Chapter 174
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Solitary Confinement
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Crunch... crunch...
Crunch...
While Bornuil's body vanished into the maws of Snore and Teeth-Grinder, Frannan was lost in memories of the past.
In his mind's eye, his master Veil looked down at the still-immature Frannan.
- You've got a nasty problem, don't you?
- Pardon?
- Frannan, why don't you ever fight with everything you've got?
- That's...
- Let me guess. You don't trust anyone else, do you?
That was it.
From a young age, Frannan had believed he was destined to walk a different path from others.
Even with his humble origins, he was convinced his end would be glorious.
As a result, realizing his own superiority had made him distrustful of everyone else.
- If I go all out and fail... then it's really over...
- And why would that be the end? Don't you have comrades?
- ...They're different from me. They'd fail easily.
- Heh heh... You're a child who defies the Scales of Balance that values equilibrium. Burdening yourself like that.
- Why should I trust others?
- Because you're a mage. People think mages are amazing, but in truth, we're all arrogant fools who think we're hot stuff.
- Magic is great.
- Magic is. Mages? Not so much. Alone, we can't do a damn thing.
Crackkk!
As Frannan sank into his thoughts, a message appeared before Kang Seol.
[Urr: Defeated Bornuil.]
"It's... over?"
Someone from the relic conference asked.
Frannan replied dryly.
"Casualties?"
"Two confirmed."
"Hoo... Where?"
"Here, separately... Huh?"
Frannan recovered his spirit beasts, and the expedition moved to identify the fallen from the battle by checking the bodies.
But...
"...They're gone."
"What do you mean?"
"One of the bodies... vanished."
At the expedition's words, everyone exchanged glances, trying to grasp the situation.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"A body disappeared?"
"It was definitely here..."
Then, a voice echoed from the darkness.
"Looking for me?"
"...Damn it. No wonder it felt too easy."
The figure that emerged with a sneer was unmistakably the body that had been there moments ago.
Its head was caved in, blood pouring out.
Yet it walked perfectly fine. It was unbelievable even seeing it.
"...Urr?"
"So you finally remember my name. I'm a bit surprised. You're pretty good."
The color drained from the expedition members' faces.
"N-no way!"
"How... The spirit beast devoured its flesh..."
"Lies!"
One of the mercenaries charged at Urr with his sword drawn.
"You bastard! You're dead!"
Crack!
"Gahk..."
Urr grabbed the mercenary who'd just stepped forward by the throat and hoisted him up.
"I can kill you all anytime. I can even take your bodies. Now that you've seen it, believe me. My spirit cannot die."
Frannan laughed in disbelief.
"Ha ha, that's more like it... I thought we'd killed you for sure..."
"A splendid strike. I might've really died if I'd been careless. Though... slim chance."
"That power... tricky conditions on living targets, huh?"
"......"
"Otherwise, no need to threaten us with corpses. You could've taken my body right away, right?"
"Cheeky. But... unfortunate for you."
"Unfortunate how?"
"I was picking a suitable body for a new world, but this pain after so long has me irritated."
Thud...
The body Urr inhabited collapsed limply. Then, something emerged from the darkness beyond.
Squelch...
Squish...
This new arrival exuded an entirely different level of menace.
The air vibrated with every step it took on the ground.
"I'll kill you all..."
The fresh vessel Urr possessed was a monstrosity with six arms, grotesque fangs, and sprouting horns.
Its massive bulk was impressive, but the bulging muscles revealed its physical prowess.
The moment Kang Seol saw it, he recalled his conversation with Tori.
- A frontal assault might be tough... But are the fourth floor predators just Coco and Kkungkkung?
- There were tons, but Kkungkkung killed them all whenever they rampaged. I think there was one more in my memory, but it's gone now. A weird one with six arms... Probably Kkungkkung's work.
'That body... one of the fourth floor predators!'
Kang Seol had a bad feeling this wouldn't be easy.
Frannan muttered softly.
"This is why... going all out leaves a bad aftertaste..."
Frannan rummaged in his robes with a sigh.
Of the other spirit beasts he'd brought, only one remained.
With Snore and Teeth-Grinder sated and asleep, it was uncertain if he could take down Urr in his new body.
He had failed.
At first, he'd hoped exploiting Urr's carelessness with full power might resolve things easily.
That hope was now shattered spectacularly, replaced by an even greater ordeal.
The first major battle after their rest period.
His alcohol-soaked mind cleared, dredging up past memories.
Even when his comrade Yurin became a vegetable because of his pathetic disciple.
- Yurin! Why... why are you doing this...
- I'm a mage.
Even when his master Veil scolded him.
- Why should I trust others?
- Because you're a mage. Mages are worthless.
"I see. A lone mage is this powerless, huh."
Squish...
Urr spoke.
"This body's tough, but it can only use one kind of magic. That's why I left it alone till now, but no choice."
Frannan sighed at the sight and stepped forward.
Like a soldier dragged to a hopeless war.
But...
Swish...
"How about catching your breath first?"
"...You?"
Kang Seol stepped up in Frannan's place.
He whispered a few words to Frannan before slowly darkening.
"I'll buy us some time."
Adventure 22-5. 'Solitary Confinement'
Alcatron's very reason for creation—and the prisoner 'Urr' who devoured the Scales—has appeared. His seal has loosened over countless years, and he now seeks to break free into the world.
You must stop him.
If you fail, who knows what will happen.
Goal: Defeat or reseal Urr.
⚠️ Warning: This adventure is extremely dangerous.
⚠️ Warning: This adventure's situation changes moment to moment.
⚠️ Warning: This adventure will be an epic journey. Proper rest may be impossible.
Remaining Time:None.
Along with the adventure details came a glimpse of Urr's new body's info.
'It's transcendent too... Damn, these transcendents keep popping up.'
Kang Seol cracked his neck.
Crack...
Urr seemed delighted by his appearance.
"Yes! There you are! I need a young body better than that old man's. Yours will do nicely."
"What about my opinion?"
"...Do I have to?"
"I'll go all out too."
"You should... No one can help you now."
Woooooom...
Mystical energy gathered around Urr's body.
Frannan cried out in confusion.
"What..."
Zzzzzap...
A transparent, solid barrier engulfed only Urr and Kang Seol, shoving everyone else away.
[Urr: Gaugoku uses Lone Bridge.]
[No one can interfere inside the barrier.]
A remarkably simple ability.
But combined with the ferocious body Urr now controlled, it would be terrifyingly efficient.
Gaugoku, its original owner, had become a fourth-floor predator that way too.
Kang Seol smirked.
"Why the smile?"
"Perfect timing. Let's begin."
Kang Seol let the energy within him flow as Jamad directed.
Rumble rumble rumble...
Swiftly coursing through his body was the Earth's Origin Power. The newfound force clamored to be unleashed.
'Didn't want to use it if possible...'
Unlike other abilities, the Origin Power had a glaring unfair drawback.
The unfair part? Its consumption.
'Once used, Origin Power... vanishes.'
In other words, it was practically a one-shot ability.
Best to defeat enemies without it if possible.
- He's strong. Use everything you've got. Holding back here means death.
Jamad offered curt consolation as he unleashed the Earth's Origin Power.
Kabooom!
A massive black stake formed on his arm.
Krikk!
Kang Seol slammed it into the ground.
Bzzzzt!
Mountain's Origin Sorcery: Land of Abundance
[Abundant energy fills the area.]
[Earth Armor applies to all within the domain.]
[Abundance breeds opportunity.]
[All stats temporarily +30%. Additional stats rise then slowly fall.]
[Chance of skill enhancement greatly increases in domain.]
[Chance of awakening new skills greatly increases in domain.]
The result of pouring every drop of Earth's Origin Power gained from the rock giant's core.
Whirr!
Karen and Karuna were summoned to guard his sides.
Urr laughed.
"That power... You're a branch sprouted from me too. Shadows...? No, you're something different. Fine!"
"What's fine?"
"Your body. This one's uncomfortable for activity. I don't like using bodies much."
Swish... swish...
Separated from the others by the transparent barrier, Kang Seol and Urr clashed.
Boom!
Kang Seol took Urr's punch head-on.
But it only chipped away slightly at his Earth Armor.
Kang Seol grinned.
"Definitely looks that way."
"What?"
"You're shit at close combat, huh?"
Kabooooom!
"Urgh..."
Urr's body lifted slightly off the ground from Kang Seol's uppercut. A shock that dazed even his proud spirit.
Urr swung all six arms wildly.
"Raaagh!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Thud! Thwack!
Kang Seol dodged most strikes, blocked some, and countered.
To the watching expedition, it looked precarious, but Kang Seol kept smirking faintly.
What did it mean to go all out?
Unlike early on, Kang Seol had grown so fast he couldn't wield his old powers efficiently.
And he hadn't fully grasped his full potential either.
'Time to test it...'
A battle cry burst from his lips unbidden.
"Raaah!"
Shoo shoo shoo!
Bam bam bam bam bam!
His hands struck so fast it seemed he had six too, pummeling Urr.
"Kgh..."
Crack!
Freely.
Kaboom!
"Grk..."
Truly freely.
Doooong!
Bzzzzzt!
"Grr... You bastard..."
A worthy opponent to unleash on.
His hands tingled like pounding iron, but Kang Seol laughed.
The watching expedition gaped at the fight.
"What the..."
"What kind of power..."
"He's dominating!"
"He's... winning?"
Now it was hard to tell who the monster was.
Kang Seol, grinning mid-battle, seemed even more eerie.
Frannan gripped his fists, staring at the scene.
"Pathetic indeed..."
He realized he was now pinning hopes on Kang Seol.
He'd learned someday he'd need to trust someone, but never internalized it.
Yurin and Veil had probably lived awaiting such a moment.
- Frannan, I'll buy time, but killing him here won't end it. Unless he falls back asleep, the fight continues. You understand.
Kang Seol's parting words before engaging Urr. Frannan grasped their meaning instantly.
"While he's distracted fighting, find his binding incantation! No chance of victory otherwise! It has to be here!"
"Yes!"
As the expedition scattered to search, Mael emerged from the darkness.
"No need."
"Mael?"
"I've located the binding incantation."
"Really?!"
Mael pointed upward at the ceiling. Firefly-like specks floated thickly.
"...What are those?"
"Some of the insects I command. Star Awaiters."
"And? What about them..."
"They follow traces of mana and glow. Plenty are stuck to you all too."
Sure enough, the expedition members were covered in the glowing bugs.
Frannan grimaced.
"The ceiling, huh... Then we light it up brighter than now."
"Please do, Frannan."
"I'm no good with light magic."
"Pardon?"
Chamerli, expert in light magic, stepped up instead.
"Just that area?"
"Yes, we need to start deciphering ASAP."
"Alright, pilgrims. Lend your strength!"
Tzzzzz...
Chamerli activates Sanctuary: Dawn.
[While Dawn persists, it forms a light source and infuses targets with warm energy.]
"There! It's there!"
"But... isn't it too long?"
Mael's prediction was spot on.
The ceiling bore massive letters clearly forming the incantation. But far more than expected.
To bind a monster like Urr for eons, it was only natural.
'Still, just a few sentences... Please...'
Mael burned the Devourer prepped on his shoulder.
"Do it, Kiki!"
Squeak...
"Translate!"
Screee...
Kiki took in the ceiling's script with its eyes.