novelraw Chapter 193: Surprise Event (3)
Chapter 193: Surprise Event (3)
Translator: Dreamscribe
The Heroes treated the precious Erosion Insects with utmost care. The eggs of the Erosion Insects tasted like premium cheese, and the larvae were useful in many ways. The nutritional jelly produced by the larvae before they became cocoons was a delicacy, and when used in alchemy or as enhancement material, it even increased success rates.
From eggs to adults, nothing was wasted. Once that information spread through Arsilan Worlds, a group hypnosis effect occurred where even the grotesque appearance started to look cute.
‘Shall we try fermenting them like kimchi?’
‘I made larva stew. It’s insane as a side dish!’
‘I’ll share the recipe for spicy Erosion Insect stew!’
‘Try putting Erosion Insect legs in your ramen! The deep flavor is unbelievable.’
And just like that, it became a full-blown food craze!
Come to think of it, the Heroes were always good at picking up and eating anything. The Erosion Insects were treated as premium ingredients and were even protected with a Bug Protection Period, but their breeding speed couldn’t keep up with demand.
The millions of Erosion Insects quickly dwindled. As a result, the prices of Erosion Insect byproducts skyrocketed.
‘Hey, why are they releasing such a small quantity?’
‘FS Games, release more Erosion Insects!’
‘Guys! Let’s send a truck to FS Games.’
‘Immediately release giant Erosion Insects in Seoul Field!’
As the Erosion Insects were driven to extinction, such public opinion was forming.
They even made it into the top 10 of Arsilan popularity rankings.
The Heroes even created their own emoticons. They made the Erosion Insects into cute 2D characters to remove the sense of repulsion.
Then, the Heroes focused on a pit that had formed in the Dimension Gate field and discovered that it led deep underground. No matter how far they went down, there seemed to be no end, and the Heroes discovered the hidden mechanic.
Title: Breaking News! Erosion Insect Nest Discovered!
While investigating the pit where the Erosion Insects poured out, we discovered their nest. We went down all day and still couldn’t see the bottom, so we were about to return to Arsilan...
But then the Wind Spirit we contracted this time said there was something on the wall. So we looked around that area and found a hidden hole.
We tore off something disguised like spider webs and went in, and there was the Erosion Insect nest ㄷㄷㄷ
We peeked in, and there were a ton of Erosion Insects!
There were even ones I’d never seen before.
(Attached Photo: Nest Entrance)
I’ve placed a Hero’s Flower here with Contribution Points, so use it if you find the spot!
I’ll share the coordinates.
Anonymous1: Turn on the stream!
└SoftCheeks(Original Poster): Sorry, I’m awkward with streaming. I’ll reply in the comments instead!
Anonymous2: If there are new types, please share info.
└SoftCheeks(Original Poster): Yep, I’ll post right away. The tunnels are super complicated, so it might take some time?
BlueHandedChef: Thanks for sharing the coordinates. Our guild is heading out now!
└SoftCheeks(Original Poster): Enjoy the game!
ImASpiritMancer: SoftCheeks! How did you contract with the Spirit? What’s its grade?
└SoftCheeks(Original Poster): Max out your affinity and go into a remote area to train in seclusion. But it’s all luck in the end....
The Heroes finally entered the Erosion Insect nest that Jinwoo had prepared. The Arsilanian people, who had tasted the aphrodisiac effects, also eagerly joined the ranks.
‘I wanted them to be angry and fight against the Erosion Insects that defiled the city...’
But everyone’s eyes were filled with greed.
It might have been an even better outcome than what Jinwoo had intended. There was no way they could’ve shown more enthusiasm than this.
Jinwoo immediately returned to Arsilan from FS Games. Author Horolong was working at a tremendous speed in Arsilan. When Tia was assigned as an assistant writer under the guise of coincidence, the work speed increased several times over.
[Hero Horolong’s Faith has reached the maximum level.]
[B] Fanatic of the Creator God
Praise him.
He is the truth.
*Sacred Power stat +50
*Arsilan Contribution Points +200
Author Horolong had become a fanatic of Jinwoo.
Strangely, his Sacred Power was increasing greatly.
"Ah, ahhhhh! M-my hand won't stop!"
“It’s still not enough! Draw faster!”
“Yes, Master!”
He had assigned Tia as the assistant writer, but Horolong treated her as his Master. Anyway, that was how volumes 1 and 2 of 'Demon Magical Girl Sera' were created!
They hadn’t been released in Arsilan yet. Jinwoo moved straight to Levannas and distributed them there through Belzerad. The price was set low, and the books were displayed in libraries so many people could borrow them.
In Levannas, 'Demon Magical Girl Sera' was a bold experiment. Works published in Levannas were usually centered around legends or fairy tale-like stories. Literary works tended to be extremely rigid.
But now a comic set in present-day Levannas had been released, and naturally, it gained popularity. Moreover, Jinwoo had lightly infused it with magic, granting it a lifelike vividness. If one looked at the drawings and closed their eyes, the scenes would vividly come to mind as if in a dream.
“When’s the next volume coming out?”
"This is what's keeping me alive these days."
“I wish this existed in real life.”
The scene where Sera struck down the Erosion Insects attacking Levannas and threatening its people was immensely satisfying. All of Levannas was vividly depicted, making it feel like these events had actually occurred.
“Shining Buster! Kyaaah!”
“Wow! Mom! If Erosion Insects show up now, Sera will save us!”
“...Yes. I hope so too.”
The children even believed Sera was real. Their parents simply smiled bitterly and nodded.
Jinwoo returned to the royal palace.
Even the atmosphere in the palace had shifted.
The power of culture was immense, spreading far more influence than Jinwoo had anticipated.
The knights read the comic repeatedly during their breaks, some even shedding hot tears. The determination to protect Levannas was gradually growing stronger!
Jinwoo moved to Belzerad’s office. He too was reading the comic.
“Hoho, you’ve come?”
“How is it?”
“It’s very good. It reflects the grim reality of Levannas, but within it, a powerful hope burns bright, bringing comfort. I’m sure the people feel the same.”
Belzerad stood up from his chair.
“Most of all, hearing the children’s laughter lifts my spirits. Levannas... is far too harsh a place to preserve a child’s innocence.”
He wanted to make the children smile.
He wanted them to grow up in happiness. That was also the reason Belzerad had become a fairy tale writer himself.
“Thanks to you, hope has been born. I’m grateful.”
“This is just the beginning. Don’t be satisfied with just hope.”
“Hohoho! Understood.”
Jinwoo stood side by side with Belzerad, looking out the window. Then he turned his head and met Belzerad’s eyes.
“Well then...”
“Hoho, so it’s beginning now?”
When Jinwoo nodded, a deep smile formed on Belzerad’s lips.
Jinwoo moved with him to the research lab set up in the royal palace. Tiris had been staying there, installing various equipment.
“Tiris, is everything ready?”
“It’s finished.”
Inside the lab, Serazade was outfitted with mechanical devices all over her body. She had undergone a thorough physical examination and had received various training under Tiris’s guidance.
Tiris pulled up data on the Information Window and showed it to Jinwoo.
“As expected, excellent.”
“Yes, we were able to detect the Authority of Erosion within Serazade’s soul.”
It was a tremendous power.
Its potential was enormous.
"Um, Unni...?"
Serazade was calling Tiris “Unni”.
When Jinwoo looked surprised, Tiris explained how it came to be.
“We grew close while conducting a thorough physical examination.”
“Hm.”
Jinwoo didn’t press for further details.
Serazade didn’t understand why she was being fitted with these devices. Jinwoo had simply forgotten to tell her, while Tiris seemed to have deliberately kept it from her.
“That makes it more fun, doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
She was truly Jinwoo's disciple.
When Belzerad also entered the lab with Jinwoo, Serazade wore a puzzled expression.
“Serazade.”
“Yes, Master.”
Though he hadn’t officially begun teaching her magic yet, Serazade already regarded Jinwoo as her master.
“I’ll enable you to use magic.”
“Finally...!”
At last, her magic training was about to begin!
Serazade’s eyes swelled with anticipation. Tiris pulled out a case with strict security features from her subspace.
Click!
As the case opened, smoke imbued with powerful mana surged out and settled in the surroundings. The temperature instantly dropped below zero, and Serazade shivered.
Jinwoo looked at the item inside the case.
“You reproduced it exactly.”
“Yes, keeping true to the original was essential.”
“Excellent.”
It had the quality as if it had leapt right out of the comic book.
Belzerad came over to look at the item and nodded.
“Hahaha! Perfect! As expected of the Archmage’s disciple!”
Tiris lifted her shoulders proudly at Belzerad’s high praise.
Jinwoo had planned to make improvements if the quality was lacking, but that wasn’t necessary. At this rate, he might end up handing over the Archmage title.
'That makes me happy.'
He would gladly pass it on when the day came.
As Jinwoo and Belzerad admired the inside of the case, Serazade tilted her head curiously and approached.
Seeing the item in the case, Serazade also let out a gasp.
“This is... a magic staff.”
“Oh, you recognize it?”
At Jinwoo’s words, Serazade’s cheeks flushed slightly.
“I read it... as part of a review before publication in Levannas.”
As everyone’s eyes turned to her, she hurriedly changed the subject.
“But is this a stage prop or something?”
“No, it’s real.”
“Huh?”
A question mark popped above Serazade’s head at Jinwoo’s reply.
“And it’s yours.”
“Wait, what do you mean....”
Numerous question marks began appearing alongside the first one. Up to now, Serazade had barely understood what was going on.
The item inside the case was a magic staff.
It was far superior to the one Sera used in the original work. It was made from a shard created during the crafting of the Holy Sword, and it was synchronized with both the Holy Sword and the Magic Tower’s control system.
It was at the S-rank level.
Serazade was the only being in this world born with the bloodline of Erosion. This staff would help her harness the Erosion energy slumbering within her for good.
‘If she were to awaken or unleash the Authority of Erosion unknowingly, it would be dangerous.’
Belzerad hadn’t told her about her bloodline.
Since the will of a Higher Being of Erosion was trying to destroy Levannas through the Erosion Insects, revealing that Erosion blood flowed in her would undoubtedly be shocking.
Though he had recruited Serazade claiming they needed an attractive character, it had been with this hidden intention. Belzerad was also aware of Jinwoo’s real intent.
Belzerad believed that love was the greatest power. And Serazade, born from such a great power, would become the hope of the Demon Race.
‘Not just the Demon Race, even the Heroes will come to like her.’
In any case, Magical Girl Sera was a character with a charm never before seen in Arsilan!
Jinwoo nodded and gestured to Tiris.
“Let’s take it out and equip it.”
“W-wait a moment! Master! What exactly is-”
"Experiencing it directly is faster than explaining."
Tiris put on thick gloves and picked up a tong-like tool. Carefully, she grabbed the staff inside the case and lifted it. Then she turned to the startled Serazade who was hesitating.
As Tiris brought the staff toward Serazade, it suddenly disassembled, turned into light, and merged into Serazade’s body. Though she instinctively took a defensive stance, she blinked as nothing happened to her.
[Device connection confirmed.]
[Beginning body optimization process.]
[Optimization complete.]
[Magical Device A1, standing by....]
At the sudden voice, Serazade was taken aback.
Tiris confirmed the connection and gave a nod toward Jinwoo.
“Serazade, can you feel the power inside?”
“I-I think so. It feels like... some kind of switch....”
Serazade replied with a composed expression.
Jinwoo was impressed by her talent. The Magical Device AI had already settled into her body perfectly. Tiris’s eyes also widened slightly in surprise.
Tiris looked at Serazade with a serious expression.
“That is your magic.”
“This is my magic...”
“Yes, the power to protect Levannas.”
“The power to protect Levannas...!”
She couldn’t only receive help.
They had to protect Levannas using Levannas’s own power. It was the pride of Levannas, which had endured through harsh times.
Tiris exhaled deeply and assumed a solemn demeanor.
“Disciple of the Archmage, Serazade. You have gained the power to protect Levannas. But with all power comes a price, are you prepared?”
At Tiris’s question, Serazade’s eyes ignited.
Though the despair that had descended upon Levannas had weighed heavily on her, there had always been something burning deep in her chest.
She was ready to dedicate herself wholly for the sake of Levannas.
For her beloved grandfather, for the people, for Levannas!
“Of course. I will gladly give my life for Levannas.”
"An excellent answer."
Satisfied with Serazade’s response, Tiris approached and pinned a badge onto her.
“This badge symbolizes that you are a mage of the Magic Tower. You are already an excellent mage.”
“...Unni....”
When Tiris, for once, smiled as she said those words, Serazade’s eyes welled up with tears.
Belzerad sniffled, tears streaming down his face. His beloved Serazade had grown up so well! The emotion moved even the Demon King to tears.
Tiris extended her hand forward.
"Then, Mage of the Magic Tower Serazade! Activate your magic."
“Yes, ma’am!”
Serazade closed her eyes and flipped the switch she felt deep in her chest.
Paaah!
A ring of light rose and began to wrap around her body. Her figure shrank, and an outfit made of mana formed over her. A staff brimming with powerful mana appeared in her hand.
Serazade was intoxicated by the overwhelming power coursing through her entire body. A boiling desire surged within her, making her want to dash outside and unleash everything.
Lost in the ecstasy of overwhelming mana, she opened her eyes.
“Oh.”
“Heh.”
“Ooooh.”
Jinwoo, Tiris, and Belzerad were all watching her.
Serazade glanced at the staff in her hand and flinched. The pure white outfit she wore looked very familiar.
As soon as she realized her body had shrunk, she rushed toward a mirror at the side of the lab.
“Ah....”
Serazade nearly lost her mind when she saw her reflection in the mirror. It was a face she knew all too well. The protagonist of 'Demon Magical Girl Sera', which she had stayed up all night reading countless times, she had become Sera.
The shape of her horns had changed, and her hair had turned a lighter color. After the transformation, she looked exactly like Sera.
She had become Magical Girl Sera!
“......”
Serazade looked at Tiris with dead eyes.
Tiris, with a solemn expression, opened her mouth.
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
Tiris quoted a line a certain spider hero might say.
“This is my magic?”
Serazade was in despair.
“Sniff... as expected of my granddaughter! So cute!”
Belzerad wept profusely.
Just then, a siren rang out.
A report came in that a small tunnel had formed inside the protective barrier. Occasionally, tunnels would break through the magic barrier due to unstable tremors within the planet.
Since this kind of incident happened often, the defense forces were immediately dispatched.
Jinwoo grinned as he looked at Serazade.
“Perfect timing. Serazade, deploy.”
“Huh?”
“There’s no better training than the real thing. Don’t worry, it’s equipped with safety features.”
She was set up to return automatically if she was in danger.
Jinwoo reached out toward Serazade. A magic circle appeared beneath her feet.
"W-wait! I'm...!"
Whoooosh!
Jinwoo teleported her immediately.
***
It was unusual for a small tunnel to appear inside the third protective barrier. As soon as the Levannas defense troops detected the tremor from the tunnel, they were dispatched, and an evacuation order was issued for the nearby village.
“The tunnel’s location isn’t good.”
“It’s way too close to the village.”
All the soldiers aboard the armored vehicle had tense expressions. The airship had already been deployed and was pouring firepower into the tunnel. Usually, for small tunnels, this would have been enough.
“Squad leader, have you seen 'Demon Magical Girl Sera'?”
“Yeah, it’s great.”
"If she just blasted them with Shining Buster, all those Erosion Insect bastards would melt...."
“Haha... if only that were true.”
Inside the armored vehicle, the troops cracked jokes to ease their nerves.
Fortunately, it seemed the situation had been resolved without incident. Just as everyone was beginning to relax, a radio transmission came through.
“A-a second tunnel has appeared!”
“What?”
“Damn it! It’s inside the village!”
The defense troops quickly changed direction and headed for the village. There were still many people who hadn’t evacuated, making it difficult for the airship to provide fire support.
The only option was to destroy the tunnel directly. However, by the time the defense forces arrived at the front of the village, it was already too late. Erosion Insects were crawling up from a tunnel that had opened in the village center.
“Kyaaaah!”
“Aaaargh!”
People who hadn’t evacuated screamed from the rooftops of buildings. The Erosion Insects had filled the ground of the village and were staring up at the rooftops.
“Fire! Stop them from reaching the roofs!”
The arriving defense troops poured out firepower, but the numbers were overwhelming.
“The airship reports that they’re going to drop bombs!”
“What?”
“...If the Erosion Insects manage to breed inside the protective barrier, the damage will be even greater....”
The commander of the 3rd Ground Defense Corps of Levannas cursed toward the airship fleet and sent out a radio transmission, but the higher-ups had already issued a withdrawal order.
The corps commander understood.
Erasing this village was the best course of action.
“There are a lot of children, too....”
“Ah....”
“Grrgh!”
The officers around the corps commander clenched their eyes shut or ground their teeth, unable to contain their emotions.
“Retrea-”
Just as the commander was about to issue the retreat order.
A massive pillar of light descended from the sky, sweeping through the Erosion Insects with an explosion. It was an enormous blast, yet none of the buildings or people suffered any damage.
“T-that, that, that’s... Shining Buster...?”
"No way...."
“Huff!”
The soldiers who recognized the attack were left dumbfounded.