Chapter 57 - The Fifth Evolution (1) (1/2)

The Fifth Evolution (1)

“Looking good, boss.” Lee Chan-yu raised his thumb when he saw me wearing the Baptism of Blood. “You’re like a ninja turtle or something.”

“My mother taught me not to hit my friends.”

“She taught you that? Are you trying to do something contrary to your mother’s teachings, boss?!”

Compared to the armor, I knew well that the cloth was a bit tacky. A 250 cm tall monster is in a situation where he’s wearing a dark red fabric that fits snuggly. The world is going to laugh at me.

I felt pathetic and put my fist down. I looked back at Lee Chan-yu. He was wearing a pair of pants, with his claws as his weapon.

“Lee Chan-yu, will you really keep going like that?”

“This is my strength. To develop regeneration skills, your body has to take damage. My combat skill is also related to my claws, so I really don’t need any armor or weapons.”

“Is that so?”

So, to develop regeneration skills, my body has to take a lot of damage the same way as him. It was a strange way of thinking that only among the Fallen Werewolves would think. I’ve seen it from the beginning, but his regeneration was really unusual. I wouldn’t be surprised if, among the Fallen, he survived to the end. That’s why I thought he and I make a good team.

Okay, let’s get the job done and carry on.

“I’m going somewhere for a while.”

“Sure thing, boss. I’ll sniff around for the boss room’s location.”

I called the entrance to the dedicated store. Before I challenged the boss, I always stopped by. And there was something I wanted to hear from Rain before I leave.

And I think now is the right time.

The first time, I was disappointed with the entrance store fee. 10 silver to enter the dedicated store? But now, I was able to hunt monsters that give me 20 silver or more per head, and now I’m holding money close to 30,000 gold. Even so, some would still call it spare change.

Still, I shouldn’t make light of this. The dedicated store’s entrance fee is only 10 silver, but it costs 100 gold to enter the Garden of Nak.

You could say that the first game I passed relatively smoothly. But I’m not sure about the second and third games.

It may not even be a castle building game anymore. Maybe it’s a game leaning into her favor. Besides, her power that fascinated me at the first game was not the limit. She was just limiting herself to the rules of the game.

I pinched myself on the cheek. When I opened my eyes, it was only the thought of L in my head. This is difficult. If you become overly conscious of her, you may lose the second game before you even know it.

Of course, she is beautiful. Men from different walks of life will be compelled to fall for her. Even women will concede and praise her beauty. It was the violent kind of beauty that makes everyone fall in love with her no matter their standards.

Moreover, she gives me a feeling… one that’s deeper, more passionate, more sensual emotions.

That’s why it was dangerous. It’s difficult to be loved for things I didn’t remember. And L in the same league as Rain and A. It was a fear of mine to be able to share emotions with such a transcendent being.

And above all.

I was afraid of being weak because of someone else, someone full of both life and strength.

My ego weakened, my concentration and determination weakened, I was afraid of it. I was scared to change because of her.

In fact, to some degree, it was also the case when it comes to Lee Chan-yu.

I have been fighting alone since I opened my eyes as a goblin. Even though I had face-to-face encounters with Rain, A, and others, there were only occasional allies. Though I’m still not sure whether or not A is an ally.

But meeting Lee Chan-yu and joining him changed me a little.

I was no longer alone, and even if I wasn’t wholly trusting, I relied on him little by little in battle. The burden of fighting was definitely reduced—the burden of death, the burden of loneliness.

Is that the effect? I laugh and talk more. Didn’t I exchange jokes with Lee Chan-yu just a little while ago?

I don’t think it was terrible, but any more would be difficult. I’d be complacent.

Where I am, it has not changed since I opened my eyes.

A dungeon. A dangerous place where you can lose your life at any moment.

“Boss, are you not going?”

I stopped being in my own thoughts. Lee Chan-yu’s voice brought me back to reality. As I felt his wondering gaze at me, I shook off all unnecessary thoughts.

Just this much. Nothing more.

“I’ll be back.”

I answered him with a slightly firm voice, opening the door to the dedicated store.

There, as always, was the figure of Rain smiling and welcoming me.

“Fate, welcome back.”

The last time I came to the dedicated store was when I went to see L.

Compared to that time, my level, my money, everything changed tremendously, but he didn’t show any surprised expressions. I was especially happy that he didn’t react when he saw my clothes.

Rain seemed to be interested in other things.

“How is she?”

“I made a lot of mistakes.”

“…I thought you would.”

After all, it seemed to be heard. Rain shrugged.