Chapter 67
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Shadow Summoner's Deal
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The voice echoing from the darkness was unmistakably feminine.
"Do you know me?"
"Chao, the Shadow Summoner from Free City Kongori, right?"
"You've done your homework, I see. Though to be precise, I only stayed there briefly—I'm not actually from Kongori. Anyway, nice to meet you. What's your name?"
"Snowman."
"Never heard of you. That's hardly fair—you know my name, but I've never heard yours."
Thud. Thud.
Chao slowly emerged from the shadows.
Fwoosh—!
Suddenly, her figure vanished from sight only to reappear right in front of Kang Seol. It was an astonishing speed.
Chao thrust her fist forward, its path leading straight to Kang Seol.
Crack—!
Her fist was caught in Karen's hand.
Karen grinned.
"Playing rough, aren't you, lady?"
"Ho! Nice shadow you've got there."
Slither.
Chao smoothly withdrew her fist from Karen's grasp. Karen released her without resistance.
'So she saw through Karen being a shadow.'
It made sense—even ordinary folk might miss it, but fooling a seasoned Shadow Summoner was out of the question.
Kang Seol pressed Chao on her actions.
"Why'd you do that?"
"Just curious about a few things."
Chao spun around backward as she spoke.
"But the homeowner sneaks in through the window, while intruders boldly smash down the door. What a strange world we live in."
Chao was calling out Karen for recklessly breaking the door.
"Why didn't you use the door yourself?"
"Lost my key."
"Pardon?"
"From your reaction, I guess you can't take a joke. I've got people chasing me, so not leaving traces has become a habit... you know."
Kang Seol calmly stated his business.
"We thought you were missing."
"Ah, did you stop by the Foresight of Darkness? That explains how you know me. From Kongori, by any chance?"
"Not anymore."
"Figures those priests sent you. Such sentimental folks... But what now?"
Chao's eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"I'm not going back to Kongori."
"...I see."
"That's right—your trip here was all for nothing. Congrats!"
Kang Seol responded impassively to Chao's mocking congratulations.
"That's fine. I just need to pass along the message anyway."
"...You're not here just for that, are you?"
"Ever heard of killing two birds with one stone?"
"What do you want?"
Chao began to regard Kang Seol warily.
She'd pegged him as somewhat skilled but naive, yet now it was clear he had ulterior motives. It was a natural reaction for her.
"No need to be on guard. I'm not approaching with any malice."
"...So, what is it?"
"I've hit the Wall of Enlightenment. I need your help."
"Ah! That's what it was?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
The Wall of Enlightenment.
Once players surpass level 10 and visit the job training halls in each city, this option appears:
- [Requirement: Shadow Summoner, Wall of Enlightenment] "I've heard there's a Shadow Summoner here."
That was it.
The very phrase that had set Kang Seol on the path to finding Chao.
Players who hit the Wall of Enlightenment can't grow their abilities any further. Visiting a job training hall won't enhance their skills at that point either.
'Blocked by the Wall of Enlightenment, stalling growth.'
Kang Seol had just reached level 11 through this adventure. Strengthening his abilities at a job training hall was impossible.
Even if he went, no ability tree would appear.
That's where seasoned experts came in.
These experts were veterans of their respective jobs.
Like Chao, standing right before him now.
They could help break through the Wall of Enlightenment, but they often came with troublesome requests of their own.
Simple logic: I help you, so you help me.
Chao seemed to be thinking along those lines right now.
"Hmm... What to do? I'm a busy woman. Can't you find someone else?"
"If you knew how many months I suffered just to track you down..."
"Huh? That long ago?"
Kang Seol recounted everything from his first visit to the mansion up to now—omitting what needed omitting, adding what needed adding.
Chao listened quietly before bursting into laughter.
"What? You went to all those places? Puhahaha... You're a real piece of work!"
"Why'd you steal the household induction device?"
"I just picked it up on my way out."
"Anyway."
"I need it for something. My research."
"Chao's research?"
"Ahem... Speaking of which, this shadow... Don't tell me it's that corpse?"
Kang Seol shrugged.
No point hiding it now—he shrugged affirmatively.
"Ho... That explains why it's so strong."
"Chao, give me your answer."
"Hold on, give me a minute to think. You're fine stealing my precious time, but get all impatient?"
Click, click.
Chao nibbled her nails, muttering to herself.
"Then maybe that could work? No, a mistake there would cause timing issues... Still, just once..."
"Chao?"
"I've decided. Alright."
"You'll help me?"
"Of course."
💬 Comments
— Anonymous
Negotiation, dramatic conclusion.
— SweatWiper
(wiping sweat) Let's grab a cheap beer quick!
— Skeptic
Helping like this?
"But! You have to help me first."
"Name it."
"Got any recent commitments?"
"I've got something at Shade Canyon in a month."
"Hmm... Perfect."
"Why?"
"Around there... Yeah, he'll do nicely."
She pulled a scroll and inkwell from her bosom and began scribbling and sketching.
In moments, images took shape.
A squinting face, a colored potion vial, ominous runes.
"Here! Take it."
"Impressive talent."
"I've got even more impressive ones elsewhere. Take it—my arm's getting tired."
Swish—
[Acquired Chao's Scroll.]
"What's this?"
"A directive. You said Shade Canyon in a month, right?"
"Yes."
"When do you think it'll wrap up?"
"No idea."
"Not even roughly?"
"Worst case a month, minimum two weeks."
"Perfect timing. Once you're done in the canyon, follow the instructions on the scroll."
"Then?"
"Return to Nobira. Within three months, at latest."
"Back to the mansion?"
"Yes. When you arrive, hang a white cloth on the front gate pillar and check this spot every midnight."
"And you?"
"If no issues, I'll be back within three months too. If not... that room over there?"
The room he'd guessed was her research lab.
"Set it on fire."
"You want me to commit arson?"
"Think you'll get caught?"
"No."
"Then we're good."
"Why burn it?"
"If you can burn it without understanding why, we're not fated. Find another Summoner."
"...What? Isn't that just wasting time?"
Kang Seol realized Chao was incredibly bold.
And doubts crept in: 'Do I really need to tie myself to her?'
"Hmm, fair point. How about this instead?"
Hummmm...
Her aura expanded.
It felt majestic—pure, solid energy.
Kang Seol stared at her in shock.
'She's a powerhouse!'
He'd thought her just a decently strong Summoner from the city, but her presence changed his mind.
She smirked and spoke.
"I was once Gregory's disciple."
"Gregory!"
Gregory.
Among countless Shadow Summoners, the one with an unparalleled path.
A devilish figure whose name was uttered even among the world's elite.
'Chao was Gregory's disciple?'
Kang Seol inwardly kicked himself for not realizing the treasure before him.
"I'd never invoke that old man's name lightly, but things are urgent. Does that give you reason enough to learn from me now?"
Kang Seol met her gaze with resolute eyes filled with conviction.
"Then, see you then."
"Honest guy. I like it!"
[A sleep-inducing drug adventure has been scheduled.]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Why are you so excited?"
"Am I?"
"Yeah. Ever since you saw that little lady earlier, your mouth's been stuck in a grin."
"What? No way."
As Kang Seol reached for the inn's mirror, Karen waved him off with a playful gesture full of mirth.
"Just teasing~"
"...Anyway, I'm not that hyped."
"You are though? Was it that Gregory guy?"
"Can't deny it."
"Who is he?"
"Famous. Someone way ahead on the path I'm walking."
"Hmm... I'd like to meet him. Does his disciple have something to do with you?"
"Hopefully?"
"What? I thought it was a sure thing."
"Everything's a gamble."
"Oh ho! Keeping secrets from me?"
Jamad, dozing in the Shadow Space, yelled out.
"Quiet down! How long you gonna keep making noise?!"
"Ugh... No wonder folks call you an old man. Trolls sleep a ton. The ones I know were all hardworking. What's the world coming to..."
"Argh! Please!"
Karen, clearly enjoying tormenting Jamad, giggled and poked until she drifted off herself.
Yet Kang Seol couldn't sleep.
His mind was too cluttered.
'Gregory's disciple... She must have better abilities than your average Shadow Summoner.'
Pick a good master.
A common saying in Pandea.
Whether talent or skill, a good master imparts strong abilities or at least improves efficiency.
Even the same spell learned from a better master yielded higher efficiency.
'It's a gamble, but what if she teaches me one of Gregory's signature techniques?'
Signature techniques or secret arts.
Like ultimate moves—rare as legendaries in gear terms, incredibly valuable abilities.
A disciple of a famed Summoner like Gregory? She'd have learned at least one or two.
And if it passed to him...
'Nah, low odds. Don't get hopes up. Even improved efficiency would be enough.'
Expectations lead to disappointment.
Still, the thoughts kept circling.
'Chao's related adventures were brutally tough. Definitely not ordinary.'
Kang Seol tossed and turned.
Chao wasn't the only thing keeping him awake.
'Shade Canyon... Been a while.'
This thought had surfaced earlier in the day.
Heading to Shade Canyon for his next adventure brought someone to mind.
'Kirri, yeah. Last time was with Kirri, right?'
Among the pieces he'd played, Kirri was the last to visit Shade Canyon.
His Raptor Hunter character.
Kang Seol had countless characters, but he remembered every single piece.
The negative feeling from thinking of Shade Canyon earlier? Probably because of Kirri.
'Yeah, because of Kirri.'
Kirri had died there.
No other reason.
'Whatever. It's decided, so no point dwelling now.'
Countless other thoughts conspired to keep Kang Seol awake. He was a heavy thinker, and that night felt endless.
The next day.
Barely asleep since dawn, Kang Seol was shaken awake.
"Master! Get up!"
"Mmm..."
"There's a bakery right outside. Opened the window this morning and the smell's overwhelming! Trouble, big trouble!"
It was Karen who'd roused him.
Kang Seol rubbed his weary eyes and asked her.
"So?"
"A smell that strong means some serious secret's hidden there."
"Like?"
"It's delicious or... something."
"...Karen, can you taste it?"
"Didn't I mention? My senses are intact. Satiety works great too! Who'd have thought such a miracle?"
"You seem suddenly chipper."
"Yeah! Super pumped! Get dressed quick! Before I kick your butt! Look, someone's buying already! Ah! That's the one I wanted! Should I kill 'em?"
"Hold it. Eyes lit up nice."
Chucking despite himself, Kang Seol threw on clothes against her prodding when someone knocked.
Knock knock.
"Snowman, sir."
"Who is it?"
"Messenger from Lord Kibo."
Kang Seol and Karen exchanged glances.
Answer first, at least.
"Yes? What's the message?"
"Lord Kibo awaits below. He wishes to speak with you."
Kang Seol turned to Karen.
And shook his head.
She pouted and muttered to herself.
"My bread..."