The Savior of Menil Territory
The fact that potatoes grew on trees on the 4th floor was certainly fascinating, but it wasn't exactly a matter of life and death.
◈ Details: A fruit from a tree that grows wild in parts of the Ardenia Kingdom. Consuming it restores stamina over a set period.
◈ Properties: Rich in nutrients and calories, it is revered as a crop blessed by the gods for its ability to survive even in dead soil. A late-maturing variety that is barely affected by weather. It consumes almost no soil nutrients, obtaining most of its energy from sunlight. If the temperature is maintained between 19–21°C for two months, the fruit grows over the course of one month through vegetative reproduction, after which it can be harvested.
What is this, a fruit of the gods? Regardless, it seems the Menil territory must have a very consistent temperature, aside from winter, since Emily mentioned they harvest them up to three times.
"The roasted potatoes you had at dinner the other day were made with these, too," she added.
Ah. So that’s why I felt a surge of energy after eating them. It looks similar to Earth, but since there are so many special ores that don't exist on Earth, I suppose it makes sense that the flora and fauna are unique as well. Then again, most of the monsters below the 'F' rank are just mutated beasts, so they’re quite different from Earth’s creatures. I should try to collect some common plants and animals when I have the time.
"Emily, would it be alright if I took a few of these?"
"Yes! Please, take as many as you'd like, Jaeil-nim!"
I gave a few candies made from Death Bee honey—which I’d brought from Earth—to the beaming Emily as a bribe, then tucked a few potatoes into my pack. Emily popped a candy into her mouth, rolling it around with her tongue. She was clutching a thick book between her left hand and her side.
"What’s that book?"
"This is a grimoire containing beginner-level magic. I'm on my way to my mother's for a lesson."
"Aren't you going to be late? Quite a bit of time has passed while you were showing me the potato trees."
"Oh no! I'll see you later, Jaeil-nim!"
"Take it slow! You're going to trip!"
Watching her scramble toward Baroness Helene’s workshop as if she’d just realized the time, I chuckled and headed toward the mansion where Baron Claude would be. I greeted the two guards at the entrance and stepped inside, where I was immediately met by the butler. When I told him I was here to report on the subjugation, he informed me that he’d been told to bring me straight to the Baron’s office without delay. He led me inside immediately.
"You're a fiery one. From the passing of the night until the sun set, you dealt with those goblins..."
"Haha..."
"Anyway, what is it?" The Baron nudged aside a stack of documents on his desk and tilted his head.
"I have dealt with all the goblins in the open-pit mine within the Forest of Darkness."
"...I didn't expect you to finish so quickly. You have my gratitude. You are the savior of the Menil territory."
Quest Completed: The Baron of Menil's Troubles
📍 Location: Mining area purified. Goblins in the Forest of Darkness exterminated.
🎁 Reward: Target exceeded by 150%. Reward grade increased.
Skill proficiency increased.
Achievement 'Savior of Menil Territory' attained.
All members of the Baron of Menil's family trust you. The residents of Menil territory trust you. They will listen to what you have to say and will help you with anything. Your name will spread throughout the Ardenia Kingdom through their mouths.
First climber from South Korea to clear the 4th floor on Hell difficulty.
Points gained by climbers from your home country (South Korea) permanently increased by 1%.
All growth rates permanently increased by 2% (Personal).
Goblins (15) defeated. Goblin Warriors (30) defeated. Goblin Knights (80) defeated.
Acquired 5% stake in the Black Iron Stone mine. You own 5% of the total daily mining yield. Mined ore will be generated at a designated location. You acquire ownership of any ore you mine yourself.
Loot acquired. Points are being settled.
12-hour grace period active. You will be automatically returned once time expires.
Oh, I didn't expect the quest to be completed already. I had intended to go deep into the forest where the goblin base was presumed to be, but it seems that clearing the Forest of Darkness and the open-pit mine was enough to trigger the completion.
"I, Claude de Menil, place my infinite trust in Lee Jaeil, who saved our family and territory... We shall be friends forever."
The Baron placed a bracelet and a piece of parchment into my hands with a solemn voice.
Grade: Rare
Details: A guarantee from the Baron of Menil of the Ardenia Kingdom. It is impossible to replicate as it is engraved with unique magic circuits and a serial number.
Noble Guarantee: Allows access to all towns and castles in the Ardenia Kingdom. Increases the probability of nobles and knights offering quests.
Usage: By returning the parchment, you can make one request that the Baron of Menil's family cannot refuse.
'This... is priceless.' Since the background of the Tower is continuous as one climbs, there’s a high chance I’ll continue climbing within the Ardenia Kingdom’s setting. Having this token alone will surely make things incredibly convenient within the kingdom.
I turned my eyes from the token to the bracelet. It was a beautiful piece, crafted from interconnected, intricately cut jewels. I could even see mana circuits engraved into each gem.
'This is no ordinary artifact, either. Appraisal.'
Grade: Legendary
Properties:
◈ Absorption: Absorbs mana, increasing mana recovery by 55%.
◈ Destruction: Increases attack power using mana by 25%.
◈ Protection: Reduces damage from mana attacks by 30%.
◈ Iron Wall: The wearer's physical defense is calculated by summing the defense of all equipped items.
◈ Storage: Charges and stores up to 40% of the owner's maximum mana. This mana can be used freely.
◈ Guard: Reduces ranged attack damage by 30%.
◈ Efficiency: Reduces all mana consumption by 12%.
Restriction: Mana D or higher
'Insane.' It was an incredible artifact. It was already surprising that it was a bracelet with defense and magic resistance, but every single trait it possessed was top-tier. The 'Iron Wall' trait, in particular, was broken. It meant that even if I were hit on the arm, the defense of all my items would be summed and applied. Normally, if my gauntlets had 60 defense, only 60 defense would apply to my arm, but having the defense of all other parts summed up meant I could boast an absurd level of defense.
"I obtained this artifact after slaying a Duke in the battle against the Arkenland Kingdom."
"Such an incredible item..."
"Do not refuse it." It was too massive an item to accept just for killing a few goblins, but the Baron pressed it into my hand before I could even think of declining.
"Thanks to you, we have reclaimed the Black Iron Stone mine, the territory's main source of income. I must increase the number of soldiers so the goblins can never covet it again."
"I will make good use of the artifact you have given me."
After finishing my meeting with the Baron, I went straight to the courtyard and pulled out a small furnace and an anvil from the corner.
"I can't waste my remaining time."
The reason I climb the Tower? To obtain and handle special ores to my heart's content. Ownership of the minerals I mine myself from the Black Iron Stone mine? All mine. In other words, I have to mine during my spare time. The 2.4 tons I swiped from what the goblins had already dug up is a lot, but you can never have too many minerals. I melted the Black Iron Stone, poured it into a mold, and hammered away until I finished a solid pickaxe!
◈ Focus: Damage amplification when striking the same spot.
◈ Fortune: Chance to acquire additional minerals while mining.
◈ Expertise: Reduces the chance of damaging the ore while mining.
It took about two hours to craft the pickaxe, so I had to move quickly. Using my mana to the fullest, I arrived at the open-pit mine in four hours! Since I’d killed all the goblins and the Baron hadn't sent soldiers yet, the open-pit mine was empty and desolate. It had been dark for a while, but I lit torches at key points and began to mine.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
You have excavated Black Iron Stone.
You have excavated Black Iron Stone.
You have excavated a small amount of copper.
As expected of a famous Black Iron Stone site, the ore poured out in heaps. Occasionally, small amounts of other minerals appeared as well.
You have acquired a skill through repetitive work.
Mining (F): An ability required for digging the ground. Slightly increases the effectiveness of pickaxes or shovels.
"Does digging the ground make money? No, digging the ground duplicates minerals!"
Anyway, since minerals are consumed by blacksmiths or for artifact production, I just need to mine as much as possible. After the skill was created, my digging technique improved slightly. My stamina consumption decreased a little, and since I already had overflowing strength, I was able to dig up an incredibly large area—and the range of my digging expanded even further.
Still, the open-pit mine was vast, so the area I was digging was only a tiny fraction of the whole. I shattered the boulders that appeared in between with my pickaxe and dug through an incredibly wide area in the blink of an eye.
Mining skill level has increased.
Mining skill level has increased.
Chewing on jerky and humming a tune, I continued working without even knowing how much time had passed. As my mining skill increased, my work speed accelerated. The quality of the minerals was also good, so I didn't get many low-grade ores. I was putting the numerous minerals I mined into my sub-space backpack, but it suddenly spat them back out.
Sub-space backpack has reached weight capacity.
"Ah..."
I’d been so excited about mining that I’d already hit the weight limit of my sub-space backpack. I had succeeded in mining about 2 tons of minerals in just 6 hours! It was an incredible amount of mining achieved through the synergy of my stats and skills. Even though the sub-space backpack had a weight-reduction enchantment, I could still feel the heaviness. With a heavy backpack and my newly acquired items... I returned to reality with a satisfied smile.