Chapter 229

Chapter 229. Tangled and Twisted Fates (6)

“First, you hide. Remember, the top priority is the mage.”

“Yes.”

Kim Yul, who was running alongside me, quickly disappeared into the shadows.

Meanwhile, I deliberately unleashed a more flamboyant burst of flames, drawing the creatures’ attention to myself.

When the destination finally began to appear.

「The Trait Inheritance Candidate has been activated.」

“There is divinity within a 100M radius that can be absorbed.”

This time, the message used the word ‘absorb’ rather than ‘seize.’

‘Is it because I am a candidate to succeed Palao’s divinity?’

Judging by the word choice alone, it implied that divinity from another god would need to be seized, as opposed to merely receiving it.

‘Although faint, I can sense divinity.’

Believing that a fragment of Palao’s divinity was truly here, I pressed on more determinedly with each monster I felled.

As black blood spattered and I arrived at the destination – the pit – I tossed a token towards a cluster of bushes, murmuring.

“Hide far away, I’ll call you when it’s over.”

“Woof!”

Rice Cake, who had been relaying information about the structure and size of the guarding troops while weaving around the barriers, ran off with the token clutched in her mouth.

It’s too early for that fellow to participate in battle.

Thus, it’s better to have her evacuate to a safe distance during combat.

After Rice Cake disappeared, I started surrounding the area with flames.

Kim Yul, hidden in the shadows, sent me a message, sounding like he was grimacing.

However, Kim Yul’s mana was sufficient to endure the firestorm or hellfire.

He had already been adapted through numerous trainings.

As I unleashed enough firepower to turn the vicinity red, a desperate voice reached me.

“I don’t want to die!”

Someone I had seen through Rice Cake’s view, standing next to the person with red hair, was the mage.

He was spewing out black haze, recklessly pushing back the flames.

While crouching on the floor, he fidgeted with something.

‘I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but…’

I couldn’t just leave him be.

Without a second thought, I hurled a spear.

Thunk, thud-thud.

Startled by the spears planting into the ground consecutively, the guy fell backward, landing on his backside.

“Ugh, ah!”

Did his concentration break because of that?

The black haze surrounding the mage evaporated.

“Spare me, please spare me!”

As a result, flames engulfed him.

The mage screamed for mercy, flailing his arms and legs.

In that moment, Kim Yul emerged from the shadows, creeping up from behind the mage.

It was remarkably easy for Kim Yul’s well-honed dagger to sever the mage’s throat.

Subsequently, the barrier encircling the forest wavered significantly.

The barrier’s structure and formation depend on the caster being alive, so the mana supply was cut when the caster fell.

‘It should crumble within a couple of hours.’

As I turned my gaze away from the barrier, Kim Yul muttered.

“Uh… it’s over?”

He seemed taken aback by how easily it all ended.

Though I didn’t show it, I was somewhat in the same boat as Kim Yul.

It ended even easier than when I was confronting the red-haired one.

But it was hard to believe anything else could be up since a mana absorption message appeared.

The increment in chaos level was more substantial than with usual monsters’ mana.

Absorption also signified the demise of the opponent.

Expecting anything more to happen in this situation seemed farfetched.

‘Taeho hyung also managed to slip away smoothly.’

I was sure of it because I received a report through the chat window.

In conclusion, it seemed the urgent matters had settled.

But why did I feel so uneasy?

‘Have I overlooked something?’

With a frown, I advanced toward the black mage’s corpse.

I quickly scanned the surroundings with a detection magic, but nothing particularly caught my attention.

While briefly scanning around due to an unexplained unease, Kim Yul, who was scratching his cheek, suddenly exclaimed.

“Ah, there were piled-up bodies over there, should we search?”

“… Yeah, I’ll go down.”

Though the unease was significant, reclaiming the divinity came first.

That was the reason I came here, so it had to take precedence.

“If communication is lost again, move according to the pre-determined manual.”

“Yes.”

Confirming Kim Yul’s response, I leapt into the pit below.

As my body floated gently, my descent slowed.

Eventually, I found myself unable to descend further, hovering mid-air.

To be precise, it felt like standing on something invisible, like a glass platform in a high-rise building.

Standing there, I fixed my gaze downward, spotting a genuinely tiny, very small golden light.

It was undoubtedly a fragment of Palao’s divinity.

‘It must be what those guys tried to break earlier.’

It most probably served a purpose similar to barriers or wards, hindering outsiders from approaching it.

Without bypassing this, it seemed impossible to retrieve the divine fragment.

But I wasn’t overly worried.

「A hidden mission is discovered.」

「The Trait Inheritance Candidate is detected.」

「The entry conditions are met.」

「Entering the hidden mission.」

Upon confirming the slightly delayed message, I soon plummeted down again.

I pierced through the barrier I had been standing on.

‘Is this why legitimacy is emphasized?’

Those trying to break it earlier were essentially raiders.

Shamelessly attempting to steal Palao’s divinity without her permission or intent.

On the other hand, I was presumably a candidate chosen by Palao for succession.

That adequately justified why I could approach the divinity, and my assumption proved correct.

The Trait Inheritance Candidate’s attribute will continually serve as a free entry pass before Palao’s divinity.

Upon landing on the ground, a small golden glass fragment rested inconspicuously.

The moment I picked it up, a simple system window popped up.

「Do you want to absorb the divinity? (Y/N)」

There was no hesitation regarding Palao’s divinity.

Choosing ‘Yes’, I promptly absorbed the divinity.

Though the count of absorbed divinity displayed in the mission increased to five this time as well, there was no ensuing trial.

‘It’s even smaller than the one absorbed at the altar.’

Do the presence or absence of trials hinge on the size of the divinity?

Repeating the unsolved question over and over, I brushed the area near my heart, where the divinity anchored.

-… Ah?!

It was like hearing someone scream behind me.

Urgently, with a swoosh, I turned my body to ascertain what was behind.

Yet, nothing but earth and stones lay there.

“Again….”

This phenomenon wasn’t my first.

I experienced something similar while absorbing new divinity at Agnotia’s altar.

Since dealing with immediate threats took precedence, I couldn’t spare much focus on it.

During the first trial’s conclusion, too, there was a feeling of seeing or hearing something.

But recalling any of it eluded me.

‘Now isn’t much different.’

Someone definitely spoke; it felt like I heard it, but I couldn’t recall the exact moment.

Letting out a brief sigh, I resolved to exit the pit.

Emerging outside, the barrier was still in the process of crumbling.

Thankfully, time didn’t seem to flow differently as it did during the trials.

“Is it over?”

“For now. The search?”

“Nothing appeared from the mage’s body, but here’s what we found from other bodies.”

Tap-tap, Kim Yul directed my gaze to his feet.

“That insignia looks familiar, doesn’t it?”

He indicated a crest adorned clock and some swords from the pile of bodies, matching that of the Count Protoram.

Crouching to examine them keenly, I wondered if the corpses Kim Yul found really belonged to Reitan’s subordinates.

‘To think such individuals are lying dead here…’

Is there no guarantee that this isn’t fabricated evidence?

What reason would there be to leave the bodies around?

‘Tracking these connections with manpower has limits.’

Given the current suspicious state of affairs, traveling blindly without knowing the extent of involvement seems unwise.

Ultimately, I acknowledged it was time to use one of the opportunities I had been reserving.

“Kim Yul.”

“Yeah?”

“I might need to use your authority.”

At the abrupt mention, Kim Yul’s eyes widened.

And then, a torrent of words escaped his lips, excitedly revealing his anticipation.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say that, neck stretched long! Finally, I get to use authority!!”

I had instructed Yang Taeho and Kim Yul to refrain from using authority.

‘Especially Taeho hyung.’

He belonged to Temoria.

‘The authority of Patience is among the best defenses in Bihar.’

It’s akin to a last lifeline.

‘So conserving it is only prudent.’

Kim Yul’s authority from Finelpenia also holds substantial utility.

An excellent means to unravel notable individuals.

Hence, I often consider employing it for probing figures like Galon, Reitan, or the radical factions in Agnotia.

‘It was largely within self-discoverable bounds.’

The mercenaries gathered through Rodriol provided a robust intelligence network.

Moreover, ample information was obtainable from the Order.

Thus, it remained unreleased until now.

At this juncture, Kim Yul still possessed three usage rights of Finelpenia’s authority.

Back then, depleting the time-engaged resources infiltrated through the trait was actively utilized to enhance proficiency, but authority usage remained untouched.

“After this task, I’m returning home first. I’ve got to capture some candid shots. And right now, I’m in a pink mood, aren’t I? I could snag a life shot! Let me record some videos along the way. Once the game gets known, I might reactivate my social media to post them.”

Kim Yul indeed displayed curiosity towards the authority.

Special power, limited to a few ranked highly in the main scenario.

‘Sufficient to ignite curiosity.’

So while I understood his elation, seeing him so excited was understandable.

But…

Interrupting his rummaging for three pieces of paper from his inventory, I sneakily cast a sideways glance and spoke.

“Not you, me.”

“Huh?”

“… I need to use your authority.”

His lively demeanor abruptly halted, nearly freezing in place.

‘Sorry to douse your excitement.’

Going through him and getting the information relayed to me wouldn’t be as precise as viewing it myself.

By now, even my party members were aware of my capability to wield all seven kinds of authority.

I prompted Kim Yul once more.

“… I gave you a dagger.”

Then asked him to lend his authority, subtly referencing a past favor.

Startled, Kim Yul yelled.

“No, ah, why is this so… ugh, argh! It’s unfair!”

I was aware of behaving unfairly.

The authority Kim Yul held was a result of his own efforts.

Justifying borrowing it for my necessity seemed whimsical at best.

Yet, focusing on efficiency and accuracy left no room for argument.

Unable to voice it, I remained silent as though struck mute.

At that moment, with a snort, Kim Yul extended his hand confidently.

Clenching his teeth, he mumbled while glaring at me.

“Since I’ve got something to gain from it, I’ll endure it this time.”

It seemed to suggest he was tolerating because he had something to gain.

I had contemplated negotiations had he stubbornly refused, but…

Contrary to expectation, Kim Yul handed over the authority quite willingly.

“Just this once! Next time, I’m using it! I’m yielding just because you’re hyung!”

On second thought, it wasn’t an entirely willing gesture.

“Wow, how did I end up with a leader like this?”

He grumbled loudly, as if wanting me to hear.

It seemed he forgot he was the one eager to join my party.

Though a bit exasperating, I appreciated his compliance when needed.

“Where on earth can you find a party member as good as me? Don’t you feel like you should treat me better? Want to pamper me a bit? If so, take good care of me in the future!”

His consistent protesting made him seem to reflect his age perfectly.

Amused, I ruffled Kim Yul’s hair and accepted the access to the authority.

Finelpenia’s authority would now allow me to peruse the remaining ‘records’ on this site.

Just as I was about to rip up the permit.

Crack.

Ahead of me, something shattered near my feet, slightly a step ahead.

Concurrent with revealing mana that had never existed within the exploration magic this far.

‘Messeo…?’

It was unmistakably the mana surging from the place where the mage’s corpse lay—draining through a portal established in the messeo.

Damned system

TL’s Corner:

The sacrifices were complete with the death of the mage.