Chapter 139

Chapter 139
## Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Serengeti’s Complete Revival

《‘Sublime Hero’s Rank’ has been attained.》

《A new supreme unique-grade artifact has been created!》

《The hidden technique ‘Sublime Sword’ of the ‘Sublime Sword Saint’ class is now available.》

This was a secret ability I had only become aware of the moment I stepped into the Sublime Sword Saint class.

To finally have it within my grasp.

It served as proof that every requirement for its awakening had been satisfied.

Yet, in this moment, those notification windows failed to register in my mind.

‘……Ah.’

It was a visceral reaction.

I was simply captivated by the sheer magnificence of the blade—the North Heaven Ice Sword, returned to its true shape and pushed to a higher plane by the power of the Final Twilight.

This weapon existed in a realm far above any unique-grade item I had forged in the past.

Winter.

As its name implied, it was a sword of unblemished white.

It possessed a transparency like frozen water, embodying a perpetual frost that defied the thaw.

The mere sight of it was enough to steal one’s breath, but if it were only a matter of aesthetics, I wouldn’t be standing here paralyzed.

‘Final Twilight. A rune etched with the authority of the radiant hero’s constellation.’

The act of carving this mark alone allowed for a transcendent leap in quality.

In all my experience, I had never encountered a ‘rune’ of this caliber.

And the consequence of its application was just as unprecedented.

《‘Collection’ has been finalized and triggered.》

《Two unique-grade titles have been recorded in the ‘Collection.’》

《‘Throne of Light’ + ‘Winter (Final Twilight)’ = ‘Dazzlingly Frigid Seat (All Penetration +2%)’》

《All unique-grade equipment now interact through collection designations.》

A collection feature that only ignites once a minimum of two unique-grade pieces are held.

This specific pairing, which enhanced all penetration statistics, was among the most elite combinations possible.

The reason I had burdened Wilhelm with seven unique-grade items during our major trek was specifically to exploit this ‘Collection’ mechanic.

‘As the tally of unique-grades grows, the names and bonuses within the collection grow at an exponential rate.’

Certain sets are satisfied with a pair, while others demand five.

The complexity of the requirement dictates the magnitude of the reward.

However, because the barrier to entry is unique-grade gear, the general population remains oblivious to the very existence of ‘Collections.’

Even so, this was merely a secondary perk.

I wrapped my fingers around the hilt of the sword known as Winter.

Instantly, the details flooded in.

【Winter (Sublime Unique Grade)】

-Imprinted with Final Twilight (Rune), surpassing standard ranks.

-The North Heaven Ice Sword has regained its true identity, ‘Winter.’

-Permanently linked to ‘Randolph’ through a supreme contract.

-Those previously tied to the North Heaven Ice Sword are now subjects of ‘Randolph.’

-Ability to summon ‘Winter.’

-All negative status penalties are decreased by 50% through ‘Final Twilight.’

-Grants the ability to wield all items carrying the ‘Sublime’ prefix.

-All core attributes +10.

-Limits on sword proficiency are extended by 5 levels.

As I processed the listed capabilities of Winter, I found myself speechless once more.

Having been the most prolific creator of unique-grade gear in all of Pangeniar, I could state with absolute certainty:

This was the pinnacle.

The ultimate, irreplaceable piece of equipment.

I doubted if a more perfect blade could ever be forged.

It even eclipsed the ‘Path of Light’ that had been Wilhelm’s pride.

While ‘Path of Light’ was specialized for devastating bonus damage against magical entities, in any general combat scenario, Winter was the undisputed superior.

‘A 50% penalty reduction. This likely applies to the drawbacks of skills and gear.’

Take Shadowform, for instance.

That state makes one vulnerable to light and sanctified strikes, but this blade would cut that vulnerability in half.

It applied to every high-risk effect I relied upon.

‘With those drawbacks halved, several high-stakes strategies that were previously too dangerous are now viable.’

I could already visualize over five lethal equipment configurations or utility sets that were now safe to use.

Sets like Dangerous Honor or the Blue Blood Pact.

But the crowning achievement was something else.

‘……My sword proficiency cap is now level 35.’

No other artifact in existence boosted proficiency limits by a staggering 5 levels—Winter stood alone in that regard.

Even a weapon like Skullcracker only managed a 2-level increase.

To call it broken was an understatement.

It was, quite simply, a masterpiece.

Every single attribute was flawless.

‘Sublime Sword.’

I couldn’t just stand there in silence.

I executed a strike.

Sublime Sword Saint.

A title forged from the legacy of Sword Saint Riley and the essence of the Sublime Dragon.

It contained a ‘hidden skill.’

I had known of its presence, but its nature had remained a mystery until now.

Swoosh—!

As the blade cut through the stillness, the chill of deep winter descended upon the arid sands.

And then.

Rumble!

An enormous ‘void of darkness’ fractured the sky above me.

It bore a resemblance to Sword Saint Gracia’s ‘Heavenly Sword Domain,’ yet its scale was overwhelmingly more vast.

Aria.

She stood frozen, her gaze fixed on the radically altered ‘North Heaven Ice Sword,’ her eyes quivering with shock.

‘Is that…… the true essence of the North Heaven Ice Sword?’

It felt impossible.

It was as if her own history and contract with the blade had been rendered completely trivial.

The utterly transformed weapon now acknowledged that man—Randolph—as its sole master.

How could such a feat be achieved?

Furthermore, the sword’s new form was…… hauntingly beautiful.

‘Just…… what are you?’

The individual who had reshaped the North Heaven Ice Sword.

She found herself unable to grasp the depths of Randolph’s nature.

He was a human sovereign of the blade who had mastered ‘sword aura.’

Simultaneously, he was a member of Corpse Crow, one of the five primary powers of Kramdel.

He had even claimed the North Heaven Ice Sword, a relic sealed away by the White King himself, as if it had been destined for his hand from the start.

She thought of the immense struggle she had endured just to form a pact with that blade.

Yet, rather than feeling crushed by despair, she was filled with a sense of religious awe.

‘……Ah.’

……She was a witness to it.

Whirring!

Winter’s breath suddenly gripped the desert.

A violent snowstorm erupted, a freezing gale so intense it threatened to frostbite her skin instantly.

But that was only the beginning.

Overhead, near Randolph.

Crack!

A pitch-black dimension tore open like the maw of a great predator.

Simply staring into it sent a wave of inexplicable dread and cold through her soul.

It was an encounter beyond any of her past experiences—infinitely more perilous and majestic than anything she had ever known……

“……This isn’t the place to call this forth.”

Just as something began to manifest from within that dark void, Randolph gave a slight shake of his head.

He decided the risk was too great.

The dark domain slammed shut immediately.

Thud!

In that instant, Aria’s legs gave way, and she sank to the desert floor.

She couldn’t find the words to describe what she had just felt or seen.

‘He is too…… lethal. This human is beyond reckoning.’

One truth was undeniable: Randolph was a terrifyingly dangerous being.

Even so, the thought of resisting him was gone.

Any impulse toward defiance had been snuffed out.

In its place, a strange urge to submit began to grow.

Her previous tie to the North Heaven Ice Sword had changed.

That contract was now a shackle around her soul.

He eventually turned his gaze toward her and commanded.

“Aria. From this point forward, you are to remain forever silent regarding my identity. Not a single word, to anyone. Is that clear?”

“……Yes.”

The confirmation escaped her lips without a second thought.

It was a reply born of total submission.

To show such a high degree of reverence to a mere human.

Yet, she felt no indignation.

The realization that she wasn’t angry only made her more frustrated with herself.

“Inform the White King that the five primary forces of Paysalmer have been secured.”

“What is your…… next move?”

He was using her as a messenger instead of delivering the news himself.

Having glimpsed his true power, she knew she couldn’t betray him while bound by the contract.

She was genuinely curious.

What he would do after sending her back to the White King’s side.

He gave a casual shrug.

“I’m heading for the Rift Tower. Wait for the signal and then regroup with the other main forces.”

“Pardon?”

“The Rift Tower mandates a party of five for entry. It works out perfectly with the other main forces, doesn’t it?”

“……With the other forces?”

“Correct. Both the White King and the Black King will be eager to conquer the Rift Tower. They won’t risk themselves, so they’ll dispatch their proxies.”

“……?”

Aria cocked her head, puzzled by Randolph’s assured tone.

But she couldn’t press for details.

Her voice failed her.

It was her body’s instinctive reaction to Randolph’s unspoken will: do not annoy me with further inquiries.

Aria was certain of one thing.

‘I have been enslaved……’

A total subjugation of both her mind and body, entirely outside her command.

As if she were nothing more than a piece of gear or a tool in his kit.

Aria trembled at the thought.

‘……’

But even that tremor was silenced in a heartbeat.

A party of five was a non-negotiable requirement for entering the Rift Tower.

With no knowledge of what waited inside, my first priority was assembling a competent team.

‘Sea is a guaranteed slot.’

Sea provided the reliable holy power necessary to mend the wounded.

She also possessed the ability to bolster physical forms through her divine favors.

Given the unknown hazards, Saintess Sea was a requirement.

‘The combination of Isabella and Serengeti should create a powerful frontline.’

The ability to force positional shifts and hold enemies in place.

the potential for synergy between those two was nearly limitless.

But to secure Isabella, I had to have Serengeti.

Which meant my first task was to bring Serengeti back to the living.

“……I’m still not quite ready for this……”

In the Knight’s Garden.

Within the walls of the Wyzer Marquis’s stronghold, Hudson spoke with visible hesitation.

I offered a reassuring tap on his shoulder.

“I have the power to break the curse now.”

The stars had aligned.

With Winter magnifying all my stats and my divine energy.

I felt confident I could finally purge the darkness.

“But…… won’t Serengeti find my current appearance strange?”

“You are still you, Hudson.”

“That…… may be so, but…… this look……”

“This form is part of your journey as well. Serengeti will accept it.”

“D-do you think so?”

Hudson took a heavy breath.

It was a reasonable concern.

The ‘transformation’ had not yet worn off.

He still inhabited Serengeti’s likeness entirely.

The Wizer Marquis had nearly collapsed from shock when he first saw him.

‘He was crushed when he realized it was just Hudson and not Serengeti.’

The old man had wept, believing Serengeti had returned—it was a painful misunderstanding.

But now, the actual Serengeti was about to return.

With a whirlwind of emotions reflecting in his eyes, Hudson questioned.

“Serengeti…… can she truly be brought back now?”

“Most likely.”

I wouldn’t know for certain until I attempted it.

Hudson then sank slowly to his knees before me.

“I beg of you. Please, wake Serengeti.”

“Get up. I was going to do it regardless.”

Hudson’s devotion was beyond question at this point.

Furthermore, Serengeti’s current state wasn’t his doing.

As I watched him, he rose unsteadily to his feet.

Hoo.

I turned my attention to Serengeti and inhaled deeply.

This was the knight who had shouldered a curse meant for me.

It had taken far too long.

Now, the time for her slumber to end had arrived.

《‘Star Blessing’ is purging the ‘Demon King’s Curse.’》

《Holy power is overflowing.》

《The ‘Demon King’s Curse’ attempts to resist.》

《The remnants of the ‘Demon King’s Curse’ are consumed by ‘Darkness.’》

《’Darkness’ proficiency has increased by 1.》

《The ‘Demon King’s Curse’ on Serengeti has been entirely neutralized!》

《New Achievement: ‘One Who Lifted the Demon King’s Curse’ has been granted.》

《Honor +500.》

《Achievement: ‘Revived Serengeti’ has been fulfilled.》

《Honor +300.》

《‘Serengeti’ slowly opens her eyes.》

The Master stood before the ‘Rift Tower,’ taking in the sight.

A colossal black spire that seemed to pierce the heavens.

Its peak was lost in the clouds.

The base was riddled with hundreds of possible entry points.

“The Black King is determined to see this tower conquered.”

Without a moment to dwell on the sheer scale of the structure, the Master glanced toward his companion with a grimace.

To satisfy the five-member party rule, his partner was anything but human.

“Lactusha. If you fail this time, I will end you with my own hands.”

“……That shall not occur.”

Those cursed monster bastards.

He never imagined he would see the day where he would be forced into a fellowship with such creatures.