Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Adamas
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The sudden appearance of the underground passage was a marvel even to Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong, who had already heard about it. In truth, even Kang-seok and Seong Yu-jin, who had been through it once before, hadn't quite grown accustomed to it yet.
Just like before, Yang Jun-gyu drove the horses with his shoulders hunched, while Choi Yu-ra sat beside him, comforting him that it was okay.
Antonio Choi leaned far out of the carriage, shining a torch on various parts of the underground passage. He seemed very interested in its structure.
When they finally reached the end of the passage, an immense stone gate appeared, just as it had before.
As Kang-seok approached, the stone gate opened automatically, drawing pleasant gasps of admiration from Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong. Soon after, the illusion of the old butler—Alberto—appeared to welcome the party.
His face was expressionless, his voice dry.
Park Han-yeong, looking fascinated, poked at Alberto's illusion with her fingertip, but he didn't react at all. -Of course, her finger passed right through Alberto, only prodding empty air.-
Watching this, Yang Jun-gyu quietly asked Kang-seok.
“Uh, I was wondering this before… is that person, Iris, anything like Alberto?”
[Not at all!]
[How could you? Comparing me to such a low-grade artificial intelligence system that can only give one-dimensional answers! That's just too much!]
[Surely, the rest of you don't think so, do you?]
Iris protested vehemently, but Yang Jun-gyu couldn't hear her.
Choi Yu-ra teased Iris, asking what the difference was, while Seong Yu-jin pulled on Choi Yu-ra's hand and offered soothing words to calm Iris down.
Instead of saying anything, Kang-seok looked into the empty air.
‘Come to think of it.’
Did Iris have a physical body? Or was she just a kind of artificial intelligence that existed only as a ‘voice’?
If she was only a voice, it wouldn't be much of a problem, but if she had a body, that was a different story.
The place where Iris's body resided.
A place likely to be inhabited by the administrator of System Yggdrasil, the one who caused the Great Summoning.
Instead of speaking up right away, Kang-seok pressed his lips together. Now was not a good time.
It would be better to bring it up later, when it was just him, Seong Yu-jin, and Choi Yu-ra, or when he was alone with Iris.
While everyone else was looking at Alberto and the hall, Antonio Choi, who had entered last, scanned the interior.
He had already spoken a great deal with the party during the several days it took to travel from the capital to Aachen.
His role was to reconstruct and expand Andras's Lair—the place that would now become the Kang-seok party's guild hideout.
“Let’s look at the rooms first. We'll be starting to live here in a few days, even if not right away.”
They had the justification, having been granted Mount Sauerland by King Galahad of Britain. They could just build a dummy house somewhere on the mountainside and do their actual living in Andras's Lair.
As Kang-seok suggested, the party began to explore Andras's Lair, one area at a time. They started with the guest rooms and ended at the treasury, the complete reverse of their previous tour.
Just as Yang Jun-gyu had done, Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong helped themselves to dwarven weapons and armor from the treasury.
While they couldn't compare to top-tier magic weapons like Durandal or Laevateinn, they were high-quality pieces of equipment that were hard to acquire on the outside, even with a lot of money.
Kim Kang-san looked quite pleased. He spoke in a voice more excited than usual.
“I’ve been thinking it since I first heard about it, but seeing it in person, this location is truly excellent. It might be the worst land for adventurers or the ordinary people of this world, but for Players, it’s the best possible spot.”
The general opinion of Mount Sauerland was that it was ‘useless land.’
Land with no resources, not a transportation hub, and only dangerous due to its many monsters.
There was a reason the nobles of the capital, Wiesbaden, had laughed at Kang-seok for being granted Mount Sauerland.
But if you changed your perspective, the story was different.
Since it had no resources and wasn't a transportation hub, they could avoid unnecessary outside interference.
The abundance of monsters was not a curse but a blessing for Players, who always needed to earn Kron.
In online gaming terms, it was like having a so-called ‘private hunting ground’ right next to their guild hideout.
Moreover, the variety of monsters was diverse.
The foothills of Mount Sauerland were teeming with goblins that even non-combat Players like Antonio Choi could defeat with relative ease, while deeper in the mountains or in the ruins of the ancient city where Kim Kang-san’s party had gotten lost, quite powerful monsters like ogres and trolls were scattered about.
The masterless ancient city was also an attractive feature.
Depending on their explorations, they might discover various items or treasures, and they could even utilize the remnants of the ancient city as part of their guild hideout.
Of course, there were also dangers. If a small group wandered the mountain, they could end up isolated and in peril, just like Kim Kang-san and Abigail's party had been.
But with Andras gone, it was hard to imagine the same thing happening again. It was a risk that could be avoided with enough caution.
After finishing their tour of the lair, the party added the newly acquired gold coins to the treasury and gathered in the dining hall.
It was time to handle the most important matter.
The whole party took their seats at the square dining table. Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra sat on either side of Kang-seok. Across from Seong Yu-jin sat Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong, and next to them were Yang Jun-gyu and Antonio Choi.
Seven Players.
The ones who would become the founding members of the guild about to be created.
Kang-seok had originally intended to postpone creating a guild for as long as possible, but his trip to the capital had changed his mind.
To prepare more efficiently for the World Quest, they needed to acquire ‘guild skills.’
They had enough Kron.
And his trustworthy companions were right beside him.
“Iris, show me the guild list.”
Instead of replying, Iris displayed letters of light for the entire party. While only Kang-seok, Seong Yu-jin, and Choi Yu-ra could converse with her, there were no such restrictions on displaying general text like quests.
[1. Seven Sword Knights]
[2. Fellowship of the Ring]
A new guild that hadn't been there before had been added. It seemed other Players were also making progress.
Kang-seok tapped the empty air with his finger.
[Would you like to create a guild?]
[10,000 Kron will be consumed.]
[Yes / No]
There was no reason to hesitate any longer. Selecting the option to create a guild, Kang-seok took a deep breath. He spoke the guild name they had all discussed and decided on.
“Adamas.”
A word meaning ‘unconquerable.’
Although Choi Yu-ra had given her own horse the same name, for some reason she had vehemently opposed using Adamas as the guild name.
However, after Park Han-yeong whispered something in her ear, she accepted, her face turning bright red—she seemed a bit flustered, even.—and since no one else objected or had another suggestion, the guild name was decided as Adamas.
It was also a result of everyone being reluctant to name it, since this wasn't a guild name for a game, but one that would be seen publicly by people they would meet face to face.
With Kang-seok, who was endlessly teased for his name, right next to them, it was only natural they would be cautious.
‘Playful names will probably be rare, won't they?’
It was a funny thought, but there were times when Kang-seok felt glad he had at least chosen ‘Dark Destiny Lord.’
If his nickname had been something like ‘The Almighty Choi Kang-seok’ or ‘SupremeOverlord,’ he probably would have been too ashamed to lift his head.
Guild names were no different. Unless it was a clever and witty name, it was certain that very few people would use an embarrassing one.
This time, new letters of light appeared in the minds of everyone except Kang-seok.
[Do you wish to become a founding member of the guild Adamas?]
[* Some inequalities may exist between the Guild Master and regular guild members within the system.]
Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra accepted as if there was nothing to even think about.
Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong were no different, and Yang Jun-gyu accepted without even properly reading the warning message.
Only Antonio Choi hesitated, but it was only for a moment.
Based on his experiences over the past few days and Choi Yu-ra's trust, Antonio Choi could believe in Kang-seok.
[Guild Name: Adamas]
[Guild Master: Choi Kang-seok (Male)]
[Guild Members: 7/10]
[Guild Level: 0]
[The guild has been created. The Guild Master is granted the ‘Guild Master's Ring.’]
[The current guild level is 0. With each increase in guild level, new guild skill points will be awarded. The maximum number of guild members will also increase according to the guild level.]
[Guild skill points can be used to freely acquire guild skills.]
[To raise the guild level, several conditions must be met.]
[The most common level-up condition is the consumption of Kron.]
The letters of light poured down all at once like a sudden shower. At least Kang-seok, Seong Yu-jin, and Choi Yu-ra had Iris's voice to guide them; the rest of the party was busy reading the text that filled their vision.
Listening to Iris's voice, Kang-seok looked at the ring that had been transported to his palm.
It was a slender silver ring with no patterns or designs.
As he was turning it over and over, Iris, having finished her explanation of guild-related matters, began to talk about the ring.
[As the guild level increases, the ring's appearance will also change. The abilities imbued in the ring will also become more active.]
[Later on, you will be able to grant rings to other guild members through your authority as Guild Master.]
After stroking the ring a few more times, Kang-seok handed it to Seong Yu-jin as usual. Clasping the ring tightly in her palm and closing her eyes, Seong Yu-jin soon told him the appraisal results.
“Guild Master's Ring, Level 0. A symbol of the Guild Master. It doesn't seem to have any particular function yet.”
Taking the ring back from Seong Yu-jin, Kang-seok gave a quiet nod and slipped it onto the index finger of his right hand.
Choi Yu-ra giggled.
“Everyone has the word ‘Adamas’ added above their nicknames now. It really feels like we’ve made a guild, huh?”
Kang-seok imagined the words floating above his companions' heads, just like the nicknames and various titles above a game character's head, and smiled back.
The guild, Adamas.
There was much to do.
Remodeling the guild hideout, accepting the airship ordered from Hunt, clearing out the monsters near the hideout.
And one more thing: preparing to conquer the Tower of Raum, the first World Quest.
Kang-seok looked at the face of each guild member one by one, then finally at the Guild Master's Ring.
From individuals to a unified group.
It was a new beginning.
* * *
Park Chang-ho, Captain of the Seven Sword Knights, lay sprawled out inside a covered wagon.
Dressed as always in a disheveled dress shirt and tie, he idly tapped his fingers in the air.
He chuckled, finally reaping the rewards of checking regularly, seven times a day, for nearly a week.
“They finally made it.”
The third Player guild to appear.
To ordinary Players, only the guild name was visible, but it was different for Park Chang-ho, who had already reached Guild Level 3. He could see the Guild Master's name next to the guild name.
‘Choi Kang-seok.’
The discoverer of the first World Quest.
The savior of Aachen who defeated the Earth Dragon Andras.
‘Dark Destiny Lord.’
He didn't know what game the man came from or what abilities he possessed. But Park Chang-ho was certain that Choi Kang-seok was a person to watch.
‘Talent will out. I've never seen that saying prove false.’
According to the rumors, he had fought one-on-one against Gawain's Captain of the Knights Templar and won. Even considering it was a sparring match, he could guess how formidable his combat power must be.
‘He's probably among the top ten strongest Players alive. He might even be on par with the rumored ‘Heavenly Dragon Emperor.’’
Players were constantly growing stronger.
Take Park Chang-ho himself, for example. He was beyond comparison to when he first cleared the tutorial.
But there were different kinds of strength.
There was a limit to being strong simply because you came from a good game.
‘In the end, it's the person who fights.’
Even from the same game, people's potential differed.
There were those who were strong at fighting itself, even if their original game put them at a disadvantage.
Strength didn't just mean combat. Khalid, a member of the Seven Sword Knights, was a prime example.
“Captain, there’s a village ahead. We’ll stop just before it, as planned.”
Speak of the devil, Khalid's voice came from the driver's seat. Instead of answering, Park Chang-ho waved his hand in acknowledgement.
The elite of the Seven Sword Knights.
From the now nearly fifty members of the Seven Sword Knights, he had handpicked ten people.
Their destination: the Duchy of Avalon. The land where the first World Quest, the Tower of Raum, would take place.
Park Chang-ho wasn't particularly fired up about conquering the World Quest itself. Nevertheless, his reason for leading his elite troops to Avalon was simple.
‘I need to size them up.’
It was the first World Quest. Countless Players were sure to flock to Avalon.
Who would stand out?
What kind of people had been summoned to this land?
His purpose was focused on ‘people,’ which was why he had brought along the combat-weak Khalid.
Waving his hand to dismiss all the letters of light, Park Chang-ho closed his eyes. It was still a long way to the Duchy of Avalon.
‘Adamas. That means unconquerable, right?’
Because of his work in his original world, Park Chang-ho was quite knowledgeable about gems. It would be absurd for him not to know the etymology of the diamond, the most famous gem of all.
‘Did he name the guild after himself? Interesting, very interesting.’
The hardest gem, the diamond.
Choi Kang-seok.
Park Chang-ho smiled as brightly as a child. He looked forward to meeting Kang-seok in the Duchy of Avalon.