Chapter 42

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 42

Chapter Title: Unprecedented

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As soon as Kang Seol obtained an item of a grade that had never appeared before, the viewers went wild.

With the nine spirits neatly housed in the belt, the Unprecedented was born.

The Unprecedented was one of a kind in Pandea, something incredibly hard to come by under normal circumstances.

Especially in the early stages of a journey.

'To think an Unprecedented would appear this soon...'

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This was beyond even Kang Seol's expectations.

He had figured the rainbow effect would just get a boost, but for it to evolve into gear surpassing treasure...

'What kind of power does it have?'

Kang Seol examined the belt, his first Unprecedented-grade item.

'Another unique ability added?'

Unique abilities were reserved for special treasures.

Each one was distinctive and powerful, so even just one would have satisfied Kang Seol.

He read on about the unique ability called Versatile.

'During combat or activity, it activates at a certain probability. Temporarily boosts a random stat by 5. Stacks up to 5 times, and the same stat can stack... Hm.'

The ability was definitely strong. Simple math put it at +25 stats.

But Kang Seol's expression wasn't particularly bright.

'What counts as "activity"?'

That was his concern.

Summoners typically didn't move much in combat.

Moreover, he hadn't invested any points outside summoning skills, so aside from standing around or dodging debris, he had no reason to move.

Hoping his worry was unfounded, Kang Seol tapped the "activity" part to check the scope.

'Summon... summon... Applies to summons' activity too. There it is!'

Thankfully, his concern was just that—a concern.

It explicitly stated that summons' activity could trigger Versatile, easing his mind.

'Almost got a dead option on perfect gear.'

A useless option on gear this good would have given him sleepless nights from stress.

First option cleared.

'Next up: Selected Spirit Ability Enhancement?'

He pressed the text, and changes occurred.

Pong! Pong! Pong!

Nine orbs floated before his eyes.

'These... each spirit's element?'

Kang Seol's gaze lingered on one in particular.

The pitch-black spirit orb.

Without much deliberation, he selected it.

Like going to a dress-code party and not considering anything but the right outfit, his Shadow Summoner build pursued only black.

Foosh...

The other orbs vanished as the black one shattered, enveloping Kang Seol.

'...My god.'

Maximum Shadow Space increased by percentage.

This was far more meaningful than a flat Wisdom boost.

As adventures progressed and Shadow Space grew, the long-term efficiency would be immense.

'No, I can even use it right away to acquire new summons.'

Extra Shadow Space meant exactly that.

Second option confirmed.

The rest were obviously great at a glance.

Spirit Veil efficiency boosted, and elemental damage reduction equated to 10% magic resistance.

'Now for the title?'

This was Kang Seol's first special title.

Naturally, his expectations for its power doubled.

He read the description.

'Ah, so that's it.'

Master.

A title you could challenge for after collecting a certain number of Unprecedented items.

'Master is great, sure... but when will I ever collect enough Unprecedented for it?'

He'd just gotten his first one. The others felt like savings you'd open in ten years.

'Well, I can just speed things up this time.'

If slow won't do, go fast. Simple as that.

Kang Seol finished his self-inspection.

A coloring study adventure longer than most. A difficulty that would stump anyone but him.

He'd earned a reward to match.

As dawn broke, Kang Seol returned to the starting point of the coloring study.

"Grooo... Haaa..."

"Gack... Hack..."

Mages snoring through their noses—no, barely breathing in sleep. Probably exhausted from staying put so long.

"Uwaaa! Huh?"

"Mm... What?"

Waking from nightmares with sleep-talk, they blankly stared at Kang Seol.

Then, recalling what they were doing, they shot up.

"Y-You're here! We were worried since you hadn't brought it for inspection yet."

"We've been waiting, Snowman. Why not sit and chat comfortably? A-And please don't tell Master we were dozing..."

"Here for inspection."

Kang Seol cut straight to it, and the twin-braided female mage nodded.

"Ah, capture or kill?"

"Capture, but counts as kill."

"...Pardon?"

"No way to release it."

"Uh... C-Can we see it?"

Swish.

Kang Seol showed the belt without equipping it fully—not trusting them completely.

"Uh... Um... So... Huh?"

"Prin, what is this?"

"No idea..."

After conferring, they turned to Kang Seol.

"C-Could you wait a moment?"

"Problem?"

"We're just apprentice mages, so our knowledge of spirit vaults is limited. Our master is visiting—mind if we show him?"

"How long?"

"He's nearby. Won't take long."

"Fine."

While waiting, Kang Seol recalled they were connected to one of his phrases: Duke of Frost.

'Zodiac affiliates... maybe someone I know?'

The grand mage who founded Zodiac—it wouldn't be odd to run into an associate.

He asked the mages.

"What's his name?"

"Blaine. Pioneer of hail magic. Know him?"

"...No, my knowledge is shallow. I'll remember now."

"No need... Non-mages might not. But he's well-known among us."

"Why?"

Kang Seol stroked his chin, drawing a blank on Blaine.

'Well, I don't know every mage.'

Knowing all in the mage tower collective Zodiac would be weirder.

But the man said something odd.

"Know the Duke of Frost?"

"Duke of Frost?"

"Yes, Zodiac's founder, the legendary grand mage."

"...Heard the name."

Hearing it from someone else was embarrassing.

"Long ago, Blaine hit a wall of enlightenment. Duke of Frost shattered it for him. That's how he became hail magic's pioneer."

"Ah, that kid."

"Pardon?"

"No, got it. Impressive man."

"Not just bias as his disciple—he saw the legendary Duke of Frost in person!"

Disciple full of affection for his master.

'Blaine... now I remember. That kid from back then.'

The Duke of Frost's many exploits wandering the world mixed benevolence and unavoidable misdeeds.

Saving Blaine from his enlightenment wall counted as benevolence.

Hail magic, a frost-line spell, inherited its traits and side effects.

'Advance too far, risk losing emotions.'

A type of awakening called Dissolution.

But with guidance at that moment, one could ascend a full rank higher without the drawback.

For Blaine, that guide was the Duke of Frost—Kang Seol, unwittingly his benefactor.

Pandea had twelve official mage towers, named after constellations, collectively Zodiac.

'Blaine... shouldn't be an issue.'

If trouble arose, slipping away was easy.

Soon after the apprentices' bird flew off, a clean-cut man arrived.

Face in early thirties, hair fully white. Stern features added gravitas.

Whoosh... Crackle...

Cool energy trailed his steps.

Kang Seol observed him like a grown nephew.

"...Your training's lacking, Prin."

"Your standards are too high, Master... Expecting a phoenix from basic spells?"

"The path of magic is distant from satisfaction. You knew that jumping in..."

"Ahem... Snowman's waiting?"

"We'll talk later."

"Tch... Grumpy..."

Blaine turned sharply to Kang Seol, extending a hand.

"Blaine here. Also handle Aquarius dispatch management. I'm the lead on this boundary stone issue."

"Snowman."

"Ah, the one from Pointed Rock Mountain. Heard even from afar. Sorry I missed your arrival—personal regret."

Kang Seol shook his hand.

Most mages avoided handshakes.

Grasping hands implied equality, which intellectual snobs dodged.

Blaine was the opposite.

Talking with him felt comfortable.

"Thanks for the welcome, Blaine."

"Heard you used a personal spirit vault. Mind if I check?"

"Please do."

"Procedure requires magic—apologies."

Humm...

Blaine cast a soft glow over the belt.

Eyes closed, reading it, his face suddenly twisted.

"This... impossible."

"Problem?"

"H-How did you get this?"

"Received from someone I knew."

"Hmmm... Ho... Uuugh..."

Blaine kept scrutinizing the belt, then snapped his fingers.

Snap!

"S..."

"Wh..."

The mages peeking behind Blaine froze instantly. Frost lightly coated their faces—they were iced.

Mental Freeze, a mental impairment spell.

Kang Seol stepped back hastily.

"What..."

Blaine told him.

"This item is dangerous."