Pick me Up – Chapter 269 – Crossing Paths
Halgion's resistance was quite fierce.
He kept stubbornly insisting on why he had to use his power for these things.
However, after my sincere persuasion continued for three days, he also gave in. Perhaps the heavens touched his heart, as he accepted it readily with a cheerful face. It couldn't have turned out better.
With regular training, we could never catch up to them.
Regardless of talent or effort, the members of Niflheim's first group had been honing themselves long before we arrived here. The accumulated time and experience were different.
Therefore, in the end, we had to use unconventional methods.
Fortunately, I had a card that could allow me to face them. The Book of the Inverted Heaven, a supreme treasure left by El Cid, and the training in the mental world, which was the reason for my rapid growth. If I used these two things, I might at least have a chance.
"Everyone ready?"
I opened my mouth.
Jenna and Belkist looked around with a bewildered expression.
Around us stretched a reddish plain to the horizon. It was a desolate landscape.
"This place… is the mental world. It's hard to distinguish it from reality."
Belkist frowned.
"Think of it as if it were reality. Except here, even if you die, you revive."
"My real body is in the Lobby, right? Then I can fight without worries."
<Don't be optimistic. This place is connected to your minds. If you're not careful, your identities might mix. It would be an interesting spectacle.>
A man in black armor muttered.
With his characteristic grim expression. It was Halgion's human form.
<If you weren't my contractor, I'd turn you into mush. Even after receiving the invincible power, you depend on an insignificant human. Damn, I chose the wrong person…>
"What did you say?"
<Nothing.>
Halgion waved his hand.
It seemed there was no need to persuade him again.
Jenna looked at him and nodded.
"Outside he was a simple dove, but this is his true appearance."
<Are you kidding? This is not my original form.>
"This gentleman gets angry easily."
"He just grumbles on the outside. Help these two as well. It's better to fight together. It will be more efficient."
I put down the bag I was carrying on my back.
When I opened it, inside were brightly colored stones.
They were all Engraving Stones. Iselle had extracted them from the Book of the Inverted Heaven. Although she couldn't extract some key Engravings, including El Cid's, these were also S-level treasures.
"Upon ascending to 6 stars, there are three Engraving slots available. We must freely experiment to find the best combination. We can also synthesize them as needed. And enhance them."
There were more than enough engraving stones.
It was as if we had looted the entire server.
There had never been loot like this.
'Even though we already have a stable foundation, we'll have more variety.'
Belkist and I respectively had the Black Dragon Blood and the White Dragon Blood.
We had to work to maximize the advantages and eliminate the disadvantages. On the other hand, Jenna needed to obtain new power that was effective in a fight against high-level beings.
<You want to obtain another power when you can barely handle one? That's too greedy, Han. I told you before. My power is invincible in the entire universe…>
<Where does this old smell come from?>
I looked to my side.
A woman with a robe and an indifferent expression was standing to the right of Belkist.
Almost 2 meters tall and with long white hair. She had horns protruding from both sides of her head, and her skin was covered in white scales.
Deltari Asynis.
She was one of the ancestors of the four great families, just like Halgion, and another ancient species residing in Belkist.
"Sorry for coming out suddenly without notice."
Belkist shrugged.
Asynis continued speaking indifferently.
<If you really want to become stronger, I will help you too.>
<What?>
<This is no time for jokes, Halgion. Do you know where the other two are? They joined the prince.>
Was she referring to the other ancient species?
Asynis looked at us with cold eyes.
<You seem to be thinking about outside matters, but I don't know if you have time for that. The prince already fully controls the powers of the two. We are not in a position to distinguish between purebloods and hybrids. If this continues, we will not be able to fulfill our oath to the emperor. Are you okay with that? Will you take full responsibility?>
<Did Lantia and Sternberg betray?>
<Yes.>
The two looked at each other and began to move their lips.
No sound was heard. It seemed they were having a silent conversation.
"It's a very complicated conversation."
Jenna whispered to me.
"Don't pay attention to it."
We just had to do our job.
'Now that I think about it…'
There was one more problem.
Pryos Al Ragnar. Priacis' brother and the first heir to the imperial throne.
He was the monster presumed to be the final boss of the Taonier scenario.
'He must be incredibly strong.'
The estimated level was at least 300.
An S-level boss was no joke.
<Are they sabotaging us when even four of us are not enough? Where have they left their oath? They are betraying us all! Damn traitors, I will make them pay!>
It seemed the discussion was over.
Halgion roared without hiding his anger.
<Alright. I won't worry about the means.>
Halgion jumped up.
Then he looked at Belkist and Jenna with killer eyes.
<Belkist and Jenna, right? I will show no mercy. Prepare yourselves.>
Jenna nodded her head, perplexed.
'Well, it's better than grumbling.'
From one, we now had two instructors.
I knew their strength firsthand.
They would be of great help in our training.
"Did you hear him? He will show no mercy."
I smiled as I looked at the two.
"He really won't show mercy, so prepare well. You agreed to this. You can't escape now."
"Nice to work with you!"
"I desired it."
The determination seemed enough.
'Focus.'
So that growth doesn't derail.
I know my role is important. If we mix the Engravings incorrectly, there could be negative effects.
The goal is to surpass the level of a mere rank and reach the top of the 6-star heroes. To fight against Siris, we will have to surpass even that. The road ahead was like a mountain.
I unsheathed Bifrost.
First, we would start by assessing our strengths. We had to understand the current situation to formulate a basic plan.
The two, apparently, understood my intention and drew their weapons without hesitation.
'This is the last.'
There will be few training opportunities from now on.
Until we complete the final mission, we will run tirelessly.
In the end, I will decide.
Only with my judgment.
This training was for that.
I want to end this hellish journey at least with my own hands.
"First…"
I gripped the handle of my sword.
"Both of you, come."
Sizzle! Sizzle!
Reddish lightning began to run all over my body.
"Are you out of your mind, Siris?" Lidygion said coldly.
"I've endured you 'imprisoning' the master without any explanation. But what did you just say?"
"...I said if he stays until the end, I will kill him."
"Do you want to die?"
Sring.
Lidygion unsheathed his sword halfway.
Siris closed his eyes silently.
"Since when did you become so despicable? If you truly trusted the master, you should have told him everything and left the decision in his hands. But you come out with this? If it weren't for the rules of the 13th floor, I would have already decided your life and death."
"This is my decision. As the submaster of Niflheim."
"For the master's sake?"
Siris nodded.
Bang!
Lidygion jumped up.
"I'm leaving. Do what you want."
Clang!
With his sword sheathed, he left the meeting room with strong steps.
"Uh… he seems very angry."
"How many times has he done this? He's always been stubborn. Like a barnacle."
"This is problematic. I'll try to convince him."
"You won't be able to do it now."
Yurnet opened her fan.
"We must observe him over time. Eventually, he will understand our intentions."
"I'm not sure what those intentions are..."
"Neither do I."
Muden scratched his cheek.
"I don't understand why we are going through this difficulty. If we leave him alone, the master will do well. Pressuring him like this..."
Bang!
"Well, being weak is a sin."
"We must stop the master from going to server one, no matter what. That's our mission. I've explained it before..."
Siris continued.
"If he goes there, he won't be able to return. Never."
"...Never again."
"Better to die."
Yurnet lowered her head.
"I will persuade Lidygion."
Siris also stood up from her chair.
She took Lævateinn, which was leaning against the wall, and left the meeting room.
Then she walked down a long hallway. The castle on the 13th floor of Niflheim, made only for Loki, the master of Niflheim.
'I don't expect...'
To be forgiven.
At the end of a long wander.
She finally discovered the whole truth about Mobius.
The cause of destruction.
The reason it cannot be reversed.
The identity of the "fragmentation" and "contamination" that simultaneously eroded billions of worlds.
Even the reason why this place barely existed.
After leaving the hallway, a large hall appeared.
Beyond the luxurious landscape of the hall, curtains were glimpsed.
Behind them, there was a throne made of black marble.
'An illusion.'
A bubble.
Everything was false.
It was a futile effort.
That was worse than garbage.
[Are you okay, Siris?]
Beside her, Iselle appeared with flames.
She was a fairy who had been taking care of Niflheim for a long time, and her companion in a long wander.
[Your face doesn't look good. You should rest.]
"No."
[…]
Iselle disappeared without saying anything else.
Siris followed Lidygion's trail.
Finally, a faint sound slipped from her mouth.
"Han Israt."
Once more.
"Loki."
For the last time.
"...Master."
The capital of the empire, Bardia.
There, a building built only for the emperor thousands of years ago.
The Palace of Ragnassar.
"Your Highness!"
An old knight in armor prostrated himself before a man.
A man with red bandages wrapped around his body, sitting cross-legged on a golden throne.
Blond hair peeked out from the bandages on his head.
"The holy city has fallen. The traitors are on their way here. Please, order something!"
"Pria has grown a lot."
"...Your Highness?"
"Let her be. It's time to start the next mission."
"Excuse me?"
"Ah. You don't know."
The old knight banged his head against the marble floor.
"But Your Highness, if you don't give any orders..."
"Stand back. I have things to think about."
"I will not retreat until Your Highness orders it."
"I told you to retreat."
"...Yes."
The knight with an astonished look left the palace, leaving the man alone in the empty throne room.
<Pryos. How much longer are you going to dawdle? The end is near.>
<The slaves of the goddess will come soon. Kill them all.>
They constantly whispered in his ear.
The man closed his eyes.
<Even if you sacrifice your body, Taonier will not return. You were deceived. End it now.>
<Before that, take revenge against Tel.>
"Don't bother me. I'm thinking."
<You spend all day thinking.>
<Do you intend to fulfill the contract? Didn't you say you would end the meaningless cycle?>
"Wow, they are really noisy."
When the man waved his hand, the voices echoing deep in his mind disappeared.
Then he looked around the throne room. The loyal subjects of the empire, who once filled this place, were long gone. The heads of the four great families who assisted him had also disappeared. Only he remained.
"...This is boring."
The man murmured as he rested his chin.
"Come quickly. I'm dying of boredom."
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