Chapter 95
Chapter 95
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: A Bold Proposition
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As Mad Castle’s fame grew, the fact that the four members’ faces were now widely known was not entirely a good thing.
“I had a hard time getting this. My apologies for the delay.”
Han Young-im placed a small box before the four combat members.
“It’s the Ring of the Doppelganger.”
It was an A-grade item, famous not for its performance but for its unique ability.
A wealthy European collector had acquired it, but Han Young-im had personally visited them to purchase it.
“A transformation item!”
Wang-sik also knew what this item was for.
“Your faces have become too well-known, and I was worried your activities in Azelan might become dangerous.”
“Looks like we’ll have to live with new identities again.”
In Azelan, he had been living as the hunter, Chic.
He hadn't used a disguise back then, so a few people already knew his face.
While the black market offered information protection, the Thieves' Guild was a concern.
‘Sooner or later, information from Earth will be shared here too.’
When that happened, it would only be a matter of time before Wang-sik’s true identity was revealed. That was why he needed a disguise, and the Ring of the Doppelganger was an essential item.
Wang-sik immediately put on the ring and tried to change his appearance. But no matter how long he waited, nothing happened.
“Is this not how you do it?”
He even tried contorting his face into a bizarre expression and straining, but the result was the same.
“You can’t just transform at will.”
At Han Young-im's words, Wang-sik examined the item's options.
—Can transform into the likeness of one whose life you have taken.
It meant he could change into the form of someone he had personally killed.
“Well, that’s just like a doppelganger.”
It was a rather gruesome method, which was why the Ring of the Doppelganger had remained a mere collector's item until now.
“I’ll figure out how to use this. Thank you.”
“Not at all. It’s my job.”
As they spoke, Gong Yeong-ji cautiously began to speak.
“About the item you gave me before… is it really okay for me to keep it? It’s just so good…”
“Of course it’s yours. And because it’s good, it’s good for us too.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s not easy to find a custom-fit item of that caliber.”
“I have to admit, I was very surprised. My healing feels three times faster than usual.”
Saying it felt three times faster was no exaggeration.
Not only she, but also those she healed, could clearly feel the difference.
Just that morning, Sa Seon-yeong, who had received her healing skill, said she felt so light it was as if her body was floating.
—Sacred Band of the White Cloud
Divine Power Amplification: 300%
Divine Power Sustain: +200%
Healing Efficiency: +100%
Healing Speed: +100%
—Special Skills
Cure Poison (8th Circle)
Fast Heal (5th Circle)
It wasn't called a Mythic-grade item for nothing.
Other healers would foam at the mouth and lunge for it if they saw it.
The lack of a defensive skill was a slight drawback, but the amplification of necessary abilities and the level of its special skills were superb.
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about this as well.”
Han Young-im had handled most tasks brilliantly, but she hadn’t found a solution for one crucial issue.
“It’s not easy to acquire custom-fit items.”
It was a problem everyone was aware of.
“I’m scheduled to meet with Min-jae about it. He said he might have found a solution. To be honest, I’m quite looking forward to it.”
Not long after, Oh Min-jae entered the conference room.
Taking a seat with Aisi, Oh Min-jae looked at Min Ha-na before starting the discussion.
“Sis, teach me how to curse.”
“What?”
“I needed to curse someone out this morning, but I couldn't do it properly. I don't think I have a talent for it.”
Looking at Oh Min-jae's innocent expression, Min Ha-na found it impossible to refuse.
“What happened?”
“I found the guys messing with our company’s distribution network, and they were acting so shameless.”
“So, what did you say to them?”
“I told them I would make them regret it.”
“That’s weak.”
“Right? I regretted it on my way back. The anger was just stuck here in my chest.”
“Yeah, I bet. You have to let it all out to feel better.”
Min Ha-na gave a short lecture on the virtues of cursing, then looked at Wang-sik.
“Min-jae really needs this. Teach him properly.”
Even Han Young-im wore a subtle look of anticipation.
Having received their approval, Min Ha-na pushed Oh Min-jae a step back. Then, with a contemptuous expression, she spoke.
“It tastes good now while you're stuffing your face, right? That's poison, you son of a bitch. Soon you'll have shit leaking out your ass, and I'll let you flounder in that cesspool.”
“Whoa!”
Oh Min-jae rubbed his bare arms as if he had goosebumps, letting out a stream of amazed exclamations.
Wang-sik, who was watching, gave a satisfied thumbs-up. Han Young-im looked a little startled, but she soon recalled the lines and muttered something to herself, as if practicing.
“This is the first time I’ve been praised for cursing.”
“You’re definitely going to make cursing a worldwide trend.”
“Enough. I need to manage my image. Have you forgotten we’re called the hope of all children?”
Once the brief lesson was over, they began to discuss the day’s main topic.
“Getting custom-fit items from the exchange is too difficult. Especially since assassins, fire mages, and healers are among the most popular classes.”
As Oh Min-jae began to speak, all eyes naturally turned to him.
“The reality is that the truly good items get passed on to those who need them at the government or guild level, so we never even get to see them.”
In this respect, Mad Castle didn't wield much power.
The existence of the exchange made it possible to acquire a variety of items, but purchasing specific ones was another matter entirely.
“And here’s the real problem. Let’s say we get lucky and find a custom-fit item. Would we be satisfied with its performance? Wang-sik would need something at least half as good as Peradora to even feel a difference, and the same goes for Ha-na.”
This was true.
The Flame of the Chilling Soul was so outstanding that a mediocre item with lackluster options wouldn't be satisfying.
When the two of them agreed, Oh Min-jae presented the solution he had prepared.
“We need to make the items ourselves.”
“Make them?”
“We design them to be custom-fit from the very beginning. If we gather materials from both Azelan and Earth, it’s not impossible.”
“But recruiting artisans won’t be easy. Famous Crafting Awakened are already under exclusive contracts.”
“Well, those people would probably move if the Guseong Group got involved. But they aren’t the artisans I want.”
Oh Min-jae glanced at Aisi before continuing.
“Dwarves.”
Understanding the implication, Wang-sik reflexively asked.
“You’re saying we should have them made in Azelan?”
“Yes. They can create things far superior to what Earth’s Crafting Awakened can make. In fact, most Mythic-grade items were forged by dwarven hands.”
Oh Min-jae’s explanation didn't stop there.
“And there are the elves. You already know what kind of performance a weapon blessed by the forest can have, right? If we could create a joint masterpiece of the dwarves and elves, it would be one of the finest creations in all of Azelan.”
It sounded like a dream.
It was considered good fortune to receive the cooperation of even one race, let alone a collaboration between two.
In reality, a few of the inhuman races were already undertaking such work, albeit in small numbers, due to pressure from the Empire.
“And on top of that, we have the shamanism of the Beastkin and the Giants.”
As the dreamlike tale continued, Wang-sik began to seriously consider the possibility.
“The inhuman races are currently gathered in the Mierba Mountains to the west, right?”
Pushed back by the Empire's might, they had formed their last line of defense in the Mierba Mountains, where they were resisting as a united front.
Fortunately, a recent tacit agreement with the Empire meant neither side was encroaching on the other's territory.
Aisi, who stood beside Oh Min-jae, was also from the Beastkin tribe of the Mierba Mountains.
“Would they be willing to cooperate with humans?”
Min Ha-na, who had been listening quietly, asked. Surprisingly, even Wang-sik responded positively.
“Considering their grudge against the Empire, it’s not impossible. Their situation isn’t so different from ours.”
It was only natural for them to harbor resentment after losing their homelands and being driven out.
“So you’re saying we share a common enemy?”
“Exactly.”
“But sharing an enemy doesn’t automatically make them allies.”
Their gazes once again turned to Oh Min-jae.
“I’ve been thinking, what if we gave them a great gift?”
“What kind of gift?”
“I think it would be better if Aisi explained this.”
Aisi recounted the conversation she'd had with Oh Min-jae.
“The Mierba Mountains are too harsh for all the races to live in. For the dwarves, there’s a lack of minerals, and for the elves, the land is tainted. The Beastkin are a race that loves to fight, but there are no opponents strong enough to satisfy them. The Jaimon like sunny, rocky mountains, but there are no such places in the Mierba Mountains.”
Just because it was a mountain range didn't mean it provided every kind of environment. It was a harsh land for all four races.
“Can you solve that for them?”
“We provide them with a new place. In other words, we help them relocate to a better environment.”
“How?”
“We just need to open a gate for them.”
That method would certainly allow them to move in an instant, avoiding the Empire's notice.
But the biggest problem remained.
“Is there really a place that would satisfy them? If the Empire finds out they've relocated, they won't just stand by.”
The Empire was currently exploiting their power whenever needed. In essence, they were treating them like a vassal state, and they wouldn't tolerate the disappearance of such a resource.
But as he asked the question, a good location came to mind.
“The Decartes Mountains!”
“Exactly. That’s the place.”
A place beyond the Empire’s reach, equipped with every kind of environment.
The Decartes Mountains.
There would be fierce battles to secure territory, but the inhuman races were not the type to fear such a thing.
“With their strength, they could easily settle in up to a Grade-4 region. Once they establish themselves, they will surely help us. And as that trust deepens, they will become very reliable allies.”
It was certainly a plausible method.
They had already established a base in the Armored Spider's nest, so if they started building their territory around it, it would also have the effect of making the Gate Hub safer.
A grand, united front would be formed in the Decartes Mountains.
“This is tempting.”
“Right?”
“Now there’s just one problem left…”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Aisi.
“Can you persuade them?”
A race that cursed humans.
As things stood, Aisi was the only one who could meet with them.
“I can do it.”
Aisi spoke with more force than usual.
Five minutes later.
As Oh Min-jae and Han Young-im began to coordinate the business aspects, the others tactfully excused themselves.
But unlike usual, Aisi also left the conference room.
“Um…”
Seeing she had something to say, Wang-sik and Min Ha-na stopped walking.
“There’s something I couldn’t tell the Master of the Company.”
“What is it?”
Aisi gathered her courage and spoke.
“An exile cannot re-enter the territory.”
“Meaning you don’t have the right to return?”
“Yes.”
Wang-sik wasn't disappointed and waited for her to continue. It seemed she had more to say.
“There is only one single chance.”
“And what’s that?”
“One who was exiled as part of the chieftain’s family gets a single opportunity to challenge for the position of chieftain.”
The rule of the Beastkin was that the strongest became the chieftain.
Aisi had been cast out because her father, the former chieftain, had lost a battle for leadership.
Because she was driven out without a fight, she had one chance.
“Why didn't you tell Min-jae?”
“To challenge for chieftain, I must complete the Rite of Passage. With my current skills, it’s impossible.”
“Because Min-jae is against the Rite of Passage?”
“Yes. He said absolutely not.”
Who would permit a trial with only a twenty percent survival rate?
“So, what are you thinking?”
“Please protect the Master of the Company until I pass my Rite of Passage.”
“You’re going to leave by lying to him?”
“It’s the only way.”
“I can’t help you with that.”
Wang-sik flatly refused her request.
“Because I’m against it too. You’re part of our team. Do you really think I would agree?”
“That’s…”
“Whatever you decide, that’s your freedom. I can’t force you just because we’re friends. But don’t pretend you’re doing this for a friend while deceiving him.”
Aisi had misunderstood.
She had assumed that the sweet fruit of an alliance with the inhuman races would be enough for Wang-sik to help her.
But Wang-sik was more resolute than ever.
“Should I tell you the best thing you can do?”
Wang-sik spoke in a colder voice than usual.
“Don’t deceive him. Tell him your true feelings.”
“If I tell him my true feelings, do you think I can persuade him?”
“If they are truly sincere, you will. Unadorned sincerity. But right now, your words only sound half-sincere. It’s very clumsy.”
“Clumsy sincerity…”
Wang-sik stepped aside to give Aisi space to think.
Left alone, Aisi replayed Wang-sik’s words over and over in her mind.
“What are my true feelings?”
Being honest with oneself is never an easy thing.
Every intelligent being tries to package themselves in some way.
Wang-sik was telling her not to do that.
Aisi closed her eyes and looked into her own heart.
Unadorned and honest.
And then, her desires became clear.
‘So that’s it.’
She had known all along but had been in denial.
For her own self-satisfaction, she had framed it as being for someone else.
“I have to be honest.”
Aisi steeled her resolve.