Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 229
>Chapter Title: The Fragment of Destiny in the Lion King's Tower?
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Chapter 229
There was a Fragment of Destiny, the core of the main quest, in the Lion King's Tower?
It sounded absurd, but it wasn't just idle talk.
Given the circumstances, it made sense, and considering there were multiple routes to the main quest, it wasn't impossible.
'Compared to beating the Bound Iron Blood Wyrmspawn, this seems more promising.'
This one at least had a chance of being cleared naturally once power balances shifted with time.
In Do-hyun's opinion, taking down the Bound Iron Blood Wyrmspawn in the Tutorial was insane.
Looking back now, he wondered how he'd even done it.
He doubted such a fluke would happen again.
'...Realizing that makes the route I took seem even weirder.'
The three years from now that had been mentioned several times were probably when the main quest fully revealed itself to players.
Do-hyun had bulldozed ahead recklessly, and now the snowball effect was causing these unexpected developments.
'Sigh... Guess I really am the villain here?'
All his self-justifications had gone to waste, but whatever.
What was done was done. He'd worry about the fallout later.
Right now, the identity beyond that door mattered more.
'He said he sensed the fragments' energy from both princes.'
According to Gamillion, the energy of the Fragments of Destiny emanated from the empire's two princes.
That would make three fragments in total...
Considering the empire's size, it wasn't implausible, but there was an even more convincing hypothesis.
'The fragment's key.'
Like the yin-yang energy from Sargis or the spark of purification from Pratel.
If such a key was hidden here, it fit perfectly.
Do-hyun had heard nothing about this place's key, unlike the others, so his interest was piqued as he stared at the door.
[Ho... You sense the energy there. Good instincts... My conviction in you grows stronger.]
The Lion King's spirit, smirking with amusement, extended a hand.
[But first, accept this.]
"This is..."
He handed over a single sword.
The sword once wielded by the rotting flesh of the ?? King, the body he now possessed.
It had reeked of ominous energy, a blade of the undead, but as Do-hyun took it, its form changed.
Crack—flash!
It shattered like cracked ice, the sinister aura breaking apart.
White light poured from the fissures, and intensely cold frost rose like haze around the blade.
But it wasn't the chilling dread from before.
It was the crisp chill of mountain air atop a snowy peak, infused with nature's essence.
-Ho... So this was its true form.
-It looks so pretty now. Like a work of art.
-Rizariza.
Its appearance was no longer ominous—it was beautiful.
The hilt formed a white lion's shape, and snowflake-like crystals adorned the blade.
A longsword evoking a single flower blooming on a snowy mountain.
Yet despite the delicate motifs, its overall feel was rugged and masculine—a striking design.
[You've not only learned the Forgotten King's swordsmanship but overcome it... I was deeply impressed. I had no intention of entrusting this to anyone, but you seem worthy. Will you accept it?]
His solemn expression, extending it with resolve, swept Do-hyun up in the moment.
Unconsciously taking it, a message appeared.
[You have acquired the forgotten relic, White Lion's Snowblossom Sword.]
'...What?'
Do-hyun's eyes widened in shock.
He couldn't help it.
[White Lion's Snowblossom Sword]
[Rank: Legendary (Unique)]
[Description: A sword depicting a white lion and a single flower amid a blizzard-swept snowy mountain. Once the iconic blade of a great king, now a forgotten relic. It contains part of the Forgotten King's brilliant swordsmanship.]
[Level Restriction: 80]
[Equip Restriction: One who withstood the Forgotten King's sword]
[Physical Attack Power: 2081 ~ 2137]
[Durability: 100 / 100]
[White Lion's Song: Wield the Forgotten King's swordsmanship initial stance and mightiest strike, the White Lion's Song. (Cooldown: 10 minutes)]
[Master of Frost: Damage from cold attacks reduced; ice attribute option effects amplified.]
'Unique... This is insane!'
Unique.
A descriptor for one-of-a-kind existence.
Do-hyun's Eye of Truth qualified as such.
But among his traits, only the Eye bore that label—items, however, often had uniques...
'I thought these only dropped in the New Continent, but it's appearing already?'
Unique items were rewards only at max level, at earliest.
A legendary unique? Even in the New Continent, they were exceedingly rare.
He'd expected something huge with the enhanced reward, but a unique? Unimaginable.
Worthy of its grand title, the effects were phenomenal.
'Attack power over 2,000... Double my scythe's.'
Registered at Cheonbyeon, it'd boast 2,000 attack power across all weapons.
2,000 damage on a mere level 80 weapon.
It could pass for a level 90 legendary.
And that was just base damage—the special options were even better.
'Ice effect buffs and cold resistance... Overpowered against ice enemies.'
It amplified ice effects too, perfect for Do-hyun, who'd barely used them lately against tough foes.
But the star was the first option.
White Lion's Song.
'Wield the Forgotten King's strike... That one from earlier, right?'
The devastating slash he'd just endured.
No way it matched the original user's power, but even a fraction would suffice.
More than enough.
'Basically got two signature sword arts.'
He'd learned others, but inwardly regretted missing this.
And as an option, no skill slot used—perfect.
Blindly accepting the swordsmanship earlier? Impossible.
High risk, high return—truth indeed.
'I want to try it. Swing it like crazy.'
He itched to test it now, but tearfully, he couldn't.
One level short of the equip requirement.
Tearfully stowing it in inventory.
"Thank you. I'll put it to good use."
[I trust you will. But... you don't think this is the end, do you?]
Grinning at Do-hyun's sincere gratitude, the Lion King's spirit suddenly swept his hand aside.
With a heavy creak, a massive door swung open.
Its overwhelming scale made even opening exude captivating presence.
[The door to the Lion King's Relic Vault opens for the first time.]
[You have proven your worth. You gain entry.]
[Unbelievable feat—reward enhanced.]
[Select and take any one relic you desire.]
As the blinding light fully revealed the interior, the spirit smirked.
[Giving just a weapon to one who ended the trial? Don't make me seem stingy.]
"...Insane."
[I'd give them all if I could... But the Tower's pact limits me. Still, take whatever you want.]
Do-hyun blurted heartfelt praise at the spirit's explosive coolness.
The spirit chuckled in response.
[Above all... You've been eyeing beyond that door. Go see for yourself what's inside.]
Stepping aside with a sly grin.
Do-hyun swallowed hard at the radiant light spilling out.
Exactly as said—he'd wondered since the Forgotten King's rotting body appeared.
He'd hesitated to barge in, but now had bold permission.
Plus, a relic to take.
'No one's ever taken two.'
No mention of direct selection, ever.
The spirit just tossed fitting relics based on performance.
No exceptions.
Even Myeol-sal, passing all trials, got just the Execution Sword.
'And he still flaunts it as his guild's trademark.'
The Execution Guild's symbol.
One of Myeol-sal's five main weapons even now.
The Snowblossom Sword alone was plenty, but another Execution Sword-tier gear?
'Whoa, can't pass this up. Master.'
'...R-Riza!'
'I feel you. How could I?'
'...I wholeheartedly agree, my lord.'
Gamer catnip—Do-hyun charged in, heart pounding.
The moment he entered.
"...!"
His eyes bulged.
-Wow...!
-As expected of the king's treasury... What a sight.
-Rizariza!!
His followers, trailing behind, reacted the same.
Pure awe. Nothing else fit. Who wouldn't marvel?
A vast space matching the door's grandeur, brimming with radiant weapons.
'All relics... Insane.'
Left, right, behind—everything relics.
Even the solitary stele, ornaments, and lone sword upfront.
But those were secondary. Rewards weren't priority now.
[Eye of Truth activates.]
'That one...'
The only empty space amid piled mountains.
Atop the front stele sat an object leaking red light.
Snatching it without hesitation, a message popped.
[Not a designated reward item. Verifying eligibility.]
[Title 'One Who Concluded the Lion King's Trial' confirmed.]
[Acquired item linked to main quest.]
[Does not count as taken relic reward.]
'As expected...!'
Do-hyun clenched his fist at the anticipated text.
Hadn't read the description yet—Fragment or key? Either way.
Then.
[Acquired World Quest item.]
[Accepting item's quest will open a World Quest on the main continent.]
"...?"
...What quest was opening?