Chapter 203: Blessing (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 203: Blessing (3)
Dragon's Blessing was one of the traits that made the dragon race so OP. Unlike Dragon Speech, this Blessing could be bestowed on other races. However, the number of times this had happened could be counted on two hands. You had to build up a certain amount of friendship with the dragon tribe and beat a hidden side quest in order to pull it off.
If you choose a dwarf, whom they don't get along with, as your character, you won't even get the chance to try.
Of course, I was a barbarian, not a dwarf, but in actuality, I had given up on the Blessing. The conditions of the hidden quest were already insane in and of themselves, but according to my research, these quests were virtually gone in this era. A hundred and fifty years had passed since the setting of the game. The problem that had been such a headache for the dragon tribe throughout their history had supposedly been solved by a certain hero.
Wait, if I can do this one like this, does that mean the others aren't impossible, either?
I recalled a few of the hidden routes that I thought were closed to me and thought them over. Perhaps it was still possible to take those routes. Even if that wasn't the case, there were things that had been completely blocked by the game's system that I could try.
"Just telling you this in case, but you can't choose multiple blessings. As a barbarian, your body wouldn't be able to withstand it."
"What do you mean my body can't withstand it?"
"Just as I said. You'd die."
Hmm, so that wouldn't work. She might give it a try if I insisted, but I had no intention of being so stubborn. The price was my life, after all. I heard the number of people who received more than two Blessings was very few, including Mr. Dragon. That was how much of a toll it took on the body.
"So, your decision? I can give you more time if you want."
"No, it's fine. I'll go with this one." I shook my head and smiled. That was because I had made the decision before I even got here.
The Blessing of the Sea Dragon? Not this one, that was for sure. Soul Power was an important resource, but if I rationed it appropriately for a hunt, I wouldn't end up lacking it. It wasn't like I was a sorcerer or something. I just needed the minimum.
The Blessing of the Volcano Dragon wasn't bad. As the skill buff was set to keep pace with your growth, the performance enhancement wouldn't just stop at 30 percent and would work even better as time went on.
"I will receive the Blessing of the Earth Dragon."
However, I ultimately decided that it was better to raise stats than skills. The reason was simple. Many of my skills were dependent on stats anyway. If the stat went up 20 percent, the performance of any accompanying skills would be enhanced by that much too.
"Good choice. I guess you're being cautious about him." Mr. Dragon nodded at my selection. He seemed to think I was taking the Dragon Slayer into account in my decision so I just agreed. It wasn't that the thought didn't cross my mind, after all.
Silence of the Soul, Vagos's goddamn overpowered Dragon Speech, reduced the target's MP to zero and prevented them from using their skills, which was why I had had to fight him with my bare fists. However, if you asked if this was the deciding factor in my decision, it wasn't. The Earth Dragon Blessing had a hidden ability.
But there's no way these guys don't know that...
I narrowed my eyes at Mr. Dragon and the kid. I wasn't particularly insulted, though. They wouldn't have enough loyalty to me to tell someone of another race about something like that. I didn't need that kind of consideration from them in the first place.
"That's it, then. I will leave you to it." Once the decision was made, Mr. Dragon stepped aside with a delighted smile. "Have a good time with my daughter."
Dude, that just sounds wrong.
After Mr. Dragon left, the kid and I talked until nightfall. The main topic of conversation was my quests so far.
"Do I have to talk about myself?"
"That would be best. I told you earlier, there is power in words. The more you talk about the path you've walked in life, the easier it is for me to detect your wavelengths."
"If you say so."
This was more comfortable for me than rambling nonsense, so I told her my story while filtering out some things. It hadn't even been a full year since I became an adventurer, but I had more things to tell her than I thought. Maybe that was why...
"It's getting dark now. How much longer?"
We even had a meal during the conversation, and it was already evening, but it seemed this wasn't enough to bestow the Blessing yet.
"...Not yet. Your wavelengths are strangely difficult to read. Yeah... so keep going with what you were saying."
"Where did I leave off?"
"Doppelganger Forest. You realized some of the adventurers were from the underground city."
Since I had arrived at this place during broad daylight and spent all day talking, I had already reached recent events. After this, I had nothing left to talk about. I was a little worried, but when I admitted honestly, I learned there was no need to read my wavelengths.
"Hmm, I think this is enough."
"That means?"
"Follow me. I will bestow the Blessing on your body now."
When I followed the kid inside, I spotted a cave hidden behind a thin cloth.
A cave connected to the wall of a building, huh? It feels like I'm on a quest or something.
After walking through the cave for a few minutes, we reached a cavity of about forty square yards containing a bed and a few pieces of furniture. The jewels embedded on the ceiling created a soft light and smoke, giving the impression of a mystical space.
"Now, lie down here."
"The bed is too small for me to lie on. I'll just lie on the floor."
When I lay on the ground coolly, like the barbarian I was, the kid chuckled and started preparing to bestow the Blessing on my body. It didn't take long. It did take the form of a tattoo, but ultimately, the core of a Blessing was the special ability of the shaman.
"Where do you want it?"
"How big is it?"
"About this big." The kid spread her palm wide and showed me. It was much smaller than I thought.
"Does the location matter?"
"No, it doesn't matter. Why do you ask?"
"I want to put it somewhere others can't normally see it." It was the Blessing of another race, after all. Until I became chief and changed the rules of the tribe, I'd be in trouble if I got found out.
"...Somewhere others can't see it?" Something came to the kid's mind, and her gaze subconsciously slid to one place in particular. A grimace appeared on her face. "That's... going to be a bit difficult."
When I followed her line of sight, I genuinely freaked out. Jesus Christ. Who the hell got a tattoo there?
"...I-I can do up to the butt area."
"That's it, then. I will leave you to it." Once the decision was made, Mr. Dragon stepped aside with a delighted smile. "Have a good time with my daughter."
Dude, that just sounds wrong.
After Mr. Dragon left, the kid and I talked until nightfall. The main topic of conversation was my quests so far.
"Do I have to talk about myself?"
"That would be best. I told you earlier, there is power in words. The more you talk about the path you've walked in life, the easier it is for me to detect your wavelengths."
"If you say so."
This was more comfortable for me than rambling nonsense, so I told her my story while filtering out some things. It hadn't even been a full year since I became an adventurer, but I had more things to tell her than I thought. Maybe that was why...
"It's getting dark now. How much longer?"
We even had a meal during the conversation, and it was already evening, but it seemed this wasn't enough to bestow the Blessing yet.
"...Not yet. Your wavelengths are strangely difficult to read. Yeah... so keep going with what you were saying."
"Where did I leave off?"
"Doppelganger Forest. You realized some of the adventurers were from the underground city."
Since I had arrived at this place during broad daylight and spent all day talking, I had already reached recent events. After this, I had nothing left to talk about. I was a little worried, but when I admitted honestly, I learned there was no need to read my wavelengths.
"Hmm, I think this is enough."
"That means?"
"Follow me. I will bestow the Blessing on your body now."
When I followed the kid inside, I spotted a cave hidden behind a thin cloth.
A cave connected to the wall of a building, huh? It feels like I'm on a quest or something.
After walking through the cave for a few minutes, we reached a cavity of about forty square yards containing a bed and a few pieces of furniture. The jewels embedded on the ceiling created a soft light and smoke, giving the impression of a mystical space.
"Now, lie down here."
"The bed is too small for me to lie on. I'll just lie on the floor."
When I lay on the ground coolly, like the barbarian I was, the kid chuckled and started preparing to bestow the Blessing on my body. It didn't take long. It did take the form of a tattoo, but ultimately, the core of a Blessing was the special ability of the shaman.
"Where do you want it?"
"How big is it?"
"About this big." The kid spread her palm wide and showed me. It was much smaller than I thought.
"Does the location matter?"
"No, it doesn't matter. Why do you ask?"
"I want to put it somewhere others can't normally see it." It was the Blessing of another race, after all. Until I became chief and changed the rules of the tribe, I'd be in trouble if I got found out.
"...Somewhere others can't see it?" Something came to the kid's mind, and her gaze subconsciously slid to one place in particular. A grimace appeared on her face. "That's... going to be a bit difficult."
When I followed her line of sight, I genuinely freaked out. Jesus Christ. Who the hell got a tattoo there?
"...I-I can do up to the butt area."
Yeah right. "It's fine, do it here," I showed her the spot I had had in mind from the beginning.
"The sole of your foot? Oh, I see..." This society was similar to Western culture. Since they wore shoes indoors, there was almost no reason to show their bare foot.
The kid seemed to accept this, but then frowned. "But can't I just inscribe it between your tattoos? I don't think it will show much. Don't you always wear armor on top?"
"The shaman will notice."
"Ah, I guess."
Of course, considering the shaman's personality, he wouldn't bother me about it. But I still wanted to hide it as much as possible. There was no telling how things would turn out in the future, and the shaman was strangely suspicious.
"That's it, then. Can I get started?"
"Of course."
"It will hurt quite a bit."
"It's okay. Finish it quickly if you can." Despite the kid's warning, I didn't worry too much. Could it be as painful as the Spirit Imprint? Even if my Pain Resistance didn't help me, though, I wasn't afraid. "I am a barbarian." Barbarians were those who always bounced back up after getting knocked down.
"Hmm, is that so?" The kid shot me an enigmatic grin before lighting a white flame over her finger.
Chhhhhh!
As she seared the sole of my foot with the fire, she spoke. "You can scream."
Oh, is that so?
[The Earth Dragon's Blessing now dwells in your soul. All additional stats increase by 20%.]
I shouted with all my might—"Aaaaaargh!" This was not the time to care about the barbarian race's reputation.
***
[Bjorn Yandel
Level: 5
Physique: 555
Spirit: 198
Special Ability: 191
Item Level: 3068
General Combat Power: 1907.6 (New +176.6)
Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7 / Orc Hero - Rank 5 / Ogre - Rank 3 / Manticore - Rank 5]
***
The process of receiving the Blessing of the Earth Dragon on the sole of my foot was short in and of itself. Did it take maybe three minutes? Compared to the Spirit Imprint, which could take hours, it was only a moment. However, the total time it took ended up being similar. That was because as soon as it ended, I lost consciousness.
"Are you awake?"
When I slowly peeled my eyes open, I could see the kid sitting against the wall, reading a book. "...I must have fallen asleep."
"Not passed out? You're hilarious, really."
I ignored her ridicule and checked the time. It was 9 a.m., time to start a new day.
"Drink."
I chugged the water she gave me and got up. I was very mentally tired, but felt a great vigor in my body. Well, considering my stats had risen by 20 percent, I couldn't help but feel the difference. I was already looking forward to seeing how it worked. Aside from the Corpse Golem, my number of rank-five or better essences was currently only three. Just filling in these blanks would raise my stats as much as a high-rank essence would.
"Kid."
"It's Penitaseauros."
Don't wanna be called a kid?
Yeah right. "It's fine, do it here," I showed her the spot I had had in mind from the beginning.
"The sole of your foot? Oh, I see..." This society was similar to Western culture. Since they wore shoes indoors, there was almost no reason to show their bare foot.
The kid seemed to accept this, but then frowned. "But can't I just inscribe it between your tattoos? I don't think it will show much. Don't you always wear armor on top?"
"The shaman will notice."
"Ah, I guess."
Of course, considering the shaman's personality, he wouldn't bother me about it. But I still wanted to hide it as much as possible. There was no telling how things would turn out in the future, and the shaman was strangely suspicious.
"That's it, then. Can I get started?"
"Of course."
"It will hurt quite a bit."
"It's okay. Finish it quickly if you can." Despite the kid's warning, I didn't worry too much. Could it be as painful as the Spirit Imprint? Even if my Pain Resistance didn't help me, though, I wasn't afraid. "I am a barbarian." Barbarians were those who always bounced back up after getting knocked down.
"Hmm, is that so?" The kid shot me an enigmatic grin before lighting a white flame over her finger.
Chhhhhh!
As she seared the sole of my foot with the fire, she spoke. "You can scream."
Oh, is that so?
[The Earth Dragon's Blessing now dwells in your soul. All additional stats increase by 20%.]
I shouted with all my might—"Aaaaaargh!" This was not the time to care about the barbarian race's reputation.
***
[Bjorn Yandel
Level: 5
Physique: 555
Spirit: 198
Special Ability: 191
Item Level: 3068
General Combat Power: 1907.6 (New +176.6)
Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7 / Orc Hero - Rank 5 / Ogre - Rank 3 / Manticore - Rank 5]
***
The process of receiving the Blessing of the Earth Dragon on the sole of my foot was short in and of itself. Did it take maybe three minutes? Compared to the Spirit Imprint, which could take hours, it was only a moment. However, the total time it took ended up being similar. That was because as soon as it ended, I lost consciousness.
"Are you awake?"
When I slowly peeled my eyes open, I could see the kid sitting against the wall, reading a book. "...I must have fallen asleep."
"Not passed out? You're hilarious, really."
I ignored her ridicule and checked the time. It was 9 a.m., time to start a new day.
"Drink."
I chugged the water she gave me and got up. I was very mentally tired, but felt a great vigor in my body. Well, considering my stats had risen by 20 percent, I couldn't help but feel the difference. I was already looking forward to seeing how it worked. Aside from the Corpse Golem, my number of rank-five or better essences was currently only three. Just filling in these blanks would raise my stats as much as a high-rank essence would.
"Kid."
"It's Penitaseauros."
Don't wanna be called a kid?
"Okay, Penetasaur." Even as I recited her name, as she asked, it felt strange. Was this supposed to be a human's name or a dinosaur's?
"...Just call me Pen."
"Okay, Pen. Anyway, is it over now?"
"Yeah. Fortunately, it went well. But just in case, come visit again whenever you can. I've never bestowed a Blessing on another race before, so there could be some side effects."
"Okay, if I have time."
"Make time. I already told Dad about it."
After giving her a half-hearted "okay," we left the cave. I asked for Mr. Dragon's whereabouts so I could get back to where I was before I was summoned.
"Dad will be where you first arrived. Want me to guide you?"
"I can find the way myself."
After receiving scout lessons from Rotmiller, I was confident in my ability to memorize directions. Just as I was about to leave, her voice came from behind me. "Sorry."
"Huh?"
"I said sorry. Yesterday... For being honest and calling you ugly."
I chuckled. I was confused whether this was an apology or an attempt at picking another fight, but like an adult, I decided to just point out the facts. "I'm not ugly."
"What?"
"I am handsome, like a man."
Pen studied me quietly before nodding slightly. "...Okay."
It seemed I'd succeeded in instilling the correct beauty standards in her before she was tainted by the world. "See you next time. I'll tell you more stories then."
"...Okay."
Saying goodbye to Pen, I went looking for Mr. Dragon. Then, after finally handing over the Dragon Sword, I returned to the sewer I had originally been in through Dragon Speech. The familiar scent of filth made my appetite disappear entirely. I considered for a moment whether I should just go back and get some sleep, but ultimately decided to hurry along.
It really is connected to the city.
Just as Amelia said, when I followed the secret tunnel, an exit leading to the city appeared. It was in District Eight, right beside District Seven, where I lived. Originally, I was planning to meet Missha and Ainar to hear what was going on with them, but I was too tired for that.
I'll see them in a few days anyway.
I covered my face with the hood I brought with me, then bought the skewer Jingjing asked for before heading back.
"Here's the skewer from the shop you mentioned. I asked them for the spiciest, manliest flavor." He just stared. "Why aren't you saying anything? Aren't you happy?"
"...I am happy."
"Too quiet."
"I am very happy!" Jingjing rejoiced enthusiastically, making it worth dragging my tired body all the way over here to bring it back. This was a weight off my shoulders. Now that I'd warned him that I could come back at any time, Bifron wouldn't go back to its former state overnight.
"Are you crying?"
"It's... because the skewer... is so spicy..."
"Tsk. It's because you cry so easily that your hair is falling out."
"Right..."
"I'm going to sleep now, so don't wake me up."
After sleeping for almost an entire day, I spent even more time sleeping as if to enjoy the last bit of my vacation. Soon, the day finally came.
"Behelaaah!"
It was the end of my short, yet long, exile. Receiving an enthusiastic send-off from all the members of my organization, I headed to the city wall. I shared a brief farewell with Jingjing too.
"I will visit from time to time."
"Yes, boss! We'll be waiting for you!" Still, Jingjing's mental state seemed to have recovered a lot since the first day. After once again instilling in him to keep the secret passage a secret between the two of us, I called for the guard on the wall.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel. Confirmed."
Then I entered the checkpoint and went through a simple identification process. Once that was over, the guard opened the door from the other side of the double-door structure.
"A knight of Mozlan left you a message. He said to stay out of trouble."
What trouble? It was their fault that I got locked up here when it should've been handled with a fine. I grumbled as I entered the city and took a deep breath. Even the air felt different here. Strangely, even the sunlight felt warmer today.
...But where is everyone?
Returning to the city after twenty days of exile, I absently stood there on the street for a while. Even after a few minutes, none of my teammates showed up. I was kind of hoping they would come out to greet me.
Well, they wouldn't have known the time.
I hurriedly grabbed a wagon and headed for the inn. As soon as I returned, I knocked on Missha's door.
Bang, bang!
Even after several knocks, the door did not open. I couldn't hear anything inside, either.
Huh? Is she out?
We might have missed each other on her way out to greet me. That was what I was thinking when a door opened.
Rattle.
It was the door to Ainar's room, not Missha's. "Bjorn...!" Ainar greeted me urgently, looking like she'd just woken up. For some reason, alarm bells started going off in my head.
What the...?
At first, it started in the subconscious, but I soon realized the cause of this strange feeling of wrongness. If Missha had gone out to greet me, Ainar wouldn't be here alone, because she would've brought her with her.
"Why—! What took you so long!?"
"Calm down and tell me what happened." Forcing down my mounting anxiety, I first asked what was going on.
"Missha...! Missha was kidnapped!"
Something had gone wrong while I was away.
"Okay, Penetasaur." Even as I recited her name, as she asked, it felt strange. Was this supposed to be a human's name or a dinosaur's?
"...Just call me Pen."
"Okay, Pen. Anyway, is it over now?"
"Yeah. Fortunately, it went well. But just in case, come visit again whenever you can. I've never bestowed a Blessing on another race before, so there could be some side effects."
"Okay, if I have time."
"Make time. I already told Dad about it."
After giving her a half-hearted "okay," we left the cave. I asked for Mr. Dragon's whereabouts so I could get back to where I was before I was summoned.
"Dad will be where you first arrived. Want me to guide you?"
"I can find the way myself."
After receiving scout lessons from Rotmiller, I was confident in my ability to memorize directions. Just as I was about to leave, her voice came from behind me. "Sorry."
"Huh?"
"I said sorry. Yesterday... For being honest and calling you ugly."
I chuckled. I was confused whether this was an apology or an attempt at picking another fight, but like an adult, I decided to just point out the facts. "I'm not ugly."
"What?"
"I am handsome, like a man."
Pen studied me quietly before nodding slightly. "...Okay."
It seemed I'd succeeded in instilling the correct beauty standards in her before she was tainted by the world. "See you next time. I'll tell you more stories then."
"...Okay."
Saying goodbye to Pen, I went looking for Mr. Dragon. Then, after finally handing over the Dragon Sword, I returned to the sewer I had originally been in through Dragon Speech. The familiar scent of filth made my appetite disappear entirely. I considered for a moment whether I should just go back and get some sleep, but ultimately decided to hurry along.
It really is connected to the city.
Just as Amelia said, when I followed the secret tunnel, an exit leading to the city appeared. It was in District Eight, right beside District Seven, where I lived. Originally, I was planning to meet Missha and Ainar to hear what was going on with them, but I was too tired for that.
I'll see them in a few days anyway.
I covered my face with the hood I brought with me, then bought the skewer Jingjing asked for before heading back.
"Here's the skewer from the shop you mentioned. I asked them for the spiciest, manliest flavor." He just stared. "Why aren't you saying anything? Aren't you happy?"
"...I am happy."
"Too quiet."
"I am very happy!" Jingjing rejoiced enthusiastically, making it worth dragging my tired body all the way over here to bring it back. This was a weight off my shoulders. Now that I'd warned him that I could come back at any time, Bifron wouldn't go back to its former state overnight.
"Are you crying?"
"It's... because the skewer... is so spicy..."
"Tsk. It's because you cry so easily that your hair is falling out."
"Right..."
"I'm going to sleep now, so don't wake me up."
After sleeping for almost an entire day, I spent even more time sleeping as if to enjoy the last bit of my vacation. Soon, the day finally came.
"Behelaaah!"
It was the end of my short, yet long, exile. Receiving an enthusiastic send-off from all the members of my organization, I headed to the city wall. I shared a brief farewell with Jingjing too.
"I will visit from time to time."
"Yes, boss! We'll be waiting for you!" Still, Jingjing's mental state seemed to have recovered a lot since the first day. After once again instilling in him to keep the secret passage a secret between the two of us, I called for the guard on the wall.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel. Confirmed."
Then I entered the checkpoint and went through a simple identification process. Once that was over, the guard opened the door from the other side of the double-door structure.
"A knight of Mozlan left you a message. He said to stay out of trouble."
What trouble? It was their fault that I got locked up here when it should've been handled with a fine. I grumbled as I entered the city and took a deep breath. Even the air felt different here. Strangely, even the sunlight felt warmer today.
...But where is everyone?
Returning to the city after twenty days of exile, I absently stood there on the street for a while. Even after a few minutes, none of my teammates showed up. I was kind of hoping they would come out to greet me.
Well, they wouldn't have known the time.
I hurriedly grabbed a wagon and headed for the inn. As soon as I returned, I knocked on Missha's door.
Bang, bang!
Even after several knocks, the door did not open. I couldn't hear anything inside, either.
Huh? Is she out?
We might have missed each other on her way out to greet me. That was what I was thinking when a door opened.
Rattle.
It was the door to Ainar's room, not Missha's. "Bjorn...!" Ainar greeted me urgently, looking like she'd just woken up. For some reason, alarm bells started going off in my head.
What the...?
At first, it started in the subconscious, but I soon realized the cause of this strange feeling of wrongness. If Missha had gone out to greet me, Ainar wouldn't be here alone, because she would've brought her with her.
"Why—! What took you so long!?"
"Calm down and tell me what happened." Forcing down my mounting anxiety, I first asked what was going on.
"Missha...! Missha was kidnapped!"
Something had gone wrong while I was away.