I swallowed dryly at the suddenly recalled Divine Beast Codex.
That's right. I had this friend.
I had completely forgotten about its existence since it hadn't appeared after the island of Famiran.
But now it had popped out from there.
The unique trait reward that every player longed for.
'So this is the hammer-buying technique...!'
An investment method where you buy stocks and then hammer yourself to forget the fact that you bought them, naturally leading to long-term investment.
The field and situation were different, but I could glimpse the possibility.
[Generating unique trait...]
I rubbed my chin against the rattling box.
It said it was generating a trait—what on earth was happening inside there?
"Oh? That box looks quite unusual? It piques my curiosity?"
Elia approached and examined the box covered in mysterious patterns.
"Master, why is it rattling?"
"It says it's generating a unique trait."
"So it's like a pot."
"Good analogy."
"Is that all? This body has thousands and tens of thousands of analogies stored in its head. So then..."
Click!
A gun was aimed at Elia's side.
"Freeze right there. I'll kill you right now."
"It's already down to 'today or tomorrow'? Anyway, I didn't do anything!"
"I sensed a dangerous vibe just now. You weren't trying to open the Grand General's box, were you!?"
Startled, Jinhyuk stepped between Elia and the box.
If it was opened before completion, something nasty might come out.
"Hey. What do you take me for? I was just so curious about how unique traits are made that I wanted to touch it with one finger...? Can't touch it."
Her finger passed right through the box.
Elia made a sad expression.
Seeing her so disappointed, it seemed she really had intended to open it.
Ding!
[Unique trait generation complete!]
[This is a unique trait that has never existed before! Measuring its rank!]
Ding!
[Acquired SSS+ rank unique trait, 'Interference.']
[You can approach and exert influence on the unique world or unique domain of a specific being!]
I covered my mouth.
I almost let out a dolphin-like scream.
I was already grateful just to get a unique trait, but SSS+?!
I clasped my hands together, looking at the Divine Beast Codex in my status window.
When I first obtained the Codex, I was at a loss, wondering when and where I would ever catch and combine divine beasts.
But it turned out there was a way to get it all in one go like this.
'Thank you, Codex teacher.'
As I offered my thanks once more.
Beep!
A red warning message appeared.
[Entering another being's unique world or unique domain is like going to their home ground!]
[Various dangers and irrationalities exist there!]
[Be careful not to get swallowed in reverse!]
This is a bit scary.
It means that while entering is my choice, leaving might not be.
'What happens if I get swallowed?'
I thought for a moment, then shook my head.
Let's not be curious.
Somehow, I felt that if I got swallowed, that would be the end of it.
Anyway, an SSS+ rank unique trait—very nice!
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!
At the sudden burst of applause beside her, Elia turned her head.
"Hey, Satan, have you gone crazy? Why are you suddenly perking up and clapping like that?"
"When the Grand General throws uppercuts at the air like that, it means something very good has happened! So you should clap too, you hag!"
"Just because Satan tells me to, I don't want to."
"If you don't, I'll beat you in three seconds!"
"Next time, say that first! It greatly affects my decision."
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Elia clapped just as enthusiastically as Kancho.
There was no way she wanted to roll around on this dirt floor.
And a little further away.
Leon, who had been watching, burst into laughter.
How should I put it? They were friends who made you smile just by watching them.
"Ah."
Coming to his senses, Leon turned his head.
The flying squirrel, Rantori, was slowly backing away.
Since there was no more business, it seemed he was trying to disappear while Jinhyuk was excited.
Leon quickly approached and reached out his hand.
"Rantori."
"Eek!?"
Startled, Rantori looked at Leon.
This clueless guy—he had tried to vanish like air but failed.
"Give back what you stole last time. It's that kid's treasure."
Pointing at his own bag, Leon made Rantori break out in a cold sweat.
Normally, he would have squeaked, 'Catch me if you can!'
But he couldn't do that now.
The gaze of Jinhyuk from beyond was felt.
As I said before, there was no way he wanted to be chased by that guy.
"Squeak..."
Drooping his head, Rantori took a badge from his bag and handed it over.
Ding!
[You helped Leon Mortier and won the battle against the divine beast Rantori!]
[You acquired the 'Knight's Badge' that Leon Mortier was looking for!]
[You cleared Mythical Tower Floor 28, 'The Church in a Remote Place!']
Checking the message, Jinhyuk approached Leon.
Rantori, caught in the middle, hesitated and stepped back.
This time, he would escape... Squeeze!!
"Sneaking up and catching a red panda in one go—how's that, Momo!!"
"Hey, Momo-dari! What are you doing?! I was going to go in stealth and catch it! And it's not a red panda, it's a flying squirrel!"
"What's with Kancho, calling a red panda a flying rabbit when he's so slow with his short legs!"
"Who are you calling short-legged?! You, Moya-ji, who's so chubby that you collapse after running just a little!"
"Squeak... squeak..."
Treated like a doll, tucked under their arms, the two shorties started bickering.
He wanted to just fling them away, but for the same reason as before, he gave up.
"Squeak."
Giving up entirely, he closed his eyes.
Just sleep.
Fall asleep.
Until all of this was over and the attention on him faded!
"Whose badge is that?"
Leon, who had been polishing the badge vigorously, looked up.
"There's a snot-nosed kid who's the alley boss in the village. That kid brought it from home to show us, and Rantori snatched it."
"So he's a flying squirrel with sticky fingers."
Why did the full-moon-like face of our Great Mother of the Yellow River, who had nimble hands, come to mind?
"Yeah. It's a keepsake left by his late father. He was really down because he lost it. I want to see him smile for the first time in a while."
I had no choice but to cover my mouth again.
Even though he was young himself, he had attempted nearly a thousand challenges for a younger kid in the neighborhood.
"It's all thanks to Moko. If it weren't for you, I might never have found it."
"Come on, it was just a hair's breadth away. Even without me, you would have caught it soon."
Leon smiled and held out his hand.
"Thank you so much. I'll definitely repay the favor I owe you today."
I grasped his hand and smiled.
"We're Mokos, right? What's this about favors between Mokos?"
Leon smiled even more brightly than before.
I hadn't used that word because it didn't roll off the tongue easily, but seeing his face, I wished I had used it sooner.
Vigorously shaking our joined hands up and down, Leon turned his gaze toward the village.
"Then I'll go return the badge! If you're not busy, wait a bit! I'll make you something delicious!"
"See you."
I waved my hand and swallowed dryly.
Leon disappeared in an instant with a whoosh.
As expected, his natural physique was extraordinary.
Whoosh.
Smoke scattered into the air.
It seemed he had been soaking his feet in a nearby lake.
Carmela walked over barefoot, her footsteps soft on the sand.
But unlike her peaceful steps, her hair was a mess.
"He suddenly popped out of the water and hit me with a fishing rod. He said, 'The Grand General is working hard catching a flying squirrel, and you're here lazing around?'"
I looked at Kancho, who was still going at it with Momo.
As always, he sure got around busily.
"Looks like you made a new friend."
"Yeah. He's a really bright guy. Young but mature."
Carmela nodded.
"Just from the traces left behind, that clarity...!!!"
Suddenly, Carmela staggered violently, and I quickly reached out my hand.
Before I could even ask if she was okay, her head tilted back.
With her eyes rolling back, Carmela began to mutter something.
* * *
Kyaaaaaaah---!!!
A piercing scream woke the battered Carmela Sirin.
She didn't know where this place was.
But instinctively, a place came to mind.
Hell.
That was how much the surroundings were filled with horrific death and corruption.
She slowly looked around.
The ground was so soaked in death that not even a single blade of grass grew.
The sky, covered in ash and smoke, was the same.
It was so desolate that she couldn't remember the last time it had been clear.
The only thing falling from there was embers burning everything around.
And below that.
Waaaaah---!!
Thud! Crunch! Crack!
A terrible, desperate battle was unfolding as they drove weapons into each other.
Mommy!
Please save me! My child...!
P-please save me...!
Children wandering, calling for their mothers, and people missing parts of their bodies, searching for their loved ones.
By any measure, these people were far from a battlefield.
'So it came without warning. The embers of the battlefield.'
The battle of mutual slaughter continued for a long time.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
With the sound of a clock hand, the time zone changed.
The war was over.
No more desperate screams or sobs could be heard.
A battlefield swallowed by silence and stillness.
But there was no reason to rejoice.
All life had disappeared, making it quiet, but it was still hell.
Thud.
Sensing a presence, she turned her head.
A single knight, clad in armor covered in soot and bloodstains, trudged over.
After staring at the hellish battlefield for a long time, the knight knelt on one knee.
Then, clasping his hands together, he offered a prayer.
He wore a full-plate helmet, so his face was hidden.
But it was clearly felt.
The terrible despair and sorrow swirling within him.
Whoosh.
Sensing something, Carmela furrowed her brow.
'...I see.'
It was such a clear and transparent flame.
It had been that way, but now it was not only shaking unsteadily but also becoming tainted.
With a corruption of unknown identity and depth.
'It's reversing.'
Kwaaaaaah!!!
A tremendous flame burst from the knight.
No clarity or transparency remained there anymore.
All that existed was despair, anger, and frustration that seemed ready to burn the world to ashes.
Whoooooosh---!!!
As the tainted flame engulfed the entire world.
Swish!
The space that had dominated the senses of the battered Carmela Sirin scattered.
The faces of her master and friends came into view.
It seemed she had suddenly collapsed and caused worry.
"Master, that child."
Rising to her feet, Carmela stared toward the village.
The knight with the clear, transparent flame... no, who had once had it.
There was no doubt.
The child who had called her master Moko.
Leon Mortier.
----------
T/N:
Just for being a free member, you'll get 5 advanced chapters every week!
Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:[email protected]//towerup