Chapter 28
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Second Ruin (3)
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But can we just walk into a restricted area like that? Isnt there anyone guarding it?
As we arrived near the Land of Jade Flames, Ha Siyeon asked me.
Hmm. There are guards, but not many. Sneaking in should be possible.
For a restricted area, the Land of Jade Flames was on the safer side.
As long as you didnt trespass into the zone, there was practically no threat.
That was why security was lax.
After all, no one would just walk into a restricted area unless they had a death wish.
...So its really just the two of us going in?
Ha Siyeon asked, staring at the flimsy-looking wire fence. Beyond the fence, the very color of the land was different.
It was crimson. A color reminiscent of magma.
Dont worry too much. Lets go.
We easily climbed over the wire fence. A wave of scorching heat. The very quality of the air entering our lungs was different.
It feels strangely like a sauna.
Let me just check the terrain for a moment.
Okay.
I scanned our surroundings.
The entrance to the ruin was said to be at the peak of a half-collapsed mountain range. I wonder where it is.
Is that it over there?
Found it.
It was, quite literally, a half-collapsed mountain range.
It had crumbled away, leaving the inside clearly visible.
A horrific interior reminiscent of hell itself.
...Dont tell me thats where were going?
Ha Siyeon asked in a trembling voice, her gaze following mine to the mountain range.
Yep. Thats the place.
Can I just go back?
Nope. You cant.
I smiled brightly.
* * *
Meanwhile, in a meeting room inside the Shinhwa Group building.
Shin Jia and Yuhwa were smiling as they faced each other.
No, it would be more accurate to say they were glaring.
Why were you investigating Seoyul behind his back?
Breaking the tense silence, Shin Jia spoke first.
I had some questions.
And you dig into someones past in secret just because you have questions?
Yuhwa was unabashed.
In secret? I boldly declared to Mr. Seoyul, Im going to dig into your past! before I started my investigation.
Shin Jias eyes sharpened.
...You told Seoyul beforehand?
Yes. He told me to keep it moderate, but he never told me not to do it.
Shin Jias eyes narrowed in suspicion. She was wondering what kind of relationship Yuhwa and Kang Seoyul had.
More importantly.
Yuhwa leisurely crossed her legs and changed the subject.
If your curiosity is satisfied, shall we move on to the main topic?
Yuhwa took a document out of her briefcase.
First of all, this agreement will be beneficial to both the Bihon Guild and the Shinhwa Group
Thats enough of that.
Shin Jia cut Yuhwa off with a sharp gaze.
She was truly decisive.
Yuhwas eyes wavered in confusion.
That liar, Kang Seoyul! He said hed put in a good word! Shes about to reject it without even listening again!
She felt a surge of resentment toward Kang Seoyul.
Ms. Shin Jia. Youre being too emotional
Lets sign it. The agreement.
please dont What?
Im saying Ill accept the Bihon Guilds proposal. Its beneficial to the Shinhwa Group as well.
Yuhwas expression went blank.
She looked completely dumbfounded.
This easily?
She wouldnt even pretend to listen all those other times we talked!
And now she accepts without even hearing me out, all because of one text from Kang Seoyul.
Ah, so annoying.
She felt both happy and wronged at the same time.
That concludes our discussion about the agreement, right? Then lets go back to what we were talking about before.
A strange light gleamed in Shin Jias eyes.
It was a gaze that seemed determined to peer into the very depths of Yuhwas soul.
Ms. Yuhwa, what exactly is your relationship with Seoyul?
What kind of relationship did they have for Kang Seoyul to send a text asking her to go easy?
A strange light gleamed in Yuhwas eyes as well.
Aha.
So thats why she was rushing the conversation. There was something else on her mind.
Shin Jias expression was more varied and emotional than usual.
Should I try to probe her a little?
Lets just say were close enough to share each others intimate secrets.
Intimate secrets?
Shin Jias expression grew even colder.
Just as I thought!
Unlike the usually composed Shin Jia, her thoughts were plain to see.
Yuhwa cheered inwardly.
Its a secret youre well aware of, Ms. Shin Jia.
I feel like I can get a meaningful reaction now.
The secret that the hero who resolved the Pialle Allo incident was, in fact, Kang Seoyul.
Shin Jias eyebrow twitched minutely.
But it was only for a fleeting moment, and she quickly returned to her original expression.
Seoyul? Thats impossible.
She had immediately realized that Yuhwas words were an attempt to probe her.
She must have heard about my relationship with Seonjonim and is just taking a wild guess.
Or maybe she found something suspicious while digging into Kang Seoyuls past. In any case, it was most likely a shot in the dark.
Seoyul hes a good archer, but his stats are quite low.
It was a truly perfect performance.
Hmm. Is that so?
Yuhwa replied with a curious expression.
But inwardly, she was celebrating.
Yuhwa hadnt missed Shin Jias subtle change in expression a moment ago.
My guess was right.
She had already been over 90% sure, but that reaction made it 100% certain.
Just as she thought, it was Kang Seoyul who resolved the World Tree terror incident.
Shin Jia knew this, and thats why she was showing Kang Seoyul such favor.
Not only did he save her from a near-death crisis, but he also avenged her.
And the fact that Kang Seoyul dealt with Pialle Allo means.
its highly likely that Pialle Allo wasnt a lone perpetrator, but a villain belonging to the Saviors of Truth.
It was all circumstantial evidence, but everything was fitting together perfectly.
Im sure of it.
Kang Seoyul definitely holds a grudge against the Saviors of Truth.
If so, what on earth happened to make him harbor such a deep grudge against them?
What kind of past does he have that hes concealed it so perfectly?
The most suspicious thing has to be the orphanage where Kang Seoyul lived
The Sunshine Orphanage, now in ruins.
If there was any suspicious part of Kang Seoyuls past, that was it.
Should I dig a little deeper into that?
* * *
The heart of the Land of Jade Flames.
I was looking at the entrance to the Shelter of Flames, a ruin located at the peak of the mountain range.
Are you really planning on going in there?
Ha Siyeons eyes were still filled with anxiety.
I understood.
I have to, right?
To be honest, Im scared to death too.
What is this.
First, I see magma.
And then, I see magma.
Finally, I see magma.
All I can see is magma.
If there was a cauldron in hell, it would probably feel like this.
Is there really a ruin in there?
There should be?
Why are you phrasing it as a question?
As long as the lore hasnt changed, it should definitely be there.
Lets head in for now.
Do you even have a way in?
I do.
Fwoosh
I spread my wings.
Ah.
Ha Siyeon stared at my wings, her eyes wide like a startled rabbits.
Were going to fly.
To enter the ruin, the only ways are to fly or to have absolute resistance to fire.
It might be uncomfortable, but just bear with it for five minutes.
I picked Ha Siyeon up in my arms.
I felt nothing special.
Both Ha Siyeon and I were wearing thick gear, so all I could feel was a hard texture.
Damn, shes heavy though.
Hold on tight. Just in case. If you fall you know whatll happen, right?
Ah, okay!
At my playful threat, Ha Siyeons eyes trembled as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck. With all her strength.
Ghk! Hey! Cant! Breathe! Khak!
Ah, sorry.
Ha Siyeon slowly loosened her grip.
I really thought I was going to die.
Seoyul, youre really weak.
And on top of that, she dissed me.
In truth, it probably wasnt a diss, but admiration for the seal that must be suppressing my power,
but since theres no such seal, it was basically a diss.
So be careful. If youd done that while we were flying, we both wouldve been toast.
Okay. Ill be careful.
Alright, here we go.
I spread my wings wide.
And took off lightly.
My stats are boosted by items, so I can fly for about ten minutes.
That should be more than enough.
Wow. Theyre even prettier up close.
Ha Siyeon exclaimed in admiration, looking behind my back.
Her voice sounded somewhat dazed.
A quick glance showed her eyes shining brilliantly. It seemed she was completely captivated by my wings.
I dont mind you looking, but dont touch them. We could fall if something goes wrong.
Ah, okay. I know.
About five minutes passed like that.
We crossed the magma hell and arrived at the entrance of the ruin.
So it really was a ruin.
A structure that looked like a ruin at first glance and a small door greeted us.
Is it because youre an angel? You even know about hidden ruins like this. Amazing.
Her innocent eyes gazed at me.
By the way, Seoyul, how old are you?
Huh?
Thats sudden.
According to the records, the lifespan of the angel race is several thousand years.
Ah.
I see.
Thinking about it, it was a natural question.
Its a secret.
Aw, dont be stingy. Whats the big deal about telling me your age?
Forget it. Focus. The real part starts now.
Ah, okay.
At my serious words, Ha Siyeons expression also turned serious.
Alright, Im opening it.
I opened the door.
Hnngh!
No, I tried to open it.
Um. Seoyul?
The door wouldnt open.
Was it because my strength was too low? It didnt even show a sign of budging.
What are you doing?
Well, its just, uh.
Heat rushed to my face in embarrassment. But I couldnt get flustered here. My persona is an angel whose power is sealed, after all!
I-Its hard to open with my current strength. Siyeon, could you open it for me?
I put on a brave face.
Ah, okay. I got it.
Ha Siyeon nonchalantly placed a hand on the door.
Creeeak
And opened it with one hand, effortlessly.
There, right?
...Yeah.
Damn these stats!
The thought crossed my mind involuntarily.
And so, the door opened completely.
The moment we saw the scene beyond the door,
Huh?
Hmm?
We were taken aback.
Uh, Seoyul. Theres nothing but more magma?
Youre right?
We opened the door, only to find another magma hell inside.
In other words, we had to fly again.
Was this part described in the novel?
Did they just skip it because it was the same flying scene?
Or is this not the real entrance yet?
Here.
Suddenly, Ha Siyeon spread her arms toward me.
She must have meant for me to pick her up again.
Hmm. Lets rest a bit.
Already?
But unfortunately, I cant fly right now.
I dont have the strength to fly right now.
Im too tired; we might fall midway.
Huh? Does flying take energy too?
Of course. The wings are moved by muscles, after all.
Ah. I asked something really obvious, didnt I.
Ha Siyeon laughed awkwardly.
Um, this is a really random question, but how do you move your wings?
Huh?
Shes curious about the weirdest things.
Well, first, around the shoulder blades
I explained how to control the wings to the best of my ability.
In truth, I just move them by feel, so I was just packaging it in a plausible-sounding explanation.
Ah, so thats how it is. Hmm. If thats the case
But to Ha Siyeon, it didnt seem to be a half-baked theory.
Yeah. I think I can do it.
Do what?
Youll see.
Ha Siyeon smiled triumphantly and began to gather her mana.
Swoosh
A distinct chill spread through the hot air. It felt good.
The shape was like this. And considering the movement
She was muttering something as she concentrated.
Finally, if I shape it like this
Crack-crack-crack-!
Done!
A pair of ice wings had formed on Ha Siyeons back. A detailed sculpture, as if my own wings had been perfectly replicated in ice.
Was it because she had been observing my wings so closely while we were flying?
The level of completion was incredible.
As expected, once its registered as a trait, the precision and completeness are worlds apart.
Ha Siyeon, who had been turning her head to look at the wings, gathered her mana once more.
Okay, next. The movement is like this. And Ill fill in the missing functions with mana
Fwhoooosh!
Ha Siyeons ice wings flapped powerfully.
Whoa!
And in the next moment.
It worked! It worked! Ehehe!
No way.
Ha Siyeon was flying through the air.
She was freely controlling the mana-formed ice wings as if they were her own.
It was truly insane talent.
I mean, even if her close-quarters specialization trait gave her bonuses to power, control, and application,
she created ice wings in one go? And she can even fly with them?
Haha.
Watching her, a hollow laugh escaped my lips before I knew it.
After gliding for about three minutes at a safe altitude and over safe ground, Ha Siyeon slowly landed in front of me.
Okay. Done. At this rate of mana consumption, I think I can fly for about 30 minutes.
Then, she stretched out both hands to me. It was a similar gesture to before, but its meaning was completely different.
Seoyul. Get in my arms.
I was at a loss for words.
Seoyul?
Damn this talented prodigy.