Chapter 136

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 136

Chapter Title: The Exposed Ability Tree

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Kang Seol had discovered that while the Association's community features offered some conveniences, they also came with their share of inconveniences.

Sharing and receiving information was much smoother within the same outpost, but if the outposts were far apart—say, across different regions—it required an extra step.

Just as Earth once had couriers or messengers to relay news, Pandea had people who carried information between outposts.

Adventurers who transported info alongside passengers for a fee during their travels. Or those who stuck solely to message-running to avoid risky adventures.

Beyond them, Association members spread intel from one outpost to others.

To overcome this inefficiency, magic stone-based communication had been considered—and networks were still expanding even now.

Advanced regions probably had such networks in place, but unfortunately, Nevenia was far from that.

That was why news from Novira had reached Audenin relatively late.

Still, outposts weren't completely cut off from each other.

The most reliable method ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right now was letters between friends. Urgent info could also be broadcast across all Association branches in Nevenia for an extra fee, making it readable everywhere.

Kang Seol skipped the old letters and checked the recent one from Han So-mi.

"Oppa, you didn't block me, right? No contact at all is too much.... But are you in Audenin right now? Something big seems to have gone down here—it's buzzing. This 'anonymous' person mentioned matches you way too much....

Right? It's you, oppa? Lol.

No wonder you wouldn't ghost your sworn siblings lol.

Anyway, you're seriously amazing! The whole place is talking about the labyrinth clear. If my lips weren't sealed, I'd brag about knowing you lol. But that'd be weird, right?

'Sworn siblings?'

He had zero memory of forming any such bond.

- Was it under a peach tree when we ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠exchanged contacts?

- Doesn't ring a bell...

- Sounds like a one-sided declaration.

Anyway, Kang Seol chuckled at Han So-mi's boldness and read on.

I'm doing well in Kongori. You know how Kongori and Novira have gotten super close lately? The alliance is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠expanding toward Novira. Doesn't affect me, though. Novira's adventure quality has shot up too.

That one person... oh, Yumina! Yeah, Yumina's relic-hunting party has grown big. I get invites sometimes—thinking about it. And you know they built a new auction house? Way bigger than before!

'Hmm...'

True to her chatty nature, she'd spilled all sorts of info.

'More useful than I thought...'

Not her specifically—the community feature itself.

Asking acquaintances in a region for minor updates let him gauge the situation without legwork.

Uncle Munho left for somewhere far away ages ago. He checks in sporadically, still hunting for his daughter.

Actually... no. Good thoughts, good thoughts!

And that jerk Gaegyeong-taek replies to two letters with one. Isn't that trashy? Oppa, say something! He'd listen to you—he melts at your words!

It felt like watching two immature siblings bicker, drawing a weary laugh from Kang Seol.

This sensation was a rare treat.

Back at the orphanage, he'd looked after the kids like this. The faded memory resurfaced, bringing a deep comfort.

'...Is that so?'

Just now, post-Labyrinth of Asceticism, Kang Seol realized he'd been on edge the whole time.

Constant fatigue, hyper-vigilance—that vibe.

Hanging with Toki had shown him he saw no value beyond ascension, no meaning elsewhere.

That intensity accelerated growth but eroded his mind. Maybe his heart was drier than the labyrinth's silent desert.

Han So-mi's letter cracked an unforced smile from him.

Training the body couldn't make it harder than steel, so cuts and wounds were inevitable.

The mind worked the same: resolve alone didn't prevent cracks or breaks.

He needed rest.

'...Gotta stay in touch more.'

Connections eased that mental burden.

The path to ascension was grueling.

He had to loosen the reins a bit to keep his heart from shattering.

Oh, and Kyung-taek said he'd ask you something soon... Planning to head to Illia?

Kyung-taek moved his outpost to Illia recently. If you're nearby, meet up. Or send a letter—he's waiting for your reply.

Anyway, glad you're back safe. Take care and keep adventuring! Oh, reply this time~ Pretty please~

'...Kyung-taek's waiting for my reply?'

Kang Seol sent a short reply to Han So-mi, then checked Jo Kyung-taek's letter.

"Hmm..."

Jo Kyung-taek's letter was straightforward.

He knew Kang Seol had entered the labyrinth, heard he'd returned safely, and hoped to meet if Kang Seol passed through Illia.

That was about it.

'Weird...'

As they'd predicted, Kang Seol planned to head to Illia.

Carmella had said the Black Knight was last spotted near there, and they'd resume the search from that point.

'If the chance comes, sure.'

After four months isolated from the world, he missed people.

Kang Seol replied to Jo Kyung-taek too, then left the Association.

People moved with disciplined precision.

Dressed in similar outfits, they tidied up around Kang Seol's lodging.

"You trimmed the grass like that? Should've made it straight like Ki-young's hair!"

"Unnie, that's..."

"Did you replace the bed sheets? Curtains?"

"Yeah, all done."

The woman acted like a control tower, directing everything.

"Meals? Eaten?"

"He skips breakfast usually..."

"You let that happen? With that slender frame, he must be starving!"

"Prep brunch? But he usually cooks himself... and shares sometimes."

"You let him cook? Somehow..."

"His cooking's better anyway... I'd cook for myself if I had those skills."

"...That good? Pro chef background?"

Overseeing it all was Son Ju-yeon. She'd returned from an adventure two weeks ago, gone for five days total.

"Anyway, slacking while I was gone? Don't you know how crucial this is?"

"Ju-yeon, he won't like this fuss."

"Who're you to—" "Eh? Chang-sik oppa?"

Park Chang-sik grinned at her fussing.

His complexion had improved noticeably now that he was recovering well.

Son Ju-yeon had grabbed his collar drunk when he returned, but now she scratched her cheek, glancing around awkwardly.

"Everyone, take a break. Grab lunch, go for a walk."

"Ahem..."

At her words, they scattered like drenched ants.

"Too strict?"

"What choice? Golden opportunity."

"Think Snowman'll stick around?"

"Honestly?"

"Yeah."

"Nah."

"Then why so eager?"

"Even if he doesn't stay, friendly ties would be nice. You survived the labyrinth thanks to him, right?"

Park Chang-sik gave a faint smile at her words.

"Greed or gratitude?"

"Both."

"Pick one."

"Sigh... Gratitude, then. No more expectations, okay?"

"Good."

"Still, we should set up a network..."

"Added each other as friends."

"What? Not forced, right?"

"...Nah."

"Phew, contact secured."

Audenin's alliance, once rife with infighting, had bonded after Park Chang-sik's return. They'd lost key members together and realized what truly mattered to keep it afloat.

Mid-conversation, an alliance member approached Son Ju-yeon and Park Chang-sik.

"Um... the Ascetic is asking for the job training hall location..."

Son Ju-yeon whipped around.

"Escort him! Close mark to the hall!"

"Here it is, sir."

"Ah, thanks."

Audenin's training hall was the largest Kang Seol had seen among outposts, and it was wide open.

He approached the robed man.

"So, protocol in this situation is... Hm? Ah, need something?"

The man was teaching.

Eager students looked about middle-school age.

"I want to strengthen abilities and gain new ones."

"Ah, but our ability chamber is a bit... open."

"Open? What do you mean?"

Typically, training halls had dim rooms for facing one's ability tree.

That was the "ability chamber" he meant.

But open?

"See for yourself."

Kang Seol glanced at the vast, cathedral-like space.

A low podium fronted a massive wall.

"No way?"

"Yes. Practitioners' trees manifest there."

"Then..."

"The founder designed it so for those wielding dark powers—must be forthright."

"My abilities get fully exposed?"

"Not quite. Like fingerprints, scents, blood, bones—each person's tree is unique up close. Instructors can see saplings, but your aura suggests even we can't peek. Shape, color, vitality might show, though."

"Hm..."

"If it bothers you, try elsewhere."

Kang Seol scratched his chin, pondering.

'Too many points piled up—cleanest to dump here.'

He shook his head.

"It's fine. I'll do it here."

"This way. Students, break time."

The alliance escort, other black mages using the hall—hundreds chattered inside.

One open ability chamber in the huge space. Not even a room.

"Then I'll go. Call another instructor if needed."

"Sure."

Once gone, Kang Seol sat away from the wall.

Whoooong...

The ability tree illusion rose.

"Someone's using their tree... Huh?"

"That thing's kinda..."

Kang Seol's tiny sapling erupted into a lush canopy.

Cracklerumble...

"That huge?!"

"And that! Red! What's that?"

Hundreds of eyes locked on instantly.

The size first, then red taint spreading like corruption on branches.

Screeeee...

Red snakes coiled, fully corrupting branches crimson.

Silence blanketed the hall.

Only collective exhales echoed oddly.

'Dyed just like with Finn.'

Primeval Blood seeped into the tree.

'Most branches are brand new abilities?'

Different class from Finn meant different derivations.

Kang Seol prioritized key ones.

Black branches darkened further.

'Slot for the next familiar opened. Hm?'

Checking new abilities, Kang Seol smirked and reached for one.

His hand paused at a red branch.

Slither...

Unlike before, a chilling sound effect accompanied the reveal.

Blood-smeared description window.

'Same effect as Rich Man title?'

Its cheat status was proven—no deep thought needed.

Kang Seol reviewed learnable abilities and picked the next.

Another blood branch.

This granted immunity to abilities that sealed summoning—the summoner's blind spot.

'Primeval Blood is insane.'

Finn's rapid power-up stemmed from this.

Blood-tainted abilities punched way above their point cost.

'5 points left. No need to burn all, but if there's something good...'

Kang Seol's eyes froze.

'...What?'

A branch blending red and black evenly sat apart from both.