Chapter 117: The Festival Where Moonlight Dwells (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 117: The Festival Where Moonlight Dwells (2)
"Haa. Haa. Haa."
Silvia panted heavily, looking as if she were about to die.
And for good reason.
The path to the right that Jinhyuk had led her down was so rugged that even the elves avoided it.
It was a treacherous route, practically known to be blocked.
Yet, Jinhyuk had squeezed through rocky crevices and cut through dense thickets, traversing the distance to the entrance of the village at an absolutely insane speed.
Jinhyuk, who had arrived long before her and was currently doing calisthenics, looked at Silvia as she finally caught up.
"Take this path from now on. It's much faster."
I don't usually share things like this.
But since time is precious, he was making an exception to show her a shortcut.
At Jinhyuk's words, Silvia wore a dumbfounded expression.
"O-Of course it's faster!"
How could it not be, when they had taken such an outrageous route?
It probably cut their travel time down by several times.
The only problem was that it wouldn't have been surprising if a few people had died along the way.
What kind of human can move like that?
Even if a high-ranking ranger had been in her place, it would have been impossible to display such dazzling and natural movements.
On top of that, he knew a path that even the elves born and raised here didn't know, navigating it flawlessly.
It was hard to believe, even as she watched it with her own eyes.
This was... completely defying common sense.
C-Could he be a polymorphed dragon? Maybe he came down the tower for a bit of amusement. And that's why he wants elf meat... gulp.
While Silvia was lost in all sorts of wild delusions, a very faint rustling sound of presence was heard.
Whoosh!
Shhhhk!
Something flew through the air, cutting through the wind.
It was fast.
"Ah?"
Silvia was too startled to react, but before she knew it, a reddish dagger was already gripped in Jinhyuk's hand.
Clang!
The deflected arrows spun in midair before plunging into the ground.
Arrow shafts made of white wood and arrowheads engraved with ornate patterns.
They were definitely elven.
"Your attitude toward guests is rather hostile. Is it because we didn't bring a housewarming gift?"
Jinhyuk shrugged.
Then, numerous elves emerged from beyond the forest.
Quite a crowd.
At a glance, there were over twenty of them.
Rangers armed with longbows and daggers completely surrounded Jinhyuk.
"Guests... You mean you?"
The one who spoke coldly was a male elf with long silver hair.
He possessed a handsome appearance that looked like it belonged in a movie.
However, what caught Jinhyuk's attention was not his looks, but the annoying memory of the guy himself.
The commander of the rangers and a high elf of the highest rank, the 1st class: Teslon.
Yes. That was probably his name.
Jinhyuk quickly activated 'Gluttony's Eye'.
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Name: Teslon
Gender: Male
Age: 926
Level: 30
Strength: 18 | Agility: 30 | Stamina: 21 | Mana: 45 | Forest Essence: 40
Class: Advanced Ranger
Unique Ability: 'Hundred Shots Hundred Hits'
Skills: Lv6 'Rapid Fire', Lv6 'Spirit Enhancement', Lv5 'Light Footsteps', Lv5 'Blessing of the Wind', Lv4 'Clairvoyance'
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[Copy Condition: Teslon is a proud 1st-class ranger of the elven race. He takes pride in his archery above all else. If you wish to copy his unique ability, shoot an arrow with higher accuracy than him at least once.]
Damn. It really is him.
That guy. He was the very same bastard who had chased him all the way to the outskirts of the forest during the festival in the past.
Jinhyuk let out a small sigh.
Looking at that obnoxious face brought back uncomfortable memories of the past.
To think he tried to chase him to the ends of the earth just because of one bad musical performance.
If there was a Cheon Yu-seong of the elven world, it would definitely refer to this guy.
Just then,
"Lord Teslon! Wait, please wait a moment!"
Silvia, who was standing beside him, stepped forward.
Teslon, who was nocking another arrow, paused.
"You... aren't you the ranger under Elder Penheim?"
"Yes. I am Silvia, a 3rd-class ranger."
"Speak. Why are you with a human?"
"Well, that is..."
As Silvia trailed off, a cold gleam flashed in Teslon's eyes.
"If you are about to spout some nonsense that you were the one who brought this human into our territory, I will not forgive you, no matter how young and foolish of an elf you are."
"No, it's not like that! The Elder also permitted inviting him."
"What? The Elder permitted it?"
Teslon's eyebrows furrowed sharply.
He looked as if he couldn't believe his own ears.
"It was decided while you were away in the 'Central Forest', Lord Teslon. Here, this is the token proving we are bringing him as a guest."
Silvia pulled a sapphire carving from her breast pocket.
It was a relic that only elven elders could possess.
"Unbelievable. To think the Elder would invite a mere human to the festival... and of all people, such an uncouth bastard."
Teslon muttered in a voice dripping with discontent, but that was all he could do.
No matter how high-ranking a 1st-class high elf he was, he could not defy an elder's command.
Meanwhile, Jinhyuk, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, scratched his head.
Hmm.
How should I put this?
If I just let it slide, nothing would happen. But if I stay quiet after hearing that, I feel like I won't be able to sleep peacefully for the next 365 days.
"Wow. My bad for being an uncouth human. But can I ask you just one thing? Does your 'noble' elf-self shoot arrows at guests because your throat is stuffed with so much dignity? Or is your brain made of dignity too, rendering you incapable of basic thought?"
Jinhyuk spat out the words like a rapid-fire machine gun.
Ah, saying that out loud feels so refreshing.
I don't know how other people bottle up their thoughts. Speaking my mind like this completely clears my chest.
"W-What? Did you just say that to me?!"
"I was just talking to myself, but seeing how worked up you are, I guess it hit a nerve?"
"You must truly have a death wish!"
Teslon nocked an arrow in the blink of an eye.
It was fast.
Fast, yes, but...
"Defying the Elder's command doesn't seem like a very wise decision. Are you really going to go through with it?"
Jinhyuk didn't even bat an eye.
No, if anything, he provoked him even further.
"Even if you shoot, you won't hit me once anyway. But if you think that'll soothe your anger, go right ahead."
"...You bastard. If you're acting this cocky just because of the Elder's invitation, you are making a grave mistake."
"You're the one making a grave mistake right now."
Because...
"Right now, when you're short on 'swamp figs' for the festival, I am the only hope you have of gathering enough in time."
...he had a reason like this.
A brief silence fell.
What followed was a massive wave of agitation.
Teslon's pupils shook violently.
The other elves around them were equally shocked.
"H-How do you know that?"
"How could he possibly know we're short on swamp figs?"
"This is impossible. There's no way an outsider could know..."
The murmurs grew louder.
They must be bewildered.
Since a human they had just met for the first time knew their internal affairs inside out.
However, with this many clues laid out, it would have been harder for Jinhyuk not to notice.
Teslon and the rest of the elves must have been roaming the swamp picking figs until just a moment ago.
Jinhyuk's gaze drifted downward.
Dried mud was still caked on the elves' boots.
Wet mud on a sunny day like this?
They might as well have been advertising that they had been rolling around in a wetland.
Furthermore, the 'Central Forest' Silvia mentioned was a dangerous place, but it was also where figs grew in abundance.
The fact that even the rangers, whose primary duties were scouting and guarding, had been mobilized was proof enough that they were severely lacking in figs for the festival.
"Are you saying you know a way to obtain the figs?"
"Exactly. As many as you want. I can get you plenty—if I feel like it, that is."
"..."
Teslon pursed his lips tightly, seemingly lost in thought.
But it was only for a brief moment.
"It is highly suspicious, but we are indeed in a desperate situation. I will graciously trust you just this once."
Well, look at this guy...
"I think you're misunderstanding something."
Jinhyuk chuckled.
"I said I could do it. I never said a single word about actually doing it for you."
Who was he to "graciously" trust him or not?
He clearly still hadn't grasped the situation. Jinhyuk was here as a guest.
And Teslon was just one of those twisted hosts who treated their guests like garbage.
After flatly refusing, Jinhyuk looked at Silvia beside him.
"Let's go for now. I'll speak with the elders first and discuss how I can help. Of course, excluding that rude elf over there."
"Pardon? Ah... yes, okay."
Silvia nodded reflexively.
Then, they leisurely walked past the surrounding elves and headed toward the village.
Naturally, Teslon couldn't lift a single finger to stop them.
He could only glare at Jinhyuk, grinding his teeth in sheer frustration.
* * *
A short while later, a village where trees and houses blended in perfect harmony came into view.
"Please wait here for a moment. I'll go inside and bring the Elder."
Silvia asked for Jinhyuk's understanding.
Left alone, Jinhyuk leisurely took in the surrounding scenery.
The warm sunlight scattering over the grass was truly a spectacular sight.
Ah, it really is beautiful.
How much had he longed to return here?
If he hadn't played that damn Titanic theme back then, he wouldn't have suffered the humiliation of being permanently exiled.
But he didn't have to worry about repeating the same mistake anymore.
He had already stored the relevant unique abilities in preparation for this.
All that was left was to arrange the benefits and opportunities he needed to obtain from this festival in his desired order.
I'm going to completely erase my dark past this time.
Jinhyuk burned with determination.
How much time had passed?
Click!
Finally, the door opened, and an elderly-looking elf appeared.
He exuded an aura completely different from Teslon's.
Indeed, this old man must be one of the elders.
"You must be tired after your long journey. I am Penheim, one of the village elders."
Penheim offered his hand in welcome.
"I'm Kang Jinhyuk."
Jinhyuk also introduced himself briefly and shook Penheim's hand.
He didn't forget to add some polite, conventional pleasantries.
"First of all, thank you for inviting me. Personally, I've always wanted to visit this place. Opportunities to visit the beautiful and peaceful village of the elves don't come around very often, after all."
"Don't mention it. Silvia praised your cooking so much after trying it. Haha. We are the ones who are glad to meet you."
Penheim let out a hearty laugh, seemingly in a good mood.
"I can prepare a meal for you as early as this evening."
"Hmm... I appreciate that, but before that, there is something I would like to ask."
"Go ahead."
"I heard the gist of it from Silvia, but she mentioned you could resolve our difficult situation. Is that true?"
This was about the 'swamp figs'.
Good.
He had been waiting for this topic to come up.
"Of course, it's possible."
It's possible, alright.
More than possible.
"However,"
Jinhyuk cleared his throat and got to the point.
"It might be a bit much to call it a reward, but I would actually like to observe elven archery. Is that possible? Since I have to climb the tower in the future, I really want to learn archery, which is considered the strongest at mid-range."
That elves were master archers was common knowledge.
Fortunately, Penheim nodded as if it were no trouble at all.
"Of course we can do that much. How about it? Shall I assign Silvia to you?"
"No. If I learn from an elf who is too good, I think I'll just feel discouraged. I'd prefer someone whose skills are a bit lacking. That way, even as a beginner, I can build some confidence and at least try to mimic them, don't you think?"
"Then which elf would you like to learn from? Do you have someone in mind?"
"Actually, there is one person who is perfect."
Jinhyuk pointed his finger at a certain elf.
"That person over there. I think he would be a perfect fit for my beginner level. Ah! Actually, I might even be better than him."
The face of the pointed-at elf contorted fiercely.
"You... arrogant bastard."
It was the commander of the elven rangers, Teslon.