Chapter 69
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Witches' Meeting
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‘Two mid-grade Awakening Stones, ten low-grade ones. A thousand Bloodstones should do it.’
A bit of a shame, but since Ice Queen from 3ch said her trades were backed up, I could probably get more tomorrow.
So, as Quick Fix Doctor suggested, I handed over plenty of Awakening Stones and Bloodstones. Quick Fix Doctor seemed surprised.
You had this many?
I said I'd buy Awakening Stones and Bloodstones with points. I got these today, too.
Buying with points? Modern Item Purchase?
Yes. I think I'll keep getting them from now on.
Once I answered honestly, Quick Fix Doctor seemed pleased and asked for Bloodstones himself.
Perfect. Give me some Bloodstones, too.
Bloodstones?
I'll pay points instead.
Then Quick Fix Doctor sent points via 1:1 trade.
Points: 200,000
‘200,000?’
I'd barely spent 100,000 points today.
How many Bloodstones do you need?
Just as many as you gave the military.
He wanted the same number as what I sent to the military.
But 200,000 points was enough to buy 10,000 Bloodstones.
‘With trades on 3ch in mind, more points are better.’
I handed over 1,000 Bloodstones to Quick Fix Doctor right away.
This used up more than what I'd gathered today, but I could earn more, so no big deal.
Thanks. I'll take responsibility and get the nano suit now.
What's a nano suit?
To explain... nah. Just think of it as high-performance armor.
Quick Fix Doctor didn't want to explain in detail and summed it up briefly.
‘Maybe ask in the 4ch gallery later.’
Anyway, I'm off. Take care of yourself.
Yes. You too, Quick Fix Doctor.
After ending the 1:1 chat with Quick Fix Doctor, I overheard the Hero Party nearby.
"So, you're saying vent your killing intent on the castaway?"
"Yes. He can't freeze up when facing monsters."
"He's a civilian, huh? Guess it's true."
Sirien tilted her head, then turned to me.
"Castaway. You heard?"
"Vent killing intent?"
"Yeah. I've been holding it back until now."
I recalled the carnivorous beastkin I'd met before Sirien.
"You can hide it, then."
"Of course. Weak ones can't control it freely—it leaks out naturally. But I'm different."
Sirien boasted confidently that she could wield killing intent at will.
I hadn't sensed anything from her so far, so it must be impressive.
"Anyway, I agree with the hero. Freezing up against monsters is as good as dead."
"Well... yeah."
"For real. One second you're like 'ah,' and your head's gone."
Sirien said something brutally violent with a cheerful face.
Elisicia watched Sirien for a moment, then turned to me reassuringly.
"No need to worry too much. Everyone here will protect you. But you do need to get used to monsters' presence."
"Yes."
I nodded as if I understood.
Even if I was rear support, freezing up meant I couldn't do that either.
"But will adapting to Sirien's killing intent help with monsters' presence?"
"They're similar, so yes. Especially Sirien's—it's special compared to other beastkin."
As soon as Elisicia finished, Sirien stepped right in front of me.
"Heard that? Let's start."
Sirien said to begin, then cupped my face with both hands.
She leaned in so close our eyes locked, startling me.
"...!?"
The moment I thought her yellow eyes turned beastly, my mind went blank white.
Nothing came to mind; I just stared into Sirien's eyes. Then she released me and stepped back.
"How's that?"
"Ah... uh."
As my senses returned, I realized my whole body had frozen too.
Elisicia noticed and came over, kneading my shoulders and arms firmly.
"You okay?"
"Ah... y-yeah."
As I answered, the tension released, and one knee buckled, hitting the ground.
"Sirien. Wasn't that too strong from the start?"
Rubyel, watching, scolded Sirien.
Sirien replied as if it was nothing.
"20~30%. Other beastkin start at this level too."
After answering Rubyel, Sirien tilted her head at me oddly.
"Still weird. Like you've never fought before."
"Well... I've never fought."
"Really? How?"
As Sirien looked puzzled, Elisicia explained.
"Castaway is from another world."
"Oh~ Humans all look alike, so I didn't notice. What world's that?"
"Similar to 3ch."
I answered and pushed up with my legs to stand.
Even as I rose, Elisicia kept massaging my body.
"3ch? Looked like a war-torn world."
"Just similar."
"Must be peaceful."
If asked if it was truly peaceful, no—but I nodded anyway.
Once my strength returned, I realized anew how strong the Hero Party, especially Sirien, was.
‘Even if I fire Taehwa Nine Forms, would I hold up?’
If she released killing intent like before, my mind and body would freeze.
‘And if my mind freezes, Telekinesis stops too.’
But did I want to get stronger? Not really.
If I truly wanted strength, I'd have acted differently.
‘I'd have picked a different level 20 ability specialization.’
Anyway, once normal, I let out a small sigh.
Elisicia felt I needed to adapt and didn't stop.
"We'll do it again at dinner."
"Dinner too?"
"Dinner's even better."
I got what she meant.
If problems arose like now, I could just lie in bed.
‘Won't mess up the labyrinth descent schedule either.’
But could I adapt?
Sirien's eyes overwhelmed me—no resistance, just blank mind.
I doubted repeating it would help, so I asked Elisicia for tips.
"Any easier way to adapt?"
"Simplest is to ignite your own fighting spirit. Resist with the will to beat Sirien."
"... ."
Ignite what?
‘Fighting spirit? What's that?’
I knew it was the will to fight.
But as I said before, I'd never hit anyone.
‘Just gotta get used to it.’
Vague hope that repeated exposure would work.
After that, we walked far, reaching the 10th floor of the labyrinth, then headed to the 11th.
"Hero. How long to the 11th?"
"1~2 weeks walking. Multiple entrances, but better stick to the known path."
The path the Hero Party always used.
Familiar was best, so no complaints.
‘Conversely, I should adapt to Sirien's killing intent in 1~2 weeks.’
No idea if possible, but I'd try.
"We'll stop here for today."
At evening, we set camp nearby.
Like yesterday, I pulled out tents and showers, then messaged 7ch Yoo Hyun-min for dinner delivery.
【Friend 'WannaRegress☆' has requested a 1:1 trade.】
‘Huh?’
Surprisingly, Yoo Hyun-min messaged first.
‘Must be starving that bad.’
I accepted the trade, and with the window open, he said:
Ah~ today was rough.
"...?"
Rough?
Something happen?
Went on a long expedition. Good results today, though.
Seemed he'd gone far for elixirs.
‘Asked for just one burger at lunch too.’
No injuries?
Me hurt by those scrubs? Ridiculous. Take this.
He uploaded two Raistal hearts—the kind I'd eaten.
Raistal hearts.
Two of 'em. Eat 'em all, and you'll have D-rank hunter physicals.
Then he added over ten elixirs and points.
Points: 281,940
‘280,000?’
How many monsters did you hunt?
Over a thousand? Converting to points was more hassle than hunting.
From morning, hunting Raistal and monsters on the side—over a thousand kills.
‘What should I give?’
Nothing came to mind, so I mentioned androids like before.
Another android?
Androids? Nah, got enough. If you wanna help, send me to another world.
Another world?
5ch is researching dimensional travel. I'll let you know when results come.
5ch? What's that world?
World of only witches. Can't birth new ones, apparently.
Ah, so that's why dimensional travel research. Hope it works out.
Yoo Hyun-min sincerely hoped the research succeeded.
5ch.
Otil learned the elder witches had finally stopped research for a break.
Seizing the chance, Otil sought out elder witch Tainil.
Knock knock—
"Lady Tainil. It's Otil. I have urgent business."
Clank—
As Otil knocked and spoke, the door opened automatically.
Inside, a witch appearing in her 70s as a human sipped tea quietly.
"Sorry to interrupt your rest."
Tainil, elegant even in sipping tea, shook her head slightly.
"It's fine. You look urgent—catch your breath first."
"I'm okay. Could you lend me a Black Knight?"
At "Black Knight," Tainil paused her teacup and set it down.
In a world of only witches, nothing required Black Knights—yet here was a request.
"I need to hear the story."
"Well... ."
Otil explained about 2ch's Castaway and needing a Black Knight to protect him.
Tainil listened calmly, then decided it wasn't for her alone.
"Let's hold a witches' meeting."
Thus, Tainil called a meeting for all witches except apprentices.
Of course, it needed Archwitch Moriana's approval, but she felt sure it'd be granted for this agenda.