novelraw Chapter 28 : Magic Summoning Ritual
Chapter 28 : Magic Summoning Ritual
Chapter 28: Magic Summoning Ritual
Kang Yohan’s steps came to a halt.
[In honor of the glorious and bloody era walked by the Shaman ‘Rakshama’.]
A memorial inscription written in the Orcish tongue.
And above it lay Rakshama’s corpse — so intact it almost seemed alive.
Of course, the ominous-looking staff placed beside him couldn’t be ignored either.
‘Where should I start?’
Rustle.
Yohan drew a shamanic circle in the sand — the same kind used by ritual shamans.
Then, one by one, he sprinkled the prepared offerings he had brought all the way here.
[‘Redleaf Herb’, ‘Evening Primrose Petal Powder’, and ‘A drop of Warrior’s Blood’ have been absorbed!]
A sacrificial ritual.
The Redleaf Herb was the most basic component of any spell. The Evening Primrose Petal Powder was one of Rakshama’s favorite materials.
Hehehehe!
Screeeech—!
A ghostly wail echoed through the chamber as a faint blue mist began to rise.
Satisfied with the offering, Rakshama’s soul was beginning to awaken.
At the same time—
The remnants of the dead, drawn by life force, began to creep along the walls and ground toward him.
[Bloodline Ability ‘Blood Shield’ activates!]
Yohan released a portion of the mana stored within the squirrel.
Bwoooom!
Shadowy hands creeping in from every direction were blocked by a crimson barrier.
‘Yeah, I can’t afford to drop my guard.’
If he lost focus and got greedy for the rewards, that mist would devour him alive.
After several dozen seconds, Yohan finally felt Rakshama’s presence.
[You are… not merely human, and yet human. A being of great strength… and boundless potential. If only you were an Orc, you could have changed our tribe’s destiny— perhaps even the balance of the world itself. Such pity. Such regret.]
The lingering thought murmured in genuine sorrow.
“I can’t grant such grand wishes, but I can fulfill something smaller.”
At least enough to gain a Sacred Relic.
After all, the rule of the offering ritual was to make an exchange of equivalent value.
[Do not bring ruin upon the ‘Broken Axe Tribe’ or stain your hands with the blood of those belonging to the ‘Fang of Hatred Tribe’.]
[Swear it.]
[Swear that you will uphold it.]
[Then, I shall grant you what I once possessed in life.]
Crimson blood flowed, inscribing Orcish letters in the air.
“I swear.”
Yohan nodded.
[You have acquired ‘Rakshama’s Shaman Staff’!]
[You have acquired ‘Rakshama’s Two Spellstones (Red, Blue)’!]
Three items gained in total.
It would have been better if he’d also obtained ‘Rakshama’s Necklace’ or ‘Shaman’s Material Box,’ but it seemed those had been lost or used up during his lifetime.
Still, the main goal — the ‘Shaman Staff’ and two colored ‘Spellstones’ — had been achieved.
[It has been a pleasure meeting one who understands our customs and pride. Now, I shall return to rest… hmm? What is it that you are doing?]
A question mark appeared above the remnant’s head.
“Sorry, but there’s one more thing I have to do.”
This was the reason he came here, abandoning countless other Opportunities within the Gate.
Because this place offered the perfect environment for acquiring a special summoned being.
Swish.
Yohan took out an item obtained from the Running Rabbit and a single fruit created by Elizabeth I.
‘Grade 3 Random Box.’
Normally, opening it would yield equipment or armor effective against Orcs.
Not bad, but—
‘I know a far more efficient way to use it.’
When used under specific environmental and ritual conditions, this Random Box could interfere with probability — turning into a special medium.
Just like right now.
[Commencing second offering ritual with ‘Rakshama’s Blue Spellstone’ and ‘Grade 3 Random Box’!]
[‘Green Fruit’ begins preparing to sprout!]
If the previous ritual had been a formal, reverent offering—
This one was closer to a forced “Do it for me.”
A thinly veiled threat to burn the entire tomb to ash if denied.
Since he hadn’t broken any oaths, there was nothing stopping him.
Fzzzt.
As the flames connected, the fruit began to tremble violently.
[Stop! If you perform such a dangerous magic summoning ritual… I’ll have to expend all the power I’ve gathered!]
Rakshama shouted, but Yohan was already deep in fervent prayer.
“Good one. Good one. Good one.”
[W-Wait! Perhaps we could compromise? There’s actually a secret vault passed down in our tribe—]
“Good one. Good one. Good one.”
[You insane brat!]
＊＊＊
For some reason, the back of his left hand began to itch—
As if bitten by a mosquito.
But it lasted only a moment.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Yohan’s heart pounded faster and faster.
What would come out this time?
A magic summoning circle crafted by someone of Rakshama’s caliber, combined with a Grade 3 Random Box and the Green Fruit that couldn’t normally be obtained—
Whatever emerged now would undoubtedly surpass any previous summons.
Then suddenly—
Fzzzt…!
[An anomaly has occurred in the ‘Magic Summoning Ritual’!]
[A strong connection is resetting the summoning coordinates!]
[Target location… ‘Tower of Trials’.]
“…What?”
The shock hit him like a bucket of ice water.
No way.
Did that mean one of the beings from the Tower of Trials was being summoned?
Yohan’s gaze darted to Rakshama’s remnant.
The pitiful old spirit, struggling with all his might to protect his resting place, seemed to have no idea what was happening.
He was merely doing his best to satisfy the sudden appearance of that demonic creature.
If that was the case—
Then something else must have caused a new variable.
‘Come to think of it, things started getting strange around Seo Changhee’s case.’
Events that had never occurred in previous rounds were beginning to unfold.
He could almost feel the butterfly flapping its wings, stirring up a tiny storm.
A tingling sensation ran through him.
From deep within, tension and excitement surged violently.
As expected, no matter how many times he experienced this world, it never became familiar—only ever new.
And that was what made it fun.
No matter how often he repeated it, he never grew tired. He could go through endless rounds of it.
‘For now, let’s focus on this.’
After steadying his mind, Yohan turned back toward the summoning circle.
If what emerged from there turned out to be an Ancient Species or one of the highest-ranked Elemental Spirits, it would be a jackpot.
He would get to see a scene that would utterly destroy the balance of these early-to-mid episodes.
“Please. Please. Please.”
His prayers grew more fervent.
In this world’s system, prayers filled with strong intent could actually increase the odds, even if only slightly.
And at last—
[Summoning complete!]
Through the blue mist, a shape began to emerge.
An Ancient Species?
A Phantom Beast?
Or at least a high or mid-tier elemental spirit!
“Yohan… sir?”
However, the clear voice that rang out was one he had heard somewhere before.
Soon, a figure stepped forth — snow-white hair and eyes as red as rubies.
“I found you. Finally!”
A bright, almost childishly innocent smile.
He couldn’t possibly mistake her.
How could he not recognize that immature young noble he’d met at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony?
Scarlett de Juliard.
A True Ancestor of the House of Juliard rushed toward him in an instant.
“Why, of all people, did it have to be you— no, wait… It’s been a while. Yes.”
As Yohan sighed, Scarlett began speaking in rapid bursts.
“It’s such a relief! After the ceremony, you vanished, and everyone was panicking. Sir Ophelia and the other house guardians didn’t say a word, and every day was chaos— search parties, mobilizations… it was like a battlefield!”
She chattered on like a baby sparrow.
It was a bit exhausting, but he had to admit— it was nice to see a familiar face.
And someone of Scarlett’s caliber wasn’t a bad summoned companion, either.
‘So, Mother must’ve hidden the fact that I escaped through the Forbidden Book.’
Perhaps to prevent confusion?
It seemed that only a very few inside the Tower knew the truth.
“Still, good thing I kept the thread connected. I was out for a walk when the air suddenly split open and I saw you through it, so I just jumped right in! But… where are we? This place feels unfamiliar. Was there such a location around the Black Castle?”
…A thread?
Yohan unconsciously scratched the back of his hand.
Could it be that what he’d felt during the ceremony was her connecting a strand of his mana?
Seriously, this girl had some serious stalker tendencies.
Still, he’d learned something incredible—
That under certain conditions, it was possible to bring someone out of the Tower of Trials.
—Priscilla.
He called out to his lower administrator, just in case.
No response.
He’d told her to stay close, yet she was completely silent. Meaning the other administrators probably couldn’t see what was happening here either.
‘Well, that’s one less thing to worry about….’
Next—
He’d have to give this carefree noble a taste of reality.
“I’ll explain everything soon, but for now, please follow me.”
“Of course! I’d love to accompany you, Yohan. I’ve actually mastered a new ability and have been waiting for a chance to show you.”
Hmm.
Maybe he should cancel that.
He suddenly felt the urge to just leave her somewhere and walk away.
No—
She was, after all, the next heir of Ataraxia….
He’d better endure it.
After all, one mustn’t abandon their kin.
[You got what you wanted, didn’t you? Heheheh. But thanks to that, you’re in quite the predicament now.]
Rakshama’s mocking voice echoed through the air.
At his words, Yohan finally looked around.
Perhaps the backlash of the Magic Summoning Ritual had been too great.
Rumble rumble rumble!
The long-slumbering corpses of the Orcs began to stir.
Most were nothing more than skeletons, yet they were gripping the weapons they once wielded in life.
“Kiik… kiik… kiik… kiik.”
“Fresh… blood and flesh…”
“Offer them… as atonement for disturbing our rest…”
A dark purple Demonic Energy surged violently.
Grotesque weapons turned toward Yohan.
“I’ll handle this. I can’t allow such wretched undead to lay their filthy hands on one as noble as you.”
With elegance, Scarlett unfurled her parasol and stepped forward.
Step.
One step.
Step!
Two steps.
With each stride, small pools of blood formed on the ground, and crimson threads erupted skyward.
[Field of Blood Threads – ‘Doll’s House’ activates!]
A small hut woven from red threads.
What followed was an overwhelming festival of blood.
Slash!
Crack!
“Kieeeek!”
“Grrraaaah!”
Razor-sharp Blood Threads whipped mercilessly, slicing through skeletons.
‘I felt it since the ceremony… but she really is strong.’
Yohan silently murmured in admiration.
The Blood Threads alone allowed her to handle numerous foes at once.
Their versatility was immense— equally adept for attack and defense.
Tap tap.
Scarlett tilted her parasol upward, blocking falling bone dust and blood droplets.
Yet, the undead Orcs kept rising relentlessly.
“They crawl out like cockroaches. Fine then…”
Her arrogant, cold eyes looked down upon the corpses with contempt for their very existence.
[Scarlett activates ‘Doll’s Sphere’!]
Wriggle wriggle!
The threads coiled into a sphere about a meter wide.
A dense mass of magic energy.
Probably meant to wipe out all enemies in one strike.
[W-Wait! That’s my home! Stop! At least tone down the power—!]
“Learn your place. Know your inferiority, you lowly creatures.”
And with Scarlett’s words—
BOOOOOOM!
The sphere shot forward.