Episode 013
Among the three endings that were originally waiting for Tanas, wasn’t there also one where he lost himself and became a living mana battery?
I’d wondered why they didn’t kill him and used him as a biological battery instead, but to think they’d divided the Hero’s authority among themselves like this…
‘They really were insane bitches.’
There was no way to call them sane.
I continued reading the blue window floating before my eyes.
“……”
Martie, who had been looking back and forth between the silent me and the holy relic, nodded as if he understood everything and said,
“Hero, do not worry too much. Once you gather your companions, you can receive the blessing at any time.”
“……”
Hey.
That’s not the problem.
++
=Steadfast Oath=
=Agile Footwork=
=Flow Control=
=Authority of Recovery (Stage 0)=
[Legendary Skill]
◎A portion of the authority bestowed upon the Hero by Asclepius, God of Medicine.
It can advance to the next stage depending on the user’s capabilities.
This is a powerful authority, one that even the God of Medicine cannot fully handle.
However, for a mere human, it will be more than enough.
[Passive]
└Aura of Regeneration
└Rain of Recovery (Unavailable)
└(Locked)
└(Locked)
└(Locked)
[Active]
▶Light of Healing (Unavailable)
└(Activated upon clearing one scenario.)
▷(Locked)
▷(Locked)
▷(Locked)
++
‘This is insane.’
I’d originally come to find Martie with the intention of recruiting the Hero party all over again from scratch, but I never imagined I’d recover a hidden authority like this.
And that wasn’t all.
A Legendary Skill, one rank higher than the Unique Skills of the other three Heroes.
After all, the “Legendary” grade was a rank bestowed only upon the protagonist, the Hero of Recovery.
On top of that, since it was a healing-type ability, my survival rate would rise significantly.
++
=Steadfast Oath=
Greatly amplifies health, defense, and damage reduction rate for a set period of time.
*Power increases in proportion to faith.
++
The other skills were all Rare grade or higher as well, so they could truly be called befitting of a Hero.
To think he handed out things like this…
Did that mean he trusted them that much?
‘For that, it was far too excessive.’
The memories of Tanas I had recalled were a nightmare in themselves.
His party members treated him as if he were a slave…
No,
A slave might have been better.
He must have had some weakness held over him, or he was deceived.
“……”
But I am not that Tanas.
I’m rather curious what expressions those women will make when they receive the brand.
I’ll probably be able to see them again soon.
“Did I not say I would shoulder even the brand that was to befall you? Do not be too disheartened just because you have suddenly grown weaker.”
When I turned my head slightly to the side, Martie was stamping his feet, continuing his clumsy attempt at consolation.
‘For a high-ranking divine being called a Great Spirit, he’s quite soft.’
In any case, I could take my time learning about the authority, so I pointed at the white orb placed on the table.
“Let’s finish the deal.”
“I am relieved you seem all right.”
He slowly breathed green light into the orb, then said,
“It is done.”
And handed the orb back to me,
No, the five-colored orb.
‘Please be Legendary, please be Legendary.’
++
=Fragment of Broken Power (1/3)=
[Epic Item]
▷Proof of a contract personally bestowed by a god upon an apostle.
Contains a faint power of time.
When used, casts “Absolute State Recovery” once and only once.
Agriciatus, the great shaman who served a forgotten god, sought at the end of the Great War
to return to the side of the god she loved.
The fact that this fragment of power has been found
means its original owner ultimately failed to return.
*If used by one who is not an apostle, a stat penalty will be applied for a set period of time.
*May activate automatically in a dangerous moment.
++
“Mm…”
With a low hum, I held the five-colored orb Martie had handed me.
Normal, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Unique, Legendary—it was the fourth among them.
Since it was an Epic item, it was certainly good.
And if it was a recovery item, it could safely save my life, so it would definitely be useful.
It was just,
Something about it… felt a little bland.
And even this “Absolute State Recovery” apparently came with a penalty for a set period of time…
‘If it can even restore the innate true qi I’ve drawn upon, there’d be nothing better… but that’s probably too much to hope for, right?’
As the Hero of Recovery, it didn’t seem all that useful to me.
“……”
Since it could only be used once, it was difficult to test as well.
Should I just sell this?
The thought lasted only a moment.
‘Let’s think positively. I’ve gained an extra life.’
And I don’t know what kind of item will appear if I gather all the fragments.
Good thing I got the Authority of Recovery back.
That could’ve gone badly.
“Are you pleased with the result?”
“Well, more or less… Here’s the holy relic I promised.”
“My thanks.”
++
[You have successfully completed a deal with the Great Spirit of Knowledge, “Martie.”]
*Your name becomes known for the first time in the Spirit Realm.
++
‘This much is a profit.’
As soon as I handed him the black ribbon, I turned away without regret.
“Leaving already? I will tell you in advance, even if you come again next time, I will not be here.”
I already know.
I simply waved once
and headed toward the high-class inn at the edge of the village.
“……”
I’d obtained a weapon, and I’d gained a spare recovery item.
On top of that, I’d unexpectedly recovered my authority.
Now all that remained was to regain my own martial power and gather companions…
As for martial power, I just had to hone my martial arts in the end. Didn’t I have the experience I’d accumulated until now, and even the Authority of Recovery?
Clearing scenarios was a bit of an issue, but at this level, it was no different from eating cold porridge.
The problem was finding party members. Was there no strong companion who wouldn’t stab me in the back…
“Oh.”
Suddenly, my gaze stopped on a notice posted on the bulletin board.
[We condemn the Springfield family’s indiscriminate tax collection!]
There was one.
The strongest swordsman.
And one who would absolutely never stab me in the back…!
“…Mm.”
The only thing was,
except for one major flaw.
“……”
I gently stroked my chin and sank into thought.
‘But considering the treasure vault, the Varden family head, and the fact that my authority was returned…’
Depending on my efforts, couldn’t the result change?
If things went well, I could unlock the extra dungeon and even clear a scenario.
If it went well, I’d kill four birds with one stone. Even if it didn’t, there wouldn’t be a huge loss.
“Good.”
My hesitation did not last long.
I strode forward without hesitation and threw open the door to the high-class inn.
“Welcome, sir!”
The guards and a few guests glanced over once, but upon seeing the sword at my waist, they obediently turned their heads away.
“How much for one night?”
“It is 1 gold per night. Ah! Of course, breakfast and dinner are included as standard, so…”
“I’ll pay 100 gold. I’ll stay for just a month, so give me somewhere quiet.”
When I cut her off firmly and poured gold coins onto the counter, the woman widened her eyes in surprise.
With this, I’d almost used up all the money I received from the Magic Tower.
It was quite a waste, but money was meant to be spent when it needed to be spent.
“I-I will guide you to a special suite.”
After scanning the inn’s central hall once, I followed the woman up the stairs.
‘Easy.’
The greedy eyes that had been watching me.
The bait had been cast.
Now all I had to do was wait.
**********
Beneath the dark night sky,
“I can’t believe it. To think you couldn’t even do something like this.”
She,
Arshea, clicked her tongue as she looked at the party members around her.
“…I apologize.”
“I’m sorry…”
“I have no excuse.”
But surprisingly, not a single one of them refuted her or talked back.
Naturally so.
“……”
Because the Hero of the Bow, standing behind Arshea, was silently watching them.
The Hero of the Bow’s party was thoroughly meritocratic.
Because she knew that, Arshea was probably acting even more arrogant and unrestrained.
“Warrior, Warrior.”
“…Lady Arshea, what is it?”
“Did I not ask you to take the west side?”
“Y-yes, you did.”
“Then why did you tuck your tail and retreat like a frightened rat?”
At her rebuke, the warrior lowered his eyes and bowed his head deeply.
“B-but facing four frenzied orcs head-on…”
“What about me, then?”
“……”
The warrior had no choice but to shut his mouth.
It was true that, as a member of a Hero party, he was fairly skilled…
But what could he say?
Hadn’t Arshea held back more than ten orcs without so much as a single shield?
“Answer me. Or has the mouth you speak with run away now too?”
The blue-haired girl glared arrogantly at him from right in front of his eyes.
One of only three agents in the Church of Tyr, God of Justice,
and a famous figure throughout the kingdom for her vanguard abilities surpassing even a Warrior’s.
People called her Arshea of the “Iron Wall.”
“……”
The warrior looked around at his companions as if seeking help, but not a single one responded.
Naturally, the Hero of the Bow did not either…
No,
If anything, he could be called Arshea’s ally.
After all, as soon as the incompetent Hero left the royal capital to receive the blessing, he had gone to scout her personally.
“You absolute imbecile…!”
Just as Arshea was about to spit out a rebuke as cold as her blue hair,
a lifeline descended from an unexpected place.
“Up ahead, a R-Red Minotaur…!”
The rogue who had gone out as a scout came running back, drenched in cold sweat.
“What? A Red Minotaur?”
“Did it cross over through the desert region?”
“……”
For a moment, she wondered why a high-grade monster like a Red Minotaur was in the southern part of the kingdom, but
‘It doesn’t matter. Whether it’s a high-grade monster or whatever else, I’ll block them all.’
She shook her head from side to side and gathered strength throughout her body.
“I will stand at the front, so the rest of you provide support from the rear!”
“L-Lady Arshea, what should I do?”
“You? …Right, why don’t you go get ready for bed?”
At the insult overflowing with contempt, the warrior lowered his head deeply.
“Gwooooooooooooh—!”
It was a monster five times Arshea’s size, but she drew her sword without hesitation and charged forward.
“Here I go!”
And as soon as her words ended, a golden aura filled her entire body!
Of course she had confidence.
After all, she possessed “Steadfast Oath” and Tyr’s blessing, “Indomitable Will.”
On top of that, as an agent of the Church of Tyr, Arshea could amplify Tyr’s blessing up to fivefold.
Thus, even the monster’s gigantic axe was laughable.
It was no threat.
As always, she was certain of victory.
“Huh?”
Baaang!!
Until she was sent flying…
##