Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 138
>Chapter Title: The Gatekeeper's Gift
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>[What the hell? You're worrying about something so weird. Arlagini is the gatekeeper here. There's no way to take this guy out with you. Even I couldn't manage that.]
-Th-That can't be...
It was guaranteed, certified by the Dark King himself.
At that thunderbolt of a declaration, Zihad's voice rose in pitch.
-Does that mean I have to die like this? I've guarded this place my whole life, and now I'm getting buried alive without ever seeing the light of day? Is that what a gatekeeper's duty is!? That's too much!
-Riza! Riza-riza!
Was it because Zihad had been trapped in the bead?
Today, he seemed especially sincere.
Dohyun had never seen the guy act out like this before, so he wondered if he should step in.
[Don't worry about that. This isn't the real body.]
-Riza...?
The Dark King smirked faintly as he spoke.
[This is Arlagini's shed skin. It has no life of its own. It's just a husk that Arlagini shed. It only shares thoughts and senses with the main body.]
In other words, even if the dungeon collapsed and the husk died, it was merely the old shell vanishing.
Which also meant that this mere husk had demonstrated that level of destructive power and toughness.
'Add its traits into the mix... So this is an ancient divine beast?'
Dohyun clicked his tongue at the sheer strength of a top-tier divine beast.
Perhaps picking up on Dohyun's thoughts,
[If this had been the real body, you lot wouldn't have lasted ten seconds.]
Zihad and Eliza scratched their heads in embarrassment at the Dark King's chuckling remark.
-Ahem. W-Well, then why talk at all...? Damn. I misunderstood.
-Ri, Riza...!
-Hmm...!
Unlike the two, who had lost all their earlier bluster and looked sheepish, Arlagini's eyes were still sparkling.
They even seemed a bit teary.
Arlagini gazed at them with moist eyes before handing something to Zihad.
[Guardian 'Zihad Black' has acquired 'Arlagini's Cherished Scale.']
[Arlagini's Cherished Scale]
-Rank: Heroic
-Description: A scale from the ancient divine beast Arlagini.
Among the scales from the husks shed through repeated moltings, this is the highest quality one. Among serpent-type divine beasts, it symbolizes friendship.
-Jackpot! What's this, Arlagini?
Shhhk! Shk!
-No way, for real?
Shk-shk!
-Riza-riza!
After some unintelligible chatter, Zihad and Eliza's faces visibly brightened.
They pulled the creature into a tight hug.
Dohyun, watching from a few steps away, scratched his head.
'...They don't count as other races?'
His title 'He Who Uncovered the Forgotten History' was supposed to allow conversation with other races, but he couldn't understand their talk at all.
Apparently, monsters and divine beasts didn't count as other races.
At least the Dark King was there.
[They must be really touched. Handing over one of its most cherished scales like that. Well... this is probably the first time anyone's shown that much sincerity to a mere husk.]
"Ah."
[That guy's got a big body but a soft heart. Look, it's coming over to say goodbye.]
As the Dark King chuckled, Arlagini finished its goodbyes and approached them.
Shhhk- Shk!
Arlagini said something to Dohyun and bowed its head.
-It says it'll look forward to seeing you again, Master.
Zihad was quick to translate now.
Dohyun reached out and placed his hand on Arlagini's forehead.
"Yeah, me too. Sorry for hitting you."
Shhhk! Shk!
-It says it doesn't remember because your minds weren't linked yet. It was just startled and hurt when it opened its eyes. No need to worry.
Shhhk!
After a few exchanges via Zihad's translations, messages appeared.
[Title 'Max Affinity from the Start?' effect activates. Affinity increases significantly.]
[Ancient divine beast 'Arlagini''s affinity has risen sharply.]
[Affinity with Arlagini is high.]
[A friendly relationship has formed with Arlagini.]
'It works on divine beasts too.'
Maybe because it possessed high intelligence as a spiritual being?
Dohyun nodded, intrigued by the new experience. He'd somehow formed a friendly bond with a divine beast—might as well take the good with the good.
'Not sure if it'll mean anything, but...'
Better than hostility, so he let it slide.
[The dungeon is collapsing.]
[If you do not escape within the time limit, you will die.]
[10...]
Messages popped up at that moment.
Rumble-
-Ri, Riza!
As the walls truly began crumbling, a startled Eliza dove into Zihad's robe pocket.
It was time to part ways, regrettably.
[9...]
[8...]
The countdown was ticking.
-...Take care, Arlagini. Next time, let's play for real!
Shhh! Shk!
-Riza-riza!!
-Hmm! Take care! Until next time.
Shhh-shk!
-It says take care too, Master. Thanks for making such good friends... Sniff, thank you too, Arlagini!
Dohyun watched their teary farewell.
'...Didn't they just try to kill each other a minute ago?'
Were they overly sentimental, highly sociable, or just quick to let grudges go...?
Probably all three.
[6...]
[5...]
They exchanged final waves and stood before the warp gate leading out of the dungeon. The Dark King, now translucent and on the verge of fading, raised his hand.
[3...]
[2...]
[Not sure if you can handle those guys... but I believe you'll manage. At least as my descendants, you won't come back beaten.]
Shhhk-
[1...]
[Well then, good luck...]
With those words, the king's tomb collapsed.
Dohyun stepped through the warp.
* * *
[Collapsed dungeon. Cannot enter.]
"...So that's how it is."
Dohyun, suddenly standing in the secret space, tried touching the dungeon entrance just in case, but couldn't get in.
All info on the dungeon had been wiped.
Only a trace that it had existed remained—anyone finding this spot later would probably feel a twinge of regret.
-Sniff... Arlagini...
-Riza-riza...
"...That sad, huh?"
-Of course! Those eyes, smiling until the very end as it saw us off! How could anyone not be sad after that? Only a heartless monster wouldn't!
"This guy's gotten cheeky lately."
Zihad yelped and hid behind Charlie as Dohyun raised his hand for a light flick.
-A true vassal must accept his lord's discipline gladly!
Of course, Charlie dodged swiftly after saying that, but Dohyun just shook his head and let it go.
They had places to be.
'Real Ruddel.'
He needed to find him quickly, report to the lord, and clear the quest.
The forest was large, so it would take time to reach his last spot.
But after exiting the cave into the forest, Dohyun found Jin Ruddel far sooner than expected.
-Hey, what? We ran into each other here. Wow, I just got here—how'd we bump into each other?
He was a hidden NPC who roamed the forest.
His range covered the whole thing, so no need to head to his previous spot.
Lucky timing, right after leaving the cave—and he was still as talkative as ever.
-You couldn't have finished already... You're not lost, are you? I can't draw maps. I'll explain once, so listen close... Huh? What? You already got it!? No way, you're not saying that ghost thing, right? Who'd believe that—not even a stray dog would... Eek! That backpack! No way...!?
He freaked out, so Dohyun handed over the backpack. Jin Ruddel foamed at the mouth.
Peeking inside, he muttered "It's real... really real..." nonstop, nodding furiously.
[You have cleared quest 'Jin’s Request.']
[Reward: Jin Ruddel's affinity rises, leading to linked quest.]
[Title 'Max Affinity from the Start?' effect activates. Affinity increases significantly.]
[Hidden NPC 'Jin Ruddel's affinity has risen sharply.]
'...I hope this guy's affinity hadn't gone up.'
Zirna's nightmare flashed in his mind—her chatter worsening with higher affinity.
Sure enough, Jin Ruddel's mouth revved like an engine.
-My god... Back already in this short time? Where was it? Safe in my hiding spot, right? Huh? A secret dungeon in a secret space? What? There's something like th—Gasp, no way, the path to that monster underground?
Dohyun gave curt replies, but got an intriguing reaction.
Jin Ruddel knew about the king's tomb.
-Touching that monster would be disastrous! If it got out, the city would flip upside down! Huh? You cleared the dungeon, so no worries now?
Dohyun nodded, and Jin Ruddel clamped his mouth shut.
-My god. You took it down? In this short time?
Charlie smiled contentedly at Jin Ruddel's perfect shocked reaction, nodding.
-Hmm! Nothing's impossible for my lord. You know how to admire the admirable.
-Wow, insane... The real monster's up here, not underground? You'll end up taking down outlaws too, huh? Haha, too far? Anyway, you're amazing.
Ding-
[Title 'Max Affinity from the Start?' effect activates. Affinity increases significantly.]
[Hidden NPC 'Jin Ruddel's affinity has risen sharply.]
Ignoring yet another affinity boost, they chatted a few more times.
Dohyun half-listened until a new quest appeared.
[Linked quest 'Uncle's Item' has been generated.]
[Uncle's Item]
-Rank: Rare+
-Description: Jin Ruddel, who became a wandering soul.
He says there's something he must deliver to his niece, the lord.
He came down for that but met an unjust death and turned into a ghost. Deliver the item to the lord in his stead.
-Deliver to the lord (0 / 3)
-Quest success: Jin Ruddel's affinity rises, lord's affinity rises, linked quest 'Truth of the Castle' generated.
-Quest failure: Linked quests unavailable, quest deleted.
-Please deliver this instead of your foolish uncle. Oh, and while you're at it, mention the outlaws and me. He needs to know what's going on now that he's lord.
Jin Ruddel handed over the items and a letter.
-Thank you.
Dohyun took them, nodding. A surprisingly subdued thanks came back.
Dry, but all the more sincere for it.
"I'll be off."
-Yes, safe travels.
Dohyun turned without lingering.
No chance of getting lost.
The castle loomed huge from the forest.
"Huh? It's Kaiser."
"Hunting and heading back? Something wrong? Mood looks heavy."
"Gonna sell junk and hit the fields again."
"Seeing him every day is wild. Feels like bunking with a celeb."
Eyes turned as he entered the city, but Dohyun strode on without hesitation.
Users parted before him.
As always, countless gazes followed like he was a zoo monkey.
That must be why.
"Huh?"
"Whoa?"
They could tell today that Kaiser was heading straight for the castle, ignoring other NPCs.
They saw him approach the guards at the gates.
"What, why's he at the castle again?"
"Rematch? Got a hidden quest?"
"Nah, just hunted. No one saw anything else. Maybe went for Shadow Lycanthrope last."
"Shadow Lycanthrope under full moon? True alpha king god Kaiser doesn't back down."
More users gathered, buzzing about Kaiser.
Their stares mixed anticipation, curiosity, and doubt.
But hardly anyone thought he'd actually enter.
Swoosh.
The secretive castle never allowed user entry.
Kaiser, rejected once, back from hunting—nobody figured a few days would change that.
Common sense said he was just stubborn.
"Yeah, right. Even Kaiser can't force it... Huh?"
"Whoa...?"
"No way..."
But then.
Kaiser handed something over, and the ironclad guard's demeanor flipped.
The guard gawked, then flung the gates open.
Creak-
Bang.
The guard and Kaiser entered.
Users stared dumbfounded, blinking at each other.
Reactions hit a beat late.
Too unbelievable—their brains needed time to process.
"Insane!!"
"Whoa, f*ck, whoa... whoa, whoa..."
"Whoa... what the f*ck!
The delayed reactions exploded fiercer than ever.
It was that shocking.
Users, speechless with hype, grunted like apes before settling.
Staring at the shut gates, they roared in unison.
"F*ck, Kaiser's done it again!!!"
"Kaiser, he's a god! Kaiser, he's a god! Kaiser, he's a god! Kaiser, he's a god!!!"
"Yeah!!!!"
Kaiser.
He was about to etch new history into Sargis.