Chapter 297

[Interesting achievement—You have engaged in a sincere relationship with a non-human entity.]

[Your respect for non-human entities aligns with the will of the god who was once human.]

The Firebird’s Essence was related to the Bow God. In other words, there was a high probability that there were many gods in the world, not just one. Among them, the unnamed god who was once a human was very familiar to Jae-Hyeok. According to Elder Song and Iyarugt’s item description, this was the god that his ancestor, Peak Sword, worshiped. Moreover, the lion statue had once said that the very same god had founded Reinhardt.

Perhaps... Being born human means he’s good?

Did these beings, praised as gods, have a concept of right and wrong?

Jae-Hyeok didn’t know.

However, he was convinced that this nameless god wasn’t evil.

At the very least, sharing his will doesn’t seem like a bad thing. But...

Jae-Hyeok recalled his original motive for getting close to the lion statue, and he couldn’t help but feel a little sheepish. In the beginning, his purpose for winning the lion statue’s favor was in hopes of triggering the quest.

Of course, over time he came to understand and sympathize with the lion statue’s suffering, and they did end up forming a genuine bond, but it didn’t change the fact that his original motives were selfish.

It seems that compared to this unknown god, I still fall short...

[You are both good-aligned.]

Perhaps it was a coincidence, but the System message arrived as if in response to Jae-Hyeok’s inner thoughts.

[The lion statue sought to witness a perfected sword drill. But you uncovered its true wish: to witness the unity of humankind and their process of growth.]

[Congratulations. You qualify for the Pilgrimage of the Gods.]

Ding!

A sound effect that might be heard in a game sounded.

[Pilgrimage of the Gods.

Embark on a pilgrimage to experience the mortal adventures of the god who was once man.

*Earn rewards for each adventure you successfully complete.

*Notice: permission to enter Reinhardt required.]

Perhaps the pilgrimage route existed in Reinhardt, and that was why he required a Reinhardt pass?

Jae-Hyeok touched his chin.

In any case, I’m lucky.

Reinhardt was a high secret among players. Few knew of it, and fewer still had entry rights, so the pilgrimage qualification would’ve been useless in most hands. As for him? He was not only wise to Reinhardt's existence but also possessed a reusable Reinhardt Ticket—another gift of Princess Iris's.

[Your clearance of The Wish of Lion’s Castle has been rated as SSS.]

[Congratulations. You have earned a perfect evaluation.]

[Congratulations. You have received

the lion’s soul as a quest completion reward.]

Lion soul?

Jae-Hyeok tilted his head, but the lion statue was even more confused.

—Uhh?

Uhhhh?

The lion statue blazed blue, engulfed in brilliant flames.

“What’s going on?”

The crowd had been high-fiving in celebration of their flawless performance. Now they turned their attention to the lion statue.

“

Hah

...”

The Thunder Emperor was the first to grasp the situation and eyed the blazing statue in appreciation.

So it lives... No wonder Jae-Hyeok insisted on coming here. This must be the gate’s quest.

White Night and Kang Hyeon-Ah soon realized it as well.

So that statue is the core of Lion’s Castle...

—

Aaaaack!

The lion statue screamed as the flames erupted into the sky.

“Are those flames... Stoli?” Do-Jin asked.

Jae-Hyeok’s mouth twitched. As expected of Do-Jin’s animal-like intuition. Paired with his intimate familiarity with the lion statue, he quickly identified the blue flames as the statue’s soul.

Jae-Hyeok closed his System messages and replied, “It is.”

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Before he could say more, Jae-Hyeok’s brow rose, and he rested a hand on his shaking hilt. Iyarugt had sensed the statue’s soul and was fighting mightily to free itself.

—

W-wait!

I don’t like this!

This is scary!

The pillar of blue flames died down and resolved into a floating blue lion. Its eyes were snapped shut, and it paddled in circles, upside down.

—Someone help! help!

Jae-Hyeok blinked, then smiled. Though sentient for hundreds of years, Stoli was as unfamiliar with movement as a newborn baby.

“Stoli, open your eyes. Or, would you rather hide away here for another few hundred years?”

Jae-Hyeok reached out toward Stoli.

“Come. Let’s go outside.”

—

O-outside?

Stoli slowly calmed down, but still it hesitated.

Outside, beyond Lion’s Castle...

What was out there?

What if it was dangerous?

Or what if it got lost?

As Stoli was hesitating, Jae-Hyeok spoke.

“Of course, the world isn’t just full of beautiful things. There’s also hardship.”

Jae-Hyeok had experienced firsthand the ups and downs of life. He understood Stoli’s fear, and he knew it was warranted.

“There will be days when you regret going out into the world. And there will also be days you won’t. But through it all, I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”

—

I...

Stoli’s voice trembled with emotion. Its desire was clear.

But ultimately...

—

I... I’m sorry, I can’t. I am the embodiment of Lion’s Castle. If even I leave this place... it will no longer be Lion’s Castle.

Jae-Hyeok shook his head. “You’re wrong—look.”

He pointed to the students standing far away on the stage. They were young, youths who only looked to the future.

Stoli was reminded of the aspiring knights of old.

“Do you still think this place will lose its essence without you?”

—

No.

The blue flames that made up Stoli flickered.

I see.

The aspiring knights of old, and the students of present... they are the heart of this land. So long as they remain, Lion Castle will thrive.

Stoli laughed, its voice thick with both pain and relief.

—So I was never needed. Lion’s Castle is tied to the will of the younger generation, which has always burned bright on its own! Good! Jae-Hyeok, accept! Let’s go see the world!

Stoli shot toward Jae-Hyeok with such speed that a sonic boom cracked the air.

“W-watch out!”

The crowd paled in shock, and Do-Jin, Da-Hee, and Ha-Rin reflexively rushed forward.

Jae-Hyeok might’ve been a National Treasure with power beyond their imagination, but he was also their friend. Even if it was futile, even if they died in vain—how could they stand by when their friend was in danger?

“Don’t worry.”

Jae-Hyeok smiled and drew Iyarugt; its glassy length was humming in excitement, and the moment Iyarugt’s tip touched Stoli, Stoli vanished in a flash of red and blue.

Iyarugt’s red blade darkened by several shades.

[Iyarugt has absorbed the lion’s soul and grown stronger.]

[Iyarugt has unlocked a new Skill: Lion’s Courage.]

[Iyarugt has unlocked a new Skill: Assimilation.]

[Lion’s Courage (Passive).

Grants immunity to fear and exhaustion-type abnormal conditions.]

[Assimilation Lv. 1.

Temporarily allows the lion soul to inhabit your body, granting you some of the lion soul’s unique stats and Skills.

*Upon activating, 1% of your maximum mana is consumed per second.]

Jae-Hyeok swept Iyarugt through the air, and the resulting pressure wave blew dust from the stage and sent people’s hair whipping about.

Jae-Hyeok recalled the cooperative Skill, Space Slash, that he’d perfected with Do-Jin; he thought that it might be possible to cut through space using his own strength from now on.

[Mythic achievement!—You have evolved the sword once favored by the god of humans to a higher level!]

[Congratulations! You are the first recorded player to earn a Mythic achievement. All stats increased by 30. The qualitative enhancement per stat point has risen.]

Legendary had always been the highest known achievement a player could earn, and even then, to earn them was as difficult as climbing the heavens, with most National Treasures only earning one or two Legendary achievements over the course of their lifetime.

Meanwhile, Jae-Hyeok’s feat broke past Legendary to unveil a realm beyond:

Mythic...

Jae-Hyeok was ecstatic. The rewards he’d gained surpassed even those from his latest tribulation.

How amazing.

Jae-Hyeok clutched Iyarugt in a white-knuckled grip.

The blade overflowed with immense power, so much so that he could barely contain it.

—Is this my new home?

Good.

It’s cozy.

If it weren’t for Stoli’s calm voice gently wrapping around his mind, he might’ve lost his sense of reason for a moment and rampaged like a beast.

With my current power, I wonder if it's enough to compete in Reinhardt?

Just as Jae-Hyeok was smiling, a new notification window appeared in his view.

[Legendary achievement—You are the first to clear the quest of Lion’s Castle, which no one has uncovered for hundreds of years.]

[All stats increased by 10.]

[You have obtained information on the treasures hidden throughout Lion’s Castle.]

“Wow.” Jae-Hyeok’s eyes danced across the full list of System messages as he marveled at his fortune.

—

You dare ruin an item bearing traces of my father’s legacy?

[Reinhardt’s second princess, Freesia, has turned hostile.]

Jae-Hyeok gaped.

What... the hell...