The 31st Piece Turns the Tables
chapter-98

After seeing the item’s quality, Seol understood why the energy felt unusual.

Seol then read Fire Monkey’s details.

[You have acquired ‘Peerless: Fire Monkey’.]

[You have acquired an item that didn’t exist in the world previously.]

[[Peerless: Fire Monkey]

Quality: Peerless

Recommended Level: 25-35

Defense: 70

Durability: 165/165

Weight: 0.1kg

Magra, the Scorching, was a rebel in the Sulfur Skull Tribe.

When he left the tribe, having once again etched the name of the declining Sulfur Skull Tribe into the world of Pandea, the tribe, in honor of his feats, held a ceremony for Purga.

And on that day, Purga’s insignia was etched into Magra’s cape.

Basic Effect: +20 to All Stats

Bonus Effect: Truth and Lie (Unique), Dizzy Dizzy (Unique), Fire! (Unique). The damage you take from fire attacks is reduced by 90%.]

‘Oh my god…’

+20 to All Stats.

It was extremely rare for equipment to give this many stats unless it was for key slots like chest plates, pants, helmets, and weapons.

‘This might even be better than Space…’

Even though Space’s stat increase was amazing, Fire Monkey was on another level.

- Why the FUCK is a cape giving 70 defense?

- Imagine being a warrior who needs to wear a chest plate to get 70 defense LMFAOO

- ???: Come on… How could a cape give 70 defense? LOL That’s too far hahahaha

- I didn’t think Peerless items could be dropped too… First time learning that…

- Isn’t he the first transferee to get a Peerless item as a drop?

- I’m pretty sure there are a few transferees with Peerless waaaaay over there.

- Yeah, but Snowman has three already ^^. He even gave one of them to his summon ^^.

Not to mention the fact that this item gave 90% fire damage resistance.

Seol calmly checked all of the unique effects the item gave.

First, Truth and Lie made the wearer’s dodge rate 20% if it was lower than 20%. If the wearer’s dodge rate was higher than 20%, it would increase the wearer’s dodge rate by 5%.

‘Since my current dodge rate is below 5%, this is a huge boost.’

It was an incredible effect that allowed a slower class, like a summoner, to deftly dodge even a boss monster’s attack one out of five times.

- Truth… and Lie…

- That’s a shame, though. It would have been much better if he was a rogue or a monk.

- This item wouldn’t be that efficient on them though since their dodge rates are already high.

- Guys, talking about who it would have been better for doesn’t matter LOL! Peerless items are one of one.

- True LOL! It would have been nice on a rogue, too, though. But who cares~ A summoner got it~

- Who does the Peerless item belong to?

- The person who picked it up~

Next was Dizzy Dizzy. It was a passive effect that significantly diminished the wearer's presence, making them appear hazier than others.

‘This is also good. No, this is incredibly good.’

Since the wearer, Seol, would attract less attention, Seol's party would naturally face fewer risks protecting him.

Since all three of Seol’s summons were Legendary-rank, if Seol could just remove their only weakness, getting targeted himself, it would allow his summons to do much more in battle.

‘However… the effects are much weaker against enemies with high Intelligence. Still, it isn’t bad.’

Even though it was less effective against enemies like Magra, it would be extremely effective against enemies with low Intelligence, like demonic beasts.

And luckily, most of the monsters in Pandea were demonic beasts. And as such, Seol could use this effect a lot.

The last effect was called ‘Fire!’

‘This is…’

It was an effect that rolled ‘Execute Dice’ when an enemy’s health reached 10%.

‘This is an incredible effect!’

- An execute? What? An execute?

- Hold on, 10%??? How does a 10% execute make sense?

- Woah, hold on! Even if it is an execute, he still has to roll a dice, no?

- Don’t fuck with me! I bet it lets him execute if he rolls a 4 or higher!

- Quiet! I think it might even be a 3 or higher… Let’s just not talk about this!

- This is insane, LOL Boss Killer Snowman hahaha! You’re crazy!

A 10% execute.

It also obviously affected the damage that Seol’s summons dealt as well, making it an incredible effect.

‘There’s nothing better than this for dealing with boss monsters.’

Unlike normal monsters, boss monsters had enormous HP totals. Magra, who endured attacks from two Legendary-rank summons for an extended period, was also proof of it.

But the skill ‘Fire!’ had a certain chance of removing 10% of a boss monster’s HP entirely on its own.

- The biggest mystery in Yognatun is why Magra fought Snowman without this LOOOOL

- I’m sure he thought he would win hahaha He took it off because he wanted to keep it clean.

- It’s sort of like how you take off your outerwear before you slurp noodles lol

- I’m sure he regretted it during the battle, though haha

- ???: Ah, right! It’s been getting cold recently so I should wear something!

Karen’s eyes looked possessed, looking at the cape.

Seol smiled and equipped the cape himself.

“Ah…”

- What do you mean ‘Ah…’? LMFAO

- You have to rein her in right now. If you don’t, she’s probably going to run off with the chest someday.

- Peerless belt and cape… Even though he has two Peerless-quality items, they’re both for non-important slots. R.I.P.

- I mean, he still stat checks anyone with just those two, though LMFAO

- He’s way too strong now 🫤

- Fire Monkey is so cool… The insignia is fucking sick too.

- Seriously, it looks like a luxury item.

After that, Seol checked his new titles.

[[Special Title: The Burning One]

Related Achievement: Fire’s Grace (Adventure: Pierce the Flames)

Bonus Effect: Immune to Abnormal Status: Burned.]

[[Special Title: The One Who Opened the New Era]

Related Achievement: Expedited Era (Adventure: Pierce the Flames)

Bonus Effect: Skill cooldowns are reduced by 5%.]

[[Special Title: Flames of Purification]

Related Achievement: Engulfed Fire (Adventure: Pierce the Flames)

Bonus Effect: The damage you deal with fire attacks is increased by 10%.]

Even if Seol wasn’t affected by ‘Flames of Purification’ as it was Karen’s title, it did not matter. After all, the other titles were extremely useful.

‘The reduced cooldowns would be good for my summons, too.’

Since Seol only had Shadow Hand and Shadow Summon as his skills, cooldown reduction was not that important for him. However, since it also applied to his summons, it was an incredible boost to their combat capabilities.

‘And stacking more and more Abnormal Status immunities is always good.’

Immunity to one Abnormal Status wouldn’t change much, but once someone gained a variety of them, it became an entirely different story.

Mythical physical conditions that only existed in murim novels like ‘Immunity to Heat and Cold’, ‘Immunity to All Poisons’, and ‘Diamond Body’ could only be reached once an individual built up many different immunities.

Everything related to the Fire Altar Adventure, from the equipment to the titles, was incredibly beneficial for Seol.

‘Now that Karuna and Jamad are much stronger, for now, I’m practically invincible.’

Seol was extremely objective with himself, making him think of himself like this was rare.

This was also Seol’s reaction after checking Karuna and Jamad’s stats since arriving in Gulia.

‘They’re 1.5 times… no, practically three times stronger now.’

Currently, Seol’s summons were only able to maintain 50% of their original strength.

But after Karuna’s rank was improved to Legendary-rank, his stats were higher than what they were originally. Not to mention that summoning both him and Karen simultaneously would lead them to having 100% of their original strength.

When Seol looked at it purely numerically, it was thrice his previous stats.

Jamad was not lacking either.

After improving to Legendary-rank, he had his original strength which meant that his stats were now extremely high. The only thing he didn’t get back were his skills.

Still, it simply meant that all three of Seol’s summons were now around the same power level.

All three were at exceptionally powerful levels.

- I don’t have the confidence… to lose!

- Call an ambulance… but not for me!

- Guys, watch out! He’s got a steamroller!!!

Seol doubted himself every day.

He wondered if this was really the best he could do, if this really was the best way to get stronger…

But now, while acknowledging that things could change in the future during his long and unpredictable journey, he was certain of one thing.

At this very moment, he was the strongest.

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

It was a room adorned with old-fashioned decorations and furnished with only the bare necessities. This was the office of Patrick Kates, Fortress Gulia’s master, and a military officer.

“Look, Kibo. Are you really telling me to believe that?”

“It’s up to the Fortress’s master to decide whether to believe it or not, that’s not a question for me.”

“How the hell am I supposed to believe that Purga was upset by the trolls and slaughtered them all?!”

“Hah… those are statements from people who came back after believing that they would die. Watch your words.”

“...And I am someone who needs to report this incident to the military. Why do you think I’m delaying my report? It’s because you guys keep saying strange things.”

"I understand, but we were also individuals who were on the brink of death in Yognatun, desperately waiting to be rescued."

The Nevenia Kingdom had abandoned its citizens.

Not a single soldier was dispatched to Yognatun to save its citizens.

And thus, nothing the captain of Fortress Gulia could say could bring them comfort. Since he could only move his army under the command of the royal family and military authorities, he simply protected the Fortress while people were dragged to Yognatun.

As such, Patrick was relieved when Kibo and the other survivors returned, but he also found it strange.

“You’re claiming that the ceremony they worked so hard to prepare went awry… but not only that, the majority of the prisoners returned alive?”

“Are we not allowed to return alive?”

“You know that’s not what I was implying. Why won't you tell me the truth?”

“You asked for the truth, so I told you the truth. It was a miracle that we made it out alive after so many things, so when you tell us that you don’t believe it… it wears down our weary hearts even more.”

Patrick glanced at Kibo’s two missing legs and sighed.

“You can head back. I will report exactly as you've told me to the higher-ups.”

“Thank you, Patrick.”

Kibo pushed the wheels of the chair Hamun hurriedly made for him to leave.

After everyone was finally released from Patrick, they all gathered to plan out their future.

“Do we have to return to Nobira now?”

“I don’t think it’s habitable for people anymore…”

“It would become habitable if we make it habitable, no?”

“That’s true.”

“We’re all people who have nowhere else to go but Nobira. Why don’t we clean up the ruined buildings and rebuild?”

“Yeah! Let’s go back to Nobira!”

As everyone was excited about their new start, Kibo said something to Mira who was standing blankly.

“Mira.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you waiting for him?”

“...Yeah. He’s late, though.”

“He’ll come soon, so don’t worry. He was the only person who was fine in that hell, after all.”

“I’m not worried about him. I just thought it would be better if he came sooner. I plan to return to Nobira with you after taking care of business with him anyway.”

“Haha… and what are you going to do after you return?”

“I don’t know… I wonder what I have left now…”

A shadow was cast over Mira’s face, thinking about her dead party members.

“What do you think about forming your own hunting group now?”

“My own… hunting group?”

"Yeah, something you create on your own, not something I handed down to you. Haha… Well, it's not like I can just give you anything anymore, though.”

“That might not be a bad idea.”

“You’re a wolf now, Mira. You overcame that hell. After everything you’ve been through, uncovering secrets from some ruins will be a breeze for you.”

“Kibo.”

“What is it? Do you need more time to think…”

“No, it’s not that. Let’s talk about it next time.”

“...Ah.”

Kibo and Mira looked at the fortress’s entrance. Someone was confidently walking toward them.

“So he arrived.”

* * *

The first person Seol met after arriving in Gulia was Mira.

She showed up the moment Seol thought he could catch a breath after passing the inspection gate.

“Mira?”

“So you arrived safely, Snow– I mean, Seol. Did everything go well?”

“Yeah, Mael handled it well. Did you make sure not to talk about the hol–”

“We explained it well, so don’t worry. They won’t suspect a thing.”

“That’s good.”

Karen had a pleasant expression on her face after seeing Mira.

“Oh? When did you guys get here?”

“Ah… just now…”

“Have a seat, have a seat! Master’s pretty rude to his guests, huh? Here, take this.”

“Th-thank you…”

- He’s talking to women!

- He’s talking to women…?! He makes me want to throw up.

- Karen’s acting like a host now LMFAO

- Look at how welcoming she is… she’s not a shadow, right?

- Mira and Seol… they’re calling each other by their names… I’m jealous.

- Right? Man, Mira really succeeded in life, calling Snowman by his name like that hahaha

- What????

Seol sat down in a chair opposite Mira.

And then, he asked her a question.

“So why did you come to see me?”

Mira previously told Seol to see her in Gulia.

But even now, Seol had no idea why.

Slide.

She had a mysterious look on her face and placed a ring on the table.

“This is…”

“I want to exchange this for Kibo’s ring.”

She had come to see Seol to reclaim Kibo's symbol, the Wolf's Warning.

“Hm…”

Seol looked at the ring’s stats.