Chapter 99

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 99

Chapter Title: The Fire Serpent's Core

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The ring Yumira handed over was no ordinary trinket.

"This is..."

'Nice. No, excellent.'

A ring true to its basics.

And its stats were filled solely with ones beneficial to Snowman.

"You're saying you'd trade this for the Wolf's Warning?"

"...Yeah."

"Hmm..."

Snowman wasn't one to act purely on sentiment.

Even appraising the value of the two rings stemmed from that nature.

The Wolf's Warning was a good ring for anyone.

The Alert ability itself was a solid option.

But from Snowman's experience using it, there were two issues.

First, some stats went to waste.

Strength, agility, intelligence—stats not particularly helpful to him were plastered on.

Second, the alert didn't always trigger.

In the fight with the Sulfur Skeleton, it hadn't activated even once.

It'd be one thing if there were no dangerous foes, but he'd been targeted by Magra too, so the ring clearly hadn't triggered. Meaning its ability wasn't foolproof.

'A capricious ability lowers its value.'

Snowman finished his judgment and held out the Wolf's Warning to Yumira.

"Take it."

"Thanks."

He watched her slip on the ring with delight and asked,

"What's your plan now?"

"I've thought it over... I'll stick around Gulia until Kibo recovers."

"And after?"

"Probably head back to Nobira. Even if it's in ruins, that's my home base. Maybe some surviving hunters have returned."

"I see."

"Hey, Seol."

Yumira gazed at him affectionately.

"I owe you big time. Without you, I wouldn't have made it back."

Yumira rose from her chair.

Drag.

"If you ever need help, just say the word. I owe you at least that much."

"...See you around."

"Yeah."

Snowman stared at the spot she'd left, then hit End Adventure.

A middling fortune.

He'd planned to leave soon anyway, so it wouldn't affect much.

And then.

Not all transmigrators stayed long at one outpost.

Some, like Snowman, cherry-picked the best adventures in an area before moving on after a set interval. Others toured outposts like a nationwide trip after each adventure.

Usually, they traveled in fixed parties rather than solo.

"Whoa... Being on the frontier, it's not much different, huh? No job training center either."

"Oppa, let's not stay long. Finish that investigation squad mission Patrick or whoever's setting up and bounce."

"Yeah, no point lingering. I think the same."

"Still, good that the Sulfur Skeleton backed off. Otherwise, we wouldn't touch the north."

"Scouts were sent around Yognatoon right after survivors hit Gulia. They say the Sulfur Skeletons are all gone. We're lucky."

"Earn points, stay safe! That's the perk of moving with Nevenia. Bet the squad's packed with knights and mages too?"

"Yeah."

Adventures led by Nevenia or other nations were already renowned among transmigrators as efficient.

For most, survival trumped growth.

No matter how much you grew, you'd avoid life-threatening risks—that was the typical mindset.

There were transmigrators like Snowman who prioritized getting stronger, but they were rare.

Thus, when Gulia's leader Patrick announced an investigation squad for the Yognatoon incident and sent word to various outposts, a wave of transmigrators headed there.

This party was one such group.

"Hey... hey! What's this?"

"What?"

"Gulia adventurer rankings..."

"You saw 'em earlier, why?"

"The update, dude."

"Update? Lemme check."

The party's tank-like warrior checked Gulia's rankings and spoke up.

"Wait... This real?"

"Weird, right?"

"2.9 million points? Insane. Possible?"

"A monster like that in Gulia? No rumors? Heard Nobira or Kongori had freak scores before."

"Ah! What..."

"What?"

"Gone. That score."

"Gone? Where."

The one who'd first mentioned it rubbed his eyes and checked the updated ranks.

"For real, glitch?"

"This a game? Glitches happen."

"System's basically a game... Makes sense. How else rack up 2.9 mil so quick?"

"Your score?"

"450k. You?"

"470k. Idiot."

Snowman left Gulia shortly after arriving.

The 2.9 million-point monster the transmigrators mentioned vanishing from rankings? That was because Snowman left at that moment.

The rush to depart stemmed from Hamun.

"We must go to Nobira."

"Pardon?"

"My forges are scattered across several locations. Even if the city's burned and crumbled, at least one should survive."

Snowman hadn't stopped by Nobira, so he couldn't confirm.

"Karen's gear can only be made ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there. All the precious materials are too."

"Oh... Understood."

"We must hurry."

Thus, they headed straight to Nobira. Truth be told, Snowman had no reason to stay in Gulia anyway.

No job training there, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and Patrick's squad wasn't an adventure he'd care for.

Hell, Patrick was investigating the very incident Snowman caused—joining would've been ridiculous.

'Rest isn't that meaningful either.'

During the month-long rest, Snowman realized he didn't need such long breaks.

He slept outdoors more than in comfy inns, so streets felt comfier now.

From Seoul life with occasional workouts, he'd become a seasoned field adventurer.

Of course, not saying maintenance was unnecessary—rest too long, maybe.

But maintenance demanded time.

Repairing old gear, swapping it out, prepping for the next adventure.

Its importance would only grow.

That's why Snowman never idled like others during that month—he kept moving.

By scrimping on rest time, they reached Nobira.

It took over a week, but since Nobira was on the itinerary anyway, Snowman didn't mind.

Upon arrival, they couldn't hide their surprise.

"Huh?"

"Less ruined than expected?"

"Not that. They're rebuilding."

"Tearing down burned houses and putting up new ones."

"Lots of people too!"

Karen beamed excitedly.

They'd expected ruins, but folks dreaming of new beginnings were gathering in Nobira.

Soon, his score appeared on Nobira's adventurer rankings.

As expected from Gulia, his score dominated.

Nobira's recent ruin had driven off top talents, making it stand out more.

'Residents are coming back. Makes sense...'

Snowman thought it might not take long for Nobira to regain its former glory.

After arriving, Hamun rushed to scour the sites of his hidden forges.

"...This one's collapsed."

Every spot he checked had crumbled or charred buildings.

Just as an ominous feeling crept in, Hamun smiled.

"Lucky. This one's intact."

"Then..."

"Yes, come in."

Perhaps spared from the battle's heart.

One of his forges had survived.

Hamun inspected the forge's items several times before asking,

"Shall we tackle the postponed task now?"

"Yes, let's."

Snowman handed Atarak's blood to Hamun.

"Quite a lot. This should cover fire damage worries for your gear going forward."

"Enough quantity?"

"Yes. We'll mix it with spirit powder into oil. Dilute lightly, oil the gear, dry it—Karen can use it worry-free."

Karen grinned at Hamun's words.

"So now I get proper gear?"

"Likely. But... didn't you ask about a sword?"

It was from a while back, but Snowman's words when seeking Hamun.

"The sword you gave me then—the hilt and broken blade are safely stored."

"Not lost?"

"Of course not. Can't mishandle a commission like that."

"Relieved. With Nobira's disaster, I feared it gone. No other issues?"

Hamun frowned at Snowman's question.

"Actually, one more problem."

"What..."

"You got the spider blood, but matching Fire Spirit Stone's harder now."

Nobira had a massive auction house.

Fire Spirit Stones were rare but acquirable.

That was before—now, with the auction house likely gone, Snowman'd have to hunt one down himself.

"Sigh... Fire Spirit Stone..."

"If it doesn't have to be that, I can maximize with alternatives..."

"Fire Spirit Stone... Fire Spirit Stone..."

"Snowman?"

"Fire Spirit Stone!"

Suddenly, Snowman eyed Karen.

"Hm? Me why?"

"That might work."

"This?"

She pulled out the Fire Serpent—Magra's weapon.

Its massive, unique form brimmed with fire energy.

The Fire Serpent was made from a Fire Spirit Stone.