Bam—!
〈 Achievement: Ticket to Laputa (S) 〉
Congratulations!
You have earned the qualification to go to Laputa! If you couldn’t enter Saur Land, you would never get the ticket to Laputa. What is the entity that restricts entry to Laputa only to Saur Land’s royalty? What secrets does the floating island, nicknamed the land infused with godly power, hold? Why did Laputa have to cut off all communication with the outside world to prevent its secrets from leaking out?
We hope you will confirm the mystery with your own eyes.
Reward: 25 Stat Points
+10% Affinity with the entire Ezwen Theocracy
You are the first to register the 〈 Ticket to Laputa 〉 achievement.
The top three registrants of the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, with an additional 200% effect applied to the original benefits.
Effect: 50 Stat Points
+20% Affinity with the entire Ezwen Theocracy
Leeha looked at the hologram window and grinned.
If he could enter Saur Land, would there have been another way to get the ticket to Laputa without relying on the bones from Peklo City?
He thought it might have been possible.
Anyway, he finally got the ticket, and even though he hadn’t set foot in Laputa yet, he received a grade-S achievement.
Doesn’t that mean that when he arrives at Laputa, he would encounter at least grade-S or above content?
‘Moreover, this is the first time I’ve gotten such high affinity with the entire Ezwen Theocracy! Even with the New Continent Voyage or whatever, there wasn’t an achievement that openly boosted affinity this much.’
Although he was treated almost like a hero by the Vatican, that was merely a form of respect. Most of his connections were built on personal interactions with Urban II, the current pope, back when he was a cardinal.
Since the notification that he achieved 100% affinity had not appeared, Leeha thought this achievement would be quite helpful.
―There’s an achievement notification! Haha, although the level is a bit disappointing.
Leeha cheerfully sent a whisper to Fernand. Leeha wondered what he thought about the achievement.
―Huh? An achievement?
―Yes, an achievement. Fernand, did you not— Ah!?
Leeha realized that the achievement was something only he received.
In other words, the permission to go to Laputa granted by Ulrek was exclusively for Leeha. And Ulrek had told Leeha to select companions for the journey.
Fernand’s expression started to change drastically, and so did Leeha’s pupils dilate at that moment.
That meant Leeha could go to Laputa by himself.
Even if he decided to bring all his companions, the privileges granted to the ‘initial three’ registrants of the achievement would not extend to everyone.
In other words, who would be the first two individuals Leeha would choose?
‘Hall of Fame!’
Leeha had lent the ‘precious bone’ he got from Pyrot-Cocri’s incarnation to Saur Land’s side.
He was using the authority earned entirely by his own efforts.
Should he share it with everyone?
“Ahem... Fernand, shall we head back now? Everyone seems to be gathering at the accommodation.”
“Yes, let’s! Shall I carry you, Ha Leeha?”
From that point, Leeha started to worry about how to ‘take’ from his companions.
* * *
“So, I’m definitely the second one, right?”
“You mentioned something about map copying... what was that?”
“Ah, come on! I’m joking! Do you think I would do that? Ha Leeha and I are pioneers and adventurers in our own right.”
“Doesn’t that mean you’re treating me as a rival?”
“What! That’s not how you see me, is it?”
As they headed back to the hotel, Fernand was desperately flattering Leeha.
After mealtime, all the party members had returned to the lodging. Leeha had explained what had happened to the returned Kyle, Elizabeth, Brown, and Browless.
At once, everyone switched to flattery mode.
They knew that if they made a good impression on Leeha, they could receive a ticket to Laputa, and the first two would even get the Hall of Fame achievement.
“I thought no one else but you, Ha Leeha, could truly enforce justice better than anyone else.”
“You won’t betray the Three Musketeers, will you?”
“... I went out to get some drinks. They say it’s a special beverage from Saur Land.”
To them, obliteration meant true annihilation.
In the suddenly tense atmosphere, Alexander spoke up.
“The sacrifice of the few for the good of the many is sometimes necessary.”
“Alexander?”
Alexander also understood the concept of the Arcane Bullet. How dangerous, powerful, and conceptual a weapon it was.
“... However, to say it is just would be difficult.”
Totalitarianism, even if dressed as utilitarianism, could not be justified.
Alexander held onto the concept of ‘the execution of justice’ as a conviction, which led him to deep contemplation.
“Then, though it might be a cautious question... Kyle-nim, how many shots have you...?”
In the subdued atmosphere, Leeha brought up the topic again. Clearly understanding the current situation was the top priority.
How many bullets had been fired, and how many more could be fired?
‘And... what about Zamiel?’
The disappearance of Kazzator’s intervention was surely a cause for celebration.
However, one of the effects of Kazzator’s curse was to exclude Zamiel’s interference.
Conversely, if everything was back to normal and Kyle was in a state similar to previous Arcane Bullet Shooters, how was Zamiel’s interference proceeding?
“Calling me ‘Kyle-nim’ makes me uncomfortable. I also remember how much Ha Leeha helped me, not just in treatment but in many ways... Even though I couldn’t speak well, I could hear everything. Please feel free to talk comfortably. Besides, being my mother’s successor makes you my senior.”
“Oh, is that so? Really? Haha! Okay, I’ll do that.”
Leeha, slightly taken aback by Kyle’s friendly approach, quickly adapted.
Kyle’s smile was clear but somehow faint.
“I have not used a single Arcane Bullet yet... hence it feels like this rifle is tightening around my head.”
It was inevitable. Everyone’s eyes followed Kyle’s fingertip.
He pointed to the Arcane Rifle leaning against the wall.
Leeha bit his lip.
Despite Kyle appearing normal, the reason why Elizabeth and Brown couldn’t laugh freely was clear.
Kyle was completely free from Kazzator’s curse.
In other words, Zamiel’s full-blown interference had commenced.
“Ah, now that I think about it, can Elizabeth-nim use that rifle now?”
“The moment Kyle’s treatment was completed outside the hospital was how I knew.”
“What?”
Brown answered.
“Liza... fainted.”
“The fainting didn’t last long. I saw something dark pass in front of me then. It came with the remark that if I touched the rifle again, it would kill me.”
Additionally, it meant that Elizabeth could no longer use the Arcane Rifle.
It also clearly showed what would happen to those unqualified who touched Arcane Bullet rifles.
Luger quickly averted his gaze from the rifle leaning against the wall.
* * *
By dinner time, the lively atmosphere had returned. Kyle was also enjoying a meal with a smiling face alongside Elizabeth and Brown.
At least at that moment, worries about the Arcane Bullet and Zamiel were all cast aside.
As NPCs enjoyed their meals, the users also savored luxurious dishes.
Well-prepared food generally had stat-boosting buff effects, and in Saur Land, almost every dish could provide such buffs due to its high quality.
Of course, even as they exchanged laughter and trivial chatter, the users’ minds were working rigorously.
―What will you do next?
―Since Ha Leeha has gained access to Laputa, it would be rational to visit there first...
―Just so you know, Ha Leeha! If you won’t give me the Hall of Fame achievement, make sure Alexander doesn’t get it either!
―Be quiet, Luger.
Ultimately, most of the conversation revolved around planning their next moves.
It was the same for Leeha.
‘There are two ways.’