The Eleventh Treasure
"Father."
The flap of the tent opened, and two people stepped inside. One was Merka, and standing beside him was a woman wearing an eyepatch over her left eye. Three swords hung from her waists and back, while a compact shortbow was folded against the gauntlets wrapping her wrists. The armor she wore was made from sea serpent leather—a material rarely seen in the desert. Tough and resilient with high resistances, it made for excellent armor, but these beasts dwelled in the deep straits. Mounting an expedition from the desert just to hunt them would be a massive undertaking.
"You've returned."
The woman who wore such leather armor as naturally as her own skin was Hien's fifth child, Rania.
"I've finished clearing the straits and come back."
"Well done. The young ones will rejoice."
"Seafood isn't something we get every day in the desert. The tribe will be thrilled with Lady Rania's efforts."
At Merka's words, she shrugged it off like it was nothing.
"Just doing what needed doing. No big deal."
"You've heard the report. Muel's out on a sweep to prepare for winter, and she found corpses from the Biden tribe. Seems the work of the Forgotten Ones."
"Yes. They've got some nerve, those bastards. Filthy necromancers trying to cross the desert."
Rania snorted derisively at Hien's words.
"Don't underestimate them. You've heard what happened on the great plains, I assume. We'll know more when Nazan returns, but many Biden hunters fell to a single sorcerer."
"Merka's right. They lurk in the shadows, but they're far from weak. The god they serve brings only ruin and death. We cannot let the Forgotten Ones set foot on this land."
"I heard Father took in a new kid this time. They say he killed a necromancer—one controlling a bone dragon, a high-tier sorcerer at that."
She shrugged again.
"Do you really believe that, Father?"
"Ask him yourself."
"Don't cross the line, Rania. You're one of Ulan's finest hunters, true—but that doesn't mean you can stand above your brothers."
"Sharpening my blade outside fair competition is as good as showing hostility toward me."
The overwhelming pressure made her swallow dryly without realizing it.
"Father, your thinking is outdated. Competition isn't something you set up on a stage. Lingering there just makes you a plaything dancing for Father's amusement."
But she didn't back down. Merka was stunned by her retort, though a part of him admired her boldness.
It's been three years since she left the tribe to roam the continent, hunting as she went. What happened out there to make her this fearless...?
Hien's word was absolute. None of the siblings had ever voiced dissent against his decisions.
"You've grown, Rania."
Both Rania and Merka doubted their ears at Hien's response.
Father... praising her?
"When I heard you'd slain a sea serpent, I figured you'd eventually spout this arrogance at me."
But the next words made Merka realize he'd misread completely.
"Gah...!!"
"A sea serpent is indeed a high-tier monster of the straits. Slaying it deserves praise. But we are desert folk. The sands crawl with far greater lizards than that."
"Kkh, kuhuk!!"
The moment Hien's gaze fell on her, Rania shuddered violently, dropping to one knee and collapsing to the ground.
"Hunting that level in the desert is no great feat. Your brothers have already claimed bigger prey. Setting the stage was a father's final concession to the weak—and the weak are children like you."
Blood trickled from Rania's lowered nose.
She barely held on against the crushing pressure, like gravity itself bearing down.
"...Father!! Please, stay your hand."
Merka cried out. The pressure vanished in an instant, and Rania slumped heavily.
"A hunter must know their place precisely. Only then can they tell if they can hunt their prey—or if they'll be the hunted."
"...I'll remember."
Hien nodded as if nothing had happened, eyeing her pale face.
"Enter."
His attention had already shifted elsewhere while dealing with Rania—outside the tent. Merka and Rania knew well who waited there.
...I wasn't even on his radar.
Rania forced a bitter smile. She'd roamed wildly for three years, slaying beasts and convinced she'd grown—yet she couldn't even meet her father's eyes. He was an uncrossable wall, she realized once more. And that made her all the more curious about the identity of the eighth brother who'd shattered his expectations.
"I pay respects to the master of the desert."
The flap opened, and three entered. Merka and Rania's gazes shifted.
"We've brought him."
One was Yong-a, the Ulan tribe's diviner and strategist. The other was Myurn, caretaker of the Nest.
That kid, huh.
Rania eyed the boy behind them, narrowing her eyes. The fourteen-year-old looked utterly ordinary. But one thing stood out.
That sword...
The massive greatsword slung across Adel's back, nearly dragging the ground, caught her eye.
"...No way?"
Recalling whose it was, she couldn't hide her shock. Merka felt the same.
"Why do you have Brother Hul's greatsword?"
Rania stepped forward, forgetting courtesy, and demanded of Adel.
"You must be Fifth Sister. A pleasure to meet you. I heard you were out on wandering sweeps... I didn't expect to see you like this. An honor."
But Adel greeted her calmly, hand over heart, without a hint of surprise—leaving the irritable Rania flustered instead.
What kind of guy is this?
Her shock wasn't just from his polite reply. She was a gifted hunter; while not matching Hien's pressure, she could exude her own intimidation. She was confident her glare alone could make a kid like this wet himself.
My killing intent doesn't faze him at all...
Yet Adel stood unmoved by her malice.
Pretending not to notice? Sly little bastard.
Hiding his reaction meant he could withstand it.
"..."
Rania stared down at Adel with a sour expression.
"Insolent. Enough foolishness in Father's presence. Rania, you don't want another scolding, do you? Any more rudeness, and I won't stand for it."
Merka reined her in as she eyed Adel suspiciously.
"But Brother, you saw it yourself just now. This kid wasn't fazed by my kil—"
Rania cut herself off. Claiming Adel ignored her pressure would only highlight her own inadequacy.
"...Never mind."
She grimaced and stepped back.
"It's natural to be surprised. I forgive your rudeness, Rania. Hul gave that child his greatsword—the weapon I bestowed upon him."
"Is that true? Hul never wielded it himself, but he said he'd treasure it forever. I still remember his face back then."
Merka double-checked, glancing warily at Hien, lest he offend.
"No, it's entirely possible. I hold no grudge against Hul's choice. I had expectations for that boy, and he failed to meet them."
Hien shook his head.
"Unlike you two."
Merka, who'd stayed in the village unlike Rania, grasped his meaning immediately.
"That child is Garon's contractor."
"...!!!"
Rania gaped wordlessly at Adel.
"Not just any contractor, either. Look—the gauntlet on his wrist. What is it?"
"No way..."
"Indeed. 【Rundel's Gauntlets】. Proof enough there's no doubt he's Garon's contractor."
"In three hundred years since the Great Nest was built, not a single contractor has emerged... Understood. If he's Garon's contractor, slaying a bone dragon makes sense."
Rania looked incredulous but backed off for now. Adel glanced at her slyly, thinking:
White Shark Rania. Calling you in too means this is a big deal.
Among his siblings, she was the most unique in several ways. A true hunter like Hul, obsessed solely with the hunt and indifferent to sibling rivalries—but she wouldn't tolerate anyone ascending the tribal throne without earning her recognition.
Sister Rania's the most neutral among the brothers. Unlike Hul, she values strength over justice, so she said nothing when Syrin took the throne. Survival means strength, after all.
Adel didn't agree with her philosophy, but as a benchmark for claiming the top spot himself, it wasn't bad.
Brother Hul acknowledges me, but he's still on Brother Merka's side. That's not changing.
Syrin had Yoran; Merka had Hul. To wedge himself into their struggle, Adel needed backers beyond his own hunting party.
I need a patron too... but who?
His eyes fell on Rania.
"What're you staring at?"
This'll be a tough road.
Adel smiled faintly at her question. Among those key to the throne, Rania held significant weight.
"Still, I can't believe it. This little kid succeeding a contract with Garon—something none of us brothers managed. Worthy of Father's attention."
"Adel, how long have you been in the desert?"
"A little over a year now."
Hien asked knowingly.
"Your siblings should take heed. A boy here barely a year has contracted a mid god. If he wishes, he qualifies as master of the desert."
"I'm ashamed. How could I dream of such things with my elders here?"
Adel knew Hien was deliberately hyping him up before the two.
"Sibling rivalries offer growth to all, so your achievements hold true value, Adel. That's why I summoned you—to reward merit fittingly."
His siblings watched Adel with tense eyes.
"The Forgotten Ones' rampage is grave. You prevented a potential war with the Biden tribe. Give the details to Yong-a. I called you today for your commendation."
As expected...
Hien was always swift and precise with rewards and punishments.
"What do you desire?"
"If I may be bold, Brother Hul advised me: if Father offers a sword and asks what you want, reply 'the seventh bow' for this merit."
"Hul told you? Interesting. What else did that boy say?"
"If Father asks what you truly want, answer 'the seventh bow'."
"What?! The seventh? Brother Hul's lost his mind completely. To a mere fourteen-year-old brat?"
"Impossible. Is that really what Hul said, Adel?"
Even Merka, who'd been holding his tongue cautiously around Hien, shouted in shock.
"Do you know what that bow is?"
"A bow that chooses its own master."
"Correct. Among the bows in Ulan's treasury, none is more perfect. But fail its trial, and you may forfeit your life. Do you wish to face the bow's test?"
Hien eyed him with keen interest. But Adel shook his head, as if mocking the expectation.
"No. I don't want it. Even my siblings couldn't claim it. No chance for me."
"No need to sell yourself short. You've succeeded where they failed—with Garon."
"Just luck."
"Then what do you truly want?"
"The ten armaments in Father's possession. I want the one that comes after."
Rania and Merka stared blankly, not grasping at first. But Hien and Yong-a understood immediately.
"The one after?"
"Yes."
Adel's eyes gleamed as he met Hien's gaze.
"The armament Father intends to forge."