Chapter 30

◈ Chapter 30. You've Chosen the Wrong Opponent (1)

The leader of the lions.

Harkan Kingsguard's eyes darkened.

At first, doubt took precedence.

‘...I didn't see it wrong.’

The Emperor sent it as a gift to establish a friendly relationship with the Magic Tower.

One of the gifts sent to them.

A fragmented appearance.

But a form that was itself a work of art.

It was definitely a Hexagram Brooch.

Such a level of magical tool was never common.

‘But how could an adventurer have such a magical tool...?’

The Magic Tower was a collective, more than just a collective.

Mages who moved only to explore the truth.

If they had an interest in the continent's hegemony.

‘They would have unified the continent in less than a year.’

So it was even more incomprehensible.

His name was Iho-yul, wasn't it?

From the name alone, he was clearly an adventurer.

‘How could he possess a magical tool from the Magic Tower?’

Did he steal it from the Magic Tower?

Impossible.

It was a possibility not worth considering.

Then there was only one answer.

‘The Magic Tower gave him the magical tool.’

And they did so voluntarily.

Harkan was honestly at a loss.

‘Why to an adventurer?’

Even if they explored the truth.

The Magic Tower was not friendly to anyone.

To put it simply...

Yes, they were a kind of ‘natural disaster.’

For the sake of exploring the truth.

They were monsters capable of destroying everything in their path.

‘...No, the reason isn't important.’

Harkan made up his mind.

“Now that I know you are related to the Magic Tower. Telling you to retreat would be presumptuous.”

Without knowing the cause.

The current situation that had fallen upon the world of adventurers.

All Harkan could do was pray.

To meet an adventurer related to the Magic Tower.

‘If the Magic Tower knows about this situation... No, they might have already found a solution.’

This could be an opportunity to contact the Magic Tower.

Even if it meant getting caught up in that natural disaster.

Harkan had no intention of missing this opportunity.

“Then, adventurer, will you not join us in defeating that monster?”

But before that, verification was necessary.

Whether this adventurer was truly related to the Magic Tower.

Or if he had obtained the Hexagram Brooch by sheer luck.

‘If his ability is questionable...’

He could ask about the origin of the brooch.

For whatever reason, that magical tool was a gift from the Emperor.

As the leader of the Empire's strongest knight order, the Lion Heart, he had the authority to do so.

‘We'll see.’

Harkan thought he had sufficiently hidden his intentions.

But the response he received shocked him.

“However, remember that there is always a give and take. Sir Harkan Kingsguard, Captain of the Lion Heart.”

...To be seen through like this!

And with such accuracy.

Harkan realized in that brief conversation.

‘He agreed readily, knowing my intentions.’

Remember the give and take.

But he didn't let it go at that.

‘I made a mistake.’

The moment his intentions were revealed, the positions of Harkan and the adventurer were completely reversed.

That's right.

Now it was Harkan and his knights who had to prove themselves.

“I will remember. Adventurer.”

As if repenting for his oversight.

A pledge to the heart.

And now.

Swish─

A staircase appearing in the sky.

The moment he took a step.

The staircase disappeared, and a strange scene reappeared.

It was truly magic.

Whoosh─!

Harkan climbed the stairs, recalling the recent conversation.

-Harkan, I will assist you.

-Assist? What do you mean, adventurer?

-I will open the way.

Harkan gritted his teeth.

‘Can I still call myself a knight of the Emperor with this attitude!’

He had harbored unnecessary doubts.

Moreover, he had been receiving consideration.

At a time when they needed to prove their abilities.

Snap─!

“I will not disappoint you again, adventurer.”

Focusing his mind.

Whoosh─

A faintly glowing sword.

A sword beam.

In an instant, Harkan's sword pierced the turtle's neck.

The knights' sword strikes followed in quick succession.

Even though they had cut off the monster's breath.

Harkan did not feel the slightest joy.

‘I am not worthy of this.’

By merely giving up the credit.

He did not think he had repaid his debt to the adventurer, Ho-yul.

If anything, he might have incurred a greater debt.

So Harkan did not hesitate.

He shouted to the knights.

“Quickly prepare. We will continue to work with the adventurer, Iho-yul.”

*

[Your level has increased.]...

The welcome message stopped precisely at the twentieth time.

He had instantly gained 20 levels.

Indeed, a named monster.

Especially one as strong as the strongest in the Yusra Islands.

‘This makes me level 166, then.’

Despite leveling up quickly...

It was inevitable to feel a sense of inadequacy.

Even in the current battle, it was evident.

‘If I were level 300...’

I could have borrowed a better magical tool from the Magic Tower than this brooch.

With the effects of that magical tool, I could have spammed spells and hunted the giant turtle.

But there's no point in lamenting what can't be done.

‘Enough. Enough.’

I opened my inventory.

The spoils of war automatically acquired due to high contribution.

Specifically, to confirm the island's treasure.

[Island's Treasure, Broken Crown]

[Grade: Epic]

[Limit: Lv.500]

[Effect: None]

[Description: An old crown.]

...What is this?

An information window with no balance to speak of?

The first thing that caught my eye was the grade.

Normal ▶ Magic ▶ Rare ▶ Unique ▶ Epic

Due to my personality, I didn't show it, but...

I was deeply shocked.

An Epic-grade item...!

‘Epic items have only appeared a few times in the history of Arkan.’

Of course, in the ten years since I left Arkan.

There might have been Epic-grade items I didn't know about.

But even considering that, Epic items are not something you see easily. There was still no information about them.

‘There are no records of them being traded on the auction house either.’

That's why I said there was no balance.

Yes, if it's an Epic grade...

It should have a grand effect to match its grand grade.

‘With a ridiculously high level limit.’

No effect!

And the description was just one line.

There was no sense of effort.

The island's treasure is not really a treasure...

A rollercoaster of emotions.

Of course, I didn't show it.

Not reacting to such trivial matters.

I knew this from experience, without needing to delve into the settings.

Moreover, there was another piece of evidence.

[Progress of Collapse: 4/10]

Indeed, my guess was correct.

The progress of the collapse was not due to the island's treasure itself.

But because the treasure was tainted by ‘greed.’

The crown, one of the treasures, was in my inventory, but the progress didn't increase, which was proof.

I thought to myself.

‘Even if I had greed, it would have disappeared quickly.’

The moment I checked the crown's information.

‘But there might be something hidden.’

Epic grade isn't just Epic grade for nothing.

I tried to console myself for a moment.

‘...But why did they give up?’

The knights, including Harkan, came to mind.

Thanks to their giving up their contribution, I not only monopolized the experience but also automatically acquired the island's treasure.

A development I never imagined.

“Indeed, they are as honorable as their reputation. The Lion Heart knights.”

...Of course.

I felt their excessive kindness was natural.

Still, I needed to know the reason.

I had said something.

‘Remember the give and take.’

Like how your mood changes when you enter and leave the bathroom.

If I had known this, I would have kept my mouth shut.

While I was regretting this.

“Once again, I owe you a debt.”

...What? A debt? On your side?

What kind of debt are you talking about?

Instantly, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind.

‘Because I opened the way, the stairs? Is that it?’

But I replied without batting an eye.

“If you remember, it shouldn't matter.”

“Of course, your words are etched in my heart.”

Perhaps because I didn't blink.

I could tell.

That he was definitely misunderstanding something.

‘Where did this misunderstanding start?’

It's natural that I couldn't figure it out even if I retraced my steps.

But there was no need to dwell on it further.

Why, there's a saying, isn't there?

‘...If you can't avoid it, enjoy it.’

Moreover, this wasn't a one-sided relationship.

It was a give-and-take relationship, wasn't it?

If I receive more than the misunderstanding?

It was a simple matter to return it.

‘The standard, well, what is it?’

Due to his high pride.

Grandphel, who can't stand owing anyone, would know better.

When Harkan removed his helmet, a middle-aged face was revealed.

For a knight captain, he had a handsome and gentle appearance.

He placed his fist on his chest again and spoke to me.

“I don't know what your purpose is. But at least here, in the Yusra Islands, we, the Lion Heart knights, will be your sword and shield.”

If this were inside the Arkan game.

I would have taken screenshots non-stop.

The Lion Heart knights saying such a thing.

I would have made a fuss, calling it a life achievement.

‘...This is that surprising.’

But there was something even more surprising.

[The Lion Heart knights have joined your party.]

Limited to the Yusra Islands.

Perhaps because they had sworn allegiance to me.

A party was automatically formed.

Information about them appeared before my eyes.

Their levels were visible above their heads.

[Harkan Kingsguard: Lv.600]

[Jessica Bright: Lv.430]

[Enoch Loren: Lv.400]...

Level 600.

The moment I saw that number.

I could confidently say.

No player or guild in the Yusra Islands could match the strength of my party...! To be the leader of such a party at just level 166.

‘At least I should feel some pressure