Chapter 56
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Path of Wisdom
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As the trial began, the cavern trembled, and the mana surged wildly.
In the midst of it all, Yeon Sung-hun carefully kept his balance while racking his brain nonstop.
'Wisdom, courage, will. Just like an ancient ruin—classic as expected.'
Probably the trials for the left, center, and right paths, in that order?
In a way, Yeon Sung-hun could vaguely guess what each trial entailed.
'At least we're not in the center one. But what about the others?'
If they were trying to save him and Lee Ha-na, the rest of the raid team would surely have chosen one of the remaining two paths and moved forward.
And if similar trials awaited them there, what would happen?
Yeon Sung-hun was qualified here, but there was no one like that on their side.
'In the worst case, it might label them intruders and eliminate the entire team.'
Elves were known to be gentle and kind, but that wasn't true at all.
Under the guise of valuing harmony and the natural order, they were utterly indifferent and merciless to everything else.
It wasn't cold or ruthless—it was simply apathetic and pitiless.
Regular elves were milder, but so-called high elves were like emotionless machines.
Even dragons, arrogant as they were, were better with their array of emotions.
Back when he was Faust, interactions with humans had softened them somewhat, but what about an ancient elven ruin like this?
As the trial loomed, Yeon Sung-hun started worrying about the other raid members.
'I hope nothing happens...'
As Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue softly, preparations for the trial concluded.
Apart from the fierce vibrations and churning mana, the cavern looked much the same.
The only change was the subtle flow of ambient mana.
'Still, can't let my guard down.'
The statue addressed Yeon Sung-hun, who was silently steeling himself.
Path of Wisdom. This is the place to test the challengers' wisdom. You must answer the ten questions I pose.
"Ten...? Isn't that too many?"
No objections. We proceed as is.
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue briefly at the statue's firm tone.
"Riddles? Just like the Sphinx. I hope they're not too tough..."
Yeon Sung-hun patted Lee Ha-na's shoulder lightly as she frowned delicately.
She smiled faintly, her face brightening a little.
It devours birds, beasts, trees, flowers—everything. It gnaws iron, chews steel, grinds hard stone to dust, slays kings, destroys towns, and levels mountains. What is it?
Yeon Sung-hun pondered the calm voice for a moment.
'Scope's too broad. Lich? Dragon? Demon King? God?'
Too many possibilities, none fitting perfectly.
As he frowned in thought, Lee Ha-na nudged him.
"Sung-hun-ssi."
"Yes? What's up, Ha-na-ssi?"
"Isn't the answer 'time'?"
"...'Time'?"
"Yeah, I read it in a book once..."
Yeon Sung-hun fell silent at her trailing words. It made sense.
Actually, nothing else fit.
After a moment, he nodded firmly.
"The answer is 'time'."
Yeon Sung-hun turned to her with quiet admiration.
He hadn't expected much help on riddles, but she might be more useful than thought.
It appears at night uncalled, vanishes by day unthieved. What is it?
"...What even is that?"
"Isn't it 'stars'?"
"...'Stars'?"
"Yes, from a book too..."
Yeon Sung-hun let out a low gasp. He hadn't even considered it.
He looked at her with amazement, and she blushed shyly.
"I love riddles like this... Anyway, these are all Sphinx riddles..."
It revives the dead, makes you weep and laugh, restores youth, is born in an instant yet lasts a lifetime. What is it?
"Got this one. It's elixir—"
"It's 'memory'."
Yeon Sung-hun gaped at her.
She scratched her cheek awkwardly under his stare.
"Really... impressive."
"I just love them... These are really Sphinx—"
Some hide from it, some deceive it, but in time, all must meet it. Guess its name. You'll know it when your turn comes.
"This one..."
Lee Ha-na met his glance calmly.
"'Death'."
Yeon Sung-hun stared in shock now, beyond surprise.
She was handling it all solo; he was the hindrance.
Without her...
He shuddered at the easy-to-imagine failure.
The pattern continued.
Statue posed riddles; Lee Ha-na answered.
Yeon Sung-hun contributed nothing.
He tried once confidently—wrong, of course.
What if she weren't here?
Grateful anew, the statue—Sphinx-like—reached the final riddle.
No hints. Guess the answer.
Yeon Sung-hun scowled fiercely.
"What kind of absurd final riddle is this? No intention of letting us pass now?"
The riddle is valid. No objections. Give your answer.
The statue's eyes blazed blue, mana vibrating violently.
Yeon Sung-hun gritted his teeth, speechless.
"It's okay, Sung-hun-ssi. I think I know."
"Huh? Ha-na-ssi? What do you—"
"The answer is 'nothing'. It didn't even pose a riddle. Right?"
The raging mana stilled instantly.
Yeon Sung-hun let out a hollow laugh.
"...You're amazing."
"What? It's nothing."
Her beaming smile seemed to shine brighter—was it his imagination?
Chuckling emptily, he glanced at the statue.
I shall bestow the reward for passing the trial.
"Before that—any more trials ahead?"
This is the Path of Wisdom. The trial here ends here. If there's another, check for yourselves.
"No more in this passage, then."
No more questions. The reward.
A magic circle flashed before them, surging with mana that startled the sensitive pair.
From it emerged a small, unadorned chest exuding an eerie aura.
'Classic elven craftsmanship.'
Precisely wrought, no frills—pure elven work.
In his past life, it'd fetch a fortune; same here on Earth.
As they examined it, the statue continued.
That concludes it, visitors of another kind. May fortune follow your path ahead.
Its blue eyes dimmed, mana flows ceased. Powered down completely.
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue, tempted to dismantle it for parts but knowing better.
This was those spiteful elves' ruin.
'Touch it, and blood spills.'
Regretfully clicking again, Lee Ha-na spoke.
"What's inside?"
"Dunno, but it's gotta be good."
Elven origin? Worth expecting—even Faust would be impressed.
He smirked at her sparkling eyes.
"Shall we open it?"
"Now? Not outside?"
"Might be useful right away."
"Hmm. Can I open it? I'm too excited..."
He nodded with a chuckle at her glance.
"Go ahead."
"Yes! Opening now!"
She carefully opened it, revealing a softly glowing necklace.
No ornate decorations, but exquisitely crafted—antique, mystical, pure elven jewelry.
She gasped in admiration.
Yeon Sung-hun did too, but for the layered enchantments he sensed, not mere beauty.
'Tons of spells on this.'
Seo Jin-su could appraise later, but clearly no ordinary item.
"It's gorgeous," she said.
"Beauty matches its power."
He lifted it carefully.
'No curses.'
Harmony-loving high elves wouldn't taint it so.
After a moment, he handed it to her.
"Huh? Sung-hun-ssi?"
"Take it, Ha-na-ssi. It's yours."
"What? No..."
He explained calmly to her bewilderment.
"You did the heavy lifting. Without you, no pass, no reward."
"But still..."
"Practically, better on you. Try it on."
She hesitated, then asked softly.
"Could you... put it on me?"
"Me?"
"Please."
"Alright."
He stepped close, brushing her hair aside to clasp it gently.
A brief silence. He stepped back.
"How's it feel?"
"...Good."
"Pardon?"
She smiled sweetly, checking her status.
"All stats up. Amazing—near A-Rank now."
"No discomfort?"
"No, feels refreshing."
"We'll use it now given the situation, but have Seo Jin-su appraise it later. No curse, but maybe hidden effects."
"Wish I could soar like So-yul."
He chuckled at her playful sincerity.
With the reward claimed, they pressed on through the cavern and passage.
No traps, no monsters—just endless corridor.
They chatted idly.
Her voice was lighter, more animated—thanks to her trial heroics or new gear?
"Been a while since it's just us."
"Has it?"
He recalled—yes, since Park's team. After Choi Yeon-ah joined, guild grew; no alone time.
"Yeah, really has."
"Might sound weird, but sometimes I feel a bit neglected. I know you're busy, but it feels distant."
"...Sorry. I'll make time."
"I'm fine, but Jun-su looks lonely. No recent team dinners?"
"We did afters with Uncle around."
Old memories surfaced; those days were fun.
"Not saying now's bad, but I miss it sometimes."
"Visit Uncle sometime? Heard he opened a restaurant downtown."
"Yes—but all together, not just us."
"Good idea. Whole staff? Might overwhelm him."
"He'd grumble about the crowd."
"Then comp us big-time."
"That's Uncle."
They smiled warmly, reminiscing the retired comrade.
"Let's schedule it. And more afters ahead."
"As long as it fits your schedule. Too often's a hassle too."
"I'll plan carefully."
"I trust you, as always."
Mid-conversation, the long passage ended.
Blocked by a thick wall, like before.
As Yeon Sung-hun frowned, her necklace glowed softly.
"Must be the key."
"Looks like."
The wall rose slowly.
Beyond: another fork.
"...Another split."
"More trials?"
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly.
Trials remained.