The 31st Piece Turns the Tables
chapter-66

“Currently, there’s nothing that I can do.”

“…Huh?”

“This sword is not ordinary. I’m sure you knew that already, though, yes?”

“I could somewhat tell that.”

It was a sword that Karen, an ancient knight, used.

Even though only its handle and a part of its blade were left by the passage of time, Seol was able to tell that it was powerful when it was first created.

“It was quite painstakingly made. Also, it’s similar to the sword I enhanced before.”

“Are you talking about the Moonlight Sword? But you were able to bring back the Moonlight Sword to its original state…”

“It’s different from then. I don’t have any materials I can reinforce this with, not to mention the fact that since only the sword’s handle is left, the entirety of the sword needs to be reconstructed.”

“Materials, materials…”

Seol thought for a second at Hamun’s words before speaking again.

“Then does that mean you can repair it if I’m somehow able to bring you the proper materials?”

“Well, you’re not wrong. However, if I want to amplify the sword’s power without distorting it, it would require a very intricate process.”

“What kind of…”

“I have no idea what material this sword’s blade is made out of. I have some people looking into it, but no one has found anything out yet.”

“Then how did you repair Breath before?”

“Breath also isn’t the sword’s complete state. This is simply an imitation of it. I assume that the sword’s original power was much stronger than how it is right now.”

“…I see.”

Breath was already a Peerless quality sword.

Seol was also probably the only player with a Peerless quality weapon right now, and he was definitely the only one who gave a Peerless quality weapon to their summon.

‘Breath… is an imitation at best? How powerful was the sword originally then?’

Seol could tell that the sword was originally supposed to be extremely powerful, but the problems that came with it because of its strength only made Seol worry more.

‘I guess the problem is the material then…’

Seol asked Karen a question, “Karen, have you used other swords before other than the Red Lotus Sword?”

“Of course! I often used the training swords when I trained.”

“Really? Then that’s a relie—”

“They all burned down, though.”

“...What?”

“Did you mishear? When I use other swords, the heat liquifies the swords to the point of uselessness. They either warp and break apart, or the blade becomes dull… minor stuff like that?”

“That doesn’t sound minor at all.”

“It’s minor, at least to me. Ah, back when I used to train at the Empire’s capital… They told me that the equipment that the trainees ruined in one year was still less than the equipment I ruined in a month. Funny, right?”

It was funny.

Or at least it would be if it was someone else’s problem.

“Then without the Red Lotus Sword…”

“There’s no real other choice. I’d probably need a new sword each time we fight?”

“I’m going to be homeless at this rate.”

“And that’s my fault?”

“It’s not, but… fine. Hamun, do you know if there’s anything I could do?”

Hamun placed his hand on his chin and thought to himself for a while. And then, he spoke.

“Ores that have heat energy aren’t that common, so…”

“What about a lava ingot? I’m confident I saw a few at the auction house.”

“It wouldn’t suit the sword. The lava ingot’s energy would only weaken the sword.”

“What about a fire spirit stone?”

“It would decrease the durability too much. If what she said is true, the sword would break after only a couple of uses.”

“Urgh…” Seol scowled.

Karen was currently a swordless swordsman.

For a moment, Seol thought about how Karen called herself a knight without a lord to serve. She was exactly like a turkey without stuffing.

“I’m already strong enough without a sword. I understand your worries, Master, but…”

“But it’s not like it can stay that way forever.”

“That’s true too.”

Karen scratched her head. She kept taking glances at Seol, who was worried because of her.

Hamun’s eyes grew wide.

“Master? What kind of relationship do you—”

Flare…

Haze flickered away from Karen’s face to reveal the black energy of a shadow.

“Relationship?”

“Oh my god… I noticed you had a peculiar energy for an elf, but I never would have imagined that you were a shadow. I completely fell for it.”

“Hahaha, thanks for the compliment.”

“Hm… a shadow… shadow, hm… If that’s the case, then there is one method left…”

Seol, hearing the best news he had heard from Hamun in a while, quickly responded.

“Really?”

“Yes, it’s something that’s only possible because it’s a weapon that a shadow will use.”

“Please, continue.”

“Do you… know about the legend of the ‘Burning Spider Queen’?”

“Anachindria.”

“...Correct, so you do know. I’m surprised by your knowledge from time to time, Snowman.”

“It’s simply because it’s a monster from a famous legend. Especially in South Pandea.”

- Huh? He knew it right away?

- What’s an Anachindria?

- The guidebook says that it’s a super big spider?

- I fucking hate spiders… Is it still alive though?

- Nah, it's some ancient monster.

Seol quickly asked Hamun a question first, as if he had realized something.

“Don’t tell me you want me to bring you Anachindria’s blood…”

Since Anachindria’s blood was rumored to have many different, mysterious powers, countless people have tried killing it. However, as expected from an ancient legend, no one has ever even seen the spider.

‘But why did he suddenly mention Anachindria?’

Unless Hamun wanted Seol to aim for it, there was no reason for him to mention it.

“Of course not. It’s been widely known since long ago that Anachindria is dead.”

“That’s a relief.”

“What we need right now is their last descendant’s blood.”

“...What?”

Hamun’s last statement momentarily stunned Seol.

“Anachindria’s descendant? Is that true?”

“To be more precise, I’ve received rumors that her descendant could exist. It has still yet to be confirmed.”

“...So you plan on using the fire spirit stone and spider’s blood together then, right?” Seol’s question showed that he saw right through Hamun’s intent.

Hamun, shocked, asked in response, “How did you know?”

“I’ve heard that there was a method like that.”

“Haha… It’s nice that the conversation can flow so smoothly. You are exactly right. Spirit stones have a characteristic that nullifies their weak durability, one of their biggest downsides, if they absorb a creature’s blood. And spider’s blood is especially known for having good synergy with spirit stones.”

“But if you use them together, there’s the issue of corrupting the user’s mind if they’re a lifeform—Ah! So that’s why you brought this up.”

“Exactly. Shadows aren’t ‘alive’. Even if she uses it, corruption won’t be an issue.”

“But spirit stones are a difficult material to acquire as well.”

“It’s better to work toward something than do nothing, right? I’m sure you’re desperate for a sword she can use, but isn’t finding armor she can wear also an issue?”

Seol looked at Karen.

“Does it burn?”

Karen gave an innocent smile and nodded.

“Armor isn’t as much of an issue, but it still is a problem.”

“Oh my god.”

“So, what do you think? Will you do as I suggest?”

[[Hamun requests that you bring him the blood of a monster rumored to be Anachindria’s last descendant. How do you respond?]

1. This is insane.

2. I don’t plan on wasting time on unconfirmed rumors.

3. Let’s look for another method.

4. Where do I need to go to get that monster’s blood?

……]

Seol let out a sigh and responded.

“Could you please tell me where that monster was spotted last?”

“A wise decision. Even so, it’s likely that the monster is behind people disappearing around that area. So, be careful.”

[Adventure ‘Her Last Descendant’ is scheduled.]

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

After receiving Hamun’s goodbyes, Seol and Karen headed to the main street.

“I had no idea what you guys were talking about… Seriously, I understood nothing.”

“You don’t really need to worry about understanding the specifics of what we talked about. But essentially, we were talking about your equipment.”

“Urm… That’s a bit troublesome…”

“Troublesome?”

Karen responded with an innocent look in her eyes.

“Because I’m not your knight yet?”

- What?

- What? Baby… I thought today was our first day together…

- Did I seriously misunderstand the situation again? What a shit world…

- 😬😬😬

- I even thought of marrying you! I was already looking into the nursing home we’d be going to together…

Seol responded as if it wasn’t that important.

“Phew, I thought it was something serious. I’m just planning equipment in advance because we’ll eventually need it.”

“Already?”

“Only bad things will happen if I do it too slowly, so.”

“So you’re pretty confident that I’ll eventually serve you, huh?”

“Well, isn’t it a reasonable assumption to make since Karuna is with me?”

“…You’re annoying, but you’re not wrong.”

“Take all the time you need to think about it.”

“Yeah…”

Karen quietly trailed behind Seol.

Even though people stared at her as she passed by them on the streets, she only looked at the ground, like she was deep in thought.

“What’s wrong?”

“Anachindria… I just feel like I’ve heard her name before…”

“You know that monster?”

Anachindria was a fire spider that was only passed down through oral legends.

She shoots sulfuric fire out of her mouth and has a habit of storing her victims in cocoons to suck out their bodily fluids while keeping them in her nest.

Not only was she massive, she also had multiple annoying abilities that made her notorious.

‘Also, oral legends normally turn out to be factual in Pandea.’

The fact that it spread through word of mouth meant that there existed someone who personally saw it themselves. And Seol quickly learned that for that reason, most oral legends turn out to be true.

Seol, when he used to play in The World of Eternity in his dreams, enjoyed uncovering oral legends like that. The fact that he investigated them also helped him hold a lead ahead of the others.

“So that Anachindria thing… Does it have twelve legs?”

“Uh… There are rumors about that, yeah. It’s also called the ‘twelve-legged demon’ by some.”

“Then it really is that spider.”

“You know it?”

“I’ve only heard rumors. That monster settled inside a canyon in the Empire’s territory and stopped everyone from coming to the Empire.”

“That sounds like it was a really long time ago. Have you fought her yourself?”

“No, I’ve only heard rumors. I think we successfully chased her away but couldn’t land the finishing blow? It’s been so long that I can’t remember.”

- She’s talking about something so old as if it’s nothing…

- I mean, she is old…

- Karen’s suddenly starting to look old to me now, LMFAO

Seol could really feel how ancient of an era she came from each time they had a conversation.

‘Still, the Shade Canyon, huh… that’s a bit troublesome.’

Shade Canyon.

It was a canyon which even experienced guides and merchants avoided, even if they were pressed for time.

Not only was the canyon massive, the terrain was rough and monsters ceaselessly appeared without warning.

But that wasn’t all. It was also located far away from Nobira so traveling there and back would take at least a month.

‘I also have bad memories about the Shade Canyon too.’

To recall it, Seol tried his hardest to correctly remember it.

But as he was trying to, Karen poked at his sides.

“Aren’t we here?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

“How could you be more out of it than me? Seriously…”

“Were you also busy thinking about something?”

“Duh, of course!”

- Of course?

- Of course?

- Man, it’s a fucking mess now that Karuna’s gone LOOOOOOOL

Currently, Seol had just arrived at the entrance of the manor that Chao rented.

As always, he planned to see if there were any other traces he missed.

“Is there something important here?”

“Information. I’ve come here twice already but I wasn’t able to find any proper information. If I can’t find anything this time either, I’ll probably give up on this.”

“Give up, my ass… So how did you get inside of here before?”

Karen had already climbed over the fence and was standing in front of the door.

It made sense why she was so confused. The front door was practically locked shut and there weren’t any traces of anyone entering or leaving.

“Ah, it’s not there. You have to enter through the window over there.”

“Knights don’t sneak inside like thieves. Cover your ears for a second.”

“What…? What are you…”

BAAAAAM!

Karen kicked down the door, popping it right off the hinges.

But she must have held back a little as well since the door was still intact.

- She’s so manly!

- If there’s no way in, you just gotta make one!

- Info) There was already a path in.

Seol worried for a second, thinking that someone might come here from the sound but what could he do about it? It was already too late.

“Did you also break in like this on your missions?”

“Only at the start.”

“Then why are you doing it again?”

“Because I wanted to really feel like I was having a fresh start. Was it too much?”

“...Let’s just hurry and look inside before someone comes.”

Seol let out a sigh as he headed to Chao’s research room in the manor.

But then…

Grab.

Karen stopped Seol from proceeding further with her arm.

“What’s wrong?”

“Bloodlust. Can you not feel it?”

Awoooooo!

[Wolf’s Warning activates.]

[The wearer is currently in a dangerous situation.]

Suddenly, Seol’s ring activated.

“Step back, Master.”

Seol tried hard to understand the sudden situation.

‘What? Bloodlust?’

But then, a voice, something Seol never expected to hear inside the manor, could be heard.

“Are you not a hunter?”

Karen looked at Seol.

She looked at Seol as if she was asking him if he knew who the voice belonged to.

It seemed like Seol quickly realized something as he asked a question back into the darkness.

“Chao! Is that you?”

And then, he heard a response.