motivated him.
Especially since [Agility]’s coefficient had jumped big time.
After [Strength], he’d dumped extra stats into [Agility] to reach 100.
‘Gotta be nimble for faster attacks and movement.’
But the most eye-catching part was elsewhere.
[Current coins held: 3]
Coins.
The reward he’d been getting—their use was right there in the shop.
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[One-handed weapons (▼)]
- Gem-cutting dagger
- Asadal’s stiletto
- Nine-folded tanto
.
.
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The item list was in the lowest subcategory.
Theo tapped the top one.
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[Gem-cutting dagger]
・ Type: Dagger
・ Attack: 5~10
・ Requirements: Strength 5
・ Effect: Certain chance to reduce durability by 15%
・ Price: 1 coin
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‘As expected—currency. For buying what I want.’
Beginner series like beginner weapons and gear came as quest rewards,
But from now on, it seemed he was meant to buy what he needed himself.
Theo preferred it this way.
Truth be told, most gear he’d gotten—accessories aside—was worn or broken and unusable.
Plus, the shop weapons’ quality seemed decent.
This dagger’s attack matched [Beginner’s training sword], and its effect was even better.
Forced durability drop on gear.
Depending on use, he could shatter foes’ equipment for an edge.
Compared to real artifacts, this would cost a fortune in gold bars.
And this was the bottom-tier stuff. Higher up……?
No need to look further.
‘I’ve got 3 coins left. Wonder if I can snag something good? Or save up more?’
Or were there other ways to get coins besides quests?
‘Shops usually let you buy…… and sell too……!’
Theo opened his inventory after ages.
He touched one item he’d secretly collected from monster hunts, thinking it’d make good artifact material.
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[Sandworm fluid]
・ Description: Fluid from a unique sandworm inhabiting cold regions blanketed in eternal snow. Seems good for cold-resistance item material.
・ Price: 2 coins
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‘Sales work too. Alright then.’
Theo sold all the materials he’d hoarded and the now-useless beginner series.
Some worthless junk fetched 0 coins,
But he boosted his total to 19 coins.
Now he could see 50-coin-or-less items.
‘Hope there’s something good.’
Luckily, he spotted a desired item lower down.
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[Death-bit]
・ Type: Throwing dagger, stiletto
・ Attack: 25~30
・ Requirements: Level 20
・ Effects
- Certain chance to trigger ‘Critical’
- High chance of ‘Bleed’ curse
- Hit rate +36%
- Armor ignore penetration +15%
- Auto position recovery
・ Price: 4 coins
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[Purchase ‘Death-bit’?]
‘This is it.’
Telekinesis was like an invisible hand in battle—super versatile.
Gravel throws or the ‘invisible giant hand’ that nabbed fleeing Axion’s crew.
But limitations were clear.
Moonwhite Sword or drake blades were too heavy for telekinesis.
‘So I wanted a good dagger this size for smoother use…… This exceeds expectations.’
Death-bit’s options were killer.
[Critical] and [Bleed].
Perfect for hunting monsters or killing enemies.
Auto recovery too.
No hassle retrieving them.
How convenient?
It was made for Theo right now.
[Paid 16 coins for ‘Death-bit ×4.’]
[Coins remaining: 3]
Big spend, but satisfaction outweighed it.
‘Bought it—time to test.’
Theo pulled four death-bits from inventory and activated telekinesis.
Whoosh—
They floated up with a rattle.
After some control tweaks, the lined-up daggers orbited Theo.
He’d practiced relentlessly with pebbles in spare moments.
Theo’s gaze shifted elsewhere.
An empty grassy patch.
Flash—
One death-bit flipped horizontal and shot like an arrow.
The others followed.
His eyes gleamed fiercer than ever, like a kid with a new toy.
* * *
Days later,
The final day of the second Awakening Ceremony arrived.
[Final Rankings]
1st. Theo Ragnar (1,321 points)
2nd. Ray Ragnar (1,002 points)
3rd. Erica Ranke (826 points)
4th. Wellington Narsio (789 points)
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