I Became a Disaster-Class Newbie by Stealing Abilities - Chapter 46

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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 46. The Imperial Ball (2)
Edward Felix.
A merchant lord I’d met when I first entered the Labyrinth to bring Baek Seol-gi to heel.
‘I never expected to run into him here.’
I’d assumed he’d returned to Europe long ago, yet here he still was, lingering in Korea.
“It’s been ages. I’m grateful for your kindness back then.”
“On the contrary, it was a pleasure to meet a discerning youngster after so long. You may not realize it, but the item you chose was far from ordinary.”
I knew.
That dagger had been a ceremonial relic once wielded by the Emperor himself.
“The blade did prove useful, I must say.”
“I’m glad it served you well. Still, where is that sword now? It holds rather sentimental value, and I’ve been meaning to ask for its return.”
Ah, there was something I needed to tell him about that.
“I lost it in the Labyrinth. There were so many vicious creatures that I had no chance to keep track of it.”
“What?”
Felix’s face hardened in an instant.
Hmm. So the old man could make that expression too.
It seemed that even the wealthy felt the sting of losing something precious.
Still, I didn’t mention that it was currently affixed to Baek Seol-gi’s head in the shape of horns.
It seemed better to let him believe it was truly lost.
“This is unthinkable… such a precious thing….”
His expression was as if he’d lost an entire nation.
I found myself feeling a twinge of guilt.
“Please don’t worry. Didn’t I promise to repay you threefold? Even if I say so myself, I have some means—I’ll procure something even better for you.”
“That dagger isn’t something money alone can replace… Ah, never mind. I came here because there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
Felix’s expression darkened as he broached the real subject.
“Boy. Do you realize how precarious a thin ice this ball is?”
“I confess, it looks like nothing but a festive gathering to me. Perhaps you could enlighten this fool.”
“Tsk tsk. Think carefully. Didn’t Meltian mention it? That guests from the Murim would be attending?”
Yes, he’d said exactly that.
I had no intention of simply repeating what someone of Felix’s stature had already stated.
But his use of the phrase “thin ice” specifically… surely not.
“You mean they’ve come with hostile intent?”
“Precisely. One of the guests is Namgung Su-ho.”
Namgung Su-ho….
A rising master who became the head of the Namgung Clan at the age of twenty-eight.
Technically, his father, the previous clan head, was killed in a battle against the Empire a year ago, and he inherited the position.
Now I understood why Felix had used the phrase “thin ice.”
This was practically a powder keg.
“Doesn’t Meltian already know this fact?”
“Of course he does. The only question is whether the Imperial court approved their entry regardless.”
What in the world….
My head throbbed.
There was only one scenario in which all of this made sense.
“They’re hoping for chaos to erupt.”
“Ho. So you’re not completely dull.”
The Empire needed a pretext for war.
If Namgung Su-ho were to rampage at the ball, there could be no better justification.
Bloodshed was inevitable.
And it would be fierce.
‘At the very least, the Namgung Clan’s main force is already a certainty.’
Masters at the peak grade who wielded Sword Mastery were the equals of knights.
If a super peak grade guard arrived, matters would become extraordinarily complicated.
“So I propose this: enter into a contract to accept my merchant house’s patronage. In return, whatever the Murim attempts, I will ensure your safety.”
“So that was your true purpose.”
“A merchant must have the eye to buy low and sell high. I simply wish to acquire you while your value is at its nadir.”
His words flowed smoothly enough.
But I knew the truth.
Felix was testing me by other means.
He would never have offered such terms to a third-rate talent.
A second-rate who accepted his offer would be discarded once his usefulness expired.
And to be remembered as first-rate….
One must always forge new paths.
“I must decline your patronage.”
This was the right answer.
“Heh. That’s not the answer I expected to hear…. Perhaps you think I was lying? Or is it that this old man doesn’t impress you enough?”
“I mean no disrespect. I simply wish to hear what my friends in Murim have to say before I decide. Besides, if I were to work alongside you, wouldn’t I have to split the credit and spoils as well?”
Given Edward Felix’s nature, he would want someone who carved his own path rather than relied on another’s help.
He would want to see a man who refused to surrender his fate to others, even recognizing how dire the situation had become.
Because that was the road Edward Felix himself had always walked.
And there was one more reason he had to do this alone.
If Namgung Su-ho was here….
‘Then he’s very likely to be in this place as well.’
The third Disaster Candidate.
Originally, he’d thought he could only meet him by going to Murim, but an unexpected opportunity might present itself right now.
“Kha ha ha! You got me again, boy. Every time I see you, you remind me of the old days.”
Edward Felix burst into a laugh so hearty the mansion seemed to shake.
“Fine, do as you wish. I won’t press the matter further.”
With that, the conversation ended.
A moment later, once Edward Felix had moved completely away from the host, he spoke again.
“Which of the Royal Guard came to Korea?”
“Erita, sir.”
An answer came from empty air where no one stood.
It was an escort using Concealment.
“Summon her at once. Something feels off about this ball. I need to know what’s hidden here. And while we’re at it, assess that boy’s true abilities.”
“Are you certain? If word spreads that we’ve interfered in the ball, Count Meltian won’t take it lying down.”
After all, this was a ball hosted by the governor of a colony.
He wouldn’t simply tolerate interference.
“If Count Meltian acts that way….”
Edward Felix’s expression slowly shifted.
The kindly manner vanished without trace.
Only eyes cold as ice remained.
“I’ll erase his entire house.”
Though the Empire officially recognized only three dukes, there was in fact a fourth title of duke that existed in the shadows.
The fourth Shadow Duke who conspired behind the imperial throne.
* * *
About an hour later.
Tap.
Strange guests arrived at the ball, which had been proceeding in warm spirits.
The atmosphere shifted sharply.
The smiles vanished at the arrival of the Empire’s enemy.
Voices fell silent.
Only the music formally playing on echoed through the hall.
Black hair and a face sharp as a blade.
It was Namgung Su-ho, the patriarch of the Namgung Clan, and the guard warriors who followed him.
Whoosh.
Click.
The knights placed their hands on their swords.
They were ready to respond at any moment to the hair-trigger situation.
In that suffocating silence,
Meltian and Namgung Su-ho regarded each other.
“Welcome. I am Meltian, Count of Korea, and I sincerely greet the emissaries from Murim on behalf of the Empire.”
“I am grateful for your welcome. I am Namgung Su-ho of the Namgung Clan.”
Anyone would have expected him to lose his composure and charge forward immediately.
But Namgung Su-ho remained surprisingly composed.
He hid his emotions and offered his respect through a martial salute.
Though some words were exchanged, nothing serious arose.
The situation ended when they left for their lodgings, claiming they wished to rest from their journey.
‘Even watching that made me tense.’
The host himself exhaled the breath he’d been holding.
Had swords been drawn here, he could not have helped but be dragged into it.
Among the escorts brought along were several elder masters of the Namgung Clan. Some were figures the sovereign himself knew quite well.
But there was something odd about it….
‘The numbers are too few.’
He wasn’t about to claim quality over quantity, but to wage a revenge battle in the heart of enemy territory, you needed at minimum a certain headcount.
By that measure, the Namgung Clan’s honor guard was woefully inadequate.
Barely more than twenty.
Even including retainers, the force fell short of fifty.
Either he possessed absolute confidence in his own ability.
Or else….
Revenge wasn’t the purpose to begin with.
It had to be one or the other.
The saving grace was that a Disaster Candidate was included in that party.
The sovereign’s eyes narrowed.
Yes, finally seeing one in person.
If he could bring in this one after Baek Seol-gi and Amy, dungeons of considerable difficulty would be well within his reach to conquer.
He must make this creature his slave—no, his ally this time, by any means necessary.
“Seol-gi.”
“Yes.”
“I need your help. This may turn into quite a fierce battle.”
“That Your Majesty would require aid from one so humble as myself…. It is an honor beyond measure.”
Baek Seol-gi’s pupils trembled violently.
And she cast a sidelong glance toward Amy.
As if to emphasize that only she among the two had been chosen.
A victor’s smile played at the corner of her mouth for good measure.
“Your M-Majesty. What about me? I’m quite good at intense combat too.”
“Amy, I’d like you to wait here.”
“Y-yes….”
Amy lowered her head, her expression visibly deflating.
‘Strange.’
Going would only mean hardship, so wouldn’t it be better to stay here, eat, drink, and enjoy the festivities?
Their reactions made no sense to him whatsoever.
Whoosh.
The sovereign and Baek Seol-gi immediately crossed the garden.
The Namgung Clan was lodged in the East Annex of the mansion.
Having met with Count Meltian just after, if they hurried they should be able to intercept them there.
How far did they run?
In the distance, the Namgung Clan’s party came into view.
By taking a side path, they’d actually arrived well ahead of them.
‘Natural staging isn’t exactly my strong suit….’
Running up and deliberately tripping wasn’t going to cut it.
It’s a cliché where the heroine and hero meet, certainly.
But without switching gender and adding some five hundred points to the beauty stat, there was no way.
So then….
Shriing.
The sovereign drew his sword.
“Keep pace with my rhythm from here on.”
“You mean a match?”
“Yes. I’ll make it as realistic as possible.”
What mattered here was capturing Namgung Su-ho’s attention.
A half-hearted effort would earn him nothing but passing interest.
So then.
[Binghua Wujisword activates!]
Time to shift into serious mode for the first time in a while.
Baek Seol-gi likewise drew a massive greatsword wreathed in dark aura.
Slash.
A blade obtained from Varcan.
“Seol-gi….”
“Yes?”
“Isn’t that a bit too realistic?”
Using a superior demon’s unique weapon—equipped with Armor Penetration, Hemorrhage, and Double-Slash effects—as a training blade was asking for trouble.
How long has it been since I gave you that gift, and you’re already having second thoughts about it?
“To even approach Your Majesty’s feet, I need at least this much strength.”
Hmm, something feels off about this.
I should have brought Amy along instead.
Clang!
The two blades collided, scattering snowflakes pure as fresh frost.
Immediately, brilliant techniques intertwined and wove together.
To any third party watching, they would look like nothing but fatal strikes aimed at each other’s throat.
The way they were peeling away at each other’s skin was that precarious.
“Patriarch. Look there. A man and woman are performing a sword dance.”
“Ice Realm Sword? That’s practically a lost technique outside the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“And the masters wielding it are formidable. The white-haired girl especially… she appears to be a master even I would struggle to match.”
The Murim world had taken notice.
With Murim swordplay unfolding in a distant land, curiosity was inevitable.
Somewhere along the way, the thought of rest had vanished.
They found themselves drawn deep into the sword dance between the ruler and Baek Seol-gi.
* * *
‘Why are you watching me so intently?’
Baek Seol-gi continued to tilt her head in confusion.
Even for an act, this was too much.
‘Does this mean I still have a long way to go?’
She had claimed the ice flame of Niflheim in her hand.
She had earned the recognition of the Witch of Bitter Cold.
She had grown incomparably stronger than before.
Yet to receive such treatment still—
The desire to be recognized burned ever brighter in her mind.
‘I won’t remain some foolish consort. I will become Your Majesty’s true companion.’
Baek Seol-gi’s eyes gleamed with madness.
To find the strongest mate and produce the most superior offspring.
It was the sacred duty and instinct given to the White Nobility.
Her crimson lips parted slowly.
“It seems Your Majesty has no intention of showing me your full strength.”
What is she talking about?
I’m already drawing on every ounce of power I have—past, present, and future reserves all at once.
“Even as a girl, I will fight with everything I have. I earnestly pray that my resolve reaches you.”
It reached.
It reached all the way to the bone—no, to the very heart!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A relentless bitter cold froze every blade of grass in the Garden.
At the same moment.
The temperature across all of Yeouido dropped nearly by a full degree.
[The Binghua Wujisword ultimate technique “Snowfield Shrine” is being deployed!]
Ice pillars surged up along the ground.
Thousands of fractured shards connected, forming a colossal shrine.
Damn it. Please. Stop this!

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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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