I Start with 13 Hidden Traits Chapter-157

Ch-157

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One of the main skills obtained upon becoming the Successor of the Stars.

Together with Star Claw, it is a blessing skill that erases an opponent’s “Limit Curse.”

A Limit Curse is, literally, a curse that imposes a “limit.”

The desert queen’s “Warp Unusable” curse placed on Isabella, or the “Demon King’s Curse” that nearly put Serengeti into an eternal sleep—these are examples of such curses.

This time was no different.

However, it wasn’t an all-purpose skill; there were moments when “Blessing of the Stars” could be used and moments when it couldn’t. Fortunately, this was the former.

It wouldn’t be easy for the fully cleansed Andasar—free of all limits and ill karma—to be corrupted again.

《‘Cursed Black Grimoire of the Eldritch’ begins to be absorbed by Andasar.》

《Absorption complete!》

《‘Dullahan Andasar’ evolves into ‘Ark Lich’!》

…Hm?

At the result that appeared, I tilted my head.

*“Ark Lich?”*

I had never heard that name before.

I’d heard of Demi-Liches and Master Liches, but Ark Lich?

And it wasn’t *Arch* (A-r-c-h)—it was *Ark* (A-r-k).

The very same “Ark” from Noah’s Ark.

But that sort of word shouldn’t appear in front of a lich’s name, should it?

When someone becomes a lich, their evil karma inevitably accumulates, making them fundamentally opposed to the concept of a sacred Ark.

Could it be that the Blessing of the Stars combined with Andrew’s infinite indulgences brought about this change?

“A-ah…!”

Andrew’s eyes widened in shock.

For Andasar’s appearance was slowly changing.

Her severed head reattached, and her once-pale skin gradually regained color.

“Andasar…!”

As her form shifted to exactly how she looked in life, Andrew burst into tears.

Then he quickly ran over and embraced Andasar.

Soon, held tightly in Andrew’s arms, Andasar’s eyes opened.

“Ah… Pa?”

“Y-you recognize me? Ah, goddess above! Thank you, thank you!”

“Where… are we?”

“This is your father’s home. Are you all right now? Oh my goodness!”

It was unmistakably the revival of the dead.

The two remained wrapped in their reunion for quite a long while.

But unlike Andrew, I couldn’t simply rejoice.

【Lv. 12】

Andasar had skyrocketed to Level 12 in an instant—she could no longer be considered an ordinary human.

And that wasn’t the only issue.

【The ‘Ark Lich,’ a Supreme Species and Master of the Tranquil Cradle, retains the memories of its life. However, while it retains its living memories, it cannot truly be called the same living human. An ‘Ark Lich’ is merely a lich possessing human memories; it can imitate humanity, but it does not possess emotions.】

【The surrounding area in which the ‘Ark Lich’ exists receives the properties of the ‘Tranquil Cradle.’】

【However, if it does not regularly absorb life-force, it will lose its form and go berserk.】

…Her description continued scrolling.

*So this is what they meant when they said Truth-Seeking adds functions to the Great Sage trait.*

Talent: Truth-Seeking.

It required so many points that I could only raise it to level 3.

And yet I’d been told that the hidden trait “Great Sage” now had added functionality.

This must have been it.

Even so: Supreme Species, Master of the Tranquil Cradle.

Not an ordinary description.

Soon, more lines appeared.

【The racial traits of the ‘Ark Lich’ include between three and six random hidden traits, and its maximum level is 15. Depending on the talents it possessed in life, it receives the ‘Archmage’ class and 50% resistance to all attributes. If the master of the ‘Ark Lich’ is weaker than the Ark Lich, the relationship of ‘subordination’ is reversed.】

【Current master of ‘Ark Lich’: Randolph.】

*Cough!*

At the following details, I couldn’t help but let out an involuntary cough.

This was a monster in every sense.

Terrifying talents, a domain ability.

Multiple hidden traits, and a maximum level absurdly high.

A class, elemental resistances—there was nothing useless about any of it.

*…Insane.*

After checking everything, I couldn’t help but sincerely admire it.

It was a complete form—perfect in every respect, with even its future undeniably secured. An absolute, flawless being.

Truly worth the investment.

There might not be a more suitable guardian for a labyrinth city.

*And it recognizes me as its master.*

Most importantly, Andasar recognized me as her master *properly*.

Even so, cold sweat naturally formed on my back.

Had I evolved her into an Ark Lich back when I had just opened the Golden Scale Shop, I would undoubtedly have become the subordinate instead.

“…Thank you, Lord Randolph. Truly, thank you. I have no idea how I can repay this grace! Aaaaah!”

Perhaps because I’d seen the first part of the description…

I couldn’t bring myself to tell Andrew that the Ark Lich was merely *acting* as Andasar.

He was so happy—I couldn’t bear to douse him in cold water.

So I simply stood by quietly and listened.

Around five minutes passed like that.

“H-heir! You must come quickly!”

A familiar urgent voice came from outside.

I turned and slowly opened the door.

“…What is it, Hudson?”

When I opened it, Hudson was rushing toward me at full speed.

Strange.

He should have been inside Marquis Weiser’s manor, spending a quiet moment with Serengeti. Why was he here?

Panting heavily, having sprinted all the way over, Hudson exclaimed:

“Something terrible has happened!”

“…Terrible?”

Terrible? Already?

We’d just finished dealing with Isaac—how could another crisis appear so soon?

Hudson’s “terrible news” was starting to sound scarier than wildfire or plague.

As I looked at him with a stiff expression, Hudson shouted even more urgently:

“Th-the Elf Elder has come! He’s standing in front of the warp gate to take you away…!”

………Wait.

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

The Elf Elder—what?

He came *to find me*?

*

Elves.

They were called the most mysterious race in Pangaenia.

Perhaps even more closed-off and secretive than the imperial royalty; information about them was nearly nonexistent.

Even for me, someone who had achieved more in the game than most players, I never had any meaningful point of contact with the elves.

*Why would an Elf Elder want to see me?*

Naturally, I was baffled.

They were beings who *never* came outside.

Yet they were here.

Waiting for me at the warp gate, no less.

But no matter how I wracked my brain, there was no reason for them to seek me out.

*The Elder of the Elves…*

Especially an Elder.

An Elder—someone who represented an entire village.

But elves didn’t operate by villages; they were rooted solely in the “Primordial Forest.” Thus, an Elder there meant someone among the ten highest authorities in that forest.

Someone of that rank left the forest and came to a human city—one they despised.

And came specifically to meet me.

Why?

“Did he not say why he came?”

Unable to grasp the reason at all, I asked Hudson.

“He did mention the Rustle Forest. He said he wished to meet the true master of the Verdant who resides in the Rustle Forest.”

“If it’s the Rustle Forest, Rommel should be there.”

“Rommel is not the master of the Verdant.”

“…Hmm.”

I slowly stroked my chin.

That meant he knew *I* was the true master of the Verdant.

Which also meant they had already visited the Rustle Forest once.

“Their presence was overwhelming. Even Serengeti took a step back.”

“…Serengeti did?”

“Yes.”

That was surprising.

Serengeti’s combat power right now was overwhelming.

Having reached Level 12 and 1-Star, she had virtually no equal in the human realm.

And yet she stepped back.

But the city was still calm.

Meaning no actual violence had been used.

“Master. Are they enemies?”

It was then.

Wrapped in Andrew’s arms, Andasar turned to me and spoke.

…Hadn’t she been showing sorrowful eyes and expressions just moments ago?

Now she was colder than midwinter blizzards.

A complete switch of demeanor.

If it was an act, it was an incredible one.

An emotionless doll.
Master of the Tranquil Cradle—Ark Lich Andasar.

《Ark Lich ‘Andasar’ requests application of ‘Tranquil Cradle.’》

《Apply ‘Tranquil Cradle’ to ‘Knight’s Garden’?》

《If applied, Andasar will manifest the ‘Tranquil Cradle’ here.》

《‘Tranquil Cradle’ drains the life-force of those within, empowering Andasar. While inside it, Andasar can transform into an ‘Ancient Species.’》

She was suddenly expressing clear intent to fight.

The Tranquil Cradle—

It was Andasar’s unique domain skill.

Within it, she could transform into an Ancient Species and grow even stronger.

Serengeti, Isaac, Andasar, and myself.

Together—we could easily wipe out a small walled city.

With such power, we could respond to nearly any situation.

But I shook my head.

“They don’t seem to be enemies.”

They didn’t appear hostile.

If they were, the city wouldn’t be this quiet.

Serengeti had only stepped back—nothing more.

If the elves held hostility, Serengeti would never remain still.

This was her homeland, the place she had to protect…

After catching his breath, Hudson asked,

“What will you do?”

“I’ll meet them first.”

“H-heir… May I come with you as well?”

At that moment, Andrew abruptly cut in.

Hearing that elves had come—
perhaps because the thought crossed his mind that his wife might be with them—
Andrew’s eyes were trembling like trembling aspen leaves.

Of course, an elf wife who had left him long ago could not possibly be here.

“Come with us.”

Still, I could understand that longing in his heart, so I gave a light nod of approval.

*

*

“…Elder, is there truly a ‘Master of the Verdant’ here? Someone who even climbed the Tower with a dryad?”

Ten elves were waiting before the warp gate for the Master of the Verdant.

Auril asked the Elf Elder.

That was because, in Auril’s eyes, the humans here were utterly pathetic.

No—
it wasn’t just these humans.

Even Rommel of the Rustle Forest fell far short of Auril’s expectations.

“The Queen said so, didn’t she? That they must surely be extraordinary.”

When the Elf Elder replied with a gentle smile, Auril puffed out her cheeks.

“That’s exactly why I don’t understand. What’s so amazing about climbing the Rift Tower? I could have climbed it alone, you know?”

“That tower is not a place one can climb simply by being strong.”

“But why can’t we just do it ourselves? Why do we need filthy humans…?”

“Shh. Didn’t I tell you not to behave rudely?”

“Tch. But I simply can’t understand it. That human woman is at least somewhat usable, but the rest are all worthless.”

The reason the elves had come to a human city was simple.

The Elf Queen had given an order—

Make contact with those who climbed the Rift Tower.

Thus they first sought out Rommel of the Rustle Forest, and from there ended up here.

*We don’t need a human’s help at all.*

Even yielding a hundred steps, it still made no sense to her.

To climb the Tower relying on human assistance?

It meant forming a party with filthy, foul-smelling humans.
There was no reason whatsoever to endure that.

“W-whoa… are all elves women?”

“They’re beautiful…”

“Even more beautiful than the rumors.”

“I—I can’t even speak properly…”

Behold.

Humans staring at them with drool nearly dripping from their mouths.

The smell they gave off was so nauseating it made her nose curl.

Do humans simply not wash?

How was she supposed to associate with creatures like that?

They didn’t even bother hiding the desire filling their eyes, standing there blankly with their guards completely down.

*Disgusting!*

Auril frowned deeply.

If not for the Queen’s command, Auril—Warrior of the Laurel—would never have left the Primordial Forest.

She had been a little curious about the outside world, but if this was it…

Humans were even more terrible than she’d heard.

*Though not all of them are rotten.*

Just one.

Among these wretched humans, there was at least one who was… less wretched.

Serengeti, was it?

The daughter of this territory’s lord—
even Auril found that woman to be quite a capable fighter.

Unlike the other humans, she did not exude that disgusting odor,
and she seemed capable of restraining her desires.

However—

*Restraint is all it is. To an elf’s eyes, desire is visible.*

In the end, humans could not help but harbor vile desires.

And Auril could see Serengeti’s desires clearly.

She didn’t expose them blatantly like the others, but the desires within her were far larger than theirs.

Ten times larger.

Pink.

That was lust.

Quiet and composed on the outside, pretending to be disciplined,
yet harboring an enormous amount of lust.

*Disgusting.*

Auril clicked her tongue.

Were humans truly hopeless?

“Heir.”

“It’s the Heir!”

Just then—

Amid the commotion of the crowd, a human appeared.

Two men and one woman.

 

 

 

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