Chapter 596
Episode 155: Back to Laprarosa (4)
The Blessing of the Catfolk. The last time Jin ventured into Laprarosa, it was the first time he received their blessing, allowing him to safely pass through the territory of the beastmen.
It seemed that blessing was still in effect. This time, Jin only wore a simple disguise, yet the patrols of the Red Tiger and White Wolf tribes didn’t stop him even once.
‘Or maybe Kinzello’s main base security is sloppier than I thought? Even if word gets out that I’ve entered the Great Desert, it doesn’t really matter now. Though I figured Kinzello might still give me some trouble.’
This was the secluded training that Rosa herself had sent him to undergo. Reporters in Runcandel were already circulating articles about Jin’s secluded training.
The fact that he was on the final path to the Throne of Swords had become a hot topic among gossipmongers.
As Jin reached the gateway to the Great Desert, passing through Yukayuka Market, he unexpectedly met a familiar and welcome face—and smiled.
“Long time no see, Jin Runcandel.”
Pure white fur like clean snow, mysterious violet eyes, and a feline face.
It was Neru of the Catfolk—the one who had bestowed the Catfolk’s blessing on Jin and guided him to Temar’s third tomb.
Once again, Jin’s ability to avoid detection in the beastmen’s lands was thanks to her help.
“I heard from Ruru and Miru in the Wantaramo Forest that you escaped safely from the Phantom Plains that day. It’s finally time to meet you in person and express my gratitude.”
“We’re grateful to each other, so there’s no need for formalities. Looks like you’ve come to the Great Desert. Care to walk a bit together?”
Though Neru didn’t know the full details of Laprarosa, she suspected that Solderet had left arrangements for Jin here.
After entering the Great Desert, Jin summoned Shuri.
Neru and Shuri greeted each other with joyful meows, just like when they first met.
“Shuri’s meeting someone like you after escaping that witch is a great blessing.”
“Meow!”
“Jin.”
“Yes, Neru.”
“I came to you because there’s a problem we need to consider together.”
She spoke at length about the Chaos-contaminated regions.
The chaos of Gliek was infiltrating not only human society but also the small beastmen’s world.
“We Catfolk want to join the purification efforts to protect the small beastmen. And among humans, the only ones we trust are you and Hister’s contractors.”
According to Neru, the Catfolk could use their unique barrier abilities to cleanse the chaos in the contaminated areas.
However, since the current and previous cat gods were absent, their power was weak. So they hoped to strengthen it by finding their ‘Forgotten Shrine’ through Valeria’s record magic.
Jin readily accepted Neru’s proposal and pulled out paper and pen.
“Go to Tikan and show them this letter. Valeria probably won’t refuse.”
“Ruru and Miru say she, too, is destined for the world’s sake, just like you.”
“Every time I hear that, I blush from the compliment.”
Thanks to the Wantaramo Forest incident, Valeria was well-regarded by the Catfolk, including Ruru and Miru.
“If we can borrow the power of our gods through her, we won’t use it only for the small beastmen.”
Afterward, Neru rode Shuri and escorted Jin near the entrance of Laprarosa.
“I’ll be going now.”
“It was truly a pleasure. Please give my regards to Miru and Ruru.”
Once Neru left, as always, the Tartel of the Underworld Tribe greeted Jin.
“Brother Jin! And Shuri! Long time no see!”
“Meow-myang!”
“Tartel, brother. How have you been?”
“What else do we do but wait for you? Oh, and worry. If you died out there, we wouldn’t even hear about it. If you were strong enough, we wouldn’t have to worry.”
Jin chuckled softly.
Tartel immediately recognized how much Jin had grown stronger, but by the Underworld Tribe’s standards, Jin was still not a transcendent powerhouse.
Only the Underworld Tribe could consider Jin a ‘promising warrior.’
“So this time, I plan to stay a while and train.”
“Good idea!”
Tartel slashed the air with his sword, opening a dimensional gate to Laprarosa.
Buildings adorned with all kinds of jewels lined the Golden Road, and in front of every house hung the soul hearts of fallen brothers.
This dazzling dead world had become Jin’s second home. The thought that he might one day bring this scenery outside made his heart race.
Passing the Golden Road, the neat stone paths, and the massive statues honoring the fallen Underworld warriors, Jin arrived at the Hall of Warriors.
Before opening the gate, he gently touched the soul hearts embedded in the outer wall several times.
Kugugug…!
Bang! Bang!
As the gate opened, the waiting Underworld brothers fired celebratory shots.
“Brother Jin’s here!”
“Shuri!”
Jin couldn’t help but smile at the boisterous welcome.
Beyond the gate, not only the 63 regular warriors but also the 12 War Kings and the Hall of Warriors’ captain awaited him.
Jin first paid his respects to Ban.
Though Ban still radiated an unfathomable dignity, Jin noticed she looked somewhat thinner than the last time they met.
‘Maybe because she gave me blood during my last training…’
Each time Ban transfused blood, she passed on her ‘vital energy’ to Jin—much like Ron did for Dante in his final moments.
“I have much to tell you, Brother Ban.”
Shuri immediately nestled into Ban’s arms, purring softly. Though much larger, the gesture was clear—Shuri had missed Ban’s touch since their last meeting.
Shuri had a strong fondness for the touch of transcendent beings like Tesna and Ban.
“That’s to be expected. Since you’ll be here a while, we can take our time and share a drink today.”
“Oh? Hall of Warriors brother, how did you know Jin would stay long? I was going to surprise everyone with that news.”
“It can’t be helped, Tartel. Brother Jin is essentially on borrowed time.”
Ban’s words made the other Underworld brothers’ eyes widen in shock.
“What! Hall of Warriors brother, what do you mean?”
“Brother Jin is going to die…?”
“Jin, you said you were just going to stay for training. Is something wrong with your body?”
It wasn’t just the Underworld Tribe who were shocked.
‘I thought Ban would immediately notice if chaos had taken root in my body… But a time limit?’
Jin didn’t think his condition was the same as Rosa’s, Keliak’s, or others corrupted by chaos.
Though the Simma was gradually pressing on his inner self, it was nothing compared to what he experienced in Gliek’s pocket dimension.
Still, it could worsen someday, which was why he came to Laprarosa—using the Hall of Warriors’ blood as a clue to resist chaos.
He was worried, but not to this extent.
If Ban had the chance to compare Rosa, Keliak, and Jin, she would have no doubt that Jin’s condition was the most severe.
“Maybe a month at the shortest, two months at most. If you hadn’t come to Laprarosa, Brother Jin would have become a monster and died within that time.”
“…Was I really that bad?”
Fortune.
Jin’s arrival at Laprarosa without knowing his condition was sheer luck.
If he had delayed finding Kwal even a little, or if Rosa had changed her mind and tried to stop him from leaving for secluded training, it would have taken at least a month or two to get things in order outside.
The other Underworld brothers also realized what was wrong with Jin. Beliz, the Seventh War King, grabbed Jin’s wrist in alarm.
“This is a trace of chaos!”
“A trace of chaos? We’re immune to chaos, aren’t we?”
“Brother Jin is a different breed, Twelfth War King.”
“That may be, but he received blood from the Hall of Warriors and has a soul heart, so he should be immune!”
“The mark’s form… this is from the First Chaos!”
“Damn it, right, that’s the one we’re not immune to! The First Chaos? Is it still out there in the outside world?”
“What on earth did you encounter out there? A witch, maybe? Huh?”
The Underworld Tribe shouted anxiously with serious expressions.
The King of Chaos and the witch Helluram existed even in the Underworld Tribe’s era. Back then, Helluram was just called ‘the witch’ without a name.
“Calm down, brothers.”
Ban raised her hand quietly, and the Underworld Tribe immediately bowed their heads and fell silent.
“Such talk will only unsettle Brother Jin more. It’s not too late yet. We just need to prepare and begin purification.”
Her calm voice made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal.
But even seeing Ban’s attitude, Jin couldn’t relax. All the other brothers who knew the purification method still looked restless and worried.
At least it was a relief that their concern wasn’t about death.
“Tch… Hang in there, Brother Jin.”
“It’s tough, but what can we do? Like always, you just have to endure it well…”
“I’ll help with anything.”
“Yeah, yeah. No matter what state or form Brother Jin is in, we’ll always consider you our brother.”
“Even if Brother Jin forgets us, we won’t forget you. Absolutely.”
Jin had already endured the Underworld Tribe’s extreme training twice before.
Still, the Pluto clan was certain that Jin wouldn’t be able to endure it, and even Jin couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease.
“What? What do you mean by ‘state’ or ‘appearance’? And that I might forget my own brothers?”
“F-for now, just enjoy today. It’s going to be hard to feel this good for a while.”
Instead of answering Jin’s questions, the Pluto clan member scooped him up and headed toward the banquet hall.
Watching Jin, half bewildered and firing off questions, and his brothers trying to comfort him, Ban let out a small, amused chuckle.
Of course, Ban was worried about Jin too. But this time, he simply believed that Jin would pull through just fine.