Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Ulldin's Qualification
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-Ulldin's qualification, huh... Our ancestors would be weeping. To even invoke that name just for an elf to meet the fairy folk.
Fowler sheathed his sword with a tsk.
"Not possible... right?"
-You idiot...! That's not what I meant.
Fowler yelled in bewilderment at Luen, who had instantly reverted to her usual clumsy self.
-Since you've stayed silent until now, I take it you've granted permission. Follow me.
As Fowler beckoned, the fairies around them swiftly scattered.
'He was just picking a fight for no reason.'
Woojin smirked at the sight of Fowler.
They must have already known about Luen's presence when they passed through the gate.
They probably just needed confirmation.
On the status of the elf accompanying him.
'Prisoner... or ally.'
No one had ever reported seeing fairy folk in Evil Tail.
There weren't even any mentions in the community.
A race unknown to humans for years.
With no exchanges until now, they likely had no idea how the world had changed.
'Stuck in the ways of the past, as expected... Distrusting humans is only natural.'
"May I ask one question?"
Fowler turned to Woojin, who had spoken up as they walked.
-What is it?
His attitude was markedly different from how he treated Luen, but Woojin understood their circumstances and let it slide.
"Do you happen to know about the Tower?"
-...The Tower?
That reaction said it all.
'As I thought... They've been living completely cut off from the world.'
In that instant, his inner merchant stirred.
He pondered what the fairies might desire in exchange for dealings with them.
"Long ago, a tower of unknown origins appeared on the continent. It holds monsters inside, but also countless treasures. That's why so many adventurers are challenging it."
-Hmph, a tower of greed in the end. Good riddance. I hope hordes of humans throw themselves at it and wipe themselves out.
Woojin gave a wry smile at his cynical reply.
"That could happen. But conversely, that Tower might present an opportunity for the fairy folk too."
-Opportunity?
His words were enough to pique Fowler's interest.
So Woojin decided to draw out his response a little longer.
Until that concealed desperation surfaced.
"We can discuss more once I meet the Fairy Queen."
-Cunning human.
Though he said it, Fowler's demeanor had noticeably softened from before.
As they passed through the forest, a vast clearing opened up, and Fowler ceased his wingbeats to land on the ground.
-We meet the Fairy Queen.
He dropped to one knee in reverence, and Luen bowed at the waist as well.
-It's the first time a human has entered this place in centuries.
A voice echoed directly in his mind.
Woojin raised his head at the extraordinary aura, spotting a woman radiating brilliant light.
Flanked by three fairies in armor, she addressed him.
-I wondered how you'd found the Fairy Forest... A Phantom Fairy... You're accompanied by a rare being.
She saw through Setsuna's true nature at a glance.
-Such a cute little one. She still has a long way to grow, though.
-Th-thank you.
Unlike her usual rowdy self, Setsuna replied in a tense, squeaky voice—an endearing sight.
-Your Majesty. His companion drank fairy water and seeks treatment for mana chaos.
-Hmm... We took every precaution... but I always thought something like this might happen one day.
The Fairy Queen gazed at Nisen as she spoke.
-First, my apologies. Fairy water is vital for our kind, yet ironically, it can't be produced in the Fairy Forest itself.
In a manner unbefitting a queen, she bowed courteously to Nisen.
-In the past, fairies and elves coexisted for precisely that reason. We created fairy water in the forests, and elves cultivated their mana with it.
'So that's why it worked on Luen.'
Woojin listened quietly to her words.
-But under the current circumstances... we had no choice but to create a spring within the forest.
"I understand the reason. But can Nisen receive treatment now?"
The queen smiled benignly at his question.
-It's not impossible. He's fortunate. Treating mana chaos requires elven mana—and conveniently, you are here.
"Th-then..."
The queen placed her hand on Luen's forehead.
A breeze stirred, forming a small orb at her fingertips.
Trailing her gesture, the orb floated through the air and entered Nisen's body.
"Gasp...!!"
The orb seeped rapidly along his veins, permeating every corner of his body.
As his veins glowed golden throughout before fading, the scales blanketing his face shed away.
"Th-thank you...!!!"
Nisen clutched his now-smooth face and prostrated himself before the queen.
-...
But Fowler's face was rigid, clearly displeased with the situation.
-His words aren't wrong. If later generations awaken to goodwill on their own and offer it, we'd be grateful—but we can't impose our ancestors' debts on them.
-...My apologies.
She seemed already aware of the confrontation at the forest entrance.
After issuing another warning to Fowler, she assured them of their lack of malice.
-Nisen, correct?
"Yes."
-This encounter is fate. You now harbor elven mana and fairy water within you. Your mana will swell like a spring hereafter.
The Fairy Queen nodded to her attendants, who presented a bracelet adorned with a small pendant.
-Vast mana is a heavenly gift, but the vessel—the human body—is finite. Without control, it poses great danger.
She clasped the bracelet around Nisen's wrist.
-Keep this until you've mastered control over your mana.
"Th-thank you!!"
-It's no exchange per se, but in return, safeguard the spring to prevent such mishaps. And should you need it, use the spring water freely.
"Understood!"
Nisen nodded eagerly, positively thrilled by her words.
For an apprentice mage like him, access to fairy water was pure fortune.
'This isn't wrapping up so neatly.'
Woojin doubted the system had directed him to Nisen without purpose.
If not solely for the treatment, then it was a pretext to gain something.
He knew it involved the fairies, but precisely what remained unclear.
'Fairy water? No.'
Even low-grade dragon mana stones fetched exorbitant prices, but the system wouldn't compel him for mere that.
'The foundation for the next scenario.'
Since arriving in the Fairy Forest, Woojin had mulled it over and reached this conclusion.
The fairy folk were an unknown race in Evil Tail up to now.
He believed his task was to draw them into the wider world.
"Will you hide away eternally like this?"
Woojin made the opening gambit.
-What do you mean?
"Just as later generations needn't bear their forebears' mistakes, you needn't cower in the shadows forever."
-Irresponsible talk. You shirk responsibility yet dangle opportunity—do as you will? The world hasn't changed. If fairies emerge, it'll be humans scheming to exploit us at every turn.
"At least not us."
In that moment, the queen's gaze shifted subtly.
"He's my master. I dare say you can trust him."
-A follower of Ulldin's Heir... Intriguing, but we can't stake our race's future on mere words.
The queen addressed Woojin directly.
-Tell us of yourself. Do you have lands to shelter us? Armies to defend us?
"No. No lands or armies. I'm merely a fledgling adventurer fresh on the central continent."
-And yet you ask us to trust you now?
"True investment spots the seed early. Too late once it's grown into a tree."
-How know whether the seed sprouts into a tree... or rots away? At least let it unfurl its cotyledons first.
Opportunity.
Woojin's eyes flashed.
"What must I show you?"
-Black clouds gathered over Torn Bach.
The queen continued the conversation in a measured tone at Woojin's query.
'Unlike the other fairies, the queen knows of outside events.'
He listened intently.
-Black clouds summon monsters. Yet this one felt different from before.
"I know of it. They say the monsters summoned grow tougher as the Labyrinth Tower is conquered."
The queen shook her head at his answer.
-It's more than that. Did you... witness what manner of monsters lurked beneath this black cloud?
"Not exactly..."
-If you defend the village from this black cloud, I'll give your proposal due consideration.
Linked Quest: Cursed Nisen → Defense of Torn Bach
📍 Location: Torn Bach
[Accept the quest?]
'Hm?'
Unlike previous prompts, this one explicitly asked for his choice.
-This leaf will guide you back to the Fairy Forest.
The queen produced a small leaf and handed it to Woojin.
'Monster waves are just an ongoing event on the central continent starting from Labyrinth Tower raids.'
Recalling Raoul's words, the risk of powerful monsters spiked after floor 60 was cleared.
'Still early days, so it shouldn't be too tough.'
"Understood."
Woojin nodded to the queen.
-One thing you should know.
"What is it?"
-There are entities that must not participate in this monster wave.
"Entities that must not...?"
-It seems this is all to bring you here.
"...Me?"
Woojin stared at the queen in confusion.
Black Dragon Benshina.
Her words made Woojin's cheek twitch faintly.
-He will lead the monsters under the black cloud to Torn Bach.
"When you head to the next continent, the dragon will seek you out."
Harper's prior words resurfaced in his mind.
"I see..."
The queen had discerned he was undertaking the Dragon Lord quest.
This was a trial for that qualification.
'Not going to be easy.'
Woojin gazed toward the hazy barrier beyond as he thought.
But his decision was already made.
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