Chapter 50: Adventurer’s Guild #5

Chapter 50: Adventurer’s Guild #5

“Yes, I understand. Prepare your heads.”

If they want it that way, I should oblige.

I raised my mace.

A cool breeze blew, and the Orc shamans closed their eyes.

They calmly took deep breaths, awaiting the death that would soon come.

And then…

Tap.

“Ouch!”

Yurka scowled.

He opened his eyes and looked at me with a bewildered expression.

“What is this…?”

Tap, tap.

The other two Orcs also opened their eyes after being flicked on the forehead.

“Young lady, are you mocking us?”

“Why? I won. You said you’d accept any outcome, right?”

“But the final trial-“

“There’s no need to kill the loser. Look.”

I pointed to the ring of fire.

The shamans had just admitted defeat, and the outcome was decided.

The blue flames turned golden, and the power began to concentrate on me.

Within it, not only the power of the magic stones but also the power of the shamans were mixed.

“Completed the Orc Trial. Abilities greatly increased.”

“Absorbed the power of three outstanding Orc shamans.”

“-Total stats stored in the Holy Reliquary: 307(+163)”

Yurka kept shaking his head, still not understanding.

“B-but…”

“Uncles, you looked quite energetic earlier. It’s too soon to die, isn’t it?”

“Hoo, but still-“

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You’ve already done everything you needed to do. The final trial is also complete. No matter when or where you die, your passage to the Hall of Warriors is confirmed. Am I wrong?”

The Orc shamans tilted their heads and whispered amongst themselves.

“I-is that so…”

“Your remaining lives are a bonus. Enjoy them leisurely, and watch how high I climb.”

The Orcs were speechless.

Then, without any prompting, they burst into laughter.

“Is that so? So that’s how it is-“

“Wahaha! Well, it can’t be helped. If that’s the winner’s choice.”

“I have no complaints if I can go to the Hall of Warriors.”

As warriors, the Orcs died on this spot today. They can never wield a sword again.

However, their lives are not yet over.

They will finally step down from their long journey of battle and spend their twilight years in peace.

***

“She was a truly unique girl.”

After Estel left, the Orc shamans reflected on what had just happened.

“That girl will achieve great things,”

Yurka said, gazing at the distant sky.

The other shamans nodded in agreement.

“I do not regret my decision to choose the human girl. However, what I worry about is…”

The bear-headed shaman hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

The Orcs, who had been friends for many years, knew what he was trying to say.

“I know what you’re worried about.”

Yurka patted his friend’s shoulder.

‘You must be worried about the thorny path that child will walk. I’m too.’

Orc shamans can see the future.

Under the blessings of their ancestors, they carefully read the celestial signs.

Sometimes from the near future, a few hours away, and sometimes up to half a century ahead.

One day, at the same time, the three old shamans

Saw a world in a dream where dark clouds were rolling in.

Clouds that would cover the entire world in eternal night were approaching. It was the near future.

‘This world has faced many crises before. But this time, it’s definitely different.’

Yurka recalled the future he saw in the flickering campfire.

‘Darkness is disguised as light, deceiving the world. Few will be able to see through its true nature.’

Yurka identified a few candidates who might bring about the apocalypse.

They all had one thing in common.

They were the guardians of order, known to the world as heroes.

However, Yurka was convinced that one of them would bring about the destruction of this world.

And the most likely candidate among them would be…

‘Brave Warrior Michael.’

A human hero so famous that even Orcs knew of him.

Yurka read an endless void in the eyes of the noble paladin.

Michael was light.

So bright that it was the light of the end, burning away everything else.

‘Because of him, a great catastrophe will befall the world.’

Even knowing what lay ahead, there was nothing the old Orc shamans could do.

Young Orcs had no interest in the world’s crises.

They were solely focused on the battles they fought every day.

As soon as they woke up in the morning, they would find an excuse to fight amongst themselves, and at night, they would boast of their spoils and fall asleep drunk.

Orcs are warriors, but they are only warriors, and nothing more.

It was the inherent limitation of the Orc race.

Therefore, Orcs had no choice but to cede land to humans and be pushed back.

‘And humans don’t believe our words.’

Few humans listen to the opinions of Orc shamans.

To humans who worship the God of Light, Orc shamanism and traditions are nothing more than unsettling heresy.

Moreover, their opponent is the renowned hero Michael of the Empire.

If Yurka even utters Michael’s name, he would immediately be pelted with stones by an angry mob and lose his life.

Yurka did not fear death, but he did not want to die a dog’s death like that.

‘But it’s a strange coincidence. That girl is the opposite of Michael, isn’t she?’

Pitch black darkness.

Pitch black darkness surrounded the girl. She was closer to the realm of death.

A girl, yet not human.

One who denies the order of life and death.

‘But that girl is the hope of this world.’

Estel, blessed by El, the goddess of death.

What future awaits the small girl as she walks forward?

‘All I can do is be a stepping stone for that child.’

Yurka did not regret his choice to pass on all his power.

Humans and Orcs alike will be saved by Estel. Yurka firmly believed so.

‘Yes. Since it’s come to this, I hope I can live long enough to see that time with my own eyes.’

Yurka sincerely wished.

May the girl overcome all adversities and finally attain all glory.

***

The next day.

The Adventurer’s Guild’s new recruit selection exam was held.

The location was the Garden Wilderness.

The sight of adventurers in various attires gathered was a spectacle in itself.

By a rough estimate, there were well over three hundred of them.

“Estel, you seem to be in a good mood?”

Flora said. Unlike me, Flora seemed a little nervous.

“Really? Maybe it’s because I’ve been outside after a long time.”

“Well, lately we’ve only been going to dark places. Sewers, caves…”

Flora nodded.

The senior’s words were correct. I was feeling very good right now.

However, there was a separate reason for that.

‘I can’t tell her the truth yet.’

Enhancement of the “Immortality” trait.

Through the battle with the Orc shamans, my core trait, “Immortality,” became even more powerful.

This must be what Yurka meant by ‘new level.’

“-Immortality

-As long as the Holy Reliquary is not destroyed, I will revive even if I die.

-The resurrection time varies depending on the degree of physical damage.

-Each resurrection results in a permanent loss of stats.”

“-Instant Resurrection

With accumulated experience, new power is added to Immortality.

You can resurrect instantly, skipping the cooldown. However, in return, significant damage accumulates on the Holy Reliquary.”

I was finally able to overcome the long cooldown, which was a major risk of Immortality.

To be able to use instant resurrection, which is close to cheating, like a paid cash item.

‘This is an absurd trait.’

The epithet “Reaper of Immortality” has finally become a reality.

Of course, it would be foolish to rely too much on this overpowered trait.

It seems that using instant resurrection repeatedly could destroy the Holy Reliquary.

Always keep in mind that it might lead to instant death rather than instant resurrection.

“Ah, you’re here! Mitchell, Wagner! Over here-“

Flora waved her hands enthusiastically.

“Huh? You two came together?”

“Don’t misunderstand, Flora. I just happened to meet him on the way and had no choice but to come together.”

“Hmm. Is that so.”

As I narrowed my eyes, Mitchell quickly fired back.

“W-what’s with that look? I’m telling the truth! Hey, kid. Think about it. Since our destination is the same, the probability of meeting on the way is naturally high-“

“Alright, alright. Who’s saying anything? I haven’t said a word.”

“Aish, why do I have to make excuses like this?”

Mitchell hit her chest in frustration.

But the more she did, the deeper my suspicion grew.

‘I don’t know about Wagner, but Mitchell is quite aware of their relationship.’

My intuition is quite accurate.

I don’t know exactly when it started, but there’s an unhealthy vibe between them.

“Aish, Bear, say something too! Why are you just staying silent?”

“What am I supposed to say? Did I do something wrong?”

Wagner raised his eyebrows as if he knew nothing.

No, he really seems to know nothing.

Mitchell is the only one getting heated inside.

“It’s okay, Mitchell. Just promise me one thing.”

“Promise what?”

“If what I’m thinking actually happens, please don’t deceive me and Flora and tell us honestly.”

“I told you, it’s not like that-“

“Just keep that in mind.”

While we were talking, examiners Jack and Maria arrived last.

Jack looked around and then leaped onto a large rock that allowed him to look down at everyone.

“Welcome. I’m Jack, in charge of this exam. If there is a successful applicant among you who will join the guild, I will become your senior in the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Jack’s voice was loud and carried far.

It didn’t seem like he was forcing his voice, but perhaps he imbued it with mana.

The murmuring adventurers fell silent all at once.

From now on, we must listen carefully to every word the examiner says.

If you lose focus and miss information, it’s entirely your loss.

Jack briefly explained the purpose of the exam and the type of talent they were looking for.

“…In other words, the first test is to assess your ability to survive in this wilderness on your own, without external help. Of course, if this were all, it would be too easy and lack differentiation. That’s why we’ve prepared something special. Maria!”

Jack shouted, and Maria walked forward, leading beasts resembling ostriches from behind.

“Go. Huh? Go forward. These birdbrains don’t listen…”

“Maria, stop grumbling. Do you see, everyone?”

The gazes of the hundreds of people gathered in the wilderness all converged on one spot.

A few of them, recognizing the birds, clicked their tongues softly.

“…It’s a Nitro Bird.”

Mitchell muttered, narrowing her brow.

“Only those who bring a feather from this bird will be eligible for the next stage. The period is 2 weeks. It doesn’t matter what methods you use. If you bring just one feather, you pass without question. If you have any questions, ask now.”

The Nitro Birds stretched their long necks and glared at the adventurers.

Perhaps displeased with their captive status, they repeatedly kicked the sandy ground with their large feet and made menacing sounds.

“This won’t be easy.”

Mitchell bit her lower lip. The adventurers’ reactions were divided.

Some were optimistic, thinking, ‘What’s so difficult about plucking a feather from a mere bird?’

On the other hand, some adventurers, like Mitchell, had grim expressions.

“Well then, we will now begin the exam. I wish you all good luck.”

Jack winked at Maria.

It had finally begun.