Chapter 214
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: The Key to the Cursed Forest
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Then Ill leave it to you! If you can end this crisis, Ill give you everything I have!
Kaiserk V was desperate.
The Kingdom of Merhen teetered on the brink of collapse.
To save his kingdom, he was prepared to sell his very soul.
In fact, before his regression, he had made a pact with a demon to prevent Merhens fall.
As a result, the kingdom held out for nearly two more years, but the survivors all fell to corruption from the contracts backlash and were dragged down to hell.
It wasnt just Kaiserk V who couldnt bear to watch the kingdoms downfall.
Ragan, too, had sacrificed his soul for power, just like Kaiserk V, and stayed until the end as one of those defending Merhen.
Now its time to end this for good.
Jeong Hoon toyed with the Guardian of Merhen dangling from his ear.
It was a gift directly from Kaiserk V himself.
Guardian of Merhen
- Type: Earring
- Grade: Epic
- Special Ability (1): When channeling the earrings mana, designate one of your attack skills to increase its activation chance by 4 for 1 hour. (Cooldown: 12 hours)
- Special Ability (2): When channeling the earrings mana, increase the wearers attack power by 4. (Cooldown: 12 hours)
- (Grade increases when the accessory set is completed, unlocking hidden abilities.)
An Epic-grade Guardian of Merhen.
One might think its performance was overpowered for an Epic accessory, but the issue lay in that hidden ability unlock.
To unlock it, you have to complete the accessory set.
However, it didnt specify which accessories formed the set.
It couldntnot when those set pieces were items that hadnt been revealed at the time.
That was why Jeong Hoon hadnt gone hunting for the set earlier.
Time to go, then.
Jeong Hoon headed toward an unnamed mountain to the east of the kingdom.
Of course, to reach it, he first had to clear the red portals.
Too many monsters in the vicinity.
You cannot proceed to the next area until all red portals in the area are removed.
They just keep coming endlessly.
This early episode in the special dungeon was supposed to be relatively easy.
Yet the Merhen Kingdom episode boasted extreme difficulty.
It was part of a collection, after all.
Jeong Hoon summoned Fenrir and Michael, whom he had previously dismissed.
Yes, Master.
Monster hunting again this time?
The polite Fenrir and the quick-witted Michael.
Jeong Hoon pointed to the red portals.
Were clearing those portals again. You know what that means, right?
Yes.
Dont worry! Ill sweep the monsters with my junior here!
Junior?
Jeong Hoon tilted his head.
He quickly realized it referred to Fenrir.
He could see Fenrirs brow furrowing sharply.
Ignoring that, Michael grinned and summoned his ghosts.
Yeah! He came in after me, so hes the junior, isnt he?
Thats true, I suppose.
Master, this is so unfair. Ive lived far longer than that guyhow can he call me junior?
Fenrir whined to Jeong Hoon with a pitiful expression.
He wanted to rip Michael apart, but as fellow servants, he couldnt.
So he hoped Jeong Hoon would settle it.
Sorry, but rank is based on arrival order.
It might be unfair, but rules were necessary.
That way, the hierarchy would be clear.
Master! Such a wise judgment!
Michael beamed brightly while Fenrirs face soured.
A moment of joy and sorrow crossing paths.
Alright, lets get started.
They needed to clear portals instead of chatting.
As Jeong Hoon approached a portal, monsters poured out.
Lightning Bolt.
He opened with a spell he didnt often use.
Crackle.
It wouldnt have done much to foes of similar level, but to Jeong Hoon now, they were mere fodder.
Kekeke!
The surging monsters convulsed from electrocution.
Jeong Hoon cleaved through them with Leviathan and plunged into the portal.
No way.
Ragan muttered in disbelief.
Behind him, the knights scanned their surroundings with faces split between shock and admiration.
The capital had been filled with red portals.
Those damned portals had turned the capital into a wasteland in an instant.
Now, not a single one remained.
Seems like theyre all cleared here.
Heh How did he clear so many alone.
After Jeong Hoon left, Ragan had led the knights on a search.
They confirmed zero portals left in the capital.
Captain, could he really be the savior from the prophecy?
There was a legendary prophecy.
A great crisis would befall Merhen, and a savior would appear to deliver them.
It came from Brahman, the greatest seer of his time, so the king didnt dismiss ithe passed it down like a final testament.
It had trickled down to everyones ears over time, but no one took it seriously.
Yet now, the prophecy was coming true.
If peace returns to the kingdom.
Ragan swallowed hard.
Jeong Hoon wouldnt just be a benefactorhed be Merhens savior.
Is it possible? The capitals calm for now, but the other areas.
The knights faces darkened at the words.
The capital had suffered greatly, but elsewhere it would be far worse.
Smaller fiefdoms might have zero survivors in the worst cases.
For now, trusting Hoon is our best bet.
Ragan reminded the knights once more.
Jeong Hoon had made it clear before leaving.
No one leaves the capital. Understood?
How could they doubt the man who cleared all the red portals?
Kaiserk V and everyone else could only nod.
Each area had between three and five red portals.
Boss monster defeated.
Blood Ogres vanish simultaneously.
Clear all portals in an area, and you could proceed to the next.
After hours of clearing, Jeong Hoon reached the Palesman Barony.
This barony marked the eastern edge of Merhen.
Plenty here too.
The barony lay in ruins, with no intact spot in sight.
The capital had held thanks to the knights clashing with monsters, but no such force existed here.
Well, one did.
Jeong Hoon sliced through monsters as he advanced toward the half-ruined castle.
Come on.
There, a hulking old man swung his sword, mercilessly cutting down monsters.
Sword aura gleamed clearly on his blade.
Karyan.
It was none other than Karyan, who had given Ha-jin the Dark Lords reminiscences.
Originally, after retirement, he guarded the royal palaces underground prison, but after handing over the reminiscences, he quit even that.
Kaiserk V wanted to grant him a title, but he stubbornly refused.
The king wouldnt let it go, though, and they eventually settled on a barony.
Guess I should help.
Jeong Hoon used Lightning Bolt to electrocute the monsters lunging at Karyan all at once.
Hm?!
Karyan startled and turned toward the magics source.
His eyes met Jeong Hoons.
Long time no see.
Jeong Hoon smiled with his eyes in greeting.
Karyan tilted his head.
Who are you?
Thats what his expression seemed to say.
It had to be.
The one Karyan had met was Ha-jin, after class-changing to Dark Lordnot Jeong Hoon.
Lets clear these first.
Jeong Hoon nodded toward the monsters, and Karyan nodded back.
The slaughter resumed.
After the storm passed, Jeong Hoon approached the exhausted Karyan.
Are you alright?
Using Advanced Healing.
Jeong Hoon cast Advanced Healing on him as he spoke.
And you are?
Proficient swordsmanship and healing to boot.
Karyan realized he was the outlander who had once aided Merhen.
Ive come to help.
I see Hows the capital?
Devastated. But His Majesty the King is safe.
Thats a relief.
Karyan sighed in relief.
With so many monsters, even guarding one castle was a struggle.
Heading to the capital in this situation was impossible.
Are you the last survivor here, Baron?
No. Nine of us remain, including me. The other eight are inside.
Karyan pointed to the castle.
I see. Any injured?
Two are at deaths door.
Then please lead me inside. Ill treat them first.
You can really do that?!
Karyans face lit up as he asked.
Yes. Its a miracle there are survivors.
He had passed through four fiefdoms on the way, but sadly, all had zero survivors.
Having survivors in this barony spoke volumes about Karyans efforts.
Thank you! Come inside, quickly!
Yes.
Jeong Hoon left Fenrir and Michael outside and followed Karyan into the castle.
The half-ruined structure had few intact areas, but there was space for people to stay.
The survivors were holed up there.
Only eight, huh.
Eight survivors total.
The head butler and three maids from the manor, plus a family of three living nearby.
The injured were two from that family.
A sudden earthquake and monster assaultwe could only save them. Even then, we barely made it in time.
Karyan explained the past events with a regretful look.
Jeong Hoon nodded and approached the two injured.
Their conditions are severe.
The parents had grievous wounds and were barely clinging to life with potions.
Their child, not yet three, clung tightly to their mother.
I can save them.
The wounds were bad, but repeated Advanced Healing would suffice.
Using Advanced Healing.
Jeong Hoon repeatedly cast Advanced Healing until their divine power drain stopped, fully healing them.
Th-thank you!
Thank you so much!
The two, who had been in agony moments ago, prostrated themselves before Jeong Hoon now that they felt relief.
Incredible To heal wounds like that.
Karyan was beyond admirationstricken with awe.
In his long life, hed met countless priests, but none wielded such potent healing.
Im glad youre better. The child must have been so worried.
Jeong Hoon smiled, patted the young childs head, and stood.
Truly, thank you. We wouldnt have lasted without you.
It was sincere.
Even facing that many monsters alone had reached its limit.
Holding out this long was a miracle.
No need. More importantly, Baron Karyan, I have something to discuss.
Ah, of course. My room.
The perceptive Karyan led him to an empty room.
Once alone, Jeong Hoon spoke his prepared words.
I intend to end this crisis.
You mean the monsters pouring out?
Yes.
Is that possible?!
A flicker of hope gleamed in Karyans eyes.
Yes. But Ill need your help, Baron Karyan.
My help? Say the wordanything!
I need the Key to the Cursed Forest.
The Cursed Forest.
Sealed under a curse from an incident in Kaiserk Is time.
No one could enter, and access required two keys.
One held by the king alone.
The other, kept in the Palesman Barony.