by Road Warrior
Once he entered the tent, he could see that the veteran soldiers were having fun gambling. Playing dice was one of the favorite pastimes of bored soldiers.
“Haha! Sorry, but my senses are off the charts today!”
Sungchul stood behind an enthusiastic Dwarf who was deeply immersed in the dice game and watched him toss his die. It was a losing throw.
“Shit!”
The most veteran among the Suicide Unit, Number 0 Arkaard, laughed heartily as he pushed his share of the rations towards his opponent, then looked up towards Sungchul.
“Is something wrong, Alchemist?”
“I have a couple of questions.”
Arkaard was not only the most senior within the unit, but was also quite friendly, which earned him a lot of friends with the logistics team, his superiors, and especially the Dwarven engineering corp. Thanks to him, it was possible to hear fresh news about the outside world. However, nothing in this world was free. Sungchul handed Arkaard a freshly brewed hangover cure.
“Exactly what I wanted,” said Arkaard looking extremely happy as he passed the baton over to Sungchul.
“Now, what are you curious about?”
Sungchul avoided asking anything too sensitive or secretive. It didn’t look all that important on the surface, but being able to earn the trust of an informant and build and maintain a relationship with him was an important conversational skill.
Sungchul asked about any updates or development on the frontlines of the Demon world as well as a brief summary on the new arrivals: the Crusaders of Salvation. Arkaard gulped down the hangover cure in a single breath and spoke.
“Mm. There haven’t been many changes overall regarding the frontline. The winter has come, but the demon army is still stationed within the territory of the Iron Blood Knights, and the Order of the Iron Blood Knights are moving in full force to repel them. It looks like hard battles are ahead. Well, none of that matters to us anyways.”
Arkaard followed up with information regarding the Crusaders of Salvation.
“I don’t know what Aaron Genghis is planning, but don’t worry too hard about it. Do you know who the leader of the Crusaders is this time? It’s Elijah freaking Breggas. They tell me that he’s the eldest son of Lord Marquis Martin Breggas who could be considered as the head commander of the entire Demon Realm Battlefront!”
Sungchul immediately doubted his own hearing. It would have been shocking enough for the man to have sent his close relative, but his own eldest son?
Martin Breggas isn’t known to have such a strong sense of duty…
Sungchul had fought several battles with Martin Breggas. The farthest back he could remember was fifteen years ago struggling together during the earth-shattering awakening of the black dragon Groteus, to about eight years ago when they fought shoulder to shoulder sharing their life and death on the battlefield in an expedition against the demon king. Sungchul recalled that the man was rather selfish and self-centered during those hard-fought battles. The only reason that he had taken over as Lord Marquis of the Demon Realm Battlefront was to be able to brag loudly with minimal interference from others. Would this kind of man send his eldest son and daughter to the Crusaders of Salvation, an act which was nothing more than a glorified execution? That would be irrational. There had to be another side to this story.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Arkaard prodded for conversation as he was in a great mood. The dwarf usually had a friendly demeanor, but he was on another level today.
“Did something good happen?”
When Sungchul asked, Arkaard lifted his drink up and let out a lively chuckle.
“Indeed indeed! I might be able to leave this damned Suicide Unit thanks to Martin Breggas’ son!”
A faint smile rose on Sungchul’s lips at the news. “Ho. This is the last one?”
Arkaard nodded vigorously. “I’ve been through hell and back nine times already. I’ve even been all the way into the central regions of the demon world as well. Time has come for me to return to the home of my heart, the Storm Battlefront, and defend that black rocky mountain.”
It was easy to enter the Suicide Unit, but it wasn’t so easy to graduate from it. The chances of survival might increase with a brilliant commander of good character, but with someone rash and incompetent like Aaron Genghis, it was next to impossible. To be able to survive 9 missions through those unfavorable conditions meant that Arkaard was no ordinary fighter.
“Even if he’s a rockhead, he shouldn’t be able to pull any of his stunts now that the Marquis’ son is here.”
“His usual stunts, eh…” When Sungchul’s trailed off his words, Arkaard made a mischievous smile as he checked his surroundings before leaning in to whisper.
“What do you think I mean? Leading his subordinates to their deaths is what I mean. That guy might be nicknamed rockhead, but he’s more like a fox.”
Sungchul knew that Aaron was a cunning and underhanded fellow. He purposely set forth on impossible missions to sacrifice his men to not only make the battles seem more difficult than they truly were to artificially boost his military merits, but also monopolize all the credit. He might appear like an incompetent rockhead of a commander to his subordinates, but to his superiors, he was a sly dog they can’t get rid of.
“…I might be the first to graduate from the Suicide Unit under that rockhead. Truthfully, this place wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t so dangerous.” Arkaard spoke for quite a while about the beauty of his homeland and the strength of the Dwarven people. After the lengthy story came to an end, his eyes lit up as though he finally recalled something and handed something over to Sungchul.
“Look at me. I completely forgot that Deckard asked me to deliver a letter to you. Read it carefully. The letter has not been inspected.”
Sungchul acknowledged him with a nod before reading the letter. The contents of the letter weren’t anything new. It was mostly a letter about how he was still in the infirmary and was thinking of his family, but he also packed the end of the letter with a full list of all quests he discovered within the Demon Realm Battlefront that were Magic Power related. It might be Deckard's style of being considerate. Unfortunately, Sungchul no longer had any use for these quests.
[Your Magic Power is too high.]
The quest that he tried as an experiment told the full story. Sungchul was no longer considered an average mage, and could no longer raise his stats through normal quests. Only those made by the likes of the Seven Heroes or Altugius, at the very least, would supplement his growth.
“…”
Sungchul gave up on Deckard’s list of quests without hesitation.
I should work more on the collection journal before the winter passes.
He had already completed all the quests that were worth doing. All that was left were the quests related to the Creationist that he had been putting off. According to Bertelgia, what Sungchul needed now as a Creationist was experience. The difference between “being able to do” and “having tried it” for an alchemist was like the difference between heaven and earth. So, to improve as an alchemist, he had no choice but to make anything and everything, and a lot of it.
“I’ve recorded all of the Alchemic items you’ve created so far. You’ve only completed 40% of the illustrated works recorded within me, and although you’ve surpassed the average Alchemist of this world by leaps and bounds, you’re still lacking in my eyes. Only those who have filled out at least half of the list can call themselves a real Alchemist!”
Sungchul let Bertelgia’s words pass through one ear and out the other, but he did keep one thing in mind. Completing certain milestones towards the completion of the alchemy collection journal caused a rise in status points. It was an important opportunity for Sungchul, who could no longer benefit from ordinary quests.
Sungchul started by reattempting the Jug of Essence that he failed before and succeeded. He placed the Jug of Essence in the corner of the tent and tested it with some seawa
ter he got from nearby. The bright gray color of the jug grew a bit dull, and the seawater within became purified.
Sungchul tasted a cup of the water within the jug.
“It’s not very tasty, but it really is drinkable.”
When he said so, Bertelgia immediately retorted angrily, “How naive! If you can make an S-grade Jug of Essence, you wouldn’t be able to find a better tasting water anywhere in the world!”
“I noticed that an S grade item is extremely difficult to make,” said Sungchul.
“To begin with, the ingredients have to be good. The quality of the ingredients is directly linked to the grade of the Alchemic Item, but it’s hard to get good quality ingredients,” responded Bertelgia.
“I always feel this way, but Cooking and Alchemy seems to be very similar,” said Sungchul.
Cooking was the same. It was possible to make something tasty with poor ingredients, but there was a limit. Top-grade recipes were only possible with top-grade ingredients. High-grade chef and Alchemist. They looked like two unrelated classes, but Sungchul began to realize that the two classes were two sides of the same coin.
After a bit of rest, Sungchul rose from his seat and headed toward the Alchemic cauldron.
“Bertelgia. Next recipe.”
“My, you’re planning on making two things today? Aren’t you overworking yourself?”
“Why not just get it over with while I’m still at it. I have enough Magic Power.”
Thanks to the Magic Power he had obtained from the Underground Kingdom, Sungchul could now hold much more mana within his body than before, which in turn allowed him to synthesize more Alchemic items. Not only that, but he could also see higher grade Alchemic item recipes thanks to the Intuition he earned at the same time. The increase in Magic Power and Intuition supplemented Alchemy and the rise in Alchemy was, in turn, supplementing Magic Power and Intuition. Sungchul didn’t rush himself, but he also did not relax.
Although Sungchul had hit something of a plateau in his growth, he was with the mindset that he was going to do whatever he could every single day.
“Well, I won’t stop you if you insist. Bertelgia’s Illustrated Alchemic Collection Journal! The next item is…”
It was when Bertelgia was about to open the page feeling smug that a sharp sound of a trumpet rang from the outside. It was the call for the Suicide Unit to sortie.
“It looks like we’ll have to put off the next synthesis for another time.”
Sungchul stuffed Bertelgia into his coat pocket and left the tent.
“Attention.”
The one to sortie the members of the Suicide Unit was none other than Aaron Genghis. Sungchul discovered a familiar face next to him. It was the leader of the 13th Crusaders of Salvation and the eldest son of the Sixth Champion of the Continent, Elijah Breggas, standing behind Aaron with no particular expression on his face while his younger sister, Sophia Breggas, stood beside him protectively. Aaron Genghis spoke as the Suicide Unit watched on.
“We the members of the Suicide Unit have been given the duty and honor to escort the Crusaders of Salvation, heroes hailing from every corner of the continent, to the dangerous gateway to the Demon Realm in three days’ time. This mission has been ordered by the Lord Marquis Martin Breggas himself, and thus it will count as three successful missions for those members who wish to participate…”
Arkaard, who had been listening so far, spat on the ground and began to complain. “What? What the hell is this about? It’s one mission, so it should count as one mission!”
On the other hand, his closest companion, the Elven archer Faagan, had a delighted expression. “It looks as though we’ll be leaving this place hand in hand, Mr. Dwarf.”
“This is bullshit!” Arkaard was full of complaints, but his expression betrayed his true thoughts. Faagan played along as well.
“Anyway, that kid Deckard. He’ll miss this golden opportunity.”
A trip to the Demon Realm’s entrance was treacherous, but it wasn’t too difficult. Not only that, the winter season meant reduced activity from the demons. The veterans of the Suicide Unit treated this mission as a rare gift bestowed by the gods.
“…”
Elijah Breggas looked upon the celebrating soldiers with an indifferent gaze. Aaron stood at the front shouting something with veins in his neck popping out, but all of his words went ignored.
“Brother. Is this really ok?” In the middle of all the excitement, Sophia leaned in to whisper to her brother. “If we arrive at the Demon Realm and fail, he will just get what he wants.”
Deep concern drew over her face. A sigh escaped from Elijah’s mouth. “It can’t be helped, Sophia.”
His eyes were looking beyond the razor-sharp mountain ridge, toward the northern skies in the distance that was just beginning to take on a red tint. The Demon Realm. The land of the Devils. It was the forbidden land that was synonymous with death to humans, but it represented a unique opportunity in Elijah’s eyes. His delicate hands caressed an ominous book dyed in the color of blood beneath his cloak.
“There should be another way. A way that doesn’t involve this method.”
Sophia still seemed skeptical, but Elijah’s resolution was unshakable.
“Our opponent is one called the Sixth Champion of the Continent. We have no other choice in the matter, Sophia.” He spoke in a quiet, but firm voice. “Only the devil’s quest can bring us salvation.”
Chapter 10 – Invasion Of The Demon Realm
On the day of the expedition, the weather was fair and clear like no other. Three hundred members of the Suicide Unit and three hundred members of the Crusaders of Salvation. Under the bright morning sun, the army of six hundred men began their march towards the demon world along a previously planned route. It would take three days by foot to arrive at the entrance of the Demon Realm.
The first terrain they encountered was the rugged mountain region under the jurisdiction of the Storm Battlefront. The region was littered with ideal ambush locations, so Aaron took extra precaution with scouting. Even Sungchul was sent to scout several times, but no ambush lay in wait as Aaron had feared. Even if it did, the ambushers were crushed by Sungchul’s hands and were left unreported.
By the end of the cautious march when they reached the tip of the mountainous region, the sun was already resting atop the eastern mountains. It wasn’t wise to move within the darkness that the Devils favored, so Aaron ordered the group to make camp.
“…”
Sungchul who finished making his tent before anyone else left camp to roam the areas close to mountain regions. The snowfields dyed red by the setting sun looked to be empty, but Sungchul's sharp gaze landed on a small leaf poking out from the crimson snow. He brushed off the snow to grasp the grass hidden within. An information screen appeared before him as he took a whiff.
[Blind Man’s Grass]
Level: 1
Grade: A
Attribute: Wood
Effect: None
Note: It is commonly seen along the roadside, but due to its stabilizing nature, it acts as a neutralizing agent to otherwise reactive ingredients.
Blind Man’s Grass was plentiful around the Other World. It was a common ingredient that Sungchul had collected endlessly, but if there was one thing that made the Blind Man’s grass in this region unique, it was its grade. It had reached A grade.
“Hoh.”
“How is it? It’s as I said, right? Blind Man’s grass can grow anywhere, but its potency rises proportionately to the harshness of the environment it is found in!” exclaimed Bertelgia.
Sungchul tossed the Blind Man’s Grass into the gunny sack on his back and continued to seek out more. He discovered another clump of Blind Man’s Grass buried in the snow. Sungchul pulled it out forcefully.
“This…” Sungchul’s eyes lit up in curiosity. The clump in his hand had the top grade of S. Bertelgia flapped her pages as she spoke.
“We should be able to make the most powerful bu
ffers! The highest grade of neutralizer not only suppresses two ingredients that have high reactivity with each other, but it also affects the item’s grade!”
“Not bad.”
He had been making more than one type of item per day, but none of them could be considered higher than B grade. It might have been from his pride as a High-class Chef, but he felt determined to make an A grade item, and the expedition into the Demon Realm provided the perfect opportunity to collect high-quality alchemic materials. He had left to hunt for ingredients every day, but he was always short on time, and it wasn’t possible to leisurely seek out the top-grade ingredients.
While he was stuffing his sack full of top-grade Blind Man’s Grass, he noticed something moving quickly on the far side of the snow pile. It was a deer of a heavy built with massive horns. It appeared to be a normal deer, but because it lived near the Demon Realm, its strength could be compared to mystical creatures with resilient life force. Its meat was on another level.
Sungchul felt some drool pooling in his mouth at the sight of the deer, but he noticed something else. There was an arrow stuck onto the deer. Blood dripped from the wound, dying the fluffy white snow red.
Is he being hunted by someone?
A hunter appeared from beyond the snow-covered mountain. The hunter turned out to be a slim woman wearing fancy equipment. Sungchul recognized her face.
“That kid. Isn’t she the sister of Elijah Breggas? What was her name?”
Sungchul turned to ask Bertelgia. She had a much better memory than him, and she spoke in a cheerful voice as she loved to boast about it. “Sophia!”
“Ah, yes. It was Sophia.”
Sungchul had trouble with the names of women. He just didn’t care about them. Sophia wielded a bow carved from Faerie wood used by the Elves and was chasing her prey at high speed. She pulled the string of her bow. The arrow fired from the taut bow, flew out in a line, and pierced the deer’s neck. It was a flawless and honed performance.