Chapter 103
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Encounter (1)
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We were flying up, following the long tree Baekho had discovered.
Don't you struggle needlessly, Baek-nyangi. It'll be a huge problem if you fall.
Holding Geumho and Baekho in my arms, I had been flying for a while with my heavenly wings.
The Treasury of Nature's Ascension is an aerial ruin, so you can't even enter without a means of flight like this.
Nyaang.
Nyaaaang~
Perhaps because Geumho was clinging so tightly, Baekho smiled with the happiest face in the world. I had been worried she would throw a tantrum about being in my arms, but it was a needless worry.
After flying for another ten minutes, we finally reached our destination.
Whoa.
What a sight.
I set Geumho and Baekho down on the ground and carefully surveyed our surroundings.
An ethereal landscape that seemed woven from tree branches. I was certain. This was the entrance to the Treasury of Nature's Ascension.
Let's go in.
We made our way into the ruins.
* * *
The ruin conquest went smoothly. So smoothly, in fact, that there was nothing for me to do.
......Aren't you two a little too competent?
At my words, Geumho and Baekho, who had returned to their original sizes, turned their heads toward me in unison.
No, no. You're doing great.
Too great.
It's just that I'm bored.
Purrr.
Geumho grinned, and Baekho scoffed.
You, Baek-nyangi...
Her expression seemed to say, Useless bum.
When Geumho's gaze turned to Baekho, her expression instantly shifted to an innocent smile.
?
Geumho tilted his head and looked back at me, his expression showing he didn't understand the situation.
Whoa, that gives me the chills.
Look at that foxy tiger.
......Maybe the 'ho' in her name doesn't stand for tiger (), but for fox ()?
Forget it. Let's just get moving again.
I waved my hand dismissively.
Geumho and Baekho turned and started moving forward again.
I trudged along behind them.
The monsters that appear in these ruins are Sky Bugs.
They are insect-type monsters that live as parasites on the trees, and they come in various types.
They're slightly smaller than a person, with a combat power equivalent to a C- to D-Rank superhuman, depending on the individual.
They travel in packs of at least five, sometimes dozens, making them quite tricky to deal with.
......Yeah. Not for us.
Yeah. No such problem.
Kuaaaang!
With a single swing of his paw, Geumho would shatter one into pieces, scattering it into the air.
Grrr.
Baekho was something else.
With a grimace, as if she didn't even want to touch them, she'd blast her magic, incinerating three at a time.
The past hour of our assault had been a repetition of this.
By the way, Baek-nyangi, you're pretty good at handling the Vermilion Bird's flames, huh?
At my praise, Baekho puffed up her chest and grinned.
Due to the last incident, Baekho, who now carried the factors of the Four Symbols within her, had also gained the traits of the other three.
Normally, she should have gone berserk long ago, but thanks to the Dragon Clan's trait, the Pact of Protection, she miraculously stabilized.
The Vermilion Bird's flames.
The Azure Dragon's eye of observation.
The Black Tortoise's defense.
These were the traits of the other three entities that I had confirmed in Baekho so far.
She's using the Vermilion Bird's flames right now, and the proof of the Azure Dragon's eye of observation is her heterochromatic eyes.
Finally, the Black Tortoise's defense.
This one really surprised me when I saw it.
I never imagined she would use the Black Tortoise's carapace in such a way.
Grrr!
A Sky Bug, turned into a mess of flesh and blood by Geumho's paw, went flying. Its corpse flew toward Baekho.
At this rate, she would be covered in its dark blue blood. She could have dodged, but Baekho, seemingly too lazy for even that, chose another method.
Ping-!
A black carapace materialized in the path of the flying corpse.
The carapace completely blocked the corpse.
Not a single drop of blood splattered onto Baekho.
Talk about overkill.
Using the Black Tortoise's carapace just to block some blood and flesh.
Anyway, as I just saw, Baekho can form the Black Tortoise's carapace not on her skin, but in mid-air.
Of course, absorbing the factors didn't only come with advantages.
There was a slight problem with Baekho's original speed.
The near-light speed I saw when we first met was no longer visible after the berserk incident.
It was probably the price she paid for stabilizing the factors of the other three entities, weakening her own inherent power.
Well, she had already been weakened quite a bit when we dealt with the berserk factor.
Still, I think she'll regain her original speed over time.
The Pact of Protection is still helping Baekho grow, after all.
If Geumho and Baekho worked together, I wonder if they could take on a superhuman in the top 100 of S-Rank.
Geumho, having finished growing, has also gotten much stronger. If the matchup is right, it seems entirely possible.
Before I knew it, Geumho and Baekho, having dealt with the Sky Bugs, trudged over to me.
Good work.
I lightly patted both of their heads. Even Baekho had come to willingly accept this much.
That's a good thing.
In any case, the ruin conquest was proceeding very smoothly.
* * *
That night.
Having found a spot in the ruins, we set up a simple tent and were resting.
Geumho and Baekho were already asleep.
Curled up together in a single sleeping bag, they were sleeping soundly.
Next to them, I was lost in thought, nibbling on some preserved food.
What on earth could he have said?
I was thinking about the dream I had last weekabout the last conversation Shin hyeong and I had at the bar.
The serious expression on his face as he said he had a favor to ask was still vivid in my mind.
Did I really accept this possession of my own free will?
Let's assume so for now.
What reason could I have had for accepting Shin hyeong's ridiculous proposal?
Did I think possession was such nonsense that I didn't take it seriously?
......No.
Seeing Shin hyeong's desperate expression, I wouldn't have thought so lightly of it.
So, let's rule out that hypothesis.
Then.
Was there an important reason I couldn't refuse?
Perhaps Shin hyeong's request was so earnest that I just couldn't bring myself to say no.
I shook my head.
......I don't know.
I've been agonizing over this whenever I have free time for a week, but I just can't find an answer.
I shouldn't have woken up then...
If I had seen the rest of the dream, I wouldn't be worrying like this.
Sigh.
The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became.
Why on earth did I end up in the world of this novel?
* * *
Meanwhile, at that same time, Yuhwa was on the phone with Meiden.
I'm dying. Seriously. I wish I had just two more hands.
Meiden's lament came through the receiver.
Same here. Maybe it's because the guild is in its expansion phase, but we're so short-staffed.
It was the lament of two businesswomen who lacked time to rest.
How's the new formula you're developing?
Well, I can't give you a definite answer yet. This thing is a real pain.
The development of a new formula that could completely counter the Sealing Formula engraved by those Truth Seekers bastards on the materials used in the construction of the national tournament's main stadium.
It was the task Kang Seoyul had requested of Meiden.
Still, I think I can manage it before the opening. It's not like there's no solution at all.
That's a relief.
Yuhwa let out a sigh of relief.
What about you, Hwa? How's the search for spies within the committee going?
Mm. For now, half are definitely black. The other half are gray.
That's ambiguous.
It is.
The two of them shared a bitter smile.
Be careful not to get caught while you're investigating. It'll be a headache if they notice.
Yes. I know.
Right. I'll leave it to you, since this kind of shady stuff is your specialty.
......Could you call it 'covert investigation' instead? What do you mean, 'shady'?
Right. The high-society female guild master's secret hobby: covert investigation.
......Forget it. I'm not even going to argue.
Heh heh.
Their conversation continued for a long while.
So, is that kid in Gangneung today?
Yes.
Sigh. We're cooped up in our rooms, swamped with paperwork, formulas, and investigations, while the guy himself is out having fun.
Come on. I doubt he's just having fun. He must have something important to do there.
I know that, you punk. There's no way that workaholic kid would go just to play around. I was just saying. I'm just jealous he gets to be outside.
I just want to rest easy for a day.
Ah, right. How's the increased security around you, Hwa?
I've taken care of it. My house, the office... I've even hired personal bodyguards.
That's not enough. I'll send you some equipment, so install it at your office and house.
I think this should be enough...
Listen, you. Our opponents are the Truth Seekers. You never know what those bastards will pull. And they've made you their number one target, but you think 'this should be enough'? 'Should be enough' my ass! You got noodles for brains?
Meiden's words were harsh.
But Yuhwa knew they came from a place of concern, so she couldn't say anything back.
Anyway, just shut up and do as I say. When it comes to safety measures, there's no such thing as 'enough.' Got it?
* * *
The next day.
We woke up at dawn and continued our conquest of the ruins.
The monsters in the central area were a bit stronger, and there were threatening traps scattered about.
But it was all useless.
Being slightly stronger posed no threat to Geumho and Baekho,
and the traps were equally useless against the two of them and their sharp senses.
So~ comfy.
This is a luxury bus ride.
The only things I've done since entering these ruins are petting Geumho and Baekho and preparing their meals.
Oh. And walking around with my hands behind my back.
After six more hours of this, we finally reached the deepest part of the ruins.
Whoa. That looks like it'll burn nicely.
The guardian here is a tree.
A giant, living treean Ent.
It had been parasitized by Sky Bugs, causing it to mutate into a Chimera Ent.
Go, Baek-nyangi! Flamethrower!
Tree + bugs.
Anyone could see this combination is weak to fire.
Baekho grimaced, then, with a look of resignation, spewed flames.
Fwoooosh-!
The flames caught on the Chimera Ent's body. As expected, fire is its weakness.
Next up, Geumho! Quick Attack!
Following my will, Geumho charged toward the Chimera Ent's lower body.
Boom-!
Distracted by the flames burning on its head, the Chimera Ent failed to react to Geumho's attack.
But it quickly recovered.
As its body tilted, the Chimera Ent extended a branch and flung it at Geumho. It was a surprisingly swift attack.
But it was no match for Geumho's physical prowess.
Grrr!
Geumho easily dodged the attack, then drove into the opening and delivered a second body slam.
Alright.
This time, the Chimera Ent's body truly began to topple backward.
Not missing the opportunity, Baekho unleashed another torrent of flames.
Fwoosh-
The flames clinging to the Chimera Ent grew even more intense.
Man, this is a smooth ride.
If I just sit here and twiddle my thumbs, the Chimera Ent will be devoured by the two tigers and utterly destroyed.
Still, for the finishing blow at least...
But my conscience would prick me if I did nothing until the very end.
I changed Cheonbyeon into the form of a bow.
The most powerful attack I could use.
I cast Wind-Flame Spiral Arrow.
Both of you, get back!
I shouted as I drew the bowstring.
Geumho and Baekho simultaneously moved out of the way.
Whoooosh-!
Fwoooosh-!
Wind and flame gathered in one spot and began to spiral.
About three seconds later.
I shot the arrow at the fallen Chimera Ent.
Thwaang-!
That was it.
A huge hole was punched clean through the center of the Chimera Ent.
Along the arrow's trajectory, which pierced all the way to the wall, something like sap scattered.
Whew.
I let out a whistle.
You've got to admit, the power of this skill is something else.
Kuuung-
The struggling movements of the Chimera Ent came to a complete stop.
It was dead.
The end.
It was a rather anticlimactic end.
Well, it wasn't a high-difficulty ruin to begin with.
Just hard to find.
Alright, let's just grab the artifact and head back.
At my words, Geumho and Baekho nodded in unison.
Baekho's nod, in particular, was especially vigorous.
It seemed she wanted to get home quickly.
We passed the Chimera Ent's corpse and entered the innermost chamber, where the artifact was kept.
On an altar inside the room lay a small bracelet.
Distorted Balance.
It's a bracelet that appeared at least dozens of times in the original novel.
An artifact that embodies the rage over nature's collapse, it's a bracelet with quite destructive capabilities.
In the original, it was used by the elven traitor, Leodanis, and was an item practically synonymous with him.
You have no idea how much Leodanis tormented the protagonist with this.
That part of the story was pure agony to read.
Jackpot.
But with this, that traitorous bastard won't be able to run rampant anymore.
I tossed the bracelet into the Artisan's Simple Forge.
Perfect.
I get stronger, my enemies get weaker.
Truly perfect.
Alright, guys. Let's go.
I turned to look at Geumho and Baekho. Something was strange.
What are you two doing?
The two tigers, who had at some point shifted into their cat modes, were staring intently at one of the room's walls.
?
Staring fixedly, as if something was there.