Chapter 241: Return of the Heroes (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 241: Return of the Heroes (2)
"I shall bestow upon you the 'Heaven's Selection Stone'."
"…!"
At Reinhardt's words, Jinhyuk's pupils shook with shock.
"Y-Your Majesty?"
"Is that not an item that only descendants of the imperial family can use?"
"This is impossible! Absolutely unacceptable!"
"I agree. No matter how heroic they are, this is an absurd measure!"
The ministers gasped in unison.
"I am sorry, but I have already made my decision."
"…Is that truly Your Majesty's will?"
Duke Beinstern's eyes grew cold.
"Yes… That is my will."
"Then there is nothing we can do. Since it is Your Majesty's will, we shall obey, but I pray you do not regret this decision."
Beinstern slowly rose from his seat. At that, the nobles who followed him stood up as well.
It was an incredibly insolent reaction, but at the same time, it was proof that the Duke's power had already surpassed the imperial authority.
Talk about walking on thin ice.
Then again, everyone had no choice but to react this way.
The 'Heaven's Selection Stone' was a sort of window of communication. Specifically, one that allowed communication with the deities of the upper floors.
Considering he had obtained the ancient species 'Goguma' when he met the Egyptian deities… one could guess just how absurd this reward was.
This is huge. No, this is absolutely insane.
Since the deities were incredibly fickle and unpredictable, it was uncertain whether they would even respond.
But if I can catch their fancy, the reward will undoubtedly be game-breaking enough to completely shatter the existing balance.
Jinhyuk's eyes gleamed with greed.
Of course, the words coming out of his mouth were a far cry from his actual thoughts.
"This is far too generous a reward for us. We only did what had to be done."
"No. Thanks to you, we were able to prevent harm to innocent citizens, so this is the least I can do. If anything, I only feel sorry that I cannot do more."
"Once again, I thank you for your royal grace."
Ugh. My skin is crawling, and my tongue feels like it's breaking out in thorns from all this flattery.
Still, he had to maintain his poker face until the very end. After all, this was how adults navigated social life.
"I have some matters to wrap up, so as soon as that is finished, I will personally guide you to where the Selection Stone is kept."
As if remembering something, Reinhardt turned his gaze to one side.
"And… Sir Abraham?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Could you escort them? With you there, I do not think we will need a large royal guard."
Abraham, a close associate of Beinstern and a Grand Sword Master.
It was quite surprising that Reinhardt had singled him out. This was because Abraham was not an ally, but someone who could turn into an enemy at any moment. Especially now, when the Duke had openly displayed his hostility.
"I shall obey the imperial decree."
After looking back and forth between Reinhardt and Jinhyuk for a moment, Abraham nodded.
* * *
A brief period of rest.
Jinhyuk was assigned the same room he had stayed in last time. For once, it was a proper place with a plush bed and warm food prepared.
Since Teresa, Cheon Yu-seong, and Phesis were in the room opposite his, he could meet up with them again in a bit.
"Sigh. Finally, some rest. I'm going to catch some shut-eye."
Alice immediately buried herself in the bed.
Is she seriously planning to sleep without even washing up?
"Ah! Unni. Me too. Let me sleep with you."
"Sure, come here."
Andrea snuggled in next to Alice.
"Mogi!"
Goguma also rolled onto the bed alongside them. As if it liked the fluffy bed, it let out a contented purr.
"My Lord, I shall go keep an eye on that man, Abraham. Even if he is a double agent, there are too many unsettling things about him to let our guard down."
With Andrea and Wolyeong—who had returned after wrapping things up with Namgung Cheon—joining in, the room had turned into a complete madhouse.
It's all well and good, but please, go to another room.
There are rooms everywhere here, so why on earth is everyone crowding into this one?
"Phew."
A deep sigh escaped Jinhyuk's lips.
Still, since the noisy bunch would be quiet for a while, he could take this opportunity to examine the items he had obtained from Antrad.
Jinhyuk lined up four items from his dimensional subspace inventory.
'Fox Bead'.
'Sword of Blazing Heat'.
'1,009 Recipes for a Glutton'.
'Spring of Oblivion'.
Every single one of them was a high-grade artifact radiating an extraordinary aura.
'1,009 Recipes for a Glutton' will come in handy when conquering the 15th floor, where the Wailing Witch resides…
Now, it was time to examine the 'Sword of Blazing Heat'.
A hot, burning energy surged from his fingertips all the way to the crown of his head.
[Sword of Blazing Heat]
Acquisition Difficulty: SS
Attack Power: 13,500
Weight: 82kg
Durability: 10,000/10,000
Special Effect: The cherished sword of the mid-grade demon Antrad. When used in conjunction with a 'Fire Attribute' innate ability or skill, Attack Power increases by 10% for 1 minute. Additionally, the wielder's resistance to all fire attacks increases by 50%.
…This is incredible.
The attack power itself was immense, but the two special effects were downright broken. Not only was it specialized for both offense and defense, but the percentages listed were hard to believe even as he stared right at them.
The only drawback is the weight, but I have ways to deal with that anyway.
He could have old man Orun handle it, or sell it for a hefty price through Rick. Since he could name his price, he was practically sitting on a goldmine.
Next, Jinhyuk picked up a bead with flames dancing inside a transparent glass sphere.
[Fox Bead]
Acquisition Difficulty: SSS
Description: When held, this bead allows the user to undergo a beast transformation into the 'Nine-Tailed Fox' model. Its primary feature is a change in appearance, along with the granting of additional movement speed and various skills. (Note: Ownership cannot be transferred once bound, and only females can possess it.)
Abilities optimized for speed.
There's only one person this suits.
"Andrea. Can you come here for a second?"
"Yes?"
"I have something to give you."
"Lord Jinhyuk… to me?"
Andrea's eyes widened into perfect circles as she scrambled off the bed. She looked just like a hibernating squirrel rushing over after spotting a sunflower seed.
"Hold this with both hands."
"Yes!"
As soon as the bead touched Andrea's hands, a brilliant light burst forth.
Hummmm!
[Beast transformation complete.]
[The power of the 'Nine-Tailed Fox' awakens!]
Andrea's appearance slowly began to change. Perked-up ears and nine white tails swayed gently. She looked exactly like the legendary Nine-Tailed Fox, though she was a far cry from the terrifying descriptions in the myths.
"Wow…"
Andrea gasped in wonder, unable to take her eyes off herself. Beyond the simple change in appearance, the very quality of the mana flowing from her body had transformed.
"If you control your mana, you'll be able to transform back and forth at will."
"Thank you so much, Lord Jinhyuk… giving me something so precious…"
"You've worked hard carrying out the missions I gave you, haven't you? Consider this your reward, so you don't have to feel burdened."
Which actually means: feel heavily burdened.
And don't forget that you'll have to keep working hard in the future.
By binding her with the shackles of gratitude like this, he would be able to freely utilize Andrea and the power of the 5th floor later on.
Perfect.
Now that the Fox Bead was taken care of, only the long-awaited hidden piece remained.
Leaving behind a deeply moved Andrea, Jinhyuk inspected the unfamiliar liquid.
['Gluttony's Eye' penetrates the target!]
[Spring of Oblivion]
Acquisition Difficulty: Unmeasurable
Description: Enables 'large-scale memory manipulation' targeting all players worldwide and ordinary humans outside the Tower. The duration of the distorted memories depends on the completion level of the Spring of Oblivion. (Current Completion: 7%)
No way…
To think he could manipulate the memories of not just one person, but all players worldwide and ordinary humans outside the Tower simultaneously. He had never even heard of such an item existing.
In an instant, dozens of scenarios where he could utilize this item flashed through his mind. It was a treasure of truly limitless utility.
None of the rewards I got this time are waste.
At this rate, his overflowing luck was almost terrifying. To the point where he wouldn't even have the right to complain if he got struck by a meteorite while walking down the street.
However, he did not let his overwhelming excitement show on his face. Because the most important reward still remained.
The Heaven's Selection Stone.
The moment he would face the high-ranking deities was drawing near.
* * *
The Empire's hidden location, the 'Emperor's Tomb'.
This was the resting place of past emperors, a forbidden area heavily guarded by countless barriers and spells.
Jinhyuk scanned the interior of the tomb with deeply moved eyes. The tomb, filled with relics that had all been bestowed with 'Color', was a feast for the eyes just to look at.
I've really made it big, getting to visit a place like this.
Even in the past, when he prided himself on being the best, he had never been able to enter this place. Not only had he failed to sway the Emperor's mind back then, but he also hadn't wielded as massive an influence over the power struggle of the middle floors as he did now.
And in the first place, I didn't have any companions to break through those difficult obstacles with me.
But things were different now. Though they bickered constantly, he now had people he could trust and stand beside.
Well… it wasn't a bad feeling. Not having to walk a lonely path all by himself.
Above all, I can surpass my past self—which I once thought was my limit—and grow even further.
At that thought, his heart began to thump with pleasant anticipation.
Just then,
"Ho."
An ornate statue caught Jinhyuk's eye. A marble statue about two meters tall, sculpted in the likeness of an angel.
Of course, what truly caught his attention were the colorful gems embedded here and there on the statue.
Those were the 'Heaven's Selection Stones'.
"It's an incredible item. I can't even… see the end of its mana."
Teresa swallowed hard.
"…It's certainly an interesting toy."
Alice's eyes narrowed as well.
"My, we are getting to see some truly rare things."
"…"
Phesis and Cheon Yu-seong also stared intently at the Heaven's Selection Stones, as if unable to believe their eyes.
"Since you have defeated three demons, I shall grant you three of those stones. However, keep this in mind. The Heaven's Selection Stone is merely a medium that allows communication with high-ranking deities. To draw their attention, you must possess the qualifications worthy of them."
Receiving the aid of a deity was undoubtedly a massive advantage. But to the unqualified, it was nothing more than a cursed relic that would bring down the deities' mockery, or worse, their wrath.
"A-A curse?"
At the mention of a curse, Teresa's expression darkened slightly. No matter how appealing a connection with a deity was, it wasn't a fortuitous encounter she wanted if it meant risking a curse.
"Of course, do not worry too much. If you are deemed unqualified, you can simply return the Selection Stone to the angel statue immediately."
"That is… a relief, then."
Soft sighs of relief could be heard from here and there.
"There are thirty-seven Selection Stones remaining in total."
Jinhyuk, who had been counting the stones, spoke up slowly.
At his words, the corner of Reinhardt's mouth twitched slightly. As if he knew exactly what Jinhyuk was going to say just by him mentioning the number thirty-seven.
"Indeed. Exactly thirty-seven remain."
From the past to the present, there had been a total of thirty-eight members of the Reinhardt imperial bloodline. Yet, thirty-seven Selection Stones still remained.
Which meant… only a single person had ever received the recognition of the deities through the Selection Stones.
"Does it not mean that none of us possessed the qualifications to succeed the late Emperor?"
Reinhardt I, who unified the Empire. He was an emperor of overwhelming martial might and iron-fisted rule, an absolute ruler who possessed power no one dared challenge.
Thus, he had been chosen by the deities. Under their protection, he wielded his sword for the peace of the Empire until the end of his days.
However, that golden age was far too brief. Because after the first emperor, there had not been a single talent capable of carrying on the imperial authority through the Selection Stones.
"Is that why you intended to give these precious Selection Stones to us? Because you judged that those who defeated the demons might be recognized by the deities through them?"
"Haha. Quick-witted as always. Yes, that is precisely why."
"You must have had your reasons for making this decision, but what do you plan to do about the nobles? Surely, many will begin to question the imperial authority."
The decision the Emperor had made a few hours ago was practically handing the nobles an official justification to make their move. The factions that had been operating in the shadows would now bare their fangs in earnest.
"Imperial authority…"
Reinhardt slowly chewed on the words. Through the wrinkles that showed his age, the memories of a lonely emperor flickered.
"More than such trivial things, my people living in this Empire are what matter to me."
He had wanted to protect them. This Empire established by his ancestors. The lives of the citizens who lived day by day in the name of peace.
He had dedicated his entire life solely to that purpose, believing that if it was for their sake, he would have no regrets even if he had to sacrifice his own body.
"But with my strength alone, it is impossible."
An imperial authority that was nothing but a puppet. Duke Beinstern had already seized control of both taxation and the core of national defense—the very heart of power.
A few loyal subjects remained, but they were far from enough to turn the tide. With each passing day, the gap only widened further. Having lost all hope, he had lived in despair in the darkness for far too long.
"Just as you worried, a full-scale rebellion will break out soon. The Murim agreeing to a truce must also be because they have finished negotiations with the nobles."
"So you knew…"
Though he was said to have closed his eyes and ears, it seemed he wasn't completely in the dark. Even so, the fact that he had taken such action meant Reinhardt had made a firm resolution of his own.
"When I first met you, for the first time, I thought that perhaps hope had not completely vanished. And that vague expectation has now turned into certainty. Please, save the Empire."
An emperor who had lost everything was begging him to save everything. There was not a shred of pretense in his heavy, sincere voice.
"I..."
But just as Jinhyuk was about to reply,
[All barriers have been deactivated!]
[Defense magic has been neutralized!]
[Intruders have entered the Emperor's Tomb!]
Red status windows popped up one after another.
Someone had come. Into this very tomb.