novelraw Chapter 73: The Dragon of Light and Darkness (1)
Chapter 73: The Dragon of Light and Darkness (1)
Translator: Dreamscribe
As you wish!
The wishes of the Heroes were definitely fulfilled, and were still being fulfilled. They were wishes that could only be granted if Leon became king. To hold a summer festival, or to see the daily life of King Leon.
Appointing the Guardian Dragon was one such matter.
Because of that wish, Helby suffered and climbed the mountain, and something utterly shocking occurred.
If it were a movie, people might have cheered in admiration at the dazzling visuals. But the Heroes could not do that. The teaser video announcing the new scenario of Episode 2 left many Heroes in shock.
Wounds appeared on the body that had been as beautiful as a goddess, and her pure white clothes were stained red. She fell and rolled on the ground, her knees scraped, and her arms and legs wounded by sharp stones.
She was fragile.
But she looked stronger than ever. Even though the mountain was so steep that she kept slipping, even though she rolled down a sloped incline, she stood up with a refreshing smile, dusted off her clothes, and moved forward.
The hearts of the Heroes watching the video felt like they were being torn apart.
It was not a movie.
It was Helby, a friend, companion, and comrade of the Heroes who had created many stories together and protected Arsilan. When the evil Helby appeared along with Helby’s scream, most of the Heroes could only scream and sigh in response.
Title: Find Helby-nim quickly!
Where is that mountain?
Let’s find Helby-nim quickly!
We have to help her!
Looking for information.
AimingForCEO: I think it’s a mountain near the border. On my way there now.
└Hellhound (author): Thanks for the info.
Anonymous1 (US): All the Heroes who were in Solis are heading there now!
Heldoners: Uaaa... my heart feels like it's being torn apart....
HelLemon: What the hell... this can’t be happening...
All the boards of Arsilan Worlds exploded with talk about the episode. The Heroes who had been in Solis ran out the moment they logged in. The novice Heroes staying in Evanth, and those in International City Marogo, were no different.
The Heroes looked urgent.
Of course they did. This wasn’t just an event. It wasn’t a romantic story with a predetermined ending.
A world we are creating.
The current situation caused by the Heroes’ wish could very well be heading toward the worst possible ending. That’s why the Heroes were desperate and frantic.
What if we can’t find her?
‘Helby-nim might disappear....’
‘That black Helby-nim..., uaaa! If she becomes an enemy...!’
All sorts of chilling thoughts seized the minds of the Heroes.
“Uaaa! Where the hell is it!”
“I think it’s a mountain range near the border...! But I can’t find it!”
“Huuk..., what should we do about Helby-nim....”
No matter how hard the Heroes searched for the mountain shown in the video, they couldn’t find it. So they began to realize something was wrong with their method of searching.
The most frantic ones, as expected, were the Helby Lovers Group.
Hellhound and the members of the Helby Lovers Group ran around wildly, tears and snot pouring down their faces as they searched for clues.
The Helby Lovers Group had grown so large that a guild alliance was formed beneath it.
There was only one requirement for joining.
A Hero who truly loves Helby-nim!
As long as they fulfilled this condition, anyone could join regardless of level. United by their love for Helby, they helped one another and grew into a massive force.
“Let’s ask Leon-nim!”
“He might know something!”
Heroes who remembered the scene in the teaser video where Leon and Helby were talking rushed to the royal palace. The Helby Lovers Group was at the forefront. But they couldn’t enter the palace. Only Heroes with permission could enter the royal palace.
Heina, the captain of the palace knights, approached the Heroes with her knights. Unlike before, she was now wearing beautiful, formal-looking silver armor.
“Heina-nim! We want to meet Leon-nim!”
“We have something to ask him!”
Heina let out a small sigh.
“His Highness Leon is our king. Even if you feel close to him, you must understand that things are no longer the same as before. Respect the king you have chosen.”
She was right.
At Heina's words, the Heroes could not say a thing in response. At that moment, Leon appeared, wearing casual clothes.
“Your Highness!”
Heina looked at Leon in surprise.
Leon greeted the Heroes as usual. When Heina tried to approach, he raised his hand to stop her.
Countless Heroes gathered around Leon.
“Leon-nim! Helby-nim...!”
“What happened?”
“Please, tell us!”
Seeing the desperate expressions of the Heroes, Leon nodded seriously.
“In the past, there was a rite in Arsilan called the Path of Penance. Through the Path of Penance, one would separate from their past self and move forward to become a better being. It is said that some even attained enlightenment and became pope.”
Ah...
Sighs leaked out from among the Heroes. Helby in the video was clearly enduring pain. The concept of the Path of Penance suddenly became tangible.
“When one ascends the Path of Penance, it is said they enter a space unreachable even by Ella-nim’s gaze. Beyond that, I do not know the details either. It is such ancient knowledge....”
Even Leon did not know.
Hellhound’s expression turned to disappointment. The other Heroes were the same. At that moment, the high-ranking priest of the Grand Temple appeared. He was a priest with a mysterious atmosphere, his face covered.
“Ahem... Ho, hoho! I am Hallon, overseer of the Grand Temple.”
The Heroes had seen him during the coronation ceremony.
After bowing politely to Leon, Hallon spoke again.
“The Path of Penance, yes, a rite that existed before Erosion engulfed this land. It dates back hundreds of years, so there are no Arsilan people who know of it now.”
In the end, it meant no one knew.
Just as the Heroes were lowering their heads.
“But!”
Hallon pulled something out from within his robes. It was a tattered old book.
“While searching through the ancient texts left in the Grand Temple, I found a note saying there is a library beneath the royal palace. Entry is permitted if His Highness grants approval.”
All the Heroes looked at Leon.
Leon closed his eyes briefly and stretched out his hand, and a document appeared. A royal seal made of light formed in Leon’s hand.
“I approve.”
As the seal was stamped onto the document, it vanished in a glow of light.
[With the approval of King Leon, the underground library of the Kingdom of Sillion is now open.]
* All Heroes may access it.
* You may borrow books and materials by spending Contribution Points or Arsilan Gold. However, some materials are restricted.
* If it becomes full, other spaces will be opened.
Thud thud thud!
A staircase leading underground appeared in front of the royal palace. It was the path to the underground library. At the end of the stairs was a massive door, which slowly began to open.
That news spread to everyone through Arsilan Worlds.
The Heroes expressed their thanks to Leon and Hallon. Hallon nodded and laughed aloud.
Through the Hero’s Flower, many Heroes began gathering at the royal palace.
“I will search with you as well.”
Under the escort of Heina and the knights, Leon headed to the underground library along with the Heroes. The underground library was vast. Countless books were organized by category, and ancient texts and materials were stacked in abundance. It was so enormous that even with many Heroes entering, there was still space left.
“Wow....”
“Ma-magic books?”
“There are magic engineering books too!”
The quantity of books and materials was immense. There were countless spells and techniques that couldn’t be learned even at the Training Center. It felt like all the history and knowledge of Arsilan were stored here.
One Hero, glancing around, pulled out a book and opened it. From the illustration attached to the book, light burst forth and began to move.
“Wow....”
“The magic circle even gets broken down and visualized. This looks study-worthy.”
“There’s a spear manual too. The stances are shown!”
There were many books related to weapon techniques as well.
With each page turn, the postures and applications were described in detail.
"This is...?"
‘The Maid Who Receives Hard Love from Her Master’, ‘Tightly Clenched Rose Blossom’, ‘The Hymn of Flesh Blooming in Thick Liquid’. The titles were clearly unusual. No author was listed. The Heroes glanced around, then tried to quietly pull the book out.
[This book is restricted from access.]
[You have obtained a title.]
*[-]Heart Racing
Your heart is racing with excitement!
Maybe, someday, you’ll get to read it?
“Ah....”
Looking around, there were quite a few Heroes clearing their throats and turning away. Anyway, Leon and the Heroes began searching for books and materials related to the Path of Penance. Before long, they found it.
Leon opened the book.
“To enter the space of penance, it seems you need a Crown of Thorns.”
The method and materials were illustrated.
Hellhound and the other Heroes quickly shared the information. The method wasn’t difficult. Using basic alchemy, one could synthesize thorny poison weeds with tree branches commonly found nearby and form them into a crown shape.
“Let’s make it quickly!”
“Activate all alchemy workshops!”
The alchemy workshops bustled with activity.
With Leon also actively cooperating, the Crown of Thorns was quickly completed. Hellhound held the Crown of Thorns in his trembling hands.
[-]Crown of Thorns
A reproduction of the Crown of Penance made with the power of a Hero.
When worn on the head, it allows access to the space of penance and reveals traces of penance. Those who complete the Path of Penance are said to be reborn as a new existence or gain the qualification to do so.
Requirement: First Job Change, Level 35 or higher.
Only Heroes level 35 or higher could wear the Crown of Thorns and move to the space of penance. Even though the overall level of Heroes had risen, there were still quite a few novice Heroes. Unfortunately, the experience boost period had long since ended.
Novice Heroes who liked Helby had no choice but to slump in disappointment. Leon looked at them for a moment, then smiled faintly and headed to the Grand Temple.
[King Leon offers a prayer to Ella at the Grand Temple for the Heroes.]
*King Leon enters a fast, praying for everyone in the thorn bushes
*King Leon dedicates his own pain to Ella.
[Goddess Ella responds to King Leon’s prayer and grants you her blessing!]
*While Leon is praying, all Heroes gain double experience points and revival cooldown is halved.
Brilliant light poured out from the Grand Temple and spread through Arsilan, descending upon all Heroes.
“Leon-nim!”
“Kkuh....”
“Ah....”
Even though it was a double experience event, almost no Heroes cheered.
His Majesty Leon is offering prayers for all heroes!
Let’s level up quickly!
It’s time to grind!
Novice Heroes rushed to various hunting grounds including the tower.
* * *
Hellhound, the Helby Lovers Group, and elite high-level Heroes in the advance party headed first toward the mountain at the edge of the boundary. It was currently the highest mountain in Arsilan.
Hellhound took out the Crown of Thorns and placed it on his head, firmly pressing down the horn on top of it. The crown dug deep into his scalp and blood flowed, but he wiped it away lightly and looked toward the mountain.
The space around the mountain was shimmering.
When wearing the crown, that sight became clear.
[The Magic Dragon was born in the Abyss, embraced the stars, and devoured the darkness of Arsilan.]
[The Magic Dragon, with the power to burn the world, has occupied the space of penance. Influenced by the Magic Dragon, the Path of Penance has been corrupted. Would you like to enter?]
There was no need to hesitate.
Hellhound immediately accepted. The Helby Lovers Group and the Heroes were transported inside. The scenery from the video unfolded before their eyes. At the entrance where they arrived, a Hero’s Flower blossomed.
“Let’s climb quickly!”
“Yes!”
Hellhound took the lead and swiftly began climbing the mountain.
“What’s that...?”
“Let’s just head for the summit first.”
They saw a side path midway up, but ignored it and passed by.
There was no room to worry about anything else.
Right now, confirming Helby’s safety was the top priority. The Heroes suppressed their anxious hearts and climbed the mountain with all their might. Because it was so steep and tall, it took quite some time.
When they finally reached the summit, a massive temple came into view.
“Helby-nim is in there...!”
Hellhound and the Heroes ran quickly and entered the temple.
“Ah....”
"Heok."
The inside of the temple was awe-inspiring.
It was like looking into the universe. A black space was filled with starlight, and the floor was a galaxy formed of gathered starlight.
The scene was so majestic it gave them chills, and the Heroes froze in place.
At the center of the galaxy, a massive tree was growing. It was absorbing starlight and darkness to grow.
“He-Helby-nim!”
“Helby-nim!”
Helby was bound to the tree.
Branches covered in sharp thorns were wrapped tightly around her arms and legs, squeezing them so that blood continued to flow from her body. The tree absorbed that blood and began forming flower buds. Like witnessing the birth of stars, they emerged one by one, wrapped in crimson flame.
It was an utterly horrifying sight.
But the tree, which had grown by devouring all the starlight like a symbol of greed, was beautiful.
Hellhound and the Heroes quickly snapped back to their senses.
They had to save her quickly.
Just as they began rushing toward the tree.
Swoosh!
A being from the Abyss descended from the sky. Cloaked in shifting darkness, holding starlight within, it looked exactly like Helby. Hellhound and the Heroes hesitated.
“He-Helby-nim? P-Please, snap out of it! It’s me!”
Hellhound stepped forward and shouted.
“Y-You remember me, right?”
“I polished your horn every day!”
The black Helby looked at them and smiled. At the moment their faces began to brighten.
[How pathetic. Is this what you placed your trust in? How disappointing.]
The black Helby raised her hand.
A massive magic circle was inscribed, and with a flow of dark energy, starlight began to gather.
Kagagagag!
As the spell activated, a massive wave of starlight burst forth and swept away the Heroes in an instant. It was overwhelmingly powerful. They couldn’t even resist, and all of them died in a single blow.
Thirty minutes later, the Heroes resurrected at the entrance.
Hellhound, the Helby Lovers Group, and all the Heroes stood blankly for a while with dazed expressions. The Heroes gathered here now were the elite, handpicked by Hellhound.
The black Helby was far too strong.
More than anything, the cold look in her eyes deeply hurt the hearts of the Helby Lovers Group.
“...I don’t think we can even get close.”
“I have no idea what we should do.”
“Even if thousands of us charge in, we’d probably all be wiped out in one hit....”
It was all so hopeless.
The Heroes fell into deep thought.
“Maybe....”
Hellhound remembered the paths branching off while climbing the mountain. As he suddenly dashed forward, all the Heroes followed after him.
Hellhound veered off instead of heading to the summit. Then, black footprints came into view. They were Helby’s footprints.
The Heroes followed the footprints.
The path was extremely sharp. As if covered in thorns, the ground was entirely made of jagged stones. Between the sharp stones were traces of blood, and they even found torn pieces of shoes.
“Huh?”
“Over there....”
Helby’s image appeared.
With every step she took across the stones, black energy flowed out, and footprints were imprinted on the ground. When she misstepped and fell to the ground, her hands and knees became a mess. Members of the Helby Lovers Group tried to hold her, but simply passed through.
[Ah!]
Even Helby, who had endured such deep wounds without a sound, let out a cry. Everyone looked at her. Helby looked down at the ribbon tied to her tail, then wiped her bloody hand on her clothes and carefully untied it.
[Ugh!]
She gathered all her strength to create a subspace and placed it inside.
On the arms of the Helby Lovers Group members, the same fabric was tied.
It was the winged fabric they had matched together to celebrate their first successful flight.
At that act of Helby’s, every member of the Helby Lovers Group burst into tears. Even high-level Heroes blinked and turned their heads for a moment, their noses stinging.
The Heroes walked together, following Helby’s image.
It felt as if they were walking the Path of Penance together with her. Though it was a past already gone, merely an illusion, they walked with her, cheering her on.
When a clearing appeared, Helby’s image knelt.
[O one who seeks to move forward, what do you desire?]
A voice was heard.
It sounded like Helby was asking herself.
[I desire wisdom for the sake of the Heroes.]
[Then, along with a thousand years of pain, sever the past that binds you.]
Helby grasped her body tightly with both hands.
While kneeling, she endured all the pain that could be experienced for a thousand years as a magic dragon. The current that flowed from her body flowed down to the floor and then flowed into the temple.
Blood trickled from Helby's tightly bitten lips.
Her rough breathing as she endured the pain pulled the heroes' bodies and hearts downward.
[...It's nothing..., really.]
Helby staggered to her feet.
Her body trembling slightly, Helby’s image passed by the Heroes and vanished. A moment later, dark energy surged from that spot and a temple appeared. It resembled the temple seen at the summit of the mountain but was smaller in size.
[Do you wish to enter the Temple of the Past?]
The Heroes, with hardened expressions, entered the temple.
It appeared to be an instance dungeon.
Inside, it was dark, and at the center stood a tree similar to the one they had seen at the summit.
[Arsilan] One who seeks to move forward
The Magic Dragon was far too powerful for the space of penance to contain. The great Magic Dragon’s past and remnants resonated with one another, binding her and trying to erase her memories and feelings for the Heroes.
Let us help her, who seeks to move forward along the Path of Penance. The more past and remnants are eliminated, the smaller the temple’s tree will become.
Duration: Until the Magic Dragon loses her heart and memories.
Target: All Heroes who have entered the Path of Penance
Reward: ???
A quest appeared before the Heroes who entered the temple. At the same time, flowers bloomed on the tree, and many fruits formed.
Thud!
As the fruits fell to the ground and cracked open, something began to flow out, forming into shapes.
“Huh? Th-that’s....”
“What is that.”
Hellhound and the Heroes were flustered.
They were dressed in black.
“Me?”
"That's me, isn't it?"
Other than that, they were identical to every Hero present here. No- they looked even stronger.
*****
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