* * *
Osleigh Youssef led the party to his office.
‘If you want to hide a tree, hide it in the forest. That’s wise.’
Philip knew of the secret safe’s existence, but he did not know its detailed information and location. By the time the story had progressed enough to get there, there was no need to waste time, since there were more important things to do than finding a secret safe.
Hoeju’s office was neither frugal nor fancy. It gave me goosebumps because it was decorated to a level suitable for the owner of the continent’s largest trading house.
High-quality carpets, armor, and shields were not on display, and most of them were sculptures that were probably created by dwarves.
“The transmission of the secret vault is only done by the owner of Youssef Company. It has never been opened so far, so no one knows the contents, but the secret will be revealed only in this person’s generation.”
Osleigh Youssef was also excited, so his words got longer. He lifted the plain patterned carpet from under his desk and tapped a part of the wood five times.
Then, the outer wall with windows shimmered like a mirage, and instead of the original landscape, a golden structure was projected.
“It is a secret space. I used my hair quite a bit.”
Freevia murmured. If that was the way to enter, it wouldn’t be strange if the secret hadn’t been revealed until now.
The structure was a door large enough for two people to enter together. It was splendid and luxurious, like the entrance to a royal mansion, and was decorated with gold, jewels, and very beautiful ornaments to the point of being intimidating.
“Now what should I do?”
Philip asked, fiddling with the golden seal on his finger. Osleigh Youssef answered right away.
“Soon the guardian guarding this gate will speak.”
Just as he said, a golden gas leaked from the door and formed a ghost-like shape.
‘I’m in a bad mood.’
Philip swallowed his saliva. It was because I felt a strange pressure from the shape. I couldn’t figure out his identity, but I could infer that he was a very high-ranking being.
“… .”
Just by looking at Privia’s hardened expression, I could tell that much. It was clear that even a dragon could not treat it carelessly.
-that… It’s a golden seal. But more than I thought… Are there many people? I don’t know if greed has finally disappeared from the bloodline of the Yusef family, or if the Yusef family has disappeared. If you don’t mind, may I hear your introduction?
I heard a man’s voice that was extremely polite and soft. Still, Philip felt compelled to answer.
“Before that, it would be polite to introduce yourself first.”
From noble mtl dot com
Freevia fired at her with a dissatisfied expression.
―That’s right. I’m not sure if you would know just because I explained it. Anyway, my name is Keper, the manager of ‘Copia’. It’s been waiting for its customers since before civilization was born.
“Are you a customer? What do you mean? This is not the Yusef family’s secret safe… ?”
Osleigh Youssef asked, puzzled, and the golden figure let out a few sounds that sounded like sneers.
―Did you pass it on like that? It’s like the Yusef family. Knowing that way will keep the secret of this place until the moment your breath stops. Unfortunately, this isn’t a safe. It’s a place where you can get benefits that are incomparable to gold, silver and treasure.
“… So what do you want to say?”
Privia asked again.
―I have nothing to tell those who do not qualify. So, let’s step inside and find out if you’re a customer or just a visitor.
Soon the brilliant door opened, revealing a long passage.
-I don’t even know what’s in there. You can’t say it’s safe, so why don’t you step back? Of course, you can go in like this. I was also curious.
Philip shook his head at Privia’s question that popped into his head.
His intuition was telling him he had to go inside. There was nothing particularly threatening about that golden shape.
‘… That Kefer must be one of the Old Gods’ family.’
If his guess is correct, this was an opportunity not to be missed. The ancient gods were beings who protected and cared for creatures living in the land, sky, and water long before the appearance of dragons.
They had no reason to be hostile to humans.
On the contrary, refusing an invitation from such a being is to risk oneself.
Philip accepted his invitation.
“great. You and others may return. I would like to share some stories with you.”
“No, I will join you too.”
Osleigh Youssef bit his lip and said he couldn’t back down. The knot of desire entrenched deep in his heart was refusing to step down from this position.
‘I want to go home… .’
Rizriel struggled with tears in her eyes, but soon decided to follow Philip.
* * *
―Do you see that crystal ball? You can raise your hand in order, starting with those who want to be qualified first.
As I walked along the hallway, what appeared was a collapsed marble structure. The building, which in the distant past would have been a small temple, had its walls gone and its pillars cut off, leaving only the altar in the middle.
On the altar, there was a crystal ball the size of a human head, which seemed to be a treasure of heaven with a mysterious light.
‘No, that one?’
Philip immediately recognized the identity of the crystal ball. It was something I saw quite often while playing the game.
Osleigh Youssef looked at Philip and opened his mouth.
“Since you don’t know what that is, this person will go ahead and take a look. Could anything happen?”
Lizriel looked at Philip with a worried expression, but Philip nodded leisurely.
“Well, do as you please.”
Osleigh Youssef twitched his brows very slightly as if he didn’t like something, then stepped onto the altar and placed his hand on the crystal ball.
Then, the light of the crystal ball, which contained a brilliant light, faded in an instant, and a gray fog-like light began to shine.
―The bead shows the person’s tendency to be tested and the ‘karma’ they have accumulated from birth until now. In order to become a customer of ‘Copia’, you need an appropriate level. You can’t have anyone as a guest, can you?
A golden figure that identified itself as ‘Kefer’ studied the crystal ball closely.
―For a human being, you have accumulated quite a lot of karma. Although there are more bad karma than good karma. Old man of the Youssef family, you are in luck. Is that girl your youngest daughter? If she died, you would have met the worst fate in the world.
Osleigh Youssef was taken aback by the sudden curse. There was no need to figure out the meaning because it was just a word to convey information without any particular purpose.
“What do you mean?”
– It was just fate. Um, I’ve built up quite a bit of business, but it’s not enough to become a COPIA customer. I will use the expression ‘achievement value’ to make it easier for you to understand. Because my master said so. Oslei Youssef, your achievements are four thousand six hundred and forty-nine.
Philip was the only one here who knew whether the figure was high or low. The dragon, Privia, was well aware of ‘Up’, but it was the first time she had heard of quantifying it, so she could not get a feel for it yet.
‘4649? cute.’
Philip forced himself into a laugh and spurred on the others.
“How about you try again? Liz, how about you go first?”
“… Me? why?”
“No big deal, just do it.”
Lizriel couldn’t resist Philip’s words even though she was crying.
As she placed her hand on the crystal ball, the ball began to emit a warm, pale pink light.
-She is a kind-hearted and pretty girl. I know how to think of others, and I did a lot of good things. Besides, I met a very important person not too long ago, and thanks to helping that person, I can say that I’ve accumulated quite a few achievements. Rizriel Youssef. Your achievement score is six thousand two hundred and eighty.
“uh… ? Ah yes.”
Lizriel came down from the altar with a puzzled look on her face.
Next, when Privia showed signs of moving, Kefer blocked her path.
―Miss, if you have a conscience, why don’t you stay still? ‘Copia’ is like a lady… Well, it’s not allowed to people.
It was openly discriminating against dragons. Philip was a little impressed by Kepper’s consideration for not revealing that Privia was a dragon.
“… Why me… .”
Kepper’s stern voice echoed in Privia’s head, who had a sullen expression on her face.
―You mischievous lizard girl. You must stay behind because you must be punished for acting rudely to me. Got it?
Upon hearing that voice, Freevia’s eyes widened. Having the ability to punch a doctor in such a natural way in a dragon’s head only meant one thing.
It was something that should never be messed with.
She nodded absently.
“How about the dark elf lady? Could you possibly get some good advice?”
Philip also recommended the mercenary Aisha. She thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. She stepped up to the altar and placed her hand on the orb, which took on an eerie color of blood.
Kepper laughed and commented in the same way.
-You’ve killed a lot of people. I’m destined to die soon anyway, so I’ll save my words.
Aisha, a Dark Elf mercenary, asked in surprise at the words that sounded like a death sentence.
“What do you mean?”
―My favor ends here. next minute?
There were very few people in the world who would not mind the word death. Even the dark elves who had lived for hundreds of years were no exception. As she hardened her expression and tried to pull out the bow from her back, Philip held her back.
“That doesn’t sound like a very good idea, does it? I guarantee you, before I can put my finger on the protest, you will be gone without a trace.”
-It would be nice to hear that.
“Let’s get out of here and discuss your problems. Whatever happens, if I can help, I will help.”
Saying that, Philip stepped up on the altar.
‘Let’s see, how many have accumulated so far? It seems like he did quite a lot, so he must have accumulated about 500,000 won?’
The ‘achievement level’ was no different from the currency that could be used to purchase various perks in the original game. That crystal ball was a device that could check the achievement level, so Philip could relax.
Perhaps at this point, the identity of this place called ‘Copia’ could not be found out.
‘If the place involved the ancient gods, the achievement cut would be at least two million. It’s enough if you come back later.’
Philip thoughtlessly placed his hand on the crystal ball. Suddenly, the orb leaped into the air and began to scatter brilliant light.
“Oh man, what a surprise!”
Startled, Philip hurriedly backed away. I almost got hit in the chin by that bead.