Chapter 90
Chapter 90
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Corruption Hunter (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
There were two main ways to travel to the Central Continent.
The most common method was by sea. Taking the regular ferry across.
However, despite being called a regular ferry, the problem was that it could be attacked by sea monsters at any moment, leading to total annihilation.
Even so, the fact that these ferries kept operating was utterly baffling, which led to a conspiracy theory in his previous life.
That the real regular ferries, safe routes used only by NPCs, were separate, and the ships for users were on pioneering routes to blaze new paths. In other words, the NPCs were deliberately sending users into dangerous waters.
‘There’s no real reason for them to do that.’
But there was no real reason for it, and even if you cleared all the sea monsters, the routes wouldn’t necessarily become safe, so it never gained mainstream traction.
‘The seabed tunnel it is, then.’
So, what was the other method?
It was using the tunnel laid beneath the sea and walking across.
By following this tunnel that cut straight across the ocean, you could reach the Central Continent much faster than the ferries that looped far around with the currents.
‘It won’t be easy…….’
However, even knowing that, Rokan hadn’t chosen this path from the start for good reason.
It was far too dangerous.
To the point where fighting a kraken alone might offer better odds.
That was why, even knowing he had to do it, he couldn’t bring himself to commit.
At that moment, Malkin returned with an unprecedentedly bright expression.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. You were right. It was about infusing this with corrupting power and broadcasting it. You’ve done something incredible.”
[Unbelievable Achievement! You are the first to uncover the source of the corruption that no one else could reveal.]
[Title ‘Overcomer of Corruption’ evolves to ‘Corruption Hunter’.]
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
[Unique+][Corruption Hunter][First]
Corrupting power is an unknown energy whose origin remains unrevealed. You overcame and conquered it, uncovered its source, and succeeded in hunting it effectively.
In the future, corruption will fear you.
You are the first to acquire this title.
[Held Effects]
-Corruption damage reduced by 20%
-Enhanced detection of corrupting power
-[2/3]
‘Oh.’
With the quest completion came the title acquisition—no, the title’s evolution.
The existing abilities were strengthened, but nothing had changed drastically. Still, the option that unlocked after hunting three corrupted monsters sparked anticipation.
‘Oh, right, that too.’
Moreover, it wasn’t just this that grew by hunting corrupted monsters.
[Soul-Piercing Power (Growth)][Epic]
Imprints a tattoo-like mark on the body, granting the secret technique of a lethal power that pierces the soul.
Extracted the heart of a corrupted monster to create the imprint, adding a special power.
-Activates [Soul-Piercing Power] effect on use
-Critical hit chance +11%
-Critical hit damage +60%
-Can grow by absorbing corrupting power
‘1% and 10%…….’
The Soul-Piercing Power had grown by absorbing corrupting power.
The growth wasn’t huge—1% to critical chance and 10% to critical damage—but the key was its potential for continued growth.
No one knew how far it could grow, but even ten to twenty growths would grant overwhelming strength.
In the Central Continent, he’d face far more corrupting power than before.
[Level up.]
While happily checking the title, his level rose once more.
The title was secondary; the real reward was something else.
“Thanks to you, tracking and researching them will speed up. Thanks again. You’ve worked hard. So, I thought about your reward……. I was going to give you some gear, but your equipment seems decent enough despite not matching your level, so I prepared something else.”
“This is…….”
What Malkin held out was none other than a single book. A skill book.
Unlike ordinary skill books, it was adorned in gold, which was unusual.
“It’s a special skill book. I got one that seemed perfect for you. Take a look.”
[Acquired Skill Book ‘Two Hearts’.]
[This skill book binds on acquisition. Acquire it?]
“Acquire.”
Just from the name, it was impossible to guess what the skill did. Even scouring his previous life’s memories, he’d never heard of a skill by this name.
‘Not like I can refuse anyway.’
Plus, with it binding on acquisition and no sign of Malkin bringing another gift, there didn’t seem to be much choice.
After acquiring the skill book, Rokan checked its description with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
[Two Hearts][Skill Book]
Creates a second heart infused with magical power in the user’s body.
-Adds magical heart within the body
-Greatly increases vitality and stamina
-Slightly increases strength, agility, intelligence
“……Holy shit.”
“What do you think? Like it?”
Having checked the skill description, Rokan stared at Malkin in dumbfounded disbelief.
‘No matter that it’s magic, is this even possible?’
Two hearts? He’d thought it was just a figure of speech, but now that it was becoming reality, bewilderment overrode analysis.
“Uh……. Yes, I like it very much.”
“Great! Keep up the good work from now on. I’m busy, so I’ll be off.”
Rokan watched in a daze as Malkin left without even watching him learn the skill. After catching his breath, he opened the skill book.
It boosted all stats evenly, so no loss there.
“Alright, let’s do it. Acquire skill, Two Hearts.”
He figured he’d understand the details once he learned it, so he went ahead.
“Gah!”
And in that instant, agony struck, and Rokan collapsed to the ground.
It was pain on a whole different level from getting beaten by monsters.
Something inside him felt like it was being wrung out, the pain lasting about five minutes before gradually fading.
“Huff, huff, what the…….”
As the pain dulled, Rokan could feel it. A second heart had formed inside him.
[Two Hearts][Passive]
Greatly enhances physical abilities with the power of the magical heart.
-Vitality +100%
-Stamina +300
-Strength +50
-Agility +50
-Intelligence +50
-One use per day of [Bloodflow Acceleration]
-Death prevented even if heart is destroyed.
The numbers in the description window were staggering. The massive stat boosts were impressive, but the other two effects were truly remarkable.
First, Bloodflow Acceleration was a skill that temporarily accelerated bloodflow for immense power and speed.
He’d never imagined a passive skill would include something like this—it was pure bonus.
And the final option……
‘With this…… it might actually be possible.’
It couldn’t have been more perfect for him than anyone else.
Rokan pondered deeply on the Two Hearts skill’s effects as he began packing his gear.
Unsure how many days this challenge would take, he stocked the shop to last over a month and arranged for the dwarf blacksmith’s items to be produced daily and delivered.
With his inventory filled to the brim with food and consumables—no need to pick up more junk—he logged out, then logged back in, heading off as if to settle things once and for all.
To Murine Village, the entrance to the seabed tunnel.
“Whew, here goes.”
No hesitation once decided. Rokan opened the entrance to the seabed tunnel and slid down the slide-like passage.
At the end of that fun path lay only a narrow, dark tunnel with no end in sight.
‘Night vision it is.’
Unsure what lurked inside, he didn’t light a torch. Light illuminated vision but also drew attention.
He advanced carefully, step by step.
‘It should be about time…….’
After walking for a while, Rokan began to tense up.
He already knew what awaited inside. The seabed tunnel had been conquered in the past.
But the issue was that it had been conquered after leveling up far more on the Central Continent.
Methods and strategies had been revealed, but even so, no one under level 200 had passed through.
The tunnel limited the number of challengers at once, and more people meant higher difficulty.
That’s why even those who came prepared with strategies all failed.
Whoosh.
‘It’s here.’
Then, the pitch-black tunnel lit up brilliantly. An astonishing sight unfolded.
‘It’s not supposed to be glass…… what is this?’
From head to toe, everything was transparently visible outside like full glass walls.
Truly the seabed. Having walked far from land’s end, he was deep underwater.
People risked death to see this mystical view, like visiting an aquarium, making Rokan’s nonchalance stand out.
“Who are you?”
A deep, cavernous voice echoed. The seafolk had appeared.
“I am Human True Berserker Rokan. If possible, I’d like your permission to use the seabed tunnel.”
Despite the eerie face with a gloomy expression and scars like twisted marks, Rokan responded politely, as if addressing a human.
He’d see far uglier faces later, and the monstrous black insides were more human-added anyway.
Moreover, as creators and maintainers of this tunnel, offending them would spell big trouble.
“Human. It’s been ages since one came here. Fine. I’ll think about letting you use the seabed tunnel, but follow me for now.”
‘Phew.’
As he turned and waddled ahead, Rokan finally let out a silent sigh of relief.
First trial passed.
But he couldn’t relax. Many checkpoints remained to pass the tunnel.
[Discovered Seafolk Village.]
[Amazing Achievement! Discovered a forgotten region.]
[Acquired Title ‘Explorer’.]
[Explorer][Rare]
A title given to those who discover forgotten or uncharted regions. Your unrelenting challenges are beautiful.
[Held Effects]
-Increased favorability with neutral NPCs in exploration areas
‘Well now.’
Not being a first title was a shame, but the effect was solid enough. Rokan had more than one title anyway.
[Due to the effect of Title ‘Nothing is Impossible!’, reputation in Seafolk Village changes to Friendly.]
Upon discovering the village, the Legend-grade title ‘Nothing is Impossible!’ activated.
With base Friendly reputation plus increased favorability, the seafolk who led him naturally shifted attitude.