Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Ten-Year Brew
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“He only has one artifact left.”
When Martin showed up unannounced and revealed Lee Si-woo’s secret, Jeoji grinned, baring fangs the size of a newborn’s forearm.
“Oh… Martin. You cunning little friend. What proof do you have that your words aren't a lie meant to lead me into a trap?”
Jeoji's massive jaws, large enough to swallow a man's head in a single bite, loomed before Martin's face.
Swallowing hard, Martin struggled to maintain his composure as he spoke.
“I have no physical evidence. But Kyle, one of the leaders of our Pure Tribe, searched his body. At that time, he confirmed a total of three artifacts.”
“Three? Then shouldn’t there be two left?”
“One was used to kill the 2-star tarantula, Anetium, and erase the traces.”
“Aha, and one was used to kill Ogong, so only one remains?”
“Correct.”
“Hmm… Even so. It’s a bit much to ask me to trust you based on a few flimsy words like these, don’t you think?”
“Lee Si-woo has gained mana.”
“…What?”
“An extradimensional being has gained mana… This fact alone explains why the magician would come all this way to find Lee Si-woo. But what if we were to obtain the thing that lets a man with no mana gain it? The mere thought is quite amusing, isn't it?”
“……”
The wolf’s shimmering green eyes scanned Martin.
Facing that menacing gaze, Martin chuckled.
“Don’t look at me so frighteningly. I have neither the personal skill nor the influence to protect Si-woo’s treasure even if I got my hands on it. But… you, Lord Jeoji, are different.”
Jeoji snorted softly and said,
“Getting it isn’t the end. Have you forgotten? There’s a magician behind him. Besides, we still haven’t even found the stairs. This is a suicide mission.”
“Come now, what are you saying? Have you forgotten about the emergency exit?”
Only then did Jeoji realize why Martin was making a deal with him instead of taking Si-woo’s treasure for himself.
“What ridiculous nonsense. Wake up, Martin. The emergency exit was made for civil servant mistakes, for those who fall into the Pit or manage to crawl their way up from nothing. It wasn't prepared for bugs like us.”
In the Pit, besides the yet-undiscovered stairs, there was one emergency exit whose location and opening method were known.
Yet no one dared to even think of opening it.
Level 70.
The emergency exit would only open for someone who met the minimum level requirement to be issued a ‘citizenship card’ by level alone, without any special skills.
“One day. It took Lee Si-woo just one day to gain mana. Whatever it is, it's certainly a precious item related to mana. But what if you, Lord Jeoji, who already has a considerable level, were to obtain it? Level 70… is it really impossible?”
Jeoji’s brow furrowed as he let out a rough snort.
“There’s some logic to it… but the problem is that it’s an excessive gamble.”
“If things look bad, we can just return Lee Si-woo’s treasure to the magician, can’t we? Of course, our lives would be in danger for getting on the magician's bad side… but if we’re lucky, we might just lose the treasure and keep our lives.”
At this point, Jeoji began to think it might be worth risking his life for.
Just as Martin said, if he could raise his level before the magician arrived, his life would be turned around. If not, he still had the option of handing over the treasure to the magician and begging for his life.
“…Alright, start talking. What can you do, and what do you want from me?”
“Lee Si-woo doesn’t trust me, but he doesn’t distrust me either. So, when the opportunity arises, I’ll snatch the artifact. After that… well, it’ll be a piece of cake, won't it? We can slowly interrogate or threaten him. And what I want isn't much. Just for you to be my backer on the surface, that’s all.”
“Not even a share of Si-woo’s treasure, just a backer…?”
“What would change if a human like me obtained Si-woo’s treasure and went up? It’s not like I can become a magician. But for you, Lord Jeoji, it’s different. The standing of the Beastfolk on the surface isn't bad, so if things go well, your status will be on a whole other level. When that time comes, use me as your servant or slave and give me some pocket money. Let me live a life of lording over other humans.”
Jeoji burst into hearty laughter. This was why he liked Martin.
He knew his place and was quick on the uptake.
That was why Martin had been a decent mediator whenever there was trouble with the Wild Tribe.
Unlike Rei, who would go through fire and water for her people, Martin was the type to willingly accept a few sacrifices if necessary.
“So you want to ride my coattails? Fine. One last thing… why me and not Lala?”
“How can I bet on that insane, man-hating bitch who won’t listen to reason? It’s a hundred times better to go with you, Lord Jeoji, who has a sense of loyalty and looks upon me somewhat favorably.”
Jeoji smirked.
“An excellent choice. At least I’m not a species-discriminating blockhead like her. Good. Now then… shall we go and meet this Lee Si-woo?”
“Ah, I’ll go alone for now. He’s a sharp one, so going with you might arouse unnecessary suspicion.”
“See, this is why I like you.”
* * *
“How about a drink?”
Martin licked his lips, looking troubled. The situation had become strange.
He hadn’t expected Lee Si-woo to come looking for him first.
But on second thought, this was a pretty good opportunity in its own right.
There was nothing like alcohol to make an opponent lower their guard and become careless.
“A drink? Sounds good. But do you have any alcohol?”
“I heard Boss Rei got a few bottles of Ant Liquor from the elves in exchange for helping the Elder Tribe wipe out the Monster Tribe.”
“Ah, Ant Liquor. The visuals are a bit off-putting, but it’s a strong spirit that goes down smooth. Huh, to think those elf bastards would part with something so precious. What about snacks?”
“Grilled spider legs. I had a few bites, and they’re pretty good.”
“It’s like chicken breast but with a unique flavor that makes it a delicacy. Man, thanks to you, my mouth is in for a treat today.”
Hiding his vile intentions, Martin put on a bright face and joined Lee Si-woo at the drinking spot he had prepared.
Grilled spider legs, each the size of a decent chicken, and a few wooden bottles were scattered on a rock.
Lee Si-woo poured the liquor into a wooden cup.
Tiny ants, the size of sleep dust, flowed with the stream of liquid, filling the cup.
They were young ants, considered a delicacy in the Pit, and were perfectly safe for consumption.
Martin licked his lips.
“I found it so disgusting at first, but now I can’t get enough of it. But… are you okay? As you can see, it’s not exactly a pleasant drink if you have a weak stomach.”
“I lived for a long time in a place called China in my world, and I’ve even eaten fried cockroaches there, so I’m used to this kind of thing.”
“Fried cockroaches? Good heavens… looks like I was preaching to the choir.”
Martin exclaimed dramatically, sneaking a glance at Lee Si-woo.
He was completely defenseless. It seemed he could snatch the artifact without any problem if he made a move right now.
Just as he was about to act, he sensed a presence behind him.
“Oh, you started already? Seriously, leaving a tired woman to do all the outside work while you men relax? You two have no shame. Especially you, Si-woo. You invite someone and then do this?”
Was it because he’d lost a good opportunity thanks to Rei?
Martin soothed his bitter insides with a grilled spider leg and thought.
‘Come to think of it, this bastard… have I ever been alone with him?’
The corner of Martin’s eye twitched upward.
His confidence that Si-woo didn’t distrust him, even if he didn’t fully trust him, was beginning to crack.
Lee Si-woo bantered playfully.
“Isn’t it the fault of the one who was late?”
“Tsk… so shameless. Mind if I join?”
At Rei’s question, Lee Si-woo shrugged his shoulders and replied.
“Sure. We don’t have much, but you’re welcome.”
“What, why are you acting all generous with the liquor I brought?”
“Oops, you caught me. But please, let it slide today. I arranged this gathering to apologize to Martin.”
“Apologize?”
“It’s a long story.”
Lee Si-woo, a bitter smile on his face, poured a drink for Rei and then raised his cup.
They clinked their cups lightly and downed the liquor. As the heat tickled their throats, an awkward silence fell between them.
A moment later, Lee Si-woo spoke, his face shadowed.
“I didn’t feel right.”
“About what?”
“I feel like I drew too much of a line with you, Martin. So, although it wasn’t my intention, I feel bad for having upset you… it’s been bothering me.”
“The talk from earlier? Hey, don’t worry about it. I completely understand your position. If anything, I’m the one who should be sorry. I kept prying when you didn’t want to talk…”
“Still, I shouldn’t have done that. After all the effort you put in for me… I’m sorry. It’s just… it was just so hard.”
Lee Si-woo covered his face with his palm. The corners of his eyes were glistening with faint moisture.
It was a vulnerable display, hard to believe from the same Lee Si-woo who had been so inscrutable and impenetrable until now.
“…I told you not to worry about it.”
Uncomfortable with the heavy atmosphere, Rei silently kept refilling Lee Si-woo’s cup.
Each time the cup was full, Si-woo drank it down without hesitation.
Martin spoke in a worried tone.
“Hey, this is strong stuff. You’ll pass out if you keep drinking like that, man.”
Lee Si-woo let out a small laugh.
“Could anything be worse than being dropped into a shithole like this overnight? It’s fine. I’m feeling down, so I think I need to get drunk today.”
“……”
Martin had originally intended to only pretend to drink for the sake of his plan, but the heavy atmosphere made it impossible not to have a glass. He silently downed one.
As the potent Ant Liquor entered his stomach, Martin felt his body temperature rise.
‘Why is this bastard acting all nice and making me feel guilty now that I’m drinking? Shit, it feels damn uncomfortable when the guy you’re trying to screw over acts like this. Hah… the liquor feels stronger than usual, too.’
The thought that anyone would be out of their mind drinking such strong liquor so recklessly crossed his mind as Lee Si-woo poured a drink into his cup.
But why was it?
Despite having drunk several times more than Martin, Lee Si-woo’s complexion was perfectly normal, though it should have been flushed red.
It was a stark contrast to his unfocused eyes.
“One more cup, as a token of my apology.”
“Mm.”
Two cups.
“And I’ve been thinking, just saying sorry with words feels cheap, so I’ll give this pistol to you as well, Martin. It’s a more meaningful item for you than for someone like me.”
Lee Si-woo offered Martin another cup and casually placed the Hawk on the rock they were using as a table.
“Uh… uh… you don’t have to… that’s too much…”
Three cups.
“It’ll put my mind at ease.”
Suddenly, a question surfaced in Martin’s alcohol-addled brain.
‘Huh? I’ve only had three cups, why am I so dizzy? My tolerance… was it always this low?’
Lee Si-woo said,
“I heard from Rei.”
There were three bottles of Ant Liquor in total.
Rei held one and poured it into Si-woo’s cup, while Si-woo held another and poured it into Martin’s.
Exhaling a breath tinged with the strong scent of alcohol, Martin stammered.
“W-what… did you hear?”
“That there’s an emergency exit in the Pit, besides the stairs? An escape route everyone knows about, but no one dares to use.”
At the mention of an emergency exit, Martin’s movement froze, his cup halfway to his lips.
A chill ran down his spine.
But the effects of the alcohol did not subside.
Finally realizing something was wrong, Martin shook his head to clear it, but it was no use.
The world was spinning.
“There is… something like that.”
Lee Si-woo’s eyes, which held no trace of intoxication, watched Martin as he barely managed to answer.
Tossing back the contents of his cup—which was just plain water with dead baby ants floating in it—Lee Si-woo spoke.
“A door that only opens for someone who reaches Level 70? I found that interesting.”
Martin tried to stand, but staggered and collapsed.
No matter how famous Ant Liquor was for its potency, this was strange.
It felt as if alcohol, not blood, was flowing through his veins.
“You… what did you give me…”
“The alcohol’s got quite a kick, doesn’t it? It would. This ‘Ten-Year Brew,’ made by grinding World Tree branches into Ant Liquor, is so potent that each cup is practically pure alcohol.”
Lee Si-woo said it as if it were nothing, and in truth, Ten-Year Brew was easy to make as long as one had World Tree branches.
However, the reality was entirely different.
Since the main ingredient was World Tree branches—essentially their own remains—the elves would rather die than reveal the recipe for Ten-Year Brew to other races.
That was why they named it Ten-Year Brew.
To make people mistakenly believe it took ten years to create the liquor.
Of course, none of this applied to Lee Si-woo, who had acquired Will’s knowledge.
“Ten-Year Brew… Puhwaa… you, you… why would you give me… something like that…”
Martin failed to get up and was now lying flat on the ground.
“You’re lucky. It’s a precious liquor I wouldn’t have been able to get if my friend Will hadn’t brewed it.”
Lee Si-woo suddenly let out a dry laugh.
The main ingredient of Ten-Year Brew was World Tree branches. In a way, this was akin to cannibalism.
Yet, the elves enjoyed this drink, claiming it was to pray for the souls of their kin. He really couldn't fathom the values of this race.
“You… why are you doing this to me…”
“You met with Jeoji, didn’t you?”
“…He called me… I just went… it’s a misunderstanding…”
Martin shook his head with all his might. He felt that if he let his guard down for even a second, he would lose consciousness.
Lee Si-woo gently wrapped his hand around Martin’s wrist.
Savoring the irregular pulse under his fingertips, Lee Si-woo asked,
“Don’t be nervous. I’m just going to ask a simple question. Now, what did you talk about when you met? Did you perhaps… tell him how many artifacts I have left?”
Thump!
A wildly racing pulse.
The smile on Lee Si-woo’s lips widened.
In truth, his ability to discern truth from lies was more of a parlor trick than a profound skill.
Even a lie detector couldn’t perfectly determine a person’s true intentions, so how could he possibly read someone’s mind with complete accuracy?
However, that didn’t mean it was useless.
What he needed wasn’t the truth, but a justification for his suspicions and actions.
Lee Si-woo’s lips twisted.
“I see. So you did tell him.”
“Bullshit…! I, I never said…”
Before Martin could finish his sentence, Lee Si-woo’s entire body turned a bronze color.
Seeing Si-woo’s hand, moving like lightning, grab the Hawk he had placed on the rock, Martin let out a scream and attacked him.
Like a veteran of the Pit, he managed to react despite being completely intoxicated.
But it was a futile effort.
Even if Martin had been sober, he would have struggled to counter a surprise attack from the now Level 20 Lee Si-woo, let alone in his current state.
Bang!
Before a startled Rei could even react, it was all over.
Gray smoke wafted from the muzzle of the gun.
A corpse sprawled on the ground, its head shattered like a dropped watermelon.
Rei, squeezing her eyes shut at the gruesome sight, muttered.
“Killed… him? But it wasn’t even proven that he betrayed us… This isn’t why I told you he met Jeoji… This, this is wrong…”
Although there were signs of betrayal, seeing Si-woo kill a companion of several years without even giving him a chance to explain left Rei in a state of shock.
As if he had been waiting nearby, the wolf-headed beastman, the Lycanthrope Jeoji, came rushing at the sound of the gunshot. Lee Si-woo spoke.
“Get a grip.”
Lee Si-woo threw the artifact from his pocket with all his might.
Watching the artifact fly in an arc not towards the hostile Jeoji, but towards the World Tree at the center of the barrier, he muttered.
“Or we die.”
As flames engulfed the World Tree, a wolf’s howl echoed throughout the labyrinth.