Dark Fantasy Guide for the Summoner - Chapter 47

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 47.
Regrouping II
One eye half-exposed rolled back and forth.
There was a sense of deliberation—what to do, what to do—and it seemed like if I stayed silent any longer, the price might drop even further. But.
There was something I needed to confirm first.
“Would a trial session be possible?”
“A trial session? What do you mean?”
“I mean an opportunity to experience firsthand how well your training methods suit me, before committing.”
In modern terms, it would be like a one-day trial pass.
“Hmm.”
Carmellin stroked her chin with evident interest.
“So you don’t trust Carmellin’s abilities, is that it? How presumptuous of you, whelp.”
Honestly, that’s part of it, I’ll admit.
Of course, anyone who’s earned the title of Master must have a certain baseline of skill, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to a gift for teaching.
“Very well. I’ll show you the true way of the Extreme Way of the Scythe. Do you have a weapon?”
“No.”
“I’ll lend you one.”
In a single fluid motion, Carmellin dissolved into shadow, returning moments later with a scythe in hand.
“Catch.”
I barely caught the blade as it spun through the air with a shrill whistle.
Damn it all—who throws an edged weapon like that?
My heart dropped to my stomach.
“…!”
The instant I felt a sinister presence crawling up from beneath my chin, I kicked off the ground and threw myself backward.
Slash.
A glinting blade flashed through the darkness.
If I’d stood still, my jaw would’ve been split open—well, probably not actually killed, but close enough.
‘This is a sparring match?’
I’m used to the threat of death. It’s been my constant companion since I fell into this world.
But I’ve never felt it this vividly.
Not when I encountered Shadow, not when I got caught up in Wood Revenge, not even when I visited the restaurant of that cook Haitan.
[Carmellin’s killing intent bears down upon you.]
[Status abnormality: you fall into Fear.]
Hell. This against a beginner?
Cold sweat streamed down my entire body as Carmellin’s voice cut through the darkness.
“Everyone says the scythe is an unsuitable weapon form.”
“…”
“Well, honestly, it’s hard to deny.”
I didn’t expect her to actually agree.
Carmellin caught my expression and laughed.
“What, did you find it funny that even a so-called Side Master would accept it so readily?”
“A little.”
“Debate only happens when there’s no clear answer. But in functional matters, the solution is always precise. Take a ship—it maintains buoyancy while navigating the sea precisely because it’s designed that way. There’s no room for alternative opinions.”
“…”
“The scythe is the same. Fundamentally, it’s a tool for cutting. But the longer the handle, the more the striking force inevitably disperses when you swing it.”
That’s true enough.
The scythe’s inherently awkward shape only compounds the difficulty.
Now consider the spear, another polearm by comparison—its length concentrates killing force on the thrust, its form matching its function perfectly.
“So when wielding a scythe, what must you remember above all? If a single swing carries enough risk of death, what must we pursue? I’ve spent a long time thinking on this, and I’ve arrived at something I might call an answer. What do you think it is?”
This seemed like another test. I wracked my brain and answered.
“A single strike, certain death?”
“Mm.”
Carmellin made a satisfied snort, a smile crossing her face.
“You’ve got half of it.”
“And the other half…?”
“If I told you everything, where’s the fun in that?”
“…”
“We begin again. Prepare yourself.”
And once more, a vast darkness came crashing down upon me.
“…!”
It wasn’t a metaphor. It was literally happening.
Jet-black waves seemed to surge toward me, and with my naked eyes, I couldn’t see beyond them.
Was this a skill too?
‘If so……’
I abandoned sight and concentrated on sound.
The moment I poured all my attention into my ears, I heard a faint sound like air being torn from above.
I gritted my teeth and swung my scythe upward.
Clang!
Scythe met scythe. Even as my wrist ached, every hair on my body stood on end.
Of course, unless this woman was insane, she wouldn’t actually kill me here…….
People sometimes feel fear even when safety is one hundred percent guaranteed. How many could jump from several hundred meters in the air just because they were wearing a parachute?
“Good judgment. If you’d tried to block with the handle instead of the blade, you’d both be cut.”
Carmellin withdrew her killing intent. At once, the waves of darkness that had threatened to engulf everything evaporated like mist.
Now visible again, Carmellin descended the central staircase with graceful steps. There was something aristocratic about her bearing.
“So. The other half?”
“……”
Was she expecting me to continue this riddle?
I drew a slow breath.
‘One half is a killing blow. So the other half must be……’
My palms had grown clammy with cold sweat. I wiped them on my clothes as I answered.
“The resolve to die.”
“……”
Carmellin studied me. In that single exposed eye, I saw none of the lightness, frivolousness, or artifice I’d detected before.
Her head tilted slowly.
“What is it? Have you already risked your life before?”
“I’m a Delver, for one.”
“Is that so? If there were a Delver who used a scythe, I’d have heard of it.”
“I’ve only done one delving expedition so far.”
“A rookie then. Though you do seem to have weathered your share of chaos.”
“……”
“Come here. Sit.”
Where?
Before I could even ask, Carmellin lowered herself to the ground in a formal seiza position.
“……”
Moments ago she’d moved like an aristocrat, yet now she sat perfectly at ease on the bare, dusty floor. Impossible to read, this woman.
I had no choice but to mirror her posture across from her. Carmellin spoke.
“The resolve to die and the resolve to kill are concepts often confused on the battlefield. My way of fighting actively exploits that confusion.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who knows? The observation ends here. I can’t teach you more for free.”
“……”
“……What will you do?”
Having said that, Carmellin watched my expression carefully.
Honestly, I don’t understand why someone of her caliber would stake her life for a single student.
‘She must be top-tier class, surely.’
Naturally, there were skill differences even among Weapon Masters, and schools of practice too.
For instance, with swords being the most common weapon across guilds, there were several who earned the title of Sword Master. Of course, the gaps between them were vast.
‘Could she be Grand class?’
Only those Masters with overwhelming strength and proven achievements received the title of Grand…….
As far as I knew, this district had only seven Grand Masters, and none of them wielded a scythe.
‘In any case.’
There was probably no other Scythe Master in this entire district besides her.
Whether her skill was good or bad, I had no choice. And at this level of strength, that was actually fortunate.
“I’ll be in your care going forward.”
“You’ve made the right call.”
Carmellin nodded with a satisfied expression and spoke.
“So then, how would you like to arrange payment? I did mention 150,000 Seeds per lesson, but if you calculate ten sessions at once, there’s an additional discount……”
Carmellin launched into a rapid explanation.
* * *
The next day, I returned to Royal Capital District 5—the commercial district.
My purpose today was equally clear. To use the two Trait Stones I’d accumulated.
‘Trait Stones.’
Literally, stones that grant random traits to a character.
If someone asked me what the single most important factor is for growth within the Progression System, I would answer without hesitation.
‘First comes Traits, second comes Talents.’
Surprisingly, Traits take priority over Talents. You can cover for weak Talents with strong Traits, but not the other way around.
‘Of course, there’s always the risk of getting a Trait that cripples your character entirely.’
That risk is why I’ve held back until now, but I’m past the point of being cautious.
Besides, these are only 3rd and 4th Grade Trait Stones anyway. The longer I wait, the less value they have.
‘Though I won’t be using them myself.’
It wasn’t an easy call, but I won’t second-guess it. Right now, this feels like the closest thing to the right answer.
I still haven’t finalized my Summoner build. Naturally, I have no idea which Traits should take priority. Which is why―
“…Why do you ask?”
Better to use a build I already know works, one that’s been proven.
“Just wondered if you’d slept well.”
I gave that answer to my traveling companion, who’d tilted his head when he felt my gaze.
“Ha. Compared to life in the forest, the Royal Capital is paradise. Of course I slept well.”
“Good to hear.”
“…Well. Though.”
Kazen scratched the back of his head, looking a bit sheepish.
“Are you quite certain about this?”
“About what?”
“The Trait Stones you can obtain from the forest… I’ve heard they’re remarkable things. Some have become Sword Masters overnight, and others have gained beauty that rivals the fairies themselves…”
Becoming a Sword Master would be the Sword Master Trait, and that ethereal beauty would be the Peerless Beauty Trait.
Both have less than a 1% drop rate even from 1st Grade Trait Stones―they’re ultra-rare.
“Didn’t you hear the other stories? Arms that worked fine suddenly going limp, or someone waking up hideously disfigured?”
“A-ah, yes? I hadn’t… quite heard those parts.”
This is why you can’t trust rumors blindly. They’re extreme in both directions.
“…Do you think something like that could happen to me?”
“Only if you’re spectacularly unlucky. Why―getting nervous?”
“Well. An ugly face would be fine, but losing use of my arms would be…”
“Your face would be fine?”
“It’s not exactly handsome to begin with.”
I stared at Kazen in disbelief. I’d thought only Cria had that kind of self-deprecating streak, but this one’s got it too.
“If there’s real risk―would you back out now?”
“…”
Kazen’s expression clouded for just an instant at my question.
“…When I was being dragged around by the White Knight party back in the forest.”
“…”
“Cria went on many adventures with Kaindle, I hear.”
Adventures, sure.
If you call subjugating the Black Tree and running circles through the Underground World adventures.
“My younger brother―Cria has grown. I felt a resolve and confidence in him I’d never seen before. Ha. I thought those were words furthest from Cria’s nature, and yet…”
The moment Kazen looked at me, I could tell roughly what his answer would be. When this one’s made up his mind, he always wears that particular light in his eyes.
“Right now, I’m the only one left behind. I don’t want to stay like this anymore. I want to be of use to the forest exploration, to the party―however I can.”
A admirable sentiment.
And Kazen’s determination cut right to the heart of what the forest truly is.
A place where nothing can be gained without bearing risk.
That’s what the Eternal Forest is.
“Don’t worry too much. I don’t touch anything with less than a 30% success rate.”
Besides, this time the failure rate isn’t even 30%.
Maybe 3% at most? Unless you’re cursed with the worst luck imaginable, there’s nothing to fear.
“Yes…!”
Hearing Kazen’s spirited reply, I head toward the first destination―the Alchemist Guild, specifically the place I frequent called Cat’s Footsteps.
As we step inside the guild, Kazen lets out a whistle.
“So this is the Alchemist Guild.”
“First time?”
“Yes.”
Unexpected.
I’d thought someone with his handiwork would’ve stopped by a few times.
“Oh… Is that a distillation apparatus? What’s that hanging on the wall―it looks like a lizard’s tail.”
“I don’t know. Just keeping an eye on things for now. Try not to touch anything carelessly.”
“……Ahem. I’m not quite so young as all that.”
……But those drowsy eyes of his rather undermined the point.
I sighed to myself, and an alchemist approached.
“You look like an outsider. What brings you to our guild……?”
The atmosphere here was nothing like the Delver Guild or the Magic Tower. There was a receptionist of sorts, but their demeanor was far from welcoming.
That said, it wasn’t a place that outright rejected visitors either.
It was just how these people were wired. I got straight to the point.
“I’ve come to request a Stone Combination.”
Would they even understand phrasing it that way?
“Hmm. What sort of combination?”
Good—they seemed to grasp it well enough.
“I’d like to reduce the probability of a Negative Trait occurring, and increase the probability of a Specialist Trait blooming.”
“Dual Enchantment with Penalty Removal and Specialist Trait Granting, then.”
“……”
They’re just throwing around game terminology outright. I went out of my way to be coy about it so they wouldn’t catch on that I’m a Player.
“First, show me the stones.”
When I produced a 3rd Grade Trait Stone and a 4th Grade Trait Stone, the alchemist examined them and nodded.
“Penalty Removal requires lower-grade stones. Your materials are sufficient. So what Specialist Trait do you desire?”
“An Alchemist Trait.”
“Ah. Do you have the materials?”
“I’m planning to purchase them here.”
“I see.”
The alchemist folded his arms and appeared to calculate for a moment, then spoke.
“With combination cost, enchantment cost, and materials included…… that comes to 1.2 million Seeds.”
“…….”
My stomach churned again.
But there was no helping it.
If I’d used a 3rd Grade stone raw, who knew what ridiculous trait would end up attached.
‘Besides, if I’d distributed the expedition profits properly, I’d have given away far more than this.’
It’s all an investment, after all.
I paid with trembling hands and passed the stones over.
“It should take about two hours. You’re welcome to wait here, or if you have other business, you can come back.”
“Right.”
I took Kazen, who’d been wandering absently through the guild, to a nearby restaurant for lunch, and we returned. After waiting about another hour—
“Your commission is complete.”
I received the requested stone.
Trait Awakening Stone
Grade: 3rd Grade
Randomly awakens a Trait of C Grade or higher.
▶ Through special processing, the probability of awakening a Negative Trait has been drastically reduced.
▶ The probability of awakening an Alchemist-related Trait has been drastically increased.
I handed the 3rd Grade Trait Awakening Stone to Kazen.
“Don’t just sit on it and lose it. Use it right now.”
“……Kaindle, I’m truly grateful—”
“Enough. Just use it already.”
I cut him off at the root to prevent him from getting all sentimental on me.
Kazen’s eyes grew wet, and he nodded, cupping the Trait Stone in both hands.
‘Hoo…….’
I didn’t show it, but I was tense too.
There were three Traits I was aiming for: Engraving Art, Sage, and Puppeteer.
‘I’m not even hoping for Puppeteer, to be honest.’
Just please let it be either Engraving Art or Sage.
[Ally ‘Kazen’ uses 3rd Grade Trait Awakening Stone.]
[The Wheel of Fate spins…….]
[Roll result: 20]
⁝
[Ally ‘Kazen’ gains Trait: Mechanical Heart.]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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