Chapter 258

[Firebird’s Essence.

A feather from the Bow God’s companion phoenix. Contains the purest vitality.

*Infuse mana into the feather to nurture vital essence.

* Special abilities awaken as your vital essence grows.]

Chen Dian remembered the day of his awakening as if it had been yesterday.

At the time, he’d been running madly through the streets, alarms blared in the distance, and though he’d never been fit, the roars of monsters and screams of men and women trailing behind had urged his lungs to pump like a bellows as he ran for his life.

Fear drove him, but deep down, he was self-aware enough to know it was pointless.

Chen Dian had been average all his life. And he couldn’t help but think that it made sense for him to die there, as just another faceless casualty.

But that was when...

Jae-Hyeok furrowed his brow.

“You’re saying a line of fire shot from the gate, and it was hunting the monsters?”

Chen Dian nodded.

“It’s true. I swear it’s true. It looked like an arrow made of fire. But then it rapidly grew. It morphed into a firebird that swept through hundreds of monsters, turning them all to ash.

“After destroying all the monsters, the firebird vanished, and several breaths later, a large feather floated to the ground right before my eyes.

“I picked it up, and a searing pain shot from my hand to my chest. I blacked out. And when I awoke next, it was to the sound of System notifications.

“At first, when I didn’t see the feather, I thought maybe it had burned up. It was only after reading the System notifications and sensing the fiery energy next to my heart that I realized what had happened.”

Chen Dian recalled as he massaged his wrinkly temples.

Having sacrificed all the vital essence he’d nurtured, Chen Dian had lost the youth he’d maintained for over seventy years.

What’s more...

[Name: Chen Dian.

Level: 99

......]

His level had dropped by nearly half, plummeting from 180 to the 90s.

And considering that the experience required to level up rose exponentially with one’s level, the time Chen Dian would need to regain his level was more than one would need to grind from level 1 to 100.

His losses were heavy to say the least, but it was better than the alternative. Chen Dian was just happy to have found a path to life.

“So you awakened because of the Firebird’s Essence, and these fire-attribute Skills awakened alongside it?”

“Yes...”

Jae-Hyeok thoroughly dissected Chen Dian’s shared status window.

To have someone rooting around in his status window... Chen Dian felt like his soul was being fondled by a stranger, but he didn’t dare to disobey. So long as he could leave here alive, there was nothing he wouldn’t do..

“What was the name of that gate?” Jae-Hyeok asked.

“Reidan Desert.”

“Reidan? Reidan...”

The name was familiar to Jae-Hyeok. It took him a moment to place it:

[Fun and Enjoyable Training!

★ Hidden Quest ★

Live together with Kyoreh, a farmer of Reidan. Your time with him will make you grow into a great farmer.]

Thinking back to the quest he’d undertaken in Reinhardt a couple of weeks ago, Jae-Hyeok’s interest grew. It seemed Farmer Kyoreh was also from a place named Reidan.

In other words...

Reidan was similar to the World Tree Outskirts—both were world fragments stemming from the same homeworld as Reinhardt.

Thinking as much, Jae-Hyeok manipulated the status window, and his eyes flicked back to the description under Firebird’s Essence.

“A feather from the Bow God’s companion phoenix...”

Didn’t Peak Sword worship a god that came from one Reinhardt...

Redian and Reinhardt were once part of the same world. It seems not only is there more than one god, but these gods share close ties.

Sensing Jae-Hyeok’s interest, Chen Dian grew excited.

“Young Master, if you want, I can take you to Reidan Desert right away. With my authority, I can definitely secure you free access—”

Jae-Hyeok interrupted, “Do you know Reinhardt?”

“Rein... hardt? This is my first time hearing of it.”

Chen Dian searched through his memories for a moment before shaking his head.

“I see... As for visiting Reidan Desert, I’ll pass for now.”

From what Jae-Hyeok could gather, the Bow God had likely loosed an arrow from the other side of the Reidan gate, with the feather that Chen Dian had picked up being a remnant.

It was a fascinating story. But seeing as there were no sightings or similar experiences in the seventy years following the gate's initial appearance, it was clear there was nothing more to see. The Bow God was surely long gone.

Chen Dian panicked.

“Reidan Desert is a magical place with many unique aspects. Don’t be so quick to dismiss it. For example, the desert is home to the giant worm, a truly colossal monster! And did I mention the gate’s S-class? We use it to train the best players in China. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Chen Dian was desperate.

His current situation could only be described as miserable—but if he could coax Jae-Hyeok into visiting China, then there was still a chance to turn things around.

A thought struck Jae-Hyeok.

“Oh, if I go, could you also arrange for me to meet Qilin during my visit?”

“Qilin? The chairman?” Chen Dian’s high hopes cooled. “The chairman went into seclusion a long time ago. Even I don’t know his whereabouts.”

“Aren’t you high-ranking in Black Dragon?”

“My position is mostly honorary. With my status, the guild and the Communist Party won’t bother me with trivial things. I’m left alone for the most part, so I’m not well informed about Qilin’s movements. Currently, the primary mover behind Black Dragon is Zhang Soso. That child is the true successor to the Qilin. She’s also closely connected with the Communist Party.”

Jae-Hyeok nodded.

Chen Dian’s words rang true.

Perhaps the Communist Party didn’t dare to order Chen Dian around, or perhaps this was simply their way of rewarding him for his years of service—either way, the Communist Party clearly treated Chen Dian as semi-retired.

After all, were he active, then sending Chen Dian on a multi-month visit to Korea would’ve been a waste when compared to the number of missions he could’ve accomplished back home.

Jae-Hyeok asked, “Are you saying that only Zhang Soso knows the whereabouts of the Qilin?”

“That’s right. If Young Master Kang wants, I will arrange a meeting with her.”

“Before that, I have one question.”

Jae-Hyeok’s expression turned frosty.

Chen Dian was overwhelmed by an ominous feeling and gulped.

“The 87th East Asia Gate Talks. You hurt my father there, right?”

As expected.

Chen Dian had been anticipating this question from the moment Jae-Hyeok started asking about the Qilin.

There was no question now; clearly, Jae-Hyeok sought only one thing—

Revenge.

Chen Dian thought back to that day and quickly explained, “I-it wasn’t just the Qilin. The Japanese National Treasure called the Great Swordsman also cooperated. The others were no match for the Yaksha, but the two of them launched a surprise attack together.”

Chen Dian’s testimony was short.

However, Jae-Hyeok could picture it clearly—everyone at the conference provoking his father and humiliating Korea until his father could no longer take it. As soon as he was goaded into a fight, the Qilin and the Japanese player lurking in the shadows would’ve made their move.

Jae-Hyeok muttered, “You know more than most.”

Jae-Hyeok’s heart thumped in his ears as he bit his lip. The image of his father on his knees, dantian shattered, replayed continuously in his mind.

After ruining Father, those bastards were probably smiling when they “conceded” the gate to Korea...

“Tell me. How do you know so much? Were you also there?”

Jae-Hyeok’s tone was flat, an eerie contrast to his reddening eyes.

Chen Dian hurriedly shook his head. “I-I... Not at all! I only heard about it at that time through rumors!”

“You think China and Japan would allow rumors of their disgraceful conduct to circulate? You think I’d buy that?”

“I—

cough!

”

Chen Dian coughed up blood and lowered his trembling gaze, where he saw a pale hand embedded deep in his chest.

Jae-Hyeok’s hand.

“How could you!? I did everything you said. Everything! I even bowed my head... You’re vile and... heartless. China will hunt you down... tear you apart... I’ll wait for you in hell...”

Chen Dian died standing, tears of blood streaming down his face.

Jae-Hyeok withdrew his hand, and between his fingers was a jade-like gem that resembled a crystal heart.

It was the Firebird’s Essence.

Jae-Hyeok’s blood-stained hand trembled.

“Jae-Hyeok...”

Kang Hyeon-Ah looked at her brother with worry. Although he’d killed many people for the sake of revenge, perhaps this was the first time he’d killed someone who’d fully surrendered and complied.

Just then, Jae-Hyeok pointed to the Firebird’s Essence.

“Sister, look.”

Rather than guilt or grief, Jae-Hyeok’s voice shook with excitement.

Kang Hyeon-Ah blinked before coming to her senses.

“What is it?”

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

“Don’t you feel the vitality?”

Jae-Hyeok up the Firebird’s Essence before her eyes. Indeed, the vitality contained within the crystal was purer and more potent than anything she’d ever seen.

Theodore was also impressed.

“How amazing. If I eat it, I think I can return to being human.”

“... Are you joking?”

“Of course.”

“You actually know how to joke.”

“Don’t you like it? If not, then I won’t.”

Thinking of it now, Jae-Hyeok realized that the once threatening Death Knight had become increasingly easier to get along with ever since swearing loyalty. In addition, Jae-Hyeok’s class was that of a knight, and Theodore was itself once descended from a family of knights, so Jae-Hyeok couldn’t help but feel some kinship with it.

“I have no intention of controlling your personality. Do as you wish as long as it doesn’t go against the code of chivalry.”

“Master, you know about chivalry?”

“Of course.”

A faint smile spread across Jae-Hyeok’s face. How could he not know? Not only was he a knight, he’d even established several codes of chivalry on his own.

***

Jae-Hyeok tightened his grip on the Firebird’s Essence and quickened his pace down the hall, his sister and Theodore trailing close behind.

No one spoke.

Soon, they reached his father’s room.

I hope this works.

Jae-Hyeok’s abrupt killing of Chen Dian was none other than to acquire the Firebird’s Essence.

Even the most cutting-edge medical procedures and drug plans held no cures for brain death. Chen Dian, meanwhile, had recovered after having his head severed; the vital essence within the Firebird’s Essence was clearly unique, capable of miraculous healing.

Father, please wake up.

“Please...”

Jae-Hyeok placed the Firebird’s Essence on his father’s chest, and just as he’d hoped, a notification window popped up.

[Would you like to use the Firebird’s Essence on Player Kang Dae-Guk?]

Yes.

The crystal heart erupted into a ball of flames before slowly seeping into his father’s chest.

Everyone watched tensely, but after several long minutes—

[Notice: Insufficient vital essence]

“Ah.”

“This...”

Kang Hyeon-Ah and Theodore sighed.

“It can work! It’ll work!”

But Jae-Hyeok was delighted. Now that he knew he could use the Firebird’s Essence on others, all he needed to do now was nurture more vital essence within the crystal heart.

Jae-Hyeok carefully held his father’s frail, bony hand.

“Just a bit more... Please endure a bit longer.”

After whispering a gentle goodbye, Jae-Hyeok rose from his chair and turned his attention to the Firebird’s Essence floating above his father’s chest.

Jae-Hyeok didn’t hesitate.

He held the Essence of a Firebird to his heart.

[Absorbing the Firebird’s Essence.]

[A great vitality now dwells within you!]