I Entered a Gacha Game That Had Been Abandoned for 10 Years chapter 77

77 – 4th Layer (3)

The next day,

Kim Hyunwoo called Elena, who had to descend towards the 4th layer, and gave her a gift.

“…What’s this?”

Elena, who is talking with a surprised expression.

At that, Kim Hyunwoo spoke while laughing.

“This axe is fashioned from the materials of the Magdaora captured from last time.”

“You mean, Magdaora…the calamity?”

“Yes, that one.”

With the axe in hand, Elena stared at Kim Hyunwoo in stunned disbelief. Even from a glance, the weapon she was holding manifested its own substantial value, looking extremely formidable.

‘It’s as good as it looks.’

Not quite fit for use by five-star heroes, but still, the weapon made with Magdaora materials was a rather commendable four-star weapon.

“Isn’t this too extravagant a gift for me?”

Elena displayed an expression of mild discomfort but Kim Hyunwoo smiled in reassurance.

“It’s not an overpayment at all.”

“But still-“

“If you insist that way, I would appreciate if you could devote more to your training. I sincerely believe that you, Elena, will become a strong hero.”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s words, Elena widened her eyes slightly in surprise before blushing and nodding in agreement.

“…I will definitely strive to be so.”

“I have faith in you. Now, safe journey.”

With a smile, Kim Hyunwoo accepted Elena’s response. Soonafter, Elena immediately left the fortress, and as Kim Hyunwoo watched her departing figure.

[Elena’s Favorability has increased!]

[Elena’s Favorability has reached its maximum stage!]

“Oh.”

I unwittingly smiled at the rising notification.

‘Of course, it’s only reached level 5 in affinity.’

Even if Arteiel had reached level 5 in affinity, it wasn’t that the hero character had fallen in love. From that point onward, it merely means that the trust had thickened considerably, making it easier for the likability to increase.

‘At this rate, the ability boosts from the affinity should be adequate though.’

That’s what Kim Hyun-Woo was thinking.

Knock Knock.

He turned his gaze towards the sound of the office door being knocked.

“It’s been awhile, Lord. “

“Ah, welcome.”

At the sight of Milla, who had promptly come in through the office door, Kim Hyun-Woo smiled and greeted her, asking how she’d been.

Since officially scouting Milla, there hadn’t been many occassions for Kim to see her.

‘I should meet her more often, technically.’

Right now though, Kim Hyun-Woo had a lot to do, including focusing on his matters. Moreover, he trusted Milla’s ability which is why he didn’t specifically arrange to meet and talk to her separately.

Therefore, only after a slight exchange of greetings could Kim Hyun-Woo eventually get to the point.

“So, what brings you here?”

Calling Milla wasn’t Kim Hyun-Woo’s doing.

Instead, it was she who first sought to see him, hence Kim Hyun-Woo posed his question out of curiosity.

Upon receiving the question, Milla looked slightly contemplative before opening her mouth.

“Actually, I was wondering if I could get some help with setting up a mercenary guild.”

“Help?”

“Yes. So-“

Mila looked greatly troubled as she started to explain the current situation to Kim Hyun-woo.

Upon hearing Mila’s explanation, Kim nodded his head as if comprehending, and spoke.

“… so, in effect, due to political conflicts within the mercenary guild, you are unable to receive financial assistance…should I interpret it that way?”

“Yes…”

Mila, with a disappointed expression, said.

“… to be accurate, even without the Count’s support, the mercenary guild will probably be built regardless in the future. However, in that case-“

“Mila, you meant that because of politics, you won’t be able to stay in the Lartania territory?”

“Yes.”

Mila’s words elicited a ‘Hmm,’ from Kim Hyun-woo, who then seemed to ponder with a curious sigh, occasionally nodding his head.

‘As expected, whether here or elsewhere, people will engage in political fights once they gather.’

Kim looked at Mila, expression grim.

It made sense, as from Mila’s current situation, it seemed that she was being considered an annoyance in the mercenary guild.

‘… because Lartania seems to hold a great possibility of success, like a winning lottery ticket, they must be throwing up various excuses to stop helping in the creation of the mercenary guild. Once Mila gives up, they’ll send other mercenaries…’

What a miserly act.

When the mercenary guild operates like this, Mila had no choice but to take it.

According to what she said, if the mercenary guild is not built properly within half a year, the right to build the guild would be transferred to the other side.

However, objectively speaking, despite this being a terribly unfortunate situation for Mila, it was an extremely beneficial situation for Kim Hyun Woo.

Because Kim Hyun Woo’s ultimate goal is to fully recruit Mila into the Lartania territory.

However.

“Sure. I’ll help you.”

“Huh?”

Without hesitation, he spouted such words to Milla.

For a moment, Milla stared at him with a blank expression, her face reflecting a slight confusion.

“Um…really?”

“Yes, really. You’ve come all the way here to ask for help, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“But– why…?”

Milla’s question.

She looked at Kim Hyunwoo incredulously, utterly unable to comprehend his intentions.

Even Milla herself admitted, while her situation was regrettable, there was no reason for him to help her. There would be no loss to Kim Hyunwoo if he didn’t assist her at this instant.

But still.

“As I’ve said, I wanted to bring someone as talented as you, Milla, onboard. That’s why I’ve got the score ahead of time.”

Kim Hyunwoo spoke while gazing at Milla.

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“Moreover, if you leave, I won’t be able to fulfill my contract, and that would be troublesome.”

“Oh…”

An exclamation slipped from Milla.

“Anyway, I will assist you with the matter regarding the Mercenary Guild.”

Kim Hyunwoo, looking at her, grinned and continued the story.

“Thank you, thank you so much… Without the Lord, I would be lost…”

Seeing Mila lower her head after a moment of blank gaze, Kim Hyunwoo realized his speculations were right.

‘She really had no intention of leaving the Mercenary Guild.’

Upon hearing about her circumstances, Kim Hyunwoo figured out that Mila has been put through political maneuverings in the Guild more than once,

This was evident from her repeatedly mentioning the word ‘again’.

Implying that her attempts to establish her own guild were not isolated incidents.

Moreover, Kim Hyunwoo inferred the situation from the fact that Mila didn’t show any signs of leaving the guild even with the large sum of money he proposed.

‘…I don’t know exactly why she won’t leave the Mercenary Guild but…’

After all, from Kim Hyunwoo’s perspective, he had to accumulate as much goodwill as he could before recruiting her. So, he decided to help without any hesitation.

“Hmm, this conversation may take some time, so let’s talk slowly later…I’ve been too busy to check on the soldiers lately, how are the trainees doing?”

To steer the slightly awkward atmosphere back on course, he immediately moved the topic onto the trainees.

“Ah…”

Mila cleared her throat as if she was somewhat touched, her eyes reddening slightly.

‘…Seriously, is he offering to help with the guild creation that moving?

Kim Hyunwoo was slightly perplexed. After composing herself several times, Mila started speaking with a flushed face.

“The trainees are progressing very quickly. Honestly speaking… their effort is fantastic. They are getting stronger at an incredible pace.”

Having said that,

“Oh, is that so?”

Satisfied upon hearing Mila’s response, Kim Hyunwoo broke into a smile. But the moment he checked the status of the trainees,

“…Huh?”

He made an unknowingly baffled expression.

Around the time Kim Hyunwoo was taken aback by looking at the information window of the trainee soldiers.

“…”

Merilda, who was sitting quietly on the hilltop, was deep in thought, her face full of contemplation.

This was due to her meeting with the damp dragon a few days ago.

Actually, it wasn’t the meeting with the dragon that had her lost in thought.

Moreover, she wasn’t sporting a sorrowful expression due to the inability to share consciousness.

…To some extent, she was saddened, but that wasn’t the primary reason.

The immediate cause of Merilda’s gloom.

This was because she had realized she was the only one without a solution.

Through their last meeting, Merilda had come to understand why the absolute being of darkness and the crimson wyrm couldn’t return to the territories of Lartania.

The absolute being of darkness couldn’t return due to its infamous reputation, similar to hers, and the dragon couldn’t due to the one-year gold ban, she learned.

As of now, the dragon’s situation was different from hers, but in just one year it could return to its owner.

Like Merilda, the absolute being of darkness had a notorious reputation, but seemed to be diligently removing the infamy by using all that it had gathered so far.

However, Merilda was currently unable to reduce her own infamy.

To put it more accurately, she had no clue on how to decrease her infamy.

Even Merilda herself knew that her reputation was too tremendous.

Even so, she had no intention of giving up on returning to her master.

“Is there really no way…? A way to return to my master a little faster than those guys…”

She was lost in thought, contemplating for the past few days.

“Boss, what happened?”

As Liyu asked, he was staring at Merrilda, who had chosen silence, limiting the daily invasions of the Youngjuseong castle, which had been frequenting for days.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly she questioned as if she’d realized something.

“Liyu.”

“Yes?”

“Do you remember why they came to handle the red eyes when we established our base?”

“…Ah, are we talking about the invaders?… Well, I believe most of them came for gold and treasures?”

“What do they gain in addition to that when they catch us?”

“…When the invaders get us? Well- maybe honor or favor from the surrounding territories?”

“That’s it.”

“…That’s it?”

“Ways to erase my notoriety, that’s it.”

“Ah.”

With Liyu’s surprise, Merrilda smiled.

Eliminating the notorious reputation she’d gained, it had taken a long time even for her own standards.

But what if they took down villains this way and earned honor and favor from the territories?

Eradicating the notoriety quickly wasn’t such an impossible task.

‘I will return faster than that gloomy dragon or hysterical woman.’

With this thought, Merrilda stood up without delay.

‘To the Master.’

She firmed her resolve and smiled at the corners of her mouth.

“Just need to take care of the infamous ones, right?”

Said Merilda.

At which Ryu was momentarily stunned.

“Um…yes?”

He asked back.

“If I take care of all the infamous ones, won’t the power relations among the territories known for their infamy increase for me?”

“Is that…so?”

“So then, if I take care of all the infamous ones, my infamy would disappear too.”

Ryu’s baffled expression matched Merilda’s nonsensical commentary, leaving him with a throbbing sensation in his forehead.

Merilda’s idea of snuffing out her own infamy was, frankly speaking, hazy and implausible.

“…But, wouldn’t it be difficult?”

Therefore, Ryu inquired with hesitation.

“Why? The logic is right, isn’t it?”

To Merilda’s response.

“…The logic is, it is correct. The logic is…”

He finally nodded his head, as if giving up.

“Where is the most notorious place in this vicinity?”

Merilda began to speak.

“Hmm.”

After a moment of contemplation, Liyu soon brought with her Kireal and Graham.

“So are you saying you’re going to wipe out all the infamous ones and clear out the relationships?”

“Yes.”

At the sight of Merilda confidently nodding her head, Kireal and Graham involuntarily opened their mouths wide.

“…Hmm.”

But Kireal quickly shut his mouth.

To be honest, it was absolutely abnormal to think of finding all the infamous ones and wiping them out, just to eliminate one infamous.

Initially, how many villains are there in this world and how could they be found and wiped out one by one?

But.

‘…Looking at her expression, she definitely doesn’t seem to give up.’

Kireal confidently expressed that while looking at Merilda and murmured,

“The most notorious place around here is probably the Trikram territory.”

“Trikram territory?”

“It’s a territory ambiguously belonging to the Calrand kingdom where infamy is so high that it’s said to be a place with nothing but virtually slaves despite being a territory.”

“..Then, won’t we unnecessarily worsen our relationship with Calrand Kingdom if we mess with it?”

“Considering the infamy, our relationship might actually improve. In addition, if we kill their lord, I don’t know about the Calrand Kingdom’s relationship, but the leader’s infamy will definitely disappear.”

“Is that so? If you say so…”

In response to Merilda’s question, Kireal nodded his head at one remark,

“Let’s go right away.”

She soon burst into a hearty laugh.