Chapter 108

Seojin looked up at Flappy.

"Are elves always hostile toward humans like this?"

"Depends, but it's rare fahwar uh whole group tuh reject men lahk thus. Not impossible, but rare."

Flappy just shrugged, as she had a grasp on why they were acting like that.

"Men an elves is difernt. Thet's thuh root uh all kinds uh problems." "Seems like they've already been betrayed several times, I mean, the elves here."

"Maybe."

One's worldview was bound to stem from one's own experience, and the elves in Shahav must have seen the dark sides of humans numerous times, especially since they lived alongside them.

"No wonder they especially despise adventurers."

Maya also said she hated adventurers for treating this world as a playground, and it wasn't a surprise that it was kind of a common attitude among elves.

'But didn't Maya and Jin tell them I'm a good guy? Those two did a complete one-eighty when they saw my Dharma Points too.'

That meant the rest of the elves weren't even trusting the Dharma Points, and Seojin thought that seeing him in person wouldn't make any change to their attitude.

-BunnyRabbit.

Soon after contemplating, Seojin sent a message, and Bunny replied as he called her for the first time in nearly a month.

-Yes, yes! I've been waiting for you! I was worried that something happened, but couldn't call you first in case I hindered you…

One month of silence had made Bunny a little anxious, but she waited patiently because she believed in Seojin, calmly blocking her manager and team leader's impatience. To her, Seojin was the top priority in her both company career and game life. Seojin, just like always, satisfied her expectations perfectly.

-I had a lot to do. I'm calling you because it's now sorted out… roughly.

-As expected! I knew there was always a good reason for your every action! Was there a hidden quest in Shahav as well?

-That's right. Have you finished it all?

-Yes, but there's a chained quest stretching outside of Shahav.

-Outside of Shahav… are you telling me that…?

-The Sleeping Desert.

Bunny remained silent for a moment.

'She must be very surprised.'

That was no wonder, because the Sleeping Desert was the most difficult area in Salevania, and nobody even knew the recommended level for the region. Some players even suspected that the region was one enormous-sized dungeon.

-Sorry for the delay, I was just surprised. Do you mean the same Sleeping Desert I know?

-Yup. Outside of Shahav… oh, ah!

-So, something led you out of there?

-No, I mean… first…

BunnyRabbit lost her barely regained composure once again fast because of Seojin. She knew that Seojin never spat out empty words or meanless promises.

-I met an elf. In Shahav.

Bunny went silent again, and Seojin didn't wait this time as he explained everything he had gone through so far. Only then did Bunny finally reply.

-Wow.

She took a little more time.

-Wow…

Seojin decided not to waste any more time.

-Keep it to yourself for a while. Only release information related to Shahav on my first signal, then information about the Sleeping Desert on my second signal.

-Okay, okay.

-Let's upload the info about Shahav to the public community. And about the Sleeping Desert… well, let's keep an eye on the situation first. Do you have any questions?

-Yes, that… no, I don't.

-Good, actually I wouldn't be able to answer them anyway. I'll call you.

Seojin lowered the chat window and saw Jin and Maya approaching.

* * *

Seojin pointed toward the door that led to Jin's house.

"You're saying that everyone's in there, right?"

"Yes. I apologize, but they didn't listen to us."

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

Jin and Maya felt sincerely sorry for Seojin as he had to prove himself again to the elves, just like he did to them. Of course, Seojin didn't look particularly bothered or annoyed about it.

"Shall we go in? Flappy, will you hide for a moment?"

"Do Ahv tuh?"

"Yeah, I don't want you to be seen from the very start."

"Suit yourself."

With that, the air trembled and Flappy disappeared slowly. Even the elves wouldn't be able to pinpoint her, even if they sense her presence.

Seojin met a barrage of gazes as he opened the door. Three elves walked out to block his path as he took a step inside, and the head of the elves stood out as Seojin took his second step in. Berg, the head of the group, spoke coldly.

"Are you the adventurer who dared to take our elves hostage?"

"You must be Berg, leader of elves here."

"An elf who had lived thirty times longer than you."

"Only in the desert…"

"I am…"

"…which was once a forest."

"…"

The man before him frowned fiercely.

"How much did you hear?"

"As much as I should know."

"There isn't a single thing that you should know."

"That's only by your standards, Berg."

"Cheeky little human. You don't like me, do you? Me too, so let's keep it short."

"Can I sit down?"

"You won't need to."

"I think otherwise."

Berg gestured with his chin, causing Jin to jerk suddenly and grab two chairs for them. Seojin sat down first, and Berg followed with disapproving eyes. Under the watchful eyes of those surrounding them, Berg got straight to the point.

"Forget your bet. I'll give you a better one. Something that you humans can't refuse."

"Let me see first."

"Choose between these."

Berg placed three pieces of jewelry on the table beside him.

There were two rings, red and green respectively, along with a bluish bracelet made from unknown materials.

"Can I take a look?"

"Look as much as you want."

Seojin picked up the green ring carefully.

Ring of the Forest | Unique

* A masterpiece forged by a famous elf who put his heart and soul into capturing the energy of the forest. Bearers of the ring can enjoy phytoncide showers just by wearing it.

* Water Affinity: +83

* Earth Affinity: +121

* Water Affinity: +48

*Level Restriction: 0

"Well."

The unique gear had no level restriction, plus, the fact that it was certified elven gear meant that it was tremendously well-crafted.

'This must be what Flappy meant.'

Flappy had once said human crafts were nothing but a cheap knockoff of elven craft, so… other players might go wild if Seojin sold it off in an auction.

"Guess you're surprised. That's right! Your kind can't even imitate this piece of art with your crude craftsmanship. I don't want to give it to a human being, but…"

"I'm still inspecting it."

"Understandably, you can't take your eyes off it, but don't forget…"

Seojin put the ring down on the table.

"Let's be clear about your purpose first. Are you trying to boast, or are you trying to reward me?"

Seojin spoke threateningly, but Berg didn't even budge.

"Huh, looks like I hurt your pride dearly. Don't let jealousness overtake you, adventurer. Use it wisely to develop your skills."

Seojin almost admired Berg's confidence, but quickly concealed such thoughts and stood up.

"I guess we're done talking."

* * *

"Can you really afford to bluff?"

"Maya, Jin, I need your help right now. Let's go."

"Wait!"

Seojin looked at Berg coldly as he reached out in a hurry.

"What is it?"

"I'll give you some more time to appreciate it quietly. Sit down again."

"I was inspecting it, not appreciating it."

"I don't care how you put it. Look at it more thoroughly to feel its beauty."

'Wow, this character really is …'

Seojin was rather amused by their conversation, but he didn't let that show in front of Berg.

"You're not going to disturb me, are you?"

"This must be a valuable experience for you, so I'll wait. I also seemed to lack some respect for the work, even if I was the one who made it."

A system message followed Berg's empty brag.

Information acquired.

Encountered key NPC – Berg

Information updated: Elven craftsman / Head of the Guardians of Balance / 908 years old / Extremely proud / Extremely self-righteous / Undaunted…

'So, he was designed to be that way…'

Seojin finally understood how he needed to treat him.

* * *

All three of the items that Berg presented to Seojin had similar effects. No level restrictions, and all were unique gear. They also boasted overwhelming elemental properties as they were hand-made by an elf. Wizards and alchemists quite possibly would lose their minds if they glanced at one of them.

'He's going to give me all three.'

That was Seojin's conclusion. Berg had obviously asked him to choose one of them, but he must have thought there was room for bargaining as well. Seojin could imagine the elf giving him all three accessories, pretending to grind his teeth, if Seojin demanded them.

'There's no harm in trying it out.'

As soon as Seojin put the bracelet down, Berg's nose twitched.

"I guess you're done appreciating it."

"There's no doubt that they are great crafts."

"Of course they are."

"You told me that I can choose only one, didn't you?"

"Don't be greedy! One is already too much for the price of that feeble contract."

"One is not enough."

"You greedy…"

"Do you want me to pull out now?"

Berg huffed and puffed, glaring at Seojin as if he was very angry, and eventually shook his head.

"I'll give you two, you greedy human being. I want you to ask me politely."

"Still not enough."

"What, not enough? Do you know even what these are?"

"Yes."

Seojin stood up from his chair.

"Will you give me all three?"

"This is the last time! The last time! I can't allow any more of this nonsense! Never!"

"…"

"Take it all, you bastard. Take all of it and get out of here now, before I change my mind. Right now!"

Berg acted quite dramatically, but Seojin wasn't even looking at him.

"The others are awfully quiet when their leader is steaming with anger."

"…What?"

"Berg is the only one who's angry. Everyone else seems to have already thought that this would happen… oh, some of them even look embarrassed."