Chapter 28

Chapter 3. Cannibalism Among Kin (3)

Badge.

Artifact.

Brand was momentarily stunned, then shook his head vigorously.

"What are you trying to pull?"

"What do you mean, trying to pull? I'm just trying to survive."

"Survive? You're going to kill your benefactors to survive?"

Eiden jumped up in shock.

"Kill? Who am I going to kill? If we attack, our necks will be on the line."

"Then what?"

"I'm saying we should steal."

"What?"

Brand felt a chill for the first time.

Eiden read his expression and smiled.

"After all, we've been stripped of everything and are all destitute, right? If we're just released into E-Quadrant, we're as good as dead, aren't we?"

"Hmm."

Brand nodded silently, acknowledging the truth in Eiden's words.

All the artifacts and badges they had gathered on their way to E-Quadrant had been taken by the Lizard King.

In the end, it meant they had nothing in their hands.

Kahn and Doyle might protect them for now, but with the tutorial period almost over, they would soon be left on their own.

That meant they would have to venture out in this state.

Either hide and desperately wait for the tutorial period to end, or, in the worst case, become prey for other monsters.

One of the two.

"So, we should steal enough to become independent and then run away."

"What if we get caught? We'll still die, right?"

"The risk will be lower. And anyway, whether we die this way or that, it's all the same, isn't it?"

Brand was already half-entranced by Eiden's words.

"Then, what's the plan? We can't just charge in recklessly."

"Hehe. Brother, you really think I wouldn't have thought that much through?"

Eiden smiled and continued.

"I have a companion with the trait 'Swift Hands.'"

"Swift Hands? Does that mean he's quick with his hands?"

"Yes. He's incredibly skilled with his hands."

Brand had a rough idea of what Eiden's plan might be.

If someone has the trait of being quick-handed, it means they have specialized skills.

"Does that mean you want to steal everything while one of us distracts them?"

"Something like that. What do you think?"

Brand fell into deep thought.

The risk of the plan and the possibility of success.

The odds might be slim.

But with the greed of possibly making a big score if it succeeds.

The image of Kahn and his gang, who had humiliated him, and Yeonwoo, came to mind.

Grinding his teeth.

That alone was enough motivation.

"Alright. Tell me the plan in detail."

Brand's eyes glinted dangerously.

Eiden began to explain the plan he had devised with his companions, his eyes gleaming with madness throughout.

* * *

Yeonwoo finally opened his eyes from meditation after a long time.

'At least with a supported body, the aftereffects seem to heal faster.'

Normally, it would be best to avoid continuous skill chaining, as he did when facing Hargan.

With his current capabilities, he couldn't handle it completely.

However, the good news was that his reinforced body and the essence blood drained by Batore's vampiric sword helped him recover quickly.

If it weren't for Hargan's second phase, he wouldn't have pushed himself so hard.

'But it was a good opportunity to test my limits.'

Knowing his limits clearly allows for more rational decision-making when taking action.

Yeonwoo had a clear understanding of what the reinforced bones could handle, and he mentally organized what was possible.

After all his thoughts were settled,

Yeonwoo followed Kahn and Doyle back to Hargan's nest.

It was time to claim the reward for completing the hidden quest.

[You have received a reward.]

[You have obtained Hargan's Crown, the Blue Scaled Blade, and the Lair's Ownership.]

"Kain is back. Let's settle the accounts first, shall we?"

Kahn clapped his hands lightly and smacked his lips.

After a difficult quest, the most exciting part is always the reward.

"Will you and Doyle take Hargan's Crown as agreed?"

Kahn touched the crown and subtly checked Yeonwoo's reaction.

In reality, the one who contributed the most to the conquest of Hargan's nest was Yeonwoo.

Even though they had made it public, if Yeonwoo demanded his share based on his contribution, it would be a headache.

Fortunately, Yeonwoo seemed to have little interest in the crown.

He simply nodded, as if giving them permission to take it.

"Take it."

Kahn's expression visibly brightened.

"Of course, our Kain! Haha. I knew from the beginning that you were a good guy."

"Stop the nonsense."

"Haha. You're blushing."

Yeonwoo, tempted to punch Kahn's smirking face, instead chuckled.

It was hard to hate him, despite his behavior. He was a peculiar guy.

"Doyle, take it."

"Okay."

Doyle firmly grasped the crown, a smile spreading across his face.

"And the Blue Scaled Blade and the Lair's Ownership. As agreed, Kain, you take them."

The original agreement.

Yeonwoo nodded and examined the scimitar he had taken from Hargan's corpse.

[Blue Scaled Blade]

Category: Two-handed weapon

Grade: D+

Description: A scimitar favored by Hargan (Lizard King). It has a fire attribute and boasts intense durability, capable of destroying everything.

However, due to its immense weight, it is difficult to wield with average strength.

* Lizard King's Dignity

By merely possessing the weapon, it exudes a strong aura. There is a certain probability of causing panic in the opponent.

The longer the panic state lasts, the more damage the opponent receives.

Perhaps because it was used by a large creature.

The scimitar was almost as long as Yeonwoo.

Thus, even holding it felt quite cumbersome to him.

In terms of content alone, the Blue Scaled Blade was an outstanding artifact, comparable to Hargan's Crown.

It was among the best items obtainable in the tutorial.

However, it didn't suit Yeonwoo, who primarily used short broadswords.

Additionally, the Lair's Ownership was also a mismatch.

[Ownership of Hargan's Lair]

Gains the rights to all items and resources within the lair.

* List of items in the lair

1. Red Orc's Helmet

2. Axe of Roar

3. Hard Crystal × 31

...

Yeonwoo carefully examined the list of items.

Although most items were destroyed by Hargan's heat wave, a considerable number of items remained in the storage.

Among them, there were quite a few that were tempting, but Kahn and Doyle handed them over to Yeonwoo without hesitation.

Of course, the list included items used by the captives.

Ethically, they should have been returned, but the three of them had no intention of doing so.

There was an unspoken rule in the tower and tutorial.

No matter who the original owner was, loot belonged to the looter.

However, Yeonwoo also found these items unnecessary.

'After all, these artifacts might be useful now, but they will be common in the tower.'

At least one item was worth keeping.

[Karshuna's Dagger]

Category: One-handed weapon

Grade: D-

Description: A dagger favored by an unknown ascetic throughout his life. Originally made of ordinary materials, it became durable due to the ascetic's resolve.

* Ascetic's Will

As proficiency with the weapon increases, attack speed and power also increase.

Yeonwoo touched 'Karshuna's Dagger' and lightly held it.

Its weight and size were similar to the broadswords he usually used, so it felt quite comfortable in his hand.

The only drawback was that

'The blade is not straight but slightly curved.'

Still, it was good enough.

'Besides, the broadswords I have are almost worn out. This should be useful for the remaining tutorial.'

The additional option 'Ascetic's Will' was also quite appealing.

Yeonwoo casually sheathed Karshuna's Dagger at his waist and examined the remaining list. However, there was nothing else he could use.

The resources in the lair were the same.

'There might be many minerals needed for artifact creation, but if I can't collect them all, they'll just weigh down my bag. The materials obtained from slaughtering monsters are much more valuable.'

However, the badges Hargan had collected were already in his possession, totaling over 200.

In the end, Yeonwoo had to dismiss the message without any significant gains.

'Well, it was as expected.'

But Yeonwoo wasn't particularly disappointed.

Disappointment only comes when there are expectations.

In fact, Yeonwoo hadn't expected much from the start.

After all, his brother had mentioned in the diary that the rewards from the Hargan's Lair quest were woefully inadequate compared to the risk and difficulty.

Still, Yeonwoo had accepted the quest to fill the insufficient contribution points and gather badges.

And.

'Even useless items can be sold for a good price if there are enough of them.'

At that moment, Doyle cautiously called out to Yeonwoo.

"Why, Brother Kain? Is there nothing you like?"

He seemed a bit apologetic, worried that Yeonwoo would leave without any gains.

At times like this, it's okay to be a bit shameless.

Looking at Doyle, he seemed quite young.

How could he think of ascending a tower full of beasts with such a mindset?

But that was also part of Doyle's charm.

Yeonwoo chuckled and shook his head.

"There's nothing useful, but I'm not at a loss, so don't worry."

"Huh?"

When Doyle looked at Yeonwoo, confused by his words,

Yeonwoo fixed his gaze on an empty space.

"Doesn't it hurt your neck to keep hiding there?"

Doyle's gaze followed, and Kahn's face stiffened as he looked in the same direction.

At that moment,

"Oh dear. In hide-and-seek, you're not supposed to be caught by the seeker. Did you already notice? I wanted to surprise you."

A portal opened in the air, and someone dropped down.

A man in a deep hood, grinning mischievously.

The Mysterious Merchant.