The Saint Who Levels Up Through Necromancy-Chapter 94: Ancient Trial Grounds II (1)
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Chapter 94: Ancient Trial Grounds II (1)
The gate raid reward was nothing special. Just a C-rank mana stone.
The boss monster, synchronized with the core of [Whispers of the Wraith], was a ghost type, so there wasn't even a corpse to salvage.
'Usually, hunting an ogre would at least get you a C-rank stone.'
〔Khahaha. That's not like you to worry about such things. Not very cost-effective, is it?〕
'The real reward is something else entirely. I should be satisfied with that.'
Alice Kim looked like she'd had a tooth pulled when she heard the news of the gate closure.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect, Mr. Cheon."
"Well, I am rather amazing!”
"Isn't humility supposed to be a virtue for you Easterners?"
‘I had, after all, brought nine people along on a gate raid that I could have easily handled solo. That seemed pretty humble to me. Guess I wasn't used to downplaying my abilities after my return.’
The Little Angels raid party did nothing after entering the gate.
To be precise, there was no need to give them work.
【How boring. To struggle against such undead.】
The Skeleton Knight, wielding dual swords, roamed the battlefield, slicing up the undead.
The evil spirits that stimulated the hunters' nerves could not overcome the [Unholy Shock Shield].
Alice Kim already knew the approximate situation through the attack team's subsequent report.
'He's good at alchemy and has an excellent combat sense.'
An unprocessed gemstone shines like this.
If it were a jewel, it would be a diamond.
Wouldn't it be a talent at the level of a pink diamond, known to be the rarest of them all?
'I can't bring him into our guild.'
Since his main stage of activity was on the other side of the planet, it was impossible to recruit him.
With regret, Alice Kim clicked her tongue and smacked her lips.
"Are you hungry?"
"That's a rather rude question to ask a lady, Mr. Cheon.”
"Oh, sorry. I just noticed you... well…”
"It's quite alright. Anyway, you've fulfilled your end of the bargain, so I'll open the guild warehouse for you.”
"Excellent. And you'll honor our agreement of two unique-grade items?"
"Of course. A deal's a deal."
Little Angels' item warehouse was as large as a school auditorium.
"Take whatever you want."
The Little Angels' item warehouse was enormous, like a school auditorium packed with every kind of weapon imaginable.
Gleaming swords, sturdy spears, and menacing lances lined the walls, alongside shelves stacked with staves and orbs that hummed with magical energy.
There were even display cases filled with rings and necklaces, each radiating an aura of power.
It was clear from the sheer variety and quality of the items that the rumors about this Californian guild's success were true.
‘They have amassed quite the arsenal.’
〔What are you going to take?〕
'First, I'm going to get a spear.'
He lifted and swung each of the listed spears, stabbing them once.
He also read the item descriptions carefully.
"I'll take this one."
⋯⋯⋯
[Unicorn Horn Spear]
Rank: Unique
Type: Spear
Restriction: Spear Technique Skill Proficiency 75% or higher.
Durability: 1,000/1,000
A spear crafted by using the horn of the legendary unicorn as the blade and carving the same groove into a branch of the millennium tree.
It has the effect of amplifying mana, and when thrusting, the spear's power increases.
*Mana Amplification Lv67
*Thrusting Lv71
⋯⋯⋯
"Wouldn't the Cursed Black Knight's Spear next to it be better than that weapon?"
"It's a decent item. Although it does trigger a curse whenever it's swung or thrust."
"A hunter who handles holy power like Mr. Cheon wouldn't be cursed. It would be a perfect fit."
"Thank you for your kindness. However, I think this one will suit me better."
The Cursed Black Knight's Spear.
‘It was the weapon I was agonizing over until the very last moment. Not only does it inflict a curse on the target it hits, but the spear's sharpness and destructive power are also a cut above the Unicorn Horn Spear. It also has good synergy with spirit power, with an option to amplify power when Dark Fighting Aura is manifested.’
〔Then why didn't you choose that spear?〕
'The Unicorn Horn Spear has a hidden option.'
The mana amplification option stems from the spiral-shaped groove carved into the unicorn's horn, which acts as the spear blade.
When the Verdian Basic Spear Technique is mastered to its limits, you can acquire the hidden secret art [Death Spiral], and the essence of that is mana rotation.
〔So it's an investment for the future.〕
"Yup."
〔But isn't it too early? Death Spiral is the secret art of the Spear Ghost. It's not something that can be easily learned.〕
Kronos' point was valid.
To acquire Death Spiral, the proficiency in the Verdian Basic Spear Technique must be maximized.
And several other conditions must be met.
'To handle the Cursed Black Knight's Spear, you need to have dark-related traits. In short, I don't meet the requirements.’
For the Unicorn Horn Spear, you only need to increase the proficiency of spear techniques, 'regardless of type'.
Other spears require martial arts-related skills or traits, or even consider your rank, making it difficult to meet the usage restrictions.
'If I really wanted to, I could cheat and use the Ring of Darkness to substitute for the dark-related traits. But still… Rather than bothering to use that, I might as well prepare for the future. The Unicorn Horn Spear, which can be handled without penalties, is a much better choice.’
〔There's one left.〕
'I've already decided what to choose.'
⋯⋯⋯
[Pheidippides' Necklace]
Rank: Unique
Type: Necklace
Durability: 150/150
A necklace commemorating Pheidippides, the messenger who ran for two days and nights without rest to announce the victory of the Battle of Marathon.
It adds to endurance and has a built-in blessing that replenishes the user's stamina.
*Stamina + 50
*Endurance Lv35
*[Spirit of the Marathon] skill embedded
⋯⋯⋯
[TL/N: Pheidippides — In ancient Greece, he is said to have run non-stop from a battlefield in Marathon to the citadel in Athens in 490 BC]
[Spirit of the Marathon]
Restores depleted stamina and mental strength to their maximum values.
It does not replenish portions depleted due to injury or curses.
A buff that instantly restores depleted stamina to its maximum.
‘It looks pretty good, but it has a weakness…’
It does not replenish stamina consumed by injuries.
That's why the item's rank is set to Unique.
'It's a little different for me.'
A skill that can freely convert Life Force / Mana / Stamina.
Yoojin has Life Drain.
〔Even when I bestowed that spell, I never imagined this kind of application.〕
'Your imagination is lacking.'
[Spirit of the Marathon] is the best recovery skill for Yoojin.
‘Haha….’
He couldn’t help but laugh.
As Yoojin chuckled, Alice Kim looked at him with a puzzled expression.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next day.
Yoojin ran into the Little Runts team in the hotel lounge.
"You all look like you had a good time."
"Beverly Hills was amazing, Oppa! What a sight!"
"So I hear. Lots of window shopping, I gather?"
"Hey, don't lump me in with them. What's the point of looking if you aren’t even buying anything?"
Kang Minyeong's eyes were sparkling.
The other members of the group showed their fatigue openly.
Beverly Hills is where famous American actors and rich people live. In other words, it's like Cheongdam-dong in Seoul.
Many luxury stores and department stores targeting wealthy people are located there.
‘It seems Kang Minyeong led the group and enjoyed window shopping to their heart's content in Beverly Hills.’
"It was awesome, oppa! So many amazing things to see!"
"And eat, apparently.”
Yoojin quipped.
"You all seem to have enjoyed the restaurants, at least."
"Hey, I found all the best places!"
Yoojin turned to Director Im.
"Speaking of which, how are you feeling? Beverly Hills agrees with you?"
"Uh, yeah, sure..."
Director Im mumbled, looking a bit worse for wear.
Yoojin raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced.
“You didn't just spend the whole day shopping, did you? What about some sightseeing?"
"Of course not! We saw Hollywood too. But there's just so much to see, one day wasn't enough."
"We had a feeling we'd be rushed, so we tried to see as much as we could.”
‘Oh?’
Kang Minyeong had unknowingly hit close to the truth about their upcoming rushed schedule. Her intuition was sharper than he'd thought.
He decided to test the waters further.
"So, how do you all feel about Las Vegas?"
"...!"
"Las Vegas...?!"
"Really?"
The group was startled.
Yoojin did not deny it.
The faces of the group (except Kang Minyeong), which had been colored with fatigue, began to show signs of life.
"Everyone, eat a hearty breakfast."
"Yes, hyung-nim!"
After having breakfast, they immediately checked out.
They headed to Las Vegas in the vehicle provided by Little Angels.
"If you just pull the right lever here, your life will turn around."
"What are you going to do if you go with that mindset and lose your house deed?"
"Oppa, are you nagging even when we're going to Las Vegas?"
"I'm just saying don't get too caught up in it."
The future Mirror Hunters growled at each other.
"My honed poker skills from the army. I'll definitely show you."
Lee Seongmin seemed a little excited, his eyes filled with anticipation as he took in the sights of Las Vegas.
But what to do.
‘I said we were going to Las Vegas. I didn't say a word about casinos.’
"Hyung, why are we moving away from the city?"
"Our destination is a gate south of Las Vegas."
For a moment, cold air flowed through the car, as if the temperature had dropped by 5 degrees.
"A gaaaate??"
"Huh huh huh. Are we going to enter a gate after coming to Las Vegas?"
"No way. I should have been suspicious when you said you were taking us out for fun."
Kang Minyeong's eyes were blazing, as if she were about to pull out Yoojin's hair.
Lee Seongmin also let out a hollow laugh as if he had lost his mind.
Kang Minho also showed a wry smile.
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
'It will all be good experience for you. You'll thank me later.'
〔But what is the purpose of this overseas trip?〕
'Ah. I didn't explain, did I? Do you remember the Ancient Garden by any chance?'
〔You mean the place where you defeated the enemy in the trial and obtained the Warrior's Body?〕
'This gate is an extension of that.'
The Ancient Trial Grounds.
A hidden place of trials in some of the fixed gates around the world.
The gate near Las Vegas, [Field of Glory], contained the [Ancient Trial Grounds II] prepared by the Pantheon.
〔If it's such an important place, I don't think other guilds would let you pass through.〕
'At this point in time, it hasn't been discovered yet.'
〔You mean the future knowledge that only you possess.〕
'Don't be so surprised. Have you only seen this for a day or two? The guy who even went as far as to modify his own holy relic so I could use future knowledge is acting like he doesn't know.’
The vehicle stopped in front of the gate on the outskirts of Las Vegas.
⋯⋯⋯
[Field of Glory]
[Type - Fixed Type]
[Entry Condition: 3 Stars]
[Gate Area: Medium]
[Mana Density: 61%]
⋯⋯⋯
"Everyone, get ready."
"Wow. It's a real gate. Ha, haha."
He pushed the backs of the armed party members and entered the gate.
The scenery changed drastically with a strong light.
A city that appeared to be a modern structure appeared before their eyes.
Kang Minho looked around.
"I thought it would be an open field since the name of the gate is 'Field of Glory'."
"I heard there was a battle that took place in a city."
The 'setting' of a gate is often based on actual events that occurred in other dimensions.
This means that a fierce war took place over this city.
Gate scholars have even estimated the history of other dimensions by studying the style of structures and records.
〔Do I have to rip out a heart like last time?〕
'No. The hidden condition in this gate is not that difficult.'
Yoojin looked around and walked calmly through the city that had become a battlefield.
"Hyung-nim. I'll scout ahead."
"Don't worry. I can handle myself."
He had, after all, effortlessly dealt with those rookie hunters from Little Angels. This was nothing.
Monsters popped out of alleys, but he easily subdued them with the [Verdian Basic Spear Technique].
How long had they been walking around?
"That tower. It looks like the tallest in the city, right?"
"It does."
"Let's go up there to secure our vision."
Yoojin climbed up without hesitation.
The party members looked at each other and followed him, unable to hide their bewildered expressions.
'Seriously, hyung. Suddenly attacking a gate.'
'Ah, hyung. This is too much.'
'But isn't it too reckless for our first time here?'
'CEO Cheon seems to have a plan.'
Each with their own thoughts, the group climbed to the top of the tower.
As Yoojin had said, it was the tallest structure in the city, and they could see the entire city, which seemed quite large, at a glance.
At that moment—
[You have uncovered the hidden secret of the Field of Glory.]
[Moving to Ancient Trial Grounds II.]
"H-Hyung-nim???"
Kang Minho stammered, his voice barely a whisper.
Before anyone could react, a blinding white light engulfed the top of the tower.
It flared and pulsed, momentarily blinding everyone. When they could see again, Yoojin and his party had vanished without a trace.
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
