Chapter 72
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Key (2)
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Key (2)
Dont tell me youre here for the same thing I am.
While various incidents would later occur in this forest, for now, it was a place inhabited only by ordinary monsters. I wanted to believe otherwise, but it seemed the one who had killed the hobgoblin was after the same thing I was.
Tap.
I climbed a large tree nearby.
All I can hear are the cries of monsters.
Even when I activated Onslons Watchtower from the treetop, the only sounds were the growls of monsters.
Found it.
Enhancing my vision, I scanned the area and spotted a fallen hobgoblin in the central part of the forest.
Fwip!
I ran, leaping from tree to tree, toward the fallen hobgoblin.
Fwoosh!
Perhaps because my physical abilities had increased by over 2.5, my body felt lighter than before, and I could feel myself surging forward with every kick off a branch.
It wasnt a massive difference, but it was a definite change.
Killed by the same person.
This one, too, had its head blown off in a single strike. And it wasnt the only one. The goblin corpses scattered around also had only a single wound.
Using the goblin corpses as a guide, I followed the trail. When the bodies disappeared, the forests colors deepened.
I had passed the entrance and entered the middle of the Pilose Forest.
Hmm.
As soon as I entered the middle section, I found an ogre, easily over four meters tall, dead with its head crushed.
The outer forest was home to goblins, hobgoblins, and kobolds, while the middle section housed larger monsters like bearwolves, trolls, and ogres.
Deeper in, there were even stronger creatures, but that wasn't my destination today.
Kuaaargh!
As I stepped over the ogres corpse, a bearwolfa monster with a wolfs head on a bears bodyroared and charged at me.
Sorry, but I dont have time to play.
Thwack!
Thud.
Without a hint of error, I plunged my dagger into the crown of its head. The beast collapsed before it could even reach me.
Hm.
Behind the dead bearwolf, I saw the corpse of another. The trail had reappeared.
I cant afford to waste any more time.
Zzzzt.
The distance between us seemed greater than I thought, so I pushed my Lightning Wings to their limit and dashed forward. This was a time to prioritize speed over the risk of being detected.
Shwaaa!
Using the Lightning Wings at full power, my vision began to blur and shift in an instant. The combination of my enhanced body and the Lightning Blade Body Technique produced a speed beyond my imagination.
West from here, huh.
In the center of the middle forest stood a towering tree that seemed to pierce the sky. The person I was tracking was moving west from this tree.
Now I was certain. The person ahead of me was after the same key.
Following the dead monsters westward, I came upon a cave that looked as if it had been split open by a lightning strike.
The cave was deep, but its width was so narrow that only one person could enter at a time. The entrance confirmed it was the cave I was looking for.
Thump.
Crash.
As I entered the cave, I enhanced my hearing with the Watchtower and heard something shattering from within.
Zzzzt.
I once again pushed my Lightning Wings to their limit and rushed down. This place was home to Plancos, small but powerful monsters, and their corpses were strewn all over the floor.
Woooong.
Flash.
At the end of the cave, in the chamber of the Planco leader, the Planco Warrior, a sound of activation and a brilliant flash of light erupted.
Swoosh.
I entered the room, but there was no one there, only the dead Planco Warrior, which was larger and had redder skin than the others.
The spot on the wall where the key should have been was empty. They had taken it first.
Its not too late.
The key itself wasnt what mattered; it was the item in the place it unlocked.
Besides, the moment the key was used to open that place, I could enter at the same time.
If I go to the magic tower right now
It had taken a considerable amount of time to get to this forest. Going to the magic tower and arranging a warp would take even longer.
No, thats not right. I dont need to go to the magic tower.
I had a convenient, portable mage. I took a pale white orb from my magic pouch.
Bbaek!
The moment I took out the orb, Bbaekbbaegi tried to lunge at it. It seemed to recognize the orb as something sinister.
Just a moment. Pomera!
Holding Pomeras soul orb, I called his name, and the orb began to tremble.
Vwooom.
Black smoke, like exhaust fumes, began to gather in the air, coalescing into the form of a short, squat little skeleton.
What is it, Master.
Huh?
I was enjoying a journey of the soul, lost in a state of selflessness. This is truly a shame.
Whats with his way of talking now?
What have you been up to?
What do you mean, Master? I have merely been in mana meditation all day, as you commanded.
Then why are you talking like that? You were practically a robot before, but now you sound like some kind of sage.
Sage? I do not understand what you mean.
Looking closely at Pomera, I saw that the fierce blue flames that once blazed in his empty eye sockets had calmed to a serene, low flicker.
Bbaek!
Hm?
Bbaekbbaegi kept crying out while looking at Pomera. It must have sensed the dark magic within him.
Its okay, Bbaekbbaegi. This skeleton is my subordinate.
Bbaek?
Bbaekbbaegi flapped its wings and tilted its head.
Master, what is that bird?
Same as you.
Same as me?
Yes. My subordinate.
Is that so?
Unlike Bbaekbbaegi, Pomera showed little reaction, simply fiddling with his own skull. He was strangely composed.
Activating Creators Eye.
Name: Pomera
Traits: Manifestation Lv.3, Mana Design Lv.3, Mana Application Lv.3, Lich, Meditation Lv.2, Soul Illumination Lv.2
Favorability: 43 (Favorable)
It seemed he really had done nothing but mana meditation, as he had gained two new meditation-related traits. Soul Illumination, the trait that made the soul shine, was the one I had been hoping for.
Current Mood: Happy to see his master after a long time, but wishes to quickly return to mana meditation.
He wanted to continue meditating. It seemed he was completely engrossed in it. Judging by his mood and speech, he had become a sage in all but appearance.
Looks like youve been meditating hard.
At first, it was difficult, as if someone was speaking inside my head. But as I endured and focused, I became immersed. It was just as you said, Master.
What was?
I only continued my mana meditation, yet theories I found difficult to grasp became clear, and I felt my very existence expand. The more I do it, the more joyful this mana meditation becomes. Thank you for teaching me, Master.
Pomera nodded his head with a creak.
Thats good. But right now, something more important has come up. I need to chase down someone who stole something of mine. Can you warp now?
To steal from a master as cunning as you they must be quite something.
Enough of that. Just hurry and prepare the warp. To the place closest to the Siwara Desert.
Pomera seemed to think for a moment, tilting his head back to look at the cave ceiling.
The closest place to the Siwara Desert is Nyua Village. It is also a desert village.
You know the coordinates, right? Send me there.
Master, speed is not so important. The art of waiting is
Shut up and get ready.
Understood.
With a grunt, Pomera began pulling various things from his pouch.
Master, what is this creature? It looks similar to a Planco.
Its a Planco Warrior, the boss of the Plancos.
Pomera, who was drawing a magic circle, touched the Planco Warrior and asked.
Master, may I have this creature?
Have it?
Yes.
Are you talking about Dark Resurrection? You cant take it with you even if you do that.
Pepri chi
Ignoring my question, Pomera began to chant something.
Chiiiiing!
A shimmering curtain of darkness materialized behind him. Though there was no wind in the cave, the dark curtain billowed.
This is the Curtain of Darkness, where I shall gather my dark legion. I could not create it before, even with the magic, but after meditating, it became possible.
Hah
It must have been thanks to his Mana Application level increasing. This curtain was a storage space for a necromancers undead. It wasnt for summoning zombies or ghouls at a moments notice, but for storing high-level undead like Death Knights.
Whats inside the curtain?
No one.
Huh?
Since I began my mana meditation, I have not taken a single life.
Hearing him use a word like life-taking, he really did sound like a sage now.
Do as you wish, just prepare the warp quickly.
Of course, Master. However, as I said a moment ago, what is meant to be will be, whether late or early, and what is not meant to be
I ignored the talkative skeleton and looked around.
He only took the key.
He had left behind the glittering jewels the Plancos had collected and taken only the key embedded in the wall.
He knew exactly what the key was for. If so, he must know about that place too.
To know of the key was to know of the lock. The lock that this key could open was in the Siwara Desert.
It is finished, Master.
An hour later, Pomeras preparations for the warp were complete. In the meantime, I had gathered the treasures in the cave.
Lets go at once.
Understood.
As I stepped onto the warp circle, Pomera immediately began to chant.
Rumble.
A severe vibration, strong enough to make it hard to stand, shook the ground.
Flash.
I blinked, and the dark, dreary cave was gone, replaced by a view of sand-covered mountains. The village I was in and its surroundings were all blanketed in sand.
Sizzle.
Sand dust gathered above my head, forming a translucent Pomera.
-We have arrived safely, Master.
Which way to Eint Oasis from here?
-Eint Oasis It is to the east, Master.
Got it.
After purchasing food and necessary supplies in Nyua Village, I immediately set off to the east. There was about an hours time difference between me and the thief, but I was confident I could catch him.
He doesnt know Im chasing him.
The thief had torn a teleport scroll and vanished before I even saw him. He wouldnt know he was being followed, so I could definitely catch him.
As I thought.
It took five days to reach Eint Oasis. The water of the oasis was so clear I could see to the bottom, and date palm trees grew around its edge.
He hasnt come yet.
If he had used the key, the oasis would have collapsed and ceased to exist. I had arrived before him.
Now, all I had to do was wait for him to arrive.
The one who took the key didnt know I was on his tail. As long as I stayed at this oasis, I could enter the labyrinth at the same moment he opened the door with the key.
I felt at ease. Now, I just had to be the first to grab the item when he entered the labyrinth.
Bbaekbbaegi, lets have some cool water.
Bbaek!
One should be wary of drinking from a desert oasis, but the water here was safe. The water from this oasis had nothing to do with the desert.
Hm?
As I was drinking water and resting against a tree, a large group of camels, horses, and people appeared from the south. Judging by their attire and baggage, they seemed to be merchants from a caravan and the mercenaries they had hired.
Th-th-thump.
They began to set up camp on the opposite side of the oasis, apparently intending to rest.
A merchant caravan in the desert? What are they here for?
The mercenaries and merchants eyed me sharply even as they unloaded their goods.
I ignored their gazes and scanned their group for the one who had taken my key, but seeing no one who looked capable of killing an ogre in a single blow, I turned away.
Greetings.
Hearing footsteps, I turned to see a middle-aged merchant approaching with a smile.
As we are a merchant caravan, we are always on guard for potential bandits. I apologize if our stares seemed rude.
Not at all. Its only natural. Please dont worry about it.
Haha. Thank you for your understanding.
I was currently dressed as an ordinary traveler. The middle-aged merchant, despite knowing I was younger and not a noble, did not speak down to me.
Would you care to try one of these?
What is this?
The merchant handed me two plum-like fruits. Unlike plums, however, they were green, and their skin was covered in a fine fuzz.
Its a fruit called a Durak. A delicacy you can only find around here.
Just in case, I activated my eye skill, but it was just an ordinary, non-poisonous fruit.
Thank you, Ill enjoy it.
The texture was like a date, but the taste was a mix of orange and applesweet, yet refreshing.
Its cool and delicious.
Haha. It is, isnt it?
Bbaek.
Alright.
Bbaekbbaegi landed on my palm as if to ask for its own share.
Oh, this bird is
Its a pet of mine.
Bbaek!
After tasting the Durak, Bbaekbbaegi, in its good mood, began to fly frantically around me and the merchant.
Hahaha.
Bbaek.
What an adorable little creature.
The merchant smiled gently as he watched Bbaekbbaegi.
Have you come all the way to this desert for trade?
A merchant goes wherever theres money to be made, be it desert or sea.
True. But are there such goods in the desert?
There are specialty goods that can only be obtained from the tribes living here. Ah, speaking of which, I havent even introduced myself. I am Mokageon, of the Sirion Merchant Guild.
Oh?
The Sirion Merchant Guild, and a man with the unusual name of Mokageonthere was no way I wouldnt know it. For now, he was just an ordinary merchant belonging to a guild, but Mokageon would later become a great merchant whose name was known throughout the continent.
Then, right now
I was about to speak to Mokageon when it happened.
Dududududu!
In the distance, a massive cloud of sand rose as hundreds of riders on horseback charged toward the oasis.