Chapter 172
The transformation began the moment Seol placed his hands on the rock giants core.
[The rock giants core fills your Mountain Primal Power.]
[The Mountain Energy in the rock giants core is Abundant.]
[You are unable to fully absorb the Mountain Primal Power.]
[The Primal Powers overwhelming energy enhances your shamanic spells.]
[Volcano Armor has improved to Passive: Earth Armor.]
[Rain of Fire Stances passive skills improve altogether.]
[You are now immune to Abnormal Status: Petrification.]
[Primal Power: Mountain is currently full.]
Rumble rumble
Wh-what is happening?
The giant is disappearing.
Stompy's body was turning into dust, then being absorbed into the marble in Seol's hands. And that marble, in turn, was being absorbed into Seol.
Faaaade
As both Stompys body and the rock golems core disappeared the only thing that remained was a man clad in sturdy rock armor.
So this is Primal Power.
Though this was Seols first time seeing it, he could instinctively tell it was completely different from spells and mana.
Previously, Seol had to concentrate if he wanted to use Volcano Armor. But now, he no longer had to go through such a troublesome process.
Seol, after confirming the changes, nodded his head.
I guess its automatic now.
Then what mattered now was how long Earth Armor took to become active. Seol planned to test that out later.
- Buying Primal Power. Ive never tried it before.
- The power looks so cool
- I dont know what happened, but something happened!
- How do you use Primal Power, though?
- He hasnt used it even though he got it
There were a few reasons why Seol hadnt used Primal Power yet.
The first and biggest reason why he didn't was because to use Primal Power, you had to accumulate it first.
Normally, it was done through training or duties.
The natural powers that Great Shamans wield aren't attained easily, like turning on a faucet to access water.
If one wanted to use it in such a manner, they would have to follow the necessary steps and first fill the hypothetical water tank with water.
And now, Seol had just satisfied that first condition.
- Hey, can you feel it?
It was Jamad.
Youre talking about this power, right? responded Seol.
- Yeah, I've seen the Tribe Alliance's monsters use it a few times before, but... I never thought I'd be able to acquire it so quickly.
Another reason Seol hadn't utilized Primal Power yet was that, at their current levels, both Seol and Jamad found it nearly impossible to wield naturally.
There were still a lot of preparations left before they could make it as effective as their other combat skills.
Well, that will come with time as well, though. More importantly...
Seol also saw messages of the achievement he earned from defeating Stompy.
[[Inaugural Title: Superhuman]
Related Achievement: Superhuman Path (Adventure: Gatekeeper Stompy)
Bonus Effect: Every hour, there is a certain chance that a random stat or skill will be enhanced for five minutes.]
I cant get a good feel for this one. I think I need it to trigger for me to really know.
- Is this good?
- Well a 5 minute buff every hour is just eh?
- We need to see how much it buffs by.
- fr This could either be completely busted or pointless.
Seols assessment of this title was similar to that of his viewers.
As Seol could only make a proper assessment once he saw how much it was enhanced or how it was enhanced, he chose to postpone his assessment for later.
Seol finished the short checkup of his skills with that.
He didnt take even a minute to read through it all, which showed just how roughly he skimmed through it.
Normally, Seol would comb over every last detail, but he didnt have the luxury to do that right now.
As Seol returned to the expedition party, they all cast glances at him.
Did you see that? His body changed and turned black.
His dog also grew to the size of a house.
Is he really Frannans disciple?
Are we sure that Frannan isnt the disciple?
Frannan, hearing their whispers, carefully approached Seol.
"Ahem they're quite the noisy bunch. But yeah, how much are you hiding from me? I've never seen an ability as powerful as the one you used to destroy that lump of rocks."
That was everything.
"I dont know Ill have to see it for myself later. More importantly, lets hurry over there."
Why is everyone gathering around?
A lot of people have died and theres someone who will die soon.
Seol then recalled the injured dwarf on the Steel Lions back.
Dont tell me Yofimba?
"Yeah, it seems healing him is difficult."
- Maybe he might survive if Snowman feeds him the Blood of Origin?
- Are you new here? That was the first thing that Snowman did when he got it.
- So he failed then
- Yeah, the bloods probably too thin to have an effect.
The two then approached Yofimba, who was surrounded by the expedition party.
Beside Yofimba lay several allies who had failed to dodge the falling rocks, lying as if they were asleep.
His face was pale.
Cough cough
Yofimba! Ill
Stop shouting like that. Youre making my ears hurt.
The Artifact Association members cried as they called out Yofimbas name.
Dont die, Yofimba! H-Hes still conscious, Vicar Chameli Please, help Yofimba our friend Yofimba is
......
Yofimba gave a mischievous grin.
You idiots dont make such a ridiculous request. Even if you cough even if you bring the head of Varanoa, they wouldnt be able to do a thing about it. Im going to die. See? Look at her face. Hey, girlie. Could I make one final request?
Yes, Yofimba? answered Chameli.
I have some words to leave behind. You can do that, right?
I understand.
Fwoosh
A gentle breeze flowed through the dark corridors, leaving a brilliant seal on Yofimbas bloody forehead.
[Chameli used Remembrance.]
[The target is immune to all damage and attacks.]
[The target does not feel pain.]
[The target is unable to use any skills.]
[After a few moments, the target will inevitably die.]
Yofimba was branded for death.
Though he bought some time through this, he also had to give away his hope.
Why why
"Much better Move your disgusting faces away, you bastards. And Mael, come closer."
Mael still had yet to completely recover from his shamanic spell. He followed Yofimbas orders, but with a horrible expression on his face.
"What are you so scared of, Mael, you damned troll?"
Yofimba
Stand tall! You look like someone died or something.
Im sorry.
It was quite a unique sight to see a large troll sulking in pain in front of a dwarf.
"You've been like that since the moment I met you. You're way too soft. It doesn't suit your size or wildness at all"
"There aren't any laws that force you to act as your appearance suggests, are there?"
Yeah, youre right. Youre soo amazing you rascal.
...Yofimba. You can say your final words now. We are ready to record them.
Yofimba cleared his throat before speaking to the remaining Artifact Association members.
"You fearless fools of the Artifact Association, I, Yofimba, am about to die in the best way possible. I will be dying in an old and ancient, yet living ruin. It's a death I have been dreaming of but I have one regret. My one regret is that I will never be able to see beyond that door. And for that reason, if you think of me as a friend"
Yofimba flashed a smile.
"Go see beyond those doors in my stead. I will keep a dwarfs door open for you after my death, so later much later come see me and tell me what was beyond those doors."
"That door might be a bit too small for a troll like me to fit in," chuckled Mael.
"Im going to make you crawl through that door, Mael!" laughed Yofimba. "Youre rather annoying, so Ill be happy to see you suffer."
Hahaha
Click
I want you to use this gun. You remember the workshop I trade with, right?
...Thank you, Yofimba.
"And you guys from the Artifact Association, listen well. Right now, we are somewhere no one has gone before. We are the Artifact Association. We are psychos more obsessed with the secrets in ruins than with our family and friends."
Yofimba looked at the remaining members of the Artifact Association one by one.
"I dont honestly think that all of you will make it. But if by some miracle, if at least one of you survives let the world know what happened here. And with your chest open, tell the world this"
......
"We delved into secrets! We battled amidst these ancient halls. Now, Im done talking, so everyone, fuck off."
Mael grabbed Yofimbas hands.
Yofimba, I will record your life and store it in the end of the Artifact Associations ancient records.
Until dust piles on it?
Of course.
"Haha To be born in flesh and blood, to die as a book... that's... incredible..."
Thud.
And like that, Yofimba, a leader of the Artifact Association, passed away.
* * *
Alright, open the door.
A large key remained where Stompys corpse had disappeared.
The Steel Lion lifted it over his shoulders and headed to the keyhole.
Before he placed the key into it, he hesitated for a second.
"Im sorry, troll," said the Steel Lion to Mael. "...I apologize for my discourtesy thus far."
It appeared he had changed his mind after seeing Maels desperate actions for him and Yofimba.
Click
Creaaaak
As the key entered its hole, the door let out a long creak. It had clearly been a while since the door was last opened.
You can hit me once if youre still upset at me, said the Steel Lion.
If I hit you, youll be the first among us to pass through the dwarf-sized door, answered Mael.
......
- LMFAOOOO
- One punch to send him to Yofimbas side.
"If we manage to make it out of here..." Mael began, while sheepishly touching his enlarged muscles, "how about you buy us all a drink?"
What?
Mael's timely remark helped ease everyone's tension.
Sure, laughed the Steel Lion. Ill buy a lot, so just give me the chance.
The mood was relaxed as they descended down the stairs.
Pause.
However, Seol, who was following them at the rear, suddenly paused for a moment.
What is it?
...Its nothing.
Seol had been staring at the inscriptions on the door for a long time before they finally opened it.
What could it be?
Previously, Seol felt a sense of dj vu from the magic words used to illuminate the room. That same feeling was washing over him right now.
Seol definitely had a good memory. He could recall most things in detail as long as they werent too minor.
So it made sense he would have questions when he couldnt remember something after being transferred.
But then I learned I could regain my memories once I get back my pieces But this is a completely different feeling this is different
The feeling Seol had upon seeing the magic words
He didnt know them, and yet he did.
If the memories with his pieces felt like a book with pages torn out of it, this felt more like a book with perfectly normal pages, but with completely different contents.
Almost as if he was reading a revised version of the book
Solitary Confinement.
Huh?
Nothing, its just I just think the words on the door meant that.
What are you saying, really
And like that, Seol followed the rest of the expedition party down the stairs.
As they headed down, one man remained behind the door.
It was Ner.
Sorry, this is as far as I go
Fade
Ner then disappeared.
* * *
Drip
Drip
Alcatron Floor B5.
I can feel it this is incredible.
This energy everyone, stick together!
Theyre quite welcoming, arent they? Judging by how theyre just letting us into their living room like this
Seol felt an ominous energy brush past his skin.
Floor B5 wasnt particularly dark. Surprisingly, quite a number of dim lights were in the air.
I doubt theyre welcoming us, right? said Seol.
Obviously. I bet it was just a whim.
I just hope that something shows up soon, anything
Suddenly, the expedition party heard a voice.
Frannan! Frannan, its you! Ohohoho.
Frannans face stiffened.
This voice is Damn it, I wasnt expecting that at all
The voice spoke once more.
Its me, Bornuil.
Bornuil.
Finding him was the expedition partys objective, even if it was just his corpse.
Bornuil, the Libra.
Woosh
Fwoo Fwoo Fwoo
Small fires formed in the air, almost as they were creating a path.
At the end of the path sat a hunched old man, facing away from them.
Bornuil! shouted one of the magicians. Master Bornuil!
Tower Master, its us! Are you alright?
Frannan raised his hand, preventing them from walking toward him.
You idiots Why are you asking him that?
Huh?
He isnt Libra.
The old man laughed insidiously.
Ohohoho You realized it, Frannan?
Where is Bornuil?
He is inside me.
Who are you?
I am over there.
Bornuil gestured with his chin.
Fwoo Fwoo
The flames paved a new path.
There, the figure of a human floated, their limbs wrapped in chains like a straitjacket, their face sealed by a mask.
...I cant tell anything about you from that.
Suddenly, the old man began to twitch.
A horrifying, terrifying voice emanated from him.
Hold still! You still
It was clear that it wasnt just one soul inside Bornuil.
Frannans expression stiffened.
"Hey, you. The bastard who fearlessly entered Libra's body."
Are you talking to me?
Yeah, you.
He was also the one who dragged them into this hidden ruin and stole Libras body as well.
Who are you?
Bornuils eyes began to glow red as the evil within him smiled.
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