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Chapter 722: The Price of a Beating (4)
‘Evil’ seemed to greatly enjoy Yeongwoo’s method of rebellion against his superior, while on the contrary, ‘Good’ appeared to think this wasn’t even worthy of being called an achievement.
Then what about the opinion of the Harmonizer, who seemed to occupy the role of some kind of gray zone?
“So that’s why there are three evaluators… Don’t tell me each of you gives a judgment based on your own disposition?”
At this, Eroom Salzeo nodded.
-So you finally figured it out. Whether your achievement is acknowledged, and the magnitude of that achievement, depends on the judgment of the evaluators.
“No, hold on. You guys were the ones who saw some flame or whatever and came running over in shock, so what more is there to judge?”
-That’s because… it was a flame.
“…Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
At Yeongwoo’s question, Eroom turned his eyes toward the blue subspace beyond the ceiling.
-I heard there is an enormous brazier in the space where the Messengers reside. Whenever an achievement beyond dispute is accomplished, flames ignite within that brazier.
“Ah.”
In that sense, something like Lemu glimpsing unexpectedness would likely qualify.
“Then what about me? If the evaluators mostly give high scores, can I ignite the brazier with this too?”
At this, Eroom laughed as though the notion were absurd.
-You dream big. Achievements great enough to ignite the brazier are generally only possible for Great Ones. Strictly speaking, you could say the flames ignite at the very moment someone becomes great.
“Still, someone like me is pretty great already, isn’t he? I’m the lord of a planetary vessel, and regardless of the process, I’m someone who succeeded in defeating a Level 4 existence when it should’ve been impossible.”
-It is surprising and impressive. But is it great?
“What……?”
-To be great means this. It is something that any being existing in the universe cannot help but acknowledge. That is why Good and Evil, representatives of the countless value systems scattered throughout the universe, are present here.
Meanwhile, the duel scene being reenacted in blue holograms was gradually nearing its conclusion.
As the Mutants were being cut down by Eroom’s sword, Yeongwoo had switched Gambler into an overloaded state.
And then, immediately after.
Slash!
Together with the dark crimson trajectory slashed diagonally through the air, Eroom Salzeo’s torso separated into two pieces.
-…Seeing it like this feels rather strange.
Looking at his own body embedded in the ground, Eroom wore a conflicted expression.
And around then, the blue manifestations of Yeongwoo and Eroom disappeared, naturally drawing the evaluators’ gazes toward the real Eroom Salzeo lying sprawled across the floor.
≡ Impressive indeed.
While ‘Evil’ let out a savage grin, ‘Good’ was carefully examining the conditions of both Yeongwoo and Eroom with an exceptionally cautious attitude.
≡ Yes. It is certainly astonishing. But in my eyes, there is not even a handful of greatness within it.
At once, ‘Evil’ refuted him.
≡ Even if it was a sickened dragon, he still stood before it head-on and plunged a blade between its brows. How can you say that isn’t greatness?
≡ A Great One does not bother hunting a sickened dragon.
≡ That’s only because they’ve already become great afterward, isn’t it? This brat is nothing but a mere grunt, you idiotic fool.
In the end, ‘Evil,’ having lost his composure, hurled curses toward ‘Good.’
Even so, ‘Good’ did not easily bend his stance.
≡ I agree that it was bold. However, I cannot regard this as a great battle.
To gain ‘Good’s’ approval, even the process of the duel itself had to be considerably honorable.
Sensing that the opinions would never converge, the Harmonizer raised a hand and pointed into the air.
≡ I believe we have spoken enough. Let us first gather our intentions. Was this duel something close to an achievement?
A matter that could be answered simply with yes or no.
And indeed, the moment the Harmonizer asked that question, circular rings appeared above each Messenger’s head.
Soon after, ‘Evil’ spoke first.
≡ Was this not, for all intents and purposes, a challenge against the impossible? Regardless of the outcome, merely challenging a superior existence is close to greatness itself. Yet this man even claimed the result as his own. This is undoubtedly an achievement!
Along with those words, ‘Evil’ clenched his fist tightly, causing the circular ring floating above his head to fill with blue light.
That was likely the sign of agreement.
But ‘Good’ was already shaking his head.
≡ Impossible? From the very beginning, this man knew he could win. Even so, I do not dispute that it was a daring challenge, but to call it an achievement falls far short of even brushing against its toes. I shall instead call it an exceedingly cunning challenge.
A cunning challenge.
As ‘Good’ declared this and waved his hand, the ring floating above his head turned to dust and vanished.
A dissenting opinion.
At that, ‘Evil’ made a gesture as though he were about to chop at ‘Good’s’ neck with the edge of his hand while shouting furiously.
≡ You pale sewer-rat bastard, cunningness is also part of greatness. Do you still not understand that?
≡ Part of greatness? Would that not be wisdom rather than cunningness?
≡ One must first be wise before one can even become cunning.
As Good and Evil argued noisily, the Harmonizer, who had been quietly listening, lightly raised a hand to stop them.
≡ I shall now present my opinion.
Since the votes had split evenly between both sides, the Harmonizer’s opinion would effectively determine the final result.
Thus, the two Messengers who had been fuming immediately turned their attention toward the Harmonizer, while Yeongwoo and Eroom also stared at the steel covering surrounding the Harmonizer’s head.
And soon, the Harmonizer spoke.
≡ There will likely be no disagreement that this was astonishing. Throughout the ages, there have been countless challenges against superior beings, yet opportunities to evaluate such challenges are rare. Most challengers are annihilated.
Then the Harmonizer briefly turned his gaze toward Yeongwoo.
≡ Therefore, this result is undeniably astonishing. I daresay the word ‘marvel’ may even be used here.
Yet he still had not used the expression “great.”
“……”
As Yeongwoo waited nervously for the next words, the Harmonizer soon waved a hand.
Fwaaatt.
At that moment, the situation from just before the omen of achievement—the ‘flame’—had erupted was reenacted once more.
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It was the sight of Eroom narrowly dodging Yeongwoo’s Bastard and unconsciously revealing a face twisted in terror.
≡ This moment, at least, seems to somewhat transcend mere marvel. Considering the statuses of these two beings.
≡ But……!
Immediately, ‘Good’ tried to object, and the Harmonizer nodded as though understanding his point.
≡ In the end, it was a moment brought about through cunningness. But if cunningness is not permitted, then who could ever become great? Only those born great?
At the Harmonizer’s words, ‘Good’ was left speechless.
In truth, there was almost no legitimate method of defeating a superior existence in direct combat.
Unless one was an Artari born with overwhelming power from birth, or fought while backed by endless myths through the support of great families, overcoming the difference in rank was nearly impossible.
≡ Of course, this was by no means a great duel. However, it could at least be said to stand at the threshold leading toward greatness.
To begin with, the question posed in this vote had been, “Was this duel something close to an achievement?” had it not?
Soon, the Harmonizer slowly clenched his fist, and the ring floating above his head began to dye itself blue.
≡ In truth, rather than cunning, I would prefer to call him shrewd. I shall place this man at the threshold leading toward greatness.
The instant the Harmonizer’s ring was completely dyed blue, a massive brazier descended from the blue subspace that contained the Tombstone Vessel.
Fwaaaaash, KWA-BOOOOM!
“W-What the hell is that? Don’t tell me that’s the brazier?”
Startled by the utterly unexpected object, Yeongwoo exclaimed in shock, and Eroom tightly shut his eyes as he spoke.
-The old brazier.
“The old brazier?”
-A brazier no longer in use. Since the evaluators acknowledge the feat you accomplished, they will scatter the ashes contained within it upon you.
“……?”
Just hearing those words made it difficult to understand what sort of procedure this was.
So instead of asking further, Yeongwoo looked toward the Messengers of Achievement, only to see ‘Good’ approach the brazier first.
≡ To think such precious ashes must be used in a place like this.
Then he reached into the brazier, grabbed a handful of ashes, and promptly spread a few fingers to remove part of it.
“No, this bastard.”
Yeongwoo unconsciously cursed aloud, causing ‘Good’ to stare at him before tossing the small amount of ashes in his hand.
Fwaaaash!
The Ashes of Achievement scattered through the air, enveloping Yeongwoo like mist.
Watching this intently, ‘Evil’ immediately ran toward the brazier and scooped up ashes with both hands.
Grab!
≡ That insane bastard.
In the end, even ‘Good’ spat out rough words.
Meanwhile, ‘Evil,’ completely unconcerned with his companion’s reaction, swung both arms toward Yeongwoo and showered him with piles of ashes.
FWAAAAAAASH!
≡ I merely balanced things out.
‘Evil’ cackled as he even flung the remaining ash dust in his hands toward Yeongwoo.
Then he spoke in a chilling voice.
≡ Someday, become a Great One and come sever that bastard’s head.
Naturally, the bastard ‘Evil’ referred to was ‘Good.’
In response, instead of answering, Yeongwoo looked toward the Harmonizer.
Truthfully, that fellow’s evaluation seemed to be the most proper one.
And at last, the Harmonizer calmly stood before the brazier.
Thunk.
≡ A difficult decision.
Resting a hand upon the edge of the brazier, the Harmonizer pondered briefly.
Then, as though having reached a conclusion, he deeply plunged one hand into the pile of ashes within the brazier.
Fwaat.
Afterward, he lifted up a handful of ashes and looked toward Yeongwoo.
≡ There are many ways to become great. If this may be considered your first attempt, then you achieved quite an excellent result. Furthermore, was it not the case that you never sought Salzeo’s life to begin with? Though cunning, it was not a scheme that greatly lacked dignity.
Then the Harmonizer scattered a handful of ashes upon Yeongwoo.
Fwaat!
≡ This is why I judge you to be shrewd. Stand at the threshold leading toward greatness. Jeong Yeongwoo, master of the Free Celestial Body.
The instant the Harmonizer finished speaking, the ashes surrounding Yeongwoo began to shine brightly, and soon afterward, the particles gathered together to form a stone tablet the size of a palm.
“…Huh?”
It was also at that moment that a message from the Achievement System appeared within Yeongwoo’s vision.
[You have acquired a Fragment of Achievement.]
[Your nameplate has been newly placed at the very top of the Fifth Phase.]
The Fifth Phase.
It likely referred to existence ranks.
A Level 5 existence.
Then transcendent characters appeared in the air.
「Those who seek achievements shall behold your name. Upon the first line of the Fifth Register, at the very top of the ash-gray nameplate.」
「Therefore, let all come to understand the meaning of your name. The path of greatness is vast, and only the most radiant are permitted to reach its end.」
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