Chapter 250
Chapter 250
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 250
>Chapter Title: Dragon Palace Summons
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Lament made an uncomfortable face and shrank back, but there wasn't any particularly noticeable change.
'Where...'
[Holy Relic: Lament]
Rank: Holy Relic
Appropriate Level: 40 – 50
Attack Power: 150 – 150
Durability: 300/300
Weight: 1.0kg
A pearl, an ancient holy object transformed into a spirit tool according to the successor's will. In the succession process, with the aid of the cost of magic enchantment, it became a peculiar tool capable of handling the magic spirit—a condensate of mana—effectively without much resistance.
After growing once, it devoured the soul of the evil spirit Adumsini.
Basic Ability: All stats +40
Special Ability: Tuner (Singularity), Myriad Forms (Unique) effect, Bloodline Harmony (Unique) effect. Treated as both an abomination and a holy object. Only one holy relic can be equipped at a time. Durability slowly recovers as long as the spirit does not dissipate. Spirit - Adumsini's Blade (Unique) effect.
'Lament did swallow Adumsini's soul!'
It was hard to tell in that instant whether he should be happy or despair. For now, all he felt was confusion.
'Did the options change too?'
[Myriad Forms (Unique)]
- According to the wearer's will, the spirit changes the equipment's form into the most suitable shape.
Myriad Forms had already been an altered option from before. It seemed like after the voyage with Santos, it had changed from 'armor' to 'the most suitable form.'
[Tuner (Singularity)]
- Shadow summon's stats increase by 20%, Lament's attack power doubles when using ultimate skill: Night Raven, shadow summon inheritance probability for superior abilities of summons increases by 40%, maximum shadow space +900, completeness of directly created creatures rises, mana efficiency of Night Raven-exclusive skills improves.
This part had changed from 'recover 10% of mana spent after using Iron Fist Rule' to 'mana efficiency of Night Raven-exclusive skills improves.' Losing the Iron Fist Rule option was regrettable, but now that he'd fused with Karuna, the new effect was more versatile and not bad at all.
[Bloodline Harmony (Unique)]
- The spirit immediately senses the wearer's will. Also, as the wearer grows, the connected spirit grows alongside, promoting growth across the entire equipment.
Bloodline Harmony was the same option as before.
Nothing had changed up to here.
'Then...'
The changed part must be the Adumsini's Blade section. Kang Seol quickly read it.
[Spirit - Adumsini's Blade (Unique)]
- When Lament activates the Myriad Forms effect, it can release Adumsini's Blade. Adumsini's Blade has dark properties and inflicts defense-ignoring damage proportional to the wearer's attack power. It consumes ghost energy with each release, and once ghost energy is depleted, it cannot be used until recharged.
Just looking at the description, it was hard to tell if this option was good or bad, but Kang Seol had already experienced Adumsini's Blade once before.
'Well, technically, I got turned into a rag doll by this ability.'
It was only natural that someone who'd been hit knew how vicious it was.
'And defense-ignoring damage is useful in so many ways.'
Not just against enemy defense, but even for altering terrain. It seemed good to have an ability like this.
"Lament. How is it? Feeling a bit better?"
"Uh... yeah."
If Lament said it was fine, then there were no issues. No, it was probably good.
'But even after absorbing Adumsini, Lament's disposition hasn't changed?'
Was the energy from the holy pearl and the spirit Lament strong enough to fully digest Adumsini?
"I'm going to sleep now!"
"Ah, okay."
"Turn off the light."
Lament slipped under the blanket.
Kang Seol put out the light and lay down, but someone knocked on the door.
Knock knock...
"Are you asleep?"
"Seolhong. What brings you..."
"The Dragon Emperor's decree has arrived."
"...The decree?"
Creak...
When he opened the door, Seolhong's face was full of sleepiness.
"All Dragon Flowers will gather in Hongyeon."
"It's the Dragon Emperor's will."
Nod...
Seolhong said to Kang Seol.
"Tomorrow, let's head to the capital Hongyeon."
* * *
The rumbling carriage wheels.
Kang Seol, Seolhong, Cheonju, and Chiwu rode the rattling carriage toward the capital Hongyeon.
"Yawn... It's a long way to Hongyeon, so no matter how much I sleep, it never ends."
Kang Seol looked at Chiwu, now fully part of the group, and asked.
"But don't you have any companions coming along?"
"Me? Of course not. Even if I did, they'd just be baggage. What do I need them for? As I said again, Chiwu is..."
"Never mind."
"The strongest... ahem... Anyway, going to the Dragon Palace isn't exactly fun."
"Why? Isn't it where you were born and raised?"
"Does everyone miss their hometown? No, they don't."
At those words, Kang Seol rested his chin on his hand for a moment.
'Do I miss my hometown?'
The answer came quickly.
Not really.
Chiwu's feelings were probably something similar.
"Oh, right. We'll probably see that guy this time too."
"That guy?"
"Tae-yul. That arrogant crown prince bastard. I always wanted to beat him down, but whenever I tried to stick close, he'd make excuses and slip away, so I never got the chance..."
"Is Tae-yul strong?"
"Who knows? But no matter what, he's beneath this Chiwu, right?"
Kang Seol and Seolhong looked at Chiwu with pitying eyes.
"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Just because."
"Anyway, if the Dragon Emperor's gathering all the Dragon Flowers in Hongyeon, something's probably about to go down there."
"Why gather the Dragon Flowers?"
"Not sure, but maybe he's planning to change the Dragon Contest format?"
"Change the format?"
Chiwu clapped his palms together.
"Exactly, that's gotta be it. The situation's changed. He can't just leisurely hold the Dragon Contest anymore."
Chiwu looked at Kang Seol and Seolhong as he spoke of the changed situation.
"It's because of you guys. Why are you looking at me like you know nothing?"
"Because of us? Ah..."
"Yeah, because Adumsini was resurrected."
Adumsini was the right-hand man of the evil dragon Hagrumu.
Adumsini's resurrection meant Hagrumu could revive at any moment too.
"Probably some boring talk related to that. Ugh... I hate it just thinking about it. Oh, by the way, did you get any other letters?"
Chiwu's head turned toward Seolhong.
Seolhong looked back at him as if asking what he meant.
"Other letters?"
"Ah... Guess not."
Chiwu said nonchalantly.
There were two kinds of "other letters."
Chiwu was talking about one of them.
"After the official event in Hongyeon ends, there'll definitely be some free time. Apparently, banquets hosted by Dragon Flowers are popping up everywhere because of that. Didn't get an invitation...?"
"......"
Chiwu's eyes spun in circles.
Kang Seol and Cheonju saw a bead of sweat trickle down his neck.
"Uh... well... that... Banquets are just for the debauched, promiscuous Dragon Flowers, right?"
"Did Chiwu get invited?"
"Me? Well..."
In that moment, Chiwu remembered the banquet invitations tucked in his bosom.
Chiwu's gaze turned to Kang Seol.
Kang Seol subtly shook his head side to side.
"Who'd invite me? Hahaha... I'd just cause trouble if I went."
"Really? I thought Chiwu would get invited..."
"Why?"
"Because Chiwu is strong, so everyone would..."
He didn't say 'likes Chiwu.'
Chiwu continued what came next.
"Fears Chiwu."
"......"
"Chiwu is strong. That's why he wasn't invited. Seolhong."
Chiwu looked at Seolhong.
"You too."
"...Me?"
"Yeah, Seolhong's strong too, so no invitation. Dragon Flowers are snakes—they avoid the strong."
Seolhong knew Chiwu said this to comfort her. And that he had been invited to the banquets was a lie.
"Thanks."
"So ignore the snakes. And banquets aren't even that fun anyway."
"But... I want to go."
"......"
"I've never been to one. A banquet."
Seolhong smiled sadly.
"No one's ever invited me."
"If a Dragon Flower we really get close to later invites you, then go! Ah... I'm, sleepy! Gonna sleep!"
Chiwu pretended to snore exaggeratedly.
- Dude, ruining the mood and fake sleeping? What the hell.
- lololol pretend not to know, REM sleep
* * *
[Rest base changed to Hongyeon.]
[Base relocation. Rolling travel luck dice.]
[Travel luck dice shows 3.]
[Travel luck dice shows 3.]
[Moderately average fortune.]
[Adventures conducted near Hongyeon will proceed ordinarily.]
[Adventures conducted near Hongyeon will proceed at normal difficulty.]
[Low chance that selected adventures near Hongyeon may be forcibly replaced by random events.]
[Decent fortune for adventuring nearby.]
"Hey, Kang Seol."
"Yeah."
"First time in Hongyeon?"
"Yeah, first time."
Chiwu grinned, baring his teeth.
"Hongyeon's full of sights and amazing food. I'll show you around when we have time."
"I thought you hated Hongyeon."
"Not Hongyeon—the Dragon Palace. I hate the Dragon Palace."
There was no need to book lodging.
No Dragon Flower would stay anywhere but the Dragon Palace in Hongyeon.
"We made it without being too late."
"Almost were."
"Arriving on the day of the event would've been a bit much, right?"
"We nearly missed participating altogether."
Rumble...
The carriage stopped.
Chiwu stuck his head out the window and said.
"Oh, we're here. This is the Dragon Palace. What do you think?"
"......"
"Big, huh?"
Kang Seol was overwhelmed by the scale of the Dragon Palace right now. It was almost like a university campus—no, a small city—filling his entire view.
Scattered dragon sculptures marked it as the Dragon Palace.
"Impressive."
"Ha, knew you'd like it. Let's head in."
As they got out of the carriage, Cheonju spoke.
"Seolhong, I'll head back to my quarters first then."
"Ah, okay."
Cheonju's status was Seolhong's nanny, or maid.
She couldn't enter an event hosted by the Dragon Emperor. That place was reserved solely for Dragon Flowers.
"Yongseok must remain here as well."
"But..."
In other words, Kang Seol couldn't enter either.
Chiwu and Seolhong looked at Kang Seol regretfully.
"Come back soon."
"...Tch. I'll be right back."
Seolhong said something similar and entered the palace.
Left alone, Kang Seol scratched his cheek, wondering where to wait now.
Tap.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
He didn't resist the touch, as no malice came from the man who had closed the distance.
"Hahaha! Meeting here like this."
"...Jangdu."
"You remembered my name? What an honor. Looks like if I don't take you, you'll spend the whole day waiting at this gate for your master, right?"
"Spot on."
"Kuhahaha! Come on, the event's gonna take a while anyway, and no Dragon Flower's bold enough to pull any stunts in front of the Dragon Emperor."
Kang Seol chuckled and followed behind Jangdu.
Meanwhile, Seolhong and Chiwu, entering the palace, were surprised by the larger crowd than expected.
"Looks like every Dragon Flower got invited?"
That was when it happened.
"Seolhong! You made it!"
It was Soryo.
Seolhong bowed neatly and said.
"Soryo unnie, I used the gift you gave me with great care."
"Oh, that? It just tasted bitter and didn't suit my palate. But who's that next to you..."
"What."
"Ch-Chiwu..."
Soryo trembled at the sight of Chiwu.
Chiwu was known among the other Dragon Flowers as quite the troublemaker. Her reaction showed that perception.
"Yes, we ended up together in the last trial."
"Good heavens... with Chiwu?"
"I received a lot of help. Right, Chiwu?"
"Well, if you say so. Hey, Soryo."
"Eek..."
"I heard a good number of Dragon Flowers died as guests in the Dragon Contest..."
"Ah, yes. The ones gathered here are just the Dragon Flowers the Dragon Emperor called to drink and enjoy, and the main event starts soon."
"Ah, got it. The main event's separate then?"
"Yes. There are still about a hundred Dragon Flowers left participating in the Dragon Contest."
Soryo said.
"And among them, the top 50 with notable achievements will be personally commended by the Dragon Emperor."
"That's the main event?"
"Yes."
"Fifty people... predetermined?"
"Yes. Seems like it... Seolhong, didn't you get a separate letter?"
"Letter..."
Seolhong's eyes turned to Chiwu.
Chiwu looked back at her with an expressionless face.
"No way, the 'other letter' you mentioned in the carriage..."
"Yeah, the top 50 got letters first. I got one too."
At Chiwu's words, Seolhong's eyebrows drooped weakly.
Soryo patted her shoulder.
"Don't be too down. You just barely missed joining by a hair."
"Is that true?"
"Yeah, I asked the recorder. Hong-ah, you're currently 51st."
"R-Really?"
She had started far behind, yet now she'd climbed to the mid-ranks in the Dragon Contest.
At those words, Chiwu and Seolhong's faces brightened simultaneously.
"Is that for real?"
"Why would I lie about that? So, Seolhong, don't give up. Keep going your way. You'll do even better if you stay the course."
Soryo's words were a great comfort to Seolhong. Though she hadn't made the top 50 to face the Dragon Emperor, she was right on their heels.
Seolhong clenched her fist tightly.
Someone tapped her shoulder as they passed.
"Oh dear... what to do, 51st place? Can't join the main event? Poor Seolhong."
"......"
A woman with sharp eyes placed her hand on a burly man's arm and said.
"Tae-yul oppa, let's go. The main event's starting soon."
Tae-yul stopped in place and looked at Seolhong.
"T-Tae-yul oppa?"
Tae-yul's presence felt like gazing upon an absolute being.
As if looking down from above.
Swish...
And then Tae-yul passed by again.
He shook off the woman's clinging hand as if it annoyed him.
Soon, the recorder's voice echoed through the hall.
"The main event will begin! The selected 50 Dragon Flowers, enter the Main Dragon Hall!"
At those words, the Dragon Flowers rose with momentum and moved in a group.
Seolhong stood frozen, watching their backs.
This was her place.
She still couldn't surpass them.
Her foot caught on the threshold, unable to see the world beyond.
"Seolhong..."
Soryo placed a hand on her shoulder.
Of course, it wasn't much comfort right now.
The recorder said.
"Chiwu, proceed to the Main Dragon Hall."
"Ah, alright."
Chiwu strode after the other Dragon Flowers.
Boom-!
The Main Dragon Hall doors closed.
Despite enduring such grueling trials, nothing had changed.
She still had to hide among the other flowers, unable to reveal her fragrance.
Swish...
As she turned to leave sadly, a commotion came from ahead.
Creeeak...
The Main Dragon Hall doors opened again.
"Death Flower Seolhong, proceed to the Main Dragon Hall."
"...Pardon?"
"You have also been selected among the 50."
"B-But..."
"Hurry!"
Soryo smiled brightly and pushed Seolhong's back.
"Go on, Seolhong!"
Seolhong didn't understand but crossed into the Main Dragon Hall. And soon she realized why she'd been selected.
"...Chiwu."
Chiwu grinned.
"I quit the Dragon Contest."
"Why..."
"It wasn't fun, until I met you. So dropping out makes sense."
Chiwu left the Main Dragon Hall without hesitation.
"I'll wait outside with Kang Seol. That seat's not mine. It's yours, Seolhong."
"Chiwu!"
He waved his hand.
"You're stronger than me."
The recorder urged.
"Seolhong, now..."
Seolhong bit her lip, straightened her clothes, and faced forward.
"I will enter."