Agony winced with a worried expression, but outwardly, nothing seemed to have changed.
‘Let’s see…’
[[Holy+Abomination: Agony]
Quality: Holy+Abomination
Recommended Level: 40-50
Damage: 150-150
Durability: 300/300
Weight: 1.0kg
A miraculous item born from a pearl, an ancient holy relic, has transformed itself to the will of its successor. During the succession process, this peculiar weapon was supported by magic to allow a demonic spirit, a mass of demonic energy, to be implanted, enabling its powers to be effectively utilized without drawbacks.
After growing quite a bit, it had devoured the soul of Phantom, an evil spirit.Basic Effect: All stats +40
Bonus Effect: Tuner (Exceptionality), Diverse (Unique), Blood Connection (Unique), Haunted - Phantom’s Blades (Unique). This item is regarded as both an Abomination and a Holy Relic. You may only equip one Holy+Abomination quality item at a time. Durability gradually recovers as long as the demonic spirit remains alive.]
‘Agony really did eat Phantom’s soul!’
Seol didn‘t know whether to be happy or sad. Currently, he was mostly concerned.
‘Did the effects change too?’
[[Diverse (Unique)]
- If desired by the wielder, the demonic spirit can transform this item into whatever form is most appropriate.]
Diverse’s effect had already changed a long time ago.
This effect had changed from ‘a pair of gauntlets’ to ‘whatever form is most appropriate’ after Agony’s voyage with Santos.
[[Tuner (Exceptionality)]
- Your summons’ stats are increased by 20%, Agony’s damage is doubled while using Exceptional Skill: Night Crow, Shadow Summon’s chance to pass on high-rank skills to summons is increased by 40%, Shadow Space is increased by 900, the level of completion for creations made by you, personally, is increased, the mana efficiency of Night Crow-related skills is increased.]
The part where it said ‘10% chance of completely recovering the mana used from Night Crow: Iron Fist Rule’ had been changed to ‘the mana efficiency of Night Crow-related skills is increased’. While it was a shame to have lost that effect, considering Seol was more likely to enter Night Crow with Karuna for now, the versatility wasn’t a bad alternative at all.
[[Blood Connection (Unique)]
- The demonic spirit can instantly discern the wielder's will. Furthermore, as the wielder grows, so too does the connected demonic spirit, which in turn contributes to the growth of all equipment.]*
*TL/N: The description for Blood Connection has been changed to this.
This effect had remained the same.
So far, all of the changes to the effects were minor.
‘Then that means…’
The biggest change should be Phantom’s Blades. Seol quickly read through the effect’s description.
[[Haunted - Phantom’s Blades(Unique).]
- Each time Agony’s Diverse activates, there is a chance to fire a Phantom’s Blade. Phantom’s Blade is a dark-attribute attack that deals damage proportional to the wielder’s damage and ignores defense. This effect consumes ghost energy when used and cannot be activated unless the wielder has enough ghost energy.]
Though it was difficult to tell whether this effect was useful from the description alone, Seol knew well, having already faced Phantom’s blades.
‘I guess it might be more accurate to say that I got destroyed by them.’
It was obvious that someone who had been a target of the skill would know just how powerful it was.
‘And the defense ignoring effect is always useful.’
The defense-ignoring effects not only allowed you to bypass an opponent's defense but also worked when they changed forms. It was always useful to have an effect or two like this.
“Agony. Do you feel a bit better now?”
[Y-Yeah.]
If Agony said it was fine, it was likely true. In fact, it might even be beneficial.
‘But... Agony’s personality is still the same, even though it ate Phantom?’
Were the energies in the pearl, a holy relic, and Agony, a demonic spirit, enough to completely devour Phantom?
[I’m going to bed now!]
“Yeah, sure.”
[Turn the lights off.]
Agony then slipped under the sheets.
As Seol turned the lights off and tried to ease into bed, someone knocked on his door.
Knock knock…
“Are you sleeping?”
“Lady Seol Hong? What brings you…”
“I received an imperial order.”
“An imperial… order?”
Creak…
As Seol slowly opened the door, he saw a drowsy Seol Hong.
“All of the Dragon’s Flowers are ordered to return to Hong Yeon.”
“So it’s the Dragon Emperor’s call.”
Nod…
“Tomorrow, we will be leaving for Hong Yeon, the capital of Khan,” finished Seol Hong.
* * *
The carriage wheel continued to turn.
Seol, Seol Hong, Cheon Ju, and Chi Woo all rode in the same carriage to Hong Yeon.
“Yaaawn… We’re still so far from Hong Yeon,” said Chi Woo. “Even though I’ve slept a couple of times already, we’re still not there.”
“But… Do you have no companions?” Seol asked Chi Woo, who had practically become their party member.
“Me? Of course not. Why would I want to have more burdens? Let me tell you this again, I, Chi Woo, am—”
“It’s fine.”
“The stronge—Ahem... Regardless, going to the Dragon Palace doesn’t sound fun at all.”
“Why not? Didn’t you grow up there?” asked Seol.
“Is there a rule saying you have to miss your hometown? No, right?”
Seol rubbed his chin, thinking to himself.
‘Do I… miss my hometown?’
Seol quickly made a realization.
Not particularly.
He believed that he shared similar feelings with Chi Woo about their hometowns.
“Ah, now that I think about it… I’ll be able to see him when I go back this time,” remarked Chi Woo.,
“Him?”
“Tae Yul, that arrogant legitimate child. Every time I call him out to fight, he makes excuses, and we’ve never actually fought because of it. But this time…”
“Is Tae Yul strong?”
“I don’t know. But I bet he’s still weaker than me, the great Chi Woo, don’t you think?”
Seol and Seol Hong both gave Chi Woo a pitying look.
“Wh-why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing.”
“Regardless, something must be happening in Hong Yeon if the Dragon Emperor called for all of the Dragon’s Flowers.”
“Why do you think he’s calling for us, though?”
“I’m not sure, but... wouldn’t it be to change something about the Dragon War?”
“Change something…?”
Chi Woo clapped his hands together as if he made a realization.
“Yeah, it’s probably something like that! The circumstances have changed, right? We can’t be leisurely doing something like the Dragon War anymore.”
Chi Woo then shot glances at both Seol and Seol Hong.
“It’s because of you two. Why are you guys pretending like you don’t know?”
“Us two? Ah…”
“Yeah, Phantom’s revival.”
Phantom was one of Hwagmu’s right-hand men.
His return suggested that Hwagmu could return someday soon as well.
“I’m pretty sure they’ll talk about boring things like that… urgh, just thinking about it makes me shudder. Ah, did you also receive the other letters?” Chi Woo asked Seol Hong.
Confused, Seol Hong asked back.
“The other… letters?”
“Ah… So you didn’t.”
Chi Woo continued, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
‘Other letters,’ meaning there was more than just one.
Chi Woo then began explaining about the other letters.
“We have some free time after the official event at Hong Yeon. Because of that, there are apparently some banquets organized by the Dragon’s Flower here and there. Were you... not invited?”
“......”
Chi Woo quickly looked around.
Seol and Cheon Ju watched quietly as a bead of sweat slowly trickled down his neck.
“Uh… So, like… Only the debaucherous and disorderly Dragon’s Flowers enjoy banquets, right?”
“Were you invited, Chi Woo?”
“Me? I…”
As Chi Woo thought about the invitations in his pockets, he looked at Seol.
Seol slowly, and carefully shook his head.
“Who would invite someone like me? Hahaha… I’d probably just cause a mess.”
“Really? I thought you’d be invited for sure, Chi Woo…”
“Really? Why?”
“Because you’re strong. That’s why everyone…”
Seol Hong couldn’t finish with the phrase ‘likes you.’
Instead, Chi Woo completed her thought.
“...is afraid of me.”
“......”
“I’m strong, that’s why I wasn’t invited,” said Chi Woo. “Seol Hong.”
He then looked at Seol Hong.
“It’s the same for you.”
“...Me?”
“Yeah, you weren’t invited because you were too strong. The Dragon’s Flowers are snakes. They’re afraid of people stronger than them.”
Seol Hong knew that Chi Woo was just trying to comfort her. She also knew that Chi Woo lied when he said he wasn’t invited.
“Thank you,” replied Seol Hong.
“Yeah, don’t mind those snakes. Banquets aren’t fun anyway.”
“Still… I wanted to go to one.”
“......”
“I’ve never been to one, you know?” Seol Hong chucked sadly. “I’ve… never been invited.”
“I-I’m sure you’ll go to one later after you get close to another Dragon’s Flower! Ah… I-I feel so sleepy now! Good night!”
Chi Woo then began pretending to snore.
- You can’t just act like you’re sleeping after fucking the mood like this LOL.
- idc REM sleep >>>
* * *
[Your Rest location has changed to Hong Yeon.]
[You have moved to a different location. The Travel Luck Dice is rolling.]
[Travel Luck Dice has rolled a 3.]
[You are decently lucky.]
[The Adventures you undertake near Hong Yeon now will proceed normally.]
[The Adventures you undertake near Hong Yeon now will have normal difficulty.]
[The Adventures you select near Hong Yeon now have a low chance of forcibly changing to a Sudden Adventure.]
[Your luck is decent enough to take on the Adventures nearby.]
“Hey, Kang Seol,” said Chi Woo.
“Yeah?”
“It’s your first time in Hong Yeon, right?”
“It is.”
Chi Woo then flashed a big smile.
“Hong Yeon is filled with many sights and amazing food. If we have time, I can give you a tour.”
“I thought you disliked Hong Yeon?”
“Not Hong Yeon, the Dragon Palace. It’s the Dragon Palace I hate.”
There was no need for them to search for accommodation.
After all, why would a Dragon’s Flower stay elsewhere when the Dragon Palace was already located in Hong Yeon?
“Still, we managed to make it on time.”
“We were almost late.”
“Arriving on the day of the event instead of getting here early is a bit... yeah, right?”
“Yes, we almost could have missed the event as well.”
Whirrrr…
The carriage slowly came to a halt.
“Oh? We arrived,” said Chi Woo, looking out the window. “This is the Dragon Palace. What do you think?”
“......”
“It’s big, huh?”
Seol was overwhelmed by the Dragon Palace's scale. It was practically the size of a college campus—no, almost like a small city.
The dragon statues scattered about almost served to prove that it was the Dragon Palace.
“Incredible.”
“Haah… I knew you’d like it. Let’s go in then.”
As they exited the carriage, Cheon Ju said a word.
“Lady Seol Hong, I shall return to the room first.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Cheon Ju was Seol Hong’s nanny, which meant she was a servant.
Someone of her standing could not enter an event held by the Dragon Emperor; that room was reserved solely for the Dragon’s Flowers.
“Dragon’s Stones must remain here as well.”
“But…”
In the end, Seol wasn’t allowed in either.
Chi Woo and Seol Hong shared a frown upon hearing that.
“I’ll wait here for you,” said Seol.
“...Tch. We’ll be back soon,” replied Chi Woo.
After expressing similar sentiments, Seol Hong and Chi Woo entered the Dragon Palace.
Seol was left on his own.
As he scratched his cheek, wondering where to wait…
Grab.
Someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
Seol allowed it, having sensed no hostility from the touch.
“Hahaha! We meet each other again!”
“...Jang Du.”
“Oh, you remembered my name? What an honor, haha. You seemed like you were going to wait here all day until your Dragon’s Flower returned, am I right?”
“You are.”
“Hahahaha! Then let’s go. The event will last a while, and no Dragon’s Flower is stupid enough to try something in front of the Dragon Emperor.”
Seol smirked before following Jang Du.
Meanwhile, Seol Hong and Chi Woo were shocked by the number of people inside the Dragon Palace.
“It’s almost like… all of the Dragon’s Flowers were invited?”
And then…
“Seol Hong! You made it!”
It was So Ryo.
Seol Hong quickly gave a respectful bow before saying, “Elder Sister So Ryo, thank you for your presents. I have used them well.”
“It’s nothing much. I simply gave them to you because they were too bitter for my tastes… More importantly, who’s next to—”
“What?”
“Ch-Chi Woo…”
So Ryo trembled in fear after seeing Chi Woo.
Chi Woo was notorious among the Dragon’s Flowers for his debauchery. So Ryo’s response made it clear that Chi Woo’s reputation was well-known.
“Yes, we worked together on the last trial.”
“What in the world… with Chi Woo?”
“I received a lot of help,” smiled Seol Hong. “Right, Chi Woo?”
“If that’s what you think, sure. Hey, So Ryo.”
“Hiek…”
“I heard a number of people had become fallen flowers because of the Dragon War…”
“Ah, yes. The people gathered here are simply the Dragon’s Flowers the Dragon Emperor has told to drink and enjoy their stay. The main event is happening elsewhere.”
“Ah, I see. Is it entirely separate, then?”
“Yes,” replied So Ryo. “Roughly 100 Dragon’s Flowers are still left in the Dragon War. However, the Dragon Emperor will only meet with the 50 most notable Dragon’s Flowers who have shown results.”
“And is that the main event?”
“It is.”
“The 50 most notable people… has that already been decided?”
“Yes, but… Seol Hong… Have you not received another letter?”
“A letter…?”
Seol Hong immediately turned to Chi Woo.
Chi Woo simply replied with a blank stare.
“Don’t tell me the other letter you mentioned in the carriage was actually…”
“Yeah, the 50 most notable people received a letter ahead of time. I’ve received one as well,” responded Chi Woo.
So Ryo began patting Seol Hong on the shoulder.
“Don’t be too disappointed, though, Seol Hong. It really was just by a narrow margin.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’ve asked the archivists. You were in the 51st place.”
“R-Really?”
Despite starting in last place, Seol Hong had managed to claw her way up to the middle ranks.
Chi Woo and Seol Hong both smiled upon hearing this.
“Seriously?” asked Chi Woo.
“Why would I lie about something like this?” said So Ryo. “That’s why, Seol Hong… don’t get too down. Just keep doing you. You’ll continue to soar as long as you keep going.”
So Ryo’s words were extremely consoling to Seol Hong. Though she hadn’t reached the top 50, she was right on their tail.
Seol Hong curled up a fist tightly.
Suddenly, someone tapped on her shoulder as they passed by.
“I heard that you were ranked 51st. Oh no… I guess you won’t be able to join the main event then, huh, Seol Hong? I feel so bad for you.”
“......”
“Elder Brother Tae Yul,” said the woman with fierce eyes as she placed her arm on a muscular man. “Let’s go. The main event will be starting soon.”
Tae Yul paused for a second to give Seol Hong a glance.
“E-Elder Brother Tae Yul?”
Seol Hong felt as if she were looking at someone she couldn’t compare to, someone on a completely different level from her.
Step…
Tae Yul then walked past them after swatting away the other woman’s hand.
A few moments later, an archivist’s voice filled the banquet hall.
“The main event will now begin! The 50 selected Dragon’s Flowers may now enter!”
The Dragon’s Flowers began to move in droves as Seol Hong watched them vacantly from behind.
This was her position.
She was not allowed to cross over yet.
She might have been right behind them, but the distance between them was still massive.
“Seol Hong…” murmured So Ryo as she placed her hands on Seol Hong’s shoulders.
Even so, it was difficult for her to feel better during these moments.
“Chi Woo, move to the main dragon hall.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Chi Woo slowly followed behind the other Dragon’s Flowers.
Thuuuuud!
The doors of the main dragon hall closed shut.
Though she had overcome countless trials, nothing had changed.
She had been abandoned in the hall with the other flowers, unable to show off her fragrance.
Step…
Just as Seol Hong was about to go back, she heard a commotion from behind the doors.
Creaaaaaak…
The doors of the main hall opened once more.
“Seol Hong, the Death Flower, move to the main dragon hall.”
“...What?”
“You have been chosen as one of the 50 individuals.”
“B-But…”
“Quickly!”
So Ryo smiled as she gave Seol Hong a gentle push.
“Go now, Seol Hong!”
Seol Hong, though she did not know the reason at first, was allowed into the main hall. However, she soon discovered why.
“...Chi Woo.”
“I quit the Dragon War,” smiled Chi Woo.
“Why…?”
“Because I hadn’t had fun until I met you. Quitting is the right decision.”
Chi Woo exited the main hall without regrets.
“I’ll wait for you outside with Kang Seol. I don’t belong there, Seol Hong, you do.”
“Chi Woo!”
He waved his hand.
“You’re stronger than me,” said Chi Woo.
The archivist hurried Seol Hong.
“Seol Hong, move to—”
Seol Hong bit her lips as she fixed her clothes. And then, she took another step forward.
“I will enter.”
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