Chapter 20

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 20

Chapter Title: The Devil's Soulstone

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Ian had imagined the devil's soulstone as something hideous or dingy, but surprisingly, it wasn't.

It wasn't hideous or dingy at all. In fact, he even thought it was pretty. That was because the soulstone was made of pure black without any impurities.

Anyone who didn't know better would easily mistake it for a black gemstone.

'They say extremes meet. Is that why?'

Pure evil was pure in its own way, after all.

Of course, this soulstone wasn't completely pitch black.

There were crimson thread-like lines embedded in it like watermelon stripes here and there. Whether that was because it was a low-rank devil or a unique trait of this soul was impossible to tell.

'What's "Wicked" mean?'

He knew it was Hero grade, but Wicked quality was a first. Did that even exist?

Searching through the soul tech knowledge implanted in his mind, he found the answer.

'Oh, there's a separate evil alignment version.'

The standard quality grades were 'Dim-Cloudy-Normal-Clear-Pure-Noble.'

The first three stages—Dim, Cloudy, Normal—stayed the same, but the latter stages split by alignment.

'Clear-Pure' became 'Wicked-Ultra Wicked' for evil, while Noble remained the same.

'Why does Noble stay the same? Because even pure evil is ultimately pure?'

Anyway, this one was at the fourth stage, Wicked, which was lower than expected. Considering Lara's was Noble quality, this was two stages below.

'Eh, not as high-grade as I thought.'

Still, beggars couldn't be choosers. It was Hero grade, just below Legend, and came with four special attributes. That put it solidly in the mid-to-high tier.

'Wonder if there's anything useful here.'

As Ian slowly examined the special attributes, he soon found himself shocked.

There was a pretty good one.

'What the hell is this?'

Darkness Affinity boosted darkness affinity, Demonic Energy Proficiency gave corrections to demonic energy proficiency, and Tenacious Vitality provided vitality bonuses.

All three were excellent options, but they paled in comparison to the fourth.

A trait that granted a skill—and what a skill it was.

An extra life, no less.

The reason that devil hadn't died despite Ddol Ddoli beating it to a pulp.

'I can get this? A Devil Clan racial skill?'

Players were infamous for calling it a cheat skill right from the start. How incredible was that?

'Insane. I have to make use of this.'

For now, he stowed the devil soulstone in his inventory. It would be a key item for life synthesis later.

As he brushed the blood off his hands, he suddenly noticed how quiet it was around him.

Puzzled, he looked around to see Lena staring at him with a dazed expression.

"What's up? Something on my face?"

"Huh? Oh, no. I mean, well... that is..."

"Then spit it out if you have something to say."

"No! I mean, no! Wait, not exactly no."

She seemed flustered. Her face pale, she fidgeted awkwardly.

What's her deal?

"Um, well, you see."

Lena squeezed her eyes shut, then suddenly prostrated herself.

"I'm sorry!"

"Whoa, what the hell..."

"I've been disrespectful! How dare a lowly human fail to recognize a great being! Please, have mercy!"

She banged her head on the ground. She was trembling. Ian was so flustered he couldn't speak for a moment. He hadn't done anything wrong—why was she acting like this? What great being?

'No way she's talking about a dragon?'

"I don't know what you're on about, but get up first."

"Are you... granting me mercy?"

"Mercy this, mercy that—just get up. There's blood on the floor. You'll dirty your clothes."

"Yes, sir!"

Lena sprang up briskly. Her movements were so recruit-like, it was cute yet pitiful.

"Hey, you don't think I'm a dragon or something, do you?"

"D-dr-dragon? No way! Absolutely not! Right?"

'Yeah, right.'

Totally does.

"I don't know what misunderstanding you've got, but I'm not. I'm human."

"Yes! Of course! Sir Ian is human! Definitely human! Yes!"

Ian shook his head at Lena's booming reply.

'This is ridiculous.'

Anyone could tell she didn't believe it.

'Why's she suddenly going off on her own like this?'

As Ian scanned the surroundings with that thought, he spotted the chaotic scene and realized what he'd done.

He'd commanded a massive rock monster as a subordinate, a tiny fairy as another. And killed a devil?

'Yeah, I can see why.'

Plus, rumors of him charming the arrogant elf princess who usually hid her disgust for humans.

It was absurd, but not unreasonable.

"Let me say it again: I'm not a dragon. Just a human. Right, Lara?"

"That's right. Sir Ian is human."

"See? Even Lara agrees. Oh, this is Lara, a fairy. Not exactly a subordinate... more like a daughter. And that's Ddol Ddoli."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Lara. Sir Ian brought me into this world."

Lara bowed cutely to Lena at waist height. Ddol Ddoli spoke indifferently. Seeing Lena frozen while receiving the greeting made Ian feel like his explanation had backfired even more.

'Damn, not helping. She looks even less convinced.'

But he couldn't just skip explaining these tiny and massive creatures.

"Anyway, bottom line: I'm not whatever you think I am."

"Yes! I understand perfectly! For the happy pastime of the great being—no, Sir Ian—I'll keep my mouth shut until death! Leave it to me!"

Ian chuckled.

'Heh. Pastime? That's a fresh one.'

Rumors that many dragons disguised themselves as humans were pretty famous, after all.

'Whatever. Think what you want.'

"Fine. Do that."

"Yes!"

"And it's a secret, got it?"

"Yes! As if I'd tell!"

Lena's loud, clear voice echoed out of the cave.

After slaying the devil and heading outside, the enveloping darkness was lifting. As the territorial demonic energy faded, the original sky reappeared.

That devil had indeed been the source.

But the mission wasn't over. They needed solid evidence for the report.

"Let's split up. You search left; I'll take right."

"Huh?"

"Search. Don't know what that means? Why'd you come here?"

"Ah, yes! Orders received!"

"We'll definitely find traces of black mages. They succeeded in summoning a devil, after all."

"Yes, sir!"

Startled, Lena got moving.

There'd been some drama, but as an investigator, Lena could pull her weight.

She pulled out a mana gauge from her bag and scoured the area with detection magic.

'Quick on the uptake. Nice.'

The "great being" bit was weird, but she listened well now, so it worked out.

With Lena on task, Ian inspected Ddol Ddoli's body.

He planned to upgrade it while he had the chance.

But what was this guy doing?

"Why keep running? Can't you stay still for a bit?"

Ddol Ddoli and Lara were chasing each other like kids playing tag.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

'They're getting along.'

He'd worried they might fight, but thankfully not.

They hit it off surprisingly well, despite just meeting. Though Ddol Ddoli seemed annoyed by Lara.

"Ddoli. Come here."

Ddol Ddoli lumbered over with heavy thuds.

"I've got something for you. Stay still, okay?"

Hmm. Ddol Ddoli's infinite positivity was the best.

All materials were ready.

Each one was too heavy and bulky for regular inventory, but the new sub-space backpack made it possible.

'Heh. Worth every penny.'

Pricey, but it paid off.

A gauge appeared in his vision. Hammer strikes animated as effects, and the bar filled up.

30 minutes later.

Ddol Ddoli gained a new skill.

True to its name, it charged forward at high speed.

"Ddoli. How's it feel?"

"Try moving."

Ddol Ddoli thudded along slowly.

Its inherently sluggish gait was unchangeable.

But with Charge?

Kuwaaaang!

"Holy shit."

The acceleration was insane—enough to curse.

Not measured precisely, but it covered at least 30 meters.

'Like a bullet.'

A bullet, but a massive monster bullet.

'Does that even make sense?'

Seeing it, he realized.

This wasn't just movement. It was an attack.

'Anyone hit by that charge is meat paste at minimum.'

In that path?

Flattened for sure. 100%.

"Awesome. Feeling good. Ddol, one more upgrade!"

Ian also gave Ddol Ddoli 'Strength Enhancement' and 'Rock Absorption' upgrades.

Strength Enhancement boosted strength directly, while Rock Absorption let it absorb rocks to repair damaged parts—a recovery skill.

Ddol Ddoli already had self-repair, but it was slow.

Great for post-battle recovery, but useless mid-fight.

With Rock Absorption, it could use it effectively in emergencies.

'30% efficiency means 30 recovery from 100 absorbed. So proficiency is key.'

Ddol Ddoli was mowing down foes now, but stronger enemies lurked ahead.

This was a fantasy world teeming with superior beings beyond humans.

Heck, he'd fought a devil today.

Better safe with multiple layers of protection.

"Ddoli. Any tough opponents so far?"

"Not one?"

The instant, unwavering reply nearly made Ian laugh, but he held it in.

"Confidence is good, Ddol, but learn caution too. Lots stronger than you out there."

"Sure, you're strong enough to win. But if you meet a really tough bad guy you can't handle?"

Such a fittingly brute response. That unyielding confidence.

Reliable, but as master, Ian had to look out for it.

"No. Wrong. Run from those."

"More precisely, know when to run."

Ddol Ddoli repeated it, as if committing to memory.

"Winning's great, but if you die, it'd be too sad."

"Yeah. Think about it: if I died fighting a bad guy, how'd you feel?"

Ddol Ddoli bellowed. The ground shook—kuung. Ian flinched.

'Jeez, warn a guy. My heart stops every time.'

Still, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he kept cool. Couldn't ruin the moment.

"Exactly. That's the feeling. So don't push too hard."

Ddol Ddoli nodded vigorously, looking even more determined.

'Phew. At least he gets it...'

'Huh?'

Ian blinked in surprise at the sudden alert.

'Skill awakening out of nowhere?'

He'd just been giving some advice.