54th Episode: “Your Staff is Pretty Cool”
“Ruci. You said it was around here, right? Then why can’t I see it?”
“But I’m certain it’s here! If you don’t trust me, why did you bring me, you bastard!”
“It’s true that you said it’s here, but it’s nowhere to be found. Do you want a beating?”
“Violence is unacceptable! How can a hero use violence on a fragile woman such as myself!”
“Are you not embarrassed by saying things like that yourself?”
“… Damn it….”
Luci and I found ourselves amidst the icy plains north of Halsenberg, the stronghold of the Undead. Luci and I were arguing in the middle of a white plain covered in heavy layers of snow and ashes.
While this daily bickering between Luci and me could be compared to the military morning roll call, let’s set that aside for now.
The issue lies in the content of this argument.
“Shouldn’t my corpse be around here if I died here?”
I looked around.
Ashes were piled up everywhere. It wasn’t a lie; looking anywhere, I could only see a heap of grey-white ashes.
Naturally, neither my corpse nor any residual memories could be found, buried under the ashes.
‘There really were a lot of undead, weren’t there?’
Where we stood now, ashes were piled up to the knees. In some places, they reached the chest.
‘Even in the military during severe winters in Gangwon-do, I rarely saw snow piled up like this.’
Nevertheless, after visiting the place where the Demon King told me I died in my past life, I couldn’t spot any signs of my body.
Izanami’s Heart only provides a rough estimate of the location, making it hard to pinpoint the exact spot.
Moreover, with the ground like this, even if the Demon King’s memory was accurate, it would be hard to find anything.
‘Should I give up?’
Actually, there was no reason to think that recovering the residual memory would boost my stats, as there was no reason to think I boosted my status during the chaos of a battle. Also, the experience points and level inheritance are due to the skill “Blessing of the Death God” and have no relation to Izanami’s Heart. Besides, I already had a rough idea of what happened from the Demon King.
There’s no need to recover the residual memory. I simply came here because I felt uneasy.
‘Right. Let’s give up.’
Even as a man, clinging to the past seems quite silly.
Thus, I decisively let go and turned around.
“Kyaaah?!”
Thump. Immediately after, something got tangled with my foot, and I fell hard.
In an instant, ash powder filled every crevice of my face.
“Aahgh! Cough! Gasp! Damn it!”
With effort, I managed to get up, only to find my body covered in ash, looking like a giant tire mascot.
The Demon King saw me like this and burst out laughing.
“Hahahaha! Looks good, hero boy! Justice always prevails!”
But, is the Demon King not embarrassed by saying such things? I thought about objecting but decided against it.
Instead of objecting, I tripped the Demon King, causing her to fall as well.
“Ahk! Cough! Gasp! You, insanity-filled hero!”
The Demon King, buried in ash, struggled to get up, but due to her short stature, she had difficulty doing so.
Good. My mood had lightened somewhat. When it seemed like she was sufficiently covered in ash, I helped her out.
“Gruh…”
As the Demon King opened her tired mouth, a cloud of ash poured out. Involuntarily, my face twisted in disgust.
However, that didn’t last long. My eyes caught the small staff in her hand.
“… What’s that?”
“Hm? What are you talking about?”
“The thing you’re holding.”
“My hand…?”
The Demon King looked at her hand for the first time and, wide-eyed, raised the staff aloft.
“Eh? What is this? When did I grab this, hero?”
“…”
Apparently, she must have instinctively picked it up while flailing around on the ground.
The thing I tripped over must have been this very staff. Sighing softly, I accepted it from her hand.
“This…”
A black staff with a strikingly red gemstone. It was an item unfamiliar to my current memory.
However, since it was found near the area where I died, it could be inferred that this was used by a high-level undead officer.
I silently stared at it and activated the Eye of Mimir.
[Name: Staff of the Souls’ Calm (Relic Class)]
[Stat Adjustments: Strength -5, Intelligence +35, Magic Skill Level Bonus +2]
[Details: A staff used by Elderich, the most loyal servant of Rustica Asmodeus. The carefully selected ruby carries Elderich’s immense magical power, enhancing its efficiency in magic assistance.]
[Reinforcing Available: 1 time]
“Wha… Damn, it’s insane!”
Of all the items I’ve seen so far, this was the first time I encountered one that increased stats by over 30 points.
Certainly, the decrease of 5 points in strength isn’t an issue if I’m not going to be making ridiculous physical attacks like a ‘Wizard Warrior.’ I’m not Gandalf.
‘But, that’s not even the main point…’
And the magic skill level bonus for all types of magic. This is where the real magic happens.
If we consider the +35 stat increase roughly equivalent to a correction of about +12 levels, the efficiency drastically increases, depending on how many magic skills you’ve learned.
‘This is truly what a growth-type weapon looks like.’
If you know 10 skills, it gives a boost of +20 levels, and if you know 20, it boosts by +40 levels.
In other words, the performance varies with your skill depending on your level, from low level to high. With just this one item, there’s no need to search for other equipment.
‘Okay. Game set.’
There’s no longer anything I need to look for here.
Residual memory? I don’t need it. People live by looking forward.
I already found something better than any residual memory. The search wasn’t futile. Let’s give up cleanly.
“I should give this to Seop Baek later.”
Seop Baek is an intelligence-focused character. Whether the skills he uses are classified as ‘magic,’ this stat increase of 35 is definitely not minimal.
With a feeling of resolution, I glanced somewhere within the ash-covered area and placed the staff in my bag.
Then, with a sly smile, I muttered to the unknown owner of the staff.
“Your staff is pretty cool.”
The Demon King, who was watching my suddenly cheerful expression, looked visibly troubled as I took her along and walked back towards the castle.
This is really the end.
With light steps, I walked toward the castle, heading for the final confrontation with Halsenberg.
“Ah! Jungsung-kong! You’ve awakened! The hero of Halsenberg! It’s truly wonderful to see you again after just three days!”
It had been a while since I last saw the Lord of Halsenberg, and I noticed he had changed somewhat.
First off, he started using polite speech with me, and his face was perpetually beaming with happiness.
His mood was through the roof. He was busy redecorating the audience hall and greeting me, but his enthusiastic aura was almost stifling.
“Urgh… damn…”
The Demon King standing beside me visibly recoiled. She seemed on the verge of vomiting before hastily exiting the audience hall.
To be honest, it even made me feel uncomfortable.
Finally, I interjected.
“Excuse me, Lord Halsenberg.”
“Hm? What’s troubling you? Hero of Halsenberg!”
“Please stop using polite speech and, most importantly, drop that title. It’s making me lose all interest in having a conversation.”
“… Hmm. Ah, understood. My apologies.”
“No, you don’t need to apologize.”
Halsenberg awkwardly cleared his throat and returned to his usual self.
Fortunately, his intensity was adjustable. If it hadn’t been, I would’ve already packed my bags and left.
‘Ah, this place has also changed quite a bit.’
I glanced around.
The once-crumbling audience hall had been restored, bearing quite a solemn atmosphere once more. Various ceremonial objects decorated in black were noticeable in the room.
I touched a tapestry hanging on the wall and asked.
“What have you been doing, my lord? Remodeling?”
“It’s nothing too serious. I’ve been preparing a ceremony for the many who have passed away here.”
“Ah, I see.”
That made sense. The dark and somber interior design seemed out of place, but now I understand they were preparing a ritual.
As I settled into a serious posture, Lord Halsenberg instead waved his hands and laughed.
“There’s no need to stiffen up. In the past, we were too busy suppressing the undead to even conduct a proper memorial. Being able to hold rites now is all thanks to you.”
“… I see.”
This person has the knack of delivering serious matters with a laugh.
If it’s supposed to be serious, please deliver it seriously, Lord Halsenberg. Seriously.
While I was internally pondering this, fortunately, Lord Halsenberg started sharing some hopeful information.
“Also, since the emergency orders have been lifted, the refugees will soon return to this area.”
“Oh?”
“The sorrowful events are in the past… We’re preparing a new ceremony to mark our fresh start.”
That was certainly good news.
The sight of Leira, Lord Halsenberg, and the insane Guin being the only ones occupying this vast castle was simply too devoid of humanity.
Just imagining the castle buzzing with servants and residents brought me joy. It felt like the frozen castle was suddenly warming up.
“Good. Once the population grows and the place becomes livable, please invite me back to see it with my own eyes.”
“I’m uncertain how many who were driven away from this ruined territory will return.”
As he said this, a bitter smile tugged at Lord Halsenberg’s lips.
With a face that mixed feelings of regret and apprehension, he continued.
“Thanks to your efforts, the undead are gone, but the land remains harsh. Not only do we have severe cold, but the ancient demon races like Elderich are still around. With the fierce tiger gone, other demons may covet our lands.”
“Still, if I were one of the villagers, I would return. Just seeing your governance is worth the return, Lord Halsenberg.”
“Hahahaha. Even if it’s just words, I appreciate them.”
Lord Halsenberg laughed wistfully, then filled two silver goblets with wine for the ritual, handing one to me.
“Do you like drinking?”
“Not exactly, but I have no choice.”
I accepted it and downed it in one shot.
Satisfied, Lord Halsenberg nodded and also finished his immediately — another one-shot.
… I should retract the insult I made last time about his masculinity.
“… Hmm. Yes. Indeed.”
Staring silently at the empty goblet for a while, Lord Halsenberg nodded to himself. He then refocused his gaze on me with a serious expression tinged with melancholy.
“Your suggestion to invite you back… I presume that means you’re leaving this place.”
“…”
