The sorcerer's apprentice who once did odd jobs under the old sorcerer looked certainly convincing, from the eye patch that helped him give off a mysterious aura to the tattoos all over his body. He may have been young, but he was believable as a sorcerer.
«Now, sit down and take off your shirt, little warrior».
The way he purposely lowered his voice and spoke in a theatrical tone broke the illusion. You weren't wearing a perfectly normal eye patch, were you?
Deslick.
Although I didn't dare to fully trust his abilities, I sat down and took off my shirt anyway. The young witch put his hand on my shoulder.
«You already have the power of an immortal spirit in your body». The sorcerer immediately identified the path I chose, then lowered his hand to my chest and groped me like a pervert. «Then let's see how far you've come». Just from his tone I realized that he was underestimating me. However, it didn't take long to change.
The hand that had started on my shoulder went down to my chest and then headed to my side, where my muscles were lateral. That was where he had received the third stage of the Immortality Imprint and the point where he could begin to specialize.
«Kekeke, you have chosen the Spirit of the Wild».
Then I got Wild Burst. A suitable tank should have the ability to increase its Threat Level, right?
«You already accepted a spirit at a young age, you must have worked hard» The sorcerer was chattering in a proud tone when he suddenly stiffened from shock. Before I knew it, his hand was moving past my lower back and over my back. At that moment, I seriously considered punching him in the face.
This is all well and good, but your face is getting too close.
It seemed like he was hugging me.
Deslick.
The witcher's hand went up my back and reached the back of my neck. «Oh? Is even your spiritual vein open? Quite a bit...» It was phase four, which increased my Spiritual Ability and my Soul Ability. The hand went down the back of my neck and returned to the front, landing on my heart. «...Is the qi vein also open?»
Judging by his startled tone of voice, he seemed to assume from the marchioness's explanation that he was only here to make a low-level impression. This was starting to bother me, so I forcibly removed the sorcerer's hand.
«What are you doing? I am performing a sacred ritual to read your way-»
And I say it's a waste of time.
«Spiritual vein, qi vein, or whatever, stop groping me. I have finished printing up to Battle Soul».
«Have you opened... even the Battle Soul...?» When he heard that he had finished printing until the sixth stage, the sorcerer shuddered. Then he seemed to realize that it was too unworthy of him. «Did you know? You must make a very valuable offering to print the next one...».
«Ah, I've already bought Soul of the Dead, so you don't have to worry». He didn't know why the warrior directed the imprinting ritual instead of the sorcerer, but he had everything it took to get started. «Enough conversation, why don't we start?».
I lay down on the cloth that seemed to have been prepared for me. But no matter how long he waited there, the procedure did not begin.
«Sorcerer, what are you doing?»
«...Wait a minute. I need time to focus my breathing and concentrate before starting the ritual.»
Focus on what? You're just nervous.
As soon as I realized something was wrong, I lifted my upper body off the ground and verbalized my doubts. I was sure this couldn't be, but... «Sorcerer, have you never made a high-level impression?.».
«...There may not have been any warriors who have asked to receive it yet, but I have learned the technique».
Dang, this is making me anxious right now.
I suddenly felt like I had become a test dummy for a young sorcerer to gain experience, but I had no choice. I couldn't tell him to bring the veteran sorcerer. I was also starting to think that it would be better to receive the young man's imprint, since he didn't recognize me. Furthermore, he officially had the title of sorcerer.
I'm sure it will make a proper impression.
I thought that until the first needle pricked my skin.
Stab.
«Ahhh!»
Stab.
«¡Kaaaaagh!»
Stab.
«Why are you tilting your head? Damn, you just stabbed in the wrong place, right?»
«...I didn't!»
«Yes, sure...»
«Okay, stay still!»
Stab.
«¡Arghhh!»
Was Spiritual Impression always so painful? I felt like I was going to lose my mind last time, too, but it wasn't that bad.
Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab!
Time passed slowly and my brain continued to marinate in a bath of vivid pain. It seemed like days had passed when...
«I-It's all done...» The sorcerer finally spoke the words I had been desperately waiting for, looking exhausted.
[You have activated Immortality Imprint: Phase 7.]
A strange sensation filled my body, which was drained of all energy. It was a slightly different feeling than when the stats normally went up. Based on this, it seemed like the printing had worked well.
[Your Restorative Power has increased.]
Restorative Power was a statistic similar to Muscle Mass. If Muscle Mass increased Strength statistics by 1% per point, Restorative Power adjusted all healing and regeneration effects in proportion to their value. Of course, it wasn't as obvious as a change in the Force.
[Your Special Skill Stat has increased by +300.]
Whether it was natural regeneration or a potion, it would be more noticeable when trying to use a healing effect.
«Hehehe...» The reward was great and worth it.
As I laughed to myself, completely forgetting about the pain, I heard the sorcerer make a strange comment. «...This is the first time I've seen someone smile after imprinting a new soul on their body».
«That's because you don't have experience. Warriors often laugh when times are tough».
«That's not true...! I have worked with so many warriors...»
Aha, how many people have you been able to print to in the two and a half years I was away?
«Good, good job.» The energy was slowly returning to my body, so I got up from where I was lying. Since the room was full of candles and the curtains were already closed when I arrived, I hadn't realized that it was already night.
I told them I might be late, so I hoped they wouldn't worry.
The sorcerer would return to the holy land today or tomorrow morning on his own, so I put my clothes back on and left. In front were the staff members who guided me earlier. But what was wrong with his expressions? They seemed almost scared.
«Um... Are you okay?»
Ah, they must have heard my screams from here. Since they didn't know about the footprint, they must have been wondering what I was doing inside.
«Yes, I want to go home now. I can go?» My question implied the request that they prepare a carriage like the one I used to get here again.
«Mr. Schuitz», the guard said carefully, «Lord Tercerion has asked to see you».
"¿El marked...?"
When I spoke without honorifics, the man's face paled as if he were the one who had made the mistake. But it seemed like he couldn't point a guest's blunder in the face. «Yes, Lord Tercerion is waiting. Let's go». He emphasized the title and then took me to another room.
Hmm, I should be more careful with those things around other people from now on. I can't let them know I'm a barbarian yet.
Crea.
We arrived at the studio. When I entered, the marquis took his eyes off his papers and looked at me. He only greeted me when the guard closed the door and left. «How was the impression, Baroness Yandel?».
«Well, thanks to you. But why did you call me again?». I got straight to the point because I was tired, but as always, he didn't condemn me for my rudeness. He just responded the same way, as I wanted.
«I had to tell him something right away». The marquis got straight to the point without showing any displeasure. But I wondered if that guy knew that the more he showed me his kind side, the less trustworthy he seemed to me and the more suspicious he made me.
«Tell me. What is it about?»
«The first thing is that I have finished persuading the individuals you wanted to recruit». The marquis explained to me that he had managed to recruit the magician I wanted and, since the priest refused, he kept the special abilities user that we chose as plan B. Too bad, if the priest had worked, we would have had many more options.
«Anyway, I guess there's a second thing?»
«There is. To be honest, the first part could have been conveyed in writing».
«I'm curious, tell me».
«Tomorrow, the heads of each team plan to hold a meeting. If possible, we plan to have them decide on the position of commander in chief.»
«...Tomorrow, so suddenly?»
«The maze will open soon. We may not be able to mobilize you for a major operation immediately, but the squadron structure needs to be finalized. Is there any problem?»
«No, none. As you said, it is better to take care of these things as soon as possible. So how will you decide the commander?».
«I already told you. It will be determined there. Since the five team leaders have their own supports, each will try to take on the role of commander.»
«Simply put, your plan is to bring us all together in one place and make us decide among ourselves.».
«In short, yes. Is that okay with you?»
«Don't worry. I refuse to work under the orders of a stretched cocoon». It was a special unit that went on dangerous missions, right? It was better for me to become the commander than to watch a brute idiot carry us around. Of course, if the right person showed up, it wouldn't be a bad idea to sit back and enjoy the ride either.
«So where will we meet tomorrow?»
«I have invited them to my house. We will have lunch together».
Lunch tomorrow, huh? If it's going to be here anyway, it would be a hassle to come and go.
«Can I sleep here today?»
«Of course. If you want, I can help send the word to your house right away. I'm sure she'll be worried».
«Ah, I'll leave that part to you».
After talking for about thirty more minutes, the marquis helped me contact Erwen and Amelia through the Magic Tower branch in District Seven. Once this was done, I headed to the room I stayed in last time, washed up, and prepared to go to bed.
Failure!
A nobleman's bed was too soft to compare with the one at home. As always happened to me the day I received an impression, sleep invaded me as soon as I lay down.
¡Hooonk!
He was sure he wouldn't get any strange visitors tonight.
***
[Bjorn Candle
Nivel: 7
Physical: 1461.40
Spiritu: 521.3
Special ability: 2197.65 (New +390)
Item level: 8305
Overall combat power: 6256.60 (New +390)
Acquired Essences: Orc Hero – Rank 5 / Ogre – Rank 3 / Bayon – Rank 3 / Storm Jet – Rank 3 / Vol-Herchan – Rank 3 / Gachabone – Rank 6 / Deep Sea Giant – Rank 3].
***
The next morning, although the meeting was scheduled for lunch, I got up early and made do with the servant's help to maintain Tercerion's reputation. She had her hair well combed and was wearing a top and tight pants.
It's been a while since I've worn clothes like that... It wasn't bad.
My reflection in the mirror looked pretty good even by my standards. Was it because my body had shrunk? For once, I didn't feel too devastated by it.
«Wait a little longer.»
«I saw out the window that some people are already here.»
«Not all of them have arrived yet.»
Since I stayed at the mansion last night, I was able to finish getting ready early, but they kept me waiting in my room. I wondered why I couldn't just wait in the banquet hall, but apparently the nobles were proud of that kind of thing. It seemed like there was a tacit tension around the time you arrived at meetings.
«Well, let's go now. Everyone will be waiting».
Well, I had no reason not to listen to the marquis when it came to these things, so I waited until the time came and we headed to the banquet hall together.
Crea.
The servant opened the door for us without me needing to touch it myself.
«Hola, Lord Tercerion ».
«I didn't know you would also attend the meal, Prime Minister».
«It's a pleasure. It is a true honor».
When the marquis arrived, the three men and a woman who had arrived first stood up and bowed, and the marquis greeted them once they finished. «Haha, nice to meet you all. The food may not be up to par with people as distinguished as you, but enjoy while you are here».
The marquis sat at the head of the table. As he had ordered me, I sat on his right.
«Bring the food». While the staff filled the table, the marquis introduced us as if on a blind date. «Since some of you are meeting for the first time, I think a presentation is convenient. What do you think?»
«I agree. Can I be the first?» The first to step forward was the man sitting in front of me. «Since everyone seems younger than me and there doesn't seem to be any nobles, I'll talk comfortably». She wore an impeccable uniform with an embroidered checkered print and neatly combed red hair. «I'm Melend Kaislan».
I remembered that the marquis had told me about him yesterday. He was the youngest son of Count Kaislan and a veteran knight who had entered the army at a young age and had many achievements in war. Although he was the youngest son, he was over forty years old, married and had several children.
«I have spent decades in the military and because of this I am extremely familiar with combat. But commanding is something else. I have seen countless talented individuals lose their lives in vain because of incompetent leaders». This guy had gotten up to introduce himself, but instead launched into a long self-promotion. «I'm not putting you all down, but if one of us has to take responsibility and fill that position, I don't think anyone is better prepared than me».
Was it because he was a very experienced veteran? That military-style speech alone seemed to demonstrate how narrow-minded he was. And I wasn't the only one who thought so.
«...Wow, weren't we just introducing ourselves? You've put a lot of pressure on the next person». The dwarf next to him offered a soft smile and a passive-aggressive comment before getting up. «In that case, I'll be next».
Wow, look how soft.
To tell the truth, he knew who this woman was before she even revealed her name. There weren't many dwarf adventurers her age.
«I am Titana Akurava.» She herself seemed to have no intention of mentioning her age, but everyone who knew her knew that she was sixty-one years old. Of course, since it was a trait of his race to age rapidly and then maintain that appearance for years, he looked much younger than a human born in the same year would be. However, age meant nothing to this woman.
«...Akurava? Are you really Akurava?» When she revealed her name, the noble knight shuddered and his eyes widened. Rightly so, because she was a famous adventurer. No, should I say legendary?
«Not even I would dare lie in front of the marquis».
«I... true. I was just surprised. I heard he retired ten years ago».
The first time I heard about this woman was from the marquis, actually. He was a member of a legendary team that used to explore the ninth floor, but after the team suddenly announced their retirement ten years ago, he did not appear in public again. In short, he was from a completely different generation than mine.
«Haha, it turns out that I have ventured back into the world. May I continue, young gentleman?»
«...Of course.»
She silenced the gentleman who interrupted her and took some time to promote herself like he did before. «I can guarantee that no one knows more about the maze than me. Nor is any adventurer so lucky. Doesn't that speak for itself?». It was a short speech that exuded confidence.
As soon as he sat down, another man stood up, unfazed. «Haha, I never expected to meet one of my role models like this. I will be next». The man gave off a rather casual air. His most notable feature was his height, around 1.70 meters, which was slightly shorter even among humans. «I'm James Calla, the deputy commander of the Sierra Teeth Clan».
Sawtooth was one of the super-large clans that had gone from being in the top ten to being in the top four. This guy also followed the lead of the first two speakers and talked about his strengths for a while. Being part of a large clan, I was up to date with the latest information and confident in its ability to synthesize everyone's opinions and develop strategies that satisfied us all. It was clearly an appeal to the old dwarf and the stubborn gentleman, but it didn't particularly impress me. My mind wandered to something I had read about him in the papers.
I think he was an archer.
That was the only thing I remembered about him.
Once the subcommander's presentation was over, the paladin next to him stood up. «I'm Jun, from Heindel Church. The surname I once used in the secular world no longer exists, as I have abandoned it». Unlike the previous ones, this presentation was brief.
«...Is that all?», asked the gentleman.
The paladin clicked his tongue with a slightly upset look, but added: «There is nothing more unstable and dangerous than human desire. Everything will go as planned, according to God's will».
«It seems that all three churches are being surprisingly disinterested in this mission». The knight tried to praise the churches, but the paladin ignored him.
«Now... only you remain».
Finally it was my turn and his attention turned to me. Everyone pretended not to be, but their curiosity was evident. Of course they were curious. I was here as a representative of the marquis, the second in command of the kingdom, but my face was one they saw for the first time. They must have been wary of the fact that they had very little information about me.
Crujido.
I threw the chair back, got up and told them my name. «Riehen Schuitz». I could see frowns around the table.
Was that?
That was what those frowns seemed to ask. Even the marquis seemed to feel the same way. I had to wonder why I stayed silent when everyone before me had actively promoted themselves.
Gosh, don't hurry me up. Not good.
I had no intention of continuing to speak like everyone before me. It was obvious that everyone was going to tune in anyway, so why bother?
Deslick.
I looked around the table slowly and made eye contact with each person, starting with the noble-born soldier. «Knights, nobles». Next was the dwarf lady. «Famous adventurers». The third was the deputy commander. «Clans». Finally, I looked at the paladin. «God, or whatever... I don't follow anyone weaker than me».
When it came to self-promotion, the shorter it was, the stronger it was.