Chapter 80

Chapter 5: Phoenix (3)

Yeonwoo narrowed his eyes.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

The Phoenix that Yeonwoo knew was arrogant, but not this cautious and wary.

Instead, he was often curious about how insignificant creatures would behave.

But not now.

Yeonwoo decided to try talking first.

“I have come a long way to obtain the ‘Flame of Life’ that you possess. Please give me a test.”

『There is no test for humans. Go away.』

Yeonwoo tried to persuade him several times, but the only response he got was to go away. And if he tried to get closer, Phoenix threatened to kill him.

Something was definitely off.

‘He’s like a hedgehog that has become overly sensitive.’

Hedgehogs are timid animals. But to hide their fear, they show their sharp spines when an enemy appears.

Phoenix seemed to be acting like that now.

Comparing the divine creature to a hedgehog felt a bit odd, but he was being overly cautious about the external environment.

Moreover, Phoenix could easily kill him at any moment, yet he only made threats and hadn’t imposed any physical restrictions.

‘Is there some problem?’

Then, Yeonwoo suddenly recalled a fact.

A weakness that all living beings, whether human, animal, or phoenix, must have.

A period when they become extremely sensitive.

Snap!

Yeonwoo leaped and started climbing the cliff. Despite Phoenix’s threats to make him go away, Yeonwoo didn’t stop.

Thud.

He stepped into the cave.

“Excuse me.”

『Human. How dare you...!』

Through the thick darkness of the cave, a bright yellow something flashed.

It was an eye.

An eye so large that it could be compared to several Yeonwoos. The divine Phoenix, with his piercing yellow eyes, glared from the darkness, exuding a deep sense of hostility.

Still, he didn’t take any active steps to drive away the uninvited intruder.

From this, Yeonwoo gained some certainty. He opened his Dragon Horse Eye and quickly scanned the inside of the cave.

Beyond the darkness, a vast chamber was visible, and a massive red bird was huddled there.

A bird enveloped in flames.

Yeonwoo suddenly wondered if he looked like an ant to the bird. If it was this huddled, how big would it be with its wings spread?

And the red bird, Phoenix, was holding something. Two eggs were visible under his thick belly.

Indeed.

His thoughts were correct.

“You are incubating your young.”

『What does that matter? Get lost. I don’t have time to play your games anymore.』

Phoenix still growled, but his thoughts betrayed a considerable amount of confusion.

And his wariness had reached its peak.

He was trying to restrain himself to avoid harming the eggs, but the blazing flames seemed ready to burn Yeonwoo at any moment.

‘But he can’t move easily. This is the most crucial time. The hatching is almost over.’

Yeonwoo understood why Phoenix was so sensitive.

And.

After observing the situation with his Dragon Horse Eye, Yeonwoo looked Phoenix in the eye and said,

“Have you lost your eggs?”

『...』

Instant confusion.

“It seems so.”

『...So what? What are you trying to do? If you know, get lost.』

A divine creature that had surpassed the phoenix. The eggs of such a species could only be traded for a high price.

That’s why many clans and players risked their lives to obtain divine creature eggs.

Yeonwoo felt a bit sorry for Phoenix. He knew the love a parent has for their child better than anyone.

He thought of his mother, who, even in her last moments, worried about whether her children were eating properly, rather than feeling resentment.

“If I can bring back the eggs.”

『What?』

Yeonwoo wanted to help.

And while it was a bit selfish, it was also an opportunity for him.

“Will you give me a test?”

Phoenix seemed confused. Then he narrowed his eyes, as if trying to read Yeonwoo’s thoughts.

To see if there was any hidden agenda.

Divine creatures feed on dreams. While not completely, they could read surface thoughts.

Phoenix realized that Yeonwoo was sincere. There was no hidden agenda, only the desire to impress him by showing his effort to obtain the Flame of Life.

『...Do as you please.』

Phoenix closed his bright yellow eyes and pulled his head back.

It was permission.

At that moment.

Ding.

[Sudden Quest: Phoenix’s Eggs]

Content: The divine Phoenix, who rules the southern great forest, left his nest to find food for his soon-to-be-hatched young. During his absence, his eggs were stolen.

Retrieve Phoenix’s eggs and alleviate his worry and concern. Phoenix will never forget your help and kindness.

Time Limit: Until hatching.

Rewards:

1. Phoenix’s Favor

2. Qualification for the ‘Flame of Life’ test

Yeonwoo confirmed the quest details and quietly stepped back.

* * *

‘Now, how can I catch up with the ones who have the eggs?’

Yeonwoo started to organize his thoughts as he descended the cliff.

Originally, he planned to take the Phoenix’s test, set up a base camp nearby, and check the Despair of the Black King and Aegis he received as a reward.

It would be a bit delayed now.

‘Still, I need to finish this as quickly as possible.’

It seemed the eggs would hatch soon. Therefore, he needed to find the culprits as quickly as possible.

‘It’s a time attack without a specific time limit. But it shouldn’t exceed 24 hours.’

Fortunately, it didn’t seem difficult to follow them.

The eggs had been stolen not long ago, and strange traces were left along the cliff and the great forest from Phoenix’s back. The fur was also tangled.

In Africa, chasing guerrilla forces that fled in all directions was important.

This was something he was very familiar with.

Snap-

Yeonwoo quickly moved, following the traces.

* * *

“Haha! What a stroke of luck!”

“Hehe. Who would have guessed Phoenix would leave his nest at just the right time?”

Bian and Ram burst into laughter as they left the great forest.

They carried an egg as large as a human torso.

The egg of the divine Phoenix, and it was almost ready to hatch. It was a symbol of fortune that would make them rich.

In fact, Bian and Ram didn’t have high expectations when they entered Phoenix’s territory.

They had moved on a request, but Phoenix was an incredibly powerful divine creature, and it was known to be the most cautious of the four divine creatures about its habitat.

Even though they were among the best treasure hunters, the difficulty was too high.

But perhaps the heavens were on their side. While they were looking for an opportunity, Phoenix suddenly left his nest.

Thanks to this, they managed to steal the egg at that moment.

Although Phoenix noticed them too late and they couldn’t steal all the eggs, even one was a great achievement.

“Haha. Let’s just close our eyes and ask for a much higher price? You can’t get this anywhere else, right? It’s worth what you ask for.”

“Or there’s a better way.”

“What?”

“Let’s just keep it and raise it.”

Ram’s words made Bian’s eyes widen.

“Hey! If we get caught by them...!”

“Then we need to go into hiding properly. Think about it. Phoenix, when it grows up? What will they say then?”

For a moment, greed flickered in Bian’s eyes.

Until now, he had been focused on stealing the egg, but Ram was right.

The ones who commissioned them were undoubtedly powerful. Strong, high-ranking players known for their ruthlessness.

They hated anything that threatened their pride.

But so what?

If they kept the egg.

If they went into hiding for a few years, they would become the owners of Phoenix.

In the tower where millions of players lived, it meant they would be among the few owners of a divine creature.

Could those people really stand up to the owner of a divine creature?

They would be too busy groveling.

Perhaps it would open up the chance to become a ranker, a dream for many.

‘If that happens...!’

Bian, lost in thoughts of a rosy future, suddenly had another thought.

‘Wait. If that happens, who will be the owner of Phoenix? Do we really need two?’

Bian glanced at Ram.

A partner he had worked with for over three years, with whom he had a perfect understanding.

But like most treasure hunters, they had come together for profit, with no real loyalty.

‘Then.’

Suddenly, a cold murderous intent flickered in Bian’s eyes.

At that moment, Ram turned his head and smiled. Bian quickly hid his murderous intent and smiled back.

“Why?”

“It seems you’re thinking the same thing as me.”

“What... Choke!”

Bian, who had been running well, suddenly spat blood. His vision spun, and his body felt heavy.

Ram, holding the egg, looked down at the fallen Bian with a cold smile.

“Well, that’s how our industry works. Don’t feel wronged. If I hadn’t done it, you would have done it first, right?”

“Wh... Why?”

“The water I gave you earlier. I put a lot of Mandragora juice in it, but you didn’t notice. You must have been very tired. You usually suspect everything.”

Bian remembered drinking the water Ram had given him without thinking, as he was too thirsty from running.

“Je... Just...”

Bian died with those words.

Ram looked at the lifeless eyes of the fallen man and smiled.

“The egg of Phoenix. What a windfall. I’ve been waiting for a day like this, but I didn’t think it would really come.”

Ram pondered where to go into hiding with the egg.

The eyes of the client were everywhere.

To avoid them, he needed to hide thoroughly.

At least three years.

The time needed for Phoenix to reach adulthood.

It seemed like a long time, but it was also a short time.

If he could just endure, the life of a ranker awaited. A life of strength, luxury, and the ability to enjoy everything.

Rumble, rumble.

The egg in his arms squirmed, but he ignored it.

Or tried to ignore it.

If he hadn’t suddenly felt his strength drain.

A blade pierced his chest.

“How...?”

With those words, Ram fell forward.

Yeonwoo, who had been following them, quickly caught the falling egg.

“Stupid guys.”

Yeonwoo, looking at the two dead bodies, clicked his tongue in disbelief.

He had easily found them not long after they left the great forest while following their traces.

He had considered ambushing them to take the egg, but he was afraid it might fall during the fight, so he just followed them quietly.

But they started arguing over the egg, leaving their backs exposed. Yeonwoo, who wouldn’t miss such an opportunity, struck.

Good fortune only stokes the greed and selfishness of people. That’s why they died.

Yeonwoo waved his hand in the air, using the Flame skill to burn the two bodies.

Holding the egg, which seemed about to hatch, he retraced his steps.

‘I hope there are more quests like this in the future.’

Honestly, it was too easy.

* * *

『A, ah. You really came. My child.』

[Quest completed.]

Yeonwoo smiled faintly as he saw the Phoenix, who was shedding tears of joy.

‘Thank goodness.’

For some reason, he thought of his mother today.