SSS-Class Revival Hunter-Chapter 180: My Children Are Different Now (1)

What the hell? The Hunters and I all marveled at the Countess’ stinginess.

“Oh, it didn’t even out, so I have one point left. I’ll give this to Swordy. He’s number one among you, right? At least I should take care of you, that makes me feel good. Here you go! Smile!”

“T-thank you,” the Sword Star stammered a reply.

“No problem!”

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In the end, the Countess’ elimination left us to reflect on her absurdity, the importance of every single species point, and the stingy elves who were obsessed with money.

What the hell? Why did my colleagues tend to cause problems in these species’ world every time they were eliminated? I was terrified that our Tower’s name would change from Ascension City to Asshole City by the time we cleared the fortieth floor.

“Now, I’ll send you to the thirty-fourth floor. Does anyone want to buy an item before leaving? Come on, be quick.”

I glanced at the Civilization Store. There was one product I was aiming for.

Species Evolution

Grade: Undecided

Effect: Your species can evolve up to two times. The second evolution costs much more than the first!

Cost: 30,000 species points

Requirement: Obtain at least six traits for your species.

I clicked my tongue. Too expensive.

It’ll be difficult to unlock their final evolution.

I wanted to see my children grow up and conquer the world. Unfortunately, it looked like I would have to wait a bit before this wish would come true.

—You lunatic, what if they become bigger than they already are? the Guardian asked.

Do you know what happens when hobgoblins evolve?

—Uh...? I’m not sure. They become dwarves? Trolls?

I suppressed my laughter. So you have no clue. Just wait and see. When my kids fully grow up, you’ll immediately understand why I chose them. Just don’t go saying “Mr. Gong-Ja, I’m sorry for not appreciating the Terras sooner” when that time comes.

—Zombie... Don’t laugh like that. You look like a third-rate villain.

So rude.

My colleagues each chose items according to their needs.

When the princess saw that we were ready, she nodded. “All the items you purchased will affect history! Please understand that there will be no refunds. Then, allow me to fast-forward time for the next stage... Three hundred years have passed this time!”

More than a thousand years had passed since the primordial forest burned down. From what I remembered, the Fire Emperor’s world unification plan was in full swing around this time before my regression. The Sylvans, who had worshipped the Fire Emperor as their God of Fire, had burned down the continent. In any case, they were mentally much healthier now since they loved making money instead of burning people.

The princess put down her pillow and smiled. “It’s time to unlock the thirty-fourth floor. There wasn’t a quest on the previous floor, but there will be one this time. Still, it won’t be a joint quest for all of you. You’ll each receive a quest of your own for your species. Your species’ childhood is coming to an end. In human terms, they’re going through puberty. The problems within their species have been festering and they need to ooze out. It’s time to go through growth pains.”

The princess clapped. “Good luck to each of you! Some of your kids are pretty scary, so be careful!”

Before I had the chance to ponder why she wished us luck individually, pure white light surrounded us. Just before I blacked out, I heard a voice.

[Terras have gained a new trait: Noblesse Oblige!]

It seemed the change was applied as history unfolded. As I was waiting for the thirty-fourth floor stage to manifest, I heard the voice once more.

[Terras’ trait: Evil Friend Doctrine is changing!]

[Terras have gained a new trait: Demonic Cult!]

What? A demonic cult?

Before I could even think about what that meant, I was teleported to the next era.

***

As soon as I found myself on the thirty-fourth floor, the difference between stages was very noticeable. I looked around the street.

“Black Dragon Master? Mr. Sword Star? Hello? Is there anyone out there?”

My colleagues were nowhere to be seen. When the princess had wished us luck individually, she really meant that everyone would be scattered and should do their best to complete their quest. Perhaps my colleagues had been sent to the regions where their respective species had settled.

As for me, I was in the city of Terras.

“Ugor. Let’s have a drink after the evening training.”

“Watermelon is in season these days. Grating some and mixing it with alcohol is delicious.”

“If you drink, won’t that hurt your muscle growth?”

“Sometimes you need to soak your muscles in alcohol to make them more flexible.”

Terras walked around the streets in groups of twos and threes. I heard that the Terras had become the sovereign species in the last stage but, surprisingly, there was nothing special about the city or streets. They weren’t fancy or dazzling. White buildings that looked like neatly built termite mounds lined up the streets.

“There’s a Cavefire play today featuring all the popular actors! Its popularity has not diminished for two years! Seats are sold out, and not many standing seats are left either!”

Within the city, I spotted some unusually large circular buildings—theaters. In front of them, employees sold tickets for standing seats with bright smiles. Surprisingly, they were all Sylvans.

“Tickets are almost sold out! I repeat, they’re almost sold out! Come get them now!”

What was even more surprising was the play’s title.

“A special experience just for tonight! Bring your lover! Or your colleagues! Watch Raviel and Kekerukker performed by a prestigious theater troupe with three hundred years of history!”

I choked on saliva.

“The love story of the century! A heavenly romance! Why did the most beautiful princess in the empire abandon the crown prince and choose the insignificant Kekerukker? How did Kekerukker seduce the princess with his wicked tongue? The play tells the most important aspect of life—eloquence. Raviel and Kekerukker! Learn some crazy tongue moves yourself!”

“These little bastards...”

I ran to the front of the theater.

A lot of ink posters were hung at the three-way intersection in front of the theater, including portraits of the actors playing Raviel and me. Of course, both of them were Terras.

Other Terras chatted among themselves in front of the portraits.

“They’re really beautiful...”

“Uger. To be honest, haven’t we watched Raviel and Kekerukker countless times since we were young? I can recite the lines even with my eyes closed now.”

“You don’t know? There’s a trend going around that encourages people to reinterpret classic masterpieces. In the play I saw last time, Raviel and Goldencup ended up together.”

“That’s ridiculous. Isn’t that Silver Lily and Goldencup, not Raviel and Kekerukker? Many of the troupes phish you with different titles.”

“Don’t be so harsh. That play is really popular among some people.”

“You’re right. I heard some people loved it so much that they spent all their money on it.”

“They say the Sylvan writer made a lot of money out of that play.”

There was more.

“A golden opportunity to watch the best Cavefire play out there! The Heavenly Demon Chronicle is playing tonight! Come witness the ecstatic fire demonstrated by the Rank 16 Great Warrior of the Fire Water Council! In the role of the Fire Emperor—”

“The one and only blockbuster-scale Cavefire play! Sixty-six extras have been cast for this play! Estelle: from Saintess to Witch! The only place in Goru where you can watch a play like this is the Gamtang Theater! If you book now, you will receive a free cup of watermelon beer! Isn’t that a phenomenal deal?”

The Sylvan agents screamed at the top of their lungs to promote the plays. Four theaters alone clustered the intersection. Since they were competing, the promotion was fierce. Some of the agents got into fights and grabbed each other’s ears.

“Watermelon beer?! Hey, that’s not fair! Don’t bribe people with food! If you’re a troupe, compete fairly based on the quality of your plays!”

“Nothing is unfair in business! If you have a problem, stop yapping and develop a product yourself, loser!”

A couple of Terras joined in.

“Ugor? Are you guys fighting?”

“We’ll watch the play of the ticket agent who wins this fight. We’ll be the referees, so throw hands for a bit.”

I was shocked and horrified.

“Y-You loonyheads...” I muttered, unable to find any other words to describe what I was seeing.

Of course, Uburka had said that he would turn my stories into Cavefires and pass them down for generations. However, I had imagined he would look like a grandfather telling a story to his grandchildren. There was no way for me to foresee my stories becoming commercialized on such a large scale.

The Guardian chuckled.

—Isn’t this because of the Sylvans? They’re crazy about money, right? Yo, that play looks interesting. Let’s watch it!

The theater he pointed at was playing Raviel and Kekerukker. With half of my sanity gone, I followed the Guardian.

The amphitheater resembled a huge dark cave. As the actors recited their lines, they controlled aura with ease. The play was closer to a musical.

“Ah, Your Grace, I realized where my heart is headed.”

“Sylvia.”

“Clams suffer from a white, shiny disease in their hearts. The disease hardens and becomes a pearl, just like my destiny. Raviel, I cannot resist this beautiful disease.”

The Terras’ performance was great. Since there was a character named Sylvia, I was certain that the Terra was playing the role of Goldencup.

“Sylvia, no. Stop it. If you say anything else...”

“The person I love isn’t the next sun of the empire nor is it my butler. It’s you, Raviel. Your Grace, I’m in love with you.”

“Oh my god,” I murmured.

Oh my god.

“Have you lost your mind, Lady of Evanail?” Raviel’s actress asked.

My kids were out of their minds!

“No, I’m perfectly sane. Tomorrow, I’ll bid my farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince. He’ll get angry, but his wrath won’t be able to engulf my love. No, let it happen! I’m willing to burn.”

“Lady of Evanail!”

I continued watching the Cavefire play, albeit absentmindedly. Raviel couldn’t accept Goldencup’s heart. The crown prince and Goldencup broke up, but that didn’t mean he gave up on her. Since he couldn’t have her, he planned to have her assassinated.

The play finally reached its climax. Butler Kekerukker ended up dying instead of Sylvia because he tried to stop the assassination.

“I shouldn’t die, you bastards!” I screamed.

The title was Raviel and Kekerukker! As one of the Terras had said earlier, I had been phished!

However, the Terras couldn’t hear me. They kept chatting with each other long after the Cavefire play was over.

“Today’s fire was also wonderful...”

“This is my fourth time watching this play, but I never get sick of it. All of the actors are really good at using their aura.”

“Gor. Honestly, that story left me so touched. I also want to perform on stage someday!”

No, something was wrong. I fell to my knees in front of the theater situated at the three-way intersection. “What should I do? My kids are weird...”

The Guardian looked as if he was experiencing mixed emotions.

—Your kids were weird from the beginning, Zombie.