Chapter 52 052

Rewinding back twenty minutes.

Seojin witnessed the fate of the black skeleton.

"I thank you, Friend of the Goddess."

"You believe me? I didn't think you would."

"I felt the power flowing through my body. No ordinary adventurer could hold such power, so there's no reason for me not to believe you, also…"

Its joints were broken, and the bones lost their cohesion. The black skeleton spoke out just before it collapsed.

"…it's what I want to believe."

"I didn't lie, don't worry and go. Luna will be waiting for you."

Seojin knew that she would be if the lore was still the same as Asgard. Luna valued self-induced repent the most, therefore, the soul of this skeleton would surely go to Luna.

"Thank y—"

The black skeleton finally collapsed completely. The blue fire was extinguished, and one black crystal the size of a fist remained.

Acquired: Darkness Fragment(1)]

As expected, it was the item requested in the irregular contract. The remaining one could be obtained by clearing a dungeon in the Ant Cave.

'This means I've cleared two irregular contracts.'

Seojin only had one left. Acquiring the Amber Pearl from Erzebet Port.

'It's highly likely that that passage over there… will lead me to it.'

The glass tube that stretched out into the sea was shining as if to prove it was not just a piece of pretty scenery.

-Bishop's approachin', yer idiot! Ye litstenin'?!

-No problem, I'm ready.

-Reddy fah whut?

-Ready to steal. What's the worst-case scenario other than being blacklisted by the church? It will already be in my hands by then.]

-Other than? Blacklist?! Do yawl hav no idea how bat-shit insane these fanatics…

Blah-blah-blah… Seojin ignored Flappy's words.

'I was right to assume that the three quests would be linked.'

Three irregular contracts meant that all three held hints about each other. The quest regarding Frid hinted at this place and the skeleton had given him a clue about Frid.

'This passage will lead me to the port, right?'

Or more precisely, it would lead him to the sea in front of the port. After all, the content of his request was to obtain the "Amber Pearl" from the sea in front of the port.

"This is it."

Seojin found it after walking for a while. Just before reaching the large altar placed in the center of the passage, he noticed the orange-colored jewel placed between the antique decorations on it. It was the size of a fist and had a bumpy shape as if it had not been refined properly.

Acquired: Amber Pearl

Amber Pearl

* A gem containing enormous energy left by an unknown archmage. It became a pie in the sky as it was thought to be impossible to process. However, if it can be handled properly, it is expected to have tremendous effects.

"Wow."

Just as expected, Seojin knew the item was special just from reading the tooltip. It was worth the final reward of the irregular contract, however…

'I don't want to turn it in now that I've seen it. What was the reward for this quest again?'

Seojin could remember, but somehow, he felt that the jewel would be much more valuable than any piece of equipment.

"Well…"

"Over there!"

"Go down! Down!"

Seojin raised his eyes upon hearing the sudden noise.

"Oh, my."

It was like an invasion of a genetically engineered half-human, half-fish army. A group of players with flippers on their arms and legs were swimming down wildly.

'They're already here?'

There was no way that those players weren't Ironblood. They must have felt the aftermath of shattering the seal a while ago.

'Pretty sure everyone in Erzebet felt it, it's highly likely.'

Seojin shook the jewel, thinking he'd be a top star in the communities today.

"Whoa, what a humble guest for this great place!"

"Break that glass first! He'll be nothing once the glass is gone!"

"Well, the question is, can you?"

Seojin was certain of one thing, the passage was built by the Luna Faith to protect the valuable item. How could humble players underwater tear down a passage built by the best of the b—

"It's cracked! Keep pushing forward!"

"Well, seems they can, damn."

A stream of seawater began to pour through the small crack. The crack grew bigger and the water stream became stronger, filling the dry passage. However, Seojin remained well composed even as his feet were getting wet.

'I should thank the skelly guy.'

The demonoid monster had informed Seojin just before it collapsed.

"There's a secret way to escape somewhere in the passage."

"How do you know that?"

"Because the guys who went there never returned."

It didn't say exactly what that method was, but Seojin had just discovered "that device."

'Man, what a convenient set up…'

There was a button near the altar, right next to where Seojin was standing. There was no manual or instructions, but Seojin was not stupid enough to need such things.

"Sayonara motherlovers!"

"Hurry up! He's trying to do something! Break it now!"

Seojin pressed the button, hearing the squeals of their leader.

[Arrived at: Port]

[Insufficient Level. Transferring to Central Plaza!]

Lights flashed, and Seojin inhaled the salty air of the port once before he found himself standing in City Square.

'Wow, so this is the power of magic.'

Fortunately, the effect was similar to when players entered the game. Seojin could avoid attracting people's attention, however…

'Why are there so few people…? Oh, they all went over there.'

The plaza was almost desolate, there were no players in sight. Seojin looked over at the portside to see a giant column of light and finally understood the situation. It was clear that everyone had taken it as sign of an event and flocked over there.

-Flappy?

-Whut?

A coy answer came back. It was obvious that she was upset.

-Where are you?

-Take uh guess. Yawl remember tellin' may tuh check on wun idiot? Ah'm on top uh his head.

-Come this way. I'm in the plaza.

-… Thuh plaza? How?

Seojin glanced at the Amber Pearl in his inventory as he heard the girl's surprised voice.

-Come here for now, it's a long story.

* * *

"With all due respect, Your Excellency, we don't want to be hostile to your church. We both know that…"

"Then I wonder why you touched our treasure?"

"What do you mean we touched it? I told you, that wasn't taken by us."

"So, you're claiming that the ones who destroyed our sanctuary were not from Ironblood… no I guess I must correct that."

A woman with long, silver hair that reached her waist was staring at Henrite with a fierce look in her eyes.

"You're claiming it wasn't the 7th Knights, am I clear?"

"I'm claiming that we didn't know it was a sanctuary. An outsider was holding up your church's treasure as if he was boasting."

"So, you're using ignorance as your shield." The corners of the silver-haired woman's mouth twitched. "How merry it would be if that solved all our problems. I believe the a of understanding and acceptance is what the Goddess wants the most."

"Thank you for your understanding…"

"The Goddess will also understand that force must be utilized if it leads us all to a better ending."

"Uh…"

Henrite swallowed a curse that was about to jump out of his throat. She was threatening him!

'Haha, I would have split her head in half if the boss didn't order me to please her.'

He knew he was only justifying himself to soothe his ego. Robert's instructions were absolute and there was no way he could violate them. So, Henrite decided to consider himself to be three degrees lower than her.

"I deeply apologize. I know it is a loss that cannot be compensated, but we'd be happy to if we can find a way to show our sincerity."

"Don't worry. It was a material loss, so I won't stay ashamed before the Goddess if the compensation is reasonable."

'A material loss? You said it was a sanctuary, you cheeky girl.'

He was speechless but had to keep it that way as it was always better to mend a conflict with money. Money was as abundant as air and water to Ironblood, anyway.

"I'll be waiting for your judgment, Archbishop Tara."

"I know you are a wise man, guild master, that's why I prepared it in advance."

Archbishop Tara handed Henrite an antique document with a radiant smile on her face.

"Would you like to open it?"

"Thanks to you, I can take less up of your precious time."

Henrite mimicked her smile until he checked the amount of compensation that the Luna Faith was demanding. The guild master could not even bear to laugh after reading the amount.

"…Your Excellency? This…"

"May I expect a positive reply? I hope to maintain a long-term relationship with you, guild master, as well as the Ironblood Knights."

"…I'm flattered."

Henrite had to swallow his vulgar curses once again. She was downright threatening that she would appeal to Robert directly if he didn't agree. Not just for the compensation, but to change the guild master of the Seventh Knights.

'And Robert… will accept it after much pondering. He'll wait just long enough that it doesn't damage his PR. What a nasty situation.'

Archbishop Tara left. After saying goodbye and seeing her off, Henrite returned and slammed the desk.

"What a spoiled princess! I really hate her… Heidi!"

"Yes."

"Bring everyone responsible for this, and deliver this to the higher-ups."

Henrite sighed and handed over Archbishop Tara's scroll. However, Heidi responded with an emotionless face.

"It will be difficult to gather them all."

"Why is it difficult?"

"Lian has left the guild. The rest of the team are awaiting your orders."

"Left the guild… gosh, I'm about to faint. You mean the first guy who chased the kid?"

"That's right."

Henrite fanned his face as if he was speechless.

"Then go get him."

"I apologize, but he's gone."

"Oh, yeah? What did you do when he left the guild?"

"He logged out the moment he left."

Anger was driving Henrite insane. He paced around the room before glancing at Heidi.

"Does anyone have his contact number?"

"Not in real life."

"Gosh, this is infuriating!"

Henrite slammed the table again, but there was nothing he could do. Even though Midgard was a cash cow from which they could milk out millions, it was still a game, and their relationships stayed ingame.

"Hey, Heidi."

"Yes."

"How about I collect everyone's contact info at this opportunity?"

"The union master won't allow it."

"That's why we gotta keep it a secret, only me and my guys need to know."

"Someone will report to the grandmaster. That's not a good decision."

"Yeah, that's true. Why does he not allow it? Is it a kind of philosophy? Like, games should stay as games?"

His reasoning was beyond Henrite. While Midgard was a game, it meant much more… it was possibly even more important than real life. Henrite let out a long sigh.

"Bring in the rest then, I have to punish them at the very least. And about that cheeky bastard…"

"Should I prepare a manhunt?"

"Archbishop Tara, that bitch won't allow it. There was an article in the scroll that prohibited us from going there. If we get caught…"

"I'll deal with him."

"You also think that's the only way?"

Henrite was thinking that too. Shit had already hit the fan, and he had one last chance to fix it. He had to catch Seojin and kill him, before making him quit the game completely.

"Yes, Heidi, you're the only one I can trust. Go ahead, and if you meet him…" Henrite said, scratching his scalp wildly, "…Don't ask any questions, just kill him. I'll have the other guys keep an eye on his respawn, understand?"

"Yes."

"Okay, go ahead."

Heidi left the room. Henriette sighed deeply at the sight of it.

"I should have done this from the beginning. Gosh, look at where my greed took me."