[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game":3,"chapter-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-160":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1218302,1604,"Chapter 160: Sumaru 2","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-160",160,"\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Star Rippling Dungeon]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grand name given to an elusive dungeon, steeped in the history of the world's most renowned martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This dungeon is more than just a mere challenge; it is a symbol of celestial power, its very essence tied to the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon has played a significant role in shaping the legends of old, with its secrets and treasures inspiring generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even one of the blade techniques of the Gyeoul clan was named after the celestial body associated with this dungeon, a testament to its significance in the martial lore of this world. For Kagami Kento, this dungeon represented more than just an opportunity to grow stronger. It was a chance to elevate his family's status, to finally establish the Kento clan as one of the prestigious Heavenly Clans of the Eastern Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Kento clan was known for their formidable Meteor Fist technique, they paled in comparison to the might of other clans, whose legacies were etched in history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star Rippling Dungeon held within it a martial manual, a treasure that could unlock untold power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami knew that acquiring this manual would not only bolster his own abilities but also secure the future of his clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The honor, prestige, and power that would come from mastering the secrets within the dungeon would elevate the Kento clan to heights his father could only dream of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the martial manual in hand, Kagami envisioned himself mastering techniques that would make him unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with in the martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon was a gateway, a bridge between the Kento clan's current state and the greatness they aspired to achieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since my mana wasn't celestial or divine by nature, entering the dungeon would be like walking into a death trap-poisonous and lethal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever challenges or creatures awaited within, Kagami would have to handle them on his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't too worried; after all, this was Kagami we were talking about. He'd likely breeze through the traps and monsters laid within the dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon only manifests for a brief moment at the first minute after the sun sets, so we'd need to be extremely attentive once it appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike in the game, where the dungeon gets marked on your mini-map, here, we'd have to sense it using our own mana-a skill I hadn't quite mastered yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, not much had happened during our climb, aside from a few monsters drawn by the clanking of Kagami's backpack or perhaps by the scent of our presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real threat lay ahead-the Tiger God of Lightning, Sumaru.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't just a god but also the guardian and peacekeeper of the Star-Rippling Dungeon. Sumaru would likely notice immediately that I lacked starlight mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absence of it in me might make him see me as an intruder, something to be eradicated rather than tolerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder echoed above the clouds as the skies darkened ominously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant flashes of lightning illuminated the bleak landscape, casting fleeting shadows across the mountainside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced up at the gathering storm and sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Looks like he noticed us...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sumaru, the territorial tiger of these mountains, was a force you really just can't escape from huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'd hoped he might overlook our presence, but clearly, that was just wishful thinking.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like a storm's brewing. We should hurry up,\" Kagami suggested, his eyes fixed on the rapidly darkening sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't wrong to be concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were near the peak of the mountain, and with winter's harsh grip, a snowstorm was a very real threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last thing we needed was to get caught in one while trying to navigate the treacherous terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami wasted no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He coated his entire body with mana, the aura around him flickering as he prepared to ascend faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His determination was clear, but I knew the dangers of overexerting too early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're about a hundred meters away from the location,\" I warned, my voice steady despite the growing tension. \"Make sure to preserve your mana.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave me a brief nod, acknowledging the advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though his appearance was bulky and imposing, Kagami's control over mana was\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>precise, almost elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sharp burst of energy, he shot through the air, his form becoming a blur as he raced toward the mountain's summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched him for a moment before focusing on the path ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind began to pick up, carrying with it the biting cold of the impending storm. Sumaru's presence was undeniable now\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they ascended to the top of the mountains, the once darkened skies gradually cleared, bringing a cool, refreshing breeze that contrasted sharply with the oppressive atmosphere Kagami had felt earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intense flare of mana that had been thick in the air dissipated almost suddenly, leaving Kagami puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at his current partner for this investigation, sensing that Riley was just as aware of the shift as he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Kagami had been skeptical of Riley's words and the information he provided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn't been particularly close during the first semester, only recently starting to talk and forming a tentative friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami had always been cautious, assessing Riley as a kind, strong, and honorable man, but there was something about him that screamed mystery and deceit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley's composed demeanor and the way he held himself made it hard for Kagami to fully trust him. Everything about Riley seemed too well-calculated, too perfectly concealed. When Riley had first mentioned the Star Rippling Dungeon, Kagami's suspicions had flared\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon was a well-known legend, and Riley's knowledge of its exact location seemed almost too convenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, as they neared the location Riley had disclosed, Kagami found himself letting go of\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>those suspicions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer they got, the more he realized that Riley's information had been accurate, and that the aura of mystery surrounding him might not be deceitful but simply a reflection of how much Riley had experienced and seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami felt a sense of admiration begin to form alongside his lingering wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami still had his doubts, but as the summit came into view and the air grew lighter, he couldn't deny that Riley had led them true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana lingering in the air of the mountain was unmistakable—mana of the stars and the celestials above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resonated with a unique energy that Kagami could recognize, similar to his own but distinct, possessing a divine quality akin to those who wield light or celestial mana. This place was special, charged with a power that set it apart from any ordinary location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami couldn't help but notice that Riley was using him for something-there was no subtlety in Riley's actions, and Kagami could see it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Kagami finished his initial preparations for the dungeon, Riley had simply told him to join and support whichever candidate he was asked to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a straightforward request, almost too easy for the information and guidance Riley had\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>provided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why help me out like this?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami wondered, his thoughts circling around Riley's motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't as if Kagami was new to the intricacies of politics; he knew that in the larger scheme\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>of things, using him wasn't particularly profitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, it could gain a few votes for inclusivity, but was that really worth this level of\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>assistance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed, knowing that he probably wouldn't get a clear answer anytime soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley was always an enigma, his intentions layered and difficult to decipher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for now, Kagami pushed those thoughts aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon was waiting, and he needed to focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is strange...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why isn't that gigantic tiger showing up?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment we reached the top of the mountain, the threatening energy levels of the storm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>above suddenly subsided, as if they had never been there at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive aura that had accompanied us all the way up vanished in an instant, leaving\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>behind an eerie calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did Sumaru decide we weren't worth it?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that's the case, then it's fine, but if something else is at play, we might find ourselves\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>caught up in another ridiculous situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's surprising to see flat lands up here, but it's convenient for our part,\" Kagami mused\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>aloud, his eyes scanning the surprisingly tranquil scenery. \"I'll go ahead and set up camp,\" he added, already unloading his massive backpack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded in response, but unease lingered in the back of my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spreading my mana out in a pulsing wave, I probed the surrounding area, searching for\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>anything suspicious, any sign of a hidden threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was nothing... just silence and stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did Sumaru really decide to ignore us?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't sit right with me. Sumaru, the guardian beast of this mountain, wasn't known for\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>backing down easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had chosen not to confront us, there had to be a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's dangerous...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With gigantic blue vertical pupils pulsating with divine lightning, Sumaru assessed the scene\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>before him with an almost serene detachment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes, imbued with the power to see through the essence of souls and mana, pierced\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>through the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They allowed him to discern not just the surface of things, but the very core of their existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young blonde-haired man, standing there with an aura of impending doom, was marked by death in every conceivable way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of mortality seemed to hang over him like an inescapable shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Sumaru, this was not particularly alarming on its own-after all, death was a common\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>thread woven into the lives of many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What set this situation apart and marked the young man as truly dangerous were the forces lingering around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two distinct and powerful presences were entwined with his being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was an ominous mark etched across his mana heart, a dark, scaly aura that squirmed and twisted within, its nature obscured and incomprehensible to Sumaru.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other, more immediate and intrusive, was a potent and familiar energy seeping into the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>atmosphere around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This lingering presence was something Sumaru knew all too well. It sent shivers down his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>spine and made the hairs on his body stand on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no ordinary energy. It radiated an ancient, primordial power that resonated with the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>kind of force Sumaru had encountered only a few times in his life-an energy that spoke of gods and legends, of beings far beyond the mortal realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its very familiarity was unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A power far beyond his own, and a power reminiscent of the goddess who bestowed divinity\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>upon him... Sumaru's mind seethed with a mix of anger and intrigue as he observed the young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palpable energy radiating from Riley was undeniable, an echo of the same divine force\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>that once touched his own existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This young man, who seemed so unassuming, had managed to capture the attention of that\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>wretched goddess, Erebil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sumaru's anger flared at the thought, but he forced himself to stay composed. If Erebil had\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>taken an interest in the young man, then it was essential to approach with caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sumaru knew better than to act rashly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presence of an evil god showing affection for someone was a dangerous variable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man's significance was not something to be underestimated or dealt with hastily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sense of grim curiosity, Sumaru resolved to observe the situation carefully before making any move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took to the air, landing atop a jagged mountain peak in the valley below, where he could remain hidden and maintain a strategic vantage point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's best to keep an eye on him for now' Sumaru mused to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to the other individual in the scene-an innocent soul, pure and rare among\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>their kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This purity was something Sumaru respected and valued deeply, but it was the blond-haired young man who truly piqued his interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't afford any distractions or interference from the other human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The focus had to be on the blond haired young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murderous gaze settled in Sumaru's eyes as he observed Riley from his concealed perch.\u003C\u002Fp>",2018,"2026-06-03T14:40:38.925Z",1,"novelbin.me","01821cd075996ce1d406f983e9756cbcac78aac1ee3847781b6cf76f87e3da1b","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-161","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-159",727,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-cover.jpg"]