NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
Chapter 16: Shadow Worm,, Chara-Tebil (8)
The soul stones of the Servants are transcendent materials.
To convert the soul engraved in that stone into power, one had to go to the cathedral and meet the Star Messenger directly.
“Are you awake?”
As I climbed the underground stairs, I found Hong Byunggyu’s group gathered around a bonfire in the holding room. Hong Byunggyu chuckled.
“Eat this to replenish your energy before heading to the cathedral.”
The aroma made my mouth water.
Sausages skewered on sticks were roasting over the fire, emitting a savory fragrance.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Oh, come on. I figured you’d be tired from spending a hot night. Youth sure is enviable.”
“Excuse me?”
While I was taken aback, Jung Hayoung merely tilted her head.
“You bastard. Old man, what kind of nonsense are you spouting now?”
“Relax, it’s a joke! Don’t you get American humor?”
Hong Byunggyu’s desperate excuse drew laughter from the other hunters.
It was oddly heartwarming, so I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
It felt more like playful banter between drinking buddies than the sharp exchanges typical among Nightmare Hunters.
“Let’s dig in.”
I sat down in front of the bonfire.
Jung Hayoung handed me a sausage.
“This one’s a bit too burnt, so the old man can have it.”
It wasn’t burnt at all.
But I was too hungry to argue.
“Well, thank you…”
It tasted amazing.
As I ate, an unexpected lump formed in my throat.
The sensation of fullness—wasn’t it the feeling of life rather than death?
I felt the reality of having survived anew.
“Hey, team leader.”
Just as I was finishing my third sausage, Hong Byunggyu spoke up.
“Share the story of your boss fight. How did you manage to defeat the boss alone?”
As Hong Byunggyu stirred the mood, the other hunters chimed in with interest.
Even Jung Hayoung gave me a curious look.
I could only give a rueful smile.
“Well… I don’t know myself.”
It was thanks to the explosive increase in the 'Humanity' stat of 《Sacred Fire Succession》.
How could I even begin to explain that?
Everything about 《Sacred Fire Succession》 was shrouded in mystery.
‘Battle Memory’ was peculiar enough, but ‘Humanity’ was particularly enigmatic.
I didn’t even know what triggered its rise.
I tried doing good deeds randomly, but that didn’t work at all.
“I fought with a single-minded determination to save everyone… and somehow, I won.”
The hunters exchanged puzzled looks.
It was awkward.
Did they think I was hiding some unique skill?
After a long silence, Jung Hayoung shrugged.
“Does it matter how he won? What matters is that he did.”
“I wasn’t trying to pry. I was just curious, that’s all.”
Thanks to Jung Hayoung, I didn’t have to explain further.
Now it was my turn to ask the question I had been wondering about.
“Where is Shin Taeup? And the other survivors?”
What was this?
Why did the atmosphere suddenly turn heavy when I mentioned Shin Taeup?
Could this reaction mean…?
“No, he’s not dead. But…”
Seeing my expression falter, Hong Byunggyu answered immediately.
However, he couldn’t finish his sentence, and Jung Hayoung sighed in his stead.
“I doubt that kid can keep hunting.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Eleven out of twenty-one died, didn’t they?
Among them, three were from
Hearing the exact numbers made it hard to breathe.
Five more people had died while we were dealing with the Servant?
Wait, wasn’t Hong Byunggyu’s group also five strong at the time?
“He’s blaming himself because he led the expedition.
He feels responsible for their deaths.”
“When he woke up on the first day, he was already half a wreck.”
Kim Gyesang, one of Hong Byunggyu’s team, said this with a sigh.
“Now, we don’t even know where he is. He’s disappeared without a trace.”
That hero, mentally broken?
And now, even his whereabouts were unknown?
Wasn’t he the one who deserved to be admired as the greatest hero among us?
“It wasn’t his fault.
Who could have predicted the boss would set an ambush?”
Everyone stared blankly at the ground, their expressions heavy.
“Even in the face of death, he fought for us─”
“─I know. Who’s saying otherwise?”
Jung Hayoung stood abruptly, as if the topic made her uncomfortable.
“We’ve said this over and over.
But that kid doesn’t think so. Sigh… Forget it, let’s move.”
The other hunters also began standing up one by one, and Hong Byunggyu poured water over the bonfire to extinguish it.
I stayed seated.
My body felt heavy, and a migraine pulsed at my temples as I massaged them.
If even I felt this stifled, how much pain must that young one be enduring?
In the meantime, the hunters emerged from the underground carrying leather sacks, which they loaded onto a carriage waiting outside the gate.
Rain poured down outside.
Cold, heavy raindrops fell relentlessly.
The world itself—was it mad?
Was that why the hero of our first victory had become a broken man?
A twisted, insane world where even simple cause and effect were warped.
I was still trapped in this nightmare of a world.
11.
The Star Messenger greeted us from the altar of the chapel.
When Hong Byunggyu’s group placed the sacks of soul stones before her, she took one of the Servant’s soul stones and smiled with her eyes.
“As expected of the one who achieved the leader’s feat… You’ve met my expectations.
Surely, you know what can be done with the Servant’s soul stones?”
Of course, I knew.
There were two ways to use them.
One was to craft equipment imbued with the Servant’s power.
The other was to absorb the Servant’s soul—essentially converting it into level-up points.
Since I had 《Sacred Fire Succession》, the choice was obvious.
“Hmm… Unfortunately, that choice seems impossible.”
“Why not?”
“You’re short by thirty-one soul stones.
Didn’t you know additional soul stones are required when crafting transcendent equipment?”
This was absurd.
We had so many, yet it wasn’t enough?
Enough to host a feast if sold for food?
“Then I won’t make it.”
“However, as a token of gratitude for raising my honor with your first hunt, I’ll cover the deficit for you this time.”
Your honor?
What did she mean by that?
I didn’t have time to ask.
When the Star Messenger clasped her hands together, the soul stones floated into the air all at once.
With a strange resonance, the stones clustered together and began to merge.
At the center burned the soul stone of Cha─Ratevil, shrouded in dark light.
Paaah!
At its climax, a jet-black flash swept through the chapel.
It happened so quickly that when I blinked, the flash had already dissipated.
The soul stones were gone.
Instead, the Star Messenger was holding ‘something’ in both hands.
“This is not merely clothing.
It is the manifestation of Cha─Ratevil’s transcendence in the form of attire. Take it.”
It was a jet-black long coat.
Aside from its high collar and hem that extended below the knees, it had only bizarre characteristics.
Heavy like an old-fashioned bulletproof vest.
Its fabric was rough and scratchy, like Cha─Ratevil's chitin.
And faintly, there was the ominous presence of Cha─Ratevil lingering in it.
[Legendary Equipment Equipped: Shadow Exoskeleton Battle Robe]
…So, it’s basically clothing made of insect shells?
=====
[Overview Description]
1: A jet-black battle robe.
2: The essence of a Servant who once served a nameless demigod.
[Grade and Type]
Legendary / Leather
[Exclusive Skill: 《Shadow Submersion》]
Allows the wearer to submerge into shadows, rendering them immune to all damage except light and fire attributes.
Duration: (1.5) seconds / Recharge Count: (2) uses
It is said that the nameless demigod commanded 118 lords.
Cha─Ratevil was one of them and deeply admired him.
Perhaps that’s why, when the demigod plotted a reckless rebellion, Cha─Ratevil was the first to blindly follow.
=====
Another demigod appears in the description.
Admired him, huh?
That laugh sounded feminine—was he really like that?
Just then, a ding sound echoed in my ears.
[Exclusive Skill, 《Shadow Submersion》 has been activated.]
This isn’t bad at all.
It’s the very skill that turned the Cha─Ratevil raid into a nightmare.
This skill nearly wiped out the assault team and almost got me killed.
Now I could use it as if it were a personal ability.
No aberration uses light or fire attributes.
In essence, I could use this invincibility twice as an evasive maneuver.
Compared to that infinite potential, consuming 60% of my soul stones for this wasn’t a loss but a significant gain.
“Wow. You look good in it, probably because you have the right frame.”
Hong Byunggyu praised it, and the other hunters nodded in agreement.
I gave a wry smile.
“I like it overall, but… I’m a bit concerned about it being classified as [Leather].”
“Hm. Well, leather armor does have terribly low defense.”
Nightmare Hunters, focused on practicality, tend to avoid [Leather] equipment.
While its mobility is top-notch, its defense is the lowest.
The explanation suggests that hunters who choose [Leather] must employ an evasive, stylish combat style.
That’s why it’s rarely used.
Who in the Nightmare Zone can guarantee they won’t get hit even once?
“Since you’re the lead hunter, why not make a statement with some flair?”
“You think this outfit is stylish?”
“No. But imagine being the only Nightmare Hunter wearing [Leather]! It could be your trademark.
What do you think, Hayoung?”
“What do I think?”
Jung Hayoung gave me a blank look, scanning me from head to toe.
“You’ll see.”
Suddenly, she aimed her pistol at me and fired.
A combination of 《Hyper Acceleration》 and precise shooting.
I didn’t even have time to process what was happening.
Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping!
What the—?
When I tried to interpret the situation, I noticed something bizarre.
The metallic sound of bullets rolling on the ground.
When I looked down, I saw flattened bullets scattered on the floor.
“Not bad.”
Jung Hayoung lowered her pistol.
“The design sucks, though, so I’m deducting 30 points. Final score: 70.”
Did this outfit just block bullets?
I didn’t feel any impact—just a faint brush.
Hong Byunggyu murmured.
“…Its defensive performance is on par with light armor?”
If that’s the case… it’s a perfect 100 for me.
As I absentmindedly fiddled with the coat, Jung Hayoung eventually turned her irritated gaze to the Star Messenger.
“How long are we going to stay here? Whether we eat or not, let’s get out of here.”
Before leaving, I asked the Star Messenger one last question.
Could she help locate Shin Taeup?
“Ah, him?”
The Star Messenger gave an unsettling smile.
“I shall ask the stars. If they respond, I’ll inform you.”
“Please do.”
“Of course. I look forward to your next hunt.”
We exited the chapel.
While descending the steps, Jung Hayoung reloaded her magazine with bullets, grumbling.
“That damn woman. She’s always so eerily composed. Gives me the creeps every time.”
“What unnerves me are her eyes.”
Kim Gyesang, one of Hong Byunggyu’s group, said.
“It’s like she can see straight into your soul.”
I saw it differently.
The Star Messenger had the gaze of someone delighting in the chaos of a ruined world.
That’s what made it horrifying.
“What’s your plan now?”
As we reached the cathedral’s main gate, Jung Hayoung asked.
“The
《First Liberation: Divine Light Dawn Blade》.
I needed to test this equipment in action.
There’s no way I’d join a raid while still unfamiliar with my tools.
The overwhelming combat style of the wielder of the Divine Light Dawn Blade—
It wasn’t just a fight; it was like a mesmerizing dance of the sword.
At the very least… I’d aim to emulate about 30% of that skill.
Jung Hayoung raised an eyebrow.
“
“You know of it?”
“Not exactly. Just met them once.”
Interesting.
I hadn’t even heard the name before.
When I shot her a curious look, she shrugged.
“Was it the third day of the apocalypse?
Right after I entered the Nightmare Zone, they helped me.”
“For no reason?”
That was the most important factor to me.
“I think so. They even shared food.”
“Hm.”
“But to be clear, they’re not an assault team.
It’s just a trio of wanderers. But damn, they’re strong.
All three of them are monsters.”
“For you to call them monsters….”
“You know my judgment’s realistic, right?
Until I met you, I thought those three were the strongest.”
I thought back for a moment.
Choi Wook’s focused gaze.
Im Yonggon’s intense killing intent.
Hatred.
Brutal, yes, but not thugs.
In two days, I’d have a proper conversation with them.
Jung Hayoung snapped her fingers.
“Oh.
“What line?”
“The strong are drawn to the strong.”
Why was she suddenly doing this ridiculous impersonation?
I laughed in the rain.
Jung Hayoung’s lips curved upward slightly, but then her eyes widened in shock.
“What the hell is this?”
“…What?”
“Why’s your level so high? Didn’t you use up all the soul stones?”
I looked above my head.
Whether it’s someone else’s or your own, you must focus to see the level indicator.
As I did, the information panel slowly came into view.
[Lv: 38]
…38?
I had anticipated some level increase.
The progress of 《Sacred Fire Succession》 had surged.
I’ve kept it a secret, but I can’t use soul stones to level up.
Instead, my level rises proportionally to the progress of 《Sacred Fire Succession》.
But after three days of rest, level 38?
That was even higher than
“This is…”
“Do you not know?
Or can’t you say?”
I hesitated.
If I confided in Jung Hayoung, it might make future inquiries from others easier to handle.
But if this secret ever got out, especially with the Contracted Holy Spirit listening…
“What kind of passionate whispers are you exchanging in the rain?
You’ll catch a cold. Let’s go eat.”
Hong Byunggyu had joined us unnoticed.
When Jung Hayoung explained the anomaly, he simply scoffed as if it were nothing.
“Probably went up when you crafted the equipment.”
“That’s normal?”
“Have you never played games?
Good equipment often has level restrictions.
Your level probably had to match the gear.
How else could it consume all those soul stones at once?”
His interpretation made things convenient, but…
Looking at the situation now, something felt off.
Why hadn’t the Star Messenger pointed out this anomaly?
“Hold on.”
Hong Byunggyu’s urgent whisper snapped me out of my thoughts.
“Something’s coming.”