Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Racial Alliance (7)
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“Revive.”
Whoosh.
His blackened vision returned. The colorless earth and sky regained their hues, and though he felt a bit listless, strength flowed back into his entire body.
His first death since returning.
Yet he felt no regret or anger. He’d been utterly crushed by that monster, but considering their goals, Rokan was the only one who’d achieved what he wanted.
The High Masters had escaped unscathed, and now, in exchange for his single death, Rokan had earned the right to take one piece of gear from each of them.
Equipment varied by race and region, but since it could be worn regardless of race, this was a massive gain.
These weren’t just any items—they were gear personally equipped by High Masters, so their options had to be top-tier. Even sold, they’d fetch insane prices.
In contrast, all Rokan had lost was some EXP and one item.
His EXP had actually surged from killing the Crimson Crusaders and Crimson Guards, and the item wasn’t equipped gear but one looted from them, so he could grin without a care.
“Must sting like hell, heh heh!”
Best of all was picturing the Ancient Emperor Chrono’s rage at letting the High Masters slip away and wasting time on a mere Master.
Even if Rokan was confident he wouldn’t lose next time, he’d still let him escape for now. The emperor might have regained some power through Corruption, but he’d lost all his minions resurrected alongside him by defying time and fate.
This was a total defeat for the Ancient Emperor—a complete rout.
‘The issue is how the Corruption’s power works…’
But his glee was short-lived. The Ancient Emperor was strong enough to slaughter all his minions single-handedly.
Without a way to take him down, all their efforts so far would be for nothing.
Rokan hated losing to the same foe twice, so his eyes sharpened.
‘First hypothesis: there’s a time limit.’
Could Corruption’s power infinitely restore the Ancient Emperor’s abilities? Anyone would say no.
But Rokan was different. He was the only one who knew Corruption’s true power.
So he couldn’t rule out the first hypothesis being wrong.
‘Second hypothesis: a new ally appears.’
Compared to the first, this was almost certain.
The emperor might have suddenly mastered Corruption, but it was far more likely “someone” had intervened to turn the tide.
The so-called Corruption conspirators.
They might worship it like a religion or seek to exploit its power for their own ends.
One thing was clear: Rokan had seen that pillar of light enveloping the emperor before—in his past life.
‘The question is whether they’ll step into the spotlight…’
Someone’s involvement was undeniable, but whether they’d fully commit as his new subordinates was uncertain.
Though he’d regained his senses, the Ancient Emperor fundamentally despised and scorned other races.
Even humans were no exception.
He might have once held affection for them, but after centuries, millennia—perhaps tens of thousands of years—defying time, who knew how his emotions had warped? Even without that, this incident seemed to have turned him completely against humanity.
In that case, volunteers as subordinates might just get purged first if he found them annoying.
‘It’s not time for them to emerge yet, either…’
If his past-life memories held, they still needed time before going public. Their “preparations” were incomplete.
Generating and developing Corruption’s power required more time and conditions.
If it were him, he’d exploit something arising from the current situation rather than act rashly, which eased his mind a bit.
‘Even if they act, it’ll be indirect.’
So any further intervention would be highly indirect, like this time.
Restoring the emperor, aiding his escape, or attacking foes to create openings—helping him sow chaos that way.
And that much, he could crush with vigilance.
“There’s only one surefire way.”
Realizing this, Rokan knew what he had to do.
Avoid clashing with the Ancient Emperor for now. From their brief exchange, not even double the eight High Masters could win.
They couldn’t suddenly pull out a Grand Master either, so one option: weaken him.
Revert him to a level they could handle.
“Hmm, how’d that Purification Orb recipe go again?”
He needed power to purify Corruption.
A special item to enable that—and he had to find or craft it.
“Guess I’ll hit the research team first.”
His memory was fuzzy, but the research team should have answers.
They were deepest into Corruption studies now, and with the info he’d provided, they’d have results by now.
“But first, time to collect my dues.”
One thing before that.
Extort items from each race’s rep—except himself. Equippable gear!
With light excitement, Rokan headed to the rally point.
* * *
“You’re here.”
The Troll High Master spotted Rokan first at the designated spot.
His calm, composed gaze held subtle goodwill.
Even an infinitely respawning Visitor like him would lose plenty at Master level, yet he’d boldly sacrificed to save them all. How could they not feel fondness, even as enemies?
The Orc High Master felt the same, bursting into hearty laughter at the sight.
“Oh ho, the great warrior arrives! If my body were normal, I’d have fought alongside you—such a shame!”
Orcs were born warriors who revered honor and warrior pride.
It was natural for such a one to respect Rokan, who faced a superior foe unflinchingly, sacrificed nobly for all, and fought a proper battle rather than dying like a dog.
If his condition were normal—or if he could use Master skills—he might’ve stubbornly joined Rokan.
He’d retreated only because he wouldn’t call a dog’s death a warrior’s end.
“Thank you.”
“Grateful, friend!”
Even if conditional, most showed goodwill.
All but one.
“Hmph. Calling that a sacrifice when it was just greed-blinded folly.”
Predictably, the Undead High Master.
But Rokan didn’t snap. This was the topic he wanted to broach, and the guy had brought it up first—perfect.
“With that in mind, shall we settle up?”
“Indeed. Don’t worry—I won’t stiff you with words.”
“Of course. Any who value honor must.”
The gathered High Masters nodded at Rokan’s words. They’d never planned to welch.
Among their gear were treasures worthy of their race, but they’d yield anything but weapons.
Not out of greed, but to preserve minimal power against the Ancient Emperor.
“I’ll go first.”
They even lined up, ready to be fleeced.
The Troll High Master stepped up first.
Holding his massive bow in one hand, arms spread like for a pat-down, he shared his status window to aid Rokan’s choice.
‘Whoa.’
Rokan swallowed inwardly at the item info flood. Nothing below Unique, nothing ordinary.
Stats and options tempted him to swap his entire defense set, but he stayed cautious.
Some were High Master-only, unwearable yet. Others, wearable now, would break Silver Lion set bonuses for mediocre gains.
‘Hmm…’
Tough call: immediate power-up or future-proofing?
Even excluding Silver Lion breakers, prime picks abounded.
“I’ll take this.”
After deliberation, Rokan chose.
[Eye that Pierces All Things][Epic]
An eye that pierces all phenomena. Wearing this lets you see through everything about a target.
-Agility +100
-Critical rate +40%
-Ranged attack accuracy massively boosted
-Ranged attack damage +50%
-[Insight], [Weakness Detection] usable to pierce target info
-Equip restriction: Master level or higher
“Sharp eye indeed. Here.”
His first loot: a one-eyed accessory.
Such glasses were rare even at low grades, a bonus beyond basics—great efficiency. And the options were killer.
Huge ranged perks made it archer perfection, but Rokan had “Barrage,” and above all, it massively boosted his swapped gear’s crit rate.
Insight and Weakness Detection were bonuses. Rokan didn’t know every monster strat, and with his faster growth, he aimed higher.
“My turn now.”
And so the extortion truly began.
The Troll High Master stepped back content after yielding, followed by Half-Elf, Orc, Gnome, Orc, Goblin High Masters lining up for voluntary tribute.
True to their word, they shared equipped gear info from the emperor fight, leaving Rokan slack-jawed. He picked carefully: some for now, some for post-High Master power.
Finally, the Undead High Master.
“Pick something quick.”
‘This bastard…’
Same gear as before, but no info shared.
Undead stuff looked alike—maybe swapped.
‘Tempted to just yoink Life Vessel.’
Rokan bristled at the stiff attitude but held back. Instead, he equipped the new Eye that Pierces All Things.
“Insight.”
He triggered its built-in skill.
Target info flooded in.
The eye stripped him bare: level, gear, skills—all exposed.
‘Heh heh heh! What’s this?’
And amid it, Rokan spotted something unexpected.