Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Plague - 1
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"Huh!"
In the game, the warrior takes on the roles of tank and melee dealer. Their tanking ability is weaker than a knight's, but with various check skills using sword winds, roars like Crying Wave, and defensive skills like Stone Skin, they could become a better tank than a knight depending on control.
Of course, as a veteran who's familiar with this world, I could fully handle the warrior's role.
Even if I couldn't use the ultimate skill.
"Muscle!!"
I fired a sword wind using moonlight to check an ice spirit, then stabbed Moonlight into the ground and struck a pose.
It was Muscle Barrier, tailored to the concept of a warrior who worships muscles.
"Hah! Hup! Haaah!"
An Ice Wolf charging at the skill that creates three barriers with three poses bounced off and fell. The ensuing Ice Elemental's ice bullets shattered the barriers, but failed to break the final one.
"Light shall take root here!!"
While I pulled aggro and took all the enemies' attacks on myself, Veronica's attack pierced the Ice Elemental's body. The moment the Ice Elemental, struck by the spear infused with holy light, shrank back with a grotesque scream.
"Fire Field!!"
Flames poured over the clustered enemies.
Oh, that's an advanced spell. Looks like Lucille has a talent for fire magic.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Was it because Lucille, still at intermediate level, forced an advanced spell? She turned pale and collapsed as the enemies melted away.
She must have used up all her mana. Confirming no more enemies nearby with enemy detection, I said to Veronica.
"Let's rest a bit."
"Already?"
In the game's system, stress builds up the more battles you fight. Mental and stamina management are essential too.
Of course, high-level characters can push through a dungeon on potions without rest.
Veronica and I are used to combat and fine in dungeons, but Lucille lacks experience, so we need to adjust for her.
"Tch."
Thinking she was holding us back, Veronica clicked her tongue briefly. But she didn't argue further, so we rested in place.
"I-I'm fine..."
"No need to push yourself."
We came to this dungeon to build Lucille's skills. Pushing too hard and retiring or causing issues would defeat the purpose.
I placed my hand on the head of the demurely seated Lucille.
"Let me see..."
"What are you doing?"
"Mana Distribution."
The alchemist skill Mana Distribution is the game's only mana recovery skill that lets the caster share their mana with a target.
We could feed her a mana recovery potion made by alchemists, but that increases stress on consumption, so this is better if you're not used to it.
"M-Master...?"
"I'm fine."
Of course, as a sage with overpowered traits, my stats are superior to others, but there's still a limit.
Even so, Lucille seemed quite flustered that I was sharing my mana.
"Just stay still."
With my hand on Lucille's head, I activated the skill. As I stroked her silky soft hair, mana transferred to her, and color returned to her face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"...Nothing."
Veronica narrowed her eyes with a dissatisfied expression.
"You low on mana too?"
Gotta take care of the healer if she's low on mana.
What could be more important in a dungeon?
"M-Master?!"
"Yes?"
"What are you drinking...?"
"Oh. This?"
I showed her the blue-glowing potion from my bag.
"Mana recovery potion."
I uncorked it and poured the blue liquid into my mouth. A horrific taste that could twist your tongue assaulted me, along with the mana recovery effect causing body-wracking pain.
"H-Hyunwoo?!"
"Guhhh..."
But I'm used to this level of pain.
My mental strength and stress tolerance seem to have risen quite a bit. Whatever, it's nothing for me.
"Fuuu... Good."
"N-Not good!!"
"Master! Are you okay?!"
After savoring the mana recovery potion's drawbacks and regaining my senses, as I spoke, the two grabbed me and shouted urgently.
Of course I'm fine.
"Alright. Veronica, you too. Mana Distri—"
"Y-You're okay?!"
It was worse when heading to fight the Demon King.
The penalty from consuming mana recovery potions was bearable.
Compared to failing the objective.
"...How bad... was it, Master...?"
"...I heard it was pretty rough. The journey to defeat the Demon King."
At Veronica's mutter, Lucille stared blankly at me then bowed her head deeply.
"I'm... sorry."
"Yes?"
"It's because I'm lacking... If I'd been better at ice magic... you wouldn't have had to go through this, Master."
"Princess."
At her crestfallen reaction, I smiled.
"Disciples are meant to lean on their master until they grow."
"B-But."
"If you grow properly as a mage, as a princess of a nation, and as my disciple, that would be my greatest joy."
"T-That..."
"That's all I want."
Yeah. That's all I want from Lucille. For her to grow properly and achieve the S-Rank Mentor Achievement.
I held Lucille's hand and spoke earnestly. She stared at me blankly, then nodded slightly.
"I'll do my best."
"Good."
This should accelerate her growth. Confirming Lucille's resolve, I turned to Veronica.
"Hey. Mana..."
"...No need. I'll handle my own mana recovery."
"Don't push yourself, just take it."
I placed my hand on Veronica's head. She raised her hand to swat it away, but I caught it lightly.
"Ah."
Her white hand in mine, her silver thread-like hair stroked by my other. Veronica, face flushed and biting her lip hard as she looked up at me, eventually accepted my mana obediently. After transferring a good amount, I gripped Moonlight.
"You used quite a bit too. Don't hesitate to say if you're low on mana."
"....."
"...."
"Answer me?"
"Got it."
"Yes..."
Good. That should be enough.
Since we're resting, better eat too. I pulled out the sandwiches I made this morning from my bag.
As I handed out the ones from the small basket one by one, they took them without a word and started munching.
"Eat up. I put effort into making them tasty."
Eating delicious food temporarily boosts stats.
Ice Golem isn't that strong, but in this game, one slip-up can wipe the party, so better prepare fully.
"During the hero's journey... Master handled all this alone?"
"Pretty much."
"Must've been tough."
"Haha. Compared to now, yeah."
Now that I've leveled most skills decently, it's easier, but back then it was rough without that.
Thinking about grinding skills and achievements while the hero party progressed the main story nearly made me puke—dizzying even now.
Compared to that, this is cute.
"I see... Even as your disciple, I feel like I still don't know you well, Master."
"Well, I know most things about him."
As Veronica tossed out a remark, Lucille stared at her. But ignoring it, Veronica finished her sandwich, smiled, and lightly grabbed my hand.
"You really went through a lot. Even watching from the side. Talking about the old days brings it back. Like that time we slept together."
"T-Together?!"
"Hehe. When the sage was boosting his holy power... hehehe."
It sounds suggestive due to the phrasing, but it was nothing. Just Veronica sleeping next to me during a holy power boost session in front of a divine statue.
But Lucille, looking a bit upset with puffed cheeks, alternated glances between Veronica and me.
"We did sleep together, but nothing happened. You dozed off beside me, and I meditated the whole time."
"Ugh. Hey! Saying it like that..."
"Haaaaah..."
"Alright. Let's get going."
I flicked Veronica's forehead and stood. Lucille sighed in relief, and Veronica pouted.
"Just the Ice Golem left, so let's take it down quick. The strategy is..."
"You tank, and I keep attacking?"
"Yes. You get it. Let's go."
Taking down the dungeon boss, Ice Golem, wasn't hard.
I managed aggro thoroughly while spamming Warm magic, Veronica handled recovery and the Ice Elementals summoned by the Ice Golem skillfully.
Lucille fought using mana efficiently too, so we downed the Ice Golem easily.
-Rumble!!
The massive ice golem crumbled, revealing a faintly glowing white hexagonal ice atop the debris.
That's the Eternal Ice, the church's quest item.
I put it in the box from the church, then as the clear reward chest appeared, I nudged Lucille.
"Yes?"
"You open it."
"Uh... Can I?"
"That's why we're here."
With my permission, Lucille carefully opened the chest. The white light inside burrowed into her body.
"Only this inside."
It was a small bracelet. Gear that boosts ice magic power.
Not super valuable, so Lucille looked a bit disappointed, but that's not the point.
"Opening the chest is what matters. It increases ice affinity in the process."
"I see..."
"Then let's head out and test your ice magic."
A small door formed at the dungeon's end. Heading through returned us to the entrance, and the adventurers waiting outside shouted as we emerged.
"Hey! Sage!"
What? Not what I expected.
I thought they'd just be lounging, but they held weapons, on guard against someone.
"Those are..."
Beautiful women with long ears.
Like Evangeline, whom I once partied with.
Elves.
The one at the forefront—a beauty with purple eyes, long ears, brown skin, and revealing armor—strode toward me and stared arrogantly.
"Are you the sage?"
"Who are you?"
"Chief of the Light Wing Tribe from the Elf Forest, Lorellia."
Light Wing Tribe?
That's Evangeline's tribe?
"So?"
"Sage. I have a proposal for you."
"Proposal or whatever... Honestly, I don't want to get involved with elves."
Most elves come standard with arrogance and chosen-people syndrome—tiresome to deal with.
See? Despite my reluctance, this exhibitionist dark elf is about to spout off...
"A plague ravages the Elf Forest. Sage who knows all. Surely you know how to resolve it?"
"Of course. Let's go. Let's go."
Didn't expect the plague event to trigger this soon.
It's an achievement, so obviously we'll do it.
Author's Note
Thank you so much for Jinsaego-nim's support~
Hello, it's Malmulmalmul lol
It's hot and humid, everyone stay healthy~
See you tomorrow!