Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! Novel - Chapter 217
C217
The preparations to open the Advent Dungeon were carried out methodically.
Although we managed to obtain the scale of a species that ruled Taonier in ancient times, the catalyst to summon the White Dragon Asynis, that wasn’t everything. Based on this, we had to create an exclusive engraving stone for the summoning.
Here, I resorted to Iselle’s power once again.
At first, Iselle objected, knowing that it wasn’t me, but Belkist, who would obtain a high-level Engraving, but she was eventually convinced after my persistence.
[★ Super Success ★]
[Han (★★★★) has created an Advanced Advent Stone (White Dragon’s Soul).]
I successfully created the summoning stone.
Although there were no high-grade Advent Stones, there were still some leftover Advent Stones obtained during the event.
When I summoned the Black Dragon, I used a secondary summoning method, but according to the pigeon, this time it would be a bit different. It said I could summon it immediately if accompanied.
‘Is this why connections are important?’
And, in the silence of the early morning when everyone was asleep.
The space-time rift on the first floor of the plaza was open.
I looked back.
Belkist was sitting on the bench, crossing his legs.
“Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
Belkist stood up from the bench.
Clang. The scabbard of his sword hanging from his belt shook.
Gugukon, who was next to Belkist, jumped to the ground.
<Hmph, I’ve thought about it several times, but this is madness.>
[I wonder if it will work. After all, it’s not Han.]
Iselle flapped her wings.
At this moment, without Anything, we couldn’t open the space-time rift without borrowing Iselle’s power.
Iselle puffed her red cheeks as if her dissatisfaction hadn’t diminished.
[Tsk, what a shame. If it were Han, he could have used that power much better. Who cares about an arrogant fool whose head only thinks about fighting…! Agh!]
“Don’t worry.”
“I won’t.”
[Aaaaaah!]
Splash!
Iselle, spinning like a pinwheel, crashed into the fountain.
Entering the Advent Dungeon was, once again, something we did behind Anything’s back. If he had been present, he might have proposed other ideas, like using the inscription on me or leveraging it with Jenna.
According to Gugukon, the ‘White Dragon’s Blood’ ability is more useful for melee combat heroes than for archers like Jenna, which is why the Asynis Family prefers swords.
‘Hmm…’
I remembered Delphine, the Asynis heir, who died absurdly during a mission. She was the heir to the White Dragon’s Blood and couldn’t resist Persephone.
If the 5-star summoning ticket had prioritized heroes of that account, perhaps I could have summoned Delphine instead of Wiryung.
<That woman was also incredibly clumsy. If she had used the White Dragon’s Blood correctly, the one who would have been exhausted to death would have been that mage.>
Gugukon said that even Delphine, the strongest in the empire, had barely exploited the White Dragon’s Blood ability.
Before the world turned into a game, it seems that Taonier’s strength was more backward than expected.
“Wouldn’t it be enough to win over that white dragon or whatever inside? I just have to hit it.”
<What nonsense. How strong can you be, after all? I don’t like any of them.>
[He says that insects like you are useless in battle.]
Iselle, who had returned, translated Gugukon’s complaint.
Belkist briefly frowned but didn’t bother Gugukon.
Then, he closed his eyes and murmured.
“I’m here to escape being an insect.”
<Even if an insect goes through several metamorphoses, could it become a lion?>
I laughed briefly.
It seems I’ve heard this conversation before.
“I don’t know what we’ll find, but we probably won’t fight. The rest is up to you. Handle it.”
“So it will be.”
Belkist shook the bag he was holding in his left hand.
Inside was the summoning stone I had made.
“I’ll be back.”
Belkist moved forward towards the space-time rift.
<I assure nothing. I can’t take responsibility. Don’t blame me later.>
Gugukon quickly followed Belkist.
Boom.
The door leading to the space-time rift closed.
Shortly after, a faint light seeped through the crack in the door.
I suppose Belkist and Halgion were moving towards the Advent Dungeon.
[But Loki, isn’t it a bit difficult for a 4-star hero to handle a high-level inscription?]
Iselle perched on my shoulder.
It wasn’t a tone of regret that I couldn’t use the White Dragon’s Blood.
She was just genuinely curious.
“Normally, yes. It’s difficult for them.”
Iselle wasn’t wrong.
Even if you obtained a high-level Class A or higher Engraving, using it on a low-level hero would likely result in failure.
To utilize high-level Engravings, an adaptation process is needed.
It consists of implanting lower-grade Engravings first and allowing the hero to grow.
As the hero’s rank increases, higher-level Engravings can gradually be awarded, allowing for smooth use of Class A Engravings upon reaching the maximum 6-star level.
‘It’s a gamble.’
I don’t like gambling.
I prefer to minimize random factors and maximize opportunities to influence with skill.
That too is part of what it means to be a high-ranking player.
‘But here, everything is a gamble.’
So far, most things have worked, but I could fail at some point.
I just hope the cost of that failure isn’t too high.
——————–
“I’m back.”
Almost at the end of dawn, I finally met up with Belkist.
I examined him from top to bottom.
Outwardly, he didn’t seem to have changed.
He was the same as when he entered.
“How was it?”
“Nothing special. We just exchanged some trivial questions and answers.”
Belkist handed me a leather bag.
Upon opening the bag’s mouth, a pearl that shone in white appeared.
Then, the skill window of the inscription appeared.
[True White Dragon’s Blood (S, Level 1)]
[Blood that demonstrates the pure lineage of the ancient white dragon. Unprecedented power resides in it.]
[Unique Ability: 1. White Dragon’s Horn]
[※Many unknown abilities exist.]
As with the Black Dragon’s Blood, the inscription window wasn’t complicated.
Just a few lines of description.
‘Class S.’
Many masters in Pick Me Up are eager to obtain an Engraving of this level.
Class S Engravings are difficult to obtain and have unlimited potential.
And Taonier has already obtained two Class S Engravings.
‘The harder the level, the greater the reward.’
Upon learning this, some hardcore players might try to deliberately increase the difficulty.
<Tsk, tsk, for a mere commoner to obtain the power of the King of Waves. It’s the end of times.>
Gugukon came walking out.
“The King of Waves, huh?” Belkist murmured.
It seems that during the summoning process, it has become possible to hear Gugukon’s voice.
Gugukon continued in a disinterested tone.
<The reason why the Asynis Family has reigned as the strongest in the empire for thousands of years. If you can handle that power, you will become dozens of times stronger.>
“I’m not interested in whatever that place is… but I like the idea of becoming stronger.”
<What kind of confidence do you have when you haven’t even succeeded in the inscription ritual? It seems obvious that you’ll fail.>
“Can we start now?”
Belkist turned to me.
I shook my head.
“You need to prepare. You must be tired now.”
“Then, I’ll go in first. Thank you for your help.”
Belkist stood up with the bag containing the inscription stone and went up the stairs.
[King of Waves? That’s an impressive name. It should have been Loki who used it.]
<Please, impressive isn’t the word. It’s just a fool full of hot air.>
[So, who would win if you two fought?]
<Obviously me… Ahem!>
[Your answer isn’t very convincing. Would you lose?]
“Silence, you damned familiar demon! In this world, there are also things like compatibility! It’s not my fault his abilities are cheats!”
I left the two idiots behind and climbed the stairs.
I was curious about Anything’s reaction.
The next day.
When Anything logged in at night, he assessed the situation.
He found out that Belkist had opened and entered the Advent Dungeon and obtained an S-class inscription stone.
Anything seemed momentarily surprised, but this wasn’t the first time it had happened.
He soon regained his composure and started examining the inscription in the help tab.
I suggested Anything use the inscription stone on Belkist.
[Warning!]
[The inscription may fail, and the hero who fails will fall into a state of corruption. Do you really wish to proceed with the inscription?]
[Yes / No (Select)]
But Anything declined the inscription.
Of course he did.
——————
[Starting the inscription!]
[Inscription stone used – True White Dragon’s Blood (S)]
[Selected hero – Belkist (★★★★)]
[Success probability – 2%]
2%.
The cost of failure is the hero’s corruption.
It would be crazy to try it if you were sane.
‘…It’s different from me.’
Belkist’s success probability was clear.
Almost impossible to succeed.
On the other hand.
[Starting the inscription!]
[Inscription stone used – Pure White Dragon’s Blood (S)]
[Selected hero – Han (★★★★)]
[Success probability – 93%]
[Warning!]
[The selected hero does not have enough space for the inscription. A promotion is required.]
[If the inscription is attempted, the inscription in slot 1 will be lost.]
[Warning!]
[The inscription may fail, and the hero who fails will enter a state of corruption.]
————-
This was the record I remembered when Anything was considering using the inscription stone on me.
Even though the hero’s rank was the same, the success probabilities were completely different.
If things continued like this, it was very likely the White Dragon’s Blood would end up on me.
Anything would add the second inscription slot for me as soon as it was available.
‘Is there only one way?’
Surely, Anything would be angry with me.
For acting against his will.
Objectively, Anything’s judgment was correct.
“The success probability is 2%.”
In the private room of the Training Field at dawn, I told Belkist.
“It means you need to try 50 times to achieve one success. I’m really weak.”
Belkist smiled bitterly.
“It’s not a matter of being strong or weak. You’re just not ready yet.”
“So what about you, Major?”
“I’m a different case.”
It’s not about talent.
Maybe it’s the environment we should call it.
Perhaps that can also be considered a type of talent.
“Even if you succeed, it doesn’t end there. You won’t become strong immediately.”
“I know. It takes training.”
“And that pigeon’s words about dying… are no joke.”
I’ve also experienced several moments of corruption while mastering the Black Dragon’s Blood.
This power is strong.
But also dangerous.
“I’m aware of it. As I asked you, if it seems I won’t succeed, end me, Major.”
Belkist extended his sheath towards me.
He entrusts his weapon to me. Belkist’s words about wanting to die were sincere.
I took the sheath.
“You don’t need to force things.”
“So should I keep crawling on the ground?”
“…”
“Aaron also broke the barrier, Major. I don’t want to keep being miserable. If I can’t become stronger through effort and talent, what else can I bet on, if not my life?”
Belkist gritted his teeth.
He seemed to be remembering something.
“I regret my current state. I’m despicable. I wouldn’t have excuses even if I lost my mind. But… I can’t bear it anymore.”
“Why do you want to be so strong?”
“Because it’s all I have.”
Belkist spoke expressionlessly.
“This kind of mission, it doesn’t matter if it isn’t completed. There’s nothing back in that shit hole.”
“…”
I sighed.
Belkist has no surname.
Not having a surname means being less than a slave in Taonier.
Although I don’t know what past he had… I can generally guess.
“I’m asking you.”
“Alright, alright.”
Iselle, fluttering beside me, nodded.
I moved my hand towards the window that appeared in my field of vision.
[Starting the inscription!]
[Inscription stone used – True White Dragon’s Blood (S)]
[Selected hero – Belkist (★★★★)]
[Success probability – 2%]
[Warning!]
[The selected hero does not have enough space for the inscription. A promotion is required.]
[If the inscription is attempted, the engraving in slot 1 will be lost.]
[Warning!]
[The inscription may fail, and the hero who fails will enter a state of corruption. Do you really wish to proceed with the inscription?]
“Prepare yourself.”
Belkist placed his hand on the surface of the inscription stone.
[Yes (Select) / No]
Whooosh.
The white inscription stone began to vibrate.
The white energy emanating from the inscription stone coursed through Belkist’s right arm.
Finally, it moved towards his head.
[The inscription has begun!]
At that moment.
“Ugh!”
Belkist kneeled.
His eyes opened wide and filled with blood.