Underground Waterway #1

 

It’s a can of curry.

Still not in shape, though⋯

At least it’s better than a tissue box. It’s sturdier.

It is always beneficial to replace it.

I pulled out a box of tissues from the subspace inside my cloak.

“We will now replace the reliquary.”

“Please be careful, as your body may become somewhat vulnerable during the soul transfer.”

Soon, everything in front of my eyes became dizzy.

The world is turned upside down and spinning around.

Am I looking into a can of curry?

Is the curry can looking at Estelle?

All the senses are mixed up and mixed up⋯

I finally came to my senses.

Estelle’s Reliquary

—Unique items

—Durability: 12/13

—A reliquary containing the soul of Lich Estelle Frostwind. If this reliquary is destroyed, the Lich can no longer be resurrected.

—This is a steel can, once used to store curry powder. It gives off a faint, exotic scent.

It is made of sturdy iron and is shock resistant.

—Additional options: “Save Ability” “Unlock Ability”

“Your soul has been transferred to a higher-level reliquary. The reliquary is imbued with new abilities.”

“—Ability Storage: You can store acquired abilities in a reliquary instead of your body.

Abilities stored in the Holy Reliquary will not be lost due to the penalty of “immortality”.

—Ability Unlock: Call upon the abilities stored in the reliquary to strengthen your body for a short time.

No, this is⋯?

‘Good.’

It’s an unexpected windfall.

If that’s the case, the story changes completely.

The major drawback of the “Immortal” trait is that it hinders growth because you lose abilities every time you are revived.

However, with the new option of the Holy Reliquary, “Ability Storage,” you no longer have to fear losing your abilities.

This means that the foundation for growth has been laid much more stably.

However, from now on, the abilities gained through leveling up will not always be applied to me, but rather I will need to use them as short buffs through “ability unlocking,” so I will need to think more strategically.

‘The power of yoga, after all.’

It was a good reliquary, more than enough to contain my soul.

Of course, it’s still just a can, so it’s still a bit weak, but compared to a tissue box, it’s a huge improvement.

‘If you look carefully, you might find a better reliquary.’

First a box of tissues. Then a can of curry.

What’s next?

I was a little intrigued, and then suddenly it occurred to me that I was like Sora.

A hermit crab that carries a conch shell on its back and uses it as a home.

Wandering the sandy beach in search of a better shell⋯

That’s exactly my situation right now.

Where did you get this from?

***

The next morning.

I woke up early and was taking a walk around the village.

I found a familiar face.

A robust orc shaman reminiscent of an Indian chief.

He has an eagle feather on his head and traditional tattoos all over his body.

“Oh, there it is!”

“Huh? This is my first time seeing you, young lady…? Have we met before? That’s strange. Why don’t I remember…”

I pointed my finger without realizing it and was happy, so the sorcerer tilted his head.

Well, he probably doesn’t know me.

I only know about it unilaterally because I saw it in the game.

This orc is an NPC who will level up your magic stones for a small fee.

“Where did you get all these magic stones?”

When he took out 450 magic stones, the sorcerer’s eyes widened.

I knew people wouldn’t believe me if I said I caught the field boss Golden Horn all by myself, so I made up some excuse.

“Please use them all.”

There is also an option to keep some of the magic stones and exchange them for money.

In the long run, it is more beneficial to invest in improving my specs.

Because money can be earned in many other ways.

The sorcerer closed his eyes and rolled the beast tooth necklace around his neck in his hands.

“Om Bar Saha-”

After a series of strange spells.

The magic stone emitted a dazzling light, then turned into a white smoke and permeated my body.

“I have increased my abilities using magic stones.”

“Would you like to store your powers in a reliquary instead of your body?”

‘of course.’

As previously decided, all abilities obtained through magic stones were to be stored in the reliquary.

As a gamer who values extreme efficiency, I cannot tolerate even the slightest loss of ability points.

“The newly acquired power is stored in the reliquary.”

Estelle Frostwind

Stamina – 4 Horsepower – 14 (+2)

Body Comprehensive – 4

Magic Comprehensive – 4

Summary of Faith—4

Alignment—Neutral

Trait— Immortality

Skills—Cooking, Running

“—Abilities stored in the reliquary:

Stamina—4 Horsepower—12

Body Comprehensive – 3

Magic Comprehensive – 6

Faith Summary— 0 」

Thanks to pouring in 450 magic stones at once, the ability level jumped up all at once.

In terms of physical strength, endurance, agility, patience, and stamina were primarily improved.

Probably because I played a lot of football with Golden Horn.

What’s more noticeable is the magic stat.

‘I’ve never even used magic before, but it’s already rising on its own.’

Is it because he was originally a lich whose magical talents were so great that they seemed to pierce the heavens?

I feel more confident in my choice.

As expected, Estelle is right to ride the magician tech.

In addition, these are skills I have gained through my experience regardless of the magic stone, but low-level life skills such as “Cooking” and “Running” have been added.

I’m satisfied. This is what RPGs taste like.

I am getting stronger and more skilled.

There’s still a long way to go, but…

Don’t be impatient. This is the fastest way to get to your destination.

“Just wait, Michael. I’ll catch up with you in no time.”

While I was internally making a new resolution.

“Oh, why? This can’t be happening⋯.”

The sorcerer looks embarrassed and flustered.

“The ritual was clearly performed properly… but how strange! Why don’t I feel any progress from you? Even though I offered a whopping 450 magic stones…?”

The sorcerer’s pupils shook violently.

Perhaps he doesn’t know that all of my abilities are stored in the reliquary.

“Well, things like this happen sometimes! It happens very rarely, though⋯.”

The sorcerer, who was sweating profusely, returned the money with trembling hands.

“There’s nothing I can do about the magic stones I’ve already used, but… please take this.”

Questionable payback.

The unexpected money came back.

‘If you brush your teeth well, you can see more angles to pull out⋯’

But you shouldn’t be too greedy. Orc shamans aren’t stupid.

If you mess up your relationship with the sorcerers and end up blocking your way to leveling up your magic stone, it could be a big problem.

In the worst case scenario, my true identity as the infamous Lich might be revealed.

“It’s okay. That can happen in life.”

He gave me a compassionate smile as if it was nothing.

In fact, I didn’t lose anything, and rather, I gained something.

The sorcerer was so sorry that he didn’t know what to do.

“You’re generous. I’m truly sorry. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Rustle rustle—

He moved his large hand like a pot lid and put something in my mouth.

A fragrant lemon scent that lingers at the tip of your nose.

It was a lollipop.

“Please keep this a secret from others.”

Look at this guy. He’s openly treating me like a kid.

Do you think I’m really a kid just because I’m short?

But it is a difficult situation to resolve misunderstandings,

Because the candy was sweet in my mouth, I just nodded⋯.

***

After finishing leveling up the magic stone, I returned to the shelter tent.

Flora was still wandering in dreamland.

“Senior, please get up.”

“Okay… Okay… I’ll get up…”

No matter how many times I woke him up, he would just answer and then fall back asleep.

Don’t just kick this thing away.

He kept shaking his shoulders, thinking seriously.

“⋯.”

Flora suddenly raises her upper body.

His hair was all messed up, and he was staring at me with a gloomy look.

⋯Are you awake?

“senior?”

“⋯.”

“What the hell happened? It’s scary. Come to your senses.”

Flora suddenly hugs my face tightly into her arms.

Suddenly I felt out of breath.

Dark, warm, and soft.

“Oh, why is this happening! It’s so frustrating!”

“Woong-”

“Please clean it up-”

“It smells good⋯.”

He sniffs me like a doll for a long time.

It makes me feel at ease or something.

“You have a terrible sleeping habit. I’ll have to be more careful from now on.”

It took a little longer for Flora to come to her senses.

After washing up and having breakfast in the tent.

“We’re going to the underground sewer. Just you and me.”

I explained my plans for the future in a logical manner.

Of course, we did not forget to explain the dangers that await us.

The complex geography of the underground waterways and the monsters that live within.

Flora listened to me with her mouth tightly shut and a serious expression on her face.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about, senior?”

“Oh, yes! Estelle, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“When are we leaving?”

Flora’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“As soon as you’re ready. But, senior, you heard what I said, right? It could be dangerous. No, it will be dangerous. That’s why I’m telling you in advance. I don’t want to force you to take me, so if you don’t want to, tell me now.”

“You don’t feel like it? I want to leave right now. I finally get to go on a real adventure.”

Flora said she left the tower and came out into the world with big dreams.

Experience the vast continent, master the realm of great magic, and help those in need⋯

⋯I tried to do that.

However, she said that contrary to her expectations, she never experienced any adventures in this pioneering land.

At best, he followed other parties and caught a few wild boars.

‘There’s a reason my head is a flower garden.’

I didn’t want to break Flora’s spirit.

Even if Flora doesn’t like it, she’ll find out soon enough.

How dangerous and cruel the world of “Nine Stars” is.

Even after experiencing the true nature of the ‘adventure’ that Flora had been hoping for, will her heart still remain unshaken?

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck.

“Let’s go! Estelle, I’m ready!”

Flora, full of enthusiasm, leads my arm.

Well, if I had to choose, I’d say it’s better to be a positive person than a party member who’s indifferent about everything.

But I’m not ready yet.

It’s a bit strange to go into an underground sewer with just a dagger.

I need to learn magic.