Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Herman's Magic Box
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"Welcome!!!"
As soon as he stepped into the trading company building, Charlson came rushing over with his arms spread wide toward Woojin.
"You kept your promise."
"Of course! Of course! And it's not just the promise—White Flower Valley is in an uproar right now! Who could've guessed you'd conquer the Ice Cavern too?"
'Just one more to go.'
A notification rang out as he clasped the gnome's hand.
"Thank you... for saving me."
Cheyson, standing beside him, bowed his head politely.
"Don't pull any more stupid stunts from now on."
Cheyson's face hardened at his words.
He must have gotten an earful from Charlson about heading to the Ice Cavern out of rivalry with his brother.
"You tried to slip away first while I was fighting Tykan, didn't you? If you want to win, don't run from the enemy right in front of you."
"...Pardon?"
"Whether it's a monster or your brother."
Woojin dropped the casual advice and followed Charlson toward the warehouse.
"Th-thank you!!!"
Cheyson, mulling over his words, bowed deeply toward his back with a bright expression.
"I'm grateful."
"For what?"
"For cheering on my second son."
Charlson glanced at him as they headed to the warehouse.
"It wasn't cheering. Just stating the obvious. And isn't that what you wanted?"
"Me?"
"If he gets intimidated after this, the sibling rivalry ends."
"Heh heh... So it was for my sake, not his?"
"Of course. My trading partner is you, not him."
Charlson shook his head as if conceding the point, though he looked pleased regardless.
"It's a shame you're human. If you were a gnome, I might've taken you as successor over my two sons."
"Does it have to be a successor? There's a better way."
"A better way?"
Woojin stopped in front of the warehouse and faced Charlson.
"Partner."
He extended his hand.
"Depending on this reward, we might keep doing business long-term. What do you say?"
"Kuh, heh heh..."
Charlson laughed as he took his hand.
"Good. No one could've predicted a greenhorn who hasn't set foot on the Central Continent would partner with Azen Trading Company."
Woojin gripped the hand firmly in return.
Kugugugugu—.
Charlson threw open the door to his private warehouse with all his might.
"Take anything you like. I'm a man of my word when it comes to trade."
Treasures gleamed so brightly it hurt the eyes.
There probably wasn't a treasury like this even in the Dark Forest—no, not even on the Central Continent.
"Take your time looking."
Charlson handed him the key with a pleased grin.
"You can come out now."
After Charlson left, Woojin tapped twice on the right side of his chest.
-Puha!!
Setsuna, who had been stuffy in his pocket, poked her head out and yawned wide.
-Whoa...! So many fun things.
She flapped his collar and began flitting around the warehouse, inspecting everything.
"Look around all you want. That's your job here."
There was one reason Woojin had brought her here.
This place, packed with treasures rivaling the Central Continent, was full of ancient relics mixed in.
'No better spot to level Setsuna up.'
And as expected, notifications started ringing every time she examined the displayed treasures.
Faint lights seeped into her body as she touched the relics.
'Three initial skills, then one every five levels. Fitting for an SS-grade.'
Evil Tail had very few base skills.
After creating a character, each class started with two skills, gained one more at level 30, and needed level 50 to unlock the second skill tree.
In other words, just four skills total until the Central Continent.
That's why most players who couldn't conquer Labyrinth Tower had to buy pricey skillbooks from the auction house.
In that light, Setsuna unlocking over 20 skills by level 99 was an enormous advantage.
'These... are incredible.'
Woojin couldn't help but be amazed checking the skill details.
'Golem for defense, elf for offense, spirit for utility.'
Not a single useless skill among them.
"You need to level up fast."
He looked forward to Setsuna's growth ahead.
-Kyak!
Setsuna, having absorbed all the light from the relics, made an odd noise at Woojin.
"What's wrong?"
-...Tasteless.
Woojin chuckled at her words.
"Bear with it. Even in the Dark Forest, seeing gear like this isn't easy."
-But... I smell something tasty over there...
"Hm? Tasty smell?"
Sniff sniff—.
Setsuna flared her nostrils and flew deeper into the warehouse.
-Here!!
The spot she pointed to was an ordinary blank wall.
"What's here?"
-Dunno. But it smells sweet.
Setsuna fiddled with the wall and gulped.
"Hmm...?"
Woojin began slowly examining the wall.
He felt faint cracks between the bricks.
'Something's there.'
He pushed with all his might, but the sturdy wall didn't budge.
"No way it'd open like that."
No visible mechanisms, probably some magical seal.
"Give up on this. Even if it's a secret vault, we can't get in right now."
-There's a way.
"How?"
Right then.
Shwaaak—.
Setsuna's body blurred, vanishing completely before his eyes.
"...!!!"
Momentarily stunned, Woojin watched as she reappeared through the wall, eyes wide, shouting at him.
-Master! Come quick!!
The moment she grabbed his hand, his vision blurred.
"Ugh!!"
When clarity returned, Woojin tumbled to the floor, unable to overcome the momentum as if pushed from behind, blinking in confusion.
"This is..."
A worn, dim warehouse interior.
Tong— tong— tong—.
Lights flickered on as he entered.
'Mist Step even pierces barriers...'
Woojin stared blankly at the still-sealed wall behind him.
As expected, three magic circles were engraved on the other side.
'Impressive ability all around.'
Amazed once more by Setsuna's skill, he slowly scanned the room.
Three treasures sat on altars under glass cases, like museum exhibits.
The warehouse items were impressive, but these were clearly on another level at a glance.
"Setsuna."
-Yes?
"Which one smells the tastiest?"
-This one!!
Woojin gave a peculiar smile at her answer.
"Is it really okay? Just handing over Charlson's warehouse like that."
"Heh heh, no issue. I smell potential. That guy's going to be a big shot."
Charlson gazed at the warehouse visible through the window, eyes full of expectation.
"It's an investment. When he shakes up the rotten Central Continent, Azen will ride that wave and dig in deeper."
He brimmed with confidence despite his subordinate's cautious question.
"What do you think he'll take?"
"Dunno. Warrior type, so probably a weapon. Plenty of drool-worthy ones in there—he must be agonizing over the choice."
Charlson chuckled, leaning back in his chair.
"He won't find that place, right?"
"No chance. I hired Red Tower mages to seal it specially."
Kiiik—.
The door opened, and Charlson waved happily.
"Oh!! Back already!!"
He rushed over and stood before Woojin.
"So, find anything you like?"
"All excellent."
"Heh heh, of course! Treasures I've collected my whole life! Don't skimp—pick one, but know they're all immensely valuable."
"I think so too."
Thud—.
Woojin set down what he carried before him.
An old box.
"Thinking of taking this."
Charlson's face stiffened instantly.
"Lucky find. It was behind the wall."
"W-wait. You went into my secret vault? How?"
"Trade secret. Want to know? Pay the price."
"Price?"
"Toss in a couple more from the warehouse, and I'll consider it."
Charlson let out an incredulous laugh.
"Turning full merchant, eh. No idea how you did it, but fine—really want that?"
He sighed, shaking his head.
"Not sure if you know what it is. Greed could backfire."
Charlson pointed at the item.
"It's cursed. Central Continent adventurers got excited once, but all gave up—bought it dirt cheap."
"Then thank me. Disposing of your cursed junk—no service?"
"Tch... Do as you like. Not smuggled, so no permit needed."
Charlson waved him off.
"What for?"
"Time to upgrade my weapon."
Shring—.
Woojin drew his sword from its sheath as he replied.
"No way you're putting that junk in there? Warehouse has way better than that."
"It's junk now, but this sword can behead dragons."
Charlson looked puzzled, unconvinced.
"Even if that shabby thing's special, what if it breaks?"
"Don't worry."
Woojin smirked at his sword.
"No way that'll happen."
Tong—.
He placed the sword inside the box.