WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 180: Our Children Have Changed (1)

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It was impossible to just brush it off by saying, "Nothing happened." Everyone was curious about why the Countess had been eliminated. I roughly shared what I had heard and seen.

"That person is really... beyond pathetic, it's pitiful."

Black Dragon Master displayed a look of disbelief.

She usually keeps her composure, but once Black Dragon Master moves her facial muscles, her emotions are blatantly obvious. For instance, simply by looking dumbfounded, the Black Dragon Master has a gift for making the other person seem truly absurd. Impressive.

"It was a mistake to choose the Fairy Tribe in the first place. The less greedy you are, the easier it is to be satisfied. By introducing those kids to the taste of money, there's no way they wouldn't get distracted by other things."

"Countess......."

The Paladin looked up into the air, seemingly in pity. It was as if the Countess's apparition was smiling and waving at us. We observed a moment of silence for the Countess's absurd existence.

"By the way, what about the points the Countess had? Are they distributed among us now?"

"Yeah, that's right. But you won't get another windfall like you did when the Heretic Inquisitor was eliminated."

The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages yawned.

"The Countess spent her points thriftily every time they accumulated. So…."

[The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages is settling the points.]

[You have gained 2 points!]

[Your current race points total is 8802.]

"There aren't many points left to distribute among you."

Damn. We all shuddered at the Countess's miserly spirit.

"Ah. It didn't divide evenly, so there was 1 point left over. I'll give it to Swordy. You're ranked first among this bunch, aren't you? At least I should look after you. Accept it gratefully! My treat!"

"……Th-thank you."

"You're welcome!"

Ultimately, what the Countess left us after her elimination were considerations of an absurd existence, the preciousness of a single race point, and the stingy elves gone crazy over money.

Why is it that our companions scatter nuisances across the universe each time they are eliminated? I'm seriously afraid that by the time we clear the 40th floor, our tower's name might change from City of Ascension to City of Idiots….

"Okay, now I'll send you to the 34th floor. Anyone want to buy items before entering? Choose quickly.

"Hmm."

I glanced at the civilization store. There was an item I had my eye on.

+

[Race Evolution]

Rank: Undecided

Effect: Your race can evolve twice. The cost of the second evolution is much more than the first!

Cost: 30,000 race points

Unlock Condition: Your race must acquire at least six traits.

+

I clicked my tongue. It was too expensive.

'It'll be difficult to go for the final evolution for now.'

I want to see our children grow rapidly and conquer the world, but unfortunately, it seems my wish will have to be delayed.

-Crazy bastard, if they grow more from there, what will you do!

'Do you know what happens if Hobgoblins evolve once more?'

-Eh? Let's see. Dwarves? Or maybe Trolls?

'This gentleman really can't grasp it.'

I chuckled inwardly.

'Just wait. Once the kids are all grown up, you'll understand why I chose the Earth Spirit Tribe. Then don't come saying, "Ah, Sir Gong-Ja, ah, I didn't recognize the Earth Spirit Tribe, I'm sorry."'

-Zombie... don't laugh like that. When you laugh sinisterly, it's fucking disgusting.

Such harsh words.

The other companions chose items according to their needs. Seeing that we were ready, The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages nodded.

"Okay. Every item you bought will be reflected in history! No refunds, so keep that in mind. Now, if I move time forward to the next stage... This time, 300 years have passed!"

300 years.

Well over a thousand years had passed since the primeval forest burned away.

Before I returned, I remember that from this point on, the Flame Emperor's unification of the world started in earnest. Elves, who worshipped the Flame Emperor as a fire god, set the continent ablaze.

Well, being addicted to making money rather than burning people is healthier nowadays.

"I'll open the 34th floor now. There was no quest last time, but there will be one this time. However, it's not a joint quest that everyone completes together, but individual quests! I'll distribute a separate quest for each race."

The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages put down her pillow and grinned.

"It's about time for your children to end their childhood. In human terms, [adolescence]? It's when problems build up and explode internally. It's time to experience the growing pains."

Clap.

The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages lightly clapped her hands.

"Everyone, do your best! Scary kids have started roaming around, so be careful!"

Do your best, everyone.

I realized the meaning of those words after a white light enveloped us.

My vision blurred, and the Tower's voice echoed in my head.

[The Earth Spirit Tribe has acquired a new trait 'Noblesse Oblige'!]

Apparently, the changes in the Earth Spirit Tribe were reflected as history unfolded.

While waiting for the 34th floor stage to unfold, another voice was heard.

[The Earth Spirit Tribe's trait 'Bad Friend Doctrine' is changing!]

[The Earth Spirit Tribe has acquired a new trait 'Demonic Cult'!]

'What?'

Demonic Cult?

Before I could fully ponder the meaning of that voice, I was transported to the next era.

2.

As soon as the transfer was complete, a difference from the previous stages was apparent.

I looked around from the middle of an out-of-the-way street.

"...Black Dragon Master? Sword Saint? Hello? Is there no one here?"

None of my companions were in sight.

The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages's phrase "Do your best, everyone" meant that we were indeed separated to complete our quests individually.

Perhaps everyone was scattered to the cities where their respective races were established.

-Ugor. Let's have a drink after training this evening.

I, too, had landed in the city of the Earth Spirit Tribe.

-Watermelons are in season these days. Blending one up and mixing it into alcohol makes a delicious drink.

-Doesn't drinking alcohol affect the muscles you've worked so hard to train?

-Occasionally soaking the muscles in alcohol actually makes them more flexible.

Groups of Earth Spirit Tribe members were wandering the streets in twos and threes.

Despite the Earth Spirit Tribe having risen as the hegemon in the previous stage, the city was surprisingly unremarkable. There were no splendid buildings or dazzling streets.

It resembled a neatly constructed termite mound, perhaps?

Rows of uneven white buildings stretched out.

-Tonight, an Acupoint-Fire Play! All the most popular actors are appearing! A smash hit for over two years! Reserved seats are sold out, and only a few standing tickets remain!

In such a city, there were occasionally large circular buildings, which were theaters. Ticket sellers were brightly smiling and selling standing tickets in front of these theaters, and surprisingly, they were all elves.

-Come on, come on! Almost sold out! Hurry!

What was even more astonishing was the title of the play.

-A unique experience for tonight only! With your lover! With your colleagues! Experience [Raviel and Kekerkker] presented by a prestigious theater troupe with 300 years of tradition!

“Pfft!?”

I sprayed spit.

-A love story of the century! A romance of the heavens! Why did the most beautiful duke's daughter in the empire abandon the Crown Prince and choose the unremarkable Kekerkker? What sweet words did Kekerkker use to charm the princess? The play teaches us that in life, it's all about sweet-talking. [Raviel and Kekerkker]! Get your insane talking skills here!

“Are these guys serious?”

I rushed towards the theater. At the intersection in front of it, posters drawn with ink were plastered all over. There were portraits of actors playing Raviel and me, and unsurprisingly, they were both portrayed as Hobgoblins.

Hobgoblins chattered in front of the Hobgoblin portraits.

-So beautiful…

-Ugor. Honestly, haven't we seen [Raviel and Kekerkker] too many times since we were kids? I could recite the lines with my eyes closed.

-You don’t understand. These days, it's trendy to reinterpret classic masterpieces. In the play I saw recently, Raviel ended up with Goldencup.

-That's nonsense. Isn't that [Silver Lily and Goldencup], not [Raviel and Kekerkker]? That's title fraud.

-Don’t dismiss it. It gained enormous popularity in certain circles…

-Right. I heard someone even spent their entire fortune because they were obsessed with that play.

-I heard the Fairy Tribe writer made a fortune.

But that wasn't all.

-An opportunity not to be missed! This is the finest Acupoint-Fire Play! [The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon] comes to you tonight! Witness the dazzling flames demonstrated in person by the great warrior ranked sixteenth on the Fire River Council! For the role of Sword Emperor, especially...

-The one and only large-scale Acupoint-Fire Play! Sixty-six extras involved! [Ester, from Saintess to Witch]! Only the Gamtang Theater in Guru can bring such a play to the stage! Great value for your money, book now and get a free watermelon beer!

Elves were screaming and promoting aggressively.

There were several theaters crowded together just at the intersection. With theaters competing across the street from each other, aggressive canvassing was inevitable. Elves selling tickets even got into disputes, grabbing each other's ears.

-Hey! Using watermelon beer to lure customers? What kind of cheap trick is that? If you're a theater company, compete fairly with the quality of your plays!

-There's no such thing as underhanded in business! Develop a product of your own! The loser sure talks a lot!

-Ugor? Are you getting into a fight now?

-Let's watch the play of the ticket seller who wins the fight. I'll be the judge, go ahead and fight.

A scene of shock and horror unfolded.

“These crazy people…”

Of course, Uburka had mentioned it.

He would turn my stories into Acupoint Flowers and pass them down from generation to generation.

But I had imagined something like a grandmother telling stories to her grandchildren, not such full-scale commercialization.

-Could this be the influence of the Fairy Tribe? I heard the elves are crazy about money.

Guardian Spirit chuckled.

-Hey, that one looks interesting. Let's check it out!

He pointed to a theater where [Raviel and Kekerkker] was being performed. I followed Guardian Spirit, half out of my mind.

The circular theater resembled a vast cave. It was dark all around, but the actors freely controlled their aura as they recited their lines. Was it more of a musical than a play?

-Ah, Raviel. I have realized my feelings.

-Silvia.

-A clam nurtures illness in its heart. A white disease. A shining sickness. When the disease hardens into a pearl, it's like my fate. Raviel. I cannot reject this beautiful illness.

A Hobgoblin on stage was delivering a passionate performance. Given that she was called Silvia, this Hobgoblin must be playing Lady Goldencup.

-Silvia, no. Stop. If you say any more...

-It's not the sun of the empire I love, nor my butler. Lady Raviel. Your Grace. I yearn for you.

-My God.

My God.

-Have you lost your mind, Lady Silvia, daughter of a baron!

These kids have lost their minds!

-No. I am perfectly sane. Tomorrow, I'll tell the Crown Prince that we're breaking up. He'll be angry, but his anger cannot consume my love. No. Let it consume me! I'll gladly burn.

-Baron's daughter!

I watched the Acupoint-Fire Play in a daze.

The storyline went like this: Raviel couldn't accept Goldencup's feelings, the Crown Prince and Goldencup broke up, and despite the breakup, the Crown Prince, unable to let go, plots an assassination. Finally came the climax. While trying to stop the assassination, Butler Kekerkker died in someone else's place...

“I'm not supposed to die, you bastards!?”

I shouted involuntarily.

It's titled [Raviel and Kekerkker], isn't it! Just like what one Hobgoblin said, it's title fraud!

But my voice didn't reach the Earth Spirit Tribe children around me. Instead, after the Acupoint-Fire Play ended, they murmured among themselves, apparently moved.

-Tonight's fire was splendid too…

-I've seen it four times already, and I'm not tired of it. All the actors use their aura so well.

-Gor. To be honest, I was moved. I want to be on stage one day too!

No.

Something's not right.

I knelt at the intersection in front of the theater.

“What do I do? Our children have become strange…”

Guardian Spirit wore a complicated expression.

-Your children have always been strange, zombie.

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