146 – Haeju (2)
“…I don’t need anything.”
The figure of the absolute ruler of the darkness, subtly turning away as if nothing else was needed.
However, Lorel, as if having no intention of backing down, immediately spoke up.
“I have found out why the Lord of Lartania rejected the Master.”
“…Reason, reasons…”
The figure of the darkness ruler, holding his knees, let out a low sigh and began speaking.
“There must be a reason, of course. It’s because I’m not charming, what else could be the reason? I am utterly useless, shouldn’t have existed from the start-“
As he spoke, the figure of the darkness ruler began slowly sinking into the abyss.
“No, Master. The Lord of Lartania is under a spell.”
“…What?”
However, at Lorel’s subsequent words, Lin, who had been struggling in the abyss just a moment ago, changed his expression, but soon returned to a melancholic look.
“That can’t be true, I confirmed that he was not under any spell.”
“I’m not doubting you, Master, but I heard the Lord of Lartania say so himself.”
“…He said that?”
Only then did Lin turn his gaze, nodding firmly in response to Lorel’s detailed account of the conversation between Adria and Kim Hyunwoo.
And then.
“…”
Listening to the story, the darkness ruler nodded as if understanding.
＜p class=”a”＞From Noble mtl dot com“Is that the truth?”
“Master, I have never lied to you.”
Looking intently at Lorel, the darkness ruler nodded as if acknowledging.
“Yes, I know.”
“Additionally, I heard that today the Lord of Lartania will make and drink the potion. So, you might see the outcome of what I told you today.”
Lorel continued.
Seemingly understanding, the darkness ruler nodded, rose from his seat, and said, “Let’s go and see.”
Once again, with a glimmer of hope, Lorel and the darkness ruler began walking towards the hill where the Lord of Lartania’s castle was visible.
At that moment, from the crimson eyes.
“A spell?”
“I heard it clearly, Chief. He definitely mentioned a spell.”
“…Wow, until now, no matter how much I thought about the Lord of Lartania’s reaction, it seemed subtle, but if it’s a spell, it really makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Listening to Kira’s words, Ryu nodded with a keen interest, and said, “I heard he will try the potion today.”
“Well-“
“…Isn’t this a bit too much?… Oh, of course, considering there is already a precedent, it might be wise to make some confirmations before rushing in to avoid facing such situations again.”
Following Ryu’s words, Merilda, as if feeling no need to say more, stopped pondering about how else to persuade Kim Hyunwoo and stood up.
“Let’s go check it out.”
Like the darkness ruler, she headed towards the Lartania domain.
####
After a little time had passed, Adria, who was deeply contemplating something, left the castle with the promise to return tomorrow.
Kim Hyun-woo, as if there were no more time to waste, took out the red bead from his pocket in the study.
—-
Red Item (Red Bead)
Grade: ????
Attack Power: ????
Attribute: Release
Description: An item created by the Red Merchant. When collecting the items below, the bead’s attribute can be utilized. (Details of the items needed to collect are listed in encrypted form)
The following items are required to use the Red Item:
– Fang of Penril. [o]
– Branch of Yggdrasil. [o]
– Warmth of Eldra. [o]
Would you like to use the item?
Y/N
—-
Upon taking out the red bead, Kim Hyun-woo saw a new notification window appear, accompanied by an explanation. He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, ‘I was worried it might be another hassle if it involved concocting more potions, but thankfully not.’
With special buildings in the game for potion crafting, Kim Hyun-woo had been quietly concerned about that aspect. Pressing the Y button, he relieved his mind.
As soon as he pressed the button,
Whoo-!
The red bead, which moments ago had shown no movement in Kim Hyun-woo’s hand, began to tremble and resonate.
Simultaneously, not long after, the items that had been on his desk near the red bead started to float towards it. Gradually, they gathered around the bead, seemingly mimicking its material, and began to merge.
“…”
Watching the scene unfold, resembling a giant slime amalgamating, Kim Hyun-woo gazed at it with a look of wonder.
After some time had passed,
The bead, now the size of his fist after consuming all the gathered ingredients, floated in the air for a while before slowly descending onto his study desk, beginning to take shape.
And then,
“…Huh?”
A potion was created inside a glass bottle.
—-
Potion of Release
Grade: ??
Description: A potion that reverses any condition, special physique, or ailment afflicting a human, reverting them to their original state. Once consumed, it cannot be reversed, and all physical traits affecting the consumer disappear.
—-
As the potion was created and an alert window popped up, Kim Hyun-woo raised the potion with a perplexed expression.
Looking at the potion’s color, a purple hue that felt rather clear than murky, Kim Hyun-woo thought, ‘This feels like a game again.’
In contrast to his earlier expectation of the red bead merging into candy, the creation of a glass bottle made him think otherwise. Nonetheless, without hesitation, Kim Hyun-woo uncorked the bottle and took a quick whiff of the potion.
“It doesn’t smell like anything.”
Though there could have been a smell, Kim Hyun-woo felt a strange unease from the perfectly odorless potion, but since he had no intention of not taking it, he swallowed the potion without hesitation.
“Hmm…”
The potion had a slightly sweet taste mixed with water.
A taste that was neither good nor bad.
“…What is this?”
Since there was nothing else noticeable, Kim Hyun-woo tilted his head in confusion.
“Nothing seems to have changed?”
As he had expected some change after taking the potion, considering there might be a slight alteration due to the limit on emotions, Kim Hyun-woo turned on the information window just in case.
“…But the information window hasn’t changed either.”
Since there was no change in the information window.
“Is this a scam? No… It wouldn’t make sense for it to be a scam when the explanation was given so clearly from the start.”
As Kim Hyun-woo felt doubtful.
“My Lord, are you here?”
“Come in.”
Upon hearing Elena’s voice from the door, Kim Hyun-woo first turned his head to listen and spoke.
“It’s not about anything else, but I have something to discuss regarding the labyrinth strategy you mentioned last time.”
“Oh, now that you mention it, we should gradually work on the labyrinth strategy. It would be good to clear up to the 10th floor at least.”
“Yes, you did mention that last time as well.”
Even as Elena entered the study to talk, Kim Hyun-woo didn’t feel like much had changed in the current situation.
“So, you’re saying it might be a bit challenging to defeat the boss on the 9th floor with just my own strength.”
“Exactly, this part… is.”
Until Elena, who was as stoic as a statue, leaned towards the nonchalant Lord as if it were a usual situation.
“…!”
Kim Hyun-woo felt a momentary rush of heat from the soft touch on his back and stiffened abruptly.
Whether it was his body or anything else.
And in that moment, he realized.
That the effect of the potion he had just taken from Haeju had worked exceptionally well.
And.
“My Lord…?”
He could grasp everything, from Elena’s worried expression directed at him to the multitude of meanings beyond just concern.
up to now, he simply like a gardener taking care of a greenhouse (his domain and heroes)