Chapter 274
Chapter 274
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 274
>Chapter Title: Watara's Audience
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Grrrrumble...
"What the hell is going on...?"
"Did the golden statue do this?"
Hye-myung and Mia stared in shock.
"The path has connected again..."
They had already obtained the Wilderness Command.
Yet the path kept extending onward.
Seeing Kang Seol's grave expression, Hye-myung turned to the group.
"We don't know how long this path goes, so how about we rest a bit more before moving?"
Chiu nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, that sounds right."
The others had reached their physical limits, so they didn't object and accepted Hye-myung's suggestion.
Kang Seol welcomed it too, as he still had unfinished checks.
He watched as everyone fell asleep quickly despite the bizarre situation, realizing just how grueling their schedule had been.
Not everyone could match Kang Seol's stamina.
With some time freed up, Kang Seol began checking the things he hadn't gotten to yet, in his own order.
First, the soul of Gisondae that Bitan had devoured—he was worried about that.
It hadn't changed much from before, but one new ability related to Gisondae had been added.
[Ghost - Gisondae's Iron Wall (Unique)]
- When Bitan defends against an attack and reduces damage by 80% or more, 5% of the lost ghost energy is restored. Weapon block chance increases by 5%, and if a weapon block triggers against elemental damage, damage reduction increases by an additional 10%.
'A defense-related ability.'
This was far better than getting a new attack ability.
Eoduksini's Blade consumed ghost energy, so another ghost energy consumer would have been awkward.
If activated consciously, it could build ghost energy quickly, and then unleashing Eoduksini's Blade for ignore-defense damage would balance offense and defense.
'The downside is that my ghost energy pool isn't that big.'
A good start.
Next, he examined the gear he'd gotten earlier.
First, the Technique Scroll of Rigid Theory.
'Sigh...'
Usable by mages or similar classes. Kang Seol had Bitan, but mage Ur couldn't equip items, so this had to be sold off unfortunately.
- First stack secured.
- Bust lololol.
Next, the Unfathomable Double-Edged Axe.
Naturally inferior to Karen and Karuna's weapons, and no suitable summons to use it on either.
'Two in a row?'
Had he ever been this unlucky?
Getting his hopes up after downing Gisondae felt foolish now.
- 2 stacks lmao.
- What happens at 3?
- Snowman's mentality shatters lol.
- Wanna see it lololol.
- Yeah~ This is normal~
- You've been frontloading your luck^^
- Ugh... Need some antacids~ 77 billion~
Viewers, numb to seeing Kang Seol get great gear every time, mocked him by calling this normal.
Anxious, Kang Seol checked the next item.
'Not even gear, this.'
[Strange Parchment Fragment]
Rank: Divine
Level Requirement: 38 - 50
Weight: 0.1kg
Special: Parchment inscribed with a crucial secret of 'Watara's Ruins.'
'Divine?'
- Divine?
- Divine item?
- Clutch savior wtf.
- But not gear?
The fragment bore a single drawing: blindfolded figures bowing worshipfully to something on the ground.
The object was a massive eyeball.
An eye, basically.
'What is this...?'
At that moment.
Ziiing...
[The Strange Parchment Fragment resonates.]
Fsssh...
With the message, the parchment crumbled away.
Kang Seol stared blankly.
He felt utterly deflated.
It felt like the parchment's energy had been sucked into his nose, but nothing had changed.
'Did Gisondae get this parchment and come all the way here?'
No way to know.
He couldn't revive the dead Gisondae.
Like clutching fine sand—it had filled his hand, then slipped away.
Kang Seol checked the final item.
A massive leather armor.
As he lifted it with effort, he felt it.
'This... isn't ordinary.'
The following messages confirmed his hunch.
[Unparalleled: You acquire Subjugation.]
[You have obtained an item that did not exist in the world.]
- No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Back to sanity? Sanity check?
- Knew it was strong lol.
- Knew something big was coming...
Unparalleled: Subjugation
Rank: Unparalleled
Level Requirement: 43–52
Defense: 210
Durability: 180/180
Weight: 0.1kg
Leather armor infused with the power of Gisondae, the evil spirit of domination. With Gisondae's soul dispersed, all malevolent energy has evaporated.
Base Stats: Strength +50, Intelligence +52, Vitality +55
Special: Reinforcement Amplification (Unique), Weakening Amplification (Unique), Innate Ruler (Unique), Vitality regen based on max Intelligence, Mana regen based on max Vitality.
'Yes!'
No number of mediocre treasures could beat one solid Unparalleled.
'Options are tailored perfectly too.'
Jamad was the only one using leather gear, and this fit him ideally.
- +50 stats real? Lol.
- Custom-boosting key options wtf;;
- Jamad: Daddy ain't sleeping. Watching it all.
- If it was Karen she'd have snatched it already lol.
[Reinforcement Amplification (Unique)]
- During combat, reinforcement effects increase by up to 10%. Amount depends on reinforcement duration. Varies by reinforcement type.
'Reinforcement abilities... Does it apply to titles?'
Probably not constant or active abilities, but still highly useful.
No, anything was better than nothing.
[Weakening Amplification (Unique)]
- During combat, debuff hits reduce enemy stats by up to 20% more. Amount depends on debuff duration. Varies by debuff type.
Debuffs often had big swings, so the boost made sense.
'Good for slows... or stuns.'
More status resistance was always better. He'd felt Atonement's value before, and Subjugation would shine in key moments.
[Innate Ruler (Unique)]
- Grants the special stat Dignity +100.
[Special stat: Dignity detected.]
[Special stat: Dignity unlocked.]
'Ah, Dignity!'
Higher levels brought special stats beyond the basics.
Dignity aided social interactions favorably.
- Special stat!
- But Jamad's using it anyway?
- Jamad overflowing with dignity!
- Actually good?
- Snowman benefits if Jamad gets special stat?
- Nah.
- Hope not! Want Snowman ridiculed like dog food!
- You too, huh?
The HP/mana regen paired perfectly with current Jamad, so this went to him.
'Ah, and...'
Kang Seol remembered something forgotten.
[Equipping Unparalleled: Subjugation on Jamad of All Things.]
[Equipping Patrol's Wind Boots on Jamad of All Things.]
- Hm...? Still, seems he anticipated my return. Preparing such things.
Jamad expressed indirect gratitude.
- N-not like... I prepared this for you, waiting for me?
- What speech lol.
- Snowman's romcom continues today.
Kang Seol soothed his regrets watching items go to Jamad.
Stronger summons meant he was stronger, but he'd gained too little.
'Ah, title.'
[Special Title: The One Who Severed the Right Arm]
Related Achievement: Bangjjakhuik (Adventure: Watara's Legacy)
Special: Increases fear in enemies when body parts are destroyed.
'Even the title's meh...'
A vague special title too.
Aside from Unparalleled, lackluster rewards.
Kang Seol gazed into the darkness beyond the path. He hoped whatever hid there would fill his regrets.
Adventure 33-(Special) 'True Power'
You obtained the Wilderness Command, but Watara's Ruins seem to hold more secrets.
Whether to return satisfied or reach the ruins' end is up to you.
Goal: Escape Watara's Ruins or Explore Ruins
Caution: This adventure changes moment to moment.
Remaining Time: Unknown
Fortunately, the danger warning had vanished from the description.
Now rested, Kang Seol's group walked the path ahead.
After just over 20 minutes, Chiu asked.
"Kang Seol."
"Yeah?"
"Why the long face? Something wrong?"
"...No."
- There is. Something wrong.
- Got nothing!
- Paper burned up nose, Unparalleled to summon!
- Zero gains lol.
Another 10 minutes passed, leading to another cliff.
No—a path requiring Wakanda's teachings to proceed.
"Then everyone..."
"We'll stay here."
Hye-myung stood by Mia and Seolhong.
"...What?"
"I sense the golden statue's energy."
"What..."
"If something's ahead, it's not a path prepared for me."
"......"
Last time, after getting Wilderness Command, the ruins collapsed—Hye-myung got nothing. If something remained and she claimed it...
'The future would change...'
Did the golden statue mean to tell her that?
Or coincidence?
"Hahaha! Roles reversed from yesterday, Kang Seol."
- Go on ahead, Hye-myung.
Hye-myung smiled.
"Come back safe, Kang Seol. And Chiu. We'll wait."
Kang Seol and Chiu nodded.
Truthfully, Kang Seol had wondered.
If Seolhong, Mia, or others ignored everyone and focused solely on enlightenment—would they have gained something?
Now was the time to test it.
"Be back."
Huuuup...
Kang Seol and Chiu steadied breaths and leaped hard.
Fwoosh-!
Boom...
They distanced from the group in an instant.
Kwaaaang-!
Like a mouth closing, space sealed shut.
"...Kang Seol."
Hye-myung silently watched his fading back.
Kwaang-!
Kwaaaang-!
The ruins shifted.
Kang Seol rocketed forward like a bullet, dodging the closing ruins.
"Urgh..."
Whoooong!
Whooooong!
This wasn't mere ruin changes.
'The entire space... is twisting.'
Like Gisondae's mental domain, the ruins ensnared them. Unlike dead ghosts, threats were invisible structures.
- Watara... impressive!
Kang Seol merged with Jamad at some point. Jamad felt what he felt—the aura from space was no joke.
Kwaaaang!
Kwaang!
Chiu followed the flow better than expected. How many death lines crossed already?
But limits hit soon.
"...Ah!"
Whoooong...
Chiu's hair turned golden. Eyes glazed as if enlightened, he fell behind.
Kang Seol glanced back briefly, then pushed on.
Whiiing-!
Shrieeeek-!
Speed ramped up.
Kwaang!
Kwaaang-!
His reactions sharpened, but changes threatened to devour him.
'At this rate... end of the line?'
Then.
[Watara's Memory resonates.]
'Watara's... memory?'
Visions flashed before Kang Seol: upcoming shifts, path directions.
Golden lines traced breakthroughs.
'No way?'
He recalled the parchment from Gisondae—the golden energy inhaled.
"...I see it!"
- What?
Kang Seol's eyes ignited.
Like when embracing everyone to flee Gisondae.
Kwaaaang-!
Kwaaaaang!
Kang Seol spun midair.
- Danger...
A massive rock loomed.
He flung fused Jamad opposite.
Thuuung...
They barely dodged, separating.
Whip-!
Then re-merged.
Jamad, experiencing it, felt a bizarre sensation.
Whoooosh...
Changes persisted: ceiling collapsing, ground surging.
Kang Seol weaved through like a fish in water.
Inexplicable maneuvers.
Enabled by something.
- Hahahahaha!
Kang Seol's heart pounded wildly.
They plunged into unknown depths.
Whiiiiiing-!
Kang Seol didn't cut wind.
He sliced space.
- There!
He flew toward leaking light.
Kwaaang-!
Kwaaaaang!
The ruins failed to crush him.
Whooo...
Emerging into light, Kang Seol's mind blurred.
Floating in space.
Debris cleared; they floated in a starry nightscape.
- Ahh... what is this...
Golden light gleamed in Jamad's eyes too—as in Kang Seol's.
Swoooo...
Something rose.
Intensely glowing.
Gulp...
A colossal eyeball.
Kang Seol and Jamad trembled before its overwhelming size.
'This... from the parchment...'
As the eye fixed on him, fragmented memories flooded.
'Ahh...'
He learned who Watara was.
'The progenitor... of the Golden-Eyed Tribe.'
Transcendent who shared power with the gifted Golden-Eyed Tribe.
Kang Seol and Jamad had truly encountered Watara.
Watara said nothing.
Ziiiiiing...
He passed a blazing golden orb to Kang Seol.
'This...'
Entranced, Kang Seol grasped it; it spun furiously.
Whirrrrrr-!
"Urk..."
Mystical energy enveloped him. The orb in his hand dimmed.
Srrrk...
Watara's form faded.
Like closing eyes, slowly.
Pop-!
Kang Seol...
"Kang Seol!"
"Huh...?"
"Kang Seol! What happened?"
"...What?"
Kang Seol realized Hye-myung was shaking him. Chiu stirred too.
"Uh... what... the hell..."
Chiu looked baffled.
Kang Seol asked Hye-myung.
"What happened?"
"...What?"
"I don't remember..."
Hye-myung explained.
"You two were going alone, but right at takeoff, you both collapsed."
"...Ah."
Kang Seol and Chiu exchanged looks.
The others' experience differed from theirs.
How?
'Watara's trick?'
Why?
As Kang Seol clutched his throbbing head.
[Awe-inspiring Discovery! You audience Watara.]
[Watara gifts you the seed of the One Body Many Forms Buddha—manifesting temporarily in various forms to save the world.]
Bzzzt-!
Sound from his chest.
He rummaged and pulled it out.
The dimming golden sphere.
'That from before...'
[The seed sprouts.]
Something implanted in his chest.
[The soil is uneven. Requires suitable time for bloom, or immense power.]
Power not gained yet.
But a message detail caught his eye.
'Hold on, if it needs time...'