Chapter 808

Chapter 808: The Last Day (5)
[Omen of Corruption]. A peculiar skill that, when hit, bizarrely alters one of the essences you possess. In my case, the one affected was Bayon’s [Transcendence].

‘At least I’m fortunate Storm Gush wasn’t hit……’

Even though I avoided the worst-case scenario, I couldn’t help feeling bitter about it. After all, [Transcendence] was a core essence that could link with various other essences, including [Giantization]. While it might not rank as high in importance as [Giantization], it still held a firm place in the final build of the Shield Barbarian.

‘I wonder how it changed……’

I’m dying of curiosity about whether it was altered into something completely useless, but there’s no way to know right now. Once hit by this skill, you can’t use the affected skill for 180 days.

‘Today is day 33 of the expedition……’

If we return to the city on day 75 as originally planned, that’s 42 days. Plus 30 days in the city.

“Even if we complete another 75-day expedition, there will still be 33 days left.”

In other words, I won’t be able to use [Transcendence] until the expedition after the next, which is when I can finally experiment to see what changed……

“Captain, the island’s coming into view……!”

As I stood on the deck lost in thought, our destination finally came into view.

The sky around the island was dyed red as if it belonged to another world. Lava flowed down into the sea, solidifying upon contact. And dark red smoke covered the entire island.

“Disembark……!”

It took a total of 3 hours and 50 minutes to dock the ship and set foot on the island. About 50 minutes faster than when we headed to the secret base…

“Good work, Auyen.”

“It was nothing……?”

Throughout the voyage, Auyen had been using his abilities at maximum output and even at a glance he didn’t look well. If he used his abilities a few more times, he’d likely fall into a state of soul exhaustion.

“From now on, rest easy.”

“Huh?”

There was no need for a lengthy explanation.

“Ainar!”

As soon as her name was called, Ainar immediately understood my intentions.

“Got it!! You want me to carry him, right?”

“What? N-No, I’m fine—!”

“Hahah! Don’t worry too much! I’m used to carrying people!”

Okay, so Auyen’s transportation issue is solved…… The Orb of Fire had been kept active since arriving on the island, so there was no need to activate it again.

So……

“From here on out, we move at full speed.”

Leading the members who had recovered their strength during the four-hour voyage, we quickly traversed the island.

Our destination was the center of the island where Amelia had last been spotted. However, we continued to thoroughly search the surroundings as we headed toward our destination. After all, Amelia wasn’t the only one in mortal danger.

[Status Effect Eternal Burning is applied. You will receive continuous fire damage and this fire damage will increase over time.]

For now, let’s put aside this field effect since the damage increase wasn’t significant yet.

[Time Remaining Until Death: 05:50:17.]

With only about six hours left before the status effect [Death Sentence] activates, we needed to act fast to reset everyone’s timers. Exactly like this.

“Raven, Marrone. From now on, use ‘Distortion’ magic on every monster we hunt.”

While focusing on moving in a breakthrough formation, we cast ‘Distortion’ magic on any monsters we encountered.

Monsters affected by the Distortion magic don’t drop essences when killed, but instead have a chance to leave behind their corpse and byproducts……

“Ah! Success!”

Instead of disappearing into light particles, the defeated monster collapsed to the ground.

Thud-!

This meant the Distortion magic was successful. However, soon after, the corpse became engulfed in flames and turned to ash.

And……

Whoosh-!

A red haze rose in the air.

“Something… That looks like an essence came out……?”

“That’s exactly what we wanted.”

Its official name in the game was ‘Original Sin.’ I don’t know why it’s called that, but it has two effects when consumed.

[You have taken an ‘Original Sin.’ Fire resistance permanently increased +1.]

Fire resistance is increased by +1.

[Status effect [Death Sentence] has been reset. You will die in 24 hours.]

And the [Death Sentence] status effect, acquired from the field effect, is reset, giving you another day’s worth of time. For reference, the fire resistance effect can only be gained from the first time you consume it and won’t increase when taken again……

But anyway, that’s not what’s important.

Unlike in the game, where you can hover your cursor over the status effect icon to see the remaining time, I sequentially fed the ‘Original Sin’ to the members while having those who consumed it immediately set their timers on their watches.

“It feels strange. To think this is my remaining time. Don’t you think so, Mr. Parav?”

“Haha, yeah… It does.”

“How nice would it be if we could see this in real life too?”

“Huh?”

“Our remaining time. I was thinking how nice it would be if we could know how much time we have left, even in our everyday lives. Actually, it was the same earlier, wasn’t it? When we thought everything would be over in just one minute… I was just so overwhelmed. It made me think about how many things I haven’t done in my life……”

“……It would certainly be nice if that were possible. If we could know our remaining time… At least there wouldn’t be things left unsaid.”

“Not things left undone, but words unsaid?”

“Ahaha… I was just saying, that’s all. Just saying!”

Even in this situation, Marrone and Parav shared an oddly ticklish conversation. Tch, considering how Parav volunteered to be Marrone’s ride when we discussed moving quickly earlier……

‘Is there really something between these two……?’

I couldn’t be sure, but somehow I had that thought. Should I just let it be? In the past, I would have been concerned about such personal relationships forming within the team. When emotions develop, the probability of variables appearing also increases. But now, my thoughts have changed a bit.

“……Because there might not be a later.”

“Hm? What did you say, Mister?”

“Just talking to myself.”

I brushed off Erwen’s question and turned my attention away from Marrone and Parav. I don’t know how their relationship will turn out, but I didn’t want to interfere. If it works out, it works out, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Just as long as there are no regrets.

With that mindset, I concentrated on the present and time passed as we continued toward the island’s center.

[Ainar Fenelin has taken an ‘Original Sin.’ Fire resistance permanently increased +1.]

At the point when we had acquired a total of four ‘Original Sins’ and reset [Death Sentence].

“Finally found you.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice caught my ear.

“…Huh?”

This voice is definitely……

“Emily……?”

Just as I muttered that.

“What’s with that face? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Amelia appeared with a grin.

“……Uhh?”

I was dumbfounded. Like Amelia’s joke, I guess it really felt like seeing a ghost? To be honest, I hadn’t expected to find her this quickly……

‘No, in this case, did she find us?’

In fact, Amelia didn’t even know we were looking for her. Well, if it weren’t for Arta’s words, I wouldn’t have known she was on this island either.

“What the hell happened that made you come in here?”

“Something happened outside.”

“Golden Tree, was it them?”

“No, they have nothing to do with this.”

“……What? They don’t?”

“They left the island as soon as they found out their tail on us was dealt with. I waited just in case, but I never saw them before I came in here.”

None of this matched my expectations. If Amelia had entered the island, I naturally assumed it was because of them……

“If it wasn’t because of them, why did you come in?”

To my question, Amelia again gave an answer I couldn’t have possibly expected.

“The Floor Lord of the sixth floor was summoned.”

……Huh?

***

The Floor Lord of the sixth floor had been summoned. It was quite shocking news, but hearing that, it made sense.

“So you took refuge here as soon as you found out that the Floor Lord had been summoned.”

“Yes. Getting caught up in that alone would be trouble. And when I calculated the time, it was around when you all would be returning anyway.”

After hearing the detailed reason why Amelia came here, I couldn’t help but nod. As expected, she’s the only one I can trust to handle herself, even in a tough situation.

Her judgment is quick and accurate.

“Good job.”

Floor Lords usually affect the entire floor. A prime example is Riakis on the third floor. Upon appearing, it blocks the inter-floor portals and altars the entire field. And the sixth floor’s Lord is the no different. In the case of the sixth floor, the portals don’t get blocked, but once it’s summoned, no matter where you are in this vast open sea, you’ll be affected by its influence. Well, strictly speaking, you’re affected when it uses its skills, but anyway.

‘I was planning to just go outside in case of an emergency, but that’s become a bit tricky now……’

We lost one option, but we were still better off. Should I say we accidentally ended up in a shelter? If we hadn’t been in here, we would have definitely gotten caught up in the Floor Lord situation.

“……Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe. Let’s talk as we get out of here.”

“Why get out of here?”

“If we stay here, we might run into something troublesome. Although defeating it is our goal anyway…… But we need to prepare.”

“Ah, I see. Understood.”

After joining up with Amelia, we continued our conversation while moving as far away from the center of the island as possible.

“Did things go well? I was worried something might have gone wrong because I couldn’t be there.”

“Ah, about that……”

“Was there a problem?”

“There were some, but it ended well ultimately. Ah, and we got an essence too.”

“A rank 1 essence dropped……? Amazing. Whoever gets it, it’ll cause an uproar when people the city find out.”

“No, that won’t happen.”

When I firmly cut her off and shook my head, Amelia gave me a questioning look. I smirked and shrugged my shoulders.

“You’d hate to become famous, wouldn’t you?”

“……?”

At first, Amelia seemed confused about what I was saying, but soon her eyes widened. It seems she’s just realized that she is the owner of that essence……

“Phheeew-!”

“I’m so jealous. A man who gives a rank 1 essence as a gift. Where can I find a man like that?”

“But Miss Raven, you’re a wizard so you can’t consume essences anyway……?”

“But I still love researching essences!”

“Hmph, what’s so special about a rank 1? I received a floor essence from Mister.”

“W-Well, nyah……? I’m jealous of both of you……?”

Though it was chaotic with everyone around whistling and making a fuss, Amelia seemed uninterested in their reactions. She just stared at me steadily……

“Thank you, I’ll use it well.”

Amelia conveyed her gratitude in such a simple way. Yet within that simplicity, I felt an inexplicable weight. It felt more sincere than a hundred words could express. Of course, that composed reaction didn’t last long. Though she appears aloof, she actually has quite childlike qualities when you get to know her.

“So what kind of abilities does this essence have? How can I link it with my other essences?”

“Ah, for that, ask Raven.”

“Eh? Me?”

“knowing you, you’ve probably already compiled and organized all the information.”

“Well… That’s true but…… Hah! Fine! Here!”

Afterward, Amelia received the compiled skill information from Raven, and after studying it, she came to me for advice.

And……

“But what’s this? The name is quite romantic. Heheh, [The Last Day], huh.”

I couldn’t understand which part she found romantic at all, but I still answered her.

“Ah, don’t worry about that one for now. Given its conditions, you might never get to use it properly in your lifetime.”

“Really? Looking at the conditions, it would be difficult to use unless specifically prepared for it.”

“That’s right, so……”

“[The Last Day].”

Th-That curiosity, seriously.

Does she need to test it at least once to be satisfied?

There’s no way it would activate—.

Flash—!!

…Or so I thought.

“……Huh?”

What’s that?

Whoooooooosh───!

“Bjorn! Look! Look at the sky!!!”

…Why are meteorites falling from the sky?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-!!

Though I didn’t know the exact reason, seeing Amelia’s clearly panicked expression, one thing was clear.

“……Did I just mess up”

Things had gone seriously wrong.

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[Amelia Rainwales has cast [The Last Day]. Random bombardments will occur within a 10km radius for 24 hours.]