The resuscitation of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment.
These cards were the means for the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment to resuscitate itself!
“How can this be...”
“How will the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment resuscitate? Wouldn't these cards be incredibly dangerous?” Serafina asked hurriedly.
“Even if it is dangerous, will you adventurers not still seek it out? Will you not still crave it?” the monster merchant replied.
The members of the Red Rose team fell silent, unable to deny it.
Adventurers were exactly those kinds of beings; no matter how dangerous a power was, they would still pursue it.
“The Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment once established a contract.”
“Resuscitating the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment will grant you its power, but at the moment of your death, you will likewise be devoured by the snake.”
“At the moment of death?”
So that was the price for obtaining the power of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment.
However, it didn't really matter. Once one was dead, everything was over anyway. Being devoured by the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment was a small price to pay at that point.
In this world, there were dangerous demons. If one summoned a demon using a forbidden magic circle, the demon would grant a wish and bestow forbidden power, but it would also take something from you in return.
Compared to a demon's treacherous contract, the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment merely devouring one upon death was actually quite reasonable.
‘As expected, all power obtained in this world comes with a price.’
‘Power as great as that of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment isn't given for free; its resuscitation is the condition.’
“How do we resuscitate the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment to obtain more of its power?”
“Heh heh.”
The monster merchant chuckled, seemingly unsurprised by Serafina's question.
“Adventurers indeed. Even knowing the price, you still choose power and seek to resuscitate that dangerous prisoner.”
“An adventurer who doesn't take risks is no adventurer at all.”
The monster merchant turned around and patted the sacrifice altar beside him.
“To obtain the power of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment, you must contribute death. Sacrifice death to the sinful snake.”
“At the same time, collect the scattered power fragments of the sinful snake.”
The latter part was easy to understand.
The scattered power fragments of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment were likely the bone cards they had found earlier.
However, what did it mean to sacrifice death?
“Materials or items containing death power can be offered to the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment through this sacrifice altar in exchange for more of its power.”
“If you collect enough cards, you can also use the sacrifice altar for fusion.”
Fusion?
“Monster cards can be fused?”
“Not all monster cards can undergo fusion. Only the power cards of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment.”
“All Sinful Snake cards are power fragments scattered by the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment through the gaps in its shackles.”
“Because of this, these fragments can be fused together to obtain more power from the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.”
“I am not saying that all monster cards in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment can be fused.”
So that was it.
No wonder the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment was eternally confined within the Well of Eternal Imprisonment. A snake that loved and pursued death would naturally bring nothing but death and calamity.
Speaking of which, the Forbidden Fire was much the same.
Although adventurers sought the power of the Forbidden Fire, they were also acutely aware that it was dangerous—a power that brought calamity and madness.
Serafina pondered the monster merchant's words and noticed a specific detail.
“The Forbidden Fire will destroy the shackles? What does that mean?”
The monster merchant hadn't expected Serafina to catch that piece of information about the Forbidden Fire amidst the talk of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment.
However, he didn't seem to have any intention of hiding it. He spoke up and continued his explanation.
“The Forbidden Fire is the most superficial of the imprisoned entities in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, possessing a power of madness.”
“All imprisoned entities seek and crave the Forbidden Fire, simply because it can burn through shackles.”
“The Forbidden Fire, which can burn through shackles and break the seal of eternal imprisonment, is the universal key to this Well of Eternal Imprisonment.”
“Therefore, every time the Forbidden Fire flickers and sparks fly, it is incredibly dangerous.”
“It is also because of this that any fluctuation in the Forbidden Fire causes the seals throughout the Well of Eternal Imprisonment to loosen.”
“That is precisely how the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment gained a chance at resuscitation.”
The Forbidden Fire wasn't just power; it was a key?
Possessing the Forbidden Fire meant one could break the seals of all the imprisoned entities in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment?
“Then what exactly is sealed in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment? Why were they sealed? Why the eternal imprisonment?”
The monster merchant spoke.
“That is a different price entirely—a price you cannot afford.”
Three magic crystal coins were nowhere near enough for such information. There was no such thing as such a bargain in this world.
The monster merchant would never make a losing deal.
“Then what if... what if the Forbidden Fire is taken away? Will the seals and shackles of the other imprisoned entities in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment be affected?”
Serafina grew worried after all.
If the Forbidden Fire was tied to the seals of all the imprisoned things in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, would taking it away bring a disaster upon the entire Northern Territory?
Dungeons were treasures and sources of power, but they were also sources of danger. There had been disasters in the past caused by dungeon outbreaks.
“That is also a different price.”
“Furthermore, even if such a danger exists, can you adventurers stop pursuing the Forbidden Fire? Can you give up its immense power?”
“The Forbidden Fire is already destined to be taken. As for the impact its removal will have on the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, that will only be known at the moment it happens.”
“And as things stand, that moment is no longer far off.”
The monster merchant stood up, looking like a traveler who had finished resting.
“I have already explained the matter of the Sinful Snake of Eternal Imprisonment to you.”
“I have important matters to attend to and cannot delay here a moment longer. Farewell, adventurers.”
Serafina took out her money pouch.
“Do you have any goods for sale?”
“Honored guest, the monster merchant is at your service. Please, take your time to browse and see what you need.”
She exchanged all the magic crystal coins in the monster merchant's possession and traded for other dungeon coins as well.
Then, she purchased some miscellaneous items and supplies.
The unique nature of neutral monsters like the monster merchant in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment allowed adventurers to directly buy rations, supplies, equipment, and more.
If one was lucky enough, they could encounter a monster merchant on every floor.
One could continue exploring downward without even needing to wait for resupply from the surface.
The downside was that monster merchants were far too few in number. They were essentially mobile monster treasure chests that couldn't be encountered reliably.
Nowadays, adventurers wouldn't dream of killing such a rare species.
In fact, a movement to protect the species had even begun to emerge.
Killing a monster merchant would earn one the genuine hatred of other adventurers attempting to clear the dungeon.
After all, for every monster merchant killed, the chances of encountering one decreased for everyone.
Protecting monster merchants is everyone's responsibility.
Rate on N.U.
