Craaaaaash!
Black lightning filled the underground room, striking the metal cells, melting and disintegrating them into shards.
Crackle!
Craaash!
Gyeongtaek's party was fortunate that Seol had warned them earlier. If they had stayed by Seol’s side, they would likely have perished in the storm of shadows.
Tighten…
Seol grimaced as he tightened his grip on Koko’s core.
Even though the storm had been raging for a while, nothing significant had occurred. Seol began to worry that it would just fizzle out like this.
‘The number of shadows is decreasing too…’
Despite the room initially being filled with shadow essence, as it rapidly got absorbed into Koko's core, Seol started to fear that the process would end before Koko could be revived.‘Was it not enough shadows?’
And then…
Crack…
A large crack formed on Koko’s core.
“What…?”
- Finally, a reaction. It's normal, so concentrate.
Seol calmed down and focused on shaping the energy pouring from the core.
Crack…
Baaaaaaam!
‘...The core exploded!’
The black orb was destroyed.
Seol briefly worried if something had gone wrong, but his concerns were for nothing.
Fwiiiiiirl!
The black storm around him began to subside.
Faaaade…
Until it vanished altogether.
However, Seol still couldn't spot Koko anywhere.
Pant pant…
Seol turned around to glance at his shadow, only to find Koko poking his head out from his Shadow Space.
He looked much better, and much happier than before.
[Awakening! You have made a new creation.]
[Your new creation is Koko, the Happy.]
[Your creation has inherited memories from Koko, the Starving.]
[Your creation has inherited some skills from Koko, the Starving.]
[The attribute of the new creation is designated as Sticky Shadows.]
[The type of the new creation is designated as 'medium beast'.]
[New, related skills can be derived from this.]
[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]
[Your creation is now able to use Mark Territory.]
[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]
[Your creation is now able to use Hellfire.]
[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]
[Your creation is now able to use Boss.]
[Awakening! Your creation awakens a new skill.]
[Your creation is now able to use Black Arrow.]
Pant pant…
Koko hopped out of the Shadow Space to nuzzle against Seol’s ankles.
- Wizardry is the best! Wizardry is the future!
- Ur, the best advisor! I will gladly listen to your advice!
- The cutest dog in the world, Koko, has returned! Get ready to go on walks, everybody!
- Ur, the true teacher!
Seol petted Koko’s head as he spoke to himself.
“So he didn’t get all of his skills.”
- Of course not! Did you forget that we weren't turning him into a summon but a creation? There's no way you could fit Koko as a summon with your shoddy Shadow Space. Consider yourself blessed for at least accomplishing this much.
The numerous skills Koko initially had when Seol met him disappeared like smoke in the wind.
‘Still, I should consider myself fortunate for getting a bunch of useful skills…’
Black Arrow was a skill that enabled Koko to ambush someone from the Shadow Space, while Boss increased the stats of all creations, including himself, by 20%.
‘Hellfire is probably the same skill as before, but… what’s Mark Territory?’
As Seol tried to read through its description, Ur intervened.
- It's a shadow wolf’s unique skill. More accurately, it's the unique skill of a tamed shadow wolf.
‘...It continuously increases the Shadow Space?’
- Yeah, while the shadow wolf is in your Shadow Space, it will naturally grow in size. If you give him enough time, he will eventually make it large enough to not make it so cramped in here.
Seol rubbed his chin. He had no idea Koko had such a ridiculous ability.
Munch munch…
Suddenly, Koko shifted his attention elsewhere and started attempting to eat something.
[S-Save me! He’s trying to eat me!]
Only after noticing his empty lantern, did Seol realize it was Agony in Koko's mouth.
[I’m not a snack! You shouldn’t eat me! I’ll get you sick! I’m serious!]
Seol swiftly retrieved Agony from Koko's mouth.
Agony safely returned to its lantern and closed the door tightly behind them.
[Haah... Hrgh... Bwrgh... I smell like spit. This humiliation... I'll pay it back tenfold, you damned mutt! Hey! Could you check if the door is securely closed, yeah?]
Creak…
Seol then double-checked the door, closing it once more.
Regardless, with Koko's successful revival, Seol had accomplished everything he had set out to do on this Adventure.
‘I also resolved Malacus's regret along the way, and I've gained information on the Church of Eternal Life. Plus, I've resolved both the issues with Lian and Koko at once.’
Seol had gained a lot from the brief time he had invested in this Adventure.
While Gyeongtaek mostly just felt sorry for receiving Seol's help, in truth, Seol should have been the one thanking him.
Especially since he helped Seol find Lian.
* * *
A few days later, Gyeongtaek's party began to worry after recalling everything that had taken place in the manor of House Gatiff, a noble family.
“What’s going to happen to us now, hyung? Are people from Nevenia going to arrest us?”
“That won’t happen.”
“But…”
“You’ll see.”
Gyeongtaek's party found it difficult to trust Seol's words, but knowing that Seol was someone who wouldn't lie, they simply waited.
Not long after, everything was resolved, just like Seol had said.
<How extremely troublesome.>
“I apologize.”
<I wasn’t referring to you. What is there for you to be sorry about? They are simply being punished for the crimes that they have committed.>
The young man held the crystal ball while Seol continued to converse with the older man reflected within it.
The man within the crystal ball was Earl Brispin. Before Seol had even set foot in the Gatiff manor, he had quickly informed Earl Brispin of the truth.
Though Seol had only left a letter outlining potential events, in essence, Seol, a transferee, was about to take on House Gatiff.
Brispin responded while running his hand through his beard.
<It seemed to have been unfolding for quite some time. They initially targeted wandering adventurers, but now they've begun targeting transferees. Fortunately, there's ample evidence, so you won't need to concern yourself with any retaliation.>
“Thank you for your generosity.”
<I didn’t really do anything, but… I am concerned about a couple things.>
“What are they?”
Earl Brispin continued.
<First, rumors about House Gatiff’s misdeeds are spreading. Relations between transferees and Pandeans will worsen because of this. Nevenia is already on edge. This will just make things worse.>
“......”
“Second, the Church of Eternal Life.”
Earl Brispin looked directly at Seol before continuing about the Church of Eternal Life.
<They could aim for your life.>
"I think I'm already entangled with them.”
<They are a terrifying group. You can't just think of them as any ordinary religious organization, and... the rumors about their past leader's accomplishments are incredible. I still can't believe all of it myself.>
“I’ll be careful.”
<Yes, please.>
After that, Seras Gatiff was placed on house arrest.
It appeared that the royals of Nevenia were still deliberating over her punishment.
After the situation had been resolved, Gyeongtaek quickly departed. There was nothing more that Seol could do for him now, and Gyeongtaek also had no intention of seeking further assistance.
It would ultimately bring harm if Seol continued to help him.
Gyeongtaek was satisfied with just seeing Seol healthy. They both knew traveling with each other would only bring each other harm.
- Did he… go?
- I think he did…?
- Now!
After Gyeongtaek and his party departed, Seol opened the rewards he had received for this Adventure.
Click…
[You open the Zeri's Valuables.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have received skill points.]
[You have received skill points.]
[Affluent’s Bonus Effect activates.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[Sly Blood-Hue Snake activates.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[Someone Better’s Bonus Effect activates.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[You have received additional skill points.]
[You have acquired Miser's Necklace.]
[You have acquired Coat of Dark Paths.]
[You have acquired Ring of Brilliant Snowy Fields.]
[You have acquired 12 platinum coins.]
[You have acquired 8 large red potions.]
[You have acquired 8 large blue potions.]
……
Seol had received multiple messages about acquiring skill points. Despite typically acquiring only 2 skill points on a Linked Adventure, Seol had somehow earned four times as much.
- Is this what happens… when you know the owner?
- This is like those employees that hook it up…
- I didn’t order this, though…?
The only downside of the rewards were the items. None of them were particularly useful.
Miser’s Necklace had an effect that gave bonus gold at the end of an Adventure while the Ring of Brilliant Snow Fields was only as valuable as the jewel embedded into it.
Seol thought it was a shame that both had terrible effects despite being Treasure-quality items.
‘They’re both exactly like Zeri.’
Since they weren’t the type of items Seol wanted, he planned to sell them on the auction house.
The only useful item among them was the cape.
[[Coat of Dark Paths]
Quality: Treasure
Recommended Level: 28-33
Defense: 45
Durability: 130/130
Weight: 0.1kg
A cape overflowing with ominous energy.
Despite its appearance, it is quite capable at retaining heat.
Basic Effect: +10 All Stats
Bonus Effect: Blend into the surroundings at night. Upon ambushing while blended in, all attacks deal 15% additional damage for 20 seconds.]
It was a cape suitable for assassins or rogues. Since Karen hadn't received a better cape in quite a while, Seol gave it to her for the time being.
‘But there really isn’t anything good in the auction house.’
The equipment that showed up were all items useful for other classes.
As equipment was the one aspect that couldn't be upgraded solely with wealth, transferees ahead of others were at a disadvantage.
And since those trying to catch up could simply purchase the gear from those ahead, bridging the gap was much easier.
‘Still, I should be thankful Ur can’t use equipment.’
Since Ur was a spirit, he didn’t use equipment, which was fortunate for Seol, as it would have been quite the headache to also worry about Ur's gear.
After organizing the items, Seol prepared to leave.
However, one thing was still left on his agenda before leaving Timbrian.
"What brings you here today?" asked a man dressed in a robe as dark as the night.
[[Black Magic is researched here. An instructor, who seems to be a resident of this facility, has asked you why you’re here. How do you respond?]
1. [Required: Skill Points] I wish to learn a new skill.
2. [Required: Skill Points] I wish to enhance a skill.
3. I would like to spar. Are there any suitable training partners?
4. [Required: Awakened] I wish to work as an instructor here.
5. I have business with the individual in charge of this facility.]
“I came here to enhance and learn skills.”
"I see. The Timbrian office requires a small fee to use the individual rooms, would that be alright? If not, you could use the open—"
"I'm fine with the fee."
Seol much preferred to pay a fee than to deal with the extras that came with using the open tree from last time.
- Take my money please!
- Hyung! Hyung! You’re not supposed to do it like that…
- Why is your skill tree red and black?
- Is it ketchup or something? Hyung? Hyung?
- Ahhhh! Fuck these kids.
“Then please come this way…”
Thud…
As the door closed behind him, Seol raised his hand, causing a skill tree to grow on the wall.
Grow grow…
The tree seemed much thicker than before.
Furthermore, the black and red branches were much more balanced.
Fwirl!
Ur summoned himself to inspect Seol’s skill tree.
"Oho... I thought you were quite unique. You've got something quite interesting on your tree, don't you?"
“Get out of the way.”
“Hm… You did quite well, but… you’re still at quite a low level. Very lacking.”
Seol questioned Ur’s words.
“Lacking?”
"And even though you make so many creations... you lack talent in special summons."
“Well, that’s because… I neglected it.”
Seol had focused solely on summoning while ignoring his creations entirely.
‘I also didn’t have enough skill points either.’
Ur then continued.
“What do you think about listening to me this time?”
“To you?”
"Yeah. You've just obtained a powerful creation. Why not use it? If you keep going as is, you'd essentially be burying gold."
“Hm…”
Seol already achieved his summoning goals for his current level. Therefore, since he wasn't in any rush, he became interested in what Ur had to say.
“What skill is it?”
“That’s something I’ll have to find right now.”
“You’ll… find it?”
Ur leaned into the wall.
“Have you forgotten? I am essentially the teacher of all wizards.”
Ur then looked at the skill tree.
“I am wizardry. I am the root of everything.”
[Ur, the Sealed’s Wizardry activates.]
[Ur, the Sealed, deciphers the skill tree.]
[Skill tree deciphering in progress.]
[The skill tree has been successfully deciphered.]
“...What?”
“Now, why don’t I use a bit of my powers?”
Fwiiiiiirl!
Ur was sucked into the skill tree.
- What???
- 911? Yeah, someone just… I mean, a spirit just entered a skill tree!!!
- What did I just see?
Seol was bewildered to see Ur enter the drawing as if it were nothing. And not too long after... he noticed another change.
Hissss…
A snake had appeared and was slithering up the tree.
- What the fuck is that?!!!
- Get it out of there!!!
- That’s insane LMFAOOOO. I’m cryingggggg
- Everyone, show your respects. Ur, the root of all wizardry, has become a snake.
- A pickle?
The snake then spoke to Seol.
"I'm going to tidy up a few of the messy branches. It's just sapping away energy that should be used for new skills, after all."
Thud…
Thud…
Skills that Seol would have never picked up, in the form of fruits, fell to the floor along with the branches.
[Division has fallen from the skill tree.]
[Invoke Panic has fallen from the skill tree.]
……
- Take me, Ur!
- Wizardry is the future! Wizardry is the best!
"Fuu... is it because it's been too long? I'm already tired after just this much. I'll only do this much for now. Next is..."
Ur clicked his tongue after seeing the branches with skills related to creation.
“Tsk tsk… This is why… then… I wonder where that is hiding…?”
The snake disappeared to the back of the tree, a place where even Seol couldn't see.
Rustle…
Rustle…
After searching for a while, Ur returned with a long stalk in his mouth.
At its end was a dark red fruit.
It was a massive fruit, easily the largest among those that Seol could harvest on the skill tree.
“This is…”