The seal was unlocked. Yuda turned the opened pouch upside down and shook it over his palm. With a plop, something fell out.
‘It’s a ring!’
The moment he set the pouch aside, he saw a ring that looked as if it had been carved from a single piece of obsidian-like mineral. Its scale-like, multifaceted surface bore no decorations, yet its glossy black sheen had a captivating allure that drew the eye. The inner band was smooth, likely for fitting on a finger, but it was etched with indecipherable runes. As Yuda picked up the ring and examined it, a message appeared before his eyes, indicating a save point had been set.
[You have acquired the Twenty Fourth Fragment - Carpe Diem.]
[A revival point has been saved based on the current location and time.]
[The consumed save point has been restored.]
Yuda glanced at the auto-save message, dismissed it, and focused back on the ring. The black ring seemed to emanate a friendly aura, as if welcoming him.
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[Name: Twenty-Fourth Fragment - Carpe Diem]
[Grade: Legendary]
[Equipment: Ring]
[Effects]
Stamina +3, Mana Resistance +3, Charm +3
Stamina and Mana Recovery Rate +250%
[Description]
The final piece of Fernlern’s heart fragments. Though it appears to be carved from a mineral, it is the heart itself. The heart fragment was magically processed and shaped. The ring holds the power to seduce others and even dominate them. Its bestowed abilities are 「Charm」 and 「Subjugation」.
“If you don’t want to die, you’d better not push your luck, Artemia.”
‘Oh, you? Against me? That’ll never happen. Even if it did, we would only destroy each other. How foolish.’ - From a conversation between the 4th and 7th Lords.
-Subjugation (Active): Permanently turn up to five defeated enemies into allies.
└Absolute Obedience: Subjugated individuals cannot harm their master.
└Condition 1: Inflict a wound that renders resistance impossible or win in combat. Can also be used when the opponent acknowledges defeat.
└Condition 2: Success rate increases if your total stats exceed the opponent’s; failure is possible if lower.
└Condition 3: Subjugation is impossible if the target has certain traits, skills, or items. All subjugation and hypnosis effects are nullified if the target dies and is revived.
-Hypnosis (Active): Once per defeated enemy, alter their common sense or compel specific actions. However, it may be broken if the target has high magic resistance or realizes something is wrong and resists.
-Doppelganger (Active): Unleash the fragment’s power to summon a subjugated NPC. The summoned NPC is fully equipped and acts as a clone. It vanishes if too far from the Player or takes lethal damage. Upon vanishing, the clone’s memories and experiences are absorbed by the original, but it cannot be summoned if the original is within a certain distance.
(Maximum summons: 1, shares a portion of mana upon summoning)
-Charm (Passive): Gain favor from others more easily. Effectiveness varies by individual preference and may not always work.
-Magic Defense (Passive): The mystical power in the heart reduces magical damage taken by the user.
-Resistance Boost (Passive): Increases resistance to various attributes such as fire, ice, poison, and curses.
-The Twenty-Fourth of Pherneln’s Twenty-Four Hearts (Passive): The final heart’s powers are “Subjugation” and “Charm.”
-Inheritance (Passive): Collect all 24 artifacts made from Pherneln’s heart to inherit the Demon King Pherneln’s power.
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Wow-
As expected. Yuda couldn’t help but gasp in awe. The holographic window displayed the fragment’s stats in full. A single ring boosted stats by a total of 9 points. Considering only three of the twenty-four fragments were accessories, this was immense. Items could raise stats to a maximum of 99 (S), but certain special items, including these fragments, could push to 100 (SS). If he collected the remaining fragments in time, surpassing limited potential would be effortless.
"?"
As Yuda shifted his gaze to the skills after reviewing the item’s effects and description, a question arose in his mind.
The massive 9-point stat boost was as he remembered, but some of the skill effects were completely different from his memory. Whether this was due to the game becoming reality or Sian’s interference, he didn’t know.
He remembered including the 〈Subjugation〉 skill. But the additional effects of 〈Hypnosis〉 and 〈Absolute Obedience〉 beneath it? He couldn’t remember adding those. They seemed like effects that could lead to dangerous actions, but their conditions were tricky to meet in the current context.
Still, meeting those conditions was worth it. No, it was more than worth it. It was overflowing with value. Being able to make five absolutely trustworthy allies in this world was a must-have skill for Yuda, who had been betrayed time and again.
‘Well, since I’ve become Yuda, a lot will change, so I probably won’t get betrayed again.’
Still, you never know, so it was better to be thorough. Especially with 〈Hypnosis〉 and 〈Absolute Obedience〉 added, the chances of betrayal were drastically reduced. But looking at the word “Hypnosis,” he couldn’t help but have dubious thoughts. Though limited to one use, the ability to make someone do as he wished was undeniably appealing.
‘I’m not sure if my conscience would allow it, though…’
And below that, 〈Doppelganger〉 was originally a skill to summon a waiting ally from the inn when a companion fell in battle. It likely worked the same way here, summoning an ally, but he would need to use it to understand the specifics.
Regardless, he breathed a sigh of relief that the fragment’s abilities remained overpowered with minimal changes. Without much hesitation, Yuda slipped the ring onto his left index finger and sat on the bed. He examined his ringed finger under the room’s light, smiling with satisfaction.
Now, it really felt like the time to leave Serenia Castle had come.
+++
Waking in the morning, Yuda ate breakfast with Tia as usual and went for a walk. Returning home, he found a carriage waiting. It was a butler sent by Kaseun, urging him to head to the mansion immediately. Tia, seeming to guess what was happening, poked Yuda’s side with a smile.
It seemed they were preparing for his coming-of-age ceremony. Arriving at the mansion by carriage, he found many people gathered in the garden. Assem the librarian, Charles the east gate captain and other soldiers, Seron the paladin from the temple… and others with whom Yuda had some rapport were all there, somehow aware of the event.
Even Lord Zeppelin Fiercen held a glass. They celebrated Yuda’s fifteenth birthday, toasting his adulthood with drinks.
The first alcohol he drank in this world was incredibly sweet and delicious. He drank every glass offered, but whether due to the ring’s effects or his player traits, he stayed in a pleasantly tipsy state without going further. Seeing him not get drunk, people laughed, calling him a natural drinker.
He had thought the coming-of-age ceremony would involve something special, but there wasn’t much.
It was simply a meaningful day. Yuda thanked Kaseun. He hadn’t expected to cry, but talking face-to-face with him brought tears to his eyes.
Without Kaseun’s help, Yuda might have lived a hard, miserable life. But because Kaseun had his back, no one dared mistreat him, and he lived without want.
As his mentor, Kaseun taught him much, enabling him to gain his current strength and meet Tia. Many things he couldn’t have achieved alone were gained through Kaseun’s help.
Kaseun hugged the tearful Yuda tightly. Until sunset, everyone enjoyed drinks, beverages, and delicious food. As people began returning home one by one, the lord and Kaseun called Yuda over to give him a gift.
The gift, prepared by both, was a set of clothes made from black wolf leather.
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[Name: Dignity of the “Black Wolf Leather Armor Set” Infused with Regeneration and Balance Magic]
[Grade: Rare _ Famed Item]
[Equipment: Top, Bottom, Shoes, Belt]
[Durability: 20/20]
[Defense: 45]
[Effects]
Agility +2, Charm +2
[Description]
Clothing commissioned by the swordmaster “Kaseun Sabnak” and “Chapelin Piercen” to celebrate Yuda Arshe’s coming-of-age ceremony. The top, bottom, and shoes form a single set.
-Black Wolf Leather (Passive): Made from black wolf leather, resistant to physical and magical attacks. Its high quality, enhanced by magical treatment, boosts its effectiveness.
-Artisan’s Touch (Passive): Crafted by a skilled artisan and a talented mage. Rather than looking like a rugged adventurer or mercenary, it gives the appearance of a refined noble. The artisan’s techniques and the mage’s magical knowledge make it cool in summer and warm in winter.
-Stealthy Steps (Passive): Reduces the chance of detection and muffles footsteps when walking or running in forests or battlefields outside safe zones.
-Code Before: Infused with Regeneration and Balance Magic
└Durability Recovery +1 per hour, adjusts size to fit the wearer’s body.
-Code After: Dignity
└Purification Effect - Resists odors and repels dirt.
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The unexpected gift lifted Yuda’s spirits. After more conversation, he returned home. Both he and Tia felt a pleasant buzz from the alcohol. Without either taking the lead, they collapsed onto the sofa upon entering the house.
Giggling and chatting, they slipped into a sultry mood, kissing and sharing a passionate moment. Even after their love-filled encounter, Tia refused to part from Yuda. She stayed by his side while bathing, sleeping, changing, and cooking breakfast. Planning to leave early, Yuda lingered on the sofa for her sake. She held him tightly in her arms, unwilling to let go.
“Tia, I’m going out for a bit.”
“Where are you going? Are you leaving today?”
As if saying she wouldn’t let him go, she wrapped her legs and arms around him, pinning him in place. Yuda gave a wry smile. She hadn’t seemed like this at first, so why had she become so adorably childish?
“No, I’m not leaving right now. I just need to go to the western forest for a bit.”
“The western forest? Why? Should I come with you?”
Yuda hesitated at her words but shook his head.
“I’ll go alone. I’ll be back in three or four days. And now that I’m an adult, I need to… get used to things before leaving. Don’t worry too much.”
“Yuda.”
“Yes.”
“Yuda.”
She kept calling his name, as if it were something precious. Yuda didn’t get annoyed. Each time she said his name, he felt reluctance creeping in. It made him sad in turn.
“Yuda.”
“I’m listening, Tia.”
“You h-have to go… right?”
“It’s just a trip to the western forest, that’s all.”
“No, I know. You’re leaving. Not just to the western forest, but you’re going to leave this place in a few days, aren’t you?”
Yuda was at a loss for words.
“…”
“Can’t I… come with you?”
Hearing Tia’s sorrowful voice, Yuda nearly said, “Alright, let’s go together.” Human bonds were daunting. He envied those who could draw lines coldly. For Yuda, setting such boundaries was painfully hard. He feared hurting her, causing her pain, or bringing her sadness. But he had to steel himself.
“Tia, do you remember the conversation we had here a few years ago?”
Tia didn’t respond, only hugging him tightly from behind. Feeling her warm body, Yuda’s strength wavered, but he continued speaking.
“Do you remember saying you would wait for me back then?”
“No, I don’t.”
Tia answered quickly. He was sure that she remembered. Yuda held her hand near his chest. They were such slender, and beautiful fingers. As he stayed silent, she, her face buried in his neck, mumbled in a whispering voice.
“…I-I actually remember. But maybe because I’ve come to love you, I want to follow you and be with you rather than wait here.”
“I love you too, not just words, but truly.”
“I know.”
“That’s exactly why I can’t take you.”
“How so? I need an explanation. One I can be convinced with.”
At her words, Yuda’s expression darkened.
* * *
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Tip 19: Players can use level-up points to distribute stats up to a maximum of 99 (S), exceeding their potential. Items can also boost stats to 99, but certain special items can raise them to 100 (SS).
However, 101–109 (SS) and 110 (SSS) are strictly within the realm of potential and can only be distributed using special points earned through achievements.
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***Author’s Note***
Hmm, no, everyone.
Tia has to stay here.
This isn’t something even a coupon can change!
And who said “genitals”? Come out! How could someone carry genitals in a pouch for years!
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