Chapter 250

Chapter 250

Agony winced with a worried expression, but outwardly, nothing seemed to have changed.

‘Let’s see...’

[[Holy+Abomination: Agony]

Quality: Holy+Abomination

Recommended Level: 40-50

Damage: 150-150

Durability: 300/300

Weight: 1.0kg

A miraculous item born from a pearl, an ancient holy relic, has transformed itself to the will of its successor. During the succession process, this peculiar weapon was supported by magic to allow a demonic spirit, a mass of demonic energy, to be implanted, enabling its powers to be effectively utilized without drawbacks.

After growing quite a bit, it had devoured the soul of Phantom, an evil spirit.

Basic Effect: All stats +40

Bonus Effect: Tuner (Exceptionality), Diverse (Unique), Blood Connection (Unique), Haunted - Phantom’s Blades (Unique). This item is regarded as both an Abomination and a Holy Relic. You may only equip one Holy+Abomination quality item at a time. Durability gradually recovers as long as the demonic spirit remains alive.]

‘Agony really did eat Phantom’s soul!’

Seol didn‘t know whether to be happy or sad. Currently, he was mostly concerned.

‘Did the effects change too?’

[[Diverse (Unique)]

- If desired by the wielder, the demonic spirit can transform this item into whatever form is most appropriate.]

Diverse’s effect had already changed a long time ago.

This effect had changed from ‘a pair of gauntlets’ to ‘whatever form is most appropriate’ after Agony’s voyage with Santos.

[[Tuner (Exceptionality)]

- Your summons’ stats are increased by 20%, Agony’s damage is doubled while using Exceptional Skill: Night Crow, Shadow Summon’s chance to pass on high-rank skills to summons is increased by 40%, Shadow Space is increased by 900, the level of completion for creations made by you, personally, is increased, the mana efficiency of Night Crow-related skills is increased.]

The part where it said ‘10% chance of completely recovering the mana used from Night Crow: Iron Fist Rule’ had been changed to ‘the mana efficiency of Night Crow-related skills is increased’. While it was a shame to have lost that effect, considering Seol was more likely to enter Night Crow with Karuna for now, the versatility wasn’t a bad alternative at all.

[[Blood Connection (Unique)]

- The demonic spirit can instantly discern the wielder's will. Furthermore, as the wielder grows, so too does the connected demonic spirit, which in turn contributes to the growth of all equipment.]*

*TL/N: The description for Blood Connection has been changed to this.

This effect had remained the same.

So far, all of the changes to the effects were minor.

‘Then that means...’

The biggest change should be Phantom’s Blades. Seol quickly read through the effect’s description.

[[Haunted - Phantom’s Blades(Unique).]

- Each time Agony’s Diverse activates, there is a chance to fire a Phantom’s Blade. Phantom’s Blade is a dark-attribute attack that deals damage proportional to the wielder’s damage and ignores defense. This effect consumes ghost energy when used and cannot be activated unless the wielder has enough ghost energy.]

Though it was difficult to tell whether this effect was useful from the description alone, Seol knew well, having already faced Phantom’s blades.

‘I guess it might be more accurate to say that I got destroyed by them.’

It was obvious that someone who had been a target of the skill would know just how powerful it was.

‘And the defense ignoring effect is always useful.’

The defense-ignoring effects not only allowed you to bypass an opponent's defense but also worked when they changed forms. It was always useful to have an effect or two like this.

“Agony. Do you feel a bit better now?”

[Y-Yeah.]

If Agony said it was fine, it was likely true. In fact, it might even be beneficial.

‘But... Agony’s personality is still the same, even though it ate Phantom?’

Were the energies in the pearl, a holy relic, and Agony, a demonic spirit, enough to completely devour Phantom?

[I’m going to bed now!]

“Yeah, sure.”

[Turn the lights off.]

Agony then slipped under the sheets.

As Seol turned the lights off and tried to ease into bed, someone knocked on his door.

Knock knock...

“Are you sleeping?”

“Lady Seol Hong? What brings you...”

“I received an imperial order.”

“An imperial... order?”

Creak...

As Seol slowly opened the door, he saw a drowsy Seol Hong.

“All of the Dragon’s Flowers are ordered to return to Hong Yeon.”

“So it’s the Dragon Emperor’s call.”

Nod...

“Tomorrow, we will be leaving for Hong Yeon, the capital of Khan,” finished Seol Hong.

* * *

The carriage wheel continued to turn.

Seol, Seol Hong, Cheon Ju, and Chi Woo all rode in the same carriage to Hong Yeon.

“Yaaawn... We’re still so far from Hong Yeon,” said Chi Woo. “Even though I’ve slept a couple of times already, we’re still not there.”

“But... Do you have no companions?” Seol asked Chi Woo, who had practically become their party member.

“Me? Of course not. Why would I want to have more burdens? Let me tell you this again, I, Chi Woo, am—”

“It’s fine.”

“The stronge—Ahem... Regardless, going to the Dragon Palace doesn’t sound fun at all.”

“Why not? Didn’t you grow up there?” asked Seol.

“Is there a rule saying you have to miss your hometown? No, right?”

Seol rubbed his chin, thinking to himself.

‘Do I... miss my hometown?’

Seol quickly made a realization.

Not particularly.

He believed that he shared similar feelings with Chi Woo about their hometowns.

“Ah, now that I think about it... I’ll be able to see him when I go back this time,” remarked Chi Woo.,

“Him?”

“Tae Yul, that arrogant legitimate child. Every time I call him out to fight, he makes excuses, and we’ve never actually fought because of it. But this time...”

“Is Tae Yul strong?”

“I don’t know. But I bet he’s still weaker than me, the great Chi Woo, don’t you think?”

Seol and Seol Hong both gave Chi Woo a pitying look.

“Wh-why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing.”

“Regardless, something must be happening in Hong Yeon if the Dragon Emperor called for all of the Dragon’s Flowers.”

“Why do you think he’s calling for us, though?”

“I’m not sure, but... wouldn’t it be to change something about the Dragon War?”

“Change something...?”

Chi Woo clapped his hands together as if he made a realization.

“Yeah, it’s probably something like that! The circumstances have changed, right? We can’t be leisurely doing something like the Dragon War anymore.”

Chi Woo then shot glances at both Seol and Seol Hong.

“It’s because of you two. Why are you guys pretending like you don’t know?”

“Us two? Ah...”

“Yeah, Phantom’s revival.”

Phantom was one of Hwagmu’s right-hand men.

His return suggested that Hwagmu could return someday soon as well.

“Hahahaha! Then let’s go. The event will last a while, and no Dragon’s Flower is stupid enough to try something in front of the Dragon Emperor.”

Seol smirked before following Jang Du.

Meanwhile, Seol Hong and Chi Woo were shocked by the number of people inside the Dragon Palace.

“It’s almost like... all of the Dragon’s Flowers were invited?”

And then...

“Seol Hong! You made it!”

It was So Ryo.

Seol Hong quickly gave a respectful bow before saying, “Elder Sister So Ryo, thank you for your presents. I have used them well.”

“It’s nothing much. I simply gave them to you because they were too bitter for my tastes... More importantly, who’s next to—”

“What?”

“Ch-Chi Woo...”

So Ryo trembled in fear after seeing Chi Woo.

Chi Woo was notorious among the Dragon’s Flowers for his debauchery. So Ryo’s response made it clear that Chi Woo’s reputation was well-known.

“Yes, we worked together on the last trial.”

“What in the world... with Chi Woo?”

“I received a lot of help,” smiled Seol Hong. “Right, Chi Woo?”

“If that’s what you think, sure. Hey, So Ryo.”

“Hiek...”

“I heard a number of people had become fallen flowers because of the Dragon War...”

“Ah, yes. The people gathered here are simply the Dragon’s Flowers the Dragon Emperor has told to drink and enjoy their stay. The main event is happening elsewhere.”

“Ah, I see. Is it entirely separate, then?”

“Yes,” replied So Ryo. “Roughly 100 Dragon’s Flowers are still left in the Dragon War. However, the Dragon Emperor will only meet with the 50 most notable Dragon’s Flowers who have shown results.”

“And is that the main event?”

“It is.”

“The 50 most notable people... has that already been decided?”

“Yes, but... Seol Hong... Have you not received another letter?”

“A letter...?”

Seol Hong immediately turned to Chi Woo.

Chi Woo simply replied with a blank stare.

“Don’t tell me the other letter you mentioned in the carriage was actually...”

“Yeah, the 50 most notable people received a letter ahead of time. I’ve received one as well,” responded Chi Woo.

So Ryo began patting Seol Hong on the shoulder.

“Don’t be too disappointed, though, Seol Hong. It really was just by a narrow margin.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’ve asked the archivists. You were in the 51st place.”

“R-Really?”

Despite starting in last place, Seol Hong had managed to claw her way up to the middle ranks.

Chi Woo and Seol Hong both smiled upon hearing this.

“Seriously?” asked Chi Woo.

“Why would I lie about something like this?” said So Ryo. “That’s why, Seol Hong... don’t get too down. Just keep doing you. You’ll continue to soar as long as you keep going.”

So Ryo’s words were extremely consoling to Seol Hong. Though she hadn’t reached the top 50, she was right on their tail.

Seol Hong curled up a fist tightly.

Suddenly, someone tapped on her shoulder as they passed by.

“I heard that you were ranked 51st. Oh no... I guess you won’t be able to join the main event then, huh, Seol Hong? I feel so bad for you.”

“......”

“Elder Brother Tae Yul,” said the woman with fierce eyes as she placed her arm on a muscular man. “Let’s go. The main event will be starting soon.”

Tae Yul paused for a second to give Seol Hong a glance.

“E-Elder Brother Tae Yul?”

Seol Hong felt as if she were looking at someone she couldn’t compare to, someone on a completely different level from her.

Step...

Tae Yul then walked past them after swatting away the other woman’s hand.

A few moments later, an archivist’s voice filled the banquet hall.

“The main event will now begin! The 50 selected Dragon’s Flowers may now enter!”

The Dragon’s Flowers began to move in droves as Seol Hong watched them vacantly from behind.

This was her position.

She was not allowed to cross over yet.

She might have been right behind them, but the distance between them was still massive.

“Seol Hong...” murmured So Ryo as she placed her hands on Seol Hong’s shoulders.

Even so, it was difficult for her to feel better during these moments.

“Chi Woo, move to the main dragon hall.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Chi Woo slowly followed behind the other Dragon’s Flowers.

Thuuuuud!

The doors of the main dragon hall closed shut.

Though she had overcome countless trials, nothing had changed.

She had been abandoned in the hall with the other flowers, unable to show off her fragrance.

Step...

Just as Seol Hong was about to go back, she heard a commotion from behind the doors.

Creaaaaaak...

The doors of the main hall opened once more.

“Seol Hong, the Death Flower, move to the main dragon hall.”

“...What?”

“You have been chosen as one of the 50 individuals.”

“B-But...”

“Quickly!”

So Ryo smiled as she gave Seol Hong a gentle push.

“Go now, Seol Hong!”

Seol Hong, though she did not know the reason at first, was allowed into the main hall. However, she soon discovered why.

“...Chi Woo.”

“I quit the Dragon War,” smiled Chi Woo.

“Why...?”

“Because I hadn’t had fun until I met you. Quitting is the right decision.”

Chi Woo exited the main hall without regrets.

“I’ll wait for you outside with Kang Seol. I don’t belong there, Seol Hong, you do.”

“Chi Woo!”

He waved his hand.

“You’re stronger than me,” said Chi Woo.

The archivist hurried Seol Hong.

“Seol Hong, move to—”

Seol Hong bit her lips as she fixed her clothes. And then, she took another step forward.

“I will enter.”