Chapter 262
Chapter 262
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 262
>Chapter Title: Eyes in the Treetops
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>“Kuuh~!”
Do-hyun’s face was brighter than ever as he stepped out of the workshop.
“Ahh, the sky looks clearer today. Life is this beautiful, huh.”
-……Liza?
-You shouldn’t look at stuff like that, Eliza. It’s bad for your eyes.
Jihard hurriedly covered Eliza’s eyes at the sight of Do-hyun gazing up at the sky with his nostrils flaring.
Eliza, however, familiar with this, peeked her head out to dodge it.
Jihard couldn’t quite block her since he’d averted his own gaze.
“Congratulations, my lord.”
Unlike the two, Charlie continued proudly.
“To push aside all reservations and prioritize production…… It’s truly unprecedented treatment. As expected of a master craftsman with keen eyes. He recognized your greatness without a doubt.”
“Does this even make sense? He blocked one sword strike and this happens.”
“This is all thanks to snowballing, you……”
-This bastard…… No, Jihard?
“Yeah.”
She caught on quick, and now they were in perfect sync.
“Sigh, this unfair world…… The rich get richer. I’d die of jealousy.”
-Liza?
“Isn’t it all thanks to my lord’s abilities?”
Jihard shook his head and muttered with pursed lips, but such words wouldn’t reach her ears right now.
Do-hyun ignored it with one ear and let it go out the other as he opened his status window.
[Player: Kaiser]
>[Level: 85]
>[HP: 8,650 / 11,910]
>[MP: 3,960 / 7,790]
>[Stamina: 930 / 1,950]
>[Class: The Last Adventurer [Heir of Kashyar]]
>[Titles (18)]
>- Max Affinity from the Start?
>- First Slayer
>……(Expand)
>[Stats]
>[Strength: 200(+201)] [Agility: 200(+201)]
>[Stamina: 5(+225)] [Senses: 75(+199)]
>[Mana: 110(+190)]
>Remaining Points: 20
‘Now this looks like a high-level status window.’
He was indeed fairly high-level.
He’d gained 4 more levels from defeating the Forgotten King and the Calamity, reaching 85.
His main stats had surpassed 400.
Purely in terms of stats, he was on par with high rankers.
‘Compared to top-tier users like Top 10 Guild Masters, it’s still lacking……’
Considering he hadn’t even hit max level yet, it was an unbelievable figure.
‘Stamina stat looks especially low here.’
Someone might call it stubbornness, saying he struggled so much against the Forgotten King yet still felt this way, but it wasn’t emotional.
[Black Veil Mask]
>[Grade: Legendary]
>[Description: In the past, all trembled in fear at the sight of a mask with a small dagger etched on a pitch-black background.
>Who made it, and who wore it, remains unknown even after so much time.
>It is said only to grant the wearer endless vitality and secrecy.]
>[Level Restriction: 70]
>[Equip Restriction: None]
>[Physical Defense: 694]
>[Magic Resistance: 405]
>- Senses +10
>- Stamina +10
>- Stamina Regeneration +100%
>[Endless Vitality: Regeneration speed increases the lower stamina gets, and you can continue fighting for a time even at 0 stamina.]
>[Secret Senses: Movements become more secretive, senses sharpen, and weapon proficiency rises faster.]
One of two rewards from defeating the Forgotten King.
As a legendary mask, its performance was outstanding, especially in stamina, which he felt keenly.
He hadn’t felt a severe lack of stamina since equipping it.
If it was still lacking, he could address it later.
Swoosh.
Do-hyun’s gaze shifted to his inventory.
[Flowing Water Secret Fire Sword]
>[Grade: Legendary]
>[Description: The flame hidden behind softness is deadlier than a raging storm.
>A sword pursuing strikes concealed in fluid swordsmanship, most suitable for those wielding elegant bladework.
>It will amplify the wearer’s lacking attack power.]
>[Level Restriction: 70]
>[Equip Restriction: Knight, Swordsman classes]
>[Physical Attack: 1681~1787]
>[Durability: 100 / 100]
>[Flowing Water: Enables natural swordsmanship like flowing water; intensifies water aura with use.]
>[Secret Fire: Activates when Flowing Water aura reaches a threshold, unleashing a powerful flame strike.]
The second reward obtained alongside the mask.
‘The perfect weapon for Charlie.’
A deadly flame hidden within elegant swordplay like flowing water.
It suited him so well it was as if made for him.
Do-hyun’s guardians were subordinates on the level of divine beasts.
Their growth was his growth, so he wanted to hand it over immediately, but the time wasn’t right yet.
[Insufficient level to equip.]
>[Reach level 40.]
‘Good that the level restriction is lowered for guardians.’
Unlike max-level 100 users, guardians capped at 70, so equip restrictions were adjusted.
[Jihard LV: 38]
>[Charlie LV: 36]
‘Just 4 more levels. No rush.’
Do-hyun closed the system window with a pleased expression.
‘Their levels are already this high. It feels like yesterday I got the summon ticket…… They’ll hit max soon.’
With guardians growing smoothly and gear looking promising, things couldn’t be better.
In this situation, Do-hyun had one task.
Do what needed doing while waiting excitedly.
[Investigation of the Forbidden Labyrinth]
‘The labyrinth is deep in the southern field, right?’
His lips curved into a smile as he eyed the quest in his window list.
‘Let’s see what’s hiding there.’
Iron Blood Wyrmspawn, Abyss Powerhouse, Existence Devourer.
Everything called “abyss” was monstrous.
Anticipating what lurked in this labyrinth, Do-hyun set off.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that time.
As Do-hyun headed to the labyrinth.
“You’re here. Harrington.”
“That makes five.”
Heavyweights were gathering in the Aegis Guild conference room at one corner of the empire.
With Ernest Guild’s master Harrington entering, five of the Top 10 Guild Masters were already assembled.
“Hey, you barely survived death, huh? Nearly lost your spot. Too bad.”
“……Leon.”
Harrington frowned at the immediate taunt as he took his seat.
‘With that sloppy look…… No different from a thug.’
He couldn’t understand the public calling that guy a model of bravery.
True brave and great men should emulate ‘that one.’ Such descriptors belonged to him.
‘Hm. Thinking of him calms my heart.’
Was this enlightenment?
With a serene mind, Harrington clasped his hands in prayer. Leon grimaced as if seeing something bizarre.
“……What are you doing?”
“What’s this new concept? Weren’t you atheist? You said believing in gods is for the weak-minded.”
Xiao felt the same.
His contemptuous glare was openly disgusted.
Despite their reactions, Harrington silently continued his prayer as if it were his duty.
“……Did he get cancer or something? They say people act weird when death’s near.”
“Well…… His guild nearly disbanded. Maybe a big change of heart.”
“Let’s not talk to him for a while.”
Leon and Xiao, who’d been bickering like enemies moments ago, now whispered.
Arthur, arms crossed and watching, just shook his head. Those guys could never stay quiet together.
“Seems everyone’s gathering.”
Damian Alexander, observing quietly, spoke up, prompting a quick reply.
“The Armory Master hasn’t arrived yet?”
“We don’t need him.”
“He didn’t even say he’d come, yet you’re making a fuss about him showing up? Does it make sense for a Kaiser party member to attend a Kaiser meeting?”
“……He’s still a Top 10 Guild Master. Can’t break the rules.”
Most nodded in agreement at Damian’s words.
Fair enough.
As a Top 10 Guild, he qualified for the summit, and without that rule, they wouldn’t have invited the Armory Master.
“Hey, you all gathered quick.”
Speak of the devil.
Damian sighed at the hulking figure entering, who didn’t pale in comparison to himself.
“The Armory Master.”
Attention naturally turned to Astr’s entrance.
Especially now that his past as a Kaiser party member was revealed, he was the hot topic.
“I saw the old footage. Your look was pretty cool.”
“Ugh, don’t bring that up, it’s creepy. Pervert or what? What gave you the confidence for that karma outfit?”
“I suspected it from the similarities to Purple Taste back in Delrock days, but it really was you.”
“But why’d Kaiser’s buddy come here? No shame?”
“Let it go. That’s how he got away with that pervert getup.”
Arthur showed interest, while Xiao sneered like he was eyeing a barbarian.
Leon chimed in, mocking alongside Xiao.
Amid varied reactions, Astr sighed inwardly.
‘This is why I hid it. Gotta cut back on public appearances for a bit.’
He was treated as handsome by some netizens, but just as many called him a pervert.
Truth be told, he hadn’t wanted to come here either, but had no choice.
It was obvious this meeting was about Kaiser. As a former comrade, he couldn’t skip it.
No matter their hostility, he planned to endure steadfastly.
‘But……’
Astr glanced uncomfortably at Harrington.
‘Why’s that guy’s gaze like that? Was it always so sparkling?’
He remembered him as sleek like a British noble, but now his eyes on him were unusual.
Like a devout believer meeting a divine messenger.
The intensely shining eyes of the man made Astr’s stomach churn.
“Anyway, we’re all here, so let’s continue the meeting.”
“Two are still missing? Where’s Heavenly Demon?”
“We’d wait all day for that directionless guy. Blood Slaughter’s guy…… He always arrives late anyway, so he’ll show during the meeting.”
“Well, if that’s the case.”
At Aegis’s apt summary, eyes left Astr and focused on the meeting.
Yet the actual meeting content was nothing special.
The main topic of Kaiser was barely touched; it was mostly trivial chatter and public opinion control.
‘Look at these guys?’
Astr let out a hollow laugh.
‘They won’t talk Kaiser in front of me, huh? Looks like they’ve been scheming dirty behind my back.’
Not mere suspicion.
Leon and Xiao exchanging glances, and Aegis clearly had something up their sleeves.
They’d undoubtedly conspired beforehand. Or maybe whispering now.
‘Big bodies, but hearts like snakes.’
Astr clicked his tongue, eyeing them before opening his friend list.
They didn’t seem to be whispering, but just in case, he’d send a warning message.
Damian wasn’t one to miss that.
‘Whispering, huh. He caught on? Well, he’s not clueless……’
But Damian’s face was calm.
Leon and Xiao had already agreed to side with him.
Arthur’s personality meant he’d refuse recruitment, but past favors meant no worry.
He was the type who couldn’t rest easy without repaying debts.
‘No reason for him to step up that far anyway.’
Same for other guilds.
With three Top 10 Guilds united, Kaiser couldn’t hold out.
‘Even if you side with him, Astr, it won’t change. And…… That woman seems to share our goal, so now’s the time.’
Damian’s gaze turned to the empty seat on the right.
Blood Slaughter Guild’s spot.
-Prey found. Won’t join the summit.
Recalling the recent whisper, he curled his lips coldly.
‘Her assassination is real. Might even get rid of her without lifting a finger.’
A sinister, venomous smile.
* * *
And at that time.
Do-hyun, following the emperor’s map deep into the southern field, halted.
-What’s wrong, master?
-Liza?
Unlike his earlier nostril-flaring, his face was now sharply cold.
Jihard, sensing the mood, asked, but Do-hyun didn’t answer. He merely glanced discreetly overhead.
In his sight:
[Eye of Truth activates.]
‘A rat’s hiding.’
The silhouette of a red-tinted woman stealthily perched in the tree.