Chapter 21 - The Stubborn One
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(My dear readers.. first of all, I would like to offer my apologies for the delay in publishing for the past two days.. In truth, my cat was run over by a driver devoid of humanity.. I was busy taking care of him and sitting by his side.. His condition is bad.. and for that, I had no mood or time to write.. I am sorry again for the delay.)
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"What truly joyful news, Monali.. thank you.. for saving us."
"Ha ha ha.. I laughed.. I don't think you want me to give you false hopes, do you? Night Insects are not something that can be dealt with successfully."
"Oh, well. Are we supposed to surrender then? What is the solution in the Princess's view?"
"I don't know.. perhaps the Supreme Lord of the city should find the solution."
"Fine, I'll find it.. you'll see.. gather the leaders for an emergency meeting."
Well... you might be wondering why this heated confrontation between me and Monali.. why that elegant girl, with her refined way of speaking, is responding in this manner, hahaha.
Actually.. the fault is mine. After all the leaders obtained Ancient weapons.. they already started training on them.. and with the presence of the Unique Seer and the examination room inside the Weapons Forge.. everyone started becoming stronger at a rapid pace.
This made your friend Ali, haha, think outside the box.. but it truly became a box over my head. What was the matter? Well..
I told them that after a month I would test their development.. and whoever is the most powerful.. would become my First Deputy.
Well.. everyone was happy.. except Monali.
Some of you might remember that I had actually decided she would be my First Deputy.. but.. I don't know, I'm just an idiot.. I said those words hastily just now.
In front of everyone, it became clear that I was rearranging the situation.. well.. I tried to fix it by saying I meant Second Deputy.. but the word was understood and released into the wind.
From that moment.. Monali's treatment became different.. and because I don't want to back down.. here we are like a bickering couple, making trouble, hahaha.. but..
We must truly unite now in the face of this disaster.
A while later...
"Listen.. we are facing a disaster that will hit the village.. the attack of the Insects of the Underworld.."
"I've never heard of them before? Are they demons or something, haha," Lois answered sarcastically.
"Fortunately.. we have an educated girl here named Monali.. she has truly enlightened us on the type of upcoming disaster.. and this is not a time for joking in front of the city's future.."
"Lady Monali.. she is wonderful," Jo answered with admiration.
"Yes, indeed.. but her news, unfortunately, is dangerous if we don't handle it well.. those damn insects.. they come in swarms resembling butterflies the size of infants."
Shock hit everyone's eyes except Monali.. for she was the source of the information.
"Fortunately.. those insects do not attack even those who attack them.. and unfortunately.. their large numbers will be an obstacle to preventing them from reaching their goal."
"What is their goal, My Lord?" Suman spoke.
"Their goal is to reach the city center.. when they arrive, they will turn into a poison that spreads in the air and destroys the region."
"We must not let them arrive," Jo answered with enthusiasm.
"Even if some of them pass, we will stop the rest with all our strength," Suman added.
"I think it's a suitable training," Lois added.
Monali didn't answer.. she remained silent.
"No, guys.. the arrival of even one insect means the end of everything.. we must stop them ALL."
"ALL of them???? How is that.. I'm not saying the others aren't strong, but My Lord.. it seems impossible," Lois answered.
"Yes.. that's why I want you, in addition to your training in the coming days.. to think of any solution and tell me, even if it's strange.. as for now.. let me tell you one last thing and go to train."
"The upcoming disaster.. is what will determine which of you will be my Right-hand Deputy.."
"But My Lord.. Princess Monali?" Jo asked.
"She is my very trusted companion.. but choosing her as a deputy without giving the rest of you a chance is a lack of respect for you.. and a belittling of her.. I believe she has the necessary capabilities to win in the upcoming competition."
"Hahaha.. I apologize, Lady Monali.. but I cannot miss this opportunity.. the Lord's First Deputy.. I will get that victory,"
Lois answered with laughing confidence.
Jo and Suman didn't answer.. but the enthusiasm was clear on their faces.. while Monali was looking to the side.. no visible expressions at all.
Well.. after the meeting ended.. I decided to go alone to the Forge.. it was time for the Ability Exchange.
The mirrors again began to change.. and my eyes turned first toward my attributes..
{ Character }
{ Rank = 1 }
{ Ability Accumulation = Not Activated }
{ Level = 1 }
{ Spiritual Power = 0 }
{ Physical Power = 0 }
{ Fitness = 5 }
{ Special Skills = 0 }
{ Attributes = 4 }
{ Titles = 2 }
{ Luck = 80% }
Well.. some things have changed.. but.. there are some things that haven't been clarified..
Spiritual Power? I don't really know what it is.. Level 1? Is it the same as Rank? But Rank is also present. This means Level is something different. And also I don't know what it is..
Attributes 4.. they must be the three Seers plus the Wind Blade.. Special Skills.. I don't know what those are either.. it seems like a long road for me truly.
So.. Ability Accumulation..
{ Ability Accumulation }
{ Ability Accumulation is the combat energy that is stored in the master's body and used to create their special strikes }
Well... but how do I convert.. umm
"Convert... Ability Conversion..... Start Conversion"
{ Ding.. Ding.. Ding }
{ Ability conversion is performed only once.. }
So that's how it is..
{ The Lord has two choices }
{ Destined Ability Accumulation }
{ Exchange Accumulation for Ability Accumulation Energy }
Is there an explanation here or there.. let's see..
Above the two boxes, an exclamation mark appeared.. I pressed the mark over the first option..
{ Destined Ability Accumulation gives you an ability energy represented by your life energy and the accumulation of your talents since birth }
Oh, this is very exciting.. but scary.. according to my talents since birth and their accumulation, haha, I doubt I'd reach 50%, hahaha.
Well, let's see the other one..
{ Every 5 thousand Accumulation = 1 Ability Accumulation point }
How so?
Ooooh.. Ooooh.. REALLY!!!!
So... are you telling me.. that I can consume 500 thousand Accumulation points.. in exchange for obtaining the maximum Ability Accumulation any Lord can get???
{ Exchange Accumulation for Ability Accumulation Energy }
{ Select }
{ Ding.. Ding.. Ding }
{ Error }
What??
{ Ignore }
{ Exchange Accumulation for Ability Accumulation Energy }
{ Select }
{ Ding.. Ding.. Ding }
{ Error }
Are you kidding me... let's try again..
{ Error }
Again
{ Error }
Again
{ Error }
You bastard.. is there a glitch in something?? Is my accumulation less?
No.. I have more than 500 thousand already..
So again
{ Error }
Is the time not right?? Should I choose the first... No, I can't.. I won't find this opportunity again..
There must be a glitch in the system.. I'll wait a few minutes..
10 minutes passed.. it's time to try again..
{ Error }
{ Error }
{ Error }
Damn it.... no other solution.. I'll go out to rest a bit and come back..
A few steps.. but... the door was no longer there??
DAMN IT..
Was I locked in on purpose?
No other choice... I'll keep trying.. maybe it will work..
{ Error }
{ Error }
{ Error }
{ Error }
More than an hour passed.. I'm sure.. the errors are still repeating.
{ Error }
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
Ummm..
the system wants me to choose the first option??
Is there some danger to me??
The System?? It wants me to choose the first option?
NOOOO...
The System doesn't want me to choose the second option..
I caught you, you bastard.. let's see who surrenders first, will you lock me here forever?
Someone else will come sooner or later and open the door...
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
I feel hungry..
{ Select }
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
Will it go on forever..
{ Select }
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
4 hours.. maybe more.. where are those fools.
{ Select }
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
Is it a battle of wills.. or is it an inevitable choice..
{ Select }
{ Error.. The System advises another choice }
I don't really know.. but I'll try a few more times and let fate decide..
{ Select }
{ Success }
{ You have gained the maximum Ability Accumulation: 100 }
Haaaaaaaa.. FINALLY.
{ Ding.. Ding.. Ding }
{ Special Ability Gained }
{ The Stubborn One }
Haaa.. what is this??
"The Stubborn One?? Are you kidding me.. what kind of title is this??"
"Is this supposed to be a joke?"
"You bastard.. you locked me up for more than 4 hours, and you give me the title of 'The Stubborn One'.. what good will 'The Stubborn One' do me if a merciless beast confronts me??"
"Oh, excuse me, Mr. Monster.. you are meeting 'The Stubborn One'.. nice to meet you.. please don't eat me.. the System gave me this title, so you must show me some pity!"
"DAMN YOU, YOU ACCURSED SYSTEM!"
{ Ding.. Ding.. Ding }
{ Secret Mission - Training Under Ancient Ruins }
{ Activated }