The Vault of the Demon God – Episode 465
Chapter 465
After finishing the trial on the 70th floor, the Diablo Guild could only clean up, collecting usable materials from the monster corpses scattered everywhere.
Unfortunately, monsters that were small or had fallen below the World Tree were out of reach, preventing them from collecting those materials. However, they obtained quite a bit due to the large number of monsters they had defeated.
Thanks to this, Go Chang-seok and the twin sisters only took the valuable materials that matched their tastes, and Baek Hyun took care of the rest.
Among his abilities was something like a subspace warehouse that stored monster corpses.
– Welcome to the eighth shelter, the center of life, ‘Elheim.’
“Wow!”
The Diablo Guild ventured to break through from the 66th floor to the 70th floor without proper rest.
Even though everyone pretended to be okay, they had accumulated a lot of fatigue.
The sight of the eighth shelter they faced in that state was truly heaven itself.
“What, why is it so pretty?”
“It’s the prettiest shelter I’ve ever seen!”
“I feel like my stamina is recovering just by standing and looking at it.”
“I agree.”
Elheim, the center of life.
Whether it’s truly connected to the World Tree or not is uncertain, but this place is undeniably a city built on a huge tree, befitting the legend of the World Tree.
*Was this how the city of elves where Riel lived felt?*
Everywhere was filled with flowers, trees, beautifully spouting fountains, and cool breezes.
Beautifully crafted houses made of wood were built along the thick branches, and several huge towers stood in the center. It was unclear how they were constructed.
“Looks like a new guild.”
“Hasn’t it been a while? I’ve only been seeing the same faces lately.”
“Wait, that emblem. Doesn’t it look familiar?”
“What? I’m sure it’s the first time… um?”
As evidenced by the difficulty of the 70th floor, reaching this place is incomparably more difficult than reaching other shelters like Death Hill.
So, not only is the number of guilds that have reached this point small, but the players also tend to know each other.
In particular, from here on out, the difficulty of the trials becomes so bizarre that it becomes almost impossible to challenge them individually.
Therefore, players mostly join guilds regardless of their personal inclinations, and from Elheim onwards, society functions more in guild units rather than as individuals.
The reason why the players around them were examining what kind of guild the Diablo Guild, including Se-un, was, rather than focusing on individuals, was because of that.
In the meantime, one of the players in the back recognized Diablo, and his eyes sparkled.
“Di, Diablo!”
“What? Diablo? Is that them?”
“They were so famous in Death Hill. Before our guild left, they even defeated those Black Cross guys, you know?”
“If it’s the Black Cross, even though they’re in Death Hill, their size and power are comparable to those on this side, right?”
“That’s right!”
“But if it’s Diablo, I heard they haven’t been in Death Hill for long? They’ve already come this far?”
“They even defeated the Black Cross, wouldn’t it be possible?”
“Wa, wait a minute. Then, does that mean that they came up here alone? Not that they survived while coming up with other guilds, but that they came up with their own strength?”
Perhaps because they made a name for themselves in Lilac and Death Hill, even players who don’t usually pay much attention to what happens in the lower levels knew the name of the Diablo Guild.
Defeating the Black Cross and breaking through to Elheim meant that their skills were guaranteed.
In Elheim, alliances between guilds are very important, so those who were interested tried to approach Se-un.
“Se-un, what should we do?”
Seo-ah Yoo asked for advice from the side.
It wasn’t that Se-un wasn’t interested in alliances, but he had no intention of forming an alliance with mediocre guilds, let alone Valhalla.
So, while he was trying to ignore them and find a place to stay…
“Look, look over there!”
“The Blue Wave Guild?”
“Isn’t that Zenon?”
“Why is the guild leader of the Blue Wave Guild here…?”
The players who were approaching Se-un parted to both sides and made way.
What was seen through them were players armed with blue armor and helmets, holding weapons as if they were about to leave for battle, and walking confidently.
Even without checking the guild mark, if there are people with such characteristics in Elheim, there was only one possibility.
*Were they watching?*
The player who attacked Se-un, claiming to be from the Blue Wave Guild, came to mind. He mentioned something about the Blue Current…
Come to think of it, he hadn’t asked his name.
He should have asked his name and dealt with him, but he hadn’t considered it a particularly important issue.
*Judging from their state of armament and direction, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence.*
Se-un grabbed the handle of Durendal.
At this, Yoo Seo-ah, who noticed the situation, gestured, and all members of the Diablo Guild grabbed their weapons and prepared for battle.
Everyone was tired because they had just finished the trial on the 70th floor, but Se-un had repeatedly mentioned that they should prepare for this situation, so no one was careless.
Step.
Soon, the guild leader of the Blue Wave Guild, who had come right in front of Se-un, raised his right hand.
The people who followed him stopped at his signal and took a disciplined stance.
“Nice to meet you. Master of the Diablo Guild. I am ‘Zenon’, leader of the Blue Wave Guild.”
Zenon, the master of the Blue Wave Guild.
When he took off his helmet, long blonde hair flowed out.
With a blue helmet tucked to the side, he extended his hand to Se-un with a refreshing smile that anyone would consider handsome.
Judging from the posture of the guild members in the back, they didn’t seem to have any intention of starting a battle right away, so Se-un let go of Durendal and looked at Zenon.
“Se-un.”
He didn’t really consider shaking hands.
No matter how politely he held out his hand, Se-un was in a position to suspect the Blue Wave Guild of attacking him.
Even with a cowardly attack that targeted his back while he was proceeding with the trial.
Although he didn’t know if that was the intention of the person named Zenon, he had no intention of listening to the perpetrator’s perspective.
“Haha, I think you have a misunderstanding about me.”
Zenon withdrew his hand as if embarrassed.
Then, with a ‘snap!’ he snapped his fingers, and the Blue Wave Guild members standing behind him surrounded Diablo.
Diablo was wary and prepared for battle, but the Blue Wave Guild’s formation was not a siege or attack formation.
A formation as if to escort the Diablo Guild.
It was a gesture close to an escort.
“I think everyone will be tired since you have just completed the 70th-floor trial. First of all, wouldn’t you like to rest and have a more relaxed conversation?”
* * *
Clatter, clatter.
The Diablo Guild, having arrived in Elheim, was escorted by knights in blue armor and moved along the road.
Although they lowered their weapons at Se-un’s signal, most of the guild members were at a loss as to what to do with the sudden escort.
Of course, except for a few people.
“Wow, the armor looks really heavy. Isn’t it stuffy?”
“It must be too hot! Oh? Oh? Wow, sister! Touch this!”
“Wow, it’s cool! What is this? It’s so good!”
The twin sisters, who had such good social skills, kept talking to the Blue Wave Guild members.
Perhaps because the topic of the armor came up, even Go Chang-seok next to him sparkled his eyes and joined in.
“Hooh, this is a material I’ve never seen before. An iron ore that emits cold air. The strength is also excellent… Looking at the surface, the resistance to water… No, the affinity seems to be quite high.”
“…Are you a blacksmith?”
“That’s right. Can I take a look around a bit? Come to think of it, that weapon is also amazing. It looks more like a harpoon than a spear.”
“I can’t tell you in detail because it’s our guild’s confidential information, but since Zenon has instructed us, it’s okay to observe.”
“Hehe, thank you. The guild’s confidential information… They are equipment that seems to be worth it.”
It’s hard to see because it’s covered by a helmet, but judging from the fact that the shoulders of the Blue Wave Guild members who heard the compliment were shaking, their pride seemed to be considerable.
Thanks to the twin sisters and Go Chang-seok, the tension of the Diablo Guild, who had vaguely relieved their vigilance and were hesitating, gradually eased.
Of course, they couldn’t completely relax their guard in a situation where they didn’t know if the Blue Wave Guild was truly an ally, but at least they could reduce unnecessary fatigue.
“This is your first time in Elheim, so I’ll give you a brief explanation while we’re going,” Zenon said with a bright smile to Se-un.
A bright tone that didn’t suggest he was the person who sent guild members to kill Se-un at all.
If you were just looking at that figure, you would have relaxed your guard, thinking, ‘Was it really a misunderstanding?’
“Elheim is largely divided into two areas. First, the central part called ‘Pillar’. Most of the major buildings, including commercial establishments, are concentrated here.”
Se-un already knew the information, but he nodded while listening to his words, as he wasn’t going to mention his regression.
Yoo Seo-ah, who was following right behind Se-un, was seen perking up her ears and gathering information.
“And the place we’re going to now is ‘Branch’. It is a place where our players, including residents, have their residences and personal facilities.”
As the explanation of the branch suggests, as soon as the central part close to the flat land passed, long, straight branches came into view.
Even though it’s called a branch, the size of the tree is so huge that it was a wide path, easily accommodating three or four cars side by side.
And in front of the branches, the names of each area were written.
“The place we are heading to now is the branch owned by our Blue Wave Guild. It’s a bit excessive, but it’s named Blue Heaven (靑天) [Cheongcheon, literally ‘Blue Sky’].”
Blue Heaven.
As befits the Blue Wave Guild, which has a fairly high reputation in Elheim, they owned an entire branch.
When he raised his eyes along the branch, he saw various buildings belonging to the Blue Wave Guild.
“Wow, look at that!”
“It’s built more sturdily than I thought?”
“That looks fun. Let’s do it too!”
“Yeah!”
Medical facilities, blacksmiths, leisure facilities, etc.
Whether the architect of Elheim made it officially, it was made in a similar style to the buildings he saw in the center.
“This is our temporary accommodation. It’s a facility made for guests, but you’ll be able to have a much more comfortable stay than in a mediocre inn.”
Zenon said, pointing to a fairly large building.
As he said, a building that looked much more luxurious than an ordinary inn welcomed the Diablo Guild.
Several of the Blue Wave Guild members who were guarding the surroundings came forward to help guide them to the accommodation.
As Se-un was about to follow, Zenon stood in front of Se-un.
“Can the master of Diablo have a conversation with me?”
“What about the safety of our guild members?”
“If you want, you can draw up a contract. There will be no foul play in the name of the Blue Wave Guild.”
“I don’t need a contract. Rather, acknowledge the ownership of the accommodation to the Diablo Guild while we stay here.”
“Ownership, you say?”
“Relieve the Blue Wave Guild’s deployment and allow us to remodel or protect the accommodation on our own.”
“Haha, I understand. If it’s to clear up misunderstandings, I’ll have to allow that much.”
When Se-un looked at Yoo Seo-ah, she nodded.
If the twin sisters could remodel the accommodation, even if an attack occurred from the Blue Wave Guild, they would be able to buy time at least until Se-un arrived.
“Be careful, Se-un.”
“Don’t worry and take care of the others.”
“Yes.”
After parting with the guild members, he moved further forward, following Zenon.
Before long, they arrived at the main building of the Blue Wave Guild located at the end of the branch.
It was a building beautifully crafted like blue waves, befitting their symbol of the sea.
“Come this way.”
He didn’t feel any killing intent.
Perhaps to be considerate of Se-un, the Blue Wave Guild members who were following him also stopped and guarded their positions.
Passing through the huge gate and entering the building, the interior shimmered blue with the light from a chandelier decorated with blue jewels.
“Isn’t it beautiful? It’s a place we can be proud of. Since we all have abilities related to water, we feel a little more at ease when we come here.”
Passing through the hall and following the path in the center, a splendid door appeared.
Se-un, who had been commissioned by various guilds as an adventurer before his regression, knew what this was.
This is the guild leader’s office where Zenon, the guild leader of the Blue Wave Guild, stays.
Click.
What was seen when the door was opened was an aquarium filled with water instead of wooden walls.
The entire wall was made of glass, and the inside was filled with water, and various fish were swimming inside.
Zenon watched those fish with a fascinated expression and opened his mouth.
“I sincerely welcome you to the Blue Wave Guild, Master of Diablo.”