Chapter 107

Settlement Expanded.

Shahav's development limits expanded greatly.

Shahav's funds increased.

Shahav's residents increased.

Shahav's...

Estimated time until completion: 72 hours

Messages never ceased to pop up in Seojin's eyes after Oldman finished his work.

'Seventy-two hours until completion…'

Seojin's eyes moved busily as he read the message, and simultaneously grasped the situation around him incredibly fast. A stream of water was spouting over a small pit, and the elves were crowded around the pale-faced little girl who was lying there. Around them were hazy holograms of a bustling city, which provided a glimpse of Shahav's future.

'…It's almost like a city-building game. So… the settlement is going to be developed like this…'

Buildings of Shahav's architectural style were being constructed at a rapid pace around Seojin, in the form of holograms, of course. But that meant that this place would soon change like a city in a hologram in seventy-two hours.

Huge contribution to the development of the estate.

Additional rewards.

Granted rights to Oasis business in Shahav.

10% of business income related to Oasis business will be transferred into a personal deposit.

Unavailable: Development is still unfinished.

'Rights for Oasis business?'

From a glance, it didn't look amazing, but it meant that ten percent of the water tax belonged to him.

'I wouldn't mind having a free fortune, but is it morally okay?'

It basically meant that he could sell water in a place where water was life.

'Also… the NPCs don't seem to be seeing this at all.'

Maya Jin, and even Oldman didn't seem to notice the construction and expansion happening around them at a frenzied speed.

'Well, they'll see it in three days, without a doubt.'

Seojin walked over to Oldman, who was smiling with sweat on his forehead.

"Thank you for your effort."

"It's nothing, I couldn't have done it without you, adventurer. Shahav owes you so much."

"It wasn't a big deal."

"It is. I hope you like the little gift."

"It's not little at all… is it okay for you to give me something like that?"

What Oldman had given him was basically a right to collect tax, so Seojin was wondering whether the King would care or not. Oldman nodded gladly.

"There's no problem at all. His Majesty permitted it. He said that a worthy prize should be given to the biggest contributor."

"If so, I'd gladly take it, and…"

Oldman interrupted as Seojin glanced at the elves.

"I have a lot of questions, but there doesn't seem to be a right moment to intervene."

"They're all elves."

"Thought so. I'll be waiting, so let me know if you need any help. I'd be happy to help with any requests from you whilst I'm still the Lord of Shahav."

"Thank you."

"I'll take my leave then. Can you let Maya know that I'll be waiting? Tell her she can take her time, though."

"I will."

Oldman smiled with satisfaction. Questions still remained, but his greatest goal had finally been achieved. Seojin turn back to look at elves after Oldman left.

"Now it's my turn."

"Wait, a little more…"

"Don't overdo it. You're overdoing it now."

"…If you say so."

The elves were passing their life force into the little girl lying in the middle of the circle, bringing life back to her pale face every one of them rested their hand on her forehead.

"Well, I don't know if I can talk to them now."

"You deserve it. Elves aren't that shameless," said Flappy.

As Seojin approached them…

"Human! Stay where you are!"

"Keep your distance or we'll take violent measures!"

…there was a harsh rejection.

"Violent measures?"

"We know you helped us, but we can't let you get too close right now!"

Another elf joined the confrontation. Their manner of speech didn't match their youthful appearances, but their minds were old as they had lived over hundreds of years. Jin swiftly tried to diffuse the situation.

"We were able to save one of our own thanks to him."

"I know, but you know we have to do this, Jin."

"Yes, I'm aware, but you don't have to be so hostile toward him."

"… Alright."

Jin left the ranks of the ferocious elves and approached Seojin.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'll apologize on behalf of them."

"There must be a reason for their actions, right?"

"…Yes."

Seojin had already guessed as much. Jin let out a sigh as if he had no idea how to solve it.

"…Everyone is on edge right now, especially since one of our kind is weak. They'll soften up if the little girl makes it into the recovery stage."

"How long will that take?"

"Around a day, sir."

Jin was also sickly pale. He was the first of them to share his life force with the girl.

"I'll wait. Wouldn't it be better for you guys to head back to Shahav? This place is so dusty…"

"They'll reject that idea. In fact, most of our kind are skeptical of humans. Think of Maya's attitude. That's what you'll mostly see."

Seojin finally got a grip on the situation. They wouldn't like to be in a city full of humans, especially in this situation.

"Guess I'll have to head back first and wait."

"Thank you for your understanding."

"Oh, Lord Shahav also asked me to tell Maya that he'll be waiting for her once she's sorted things out."

"I'll make sure to tell her."

Everyone needed time right now, including Seojin and the elves that were protecting their wounded kin.

"Oh, by any chance…"

Seojin came up with something.

"Do you think they'll be wary of Flappy as well?"

"Yes, she's not from nature. They'll be skeptical about her as well since she's been with you."

"I guess it can't be helped then."

Seojin shrugged.

"I'll go wait. I'll see you after everything's been sorted out."

* * *

Scores of people were gathered inside a modest house, each with a grave expression on their face. A girl lay deep in slumber on the bed with a calm expression, while an elf clasped her hands, imparting his life force upon her.

"How is she?"

"Much better. She's stable."

The elf who had just held the girl's hand answered. His face was pale and his vitality had been drained, nevertheless, his face was full of joy.

"I'm glad that we weren't too late. At this rate, she'll wake up soon. It might have been difficult, even with all of our vitality, if she was found a little later."

"It was all thanks to that adventurer."

"I'm grateful. At least one human was helpful, although, I don't know his real intentions."

"He's doing it out of goodwill."

"There's truly no good human. Even if there were, those so-called good men just follow their narrow, prejudiced sense of morals. Did you forget the past, Jin?"

Berg, the oldest of these elves, spoke cynically as he watched how Salevania fell with his own two eyes.

"He helped us, that's a fact."

"I said that I'm grateful."

"He deserves to be with us at this moment. He…"

"Nonsense."

"Have you seen the spirit that follows him around?"

"I haven't, but I won't believe any spirit that fraternizes with humans, especially adventurers. Sometimes, they even find out how to steal divine power."

From Berg's point of view, it was possible that Seojin wasn't a good, pure man, but that something beyond the elves' understanding gave him such power.

"Maya guaranteed it."

"That doesn't matter when it comes to adventurers. None of our common sense or abilities apply to adventurers, so forget about it."

"And how do you think that the adventurer will perceive our behavior?"

"You said that he's a good man. He'll understand."

"No, you just said it. Our common sense does not apply to adventurers."

"That's…"

"He could make all of our efforts meaningless. Everything we've done so far could turn into meaningless ash. He's a good man, but that means he can do anything for his good faith."

Jin changed his course of persuasion as he realized that going with the "he's nice" tactic had its limitations.

"Explain."

Jin explained everything, from who Seojin was to what had he done, and the very last thing he had said to him.

"…Bring the forest back?"

Berg had no choice but to laugh.

"That's what he said."

"He doesn't know what he's talking about. Maybe he truly believes his words, and that's why Maya couldn't tell that he was lying."

Berg didn't waver one bit as he knew that such a thing was impossible. However, he had something more urgent to attend to.

"You said that your life is at stake, didn't you?"

"Yes, Maya's also…"

"Bring him to me. I can't just sit here and watch my kin die."

"We promised to help him."

"Adventurers only seek benefits. I'll promise him more and save you two."

"It won't work."

"I'm the one…"

Berg furrowed his brows ferociously.

"…who'll make that judgment. Go get him."

* * *

Key personnel sorted:

Maya – Level 211: Elf, absolute ally - Trait: Insight - skilled in Spirit Magic.

Jin – Level 213: Elf, absolute ally - Trait: Conditional Foresight - skilled in dagger combat.

Berg: Elf, neutral.

Taihi: Elf, neutral…

'Overall, they all have great specs. No less than Maya or Jin. They could be of great help if I can make them my allies.'

Their stats and skills had just been added to the tab as well, and that was what Seojin was now checking.

"I can steamroll any ordinary guilds, leaving Ironblood as the only exception."

The power of the centuries-old elves was simply enormous, but Jin had said that even with their power, they couldn't beat the fallen elf.

'That thing is either horribly strong, or it takes more than brute force to beat it. Probably the latter. This is an RPG game, and monsters are here to be hunted and beaten.'

There was no need to add a god-mod monster to an RPG.

'Then there's only one answer.'

Elves were powerful, but because of their lack of varied experiences, the scope of their thinking was not all that wide. They could also be headstrong and stiff in their way of thinking as they had lived closed lives for such a long time. Which meant that…

'I can fill in what they lack.'