Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Golden Haven
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Whoa..."
The group entering the warehouse let out low exclamations of awe as they looked around.
"Seriously..."
Setsuna spoke up in place of Luen, who seemed at a loss for words and hesitant.
Sure enough, just as she said.
The warehouse they'd entered full of anticipation was utterly empty, to the point of disappointment.
'...What the hell is this?'
Woojin kept walking through the barren warehouse.
"Hm?"
At the far end, he spotted a single weathered box.
"I thought a warehouse meant we could pick items... Guess it's predetermined."
Clunk—
He opened the lid of the box.
"What's this?"
Inside lay nothing but a single worn scroll.
'Golden Haven?'
It wasn't an item as expected, which was a bit disappointing, but Woojin untied the string binding the unfamiliar scroll out of curiosity.
Will you accept the quest?
"World Quest...?"
Woojin hadn't expected to get a new quest from the Bolton family. Surprised, he double-checked the window.
'World Quests are top-tier... No one's doing them except the Ulldoa Union right now. They're incredibly hard to obtain, and here it is.'
His eyes sharpened with tension as he examined the details.
"Wait... Island beyond the northern wall?"
Woojin's eyes trembled at that moment.
He'd heard of it before.
The place Raoul had sought—the home of the Lion King.
It was none other than
the last bastion of humanity.
'If I could go to the other world, I'd know where the island beyond the northern wall is.'
Woojin smacked his lips.
That way, he could clear the World Quest easily.
"No reason to refuse."
Woojin tore the scroll with all his might.
Quest Name: Golden Haven
📍 Objective: Find Golden Haven, the legendary island.
The torn scroll turned to ash in an instant upon accepting the quest.
"Guess that's it."
Nothing remained in the box.
"Hmm... The reward feels too lackluster."
"You could see it that way, but getting a World Quest is a huge deal."
'Plus, I know how to tackle it.'
Curiously, the more he progressed in the game, the more tasks piled up for when he entered the other world.
"Let's head back."
An exit opened at the back of the warehouse once he confirmed the scroll.
Whoosh——!!
Stepping into the portal, light enveloped them.
"You've done well."
As the light from the exit faded, they found themselves at the lighthouse.
"You've safely resolved the Bolton family's affairs."
Harper, who had been waiting, bowed his head to Woojin in greeting.
"Thanks to all of you, the black mist has lifted, and this place can connect with the rest of the world."
"You're welcome."
Woojin returned the gesture.
"I suppose I should return this."
Chayson offered the [Brine Sword] he held to Harper.
"This belongs to the Bolton family, doesn't it?"
"I have no intention of managing the city. I plan to leave the Archipelago as a land of freedom."
"Don't you find it regrettable? The city is vast, as you can see. You could live like a king of a small kingdom."
"I prefer Hundred Flowers Valley."
Harper gazed at Chayson for a moment before nodding.
"Very well. I'll manage this place for the time being. But don't forget—this is Bolton land, and you are its lord."
"Understood."
"I've prepared the ship. Shall we go?"
Chayson headed straight for the anchored ship as soon as Harper finished speaking, clearly eager to leave.
"Master, should we go too?"
"You go ahead to the ship. I have business with him."
Harper smiled faintly at Woojin's words.
"Now it's time to hear your thoughts."
Alone with Harper, Woojin posed the question he'd been waiting to ask.
"Do you truly wish to become the Dragon Lord?"
A chill ran down his spine.
Harper's gaze had changed.
"Standing above dragons means transcending human limits. Dragons are selfish beings. They will test you endlessly with horrific trials and pain."
The aura emanating from him
was strikingly similar to what he'd sensed from Belian.
'He wasn't called a human dragon just for his wisdom.'
Only then did it dawn on Woojin that Harper might not be fully human.
"If you need draconic power, why not become a Dragon Knight instead?"
Harper produced a small egg from his robes.
"Given your abilities, which I vouch for, you could become a Dragon Knight under my master, the White Dragon Hawen, lord of the western highlands, if you wish."
"I'm not settling for a lower-grade class just to make things easier."
"Higher grade doesn't always mean better. The failure risk is greater too. Fail once, and you'll never get anything beyond Normal class."
Harper brought the egg closer.
"But right now, you could advance just by touching it."
"I refuse."
Woojin's response was firm.
"Are you serious?"
"What I aim for can't be achieved with the power of a single dragon."
"Planning to save the world or something?"
Harper asked half-jokingly.
"The world? Nah... Just going to make a wish."
Despite Woojin's cryptic answer, Harper nodded as if he understood.
"Very well. But even if I acknowledge you, that doesn't make you Dragon Lord."
"Then...?"
"I'm merely a disciple of a dragon, not one myself. All I can do is inform the dragons on this continent of your existence."
Harper pocketed the dragon egg.
"You're still inexperienced. Level up and grow stronger. When you reach the next continent, a dragon will seek you out."
'Time to level up.'
Woojin nodded at the updated quest window.
"May your journey find peace."
Harper extended his hand to Woojin.
Ding—!!
Woojin's status window changed.
"Luck...?"
"It's nothing special. It just means you'll occasionally get benefits that defy logic."
"Would've preferred something like Magic Power."
"Haha. If luck is on your side, that chance will come too."
Harper chuckled at Woojin's reaction.
"Do you know of the island beyond the northern wall?"
"Why do you ask...?"
"Found a map of Golden Haven in the Bolton warehouse. It said it's there."
"Well, I've traveled far, but I've only heard rumors myself."
"What rumors?"
"The island beyond the northern wall is an island, yet not an island."
"...What does that mean?"
Harper smiled again at Woojin's frown.
"Who knows? I was once interested too, but learned nothing more."
'An island that's not an island...'
Woojin mulled over Harper's words.
"Thank you. Time for me to go."
"Hope we meet again someday."
"Me too."
With their talk concluded, Woojin boarded the ship.
"To Hundred Flowers Valley."
The monster-infested sea had calmed as if nothing had happened, and the ship set sail at full speed.
"That's him, right? The one who cleared Ice Cavern with Uncle."
Ever since the uncharted area [Black Mist] appeared on the map, the community boards were abuzz with the topic.
"Probably. No one else would pull off something like this."
"Who the heck is he?"
"Heh, promised that guy I wouldn't tell. Even for my favorite niece, no dice."
"Come on, this is your Union Leader asking. Spill it, Gareth."
A spacious stone building.
It was the Ulldoa Union's guild house.
Unlike the outside world, it was filled more with non-humans than humans.
And the sole human there, a woman with short bobbed hair and thick gauntlets instead of weapons that hinted at her class, pressed Gareth.
"Sorry, can't tell even the Union Leader. It's a promise."
"...Tch. Lame."
Knowing Gareth's stubborn streak—once no meant no—she pouted in frustration.
"Jane, anyway. Tomorrow, right? Don't bail this time."
"Can't Uncle just go instead?"
"Only when it suits you, huh?"
"You were the Union Leader originally."
Gareth laughed heartily at her words.
"Forgot the Ulldoa Union rule?"
"I know, I know."
The one who lands the most interesting gig becomes Union Leader.
"Having accepted a World Quest, it's natural for you to take the role."
"Ugh... Why did I do that?"
Jane clutched her head and sighed.
"It's so boring. Last time with Uncle, I thought it was an auction house."
"Necessary work. And that's why people like us exist."
"That's why I'm asking! We need strong folks to build our union's power. Recruit him!"
"He's already doing a World Quest—that's plenty. Chin up."
Gareth patted Jane's shoulder.
"And give up on him. Not the type to serve under anyone."
"Hmph... You don't know that!"
"Whatever. You'll meet soon enough. Word'll spread when he hits the Central Continent. Anyway, focus on prep. Got it?"
"Ugh, fine. It'll just be auctions again anyway. No real substance."
She sighed, waving the note on the table.
A semiannual regular summit where top guilds and unions from the Central Continent gathered.
"Who knows? They're no pushovers. It'll be good experience for you."
Gareth smiled at her complaint.