Chapter 276: Chapter 274

Suho finally saw the true nature of this city after hearing the guard captain's explanation.

'Last Paradise.'

A haven to villains, and at the same time, their last stronghold for survival. The 'Enhanced Humans' who survived in this city by eating the fruits of Elvenwood and replacing their injured body parts with those of magical beasts. And the existence of the bank that imposed the shackles of debt on them, constantly assigning them dangerous and difficult tasks. Suho muttered,

"So that tree is the lifeline of this city."

"That's right. If it weren't for Alfheim, we would have all died long ago. Even if we're injured or sick from magical beast attacks or weather anomalies, we can survive as long as we have the fruit of that tree." The guard captain nodded and chuckled.

"Well, everyone gradually becomes a debtor and an Enhanced Human."

"The fruit..." Suho slowly raised his head and looked up at Alfheim.

It was so tall that his neck stiffened. Its circumference seemed like it would take dozens of people holding hands to encircle it. Compared to any of the Elvenwoods he had seen so far, the 'fattened' divine tree of the elves was overwhelmingly beautiful and exuded vibrant energy. But ironically, what surrounded the base of the Elvenwood in this city were the gray, old concrete buildings built by humans... That flashy yet dark, somewhat shabby and slum-like scenery was like looking at the Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. But if you looked at it from a slightly different perspective, this place was like...

'A giant flowerpot. This whole city.' Yes, a flowerpot. The structure of this city was like a giant planter that existed solely to grow a single tree and bear fruit. The only difference was that those who tended this flowerpot had changed from high elves to humans. In the end, the villains here were also being raised to live for Elvenwood, just like the elves. No, looking at the results, humans were actually better at growing Elvenwood. The proof was the fruit.

'There were no fruits on the Elvenwoods I've seen so far.' Actually, besides the size, there was one more difference in the appearance here. The color of the leaves. The branches of the Elvenwoods where the high elves lived always had fresh, green leaves. But the leaves here were a mixture of green and red, like autumn leaves about to fall.

"...Autumn has begun." Sirka, who was looking at the same scenery as Suho, muttered softly. Sillad agreed.

[King of the Snow Folk and the Monarch of Frost, says that the season of harvest has already arrived in this land.] Suho nodded at his comment.

The words of Sillad, who became a Monarch by enduring the harsh winter, contained more meaning than that. The seasons of the elves were a completely different concept from those on Earth. They flowed according to the growth of Elvenwood, regardless of the passage of time. It wasn't that autumn came and the fruits were born, But rather, because Elvenwood had grown enough to bear fruit, it was called autumn. Then, what would come next...

[King of the Snow Folk and the Monarch of Frost, declares that this city will soon perish.]

Sirka had already smelled a familiar scent the moment she set foot in this city. For her, who was born in the harsh cold, the winter of the elves was as familiar as home. So she could estimate when that winter would arrive.

"Winter will come soon."

"When all those leaves turn red. When all the leaves fall..." And that day would be the date this city would perish. Suho nodded at Sirka's words.

And he looked up at the fruits hanging at the end of the red leaves high above. Before Suho could even ask, the guard captain quickly answered,

"Yes, those are the 'fruits.' You could call it the blood of Alfheim." Suho nodded at the guard captain's words. As he described, even from afar, the fruits looked like red blood, round and plump, hanging from the branches.

"But..." The guard captain suddenly lowered his voice and said,

"Actually, harvesting those fruits isn't easy. It's extremely dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

"Yes. Alfheim is a tree, but it's also a living creature. You wouldn't like having your blood taken, would you?" Well, Elvenwood was originally a dangerous tree that directly consumed elves.

"So the bank also puts out requests to harvest Alfheim's fruits. Usually, it's the debtors who take them. Those with the chokers."

"The reward must be high."

"Of course. You have to risk your life and climb that tree yourself. If you fall in the middle, your back will be broken, and the branches and spirits often interfere." The guard captain explained with a grin. He also revealed his intention for explaining so kindly to Suho.

"But it's become even harder to harvest the fruit recently."

"Why?"

"Alfheim is getting stronger. More than half of those who go to harvest them don't return. Or they come back injured and end up eating the fruit they risked their lives to get." The guard captain spoke to Suho in a low voice,

"So, would you be interested in taking a fruit harvesting request?"

"Me?"

"Yes. You're a summoner, aren't you? You can just summon that lizard and make it climb the tree. There's no need to take any risks."

'Aha. So that's what it was.' Seeing the hopeful gleam in the guard captain's eyes, Suho finally realized why he had been so friendly.

"So you're saying that even though summoning skills are mediocre in battle, they're perfect for harvesting fruits? Besides, what are you going to do tonight? You'll have to sleep on the streets because you don't have money for food or lodging."

The guard captain had no doubt that Suho would accept his proposal. Originally, those who came to this city for the first time, like Suho, were reluctant to take out bank loans at first. But that only lasted a day or two.

"Don't forget. This city might look like this, but it's a dangerous place teeming with villains. In a situation where anyone can suddenly turn into a robber, it's better to have a fruit or two in advance in case you get hurt."

"So you're saying to harvest the fruit in advance."

"Yes. If you try to buy the fruit from the market after getting hurt, they'll suddenly raise the price. This is a lawless zone, so the market rate fluctuates."

"Hmm. I'll think about it."

"Hey, don't be so hesitant and think positively. If you're in danger while summoning under the tree, I'll protect you. I might look like this, but I'm a well-known tanker, enough to be the guard captain." What he ultimately wanted from Suho was a partnership. But the guard captain wouldn't even dream that Beru was chuckling in Suho's shadow while listening to his nonsense.

[Foolish human. Our liege has potions, why would he need that ominous fruit?]

"Anyway, think about it carefully, and let's talk again tomorrow. Your mind will change after spending a night on the streets." With those last words, he returned to his jurisdiction.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Ah, and be careful of debtors when you sleep on the streets! Especially those with high choker numbers, they're merciless." Even as he was leaving, the guard captain couldn't let go of Suho and told him about a relatively safe alley to sleep in.

"He's kind until the end."

[He talks too much. Like an Explanation Bug.]

"...?" Suho's gaze briefly lingered on Beru. He chuckled and looked back at Sirka, asking,

"Well, anyway, shall we start looking for a place to sleep?"

"Place to sleep...?" Sirka, who had been following Suho silently, because she didn't understand Korean, tilted her head.

[My liege, you're a noble person, why would you sleep on the streets? Just use Shadow Exchange and go to Korea to sleep comfortably.]

"Of course, we could do that." Beru's advice was truly wise. With a single skill use, a soft bed in Korea awaited them, so why bother suffering needlessly?

[And bring Harmakan with you on your way back.]

"That's true too."

[...] Beru tilted his head.

It seemed like Suho had no intention of following his advice. And his steps were already leading into the alley that the guard captain recommended as a good place to sleep.

[Are you really going to sleep on the streets?]

"No, but isn't this strange?" A mischievous smile appeared on Suho's lips as he entered the alley.

"The guard captain, that considerate man, he's also a villain who escaped from South Korea, but he's too kind."

[Kieek?]

Suddenly. The moment they entered the dark alley, Suho's eyes turned cold.

"...Yes, this is normal." Suho gave a chilling smile as he looked at those surrounding him.

The alley that the guard captain recommended was already occupied by guests who were waiting for Suho. Chokers around their necks. Patchwork beggars with monstrous arms transplanted. The most dangerous alley in the city, where the hyenas of the streets who preyed on newcomers gathered. And at the very back of them, the guard captain, who had been kind to Suho until the end, was sitting leisurely.

"Nice to see you again?"

"Ah, don't think too badly of me. There's one more request from the bank. To guide newcomers around the city. And to make them indebted to the bank." The guard captain waved with a sly smile from behind the debtors at Suho's greeting.

"I honestly think your skill is optimized for harvesting fruits. So I thought I should first tear off one of your arms so you'll need a fruit and listen to me." No wonder the bank employee gave the guard captain a look earlier. Suho chuckled as he realized the meaning of that glance.

"They said they don't force loans, but it seems like starting as a debtor is the national rule."

"Right. It's that kind of place. What are you all waiting for, attack him all at once!"

"...!" As soon as he finished speaking, the debtors of the city rushed towards Suho all at once, swinging the giant magical beast arms they transplanted onto their bodies.

[My liege, if you're going to kill these guys anyway, do it when Harmakan is here...] Beru's advice, concerned about experience points even in this situation, was touching. Suho chuckled and waved his hand lightly at those words.

"I know. But there's still something to check..."

Bang!

"...?!"

At Suho's light gesture, the giant fist of the villain that was charging towards him exploded like a balloon. Beyond the shocked expressions of the debtors, a look of something going wrong flashed in the guard captain's wide eyes.

"Aha?" Sirka, on the other hand, had a refreshed expression.

"I don't know what you're saying, but I understand this."

Whoosh—

An Ice Tree Spear appeared in Sirka's hand, who was previously staring blankly because she didn't understand Korean. And...

Crack—!

"...?!"

After one night in Alfheim, where autumn had just begun. A winter wind, arriving slightly early, froze the entire dark alley.