Chapter 196 - Artpe Hirtana Kelduke 1 (2/2)
“Nyaa.You can’t ring it yet, nyaa-ah-ah.You have to ring it after I eat the Demonic god.Nyaa-ah-ah-ah.”
“The bell turned white.It also has a similar energy signature to Artpe-nim.It is pure white.It isn’t dirty at all…How can something be so clean?….I want to dye myself with that color.”
“Ho-oh.You still tell funny jokes, Vadinet.”
Maetel and Vadinet glared at each other.Artpe ignored them as he took out the loot items left behind by the Fragment of the Demonic god.They hadn’t killed the Demonic god, yet there were seven dropped items.There was a bastard sword, shield, dagger, staff, hammer, glove and a level 408 Magic Stone.As an experiment, he held up the dagger.
A very terrifying description appeared in front of his eyes.
[Dagger of Destruction]
[The user’s life energy and Demonic energy is used as a price to imbue the dagger with a curse.Each stab from the dagger cuts away at the opponent’s soul.If the opponent dies to the dagger, the soul has to follow the orders of the dagger’s owner.However, if the owner of the dagger dies in battle, the owner’s soul will be imprisoned within the dagger.]
It was a cursed item.It was an item that no one would pick up if they knew the story behind it.One would run away without looking back.
“Every one of these items are covered with dense Demonic energy.They are unusable….”
“The Demon King’s dropped item turned pure white when I used Reinforcement four times.It’ll be ok.”
Artpe took out several Magic Stones he had gathered beforehand.They were supposed to be used when he reclaimed the Demon realm.However, the sacrifice of few Magic Stones would allow them to use these weapons of war.It was a very profitable exchange.
“I just have to use Reinforcement on all of these items.”
“Wow.You are right!It is turning white!”
Artpe’s plan didn’t go awry.The weapons were terrifying tools of destruction.They had been more suitable for the Four Heavenly Kings rather than the hero’s party.However, it really did turn white after going through four Reinforcements.After checking the weapon options, he handed them out.
The bastard sword was given to Maetel.Elrick received the shield.The dagger was given to Silpennon.Regina received the staff.The hammer went to Sienna, and the glove was given to Mycenae.Artpe took the Magic Stone for himself.
“Artpe, what about me?Huh?Me?”
“You aren’t allowed to get too close to him.Excessive skinship is forbidden.”
“I want to receive a present from you too.”
Artpe mulled over the problem for a brief moment.He pushed his hand out towards those that hadn’t received any weapon.
“Give me one weapon each.I’ll Reinforce it four times.”
“Woo-hoo!”
All the loots were distributed, and everyone was satisfied.Artpe let out a sigh as he checked his supply of Magic Stones.He had too many.He had no idea how many he had used in the Reinforcement.
“Let’s rest for real now.I have to sleep.Sleep and Artpe’s shoulder is calling out to me.”
“No.There is something I have to do before we do that.”
Maetel was about to put her head on Artpe’s shoulder.He put up one hand as if to stop her.
“I know everyone wants to rest right now, but…..I would like you to hear my story.”
“Story······?”
Maetel instinctively grabbed his arm.
“You don’t have to, Artpe.”
“No.I have to do it.”
“But······.”
Maetel was looking at him with worried eyes.Artpe let out a bitter laughter when he saw this.He had suspected this for awhile now.It seemed Maetel might have regained memories from her past life.At the very least, she had a vague idea as to what had occurred.
“I want to talk to you guys.You can call it a confession if you like.It might sound silly.….will you listen to me?”
The party realized that he wasn’t joking.The party members looked at each other, and in the end, they nodded their heads.Silpennon and Etna had already awakened to their past lives.They didn’t interrupt Artpe as they kept their silence.They really were good comrades.
“Alright.So….Youprobably felt that something was off when I conversed with the Demon King.”
“Yes······.”
“It isn’t just that.Weren’t there many incidents like that?I knew all the locations of Dungeons in each nation.I moved as if I could predict the future.Of course, there were times where events didn’t turn out as I had expected, but at the very least, I knew the starting point of each event.You probably all had this thought before.”
No one denied his words.They knew there were too many incidents where they hadn’t asked too many question.They glossed over everything by saying, ‘It’s just Artpe.’This had nothing to do with his ability to assess the present.Some in the party thought that he might have the ability of foresight.
“I have no choice, but to know it all.It’s because….I’ve experienced it all once before.”
“Artpe······.”
“I’m…..”
Maetel extended her hand as if she was trying to stop him.He gently pushed her hand away as he made a declaration.
“In the past, I was a Demon in a world that is no longer accessible to us now.I earned the title of the Four Heavenly King, and I followed the orders of the Demon King.I died facing the hero’s party led by Maetel.At the end, I awakened to my Innate ability…..The world….I rewound the world.”
“Uh······ That’s quite the joke.”
Elrick sounded as if he was punched in the solar plexus.However, no one laughed.Everyone present could tell that Artpe was being sincere.
“I have no idea where to start.Your story doesn’t add up, Artpe-nim.”
Vadinet replied to his words.Artpe let out a bitter laughter when he heard the confusion within her voice.He continued to speak.
“I didn’t plan on ending my story there.Alright.Let’s slow things down.Let me see······ I was born in the Demon realm, and I had to follow the order of the Demon King when I lost a fight against him.I guess that’s a good starting point.”
Everyone was shocked by his words.Artpe mumbled to himself in affirmation.He nodded his head as he started his explanation.
It was the story of a man’s life.