Halo Quest (3)

Kang Shin-hyuk knew that throughout the Hero Universe, there were races other than humans. No, the people of Earth must have realized through the traces of other worlds presented by the remnants found in the gates. However, to think he would be able to meet elves, one of the first races one thought of when they thought of fantasy.

“First… let’s take a photo!”

“Yes?! Why are you so embarrassed?!” Nothing could compare to his joy at that moment, especially given how beautiful the elves were compared to humans.

“Ooh…” The elves took pictures with him. As Kang Shin-hyuk continued to take photos with the various elves and was stupidly admiring them, the administrator sent him a message.

-If you are active in the Hero Universe, you will be able to meet more beautiful and unique races than elves. Actually, you’ve already met one such person.

“Tsukuyo?” Among the people he had met so far, Tsukuyo had been exceptionally beautiful. He still vividly remembered the quiet atmosphere that had accompanied her.

-That’s right. It is part of the racial characteristics of that fox. Only her appearance is outstanding, only that…!

“I don’t think you need to hate her so much…” Kang Shin-hyuk felt like Tsukuyo was a much more normal person than many of the other people he found himself around later. Perhaps even including the administrator, though he kept that bit to himself.

“Then, Anvil, this way.”

“Ah, yes. Please.” The elves guided him to his lodgings. Now that his excitement had run its course, he noticed the atmosphere was rather subdued.

‘It is a dead world, so it can’t be helped.’ As he thought that, the space around them shook. It was so intense Kang Shin-hyuk could barely stand. Had his stamina been lower, he might’ve collapsed.

“That…?” Has the facility been attacked? He tried to prepare for battle, but the elves next to him were acting casually.

“It means that the giant has taken another step.”

“The next step… should be the day after tomorrow.”

“The facility has suffered some damages. I’m sorry, but I will be repairing it.” The elves were already accustomed to such quakes, and unlike Kang Shin-hyuk, remained calm. He couldn’t help but admire them for their strength.

-It’s not that they are necessarily strong. It’s just that they have developed the skills needed to survive and live here. Mirotoz’s surviving elves have an S-rank ability on average.

‘That’s the same as me.’

-S-rank for you is very different from others since you have spiritual power. You also have the added benefit of your trait. Given the right situation, you might be able to compete with an SS-rank. If the average S-rank is a single-core, then you are a dual-core processor.

‘Did you really need to add that last bit?’ But the administrator was correct. He had been stuck in his room for three days, adjusting to his rapidly growing body and new abilities.

“Here it is.”

“Ah, yes.” His thoughts were cut off by the elf guiding him, stopping. He opened the door to a spacious bedroom, with a bed that was fastened to the floor.

“The giant’s pace is regular, but sometimes it might sneeze and hit the ground. To prevent unnecessary injuries, please fasten your body to the bed with the installed belt when sleeping.”

“Ah, thank you.” Hitting the ground accidentally from a sneeze? That sounded like a recipe for disaster given the scale of that giant. Kang Shin-hyuk politely saw the elf off, noticing the fatigue on his face.

“Thank you so much for coming to this world. Then, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” The elf bowed his head and stepped back, closing the door. Kang Shin-hyuk sat down on the bed and sighed, but the door opened again slightly. The same elf peeked in.

“There is one other thing I haven’t told you.”

“Yes?”

“There are others who wish to attend to Master Anvil tonight, but what would you like?”

“?!?!” Kang Shin-hyuk froze, but the administrator’s messages passed his eyes.

-Member, I don’t think there is a need to leave any unnecessary traces in this world that is already destroyed. Member, can you see my message? Member?

“No new life can be born in this world, so there is no need to worry about the future. If you find the idea not unpleasant…” The elf continued, and Kang Shin-hyuk noticed now that he had a paper in his hand with a list of women’s names. He was afraid of what it was.

“Oh no, it’s okay! I’m still a minor!” Kang Shin-hyuk finally came to his senses and responded urgently.

“A minor… I see. Okay, I will tell them that.”

“What do you mean by that?!”

“It is a perished world where there are few joys left. Everyone is happy to see Anvil, who listened to Halo. Well then…” The elf retreated at that as Kang Shin-hyuk trembled. The illusions he had of the elves were shattering before him.

“Administrator… are all elves like this? After all…”

-It is a dead world. At least the elves knew how to keep their hopes up.

[Please understand, Anvil. While staying here, I wish you could take care of my children if possible. According to the providence of the Hero Universe, rewards will be added accordingly…]

Halo spoke up through the leaf Shin-hyuk had as he talked with the administrator.

“What do you mean by that? Surely… not in that way?”

[That wouldn’t be so bad either. The survivors are often relatives, so there are quite a few of them who are unable to fulfill their needs.]

“I didn’t want to hear such a vivid consultation…” It was too much for a high school student.

“…Let’s lock the door first.”

-5,000HP bonus!

“Thank you.” In exchange for giving up his chance at a night visit from the elves, he succeeded in protecting his innocence and the administrator’s favor.

-I miss you.

-Bartender’s whisper: What is this guy suddenly saying?

However, it felt so unfair that he decided to message Claire right away to express his feelings once more. She acknowledged his words, but it didn’t seem to have worked.

-Bartender’s whisper: Huh? I can’t call right now. Are you on a dimensional quest?

-Yeah.

-Bartender’s whisper: If you had told me, I would’ve gone with you.

-This quest could only be completed by me. Besides, if Eunah found out, we had done a dimensional quest together without her…

-Bartender’s whisper: Are you stupid? Of course, we’d have to keep it a secret. Next time, tell me before you go. Let’s travel together.

Her messages made his heart pound.

-I’ll keep it in mind.

-Bartender’s whisper: Yeah. Come back without getting hurt. I also miss you.

After his conversation with Claire, he sat down with a satisfied sigh. She may view him more as a younger brother, but he was happy to maintain their relationship.

“Okay, let’s work hard.”

-It’s different from the way you suffered from the memories of your previous life a few hours ago.

“Yeah? That’s it…” Kang Shin-hyuk scratched his head, feeling a slight barb in the message.

“Being an adult or a child, being serious or not… well, it’s fine to be both.”

-…500HP bonus!

“Huh?” He didn’t realize how mature his own remarks were.

[Haha, Anvil remains the same.]

“That’s a bit…” Halo butted back in.

[Going back to what I was talking about, I didn’t just mean that when I asked you to take care of them.]

“Then?”

[There aren’t many things here. I believe you can fill in for a lot of what they lack.]

“As a blacksmith?”

[You are smart.]

Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged, finally understanding what he meant.

“It will take a while.”

[It will take a while to make the shackles as well.]

Only

“It was a quest that I could barely take on after reaching S-rank, so I thought there would be more fighting…”

He had wanted to test out his Golden Dragon Fighting here if possible.

[There will be enough opportunities for you to deal with that old dragon’s energy in your body.]

“What…?”

He found out the answer the next day.

It was just plowing the field.