Chapter 126: Collision (1)

“There are three methods,” Korona said as she held up three delicate fingers. “The most recommended is engraving a Dark tattoo.”

“

Hmm

.”

That was one of the unique techniques the Ebony Tower boasted. It was a technique where a magical ritual was engraved on the body, activated at will. Aside from the high cost due to needing a Wizard to perform it, there were no drawbacks.

But on the community... it says that Clerics who get tattoos lose Fame and Holy Power.

As expected, the response came immediately.

[Helik frowns upon apostles drawing on their flesh.]

[It is Solaris doctrine that one’s body and mind must be kept pure.]

[Engraving a black tattoo will cause your Game and Holy Power to drop tremendously.]

Oh, I see.

Like an obedient lamb, Kai shook his head. “Getting a Dark tattoo would be troublesome. It goes against my doctrine.”

“Then go with the second option. Change your class to a Necromancer or Dark Wizard.”

This time, the message window was unexpectedly quiet. However, it wasn’t because Helik allowed him to change his class.

He’s quick-witted in his own way.

Helik didn’t give a warning because he was sure Kai wouldn’t change his class! In fact, Kai had no intention of changing his class, even if offered a hidden one.

“That’s also a bit...”

As Kai expressed his refusal again, Korona murmured with a sad expression, “The last method is something I really don’t recommend... Do you still want to hear it?”

“Let’s hear it.”

“... Third, I make you a custom Magic item.”

“I’ll go with the third option!” Kai shouted without a moment’s hesitation!

Korona looked at him with a preposterous expression.

Why did she only mention the best option last... Oh, could it be?

Kai stared intently at Korona and then shook his head.

No way.

It couldn’t be that someone of her stature was reluctant to make a Magic item because she found it bothersome.

However, Korona, who was overtly displaying signs of annoyance and fatigue, said, “Ugh, it’s so bothersome...”

What a terrible person! Kai had now met only two tower lords, and neither of them seemed normal.

Seriously, the future of the magic world is...

As Kai earnestly worried about the future of Wizard players, Korona asked, “Is summoning skeleton knights your only requirement?”

“Yes, that alone would be...”

Before Kai could finish his sentence, Parsanax, who had been quietly listening, clicked his tongue and interrupted.

“

Tsk, tsk

.”

He immediately furrowed his brows and glared at Kai. “You, it seems you don’t understand the situation, so I’ll kindly explain.”

“Sorry?”

“Aren’t you curious why that brat of the Ebony Tower is so intimidated by me right now?”

“Well... you are the lord of the Crimson Tower and quite older, aren’t you?”

“

Bahaha

, do you think that lazy brat looks like someone who respects elders?” Parsanax continued with a raised eyebrow, “Seven years ago, that brat nearly died. At that time, she barely survived thanks to my help.”

“Oh, that’s what you were talking about when you mentioned the Death Plains earlier?”

“That’s right. I saved that brat and received a mana oath in return.”

Kai's eyes widened. “A mana oath?!”

A mana oath was a contract method used by NPC Wizards to establish an absolute trust relationship.

A terrifying contract where if you break the promise, the mana in your body evaporates!

It was far more frightening than any real-world guarantee or private loan.

“The terms of the contract are simple. Fulfill my favor once.”

“Really?”

“

Haha

, you really are a slow one. You only understand now?”

“You mean the reward you’re giving me is that?”

“Yes. Honestly, it's a waste... but without that brat’s cooperation, I can’t give you what you want.”

“Lord Parsanax...”

Kai looked slightly surprised.

I thought he was just a hot-tempered old man... but this is a new side!

Some would call him an eccentric who lived and died by his pride, but his determination to keep his word was definitely worthy of respect.

I never would have thought he would offer this incredible opportunity just to keep a promise with me.

Parsanax, perhaps annoyed by Kai’s admiring gaze, said, “Your gaze is creeping me out. If you understand the situation now, renegotiate with the brat again from the beginning.”

“Yes, understood.”

Kai displayed a determined expression, as if going to battle.

Korona looked at Kai with eyes full of sorrow. “... I’m done for now.”

***

“What? It takes two months to complete the item?”

“... Why don’t you think about how unreasonable your request is before you speak?”

“

Haha

,” Kai scratched his head with an embarrassed expression. “Sorry. I don’t know much about magic... Don’t you just need to put a magic sigil on when making the item or something?”

“

Ugh, uggghhh

...”

The moment Korona grabbed the back of her neck and fainted on the spot, Parsanax smirked and said, “You really don’t know anything, do you. It’ll take only two months because she’s that good.”

“Making Magic items is that difficult?”

“Of course. If the sigils of the skills you’re imbuing in the item clash, you have to repeat the same process hundreds of times to find a solution.”

“

Ah

, I think I get it now.”

Thinking of a programmer fixing bugs made it easier to understand.

So, that means the timeframe can’t be shortened... but two months might be cutting it close.

The invasion event that Kang Min-Gu, the branch manager, had hinted about was right around the corner now. With the event starting in about twenty days in reality, the two months in the game would roughly line up.

Well, it’s good if it works out, and if not, there’s nothing I can do about it.

He did what he could. All that remained was to offer a prayer and hope that Korona would diligently create a great item!

“You did well. I have a lecture, so I’ll be going now.”

Leaving Korona, who was still fainted, behind, Parsanax immediately teleported away. His departure was as abrupt as his personality!

Then I should get going too.

Also looking at the unconscious Korona, Kai left the Ebony Tower. Naturally, he headed to Tardal’s mansion.

“

Hmm

?” When Kai returned earlier than expected, Tardal looked surprised. “You didn’t get kicked out by Parsanax, did you?”

“No. I successfully completed the task you entrusted to me.”

When Kai explained in detail what had happened with Parsanax, Tardal burst into laughter.

“

Hahaha

. That fellow, he thought he could squeeze something out of Korona, but it looks like he failed.”

“Honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t expect him to offer such a tremendous opportunity as a reward.”

“Wizards generally have high pride, and Parsanax has always had an especially high pride. His fiery temper is a drawback, but he takes great care of his people and has never broken a promise.”

“I’ve surely come to respect him for that.”

Tardal smiled warmly. “There's a reason why so many follow someone with such a difficult personality. He may not be the best when dealing with people, but he’s not a bad friend, so don’t hold too much against him.”

After their brief conversation, Tardal, as usual, grabbed his stack of documents.

“Seeing that you’ve come back promptly, are you eager to take on a new task?”

“Oh, about that. Actually, I have something urgent I need to tell you.”

“

Hm

?” Reading the serious expression on Kai’s face, Tardal set down his documents and nodded. “Go ahead.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to take on any missions for the Darkness Hunters for a while.”

“Oh? Is something wrong? Is it that the injuries from your battle with Aosa are more severe than expected, or...”

“No, it’s not that. The aftereffects will heal soon. But... I plan to visit the Elven Forest afterward.”

The Elven Forest was the name that came from Kai’s mouth.

“The Elven Forest?” Tardal smiled. “So you are like other adventurers. Did you want to find the Elven Village?”

Naturally, such a reaction was expected, as a typical adventurer wouldn’t know the location of the Elven village.

“No. I know the location of the Elven village.”

Tardal’s smile slowly faded. “... An adventurer knows the location of an Elven village? That’s hard to believe.”

“The owner of the clinic I stayed at in Whitehall was an elf.”

“Elves generally dislike humans who destroy nature. They especially wouldn’t have revealed the village’s location to an adventurer... What’s the story?”

As expected of Tardal, he hits the nail on the head.

However, there was one thing he overlooked, and that was that Kai was not a typical adventurer.

“As you said, if I were an ordinary adventurer, they wouldn’t have told me. But to the elves, I am someone they can trust more than anyone else.”

“Why is that?”

“If you, known as the Sage of Water, haven’t already noticed, it should become clear soon.”

As Kai smiled, Tardal lightly tapped his desk.

“... I did think it was strange. Ever since you brought the scale of Hakhas.”

Hakhas was a prince of the Naga clan, residing in the deep sea where even most adventurers and NPCs couldn’t venture, so when Kai brought back his scales, Tardal had been truly astonished.

“A Cleric who hunted the enemy of the merfolk, a prince of the Naga clan, defeated Aosa alone, and was recognized as a friend by an elf, even told their village’s location.” Tardal scanned Kai with sharp eyes. “With my limited knowledge, there’s only one explanation that comes to mind.”

“May I ask what that is?”

“When you joined the Darkness Hunters, do you remember the detailed explanation I gave you about the Church of Muldine?”

“Of course.”

At that time, he had heard about the Church of Muldine for the first time and realized that they were the main focus of the main quest.

“This time, I need to give you a brief explanation about the Church of Solaris. The history of the Solarian Church can be divided into three eras.” Tardal raised three fingers and slowly folded them down one by one as he said, “Guardianship, Rest, and Radiance.”

Kai had heard about Radiance before.

It must be referring to Patrick.

Patrick, the third apostle, was known as the greatest and most powerful Paladin in the history of the Solarian Church.

And now, from Tardal's mouth, came information about the first and second apostles.

“Shimizu of Guardianship, Cherantia of Rest, and Patrick of Radiance.”

As expected.

Kai nodded with a calm expression.

Tardal, who had been watching him closely, lowered his hand and asked, “And now, it seems an adventurer claiming to be the fourth apostle is sitting in front of me.”

“It’s not a claim.”

“Can you prove it?”

Without a word, Kai opened his inventory. Soon, a brilliant ring with a detailed sun engraving appeared in his hand.

Tardal was momentarily speechless at the divine aura emanating from the Holy Ring Petra.

After a moment, he regained his composure, and spoke with a determined expression.