Monster Heavenly King - Chapter 174



Only Noblemtl

174. Namgung Se-ga

“I will tell the elves in other places as well.”

“Is that possible?”

“Because elves are connected by the wind.”

It was a metaphysical statement, but listening to Seol-ah, it seemed like it was really possible.

If possible, it would be better for me to feel more comfortable.

The village chief asked with a serious expression.

“So, what kind of people are these that are trying to catch us?”

“The ones who handed the elves over to the mercenaries are called Namgung Sega. And behind them is a place called the Labyrinth Association.”

“I’ve never heard of that place.”

“Because they are forces in this world. To put it simply, the Namgung family is a powerful noble family, and the Labyrinth Association is an international human union.”

“…I see.”

The village chief sighs softly.

Since ancient times, humans have always targeted elves for various reasons.

The reason they didn’t go extinct though is because the elves are strong.

But now things are different.

Humans who have awakened the system.

They were occasionally seen as humans, each one of whom was as strong as or stronger than an elf.

“It’s not like there weren’t people like that before…”

The problem was that the number was increasing rather than decreasing.

They’re somehow getting by now, but as time goes by, it’ll become harder for them to even hide.

“Are those humans called Namgung Se-ga holding onto other elves?”

“I’ll have to look into that…”

That was highly likely.

If there had only been one elf captured by the guys, they would not have readily handed him over to the mercenaries.

Perhaps the guys discovered another elven village besides this one and captured many elves there.

“Has any other elf village ever been attacked besides this one?

“I heard that there was a time when they invaded the barrier that had become unstable due to monsters.”

After that, the elves seemed to have strengthened the barrier even more.

Hyunseong, who seemed to be thinking about something, clacked his teeth.

“But, there was a formation mixed into the barrier. Who told you that?”

“Not long after the raid, the humans came and taught us the formation.”

“You told me?”

“okay.”

“Hmm.”

Listening to the story further, it seemed that they also brought along some captured elves.

Hyunseong stroking his jawbone.

Given the circumstances, that person is probably also a member of the association.

-Why is there a need for an association figure?

‘There must be many reasons.’

It could have been a traitor within the association who saw the terrible things they were doing, or it could have been some kind of power struggle to keep the Namgung family in check.

Or maybe it’s an operation to capture all the elves.

‘It takes a long time to gradually learn magic and break the barrier.’

It could be that they were trying to create a variable that could destroy the barrier by mixing the formations they were familiar with.

Whether it’s simple goodwill or jealousy.

Or maybe it’s something more malicious.

-If it’s a human, it’s hard to decide on one reason because it’s plausible.

‘yes.’

So I finished talking with Seol-ah.

Hyunseong looked at the village chief again.

“For now… let’s come back once we find out where the other elves are being held.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

As the village chief whispered something, a gentle wind blew, swirled around him, and then disappeared.

“Whenever you want, the wind will come and bring us news.”

A method of communication used by the elf race.

It took time, but it seemed like there was a special ancient magic that carried the message through the wind, no matter how far away it was.

‘When I look at it this way, I think it looks like an elf.’

Looking at the appearance, I still couldn’t get used to it because it looked unbalanced.

Just looking at the village chief, his muscles alone make him look like he can easily lift 3 to 500 pounds.

After finishing the story, I got up from my seat and headed towards where Kangcheol and his group were.

and,

“You came.”

Kangcheol welcomes you while eating something.

Not only that, Kang Han-na and the guild members were also eating together.

What was in front of him was golden-brown meat wrapped in leaves.

“I know you’re hungry, but coming all the way here to eat something like this…”

“No, this was served by an elf.”

“… An elf? Meat?”

Even though they treated me well, I was more concerned about this.

Aren’t elves a species that mainly eats fruits?

-What are you talking about? Elves love eating meat so much.

‘…okay?’

-Of all of them, I like cows the most. They say that cows that eat only grass are tastier than carnivorous animals.

‘Then you don’t eat grass?’

-The cow is eating it.

‘… … ‘

It was a strange logic that I felt like I had heard somewhere before, but I decided not to tackle it.

“It looks like the story ended well.”

“Fortunately.”

“That’s good news.”

Kangcheol breathed a sigh of relief.

I took a quick look around the elf village, and there were quite a few of them in this village alone.

If they run wild in the huge forest called the 7th floor, the Awakened will have to fight with them in a labyrinth raid or a bloodbath, and there will be a lot of casualties.

Hyunseong carefully called out only Kangcheol among the three.

“Instead, I decided to help you find the culprit.”

“Do you already know?”

“Namgung Se-ga. They are probably the main culprits in capturing the elves.”

“Ugh, I got picked on by some troublesome guys.”

A groan escaped from the steel mouth.

When it comes to Namgung Se-ga, it is a prestigious family that is recognized even by the association.

He was a powerful figure who could be said to have wielded real power in the association.

“Stopping and stepping back is also a method.”

Although the large guilds usually dislike associations, their power cannot be ignored.

Kangcheol scratched his head awkwardly and then opened his mouth.

“You?”

“Of course I will continue.”

What do you have to lose by running wild more when your body is already damaged?

Hyunseong was thinking that he might as well raise the bounty while he’s at it.

“Let me cooperate too.”

“There’s no need to force yourself to do it together.”

“No, rather than saying it’s impossible… I need to see with my own eyes what’s happening in the labyrinth.”

It’s like my friend turned into a blood demon, and the association is plotting something behind the scenes.

There were so many things I didn’t know because I was so focused on the strategy.

If you continue to live like this without knowing, you might get seriously hurt someday, so you have to prepare for it.

“However, I would like you to exclude my granddaughter and my guild members.”

Even though he was an Awakened who had reached the 7th floor, he was still lacking in many ways to participate in this fight.

It would be better to send them down now and let them explore the labyrinth a little more.

“doesn’t care.”

“By the way, Namgung Se-ga. It seems like it would be hard to find it without any clues.”

“Maybe since they are part of an association, they won’t be so open about it.”

It doesn’t matter if it’s a small mercenary like the one we dealt with this time, but if a large guild of a decent size comes up to trouble them, they won’t be able to just ignore it.

“Hmm, then I guess I have no choice but to search everywhere.”

“That’s also realistically difficult.”

There were still many areas from the first to the sixth floor that had not been fully revealed, so revealing all of the seventh floor, which was like the front line, was virtually impossible.

It would take years just to explore one area.

-There’s someone who knows.

‘who?’

-It’s hard to call him a person. He’s not human.

“ah.”

After hearing that, Hyunseong also remembered who Seol-ah was talking about and let out an exclamation.

There was someone I knew for sure, an elf.

The elf they had saved would have been held captive by Namgung Sega before being handed over to the mercenaries.

“I’ll be back soon, so you persuade your granddaughter and the guild members.”

“Let’s do that.”

“Did the elf I saved wake up?”

Hyunseong asks Barrat who is standing next to him.

He seemed to open his mouth for a moment, then nodded.

“I heard you just woke up.”

“I just want to see you for a moment.”

“Okay, follow me.”

As we followed Barrat’s instructions, we saw the elf we had saved standing with only his upper body raised.

She quietly looks at Hyunseong.

“You are the one who saved me.”

“that’s right.”

“thanks.”

“Okay. Then there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“what?”

“The place you were held captive. Do you remember where it was?”

“… … ”

She frowned as if Hyunseong’s question brought back memories she didn’t want to recall.

Then he soon nodded.

“I remember.”

“We’d like to go there.”

“Are you going to rescue other elves?”

“You could say that.”

At those words, she stood up from her seat and opened her mouth.

“Then let me guide you.”

“Your body probably isn’t fully recovered. Just tell me where you are and rest.”

“No, I’m fine now.”

It’s only been half a day since I was released.

I tried to tell her not to talk nonsense, but she really did look fine.

“A body that has been trained for hundreds of years will not rust after being held captive for only a few months.”

“You fainted.”

“That’s because you’re relaxed. Your body is fine.”

“Elf’s body is naturally healthy, so they recover quickly. And since they were fed cow’s blood, there should be no problem with their body.”

“… Cow’s blood?”

“Yes. The blood of cows that eat only grass is the best medicine for elves.”

“… … ”

It seemed to be true that elves liked cows.

First of all, wouldn’t it be better to take it if it’s in normal condition?

As an elf, it will be helpful in many ways.

Hyunseong’s worries didn’t last long.

“Okay, but keep in mind that they’re after the elves.”

“Understood. If you are ever caught and threatened, I will put a hole in your forehead. And I swear I will take revenge.”

“… … ”

Although it was the best treatment possible, that he would be treated as an equal to the elves rather than another race, it felt strange to hear this.

“But you’re not planning on just leaving with nothing, are you?”

“Barratt decided to lend me the items I needed.”

With those words, Barrat brought something from somewhere.

What he held in his hand was a bow and-

“tiger?”

It was a tiger skin.

‘After the wolf, now the tiger…’

-Come to think of it, I think there was a bear skin in the village chief’s room.

I thought everything was coming out, but she accepted the tiger skin and wore it like clothing.

“This is all we have for now. Adjust it as you see fit.”

“Thank you. Next time I’ll catch a tiger and pay you back.”

“… … ”

After she finished preparing like that, she looked at Hyunseong as if she had just remembered something.

“It’s Dryad.”

“what?”

“My name. It would be uncomfortable if we didn’t know each other’s names.”

“That’s right. My name is Kim Hyun-seong. Call me Hyun-seong.”

“i get it.”

Hyunseong returned to Gangcheol with Dryad.

Steel’s eyes widened, as if he didn’t know that the elf would go with him.

“I guess I’ve even organized a party with an elf.”

“What about other people?”

“I decided to send him down for now. Another elf went ahead and said he would guide him.”

“That went well.”

“Now I can fight without worrying.”

The kindness in Kangcheol’s eyes as he muttered like that disappeared and gradually became sharp.

“Then let’s go find out what the association is doing in secret.”