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HELHEIM SCANS
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Chapter 31: A Familiar Face? (4)
Oh, it’s effective.
A terrifying strategy guide…
“Apostle, please don’t interfere.”
The light that had been fading from her body started to return.
Seeing that, I scratched my ear again.
This time, there wasn’t much of a reaction.
“It doesn’t feel like anything now, does it?”
“Ah… yes.”
“As long as a High Elf’s divinity is intact, external stimuli are harmless. But when the divinity weakens, even just touching their ear like earlier can startle them. How did it feel?”
“It was ticklish… surprising, and it sent chills down my spine.”
I see.
A bunch of points from the strategy guide popped into my head, but I restrained myself.
“When the divinity is faint, that’s how sensitive you are. If it completely disappears, you’ll be defenseless. That could lead to big trouble.”
“But… I am ready to die if I must. I can’t lose my sisters anymore. If I can save them, I’ll have no regrets even in death.”
Diana spoke with a resolute expression.
As she started chanting again, I reached for her ear once more.
This time, she persevered, her forehead creasing as she focused hard on the chant.
Geez, what a stubborn person.
The most effective point in the strategy guide is inside her armor, but…
Touching there would make me a certified creep.
Instead, I’ll target the back of her neck, another key point.
I approached Diana, who was chanting, and gently stroked her ears and the back of her neck.
Her frowning face was beautiful, but I had no time to admire her beauty.
I couldn’t let her fall into corruption here.
After enough stroking, she flinched.
“Ah… it… it tickles!”
“Seriously, why are you so reckless? I’ll handle this. Just go inside and get some rest. Stop chanting that spell already.”
“Apostle… if we delay any longer here, it won’t be good for you either. I am prepared to face death…”
Argh, this is so frustrating.
Why is she so determined to summon the Spirit of Wrath?
Should I just let her fall into corruption?
If her divinity disappears, I can just follow the strategy guide, right?
Ugh.
No, no, we’re on the side of Order.
Yes, Order…
[Pollux suggests that since it’s come to this, you might as well mess things up and join the Neutral faction.]
[Aurelia criticizes you, saying a fool like you isn’t worthy of the Order faction. She begs you to stop entertaining such thoughts.]
It feels like the roles have switched here…
Uncle Pollux, why don’t you just go Neutral or Chaotic yourself?
And Aurelia, wouldn’t it be better for me to go Neutral?
Ah, forget it.
My head’s spinning.
First, I need to stop Diana.
“Apostle…”
Diana pleaded with tearful eyes.
Ugh.
She’s too stunning.
Seriously gorgeous.
She’s making me look like the bad guy here.
It feels like I’m the villain, even though I’m trying to stop her corruption…
Sigh.
I know what to do if she does fall, thanks to the strategy guide, but still…
It’s like the guide in my inventory keeps whispering, “Hurry, follow my advice. You want to, don’t you? You’re tempted, right?”
While I was caught in my thoughts, a quest window suddenly popped up.
[Diana was a High Elf most beloved by Helenis, the Sun God. She possessed the capability to rise to the status of a demigod as the god’s Apostle, but unfortunately, she did not achieve this in her lifetime. Helenis lamented this deeply and longed for her ‘complete’ form. Prevent Diana’s corruption. Helenis will strengthen the powers granted to you as a reward.]
[Special Quest]
[Difficulty: Undetermined]
[Prevent Diana from summoning the Spirit of Wrath before returning to Fort Trein.]
[Quest Reward: Enhanced Flame Chariot Summoning Skill]
Enhanced Flame Chariot Summoning Skill.
The Flame Chariot is already useful, but to have it strengthened too?
My eyes widened.
Yes, what’s the point of corruption just to follow the strategy guide?
That’s not something a decent person would do.
In the end, I’ll have to pour the saved stat points into mana.
Might as well do it now, thinking of the skill boost I’ll get.
“Diana, I understand your resolve, and I respect your noble intentions. But I cannot allow you to become a fallen elf like this.”
“But there’s no other way…!”
“There is a way. Trust me. Don’t try to shoulder everything alone.”
I opened my status window.
The Order faction’s SP had almost reached 1,000.
Originally, in the Broken World, it was 794.
But on Earth, I’ve been earning 100 passive SP daily, steadily saving it.
With an additional 9 bonus points from the Order faction, I poured all my SP into magic.
It cost 100 SP per point, raising my magic stat to 45.7.
Adding the 9 bonus points brought it to 54.7.
In one go, my mana stat increased significantly from 35.7.
With Athena’s blessing amplifying my power 2.5 times, the mana boost was massive.
“Tweet! Tweet! Tweeeeeet!”
As soon as I finished, Peep suddenly let out a loud cry, and flames erupted all over its body.
It began to shed its chick-like form, growing steadily larger.
What appeared next was a magnificent bird made entirely of flames.
It had the fierce, majestic appearance of a raptor, resembling an eagle, with long, fiery tail feathers as its hallmark.
It was slightly larger than a sparrow but smaller than a pigeon.
Yet, with its fiery body and transformed appearance, it exuded an overwhelming sense of grandeur compared to its chick form.
I only intended to enhance my magic for the Flame Chariot, but Peep evolved unexpectedly.
[Human, you’ve finally allowed me to grow. It was quicker than I anticipated.]
A solemn voice echoed in my ears.
Wait, is this Peep?
Peep flapped its wings slowly, staring at me with glowing, golden eyes of fire.
“Oh, Peep, can you talk too?”
[Don’t call me Peep, human.]
“Che. I was getting attached to that name…”
[Don’t.]
“Alright, alright.”
Peep approached Diana.
Perhaps startled by the sudden evolution, Diana widened her eyes and stared at Peep.
[High Elf, there’s no longer a need to summon the spirit of wrath. My master has sacrificed his future and potential to evolve me…]
“What do you mean by that? Sacrificed his potential?”
Yeah, what do you mean by that, Phoenix?
[He had the potential to become the strongest warrior of all. That talent, that potential could have brought him to the level of a demigod. But instead of leaving that potential untapped for the future, he used it all now, focusing everything on raising his mana. For you, High Elf.]
“Why…?”
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HELHEIM SCANS
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Diana stared at me with a dazed expression.
No, I didn’t understand what was going on either.
What on earth was the bird talking about?
Stat points and SP can be gained again later, can’t they?
I glanced at Peep, and the little creature winked at me.
[This type feels guilt this way and will follow your words.]
A voice that wasn’t heard but directly implanted into my head.
Whoa… this one’s a bit of a smooth talker, huh?
I couldn’t let it outdo me.
“Why did you make such a sacrifice?”
“As a High Elf watched over by the Sun God, I couldn’t stand by and let you fall into ruin. Besides, it’s not a sacrifice. My mana has grown stronger.”
“But even if your mana is stronger, you’ve given up the potential to become a demigod! That’s what you’ve sacrificed!”
“And you are no different, Diana. You, too, have the qualities of one who could become a demigod. That’s why the Sun God intended to appoint you as an apostle once you were fully prepared. Should someone like you truly give yourself over to the spirit of wrath? As an apostle of the gods, I couldn’t stand by and watch that happen. Phoenix, let’s go.”
Lowering my voice, I spoke and then walked past the dazed Diana.
The destination was the sacred tree in the Sanctuary of Fire.
Ah, this is going to be so embarrassing if the fire doesn’t catch after all this preaching.
[It’s my turn now.]
The phoenix flew to the tree and exhaled flames from its mouth.
The fire from its small body was massive enough to engulf the giant tree entirely in a single sweep.
Yet, a huge chunk of my mana drained away.
Even with my greatly increased mana, this is how much it takes…
[Huff!]
Apparently, the fire didn’t take on the first try.
The phoenix let out flames again, then a third, and a fourth time.
But the ancient tree showed no sign of catching fire.
Oh no, this is a disaster.
Peep, you made a big show, so you can’t mess this up!
I maintained a serious expression while anxiously watching the scene unfold.
After the fifth, maybe almost the tenth try, my mana reserves were nearly empty.
I was just about to give up when…
Fwoosh!
Flames erupted from the left branch of the tree.
The sacred tree of the Sanctuary of Fire had three main sections: the left, the top, and the right branches.
The left was now ignited.
“The fire… caught?”
“Apostle! You’ve lit the flame! Amazing! Truly, you are the apostle of the gods, the ultimate warrior.”
Alfid, who was now fully awake, rushed over to me.
Other elves, also awakened, gazed at the flaming tree in awe.
“It really caught fire…”
“Normally, it would take at least 60 elves just to light a small branch…”
“The gods haven’t abandoned us.”
The previously gloomy atmosphere among the elves lifted, and their smiles returned.
It felt like the whole room brightened.
After being surrounded by men all the time, this sudden shift felt almost heartwarming.
Some female elves even looked at me with respectful, admiring eyes, which made my shoulders puff up a little.
“Diana, we haven’t lit the whole tree yet, but this counts as a success, doesn’t it?”
“Yes…”
“I’ll take care of the remaining parts, so everyone should rest. You too, Diana.”
When I gestured for my companions to rest, the elves shook their heads in refusal.
“No, Apostle! We cannot rest while you toil for us!”
“Alfid, remember running with me? You know I don’t get tired. If you all exhaust yourselves now and we’re delayed tomorrow, it’ll only cause more problems.”
“…Understood. I’ll explain to them.”
Alfid, recalling that time, turned pale and nodded, convincing the other elves.
Thanks to his persuasion, the elves bowed to me almost reverently before returning to their beds.
Only Diana remained, standing still, staring only at me.
“Diana, you should rest.”
“No… How could I rest after committing such a great sin against you, Apostle…?”
“It’s not a sin. Potential can be regained. Compared to you falling into corruption, this isn’t even a sacrifice.”
“But still…”
“If you feel so bad about it… next time, listen to me properly, alright?”
“Yes, from now on, I’ll believe only in you, Apostle. But even so, this alone doesn’t feel like enough to atone for my sins.”
“Hm, then after we finish defending Fort Trein, give me a gift. That will be enough.”
When she kept insisting on taking responsibility, I lightheartedly suggested it.
She’s a High Elf, so surely she has something like a World Tree fruit or other valuable items often seen in games.
Quest rewards are nice, but side earnings like this are self-generated opportunities. Hehe.
“A gift… potential…”
“You don’t have to tie it to potential. Just give me whatever feels appropriate.”
I emphasized “whatever” as I spoke.
Knowing Diana’s over-responsible nature, she’d probably give me something really good.
“…I’ll definitely repay you…”
“Alright. Then go rest.”
Diana sat against a tree, hugging her knees, her gaze still fixed on me and the phoenix.
Hmm.
I should lie down and rest while my mana regenerates before continuing.
Why does she keep staring at me, though?
To maintain the mood, I sat and pretended to meditate when my mana was low.
“A gift… potential…”
She kept muttering those two words while staring at me, which gave me chills for some reason.
Through the night until dawn, I alternated between restoring mana and lighting flames.
It took longer than expected, likely because the initial ignition was a result of accumulated efforts from past attempts.
At sunrise, the sacred tree was fully ablaze, and the Sanctuary of Fire was opened.
Everyone cheered and jumped for joy, but Diana remained seated, still staring at me.
Her gaze, distant yet sparkling whenever our eyes met, sent shivers down my spine.
“A gift… potential…”
Ah.
Stop saying that already.
Was it a mistake to bring it up?
Ugh.
Well, she’ll probably give me something good.
Let’s look forward to the reward and forget the eerie part.
Surely, she’ll give me something… right?
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HELHEIM SCANS
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