Chapter 70

Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Tattoo (3)

A pair of days had passed since the two colossal figures paid their visit.

Slurp—

“Whew…”

The elderly woman took a sip of her hot brew and reclined into her seat.

Getting ready to perform a tattoo after an extended absence from southern combatants brought back a flood of recollections.

In truth, she harbored doubts about whether one of them truly hailed from the south, though that was hardly her concern.

Every individual carried their own hidden burdens.

Was she not the exact same?

‘Maraki… ’

More than a decade had flown by since she departed the southern lands alongside her sole male child to make a home in this place.

Her offspring, who possessed great potential as a combatant, had earned quite a reputation working as a soldier of fortune and was adapting nicely to urban life.

Yet on a specific day a decade ago,

Her child, having ventured into the northern peaks as he always did, vanished without a trace…

Consequently, she had remained in this spot entirely by herself from that moment onward.

‘My only intent was to reside here in tranquility until my passing.’

An inability to sever her emotional ties kept her from abandoning Tarak, but her years were advanced, and her desire to persist had faded entirely.

Furthermore, occupying a secluded neighborhood within the urban borders meant she never ran into anyone from her place of birth…

“Granny! We’ve arrived!”

“Hahaha—! I’ve brought a supply of flesh to build up your stamina, elderly one! Feast heartily and reclaim your vitality!”

A boisterous racket erupted from the exterior.

The elderly woman let out a soft laugh, stood from her resting place, and made her way toward the entrance.

This was an unforeseen bond with the youthful fighters, yet she found herself welcoming it.

…It brought to mind the child she could no longer lay eyes upon.

“Flesh, my foot. My dental health is failing, I cannot even grind food correctly.”

She muttered a complaint, airing her grievances, though a faint grin graced her expression.

—

Following a generous banquet of flesh, the groundwork for the tattooing process commenced.

They had selected the softest flesh available out of consideration for the elderly woman’s failing teeth, yet her appetite exceeded anticipation.

‘It is said that the majority of southern folk are flesh-eaters with massive appetites… ’

Regardless of her advanced age, the heritage of a southerner ran deep through her veins.

“Hmm… I feel a surge of vitality after consuming flesh after such an extended period. The meat is soft, indicating top-tier quality. Hehehe…”

“Hahaha! I dedicated particular focus to selecting it for you on this day.”

“Have no fear, youngster. I shall treat you exceptionally well, given your genuine thoughtfulness.”

A wide assortment of peculiar implements lay arrayed, ranging from spiritual apparatus—including puncturing tools fashioned by smoothing down predator bones—to an unidentifiable solution created by blending alchemical ingredients with Ogre fluid.

“Recline yourself right here… and Hairy, you must step outside. Your presence will cause a disruption. Additionally, inform any individuals seeking medical aid to return after half a day.”

“Have no fear, granny. I shall pass along the word and turn them away.”

The bearded male gave a dependable nod and exited the premises.

“Tsk… That fellow. I trust he isn’t terrifying the local residents and driving them off.”

The elderly woman clicked her tongue, gave a shake of her head, and shifted her attention to Harley, who lay stretched across the operating bench.

“Goodness me. He truly is immense. This undertaking will prove formidable.”

Markings required engraving at precise coordinates and exact proportions.

A grander physical form meant a wider surface area, demanding a greater supply of components and requiring a higher exertion of spiritual energy from the practitioner.

Naturally, the potency of the marking scaled with size, which is why combatants aimed to possess grander statures.

“This marks my initial experience administering a Great Warrior’s Tattoo to someone lacking even a Warrior’s Tattoo. Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

The physical zones where both markings were inscribed matched identically.

The ‘Warrior’s Tattoo’, a blazing fire motif originating at the cardiac region and climbing up to the throat, and the ‘Great Warrior’s Tattoo’, which was superimposed over it utilizing a far more intricate architecture.

“I shall commence now, so clamp down upon this object.”

“Eh? There is no call for that, elderly one. Merely begin!”

“Hehe… The agony will be quite pronounced. Why not clamp down upon this now, lest you experience remorse down the road?”

“Hahaha! Waste no thought on it. Agony is trivial to a genuine combatant!”

He promptly declined the block of timber the elderly woman presented, as physical agony held no sway over him.

She desisted from pressing the matter further and immediately initiated the tattooing procedure.

“Whew…”

Releasing a brief breath, a subtle radiance began to drift from the marking adorning the elderly woman’s countenance.

This was the ‘Shaman’s Tattoo’ bestowed by her instructor during her period of tutelage.

The skeletal puncturing tool in her grip plunged deep into the murky crimson solution before being withdrawn.

Subsequently, it drove down toward Harley’s cardiac region…

“Huh?”

The puncturing tool remained stationary upon his pectoral fiber, failing to cleave the surface whatsoever.

“This individual, his hide is so incredibly dense that the instrument cannot pierce it!”

“Huh?”

An unforeseen barrier had arisen.

His freakish physiology had grown impervious to assaults that lacked a specified tier of spiritual force…

As he experienced a moment of confusion, the elderly woman clicked her tongue and pushed up her garments.

“Very well! I shall resolve this matter, so remain completely motionless. Tsk… Had it not been for the flesh provided, I could never have managed this!”

With that, the marking upon the elderly woman’s countenance began to radiate with greater brilliance, and a pale energy blanketed the skeletal puncturing tool.

A span of several hours rolled past.

The tattooing procedure advanced in tranquility without encountering further complications.

—

《The subject satisfies the criteria and achieves comprehension. You have unlocked the ability “Calcos-style Combat Tattoo”.》

The precise instant the final puncture marked his jaw line, a rush of life force coursed across his entire frame.

Harley instantly grasped the nature of the transformation.

A portion of the vitality lingering within his muscle tissue, skeletal structure, and various elements was drawn into the finalized marking, triggering all his physical capabilities simultaneously.

‘This is extraordinary. Its performance far outstrips amplification via “Bio-Aura”.’

Furthermore, should he infuse the marking with his spiritual aura…

Harley, who lacked the restraint to delay once a concept formed, immediately translated his thought into motion.

The ‘Great Warrior’s Tattoo’, a grand fire design etched across his chest, gradually shifted to a crimson hue and began to radiate as though it were combusting.

And then…

“Whoa—!”

A subtle shimmering distortion of heat drifted upward from his entire physical form.

A grating sound manifested as he compressed his fist.

‘At this velocity, I could batter an Ogre to its demise utilizing nothing but my uncovered fists, completely bypassing “Physical Transformation”.’

Harley, caught up in his triumph, collected his focus and looked back toward the elderly woman.

She had dropped down to the floorboards, drawing ragged breaths the exact moment the marking process concluded.

“…You unyielding scoundrel. To think you failed to emit a single groan. Has your capacity for agony vanished entirely?”

“Elderly one, do you remain well?”

“I am merely drained from expending an excessive amount of spiritual force. A decade has transpired since my prior performance of a marking, so it appears I overtaxed my capabilities.”

Harley experienced a pang of guilt upon observing her colorless countenance, which was drenched in moisture.

She had clearly expended an immense reserve of spiritual force to puncture his dense hide, notwithstanding her advanced years.

‘A multitude of markings remain to be etched, presenting a dilemma if she is compromised at this early stage… ’

He became certain that leaving her to her own devices was out of the question.

He would need to provide her with flesh three times every single day, supply top-tier vitality enhancers, and elevate her physical durability through structured movement and anxiety regulation.

“Elderly one…”

“I require slumber at this moment, so remove yourself. I shall perish if this persists.”

The elderly woman faltered on her feet and dropped heavily onto the bedding.

It appeared he would need to raise the topic at a subsequent opportunity when circumstances allowed.

He deposited the sack containing the outstanding funds upon the operating bench and stepped into the open air, where he observed the bearded male resting on a seat, drifting in and out of sleep.

“Ho there~ Turaba!”

“Uh… huh? Harley? Has it concluded?”

The bearded male, rubbing at his eyelids as he rose from his resting spot at Harley’s greeting, directed his gaze toward him and allowed his eyes to stretch wide.

“Oh, oh—! That represents the Great Warrior’s Tattoo!”

“Hahaha!”

The southern combatant stared at Harley with looks of deep reverence, uttering exclamations repeatedly.

This was no basic fire design utilized by common fighters, but a grand and striking combusting fire that ascended from his pectoral region up to his throat, completely revealed across his uncovered torso.

‘Ah! The truth reveals itself!’

At that moment, Harley reached an understanding.

The underlying reason why the southern combatants of the older era adhered strictly to this style of dress.

‘It was never solely intended to display their muscle fiber, but to showcase their markings!’

This layout emerged from a blend of diverse elements, including territorial, environmental, and societal factors, though such details held no relevance for Harley.

As he strode forward with his chest extended and a proud stride, he perceived an increased level of reverence from the surrounding onlookers, though it may well have been a product of his thoughts.

“Turaba, the utility of the marking is so potent, why do solely southern combatants employ it? The methodology does not appear to be guarded with extreme secrecy.”

If a practitioner possessing the capability could depart the southern territories at will, it stood to reason they could distribute the methodology whenever they desired.

Yet he had never observed residents of alternative territories utilizing markings.

“Well, that stems from the negative consequences. A variety of rigid criteria exist. Most critically, it perpetually siphons away your vitality.”

Vitality that faced non-stop depletion from the precise moment of its etching.

Naturally, the reinforcing utility scaled higher, yet the volume an individual could endure differed.

“Southern folk are brought into the world possessing an abundance of vitality. The strategy aligns perfectly with our nature.”

Residents of alternative territories maintained that it offered greater utility to dedicate efforts to refining their spiritual aura and reinforcing their physical frames as circumstances demanded.

That accounted for why lesser southern combatants displayed such poor proficiency in manipulating spiritual aura…

“I comprehend. Well, it bears no relevance for me, who has now become a certified Great Warrior of the south! Wahahaha—!”

“You speak truly! To think my companion ranks as a Great Warrior! Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Gahahaha!”

The shared amusement of the two males reverberated through the passageway.

Naturally, not a single soul possessed the nerve to voice an objection to them.

—

“Ah! Sir Heinrich! Is it prudent for you to be on your feet so soon?”

“Hahaha, it causes no harm to wander about for a brief spell. In truth, I possessed the ability to rise prior to this, but the restoration practitioner overseeing me maintained such rigid constraints.”

“Even so… would it not prove wiser to exercise vigilance until your restoration is absolute?”

Heinrich, engaged in an amicable dialogue with the Saintess who directed anxious words toward him, possessed the freedom to abandon the recovery ward now that his physical state had progressed substantially.

Furthermore, it proved advantageous that this development aligned with a significant occasion.

“This day marks the departure of the delegation from the Elven Kingdom. It behooves us to offer a formal send-off, given our shared history.”

The Elf delegation, having navigated a multitude of complications, was finally making their return to their natal territory.

Heinrich shared a profound history with Rapori, their commander, meaning it was fitting to present himself one final time.

Should their paths diverge at this juncture, securing a future meeting would prove exceptionally difficult.

‘It represented an anomalous event that a High Elf personally commanded the delegation in the first place.’

They occupied positions intended to guide their kin, meaning they would never distance themselves from the World Tree’s presence barring an exceptional matter of this nature.

As they conversed before the portal, the Elf delegation made their entrance, escorted by a practitioner.

Two individuals had been attached to the assembly, apart from Rapori and the core delegation.

Cecily, the High Elf prospect, and… Harris, the Elf introduced via Harley.

“Sir Heinrich. Word reached me that you sustained critical harm, is it wise for you to stand exposed out here?”

“Ah, I am truly restored, Lord Rapori.”

Parting sentiments were passed between the institution of the Church and the delegation.

Their residency had spanned a considerable duration, allowing many to forge bonds of companionship, which extended the process, yet the instant of departure ultimately arrived.

Wooong—

“With this, we shall take our leave. The generosity you have displayed will not fade from our recollections.”

“I anticipate that both factions can preserve an amicable alliance going forward. With that, safe travels…”

The Elf delegation vanished into the azure swirling current of the portal following the concluding expressions shared between Saintess Liesta and Rapori.

They would subsequently journey toward the eastern boundary of the land mass over a span of days before crossing into the Enamel Continent utilizing their private arrangements.

Accompanied by Harris.

He perceived his pulse quickening in the manner of a pioneer standing upon the threshold of an undiscovered territory.