SWNOVELXO Chapter 85
Chapter 85. Alchemist’s Friend (2)
TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader
“Let me ask again. Who are you folks?”
Clear and translucent.
“Enemy or ally?”
However, the voice was more akin to a sharp piece of glass than something beautiful.
Kim Shimun looked at the owner of the voice, the figure in a hood.
‘The starting NPC, Dayna.’
Dayna.
The figure signaling the beginning of the poisoned supply route.
The kind of answer given here could either earn Dayna’s aid or not.
The funny thing was, ‘No matter which path was chosen, the reward remained the same, right?’
Enemy or ally, the choice did not affect the clear rewards.
To earn more rewards, one simply had to adhere to the Galaxy Arena’s stipulation of ‘surviving as long as possible.’
Choosing to be an enemy under these conditions, – Surely, no one would actually choose to be the enemy?
– Unless a troll decides to try it LOL.
– Then it would be super fun to watch. Definitely a legend LOL.
– But this is the top tier of gold ranks; they wouldn’t dare, even if they wanted to.
– Agreed. We all know each other and are aiming higher, so nobody would do that. Scorpions, maybe?
– The Scorpio Guild LOL. Major PTSD.
Would result in turning Dayna into an enemy.
Considering Dayna’s race and abilities, along with all the data gathered, choosing to be an enemy was certainly not the wise decision.
Therefore, 99% of players opted to be allies.
“We are allies.”
Perhaps the strongest in terms of forces and arms?
The muscular man who stood at the forefront, Choi Jinsu responded, and Dayna, still under the hood, nodded.
“Is that so. That’s a relief.”
Dayna, revealing her face as she removed her hood, “Wow!”
“To see her in person for the first time… She’s even better up close.”
– Kyaaa! My eyes!
– It’s mind-blowing every time.
– Such talent is wasted in the arena.
The matched players and viewers were unanimously awed.
“Shedding unnecessary blood isn’t something I find particularly delightful.”
Silver hair flowing smoothly beneath the hood.
Her somewhat tan skin, sharply shaped nose and eyes, extending to her ears.
Indeed, “Judging by your appearances, you seem like warriors…”
A Dark Elf.
Dayna, marking the beginning of the poisoned supply route, was indeed a Dark Elf.
It was not unusual for various races to start appearing from the Platinum section, and it was from this section onwards that checkpoints began to appear.
However, “Tsk. It’s severely inadequate.”
Was it because she was a Dark Elf?
Dayna’s personality was not seen in a positive light.
“So inadequate that it seems weak. You won’t be able to handle those vermin at this rate.”
Fittingly for her formidable strength, she often brutally dismissed players she deemed unworthy.
This led some players to turn against her as enemies, but, ‘Most were annihilated.’
With monsters constantly advancing from the front, and Dayna, an excellent assassin and archer, adding to the guerrilla warfare, how could one possibly survive?
Hence, despite her foul and harsh words, one had to bear with her and cooperate.
Moreover, “Creatures like you hardly qualify to call yourselves my allies.”
No matter how high in the gold ranks, how could the golds, boosted to the Platinum section, measure up in Dayna’s eyes?
“Just go away. You’re nothing but a hindrance.”
With those cold words, she turned her back. Dayna chuckled, “Oh, classic Dayna, always so stern.”
“Please! Step on me too, Dayna!”
“Still no manners, huh? This is going to drive everyone crazy, LOL.”
“But what are we going to do now? Everyone here is gold-ranked. Without Dayna’s help, this is literally going to be hell.”
Dayna’s cold reaction sent the chat into a frenzy, as did the targeted players.
“Me, me!”
“Damn it! Who asked to be here anyway!”
“Spit on her, that witch!”
Their anger was barely contained, which was understandable. After all, most of them were the promising players of renowned guilds or rookies of equivalent caliber, being scorned right to their faces.
“Calm down, everyone.”
“Lower your voice! What if Dayna hears? We’re the needy ones here.”
“What do we do now? Without Dayna’s help, clearing this would be impossible…”
The players who still had their rationale tried to calm the excited ones. Amidst this chaos, Shimun gazed at Dayna’s back with serene eyes.
‘Even without Dayna, it wouldn’t be a problem. I can clear this on my own.’
It wasn’t arrogance but a logical analysis. No matter how notorious the poison-legged monsters of Platinum rank were, it posed no difficulty for Shimun.
‘Considering it’s a gold match, the difficulty would be less. And poison means little to me anyway.’
However…
‘Without Dayna’s help, ensuring the survival of team members would be uncertain.’
Taking into account the survival of the other matched players, the story changed. Wasn’t the ultimate reward of this arena ‘ensuring the survival of as many participants as possible’? ‘Even I would find it hard to take care of 20 players on my own.’
Thus, Dayna’s guerrilla tactics focusing on named monsters were essential.
‘I have no choice but to persuade her.’
Fortunately, Shimun wasn’t entirely out of options.
‘The Philosopher’s Stone, Dark Elves value power, right?’
-Yes. Not just value, they’re practically the same as demons. It’s not for nothing they’re called ‘Dark’.
‘Then, proving strength alone should get her to cooperate again.’
-Of course. They prefer a culture of respect towards the strong, just like the demons.
‘Good.’
Having confirmed his plan with the Philosopher’s Stone, Shimun immediately approached Dayna.
-But, brother, you don’t necessarily have to go through such trouble.
‘What do you mean?’
-Exactly what I said. From the beginning, you…
“Who are you?”
Dayna cut in sharply before Shimun could hear the rest. As Shimun got closer, Dayna was the one to speak first. It seemed she couldn’t even stand facing someone weaker.
“Answer me, trash. What do you want?”
Only slightly turning her head. Shimun replied calmly, “Dayna, I’ve heard Dark Elves place great importance on strength.”
“Indeed. That’s why creatures as lowly as you are beneath my notice. I’ve never seen such pitiful beings before.”
Her venomous words were sharp. Unfazed, Shimun continued, “We will prove that we are not to be disregarded.”
“Oh? Now that is something that piques my interest.”
Dayna turned more towards him, her silver eyes glistening with added intrigue.
“Are you saying you want a challenge?”
“It seems the most straightforward way.”
“I like your spirit. Fine then.”
Had he touched a nerve? Dayna fully turned, appraising Shimun with an evaluative gaze.
“Just be prepared. I don’t hold back.”
And then…
“…”
Dayna abruptly stopped, her gaze fixed at the center of Shimun’s chest.
“Could it be!”
Her eyes widened, her voice trembling with disbelief. At the same time.
“I was about to tell you this.”
A cheerful voice, in contrast, rang out.
“The World Tree is the parent of all elves. Even if you’re a Dark Elf, you’re not outside the category of elves.”
“This makes no sense! How could this happen to a human!”
Daina was in shock.
And to her.
“If you’ve recognized it, stop being surprised and kneel already, you fool!”
The Philosopher’s Stone scolded sharply.
* * *
“What, what’s going on? What happened exactly?”
“If we knew, would we be like this?”
“Isn’t that Kim Shimun? Do you know them?”
“It doesn’t look like they’re just acquaintances…”
From the matched players.
-?? What am I watching right now?
-Is that really Daina? Not someone else?
-I’ve never seen Daina act like this.
-Lol, she wouldn’t even do that if she met Dia.
-Lmao, this is so ridiculous it’s funny.
Even the viewers watching Kim Shimun’s screen could not hide their astonishment.
The reason was simple.
-Daina is… kneeling…
-Could it be that Daina is actually a face-con?
-Being an elf, she never bothered with human faces before… maybe?
-Yep, a pretty face is everything. Beauty TV~.
-Sorry for being humanㅠㅠ.
-No need to be sorry for being human, but for being so ugly…
-Stop! Everyone, hands off the keyboard!
The infamous Dark Elf Daina.
She, who would scoff even at Dia players, “I have committed an unforgivable rudeness.”
With an exceedingly respectful posture, like addressing a superior, she knelt.
And to none other than a player of gold.
“For such immeasurable nobility to be subjected to this rudeness…”
Sssk.
A blade drawn from the waist.
Holding the crescent-like curved sword in reverse, Daina declared, “I will pay with my lowly life!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she thrust the blade towards her own neck.
Naturally.
“Wait!”
Snap.
By flicking his finger to perform a body conditioning technique, Kim Shimun quickly caught Daina’s blade.
“O, noble one…”
With a puzzled face, Daina looked up at Kim Shimun, who had stopped her sword.
It wasn’t simply because Kim Shimun had tried to save her.
‘Judging by his physique, he doesn’t seem to be a trained warrior… How did he catch my sword?’
While she might not read nature’s flow like a typical elf, her insight into others was exceptional.
From Daina’s perspective, it was unbelievable that Kim Shimun, not a warrior, had caught her sword.
However.
‘Perhaps the World Tree’s companion is truly different.’
The title of the World Tree’s companion made her accept without question anything regarding Kim Shimun.
Into Daina’s ears, “Stop it, Daina.”
Kim Shimun’s voice, holding the sword, flowed.
“Yes, noble one.”
Daina immediately withdrew her sword.
Drip.
Kim Shimun also sighed softly, retracting his hand dripping with blood.
‘Wow, this is no joke.’
It was merely the act of gripping and thrusting a sword, but Daina’s movement just now was at a considerable level, be it strength or speed.
‘If my body conditioning wasn’t over 100, I wouldn’t have even been able to react.’
Now, it’s alchemy involving the human body that nearly approaches a completion rate of 50%. Without further refining the obsidian tablet, it’s impossible even to grow further. Yet, to daringly grab a sword with bare hands?
‘Dayna. Perhaps she’s not your typical Dark Elf.’
Even for Elves, one of the higher races, this was beyond the pale.
Then, suddenly, -Oh dear! Brother! You’re bleeding!
The Philosopher’s Stone’s voice pierced through.
-Oh, really! Who grabs a sword with their bare hands? What if you got cut! Hurry, get out the potion!
‘Got it, kiddo.’
With a chuckle at the nagging filled with concern, Shimun doused his cut hand with a potion he had prepared in advance.
“Ah…”
At this sight, Dayna, who had been kneeling, flinched.
Lost in the fact that her sword had been grabbed, “How disrespectful!”
The companion of a venerable parent.
She had forgotten that she had caused harm to Shimun.
Her silver eyes trembled like a bamboo in the wind.
Shimun calmed Dayna down with a serene laugh.
“I’m fine. Rather, let’s prove if i’m worthy of being an ally.”
At Shimun’s words, she stood up abruptly, losing her usually composed image.
“No! There’s no need for such proof.”
“How could I possibly discuss your qualifications with you? Please retract your words.”
Her tone noticeably more agitated, she bowed deeply.
Shimun blinked at her changed demeanor before smiling slightly.
“So we are allies now?”
“Not allies, I should be serving you! But first, please lower your speech. I do not even deserve your honorifics.”
* * *
Fortunately, before the enemies could swarm in.
“O venerable one. The scoundrels shall soon be upon us.”
With the active cooperation of the Dark Elf Dayna, the players were able to proceed through the arena with lighter hearts.
Of course, “Hey, trash. Why are you even standing there?”
“Combat is all about taking the initiative. Especially essential for scum like you. But what is this formation?”
“Idiots. Is a tank meant to just stand in front and get hit? If you enjoy getting beaten, I’ll personally beat you up.”
Her cooperation was exclusive to Kim Shimun, the companion of the World Tree.
In the end, “Damn it! There’s a limit to discrimination!”
“Elves are all the same after all! It’s all about appearance, isn’t it?”
“You wretched woman!”
Other players had no choice but to suffer Dayna’s venomous words.
-For Dayna to actively participate like this? What is it about this guy…
-There seems to be something special about Shimun-ssi. It’s the first time I’ve seen Dayna not going on a guerilla but joining in.
-Really. Doesn’t seem like a regular player. Always something new every time I watch.
-That’s why it’s fun to watch, LOL.
-Agree! I don’t watch other broadcasts, only Shimun-ssi’s!
-To seduce our queen Dayna like that!
The chat was filled with various speculations but that was it.
As Shimun focused on the arena, he rarely looked at the chat.
So, the viewers were left to merely share their guesses among themselves.
Thus, for the first time in the history of the Galaxy Arena, a formation centered around Dayna unfolded.
Before long, “O noble one, the scoundrels have been sighted. They will be upon us shortly.”
The Dark Elf’s vision was something special indeed.
Dayna looked toward the bridge in front with a somewhat stern expression.
Then, “Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
She turned to Shimun with a look of concern.
“Everyone is poisoned, I worry for your precious self…”
“I’m fine. I’ve roughly prepared a strategy.”
Shimun reassured her with a smile and soon lightly flicked his fingers.
Rustle, rustle.
Crunch, crunch!
The ground around Shimun began to subtly shift.
Growing in size and forming into a particular shape as they solidified, “This is…”
Recognizing the identity of the formation, Dayna’s eyes widened as large as lanterns.
“Golems?!”