Chapter 60 (2/2)
”So, you gotta think about it carefully. The moment you put it on and activate it, the earring will become utterly worthless, you know.” (Cho Hong)
When Cho Hong quickly followed up, Hugo snorted loudly.
”What is there to even think about? Of course Seol should use it. That accessory's been designed for Archers and Warriors, anyway.” (Hugo)
”Now, now. Let's put aside the unnecessary side broadcasts for the time being.” (Ian)
Ian cleared his throat and continued on.
”When you inject your magical energy into ‘Festina Earring', the ‘Boost' function imbued within will activate. Meaning, it'll increase the speed of the person wearing it. According to the result of my appraisal magic, your overall speed should be enhanced by about 1.5 times the normal, and the effect will last for around one minute.” (Ian)
”Keuh!!” (Hugo)
”On top of this, you can use the Boost up to three times. Whenever you activate the effect, it automatically charges back to full again. The time needed for a full charge is around six hours.” (Ian)
”Kyah!” (Hugo)
Seol Ji-Hu remained quiet, but it was Hugo who was making all the sound effects. Ian then spoke with an expression that said, ”You will definitely react to what I have to say next.”
”But, most importantly, both the number of usages, as well as the activation time, can be stacked on top of one another.” (Ian)
”Oh.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Seol Ji-Hu let out a soft gasp.
”So, if I use the Boost three times in a row….” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Your speed will be boosted by up to 3.375 times, lasting for three minutes. Meaning, you will be maintaining the speed fast enough to clear 100 metres in three, four seconds for three minutes straight!” (Ian)
Ian spoke triumphantly, even though the earring didn't even belong to him.
”As long as the wearer can utilise it properly, he will be able to display fearsome combat prowess.” (Ian)
Seol Ji-Hu looked down at the earring in his hand. Crafted out of silver-coloured material and shaped like the Star of David, there was an ivory-coloured jewel stuck in the middle that scattered gentle light.
”How much would this go for?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Hey, you!” (Hugo)
Hugo cried out in alarm. Ian grinned brightly.
”As much as you want it to be. However, will you really sell it?” (Ian)
”Not at all. I mean, I got this during the expedition, so….” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”That's nonsense.” (Ian)
Ian waved his hand around.
”Both the proof of chast.i.ty and the Festina Earring are the rewards you earned through your independent actions. You won't find any sons of b*tches among us who'd even think about taking a share from your achievements.” (Ian)
Hugo barked out loudly like a dog. When Ian glared at him as if he was a helpless idiot, Hugo whimpered and quickly backed down.
”In my personal opinion, it'd be for the best if you used it. That earring is far too valuable to sell, I believe.” (Ian)
Seol Ji-Hu cautiously equipped the earring. He initially thought that he needed to pierce his ear, but when he brought the earring close to his left earlobe, it just attached itself there like sticky glue.
”Very good. Now, inject some of your Magic Power into it.” (Ian)
This earring would become his the moment he used it. Although he was momentarily taken by indecision, Seol Ji-Hu quickly made his mind up.
‘….It's not like I'm in need for money, anyway.' (Seol Ji-Hu)
And so… It happened when he closed his eyes and roused his sleeping Magic Power.
Pow!
His hair suddenly danced around, and at the same time….
A powerful gust of wind swept past him, before disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Seol Ji-Hu quickly scanned his body, utterly mystified. It felt like a certain formless aura had wrapped around him.
”Would you like to run and see for yourself?” (Ian)
Running would be Seol Ji-Hu's speciality, actually. So, he began running with everything he got.
Soon enough, Seol Ji-Hu had run out of the campsite and found himself running on the gra.s.sy plains, completely failing to hide his shock.
‘Holy sh*t.' (Seol Ji-Hu)
He could definitely feel the difference once he started running with all his might. When he sneaked a glance behind him, he spotted the campsite rapidly getting further away. He even thought that this couldn't have been his own body.
‘I can stack the effect, right?' (Seol Ji-Hu)
While circling around the plains, he roused his Magic Power once more.
POW!
Seol Ji-Hu freaked out at the sudden feeling of his entire being entering a strange state. The surrounding objects brushed past him in a streak of blur. The headwinds felt sharp enough to slice his flesh. His chaotic thought process was cleared up in an instant and indeed, it felt like he had entered a brand new world.
Ian was right. Depending on how it was used, this earring would exhibit truly unimaginable effects, be that in the middle of battles, while trying to rush forward, or even when running away, etc., etc. If he could control it properly, then it'd be the same thing as holding an absurdly powerful weapon.
He gradually got closer to the campsite. Seol Ji-Hu thought that now would be a good time to slow down, so that's what he did. No, that's what he tried to do.
”Uh…? Uh, uh, uhhhh?!” (Seol Ji-Hu)
His legs didn't want to listen. As if he was a circus performer, his legs got all tangled up, and eventually, he couldn't win against the inertia and his limbs began performing a bizarre dance routine.
”Euh?! U-uwaaah?!” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Tumble!! Cras.h.!.+ Smas.h.!.+
In the end, as soon as entering the campsite, Seol Ji-Hu fell hard and tumbled on the ground. He rolled forward for a long time before finally coming to a stop.
”Argh, ouch, ouch, ouuuch…” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Cho Hong and Hugo were watching on dazedly until then, before they exploded in a fit of laughter and nearly toppled over. Even Dylan and Ian were laughing out loudly as well.
As the night deepened, the campsite was coming alive with the sounds of laughter.
Next morning.
The expedition arrived at the rendezvous point even before the sun reached halfway mark in the sky. Ian contacted the royal family and then, conveyed the message to the rest of the team that the army should be arriving soon. Seol Ji-Hu suppressed his pounding heart and scanned his surroundings.
The surrounding topography wasn't that interesting to look at. The road to the canyon itself was rather rugged, though. Boulders could spa.r.s.ely be seen here and there, but their numbers gradually increased the further his sight s.h.i.+fted towards north-east. Even further away, one could see an imposing mountain range, well beyond the boulders the size of houses.
‘So, going into that mountain range, is it….' (Seol Ji-Hu)
No, going there hadn't been decided yet. Although he had half a mind to return home immediately, but…. Surely, his ‘Nine Eyes' would help him choose the right option.
”This must be your first time meeting a royalty.” (Ian)
Perhaps finding all that waiting around boring, Ian initiated a conversation. Seol Ji-Hu nodded his head while fidgeting with the Festina Earring.
”Hmm. Not sure what you're thinking of here, but it'll be better to lower your expectations.” (Ian)
”Even if one's a royalty, you're still a human being, no? There's no need to be tense.” (Ian)
”Are you implying that the royals have lost their power?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Ian smiled brightly. If he were to ask the very same question to either Cho Hong or Hugo, they would just form an expression that said, ”What are you talking about?” But, this young man in front of his eyes seemed to make his reply always after giving it some thought first.
”What comes to your mind when you think of Haramark?” (Ian)
”Uhm…. A castle? A city?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Indeed. Most of the Earthlings would answer in a similar fas.h.i.+on.” (Ian)
Ian spat out a sigh.
”Rather than as an actual kingdom, everyone now sees Haramark as just another city. The extent of the current Haramark royal family's influence is only around their current address. That's about it.” (Ian)
”The side effects of the rebellion must've been great.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Indeed, you'd be a fool to deny that. However, after the rebellion itself, the king of Haramark willingly cast away the authority of the ruler.” (Ian)
”The king…. did that?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”He didn't have much of a choice. He learned that neither the king's authority or the forceful approach worked with us, the Earthlings. So, he had no choice but to change his stance. In order to survive, in other words.” (Ian)
The mention of one trying to survive sounded a bit desperate, then.
Seol Ji-Hu had been quietly mulling over what Ian said, before opening his mouth.
”What kind of a person is the princess, the one coming here?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Teresa Hussey. She's one h.e.l.l of a woman.” (Ian)
Ian grinned deeply. His eyes lit up warmly like a grandfather proudly boasting about his own granddaughter.
”Growing up witnessing the invasion of the foreign creatures to this world from a very young age, she did. And also, she's a rather special case for an original resident.” (Ian)
”Special? How?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”The system of Paradise we use are actually the providence bestowed onto the Earthlings only. However, she is one of the very few original residents who has been blessed with the same providence as us.” (Ian)
That was his first time hearing about such a thing.
”So, that's how it was. Original residents can, too….” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”From what I hear, they invoked something called ‘royal family's promise' and received the providence in return. I understand where she's coming from, though. As a woman in this world, you'd need great power if you wanted to safeguard your remaining family, especially when there are only two of you left.” (Ian)
”What's the level of Princess Teresa Hussey?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Ho-oh? Now that I take another look at you, I see that you're quite interested in that lady!” (Ian)
Ian suddenly formed a lewd expression and then, lightly poked Seol Ji-Hu on the side.
”Very good! Of course, I'll tell you! First of all, she's 70D around her chest, and her waistline is like…..” (Ian) (TL: 70D = 32D in US bra size.)
”….Master Ian.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Haha, I just just kidding. Just kidding! She's also a high ranker. Level 5 Princess Knight.” (Ian)
A Princess Knight? Seol Ji-Hu tilted his head after hearing a term he had never heard of before.
”Yes, the name of her Job is kind of funny. However, do not be mistaken. You need to discard the preconceived notion of princess knights being held hostage by the orcs.” (Ian)
”Looks like they are here.” (Dylan)
Just before Seol Ji-Hu could ask for the clarification from Ian, Dylan opened his mouth first.
The youth reflexively s.h.i.+fted his gaze to look, and his sight caught onto something running towards the group while kicking up a mighty dust storm from afar.
< 60.=”” princess=”” knight=””> Fin.