Chapter 188

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 188

Chapter Title: Scales of Passage

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The fruit that Urr brought in its mouth was strikingly different in both size and color from the others.

"What... is this?"

"Isn't it obvious? This was a fruit that the tree would normally need to grow much more before harvesting. But the root—that's me—brought it to you ahead of time."

"Hmm..."

"Are you doubting this fruit right now?"

"No, that's not it. I'm just worried there might be side effects or something."

"Puhuhu... You're quite the worrier. No need to fret as long as I'm here. Even if something goes wrong, I can find a solution in no time."

Kang Seol examined the fruit Urr had brought.

'Creatures influencing abilities?'

Urr provided further explanation.

"Unlike summons, creatures have their abilities restricted. But in exchange, they can manifest far more freely than summons."

"So you're using that to your advantage?"

"Exactly. You'll gain some highly irregular weapons. Not just you, but your summons too."

Hek hek...

Coco poked its head out from the shadows, flicking its tongue.

Kang Seol took in the sight for a moment before nodding.

He consumed the blood-stained shadow fruit as is.

An enormous drain on his Ability Points.

Kang Seol felt a chilling sensation, like a thick wad of cash vanishing from his wallet.

Still, he wasn't worried.

Thanks to my title, it'll recover soon enough.

Now that summoning's on track, diversifying growth isn't a bad idea.

If his creatures grew stronger, it meant more weapons in Kang Seol's arsenal. No downside there.

Urr then bestowed one more fruit.

This unlocked yet another ability to support Surprise Appearance.

Creature-related abilities sure eat up Ability Points.

It was because the power to create creatures was a high-tier ability in itself.

Kang Seol knew this, so he didn't complain.

Sss...

Urr slithered down from the tree and returned to Kang Seol once the deed was done.

"Now the creatures' active range has expanded, so they should act on their own without you forcing them."

In any case, having witnessed Urr's bizarre ability to climb the Ability Tree at will meant Kang Seol's future growth was assured.

No ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠one would ever suspect such secretive growth was happening in this remote corner of Teambrian.

This was the border intel Kang Seol had gathered from the community just before leaving Teambrian.

'It's gotten worse than before.'

Crossing the border didn't look easy.

But what could he do?

His destination was that way.

Still, when action was called for, he acted without hesitation.

"...The line's pretty short?"

Upon arriving at the border, the queue leading to the checkpoint was surprisingly brief. Kang Seol soon learned why.

"Damn it, how long do I have to sit here?"

"I have important business too. Of all the luck..."

Crowds of people were packed around the checkpoint.

Probably those who'd failed inspection.

By Kang Seol's rough count, out of every 30 inspected, maybe one passed.

So the line shrinking fast made sense.

And finally, it was his turn.

Onlookers near the checkpoint snickered.

"No use. Without connections, they won't let you through."

"Come over here, let's chat..."

A checkpoint soldier glared at the crowd.

"Quiet! No disturbances at the checkpoint!"

"Ah, y-yes... s-sir..."

The soldier seemed irritated by the situation, on edge.

"Otherworlder?"

"Yes."

"Next."

"Can't otherworlders cross the border?"

"Sigh... Haven't you heard? Right now, otherworlders can't enter Adelin without special cause. Unless you have some special reason I'd approve for you to cross?"

Vicious options galore.

Such choices appearing meant normal methods wouldn't work for crossing.

Kang Seol thought for a moment, then pulled something from his pocket.

An item with sentimental value to him.

This'll help sometimes.

Ting!

It flicked like a coin toward the soldier.

Thwack!

The soldier caught it swiftly, about to chew Kang Seol out.

"How dare you act so arro—"

But he paused, noticing the coin felt different in weight and size from ordinary ones. He inspected it.

A large set of scales was engraved on one side.

The other read in tiny letters that the Scales Tower guaranteed the bearer's status.

"Arro... So I've been arrogantly blocking a busy person's path. P-Pass! You're cleared!"

"I can go?"

"Y-Yes... Proceed."

Previously, blocking a Scales Tower representative had caused major internal backlash, so non-criminals affiliated with the tower were to pass freely.

"Wh-Why'd that guy pass?"

"What's his deal?"

Those held at the checkpoint yelled as Kang Seol slipped away unscathed.

But their shouts faded into the distance.

The first thing Kang ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Seol did upon reaching Adelin was head to a remote rural backwater.

"Normally, we don't come out to places this isolated. And the people..."

Ting.

Kang Seol handed the coachman a gold coin.

The coachman verified it repeatedly before bowing deeply.

"Sometimes embracing nature ain't bad. Away we go!"

Before arriving, Kang Seol had hired people with money to handle miscellaneous tasks.

Among them: tracking the landlord illegally leasing land despite his deed, and threatening mass slaughter if it happened again.

This part risked future trouble, so Kang Seol handled it personally.

The old man, feeling terror for the first time, swore never to touch the land again.

Now, with a lighter heart, Kang Seol arrived at a secluded house in the village.

But standing before the door, his mood grew heavy again.

"Hmmm..."

Knock knock...

No response from inside.

Knock knock...

"Who is it?"

"I'm here on Lian's request."

Rustling chaos inside.

"Ow..."

Creeeak!

"Father? Did you say Father's request?"

Lian's grown son met Kang Seol's eyes. Kang Seol couldn't quite meet his gaze.

"Yes. I came all this way on Lian Kurous's request."

"Father... left home."

"I know."

"Where is Father?"

"......"

With no answer, Lian's son grimaced.

"Is that what you came to tell me? Why..."

"No. I came for another reason."

"Huh? What..."

Kang Seol produced a document from his pocket.

The land deed.

The one Lian had meant to bring home.

"This is..."

"Lian left it. And this too."

Clink...

A thick bundle of cash accompanied it.

Chump change to Kang Seol, but life-changing for the poor family.

Payment for the compass, Lian.

Lian's son wept long over the deed and money.

"Sniff... Hic... Euugh..."

"......"

"We waited every day... thinking he'd return. Hic..."

"I'm sorry."

"Hic... Were we that burdensome?"

"Lian always wanted to come home. To his family's arms..."

"Guh..."

Lian's son stifled sobs until calming down.

Kang Seol asked him,

"What do you plan to plant here?"

"W-Well... No time to think... But if planting..."

Lian's son, face so like his father's, said,

"Pumpkin? Pumpkins seem good. Is that okay?"

Kang Seol grinned broadly.

"Pumpkins sound perfect!"

Urr said to Kang Seol,

"Why waste time on that dump?"

The reply came from Jamad.

"It's always up to the person themselves to value their time. Living efficiently doesn't guarantee a richer life."

"Nonsense. Efficiency is reason's weapon."

"Yet your pursuit of efficiency doesn't look so pleasant."

"Kuh..."

The shadow space debate drew in the twins.

Karen told Urr,

"Come on, come on. We finally agree on something. Master's a bit sensitive about this, so we gotta respect it. You haven't spent much time with him yet, right?"

Karuna soothed Karen.

"Karen, why so grumpy?"

"That guy's been getting too chummy with Master lately. Right?"

Urr responded to the other summons,

"Is that so? This must be turfing."

【Ahem... Need senior's help?】

"......"

Bitan needlessly approached Urr.

【Say the word if you need backup. We're comrades in depravity.】

"When did this... Sigh..."

Urr had unwittingly become Bitan's comrade.

"Quiet, everyone. We're entering the village."

Kang Seol stepped into the outpost west of Adelin.

Fortunately, it wasn't far from Lian's hometown.

The Travel Luck Die never dropped below 3 thanks to his title, so no big deal.

Next, the score rankings revealed on outpost entry.

'7 million points?'

Kang Seol was surprised not just that top ranks were private, but by second place's score.

'Some serious heavyweight.'

Nothing to him, but a huge gap over others.

Kang Seol grew a bit curious about who it was.

He walked calmly into the city.

Before booking lodging, he settled on a restaurant with appetizing smells.

Creeeak...

But trouble hit before he sat.

Thud!

Crash crash...

A loud noise—someone flipped a table. Kang Seol turned.

'What's that about?'

He pricked up his ears.

"So you can't pay the promised reward?"

"Promise? Did we ever make one?"

"I heard I should watch out for your gang here. Should've listened."

"Hahaha! Idiot! That's what you get for taking jobs lightly!"

The agitator wasn't Korean. South American blood or origin, judging by looks.

'Heard foreigners clash more often... But this voice?'

Kang Seol tilted his head.

The voice of the man suffering the foreigners' harassment sounded familiar.

The woman beside him said,

"Yeomyeong, let's go... Just think of it as stepping in shit..."

"Doubt I'm the one who stepped in it."

Kang Seol was certain now.

'Han Yeomyeong?'

Only then did he notice the right arm wrapped in bandages.

One-Armed Sword Saint.

Scrape...

Rattle rattle...

As Han Yeomyeong stood abruptly, foreigners at nearby tables rose too.

"Planned from the start."

"Your life's the payment. Cry and leave town, and you're free."

"No, I'm collecting my pay somehow."

"Why make this hard? Don't know our full strength?"

Han Yeomyeong hesitated at that.

Whoosh!

A whistle from a back table.

Han Yeomyeong, the restaurant, and foreigners turned.

The long terrace table.

Kang Seol sat there, beaming.