Chapter 104

Oldman furrowed his white eyebrows and asked,

"Something else?"

"I'm not sure what it is, but I know something's there. If you dig it up without any preparation, you'll definitely regret it."

"I'll warn them and let you know as soon as it's confirmed."

"How long will it take?"

"Three days. In the meantime, I need you to find a place to rest…"

"I'll wait for you in the Flower of the Desert. That's most convenient."

"If that's what you want, then so be it."

Oldman was obedient as Seojin had already achieved what many adventurers had given up on. He was also the one who could bring new life to this town, which was named after Oldman… even if the way to do so was to appoint a new lord in his place.

"Oh, and…"

Oldman pointed to Seojin's hand as if he had almost forgotten.

"The ring is now yours. I'm sincerely grateful for your help.

Main Quest Complete

* Living in a dry desert can be tough, but you've managed to increase Shahav's lifespan. The end is in sight

* Exceptional performance deserves exceptional rewards.

Achievement Unlocked: A Cup Half-Full is Still Something

- Remember, positivity breeds success. Goof luck to you, who never gives up!

* +5 Luck.

'Oh, an achievement!'

Seojin thought it was about time he should get one, considering that he had invested a month into the quest.

'But there's no quest chain… is it really done like this?'

"My Lord, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"You've taken care of everything Shahav needed. It would be unreasonable to ask for more, but about what I asked you before…"

"It was your personal request. Don't worry, I'm not doing it for a reward. You'll be replaced by a lord who carries orders from the King, and you couldn't do anything about it."

Seojin was basically saying that he would cut the ties between Shahav and Ironblood by kicking out Oldman. Despite knowing that it meant he'd lose everything, Oldman still laughed with relief.

"I'll send someone to Flower of the Desert. Get some rest until then."

* * *

The Flower of the Desert was bustling with people, both NPCs, and players alike, taking a break there. Maya was the only one who looked like her world was about to end.

"It's time to honor our deal, Maya," Seojin said, sitting across from her.

"I've completed all of the contracts in Shahav perfectly, so you have to help me like we promised, starting now."

"…Not yet, it's not over."

"It is over," Seojin replied firmly.

"The land is still dry. You said you've found it, but how can you be so sure? You could be wrong."

"I'm not wrong."

"We don't know that for sure."

Maya averted her gaze, already well aware that Seojin couldn't be wrong. She noticed the ring on his finger, glowing with a striking blue light - a gift from the Lord.

"It's been a month, Maya. I searched the desert with all my heart using my abilities. I quite literally drank and ate sand in my lungs and stomach. But you already know that, because you've been watching me."

"…"

"I offered, and you accepted. I won, Maya."

Maya clenched her jaw, unable to accept the result.

"What happens if I don't fulfill my promise?"

"You'll die."

"I'd rather die," Maya replied,

"…with Jin."

"…?"

Maya glared at Seojin in panic.

"I said that you and Jin should help me. You both agreed. If you don't keep your end of the bargain, Jin won't be able to honor the contract either."

"… Jin would die?"

"Yes, at the same time as you. That's why I haven't asked you for anything yet; I was afraid that you'd react like this. I don't want either of you to die."

Maya was left speechless, realizing that Seojin was telling the truth. He had put the article there deliberately, and neither of them had thought it would come to this.

"Humans… really…"

Maya couldn't conceal the disgust and hatred in her eyes. It was even stronger than when he had revealed her secret.

"Your kind is terrible."

"Keep your word, Maya."

"That's… ."

"That's right. You have to keep your promise."

At that moment, someone tapped Maya on the shoulder and sat down next to her with a smile on his face. It was Jin.

"We lost, so I guess we have to do as the terms say. What do you want?"

"Jin!" Maya exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration.

"Don't shout. Do you want to go to my house again?"

"That's not the important thing right now, you know!"

"What is important then? Fuming like you're doing right now?"

"… Jin."

Maya closed her eyes tight as if she had nothing else to say. To be precise, she didn't want to say anything.

"I don't have any intentions of dying yet. Don't run away, Maya."

"I'm not trying to run away…"

"Look at the results, not the intention. What changes if we die? Do you think that will stop this adventurer from going in?"

Maya already knew the answer. She was just angry that she had lost helplessly, turning her hundreds of years of effort into nothing in a blink of an eye. Jin looked at Seojin as Maya kept her mouth shut.

"What do you want?"

"It's going to be a long story."

"We're in the perfect place for a long story. Will you pay for the drinks?"

That wasn't difficult to answer.

"As much as you want."

Ring! The system message blocked Seojin's sight.

Conditions Met! New location added to your diary: the Desert City of Shahav!

Registered Story: Shahav was a city that thrived in the barren desert. Despite the harsh conditions, the people of Shahav persevered. They studied how to harness the power of the sandy land and eventually found a way…

The preview was now registered as an official story, and…

Four Stories Acquired

"Excellent Storyteller" enhanced!

"Importance of Experience" enhanced!

Previews boosted!

More rewards followed…

Importance of Experience Lv. 2

Skill duration + 15%

Exceptional Storyteller

All stats +30%

Seojin had already anticipated an increase in the duration and potency of his skills, but the enhancement he saw in the preview function was definitely beyond his expectations.

"Adventurer?"

"Just a moment. I need to take a look at something."

Seojin stepped away to investigate further.

Preview Lv2

* The narrative becomes a little more direct.

* The narrative becomes a little richer.

Feature Unlocked: Personal Information.

Check the Journal for details.

Seojin could instantly see what that meant.

Chapter Unlocked: Sleeping Desert!

Two elves gave me a chance. When they told me the origin of the name "Sleeping Desert," I was shocked. But I didn't give up!

Story skipped. Press Confirm to check the skipped story.

Key clue sorted:

* The XXX underground needs water and life force.

* The forest had returned!

Key personnel sorted:

* Maya: Elf, absolute ally.

* Jin: Elf, absolute ally.

* Oldman Shahav: Human, Lord of Shahav, ally, devoted lord, royal…

'Ah, so that's it.'

It looked like the system had sorted out the most important things, so he didn't need to worry about the useless information. Plus, all of the personal information was organized in case he forgot or missed any of it.

"Perfect," Seojin said with a smile.

He also thought of the current episode name: the Sleeping Desert. That meant there were plenty of activities and adventures for the two elves in the desert.

"That's all I needed. Sorry for keeping you waiting," he said, turning to the two main NPCs.

"You seem to be in a good mood. Anything good happen?"

"Well, I won a bet and now I'm getting a reward. Can't be any happier," Seojin replied with a soft smile.

"Shall we get started then?"

* * *

Elves could live for a thousand years, but they didn't experience a biological death. It was more like they willingly gave up their life, but they could live longer if they chose to. However, when they did so, they became a cancer that slowly destroyed nature.

"Elves are like nature. Like the trees of a forest, breathing out the life force of the world. It's always been like that."

Elves loved the forest, but that wasn't the only reason they lived there. It was more like wherever they dwelled became a forest.

"This place was the same too."

Jin's eyes seemed lost in recollection as he talked about the past.

"It was about eight hundred years ago, although, I didn't see the exact moment with my own eyes. Do you know the name of this continent?"

"Salevania."

"That's right, but that was the name of the forest here back then."

The continent was called Salevania, named after the vast expanse of forest covering most of the land. The forest was home to many elves, but then, something changed.

"Some elves refused to accept death, and from that moment on, they were no longer considered elves."

"No longer considered elves?"

"Elves are closer to nature than any other species only bested by Elemental spirits, but when they deny death, they absorb the life force around them more quickly than any other being."

"The life force…"

"The amount of power is enormous and nothing can stand up to us alone. It turns into a huge disaster."

It meant that a being who once grew the forest, blooming flowers with just one touch, eventually became the destroyer of it, taking the life of a tree with just one breath.

"In the end…"

Because elves were like nature…

"Living things lose themselves just by being by the side of such a being."

"Then…"

Seojin glanced at Maya and saw that she was shaking, then looked back to Jin.

"Is that the disaster hidden underneath the sand?"

"Yes," Jin replied.

"That's why you stopped the adventurers from going there, right?"

"Correct."

"Was it for the sake of adventurers?"

"No."

Seojin knew he had guessed correctly.

"You said that being consumes life force."

"Yes."

"…Does that make the being stronger?"

Jin hesitated for a moment before answering.

"You're right."

Seojin was right. Those fallen elves could absorb life force and become stronger, then swallow nature with even greater force. It was a terrible cycle. Seojin rubbed his face.

"I see what you mean."