Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Raid
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rumble rumble rumble...
A heavy, massive gate slowly creaked open, golden radiance pouring out from between its doors.
The sword that had served its purpose shattered into pieces with a sharp crack. Do-yoon tossed the hilt, all that remained, aside into a corner of the cave.
Tch. Need to get my hands on a decent sword soon.
Thud, thud. Do-yoon's footsteps echoed through the vast cavern.
He lifted his gaze to the mountain of gold filling the space before him.
Quite the haul.
Piles of gold coins and jewels glittered brilliantly, reflecting the light from the glowing stones embedded in the walls.
Takes me back.
Enoch's legacy was scattered across the continent in various hidden spots. This was a vault holding readily usable wealth like gold, silver, and gems.
In truth, even Do-yoon had no exact count of how much was here. He could only guess that there were easily over 100,000 gold coins alone.
A century ago, Enoch had been not only the alliance's strongest hero but also the continent's greatest opportunist.
With each regression, knowledge of the future accumulated, making it child's play to rake in fortunes.
And the result was this glittering mountain before his eyes.
But Do-yoon paid it no mind and headed straight to the deepest part of the cave.
Found it.
There, a single ring was meticulously displayed in an elegant case, treated worlds apart from the gold and jewels scattered carelessly on the floor.
Do-yoon opened the case and picked up the item.
A ring of black gem and pristine white band that looked extraordinary at first glance.
The obsidian gem seemed to absorb the surrounding light into profound darkness, yet it was paradoxically transparent like glass, revealing its depths clearly.
The milky-white band gleamed with a soft luster, exuding the unyielding strength of divine craftsmanship woven with utmost care.
The black gem was Nebula, a stone harboring unprecedented power to rend space and the mystery of self-computation.
The white band was Skull Diamond, the continent's rarest ore known for absorbing nearly all force and energy directed at it—eternal and indestructible.
Not just the performance, but it's beautiful no matter how many times I see it.
Among Enoch's few subspace items, Nebula boasted the pinnacle of utility and convenience.
Subspace items were already prohibitively rare and priceless. The top-tier Nebula could buy an entire nation without exaggeration.
Good call leaving this here for emergencies when I need quick cash.
Do-yoon slipped Nebula onto his left index finger, admiring its stunning glow for a moment.
Speaking of which, I wonder what those dragons who handed this over are up to now... Huh?
As Do-yoon idly twirled the ring, a system window abruptly appeared before him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Nebula] Nebula is a gem that witnessed the birth and end of a nebula. It holds fragments of dominion over space and fragments of wisdom to read space. Now crafted with a dragon's power alongside Skull Diamond, its aesthetic value is beyond measure. Nebula grants the wearer a single pocket of the infinite world's fringe. Opening a portal to this space requires no effort—the fragment of wisdom computes all complex spatial formulas. Only the intent to open and a trace of mana are needed. Additionally, Nebula provides an ownership seal. Items marked with the seal can return to Nebula's space at the user's will. (Ownership Seal: 0 / 12)
...What the?
The window clearly displayed Nebula's info. This must be the 'item description' function learned at the Cradle.
But item descriptions required an appraisal scroll or skill, neither of which Do-yoon possessed.
...Ah. Could it be.
[Seventh Sense]. It seemed to be the effect of that skill.
Originally, it only intuited the value of antiques or treasures through heightened instinct. But with skill correction, it now enabled item descriptions.
The skill system sure is impressive.
Amazed once more by the system's functions, Do-yoon turned back and began loading the mountain of gold coins into the ring.
Capacity was limited, so he couldn't take it all. But he could grab enough to greatly aid the World Tree.
Full now.
With Nebula stuffed full of gold and jewels, Do-yoon exited the cave and sealed the entrance flawlessly using the mechanism.
But then, he halted abruptly and glanced back.
Toward the north, opposite the city.
"..."
Do-yoon turned toward the city and quickened his pace slightly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Screeech—
"Ah, Do-yoon!"
Sophie, waiting in the inn room, lit up with joy as the door opened and greeted him warmly.
"Sophie."
"Yes?"
She responded immediately to his unusually urgent tone.
"Is there a rainbow spot open in Skeletonea right now?"
"Ah, yes. There are... about three in Skeletonea."
"Which one's closest to our guild?"
"There's one near the Cradle."
Do-yoon nodded.
"Head back through there first."
"Huh? By myself?"
Sophie blinked in surprise, tilting her head.
Do-yoon brushed it off with an excuse about guild master errands, claiming he still had business here.
"But without me, you can't get back. The rainbow here is gone, so I can't come fetch you..."
"The dean who sent me here has arranged a way back. Skeletonea and this place are practically neighbors anyway. I'll return soon, so don't worry."
"Ah... really...?"
Sophie nodded, though a vague unease tugged at her. His words checked out, but something prickled her instincts.
"Um... alright. I'll head back first then."
She didn't press further. As Do-yoon said, delaying could cause issues.
And her senses weren't as sharp as his. Naturally, she hadn't noticed the anomaly to the north.
What she felt was just vague, unfounded anxiety.
"Come back safe."
Sophie activated [Heavenly Bow Illusion Flight] toward the Cradle, her body beginning to dissolve into white light.
Do-yoon waved as she vanished from her toes up, murmuring softly.
"Tell the guild master not to worry about me."
"Pardon?"
She couldn't ask what he meant. She vanished completely.
"..."
Do-yoon stared at the spot a moment, then hurriedly left the inn for the streets.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Skeletonea World Tree Branch Guild Master's office.
Millane was buried in paperwork piled high on her desk. Peak season meant a mountain of tasks.
Knock knock.
"Guild Master Millane. Coming in."
Her secretary entered, arms full of more documents.
"You've got this."
The secretary smiled politely at her sight.
Millane sighed without looking up, pen flying ceaselessly.
"Haa... Just leave them there."
"Yes. Hang in there."
"..."
After the secretary left and the door closed, Millane kept scribbling.
Then, one of the communication stones in her office blinked and rang.
"...Huh? Ah, damn it... what now...!"
She checked the type and ruffled her hair in frustration.
Several stones dotted her office: one linked to the master's room, one for secretary reports, etc.
This one was the royal direct emergency summon stone.
Bypassing all protocols for urgent World Tree contact, used only in crises.
In other words, it rang only for massive headaches.
"Ugh, screw it... I'm not answering!"
She kicked under the desk and buried her head. The stone kept blaring relentlessly.
Knock knock.
"Guild Master. That ringing stone is the royal direct emer—"
"Aaaah!! I was gonna answer!"
Millane jumped up screaming and grabbed the stone. She could picture the secretary's smug smile outside. Infuriating.
"You've got this. Shall I fetch some stress-relief chocolate?"
"...Thanks."
...Infuriating, but thoughtful.
Grimacing, Millane connected the stone. Light leaked out, projecting the royal liaison.
"Yes, this is her."
-[Guild Master Millane. Requesting reinforcements.]
"Reinforcements?"
Her face hardened instantly.
She listened intently with a grave expression.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thud thud thud thud thud.
Eloa, reviewing documents in the master's room, frowned at the frantic footsteps approaching.
Soon, Millane burst in like she was about to break the door.
"Master!!"
"You'll collapse the house—slow down... What's the rush?"
Eloa started to shake her head nonchalantly as usual but froze.
Millane's face was deathly serious. Something big had happened.
"Our lucky charm! Our lucky charm!!"
"...Huh?"
"N-No... I mean, Apostle Han Do-yoon! Where's Apostle Han Do-yoon!?"
"Han Do-yoon?"
Eloa tilted her head briefly before answering.
"Rockenmaier Demon Realm border city. Why?"
"Aaaaaah!!!"
Millane tore at her hair in anguish. Eloa recoiled in shock.
"W-What's wrong!?"
"Reinforcements! Assemble an elite team now! Our guild's best!"
Millane lunged, grabbing and shaking Eloa's shoulders.
"War's broken out! In Rockenmaier border region city!"
"...What?"
"The Demon King's army is raiding the city where our lucky charm is right now!!"
Eloa's face drained of color.