After a short while, Lefiya and Filvis regained their composure, though they soon found it strange that so many Elven adventurers were crowding the area in unprecedented numbers.
Elven adventurers of all types and classes, belonging to various Familias, swarmed the Guild amidst a non-stop clamor.
"Is there a quest so specific it caused all this?"
"Could it be a request designated solely for Elves?"
The Elves gathered before the board where adventurer requests were displayed, whispering among themselves in hushed tones: "Just as I thought, this is it," "I'm going to apply," "Oh, so this is the request everyone's talking about...!!" and "I must submit my application before the rest of my kin."
As Filvis noted, it was common to see quests restricted to Elves. Because Elves possess superior magical power and sound judgment, nobles and wealthy merchants often sought them out for protection, exploration, or other roles—partly due to their beauty and status. Consequently, such requests appeared frequently.
However, it was rare for Elves—most of whom were characterized by pride and aloofness—to accept such tasks. If they did, the request usually came from a fellow Elf. High Elves, who often looked down on other races with a sense of exclusion and arrogance, only resorted to posting quest requests in cases of extreme necessity.
Still, it was hard to imagine this massive number of Elves congregating of their own accord. More importantly, this didn't seem like an ordinary request from one of their own.
"Well, let's take a look at this request first."
Filvis muttered, placing her hand on her chin in a thoughtful pose. Lefiya nodded in agreement.
They pushed through the crowd and approached the notice board. Among the many hanging requests, Filvis pulled one down to examine its contents. Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed the paper quality differed from the others; it was special parchment of the kind ancient Elves used for important correspondence.
"Is this the Elven tongue? Why is the request written in our language instead of the Common Tongue? And beyond that, why use Ancient Elven characters specifically?"
Filvis furrowed her brows in confusion, while Lefiya stared at the paper with intense interest. Usually, even among Elves, few could read Ancient Elven, let alone members of other races.
But thanks to Filvis's intellect and the direct tutelage Lefiya had received from Riveria, they could decipher the symbols. For other races, it would be impossible unless they were scholars of ancient languages.
"As I thought, it's a request addressed to Elves. But this..."
"What do you make of it?"
Lefiya tilted her head in confusion. Although the text was written in the Elven language, the content itself was quite bizarre.
"The text of the request says: 'Wanted... one who seeks to recount the Tale of the Sacred Tree'?"
"The client's name isn't listed, and even the reward amount is missing."
"Yes, it's a suspicious request..."
No client name, no specified reward—this was unheard of in the Guild's system. Instead, the reward field simply read:
"The reward to be gained is 'nothing but Elven pride'... What in the world is this?"
●○●○●
"Finn, how do you read the current situation?"
"Hmm, let's see. I have no conclusive proof, but I suspect at least one 'Key' has slipped through the hands of the Evils."
"You mean the Goddess Ishtar?"
The leaders of the Loki Familia, who were overseeing the search for the "Key," discussed the matter during a break. To open and close the indestructible Orichalcum doors scattered throughout the artificial labyrinth, they needed to obtain the "Key." Since this key was essential for storming the maze, they had done their utmost to find it before the final battle with the Evils, but they had yet to succeed.
It seemed the Evils planned to use the keys only when their stronghold was under attack. Alternatively, they might have feared a leak that would cost them their strategic advantage, so they kept them hidden inside. To obtain a "Key," the Familia would have to launch a new assault on the artificial labyrinth, but...
"The Goddess Ishtar was complicit with the Evils. I don't know the nature of their secret agreement, but she certainly secured a key or two in exchange for her financial support."
The relationship between the Ishtar Familia, which controlled the Entertainment District, and the Evils had previously been exposed in Melene. The remnants of the Evils must have received funding from Ishtar. Finn and his comrades bet that the arrogant and selfish goddess of beauty had seized a key or two for her own personal gain.
"And now, Ishtar has been defeated by the Freya Familia."
Days ago, the Freya Familia launched a devastating attack on the Entertainment District and annihilated Ishtar. The reason wasn't entirely clear, though baseless rumors suggested Ishtar had tried to lay a hand on a "man" belonging to Freya. Regardless of the cause, Ishtar's death meant the location of any keys she possessed was now unknown.
"The annihilation of the Ishtar Familia was undoubtedly a miscalculation for the remnants of the Evils as well."
Finn explained that the current phase was a race between the Loki Familia and the Evils to find those missing "Keys."
"Oh, that reminds me, Riveria—I heard a message arrived from your homeland?"
"Yes. It concerns the rituals held once every thirty years in the Spirit Home, deep within the Whispering Forest. Despite knowing of Aina's illness, I didn't intend to leave the city before settling the matters of the Rakia Kingdom and the key issue."
"It seems being an adventurer doesn't exempt me from the inherited duties and burdens of a High Elf."
"Royman is pressing me hard on this. If we force you to stay in the city now, it might cause problems we'd rather avoid."
"It's fine. Your stay there won't be long, will it? The situation won't change overnight. Go and do what you must."
●○●○●
──── Four years ago.
In the cold underground halls built from various types of rock, magic stone lamps hung at regular intervals, casting a dim light. This was the first floor of the Dungeon, the great pit carved into the earth of Orario.
A thick scent of blood filled the area—so heavy that one could imagine the air itself had turned red. Monster blood and flesh choked the space, with shards of broken bone and entrails scattered here and there. Bloodstains painted the corridor walls, telling a vivid story of a horrific battle.
The stench of burnt flesh was stifling, enough to make anyone lacking combat experience vomit from the sheer gore. Yet, the sight was even worse than the smell.
Green-skinned, dwarfish Goblins and distorted, humanoid Kobolds lay dead. There were also Frog Shooters, which usually didn't appear on the first floor, and Dungeon Lizards nearly the size of an adult man. All were low-level monsters typically faced by novice adventurers who had just received their Falna.
The anomaly was their number; there were enough to nearly fill the entire hall, easily exceeding a hundred. Even more bizarrely, every monster in the room was a lifeless corpse.
One monster's head had been sent flying; another had a massive hole torn through its torso. Charred bodies and corpses sliced in half confirmed that someone had systematically slaughtered them. It was a scene truly described as a "mountain of corpses."
Yet, amidst the carnage, a shadow moved.
A boy walked among the monster remains, stepping over them. He had youthful features, hair white as virgin snow, and eyes as red as blood. Despite his slender build, the skin visible beneath his black clothes revealed lean, carefully honed muscles.
He moved silently like a ghost, appearing as a walking corpse. Combined with his hauntingly handsome features, he radiated an aura of coldness and cruelty.
"Fuuuu ── !!"
A single Goblin remained alive, its body completely stained with the blood and entrails of its kin. The creature, which should have lacked the intelligence to feel fear, recoiled out of an instinctive dread. It raised its primitive wooden club with trembling hands and lunged at the being that had killed its comrades.
"────"
The boy dodged the downward strike with minimal movement. He lunged toward the monster, drawing the sword at his waist in a swift, upward flash.
A single gleam.
With that alone, the Goblin's head separated from its body and sailed through the air. Before the headless body could even hit the ground, the boy had already identified his next target. He silently began to cut down the monsters attacking him, one by one.
With every swing of his blade, a mist of blood rose, and monsters collapsed. The sight resembled an "automated process" more than a fight. Like a heartless killing doll, he annihilated the lesser monsters—Goblins, Kobolds, and Frogs—in rapid succession.
"[─── Thunderbolt]"
A deafening roar of thunder echoed. Violet sparks erupted from the boy, and lightning fire danced through the hall. The sudden bolts struck the surrounding monsters directly.
Even I, who am titled the city's greatest mage and have belonged to the Loki Familia since before the "Dark Age," was seeing a "fast-cast attack magic" that required no chant for the first time. Furthermore, its power rivaled that of high-ranking mages who had awakened the Mage developmental ability.
This was an immense amount of power for a Level 1 who had just received their "Grace" and hadn't updated their status even once.
But more than the magic, and more than anything else, his combat skills drew the eye. Due to his small size, he used a one-handed short sword intended for Pallum from the Guild's stock, handling it as if it were an extension of his own limbs.
He parried and deflected the attacks of Goblins and Kobolds, following up with counterattacks. His movements were entirely devoid of waste—true, carefully refined swordsmanship. While his skill might have appeared primitive compared to the front-liners of the Loki Familia who had spent years in combat, it was not a skill a Level 1 novice should possess.
It was a killing skill born from pure, innate "talent," not "technique" or "experience."
His actions and movements suggested he was born to fight; the reality of this boy, who was still considered a child, was that of a "Sword Demon."
In the Dungeon, a labyrinth filled with unknown crystals, anomalies occasionally occurred that claimed the lives of many adventurers. The "Monster Party" on the first floor was one such case. Yet this "Demon" had quelled it alone through total annihilation—all before I could reach the scene after hearing he had entered the Dungeon by himself.
Death toll ── 141 monsters. Status points earned ── Over 200 in total. Time remaining for Rank Up ──── 19 days.
That was the first battle I ── Riveria Ljos Alf ── witnessed of the "Sword Demon" Al Cranel as an adventurer.
Loki placed her index finger on Al's back, at the base of his neck, and began to skillfully draw patterns with ichor that resembled blood runes, as if signing her name. Strange hieroglyphic-like patterns appeared, and the crimson sacred symbols glowed faintly on Al's skin. With every movement of Loki's fingers, the written words of blood took on meaning.
"───── Welcome to the Loki Familia."
When the light faded, the "Divine Grace" had been engraved, appearing as sacred symbols.
Al Cranel 『Lv1』
Strength: I0 Endurance: I0 Dexterity: I0 Agility: I0 Magic: I0
"Magic" [Thunderbolt] ・Fast-cast attack magic ・Lightning element
"Skills" [Aspiration's Reminiscence] ・Accelerates growth. ・Effect lasts until the goal is achieved. ・Power increases in proportion to the intensity of emotions.
[Calamity of Heavenly Talent] ・Accelerates mastery of all skills. ・The ability to draw out latent potential (Status) to the absolute limit. ・Temporary activation of the "Swordsman" developmental ability during combat. ・Temporary activation of the "Mage" developmental ability during combat.
From that moment, everything moved quickly.
Days of endless fighting followed, as if he were consuming his own life; not a day passed without his body being stained with blood. Without regard for his own safety, he continued to swing his sword—training after training, self-mortification, and grueling exercises that pushed beyond his limits.
He absorbed knowledge greedily, from monster weaknesses to the materials they dropped and the characteristics of creatures on every floor. The time he spent gathering information was immense; he cut his sleeping hours to sharpen his mind.
His growth rate seemed to defy the laws of the world—the result of unnatural effort. He drank the bitterness of defeat and possessed a will that sought to surpass everything. I imagined the heights the "Sword Demon" would one day reach, and I felt a sense of dread, wondering: where is Al truly headed?
A talent (Calamity) that continued to raise levels at a pace surpassing even the world record set by Ais.
More importantly ──── that hunger residing in the depths of the boy's eyes, like a starving beast. It wasn't a burning enthusiasm, but a pressing and violent desire for whatever his eyes reflected. A dark fire burned quietly at the bottom of his gaze.
He looked terrifying, as if possessed; frantic and predatory, harsh and cold. It was an excessive passion, pure to the point of bordering on madness. He never complained, never shed a tear, never gave up, and continued to demand power to the furthest extent.
I don't understand.
Why do you seek to become so strong?
Why do you insist on remaining this strong? What are you looking for..?
He is just like...
He is exactly like that person from that time...
●○●○●
There are four years left until the start of the original story... I want to reach Level 4, or even Level 5 if I'm ambitious. I want to become a first-class adventurer before the start. Will I succeed?
It's good that I managed to join the Loki Familia, but I want to be in the "First Tier" (Executive team) before the story begins, or at least in a position like Lefiya's—one of the candidates who constantly interacts with them. No matter how beneficial joining the Familia is, staying in the back won't allow me to achieve my goal of "Clouding" and other things. To interact with the main characters in the executive team, I must possess a minimum level of strength; otherwise, I won't matter. I must at least reach Level 3 like Lefiya, or I won't be allowed to accompany them on expeditions.
Bell, the protagonist of the original story, didn't seem very talented if not for the "Yearning" skill. I, who don't have that specific skill, don't know if I can raise my level within four years. I heard that Ais, who has the greatest talent, took a year to raise her level, and after that, it took her six years to reach Level 5. What about me, who was just an ordinary person?
I have no objection to fighting monsters because I did that with Zeus when I was in the village, but I haven't quite gotten used to the foul smell of blood.
Regardless, Riveria is looking after me, so my relationship with the executive team isn't non-existent. My studies aren't about mathematics but about monsters and magic, so they aren't painful—they're fun.
My ultimate goal is to protect the main characters I'll befriend and then die for them to trigger feelings of grief in their souls. Therefore, I must reach a level that allows me to fight on the same field as Ais and the others. I think reaching Level 3 or 4 before the story starts, taking a place similar to Lefiya's, is the ideal scenario.
●○●○●
Three weeks. That was how long it took Al to raise his level. A record shattered at a speed far exceeding the world record Ais had set by a full year.
It happened after the defeat of an Infant Dragon, an actual floor boss in the upper floors—specifically, an enhanced species. It was a monster that even Level 2 adventurers had no choice but to flee from. But Al fought it as the "rear guard" to secure the escape of his teammates, whom I had placed in his party. The battle ended with his victory as he protected a fallen member with his own back.
The gods cried out that what he had done was a heroic deed, and the adventurers' faces contorted in awe. As for me... ────
●○●○●
The strange adventurer request addressed only to Elves.
The tale of "The Tale of the Sacred Tree" is a story similar to the fairy tales beloved by Elven children, known to young and old alike. Lefiya and Filvis, who managed to solve the riddle inspired by that tale in the quest request, were guided by Royman, the Guild Head, to a tavern where the true client was said to be waiting.
"Is this the tavern the Guild Head mentioned... right?"
"Yes. According to Royman, the true client is here... but this is strange; I don't sense anyone's presence."
The two arrived at an elegant tavern located far from the main street. The name of the tavern was written on the sign, and its appearance suggested a very high-end establishment. However, looking from the outside, silence reigned over the place, with no sign of customers or even staff.
It occurred to them that the place had been vacated. They decided to enter anyway. It was unusual to book an entire tavern for an ordinary mission unless it was a highly secret and dangerous task, and it seemed this request was of that special kind.
"── We're coming in."
When the door opened, the bell rang with a soft chime announcing their arrival. Inside, the tavern was lit by glowing lamps amidst the darkness, creating a calm and ethereal atmosphere.
There stood two Elves. One was a masked Elf radiating an aura of experience, and the other was... ────
"── My, this is quite unfortunate. Has another 'victim' fallen?"
Long, emerald-green hair. Sharp, pointed ears characteristic of Elves, translucent skin, and a slender body—she looked like a true fairy. She was the living embodiment of beauty, with deep green eyes reflecting sound judgment and wisdom. Every move she made was graceful, enough to enchant anyone who looked upon her. She was an exquisitely beautiful woman.
But what stood out even more than her beauty was the aura surrounding her.
──── She was the High Elf to whom all Elves bowed in reverence, considered an object of faith more than the gods themselves. She was also the powerful heroine known as the strongest mage in the City of Heroes, Orario: Riveria Ljos Alf.
"P-Please wait!! Why is Lady Riveria here?! .. And wait, Lady Filvis, you wait too!! Why are you trying to run away?!"
"Let me go, I'm telling you, let me go!! I cannot show this tainted body to Lady Riveria ── !!"
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
Al (four years ago): "I'd like to become first-class if possible. But the ideal form is to reach Level 3 or 4 and get a status like Lefiya's before the original story begins, right?"
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