Chapter 121

Seojin even believed that if he'd first met Jin instead of Maya, the quest would have been much easier.

"Jin can embrace change. He believed that I could solve something, or that I could at least change you, Berg."

Berg clenched his jaw.

Now the gazes of numerous elves were flickering between Jin and Seojin.

Negotiation Table

Effective: 4m 22s

Time was running out, and Seojin had to make a decisive move.

He looked up and scanned the notification that had popped up a moment ago, begging for his attention.

Hidden information confirmed.

You heard the story of Belial, a spirit that has been guarding the desert for a long time…

"Belial's mind is broken."

The room was silent and everyone could hear Seojin's whisper clearly.

"It has been trapped in loneliness for a long time. It wanted to reach out and seek help, but fear held it back."

"So it saved its master by taking another elf's life? !"

Seojin ignored the sharp cry.

"My master is unwell, and I must help, though I don't fully understand why – that was its logic. Perhaps the other elves held the answers. That's why it signaled you all."

"And in doing so, it killed us!"

"Belial didn't know that. It just noticed the elves who followed it kept disappearing. Its only conclusion was that you had abandoned its master, but it couldn't even understand why."

"… He's telling the truth."

However, Berg cut Maya off and glared at Seojin, though it didn't faze him at all.

"I'm just taking a wild guess here. Perhaps Legia became aware of it, both rationally and instinctively, so she set up a trap. So that you can devour the elves with the dimwitted chief."

Seojin admitted it was pure speculation.

However, everyone there knew that the possibility was close to the real answer.

"And you wanted its blood as revenge, solely to cover up your own mistakes."

"…Then how can I console the fallen souls?"

"By completing your mission. If you need a blood sacrifice, do that with your own life. You're apologizing to those who died because of you, you know."

They lived and perished seeking one thing: their mission, and by only fulfilling it their death would be answered.

"Their deaths only became meaningful after I arrived here, while you were simply squatting here like an outsider. And thanks to me, your forest…"

Seojin paused mid-sentence and let out a short sigh.

"…will return. That was your mission and I fulfilled it for you. But you don't expect a happy ending here, do you?"

"Adventurers are crazy about sudden change, and they seek both mystery and the unknown. Your forest will be an appealing target for them."

That wasn't a threat, just a hard truth.

It was clear that countless adventurers would flock over in search of hidden rewards as soon as the forest returned.

"What do you think of adventurers, Berg?"

"They're terrible."

"And those terrible beings will swarm your forest over and over again. You decided to avoid them, even in this barren wasteland where they're scarce. Why? Because you couldn't handle them. You couldn't outsmart or outmaneuver them. So, Berg…" Seojin scowled, acting as if it was out of pure pity and compassion.

"Are you going to repeat this painful process again, risking the safety of your kin?"

"Stop…" Berg said in a low, hoarse voice.

Now, there was only a minute left.

Seojin sneakily began messaging his three companions just in case.

However, he soon realized that the situation was over.

"I've heard enough."

It wasn't out of anger, it was genuine acceptance - he was acknowledging reality and his stubbornness, and the first step toward making the right choice.

"…Adventurer."

"Yes, Berg?"

"I appreciate you."

That short remark held nothing.

No apology, nor any indication of what exactly he appreciated.

However…

"I'm glad you weren't too late."

Seojin accepted it willingly.

'Now there's one less thing to worry about.'

Bashing Berg any further wouldn't bring him any greater rewards.

"… I want to entrust the Guardians of Balance to Jin. If anyone thinks differently, speak now. Anyone."

For the first time, Berg asked the opinions of his group members, something he hadn't done since taking charge.

It felt awkward, and the other elves weren't used to it.

"So, no one disagrees… Jin…"

"Yes, Berg?"

Jin stepped forward.

Berg stared into his eyes for a moment before finally managing to speak.

"From this moment on, you'll lead the Guardians of Balance."

Simultaneously, a message popped up.

Faction Relationship Shifted: The Guardians of Balance are now your absolute allies.

Achievement Unlocked: Friend of Nature

* Elves are inherently born as friends of nature, but unlike them, you've proven your friendship through continuous effort. Elves will gladly embrace the friend of nature!

* Affinity with all elves +50%

It all happened because Jin, his absolute ally, had become the leader.

Jin was essential for the perfect success, and Berg wasn't.

That was the key difference that led to this result.

"Berg, return to your seat and bear witness to everything as a member of the Guardians of Balance."

"… Yeah, I should do so."

Bern was likely full of regret, thinking of various "what-ifs" and all the wrong decisions and mistakes that had led them to this situation.

That was the price of his sins, a burden Berg had to shoulder himself.

Seojin then turned his attention to Aisha, who was quietly petting Belial.

"Let's continue. Aisha, where is Legia?"

* * *

"She's close, nearby."

Aisha finally spoke after leading the group deep into the desert.

She was letting them know that her bond was kicking in.

"So, you're saying she's nearby, right?"

"Before I tell you, adventurer…"

She looked as if she had made up her mind.

Casting apologetic glances at the elves, Aisha spoke to Seojin again.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"Go ahead."

"I'm truly sorry, and I know I shouldn't dare to ask, but… "

Aisha's voice trembled and her face displayed a mix of guilt and fear, but she finally managed to get the words out, enduring the burden of her emotions.

"Can I talk to Legia first?"

"That's…"

Seojin scanned the reactions of the other elves and immediately noticed how they wavered.

'Even the friendliness and the change in leadership didn't lessen their resentment…'

Berg's revenge wasn't solely a personal matter.

A mission was a mission, but a blood debt was an entirely different matter.

A system message appeared, offering Seojin a choice.

A major turning point!

New bookmark added.

* I accepted Aisha's request. I believed she deserved to reunite with her friend Legia, who had twisted and changed over the years. The outcome was XXXX , and we were XXXXX

* I refused Aisha's request. I thought Legia, who had twisted and changed over the years, was no longer the same elf from Aisha's memories. The outcome was XXX, and we were XXXXXXX

'I don't know what the result will be…'

The only thing the bookmark told him was that the consequences wouldn't be minor whether he accepted it or refused it.

'… Which means it's extremely important, and my decision will have a fatal impact on the success or failure of the quest.'

Aisha's eyes seemed to plead as she looked at him.

The same went for the rest of the elves, just with a different meaning.

One wanted to save the monster, while the others didn't want to give it a chance.

Finally, Seojin made his decision.

"You will meet Legia first."

"Oh, thank you very…"

"Because you're the one leading us. It will only be a few seconds, but you'll meet her first."

"Ah…"

It almost sounded like mockery, but the rest of the elves' faces brightened.

Flappy did her part as well, whispering into Aisha's ear.

"He sayd he'll bah ya some time, 'n that was the only thin' he could say officially."

"…Thank you. Seeing her first will be enough. Even if it's only… for a few seconds."

Aisha replied with a resigned attitude.

She was quite the actor too.

* * *

Aisha: Key NPC for flawless success.

The system message may have been straightforward, but that didn't mean that he had to satisfy every whim and demand of the NPC.

'Context matters. Sometimes granting her wish is the right answer, while other times it's best to negotiate or even use threats to make her reconsider.'

Ultimately, the player's judgment was the deciding factor.

And Seojin, in the end, decided to honor Aisha's request.

Unofficial World Quest: Sleeping Desert

* Quest Type: Escort and Destruction

* Escort Target: Elf

* Destroyed: Legia

* Bonus payment conditions have been achieved.

* Failure Conditions: 2 or more deaths.

* Aisha can locate Legia through Bond.

The quest message had changed slightly, giving him confidence.

He hadn't killed Belial, yet he'd achieved the bonus objective.

'Maybe… no, I'm sure there's no need to kill Legia. That won't lead to a perfect success.'

It was evident that in order to achieve more than just mediocre success, they had to solve the "problem," in this case, Legia, through Aisha.

So, Seojin brought everyone to a halt when they reached the entrance of the cave where Legia was.

"Adventurers and Jin, please come this way. We'll discuss how to neutralize Legia for good."

Bigfoot, Kiri, Merhen, and Jin gathered together, excluding the other elves from the conversation.

Naturally, Seojin looked over at Aisha.

"You should enter first, Aisha. It's dangerous, but we have no other choice. This is the responsibility you wished to shoulder."

"…Alright, I'm the one who should take the risk."

Aisha took a step into the cave.

It was a slow and hesitant step, putting on a show for the other elves.

Jin spoke up.

"Adventurer…"

"I'm sorry, Jin, but we need to give Aisha time."

"I agree with you, adventurer."

"Really?"

"Legia is strong. This isn't only about Berg's competency. If she were easily defeated, we would have resolved this issue earlier. I believe it was the right decision to send Aisha first."

This affirmed that Seojin had made the right call in putting Jin in charge.

-Uh, can I ask you a question?

However, the other three adventurers had yet to figure out Seojin's intentions.

-What is it?

-Is there any particular reason you're doing this? I heard that monster, Legia, is currently weakened, so…

-Bigfoot.

-Yes?

Although they communicated through chat, Seojin's gaze was fixed on Bigfoot.

-I'm not here as a teacher to handhold you. See for yourself, experience it, and make your own judgment. I don't work with people who can't do that… .

-Okay.

That was Seojin's criteria for selecting his companions.

The three players and one elf remained silent, staring at the cave entrance where Aisha had disappeared.

And at the same time…

"Oh! Jeong Seyeon, our hope!"

Seojin's other "companion," Jeong Seyeon, entered the Hailstorm Korea branch building.