Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Hellstone
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Hellstone.
The reward obtained after subjugating Agnea, the first neutral boss of the dungeon, the limping one.
A rainbow-colored stone etched with ever-shifting patterns of magical armament.
Its value rivals that of a 6-star Demon Random Summon Ticket, the Demon Stone.
It allows you to choose the dedicated weapon of any desired 6-star demon.
'I wanted to save it as much as possible.'
I didn't want to create a situation where I had to use it if at all possible. Delaying the use of this Hellstone for as long as possible was the most effective strategy.
The biggest reason was that the pool of 6-star familiars and demons I would acquire later would grow wider.
There was no room for debate that granting a dedicated weapon to the strongest demon among those I possessed was the best approach.
However, most users couldn't put off that choice until the very last moment.
'All because of Kal Kurso.'
If asked when it's best to use the Hellstone, I'd say as late as possible, as mentioned earlier.
But if asked when people usually use it, the answer changes.
It's when episode progression stalls.
And most users hit a wall against Kal Kurso and used their Hellstone then.
Now, I had to make the same choice as them.
"I will use the Hellstone."
Clink...
"Kukukuk... Do you desire a treasure slumbering in Hell? Very well. Whatever it may be, I shall find it for you."
One thing here.
Just as 6-star demons are tiered in users' perceptions, the dedicated weapons of 6-star demons are also evaluated differently.
'The first one that comes to mind is...'
Baal's weapon, also called Bael, the Great Demon. Known as the Wicked Heirloom.
Perfection incarnate.
It's incredibly hard to obtain, and possessing Baal himself is like winning the lottery, but once you complete the set of demon and dedicated weapon, you shred stages.
Almost no one had acquired all this in the early game. Even those who did called the game trash due to its ruthless pay-to-win efficiency and quit.
This Wicked Heirloom had a special trait: if used by anyone other than Baal, it imposed a massive penalty.
That's why users who picked it thinking, 'Someday I'll summon Baal and use it then,' ended up regretting it bitterly.
The second and third that come to mind are also Great Demons' dedicated weapons.
The Fall of Beleth, like the Wicked Heirloom, a Great Demon's dedicated weapon.
Not a Great Demon's, but Zepar's Insult, equally demanding conditions and hard to wield.
'There are certainly many Great Demon weapons...'
They're ranked high in sheer class and pure power, but most have issues being owned standalone without their corresponding demon.
'Then... Huh?'
I don't know the details, but the Hellstone seems valuable not just to users but to the demon receiving the offering.
Otherwise, Phenex wouldn't have her eyes wide open like this.
Her eyes sparkled like the Cat in Boots.
"Hellstone! My lord, don't tell me..."
"......"
"...you're looking for Grandfather's sword?"
...Ah, right, that exists.
Phenex's dedicated weapon.
Pyrotechnics.
Also called the Clicker or Trigger for short. It was the weapon used by the previous Phenex, and its whereabouts became unknown during the process of blocking the Annihilating Frost, per the lore.
Of course, that's just the lore, and the Hell Gate can retrieve even that.
'Pyrotechnics, huh...'
Currently, it's one of the most safe and sensible choices.
"Ahem... Pyrotechnics was most impressive when Grandfather wielded it, but his successor, me..."
Among my possessed demons, she's the only one capable of combat, so equipping her with a dedicated weapon to bolster her fighting strength isn't a bad choice.
'But... that's all it is.'
It's not the worst option, but not the best either.
Even if Phenex gets her dedicated weapon, her penalty conditions don't vanish, and Pyrotechnics' performance without meeting them is honestly subpar.
"It's been so long since I last saw Grandfather's sword, I'm a bit nervous..."
That's why it gives me pause to choose it readily.
'Think... think.'
The worst enemy I mustn't face right now is at the door. If it crosses that threshold, an irreversible battle begins.
'What is the optimal answer?'
This timeline of the game is subtly twisted from the original, despite appearing fine at a glance.
A mere coincidence?
No. New problems could arise anywhere, anytime.
Thus, I need power flexible enough to handle upcoming trials.
"Come... tell me, what is the treasure of Hell you seek?"
Ssshh...
Options scrolled up before my eyes.
I had to memorize each one.
To check how far the pickup schedule had progressed and if it matched the game's timeline.
'...It's on track.'
Fortunately, the pickup schedule hadn't deviated.
That leaves only the choice.
"What I desire is..."
I parted my tightly shut lips and let out the words.
"...I see. Very well. I shall find it without fail!"
Whooooosh...
The Hellstone's rainbow aura was instantly sucked into Aje Rup.
Crackle-!
Cracklecracklecracklecrackle-!
'It's starting.'
Crack...
The overflowing rainbow light suddenly dimmed, tainting the space like a sunset.
Aje Rup spoke.
"In a very distant past, there was a laid-back demon in Hell."
The narration and cutscene that plays upon succeeding in a 6-star weapon or 6-star demon gacha.
In the video, a woman with sky-blue hair and a cold expression stood tall.
"During her pilgrimage, she discovered a pit whose depth was unfathomable."
Hoo...
"She waited day after day. Throwing demon corpses into the pit, watching them rot, decay, and fester completely."
- ...Interesting?
The power I desired.
The demon in the video probably desired it too.
"The evil gathered in the pit sometimes boiled, sometimes froze. It slowly filled over a very long time. And..."
What weapon is the strongest?
It's hard to answer definitively due to differing opinions.
But I've decided the answer to what weapon I need most right now.
Perhaps only I can answer this question.
"Finally, the pit filled to the brim, and from that putrid water, a single sword was born."
Because I stuck with this game until the end.
The demon smiled brightly for the first time.
- Nice to meet you. I've waited so long for you.
"Its owner, the demon Crocell, proudly inscribed her name in the Underworld Lemegeton alongside this sword."
Grumble...
Rumble...
"The sword's name is Lake. A name Hell itself fears."
Hummmm...
Kwaaaaaaaa-!
As rainbow light burst from the Hell Gate, an object wrapped in eerie energy floated through the open door.
A blade so thin it's almost a three-pronged sword, with a quite antique hilt.
A sword so beautiful it could pass for ornamental.
[★★★★★★ Success in retrieving Lake.]
[Achievement Quest 'Beloved Item' completed.]
Clank...
Clank...
Phenex stood before the sword, turning to look at me.
"...Why?"
Not Grandfather's sword?
You didn't want Pyrotechnics?
Her eyes asked as much.
Eyes devoured more by curiosity than resentment.
"Grandfather's sword is stronger than Lake! So... why..."
Of course it would seem that way.
To you.
Step...
Step...
I walked past Phenex lightly.
Then, gazing at Lake, I said.
"This sword is not for you."
"Then...!"
Phenex's eyes widened at my next action.
Click.
As I gripped Lake, it transformed into a ring.
Swish...
Phenex stood speechless, mouth agape, but Lucifer silently watched as if she knew everything.
[Awakened Faust's power.]
[Faust's trait: Greed confirmed.]
[Greed: As You Wish! confirmed.]
[Faust can wield all weapons, even if they are a demon's dedicated weapon.]
[Faust's Greed authority is still unstable, exerting only 70% efficiency.]
[Other Seven Deadly Sins' blood slumbers unawakened in Faust's body.]
The final reason dedicated weapons are the core system of Remegton.
It's because of Faust.
"...It's mine."
* * *
The atmosphere felt heavy, as if a booming bass like *kuwoong-!* would crush my heart.
All my summoned Rotten Root familiars lined up on either side in the heart of the chamber.
The final muster before a dire crisis.
"Status on the Altar of Growth?"
"We've used all available intangibles."
Intangibles are resources for the Altar of Growth. Various sources exist, but chiefly rewards from repelling invaders in dungeon defense missions.
I wanted to secure other sources, but right now, bigger matters took precedence.
"Terrain changes?"
The Dark Elf Queen Ariel answered.
"As you ordered, we've shifted the forest path."
That would do.
With the altered forest path, plus pre-repositioned traps and familiar habitats.
I've done everything possible, but expectations of it working are honestly slim.
'My opponent is Kal Kurso. Once he reveals himself, the tide turns.'
But paradoxically, he's hesitating to reveal his identity.
He probably won't unless cornered.
'The key is that moment.'
Before Kal Kurso reveals himself, I must deal a fatal blow to his party.
'A blow so devastating no solution appears without revealing himself...'
And even succeeding here, considering what follows...
"Phenex."
"...My lord."
Still sulking, huh.
You wanted Grandfather's sword.
"There's something only you can do."
"...Me?"
"Yes, only you can."
Perk!
Her ears perked up, sensing its importance, and she listened intently.
"The intruders will probably..."
I shared part of my plan with her.
She didn't need to grasp it fully, but I wanted to tell her anyway.
I wondered if choosing Crocell's Lake over her Pyrotechnics bothered me, but it didn't seem so.
Perhaps I just wanted to assign her the task she must do.
"Complete the mission without fail."
"...Yes! My lord."
Click...
Click...
Phenex began equipping gear from somewhere again.
"...Arming up again."
"Arming is a given! Same as always!"
"...I see."
She's always consistent.
That actually reassured me.
After sending her back to position, I addressed all familiars.
"A group of intruders will soon arrive here."
"......"
"They had a choice. A chance to regain reason and correct their wrongs."
The mood sank into silence.
"They rejected the choice I offered. Insisting the only path is Faust's death."
If humans refuse to escape hatred's chains...
"I see it now, the sole future left to them."
So be it.
"They will all die."