Chapter 162. Struggle (1/2)

Racing back, the carriage came to a stop in less than a quarter of a day.

It had arrived at its destination.

Haramark was unexpectedly quiet. It wasn’t that it had to be noisy, but it was odd that it was so quiet.

It wasn’t as if there was no one on the streets, but the overall atmosphere was subdued and still.

Seol Jihu ignored everything and went straight to Luxuria’s temple. Only then did he realize the reason for this sense of incongruity.

A group of Earthlings walked up the stairs while glancing at each other and quickly disappeared into the temple.

There were more than one or two people doing so. Everyone coming to the temple was stealing furtive looks at each other, and Seol Jihu couldn’t help but be reminded of the tiring second stage of the Banquet.

An important thing to note was that many people were entering the temple, but not a single one was coming out.

Considering where the portal to Earth was located, Seol Jihu could only think of one reason for this.

“….”

He glared at the backs of the disappearing people before stomping his way up the stairs.

He took out his items from the vault, but even then he didn’t see a single person leave the temple.

Seol Jihu suppressed his anger and turned his steps towards the exit.

Seo Yuhui was preparing to leave for Scheherazade.

He had heard her communicating with the Temple of Luxuria, and the Order of Luxuria based in Scheherazade kept repeatedly asking her to return.

It wasn’t as if the Parasites were at the doorsteps of humanity at this very moment. As her class advancement could only be performed at Luxuria’s main temple where the ‘holy item’ was located, she had no choice but to return to Scheherazade.

Seo Yuhui was low-spirited the entire carriage ride back. From the way she seemed reluctant to return, Seol Jihu guessed there were things he didn't know as an outsider.

After coming back with the items he had promised, Seol Jihu could see Seo Yuhui who was looking slightly angry.

“You’re back?”

However, her complexion brightened up as soon as she saw Seol Jihu.

Seo Yuhui checked the items Seol Jihu brought and muttered in awe.

“So this is how they look like….”

“I’ll bring the item appraisal scroll.”

“No, you don’t need to.”

Seo Yuhui cusped her hands over the Proof of Castitas and Proof of Devotion and closed her eyes.

“Holiness that hasn’t dissipated after hundreds of years…. I’m certain they’re the real deal.”

She opened her eyes again and picked up a cylindrical flask. She looked a bit touched as she looked at the Divine Elixir.

“You purchased this from the Neutral Zone?”

“Yes.”

“The fact that you kept it until now means you were saving it…. Are you sure you can give it to me?”

Rather than giving her a reply, Seol Jihu raised his hand where anti-evil energy slowly gathered and shone with a golden light.

Seeing this, Seo Yuhui snickered.

“Okay, okay.”

She hesitated for a split second before swallowing the Divine Elixir of Luck. Then, she immediately gazed into the empty air.

“I see. So that’s what comes after Highest….”

She nodded her head after confirming the effect of the elixir.

“Wait. There’s something I need to give you.”

She grabbed onto the rabbit that was about to race back. Then, she brought out a heavy cloth bag.

“These are Dissonant Wishes.”

After seeing the contents of the bag, Seol Jihu’s jaw dropped.

“How…?”

“Do you remember Stage 3?”

With just these five words, the sharp Seol Jihu instantly understood. Seo Yuhui must have taken the Dissonant Wishes of the five who died there.

“But—”

“These are yours, Jihu.”

Seo Yuhui cut him off as if to say she didn’t want to argue again.

“At first, I planned to leave them there, but Luxuria-nim reminded me to take them along with me when I regained consciousness.”

“Luxuria-nim did?”

“Yep. She told me to give them to you. If you feel bad about receiving these for free, go complain to Luxuria-nim.”

“Why would she….”

It wasn’t that he hated it, but as the Golden Rule was engraved into his mind, he was confused by the unexpected kindness.

When Seo Yuhui saw Seol Jihu hesitating, she persuaded him to hurry up and take it.

“It’s because she likes you. You’ve already made great contributions towards Paradise, so I’m sure she must be expecting a lot from you.”

“But—”

“Take it. If it weighs on your mind that much, you can pay her back by contributing to Paradise. Plus… you’ll need them for what’s coming up.”

Hearing this last sentence, Seol Jihu accepted the bag reluctantly. Inside the bag were nine Dissonant Wishes. Without a doubt, they would come in handy in the upcoming war.

“I understand. I will use them for Paradise.”

Seol Jihu burned with eagerness, and Seo Yuhui gently grasped his hands.

“I want to ask you to come with me… but you won’t, right?”

Seo Yuhui’s question came out of the blue, but Seol Jihu did not hesitate for even a moment.

“I know you must be worried, but I’m sorry. I have to be in Haramark.”

Seo Yuhui sighed, but knowing that he would say this, she smiled kindly.

“Take care of yourself, alright? You’ve gotten stronger, but Parasites are terrifying enemies.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Wait just a little bit. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Seol Jihu smiled brightly. With the entire human territory in danger, knowing that the Daughter of Luxuria would be helping out Haramark was a relief.

Perhaps, she might be going to Scheherazade to bring reinforcements for Haramark. How nice would it be to receive the support of the Temple of Luxuria, which was known as the home of all healing Priests?

Thinking about it that way, Seol Jihu became even more grateful for the woman in front of her.

“Thank you, Mom— no, Noona.”

Seo Yuhui glared angrily before smiling gently.

*

‘A longsword, a shield, a suit of armor, a crossbow….’

After separating from Seo Yuhui, Seol Jihu checked each Dissonant Wish with a slightly regrettable expression.

Items from the Banquet were guaranteed to be high-quality goods. That was what made it so regrettable. He was hoping for a good spear, but nothing in the bag seemed useful for him.

Seol Jihu stopped before climbing up the stairs. He could see Marcel Ghionea stretching on the first floor.

When their eyes met, he opened the door and walked out before giving Seol Jihu a slight bow.

“You’re back, Leader?”

Thinking about it now, Marcel Ghionea’s equipment was practically nonexistent considering his level. This was because he had lost most of his equipment during the time he was held captive by the Tarneras.

As Seol Jihu had confirmed Marcel Ghionea’s willingness to participate in the war, he asked another question.

“Do you know how to use a crossbow?”

“I can use all types of bows. But a crossbow is actually my weapon of choice.”

“It is? Perfect.”

Seol Jihu took out a crossbow from the bag of Dissonant Wishes.

The crossbow resembled a violin, with a barrel attached to its circular white body. It was rather sizeable as well.

When he activated General Observation, the name ‘Laurel of Triumph’ popped up along with the weapon’s specs.

“Laurel of Triumph…. Enhanced rapid-fire functionality that can shoot twelve bolts with a single load…. Infuses the power of wind to…?”

Seol Jihu stopped murmuring as he saw Marcel Ghionea staring at him with a dumbfounded face.

“This crossbow… has a rapid-fire functionality?”

“Yes. Why?”

“If I may be impudent, crossbows are weapons with horrible rapid-fire power. Although each shot contains great power, the time it takes to reload is….”

Seol Jihu glanced at the message outputted in the air. He hadn’t said anything wrong, and he didn’t think his Nine Eyes were lying either.