Chapter 118
Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Aranballon Kingdom's National Treasure (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Silence fell.
“…….”
Some were receiving treatment.
Others were steadying their ragged breaths.
But everyone was clearly listening.
- Why did that James guy get out of the pattern, but those soldiers only attacked us?
- And look at James over there. He's completely fine, like he didn't get hit by any attacks at all.
Vladimir Rodigin's sharp question.
And then.
[Team members can pick one 'treasure' at any time and escape the Giant Castle.]
[The escaped team member passes Theme 2.]
An exit appeared blatantly.
No, not an exit—more like a temptation.
A blatant temptation.
“Mm.”
My throat tightened.
My chest felt just as constricted as phlegm stuck in my throat.
'No justification?'
I had no grounds to hold them back.
Because I picked them?
Or because I'm the team leader?
That was just temporary loyalty at best.
They had no obligation to do it, and I couldn't blindly expect them to.
'Besides.'
I glanced at someone.
Olivia, her face still swollen, riding on Cain's back with her eyes barely open.
'At least that one.'
She had over a 99% chance of heading out.
No, make it 100%.
Whoosh!
It was then.
“From now on.”
Judgment Spear stepped forward in front of the gate, lowering his spear.
Step, step.
He walked slowly to the very edge of the pattern and stood tall.
His broad back and powerful arms exuded an extraordinary presence.
“……Anyone who crosses this line without permission.”
Judgment Spear opened his mouth.
“I will judge with my spear. Cross if you have the confidence to survive.”
Wow.
I was startled inwardly.
He was going that far to help?
It was probably less because he was vice-leader and more because that's just who he was.
The type who wouldn't tolerate injustice like murder or betrayal.
I silently thanked Judgment Spear.
“I agree.”
Olena stepped forward with her staff.
“Hoon took us in when we could've been eliminated early. Any hunter with a sense of honor wouldn't turn a blind eye in a situation like this.”
Thud!
She slammed her staff into the ground toward Judgment Spear with dignified flair.
“Mm. Is that Oxford's pride?”
Vladimir Rodigin stroked his chin as if amused.
His left hand.
Precisely, the hand not holding the staff.
“Well, it makes sense. Honestly, I value the team leader's abilities more than that. Even if I go out alone and pass, there's no guarantee I'll pass the next theme, right?”
“Exactly. According to Guide Studies Law 2, absurd temptations in dungeons are usually traps. Who knows? That exit might not be a pass but a gateway to hell. I'm sticking with Hoon too.”
When Rodigin agreed, Kapu nodded as well.
The other hunters nodded one by one.
They probably didn't want to stand out when the majority had already sided.
Judgment Spear's intimidating presence played a role too.
‘…….’
For now.
We'd cleared step 1.
Of course, we couldn't let our guard down.
The moment one bolted, those Aranballon soldiers' crossbow barrage would start.
“Thank you for trusting me.”
I gave a short bow toward where Judgment Spear stood.
“Now that treatment seems done, shall we slowly move and look for treasure? If there's a national treasure, we should find it as fast as possible.”
“……Hm, all of them?”
Rodigin asked.
I nodded.
“Yes, since we don't really know what the 'national treasure' is. Think of it less as seriously searching and more as gathering hints.”
“Fine by me. Better than standing around.”
He brushed dust off his butt with his staff and stood.
Thus began the bizarre march.
Everyone trailed unsteadily behind me at the center.
I headed first to the area farthest from the entrance.
No point getting near the entrance—Olivia might suddenly bolt.
“Man, the Giant Castle really lives up to its name. It's huge.”
Rodigin stretched.
“Seriously, it's amazing. You wonder how they built something like this. Look—no pillars, and you can't even see the ceiling.”
“Right? Can you even call this a building?”
“It's like space. And those sparkling treasures are like stars.”
One of the shrines smiled as she spoke.
“Stars, huh.”
Rodigin chuckled.
“Such a sensitive girl. I'm walking on pins and needles, worried when Olivia might dart off.”
“…….”
Everyone was consciously aware of Olivia, knowingly or not.
The funny part?
She didn't deny it.
She just pretended to be unconscious, eyes closed.
'Wow, at this point.'
I inwardly stuck out my tongue.
Time to reevaluate Cain?
How was he still carrying her like that?
A true gentleman?
Or a Buddha?
Anyway, after quite a distance.
We finally reached the sparkling treasures.
[Arrived at Treasure Display #314.]
[Check the treasure.]
The displayed treasure was a magnificent sword.
Studded with jewels everywhere—a sword that screamed expensive, meant only for nobles.
Could this be the national treasure?
“I'll check it first.”
I gripped the sword's hilt and slowly lifted it.
[Item: Ancient Aranballon Royal Sword]
[Grade: S]
[Type: Sword]
[Description: A sword crafted by dwarves under the Ancient Aranballon Kingdom for the royal knights.]
[Effect 1: Vitality +100.]
[Effect 2: Skill cooldown -10%.]
[Effect 3: Skill power +150%.]
[Effect 4: Strength +30.]
“Oh.”
S-grade right off the bat.
And the stats were pretty solid too.
[The treasure is 'Ancient Aranballon Royal Sword' (S-grade).]
[The treasure is not the 'national treasure.']
I shared the status window info with the team.
They murmured in surprise, just like me.
“Treasures like this everywhere?”
“No way.”
“Isn't this a treasure vault? If we grab all this and go, we're all set for life!”
“It's a jackpot.”
“If only sub-space bags had no limits, we'd clean the place out.”
The team actively exchanged opinions.
I nodded.
'True enough.'
True, but.
I felt uneasy.
'From experience, gains come with corresponding costs.'
Like how, ever since getting Old Man Mansul, I endure immense pain daily.
“Take it for now.”
I handed the sword to Kapu first.
“Hang onto it and we'll browse slowly.”
Treasure distribution could wait until after survival.
We continued treasure hunting.
The treasures varied.
[The treasure is 'Queen's Bow' (S-grade).]
[The treasure is not the 'national treasure.']
[The treasure is 'Sapphire 30kg.']
[The treasure is not the 'national treasure.']
[The treasure is 'Elixir' (S-grade).]
[The treasure is not the 'national treasure.']
….
Weapons were standard.
From unique potions to jewels of all shapes.
We were on the verge of each grabbing three or more.
“Cain! Run!”
That moment, Olivia bolted with Cain.
Whoosh!
“Where do you think you're going.”
Judgment Spear reacted at lightning speed.
Space mage Rodigin too.
Olena too.
They moved as if they'd anticipated it.
'Of course.'
I'd expected as much.
'Taeyang, Eldrin.'
That's why I'd placed Taeyang and Eldrin at the pattern's edge.
“Not beaten enough, huh.”
“Leave it to me, Master.”
Taeyang and Eldrin drew weapons and blocked.
The whole sequence took about 3 seconds.
Perfect preparation, precise reaction time.
Or so I thought.
Until Cain's body gradually turned bright red.
“Hm?”
I widened my eyes.
“Wh-what?”
“What kind of power is this?”
Whoooosh!
Immense pressure began emanating from his body.
Far too much for a mere S-rank hunter.
The power was so overwhelming.
Even Judgment Spear, Taeyang Spear, and Eldrin hesitated.
“N-no way?”
It was then that Olena exclaimed in horror.
She shouted.
“Suicide spell? Even Oxford treats it as 'prohibited'—how did she get a scroll that dangerous……!”
“What's that?”
I asked.
“An evil spell that explodes all the caster's vitality using the victim's life as collateral! From the mana flow, it looks like Olivia cast it!”
“Hah.”
I sighed.
Such a cheat spell existed?
Just cast it and blow up to become the world's strongest?
Reading my mind, Olena shook her head.
“It requires perfect unity between caster and target. No sane person would agree to it—unless it's a loyalty contract or slave contract.”
“Then, no way…….”
She'd even made a slave contract?
'Come to think of it.'
Cain was always powerless around Olivia.
I'd thought he was just a gentleman or head over heels.
'His body was just collateral?'
Rumble rumble rumble!
“Ugh.”
I grimaced.
The power pouring from Cain kept amplifying.
“Sorry, everyone. No hard feelings.”
And the moment Cain spoke.
KABOOOOM!
A deafening explosion hit my eardrums like a bomb right by my ear.
The immense pressure lifted our bodies involuntarily.
'Crazy.'
Worse yet.
Since we were at the pattern's edges, we all got flung outside it.
'I knew it'd end like this.'
This was a disaster.
Unpreventable.
Like systematic risk in economics.
Who could've guessed Cain would sacrifice his life for Olivia?
Screeech!
A chalkboard-scraping sound rang out simultaneously.
“Fuck…….”
Goosebumps erupted all over me.
Every Aranballon soldier statue nearby.
Turned toward us—I could feel it.
Click click click……!
The successive crossbow loading sounds—could they be this terrifying?
“Damn it! Everyone, get in!”
Rodigin yelled.
“Fall back and form a defense line! Stick together to survive!”
Judgment Spear bellowed too.
Roll roll.
I rolled on the ground too, regaining my center.
The pattern moved with me, so I had to head to the group's middle.
“…….”
In my view, Olivia fleeing frantically.
Damn it.
Didn't matter.
She could 'pass' alone and go to Theme 3 for all I cared.
'I'll survive here anyway?'
I'll make it somehow and pay her back—wait for it.
I steeled my eyes.
Fortunately, the other team members were back inside the circle.
“Huh?”
Or so I thought.
“James?”
Olena murmured blankly, staring ahead.
At her gaze, the martial artist 'James' was grabbing armfuls of remaining treasures and sprinting for the exit.
“James, you lunatic! What the hell! Get back here!”
Kapu yelled incredulously, but James ignored him.
Kapu frowned, closed his eyes, and muttered something.
Total chaos.
“…….”
Ha.
I chuckled.
Not funny—just the only response left.
Everyone's got their quirks, huh.
Well, still.
I'd expected it from the start.
No big mental blow.
“Anyway! Everyone, focus!”
I shouted.
Swoosh swoosh!
First, deal with those hellish bolts flying from afar.