——————
HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
——————
Chapter 225
Mother Ghost was confused for several reasons.
Firstly, even disregarding the bizarre existence known as “Doppelgangers,” she was puzzled as to why he would willingly reveal such massive secrets to her.
“I thought you were trying to eliminate me.”
The Hero replied casually, as if reading her thoughts.
“I know more about you than you think.”
“…?”
Before heading south, there was communication with Barun.
She was the one who directly handed over Mother Ghost, who was once an orphan in Harlem, to the spy agency.
[TL/N: Author has used spy agency, ministry of shadows/spies and shadows for the clandestine department, I’ve been trying to keep it consistent with shadows but sometimes other words fit the context more, as I have to change the sentence structure to fit in shadows.]
Barun decided that it was better for a child to survive under the heel of the government agencies rather than in a jungle-like Harlem, but…
‘I didn’t realize how harsh the agency was.’
Barun didn’t just call Mother Ghost an “eternal guilt” for no reason and paid attention to Nyhill for nothing.
[I was arrogant and ignorant. I thought it was the best choice.]
Of course, Barun knew some of Mother Ghost’s past as well.
The traces that Mother Ghost herself erased completely after becoming the head of the agency.
“During refuge, she lost her family to demons and drifted into Harlem.”
Mother Ghost’s eyes trembled slightly under her gaze.
“…They say the mouth grows silent with age.”
Mother Ghost’s target of resentment wasn’t just Barun or the agency.
Because there was an obvious culprit.
“Moreover, unlike in the past, there are many things you want to protect now.”
Becoming the head of a government department from a mere agent.
Political position.
Dedication to Euphemia, who had been supportive.
The affection for the agency she had worked hard to raise and protect over the years.
“Exposing my existence puts the things you want to protect at risk. And there’s no benefit to it.”
“…?”
“What benefit do you gain from widely publicizing that a monster is playing the role of a hero?”
Mother Ghost realized that the “fake hero” in front of her had been preparing for this moment longer than she had thought.
“For decades, a carefully constructed new nest will be laid under the heel of the demons you hate so much. Even the benefactor and support, Euphemia, will be in jeopardy.”
Reasons why the Hero could easily reveal secrets to Mother Ghost.
Mother Ghost couldn’t refute a single word.
The Hero smiled satisfactorily, seeming pleased with her attitude.
Now it was time to firmly tie up any other thoughts.
“And most of all, I don’t think an intelligent agent like you would turn an existence like me into an enemy.”
“…An existence like me?”
“If I want to hide, I’m an existence that no one can find.”
Thunk-
The appearance of the Hero changed again.
Mother Ghost watched the polymorph process with a mixture of fear and awe.
In an instant, the Hero approached her, changing his appearance step by step to faces she knew or didn’t know.
There was no context to the order or form, like a dream.
“I can move more discreetly than any assassin you’ve encountered in your life.”
Several voices overlapped.
The voice sounded like an old man’s, or a young man’s, or even a child’s.
“If you don’t want to spend your whole life being wary and suspicious of everything around you, you won’t reveal my information. I can destroy every part of human comfort. As someone who has spent a lifetime in the agency, you understand what I mean.”
It was literal.
Mother Ghost realized how threatening an existence that could change its age, gender, height, and weight at will would be if it harbored malice toward someone.
Moreover, judging by the Hero’s ability to replicate some of her skills, ‘ability replication’ seemed possible.
She couldn’t be sure whether she should form an eternal alliance with such a terrifying being, but it was a fact that if she let down her guard and rejected it now, she would face unprecedented misfortune.
“Um…”
Mother Ghost’s confused expression gradually settled.
As if her thoughts were finally organized, she muttered quietly, staring straight at the Hero.
He was back to Ted’s appearance again.
“Our second Hero is much more meticulous than the first… and also more politically inclined.”
“So?”
“I think I might get along with you better. Welcome.”
…It was an indirect submission.
Only then did the Hero relax his expression and step back a few paces.
The Hero’s final words were conveyed to Mother Ghost as she breathed a sigh of relief.
“So stop harassing poor Nyhill. That kid knows nothing.”
Mother Ghost nodded.
* * *
It didn’t take Mother Ghost long to regain complete composure.
After asking the Hero about Ivar’s hideout, she immediately rose from her seat.
“I’ll be on my way then.”
The Hero asked with a puzzled expression.
“…Where to? Ivar’s hideout?”
Mother Ghost nodded.
“It seemed like quite a sophisticated curse spell. We don’t have much time, so I’ll take a look first and do some groundwork for the necessary preparations.”
“I could come with you. It might be dangerous if you catch Ivar’s eye.”
Mother Ghost’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…I may not be as good as you, but I do have experience in hiding.”
And then she explained a few things.
Even though the Hero didn’t immediately understand all the preparatory work for the curse, it seemed possible to completely remove or weaken the curse.
The Hero looked puzzled.
“The curse was designed by Theo, called the lord of curses, and he seems quite confident.”
“As you know, each agent has their own exceptional field. Number 3….”
Glancing around, the title was corrected.
“In Nyhill’s case, it’s combat, and for the higher numbers, 1 and 2, it’s assassination and destruction, respectively. And coincidentally, I deal with curses.”
The Hero nodded.
He heard from Euphemia.
How useful Mother Ghost’s curse ability was in negotiations.
With the skill to leap in heavily guarded palaces, it was believable.
“Well then.”
Mother Ghost said she would prepare the necessary equipment and headed for the door.
“Oh, right.”
Then she pulled out an envelope from her pocket.
The Hero’s gaze fixed on the sender’s name written at the bottom of the envelope.
“It arrived a few hours ago from Noubelmag.”
“Did you open it?”
“…Please understand. At that time, you were a figure of suspicion.”
Mother Ghost politely handed over the letter with a faint smile.
“You won’t be bored while I’m on duty.”
Leaving behind such cryptic words, she left the room.
Thunk-
The sound of her retreating footsteps.
The Hero finally let out a quiet sigh.
“…Was it resolved fairly well?”
He thought of it as a gamble with a high success rate.
——————
HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
——————
But he hadn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of Mother Ghost acting unexpectedly or resisting.
…It was fortunate that it developed into a good partnership.
He could slowly nurture their relationship from now on.
Slip-
The Hero took out the letter.
‘By the way, why did Noubelmag send a letter? Is it a report on the progress of the armor?’
It was a request for the production of armor to counter Ivar’s “tempest.”
But he hadn’t expected the tracking to be resolved so easily.
‘I thought I’d be going back and forth between the South and the Academy a few times… and yet I’ll end up fighting Ivar before returning to the Academy.’
Even if the armor were completed, it seemed it wouldn’t be used in the fight against Ivar.
Clack-
The Hero thought as he tore open the letter.
Thud-
Inside, along with a letter, was an unexpected item.
.
.
.
First, he read the letter.
Noubelmag’s rough handwriting filled the paper.
How are you, leader?
It’s fortunate that the armor was finished sooner than expected.
It’s probably thanks to our collaboration.
…Collaboration?
The Hero narrowed his eyes.
But the next contents were even more peculiar.
Yussi, Pia, and Larze also helped with the production.
Thanks to that, a more remarkable item was born than what was conceived.
Suddenly, why was Larze mentioned out of the blue?
Noubelmag’s brief explanation continued.
By the way, Larze unexpectedly visited Rosenstark a few days ago.
Coincidentally, it was right after the leader left.
She was quite upset about her wasted trip….
Well, thanks to that, we were able to add some interesting features to the armor.
Noubelmag had received a request from the Emperor to make a defensive artifact for the Sector 1.
Of course, only the core components, not the entire thing.
Larze had come to collect it.
Anyway, enough gossip.
Now, wear the enclosed item.
The Hero looked down at the small black ring lying on his palm.
Apart from its unusually dark color, there was nothing remarkable about it.
‘I asked for armor, but why a ring….’
Could it be an artifact enchanted with defensive magic?
He was puzzled but still put the ring on his right ring finger.
A strange warmth enveloped his entire right hand.
The operating method is simple.
When you infuse mana, iron thorns will protrude from inside the ring.
“…Ah.”
The Hero let out a muffled groan.
A trickle of blood ran down his ring finger.
Except for the abnormal blackened color, it seemed like the ring had changed.
Originally, it was intended to be plain armor, but Larze had opposed it.
Well, even the legendary armor was of this form, they say.
As for its function….
The Hero couldn’t finish reading the letter.
Clack-
Clack-
This was because the dark iron mass that had spread out from the ring began to climb up his body.
The thorns invaded his hands and feet, then his torso, and even his face, forming an armor similar to the full plate armor.
The Hero looked around in confusion at his body.
There was not a single part showing bare flesh.
Gloves designed to slope in angles where attacks could easily be deflected enveloped his entire body.
‘…It’s light.’
But strangely, it was exceptionally lightweight.
Even lighter than typical full plate armor.
The metal making up the gloves seemed to be some kind of alloy, and the actual weight wasn’t heavy at all.
Furthermore, the minimal weight was evenly distributed throughout his body, making him feel agile and unencumbered.
To exaggerate a bit, it felt like he wasn’t wearing anything at all.
‘Huh, is this all the functionality?'”
The Hero read the letter through the dense visor.
There’s limited space, so I’ll explain briefly.
This armor is crafted from a primal elemental spirit with the ‘iron’ attribute, refined through magic, alchemy, and metallurgy.
It boasts overwhelming defense compared to conventional gear, along with its lightweight nature.
Moreover, it can automatically restore damaged areas.
We’ve also added the function of an enhanced exoskeleton that enhances the user’s physical abilities.
Of course, there are a few other minor functions as well, so it’s advisable to test it before engaging in combat.”
The Hero gazed with admiration at the crimson armor that enveloped his body flawlessly.
He could already feel how remarkable this collaboration was.
Second only to alchemy, Yussi and Pia.
Noubelmag, the legendary blacksmith.
And the touch of Larze.
It couldn’t help but be extraordinary.
This collaborative work was named “Boeun.”
Wishing even a little assistance to the one who fights tirelessly day and night for the sake of all.
It was such an honor to be able to wield the hammer for the leader.
Wishing to see you again unharmed.
Below were signatures in each of their handwriting styles.
Your long-time comrade, Noubelmag.
Your eternal companion, Yussi.
Your secret friend, Larze.
Your faithful aide, Pia.
[PR/N: breaka mi heart 😥 ima eata pasta 🤌]
After staring at those names for about ten seconds, the Hero stepped outside.
There was no time to waste.
And so, as he began the functionality test of “Boeun” and marveled at the dedication of its creators,
“I’m back.”
Mother Ghost returned, looking weary, and stood before the Hero.
“The curse?”
“You should have no trouble fighting now.”
That’s all he was waiting to hear.
Clank-
The Hero set off on his journey.
The ring clasped in his hand sparkled in the dawn twilight.
——————
HEL SCANS
[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
——————
