Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: A Knight's Resolve
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The appearance of a legendary knight with two S-rank skills.
However, Yuhyeon looked at Cedric with mixed feelings.
What kind of personality is this?
A master of swordsmanship, the secret sword arts of the Belvern family, and the learning ability of a genius.
Judging by his skills alone, he was clearly a man of top-tier talent.
Even that arrogant Perlmans highest-rated skill was only a B.
However, the problem wasn't his combat power, but his personality.
Perlmans contribution score was 500, but Cedrics is only 100.
Despite being two steps ahead of Perlman in combat ability, his contribution was a fifth of his.
This meant his debuff was far more severe than imagined.
So much so that one could consider all of Cedric's talents to be practically useless.
Even if you take me, it will be difficult to achieve the results you desire.
Seriously.
He even said it himself, dont take me.
No matter how talented he was, what could he possibly accomplish with a personality like this?
The moment Yuhyeon was thinking this.
Cedric, this is still something you must overcome someday. We are all sincerely cheering for you to get back on your feet.
The priest offered Cedric heartfelt words of comfort.
Thank you for your words, but I am not qualified to be a knight, Father.
Cedric! What happened in the past was an accident. Even if we went back to that time, no one would blame you.
Their conversation, reminiscing about the past, continued.
I know that! But you know it too, Father. The looks from my fellow knights and the townspeople when I returned after failing that mission.
Weren't we all young back then? It was a time of youthful recklessness, so it's understandable
I should have just died then and there. At least then, I would have kept my honor.
Cedric spoke, his heart filled with grief.
While the priest might understand, for Yuhyeon, who didn't know the circumstances, staying silent was the best course of action.
Cedric, who was talking with the priest, noticed Yuhyeons consideration.
He hesitated for a moment, then, as if having made a decision, he began to speak to Yuhyeon.
I am a knight who has forsaken his honor.
Cedric said with a self-deprecating smile.
During my days as a squire, I was dispatched to a dungeon. There, I encountered a monster I couldn't possibly face, and I ran away, leaving a stranger behind
He was about to continue in a tone filled with regret.
Just then, Yuhyeon smiled gently at Cedric and said.
Its alright. You dont have to tell me everything.
Pardon?
Everyone has weaknesses. A sad past, a shameful secret they want to hide.
It was the same for Yuhyeon.
Because I, too, have moments I regret.
Though he was better these days, there was a time in the past when he couldn't fall asleep without alcohol.
Was returning to the country a mistake, or was trying to hold a solo recital a mistake?
I should have left for the concert hall a day later, or I should have just canceled the recital
He once had such thoughts countless times.
Wishing he could go back to before he lost his hearing.
Was that all?
I also wondered if it was right to continue composing when it didnt make any money.
Even with his disability, he could have found some kind of work if he'd tried.
But he didn't.
Because I thought I would be giving up the path of a musician for good.
If I let go now, wouldnt I be abandoning the path of music forever?
Or, could I truly be happy on a path other than music?
Things no one could know without trying, he was too scared to even attempt them.
I was the same. There were days when I was too scared to even try, yet filled with so much lingering attachment that I couldn't give up either.
Those were the days he lived with a rather weak heart.
Barely getting by as a composer, he lived constantly steeped in regret and sorrow.
Sir Knight, would you believe me if I told you there was a bard who couldn't hear?
Yuhyeon looked at Cedric.
A bard who, despite being unable to hear, performs, makes music, and lives happily.
Yuhyeon said with conviction.
That was me.
Of course, he could hear in Wonderland, but in reality, he was still deaf.
Despite that, he composed, his work was recognized, and he signed a contract with SAM Entertainment.
Even though he couldn't hear.
I can't know exactly what incident you experienced in the past, Sir Knight. Nor the sorrow and regret you must have felt.
Nevertheless, he knew this one thing for sure.
But the fact that you're still here must mean you haven't given up on your dream of being a knight. That you want to overcome your trauma someday and achieve that dream.
Cedric hadn't left the knight's order and still remained in the training yard.
Because he held onto the hope of one day achieving his dream.
What he needed was just one thing.
Sir Knight, will you come with me?
Ye-yes? Y-you want to dispatch me? N-no, you can't!
Cedric exclaimed, hiccuping.
Then let me ask you this. Setting the outcome aside, what do you think? Do you truly not want to go?
Requesting a dispatch while saying the result doesn't matter, what on earth did that mean?
Nevertheless, as if mesmerized, Cedric slowly spoke with conviction.
I want to go.
Ce-Cedric! W-what are you saying?
I want another chance to heighten my honor as a knight.
Cedric hung his head low, his shoulders shaking.
I want to try again. For real, this time.
Excellent.
What Yuhyeon gave Cedric wasn't something grand.
Not some assurance or faith that he could overcome his trauma.
Just a small hand, offering to walk the path together.
Just like how Sangcheol hyung introduced me to Wonderland.
Just like how Sangcheol hyung had invited him into the world of Wonderland back then.
Here was a person whose life had been changed by a single small gesture.
Let's go, with me.
Now, that same Yuhyeon was about to extend his hand to someone else.
Offering a small yet great opportunity that could change a person's life.
Oho, so this is the benefactor who is dispatching Cedric.
Yes, Elder.
The knight dispatch was complete, but Yuhyeon still remained in the temple.
I shall offer my assistance to our benefactor.
This was because the news of Cedric's dispatch had reached the temple's elder, who had personally come down.
First, please take this holy water. And this will also be useful.
From holy water helpful in battle to intermediate potions for recovering health.
I shall cast a blessing upon you both.
Presently, as the elder cast a blessing on Yuhyeon and Cedric.
Ting!
The Elder has granted you a buff. This is also applied to 'Intermediate Knight Cedric'.
Buff: High Bless (B)
All stats increase by 10.
Gain 20 damage reduction from magical and physical attacks.
Equipment is imbued with the Holy () attribute.
Protects from one fatal attack.
This effect lasts for a maximum of 3 hours.
The tremendous effect of a 10 increase in all stats and 20 damage reduction was applied.
There was even a protective effect that blocked a one-hit kill.
What the, is there some kind of event going on?
I know, right? Isn't that person getting a blessing from the elder a user?
Seeing as there's no name above their head, I think they're a user.
At the same time, drawing the attention of other users was an added bonus.
May only good fortune lie ahead for Yuhyeon and Cedric
Thank you.
W-we are deeply indebted to you, Elder!
Yuhyeon and Cedric thanked the elder in their own ways.
One gave a deep bow, while the other offered a clanking knight's salute.
Well then, shall we go?
Yes, let's go!
As soon as the two left the temple, other users swarmed the elder like a hive of bees.
Elder! Please give me a buff too!
Me too, me too!
Not knowing the reason, they hoped to get some scraps now that a user had received a blessing.
However, the elder's gaze was cold.
What is your emblem's rank?
Normal!
Tsk.
I'm Silver!
Tch, tch.
He left behind only a 'Tsk' and a 'Tch, tch' before vanishing.
???
As confusion filled the users' eyes, an intermediate priest approached and spoke quietly.
The Elder's blessing is only available to those of Gold rank and above.
Gold rank?
Gold rank? Wasn't that basically telling them not to even think about it?
After all, it was an emblem that even rankers took six months to barely obtain.
Then at least give us some holy water!
At this, a user shouted loudly, hoping to at least get some holy water.
Because they had clearly seen Yuhyeon take a whole pile of holy water earlier.
What is your emblem's rank?
Normal!
Then three.
I'm Silver!
Then five.
But all they received in return were a few paltry vials of holy water.
This game is seriously trash
The sense of deprivation is insane
While the users were unintentionally feeling a sense of deprivation.
Cedric, I'm going to do one last check of my gear.
Yes, please take your time.
Yuhyeon was standing in front of the dungeon bulletin board, checking his equipment.
Didnt they say the limit for Gold rank was ten?
The holy water he received from the elder was a whopping fifteen vials.
Not only that, he also received twenty intermediate potions as a gift, which weren't part of the emblem benefits.
It seems everyone wants Cedric to get back on his feet.
It seemed as though everyone was praying in unison for Cedric to recover.
Hoping that he would use this opportunity to overcome his trauma.
I wanted to check this before going in.
Besides that, there was something else Yuhyeon wanted to check.
Ting!
Sheet Music: Hymn for the Goddess (C)
Attack power increases by 5, and attack speed increases by 5.
Skill cooldown is reduced by 10.
Health and mana recovery speed slightly increases.
Equipment is imbued with the Holy () attribute.
This effect lasts for a maximum of 1 hour.
It was the sheet music called the Hymn.
An item Yuhyeon had purchased with the contribution points left over after dispatching Cedric.
Maybe because its sheet music from the temple, this also grants the holy attribute.
Befitting its C-rank, the sheet music's effects were slightly inferior to the elder's High Bless.
Its less than a 10 increase to all stats, but a 5 increase in attack power is nothing to scoff at.
While the increase itself might seem a bit lacking, it would surely have a great effect when stacked with the elder's buff.
And for good reason.
Ting!
Nickname: Yuhyeon
Level: 20
Class: Conductor of Melody
STR: 38 (33) AGI: 32 (27) INT: 31 (26) VIT: 34 (29) MP: 31 (26) DIV: 10 (10) CHR: 30 (30)
Current Buffs: High Bless (B)
.
.
Remaining Stat Points: 100
Just the elders buff alone raised all my stats by nearly 10.
He had reached level 20 without allocating a single point, yet his stats were already this high.
Just from the bonus stats he'd gained by clearing legendary-grade quests.
If I add my stat points on top of this, Ill become even stronger.
The reason Yuhyeon saved his stat points without using them was simple.
First, as a bard whose main stat was intelligence, he found himself on the front lines too often.
I havent had a reason to use them yet, but
Second, he hadn't had any trouble hunting without allocating his stats.
Still, it cant hurt to be prepared.
However, the monster he was about to face was the elite-grade Elder Trent.
Its grade was the same as the Skeleton Knight, but its level would be higher, so he had to prepare for it.
I can just allocate them based on the situation.
A method of raising the necessary stats as the situation demanded.
That was the optimal method for Yuhyeon, who walked his own path.
Sir Yuhyeon, have you finished your preparations?
I've just finished.
Having completed his final checks, Yuhyeon calmly looked at the bulletin board.
Are you ready?
Yes! I have made every preparation.
Cedric exclaimed, his eyes filled with determination.
Seeing that look in his eyes, Yuhyeon posted that he would be entering the quest.
Ting!
The Hard Elder Trent Dungeon is being created.
Creating
.
.
.
Ting!
You are the first user to enter this dungeon via a hidden quest.
For 24 hours, experience gain is increased by 50, and item drop rate is increased by 20.
Ting!
You have acquired the title 'Found a Hidden Dungeon (2)'.
All stats except Divinity and Charisma increase by 2.
Oh.
Even before entering, pleasant notifications popped up one after another.
Yuhyeon looked at Cedric and smiled warmly.
Well then, shall we go?
He had finally arrived at the first quest left by the Conductor of Melody.
The long-awaited journey to repair the violin he had left behind.