Chapter 218
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: Elsorium's Treasure Vault
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About three minutes had passed when he waited.
In the distance, a flash of light erupted from the warp gate.
Soon after, someone came rushing over, out of breath.
It was the five elders, the true power holders of Elsorium.
“Pant, pant. I-it really is Black Scythe?”
“Black Scythe has come to visit our elf village.”
What was funny was that these NPCs, despite it being their first meeting, recognized his face.
It wasn’t just pretending—they genuinely knew him, as confirmed by reading their thoughts.
‘Since I saved the princess in Round 8, it makes sense that my face is known... but even so, I didn’t expect this level of enthusiasm.’
Ryu Min gave up trying to understand their attitude, treating him like a hero who had saved their homeland.
In the first place, discussing a reputation system logically in a world where people could even be resurrected was absurd.
“We’re sorry for keeping you waiting so long. Please, come this way! We’ll escort you into the palace.”
“Lead on.”
Ryu Min followed with his hands clasped behind his back, as if he really were a hero.
If the elves wanted a hero, he’d play the part.
“Please step up here.”
As soon as he stepped onto the warp gate, a flash transported him instantly into the palace interior.
“This way.”
Following the elders to the guest quarters, the maids who had been resting jumped up in surprise.
“What are you doing? Hurry and bring tea for our honored guest!”
“Y-yes! S-sorry, Elder!”
Leaving the scurrying maids behind, the elder smiled warmly.
“Please make yourself at home and relax here. We’ll soon bring warm tea and refreshments to soothe your body.”
“Sounds good.”
With no reason to refuse the VIP treatment, Ryu Min leaned back comfortably in the chair.
He’d already completed the quest, so he had plenty of time to spare.
‘I’ve been to Elsorium countless times, but it’s still fascinating. Elves living just like humans.’
Their society resembled a typical human kingdom so much that only the race differed.
‘It must mean they’ve had a lot of interaction with humans. These items aren’t crafted here—they’re procured from human society.’
Yet on the surface, elves and humans weren’t on friendly terms.
Elves who revered nature couldn’t possibly like humans who destroyed it.
That was why humans were turned away at the entrance.
‘And yet, they find human goods convenient enough to build proper structures and live in them.’
Some players might choose Elsorium for reputation grinding.
But building relations with elves was no easy feat.
‘It’s the hardest among all races, hands down.’
Unless you saved their lives in a specific situation like Ryu Min had, this kind of reception was impossible anywhere.
“Here’s your tea and refreshments.”
Ryu Min took the tea from the maid and sniffed it first.
The strong pine needle aroma calmed his mind.
‘A little rest like this isn’t bad once in a while.’
Slurp—
He sipped the tea with a relaxed mind.
He had no suspicions of poison.
There was no reason to target someone who was practically their national hero, and he trusted the reputation system.
After about three sips,
The elders returned to the guest quarters, accompanied by someone.
It was Princess Yupinelsia and Knight Captain Yugrito.
‘So that’s where they went— to fetch the princess.’
They’d probably discussed what to offer the sudden VIP guest.
And the result was the princess before him now.
‘Hand over the princess to strengthen ties with me. It’s not a bad deal for them.’
Sure enough.
Reading the approaching elder’s beaming thoughts confirmed it exactly.
“Black Scythe, how is it? Does the tea suit your taste?”
“It has a nice aroma.”
“It’s made from Tibery leaves we bought at a high price from the Brahm Kingdom recently. It clears the mind when you drink it.”
“I can feel that. But for nature-worshipping elves, you seem quite active in trading with humans.”
“We can’t stay isolated from the world forever, can we? We must accept better civilizations. That said, we don’t mingle closely with humans. We still maintain strict neutrality...”
The elder glanced at Ryu Min.
“Unlike other humans, we’d like to keep good relations with you, Black Scythe, if possible. Just like now.”
“I’d like that too.”
Did he realize their relationship could sour at any moment?
The elder, slightly flustered by Ryu Min’s words, laughed heartily and introduced the princess.
“Ah, we’re late with introductions. You’ve met before, right? Princess Yupinelsia.”
“It’s been a while, Black Scythe. It’s an honor to see you again.”
Yupinelsia slightly lifted her dress and curtsied.
The princess, who had seemed so young back then, now felt more mature.
-Heh, Black Scythe is human after all? He can’t take his eyes off the princess.
-They say humans go crazy for our elf beauty, and it’s true.
Amid this, the elders’ thoughts filtered through.
They were misunderstanding just because he glanced at the princess.
“Then we’ll take our leave, as we have urgent matters.”
“Have a pleasant time, you two.”
The perceptive elders withdrew, but Ryu Min couldn’t let them go just yet.
“Hold on. You’re not going to ask why I came here?”
“Pardon? Why you came?”
“Weren’t you here to see the princess?”
Did they really believe that? The elders stared blankly, waiting for his response.
Even Yupinelsia watched with subtly expectant eyes.
‘No need to disappoint the princess.’
Ryu Min smiled faintly.
“Of course, part of it was concern for the princess’s well-being. What knight wouldn’t worry after a delicate young lady suffered an attack?”
“Oh.”
Yupinelsia blushed.
The cheesy line landed perfectly on the princess who liked such talk.
“Well, that’s one reason. The other is to verify some information.”
“Information...?”
“There’s a treasure vault hidden in Elsorium, passed down through generations of elves, right?”
The elders flinched in unison, eyes darting.
They knew.
“Where did you hear that?”
“The source doesn’t matter. What matters is why you hid it from me, despite knowing I’d be interested.”
“H-hide it? We had no such intention! We’ve never even thought of that!”
“Then you can guide me there. To the treasure.”
The elders exchanged glances before reluctantly nodding.
-Where the hell did he learn about the treasure...?
-Isn’t the princess enough for him?
-As expected, different from those lustful humans.
Their thoughts revealed reluctance to hand over the treasure.
‘Can’t blame them. The elf treasure vault holds centuries of accumulated heritage.’
Even a hero would hesitate to give away its contents.
Alliance or not, he was still an outsider.
When Ryu Min stared with deliberate displeasure, the elders moved as if pushed.
“W-we’ll guide you. Th-this way...”
If his reputation weren’t top-notch, they wouldn’t have budged from mere mention.
They’d have dismissed it as rumor.
‘Even if I found it myself, I couldn’t smash the door. The system won’t allow it.’
The vault was protected by an unbreakable barrier against any attack.
No matter how strong Ryu Min was, brute force wouldn’t work.
The system’s power was absolute, in reality or this world.
He knew from past attempts in previous regressions.
“Here we are.”
Following the elders led to a massive stone chamber beneath the palace.
“This holds centuries of Elsorium’s history, proving our legacy.”
“I’d like to see it.”
“Please wait a moment.”
The five elders gathered before the door and chanted a spell.
Glowing rings of strange script embedded into the stone door, spinning.
Only their combined chants could dispel the barrier.
Groooaaan—
The door opened on its own, and a message appeared.
[Sub Quest – Elsorium's Treasure Vault]
└Condition ▶ Open the treasure vault door with the five elders
[You have completed the sub quest!]
[You may select 3 treasures as reward.]
“Please, come in.”
Entering the vault after the elder,
Dazzling jewels and treasures illuminated the dark chamber.
‘Jewels, magic swords, magic gear, spellbooks, artifacts— all sorts.’
As Ryu Min eyed the treasures with interest, the elder hinted.
“These are the treasures Elsorium gathered over the last 500 years. Feel free to take what you like.”
“Any number?”
“W-well, yes, but since they hold history, how about just three...?”
Worried he might demand more, but Ryu Min had no such plans.
‘I don’t need anything else. Three is plenty.’
The system wouldn’t allow more anyway.
“I’ll take three.”
“Thank you!”
Ryu Min picked without hesitation, like he’d already shopped in his mind.
[Selected One-Against-Hundred Rune Fragment.]
[Selected Resistance Rune Fragment.]
[Selected Tolerance Rune Fragment.]
[All rewards selected.]
With the three rewards chosen, Ryu Min smiled at the elders.
“These will do.”
“You chose the Stones of Magic Power?”
“Ooh, excellent choices.”
Relief washed over the elders, who’d feared pricier picks.
But they didn’t know.
To a player, nothing was more valuable than rune fragments.
Ryu Min used all the fragments to engrave runes onto his body.
[One-Against-Hundred Rune]
-Effect: Stats increase by percentage equal to the number of enemies within 100m radius. Applies up to 100 enemies, max 100% increase.
[Resistance Rune]
-Effect: Status ailment resistance increased by 50%.
[Tolerance Rune]
-Effect: Attribute damage resistance increased by 50%.
With the three essential runes acquired, Ryu Min grinned widely.
All were must-haves on his rune list.
‘One step stronger now.’
Strong enough already, but with unknown foes ahead, complacency wasn’t an option.
‘They say more money is always better. Same with strength—no harm in more.’
Business with the elves was done.
“I’ve seen what I came for. Time to go.”
“Y-yes.”
Exiting the chamber and returning to the surface, Ryu Min recalled one person and activated Tracking Skill.
[Face and name match. Tracking target’s location.]
[Location of target ‘Russell Daniel’ identified.]
[Currently 4,395m away.]
[Follow the arrow ahead to track the target.]
‘Now, off to the dwarf village with Russell?’
He’d help Russell grow there and stock up on god-tier materials in advance.
“I should head out now. Got business.”
“Already?”
“Yeah. The tea was good.”
Leaving the wistful Yupinelsia behind, Ryu Min exited the palace.
‘Aerial Ascent.’
Whoosh—
Wings of darkness over 10m wide unfurled from his back, startling the princess and elders seeing him off.
“See you next time. Stay healthy till then, Yupinelsia.”
“...Y-you too, Black Scythe.”
Yupinelsia’s shy reply fell on deaf ears as Ryu Min had already soared far into the sky.