Chapter 181
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: The Crown of Order
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The aura emanating from the Crown of Order was anything but ordinary, yet its appearance was surprisingly modest.
It resembled a straight, sleek circlet like Sun Wukong's golden headband, adorned upfront with two diamond-shaped motifs reminiscent of playing card suits.
The mages, forgetting all decorum, erupted in astonishment.
"That's... the Crown of Order!"
"For real? Is that really the Crown of Order?!"
"Definitely! I've seen it in the records!"
"Is it authentic?"
"They're giving that away as a reward?"
"What feats did he pull off in Alcatron to earn something that precious...?"
"More importantly, why does the Scales have the Crown of Order in the first place?"
Smoothly...
Kang Seol donned the Crown of Order.
His brief worry that it might feel tight or constricting melted away like snow in the sun.
Sssizzle...
The crown began embedding itself into his head like a tattoo, as if it had never existed.
Soon, excruciating pain followed.
"......"
"You could scream a little, you know."
Given the setting, the pain was more bearable than expected.
"It's tolerable."
"Must be used to pain, then."
As the crown's form vanished entirely, leaving not even a tattoo behind, the onlookers jumped in shock.
Swoooosh...
An overwhelming energy radiated from Kang Seol.
'Did gaining its approval trigger this?'
With five peerless treasures gathered, their bearer could hardly be ordinary.
The treasures Kang Seol possessed resonated, unleashing their power.
"Huat! What kind of energy is that?!"
"Incredible pressure! Does the Crown of Order hold such power?"
"No, I don't think so? That young man must be the anomaly."
"Hoo... intriguing."
Fade...
The burst of energy subsided quickly, and Kang Seol reverted to his unassuming youthful appearance.
"It's modest, but may this aid your path."
"Thank you."
"And..."
A badge etched with the Scales' emblem.
You acquire the Honorary Scales Badge.
The Scales Magic Tower vouches for your identity.
"This might come in handy sometimes."
"......"
The appointment ceremony concluded with the bestowal of rewards to Kang Seol.
Though some of the busy attendees departed immediately, many lingered in the hall, savoring the afterglow.
"Kuhahaha! That young lad?"
A man bearing the Taurus emblem approached Kang Seol.
"Hmm... I sense a fierce ambition in your heart! Hacket can feel it!"
His robe was packed with bulging muscles.
Calling this man a mage felt like a bit of a setup breaker.
"Lord Hacket, no one would believe such words coming straight from you in your true form, so why borrow someone else's body to say them?"
A neutral-looking man with the Maiden's emblem appeared, reining in the musclebound one.
"Hmph! Ambition can be felt from afar. So, how far along are you in your magical pursuits?"
Uh, that’s…
Shadow Hand!
A ton of Shadow Hands!
"Sigh... He's the Scales' disciple, so too much interest might irk the Scales."
"Oops! Forgot about that! Can't leave a bad first impression on the one tolerable tower lord among those meddlesome bunch."
Remarkable figures emerged from all corners.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Tilirond, Saint of Cancer. I hear..."
"Strick, Saint of Leo. Call me Strick casually."
Intrigued by the aura Kang Seol exuded from the podium or his exploits, more acquaintances kept approaching.
Among them were Scorpio and Aries, who had drawn eyes with their antics before the ceremony.
"Fun, right? Feels like you're the lab rat. Am I wrong?"
Scorpio addressed Kang Seol.
"...Pardon?"
A mage attending Scorpio whispered to him.
"Lady Jone, the subject's empathy seems low. Better ease into it more naturally than forcing sympathy."
"...You know your voice carries, right?"
"Eek!"
With his oddly sloppy attendant mage, Scorpio pointed at Kang Seol.
"Scales sure has it good with disciples. Can't we snag sharp ones like this? The recent tower recruits are all looks, no talent."
The attendant whispered loudly again.
"It's... the budget... We don't have the Scales' royal project funding..."
This time, even Scorpio looked puzzled, not chiding the volume.
"What? Budget that tight?"
"Proper research brings grants, but we always..."
"Enough! No more spilling internals! And volume!"
"Eek!"
Meanwhile, Aries Santio sniffed at Kang Seol's head, nostrils flaring.
Sniff sniff...
"...What are you doing?"
"Fine aura. Missed this scent in the rush before, but it'll benefit us greatly. You'll cross paths with us often. Visit the Aries Magic Tower sometime."
"Ah... If my schedule allows."
Who wouldn't give such a reply to the Aries Tower Lord Santio's invitation?
Even kingdom castles welcomed Zodiac tower lords grandly.
"Then..."
The post-ceremony events ended there.
To avoid drawing more attention, Kang Seol wrapped up key meetings and returned to his lodgings.
Time had come to leave the beloved magic tower.
The Iron Lion Nil and other mercenary leaders departed first.
"We'll settle accounts later, but it's generous enough. Call us for future jobs. See you then?"
"Me?"
Nil's words were unusually warm, startling even Mael.
"Yeah, you kept things lively."
"Hard to say... I chase ancient traces, not jobs."
"Haha, true. Artifact Society perks despite the rough look. Well..."
Nil bid the remaining group farewell.
"Catch you later."
Charismatic Being activates. You gain additional affinity.
You acquire ally 'Iron Lion Nil'.
'Iron Lion Nil's' rank is Hero.
Allies have a chance to appear in all adventures.
They aid the player based on affinity.
Next went the remaining Artifact Society members and pilgrims.
Chamelie received good news from her homeland, the Holy Nation Baranoa.
"They're sending reinforcements! They see our growing influence from the Black Knight and Alcatron incidents positively!"
Her childlike joy lifted Mael and Kang Seol's spirits too.
"People leave, and new ones fill the spots."
"That's the human way."
"Tch... Mael acts like he knows everything."
"I'm older than I look?"
"Age doesn't mean you know it all."
"Hahaha! Spot on."
Before boarding her carriage to the parish, Chamelie took one last look at Mael and Kang Seol.
"Will... we gather like this again?"
Mael replied with his usual composure.
"If the winds of the era guide us."
"Really, to the end!"
"I hope that day comes soon too."
Chamelie smiled brightly.
"Then, for that day, I'll strive harder! Let's adventure together again!"
Charismatic Being activates. You gain additional affinity.
You acquire ally 'Black Pilgrim Chamelie'.
'Black Pilgrim Chamelie's' rank is Legend.
Allies have a chance to appear in all adventures.
They aid the player based on affinity.
With Chamelie gone, Mael remained.
"Shall we part too?"
"Mael, thanks for the help."
Mael shook his head.
"This expedition showed me my accumulated power over the years falls short. Yet you achieved tremendous growth in so little time."
"......"
"I gained much from this, but next we meet, I'll return those feelings twofold. Look forward to it."
Ally 'Star Child Mael’s' rank rises.
'Star Child Mael’s' rank is Legend.
Allies have a chance to appear in all adventures.
They aid the player based on affinity.
"Then."
"See you."
Even Mael departed, and as Kang Seol prepared to leave, someone hurried over.
"So much to do, huh? Off already?"
"Yes, Lord Frannan."
"......"
Cleanly dressed, Frannan was unrecognizable from the red-nosed drunk first met.
"Need help? Use the Scales Badge. It's valid at the Adventurers' Guild too."
"Understood."
"Thanks, sincerely."
With that farewell, Kang Seol mounted and sped away from the Scales Tower.
An artifact from an unknown era.
Vanishes upon equipping, leaving only a trace, but its power remains with the wearer.
Base Stats: Intelligence +35, Vitality +40, Wisdom +42
Special: Order Maintenance (Unique), Upright Valor (Unique), Collective Duty (Unique), Resistance +50% of increased Defense from Crown of Order.
[Order Maintenance (Unique)]
- Raises lowest stat by 20% of highest stat.
[Upright Valor (Unique)]
- In combat vs higher-level foes, lowers 2 random enemy stats by 10%.
[Collective Duty (Unique)]
- On stat debuffs from ailments/traps/etc., redistributes loss evenly across all stats.
"Not bad?"
A scoundrel appeared near Timbrian!
Snowman calls peerless item "not bad," causing uproar.
At this rate, even the Crown of Order met the wrong master? lol
Leave home and suffer like a dog...
But Crown of Order toys with stats a lot?
Yeah, unique concept.
Peerless can suck? lol
Just spam lol!!
True to its name, the Crown of Order's unique abilities all revolved around stats.
Moreover, its boosts perfectly complemented a summoner's needs.
'+42 Wisdom...'
Having acquired gear that evenly raised all stats lately, this focused boost thrilled Kang Seol.
'Order Maintenance will raise Strength by 20% of Wisdom... Upright Valor will almost always proc for me.'
Collective Duty felt slightly niche, but even that shone in worst-case scenarios.
'Can't have some vicious foe targeting my Wisdom.'
Kang Seol examined the crown near Timbrian.
Just a bit farther to the city.
Man, so ruthless...
Checking options now;;
Snowman probably waited for marshmallows as a kid.
We scarfed 'em down! Don't torture us!
Leaving the Scales Tower, Kang Seol rushed to his base, Timbrian.
Fortunately, the time limit started late, leaving ample margin upon arrival.
Still tight for new adventures on arrival;
Rest time too flexible?
Snowman often got shortchanged on rest before.
'Head to the guild first thing.'
To pick the next adventure and check world events.
'If no good quests... contact Kyung-taek?'
Jo Kyung-taek messaged often anyway.
Thus, Kang Seol passed Timbrian's border guards and entered the city.
That instant.
Current adventure score rankings up to #22.
Information is private.
Your score: 10,012,400 points.
Adventure score surpasses 10,000,000 points.
His score had shattered yet another ceiling.
"Ten million points?"
Messages continued.
Rumors spread of an amazing adventurer in Timbrian.
City-wide crime rate slightly decreases.
Hidden city adventures activate.
......