The deeper players delved into The World of Eternity, the more they thought about the concepts of effort and talent.

Eventually, players concluded that no matter how hard you worked, catching up to a character with a powerful Innate Talent was impossible.

These talents rarely appeared when creating a character.

As the name suggested, these talents were given to a character at birth, setting them apart from others.

How come Ive never gotten an Innate Talent before?

A lot of people havent gotten one yet. Its almost my first time getting one.

The most important period in The World of Eternity was undoubtedly the early game.

If a player could obtain a skill early in the game that enhanced their growth, it could snowball to the point of creating an insurmountable gap in the late game.

I-I got one!

Snowman! What did you get? What?!

Just saying it excited Seol.

Lian Kuruos.

I got an Innate Talent.

Let me see Oh my god!

Everyone, look! Snowmans got a real monster over here!

Seol had begun to distinguish himself as someone who raised his pieces well, and with a weapon like this, all the other players began to anticipate the heights this new piece would reach.

However, something unexpected occurred.

- I-I dont think Im cut out for this. Bwrgh

Again?

I know, right

Even with talent and effort, becoming a legend wasnt guaranteed. Lian Kuruos had no interest in being an adventurer.

This might just be what people called aptitude.

- I want to go back to my family Ive earned as much as I need, so Im going to buy a small plot next to my home

Lian had one of the best Innate Talents that Seol had seen so far.

It was as if fate itself had singled him out to become extraordinary, to become an adventurer.

However, each adventure only brought him pain.

- This time, Visian died I cant do this anymore. Its too painful. Im going back I want to go back. Ill buy a farm. What would be good to grow? Grapes? Actually, pumpkins might be better.

......

Witnessing that, Seol eventually came to a decision.

Youre joking, right?

...Im not.

Do you know how hard it is to get an Innate Talent?! And youre giving that up?

But

Seol gazed at the downcast, cowering piece on the table before speaking.

Hes in pain. He wants to return to his family.

...Are you really caring about what some stupid piece is saying?

I dont know. I just know I want to do it.

"Haah... fine. Do whatever you want. I doubt he would've even made it through the mid game like that.

Seols decision came as a shock to the others.

To think there was a player who would do as their piece wanted them to.

While everyone was astonished and confused by Seols actions, he had already decided.

Lian's family home was tucked away in the impoverished Adeline countryside. Seol wasted no time. He approached the landlord who owned Lians home and a couple of plots nearby and bought themfulfilling Lian's long-held dream.

Lian.

[[Would you like to give up on Lian Kuruoss Adventure?]

1. Yes.

2. No.]

I hope you find happiness with your family.

[Adventurer Lian Kuruos will now pioneer his own path and fate.]

[Though this heart-racing Adventure is over, his life will still continue.]

It was fun while it lasted.

Seol and Lians relationship ended there.

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

[You have uncovered the basements secrets.]

[Rewards are being arranged.]

[The Linked Adventure continues.]

[You can only collect your rewards after all Adventures have been cleared.]

[You begin your next Adventure.]

[Your 24th Adventure is starting.]

[Adventure 24. Basements Secrets]

[Adventure 24. Basements Secrets

You have finally uncovered the secrets of the Gatiff manor.

It is undeniable that terrible atrocities have occurred within these walls.

The mastermind behind it all is now attempting to silence you.

You must resist.

Objective: Defeat Zeri, the Profiteer.

This Adventure is a Sudden Adventure.

Remaining Time [About 3 days]]

The second Sudden Adventure arrived just as abruptly as the first one.

With his Eyes of Foresight, Seol observed the catwoman.

[[Zeri, the Profiteer]

Rank: Heroic

Estimated Level: 30~32

Zeri, the Profiteer, would trade anything for profit. Though she was born penniless, she now lives a lavish lifestyle.

Her secrets are as potent as venom.

Having thrived on selling weapons, slaves, and even children, she has now found an even more lucrative commodity to sell: the shadows of others.

Basic Skills: [Acrobatics 3], [Daggerplay 4], [Sudden Death 1], [Choke 5], [Coin Toss 2], [Shadow Summon 2], [Emergency Substitution 2]

Unique Skills: [Indiscriminate Slashes 1]]

Seols expression stiffened.

I shouldnt even trust the This Adventure is very dangerous warning anymore.

As he had expected, Zeri, the Profiteer, who appeared to be the final boss of this Adventure, did not seem strong at all.

"What? Are you scared? If you are, just say so. I'll make it easy on you," Zeri taunted.

...How pathetic.

...What?

Seol felt that his anger was a waste.

If his opponent had been stronger at least they could have withstood his emotions.

Seol smiled bitterly, as if he had become upset at a child.

Youre too weak.

Zeri, the Profiteer, retorted with an angry glare.

"You must be feeling confident, huh! Ah... I almost forgot. You're a Shadow Summoner too, right?"

......

"Then you're my junior, right? Let me, your senior, teach you how to control your shadows. Summon them!"

Clang!

Zeri's underling suddenly appeared and began chanting a spell. As they did, most of the steel cages opened.

Shadows are supposed to be used like this. Ill give you a worthy welcome.

Junior.

It had been a long time since Seol heard that word.

- Snowman, did you know? We Shadow Summoners have two paths.

- Two paths.

- The first path is the beaten path that rules over shadows to bring out their maximum strength. The other path is a rough road where no one has blazed through yet. A path of coexistence with the shadows. Which sid

Seol recalled Mirei, who had helped him awaken his Exceptional Skill.

Even though Zeri was the exact opposite of Mirei, she still managed to evoke memories of his past.

Seol grimaced as if genuinely upset. Today was a day filled with memories of various people in his past.

As Seol was about to enter the Night Crow form, Ur stopped him.

- Hold it right there.

...What? Why?

- I'm sure you'll be able to end it in an instant. After all, tearing her head from her body would likely take no more than a second. But... isn't that what you've always done?

...What are you trying to say?

Ur then began to explain.

- Just this once, trust me. After all, I have mentored many and have reached the pinnacle of wizardry.

Ur did possess a Talent called 'Legendary Teacher'. But how was it meant to be used?

- If you dont, your knights will face a wall and wont be able to grow from here.

Ur wasnt necessarily wrong here.

After acquiring the Night Crow form, Seol relied more on himself than his summons to fight. He had regarded Karen and Karuna as accessories more than anything.

And because of that, he hadn't been paying attention to their growth.

- Or do you not believe in them?

After all, Seol in the Night Crow form was stronger than them. What Ur was trying to point out was Seols current method of thinking.

Seol stopped himself from entering the Night Crow form and summoned the Twin Knights from his hands.

Pffft You only have two summons? How cute.

Seol ignored Zeri and looked directly at his two knights.

[Passive: Resonance activates on Karen.]

[Passive: Resonance activates on Karuna.]

A skill that originally belonged to Kiri, Koopas master. The Twin Knights, fueled by their master's emotions and will, trembled with rage.

Protect the others, and

Point

Seol raised a finger at Zeri.

Bring her to her knees in front of me.

Karen and Karuna both responded instantly.

Got it!

Yes, master.

Gyeongtaek and the others quickly gathered to Seol's side.

H-Hyung

Make sure to stay right beside me.

BAAAAAM!

As a large shadow kicked open the door to its cell, combat began.

Hrgh!

Claaaang!

The Twin Knights quickly decided their roles.

Karens role was to defend the party from the onslaught of shadows.

Slash!

Splaaatter!

And Karunas role was to face Zeri, the mastermind behind it all.

Bam!

Karen's swift kick to the shadow's face resulted in an eyeball popping out.

Hahahah! More! Get over here!

Kick! Punch!

Slaaaaaaash!

Fwooosh

Karen indiscriminately cut, crushed, and burned the shadows much weaker than her.

...Wh-what?!

Zeri was momentarily distracted but quickly retrieved a fang-shaped sword from her inventory to face Karuna.

Claaaaang!

She was in shock after deflecting a light attack from Karuna.

What the

A wave of shock coursed through her body as even a light attack from Karuna proved too much for Zeri to handle.

Karunas eyes slowly began to glow red.

Receiving Seols anger felt like it was awakening the Black Knight's powers and ferocity within him.

- Rage

It felt as if the Black Knight was screaming that in Karunas head.

Dont mess with me!

Fwoooosh!

Zeri threw multiple daggers to create distance between herself and Karuna.

[Zeri, the Profiteer, used Daggerplay.]

[Deal 50% additional damage for each dagger that strikes the same target.]

It was a fierce attack that was not only strong, but tricky.

Zeri believed that this was her opening.

Now! If I can aim for his neck while he swats the daggers away

However, Karuna reacted differently than she had expected.

Clang Clang clang

Karuna neither avoided nor deflected the daggers.

As they werent aimed for his vitals at all, Karuna simply charged through them.

As a result

[Hope Devourer consumes the impact.]

[Hope Devourer currently has an empty stomach.]

[Hope Devourer digests all of the impact.]

Zeris face turned pale as she wildly swung her fang-shaped sword.

What the What the hell?

Fwooosh!

With one swing, Karuna completely destroyed her weapon.

Cruuuush!

Zeri then felt Karunas large hands cover her face.

Hrgh

SLAAAAAAAAM!

Karuna slammed her head directly into the wall, leaving a crater that resembled the impact of a cannon.

Krahhh!

The situation was growing dire for Zeri, not only for herself but also for her shadows.

Flaaare!

Fwooosh!

Swish! Swish!

There were already more dead shadows than ones charging at Karen.

Th-theyre

Only summons?

What is going on

Gyeongtaek had already met Karen once before. As such, he was less shocked than his other party members.

Even so, she felt much, much stronger than the Karen he had met before.

Watching her effortlessly slaughter all the charging shadows made Gyeongtaek feel as if a god had descended onto the battlefield.

Hahaha! More! More!

Seol also had new thoughts after seeing Karen and Karuna.

They were this strong?

Recently, Seol had only fought by their side. It had been a long while since he had last observed them as their summoner.

- It's because of the skill you've gained. Most summoners don't fight side by side with their summons. It's obvious that repeatedly fighting like that has delayed their growth. And if that happens, my plans would get delayed as well. Still, luckily for you, this is my forte.

Splatter

The situation had changed.

Urg Grgghghh

Zeri was now missing everything below her right elbow. Karuna had cut it all down as if he were slicing through meat.

Zeri had to improvise.

Come!

A shadow flew toward Zeri and replaced her right arm with itself.

[Zeri, the Profiteer, used Emergency Substitution.]

[The substituted life perishes.]

You

Splatter!

This time, Karuna cut off her right arm.

With a cold, expressionless face, he continued to butcher her.

One more time!

Fwirl

Another shadow came flying to Zeris side.

Slice!

...What?

Its pointless.

Did you just cut the shadow?

Zeri felt a chill run down her spine after seeing the monstrous knight in front of her not only catch a shadow midair but also cut it down.

Now that the situation had come to this, she resorted to her last option.

Everyone, to me!

......

Come to me already why

Zeri looked at the empty cells.

Fwooosh

She then looked at the burning limbs and torsos on the ground.

Next, she glanced at Karen, who looked back at her after defeating all of her shadows.

Zeri felt her heart stop.

I need to get out of here!

Then she heard a voice, a voice that sounded like her salvation.

Master Zeri, are you alright?!

The subordinates she had called for earlier finally arrived through the emergency escape. Zeri quickly gave them orders while running past them.

Stop them! Hes

Wooosh

Zeri felt another chill run down her spine. She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned her head back around.

Karuna had yet to draw his sword from its scabbard. So why was she so terrified?

Fwoooosh

Zeri felt as if time itself had stopped. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't take another step.

M-My body is

Im getting sucked in!

M-Master Zeri!

Fwooooosh!

Ur cackled loudly.

- Yeah! That's it!

Click!

A clear sound rang out as Karuna pulled out his sword and unleashed an attack.

BAAAAAAAAM!

Karunas sword reached toward the horizon, cutting down everything in its path.

K-Khrgh

Bwrggghh

Zeri's subordinates collapsed, their intestines spilling out as they fell to the floor.

[Karuna has acquired a lead to Black Wave.]

Ur sighed after seeing that.

- Tch if only they were stronger.

Click click

Zeri crawled on the floor in fear, desperately trying to climb up the steps.

As she attempted to crawl, Karuna unleashed another attack, severing both of her legs.

D-Dont come any closer you monster

Reach

Grab!

Karuna grabbed her by the neck and dragged her before Seol.

Thud

As he flung her to the ground, she fell to her knees. Karuna, his eyes raging with an ominous energy, commanded her.

...Swiftly, confess your sins to my master.