Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Reward
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“I’ve had fewer than ten foreigners reported to me since I became family head, including you two.”
Alnair Maybeld descended the underground stairs with his back ramrod straight.
“It’s an honor.”
Yuri glanced at the back of Eleia Yudel’s head, who was descending close to Alnair, and replied. Unlike the strong suspicions that the Butcher Light Sword Demon or the Radiant Extreme Heaven were Possessors, she was a confirmed Possessor alongside Full Moon Night Reveler, in the death realm of the Infinite Extreme Venerable.
‘Who could it be...’
Yuri had heard about Eleia’s inaction from Estor. A swordsman who freely wielded a greatsword as large as her own body. But according to the Sword Emperor’s evaluation, her swordsmanship itself wasn’t extraordinarily superior.
Yet she wielded a ‘power’ beyond that deficient swordsmanship. Her physique wasn’t what you’d call bulky, but for a woman, it was muscular. A sign that she hadn’t neglected external training. The heavy sword she unleashed by adding internal energy and such to that power.
Yuri had never seen Eleia fight firsthand, but from the stories, she was the typical power swordsman who slammed heavy blows into every opening. That archetype of swordsman build was extremely common, just like orthodox mages.
He’d heard that a few years ago, she’d slain one of the Demonic Cult’s Seven Evils and then gone quiet. So why had that Eleia become a retainer of the Maybeld family?
While pondering Eleia, they reached the underground at the end of the straight, long staircase.
Judging by the number of stairs descended, it felt like the 4th or 5th basement level. He couldn’t be certain since they hadn’t passed through other floors. From the start, the door connected to the stairs bore a sealing spell that only the family head could open, and he’d continuously sensed magical presences on the way down. This place might be deeper than the 5th basement, or perhaps the stairs alone delved deep, connecting to somewhere entirely different from the underground.
This was the treasury of the Maybeld family, one of the top wealth accumulators among the Pride families. Such security was only natural. Bringing Yuri and Ha-ryeong here—yesterday’s first-time acquaintances—meant that, regardless of bodyguard Eleia’s skill, Alnair was ‘serious’ about the city’s reward.
“Don’t feel too burdened.”
As if reading Yuri’s inner thoughts, Alnair spoke. At the end of the stairs stood a massive sealed door. Alnair removed his gloved hand and turned to look at Yuri and Ha-ryeong.
“It’s true that the treasury’s items hold great value, but they’re less valuable than the Maybeld family’s face or Alderan as a whole. Thus, you two qualify to take any item from the treasury.”
“Thank you, but honestly, how could we not feel burdened?”
Yuri replied with a wry smile. Alnair shook his head with a hearty laugh.
“Why? Because it was ultimately Heavenly Thunder who felled Agui? You two are the ones who made it possible for Heavenly Thunder to come. Let’s think worst-case. Without you, Heavenly Thunder wouldn’t have come, Agui would’ve completed the rift, and Alderan would’ve fallen. Know what that means? It means the Maybeld family would’ve ended in my generation.”
Alnair extended his bare hand toward the firmly shut door.
“In other words, you saved Alderan and the Maybeld family. As family head, I must repay you. And frankly, who felled Agui isn’t important to me. Heavenly Thunder isn’t someone I can reach anyway. You know this too, right? Heavenly Thunder and Derusia Magic Tower have a special bond with the Ascard Family.”
“Yes.”
“But you two are different. If it’s burdensome, think of it as a ‘deal.’”
A deal? As Yuri blinked, Alnair chuckled and caressed the door.
“Cloud Dragon, Dark Flower. You’re promising young talents. Whatever you take from this treasury, I won’t regret it. For martial arts or magic, we can make copies. Even if you want the world’s only one-of-a-kind item, I don’t mind.”
Alnair turned back to Yuri and Ha-ryeong. The sharp-eyed middle-aged man’s gaze gleamed piercingly, as if appraising merchandise.
“I value people over items. Ah, of course, not all people. Not everyone’s equal.”
The Maybeld family’s history was one of merchants. A merchant’s blood ran through Alnair.
“What I bestow on you isn’t a gift from mere favor. If you still feel burdened, honestly, that pleases me. The deal becomes an investment or sponsorship. Your burden becomes a debt of the heart, making you mindful of me and the Maybeld family henceforth. If you don’t feel burdened? No issue. Our first deal ends cleanly, and we can trade again someday.”
Rumble... The door where Alnair’s palm had touched began to open.
“You’ll receive such favors many times ahead. In this world, connecting with promising youths always pays off eventually. And it’s necessary for you too. Connections are far more convenient than none.”
The Pride families, who’d dominated the Western Continent for ages, knew well the importance of making allies over enemies. The presence of a magic tower in a city ruled by Pride families was for that reason.
The treasury door fully opened. He’d imagined floors, ceilings, walls all of gold—but no. Inside was a long corridor lined with dozens of closed doors. In the center stood a large crystal orb.
“Follow me.”
Alnair and Eleia entered first. Yuri followed, swallowing hard as he surveyed the surroundings. A stark corridor devoid of even painting-like artworks. The closed doors had no notable features—but he sensed countless magics.
This was a space existing solely for the treasury, impossible to enter without a key. And that key was likely Alnair Maybeld, the family head himself. The dozens of doors probably connected to separate spaces holding treasures of astronomical value.
“Checking one by one would take days, so use this.”
Alnair caressed the crystal orb several times, then stepped back.
“It’s the most useful gift from that Alf Leon fellow. Place your hand on it, and you’ll naturally know ‘how’ to use it.”
Ha-ryeong, having clearly decided what she wanted, moved first. Her face looked normal, but her mouth was slightly tense, suggesting considerable tension.
‘Or is she excited?’
Standing before the orb, Ha-ryeong swallowed and extended her hand. Hum. The orb beneath her palm emitted a soft glow. She blinked several times, tilted her head while looking around, then quietly closed her eyes.
“...!”
Ha-ryeong’s focused expression suddenly stiffened. Her eyes widened, mouth half-open in shock, and she whipped her head toward Alnair.
“Why is this here...”
“Don’t ask.”
Alnair replied with a smile.
“I don’t know what you found to be so shocked. Not particularly curious either. But whatever it is, no whys or hows.”
Ha-ryeong’s face was openly flustered, uncharacteristic of her, but she quickly regained composure.
“I apologize.”
Realizing her rudeness, she bowed briefly and turned back to the orb.
“You can do it together.”
Seeing Yuri standing blankly, Alnair chuckled. Yuri cleared his throat lowly and approached the orb. Ha-ryeong, hand on it, had her lips pressed tight in concentration, her eyebrows twitching occasionally from surprise.
‘What could it be?’
Feeling curious, Yuri extended his hand to the orb.
[The search function is activated.]
[Please envision what you seek.]
Yuri’s shoulders jerked at the voice in his head. As expected from a gift by the era’s greatest alchemist, Alf Leon Ascard, the orb seemed imbued with something like artificial intelligence.
‘Hmm...’
The first thing that came to mind was naturally ‘Gebra.’ Because Agui’s bracelet might not be Gebra.
[No item named Gebra is stored.]
The response came instantly upon thinking it, leaving him slightly disappointed. If Gebra were here, he wouldn’t need to obsess over Agui’s bracelet.
[16 items named Elixir are stored.]
‘16?’
He’d searched out of curiosity, but Elixirs no longer tempted him. Yuri organized his thoughts.
First, he needed to gauge this orb’s search prowess. He remembered names and main effects of game items, but human memory isn’t perfect. Plus, this world had items and skills absent from the game.
‘Does it have to be the exact name?’
Trying vague words, the orb responded promptly.
[No item named Derusia is stored.]
It searched from just one word. Yuri continued envisioning words.
[Items named Namgung Clan: Emperor King Sword Art 1, Spear Palace No Obstruction Sword Art 1, Great Chain Sword Art 1 stored.]
[Items named Haber: Low-grade 1, Mid-grade 1, High-grade 1 stored.]
[Items named Orsia: Low-grade 1 stored.]
[Searching for items matching the conditions.]
.
.
.
The orb’s voice continued with each thought. It searched well from words alone, and even from mere ‘conditions’ without specific words.
Regardless, Yuri couldn’t help swallowing.
Magic tower spells alongside Eastern power clans and Righteous Heavenly Alliance major sects’ martial arts. Plus substantial Black Dragon Society major sects’ martial arts—all returned ‘stored.’
[Killing Gate, Tang Family named items: Impartial Killing Style 1, Poison Blood Ghost Divine Art 1, Heavenly Woman Secret Art 1, Vast Ocean Ghost Origin Art 1 stored.]
He understood why Ha-ryeong was shocked.
The Maybeld treasury held Tang Family martial arts. Impartial Killing Style was their signature hidden weapon art, the other three heart methods. Even if cast out from the Tang Family, seeing family arts stored in such an unexpected place would shock anyone.
‘Maybe...’
Feeling thrilled anticipation, Yuri thought of other martial arts.
[Items named Seven Nights Flowing Cloud Step: 1 stored.]
[Items named Blood Ring Soul Shackle Palm: not stored.]
These two were martial arts Yuri had sought since possession, epic skills acquirable only in the game’s late game.
‘Good it exists... but tricky...’
Essential picks in the game, but now, he felt no great need.
In-game ratings had Blood Ring Soul Shackle Palm above whatever, Seven Nights Flowing Cloud Step above Table Wind Cloud Step. Superior performance, upper compatibility in a sense.
But Yuri knew reality differed from the game, and learning entirely new martial arts took time and effort.
‘Forget the nonexistent Blood Ring Soul Shackle Palm. Do I really need to take and learn Seven Nights Flowing Cloud Step here? Better to refine Table Wind Cloud Step with experience, no?’
Still, they were good martial arts. Epic skills in the game would be called ‘divine arts’ here. But not urgently needed.
‘Check more first.’
If nothing else worthwhile, picking Seven Nights Flowing Cloud Step wouldn’t be bad. Yuri searched further.
Frankly, items tempted more than martial arts or magic. The latter came as copies, but items as originals felt more profitable.
Epic items were usually one-of-a-kind.
‘Wait.’
[No item named Heavenly Demon Divine Art stored.]
[No item named Heavenly Principle Annihilating Evil Art stored.]
‘As expected.’
He’d checked just in case, but the obvious response brought no disappointment.
[No item named Keter stored.]
As expected. If like the game, the mage’s ultimate accessory Keter would be with Apex Arsen Lucionel. Currently alive and intervening in the Bernok conflict.
‘What to pick...’
Weapons would simplify, but Yuri used none. No urgent martial arts needed.
He considered current lacks. Possessor mana affinity, Heavenly Principle Annihilating Evil Art, even Elixir consumed—internal energy no issue.
Martial arts? Same, had what needed centered on Heavenly Principle Annihilating Evil Art.
Magic? Demon Subduing Lightning Seal, Infinite Eternal Exhaustion. Mastering those two alone wasn’t easy; greed for more would leave him half-baked.
Thus, pick ‘items.’ What future-helpful item? Exclude weapons—armor or accessories?
He recalled the Agui fight. He’d reflected multiple times, concluding survival was luck. As Orca said, Agui played too much, so Yuri lived.
No guarantee future foes would be inferiors, equals, or desperate outmatchables.
If facing Agui-level enemy? Not arrogant like Agui, but a lion fully hunting the rabbit? No escape, fight or nothing?
First breakthrough: ‘Gears.’ Even against inescapable Agui death, he’d escaped via Gears’ power.
‘Didn’t escape unscathed, though.’
Unclear how much power Agui gained via taboo, but Gears wasn’t for anyone. Any denomination required equivalent faith for Gears’ power.
‘Penalty skills seem replaceable by Gears, but what I need now...’
Against strong foes. When escape impossible. Power to survive without dying. At least enable escape. Turn impossible to possible.
[Searching for items matching the conditions.]
Soon the orb spoke.
[Mad Blood 3 stored.]
[Blood Explosion Art 1 stored.]
[Desperate Last Stand Potion 1 stored.]
Item names emerged. Some Yuri knew, some not. But grasping ‘functions’ was no issue.
[Desperate Last Stand Potion grants power beyond limits upon consumption, but death is certain once effect ends.]
The orb answered instantly upon doubt. Most recited items were like that. Surpass limits at cost of death or crippling...
‘Death’s no good.’
For overcoming crises, only to die after is turning tables. As he pondered, the orb continued listing.
Mostly mutual destruction or forced berserk items. For Yuri—Lee Soo-hyuk—‘berserk’ wasn’t alien.
Padrip Immunity’s game builds always included berserk. Game berserk exploded attack stats at defense minus cost; for Padrip Immunity, defense stats were irrelevant. No armor anyway—what use defense? Late-game bosses killed in one hit regardless.
Thus, useful berserk: Near-death berserk for stat boost, sustain via life steal.
But real berserk wouldn’t match game. Lose reason, can’t fight properly.
[Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner 1 stored.]
The orb’s final name. An item absent from the game.
[Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner is one of the War Church’s divine relics, ceded to the Maybeld family a century ago as compensation for sustained offerings.]
[On the battlefield, when reaching death realm with death imminent, planting the Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner forms the War God’s sanctuary, working miracles.]
Sanctuary, miracles.
Those two words halted Yuri’s thoughts.
‘This is it.’
Famous for hostility to Possessors, the War Church—but even non-cleric could form ‘sanctuary’ and work miracles.
‘Harsh conditions, though.’
Battlefield death realm, death imminent. Not anytime use. But even so, sanctuary and miracles swayed him. Well-used, could overturn inescapable death.
‘What’s the sanctuary like, miracles’ extent?’
[Unconfirmed.]
Unused item, so no detailed specs.
‘Seven Nights Flowing Cloud Step or Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner...’
No long deliberation. No matter divine art, inferior to relic working sanctuary and miracles.
‘If needed, might get later anyway.’
Maintaining friendly ties with Alnair Maybeld suited Yuri. If bonds deepened, possible re-entry later.
“I’ve decided.”
Yuri opened his eyes. Glancing, Ha-ryeong still hand-on-orb, eyes closed.
“Tell you in advance: no take-backs once said. That’s final.”
Alnair said with a grin.
“No take-backs planned.”
“Good. Then say it. What’d you pick?”
“Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner.”
“Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner...?”
Alnair’s eyebrows twitched at Yuri’s answer. As he recalled, they twitched again.
“Hah.”
Alnair’s visible expression was complex, subtle. Less surprise at Yuri’s choice, more history with the ‘Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner’ itself.
“You know what it is?”
“Heard from the orb. War Church divine relic, right?”
“Yes. A relic, but dust-gathering in the treasury for a century. Why do you think?”
“No idea.”
“No chance to use it.”
Alnair clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
“Maybelds are merchants generationally, never warriors. No situations warranting the Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner. Yet a century ago, those War Church bastards gulped astronomical offerings from Maybeld, then ‘rewarded’ this relic. What’s that mean?”
“No... idea.”
“I see it as mockery. They ran the church on Maybeld offerings yet despised non-battlefield merchants—idiots. So the family head then, my grandfather, tossed the Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner in the treasury. No use for it.”
Alnair raised his hand. His ring glowed softly, and a door deep in the corridor swung open.
“Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner. Know the name, its powers as relic. But never used, so details unknown.”
As the name suggested, it was a golden pole with red cloth—a banner. Yuri flinched at its larger-than-expected size.
‘Carry this around?’
Magic bag could hold it. Alnair eyed the approaching banner complexly, murmuring.
“A century-old mockery’s gift leaves Maybeld at last. Well, family head can’t march to battle wielding it. Cloud Dragon, from now, Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner’s master is you.”
Declaring so, the banner approached Yuri. He swallowed, grasping the pole. Then the man-sized Death Realm Heaven-Reversing Banner vanished.
“...?”
Gone, but not truly. Yuri clearly sensed it.
When death realm nears, death imminent, that red banner would appear before his eyes.
‘Good no need to stuff in bag...’
Yuri thought, looking at Ha-ryeong.
She’d opened her eyes, staring fixedly.
“I’ve decided too.”
Ha-ryeong spoke.