Chapter 157
Chapter 157
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Deep Conversation - 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I took a deep breath.
‘Did they call in all the party members?’
[It looks that way. I’m here too.]
‘Trail.’
[Seems like Impellium is dead serious today. Must be something really important. Let’s listen closely.]
I started to nod.
But Impellium spoke first.
“No need for secret talks through souls. Bion.”
“……!”
“Just say it with your own mouth.”
“W-What?”
He was right.
I’d thought it was odd from the start that there were nine teacups prepared.
Our party had seven members, including me.
Even including the room’s owner, Impellium, eight would’ve been enough.
But nine...
“Trail?”
“Hoo. You’re handsomer than I expected.”
“Super unexpected. In a good way, though!”
“You look a bit older than me, though.”
“Offense, Uncle, cut it out. That hurts my heart.”
Trail was there.
The party members had already gathered around him, looking him up and down.
The sight was so ridiculous that I let out a hollow laugh.
Impellium spoke to me.
“Your comrades adapt fast. For them to react like that first thing in this bizarre world.”
“They’ve been through all sorts of crap.”
“Or maybe it’s because you’re with them.”
“…….”
“Anyway, everyone, take a seat. Let’s have some tea.”
At his words, they all looked at me.
I nodded, and they each found spots to sit.
Trail said to me, looking utterly drained.
“I thought I was done for.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“Don’t leave me alone like that again.”
“You don’t say sappy shit to me ever again.”
Neril Slaine giggled.
“Maide mentioned it, but you’re really shy. Ah, can I drop the formalities?”
“Of course!”
“Treat me casually too.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve saved us from crises so many times. Bluntly put, we’d all be dead to Bellosian last time if not for you. So no need to shrink like that. No, you can’t.”
At Neril’s words, the party members all laughed and nodded.
Trail scratched his head.
I examined his face closely.
I’d only ever heard his voice, so seeing him like this was a first.
It might sound silly, but it felt like reuniting with an old friend after ages.
Trail said,
“Mm. Got it. Uh, well... pleased to be working with you all.”
He seemed more at ease, but that speech pattern wasn’t changing anytime soon.
Before we could respond,
Impellium cut in.
The name he dropped shifted the topic instantly—it was that heavy.
“Last time. You mean the fight with Bellosian?”
“…….”
“It was a close call. Maide.”
The group looked at me, silently delegating the conversation to me.
I spoke for them.
“Well, that was still thanks to your advice. Turning fame into power.”
“…….”
“Even outside the special room, it was that strong. Can’t even imagine the real deal. So here’s the thing—we need to build our strength.”
Impellium silently filled our teacups one by one.
I wet my lips and continued.
“Of course, I’ve got questions first. Like you and Bellosian’s true natures, or what went down with them in the past.”
“…….”
“But you won’t answer. You’ll say grow the Eye of Omniscience and see for myself.”
“…….”
“So I won’t ask about that. Just help with this—how do we build strength? Can my comrades turn their fame into power too?”
“Yes.”
Impellium answered plainly.
He’d finished filling everyone’s cups by then.
In a soft voice, he said,
“First, have a cup. I prepared black tea, considering certain people.”
“Me, right? How’d you know I like black tea?”
“Hm.”
“You’ve been spying on us all this time? Just like Idria... ahem.”
She clicked her tongue lightly there.
“Sorry. That was harsh.”
“It’s fine. And it’s not exactly like Idria’s power.”
“Then?”
“Let’s skip that. Talk about turning fame to power instead.”
We hurriedly straightened up.
He tossed out a sudden question.
“What is fame, exactly?”
“……?”
“You know the condition for gaining it.”
“Maximum happiness for the maximum number.”
“Right. Humanity pins hopes on those who’ll make them happy. That hope and desire is fame.”
Slurp.
He took a sip of tea and continued.
“Think simple. Same combat power. A indiscriminate murderer versus a knight protecting civilians. Whose fame rises?”
“The knight’s, obviously.”
“Why? Their abilities are identical.”
“…….”
“Get it? Ability doesn’t matter. Fame only rises when you make humanity happy.”
“That’s the world’s rule?”
“Yes. The great boon this world—made solely for humanity—bestows.”
Everyone looked curious, full of questions and words they wanted to say.
But they held back.
They’d implicitly handed me the reins from the start.
Impellium said,
“Once fame hits a certain threshold, you can convert it to power.”
“…….”
“Having that much fame means you’ve already made people happy many times over. The world’s rule judges you ‘trustworthy.’”
“So that’s why you can convert fame to power?”
“Yes.”
“You said ‘certain threshold.’ What’s the number?”
“Roughly 90,000 and up. Around when you beheaded Kaild and gained fame.”
Snap.
He flicked his fingers.
I nearly jumped from my seat.
Whirr.
‘Status windows’ popped up beside my comrades’ faces!
They were identical to the ones Trail showed.
“W-What’s this?”
“There’s something weird by your face, sis.”
“You’ve got one too.”
“Fascinating. Mind if I touch it?”
Even more shocking—they all recognized the windows.
I took a deep breath and said to Impellium,
“I see. The Eye of Omniscience was yours originally.”
“…….”
“I get why Adin had to ‘transfer’ it to Trail. Couldn’t split what wasn’t his to begin with.”
“Right.”
“You knowing our every move from this room was through the Eye too. Not like Idria’s power.”
“Exactly. I’ve thought it before, but you’re sharp as ever.”
He smiled warmly, turning to everyone.
“Check the numbers there.”
They all examined their windows.
I focused my eyes on theirs too.
[Neril Slaine Cumulative Fame: 367,160]
[Jenia Side Cumulative Fame: 348,790]
[Adwin Ain Cumulative Fame: 333,900]
[Offense Daik Cumulative Fame: 320,270]
[Risel Vaint Cumulative Fame: 319,450]
[Serein Magnus Cumulative Fame: 308,960]
All impressively high.
“Thanks to an excellent leader.”
“What?”
“You don’t hoard fame like Kaild. When you thwart incidents, you don’t hog the glory—you highlight your comrades’ efforts.”
“…….”
“That’s reflected in their high fame. The slight differences match when they joined you.”
Serein tore at her hair.
“Argh. That’s why I’m last.”
“It’s fine, Serein. Barely any difference.”
“You say that so casually? We can convert this to cash later.”
“Whoa. Money talk at a time like this.”
Impellium smiled gently at their chatter.
What was it?
My gut said his expression was like seeing something ‘nostalgic.’
Without thinking, I asked,
“You had comrades too, back in the day?”
“…….”
“And you looked out for their fame like I do. Your face right now—it’s like gazing at something fondly missed.”
“Later...”
“Got it. Use the Eye later and find out.”
He shrugged once.
Then flicked his fingers again.
Snap.
The windows vanished.
Seeing their disappointed faces, Impellium said,
“It’s mine, so I can’t hand it over. Ask Maide when you’re curious again.”
“I couldn’t see party members’ fame till now.”
“Couldn’t? No way.”
Trail, who’d been quiet, chimed in.
“You can.”
“……? What? Why hide it till now?”
“You never asked.”
“Hey.”
“Back at your first level up? I said you could see everyone’s fame values precisely.”
I rummaged through distant memories.
Right after my first level up, unlocking C-rank secrets.
Trail had said,
[Well done. Leveled up, so now you’ll see Kaild’s fame precisely. Well, technically everyone’s in the world.]
He really had.
Everyone stared at me steadily.
I answered calmly.
“Phew. Back then, I was fixated on the fame gap with Kaild.”
“You forgot?”
“I didn’t even know you could use fame as power till recently. No big need to check others’ values.”
“You forgot?”
“Yeah. Forgot.”
Impellium chuckled lowly.
A pretty cheerful laugh.
But he soon turned serious.
“Back to the point.”
“Yeah.”
“All your fame exceeds 90,000, so you can use it as power. Or rather, you already are.”
They all tilted heads, confused.
But I had a hunch.
My comrades were already far stronger than in the regression.
“But you’re only tapping a fraction unconsciously. Converting all your fame is different. Requires resolve.”
“Resolve?”
“Maide resolved to ‘abandon retirement.’”
They looked at me.
Shocked expressions.
They knew what retirement meant to me.
“Resolve equal to staking your life.”
“That big?”
“To Maide, yes.”
“Then you all need to show resolve to match.”
Creak.
He leaned back in his chair.
“As I said, fame is humanity’s hopes. Entrusting power to those who’ll fulfill them.”
“…….”
“But there’s a prerequisite. Prove you won’t use that power for selfish gain.”
“That’s the resolve?”
“Yes. Abandon your deepest desire, what you crave most. Only then can you wield fame as power.”
Everyone fell into thought.
The mood darkened slightly.
‘They all have something they want that badly?’
[Obviously.]
‘Trail. We can just talk normally now.’
[Secret chat. You know your quirky comrades each have their wishes?]
Of course.
Offense seeks his abandoning parents.
Serein aims to be the continent’s richest via business.
Adwin must save his father; Jenia, Ophelia.
Risel wants to become human and flirt with Grade.
Neril... hmm, not sure. Things worked out with May.
‘Anyway.’
I said to Impellium,
“That’s too much. You probably know, but take Adwin—he must save his father.”
“Hm.”
“Asking him to abandon that for power? Overkill.”
“Don’t blame me. Quit if you hate it.”
Cold tone.
Adwin bowed his head deeply.
Neril, twirling her hair, asked,
“No other way?”
“Ah, Maide. Sorry. Butting in.”
“No worries.”
Neril smiled gratefully, then eyed Impellium.
He answered,
“Not that I know of.”
“What’d you abandon?”
“Hm?”
“Can’t see yours, but it’s probably higher than all ours combined. And you’ve got insane power.”
“…….”
“What’d you give up? For reference.”
Impellium grinned.
“Time to head back soon.”
“What? We’re not done...”
“No. Said all I can. And it’s better for you.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Bellosian might pull dirty tricks.”
“……!”
Everyone flinched.
Next instant.
Swoosh.
The room’s forms blurred.
Even Impellium’s gentle smile.
I shouted urgently.
“Impellium! What’s your fame now? How much more do I need to match your power?”
“…….”
“My enemies aren’t just Idria. Adin, Bellosian—all must fall. I need to be as strong as you.”
“Hm.”
“My fame’s just shy of 500,000 now. How much more? 100,000? 200,000?”
Impellium smirked.
“At least surpass Adin’s fame, then ask.”