Chapter 45 : Chapter 45

Chapter 45: A Twisted Fate (3)

There was a reason quests were placed in the latter half of the game.

The enemies were stronger, and there were more traps and difficulties.

‘It’s not unfair, it’s just how it is. How many new skills can you learn in just one year?’

But in the early stages, there were few such skills, good equipment, or useful consumables.

That meant the difficulty would skyrocket.

‘So let’s not think about saving. We have to go with the best preparation we can make right now!’

After all, money in this game was a resource that would be spent eventually.

Artier scraped together all the money he had and provided the party with decent gear.

“Is it alright to accept this?”

“You said you wanted offensive magic.”

“Well, yes, but……”

He got skill books with offensive magic written in them for Gerard and Collie.

Although they weren't flashy spells like large-scale area-of-effect magic, a proper offensive spell would surely be a great help to them, who had been flinging nothing but Mana Bullets.

“Yoohoo! I feel like I can slice through anything!”

He bought a magic-grade axe for Jeina.

The axe she had before wasn't a bad one either, but it seemed Jeina was very pleased with the new one.

Thwump.

“……Not bad.”

For Bow, he simply bought a new normal-grade bow that matched his level.

It was the most modest setup here, but there was no sign of dissatisfaction on his face.

“But is it really true that the Waning Moon Cloak is an extremist group that hates humans? Where did you hear that?”

“I have my ways. Why?”

“Having connections with a place that handles such information, the more I see you, the more I think you’re a strange one.”

Bow shook his head and flicked the bowstring with his finger.

‘Just you wait, I’ll feed you the Fairy’s Eye soon. As far as I know, that thing is at least a Rare-grade artifact.’

Once all the preparations were complete, Artier hurried to prepare for the journey.

He checked on Ropin’s condition and obtained a map with the fastest route to Gigas Hall.

Thanks to this, they were able to leave the city right away the next morning.

“Thank you. I will surely repay this kindness.”

On the way, Ropin bowed his head politely.

Regardless of the circumstances, Ropin seemed moved by the mere fact that they had not given up on the request.

[Ropin’s affinity has greatly increased.]

Was it said that a crisis is an opportunity?

And Artier was not the type to miss such a thing.

***

It took about two weeks to reach Gigas Hall.

And as they had expected, there were several attacks during the journey.

“Those black hoods, I’m so sick of them……”

It had gotten to the point where even Jeina was saying this, so there was no need to mention the others.

But for Artier, it wasn't just a bad experience.

Every time they defeated them, a considerable amount of Experience Points came in.

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

‘It’s strange that I get experience points even without killing them.’

After defeating that female assassin, no new strong enemies appeared.

Moreover, as if there was no information exchange, all the assassins that appeared were still just marksmen.

So they couldn't help but be beaten by Bow, Jeina, and Artier every time.

“It should be safe from here on. They don’t particularly like to spill blood in the sacred forest.”

Ropin said, looking at the increasingly dense trees.

As they got closer to Gigas Hall, the faint scent of grass grew stronger, and at some point, the plants began to grow larger and larger.

“Is it okay for trees to be this big?”

“I feel as if we’ve shrunk.”

Collie looked at a large bush that had grown to his height.

Leaves that would normally be no bigger than his palm were now boasting the size of Collie's forearm.

“This forest is blessed by a sacred tree, so all the plants are large.”

Ropin pointed to a watermelon-sized apple hanging high in the sky.

“The fruits are also sweeter, and it’s known that eating just a part of it can cure minor illnesses.”

“A sacred tree?”

When Jeina asked, Ropin excitedly added an explanation.

“The Elves call it the World Tree. They claim that the World Tree is the mother of all plants and the primordial tree.”

“Awesome! So it’s the being that made it possible to make this bread?”

“Of course, this is just the Elves' claim. According to various scholars' investigations, the sacred tree began to appear in records about 1,000 years ago. Of course, that is also ancient, but it is insufficient to call it primordial……”

“Isn’t there some debate about that too?”

Suddenly, Bow interjected into the conversation.

“It's only been about 1000 years since humans even became aware of the existence of Elves. So naturally, the first record of the World Tree would also be from 1000 years ago.”

“Of course, that’s true. Are you also interested in history?”

“I’ve heard a thing or two. A little about the World Tree as well.”

“Ooh……. To think I am escorting such a distinguished person, I am truly delighted!”

Artier, who was walking in front, turned his head ever so slightly at the conversation coming from behind.

‘Is it because he’s searching for Elven artifacts? It seems he’s done quite a bit of research.’

It was quite a strange sight to see Bow, who seemed to have no interest in others, strike up a conversation with a stranger like that.

‘No, thinking about how he always used to pick apart others’ words, maybe he wasn’t completely uninterested……?’

While having such miscellaneous thoughts, a large wooden barrier, densely packed, appeared before their eyes.

“It seems we’ve arrived at Gigas Hall.”

“Yoohoo! Are we finally getting some rest!”

“Not yet, sir. We have to take Mr. Ropin to the lord’s castle.”

“Eh? We’re going right away?”

“The request was to escort him to the lord’s castle, sir. Besides, it’s better not to stay long in Gigas Hall. This city will not welcome us.”

That’s right.

Unlike the territory of Tobes, where there were also humans, this was a world where only non-human races existed.

And it was the only city where humans could be discriminated against.

“Ooh…… I wanted to at least take a bath.”

“That is the consequence of your own actions for jumping into the seawater.”

While they were chatting, they arrived at the entrance of Gigas Hall.

The Dwarf guards standing at the entrance immediately stiffened their expressions and raised their hammers and spears upon seeing the party.

“Humans! State your reason for coming to our territory.”

There was fear in their expressions.

Wariness, and anger, but on one side of their faces, a sense of weary resignation could be glimpsed.

“We have come here on a request from the lord.”

“From the lord?!”

As soon as they heard the word 'lord', the Dwarf guards were startled and lowered their spears.

‘Is there something about the lord?’

I could see the spear held by the guard trembling slightly.

All that remained on his expression was pure terror.

Only terror.

“E-enter! Finish your business and return as quickly as possible!”

They didn't even conduct a basic inspection of their luggage properly.

The party, who had entered the city somewhat bewildered, exchanged puzzled glances.

“What on earth was that reaction? It was like they heard a forbidden word.”

The strange things didn't end there.

Jeina, who was looking around, tilted her head and said.

“By the way, why is the atmosphere so gloomy here?”

Gigas Hall, though hostile to humans, was known as the largest and most vibrant city among those where non-human races gathered.

But they could feel a quiet and static atmosphere, as if they had come to a quiet rural village.

“This is strange.”

“What is?”

“The prices of goods are too expensive. Especially the price of food is no joke.”

“Food supplies?”

“How strange, the one thing one need not worry about in Gigas Hall is food.”

On the off chance, they visited a general store and learned the cause of this situation from the owner.

“The lord’s son is currently very ill. So the taxes have been doubled compared to usual.”

“Doubled?”

“What kind of treatment requires that many taxes?”

At Gerard’s question, the old Elf woman sighed and shook her head.

“I don’t know either. That’s why there aren't many surplus goods in the city right now. People aren't even trying to get more than enough to live on. Because they have to pay it all in taxes.”

The only goods left in the general store were just a few potions and a single bandage.

Feeling sorry, I bought them all, but Artier's heart was not at ease.

“It was said that the Hall family has one son. It seems the reason they called for me is because of that.”

Ropin said.

His expression was stiffly set.

“I don’t know what kind of illness he has, but to bring peace to the people of this city, I must go to the lord’s castle quickly.”

As Ropin wished, they headed for the lord’s castle.

When they stated their business to the guard in front of the castle wall, which was covered in sharp thorn bushes, the towering thorns sank into the ground with a swoosh, creating a path.

“We have been waiting for you, Lord Ropin.”

As they stepped inside, an Elf butler in a splendid suit was waiting for them.

The butler, with his neat white hair swept back, bowed politely to Ropin.

“I will escort you to the lord. The rest of the party, this way.”

As Artier walked, he looked around.

‘As I thought.’

While this quest was in progress, the appearance of the city and the lord’s castle changed very subtly.

Anyone who had played this game multiple times could easily notice it, but for someone visiting here for the first time, it was very difficult to notice.

The moment they arrived in the waiting room inside the castle and the door closed, Artier quietly whispered to the party members who were starting to sit on the sofa.

“Something is strange.”

“What is?”

Gerard tilted his head.

Just as Artier, who was observing everyone's reactions, was about to open his mouth, Bow, who was at the very back, spoke up.

“There are no Beastkin in the lord’s castle.”

“Beastkin?”

“Many non-human races live in Gigas Hall, but the absolute majority are Elves, Dwarves, and Beastkin.”

These three races were born with unique talents from birth.

Elves with magic and archery.

Dwarves with craftsmanship and endurance.

And in the case of Beastkin, they showed great promise in their sixth sense and sense of balance.

“Elves have better hearing than humans, but they are inherently weak in close combat and cannot match the Beastkin who instinctively sense enemies. The fact that not a single Beastkin guard is seen is definitely strange.”

The rest of the party, having heard Bow’s explanation, looked around with serious expressions.

Just then, Collie raised his hand and asked.

“There were Beastkin in this castle.”

“There were?”

“That’s right. A very faint scent of them remains. It seems there were quite a few of them here until about two months ago.”

The boy’s nose was twitching.

Everyone who knew Collie’s identity knew very well that there was no lie in what he was saying.

“But if it were me, I wouldn’t stay long in a place like this.”

“……Why is that?”

“There is some kind of unpleasant smell spreading around. It’s not poison or anything like that, but it keeps bothering me.”

At those words, Artier took a deep breath, but he couldn’t smell any particular scent.

It seemed to be a very faint and subtle scent that only Collie, with his good sense of smell, could perceive.

Chirp.

Just then, the small sound of a bird reached Artier’s ears.

‘This sound…… don’t tell me!’

Artier drew his sword.

Goosebumps covered his arms.

“Everyone, draw your weapons.”

“What did you say?”

Crash!

At the same time, the waiting room door shattered to pieces, and a giant white monster charged at Artier.

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