novelraw Chapter 106: Always Anew (2)
Chapter 106: Always Anew (2)
Translator: Dreamscribe
This time, the pet and summoned creature update notice was just one line.
[Pets and summoned creatures are being added. Check them out for yourself!]
Details about environment items, various styles of buildings, experience quests, and other events followed, with only that short one line added at the very end. Heroes couldn’t just dismiss it lightly. This kind of announcement wasn’t a first.
Heroes, who had grown familiar with the Creator God’s update style, realized instead that this one line was the core of the update.
In the case of pets, they could figure it out quickly.
At the Platinum Coin Shop, no less than 32 types of pet eggs were on display, and even a dedicated pet shop for decorating pets had been added, so it could be checked immediately. The most mysterious item, the “Hero’s Egg” also became a huge topic once its result was revealed after a week. It became so sensational that it appeared in news across countries, beyond the Arsilan Worlds.
Title: So Good.
I usually solo play, so there were times I felt a little lonely.
A parrot came out of the Hero’s Egg!
It speaks really well and is super smart!
It keeps chiming in beside me ㅋ
Let’s stay together forever!
Anonymous1 (KR): Totally suits the Heroes ㅋ
Anonymous2 (JP): Feels like I’ve reunited with my Myu again.
Anonymous3 (KR): This isn't a game.. It's reality...
└HoneyPotato: Since I spend more time in Arsilan than in real life, this place is reality.
└LemonWarrior: For real. Isn’t Earth the fake one?
The Hero’s Egg gave birth to the pet that best matched the Hero. As a partner who understood and comforted the wounds in everyone’s heart, it took its place beside the Hero. Since the pet release, the souls of the Heroes shone even brighter.
While everything had been revealed about pets, summons remained a mystery. After scouring the Solis Library, the only thing discovered was the existence of something called a “Summoning Stone” but no one knew what it looked like. Heroes only speculated that once a Summoning Stone was found, a quest would emerge.
While the Heroes were still at a loss, an Arsilan dressed in a tattered robe appeared in the Romance Domain. This was after the Romance Domain had expanded, and Haebyul had been promoted from Junior Baron to Baron for the first time in Arsilan Saga.
It was a shabby-looking boy.
He carried a staff larger than his body, and interestingly, a lantern was attached to the end of it. He wore a worn robe and tattered clothes, and his hood was pulled deep over his head, so his face was unseen, yet an inexplicable dignity radiated from him.
The boy wandered around the Romance Domain and took a break sitting near the oasis. Since Leon and Helby’s visit, Arsilans had frequently visited the Domain, so at first, neither Haebyul nor the Romance Heroes thought much of it.
But when night fell over the Romance Domain, something strange became clear. A golden current flowed from the lantern attached to the boy’s staff, beautifully illuminating the oasis and its surroundings.
“Oh....”
“So pretty.”
Heroes spending the night in the Romance Domain gathered around the boy. They tried to approach him, but were pushed back by the golden current and couldn’t get close.
Haebyul and the Romance Heroes came running upon hearing the news. When Haebyul arrived, the golden current flowing from the lantern calmed down and disappeared.
“Feels like something huge is happening, doesn’t it?”
-What is this?
-This doesn’t seem ordinary.
-What’s it going to be this time?
The boy’s appearance alone clearly showed he wasn’t just anyone.
“Ah! Comfortable-nim is...."
Haebyul looked around, trying to find Comfortable. She had a feeling that something unusual was about to happen. The Romance Heroes could remain at ease no matter what happened when Comfortable was nearby. So, whenever a major incident occurred, Haebyul would run to Comfortable.
Haebyul sent a message to Comfortable, but he was offline.
“UruBear what about Comfortable-nim?”
“Oh! He said he can’t log in for a few days because of some business.”
“Huh? Why didn’t I know?”
“Guess he found you annoying.”
“Ehh?!”
Apparently, his business was going well, and Comfortable often stepped away. Whenever that happened, Haebyul would send him long messages, hoping he’d return soon.
-Got dumped.
-Why are you so obsessed ㅋㅋㅋ
-Comfortable-nim must feel suffocated.
-Geez, Haebyul, that’s embarrassing.
Haebyul, having calmed her heart, approached the boy. As she came closer, the boy stood up and took off the deeply drawn hood.
Haebyul froze at the sight of him. He was incredibly cute. As cute as young Leon, but with a more androgynous aura.
“Ah, hi?”
-Haebyul, your expression looks dangerous.
-So cute.
-At this level, something big is definitely coming.
When Haebyul cautiously greeted him, the boy gave a polite bow.
“Hello, Baron Haebyul. I’m Aren, serving Ella nim.”
Though Aren introduced himself gallantly, he looked nothing but adorable.
“I have been asleep in this land for a long time, ever since Ella nim was stripped of her authority by the Lord of Greed. Thanks to the Heroes who occupied this area, I was able to awaken.”
“Ella nim had her authority taken away?”
“Yes, a part of it, but it was a very powerful authority.”
Aren nodded as he answered Haebyul’s question. The Heroes who had gathered in the Romance Domain also focused on Aren’s words.
“I will explain.”
As Aren lifted his staff, light leaked from the lantern and the image of the goddess Ella appeared. It looked like an illustration from a fairy tale.
In front of the breathtakingly beautiful Ella stood massive beings. There were monsters that looked like they came straight from mythology, and others that resembled spirits.
“Long ago, in Arsilan, there existed mythical beings who did not follow Ella nim’s will.”
Aren began to tell the story as if reading from a fairy tale.
The mythical beings launched attacks at Ella.
Behemoth, carrying hundreds of beasts, Griffin that summoned storms, Leviathan that raised enormous tidal waves. Many other colossal beings exuded overwhelming presence. Even though they were just moving images, the Heroes felt immense pressure.
“Under Ella nim’s warm guidance, the mythical beings came to follow her.”
How did she guide them?
Was it her divinity that moved them?
The Heroes each made their own guesses as they pictured the beautiful figure of Ella.
“First, Ella nim descended directly in front of Behemoth, who carried 666 beasts.”
The goddess Ella appeared before the Behemoth, who was larger than a building.
“Ella nim spoke.”
[Behemoth! Become a being beneficial to Arsilan!]
Ella spread her arms and emitted a merciful light. It was a warmth that sought to embrace even the wicked Behemoth.
“But Behemoth ignored Ella nim’s mercy.”
[I refuse! I will take Arsilan for myself!]
Aren shook his head slowly.
“What a foolish choice. In the end, Ella nim prepared her final guidance.”
Aren told the story so well. All the Heroes nearby, and even those watching the broadcast, were completely immersed in it.
“Ella nim has led countless evils down the right path! This time was no different!”
Aren raised his fist with a swoosh.
“Goddess Punch!”
Thwack!
Ella, who had been smiling kindly, clenched her fist and struck Behemoth’s head. Behemoth’s head caved in, and he was driven into the ground, causing an earthquake. Barely managing to rise, Behemoth held his head and burst into tears.
Silence fell for a moment.
“Uh....”
“Ella nim is strong.”
“...His head got dented.”
-Goddess Punch!
-Did she hit him hard enough to cause an earthquake?
-Incredible power! That’s divine power!
Aren looked proud.
“When Ella nim raised her fist, the mythical beings all fell to their knees and bowed their heads. Ella nim said to them,”
[Work for Arsilan!]
When Ella stretched out her hand, the mythical beings were sealed into massive, golden-glowing gems. They were the crystallized form of Ella’s authority.
“All of them, moved by the goddess’s mercy, willingly entered her authority. They became summons who serve the Arsilans!”
Summons!
As that word came out, exclamations burst forth.
“Oh! Summons!”
“So it was a summoning quest!”
“Wow! That’s great!”
“Finally! At last!”
The Heroes looked at Aren with faces full of excitement.
Aren kept silent for a moment, then let out a deep breath and continued speaking.
“The Griffin calmed the skies, Leviathan enriched the seas, and Behemoth protected the lands of Arsilan. Peaceful days continued.”
A beautiful landscape of Arsilan appeared.
Just as the Heroes were watching with smiles, black storm clouds gathered, and the atmosphere changed in an instant.
“...Until the Erosion came.”
The Lord of Greed appeared and began devouring the lands of Arsilan. It was an extremely horrifying form. It resembled a giant centipede. Its thousands of legs writhed like tentacles, and thick, black pus flowed from its body.
The Lord of Greed tried to swallow the massive gem that held Ella’s authority and the mythical beings.
“Ella nim shattered the Gem of Authority into fragments to prevent the Lord of Greed from claiming its full power.”
The golden gem shattered and scattered across the Empire of Evil. Haebyul and the Heroes burned with hatred as they looked at the Lord of Greed. It was that thing that had caused the Great War everyone had experienced.
Aren opened the lantern at the end of his staff. Inside the lantern was a small shard with a golden glow.
“This is one of the countless scattered fragments. I call it a Fragment of Light. If you gather and combine multiple Fragments of Light, you can create a Summoning Stone.”
Everyone was amazed by its radiant light.
“To handle a Summoning Stone, you need strong will, a resolute heart, and noble qualifications.”
As Aren raised the lantern, a golden current flowed out and settled upon the Heroes.
[Summoning Quest ‘Lost Authority’ has begun!]
[Summoning] Lost Authority
‘Beasts of darkness, serve Arsilan!’
The Lord of Greed seeks to devour the mythical beings and make their power his own. Gather the Fragments of Light scattered across the Empire of Evil and create summoning stones!
Participants: Unlimited
Reward: Summoning Temple Unlocked
Eligibility to Use Summoning Stone: Heroes with the rank of Baron or higher, or powerful Heroes who have completed the Summoning Quest through Second Advancement.
All Heroes who had crossed the Magic Barrier received the quest.
“A quest just popped up!”
“Whoa! The requirements are tough.”
“Is Haebyul-nim the only one who achieved it?”
-Kya! First summon incoming!
-Let’s do this right now
The Heroes’ reactions were, of course, positive.
As Aren planted his staff in the ground, a compass appeared before the Heroes.
“This is a compass that points to where the Fragments of Light are located.”
There was no need to wander around blindly.
The compass would track the location of the Fragments of Light.
“Heroes who answered the call of the Light and came to Arsilan. Gather the Fragments of Light and return to me. I will create a summoning stone and lead you to the summoning temple."
Aren bowed his head toward the Heroes.
“Then, I’ll be waiting.”
Whoosh!
Aren’s body blurred and then turned into golden particles, scattering into the air. Only the staff remained planted where he had stood.
The compass floating in front of the Heroes transformed into a form resembling an information window.
Srrrk!
Haebyul looked in the direction the compass pointed. All the nearby Heroes were also gazing at the same place as Haebyul.
“Guys, the compass is pointing to the Underground Labyrinth.”
Just as Haebyul said, the compass was pointing toward the Underground Labyrinth.
“Let’s go!”
“Call everyone together!”
The Heroes all began preparing to enter the Underground Labyrinth, as if they had made a prior agreement.
* * *
Through Arsilan Worlds and broadcasts, Aren’s story was spread.
‘Summons! How can you resist this?!’
‘What will they look like? Can’t wait!’
Summoned creatures!
It was truly a romantic name.
The Heroes postponed all other plans and jumped into the Underground Labyrinth to find the Fragments of Light. As a result, the Domain Wars naturally had to be pushed back.
“All the barbarians have vanished.”
“Yes, apparently they have urgent matters.”
At Baron Burzirol’s words, Morwen nodded in reply.
Baron Burzirol entered an elegant tent and sat face-to-face with Count Highrun. Since the hired barbarians had disappeared, Count Highrun’s side had proposed a temporary truce. After all the trash-talking to boost morale, sitting down face-to-face like this felt quite awkward.
“Then we’ll assume a truce until the barbarians return.”
“Let’s go with that.”
Count Highrun and Baron Burzirol signed the document.
“Hmm....”
“Mmm....”
Count Highrun and Baron Burzirol looked outside the tent.
“Peaceful, isn’t it?”
“It really is.”
The peace that had come after such a long time felt incredibly precious. Deep down, both of them found themselves wishing that the barbarians wouldn’t return too soon.
‘Something’s...’
Baron Burzirol trembled. He felt a powerful sense of unease, as if something enormous was about to happen. Count Highrun must have felt the same, because he dropped the teacup he was holding.
The two of them wanted to reconcile, but unfortunately, they couldn’t. It was already far too late to stop.
* * *
The Heroes charged into the Underground Labyrinth!
That was where the highest concentration of Fragments of Light had been detected. Jinwoo observed the Underground Labyrinth from a distance, hiding his presence.
His current appearance was that of Aren.
He had tried to use the body of an old man, but Tiris and Tia had strongly opposed it. Because Aren’s setting was that of Ella’s avatar guarding the Summoning Temple, they insisted the appearance had to match.
“Then why do I look like this?”
Jinwoo accepted their opinion and entrusted the body’s creation to Tiris. After that, Tiris disappeared for quite a while. When she reappeared, she looked at Jinwoo with an expression like that of a sage.
‘I have once again surpassed my limits. From now on, call me Sage Tiris.’
And so Aren, filled with Tiris’s personal tastes, was born.
Jinwoo tried to refuse, but many Arsilans came to him and pressured him. Heina and Helby were the most enthusiastic. In the end, Jinwoo had no choice but to use Aren’s body.
As soon as Aren appeared, all the best threads on Arsilan Worlds were filled with stories about him. Not just on Arsilan Worlds, but fan art of Aren also flooded SNS.
‘He’s a one-time-use character, is this okay?’
That thought crossed Jinwoo’s mind, but he decided to think about it later.
Creakkk!
As the gate to the Underground Labyrinth opened, the Heroes went inside. Jinwoo also entered while concealing himself. Unlike before, the Heroes didn’t try to bypass the traps or look for treasure. Everyone had the compass from the info window up and was roaming the labyrinth.
“Here it is!”
The compass pointed to a wall.
The Heroes pulled out pickaxes from their subspace.
Clang! Clang!
As they struck the wall with reinforced pickaxes, it began to crack and break. Black ooze started leaking out from the wall, but no one cared. They pumped out the black ooze as they continued their work.
A Hero took out a large drill from their inventory.
“Oh, what’s that?”
“This is a drill made by HandGenius-nim. It’s got a magic engine, so the output is insane!”
Drrrrrrr!
The Hero pushed the drill into the wall and turned it on. The drill vibrated and quickly broke through the wall.
[Graaaarrrgh!]
The Lord of Greed let out a scream of agony, but it didn’t reach the Heroes’ ears.
‘Hmm...’
Only Jinwoo could empathize with the pain.
This place was its mouth. These walls and structures were like teeth. They were digging those teeth with pickaxes and drills.
The Heroes who dug deeper into the wall discovered a massive pillar buried in the black ooze.
“Huh? There’s some kind of pillar here? Looks nasty.”
“It’s in the way, let’s just cut it off.”
The pillar writhed grotesquely.
Jinwoo realized what it was. It was the nerve bundle connected to a tooth, if compared to a human. Without hesitation, the Heroes struck the nerve bundle with pickaxes and drilled into it.
[GGRRAAAAAARGHH!!]
The scream it let out became even more intense.
Jinwoo, once a game developer, recalled the time he received a root canal treatment at the dentist. Since they were killing a nerve, it wasn’t all that different, was it?
The only difference was that they weren’t using anesthesia.
“Hm.”
It must hurt a lot.
Even Jinwoo, who was used to pain, acknowledged that nothing beats a toothache.