I Entered a Gacha Game That Had Been Abandoned for 10 Years chapter 107

107 – Hierarchical Development (2)

About 30 minutes later.

Shardra’s peculiar(?) incantations continued.

Starting subtly, like telling stories while hugging, or discreetly pressing with one arm, it progressed from overt movements to subtly giggling or subtly making plans.

Of course, as much as she continued such overt movements, even Kim Hyunwoo felt something suspicious, staring at Shardra. However, every time Kim Hyunwoo looked at her with a puzzled expression, Shardra extinguished his suspicions with an innocent and naive face, completely unintentionally appealing in this way.

At each moment when Kim Hyunwoo looked at her with an ‘Huh?’ face, Shardra made a face that was purely innocent and naive, not intending such appeal.

“I’m not aware of this behavior at all. I’m just doing this because I’m so happy to meet Dad after a long time!” is the appeal she made.

Even though it clearly seemed like she was making an overt appeal from the perspective of a third party, it was only visible from the perspective of a third party and not so overt.

As Shardra skillfully avoided Kim Hyunwoo’s suspicions and diligently appealed, the conversation gradually neared its end.

“Oh, come to think of it, if you want to help Dad, don’t you have to join the heroes of Lartania?”

“Indeed, you’re right. Even if you don’t know about ordinary mazes, you have to belong to Lartania for bosses and such.”

“Should I just join Lartania?”

“Huh? Wouldn’t that be a problem? You’re under Shardra the Tower Magician, right? If you belong to Lartania, wouldn’t there be various problems?”

“Well, it’s true. Even though if I become the Tower Lord at Matop, I’ll receive a lot of support. There’s a lot of things like research funds, materials, and other things. But if Dad needs it, I can go!”

Very skillfully, successfully appealing that for Kim Hyunwoo, she might be willing to give up the position of the Tower Lord for the sake of joining Lartania.

“No, but it’s okay to some extent.”

“Really? Still, if you need anything, just let me know. Because I mean it.”

Shadra left the place, having successfully earned points from Kim Hyunwoo.

And there, quietly watching it all.

No, to be precise, Lorial and Giral, who were nonchalantly observing that strange spectacle, both had the words in their minds without anyone saying anything.

‘Ah, this might be a bit risky.’

Actually saying this might be true, but both Giral and Lorial genuinely wished for the person they were rooting for to succeed.

Giral hoped for Merilda’s success, and Lorial hoped for Rin’s success.

And in that sense, the reason Lorial and Giral, who could be considered quite incompatible, formed a not-so-bad relationship was ironically due to the erratic behavior of Merilda and Rin.

…Honestly, those two don’t feel much threat from each other.

Giral doesn’t feel threatened by Rin.

Lorial doesn’t feel threatened by Merilda.

That’s the reality.

At this point, they even feel a kind of pity for the executives on the same level as them.

At such a moment, the appearance of a woman clearly different from Merilda and Rin, from the starting point to the jurisdiction, naturally led to such thoughts in their minds.

“…I’m not a dog, well, strictly speaking, I’m a wolf… but… is a wolf a canine…? No, I’m a wolf…”

“…No, isn’t that too much? Was it lacking? Still, it can’t be helped—but if you infuse it with magic, somehow—”

Especially due to the woman’s clever words, when you see the executives, who usually dismiss the words of the Lord of Lartania, in a miserable state of confusion, it becomes even more apparent.

Therefore, without anyone saying anything, Lorial and Giral sighed and decided.

‘I guess we have to start moving somehow, even if it’s forced.’

“I should actively assist the master now.”

Even though I’ve been helping until now, it’s time for the group to move.

####

“…Wait, when they mentioned talent in alchemy, I wanted to ask if they could create things like fuel, but I didn’t ask.”

The thought occurs as I fiddle with the magnifying glass in the office.

When I heard about the ability to use alchemy, I wanted to ask, just in case. However, the conversation smoothly shifted towards golem summoning, and I belatedly remember the question I didn’t ask.

“Should I go back for a moment?”

Thinking of going back now, I quickly shake my head and sit back down.

Meeting again today feels a bit ambiguous, and more importantly, Shadra has already helped with maze exploration out of goodwill. Asking for additional favors here seemed a bit too much.

“I’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

Kim Hyun-woo thinks silently like that, recalling Shadra and smiling warmly.

“She grows up so well.”

In reality, ten years ago, he just diligently played mini-games and gathered conversation information to earn honor points. However, seeing a hero who invested that much time grow to this extent felt quite different.

Although Kim Hyun-woo was not yet in his 30s, it was like the feeling of seeing his daughter entering the best university in her 50s?

…Of course, it wasn’t that deep of an emotion, but regardless, it felt good that the hero he gave attention to grew up so well.

“Calling myself ‘dad’ is still a bit awkward though.”

Maybe because it was quite awkward for Kim Hyun-woo to hear such words from a grown woman’s mouth, it felt very awkward. But, he accepted it.

Thinking back, when Kim Hyun-woo first spoke to Shadra, he had asked her to think of him as a dad a few times to become closer. It was more of a wiki-based decision than independent judgment…

“Let’s see… Then, should I check Shadra’s abilities tomorrow and go in right away?”

Originally, as Elena reported, Kim Hyun-woo had planned to take a day off and descend after the package ended, considering that monsters continued to appear. However, Shadra’s ace in the hole was a 4.5-star.

In other words, it was a number that could practically carry until the 10th floor.

‘Of course, strictly speaking, since it belongs to the supplementary alchemy faction, which could be called support, we need to check the actual combat capability.’

Nevertheless, given Shadra’s expression of confidence, Kim Hyun-woo had his own expectations.

The next day, as promised, Kim Hyun-woo came out to see Shadra’s golem synthesis.

“Since it’s in front of my dad, should I go for something cool?”

“Cool thing?”

“Yeah, the appearance of the golem changes a lot depending on what you make the basic body structure with. Whether it’s voluntary or involuntary.”

“I see.”

Seeing Kim Hyun-woo nod, Shadra, with a sly smile, took out a small cube from her embrace.

Taking out the square, Shadra unhesitatingly threw it into the air.

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And then.

Thunk-whoosh!

In an instant, the cube swelled up and began to take the form of a huge golem.

And.

“…Oh.”

While slightly smaller than the city wall, Kim Hyun-woo couldn’t help but admire as he looked at the golem, which resembled the appearance of a giant armored knight. Unknowingly, Shadra spoke.

“How is it? This is an iron golem. It has sturdy defense, and even if you put it on the front line, it can excellently block enemies and has strong physical power.”

As soon as Shadra finished speaking, the iron golem, without hesitation, pulled its hand back and slammed it down towards the ground.

Quaaang!

Confirming the ground outside the castle walls caving in as if a massive firecracker had exploded, Kim Hyunwoo, along with Tern Castle, was met with a tremendous booming sound.

“Wow…”

“How about that? Should be helpful enough, right?”

“…Is tomorrow fine?”

“As much as you need!”

He promptly made the decision to descend into the labyrinth the very next day.

####

The day after Kim Hyunwoo decided to venture into the labyrinth.

“…”

Kelba, who had been circling around the Nolba Kingdom’s territory filled with monsters and advancing towards the domain, was suppressing his irritation with a very annoyed expression.

Thunk!

The reason for his annoyance was undoubtedly Merilda and Lyn.

According to his plan, Merilda and Lyn should have arrived here a few days ago, and without a doubt, they should have fallen victim to Kelba.

However, contrary to his expectations, the two heroes did not show up.

No, not only did they not show up, but it seemed as if Kelba’s information had been cut off right after he set the trap, and they went into hiding. Thanks to that, Kelba suffered tremendous losses.

Losing over four days at a critical moment when it was essential to quickly bring the territory under control was something that could happen.

On top of that, there was the issue of the mana stone value that was consumed in practically constant mobilization of monsters and soldiers to capture the heroes. Solving the problem was as simple as progressing a bit faster and earning money to buy mana stones again.

However, the reason Kelba was so furious was because of the current situation caused by the manifestation.

He performed an imperfect incarnation to capture Merilda and Lynn.

And that imperfect incarnation, though slight, brought about an unconditional loss of ability points.

In other words, from Kelba’s perspective, the trap game lost all meaning, even enduring the permanent consumption of ability points.

Thud-!

This was the factor causing irreversible stress for Kelba at the moment, and he wore an expression of intense anger.

Swoosh-!

“Ah…”

As soon as the time arrived, he felt a hollow sigh escape him, as if all the vibrant energy in his body vanished in an instant, and he squinted his eyes.

And in that moment,

Kwaahhh!

“???”

As if bursting out as if awaited, Kelba unconsciously opened his eyes at the deafening sound, and he could soon see it.

The two heroes, whom he had been earnestly waiting for just a while ago, came together amicably as if they had been waiting, entering the trap.

…In the current state where Kelba’s incarnation had ended.

And,

“aaargh! You bastards!!!”

Kelba’s bitter scream of frustration erupted.