novelraw Chapter 109: Always Anew (5)
Chapter 109: Always Anew (5)
Translator: Dreamscribe
The Incarnation of Greed vanished without a trace.
As if it had always been that way, the desert was calm and peaceful. The Colossus War Machine slowly approached the Summoning Temple and planted the Holy Sword in front of it.
Thud!
The Holy Sword turned into sand and disappeared, and in its place, the Hero’s Flower bloomed.
[Summoning Quest ‘Lost Authority’ has been completed!]
* You have gained a large amount of experience points.
* You can now craft Summoning Stones using Fragments of Light at the Summoning Temple.
* You have obtained [C] Hero’s Cloak.
* You have acquired a title.
[A] Summoning Unsealer
A title given to the Heroes who unsealed the Summoning Temple.
This great achievement deserves praise. The amount of sacrifice required for summoning decreases by 10%.
May Ella’s blessing be upon you!
* All Heroes who died during the quest are resurrected!
Moments later, all the fallen Heroes were revived through the Hero’s Flower. The massive experience and rewards were shared with every Hero who participated in the quest.
“Whoa, the EXP is insane!”
As her level increased by one in an instant, Haebyul couldn’t help but cheer. She had leveled up just before the Summoning Quest, and now her level had gone up again the moment it ended.
The rest of the rewards were excellent as well.
It reduced the amount of sacrifice needed for summoning by 10%, and even a cloak shimmering with light was given as a reward.
“Totally worth the effort.”
“This is something only we can have.”
"Kuhuh!"
When the Hero’s Cloak was equipped, an icon of the Colossus War Machine appeared above the wearer’s head. Many Heroes began striking odd poses in front of the Colossus War Machine and taking pictures.
-You can feel their age from the pose.
-Look at the generational gap ㅋㅋㅋ
-Back in my day, we rented videos to watch!
-Do you kids know why your call icon looks like that?
Haebyul and the Romance Heroes also took pictures in front of the Colossus War Machine.
“Aren! Strike a pose!”
As Haebyul waved her hand at the Colossus War Machine and spoke, it slowly moved and copied Haebyul’s exact pose. The charming sight made all the Heroes burst into laughter.
[The summoning time is over and Aren will disappear.]
As the message popped up, the Heroes stopped and looked at the Colossus War Machine. It began to disintegrate from its feet upward, turning into golden particles and fading away.
As the Colossus War Machine completely vanished, Aren, bathed in light, appeared. He slowly descended from the air and stood before the Heroes. The Summoning Stones floating above Aren’s head moved toward Haebyul and the named Heroes.
The Summoning Stones lost their light and became ordinary stones. Once a summoning circle is inscribed on them and a sacrifice is offered, they will once again emit colorful light and can be used for summoning.
“The Colossus War Machine... it was quite impressive.”
Aren spoke with a bright smile.
His figure appeared faint, as if it would vanish at any moment. The more golden particles flowed from his body, the more transparent he became. The Heroes realized that the time to part with Aren had come.
“Aren... are you leaving?”
“Yes, my mission is complete.”
When Haebyul asked, Aren nodded. Haebyul’s eyes welled up. The other Heroes who had grown fond of Aren also felt deep regret.
“It was an enjoyable adventure.”
The golden particles flowing from Aren’s body drifted toward the Summoning Temple.
“I shall wait for the day when you summon me again with a top-tier Summoning Stone.”
Haebyul and the Heroes nodded. This was not a farewell forever. Though much would be needed, they could meet again one day. Haebyul wiped her tears with the back of her hand and grinned at Aren.
“Next time, I’ll even put makeup on you!”
At her words, the smile disappeared from Aren’s face.
"Hehehe, you said to imagine the strongest form, right? Then obviously it's a bikini!"
“A summoned being must obey its master, right? I’ll make you super pretty!”
“That would be adorable.”
The Heroes’ expressions began to turn dangerous.
Aren flinched and stepped back.
“...Come to think of it, I don’t think you Heroes are capable of crafting a top-tier Summoning Stone. Just give up.”
No, that’s not it. We will definitely summon you again.
The Heroes looked at Aren with those thoughts in mind.
-Aren, get a grip. Arsilan is a rough place.
-Heroes are perverts. No, they are Heroes precisely because they’re perverts.
-Crazy bastards....
-Look at Aren’s face ㅋㅋ. He looks like he just saw something more horrifying than centipedes.
Aren let out a sigh and shook his head. Then he chuckled and gave the Heroes a final farewell. Amid the noisy atmosphere, Aren disappeared just like that.
“He’s gone.”
“Yeah.”
“That was fun.”
“Sure was.”
Farewells were always bittersweet.
Though the Heroes had experienced many partings while enjoying Arsilan Saga, they never truly got used to them. The Heroes continued to gaze at the place where Aren had vanished, unable to walk away for a while.
***
Arsilan Worlds was abuzz with talk of summoned beings.
Summoned beings were practically the embodiment of fantasy’s romance. From beginning to end, the Summoning Quest received massive attention. The battle between the Colossus War Machine and the centipede had shown the very peak of romance.
Even though the Summoning Quest had ended, not a single Hero had summoned a summoned being yet. That was because the cost to summon just once was steep, so everyone was saving it for when it truly mattered.
Title: Why Are There So Many Types of Summoned Beings?
There are like 800 types of just the lower-grade ones?
They vary from beast forms to human forms. I like that you can preview them as statues in advance.
Definitely looks way cooler starting from mid-grade.
Top-tier looks totally out of reach?
Anonymous1 (KR): Seems like it’ll be hard to summon anything mid-grade or higher.
Anonymous2 (JP): Probably going to show up in Domain Wars, right? Looking forward to it.
└Anonymous3 (EN): It will be a great battle indeed.
Anonymous4 (KR): Currently picking summoned beings that fit my Domain’s concept ㅋㅋ. Looks like the same summoned being can’t be summoned simultaneously. So people are coordinating in advance.
└Anonymous5 (KR): There are so many types, so it’ll probably be fine, but if summoning fails, that’d be hilarious.
There were an incredible number of summoned beings. That was because Jinwoo had turned all mythological entities that didn’t have any special roles into summoned beings.
Jinwoo had made the realm where those mythological entities resided into the Summoned Realm and connected it to an unoccupied land in Arsilan. He even set up various convenience facilities.
At first, the summoned beings were indifferent.
Though they submitted to Jinwoo’s overwhelming power, they didn’t show much enthusiasm. Then, Jinwoo showed them the Summoning Quest. Rather than just explaining the setting, showing them directly made it easier to understand.
From that point on, Behemoth and the other summoned beings changed. They opened their eyes to what a “game” was. Beasts like Behemoth wholeheartedly pledged their loyalty.
Jinwoo went to the Summoned Realm and observed the summoned beings.
The griffin had shrunk into a smaller form and was gripping a game pad.
“Kraaah! I told you not to use items!”
“Hmph, if that were the case, we would have agreed to a no-item match.”
The Ice Witch pressed the buttons with flair, toying with the griffin. The summoned beings loved being granted access to the game content that Heroes and Arsilan natives enjoyed.
“Ah, that’s not how you’re supposed to do it.”
The Slime King, split into dozens of blobs, roamed around giving unsolicited advice.
“Ugh! A noob just showed up under me!”
“This time I’ll get my revenge!”
“Too strong!”
There were also summoned beings making a racket while playing multiplayer games.
Jinwoo turned his gaze toward Behemoth.
Behemoth was basically the boss of all summoned beings. Holding a game pad, Behemoth stared intently at the screen with a serious expression.
“Only amateurs ask someone out at this point in the route.”
He muttered that as he selected a dialogue option.
[You're the first to treat me like this!]
*Affinity with Miss Aina has increased.
When that message popped up, Behemoth clenched his fist in triumph.
Jinwoo checked Behemoth’s game stats.
Having cleared every dating sim like ‘Heartbeat Encyclopedia’, ‘Four Hearts’, and ‘Graduate Student’, he had even unlocked all the hidden endings and received a golden trophy.
[A] Dating Sim Master
A title given to the person who has cleared the most dating sims in Arsilan. You might just be a love expert.
*You are granted a Love Counseling Certificate.
Behemoth had become a Dating Sim Master!
Fun games had the power to tame even these mythological beings. Jinwoo once again felt the greatness of games.
He turned his head and looked at the lower-grade summoned beings practicing their acting. Compared to Behemoth or the Ice Witch, their presence was weaker, but they were still beings worthy of myth.
Those with high chances of being summoned were practicing their summoning poses or attack motions to impress Heroes with their dignified appearance.
“Um, Master.”
A lower-grade summoned being approached Jinwoo.
“In games, there are things like type advantages. Should we try applying that too?”
“We’ve each picked our own element!”
When Jinwoo gave permission, the lower-grade summoned beings enthusiastically began discussing and creating various systems. The summoned beings were far more capable than he had expected. Jinwoo even built an FS Games office within the Summoned Realm and delegated various paperwork tasks to them.
With a snap of his fingers, a large information window appeared. Today was the day of the Domain War between Baron Burzirol and Count Highrun’s forces.
Jinwoo sat on a plush sofa and set up chicken, beer, and various snacks on the table. Behemoth and the summoned beings all gathered around with eager expressions, looking at the information window. Everyone had taken on human form and sat near Jinwoo.
Helby appeared by parting the space. She often visited the Summoned Realm. Every time she came, the summoned beings bowed their heads and worshipped her, and she rather enjoyed that.
Helby looked at Jinwoo with an annoyed expression.
“Why aren’t you in Aren’s form?”
“Aren’s gone.”
“But isn’t it the correct setting for Aren, as a top-tier summoned being, to be here in the Summoned Realm?”
“Ah.”
Helby’s point was valid.
After all, the place where Jinwoo currently was happened to be the Summoned Realm.
“Oh, it’s starting!”
Jinwoo quickly changed the subject and started watching the broadcast, and Helby sat down beside him.
The Domain War between Baron Burzirol and Count Highrun was a major event. Since many named Heroes were participating, it was expected that summoned beings would appear for the first time.
Having been pushed back by the rising faction led by LifeHunter, Count Highrun released all of his domain’s wealth to recruit mercenaries. Instead of a siege, he chose a full-scale battle on a vast plain, staking everything on the line.
[It’s truly a spectacular sight! Over a million mummy soldiers are charging at each other!]
Kim Seok-jun was providing the commentary, and the news channel’s cameras broadcast the scene of the Domain War from above.
-Whoa! That’s a lot.
-There are over 50,000 Heroes down there right now ㅋㅋ
-But... feels kinda bland. Is it because we’ve already seen the Colossus War Machine?
-Yeah, exactly.
-Mom, the soup’s bland!
Helby and the summoned beings could also see the chat. Already familiar with it thanks to Tia’s streams, they accepted it without issue.
“The Heroes don’t seem satisfied.”
Helby commented while glancing to the side. The lower-grade summoned beings stiffened and nodded nervously.
‘Did we go too hard on the Summoning Quest?’
Sand tsunamis, whirlpools, centipedes, and the Colossus War Machine.
With the Colossus War Machine wrapping it up with a blazing Holy Sword, it was no exaggeration to call it a dopamine feast. Since this Domain War came right after that Summoning Quest, the viewers and Heroes watching felt like something was missing.
‘Do we need a dopamine detox or something?’
Jinwoo seriously pondered the thought.
The Domain War was intense. Baron Burzirol’s forces, which included the Romance-North Mercenary Alliance, gradually began to gain the upper hand, but Count Highrun’s side wasn’t being pushed back so easily.
Just as the progression started to feel dull,
A bright light burst from Count Highrun’s side.
[Ah! It’s a Summoning Stone! Count Highrun’s side is using a Summoning Stone! The user of the Summoning Stone is Hero MellonLina, lord of the SweetMellow Domain!]
When MellonLina raised the Summoning Stone, golden light burst forth and illuminated the surroundings. It was so bright that even the opposing forces could see it clearly.
[O lion that soars through the skies, show the power of your charge through the twilight! Arise, Manticore!]
Though incantations weren’t required for summoning, MellonLina chanted a cringe-worthy spell. The broadcasting station amplified her voice for the stream.
“O-oh! T-that’s me!”
A summoning circle formed beneath the lower-grade summoned being, Manticore. It was a lion with wings on its back. Manticore hurriedly tidied up its appearance and struck a majestic pose.
[A summoned being has been summoned! A massive winged lion! It’s Manticore!]
The atmosphere of the battlefield shifted as Manticore appeared. As large as a siege weapon, Manticore flew into the sky and unleashed a fierce gust of wind.
Right after that, Haebyul raised her Summoning Stone.
[Sink into the swamp of despair! As flowers of darkness bloom from corpses, even your breath shall be buried in decay! Bloom, Alraune!]
-Ack! My hands!
-Why are you doing that?
-Haebyul… are you insane?
-Please stop!
Haebyul was clearly enjoying the reactions.
[...That was a splendid summoning incantation!]
Kim Seok-jun barely managed to keep up his energy.
Alraune, a woman made of flowers, rose from her spot. She had been wearing glasses and reading a book, giving an image like a student council president.
As the summoning circle appeared beneath her, Alraune removed her glasses and tousled her hair. She then took off her modest-looking clothes, covered her chest with flower petals, and used sharp tendrils to form a dress.
She transformed into a queen radiating charisma.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Alraune was summoned into Baron Burzirol’s camp. As she made her sultry entrance with a seductive pose, the chat exploded.
[Alraune has appeared!]
-Whoa! Noona!
-ㅋㅋㅋ tentacle whip...
-Hit me too, please!
-Haebyul, thank you. I won’t forget this.
Alraune and Manticore clashed. Jinwoo was slightly surprised as he watched the two face off.
‘Better than I expected?’
When Alraune grabbed Manticore with her tendrils, Manticore generated sharp winds to slice them off. As Manticore lunged, Alraune dodged gracefully, like she was dancing. Their clash scorched the surroundings, sweeping away mummy soldiers.
It was like they had rehearsed together for a long time, their timing was perfect. The battle was so intense that both camps momentarily halted combat and watched in tension.
[This is a legendary clash, as if watching a myth unfold before our eyes!]
-Wow...
-All hail the Creator God!
-These summons are insane!
-Mom! The seasoning is perfect! Great job!
Like adding salt and pepper to a bland soup, it hit just right!
The screen briefly showed Baron Burzirol and Count Highrun. The two of them stared blankly at the summoned battle.
‘What is this...’
‘Scary...’
Jinwoo could almost hear their inner thoughts.
Crunch!
Helby crunched on a potato chip, watching the broadcast with an excited expression. She looked like someone watching a pro wrestling match.
As the summoning time came to an end, Alraune and Manticore began preparing their ultimate moves. When Alraune made an alluring hand gesture, a magic circle made of flower petals appeared. Manticore opened its mouth and began gathering wind.
Kwagagaga!
From Alraune’s magic circle, thorned vines burst out and shot toward Manticore. Manticore countered by breathing out a blast of wind to intercept the vines.
While the breath successfully tore through the vines, the poison contained within them rained down like a shower onto Count Highrun’s forces.
[The summoning time has ended! It appears Count Highrun’s camp suffered more damage!]
-That ultimate skill animation... gave me chills.
-These summons have such strong personalities. Alraune noona’s gonna be popular?
-Definitely need to research this a lot more.
-Can’t summon again?
-I heard once summoned, you can’t use the same one for a week.
Having finished their ultimates, Alraune and Manticore returned to the Summoned Realm. The two looked at each other and gave polite bows.
“Manticore-nim, great work.”
“Ah, yes! Alraune-nim, you did even better than during practice. Your entrance pose was especially impressive.”
“I’m glad the studying paid off. I apologize for the slip-up when I launched the petal blades.”
“No, it made it feel more real and intense. It was great.”
Alraune put her glasses back on and returned to her studious appearance. Together with Manticore, she began feedback review. Perhaps because they had spent a lot of time together, these mythological beings had built a strong rapport.
Behemoth approached and looked at the two.
“Alraune.”
“Yes.”
“Did you check the affinity?”
“Yes, I applied a 5% boost as a first-summon bonus. When it reaches 10%, I plan to show the ‘Gentle Smile’.”
“Excellent.”
As the Dating Sim Master, Behemoth even checked details like that. When a summoned being was summoned frequently, affinity would increase. As affinity rose, more skills became available, and the summoned being’s rank would go up.
Behemoth clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the summoned beings.
“Summoned beings are the foundation of the game! So let’s all continue to give it our best!”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
Behemoth now looked exactly like the team leader of the FS Games Summoned Beings Division.
The Ice Witch was already preparing for the Christmas season by creating Santa outfits and Rudolph, and there were even summoned beings planning for a Halloween event.
Long ago, these mythological beings who once delighted only in destruction and domination were now pouring their desires and instincts into games. Jinwoo had once worried that they might not be able to adapt to Arsilan, but seeing them now, it was clear that concern had been unfounded.
“A game everyone can enjoy together... I think I understand now why that foolish woman spared those guys.”
Helby said this as she sank deeply into the sofa.
-Thank you, Ella-nim, for sending us Alraune noona.
-Wow! Ella-nim’s grace is overflowing!
-Girlfriend Punch! Goddess Punch!
As praises for Ella began to flood the chat window, her eyebrow twitched.
“...How dare they...”
“Hm?”
Helby’s expression darkened, and a competitive gleam appeared in her eyes. It was just like the look she had when she used to argue with Ella.
‘Hmph.’
It didn’t seem like a bad thing, so he decided to leave it be.
Jinwoo took a sip of beer, thinking just that.