Chapter 156: Reward (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 156: Reward (2)
The refined Ten Thousand Poison Liquor was exactly what its name implied: wine. The moment Jin drained the bowl in one go, his vision went pitch black.
Then, he collapsed into unconsciousness.
When he opened his eyes again, it was Enya, not Quicantel, sitting by his side.
"Ugh."
"Ah, Young Master Jin! You’re finally awake!"
"Enya? Where is Lady Quicantel? And what do you mean, 'finally'?"
Jin thought he had only lost consciousness for a brief moment. It felt disorienting to see Enya instead of Quicantel, who had been right in front of him just seconds ago.
"Lady Quicantel is in the other room. And Young Master, it’s been five days since you passed out."
"What? Five days!?"
"Yes! Wow, I really thought you were going to die. While you were out, your whole body turned pitch black and then back to normal dozens of times. Of course, you even looked cool doing it!"
It had only taken five days because of his blessed Runcandel physique. A normal martial artist would typically need over a month to digest the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor. Quicantel had known this but intentionally withheld the information. She figured it was better for him to drink it without knowing, since he was going to pass out anyway.
"I heard you’ve gained Immunity to All Poisons now? Congratulations, Young Master! You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you getting more amazing every day! Anyway, everyone! The Young Master is awake!"
As Enya ran into the hallway and shouted, his companions began to visit him one by one. Gilly, Murakan, Quicantel, Alisa, Jet, and the others. Even with everyone gathered, Casimir was the only one missing. He was currently fighting for his life against the monsters of the Black Sea on his way back from his drinking session with Cyron.
"Aigo, my lord! You’ve been through so much! And congratulations!"
"The period during which Nameless won't assassinate you is ten years, right? You’d better be careful after that. The Ten Thousand Poison Liquor is a recoverable elixir. That’s why Immunity to All Poisons is continuously passed down among the top assassins of Nameless."
Quicantel sat on the edge of the bed.
"I thought you’d be out for about a week, but it only took five days. I also wanted you to get some deep rest, so don’t take it the wrong way."
"Why would I? I’d rather have taken it without knowing. If I’d known, I would’ve been quite anxious."
"Congratulations, Young Master. Immunity to All Poisons... You’ve gained another ability that is nothing short of a dream for martial artists."
"Hey, kid. Drink this down to celebrate."
Murakan held out a glass filled with a mysterious, pitch-black liquid.
"…What is this? It doesn't look like something a human should consume."
Sizzle. Bubbles popped inside the glass, and acrid smoke rose from the surface.
"What else? It’s poison. Jet smuggled it from the Viment black market while you were unconscious. Drink up. Let’s see if this Immunity to All Poisons actually works."
"Murakan. Are you insane? I just opened my eyes, and you’re already trying to use me for human experimentation—"
However, all the companions gathered around the bed seemed to be looking on with anticipation. Even for dragons who had lived for thousands of years, Immunity to All Poisons was a phenomenon they rarely got to witness. Even Gilly was merely pretending to stop Murakan while swallowing her own saliva in curiosity.
"Sigh, fine."
Gulp, gulp…!
With a burning sensation on his tongue, the glass of poisonous liquid slid down Jin’s throat.
"Gah, that tastes terrible."
"Ooh, my lord! How do you feel?"
"Wow, he really is fine."
"My stomach feels a bit warm… but that’s about it. How strong was that poison?" Jin asked, quickly rinsing his mouth with the water Gilly handed him.
"They said a single sip would kill even a 7-star martial artist."
"Haha. You fed me something like that? I’m so touched I could cry. Are you crazy?"
"Quicantel said there’s no poison left in this world that can kill you instantly anymore."
Jin shifted his gaze toward Quicantel.
"There isn't a single poison that can kill you on the spot now. You have complete immunity to anything up to the level of what you just drank. Anything stronger might be dangerous if you're overexposed, but you can now survive a full glass of something that would kill anyone else with a single drop."
It wasn't "absolute" immunity. That was a realm only Temar, Cyron, and the first patriarch of Nameless, Korun, were presumed to have reached. Even then, it was only a rumor; nothing had ever been confirmed. Therefore, the level of immunity Jin had obtained was effectively the highest possible.
"From now on, no poison coated on a blade or mixed into food can even threaten you. I don't need to explain how significant that is for a martial artist, do I?"
In essence, it had become impossible to kill Jin through poisoning.
Even if I face Kuzan again, I won't have to feel intimidated by his poisons. Even if I face a poison master greater than him.
Thinking that, his annoyance at being used as a test subject vanished. He could already feel the poisonous energy that had been writhing hotly in his stomach being neutralized and exhaled through his breath.
"I'm satisfied. It was worth the struggle. Now then… some food, please. No matter how curious you were, how could you feed someone poison instead of a meal the moment they wake up after five days?"
It was lunchtime.
Though Casimir was missing, the table was filled with lively chatter as the companions gathered for the first time in a while. The conversation mostly centered on Jin’s exploits in Samil, and Enya spent the whole time listening with an envious expression.
"Young Master Jin, you’ve become so strong now. Could you take me with you next time you go somewhere? I’ll go anywhere. I want to grow alongside you too."
"Well, she does need to start gaining some field experience. If she’s going to pull her own weight in the future, right? Quicantel, your contractor needs to develop a sense of urgency."
"It’s frustrating, but he’s right. This is no time to be complacent."
"Isn't Miss Enya currently receiving magic training from Lady Quicantel and Murakan? I heard she reached around 4-star recently."
Jin was so extraordinary that it tended to overshadow others, but becoming a 4-star mage at the age of sixteen was a feat possible only for a national-level genius. Enya hadn't been a scholarship student at the Viment Academy solely because she was the Contractor of Olta.
"Her growth is slow because she’s only focusing on theory without any real combat. Above all, she’s never killed anyone."
"Hmm, killing. Does Miss Enya really need to experience something like that?"
Clack!
Quicantel set her fork down firmly.
"Jin Runcandel. Everyone here is your comrade. That means when you become a flagbearer and clash with your siblings in Runcandel, we will be fighting alongside you. There will be difficult battles at every turn. Are you telling Enya to just stand there and be a burden then?"
Though she spoke as if she were scolding Jin, Quicantel was actually reprimanding Enya. Since coming to Tikan, Enya hadn't done much besides practicing magic and playing with the children.
Of course, Enya was only sixteen.
However, since she was already entangled with massive events and powers, it was essential for her to achieve enough to protect herself in any situation. Furthermore, becoming a member whose back one could trust was a necessary virtue.
Additionally, Quicantel was secretly feeling a bit of envy toward Murakan. As a fellow guardian dragon, it was only natural, given that only Jin was showing such prominent results.
"She may look like this, but this girl is the Contractor of Olta with genius talent. And the enemies we have to face in the future are Runcandel and Zipple. Enya must become strong. Strong enough that you can proudly call her your comrade even after you become a flagbearer."
Jin, catching Quicantel’s drift, nodded quietly.
"I hadn't thought of it that way. Fine. I was planning on facing some mages next time anyway. It’ll be good to refine my Reverse Flow magic while working with Miss Enya."
"Ooooh!"
As usual, Enya pounded her chest and her eyes sparkled. It was her own… unique way of expressing joy.
"With Young Master Jin! Just the two of us! An adventure! Then when should we set the wedding date?"
Jin spat out the water he was drinking, and Quicantel let out a deep sigh. It was Gilly’s job to restrain Murakan, who was cackling with amusement.
"Enya. I won't tell you to act with dignity anymore. Even Lord Olta said he gave up on that… but please, let’s at least act with some common sense. I was just scolding you, not Jin, okay? Do you understand?"
"Haha, it was a joke. I’m sorry!"
It certainly felt like there was some sincerity mixed in, but Jin just laughed it off. It wasn't the first or second time Enya had acted like this. And somehow, he felt Enya shared some similarities with Yona.
I heard she lived through all sorts of discrimination and bullying in Viment. Miss Enya must have scars in her heart too. Her overly cheerful personality probably stems from that.
Jin had also experienced thorough discrimination and bullying in his past life. During his time in Runcandel, he had contemplated suicide more times than he could count. That was why Enya’s bright demeanor didn't always feel purely pleasant to him.
"Ah, and Young Master. There is something I must tell you."
"Yes?"
"I believe I have to return to the main house for a while. I don't know the reason, but the Patriarch himself issued the order."
"Father did…?"
What reason could there be to summon a reserve flagbearer’s nanny? A reserve flagbearer’s nanny, much like the reserve flagbearer themselves, was temporarily considered a complete outsider.
After a moment of thought, Jin met Gilly’s eyes as something occurred to him.
"Could it be that he’s calling you to grant a reward?"
"A reward? But you’re a reserve flagbearer, Young Master."
"Some of Joshua’s knights died because of me this time. At the hands of the Nameless assassins. I’m not certain, but perhaps he’s calling you instead of me to reward that. Since, in a way, I won an unofficial rank war against the family’s 2nd Flagbearer while still a reserve flagbearer."
As Jin explained the details of the situation, his companions couldn't help but widen their eyes.
"My goodness… such a thing happened with Lady Yona? And to make such a bold demand of the Nameless King… You even anticipated that Joshua—no, that Young Master Joshua would spy on you…?"
"I didn't fully anticipate it. However, since I recently killed Kidad and left a warning, I thought he might send someone. That’s why, after helping the Nameless King, I made a subtle request for them to eliminate those spies."
"I am sorry, Young Master."
"Why all of a sudden?"
"I should have thought of that much and taken measures myself, but I only waited for your safe return. As your nanny, I am ashamed to face you."
"Don't say that. Just have a safe trip. If he were going to punish me, he would have summoned me directly, so it’s definitely a reward. And you know, don't you? What it means to win a rank war in Runcandel and receive a reward."
"Yes. If it truly is a reward, the Patriarch will take something belonging to Young Master Joshua and bestow it upon you."
When flagbearers fight and someone emerges victorious, the Patriarch seizes the loser’s possessions or troops and gives them to the winner. This didn't happen every time. It was reserved for cases of particularly meaningful victories. And since Jin had effectively defeated the 2nd Flagbearer while still a reserve flagbearer, it was naturally an extraordinary victory.
"I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll take from that guy to give to me."