The 31st Piece Turns the Tables
chapter-76

There was no other word to describe the sight of a person enveloped by light at night other than ‘fantastical’.

Specks of brilliant light kept sticking to Seol’s body like fireflies.

[‘Passive: Resonance’ has been inherited.]

[Snowman has inherited ‘Passive: Resonance’.]

[Communication with your allies is now much smoother. You are now able to share your emotions, intent, etc. with your allies without delay. Though it is limited to just your summons and creations when the proficiency is low, with high proficiency, all allies near you in a certain radius will be able to understand your intent.]

[The main contents of ‘Fate: Things Which Must Be Recovered’ have changed.]

It came as he was about to forget it.

Emptiness and sadness.

Inheriting the will of the dead was extremely burdensome to Seol.

Because after all, he didn’t only receive their skills. He also inherited their life, thoughts, values, and regrets.

[Passive: Resonance activates on Karen.]

[Passive: Resonance activates on Jamad.]

“H-Huh?”

“Hm…”

As Seol’s summons were being influenced by Resonance, they received a part of what Seol was feeling.

He was sad and in pain.

After having been hit by such raw emotions, the two could do nothing more than stare at Seol’s back.

Seol was locking his eyes with Koopa.

He could feel Kiri’s regrets that had been weighing down on him ease up.

After all, Koopa, who had been left alone, was Kiri’s regret.

Now that Koopa had grown this much, Kiri’s regret felt just the slightest bit lighter.

“Koopa.”

Coo…

Koopa bent down and allowed Seol to touch his beak.

And then, he grew a bit more.

[Koopa absorbs a portion of the corpse’s powers.]

[Koopa’s fire resistance greatly increases.]

[Koopa grows bigger.]

[Koopa’s body grows flame pockets.]

[Koopa’s feathers now have a sheen.]

[Koopa is now able to burn off his foul smell.]

“...He’s changing.”

“Hah! How spectacular!”

Vultures often ‘shed’ multiple times in their lives. They leave everything negative, everything bad about them behind in the wind to become better.

People who have seen a vulture shed their skin describe the scene as wonderful and entrancing.

Seol and his party were also filled with an indescribable feeling as they watched Koopa grow.

- …That’s so sick.

- Guys… If you’re a falconer, you should raise a vulture…

- This is insane, really…

- Vultures are like wine, the more they age, the better it gets!

Koopa had approached Seol and Seol used this chance to touch Koopa’s feathers.

Pet… Pet…

Koopa had a proud look on his face.

He no longer had the foul smell that was synonymous with vultures.

Koopa had grown so well.

Seol then said something to Koopa in place of the dead Kiri.

“You grew up so well, Koopa. I’m sure Kiri would’ve been happy too.”

Chirp!

Flap…

Koopa flapped his large wings at the sound of Kiri’s name.

Koopa then looked at Seol.

Seol then saw a few options.

[[Koopa, a mature vulture, watches you. You can tell by his eyes that he’s examining your intent. What do you say?]

1. Come with me, Koopa.

2. Could you fight for me now?

3. I hope to see you again.

4. From this point on… I’m your new master.

……]

Seol told Koopa what he wanted to hear most.

“You can fly away if you want, Koopa.”

Chiiirp!

Flap!

Koopa flew up into the blue sky.

Seol watched the massive vulture, engraving this image into his mind, until Koopa inevitably disappeared.

It was likely that Koopa would never return to the Shade Canyon after this.

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

[‘A Charming Individual’ activates. You receive additional favorability.]

[You have acquired ‘Koopa, the Vulture’ as a helper.]

[‘Koopa, the Vulture’ is a Heroic rank.]

[Helpers have a chance of appearing in all Adventures.]

[They will help you differently based on their favorability toward you.]

With a message that showed Koopa had become his helper, Koopa disappeared.

Seol’s heart felt empty, he could feel a gap in his heart that couldn’t be filled.

And this same emptiness was transferred to Karen and Jamad.

“Why are you so down? You’re making me sad too.”

“Cheer up, Snowman.”

Seol smiled and shrugged.

That was the most positive sign he could give out right now.

“Now, why don’t we check out what we earned?”

As Seol tried to change the mood, Karen tried her best to help change it too.

“Something for me! I bet there has to be at least one, right?”

“I mean, you’re going to end up burning them all up unless we treat it, no?”

“Hamun, Human, or whatever his name was, is going to treat it anyway. Right?”

Seol laughed.

He then approached Jamad and put down a crimson treasure chest.

Clutter…

“Once again, it’s that time again.”

Seol opened the red chest.

Creaaaaak…

Light shined out of the chest.

[You open the Red Descendant’s Chest.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have received skill points.]

[Affluent’s Bonus Effect activates.]

[You have received additional skill points.]

[You have acquired Atarak’s Heart.]

[You have acquired Boiling Blood.]

[You have acquired Leech’s Hat.]

[You have acquired Hushed Ember Leggings.]

[You have acquired 23 platinum coins.]

[You have acquired 12 gold coins.]

[You have acquired 1 silver coin.]

[You have acquired 2 large red potions.]

[You have acquired 13 medium blue potions.]

‘Woah, Affluent.’

Affluent, the special title Seol received after gaining more than a million Adventure Points, activated.

Thanks to that, Seol received free bonus skill points.

Free things are never bad, after all.

As Seol thought about how he would invest the skill points, he checked the items.

[[Atarak’s Heart]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: N/A

Weight: 0.1kg

The heart of Atarak, the last descendant of Anachindria, an ancient spider. Though it has stopped beating, the ancient blood remains there faintly.

However, this treasure’s use is very limited.

Bonus Effect: Cannot be determined.]

‘A heart… there really isn’t a good use for this right now.’

In Pandea, parts of dangerous, mystical creatures could be used in a variety of ways, like how a mystical creature’s parts had special effects in murims.

Atarak’s Heart was one of such items but surprisingly, its effects weren’t listed at all.

‘Since there isn’t a need for it right now, I should save this.’

Atarak’s Heart immediately went into his inventory.

- This is a really good item but nothing about it is known.

- What an awful system LOL

- You bastards! Figure it out on your own!

[[Boiling Blood]

Quality: Rare

Recommended Level: 15-20

Weight: 0.1kg

Blood with boiling mana.

It is most effective to drink it as is.

It has the energy of fire within it.

Bonus Effect: Increases the damage of your fire attacks by 5% when consumed.]

“That one's mine.”

Karen quickly swiped the glass vial with blood inside of it.

Seol gave Karen a ridiculous look but she simply smiled and poured the contents into her mouth.

[Karen, the Twin Knight, used Boiling Blood.]

“Urgh…”

Flare…

A fire flashed out for a second from Karen’s mouth.

“Tastes awful!”

- This blood is mine!

- ???: I never used it? Why are you acting like this?!

- We are now in an era where the summoner needs to be cautious of their summons.

- I mean he was going to give it to her regardless but she shouldn't act like this!

- EZPZ LOL

Seol shook his head and checked the next item.

[[Leech’s Hat]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 16-22

Defense: 25

Durability: 81/81

Weight: 0.1kg

A hat with ominous energy.

This hat may be made of an unknown material, but its effects are extremely rare.

Basic Effect: +12 Wisdom, +5 Intelligence

Bonus Effect: 3% life steal on all damage from attacks and skills.]

Seol almost cursed out loud.

“Tsk…”

“Why? Is it bad?”

“No, but it’s not as good as I expected.”

Since summoners didn’t have their health drop often, this effect was practically pointless.

Seol’s health was monstrous for a summoner, but since he didn’t fight on the front line, this effect didn’t suit him.

‘Huh?’

But as he inspected it closer, he saw something in tiny letters.

- (This effect also applies to summons and creations.)

“...Huh?”

Seol rubbed his eyes and took a closer look. It said that the summon also healed from the damage that they dealt.

This effect only applied to Seol when he dealt damage with spells himself like Shadow Hand.

‘I knew it! It wasn’t treasure quality for nothing.’

Normally, a special effect had to be given for a caster-type class to want to wear it. After all, defense wasn’t all too important for their slots.

Also, the effects had to be at least this good for the item to receive a treasure quality.

- Look at that fucking grin LOL

- I’m sure he’s just that happy!

- It’s already two treasures…

- This Adventure was a bit hard though.

- It should be this high, it was a long Adventure.

- Agreed.

“Fuu…”

Seol checked the next reward with a lighter heart.

[[Hushed Ember Leggings]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 18-25

Defense: 80

Durability: 111/111

Weight: 3.5kg

These gaiters are made from a mass of sulfur found rarely in volcanic regions. Due to enduring intense heat, these gaiters also grant immense fire resistance. It also is unaffected by heat due to a special creation process.

Basic Effect: +9 Strength, +10 Dexterity, +10 Constitution

Bonus Effect: +15% Fire Resistance. The wearer is immune to effects that limit mobility. The wearer ignores damage caused from heat.]

Seol looked around him after checking the effects.

Seol was seated down so when he looked up, he immediately saw Karen’s face.

“This. Is. Mine?”

- AHHHHHH! She’s like one of those seagulls from Finding Nemo!

- Stop it! Stop taking everything! You fucking pig!

- Karen - died from happiness LOL

- She’s definitely greedy.

Grab!

Karen grabbed the gaiters in an instant and disappeared into the Shadow Space.

[You have equipped Karen, the Twin Knight, with Hushed Ember Leggings.]

“...Haaah.”

- I never agreed to equip her with it, damn it!

- Why would he go on Adventures now… I just feel shame and pain…

- I mean Karen did kill them all though, LOL

- TRUUUUUUE

Fwirl!

Karen reappeared and showed off her leggings.

“What do you think? I feel like I can just wear this without Hamun treating it.”

“...It looks nice.”

“What do you think, troll?”

“...Why are you asking me?”

Jamad had an awfully sad expression.

- Someone cheer up Jamad LOOL

- What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger!

- I mean winter’s coming soon… isn’t making him walk around without any clothes a bit too mean? LOL

- He’s just involuntarily forced to be naked LMFAO

It was unfortunate that nothing for Jamad dropped, but it was also true that this Adventure was only cleared thanks to Karen’s efforts.

As Karen was annoying Jamad, Seol checked the other things.

After all, equipment wasn’t the only thing he received.

[[Title: Uninvited Guest]

Related Achievement: Why Are You in My Home? (Adventure: Predator Beneath the Canyon)

Bonus Effect: The harmful effects of disadvantageous environments are reduced by 20%.]

[[Title: Bird]

Related Achievement: If I Had Wings Too (Adventure: Predator Beneath the Canyon)

Bonus Effect: Fall damage is reduced by 30%. (This effect can be overlapped.)]

‘Nice.’

The new titles both had intuitive bonus effects.

Uninvited Guest allowed Seol to reduce the heat he felt from volcanic regions and reduce the cold he felt from cold mountains.

Bird allowed Seol to greatly reduce the fall damage he took as well.

They were both amazing.

‘I guess longer Adventures might be worth it from time to time.’

This Adventure was a huge success as he received a lot of treasures and good titles.

Well, it was all good except for the time he spent.

‘I should pray that I finish my next Adventure more quickly.’

Seol started to stand up, preparing himself for the upcoming Adventures.

“I got it, alright? Could you stop bragging now?”

“No, look at this delicate detail. Here, look!”

As Karen was still continuing to brag about her new gaiters, Jamad simply looked at Seol and shook his head.

It was a desperate plea for help.

Seol then ended the Adventure.

Glooooow…

Their bodies were covered in blue particles before disappearing.

And once again, the Long Distance Adventure began.

Seol saw various prompts before him once more.

[[You arrive at a lifeless town. This place is called Twilight Town…]