The Second Coming of Gluttony - Chapter 64

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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 64. Class Update

The battle that unfolded was utterly one-sided—overwhelming would be a fair description.
The Parasite unit that entered the gorge had two-thirds of its numbers killed or gravely wounded by the rockfall.
The rear contingent, caught not only in the nets but subjected to concentrated fire from ten directions at once, couldn’t mount any real resistance and was annihilated.
Originally, Seol Jihoo had considered it a success to lure half their forces. Yet in reality, nearly eighty percent had taken the bait—all because Medusa, bearing wounds she couldn’t ignore, had judged her own life in peril and ordered a full pursuit, holding back only the skeleton crew needed to claim the fortress.
Rage had clouded her judgment, certainly, but that her pursuit had succeeded was proof that Seol Jihoo’s feigned archery had worked. His slippery escape in the middle—the way he’d darted out like a loach to provoke her—had played its part too.
Thanks to that, not a single Roach remained, and the only insects left were the Bugs.
Teresa, seizing the opening, charged straight for the fortress in the vanguard. Isolated, Medusa suffered relentlessly under Dylan’s sniping and the archers’ ranged barrage, before finally falling to Ian’s magic.
The scattered Bugs, now that their hive-mother lay dead, became easy prey.
Thus the Battle of Aden Fortress ended in a resounding victory for the human forces.
A roar erupted—triumphant, primal.
The cheer echoed through the gorge.
Teresa, brandishing her great sword high in answer, forgot all dignity and shrieked with exultation.
When had she last tasted victory so cleanly? How long had she hungered for it? In that moment, she was no princess—merely a Paradisean, crying out in pure joy. Perhaps she overdid it slightly.
Unable to contain her fierce elation, Teresa sought out the Quest Leader with an eager face.
But for some reason, the instant Seol Jihoo’s eyes met hers, he flinched and, covering his mouth, hastily retreated.
Teresa squeaked in pursuit while Seol Jihoo stubbornly fled, eventually taking refuge behind Cho Hong—a sight that would draw laughter—but the fact remained unchanged: they had achieved victory without significant loss.
That day, Teresa delivered her report to the Haramag Royal Family in only two sentences.
Parasite forces exterminated. Aden Fortress secured.
Support contingent: zero casualties.
It was a victory announcement heard after far too long.

Even after the battle ended, they couldn’t depart Aden Fortress immediately. Post-war operations demanded their attention.
Though the humans had won, their own losses were nil—but that was only from the perspective of the support force. The situation at Aden Fortress itself was dire.
The fortress, said to have been nearly complete, stood half-ruined. Fewer than two hundred soldiers from the permanent garrison had survived. It was near-total annihilation.
While priests scurried about their work, Teresa submitted requests via communication for supplies: engineers and building materials to reconstruct the fortress, wagons to evacuate the wounded, relief provisions, medicine, and more.
Seol Jihoo didn’t idle either. He helped dispose of Parasite corpses and assisted in preparing fortress repairs.
He maintained watch, and occasionally accompanied Dylan on reconnaissance missions. There was little chance, but the possibility of further Parasite aggression had to be accounted for.
With all the preparations taking time, the requested supplies didn’t arrive until eight days had passed. Only then did the Earthians prepare to return to Haramag.
Just before departure, Seol Jihoo activated the Nine Eyes and surveyed the fortress once more. Aden Fortress still gleamed with that distinctive golden radiance.
‘I’ll repay this debt.’
With a faint smile, he was about to board the carriage with the Carpe Diem Team when his steps faltered.
From the lead carriage, someone extended a hand through the open door, waving it back and forth—a gesture to come here.
A woman leaned her head out with a smile. It was Teresa.

On the road back to Haramag.
Once they emerged from the gorge, the path became relatively flat.
The princess’s carriage held nothing particularly special—except that Ian was riding inside.
“I feel nothing but remorse toward you.”
“No, it’s quite all right.”
Ian spoke with a tone of embarrassment, and Seol Jihoo waved his hand dismissively.
“Even so, the fact that I proposed first and then withdrew—it doesn’t sit well with me.”
Ian, after deliberation, had decided to continue his work as royal mage a while longer. There were several reasons, but the Royal House taking a step back had been the decisive one. Teresa had been asking persistently too.
Besides, with the Royal Family’s full backing, climbing the hierarchy of mages would be considerably easier. Once back in Haramag, he would renegotiate his contract.
“It wasn’t finalized, and I didn’t commit to anything either. There’s no need to concern yourself.”
“That eases my mind considerably.”
Ian stroked his beard and offered a warm smile.
“Give me a little time. There’s a substantial difference between a high-ranking mage and one who isn’t.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I managed to extract a concession from the Royal House. They won’t interfere in my external activities from now on—expeditions, explorations, that sort of thing.”
Ian’s eyes glinted mischievously.
“I couldn’t abandon the loyalty and affection I’ve built over the years, so this is how it’s turned out, but my sincerity about wanting to work alongside you was genuine. I learned so much from this exped—ahem. This quest. This battle.”
“You’re quite the comedian, aren’t you?”
Teresa turned to look at him, her expression one of disbelief.
“Loyalty? Affection? No. You’re accepting because they raised your research funding and let you roam about.”
“Ah, caught red-handed.”
Ian, who had been laughing like a sage, suddenly wore a mischievous expression. Teresa, shaking her head, glanced at Seol Jihoo—then realized she’d misspoken.
“I’m sorry. It sounds like the two of you were about to hit it off.”
I felt a genuine pang of regret. There was so much I didn’t know yet, and it would have been reassuring to have an experienced, seasoned mage at my side.
But it wasn’t a settled matter, and I was in no position to press the issue. I decided to be content with having made an acquaintance’s introduction.
“Not at all. It sounds as though you’re quite an important figure to the Royal House.”
“That’s part of it, but mostly it’s for my own dream.”
“Your dream?”
“Yes.”
Teresa’s eyes gleamed.
“Aden Fortress is merely the first step toward achieving it.”
“May I ask what dream that is?”
“It’s not complicated. It’s simple. Aden Gorge is an expansive mountain range, but it’s also a borderland touching Parasite territory—and it’s the shortest passage through to Haramag.”
This much I already knew.
“So I plan to fortify the entirety of Aden Gorge. Enough so that the Parasite Queen herself would abandon the thought of attacking.”
I tilted my head, puzzled.
‘There’s something I almost remember…’
Even though it was a dream from quite some time ago, the fact that I still recalled it, however faintly, suggested there must have been an event traumatic enough to leave its mark.
‘Aden Gorge… Haramag…’
“To fortify not just part of it, but the whole thing. It sounds rather like you’re asking us to work ourselves to the bone.”
While I was lost in thought, Ian muttered under his breath.
“The Royal House always repays fairly.”
“Fair payment is all well and good, but sometimes I’d like to hear a word of spirited encouragement from the Princess herself.”
“That’s hardly difficult. But then you’ll ask me to say something like, ‘That’s it! Kill them all! Me? I’ll never surrender to the likes of this!’ And that hardly counts as encouragement.”
“That would be more than enough for me.”
“I’d rather not. For some reason, it always feels strange when I do it.”
At Teresa’s refusal, Ian clicked his tongue in disappointment.
I chuckled inwardly while studying her with curious eyes. Things had worked out well enough, but I still hadn’t satisfied my personal curiosity.
Why had I felt such an intense pull toward this woman standing before me? No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t make sense of it.
‘Wait.’
On a whim, I activated the Nine Eyes. She was still colorless. But I wasn’t looking for color.
‘Wasn’t green supposed to be ordinary observation?’

[Teresa Hatse’s Status Window]
[1. Information]
Summoned Date · Month · Day: –
Mark Rank: –
Gender · Age: Female · 24
Height · Weight: 168.5cm · 54.6kg
Condition: Good
Class: LV.5 Princess Knight
Nationality: Haramag
Organization: Haramag Royal Family
Alias: Princess of Haramag

[2. Traits]
①Nature
Spirited (resolute and methodical in heart and action), Responsible (holding one’s duties and obligations dear), Audacious (bold-spirited, unbothered by trivial matters)
②Aptitude
Wisdom (talent for sound judgment and effective action), Resourcefulness (the ability to find a path forward, cutting through difficulty in any desperate situation)

[3. Physical Stats]
Strength: Mid-High +1
Endurance: Mid-Low
Agility: Mid-High
Stamina: Mid
Mana: Mid +1
Luck: Low-High
Remaining Stat Points: 0

[4. Abilities]
①Innate Ability (1)
②Job Class Abilities (6)
③Other Abilities (4)

[5. Consciousness Level]
Meticulous / Curious / Melancholic

It had been ages since Seol Jihoo last glimpsed another person’s Status Window. The fact that Paradiseans’ windows appeared too struck him as remarkable.
But perhaps he’d been staring too intently. He’d barely read a few lines before Teresa spun around. She’d felt his gaze.
The moment their eyes met, Seol Jihoo startled and quickly looked away, pretending ignorance.
‘Did she catch me?’
He fretted inwardly like a child caught red-handed.
“Um, excuse me.”
He pretended not to hear.
“Excuse me~?”
When he didn’t respond, Teresa simply rose from her seat and sat beside the young man. Still getting no reaction, she scooted closer until their hips nearly touched. Seol Jihoo flinched and glanced over. She smiled brightly.
“You know, can I ask you just one thing I’m curious about?”
“Hmm?”
“When we first met. Why were you staring at me so intently? You’re doing it again now.”
Here it comes, Seol Jihoo thought, schooling his expression before speaking.
“If I’ve made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
“Oh, no? Not really. It doesn’t bother me.”
Teresa raised both hands.
“Honestly, even I have to admit I’m rather pretty.”
She shrugged as she spoke, Teresa Hasse’s confidence on full display.
“So was it because you found me beautiful that you stared like that?”
Caught off guard by her boldness, Seol Jihoo finally managed to open his mouth.
“Ah… it’s your eye color and hair color. They’re beautiful. Pink is quite rare on my world, you see.”
He laughed awkwardly, meanwhile trying to subtly increase the distance between them. He also wasn’t eager to let his guard down too easily.
“Is that so? I’m not sure about that myself.”
“Well, perhaps so.”
“Yes. I grew up seeing it from childhood, so it doesn’t really impress me.”
During the conversation, Seol Jihoo edged away gradually. Noticing this, Teresa caught sight of his hand covering his mouth, and—
“…Ah.”
She let out a soft gasp.
“Hmm~.”
An odd hum escaped her lips, and her expression took on a distinct glint of mischief.
“Isn’t that right?”
Her subtle smile reminded one of a carnivore stalking herbivores.
“Pink eyes since birth, pink hair too.”
She glanced down at her own body for a moment, then—
“And…”
—grinned and leaned her face close to Seol Jihoo’s ear. And whispered:
“Other places are pink as well.”
Teresa gave a playful wink.
Seol Jihoo coughed violently.

They arrived in Haramag on the morning of the third day after leaving Aden Fortress.
Time aside, having traveled so far and weathered so many trials, Seol Jihoo felt an unexpected warmth at returning to the city.
Teresa and Ian were busy. She offered thanks and asked him to expect a reward as she extended her hand for a handshake, while Ian left a parting remark pregnant with meaning—that they’d meet again soon.
After bidding them farewell, Seol Jihoo stepped down from the carriage and gathered his thoughts. He needed to collect his reward, visit the temple, and decide what to do with his share of the distributed goods. It seemed he’d be occupied for some time.
‘But…’
In the end, nothing had truly changed.
Ian had decided to keep his position as the Royal House’s court mage. Once the rewards and distributions were settled, he’d have to part ways with the Carpe Diem Team. Though they’d shared experiences, it would be difficult to maintain the kind of contact they’d just enjoyed once they went their separate ways.
‘If I could just level up…’
At Level 2, even if a true expedition remained out of reach, couldn’t he at least participate in exploration?
‘If all else fails, I can always work as a porter again.’
“Hey.”
Just as Seol Jihoo was running through his thoughts, a familiar voice reached his ears. Dylan, Cho Hong, and Hugo—all three were waiting at the city gate.
“Sorry. Have you been waiting long?”
“…No.”
Cho Hong glanced away, slipping her gaze to the side. What was going on? Hugo grinned widely, while Dylan stood watching with his arms crossed.
Cho Hong let out a soft cough and opened her mouth hesitantly.
“So what are you going to do now?”
“What do you mean?”
At his unruffled reply, Cho Hong scratched her head vigorously. Unable to find the right words, her lips worked without stopping.
“Ah, damn it. What I’m trying to say is—”
“Yeah?”
“…Will you join us?”
It was a terribly roundabout way of asking. Seeing Seol Jihoo’s expression, Hugo burst into laughter, while Cho Hong snapped, “Why did you make me ask him!” in exasperation.
Once the commotion died down, Dylan spoke up.
“Seol. Are you planning to stay in Haramag?”
“Yes.”
Dylan had suggested he leave Haramag, but he wasn’t ready for that yet. Regardless of right or wrong, he wanted to spend a little more time in this city.
“I see. Well then, that settles it.”
Dylan uncrossed his arms and placed one hand atop Cho Hong’s head and the other atop Hugo’s.
“Look. I’m the leader of Carpe Diem Team, but I can’t control these two idiots on my own.”
Seol Jihoo was about to nod when he caught sight of Cho Hong’s sharp glare and stopped short.
“So here’s what I’m thinking—would you be willing to help us out?”
Seol Jihoo blinked.
“In exchange, I’ll let you use our training facility for free. It’s got decent equipment.”
Understanding at last, his mouth opened slightly.
“Dylan.”
Dylan bared his teeth in a grin.
“How about we sort out the details over food, drink, and a good time?”
Seol Jihoo smiled broadly.
“Sounds good.”

(To be continued in the next part)

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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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