WebNovels

Chapter 42 - CHAPTER 42

Five Guardian Saints

Faction Scenario: "War Expedition Corps."

This scenario is triggered when a player personally declares their intent to form a new faction—and a powerful NPC capable of supporting that ambition responds.

In other words, this was a scenario I had summoned myself.

[Would you like to accept?]

No reason to hesitate.

I opened my mouth immediately.

"Accept."

A flash of light.

[Faction Scenario 'War Expedition Corps' activated.]

'Damn, I can't believe I unlocked this here.'

I cheered inwardly.

The War Expedition Corps was a particularly crucial scenario for me right now.

Among the dozens of existing scenarios, this was one of the very few that allowed progress without belonging to any major faction—one that let you move freely across all three great powers.

'Perfect for someone like me, who plans to use the entire continent. It's flexible and full of potential.'

Once a scenario is activated, it naturally assigns a chain of linked quests to the player.

[Scenario Quest "Formation of the Expedition Corps" has been granted.]

The beginning of the War Expedition Corps scenario—

It started with forming the corps myself.

[Quest] Recruit two companions who will help locate and neutralize the seeds of war.

Special: Can be completed independently.

Expected Reward: Massive EXP for all members + 2 additional types of rewards.

Naturally, the members would be Kals and Tyrbaen.

'Just declare the completion yourself, and it's done.'

Simple as that.

Unlike that filthy throne-seizure scenario that began with treachery, this one was on a whole different level.

'Now this is what you call a proper scenario!'

Smiling inwardly, I reviewed the system messages.

In the original Shin.Ber.Se game, War Expedition Corps also began rather casually.

'Sometimes it'd even start just from chatting in a border tavern over drinks.'

That was because all it required was for the player to declare the formation of a faction—and a strong NPC's agreement to back it.

But if you followed through steadily, the scenario would gain substance, eventually involving you in major continental events.

As I thought ahead about future developments, I realized something.

'Since I've triggered this, I'll have to return to Kertion before long.'

The Imperial Capital—Kertion, home of that psychopathic emperor.

It meant the day I'd have to go back there was approaching.

'Still, for now I'll focus on completing the Expedition Corps quests within the Revolutionary Army's territory.'

No reason to march willingly into trouble when no one's calling me.

First, I'd squeeze everything I could out of Aulrax, the newbie's paradise.

'Then I'll head for the Dragon's Nest and earn myself a Dragon Rider title.'

Step by step—that was the plan.

—Gilroshan Elo di Valt, third son of Emperor Valeshan.

A voice called out to me through radiant light.

The five Guardian Saints, now unified as one shadow, looked upon me.

—We, the final guardians of Everlast, shall make you our Proxy, to act on our will in the mortal realm.

That was the meaning behind the newly granted title — Proxy.

—You will represent our will and act on our behalf.

—Yet you may reject our commands and even join hands with our enemies.

—You may choose to remain forever silent about us.

—But you shall always remain our Proxy.

…So basically, all benefits, no obligations.

'Hah! As expected of these ancient beings—they're leagues above those lazy temple gods!'

Of course, compared to the blessings of the surface deities, there were some drawbacks.

'No sacred sanctuary for bonus buffs, and no mortal followers I can summon for backup.'

But honestly, that was fine.

Those were luxuries I could live without.

—Now then, Gilroshan. Will you become our Proxy?

…They already gave me the title, so why even ask?

Still, something else caught my attention.

Strangely, though the five Guardian Saints were merged into one, I could feel each of their emotions clearly.

The Guardian of Wolf Fang radiated curiosity.

The Guardian of Spear and Sword gave off unease.

The Guardian of Heavenly Wheel exuded faith.

The Guardian of Blazing Flame showed pity.

And Myeongamseong—the one who had argued with me the whole time—

…satisfaction and relief.

That was it.

He watched me with a faint, gentle smile amid the light.

At that moment, a chilling thought struck me silent.

'Wait… maybe that throne-seizure scenario he proposed earlier was bait all along.'

In the original story, Myeongamseong was portrayed as the leader of the Five Guardian Saints—a cold, calculating figure.

So it made sense to think:

If I had taken that bait—

'Things would've turned out very differently.'

I didn't know how it would've changed,

but one thing was certain—Myeongamseong now looked both satisfied and relieved with my choice.

Now, it was time to choose one Guardian Saint's blessing.

What kind of boon would it be?

I swallowed hard and declared:

"I, Gilroshan Valt, will serve as the Proxy representing the will of the last Guardians of Everlast."

At that moment, the white brilliance burst into radiant hues.

—Welcome, Proxy.

Now it was time to choose one Guardian's blessing.

But the selection never came.

[Blessing of the Guardian of Wolf Fang granted!]

[Blessing of the Guardian of Spear and Sword granted!]

[Blessing of the Guardian of Heavenly Wheel granted!]

[Blessing of the Guardian of Blazing Flame granted!]

"...Huh? W-wait, what!?"

Before I could even choose, all the blessings poured onto me at once!

I was genuinely dumbfounded.

"H-hey! Old man!"

If I remembered correctly, you were only supposed to receive one of these blessings.

That's how it worked… wasn't it?

"They're giving me all five?"

Was that even allowed?

Was something bugged?

I turned to Myeongamseong in disbelief—

—What? Why? You got a problem with that?

He looked at me, grinning mischievously.

But despite that playful look—

This was no joke at all.

"Wow…"

[Blessing of the Guardian of Light and Shadow granted!]

After bestowing his final blessing upon me, Myeongamseong drew back his radiance.

The dungeon once again fell into stillness, as though nothing had happened.

But I was still standing there, dumbfounded.

"Is this… seriously allowed?"

[All five Guardians' blessings have been acquired.]

[Acquired blessings have been combined and designated as 'Blessing of the Ancient Guardians.']

I opened the description of this newly named blessing—

and immediately felt my jaw drop even lower.

"T-this is just a little too…"

"Too?"

"…broken, don't you think?"

Somewhere deep inside, my conscience was screaming.

[Restriction: Up to Level 30]

Howl of Hound and Wolf: Greatly enhances summoning and taming skills.

Sharpening of Spear and Sword: Greatly increases close-combat physical attack power.

Call of Bow and Wheel: Significantly enhances ranged attack power and movement speed.

Song of Shield and Flame: Significantly boosts all physical defense and elemental resistances.

Essence of Light and Shadow: Significantly strengthens all forms of magic.

Additional Effect:Currently sealed.

It was literally every Guardian's blessing stacked together…

'And there's even an extra hidden effect?'

The locked bonus wasn't revealed yet, but once the right condition was met, it would activate instantly.

What kind of effect would it be?

This was a reward I'd never encountered in the original game, so I had no idea what that hidden power might entail.

But one thing was clear—

'Whenever something like this shows up, it's usually monstrously overpowered.'

Now that I had all five Guardians' blessings united within me, I couldn't help but anticipate what the additional effect might bring.

"Does our gift please you?"

Myeongamseong looked at me again, that same cold smile playing across his lips.

But to me now, his meaning had completely changed.

"Can I… call you big brother?"

"You were calling me an old man earlier."

"I take it back. I love you."

"…You were brash a moment ago, now you're just revolting."

I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear, even as he gave a small, amused chuckle.

"By the way," I asked, "what's the unlock condition for this hidden effect? Can you give me a hint?"

He replied simply,

"You will naturally obtain it as you fulfill the duties of a Proxy."

"Ahh…"

I immediately understood what he meant and nodded.

"Right. That's how it is."

In other words, as long as I earnestly pursued the Reconstruction of Everlast—the mission I had promised them earlier—the hidden effect would eventually unlock.

A safeguard, in other words, made to ensure I didn't slack off in my duty as Proxy.

'I don't know what they take me for, but still…'

I had no intention of breaking my word. I'd see it through.

'Fine. I'll just wait and see.'

After finishing my inspection of this unexpected all-in-one reward package, I began mentally sorting through what I still had to collect from this dungeon.

Several rewards were overlapping now—it was almost confusing to keep track.

"Myeongamseong, the blessing you just gave me came from appointing me as your Proxy, right?"

"That's correct."

"Then between us… what's still left to settle?"

"Two things remain."

The rewards for clearing the standard objective and the special objective of the dungeon.

Both were still unclaimed.

'Wow, I'm about to burst from all these rewards!'

Just as I was inwardly screaming with joy, a new idea came to me.

The standard objective reward: One B-rank piece of equipment of your choice.

The special objective reward: One of the Guardians' blessings of your choice.

'But I already got those.'

I'd already received the combined Blessing of the Ancient Guardians—worth five times as much.

That meant… a duplicate.

In that case—

'If blessings can't stack, it should automatically convert into an alternate reward.'

But I had another idea.

Since my relationship with these NPCs—especially as their appointed Proxy—had risen dramatically, it might just work.

I looked at the Transcendent cautiously.

"Myeongamseong, I was wondering…"

"…?"

I briefly explained my idea to him.

"Hahahahaha!"

The Guardian of Light and Shadow burst into hearty laughter, clearly amused.

Then he looked at me with a deeply pleased expression.

"You remind me of my younger self. Delightful!"

His younger self?

—Huh? Personally, I think this one's far better than the old you.

"Silence," Myeongamseong snapped, glaring in the direction of the muttering Guardian of Wolf Fang.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded.

"Very well. It's a little irregular, but I'm intrigued by your idea. I'll allow it."

I clenched my fist in triumph.

"Knew I could count on you, big bro!"

"Stop saying creepy things!"

What I'd asked for was simple:

[Standard and Special Objective Rewards have been combined!]

[The B-rank equipment reward has been upgraded to A-rank!]

[An additional custom feature has been added to the chosen equipment!]

A personal touch—

a small customization added to my new piece of gear.

Just like that, I'd earned the means to craft exactly the item I wanted.

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