Chapter 181 (2/2)
Active Skill
Certainty(IV) – Removes all debuffs. Removes all buffs.
Those who believe will begin to doubt,
and those who doubt will begin to believe.
“But there’s a penalty for when you’re using magic.”
Having read the abilities to the end, Franz sat down in his seat again.
“Oh… Is that so. I’ve been using magic more nowadays…”
Instead, Hiroaki now raised his hand.
“Then I’ll use them, master. Since I only use sword techniques.”
“Ahh, great. It’s good that someone could use it.”
Sungjin handed the boots over to Hiroaki. Hiroaki held the boots as he bowed respectfully to Sungjin.
“Thank you, master.”
The item distribution was over. Sungjin then continued,
“Also… The number of Black Coins earned today is…”
As Sungjin spoke, a number appeared above Sungjin’s cube. Serin, Nada, Franz and Baltren, who had participated in several raids with him until now, looked at the number without much ado. However, Hiroaki and Mustafa, who had just joined recently, looked incredibly surprised. Sungjin looked at them as he said,
“It’s this much. Since I don’t really need them, I’ll give it to whoever needs them.”
Mustafa cautiously raised his hand.
“There’s… There’s an item that I want that’s on the auction house. Would it be possible for me to have some coins?”
Mustafa looked incredibly awkward at the thought of receiving Black Coins from Sungjin. He had found it hard to believe when he had first heard about it in the past.
“You’ll give them away? Black Coins?”
“Yes.”
“For free?”
“It’s not entirely free. The people who received my coins are expected to grow that much stronger and help me later in the raids.”
Sungjin nodded his head, conveying that Mustafa should not worry. He added,
“Yes. Take as many as you need, Mustafa.”
Mustafa looked faintly apologetic as he received some coins.
“… After these raids are over, I’ll repay you. Even if it’s just by cash.”
Sungjin smiled and nodded. Having finished distributing the coins, Sungjin looked at his allies. Though there was a small hiccup, everyone was safe. Sungjin said to them,
“In any case, it’s great that everyone was able to finish the raid safely. It would be great if all eight of us were able to stay until the end of the raids.”
Everyone nodded in response to Sungjin’s words. Sungjin continued,
“Also, as always, we’re still continuing to look for allies. Those people that I mentioned before.”
Sungjin was referring to the members of the previous ‘Final 10’, which included Edward.
“If you meet them or anyone else that is particularly strong, don’t hesitate to call me.”
Everyone nodded their heads in response to Sungjin’s words. And just in time, Dalupin came bearing a pizza baked with a golden crust, and a aromatic spaghetti. It was time to begin their meal in earnest.
“Wow, it looks delicious!”
“Dalupin, great work today as well.”
“Thank you for the meal, Dalupin.”
While everyone picked up their spoons, chopsticks, forks and knives, Sungjin quietly left them and made his way to the bathroom. He took out the star shaped accessory from his vest and said,
“Starlight.”
He stole a glance at the future 24 hours from now. Just the same as today, tomorrow, the Chosen Ones were enjoying dinner at Ninety Nine Nights in Sungjin’s dimension. Sungjin quickly counted them.
‘… Seven, Eight.’
The number ‘eight’ had two meanings, First, it meant that all of the Chosen Ones were safe. Second, it meant that they did not gain any new allies.
‘While it’s a relief that everyone is safe… It’s a bit disappointing that we didn’t gain any new allies.’
As Sungjin mused to himself, he left the future and returned to the present.
*
The next morning, Sungjin sat the Chosen Ones down in front of him and briefed them as usual.
“Today’s raid is Ser’Corist Prison, but it’s only a prison in name. It’s a place more like a mental asylum that’s filled with monsters. Generally, you’ll face humans, elves and humanoid monsters like orcs. However, because they’re all a bit crazed, they will come at you with attacks that are difficult to predict. They’ll be doing things that are a bit difficult to imagine, such as ripping their arm off to use as a weapon, or stabbing through their stomach to attack you when you’re behind them. Please be careful of this point.”
“Yes.” The Chosen Ones all replied to Sungjin’s words as one.
A few of the hunters showed slightly nervous expressions, but Sungjin did not attempt to allay their worries and let them be. This was because their nervousness could potentially help them in coming back alive. So long as Sungjin did not do anything particularly strange, everyone would be safe tonight. Despite knowing this, Sungjin said to the Chosen Ones,
“Then everyone do your best and stay alive. If there’s something dangerous, then call me without fail.”
“Yes.” The team replied back again.
Soon afterwards, Sungjin and the Chosen Ones were teleported to the eighteenth battlefield, Ser’Corist Prison.