Chapter 78 — No One Knows.
Chapter 78 — No One Knows.
Translation: GodTL
With Adil, I began thoroughly exploring the Sanctuary.
Just as Adil had explained, the place was so impeccably maintained that one would never guess it held tens of thousands of years of history.
The interior was immaculately clean, and judging by the quantity and storage conditions of emergency supplies and daily necessities, it was clear that every possible preparation had been made for Elysium's residents to utilize this place at any time.
However, that wasn't what mattered to me.
The reason I'd come here was to see the holy relics stored within the Sanctuary.
Specifically, relics that might be connected to my power or capable of sending me back to Earth.
To begin with, I'd only thought there was a high probability such things might be here—I couldn't be certain where they'd be located, or even if they existed in this place at all.
After touring the Sanctuary for a while, I asked Adil:
"Adil, sir. By any chance, is there a separate area where holy relics are gathered?"
"Hmm... There is indeed such a place."
According to Adil, it housed such precious relics that not only outsiders but even Elysium's citizens couldn't enter freely.
"I'm not entirely sure if you're permitted inside, so let me check for a moment."
Adil pulled out what appeared to be a manual for this place from his bag and flipped through its pages.
I worried about what would happen if I wasn't allowed in, but this was the proper procedure for Adil and Elysium's authorities.
Caution was inevitable—after all, wasn't I someone with a history of absorbing holy relics?
Of course, it hadn't been intentional, but they couldn't help being wary.
There was no guarantee the same thing wouldn't happen again.
Though I feared I might return empty-handed without gaining anything, fortunately, Adil gave me permission to enter.
"However, you must not touch the relics directly, nor may you approach them too closely. Please keep that in mind."
"Of course."
"Also, beyond what I've just mentioned, situations may arise where I have no choice but to enforce restrictions. In those cases as well, you must follow my instructions carefully."
I agreed to abide by all rules inside, and Adil guided me to the space where the relics were displayed.
By the way...
"The path is rather complicated, isn't it?"
We repeatedly went up and down, and the path itself was extremely winding.
"I believe it was deliberately designed that way. Given the importance of what's stored here, they made the route difficult to navigate."
"Just seeing the path from outside to here, the security already seemed incredibly tight."
On top of that, multiple layers of security barriers were placed along the way.
At this point, even a thief would get exhausted and give up halfway.
Adil nodded in agreement.
"We must minimize the risk of theft. I believe security was strengthened further after the incident centuries ago when Bellium's Tears went missing."
"If you're referring to Bellium's Tears being lost centuries ago, then perhaps..."
"Yes. It's the very relic you absorbed, Min-jun."
Though I hadn't committed any crime, hearing that made me feel strangely guilty.
Anyway, after navigating the maze-like path and passing through numerous complex security spells, I finally arrived at the place where the holy relics were gathered.
But I couldn't enter immediately.
"Please wait outside for a moment."
Adil explained that he needed to reinforce the barrier spells further to prevent a recurrence of yesterday's incident and asked for my patience.
After about ten minutes or so...
"You may enter now."
The moment I stepped into the room housing the relics, the first thing that caught my eye was the intricate magic circles individually cast around each relic.
Even after all the security measures along the way, it still hadn't been enough.
"At this level, not even a Dragon could steal anything."
"Regardless of other places, the security here ranks among the top five across the entire continent."
Enough marveling at the security.
With Adil's guidance, I began carefully examining the relics displayed here.
"First, though it may be hard to see clearly from this distance, that over there is one of the last two remaining Bellium's Tears in the world."
Despite its small size, the sheer number of protective spells and the considerable distance maintained from it prompted Adil to hand me a telescope for viewing.
As I accepted the telescope, I couldn't help but think, Is all this really necessary? But then again, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
I peered through the telescope to examine Bellium's Tears.
"Even when I saw it before, I remember thinking how radiant it was."
Back then, I hadn't gotten a proper look during the heat of battle, but now, carefully adjusting the angle, it appeared far more breathtaking than I recalled.
"And... maybe it's because of the legend you told me earlier, but I feel strangely moved."
On top of that, whether it was just my imagination or not, the sensation I had first felt before the Statue of Bellium seemed slightly stronger now.
That feeling—my heart pounding fiercely, yet my mind oddly at peace.
For a brief moment, I worried that, just like before, I might end up absorbing Bellium's Tears entirely, but thankfully, no such disaster occurred.
Starting with Bellium's Tears, Adil meticulously explained each sacred artifact to me one by one.
"Now, moving on to the next relic..."
"This is the Dragon Bone Sword, personally crafted by Lord Bellium..."
"This cup here may look unremarkable at first glance, but..."
Even as I listened intently to his explanations while examining each artifact, I never once failed to check whether I felt any shift in sensation before them.
Yet, frustratingly, no such change came.
Maybe I'll only get a proper reaction once I descend to the lowest level where Bellium's remains are kept.
The lack of progress made me grow impatient.
"At this point, we've seen about half of them."
"...Already?"
Perhaps it was my growing restlessness from the lack of results, but time seemed to have flown by.
"Yes. But, Min-jun... I'm feeling a bit tired. Would it be all right if we took a short break to rest and hydrate before continuing?"
"Of course."
"My apologies. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't mind, but given the sensitive nature of this place... Could you please remain here while I step away briefly?"
The fact that even my movement was restricted drove home just how airtight the security here truly was.
"Understood."
After excusing himself, Adil took a drink and sat down to catch his breath.
For someone like a Hunter, it might not be an issue, but for an ordinary person, this much walking and talking would naturally be exhausting.
I decided to use this brief respite to attempt meditation.
Normally, I practiced it for training purposes, but today's goal was different.
Let's see if I can detect even the faintest trace of an unusual energy somewhere.
There might still be something I've missed so far.
The persistent thud-thud in my chest since entering this place didn't make for the most ideal meditation conditions, but it was still better than doing nothing.
"Adil, since we're taking a break anyway, why don't you rest a little longer? Say... twenty minutes?"
"Are you sure that's all right?"
"Yes. I have something to do as well."
Settling into a familiar posture, I began meditating.
Given how different the environment and my own state were from usual, it didn't go smoothly at first, but fortunately, I soon found my focus.
Concentrating more intensely than ever, I strained to detect even the subtlest energy emanating from the artifacts—
...What is this?
A new energy signature flickered onto my radar.
I couldn't precisely define it, but one thing was certain—it was different from anything I'd felt before.
As I honed in on it, the sensation gradually intensified.
How should I even describe this?
The more I focused, the more an entirely unfamiliar feeling spread through my body like ink dispersing in water.
Longing, sorrow, a racing heart, tranquility, surging strength—all at once...
...It defied easy explanation.
Stronger than what I'd felt before the Statue of Bellium, it was as though dozens—no, hundreds—of emotions and sensations had been compressed into a single moment, making it overwhelming.
Driven by the need to understand more, I urgently called out to Adil, who was still resting.
"Mr. Adil. I need to go somewhere for a moment."
"Where... exactly?"
"Truthfully, I don't know either. I can sense some inexplicable energy coming from somewhere, but I can't pinpoint where."
Not only was I unfamiliar with the internal structure of the Sanctuary, but even if I had known, I wouldn't have been able to specify exactly where the energy was emanating from.
To a third party, it might have sounded incomprehensible—but that was genuinely the case.
Adil, too, seemed unable to grasp what I was saying and asked again, to which I could only repeat myself verbatim.
"I don't understand. I really don't, but..."
Hesitating for a moment as he drew out his words, Adil finally asked me:
"At least point out the direction from which you feel that energy."
"That way."
I had no idea how far it was or what lay there, but I could at least discern the general direction.
"I have no clue how any of this is happening... but let's go."
Adil groaned as he pushed himself up.
Following the traces of that energy I had sensed during meditation, I took slow, deliberate steps.
Indeed, the closer I got, the more intense the sensation became.
And then, finally—
We arrived before a door that looked suspicious at first glance.
I didn't know what lay beyond it, but the moment I stood before it, I felt as though my entire body had been completely overtaken by that sensation.
So much so that, the instant I faced the door, my legs momentarily gave out.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah... yes."
Fortunately, Adil, who was beside me, steadied me before I could collapse.
For a brief moment, I stood there dazed, staring blankly at the door before finally regaining my senses and speaking.
"This must be the place. The source of the energy I felt."
"......"
Instead of responding, Adil simply stared at the door with a complicated expression.
That reaction alone made it clear—there was definitely something inside.
"Mr. Adil, what exactly is in there?"
"Honestly... I don't know either."
"What?"
"Not just me—no one knows what lies beyond that door."
Adil's answer was utterly shocking.
No, how could that be possible?
This place, the Sanctuary, had existed for at least tens of thousands of years, continuously maintained and utilized throughout that time.
And yet, no one knew what was beyond that door? There had to be a special reason for that.
"We've tried every possible magic to open it, but no one has ever succeeded."
"Couldn't you at least use detection magic to find out what's inside?"
"We've tried everything we could think of. Nothing worked."
Adil shook his head.
"No magic has ever been able to penetrate it. For ages, people have tried to uncover what's inside, but no one has ever succeeded."
Hearing this only amplified my curiosity.
Just what could be hidden there to warrant such secrecy?
"By any chance... would it be alright if I tried opening it?"
Adil clasped his hands together and nodded.
"Please, by all means. If you manage to open that door, I'm not exaggerating—you'll be making history, Mr. Min-jun."
Adil readily stepped aside, and I grabbed the door handle, pulling with all my might.
Unsurprisingly, the door didn't budge.
Well, if it could have been opened this easily, someone would have done it long ago.
Then again—what if I used the power imbued in the Dragon Bone Sword?
The thought occurred to me, and it seemed worth a try.
I retrieved the Dragon Bone Sword from my Subspace.
Seeing me draw a sword to open a door, Adil looked slightly startled.
"Are you... planning to break it down?"
"Not exactly. I thought the power within the sword might help. Have I mentioned that this is the Dragon Bone Sword?"
"I have no idea what you're planning, but... very well. And honestly, even if the door were destroyed, it wouldn't matter. As long as we can see what's inside."
If the door could be broken, someone would have done it already.
Gripping the sword in one hand, I channeled as much of its power as I could before grabbing the handle again.
This alone might not be enough.
So, I decided to try Dragon Words.
The chances of success were slim, but—
After visualizing the incantation, I directed Dragon Words at the door.
[Open.]
I pulled with all my strength, reinforced by the Dragon Words, but the door remained shut.
Just what had Bellium hidden inside that even this wouldn't work?
As I considered retrieving an artifact from my Subspace—
A radiant light erupted.