Chapter 187
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: A New Coco
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KRRRRUMBLE!
Black lightning had turned the basement into a virtual beehive.
The space that had been filled with empty iron cages was now littered with flattened iron plates scattered everywhere.
CRUNCH!
CRZZZT!
Fortunately, Jo Kyung-taek's group was far enough from Kang Seol, or observing this up close would have turned them into mincemeat in the shadow storm.
Grrrrr...
Kang Seol grimaced as he gripped Coco's core.
He had been tuning the storm while holding the core for quite some time, but there was still no significant change.
'The shadows have diminished quite a bit now...'
It had been a while since the shadows filling the space were sucked into Coco's core. At this rate, the storm would die out before revival even happened.
'Maybe there weren't enough shadows?'
Then.
Crack...
A crack began forming on Coco's core in Kang Seol's hand.
"Huh...?"
It's finally reacting. That's normal, so stay focused.
Kang Seol calmly yielded to the power emanating from the core.
CRZZZT...
BOOOOM!
'...The core shattered!'
The black orb broke apart.
For a moment, he wondered if something had gone wrong, but that worry was unfounded.
Whirrrrl!
The black storm swirling around him coiled in and shrank.
Ssssss...
And then cleanly vanished.
However, Coco was nowhere to be seen anywhere nearby.
Huff... huff...
Turning around, he spotted Coco peeking out from the shadow space.
It was a far more pleasant-looking face than before.
[Enlightenment! Creating a new creature.]
[The new creature is Happy Coco.]
[The creature inherits the memories of Hungry Coco.]
[The creature inherits some abilities of Hungry Coco.]
[The new creature's attribute is set to Sticky Darkness.]
[The new creature's type is set to Medium Beast.]
[Related new abilities may now derive.]
[Enlightenment! The creature awakens a new ability.]
[The creature can now use Territory Mark.]
[Enlightenment! The creature awakens a new ability.]
[The creature can now use Purgatory Flames.]
[Enlightenment! The creature awakens a new ability.]
[The creature can now use Pack Leader.]
[Enlightenment! The creature awakens a new ability.]
[The creature can now use Black Sal.]
Huff... huff...
Coco slyly slipped out of the shadow space and rubbed its head against Kang Seol's feet.
Madou is the future!
I'll heed your advice!
Coco's back, so everyone get ready for a walk!
Kang Seol stroked Coco's head and said,
"Not all abilities were inherited, huh?"
Of course! Did you forget? We didn't take it as a summon but recreated it as a creature. With your current shadow space, commanding it as a summon is impossible. Be grateful you can control it like this at all.
The number of Coco's abilities, plentiful when they met in Alcatron, had shrunk like deflated beer foam.
'Still, they're all good ones at least...'
Black Sal was for ambushing from the shadow space, Pack Leader boosted all creatures including itself by 20%.
'Purgatory Flames was already there... Territory Mark?'
As Kang Seol checked info on Territory Mark, Ur spoke.
It's the Shadow Wolf's power. Or more precisely, the power of the subjugated Shadow Wolf.
'...It continuously expands the shadow space?'
Yes, as long as the Shadow Wolf stays in your shadow, your shadow space will naturally expand. Give it a little time, and even this cramped place will have breathing room.
Kang Seol stroked his chin, surprised that Coco had such an absurd power.
Chomp... chomp...
But then, Coco lost interest in Kang Seol and tried to swallow something.
Kang Seol realized from the now-empty lantern that what Coco was rolling in its mouth was Bitan.
Kang Seol quickly rescued Bitan from Coco's mouth.
Bitan safely returned to the lantern and firmly shut the door.
Click...
Kang Seol closed the lantern door for Bitan.
In any case, with Coco's revival successfully completed, the purpose of coming here was fully achieved.
'Well, Malacus's grudge got settled as a bonus... Got info on the Immortality Church too. And solved Coco and Lian's issues all at once.'
This adventure had yielded far more than the time invested.
Jo Kyung-taek felt sorry for dragging Kang Seol into it, but in truth, Kang Seol should be the one thanking him.
Especially for helping find Lian.
A few days later, Jo Kyung-taek's group recalled that this horrific incident had occurred at the noble House Gatip, and grew anxious.
"Bro, what happens now? Will they drag us in from Nevenia?"
"That won't happen."
"But..."
"You'll see."
Jo Kyung-taek's group found it hard to fully trust Kang Seol's bold assurance, but knowing he wasn't one for empty words, they waited.
And soon enough, things resolved smoothly, just as he said.
"They really caused a scene."
"My apologies."
"Not you. What do they have to apologize for? They committed the crimes, so they're getting punished."
A young man held a crystal orb.
The one Kang Seol spoke to was the man reflected inside it.
The man in the orb was Viscount Brispin. Before heading to House Gatip, Kang Seol had sent an express message informing him of the situation.
He'd only vaguely mentioned possible developments, but it had turned into a head-on clash between House Gatip and the transmigrator Kang Seol.
Brispin stroked his mustache and said,
"It was a long-standing collusion. Started with wandering adventurers, but now they've reached out to transmigrators. Fortunately, plenty of evidence remains, so we won't be counterattacked."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"I didn't do much... But there are two concerns."
"I'm listening."
Viscount Brispin spoke.
"First, rumors of House Gatip's misdeeds have already leaked. This will deepen tensions between transmigrators and natives. Not ideal for tense Nevenia."
"......"
"Second, the Immortality Church issue."
Staring straight at Kang Seol's face, Viscount Brispin brought up the Immortality Church.
"They might target you."
"Seems we're already entangled."
"They're fearsome. Hard to see them as just a religious group... Especially their leader's feats; even rumors are hard to believe."
"I'll be careful."
"Please do."
Afterward, Seris Gatip was placed under house arrest.
Discussions on her future treatment would likely happen at Nevenia Castle.
Kang Seol parted ways with Jo Kyung-taek soon after things wrapped up. There was nothing more he could do, and Jo wouldn't accept it anyway.
If a human gave water to a thirsty ant, it would ultimately harm the ant.
Jo Kyung-taek should be content with occasional meetings; traveling together would harm both Kang Seol and him.
Only after parting from the group could Kang Seol check the rewards from this adventure.
Clank—
[Checking Jerry's Valuables.]
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
[Acquired stat points.]
[Acquired stat points.]
[Albuja's special ability activates.]
[Acquired additional stat points.]
[Acquired additional stat points.]
[Cunning Blood Snake activates.]
[Acquired additional stat points.]
[Acquired additional stat points.]
[I Am the Enemy's special ability activates.]
[Acquired additional stat points.] x4
[Acquired Pirate's Necklace.]
[Acquired Cloak of the Twilight Path.]
[Acquired Ring of the Glittering Snowfield.]
[Acquired 12 platinum coins.]
[Acquired 8 Large Red Potions.]
[Acquired 5 Large Blue Potions.]
...
An endless stream of stat point acquisition messages. Linked adventures normally gave just 2 base stat points, but the extras were four times that for some reason.
The downside was that the items weren't particularly useful.
Pirate's Necklace increased gold gained at adventure end, Ring of the Glittering Snowfield just had valuable embedded gems.
Treasure grade, but abilities were lackluster.
'Just like Jerry's stuff.'
Far from what Kang Seol wanted, so all headed to auction house.
The one usable was the cloak.
[Cloak of the Twilight Path]
Grade: Treasure
Appropriate Level: 28 – 33
Defense: 45
Durability: 130/130
Weight: 0.1kg
A cloak emanating ominous energy.
Contrary to looks, excellent warmth.
Basic: All stats +10
Special: At night, blends with surroundings. Ambush in blended state increases all damage dealt by 15% for 20 seconds.
Suited for assassin or thief. Karen's cloak was worn, so he gave it to her temporarily.
'Auction house hasn't had good listings lately.'
Occasional items were for other classes.
Even overflowing wealth couldn't buy gear; this disadvantaged leading groups.
Followers could use leaders' old gear solidly, easing catch-up.
'At least Ur can't equip items.'
As a spirit, Ur couldn't wear gear. If he could, Kang Seol's head would ache more.
Finishing maintenance, Kang Seol prepared to depart.
One last thing before leaving Timbryan.
"What brings you here?"
A man in a hood asked in a low voice under the pitch-black night.
[This is a black magic research site. The instructor here asks your business. What will you do?]
1. [Req: Stat Points] Want to learn a new ability.
2. [Req: Stat Points] Want to strengthen existing ability.
3. Want to spar. Got a suitable opponent?
4. [Req: Realm of Enlightenment] Want to work as instructor here.
5. Have business with the manager.
"For ability strengthening and learning."
"Understood. Timbryan branch charges a fee for private rooms... Is that fine? If open area..."
"Doesn't matter."
Having suffered in public before, Kang Seol hoped they'd charge for private.
"This way then..."
Thud...
The door closed, and as Kang Seol placed his hand on the wall, the ability tree appeared.
Crackle...
It felt even denser than before.
Kang Seol's ability tree blended red and black.
Whirr!
Ur popped out on his own and examined the tree.
"Ho... I wondered what was intriguing; something fun soaked into the tree, huh?"
"Move."
"Hm... Grown decently on your own, but realm is sorely lacking."
Kang Seol tilted his head at Ur's words.
"Lacking?"
"Especially summoning specials; no talent despite handling creatures."
"Well... I neglected it."
He'd ignored creatures entirely, focusing solely on summoning.
'No spare stat points till now.'
Ur said,
"How about it? Follow my lead this time?"
"Your lead?"
"Yeah, got a powerful creature for once; why not use it? Wasting it is like burying treasure."
"Hm..."
Kang Seol had exceeded summoning goals for his level. No rush, so Ur's suggestion piqued interest.
"What ability?"
"Gotta look to know."
"Look?"
Ur pressed close to the wall.
"Forgot? I'm practically the master of all madou."
His eyes took in the tree.
"I'm madou, the eye of all."
[Ur's Sealed Madou activates.]
[Interpreting ability tree.]
[Interpreting ability tree...]
[Ability tree interpretation complete.]
"...What?"
"Shall we apply some power?"
Whirrrl!
Ur was sucked into the ability tree.
It felt like watching characters enter a picture book. Indeed, a new change appeared on the ability tree.
Slither...
A python slithered along Kang Seol's ability tree.
Ur, progenitor of madou, has become a python.
The python spoke.
"Gotta trim the messy branches. Wasting nutrients needed for new growth."
Plop...
Plop...
Ability fruits Kang Seol would never pick fell with branches.
[Split falls from the tree.]
[Panic Induction falls from the tree.]
...
"Phew... Been a while, can't stay long. This much for now. Next..."
Ur headed to creature-related branches, clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk... Like this... it'll be... where's it hiding?"
The python even went behind the tree, invisible to Kang Seol.
Swish...
Swish...
After searching, Ur emerged biting a thick vine.
A dark red fruit hung there.
And it was the largest harvestable fruit Kang Seol had.
"This is..."