120 – Proposal Ring (4)
“No, it’s not. Actually, the reason you were summoned to this world…in many ways, it’s your fault.”
Kim Hyun-woo responded to the merchant’s words, which he couldn’t understand the meaning of.
“Because of me?”
“Yes. Um- I actually want to tell you more, but I don’t have the authority to do so, which makes it a bit difficult for me to explain.”
“Authority? What do you mean?”
“I mentioned it earlier, didn’t I? I am just a messenger, which means I already have predetermined information to provide to you. Unfortunately.”
“…Can’t you just tell me?”
“I also want to do that, but I can’t. It’s a regret.”
“… “
If that’s the case, why did he tell him to ask whatever he was curious about…Kim Hyun-woo thought, but he refocused his attention on the merchant’s following words.
“Well, anyway, I can give a clear answer about this part. The person who summoned you is not the one who gave me the order.”
“You know who it is, but you don’t want to tell me…?”
It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but I can’t. However, let me give you a hint. The person who summoned you is someone connected to you in many ways. Perhaps even more than you think.”
The merchant said so, adjusting his throat for a moment before continuing.
“Well, within the limit of what the curious outsider can handle, I can tell you what I want to say from now on.”
“…By the way, what do you mean by ‘what I want to say’?”
With a puzzled expression, Kim Hyun-woo asked, and the merchant smiled and replied.
“Of course, it’s not a story that you would find completely uninteresting. In fact, in some ways, it might be more intriguing to you. It’s about the purpose.”
“…Purpose, so is it like- what I should do here?”
“Yes, that’s right. More accurately, it’s something I want you to do. If you were to do it, it would be a task that brings great rewards.”
The blue merchant looked at Kim Hyun-woo, pondering where to begin the story. How many times did they tap-tap-tap their white chair, as if contemplating?
Suddenly, as Kim Hyun-woo looked at her, curiosity arose and he asked.
“Do I have the right to refuse?”
“Hmm?”
“The right to refuse. I’m just wondering if it’s something I have to do no matter what.”
In response to Kim Hyun-woo’s question, the blue merchant hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“No, not necessarily something you have to do unconditionally. However-“
“However?”
“Even if you have the right to refuse, there are things that you still have to do regardless. Because even if you can’t do it, the outcome won’t be favorable.”
“…”
“Oh, just to clarify, I’m not threatening you. Really. I’m just saying that no matter how you react to this story, you will be involved in that massive event.”
The blue merchant said this, as if organizing their thoughts, and then began speaking.
“First, let me start with this. Do you know about demons?”
“…Well, I don’t know much, but I am aware of their existence.”
Upon hearing Kim Hyun-woo’s words, the blue merchant spoke as if pleased.
“Then it should be quite easy to talk about. What we’re asking of you is to protect this world from beings of a higher dimension, just like demons.”
“Beings of a higher dimension…?”
“Yes, well, to put it simply, it’s demons. It may sound a bit funny to say this, but humans in this world don’t have the power to stop beings of a higher dimension like demons.”
“…But aren’t there heroes?”
As Kim Hyun-woo recalled those who had been chosen as “worlds” in the setting of Arteil, the blue merchant nodded his head.
“The heroes are undoubtedly strong. However, they are only strong to a certain extent within the intermediate realm, and they can be counted on one hand when it comes to heroes who can oppose the high-dimensional beings known as demons.”
“So, are you asking me to stop those high-dimensional beings…?”
“Yes, although it may sound like that, you can be considered a higher-dimensional being even more so than the demons and other celestial beings.”
As Kim Hyun-woo made a bewildered expression at the blue merchant’s words, she thought for a moment and began to use an analogy.
“…Let me try to explain with a metaphor, the Tower.”
“The Tower?”
“Yes, the Tower. In this Tower, there is an absolute law that the strength varies according to the hierarchy. In other words, you can think of it simply as the higher you are in the Tower, the stronger you are.”
The blue merchant interjected.
“That’s right. If we consider this world as the first floor of the Tower, then demons, celestial beings, and even the very troublesome friends are on the second floor. And you, who are here right now—”
“…are on the third floor?”
“That’s right. You catch on quickly, which is nice.”
Kim Hyun-woo made a strange expression and then spoke.
“So, to summarize, I was accidentally summoned by a hero I know, and as a higher-dimensional being, I have to stop the beings that are trying to invade this world… Can it be summarized like this?”
“That’s right. But of course, it’s not without any rewards. If you successfully protect this world, you will obtain the ‘Wish Granting Right’.”
“…Wish Granting Right?”
“Yes, the power to grant any absurd, alien request unconditionally… or rather, the power of inevitability.”
“And if I fail to protect it…”
“That would be regrettable for everyone, but you will probably lose your life. However, one thing is certain; it will be more of an unavoidable occurrence rather than a penalty we impose. After all, there is no one who will let you go free.”
The blue merchant spoke like that and then laughed, standing up from his seat.
“?”
Kim Hyun-woo looked bewildered at her sudden change of topic and her actions of getting up.
But the Blue Merchant…
“Well, then I guess I’ve said everything I needed to say.”
Casually, he concluded the conversation.
“…Huh? Wait, is this all you’re going to say?”
Kim Hyun-woo had a perplexed expression.
“It may seem abrupt, but you need to hear the rest from the Red Merchant. I’ve only been authorized to say this much.”
“…Does that even make sense?”
“Please understand, even I find it frustrating, but given our circumstances, there’s nothing else we can do. If I say anything more, ‘restraint’ will be activated. However, one thing I can say with certainty is this.”
The Blue Merchant spoke with a serious expression.
“This task, only you can do it. That’s for sure.”
With those words, she snapped her fingers and the world, which had been a blue night, returned to its original office.
“Ahem, well then, please accept this.”
“…This is?”
“Why do you look so skeptical? It’s the item you requested.”
In response to the Blue Merchant’s words, Kim Hyun-woo let out an exclamation of surprise as he accepted the slightly plain-looking ring from the small box.
“Well, now that I’ve given you everything, I’ll take my leave. Please listen to the rest from the Red Merchant.”
With that statement, before Kim Hyun-woo could ask anything, he watched the Blue Merchant transform into a blue light and disappear, and in a hurry, he blurted out.
“Wait! Wait a minute! You said this was a task that only I can do, but this doesn’t make any sense! What kind of power do I even have!?”
Kim Hyun-woo’s bewildered question.
However, the Blue Merchant stared at him intently.
“No? Think about it carefully. You possess a power that no one else has.”
Saying those words, he slowly began to disappear.
“Ah.”
When about half of his body had vanished, she let out a faint sigh.
“But I can give you a hint.”
She smiled slightly.
“The number of heroes at the round table. Think about it again.”
With those words, she completely disappeared.
And…
“…No, what is this-“
Before Kim Hyun-woo could properly process the words left by the Blue Merchant, he inadvertently muttered the last words left by the Blue Merchant.
“…The number of heroes at the round table?”
Kim Hyun-woo raised his head in surprise.
The round table was a group of heroes that Kim Hyun-woo mainly used when he operated Lartania ten years ago. The round table consisted of a total of five members.
The King of Beasts.
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness.
The Scarlet Dragon.
The Hero King.
And.
And…
“…Huh?”
Kim Hyun-woo tilted his head with a sudden sense of unfamiliarity.
“…Were there four?”
He furrowed his brow slightly.
From Noble mtl dot com
But Kim Hyun-woo’s pondering did not last long.
Creak!
As a different sound than usual echoed from the opening office door, his gaze turned towards it.
And there.
“Your Highness…?”
Elena was there.
“…I saw something strange, so… Can I hear an explanation?”
With both hands, holding a double-edged axe, as if she had come from training.
Thanks for the update Noble-san!
youre own fault’ definitely it is his fault xD besides he practically groom the 5 heroes & make them “unintentionally?” obsessed with him lmfao
His rizz is too good
What about the saint girl tho? Is she the member of the round table too?
I agree. It’s definitely one of the girls who wants him back and forcefully summoned him.
I think one of missing round table(if more than 5) is the “Assistant AI” that accompanied him all this time. My prediction is interfering with higher dimension destroyed her(since most likely a woman) identity as well as memories of world about her. To remain on lower world upon summoning prota, she “possess” backup identity that won’t make prota wary of her, the Assistant AI. Since possession is imperfect, she not fully conscious, but still accompanied prota according to her “possessed” identity, all with prota doing “mission” slowly restore her to her former self
You might be right considering the cliche about the systems.