Chapter 259: Odd Party (1)

Ding!

[Benevolence refers to kind and virtuous acts. Even if the target wasn’t in immediate danger, guiding someone straying toward an improper path to the right direction is also a form of good deed.]

[Your advice has awakened Paval, whose mind was clouded by power.]

[He will now strive to become the knight he dreamed of as a child, which will be a great blessing to the Kingdom of Rashion.]

[Affinity with Paval greatly increased. He now sees you as a mentor in his life.]

[Helik, who was wandering around requesting sweets from other gods, smiles brightly at this scene.]

[+10 Benevolence stats.]

[Due to the effect of Witness of the Sun, your Benevolence stat has additionally increased by 5.]

“What...?”

Kai wore a blank expression, unable to comprehend the situation. No, it wasn’t that he couldn’t understand—it was more that he hadn’t expected this.

Well, even with Solid, the advice I gave did change something deep within him.

But Paval? Kai couldn’t believe the prideful commander of the Guardian Knights had undergone such a drastic change just from a few words.

... Was he really that intimidated by me?

Thinking this, Kai couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty.

He cleared his throat briefly and said, “Stand up, please.”

“No, not until my teacher accepts my apology and my rudeness is forgiven.”

“... I’m telling you, just get up.”

“My sincerity must reach you fir—”

“

Oh,

this is too blinding. Just get up already.”

Paval’s shiny bald head was reflecting the sunlight directly into Kai’s face.

Eventually, Paval reluctantly stood up, wearing a sullen expression.

“And, well... I’m not holding onto any grudges, so you don’t need to look so guilty. It’s enough that you realized your mistake,” Kai said, scratching the side of his head.

At this, Paval’s face brightened. “Thank you truly. And...”

Paval’s gaze shifted toward Bach. For a moment, their eyes met, and Paval let out a faint chuckle before looking away.

“Even with a new mindset, that icy block won’t warm up so easily.”

“Look who’s talking.”

Though they growled at each other, Kai could sense a subtle bond formed in their conversation.

So, bonds really do form through fighting.

The heartwarming atmosphere was soon disrupted as commotion erupted around the training ground.

“What’s with the sudden...

Eek!

”

Turning his head, Paval was the first to react, and the Royal Knights immediately fell to one knee.

Wait, if that’s how they’re reacting...

Just as Paval had mentioned earlier, there was only one person they would kneel for. Realizing this, Kai also dropped to one knee.

King Beoruk arrived at the training ground, accompanied by his attendants and ministers, scanning the gathered knights with his signature commanding gaze.

“

Hmm

. Looks like you’ve avoided any real brawling today.”

“

Ahem

.”

“...

Ahem

.”

Paval and Bach, who had prior offenses, awkwardly cleared their throats with embarrassed expressions.

“We greet His Majesty the King.”

“We greet His Majesty the King.”

After their greetings, King Beoruk waved his hand dismissively. “So, why are all the Royal Knights of this nation gathered in such a cramped training ground?”

Paval was the one to answer the King’s question. He scurried over to the king’s side and, like a tattling child, detailed everything that had happened that day point by point.

“... I see.”

King Beoruk, using Supreme Sight throughout Paval’s explanation, looked down at Kai with a curious expression.

“Adventurer Kai, raise your head.”

“I greet His Majesty the King.” Kai raised his head, and his eyes met those of King Beoruk.

He paused briefly, seemingly in thought, before saying, “Kai, the impact you have had on this kingdom is immense, and the merits you have achieved are profound. I, Beoruk Von Rashion, fully acknowledge this.”

What is he getting at...?

Kai hadn’t met King Beoruk many times, but he knew him to be a straightforward individual. In short, the king wasn’t the type to speak in such a roundabout and lengthy manner. That could only mean one thing.

Sniff, sniff. I can smell an incredible reward coming my way.

Kai’s eyes sparkled as he stared at King Beoruk, much like a baby bird watching its mother holding food.

Undeterred by the burdensome gaze, King Beoruk continued to say, “Thus, I grant you access to the royal treasury, up to the fifth sector. I promise to give you any item of your choosing without any conditions.”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“Allowing access to the fifth sector is far too generous!”

“Considering the symbolic significance of the items stored there...”

The ministers immediately erupted in protest.

“Symbolic significance?” King Beoruk frowned and turned to face them.

At once, the ministers fell silent, their lips tightly sealed.

The king rebuked them as they kept their heads bowed. “The one among you who has been in office for the shortest time is Count Patterson, isn’t it?”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty. Seven years.”

“I see. Then let me ask you, has anyone among you, even once in the past seven years, sharpened my sword to keep it sharp?”

Patterson stayed silent.

“You should all feel ashamed.”

The king’s scolding was directed at the ministers who, fearing Paval’s power and influence, had failed to speak up even as he strayed from his path. Left speechless, the ministers wore expressions of guilt and shame.

“The silence is nice.”

Kai offered his gratitude to the king, who had efficiently resolved the situation. “I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s generosity.”

Kai had been saving up achievements, hoping to gain access to the fifth sector someday.

The last time I received the Elixir of Strength Enhancement, it was definitely...

It was the third sector. Even there, Unique-grade equipment could occasionally be found.

Though most of them were defective items.

Because of that, Kai had chosen the Elixir of Strength Enhancement at the time. The memory of gaining only ten points in Strength and feeling utterly disappointed was still vivid.

“I should be the one thanking you. Paval and Bach are both my trusted knights, whom I deeply value and love. Especially Paval—over time, I had grown quite worried as the intelligence and integrity he displayed in his youth seemed to fade.”

“Y-Your Majesty! Thank you for thinking of me so highly...!”

Tears welled up in Paval’s eyes, large droplets about to spill at any moment. While such behavior from a grown man could seem unsettling, King Beoruk looked at Paval with the affectionate gaze one would use for an adorable puppy.

“If someone has shown grace to my kingdom and my people, it would be unthinkable for me, as their sovereign, to turn a blind eye. That is the virtue of a ruler who leads his people—this is what I have learned.”

Beoruk was indeed a man overflowing with the qualities of a true ruler. Though Kai’s interactions with him had been brief, they had been immensely insightful and beneficial.

The fifth sector...

Kai was promptly escorted to the royal treasury. Having visited before, he wasn’t particularly impressed. However, that feeling lasted only until he passed through three doors inside the treasury and stepped into the fourth room.

“This is the fourth sector of the royal treasury.”

Everywhere he looked, his vision was filled with shiny masterpieces. At the very least, the equipment there was all of Unique-grade. Even if he randomly grabbed one item and sold it, it would easily fetch over 100 million.

But there’s no way I’d settle for just this.

His brief moment of visual indulgence ended there. Swallowing hard, Kai stepped toward the door leading to the fifth room.

Rumble, rumble.

The fifth room slowly opened. This was the royal treasury that contained all of the Kingdom of Rashion’s treasures. Among them, this room was reserved exclusively for items worthy of being considered national treasures. That was the significance of the fifth sector.

“

Woow!

Huh

...?”

Kai took a moment to look around the dazzling fifth sector, but soon let out a disappointed voice.

This is it?

The famed fifth sector of the Kingdom of Rashion’s treasury seemed more modest than expected because no matter how hard he looked, there were only three items in the entire room.

Then again, it might be odd to care about the number of items in a place like this.

Kai inspected the three items one by one. They were a skill book, a necklace, and a sword.

“All three are insane.”

Each of the three items was undoubtedly of the highest quality. Their grades were, of course, Legendary. They truly possessed stats deserving of the title of national treasure.

There hasn’t been a Legendary-grade sword released into the world yet, has there?

Selling it outside would easily fetch billions. However, Kai let go of any attachment to money and, without hesitation, picked up the skill book.

“Of all of them, this one is absolutely insane.”

The skill book emitting a bright golden light was the item Kai had decided to take from the fifth sector.

***

“

Hm, hm, hmm

.”

Kai’s cheerful humming wasn’t a misleading—it was clear his mood was exceptionally good.

Did my overall power just increase by 20%... no, depending on the situation, maybe even 30%?

Considering his current level and stats, it was an absurd boost in power. At low levels, players tended to level up quickly and frequently upgrade their equipment, making growth rapid. However, there inevitably came a time for all players. A time when levels rose slowly, equipment upgrades became infrequent, and growth stagnated.

Well, I wouldn’t know—I’ve never experienced it.

Normally, this phenomenon occurred around level 300. But such a concept wasn't applicable for Kai, whose specs continued to rise day after day.

“

Phew,

it should be around here...”

Kai was currently in the middle of a vast forest. The levels of the monsters emerging ranged widely, from level 50 to level 450. The level of prey, the ease of hunting it, and its population density—these were the most important factors rankers considered when hunting.

In short, the forest Kai was currently in wasn’t suitable as a hunting ground. Even so, he had come here for only one reason.

This must be the Ithaca Jungle, located at the center of the continent.

Commonly known as the Black Forest, it was a wild, untouched wilderness that rejected human interference. As one of the four great cursed lands, it was a place almost no one dared to visit.

However, it was human nature to want to spend money when one got paid and to try out a new skill when one learned it. That was precisely why Kai had come to this place.

“

Hehe.

”

A map he pulled out of his inventory fluttered, revealing itself.

The Sanctuary of Corruption.

It was the dungeon map left behind by Zirukan upon his death!

Sniff, sniff.

Even from the name alone, it felt as though the dungeon would be filled with powerful monsters.

“And here it is!”

The hidden dungeon’s entrance was a location that would not even reveal itself unless one knew the code marked on the map.

Rumble, rumble.

The black trees of the Ithaca Jungle split apart, and a massive entrance rose from the ground.

Without hesitation, Kai attempted to step inside. However, his body was immediately repelled by a powerful force and thrown backward. Then, a shocking message appeared in front of him.

Ding!

[This dungeon has an entry restriction.]

[A minimum of 5 players is required to enter.]

[Current party members: 1.]

[Dungeon entry failed.]

“What is this?”

Kai’s eyes widened, shocked, like someone who had just been denied entry to a club at the door.