Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Putting a Bell on the Cat's Neck (1)
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"Let's begin."
Once all the materials were handed over to Irinnel, the crafting process got underway.
First, the power of purification—which had already been grown to a certain level—was transferred into an unbreakable crystal, the crystal skull. Then, the orb of corruption was used again to further amplify that power.
This was done out of concern that if the power of purification grew beyond a certain threshold, the "vessel" containing it might shatter under the strain.
However, the power of purification, now bolstered by a considerable amount of vitality within the crystal skull, devoured the corrupting power in mere minutes. After repeating the process several times, the skull filled to the brim with purifying energy.
Irinnel then cast the condensation spell.
Since they couldn't obtain a pre-finished product, she had learned the spell herself to complete the crafting.
Applying the orb of corruption to the now-condensed purifying power made it grow even stronger, and after repeating the process countless times, it coalesced into an unyieldingly solid force—one that could assimilate the orb in less than a second.
"Whew!"
The rest was straightforward. The five-leaf clover was inserted into the crystal skull, and an emission magic circle was engraved on its surface to allow the purifying power to be released.
Finally, wrapping it with three world tree saplings created the amplification jewel, completing the Purification Jewel.
[You have acquired the Purification Jewel.]
Since Rokan had provided the materials, the item went to him, but deciding who would use it required careful thought. If they went through all this effort only for it to go to waste, it would all be for nothing.
'Damn it, does it have to be me?'
With the emission magic circle engraved on it, one might assume it was best suited for a magic-user, but Rokan thought otherwise.
Would a grand master-level ancient emperor just stand there and take it?
They might not even land a hit to fully utilize the jewel's stored power.
'Trusting an orc or dwarf...'
That meant handing it to a melee fighter, but the orc and dwarf high masters seemed too hot-headed and prone to messing things up.
'The goblin shaman's out too. Half-elf, troll, gnome are the best bets... but not ideal.'
The half-elf, troll, and gnome high masters were the most reliable options, but they specialized more in ranged combat than close-quarters, making it unwise to have them take on the risk—they still had to fight after scattering the emperor's power.
That left Rokan, the natural choice.
On top of that, with Berserk's immortality effect and his Storm Incarnation, he could bulldoze his way in close enough to use the Purification Jewel.
And that wasn't all—even if he failed, as long as he didn't lose or drop the jewel, he could respawn and try again endlessly.
'But once I use it, my role's done.'
Still, even if he successfully activated the Purification Jewel, things could end there for him. He'd be in the perfect spot to get torn apart by the rampaging ancient emperor all over again.
He might survive thanks to the immortality effect, but rejoining the fight afterward seemed unlikely.
For someone who loved battling the strong more than anyone, passing up this chance to play mere keyman was a huge shame.
'No helping it.'
Having thought it through, Rokan nodded, firming his resolve.
If he couldn't avoid it, he'd grab as much as he could for himself.
"It's like putting a bell on the cat's neck."
The representatives of the eight races had reconvened via magical messenger birds, and they fully grasped the situation.
That's why neither the dwarf nor the orc dared step forward and volunteer.
They knew how dangerous it was—how it could easily end in a dog's death.
"...Even if we've found a way, we can't offer the same rewards this time. This mess was started by you humans in the first place."
It wasn't hard to see that only Rokan could pull this off properly, so all eyes turned to him. But the undead high master struck first, driving the nail in.
Pointing out humanity's fault, he declared they wouldn't give anything for this.
He might have suffered the greatest losses, but it wasn't wrong, so the other high masters nodded in agreement.
'Tch, such stingy bastards.'
They could've squeezed out even more if it went well. Regretful, but unavoidable.
"That's fine. As you said, this is our human mess. But I have one condition."
"A condition?"
"Yes. It's essential for successfully executing the plan."
"What is it?"
"...Once I land the first effective hit, I want each of you to activate your master skills."
"..."
It made no sense to them, but it was a minor request they could easily grant. After all, they were NPCs.
'Heh heh, got 'em.'
But Rokan was different. The first strike—professional term: "first punch." Who lands it determines the loot distribution percentage.
Just landing the first punch and staying in combat could net a hefty share of the spoils.
Hell, it might even snag the most critical item, since drops and pickups were random.
"Very well."
"Agreed."
"Not a tough ask. As long as we can scatter the corrupting power."
Unaware of a visitor's instincts, the high masters readily agreed.
"Alright then, let's make it official."
With even the undead high master's reluctant assent, Rokan cruelly pulled out a contract.
Break the promise, and they'd forfeit one item each, just like last time.
But since they'd already committed and planned to uphold it, they signed with grim reluctance.
"Let's go."
The contract glowed, sealing the deal, and Rokan rose with a satisfied grin.
He was fully prepped for battle; they just needed to move.
If Rokan succeeded, they could take down the ancient emperor right now.
"You really went all out."
The eight race representatives—prepped to fly anywhere on the continent—received a quick briefing.
Details on the ancient emperor's rampage, the number of destroyed strongholds, and the count of vanished lives.
Despite orders to hide or evacuate at the first sign of him, the damage was catastrophic.
Adding in the losses from the last corruption wave and the Red Crusaders, a whopping 20% of the continent's strongholds lay in ruins.
Rokan felt a slight pang knowing he caused it all, but he quickly schooled his expression.
The past was the past—what mattered was now and the future.
Recovery quests had triggered to match the damage, and plenty stood to gain, so it balanced out.
"How do you plan to approach him?"
Soon after pinpointing the ancient emperor's location, the representatives teleported to the nearest stronghold, linking temporary teleport circles for joint movement.
"With a surprise attack."
"A surprise?"
"You can't dodge his eyes with petty stealth."
"Right. He'll know we're plotting something, so he won't let us close easily."
They questioned how Rokan would reach the emperor and activate the Purification Jewel.
They knew he had a stealth ring, but it was low-grade at best—mid-grade if generous.
The ancient emperor could see through superior stealth. Knowing Rokan's brute force and style, he'd never allow close combat.
Even without ranged weapons, his thought-born aura could neutralize Rokan's approach or checks.
But Rokan just smirked, pointing at something.
"Which is why we target that."
"The sky?"
"Riding that bird? But escaping his sight up there won't be easy."
True enough.
Even at max altitude, Kai couldn't evade the emperor's vision. Unless Kai grew more, cloud-top flight was impossible now.
"Who knows?"
Rokan grinned confidently and summoned Kai.
"Then I'm off first!"
"Hmm..."
The seven high masters looked puzzled but shrugged it off.
Whatever the method, as long as Rokan did his part, they'd follow up with the fight.
They began their own movements.
"Not far now."
In the midst of casual chatter, the emperor drew near.
Rokan used All-Piercing Eyes to check the distant speck that was the emperor's position and status, adjusting distance and altitude.
Even if he succeeded with the jewel, without the seven high masters intervening at the right timing, the first strike wouldn't register.
Calculating distances to the emperor and masters, he tuned his speed—then suddenly climbed toward the sun.
Kree! Kreeyt!
He felt Kai's strain through their bond but endured. At the altitude limit, he unleashed his power.
"Rider of Legends!"
The transcendent force temporarily evolved his mount.
[Great Peng, Kai]
Kai's body ballooned to an unimaginable size—surpassing all before, like a heavenly steed turning into a red-maned warhorse. He transcended limits, becoming a mythical beast whose wingspan blotted out the sky like clouds, soaring to unprecedented heights.
'It was my visualization, but... this is no joke.'
Kai hadn't just grown.
His status window showed stats and HP beyond imagination.
Comparable to Life Devourer Karak, with physical and elemental defenses absurdly high from devouring elemental worms.
Attack might be unknown, but HP and defense were peerless.
'Might be easier than I thought.'
Bigger size made control and evasion harder, but with that HP and defense, he could tank through. No worries.
Even a grand master like the emperor couldn't one-shot Kai.
Kreeeek!
Then Kai let out a dissatisfied screech.
Hating his enlarged body—having mastered body manipulation—he tried reshaping again.
Tsss...
'...Cheat.'
No longer a flying fortress, Kai shrank to slightly larger than a wyvern—retaining all stats.
Kreeyt!
Satisfied at last, Kai grinned broadly and dove vertically toward the ancient emperor.