Chapter 59 - Elysion's Castle (1)

“If you promise to give me all the rewards as you said, then fine. I accept.”

“Really?”

“But there's a condition.”

I was willing to accept any condition.

Before Seo Ji-hoon changed his mind.

“Tell me. What is the condition?”

“I think a verification of you, my youngest brother, is necessary. Even if we concede a hundred times that the Hatchling’s Nest is not dangerous for you, as your intuition says, that alone doesn't guarantee a good reward.”

“You mean to test my ability. I accept that as well. I don't know how you intend to verify me, though.”

“Show your ability in the Abyss as well.”

“Simple enough.”

“No. My condition will not be that simple.”

Nevertheless, it would be simple.

Because people's expectations of me always tended to be excessively low.

“Your next quest area in the Abyss is Elysion's Castle, wasn't it?”

“You remember.”

The third area of the Abyss. Elysion's Castle.

I had already gathered general information about that place.

Everyone there received the same quest.

To enter the place called Elysion's Castle and fight their own doppelgänger.

“Elysion’s Castle is a place that holds special memories for me. It’s where I, a rookie at the time, first made a name for myself by defeating four doppelgängers.”

Seo Ji-hoon’s record was famous enough to be covered in all the reports.

The number four might not seem like a big deal at first glance, but a doppelgänger was a copy of oneself, identical not only in appearance but also in personality, habits, tastes, and all stats and equipped items.

Therefore, the win rate was almost 50-50, and under these conditions, it was nearly impossible to face four in a row.

“I admit it. Your record is amazing, brother.”

Even after dealing with the first doppelgänger, people usually stopped the quest there.

Because it was common to have no energy left after fighting an enemy identical to oneself.

“The condition I require of you is also four. Will you accept?”

When he said he would give me the map, I did think it was too easy.

It turned out the condition was something like this.

Seo Ji-hoon's expression was quite serious.

“It is an excessive condition.”

“It doesn't matter if you refuse. I am also well aware that it is excessive.”

“It is certainly excessive. If it were anyone other than me.”

I gave Seo Ji-hoon a sly smile.

There was no reason to refuse.

Because there was nothing I couldn't do that someone else had already achieved.

But Seo Ji-hoon, seeing me like this, just let out a scoff, as if he thought I was being reckless.

“You're full of confidence.”

“Since it's come to this, just cheer me on.”

“Alright. I'll be looking forward to it.”

I would have to leave for the quest area tomorrow.

It was a place I was planning to go to anyway. I really liked that Seo Ji-hoon hadn't set an annoying condition.

***

My steps back to the family estate were lighter than ever.

Seo Ji-hoon had tried to test me through this dungeon trip, but I was the one who had gained a lot.

I had almost secured the map I wanted by playing a game of push-and-pull with Seo Ji-hoon, and the dungeon clear rewards were also substantial.

Above all, the Mana Rune had turned my sesame-seed-sized mana into a slightly larger sesame seed.

For me, who was desperate for mana, the Mana Rune was a more precious reward than a top-grade Mana Stone.

“Unit Leader, are you back?”

The first person to greet me was Choi Ho-joong.

“Everything was fine, right?”

“Nothing special happened, but there is a guest looking for you, Unit Leader.”

“A guest? Who is it?”

“The Grand Family Head of the Muwon Sword Family wishes to see you, Unit Leader.”

“The old man Han Byeong-cheol wants to see me?”

“Yes. I told him you were out, but he said it didn't matter and has been waiting for two hours.”

He could have just left if I wasn't there. This old man must be really bored.

If he was going to be like this, he shouldn't have passed down the position of Family Head.

“Alright. I should go right away.”

When I went to the reception room, Han Byeong-cheol was waiting for me leisurely while eating refreshments.

“It's been a while, Ji-han.”

“You should have at least called before coming.”

“I didn't come to see you. I came to see the Family Head here, and you suddenly came to mind.”

So he had waited for me for two hours just because I had come to mind. What an incredible old man.

“Do you have some business with me?”

“Well, it's nothing major. I have a favor to ask, and I thought I'd chat for a bit before I go.”

I wanted to refuse the chat, but I should probably grant the favor.

Since I owed him one.

“What favor could the Grand Family Head have for me……?”

“You remember Min Ha-rin from our sword family, right? The one you had a Bimu with.”

“Of course.”

“She's scheduled to enter Elysion's Castle in the Abyss this time. I heard from your father that it's your turn as well.”

What kind of favor was he going to ask?

“……So?”

“Would you go with her?”

“With Miss Min Ha-rin?”

“Yes. I was thinking it would be good if you could help each other out during the quest. In fact, our sword family has very high expectations for Ha-rin.”

If I accepted Han Byeong-cheol’s request here, it would mean continuing the strange connection with Min Ha-rin.

Following the last two quests, this would be the third, up to Elysion's Castle.

Of course, from her perspective, she would think this was the first time.

“I understand. But, the trip to the Abyss is tomorrow.”

“As expected, I like how straightforward you are. That’s all for my favor. Now I think I can just relax and chat for a bit before I go.”

Relax, he said. How long was he planning to stay?

I felt that what this old man needed was not a pastime.

***

[Teleporting to the vicinity of Delia Island.]

One of the convenient things about the Abyss was this teleportation.

As you cleared each quest area, you could register a teleport point, so you didn't have to take the long way around the next time.

Without this feature, it would be practically impossible to explore this vast Abyss to its outer regions.

As soon as I passed through the entrance portal of the Abyss, the place I arrived at was the vicinity of Delia Island, the second quest area.

[Starting route guidance to Elysion's Castle.]

Min Ha-rin had arrived here first and was waiting for me.

This was the first time I was meeting Min Ha-rin in the Abyss without wearing the Human Skin Mask.

She spotted me and gave a nod with an expressionless face.

“We meet again, Miss Min Ha-rin.”

“Yes.”

A dry, one-word answer.

Her expression and the general atmosphere she exuded were different.

When I was Seo Yohan with the Human Skin Mask, she couldn't have been more friendly.

“Let’s leave right away.”

“Yes. I will take the lead.”

“There’s no need for that. I’m not your superior, Miss Min Ha-rin.”

“No, sir. It is more comfortable this way. The Grand Family Head also told me to treat you with utmost respect.”

“Up to utmost respect is not necessary. I’ll just speak informally. Since I’m a few years older than you, Miss Min Ha-rin.”

“As you wish.”

Min Ha-rin replied and started walking ahead.

According to the route guidance message, Elysion’s Castle was an hour's walk away.

The monsters that appeared in between were not a big constraint on the travel time.

Because Min Ha-rin took them down in one blow as soon as they appeared.

‘She’s definitely better than before.’

Talent was talent.

Today was the fifth time I had met Min Ha-rin. Every time I met her, I could discover her progress, so she had the best talent among the people I had connected with on Earth.

In fact, even on Kalia, this level was rare.

If there was one thing I didn't like, it was that she was intentionally avoiding walking side by side with me.

“Are you uncomfortable going with me?”

“That is not the case.”

“What do you mean it’s not. It’s obvious you were forced to come by the Grand Family Head and are just putting up with it.”

“……”

“If not, was there someone else you wanted to meet in the Abyss instead of me?”

“Absolutely not!!”

Min Ha-rin shouted in surprise.

It was the first time I had heard her voice at that decibel level today.

“If it’s no, it’s no. Why are you getting so worked up? You startled me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Min Ha-rin bowed her head as if embarrassed.

It wasn't like I could put on the Human Skin Mask for her.

“Anyway, thank you for your hard work. Thanks to you, I arrived without lifting a finger.”

Min Ha-rin had hunted about one hundred and fifty monsters while we were getting to Elysion’s Castle.

It would have been very annoying if Min Ha-rin had followed my advice not to take the lead.

***

When we passed through the portal, what appeared before us was an old castle.

The sight of the castle standing alone in the dark background created a gloomy atmosphere.

“So this is Elysion’s Castle.”

A mysterious place where a unique monster called a doppelgänger lived.

But Min Ha-rin just stared at the castle gate without much emotion.

“I will go in first.”

“Go ahead.”

Click.

Min Ha-rin immediately turned the handle and opened the castle gate.

The golden light that poured out from between the open doors created a mysterious atmosphere for this castle.

As I took a step inside the castle, several messages rushed in as if they had been waiting.

[Creating a doppelgänger based on your current form.]

[Doppelgänger has been created.]

[Quest has been created. Defeat one or more of your doppelgängers.]

[The quest will begin in 24 hours. Please wait in the waiting room until then.]

The numerous waiting rooms lined up on the left and right displayed the current capacity.

0, 1, 2. Three types. As known, the maximum was 2, and Min Ha-rin and I started walking towards a room marked 2.

“Don't tell me you're thinking of using separate rooms because you're uncomfortable with me.”

“That is not the case. The Grand Family Head had given me an order.”

“You were acting so distant, I thought you were going somewhere else. Well, here's a room for two.”

When the two of us entered, the number on the door immediately changed to 0.

It looked like an old castle, but it was actually a state-of-the-art place.

“Now tell me. What was the order the Grand Family Head gave you?”

Min Ha-rin handed me a sealed envelope.

“He told me to deliver this. He said you would know when you received it.”

“He didn't say anything like that.”

He had only said to help each other, but we hadn't discussed anything specific.

There must be some message in this envelope.

When I opened it, there was a message from Han Byeong-cheol to me.

“Hmm.”

I began to read the contents carefully.

The contents of this message were admirable.

“It seems you are indeed the top prospect of the Muwon Sword Family.”

“May I ask what is written in it?”

“All the weaknesses of your swordsmanship, written by the Grand Family Head himself.”

“……Pardon?”

The contents were very detailed.

It was a commentary on Min Ha-rin, with details that could never be written just by watching her once or twice.

“Your doppelgänger has already been created. That monster will resemble not only your strengths but also your weaknesses.”

“Th-then……”

The old man had used his head well.

By not revealing this message to Min Ha-rin, Min Ha-rin's doppelgänger was copied without knowing the original's weaknesses.

Of course, it was quite difficult to master a strategy within the remaining 24 hours.

He probably chose this strategy because he believed in Min Ha-rin’s genius.

“The remaining time is 24 hours. During this time, you can practice exploiting your doppelgänger's weaknesses.”

“……I see.”

“Let's have you challenge up to five.”

“Pardon?”

“What's so surprising? It's perfectly set up.”

The detailed analysis written by Han Byeong-cheol, and Min Ha-rin's talent. Above all, since I was there, challenging about five was appropriate.

“You seem to be speaking too easily.”

“I did speak easily.”

At my reaction, Min Ha-rin couldn't get angry and just looked dumbfounded.

“The record of four set by Unit Leader Seo Ji-hoon is a record that has not been broken for a long time.”

“It's not the highest record anyway. I saw in the reports that there were up to six. Is five difficult?”

“Then what is your goal for this quest, Unit Leader Seo Ji-han?”

“Me? I'm also worried about that. How many I should challenge.”

The condition Seo Ji-hoon had required of me was four.

But to stop at just that would be a bit lame.

“I'm thinking about seven.”

Not too excessively, just setting a new record would be enough.