24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 144

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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24-Hour Friendly Market Specializing in Dimensional Items Episode 144

 

Episode 144. The Fool of Floraban (2)

 

It had been 5 minutes of silent confrontation with the elf who was looking at me with clear eyes full of goodwill.

 

I couldn’t bear it any longer and asked.

 

“Why exactly am I a savior?”

 

I was so dumbfounded that my words got tangled.

 

That attitude of calling Lee Hae-won, who just came here for the first time, a savior without any doubt – the development was too fast to understand.

 

These elves, don’t tell me they received some prophecy that a savior would come at this time today.

 

…Or maybe Brother came here before, saved an elf, and left?

 

The latter would be more convincing.

 

My question was quickly resolved by the elf’s answer, filled with emotion.

 

“What else could the one who revived the roots of the sacred tree be but a savior?”

 

“The roots of the sacred tree?”

 

The roots I grew to climb up were actually the roots of a sacred tree?

 

‘And I climbed up stepping on them?’

 

Since it was called a sacred tree, I was about to feel sorry as if I had done something terribly wrong, when the elf nodded.

 

Then they began explaining in a voice overflowing with emotion.

 

“The sacred tree supported Floraban for hundreds of years, but it gradually began withering from an unknown disease. We searched everywhere but could never find hope. But the miracle you just showed us…”

 

Their voice trembled.

 

The elf paused for a moment and caught their breath.

 

“You have restored our life force.”

 

This was all a miracle that happened thanks to the incomplete sticker made by Kang Yeon-hee, the genius guardian of matter.

 

I even used it out of greed because I was scared of climbing the ladder and thought it would be nice if the roots were thicker.

 

It was like catching a mouse while backing away.

 

“It is my pleasure.”

 

…Of course, I had no intention of just letting go of this opportunity to receive absolution as Floraban’s savior.

 

I had never given such a polite and courteous answer in my life.

 

I decided to ignore my neck that had stiffened from embarrassment.

 

Perhaps even more moved by my shameless answer, all the elves lined up behind the leader elf put their hands together and looked at me.

 

I awkwardly smiled while avoiding those clear eyes filled with unconditional gratitude.

 

‘No, actually, didn’t Floraban fall because of this naivety?’

 

It was quite a reasonable speculation.

 

Then the leader elf gracefully put their hands together.

 

The posture looked properly formal, making even me nervous, and the leader elf asked with a respectful attitude.

 

“We would like to formally invite you as Floraban’s savior. May we ask for your honored name?”

 

Come on, asking for someone’s name with ‘honored name’…

 

At this point, it seemed like they would smile nonchalantly even if I acted up and screamed.

 

The elf’s deep green eyes were so filled with gratitude toward me that there seemed to be no room for any other negative perceptions to enter.

 

What on earth does the sacred tree mean to them that they’re reacting this intensely?

 

I answered while hiding my reluctant expression.

 

“…Uh, yes. My name is Lee Hae.”

 

Even at my answer that completely destroyed grammar, the elf didn’t seem flustered.

 

Instead, he just smiled kindly and bowed politely once more.

 

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lee Hae-nim. My name is Eldarin. Though I’m lacking, I serve as an elder of Floraban.”

 

I also awkwardly bowed in a hurried manner.

 

It seems like being an elder of Floraban is quite a high position.

 

By the way, he feels quite different from the elders I saw in Glimmerstona.

 

Those elders somehow seemed irritable and uptight, like people worn down by work.

 

‘This one looks rather kind and profound.’

 

If I play my cards right, maybe I could sweet-talk him into buying something….

 

I, who had naturally started thinking worldly thoughts, hurriedly looked up in surprise.

 

‘Get it together, Lee Hae-won!’

 

You decided to act as their savior right now.

 

For now, let’s not betray these pure and trusting gazes!

 

Then Eldarin added as if it were natural.

 

“We shall escort you to the sanctuary.”

 

“…Sanctuary?”

 

I reflexively asked back.

 

The only sanctuary I knew was Prorovel, so I had reasonable suspicions about whether this sanctuary might also be some strange place like that.

 

‘There might be another god trapped and unable to leave.’

 

However, according to Eldarin’s explanation, Floraban’s sanctuary seemed to mean the elves’ homeland.

 

“That’s right. Everything of Floraban is within it. Lee Hae-nim, as our savior, you are more than qualified to enter.”

 

Eldarin pointed toward the interior of the island and slowly nodded his head.

 

He acts as if my going to that place called the sanctuary would be some great honor.

 

‘Well, I was curious about what kind of place Floraban is anyway.’

 

Even if the reconnaissance has already become useless, I can’t miss the chance to satisfy my curiosity.

 

While I’m at it, let me also take a look at how those beautiful creatures that are pleasing to the eyes just by looking at them live.

 

I was about to follow behind Eldarin without thinking, then hesitated.

 

“I understand that we shouldn’t step on the grass….”

 

Just one step from the root I’m currently standing on would be the grassland.

 

Even though I’m currently in the position of a savior, I’m not shameless enough to blatantly step on what I shouldn’t step on.

 

I’m being faithful to my role-playing, you could say.

 

Whether my words pleased them once again, the elves standing behind me smiled faintly.

 

And Eldarin said with a caring expression.

 

“It’s alright. We’ll borrow the power of the spirits.”

 

…What did you just say?

 

Before I could ask back, Eldarin placed his hand on his chest and quietly muttered something.

 

At that moment.

 

“Holy shit, crazy.”

 

Whoosh-

 

Suddenly, as a warm breeze brushed against my cheek, a strange figure appeared before my eyes.

 

A transparent creature with a faint blue tint, as if wind had taken form.

 

A bird-shaped ‘spirit’ looked at me and slowly blinked its eyes.

 

Now even spirits are appearing in Babel!

 

* * *

 

“…Outstanding.”

 

“What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”

 

“It was truly a new experience.”

 

“If that’s the case, it would be my pleasure.”

 

Thank goodness.

 

Since my usual speech isn’t very refined, I recalled the most formal tone I could think of, and it seems to be quite convincing.

 

‘I wonder how Manti is doing.’

 

I suddenly missed Manti’s fluffy head.

 

“Please come this way, Lee Hae.”

 

Following Eldarin’s guidance, I walked slowly while taking in the sights of Floraban.

 

Floraban was quite a beautiful sight even when I viewed it from standing on the tree roots.

 

‘The sanctuary has a completely different dimension of natural feeling.’

 

It seemed like some kind of magic had been cast to keep it hidden from outside view.

 

The grass beneath my feet gleamed like jewels, each blade shining, and the flowers blooming here and there danced in the wind as if they were alive.

 

Birds chirped among the tall trees, and the sound of clear water flowing from somewhere unknown seemed to purify even my heart.

 

There were also several elves coming and going on the path paved with wide stones like stepping stones.

 

They probably can’t command spirits 24 hours a day either, so they must have created paths for movement without having to float in the air.

 

Right now, the beneficiary is me, an ordinary human.

 

‘Even spirits are wandering around.’

 

I thought Eldarin could summon such a large-scale transparent bird because he was an elder, but it seemed Floraban was originally a city that coexisted with spirits.

 

A transparent, small wolf ran alongside a young elf, and a transparent bird like a canary sang from atop a tree.

 

‘Spirits would be expensive, right?’

 

The ‘military power’ that Glimmerstona demanded from Floraban seems to be the power to control spirits.

 

Well, how could Glimmerstona alchemists, who are stuck in laboratories without seeing sunlight and only handling chemical substances, fight?

 

But Floraban itself was such a peaceful place that it seemed like they wouldn’t know the first thing about war.

 

Just walking for a moment gave me a feeling as if my heart was being purified.

 

Of course, the reality is that they’re in the middle of a war, which is the catch.

 

“By any chance, what matter has brought you to seek us out, Savior?”

 

Just then, Eldarin, who had been walking ahead, asked politely.

 

What should I say to sound like I’m asking out of pure curiosity rather than like some city’s spy?

 

After thinking for a moment, I carefully opened my mouth.

 

“I heard there’s a war going on, but the sanctuary looks quite peaceful.”

 

“…This is our homeland, after all.”

 

“Floraban seems fortunate to have never been attacked.”

 

“That’s not true.”

 

Eldarin, who had been walking while looking straight ahead, slowed his pace just slightly.

 

Naturally walking alongside me now, Eldarin muttered quietly as if whispering.

 

“We’re strictly speaking fighting over our homeland, so naturally we’ve been attacked before. The sanctuary looks intact thanks to the sacred tree.”

 

That sacred tree that received the growth sticker buff?

 

“The sacred tree has a powerful barrier that protects the sanctuary, blocking all external attacks. Floraban has remained intact all this time thanks to that.”

 

“Then when the sacred tree was sick…”

 

Does that mean the barrier disappeared?

 

Eldarin let out a sigh at my question.

 

“That’s why we had no choice but to try trading with other cities. With those who trample nature… Of course, they didn’t give us an answer despite our patient waiting.”

 

As if ashamed of having made such a decision, Eldarin shook his head.

 

But I got my answer there.

 

The agreement between Glimmerstona and Floraban had already been broken.

 

I thought only about 3 days had passed, but 5 days had already gone by.

 

‘Damn it.’

 

I thought Kang Yeon-hee’s sticker would create some kind of major turning point, but it just ended with saving the sacred tree.

 

… Well, since I saved the sacred tree and the barrier was reactivated, this is also another turning point.

 

‘Calculating, it’s probably day 5 or 6?’

 

Since Gearsgard was confident they’d definitely attack in about a week, probably not that much time has passed.

 

That means even if Gearsgard attacks, Floraban will likely be safe for now.

 

‘Wait, then that means Gearsgard was planning to attack when Floraban’s barrier disappeared.’

 

Does that mean Gearsgard knows Floraban’s internal information?

 

…Or maybe someone else made Floraban’s sacred tree sick and incited Gearsgard.

 

There are too many possibilities, making my head feel complicated.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Lee Hae, may I confirm just one thing, just in case?”

 

I looked up at the question thrown at me in quite a heavy tone.

 

Eldarin, who had stopped walking at some point, was staring at me intently.

 

The cathedral-like building visible behind Eldarin was glowing pure white.

 

A place that clearly looked important.

 

It seemed there was something he absolutely had to confirm with me before entering here.

 

“Of course. What is it?”

 

Despite my generous permission, Eldarin hesitated, moving his lips.

 

“…Do you happen to have any companions?”

 

He seemed to have faith that Lee Hae, Floraban’s savior, surely wouldn’t have come to pull some trick, but he looked anxious nonetheless.

 

“No.”

 

I answered firmly.

 

There’s no way someone like me, Park Ji-woon, who finds companions bothersome and goes on solo expeditions, would ever have had colleagues.

 

But I immediately understood what Eldarin’s question meant.

 

I asked back in as calm a tone as possible.

 

“Who came?”

 

Right here, there was a raid party.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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