Chapter 47-2

Chapter 47-2

Even trying to get up and placing his hands on the ground made his joints creak.

"Ughhh!!"

But, since he couldn't give up there, he forced himself to muster strength and, in that moment, the pressure decreased ever so slightly.

Baek Yu-Seols body was resisting the pressure of this spirit!

Indeed, even in death, a spirit was still a spirit, as evident from the pressure emitted at the moment of dying.

However, in the end, he succeeded in raising his body. Energy flowed through every muscle of his body, and although he couldn't store mana, he could vividly feel the blood vessels that carried mana throughout his body becoming more active.

"Haha."

In this pressure, he stood up.

With this pure accomplishment, he could feel joy.

[EXP for the ability Mana Accumulation Retardation' has increased.]

[Stats have increased.]

That was right.

This place was the cherished training ground left behind by the spirit, one of the mysteries of the world that even the most skilled mages couldn't uncover; the 'Mana Vein.'

It was a mystical place where even ordinary training could yield tens to hundreds of times greater effects.

Furthermore, thanks to absorbing the energy of the spirits, 'Natural Affinity' increased tremendously. It would undoubtedly show great effects in the upcoming 'Familiar Contract Ceremony.'

"But before training..."

With great effort, Baek Yu-Seol lifted his foot and took a step.

Step by step, he finally reached the spot where the spirit, Leafbane, was sleeping, and reached out his hand towards the branch hanging beneath her wrist.

[Obtained hidden artifact 'Vengeance Branch.']

"Yes!"

He finally acquired the desired item; the ultimate hidden artifact that would be most effective against the boss of the eighth episode, Mage Tyren.

[Vengeance Branch]

[Rarity: High]

[Description: Grudges never fade with time; they only grow stronger.]

High Elf Queen, Florin.

Due to her excessive morning drowsiness and low blood pressure, even after waking up, she stared blankly at the small window without fully regaining her consciousness. However, as a sensation brushed past her chest, Florin suddenly raised her head.

"This is...!"

Her long-time friend, the Thousand-Year old Spirit, Celestia, had been sleeping in the secret garden. Someone had entered there. Although no one should be able to go there anymore.

<em class="chakra-text css-0">Who on earth...?'

Setting aside how they managed to use the key that was thought to have disappeared, she became even more curious about who had used it. She hurriedly approached the door and spoke.

"Is anyone out there?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Although the attendant replied, she quickly regained her composure and lowered her head deeply.

"... No, please go back to your duties."

Celestia was currently in an extremely vulnerable state. She couldnt entrust matters related to her to anyone else, even if they were a loyal servant willing to sacrifice their life for her. However, she herself was confined to this narrow space and was unable to take a single step outside.

Her alternate name was 'Face of Death'. It was an infamous nickname given to her because anyone who saw her face, even once, would suffer from a debilitating illness and eventually die within a few months.

"I have to endure." She had already lived for decades without showing her face. She could go outside by covering her entire body with magically-coated masks and robes, but even that had a limit of one hour.

If her face was exposed for an extended period, the cursed effect would immediately take hold.

That was why she restrained herself from going out as much as possible, but she couldn't just stay still over such a matter. She didn't want to witness innocent people looking at her face and succumbing to madness and death.

Besides, she would inevitably have to reveal her face as a queen during the upcoming "World Tree Ascension" event. At that time, she would go out and see for herself.

So until that day comes, she decided to wait patiently.

Florin, as she determined, gazed out of the window, where the warm sunlight caressed her cheek.

There were reasons even for living in such a dark and remote place. It was to avoid any chance of someone accidentally seeing her face while she slept or goes about her daily life.

"Sigh..."

Florin leaned against the wall with a melancholic expression. Her last outing was eight years ago. It had always been like that.

Every time she ventured outside, fate never left her alone. It wasn't like this since birth. It just happened at some point, as if a "curse" had been cast upon her.

"When will I be able to freely roam around...?"

She didn't know why or how to solve it. So, she calmly accepted her fate and endured each day, simply hoping for the day when she could be free.