Chapter 287
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 287
Chapter Title: Safe Return and Stabilizations
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With Jeong Hoon gone, Hariel had to watch Baal's mood.
Because Baal hadn't left and was silently glaring at her.
"I'm sorry......"
Damn bastard. He boasted so confidently, and this is the result?
"......"
This is driving me insane.
How on earth did a human manage to subjugate Perlis's puppet?
She was dying to know, but the human left without giving her an answer.
Hah, annoying.
Fortunately, Baal vanished after saying that.
"I-I'm alive......"
Only then could Hariel finally let go of her tension.
'You must have been really worried.'
He'd cut off contact during the material gathering to save time.
He'd told them not to worry, that it wouldn't be dangerous, but he hadn't expected it to take this long.
'First things first, let's see Mom.'
He needed to deliver the Celestial Inscription Stones to Raigliner, but now wasn't the time.
Mom would be worried sick, so easing her mind came first.
Jeong Hoon pinpointed her location through contact and headed straight there.
"Hoon! You're safe!"
As he entered the building where his mother was, her voice rang out.
"Mom!"
It had been two months since the mother and son last met.
His mother hugged him tightly, and Jeong Hoon embraced her in return.
"Hoon! Do you know how long we've been waiting for you?"
"Hyung-nim! We were so worried!"
Hajin and Bong-gu came rushing over afterward.
"Everyone okay?"
The two nodded at Jeong Hoon's question.
"Of course!"
"Hyung-nim, we were shocked thinking something happened to you!"
"Really? Bong-gu looked like he was hoping something bad happened to you."
"Hajin hyung-nim! What are you saying?"
Bong-gu paled and waved his hands frantically.
"Was that it?"
When Jeong Hoon shot Bong-gu a light glare, he chuckled awkwardly and backed away.
"I was just worried about you, hyung-nim......"
"So not entirely wrong, huh?"
"......"
"Kidding. Any gains?"
"Yes! Just like I mentioned, we got something really precious!"
Bong-gu grinned and pulled out a Legendary-grade dagger.
That Legendary dagger was the Claw of Ruin, once used by Tyrant, the king of thieves.
A dagger made from the Demon's Claw that Calls Ruinperfect for the Poison King Bong-gu.
And that wasn't all.
"Skills?"
"Yes! We picked up skills too!"
Before cutting contact, Jeong Hoon had told them their next destinations.
That's why each of them acquired two.
Hajin flashed a V-sign with his fingers.
"Got mine too."
"Good. What about Min-ji and the guild master?"
Yeo Min-ji and Yeo Sun-woo weren't in sight.
"They had business and stepped out for a bit," his mother answered.
"I see."
"No need to worry. Everyone got two opportunities each."
"That's a relief."
Darbis's paths should open soon.
So they needed to grab the remaining opportunities quickly.
Of course, first he'd stabilize the Celestial Inscription Stones to upgrade Mukho and Anima.
James Marcus's party succeeded in subjugating the Ultimate Knight.
It had taken them over two months to clear all of Leas and take down the Ultimate Knight.
"Whew, good work, everyone."
James Marcus sheathed his sword.
The battle was over.
His companions relaxed in response.
"Hah...... He took down something like this solo?"
Louis Verdant clicked his tongue.
Ultimate Knight (Awakened)
The thing boasted a whopping level 1,100.
And HoneyTube's Honey1 subjugated this monster with ridiculous ease.
He even had over ten strategies.
Meaning he'd killed the Ultimate Knight multiple times just to film videos.
If not for those videos he'd uploaded...... The thought alone was horrifying.
"Let's head straight to Darbis then."
"James, what's the rush? We need to rest now."
It wasn't an exaggeration to say they hadn't gotten proper rest while subjugating the Ultimate Knight.
Clearing every path in Leas had been no easy feat.
Now that they qualified for Darbis, it was time to recuperate body and mind.
But James's face was full of anxiety.
"It took too long to subjugate."
"Because of HoneyTube?"
"......"
HoneyTube.
They'd already moved on to Darbis.
Meaning they were growing stronger there.
He wanted to catch up, even a little.
'I want to get closer to him, even a bit. That's the only way he'll acknowledge me.'
He'd felt it against Giant God Soldier Urs.
The gap between him and that Korean who soloed Urs was like heaven and earth.
So he wanted to grow faster and earn his recognition.
But James Marcus's companions couldn't understand his feelings.
"James, if you keep this up, I'm going solo."
Fed up, Sophia mentioned leaving the party.
She'd knelt before Giant God Soldier Urs.
Faced with her limits, she'd reluctantly joined James Marcus.
But if he failed as leader, there was no reason to stay.
"......James, act like this and everyone here will leave you."
Even Amelie Reina agreed with Sophia this time.
Without proper rest, subjugating the Ultimate Knight had been a real struggle.
If they hadn't memorized dozens, hundreds of strategies, they'd all be wiped out.
"What are you saying......?"
James muttered in shock.
"James, they're right. Look at our states."
When even Louis Verdant chimed in, James finally looked at his companions.
None of them were in normal condition.
The result of struggling against the Ultimate Knight.
'What have I been doing......'
James felt his heart sink.
Too anxious to even check on them.
How could he lead like this?
'You idiot......'
James hurriedly bowed to his companions in apology.
"Sorry! My bad...... I won't let it happen again."
At his sincere apology, Sophia and Amelie's expressions softened.
"Last chance."
"Rest up properly before Darbis, okay?"
James nodded.
"Yeah."
With their permission, Jeong Hoon hurried to the Alchemist's District in Merhen Kingdom.
Just like his last visit, he used the green portal to reach the Alchemist's District.
Crossing through, the familiar space welcomed him.
"Been a while here too."
His first time in the Alchemist's District, it had been so destroyed not a trace remained.
Unbelievable anyone could live there.
But now, in recovery, the district had regained some vitality.
Jeong Hoon indulged in nostalgia briefly, then headed straight for Raigliner's place.
"Huh?"
"Benefactor?!"
Alchemists recognized him and waved happily.
Jeong Hoon waved back as he quickened his pace.
Knock. Knock.
He knocked, and soon the door opened with Raigliner peeking out.
"Who...... Huh?!"
Raigliner's eyes widened mid-greeting.
"Long time no see. Doing well?"
"Yes! You too, benefactor?"
"Yeah. All good."
"Glad to hear it! What brings you here?"
"Remember stabilizing the inscription stone last time?"
"Of course! That touch...... I can't forget it."
Jeong Hoon smiled and nodded.
"Good. Can you do it again?"
"Pardon? For what......?"
"The inscription stone. Same as before, stabilize it please."
With that, Jeong Hoon pulled three Celestial Inscription Stones from his inventory.
"Hm? Looks a bit different from last time?"
The previous Celestial Inscription Stone had gleamed brilliantly.
But these emitted a dark, murky light.
It had to.
These weren't ordinary Celestial Inscription Stonesthey were Shadow Celestial Inscription Stones.
"Can you do it?"
"Hm...... Can't say no, can I?"
Raigliner honestly lacked confidence.
He didn't even know how he'd succeeded last time, and this was different.
No way to guarantee 100 success.
"You can absolutely do it. You did it before."
"Ah, got it. If you trust me that much, I'll give it a shot!"
Raigliner nodded vigorously.
How could he refuse such faith?
"Can I wait inside then?"
Like before, just infuse mana into the inscription stone.
Once he got the feel, it'd be quick.
As Jeong Hoon entered, tension flickered across Raigliner's face.
If he'd come back later, he could've tried various methods.
But with him watching, it felt like he had to finish fast.
"Uh, might take a bit. That okay?"
"Yeah. Feels like it'll be quick."
"Quick......"
"You can do it."
"......Haha, with that faith, I'll make it quick!"
Raigliner boldly took the inscription stone.
And as Jeong Hoon predicted, he emerged soon after.
"Success?"
"Yes!"
His proud expression said it all.
"Truly grateful. How much for the fee?"
"Hey now! Fee? Saving us paid that for life!"
Raigliner had no intention of taking payment.
Without Jeong Hoon, the Alchemist's District would've collapsed, and they wouldn't be breathing.
How could he take money for a life debt?
His firm look said he'd refuse even if forced.
Jeong Hoon reluctantly took the inscription stones.
"......Got it. Thanks then."
"Yes! Anytime you need anything, come by! Best results as thanks. Haha!"
He'd successfully stabilized these inscription stones too.
Now he felt ready for any commission.
"Yeah. Could you extract reinforcement stones too, by chance?"
"Reinforcement stones?"
"Yes."
Jeong Hoon pulled out one piece of gear from the armory and handed it over.
"This isn't broken gear...... Huh! It's reinforced?!"
Raigliner specialized in reinforcements.
"Yes. Reinforced gear. Extracting recovers half the reinforcement stones, right?"
"Ah, yes. So extract this one?"
"Not yet."
Jeong Hoon dumped all the gear from the armory.
Raigliner's jaw dropped at the endless stream.
"Wh-what's with all this?"
"A lot, huh?"
"Not just a lot......"
"Please extract all of these."
Extracting one piece took considerable time.
How long for all these?
His chest already tightened.
But he couldn't refuse his benefactor.
Raigliner nodded heavily.
"Got it. Trust me......"
"Yes."
"Wait here while I do it?"
"No. Inscription stones felt quick, so I waited, but not gear."
He needed to grab the Darbis opportunities he missed instead of waiting.
That's why he entrusted Raigliner, not doing it himself.
He could, but it'd take too long.
Better to leave it to the reinforcement expert and move onfar more efficient.
"Ah, understood."
"Please. And if you succeed, I'll pay the fee."
Inscription stones were quick, so free, but gear extraction deserved payment.
"No need. Free of charge......"
"No. Take it this time. Feels wrong otherwise."
Jeong Hoon liked freebies.
But using him for free over long hours sat wrong no matter what.
At the firm tone, Raigliner finally nodded.
"Hm, got it. Give me two months."
Two whole months.
Not short.
"Yes. Please."
Jeong Hoon nodded and left the Alchemist's District.