The 31st Piece Turns the Tables
chapter-97

Karen blinked a couple of times after hearing Seol scream.

“Are you… mad at me right now?” asked Karen.

“I’m not. It’s just a bit troublesome to open that here.”

“Oh, really?”

It was because once the rewards chest was opened, a time limit, separate from the Remaining Time, was introduced.

And once either the new time was used or if Seol chose to end the Adventure, they would be transported to their location.

‘But it would be dangerous if we did that.’

It was because Seol’s current rest location was Audenin.

Even though Seol could have selected Kongory as his location when he came north, as he wanted to choose Gulia as his location, he skipped changing his location entirely.

As a result, Seol’s current location was still Audenin, which was far away from here.

‘And if I were to be transported to Audenin, the Expedition System would trigger again.’

Considering how much difficulty Seol faced last time, when he took the Expedition System lightly, it was clear that transporting all the way to Audenin would be like willingly stepping into hell.

After all, Seol still had things to do in Nobira too.

Seol placed his hands on Karen’s shoulders.

“We can confirm it once we arrive in Gulia.”

“Alright.”

Karen groaned, struggling to move the box.

“It’s a bit big, though?”

“Move, elf. I’ll do it.”

Jamad lifted the Sulfur Skull Loot over his shoulder.

“Woah… thanks.”

“Let’s go.”

Since Seol needed to make the most out of his Remaining Time, he quickly went on his way.

They had much to do left.

Seol’s party quickly left the destroyed Fire Altar and returned to where they came from.

Not too long after, they managed to return inside Nevenia’s borders through the tunnel that the Sulfur Skull Tribe made without crossing the border or passing through Gulia.

Rumble…

Mael murmured in an unfamiliar language.

Not too long after…

Ruuuuumble!

Crumble Crumble!

The tunnel completely collapsed, creating dust.

Mael and Seol’s party were uninjured as they already knew what Mael would do to it.

“Is it over with this?”

“Though it’s unclear how they discovered the opening here, it’s clear that the Sulfur Skull Tribe used this gap to penetrate their defenses. But now that this tunnel has completely collapsed, it will take them several months to repair it.”

“And Gulia would be properly prepared for them before that.”

“Since the freed prisoners have given their word to us, I’m sure they'll do it fine on their own.”

Since Seol hadn’t passed through Gulia initially, heading to Gulia directly from Yognatun’s direction could have the guards accuse Seol with the crime of illegally crossing the border.

However, if Seol headed to Gulia from within the border, he didn’t need to worry about anything.

“It seems like my role is finished now.”

“Thank you for everything, Mael.”

“It was thanks to you that I was able to enter the outside world, Snowman. You do not need to thank me. Well then, I should take my leave.”

“Are you going to leave right away?”

“Since the future I worried about was solved splendidly, there is no more reason to remain here.”

“Where are you going to go then?”

“I’m not sure… I might leave Nevenia and head to the west, though. I heard new ruins were recently uncovered there.”

“Ah, you’re the same as always. We’ll be able to see each other again, right?”

“Of course,” responded Mael while smiling.

Mael then continued.

“I shall be there whenever you need help. Hopefully, my shamanic spells and ability to read the stars haven't rusted by then. It may be convenient, but it is wrong at times."

“I’ll see you again, Mael.”

“Yes, I shall see you again, Snowman.”

Mael then lifted his bag, filled with an assortment of herbs and books, before disappearing into the horizon.

Though his appearance may look humble to many, his power was undoubtable.

“We received a lot of help from him. He was pretty good.”

“I have a good eye, after all.”

After Mael disappeared, Seol’s party began going on their way to Gulia.

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

A few days later, at a guardpost in Gulia, located in northern Nevenia…

The relaxed guards shouted at a couple of travelers walking toward their post.

“Halt!”

The guards were curious about the identity of the slightly unique travelers. The first traveler was Seol, and the other was Karen, carrying a huge cloth-covered chest.

“A-An elf?”

The temporary identification card Kibo made for Karen when they were in Nobira was a huge help for them in situations like this.

“No issues here.”

And with Karen cleared, Seol had nothing to worry about.

“Hm, all fine here as well. Since we’ve confirmed your identities, we won’t search that chest you’re carrying.”

“Thank you.”

“But have the rumors spread that far already?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“The rumors about the Sulfur Skull Tribe’s defeat. I bring it up because a lot of travelers arrived to visit the nearby Fortress Gulia a couple of days ago, but even more came yesterday."

It seemed like the survivors arrived safely at Fortress Gulia.

“Ah… yeah, something like that.”

“Rumors spread fast, I guess. Anyway, Patrick seems to be searching for trustworthy Adventurers, so maybe you can look into that.”

Seol smiled back.

“Thank you. Goodbye.”

And like that, Seol arrived at Gulia on time.

The first thing he did was find accommodation to let Karen put down that heavy chest.

Thud.

“Argh, damn, that was heavy,” said Karen, annoyed.

“Hey, you only carried it from Gulia’s entrance to the room. I carried it from Yognatun to Gulia,” said Jamad from the Shadow Space.

“Regardless! It seems like we have fewer people in our party now that Mael’s gone.”

“Are you sad about that?”

Karen then responded while touching her now-red hair.

“There’s nothing to be sad about. It was the obvious conclusion.”

“Still, we would be traveling to Nobira with Hamun, so it won’t be too lonely.”

“That old man’s way too calm to get attached to. And even without him, we already have four people. Right, Karuna?”

“If Karen spoke a bit less, no one would think that we were a party of four.”

“Hahaha… Exactly! That elf talks for four people’s worth.”

“Urgh… I’m not going to talk anymore.”

“You’ve said that five times today already.”

“Don’t count it, you fucking troll!”

Even though only Seol's summons surrounded him, the atmosphere was lively.

In fact, if people heard the sounds coming from this room, they would never have imagined that someone was doing it alone.

“I think… we can open it now.”

“You know, I wanted to open it so badly that I thought I would die.”

“We were fortunate that Karuna was here to stop her. If it wasn’t for him, she would have opened it while you were asleep.”

“Didn’t we agree to not snitch on each other to master?”

“Was there really such a rule? I’ll be careful.”

Seol found it ridiculous that they were establishing rules with each other as if it were a game show.

Regardless, there was a reason that Seol came all the way to Gulia first before opening the Sulfur Skull Loot.

Once Seol opened the Sulfur Skull Loot, the Remaining Time would decrease before transporting Seol to Audenin instead of Gulia.

And as such, he planned on opening the rewards chest after setting Gulia as his destination.

Karen then raised her hand like a child trying to ask the teacher a question.

“Master! Could I… Could I open the chest?!”

“Sure.”

Click…

Gloooow…

Light poured out of the rewards chest.

What was unusual this time was that the chest was significantly larger than any of the chests Seol had opened before.

[You open the Sulfur Skull Chest.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have received skill points.]

[You have received skill points.]

[Affluent’s Bonus Effect activates.]

[You have received additional skill points.]

[You have received additional skill points.]

[You have acquired Gaiters of Swift Recovery.]

[You have acquired Ring of Grace.]

[You have acquired Fire Monkey.]

[You have acquired Firewood Boots.]

[You have acquired Cape of Deep Slumber.]

……

There were many more items than usual.

“Woah… There were this many items? No wonder it was so heavy!”

“I know, but I was the one who carried that, elf.”

“Yeah, I could tell even just by carrying it a little.”

- Why is she so bold when someone else did everything LMFAOOO

- Karuna! Stop her!

Since Seol had to leave for Nobira soon with Hamun, he went through the items quickly.

First was the Cape of Deep Slumber and Gaiters of Swift Recovery.

The two were rare-quality items and Seol gave them to Karuna and Karen respectively.

There were also a pair of leather and steel boots.

The two were treasure-quality items. Though they didn't have any special effects, they were equipment with good stats.

Seol gave the leather boots to Jamad, obviously, and thought about who to hand the steel boots over to.

‘It should be Karuna.’

It didn’t matter whether Karen or Karuna received this item, but Karen had received quite a lot of equipment recently, and Karuna’s equipment, other than his sword, were all old.

The next was the ring.

[[Ring of Grace]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 17-29

Resistance: 35

Durability: 70/70

Weight: 0.1kg

A ring made in hopes of receiving Purga’s grace.

However, the materials used to make this ring are very worrying.

Basic Effect: +12 Wisdom, +6 Constitution

Bonus Effect: Once a day, deflect a curse.]

These effects were perfect for a ring.

Since Seol could wear two rings at a time, he equipped this ring right next to Wolf’s Warning.

There were only two items left now.

Seol first looked at an item he was looking forward to.

[[Fire Serpent]

Quality: Treasure

Recommended Level: 30-35

Damage: 70-87

Durability: 120/120

Weight: 8.0kg

A bladed weapon renowned for its association with Magra, the Scorching.

Not only does it boast a distinctive shape, but it is also challenging to wield, rendering most individuals incapable of using it effectively. Crafted from a fire spirit stone, the weapon bears the residual energy of its previous owner, imbuing it with Magra's own energy.

Basic Effect: +15 Strength, +7 Dexterity, +5 Constitution

Bonus Effect: Upon a successful attack, apply a 'Flame Seal' to the opponent. 'Flame Seal' can stack up to 10 times, with each stack inflicting additional fire damage upon successful attack.]

“Hm…”

Seol furrowed his brows.

As always, Treasure-quality weapons boasted incredible effects.

However, that was only the case for ordinary weapons.

Seol tried lifting Flame Serpent.

‘Heavy’.

Even though it was clear that Karen could use this weapon easily with her high Strength, it was a bit disappointing.

There was also the problem with its shape.

It was crafted in such an unconventional shape that it was clear an inexperienced person would end up cutting off their own fingers first.

‘I guess my question is how Magra swung something like this so easily.’

It could be because all Legendary-rank monsters were like that.

As Seol looked at this awkward weapon, he glanced at Karen.

Could she properly use the unique weapon that Magra used?

“For now, I’ll just hold onto it. I know how to use a spear, but it’s my first time with something like this…”

- Excuse me, no one told you to take it.

- Stop trying to pretend like you’re doing Seol a favor…

- She’s so fucking obvious LMFAO

Since there was no other real option, Seol handed Fire Serpent over to Karen.

And the final item…

Seol looked at the cape that had a unique insignia on it.

When Seol lifted it, he instantly realized that it was extraordinary. He also felt that the insignia was… familiar.

‘Purga?’

The insignia greatly resembled Purga, the Fire Monkey.

“Huh? That’s…”

“Hey, be careful. I feel a strange energy from that.”

Seol’s summons gave him ominous warnings.

Seol tilted his head and checked the cape’s information, but when he did, it shocked everyone.

However, the ones most shocked were the viewers.

- What the… is this real?

- It’s just going to show up like this here?

- I’m going to go insane WTFFFFFFFF

- It pisses me off more because I can understand it LOOOOL

- Honestly, it’s a reasonable reward, no?

- He cleared an Adventure alone that even a party would have had a hard time doing… 😀

- Tadah! I’m sure we didn’t forget that Magra was a Legendary-rank monster, right?

Seol’s viewers were shocked for one reason only.

“Peer… less?”

The cape with Purga’s face drawn on it was a Peerless-quality item.

Seol quickly read through the cape’s information.