Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Aureiel’s body, imbued with light, gradually began to glow white.
‘What the hell is going on right now? Did Aureiel do something that triggered some serious effect?’
Chaos answered my frantic question.
[Chaos says that swearing an oath to a god… is an act where, as a servant of the deity, you make an unbreakable promise with strong intent. If the god accepts it, you can receive power.]
This is completely different from what’s happening now, isn’t it?
[Chaos says it can also be used to judge truth and falsehood, like in this situation, to discern what’s real.]
Truth and lies. Lie detection.
[Chaos notes that in such cases, unless you stake your life or offer a tremendous tribute, defying the god you serve would have consequences… so it’s considered an extremely rare sight.]
So an oath to a god… could go two ways.
<“I will impose a restriction I will never break, so if it looks okay, please make me stronger!”>
or
<“I stake my life, so please don’t be angry, and let everyone know I’m telling the truth!”>
The latter means if you’re wrong, you really die.
‘Damn it. Why would Aureiel risk her life just to protect me?’
We’d only been together for about four days. Was it gratitude for fending off Hans? Or had she overheard our conversation in the tent and pitied me?
As I pondered, the light that had been piercing my eyes gradually dimmed.
“She’s alive. How did this happen, Scarlet?”
Bernard demanded.
“Wasn’t she just using divine power to glow brightly? How can anyone look at that and deny it’s assault…”
Bang! Crackle.
Hans tried to corner Aureiel with suspicion, but a white lightning bolt struck right in front of him from the sky.
Shivering and curled up, Hans shut his mouth tight.
“Scarlet, I’ll ask too. What the hell happened? If Aureiel’s words are true, are you saying you deliberately tore your clothes, hit yourself in the face, and screamed?”
Scarlet finally abandoned her hesitant attitude and said.
“Yes. I tore my own clothes, messed up my hair, and staged the scene. Why? Because Aren wouldn’t accept my feelings!”
Deric’s face turned red as he heard her.
“Hey, I’m your lover, not Aren! That explains why things felt off the past few days. I thought Aren was at fault, but it was actually you seducing him?”
Boom!
Heavy stomping filled with rage.
“Why?! Did you fall for him at first sight or something?”
Scarlet snapped back in irritation.
“I was actually going to break up with you anyway!”
“….”
“I had just left my family, registered as an adventurer, standing around clueless, and you, dressed like a mage, tried to look all impressive and invited me to your party. Remember that?”
Deric muttered reluctantly that he did, so she continued.
“I was a brand-new novice, and your confident demeanor looked impressive at the time. In the middle of life-or-death battles, I mistook it for attraction, I guess.”
The destabilizing trait effect on top of that… was that what caused the confusion?
“…But even if I admitted liking you first, you always gave in. A man obsessed with authority and goals, neglecting me, is the kind I really hate! One father is enough for that kind of trash!”
Scarlet shook her head violently, tugging at her hair in frustration.
“Climbing the floors, I was the one approaching first! You barely did anything but used the dungeon and party leader as excuses to push me away, yet secretly enjoyed being the dominant one!”
She jabbed fingers at Deric, pressing her argument.
“Excuses about the dungeon. Then I should’ve pushed back decisively from my side. Expressing my interest first made me look cheap? Am I your caught fish? Playing hard to get?”
Hm, Deric too…
“Aren is charming, kind, never treats others lightly! Even pushing someone away when necessary was gentle! I like a guy like that!”
‘Aureiel said during the first meeting that if there’s no reaction to traits, they probably aren’t evil. Don’t they all know each other’s traits?’
I asked Chaos the question I’d been curious about.
[Chaos says that it’s easy to check stats or trait names, but to verify details, you have to apply at the cathedral, and when your turn comes, you can check.]
Cathedral?
[Chaos adds that it’s the same place where they pay to remove traits.]
‘Then Scarlet probably didn’t have time to investigate her strange trait. She just left her family, registered as an adventurer, and immediately got invited to a dungeon party.’
Could that weird, curse-like trait have appeared when she left her family?
While I was mulling this over, Deric, trembling, spoke.
“But you staged all this because Aren wouldn’t accept you, trying to fool everyone and ruin someone’s life?”
“Because I love Aren that much! You may think it’s abnormal to do that in just a few days, but I’m different! I truly, sincerely loved Aren!”
Damn. If I hadn’t realized it was a trait-driven obsession…
“Stop, Scarlet. I said I don’t want to deceive Deric. Best to end it here.”
Scarlet’s eyes gleamed at that.
“Aren! Then if we resolve this with Deric here and now, it’ll be fine?”
“Stop. Scarlet will be restrained until tomorrow’s goblin village raid, with weapons set aside, tied together, and monitored in order.”
Deric, having lost all patience, cut the conversation short.
“I won’t ask about the disgrace. Do you want to punish her separately?”
At the time, she was furious and even spoke of revenge… but it’s already settled. Agreeing now would only worsen party morale.
Let’s just focus on escaping the dungeon tomorrow.
“No. That’s fine. Just hope Scarlet doesn’t cause trouble until we return to the city.”
With that, we tied Scarlet to a nearby tree and began taking turns keeping watch.
It was my turn, sitting at a distance from Scarlet, when Aureiel approached.
“Ah, I did well earlier, right? Hehe.”
Not long after I nearly panicked knowing she risked her life.
“Don’t do dangerous things like putting your life on the line for others. You don’t know how scared I was.”
“It’s not just anyone… it’s Aren, so it’s… like that…”
Aureiel fidgeted her fingers, mumbling too softly to hear.
“You’re too quiet. Say it again?”
“No! Aren’s a fool! At times like this, just say thank you!”
“No, of course I’m grateful. Thanks for saving me earlier. Because of you, tomorrow will go smoothly too.”
Aureiel smiled awkwardly.
“Only words?”
“Uh, do you want anything?”
“Pet me! No special meaning, I just like the feeling since your hands are big!”
Bang!
Scarlet, tied to the tree, kicked.
“I can laugh too, act cute, even more… make you look at me again, speak kindly! Why are you only nice to her?! If I get rid of her, will you notice me more? No, just die with Aren and stay together forever.”
‘Wait, what is Scarlet muttering?’
Wasn’t she upset the charade was exposed? Did she still have something to say?
I stepped closer.
[Intense anger makes magic output violent and increases power.]
[Scarlet Ennis’ Blessing of Fire goes berserk.]
“…Wild flames to burn. Flame Burst!”
Damn it.
Flare!
As the spell erupted, time around me slowed. I bought some thinking time.
The problem was the spell’s location was too close, and even in slow-motion, it wasn’t completely avoidable.
I had let my guard down seeing the destruction.
I could cast magic without a staff?
‘If I stay still, I’ll be roasted. Observe the premonition carefully; it’s a wide linear flame spell.’
Then what?
‘Jump up? Magic may last unknown time. Slide down? One side will be cooked.’
Even minimizing damage, one part of me would be hit. I had to trust Aureiel’s healing.
Decision made, action swift.
I lunged to the right; time normalized immediately.
Boom!
“Ugh, ahhh─!”
As expected, my lower leg touched the flames.
A brief moment, but already seared.
“Aren! No!”
‘Damn! I feel like I’m dying! Ugh!’
They say the worst human pain is burning; clutching my leg, I could only grit my teeth.
[Chaos stomps feet in sorrow.]
Hearing my scream, the party, including Aureiel, rushed over.
“Better die with Aren than not connect! Move aside, trash─!”
Flare.
Bang! Boom!
“Defensive stance!”
[Deric casts ‘Steadfast Stance’.]
[Gain jungle resistance.]
[Can expend magic to disperse impact.]
“Bernard and Hans, carry Aren behind me. Aureiel, heal and create a shield in front. If you want to live, stay behind me!”
Bernard and Hans carried me away.
“Aren! May they rise above pain!”
[Aureiel casts Heal; injured area recovers.]
Aureiel’s healing eased the pain and began regenerating the skin.
Then.
‘…What’s this?’
As pain subsided, my burned leg felt strange.
A faint sensation I’d noticed while killing goblins.
The trace of magic released during spells I’d missed… a clue of mana.
Buzz.
This time, perhaps because the spell struck me directly, I felt it more intensely.
Clutching my leg, I closed my eyes.
Thump.
The hand I held still felt residual mana, like embers wanting to burn.
Violent magic, like Scarlet’s rage embedded within.
Thump!
Once I felt the mana properly, the sensation spread uncontrollably.
This is… magic?
Opening my eyes, mana was too close.
Blue mana swirled red with Scarlet’s gestures, whitened with Aureiel’s chant, gathered yellow-brown on Deric’s shield.
Even floating in the air, shaken by my breath.
Already coursing through my blood.
Thump!
A world of glowing colors, like a realm of stars.
…So this is another world.
[Chaos adapts inside to the mana.]
What I needed was direct exposure to strong mana, somehow.
Like pouring priming water to pull from a dry pump.
Thump!
I understand now.
Why it’s called “Dragon Heart.” The meaning of the polyp blood infused into me.
My heart races.
[The Dragon Heart activates, recognizing user’s mana.]
[Acquire Trait: Strong Body─Draconian.]
────
[Strong Body─Draconian] [A]
Blood from the polyp optimizes the human body, allowing mana recognition. This is a Strong Body technique, distinct from ordinary human techniques.
With consistent training and combat, next stage can unlock.
Current: Stage 1
─Using internal mana, enhance overall physical ability; all physical stats increase by one tier.
─Adds minor chaos attribute damage to attacks.
─Provides minor magic resistance.
────
Acquiring the trait, I followed the inscribed method to operate mana.
[Strong Body activated]
[All body grades rise one tier.]
Even phantom pains disappeared; vitality returned, allowing me to stand lightly.
[Chaos congratulates on first step.]
Bernard asked.
“Aren, are you okay? Seems important; I waited quietly. You’ve recovered enough to stand; truly fortunate.”
“…After Scarlet’s magic seared my leg, I finally awakened my mana. Not just recovery—after watching me for days, I’m quite different now.”
I answered confidently, eyes on the battlefield.
“Tough meat shields, huh? As long as you don’t touch Aren, stay out of my way!”
“Impossible! Aren is my party member now. Even for a short time, I care. I can’t just abandon him.”
How did it come to this?
“Regretting the past few days, being giddy with you during dungeon runs, secretly jealous thinking Aren seduced you! Damn you!”
Hearing Deric, Scarlet clenched her teeth, wanting to erase shameful memories.
“I regret even admitting I liked someone like you! Weak-willed, obsessed with authority and success, full of greed, worthless trash!”
Flare!
“If you weren’t here, Aren might have accepted me! Compared to Aren, you’re lacking in looks, skill, and character! Just die first!”
Scarlet furiously struck flames at Deric.
Bang. Bang.
Bang!
Deric, enduring with traits until my recovery, had fainted shield color—mana at the limit.
Aureiel, assisting with shields, had collapsed early, panting.
‘Finally, I have to finish this myself. Let’s go.’
Not wanting to draw attention, I told Bernard to only pick up the two collapsed members and stay back.
“Understood. Be careful.”
Nodding, Scarlet started walking toward me.
Seeing me, she smiled broadly and threw fireballs.
“Aren! Let’s just die together and drift away!”
Boom! Boom! Bang!
In the familiar slow-time, I read trajectories and dodged easily.
“Stop it already!”
“Eek!”
She ran, biting her lip, spreading fire with both hands like a wall.
‘Mana seems depleted; visually grand but the barrier is thin. Just break through.’
With minor magic resistance from Strong Body, I plunged forward.
“Ugh.”
Flare!!
Some scorches, but not painful.
Breaking through, I faced Scarlet, bleeding from nose and mouth while chanting.
“Angry flames, slash enemies with burning sword. Flame Cut!”
Huge fire arcs swung to split me in two, slow-time obvious.
Now… I think I can do it.
Recalling the sensation from seeing colorful mana earlier, I focused, eyes bloodshot.
Finally, I saw it—a blue arc slicing the red one.
“Hgh!”
Paang─!
Following the blue path, I cut the spell. Flames burst to the side before hitting me.
The sword cracked at the impact.
‘The backlash is so strong the sword almost breaks… nearly unusable.’
After glancing at the breaking sword, I approached Scarlet.
She had already exhausted herself, sitting while looking at me.
Scarlet said weakly.
“Yes. If I cannot end with you, I want to die by your hand. End this fleeting life.”
Not once, but several times, she tried to kill me and failed; now, it’s my turn to end it.
“Sigh… the burning pain I endured? The worst I’ve felt in my life.”
Do not hesitate.
I closed my eyes tight, then opened them.
“But thanks to that, I’ve grown a lot. Farewell.”
Thud.
I heard somewhere that stabbing the heart kills in three seconds.
Fearing the sword would break mid-thrust, I lightly pierced her heart. The blade split immediately.
Flare. Flare.
Flames arose from the stabbed heart.
More than three seconds, over ten, yet she did not die.
‘Is it because as a mage her residual mana briefly sustains her? Or her Blessing of Fire trait?’
She whispered.
“I… I was strange. But still, I loved you, truly… happily.”
Crunch.
She gritted teeth, bowed head.
“Cursed child… mother killed… never loved…”
Scarlet vomited blood, continuing.
“Even if one-sided, in that short time, I madly immersed… now I roughly know what love is.”
She tried to kill me to die together, so I have no regret.
But hearing her backstory… a bit pitiful.
Damn. Traits said suppressed, but what did the innocent child do to be cursed?
What a devoted lover. Better to be orphaned like me.
Her past affection wasn’t just traits—it was hunger for love.
“I understand now. Thanks for liking someone like me. Rest easy now.”
I wiped her tears, stroked her head.
Damn. Not hypocritical, just… killed her and then comforting. Let’s go.
Scarlet’s inner flame faded.
Softly.
I stood, and she spoke clearly, like the final flare.
“I won’t forget you even in death. I love you, Aren.”
Plop.
With that, Scarlet collapsed, motionless.
Phew, depressing. Let’s shake it off and move.
[Chaos wants to pat my shoulder.]
Now that I awakened my mana, only goblins and the portal remain.
Even in another world, life continues. More trials await. Move forward.
……
[A powerful event changed the trait Emophilia into Blind Love.]
────
[Blind Love (A)] [P]
A child born cursed, never receiving love while growing up. She found a love strong enough to overcome anything. Though influenced by traits initially, the love eventually became entirely her own, unilateral, with no external interference.
─Loves only one person.
─Never forgets the loved one, under any circumstances.
─Feels no guilt when acting to help the loved one.
─Mana rises four levels when in love; operation and output increase.
────
[Target has died completely.]
[Consume a Phoenix Feather used on the target to restore body and soul to the specified time and location.]
[Targeter─Conrad Ennis]
[Revived Target─Scarlet Ennis]
Flare!
[Error! Conflict between trait and item detected.]
[…Trait prioritized. Soul preserved.]
Scarlet Ennis’ body restored to 20 days prior; soul injected, transported to Ennis Manor.
I woke up unknowingly.
What? I should have died with Aren’s sword through my heart.
‘Kyaa! Even after death, she didn’t forget Aren?! Love’s power is amazing─!’
“Are you conscious?”
Huh?
“I asked if you’re conscious. If I make you repeat the same thing three times, you’ll know what would happen, Scarlet.”
“Yes! I am! Duke! I apologize for making you repeat yourself twice!”
This is… the voice of my father. The youngest Flame Tower mage lord, Duke Ennis. He can’t be dead.
And this is the damn manor.
“I’ll say it once. Instead of rotting in the mage tower, you stubbornly chose the dungeon. You caused a commotion in your life for the first time.”
He looked at me with disgust.
“I had already spent one of the three Phoenix Feathers of the family’s treasure for you, the only child. To waste an heirloom like this….”
Phoenix Feather? I know. But that’s for resurrection, restoring body and soul to a certain point, right?
‘Yet I remember everything from when the sword pierced my heart?’
“You’ve lost your one chance. You can’t leave the mage tower until achieving certain milestones. My daughter dies and returns in just 20 days…”