Chapter 292
Chapter 292
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 292
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kwachijijijijik!
The black spear infused with lightning pierced straight through the giant golem's armor and into the floor without resistance.
"My God…."
"Get down!"
Pajijijijijik!
The immense energy bursting from the black spear utterly shattered the giant golem. And it inflicted severe damage on the surroundings as well.
The fourth floor looked hollowed out, as if cleanly drilled through.
Sruruk…
And the hole filled up in an instant.
"Wh-what is this… What have you unleashed…."
Everyone except Kang Seol stared at Jin Ryeo.
"That… It's the treasured weapon of the Dragon Lord, widely known as a legend in the North…."
"Oh dear! To think such a madman has been right beside us all this time!"
"If you'd accidentally summoned the Dragon Lord himself, we'd all be dead."
"So I checked with Kunna…."
"Who's that Kunna?"
"It's Jin!"
At the words that Jin had confirmed it, Jone and Santio's expressions eased a bit.
"Ahem… I see. Good thing Jin verified it. Otherwise, it would've been utter madness."
Jin Ryeo said, her eyes gleaming.
"But where did the black spear go? Even if it's a fake, I wanted to see the real thing…."
"It's gone. She said it gets handled faster the more serious the problem…."
"I wanted to see it for real…."
"Don't even mention it. I nearly had a heart attack. N-not that I wouldn't want to see that spear myself, of course."
"Wow… It really gets the heart racing, doesn't it?"
"Right, right…. No, that's not the point. Anyway, good thing it worked out! If you were my granddaughter, your calves would've been black and blue by now!"
The keepsake of the Dragon Lord that he would one day reclaim.
His black spear was an artifact so extraordinary that whispers of it had spread among the populace.
'Could I have wielded it?'
No.
The moment the spear was summoned, it was immediately clear that it was impossible.
'There are all sorts of restrictions on it.'
The black spear came with various constraints.
Thus, even if it appeared right before one's eyes, it couldn't be swung around so easily.
While Kang Seol was lost in thought, Jone and Jin Ryeo were chatting.
"But how do you know that book so well?"
"Because he's a super famous person, right? The Dragon Lord?"
"Ahem…."
"He's the only one who ever took something from a dragon. How could I not be interested? Especially since he's already revered like a god in the North…."
"You have a point. I momentarily forgot the Winged Mountains are in the North. So you were born and raised there? Makes sense, given your contract with Jin."
Nod…
Jin Ryeo nodded.
"Anyway, while this giant golem was blocking the way and we got nothing, let's search around for something."
Everyone agreed with Santio and scattered to find the books they wanted.
The giant's remains scattered like dust and vanished after a short while.
Kang Seol pondered future events while searching for the books on his list.
Swipe…
One book.
Swipe…
Another.
'Hm?'
The search was progressing surprisingly quickly.
'I thought even one would be hard to find….'
He obtained every book on the list below the fifth floor.
"Ah! I found all of mine!"
Luck must have been on her side, as Jin Ryeo had results too. They finished searching early and decided to wait for Jone and Santio.
But suddenly, Kang Seol had a question.
'Come to think of it, why did they come to the Myriad Forms Library?'
Santio seemed like he'd dodge the question, so he approached Jone.
"Mr. Jone."
"Hm… None here. As expected, nothing in the lower floors? But what's this trace of a transfer spell with unknown purpose? The ritual looks sloppy, so it's not one I made…."
"Mr. Jone."
"Ah, speak. I got distracted…."
"Why did you come to the Myriad Forms Library?"
"…So that's what you were wondering."
"Yes."
Jone scratched his goatee and answered.
"Truth is… I hit a wall in my achievements and came here."
"…Pardon?"
Jone was a grand archmage in name and reality.
Prannan, the saint-level mage, had seemed impressive, but Jone was the tower lord, holding an even higher position.
Of course, Prannan had displayed unusually great power among saint-level mages and was now a tower lord himself, so comparing them was tricky.
In any case, for Jone and Santio—mages at enviable positions—to hit a wall and seek out the Myriad Forms Library.
-Hohoho… These old folks are still spry as ever.
It had been quite a while since he'd heard that voice.
'…Bornuil?'
-Hehehe… Long time no see. I hope you've been well.
Bornuil, the former Scales who handled part of Ur's psyche.
In the past, he'd been mentally dominated by Ur in Alcatron, lost his life to Prannan, and since then shared Ur's body.
More precisely, he acted as a suppressant to keep Ur from entertaining foolish thoughts.
Whether it was making up for the sleep he'd postponed in life by borrowing Ur's body, he rarely awoke unless something major happened.
The unique aura of the Myriad Forms Library must have roused him.
-Looks like I slept a long time. Ur's been busy, so I had nothing to do…. Anyway, the Myriad Forms Library… Hohoho, mages couldn't pass this place by.
While Bornuil spoke, Jone and Santio explained their situation.
"For years, my mana only increased slightly with no real progress, and then we got word the Myriad Forms Library had appeared. As you know, mages are honest about their desires. We left duties to our aides and came straight here."
"The expression is blunt, but Jone's words are true."
"So you two have specific books you're after?"
"That's…."
Jone and Santio exchanged glances and evaded the answer.
-As expected, they're here for Azran's tomes. He's the pinnacle among mages of their ilk, the one who united those stubborn lot. History rates his magical prowess above any other mage, drawing many to….
'You mean they want the same thing?'
…No intention of yielding.
"We're not telling you that much."
"Even old men have their secrets."
Kang Seol nodded.
"Understood. Then…."
"Right, let's head up."
As they prepared to ascend, Kang Seol paused and turned back to Jone.
"Mr. Jone."
"Uh, uh? What's up?"
Kang Seol made a request of Jone.
Jone nodded.
"Ahem… Makes sense. No harm in being cautious. Wait a moment."
Soon after, Jone finished the request and approached.
"Done. Let's go."
"Yes."
* * *
Step… step…
Tszzzzz…
Fifth floor.
A sign boldly read "Lounge."
It formed a perfect circle, with empty bookshelves all around.
Kang Seol felt a bit uneasy.
'What if no one else made it?'
Since the independent spaces branched off from the second floor, it was uncertain if they'd meet before reaching the lounge.
Considering how even tower lords like these old men had been stuck in the lower floors for months, this worry wasn't unfounded.
As Kang Seol headed to the center of the lounge with such anxiety, a welcoming voice came from ahead.
"You're here! Kang Seol! Why so late!"
"Chiwu?"
"We've been waiting. I was worried it might take longer… Glad you're safe."
Chiwu and Seolhong welcomed Kang Seol first.
"Me too! I'm here too!"
"Ah, Jin Ryeo…."
"Mr. Chiwu! That's not fair! Don't trail off like that!"
The man sitting in front of Chiwu and Seolhong.
"You've arrived."
"Hawon. When did you get here?"
"We arrived a bit early ourselves."
"Good."
"But… those two elders behind you?"
Jone and Santio walking behind Kang Seol.
"Who might they be~?"
When Jin Ryeo playfully asked, Seolhong and Chiwu pondered briefly before startling and asking.
"Could they be from the Magic Tower…."
"Kekeke… Even wherever we go, it's this face that gives us away?"
"Not to be underestimated, Jone."
"How…."
Seolhong encapsulated the question of why the Magic Tower lords Jone and Santio were in the Myriad Forms Library in a single word.
Jone and Santio relayed the exact anecdote they'd told Kang Seol before.
"I see… Did you achieve your goals?"
"If we had, we'd have turned back immediately. No thought of coming this far. But you all…."
Jone's eyes sharpened.
"Gathered like this, I can tell. Your auras are extraordinary."
"Indeed. We've seen the Scales' disciple before, so that's fine, but the others…."
As they said, the auras from Chiwu and Seolhong were anything but ordinary.
Even Kang Seol was occasionally startled by them.
'And Hawon too.'
Hawon exuded a presence utterly different from when they'd continued meeting in Nobira. It felt less like raw power and more like the sheer presence of the man himself.
It was natural for Jone and Santio to be puzzled.
When they asked, Seolhong and Chiwu kindly explained.
"Oh ho! So you're descendants of the Dragon Emperor!"
"I thought you weren't ordinary. But why are you here?"
When they laid out the situation unfolding in the Great Empire Khan, Jone muttered gravely.
"Hmm… Such things happening while we're away…."
"Definitely a threatening situation."
The talk about each other ended there.
Next was checking how close they'd come to their goals here.
"This…."
"We got them all, right? All of them?"
Surprisingly, Hawon had found all his desired books before reaching the fifth floor.
"Then…."
"Time to head back?"
Hawon nodded.
"Then, we have no more reason to climb Myriad Forms. Let's return and…."
"…Hawon."
Kang Seol looked at the group and said.
"I'll go a bit higher."
"Huh? From here?"
Chiwu blinked in surprise.
Hawon's eyes narrowed.
"…You have something you want."
"Yes. There's still something I need to check."
"Hmm… Then we should part here. We need proper preparations to awaken the fallen demon anyway. I'll head back first and prepare."
"Thank you."
"And the others…?"
Jin Ryeo spoke first.
"Ah, I can head back. I got a mysterious book…."
Having met the Myriad Forms Old Immortal, Jin Ryeo had her own gains and wanted to hurry back to study it.
Seolhong and Chiwu pondered briefly before answering.
"We'll head back."
"I'll wait for you back home."
Truthfully, that relieved him.
They were reliable allies to fight alongside, but if they got separated again by independent spaces, the upper floors could be dangerous.
Seolhong approached and took Kang Seol's hand.
"Kang Seol."
"Sorry for making you wait."
Seolhong shook her head firmly.
"If it's important to you, I'll wait as long as it takes. Just promise you'll come back to me."
With a stern expression, she asked. Kang Seol smiled faintly and replied.
"…I'll finish up quickly and return."
Sssk…
"That's all I need. I'll wait."
The group handed their books to Kang Seol and exited through the lounge's dedicated exit.
Suddenly, only Kang Seol and the two gloomy old men remained.
-Suddenly, my least favorite picture appeared.
-It was lively! It was so lively until just now!
-The mood's turning sour.
Kang Seol and the dour old men sat at the table where the others had been, taking a break.
While Kang Seol quietly closed his eyes and thought about what lay ahead, Ur's voice came.
-But what's this Azran tome or whatever that even these doddering old fools are after?
Bornuil answered, not Kang Seol.
-Azran is the mage who united those stubborn mages, leaving his mark in history. His magical abilities are rated above any mage in history, drawing countless… .
-Hey, the greatest mage in history? How dare they, with this body here….
-Ur, weren't you a magic warrior? Hohoho!
-…Right. Then I can yield the 'mere mage' label easily enough. But apparently, he left something in the Myriad Forms Library?
Bornuil calmly explained to Ur. Surprisingly, the two seemed to get along.
-There were rumors that the great mage stopped by the Myriad Forms Library before vanishing from the world. That's why countless fools challenged it, heedless of their lives.
-Hmph… They must've made a fuss over nothing much.
Ur still couldn't gauge the Duke of Frost's caliber. Kang Seol decided to give him a suitable comparison.
'Ur, Azran wasn't outdone even by the Immortal who created Emptiness.'
-What? Really?
'Yes. Especially in magic, he was unparalleled.'
Praising himself through his own mouth felt a bit odd.
-Hmm… Interesting. I'm curious about what he left too. I was feeling a bit short on power for the next stage anyway. Perfect timing.
'…Huh?'
-Bring me what he left. Prove that this body is greater than that Azran.
'Ah, sure….'
Hearing Ur's words snapped Kang Seol back to reality.
Ur was the first magic warrior and, unconfirmed but clearly, a being of immense past power. What if the legacy of the supreme mage, the Duke of Frost, reached such a one?
'What delusion… When we don't even know if it exists.'
As Kang Seol spent time with such thoughts, Santio spoke up.
"Before we proceed, I should warn you in advance."
"Warn…?"
"Before entering the Myriad Forms Library, Jone and I reviewed recent records."
"Oh, that! Right. Santio and I felt something off in the records."
Kang Seol tilted his head.
Santio spoke of the suspicious records.
"Challengers to the Myriad Forms Library aren't common but not rare. Especially those with goals have achieved fine results. Until quite recently… that's how it was."
"Until recently? What do you…."
"Not a single one."
"Pardon?"
"Excluding those who turned back from the lounge, not one who went ahead has returned alive. Even before, there were occasional survivors who'd reached at least the sixth floor. Strange, isn't it?"
Santio clasped his hands in front.
"Something may have gone wrong on the upper floors."
Druruk…
Kang Seol stood abruptly and said.
"I'd rather not jump to fear… Shall we go?"
"…Kukuku, youth is grand."
"For the record, Jone was terrified. If he soils his robe, just pretend you didn't see as fellow alumni…."
"No!"
"Are you fearless?"
"No! I won't soil it! I am scared!"
Kang Seol asked.
"If you're scared, why proceed?"
"Because stopping is scarier! You'll understand when you're old. Becoming a broken clock where the second hand won't move… How horrifying that is. Let's go!"
Jone, Santio, and Kang Seol headed to the next floor.
* * *
Sixth floor.
No, upon reaching what had been the sixth floor, they looked around in bewilderment.
"What in the world…."
"Everything's smashed. And this horrific aura…."
The sign must be lying somewhere amid the debris.
"Ah… I see."
"Jone?"
"Now I get it."
"Pardon?"
"That sloppy transfer spell trace we found on the fourth floor."
Jone had indeed mentioned it on the fourth floor.
-But what's this trace of a transfer spell with unknown purpose? The ritual looks sloppy, so it's not one I made….
"That's relevant now…."
"Very much so. Someone tried swapping the fourth floor's rules with the sixth floor's."
"…Why?"
"To get what they want. Resurrecting someone or obtaining treasure. Idiot!"
"And the result?"
"Partial success, it seems. The flow shows the sixth floor's rules changed to the fourth's. The shock propagated to the seventh, collapsing it entirely. Sixth and seventh floors merged."
In other words, Kang Seol's group was now on the 6-7th floor combined.
They walked further and confirmed what Jone meant by partial success.
"That…."
"My God…."
A massive demon beast slumbered, blocking the way.
"The rules must not have applied properly. They probably didn't intend to summon that horrific beast originally. Whatever you do, don't open any books. The whole space might collapse this time."
Santio furrowed his brow.
"Judging by the bloodstains everywhere… It devoured everyone who reached the sixth floor. That's why no word from there. Will it vanish?"
"Best not to hope too much. With the botched spell, everything's twisted. It could live a thousand years, no surprise."
Jone sighed.
"…Looks dangerous at a glance. Any way around…? Huh? Hey?"
"……."
"What's wrong?"
Kang Seol cautiously approached the demon beast's side.
Toward its head, as it lay prone.
"H-hey…."
"What are you planning…."
Observing the sleeping beast quietly, Kang Seol grinned and asked.
'Looks like a match, right?'
-Incredible.
Ur's response came to Kang Seol's question.
-To encounter not one, but two.
Black and ferocious form.
Majestic fur and fangs that inspired terror just by existing.
The beast resembled someone.
'Jamad, you can do it, right?'
-Not difficult. There's precedent.
Jone and Santio watched the beaming Kang Seol with worried eyes.
"Um…."
"Stay back."
"What are you trying to do!"
"Shh…."
As Kang Seol proceeded, the two backed away.
Pajijijik…
Kang Seol transformed into a raven and clapped.
Clap—!
Grrrr…
The beast woke to the applause.
Still groggy, it staggered to its feet.
Kang Seol looked at it and said.
"Come out, Coco."
[Phantom Beast Summon: Shadow Wolf activates.]
[Duration: Surprise Appearance activates.]
[Happy Coco is affected by Jamad's abilities.]
"Know any familiar faces?"
Woof—!
Coco, upon summoning, wagged its tail furiously and barked at the shadow wolf that looked just like itself.
The wolf blocking the 6-7th floors was a shadow wolf, just like Coco.
"If it's a familiar face, play nice."