Chapter 187

Raul asked if Seojin knew what lay beyond Salevania. Seojin did not know. Raul, too, admitted his ignorance.

“Even an adventurer’s knowledge doesn’t extend that far, I suppose.”

“Adventurers can’t know everything. We excel more in quick information exchange than in the sheer volume of knowledge.”

“That makes sense. I thought as much. Wait here. Since I’m going to show you, I might as well show you everything.”

Raul stepped away for a moment, and Montblanc sent a puzzled look towards Seojin.

“Beyond Salevania? Are you talking about another continent?”

“Must be. Remember anything? Even from the Asgard era?”

“Nothing. I also thought it was strange. Salevania was the only continent we indirectly governed as gods, right?”

“Indeed. Even from the skies above, there was no other land in sight.”

“It was hidden. Shrouded in thick fog.”

Seojin nodded.

Montblanc seemed to share his thoughts. Back when they played Asgard. As gods, they occasionally interacted directly or indirectly with the mortals below. Salevania was the only continent under the players’ control then. There had never been any mention, even in lore, of any other continents.

‘Beyond Salevania, everything was concealed in dense fog, and back then, we simply thought of it as an unimplemented area.’

Players were too busy enjoying the tales above the skies. The celestial world was too vast for them to care about the land below. Now, on the ground, the two former rankers were experiencing the unfamiliar, the unknown.

“Aiden, Deshra, Arbarin. There were mentions of them on the website. Places with a higher entry level than Salevania, promising new experiences.”

“But in reality, we can’t even get past the Empire’s wall.”

Montblanc sighed softly. Once, she had dreamed of new continents. It was natural for her, always leading the way. But upon entering the Empire, the notion of new continents vanished from her mind.

“What’s your class, Montblanc?”

“Do I need to reveal it?”

“You’re free to refuse.”

Montblanc’s gaze darkened. Should she reveal her secret to the person before her? After much deliberation, she spoke.

“...And yours?”

“One of the hidden classes. I can’t say it.”

“You asked me mine, though.”

“That’s why I said you’re free to refuse. It’s not for lack of trust. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have spoken to you, Montblanc.”

That made sense to her.

“Then why...”

“I’m not saying it’s just a simple secret. In this game, I’ve never revealed my class to anyone, except Raul just now.”

“Because it has a clear weakness?”

“Yes. I’ve only come this far because my opponents didn’t know how to deal with me. I’m also worried someone might overhear our conversation right now.”

Montblanc could accept that reason. Being a former ranker herself, she deeply empathized with his position.

But not everyone agreed with Seojin.

-There’s no one around right now, though?

-Obviously it’s an excuse.

-So sly. Really sly. You were planning to listen from the start, right? Your stuff is secret.

-That’s... only natural.

Flappy, the small, winged girl laughed incredulously and flew away.

With Flappy’s vigilance, a secret leak was virtually impossible. However, Seojin knew too well the risks of trusting others. And that demanding blindly yields nothing.

“Montblanc. I think it’s okay to tell you this much.”

“What?”

“I’m not in a combat role. Neither ranged or melee.”

Montblanc’s expression flipped 180 degrees. From doubtful, to almost asking if it was okay to reveal that much.

“Isn’t that practically giving it all away? Are you sure?”

“I said I trust you. Even if an assassin targeted me, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Montblanc decided that was enough. Considering the risks, Seojin had given as much information as he could.

“I handle elemental spirits.”

“An elementalist?”

“Yes. It’s a hidden class. Used to be rare. Suddenly, the population increased.”

“And that staff?”

“It’s has a nature affinity boost option. Everyone thinks I’m a mage. And my elemental spirits... they don’t show themselves.”

Seojin feigned surprise, as if shocked by the revelation of an Elementalist. Simultaneously.

-Did you know?

-Wait. Let me check. Wow, that hurts my pride

-Maybe they were watching all along?

Stealth detecting was also one of Flappy’s basic abilities.

But if she couldn’t detect it...

-It’s because I didn’t include spirits in the target. I was focusing on humans and monsters. Anyway, to think a spirit eluded my sight...

“It shouldn’t be that surprising.”

“It is surprising. Spirits are usually hard to encounter.”

“Are you part of that ‘usually’?”

“Not really. But since I’m not, I understand the usefulness of an elementalist much better. I’m truly glad to have someone like you on our side.”

“Is that a sigh of joy?”

-Found’em

“Exactly. Even if you were a warrior, it would have been good, but in this unfavorable situation, a high-utility ability is much more efficient.”

Montblanc seemed moderately convinced. Then Flappy flew close to Seojin’s face, squinting, as if something was there.

-The nerve of this guy? He’s pushing his butt in your face right now. Giggling. What should we do?

-Just leave it. For now. How strong?

-Mid-level spirit. Mushroom-like. Quite intelligent and playful, like a little kid...

-Just leave it be.

Seojin concluded the situation.

A mushroom rubbing its butt on his face was nothing to fret over.

“So, Montblanc, you are...”

As Seojin was about to continue his conversation with Montblanc, a welcome guest finally returned.

“Both of you, this way.”

Thud.

Laying a few thick books on a makeshift table, Raul called the two over.

* * *

The books Raul brought contained records passed down from ancient times. They were texts predating even what’s commonly referred to as ancient manuscripts. Raul had traveled far and wide across the continent of Salevania to gather them, and upon arriving in the Empire, he received significant assistance from Rat Muedron. This was the fruit of his efforts.

“According to the records,” Raul said, carefully turning the pages to show Seojin and Montblanc, “this is where we are. The Salevania continent stretches vertically here. Opposite it, lies Aiden.”

“Then the place to the north must be Deshra.”

“How did you know?”

“Just a guess.”

“...Well, you’re right. And this place to the southeast is Arbarin. Among the three continents, Arbarin is the one with the least information, truly unknown territory.”

As he turned the page, instead of a crude map, the page was filled with crooked letters.

“This section details the characteristics of each continent. Despite spending a long time on it, I regret to say not much has been translated. Damn thing’s too complex. It’s questionable whether this can even be considered a language... it might be closer to the runic script used by mages.”

The language of runic scripts was essential in the spell formulas used by mages. Though called a language, it was closer to meaningless murmuring.

However, at that moment, Seojin’s attention drifted away from Raul’s words.

Activated: Trait — Natural Sense

Experienced: new language

Learned: Language — Divine Language

Current proficiency: 0.3%

‘Goodness.’

The message’s implication was clear. It had to be the language of the gods. That would explain its complexity, akin to runic scripts, and why these records were older than common ancient texts. It was also clear that Seojin could learn it, even if he didn’t know how it worked.

“That’s why I envy adventurers... Are you listening?”

“Of course, I am.”

“...Really? Well, anyway. That’s it. I envy you. You can venture into the unknown without fear of death... Of course, you won’t be able to experience the thrill I feel.”

“So that was why you entered the empire.”

“That’s right. But upon arrival, I realized it was impossible. Do you know how heartbroken I was when you first asked that question?”

“Oh, when I asked you why you were here doing this...”

“I tried, but realized I was just a big fish in a small pond. But finally, an opportunity has arrived. I thought you were just a foolish adventurer, but you proved to be more competent than expected.”

Raul’s face was filled with excitement. After a long time of preparation and despite previous shortcomings, he felt he could finally achieve his dream.

“I’m going to the new continent. If it weren’t for the emperor, I would have crossed over long ago.”

“Even if it might lead to death?”

“It’s a pity you can’t enjoy such thrills.”

“The key is convincing the emperor... That won’t work, will it?”

“We’ll have to take the initiative. And achieve your goal in the process.”

“So, your goal is the priority.”

“Don’t start pretending to weigh things again, kid. I know what kind of person you are. You want to go too, don’t you? To a land filled with things you could never experience on this continent.”

It was undeniable. For once, Seojin stepped back with a rueful smile.

“I guess that didn’t work, huh.”

“There’s such a thing as business ethics.”

“I apologize.”

“Anyway, we can continue this later. It’s not like we’re leaving right now...”

“Can I have just one book?”

“No.”

“I’ll only make a copy.”

“That’s... I heard adventurers don’t lose their belongings. Is that true?”

“We all carry something like a spatial pocket. Nothing gets stolen. And this will be beneficial for you too. Definitely.”

Raul’s eyes narrowed. He had experienced what Seojin was capable of.

“There’s something else, isn’t there?”

“There is. I’m preparing a surprise.”

“I’ll look forward to it. Take them and make your copies. The originals can’t leave this place. And after that...”

Raul looked between Montblanc and Seojin, then beyond them. Since entering the Empire, he had been glued to the vegetable warehouse outside.

“...Go finish your business with Staff of Faith first. I have something to settle with Muedron.”