HBWnovel Chapter 154
Chapter 154
Chapter 154
Frannan, Chameli, and the other pilgrims worriedly observed the pearl on the magic circle.
As everyone began to worry more, Markon, the holy relic keeper, began to bite his nails.
“This is making me... way too nervous...”
“Stop saying things like that.”
“Are you sure the demonic spirit didn’t just consume him?”
"I wouldn't have even started this if that's what I expected. And I wouldn't have said he could control it if I didn't believe in it."
“Urgh...”
"I understand your worries, but your silence right now is more helpful."
“Okay—”
It was then...
Glow... Glooow...
The pure white pearl began shining in a myriad of colors.
“H-Huh?”
“...It’s finished.”
Gloooow...
Glooooow...
Then, Markon pointed at the pearl.
“I-It’s black!”
As Markon pointed out, the pearl slowly became tainted with a black hue and remained unchanged thereafter.
“......”
“Pilgrims, ready our preparatio—”
“Stop! We don’t know yet.”
“But...”
As Markon and Frannan made a fuss, unsure what to do, something slipped out of the pearl.
Fwirl!
“Snowman!”
“What happened?!” yelled Frannan, worriedly.
He seemed much more concerned than he had initially let on.
“......”
Seol began to laugh, not saying a word.
After seeing his laughter, the others in the room relaxed as if all tension had suddenly left their bodies.
Frannan then asked Seol.
“Then why is the pearl...”
“Not reacting?”
And his question was soon answered.
Bzzzt...
Countless messages poured into Seol’s vision.
[A grand experience! You have successfully completed the pearl's test.]
[All stats have increased by 2.]
[Snowman concludes the succession ceremony.]
[The succession ceremony continues.]
......
Crackle...
The black pearl began to change once more.
First, the blackness in the pearl slowly coalesced toward the center, while the white sections filled the rest of the area.
Crackle...
And as it did, the pearl slowly took on a new form.
“...A lamp?”
“It’s a lamp?”
Craaaackle!
The pearl transformed into the same peculiar lamp that Seol had created within the mental world.
Clatter...
As the lamp hovered in place, chains extended outward, gracefully wrapping around Seol's hand.
[The pearl changes form to best suit the successor.]
[Warning! Impurities are detected within the pearl.]
[The pearl absorbs the impurities, turning it into strength.]
[Holy+Abomination: Agony is born!]
[You have earned the Inaugural Achievement 'Mutation'.]
[You have earned the Inaugural Title 'Collector'.]
Seol read over the text multiple times to confirm it.
‘Holy...+Abomination?’
In The World of Eternity, item qualities were typically categorized as Relic, Holy Relic, Abomination, or Treasure, never a combination.
There had never been an instance of an item having multiple qualities.
‘Then... is it a mutation like what the achievement suggests?’
[[Inaugural Title: Collector]
Related Achievement: Mutation (Adventure: N/A)
Bonus Effect: While equipped with one or more Holy+Abomination quality items, resistance to all abnormal status effects is increased by 20%.]
- ...What kind of fucking title is this?
- Are titles not allowed to affect stats like that?
- Nah, it’s because if Snowman wants to raise his abnormal status resistance, he’s ‘forced’ to equip that item. It’s because there’s a condition to it.
- Ah, I see. Yeah, forcing you to equip an item is a bit annoying.
Though Seol had used items with higher qualities before, it was his first time equipping an item as unique as this. It possessed a quality that had never even been mentioned in the strategy guides.
‘Is it because of Agony? Then what about the effects...’
[[Holy+Abomination: Agony]
Quality: Holy+Abomination
Recommended Level: 30-40
Damage: 100
Durability: 300/300
Weight: 1.0kg
- Putting ‘kekeke’ at the end doesn’t make you a villain ????
Frannan laughed before whispering to Seol.
"It seems like it was a success. Agony will believe it's the most evil thing in the world for a long, long while."
“Are there any worries about it reverting to its original nature?”
"Not at all. No matter what you do, it won't easily become evil. I made sure of that. The Holy Relic's power is strong too, so do as you please."
“...Thank you.”
Seol blankly looked at the chain connecting him to Agony before pulling it.
Clatter...
As the lantern shook because of it, Agony cried out.
[Hey, you're making it shake! I bumped into the wall because of you! ...Oh? Were you... perhaps up to evil deeds as well? Hahaha... How thrilling. To dare challenge me... I'll make farting noises with my mouth when you're around a bunch of people. They won't say anything, but they'll all think it's you!]
* * *
Translator - goguma
Proofreader - Karane
* * *
They arrived at Frannan’s Timbrian villa.
Though it was a villa, it was large enough to comfortably accommodate twenty or so residents at a time.
Furthermore, it was impeccably maintained. The fact that it remained in such pristine condition despite Frannan's prolonged absence only underscored his immense wealth.
Regardless, Frannan, after concluding his business with Seol, had returned here and was indulging in strong alcohol.
Was it because he was thirsty?
Of course not.
Then was it because he just wanted to drink like usual?
It also wasn’t that.
“Damn it... shit...”
There is always a reason why people seek stronger alcohol.
He was, as ever, an Aspect Magician.
Though he had abandoned the tower's influence for some unknown reason, he was still tethered to it.
Once a member of the magic towers, always a member of the magic towers.
Knock, knock.
“Master, your guest has arrived.”
“Ah, him. Bring him here.”
“Yes, sir.”
Creak...
Seol appeared with Agony, who was floating behind him.
“Welcome. Have a seat.”
“Okay.”
“You’ll be suspicious wherever you go with that thing floating behind you,” laughed Frannan
“...That’s just something I’ll have to deal with.”
Pour...
Frannan filled his empty glass with more alcohol.
“You haven’t forgotten the promise you made for me helping you... right?”
Frannan had used the pearl’s powers to let Seol control Agony.
And in exchange for Frannan’s assistance, Seol had agreed to help Frannan with something.
“Yes, I remember it.”
“Sometimes when you make a trade... there are those moments.”
“What moments are you referring to?”
"When you suddenly profit, like when an item you were supposed to sell shoots up in price overnight."
“...Are you saying that you ended up making an unexpected profit, Frannan?”
Frannan’s face stiffened.
Seol thought hard about what he meant.
‘I agreed to help him, but the value of my help went up? That likely means that...’
“The problem I was supposed to help you with became harder, didn’t it?” asked Seol.
"Exactly. However, I don’t like this either. It becomes much harder for me as well."
“What could have happened...”
“Before I met you, the Libra Tower, the tower that I was affiliated to, sent me a request,” said Frannan.
Frannan took a sip of alcohol before continuing.
"The Tower Master had taken a brief leave, and due to the potential risk of the tower unity of Libra failing in their absence, they requested that I, one of the Aspect Magicians, assume command."
“And you refused them.”
“I refused them, but I changed my mind. After meeting you.”
“Meeting me?”
"Yeah. It would be boring if I went alone, but having a companion changes things. That's why I planned to take you there while also showing you around every once in a while, but..."
Slide.
Frannan placed a letter with a broken seal on the table.
“Read it. It just arrived today.”
Seol opened the letter made of a mysterious material and read through it.
As he neared the end, a worried look filled his face.
“Is this... real?”
“You don’t believe it, huh? I didn’t either... at first.”
Frannan put down his glass.
“The Tower Master is missing. They’ll probably be making a search party.”
“Then that means...”
“I’ll be going, of course, and...”
Frannan laughed. It was a forced laugh. He laughed at himself.
“You’re coming with me. I won’t let you refuse it either.”
Countless messages appeared in Seol’s vision.
[Adventure 'Libra Search Party’ is scheduled.]
[This Adventure is very dangerous.]
[This Adventure is expected to be a long journey.]
[Because this Adventure is a 'Linked Adventure' you cannot choose your next Adventure.]
"I've heard some details about where the Tower Master was headed last, and... I can tell you, this is going to be an absolute pain to go through."