Chapter 49

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 49

Chapter Title: Purified Shadows

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Kang Seol had now entered Nobira's job training grounds.

Until his ability proficiencies reached their peak, this place would likely become a regular stop during his rest periods.

The black magic training area was just as shabby as its reputation suggested, but since he had no intention of lingering here long, Kang Seol paid it no mind.

"This way."

"Yes."

The room the woman led him to was pitch black on all sides, without a single window letting in light.

The one saving grace was that it seemed well-maintained, with no unpleasant odors.

Kiiiek...

Thud.

As the door closed, a glowing wooden form bloomed in the darkness.

The first thing that caught his eye was Shadow Summon, which he'd raised to level 3.

True to its status as his core ability, countless branches extended from it.

Kang Seol ignored the other core abilities and focused solely on the branches above it.

'With only 2 skill points available... I could learn a new ability, or strengthen ones excluding Summon...'

He could pick up something new, but nothing felt lacking right now.

And no ability he could unlock with 2 points would bring about a massive change, so he pushed learning something new aside.

The previous level of Summon Enhancement had given a 5% stat boost, so it seemed each level increased summon stats by an additional 5%.

It was a modest gain for sacrificing 2 skill points.

But that also meant summons accounted for a huge portion of his power, and Kang Seol had ways to compensate.

A treasure granting a whopping 15% boost to summon stats.

The shadow poison was an issue, of course, but that worry would soon vanish.

After finishing his ability strengthening, Kang Seol returned to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠annex.

Kiiiek...

As he opened the annex door, the pungent stench of uneaten food from earlier wafted out.

He quickly cleared away the mess and moved the massive pot from the hearth to the table.

This liquid was the antidote to shadow poison—or more precisely, the virulent toxin of the poison herb Dokyocho.

Kang Seol dipped Galrota's Tongue into it.

Sizzzzzzz...

Thick black smoke billowed up.

Since even inhaling the smoke could poison him, Kang Seol left the windows and door wide open and stepped out into the yard in front of the annex.

After a short while,

when no foul odor drifted from inside, Kang Seol approached the table and checked the pot.

Using pre-prepared deer leather gloves and tongs, he pulled out Galrota's Tongue.

He rinsed the virulent toxin under running water and dried it under the blazing sunlight.

Why did the waiting feel so endlessly long?

After hours of Kang Seol patiently waiting for Galrota's Tongue to dry completely,

the reaction finally came.

Whoooong...

A black sheen gathered on the whip.

It had changed.

Kang Seol picked up the whip.

Kang Seol wrapped Galrota's Tongue tightly around one hand.

'Definitely less conspicuous and more convenient than the staff.'

It was much lighter too, and perfect for self-defense in a pinch. Though its attack power wasn't anything special.

With Galrota's Tongue in hand, Kang Seol's black aura grew even denser.

'Just how much stronger have I gotten?'

Kang Seol began the check-up he'd put off for quite a while.

'Starting with me.'

His abilities hadn't changed much from the start.

But his stats were worlds apart from when he'd first created his character.

Kang Seol had naturally dumped all his fluid stat points into Wisdom, and now his character was solidly on track.

'The Universe is a huge help.'

Thanks to its +15 to all stats, even areas that should have been lacking were decently filled out.

There probably wasn't anyone with higher stats than Kang Seol right now.

'Vitality and Wisdom are monstrous.'

Wisdom was absurdly high, and Vitality was far beyond any caster's—even surpassing most warriors.

Kang Seol meticulously reviewed his stats and checked the size of his Shadow Space.

Even with Karuna and Jamad, there was still room equivalent to both combined.

'Time to really get a new summon.'

For good measure, Kang Seol checked Karuna and Jamad's stats too.

Karuna's level had risen 8 stages, Jamad's by 6.

It was modest compared to his own stat growth, but that also meant they were growing at an insane pace.

Most transmigrators would freak out seeing Kang Seol and his summons' stats.

Even at the same level, gear and titles created massive gaps that were impossible to predict.

That was why the white shark in Kongori had been torn apart by Jamad.

"Hoo..."

Running nonstop to this point had brought countless events.

Near-death experiences multiple times, perilous moments that would make others give up.

But Kang Seol had survived, achieving everything as he willed. In this moment, he was the victor.

'Madness plays a bigger role than expected. To grow stronger, I need attention—is that it?'

He gazed at the wolf-head ring on his finger.

The gains from this Madness Shop included the ring, purifying Galrota's Tongue, the Black Spirit Shroud, and completing the Cloudy Day Jelly.

'Can't pull ahead by being ordinary... something like that?'

Fortunately, Kang Seol could be more special than anyone.

Cordon, who sent him here, must have expected as much.

'From now on, I need to stir things up even more spectacularly.'

Smiling at his visible achievements, Kang Seol stepped out of the annex to find his next task.

But as he left, unseen followers trailed him secretly.

It was dark outside, and people gathered in a secretive space.

Their leaders, Kibo and Shur, directed the group.

"Everyone here?"

"Yes! No tails!"

"Quite a crowd."

Kibo thought it a miracle Shur had even shown up.

He'd worried she might side with Heka or Doju, but his swift actions had kept her loyal.

Shur spoke.

"Tonight."

"...Tonight, then."

"Yeah. Can't keep up this awkward coexistence forever. Nobira's got enough greed with just us."

"Heh, but Heka and Doju have more numbers. You sure?"

"We're elites. Heka's side has no brains."

After that, talk turned to strategy.

"No way, no chance that direction. Hit Doju first."

"Idiot! Think Heka'll sit still? Heka's got way more combat power!"

"Doju's faction has too many dangerous jobs. Full war would leave us worse off."

Yumira took a deep breath.

Tonight, all-out war between Nobira ruin hunter factions.

If someone asked if they couldn't coexist, Yumira would call them naive.

'Get pushed out, and you die.'

The strongest force, the wisest mind, would rule all Nobira ruin hunters.

"Hoo..."

Tension wouldn't ease.

Felt like someone tightrope-walking over her heart.

Letting go of that taut string would bring relief, but not until the fight ended.

She knew Kibo had committed because so many transmigrators joined. They opposed Heka's evils too.

Yumira felt grateful toward them.

This gathered force was likely the best and biggest possible.

'Tonight decides Nobira's master. Stay sharp, Yumira. Protect Kibo.'

Then.

Kwaaang-!

"Hah... hah... Kibo sir, Shur sir..."

The heated meeting chilled as a member burst through the door.

"What happened?!"

Panting, the member gasped.

"Hah... Heka's side moved first. Clash at the 3rd Street bar! Wait, not exactly yet but..."

"Clash? With who? We're all here?"

"I-It... didn't see details, but a man with golden pupils and a dangerous aura..."

The moment Kibo understood, he shouted.

It had to be Snowman, the mysterious ally he'd dealt with.

Targeted.

"Main force hits Doju now! Yumira!"

"Yes!"

"Take Jirmo and some men to 3rd Street! He'll definitely still be holding out!"