Chapter 26 - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

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Translated by Jinmu

Read more at hivetoons.org

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The day of the random summon cooldown.

Joo-hyuk began moving from the morning.

He went to the public bathhouse.

He scrubbed his body with utmost devotion.

Trimming his fingernails and toenails was standard.

He even changed into brand new underwear.

Fending off anything filthy far, far away.

After completely emptying his stomach in the restroom, he refrained from consuming a single morsel of food.

'Didn't Player Nam Ga-eun state she'd clear the 63rd floor today?'

He hoped it went well.

It inevitably would go well.

Player Nam Ga-eun succeeding in her 63rd floor clear.

And him, meeting a phenomenal new summoned entity.

Roughly 1 hour remaining until the cooldown subsided.

He solemnly fetched a fresh bowl of Purified water (purified water), set it down in the living room, and prayed with a devout heart.

Despite calling it Purified water, he merely procured it from the water purifier, but it was purified nonetheless, wasn't it.

Barbarian Gobang and Cossack partook as well.

The two offering their devotion to the Purified water flanking Joo-hyuk's left and right.

Because the summon duration exceeded 7 hours, summoning them prematurely posed no issues whatsoever.

Moreover, Gobang's duration had extended by an additional hour recently due to accumulating 5-star ratings.

"Please do not fret excessively, sir. A spectacular one will pop out, sir. Surely another bastard resembling R Gobang won't pop out again, sir?"

"I like Mr. Gobang though?"

"Nom?"

"What's the matter with Mr. Barbarian Gobang? Just think of how numerous the floors are that we successfully recorded S++ clears utilizing his assistance."

Hearing that, Gobang grinned broadly.

"I have been acknowledged by the Summoner."

"...D-Don't grin, you punk!"

"Assassin, is envious."

"You jest. I am an individual who was acknowledged infinitely prior to you!"

Honestly, he prayed for an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare), Legend Special Super Rare, to manifest, yet he recognized that was greed.

A realistic target was an SR, Super Rare.

If he was slightly more greedy, an SSR akin to Cossack, Special Super Rare.

Even an SSR alone was exceptional.

He knew it simply by observing Cossack.

Immense pride.

He constantly parroted about being an SSR as if it were his catchphrase.

"The summoned entity's class is also critical, but... I wish someone associated with Holy power would arrive if possible."

"I hold the identical sentiment, sir. The 61st floor is miles away, but randomly pulling one proactively is also highly favorable, sir. A healer in a party is indispensable, isn't it, sir."

A healer.

Thinking about it, they genuinely were necessary.

The unanimously acknowledged aristocrat of any party.

Gobang serving as the tanker, Cossack serving as the dealer, and what if a healer were incorporated?

"Yes. If they're a healer, they can impart healing skills unto Mr. Gobang, who confronts monsters bare-bodied."

"Eh? Why bestow an invaluable heal upon Gobang, sir? He possesses profound natural regenerative capability, hence he'll recover entirely autonomously if abandoned, sir."

"A warrior does not fear wounds."

Well, they weren't entirely wrong.

Mr. Gobang essentially possessed practically Troll-level regenerative capability too.

"Then perhaps upon Mr. Cossack?"

"I don't require it either, sir. Administering a bandage suffices, sir. Cossack precisely means shut up and bandage, sir. I additionally habitually carry ribbons and bandages perpetually, sir. Shall I display them for you, sir?"

"...No. That isn't necessary."

Then precisely why does he claim a healer is indispensable?

"We exclusively require a dedicated healer for you alone, Summoner Bong, sir. Even if their Holy power overflows, squandering heals elsewhere is impermissible, sir."

"......."

"And simply summon them whenever boredom strikes to request a heal, sir. Your health in reality is immensely more paramount than safety within the tower, sir. Hehehehe."

If one were to diagram Cossack's brain structure, his own paramount safety would likely constitute over 99%; this practically bordered on genuine madness.

"Ah! It is time."

"It's an exceedingly n-nerve-wracking moment, sir."

The moment of the random summon finally arrived.

Joo-hyuk inhaled a deep breath.

Cleared his throat.

Keeping his eyes shut tightly.

Employing precise pronunciation.

"Random Summoning!"

Hwaaaaaaaat!

The light cluster coalescing.

Cossack chimed in this time as well.

"Drumroll, drumroll, drumroll......"

"Don't do that."

"Yes, sir!"

A human figure became discernible.

Please! It's okay even if they aren't a healer.

A minimum of SR or above.

'...Tsk, who cares if they are a Rare?'

If greed becomes excessive, even the inevitable fails.

He simply had to enhance their rank later, didn't he.

Papapat!

The light cluster finalized into a human configuration.

Indeed!

"I am grateful that you called upon me."

Uh.......

"This humble girl, Gyeon Dal-rae; although I am inadequate, I pledge to pour out my utmost strength into assisting Young Master Bong."

Joo-hyuk inadvertently blurted out.

"It's a woman."

"It is a woman, sir."

"What should I do?"

"What should you perform, sir?"

"I-I'm not entirely sure."

The appearance of the woman who manifested in his living room.

An attire that felt somewhat familiar.

A quintessentially Oriental, or rather, Korean-style.

Strictly speaking, she exuded the aura of a lady illustrated within ancient Korean paintings.

Donning a pristine white mourning garb harboring a braided pigtail, yet conversely, she appeared faintly youthful.

Comparing it to present-day equivalents, mid-to-late teens, remarkably akin to a middle or high schooler.

She clutched belongings as well.

A vividly azure blade in one hand, a cluster of bells in the other, and a mirror forged from metal resting upon her chest.

'...I presume that blade serves as a weapon, yet what purpose do the bells and mirror fulfill?'

Suddenly, the young girl glared fiercely at Cossack and interrogated.

"What is the meaning behind that gaze? You dare to scrutinize the body of a maiden of a reputable household utilizing such sticky, lecherous eyes? It seems solely a vigorous flogging shall rectify your disposition."

"Eh? I didn't look, m-my eyes merely accidentally drifted......"

"Silence! How dare you fabricate such falsehoods where you stand!"

"N-No."

"I am forewarning you in advance. You shall absolutely not escape divine punishment should you harbor wicked intentions after beholding my exquisite beauty."

"......."

Truthfully, her beauty didn't seem to reach that extent.

The young girl named Gyeon Dal-rae diverted her gaze towards Joo-hyuk this time.

'Gasp!'

In reality, Joo-hyuk had continuously been scanning her from head to toe starting from a short while ago as well.

Was she going to reprimand him identically?

"Young Master, you may gaze upon me to your heart's contentment. Please sit back comfortably and appreciate the view."

"......."

She certainly didn't appear to be an ordinary individual.

Her rank?

'...She's an SSR.'

Fortunately, the draw seemed successful.

He would have been immensely grateful merely landing an SR; an SSR was the absolute pinnacle.

Regardless, a new summoned entity was called forth via random summon.

A young girl who was diminutive, delicate, and even audacious.

Her rank was preeminent too.

An astounding SSR, identically classified as Cossack.

Even presently, she was overwhelmingly dominating the entire living room whilst sitting impeccably upright on her knees.

Where did such profound charisma originate?

It might be because her rank was so exceptionally preeminent.

However, Cossack simultaneously possessed an SSR rank yet exhibited the exact polar opposite demeanor.

There existed something inherently distinguishing aside from rank.

What about the catalog?

- Name : Gyeon Dal-rae

- Rank : SSR (Special Super Rare)

- Type : Shrine Maiden (Human)

- Duration : 5 hours

- Satisfaction Rating : None.

- Re-summon Cooldown : 3 hours (Applied post-unsummon)

Her type was Shrine Maiden.

Could it be that offering devotion to Purified water while praying, I pray, I pray, intending to pull an LSSR (Legend Special Super Rare) (Legend Special Super Rare) genuinely impacted the random summon?

Pfft, as if that were possibly the case.

'However, the modifiers preceding her name.......'

Strictly disciplined, solemn, and profoundly earnest.

It was exactly that.

Upon reading the background description, he comprehended it.

The origin fueling this young girl's charisma.

- Gyeon Dal-rae was the daughter of King Mujong of the Cheonje Empire. Possessing profound interest in Shamanism (Shamanism), the state religion of the Cheonje Empire, since her tender years, she ascended to become a Shrine Maiden in the Imperial Shrine. Her father, King Mujong, passed away, and her younger brother ascended the throne as Emperor, yet he was subsequently murdered by their uncle, culminating in the usurpation of the imperial throne. Enraged by this, Gyeon Dal-rae executed a Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal))-gut (Death Exorcism) to launch a Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) (Death Curse) targeting her uncle, subsequently perishing herself owing to its fatal recoil.

Her trajectory flashed past his mind.

Gyeon Dal-rae, who demonstrated inherent aptitude in talisman arts, sorcery, and incantations.

The visage of her entering the Imperial Shrine, serving the paramount Manshin (Chief Shaman) of the era as her master, ultimately undergoing a rebirth into the foremost Shrine Maiden.

However, her younger brother was ultimately murdered by their uncle.

Enraged by this, she pledged vengeance.

Gyeon Dal-rae's uncle wasn't a push-over either.

In anticipation of her exacting vengeance, he installed all manner of Misfortune Warding Magic Circles and Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) Defense Talismans comprehensively throughout the palace grounds, additionally positioning individuals purposely to intercept the Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) on his behalf.

Nonetheless, Gyeon Dal-rae was the paramount, foremost Shrine Maiden of the Cheonje Empire.

She relentlessly launched the Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) towards her uncle and ultimately triumphed.

Yet launching a Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) exclusively for personal vengeance constitutes an act defying heavenly providence.

Consequently, the Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) she launched precisely rebounded entirely equivalently onto herself.

Ahhh.

This delicate young girl endured an abundance of tribulations too.

Although she seemingly appeared slightly cute at first glance, her solemnly earnest visage appeared vaguely amusing simultaneously.

Regardless.

'Cheonje Empire?'

The imperial lineage's surname was exclusively Gyeon.

The attire she was clad in similarly implied it.

"Um, excuse me, I have something I would like to inquire about."

"I am overflowing with awe and gratitude. Young Master, please inquire whatever you desire without harboring any reservations."

"The esteemed name of the individual who established the Cheonje Empire?"

"It is Emperor Gyeon Hwon. An illustrious figure who vanquished the sinister factions of Wang and Kim, subsequently expanding the territories encompassing even the former lands of Goryeo, and transfiguring the nation's name from Baekje to Cheonje."

"Huh?"

To say Gyeon Hwon.

"That identical Gyeon Hwon who established Later Baekje?"

"That is correct."

Could it be.......

'A parallel universe.'

It's unequivocally certain.

She's undoubtedly not an individual from this parallel universe.

The same applies to Cossack too.

Because he likewise mentioned functioning alongside a prior summoner in a location analogous to contemporary Earth.

It seems within Gyeon Dal-rae's universe, Later Baekje, rather than Goryeo, unified the Later Three Kingdoms.

Upon discreetly inquiring further, the history preceding the Cheonje Empire remarkably paralleled conventional history.

It seemed the branches of history diverged strictly during the Later Three Kingdoms era.

'Given she originally originated as a princess, her charisma genuinely is no joke.'

Whilst he was continually marveling thus.

Growl.

He abruptly felt famished.

Because he persistently skipped meals attempting to offer devotion to guarantee a successful random summon.

Should he order delivery? But considering he had to order a voluminous quantity, it might consume considerable time.

"Since we've invariably convened, would everyone like to consume ramyun?"

"Excellent, sir. It would be overwhelmingly superior if it were the mild flavor, sir."

"I eat ramyun too."

"What about Ms. Gyeon Dal-rae?"

"To be selective regarding food distinctly contravenes etiquette."

A conventional pot would be disastrously inadequate.

Now where did the colossal pot reside?

The steaming pot he utilized to boil bossam previously ought to be suitable.

Selecting the pot, acquiring water, and as he was precisely about to situate it upon the induction stove.......

It was at that moment.

"You scoundrels!!"

Gyeon Dal-rae's voice thundered out.

Startling Cossack and Gobang out of their wits.

"How insolently arrogant for summoned entities to remain sitting thus. You scoundrels truly necessitate a flogging! How dare you blithely permit Young Master to personally prepare meals! Will you not rise instantly?"

Cossack and Gobang hovering ambiguously in a half-risen, half-seated posture.

"I, I'm an SSR, though."

"What profound relevance does that bear?"

"Refusing to utilize honorifics amidst fellow SSRs is slightly......"

"Hah!"

Gyeon Dal-rae assuming an expression of absolute contempt.

"Presently scrutinizing you, I realize you are a scoundrel who fundamentally disregards his own station. Does your status as an SSR fabricate justification for Young Master to prepare meals? What a presumptuous wretch. Would castrating you finally instill some discipline?"

Gyeon Dal-rae subtly elevating her bells.

A freezing chill permeated concurrently.

Something felt gravely alarming.

Cossack sprang up bolt upright.

"You scoundrel over there as well!"

Gobang identically hastily hoisted his massive frame upward.

Cossack urgently rushed towards Joo-hyuk.

"I will personally boil the ramyun, sir. P-Please hand it over expeditiously, sir."

"O-Oh, y-yes, please proceed to do so."

Wait, how could such intimidating majesty emanate from within that diminutive frame?

Yet what was the matter with those two?

They were entirely immobilized, practically completely paralyzed.

Were Cossack and Gobang neurotically cowardly bastards upon closer inspection as well?

Joo-hyuk found himself identically affected.

Sitting gingerly atop the sofa sporting an awkward expression, entirely preoccupied with observing Gyeon Dal-rae's reactions.

"Young Master Bong."

"Y-Yes?"

"How terribly you must have suffered your grievances? Please relinquish your worries henceforth. I shall thoroughly discipline these underlings myself."

He didn't genuinely possess exceedingly plentiful grievances, though.

Cossack frantically dumped 15 packets of ramyun into the steaming pot and initiated boiling.

Shortly thereafter.

"...It's an ocean, isn't it?"

"I apologize, sir. I have committed a grave sin deserving of death, sir. My water measurement failed entirely, sir."

A brimming pot overflowing exclusively with watery broth.

The noodles were completely indiscernible.

Even while uttering this, Cossack persistently observed Gyeon Dal-rae's reactions instead of his own.

'They've been unequivocally overpowered right from the onset.'

It couldn't be helped.

He'd just consume it this time, and henceforth, he would boil it directly himself or explicitly instruct them.

Gobang evidently appeared drastically famished too.

The exact instant he voraciously raised his chopsticks endeavoring to scoop up ramyun.

"You insolent wretch!!"

Oops!

My heart practically plummeted.

What is it this time?

"How dare you raise your spoon prior to Young Master? What an utterly shameless wretch! Exactly resembling your visage, you act indisputably identically to a beast. What utter chaos. Absolute chaos."

Overwhelmingly startled, Gobang frantically deposited his chopsticks downward and strictly bowed his head low.

The frigid dining table atmosphere.

He couldn't even discern whether the ramyun was funneling down his throat or traversing into his nostrils; at this rate, it would eternally remain unfinished.

"...I don't particularly adhere to formalities, and meals should primarily be consistently enjoyable. What does it matter who consumes first?"

"Ah!"

Gyeon Dal-rae's face flushed slightly red.

"This humble girl, entirely oblivious to her station, acted impulsively recklessly. I have committed a grave sin deserving of death unto you, Young Master Bong."

"Not necessarily a sin deserving of death, precisely."

"However! The sins committed by these underlings remain undeniable; please decisively behead me alongside these two scoundrels."

"......."

This is driving me insane.

Let's simply consume this primarily first.

Joo-hyuk explicitly utilized the ladle to scoop the ramyun first.

Following that, he deposited the ramyun into his mouth.

Exclusively then did Cossack and Gobang concurrently commence their meal.

Being immensely famished, they ravenously inhaled the ramyun, slurp! slurp!

"You wretches!!"

Drive me insane.

The entirely frozen three individuals pausing mid-meal with ramyun.

"The table manners characterizing both of you thoroughly crossed the boundary. Exactly whom do you believe stands before you to audaciously slurp audibly whilst consuming noodles?"

I was doing it too.

"Observing your demeanor clearly reveals vividly how profusely anxious Young Master must have constantly been prior. Noodles are exclusively severed using one's teeth immediately proceeding entering the mouth. To slurp so disgracefully; what vulgar, lowly creatures, practically indistinguishable from Japanese savages."

Ahhh!

A mountain scaling beyond yet another mountain.

Nonetheless, he found himself utterly incapable of interjecting contrarily.

Regardless of Gobang, shouldn't Cossack at minimum express some resistance?

Could he genuinely not defeat that delicate-appearing young girl?

Despite fundamentally being identically matched SSRs.

Evidently, it turns out those two were definitively identically cowards.

'I genuinely feel fatigued already.'

Were all summoned entities uniformly configured this way?

Why unequivocally isn't there an inherently ordinary individual?

Following concluding the ramyun consumption, Gobang and Cossack autonomously cleared the table and executed all the dishwashing.

What remains primarily now?

"Umm......."

"Please articulate, Young Master."

"Would you perhaps desire attempting venturing into the tower alongside us?"

"This humble girl shall faithfully assist you exerting utmost loyalty. Please simply bestow your command."

Since a newly acquired individual joined additionally, he intended to verify their capabilities primarily.

What methodological approach would a Shrine Maiden employ traversing combat?

Would achieving victory equate exactly resolving identical to the catalog description, launching a Death Curse (Death Curse (Sal)) (Death Curse) targeting monsters?