Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Encounters in the East Continent
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East Continent.
That thought crossed my mind, so I turned to the elf who had introduced herself as Seraphina.
But the presence she gave off wasn't even on the level of the genius killer So Yeon-hwa.
'She's way below that.'
I recalled the first time I'd seen So Yeon-hwa.
The girl looked dazed and cold on the outside, but her skills were the real deal.
There had even been a moment where I felt the need to tense up.
'Because I was moving in earnest.'
That was So Yeon-hwa.
She'd made even me—who cheated with the system left and right—think she was genuinely dangerous.
The Holy Sword had outright said her talent was exceptional.
And far in the future, some beast or whatever would step right into that spot.
She was outstanding.
So what confidence did this woman have to call herself the Thief So Yeon-hwa?
-Overconfidence. The kids around her are probably just pushovers.
'Even so, that level of confidence?'
Doesn't she feel embarrassed?
As I was thinking that, I sensed presences approaching this place.
"Seraphina. Can't you control yourself and stop targeting other males?"
"You really need to learn some self-restraint. Think about how many men have died from ruptured hearts because you elves can't stop lusting after them."
An orc and an incredibly handsome man.
No, is that even an orc?
'What is that, an ogre?'
Orcs were a muscular race, but none had muscles like that.
He was about 2.5 meters tall, and his forearms were far thicker than an average man's waist.
-Orc race and dwarf race.
'That's an orc... no, a dwarf?'
I looked at the man next to the orc.
A handsome swordsman with blond hair and blue eyes. He was about my height, maybe a bit taller.
Around 190cm.
The man was looking at Seraphina with eyes full of contempt.
'That's a dwarf?'
-Yeah, a half-breed who took only the best traits. Most half-breeds inherit the flaws, but that one's blessed.
'...Lucky bastard.'
-You saying that?
The Holy Sword spoke in disbelief.
But envy was envy.
I eyed the ogre and the dwarf pretty boy with jealous eyes.
"What nonsense. What am I supposed to do when they come charging at me?"
"How many men have you devoured with that beauty of yours? And three hundred years ago, sure, there were incidents like that occasionally, but not anymore."
"Our warriors live and die by battle. Do I really need to spell out how many of them died pointless deaths because of you lot?"
"When did those guys stick to our elves?"
"An orc sticking to an elf? Don't make me laugh. Every orc in the world runs away the moment they see an elf...!"
"No matter how beautiful the exterior, they're staking their lives on it. Losing your life to a fleeting moment of pleasure—how pathetic is that? Besides, they're uglier than me."
The pretty boy dwarf said that with his face.
I gave the pretty boy dwarf a cold stare.
"But brother, what about that guy over there?"
The ogre said, looking at me.
"Just a passerby. It was fun meeting the hero candidates, but let's not meet again."
I bowed my head and tried to leave, but the ogre blocked me.
"Don't joke around."
For some reason, the ogre was staring at me with intense eyes.
"That level of fighting spirit... even among us orcs, it's rare. You've reined it in well, but you can't fool my eyes."
"Ho, this guy's that strong?"
The annoying pretty boy narcissist dwarf cut in and looked at me.
"Yeah... with that much fighting spirit, he could even enter the hero tournament candidates."
With that, the ogre extended his fist forward.
"You must want to fight since you've got that much spirit too, right? Wanna go at it right now?"
What the hell is this guy saying?
I gave the ogre a cold stare.
"Not interested in fighting."
"You won't fight me?"
The ogre looked at me like he was staring at an orc defiling an elf, utterly shocked.
"You have that much spirit and won't fight me...? From your spirit, you're at least my equal... or more...?"
"Ho, if you're saying that, he must really be strong. Well, the hero tournament's coming up soon, so everyone's around here is probably like that."
-The Cradle where human resources are gathering right now, or the equivalent Mother Tree nearby. Plus the Dragon's Slumbering Land, the Primordial Giant's Burial Ground, and the Flame That Will Burn the World.
The Holy Sword said.
The Mother Tree was probably the World Tree, the elves' holy site.
Dragon's Slumbering Land was the beastkin holy site, Dragon Vein.
Primordial Giant's Burial Ground was the giants' highland, the orcs' holy site.
And the Flame That Will Burn the World was the dwarves' holy site with the Eternal Flame.
...Why are the names so brutal?
While I was lost in thought for a moment.
Seraphina approached me and said,
"Brandil, Gotash. Both of you shut up. My target today is this man."
"Can't let that happen."
As soon as Seraphina singled me out, Gotash—the ogre—blocked my path.
"A man with that much spirit isn't common. It's been a while since I got fired up, so I want to work it off."
"... ."
No, wait, your wording.
That's really...
Regardless, the man called Gotash winked at me.
"...You're gay?"
The narcissist parasite pretty boy dwarf called Brandil recoiled in horror.
"Sorry, but I've never seen you as more than a friend."
Gotash scowled at Brandil's words.
"I'm not interested in your scrawny body. And you weren't even born with proper fighting spirit. You think I'd be into that?"
"Hmph, what's so great about a body stuffed full of muscle anyway."
Brandil clicked his tongue in disapproval.
Seraphina, meanwhile, gazed at me with an ecstatic expression.
"Truly beautiful... I've seen countless faces, but never one as perfect as yours."
"... ."
Should I just run?
No one I know would see anyway.
As I was pondering that.
A woman appeared in the distance.
She suddenly grinned brightly, waved one hand, and came running toward me.
Plain features, black eyes, black hair.
It was Chloe.
"... ."
I turned and ran without looking back.
Staying near the protagonist is dangerous after all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As Han Yuseong vanished with a whoosh.
The three who had been watching him went wide-eyed.
"What the—?"
"I lost him in an instant? I was focused on the others, sure."
Gotash and Brandil panicked, recalling the robed figure.
"That guy's definitely a Thief Hero candidate."
"Don't talk nonsense, Brandil. A guy with that much spirit can't be a thief."
"Then it's a Gift... space-type? One from the Empire?"
"Even if it's space-type, it was too natural. No mana distortion. Even Gifts affect mana flow... ."
The trio furrowed their brows, replaying the scene.
'...So he's not just a pretty face after all.'
Truly astonishing movement.
Unlike Gotash or Brandil, Seraphina had caught some of his motion.
Just moments ago.
When a slight gap had opened in the trio's attention, he had moved his foot.
'And space warped subtly.'
Then he vanished abruptly.
Unfathomable movement.
'...Well, since he's come this far, he'll enter the hero tournament.'
Seraphina recalled the two swords at his waist.
'Swordsman, huh.'
Good thing he wasn't a thief.
Facing him would have been disadvantageous; she'd have to look at his face.
That divinely sculpted face would melt away all tension.
Still.
If he's around that level.
'We'll meet in the final round.'
Seraphina thought to herself.
Then pondered how to capture him after defeating him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ No paradise awaits at the end of flight.
That's a saying.
The real meaning applies to those who flee without effort.
But this feels unfair.
'Why me?'
I had put in the effort.
Even with the system's help, I'd worked my ass off.
I gave an awkward smile to the person I ran into while fleeing the trio and Chloe.
-It's the general. How ridiculous.
The Holy Sword spoke with odd amusement.
I get it; he has a twisted personality that enjoys my predicaments.
I looked at the woman who had flustered me.
"Oh, long time no see."
"... ."
-Saying that from the first meeting?
'What do you want me to do?'
Then give some practical advice.
I removed the hood from my robe.
She was a comrade in another sense.
The comrade who helped save my life.
"... ."
But the comrade before me just stared at me with trembling eyes.
She simply looked at me.
'... .'
It was intensely burdensome.
Her flowing white hair.
Pointy protruding ears and that snow-white, fluffy tail you just wanted to touch and cuddle while sleeping.
Her blue eyes fixed on me.
"... ."
It was Cheong Yura.