Chapter 218 – The Temple of the Nephilim (1)
tMZlQDAt dawn, we set off directly toward the temple.QEHPfJ
kpUNThis time the group was made up of four me, Horn, the old elf who would serve as our guide, and the hero who had almost decapitated the dark elves, a man named Edward.mmoO5Ow
08x4N3TEdward was a warrior from the Hero Association, also known as the “Black Bear.”tcn
zdp8He was accompanying us instead of the Sword Master and Director Sung, who had to stay behind to manage the remaining dark elves. Moreover, our destination was the temple, a sanctuary where conflicts were not allowed.4E3
3doQfrEven demons, who seemed so distant from faith, behaved respectfully there. Yesterday, both the Sword Master and the old elf had assured us of that.wtYTYJ
yWd5YHumans and demons alike coexisted inside the temple, and confrontations were unthinkable.S7JsvO
e19SNOutside might be another matter, but Edward, being a warrior, could handle any ambush. Thus, a strange mixed group was formed two humans and two beings of the demon race.ARE1R
d1mpAYqStep by step, we walked toward the Temple of the Nephilim. Horn had spent most of her mana in yesterday’s battle, so she couldn’t transform into a dragon. But in truth, it was better this way.OT6
oASLiA dragon flying in the sky would attract too much attention, and we didn’t want to cause a commotion.aUxZNT
r9gJ4UMoving quietly, guided by the old elf, was much more prudent.na7v
kMz“About two hundred steps from here, you must turn right. You will see a large coniferous tree. From there, just go straight…”NJhqd3
SeA8zThe old elf explained while raising his tied hands, and Edward, looking distrustful, came closer to me to whisper.2L4Cx
cjt3YGz“Heavenly Sword, why is that elf being so obedient? Won’t he try to escape or lead us into a trap?”JhGtx
Y4U“I don’t think so…”ROC
S4fbb2YA voice cut into the conversation from ahead. Without looking at us, the old man said.9CTM
kfAs“No need to worry.”IUHP
Vf0207“Did you hear that?” Edward jumped in surprise.Ao3i3D
d4xnThe old man spoke indifferently.3IxNXl
C1dec“They always call us ‘big-eared.’ We are simply living up to the nickname.”GhYdY
dImKba“……”jEL
LhhVs“Think about it. If I ran away, the few of my race that remain would lose their heads. As an elder, I would never do that. I would rather take my own life first.”RhyWme
a4qYEdward asked again.d36ryE
sdYV“Even so, you could lead us to a dangerous place.”XiXX
sYIWfd“If we don’t return before nightfall, your main group will take action. And once again, the dark elves would pay the price. Do you think I’m so foolish as to ignore that?”xlwj
77qkmuHearing him, I couldn’t help but admire him. The old elf had quite a bit of common sense.vuC
1I7CX‘He’s not just called an elder because of his age, his judgment is sound.’39Jv8qz
opGdxBrThe old man let out a resigned sigh.fE8O
T8y“You can keep doubting me if you want, but at least recognize that I have no choice. So let’s focus on finishing this quickly. It also makes my stomach churn to have to march alongside humans who massacred my race.”o3JG
F2QujjeThen he kept walking. Edward, stroking his beard, muttered.JZET
lPl“These demons speak well… but you never really know what they’re thinking. Don’t you think so, Heavenly Sword?”Hwtb
KBmWEo“Well, at least we know he’s not planning to betray us. In any case, stay on your guard.”QYb
3mzL“I will. Always learning from you.”v1PE
jx2Edward gave me a respectful look and straightened up.CPlgy
gjx“Understood!”jPQ
GnMBUwEdward stuck close to the old man to keep an eye on him. Although the elf showed discomfort, he said nothing and kept walking.VEPROvU
P3M39yLittle by little, Edward’s character was revealing itself. He was a passionate type, full of justice and raw energy. His large sword suited his image well.17Ij4w
lss9Bw‘Although, seeing how he suspects the old man, he’s not just a muscle-headed fool.’2th
zDgZZnI turned my head to the side. Horn, alert, was scanning the surroundings. When our eyes met, she tilted her head curiously.hiXsDJq
OaSuD“Is something wrong, Mr. Kang Geom-Ma?”UboQd
PTfS“Nothing important. I was just thanking you. I asked you to come without much explanation and you accepted without hesitation.”ikEuA
64m1GF“Come on, what kind of comment is that between us?”xwDCJv
4tn…Between us.xlVVC
EVXGa‘Humans and demons can reproduce.’H8S
yAsD7Suddenly, the Sword Master’s warning popped into my head. Why now, of all times?HKcRdsO
KELtAs I fell silent, Horn tilted her head even more. Her hair, shiny and silky now that her health had returned, slid over her shoulder. By magically changing her ears, her appearance was that of a perfect human. Her hair was soft, her skin smooth.mIBuh
cvJ2Now that she was well-fed, her beauty was undeniable. Before, when she was malnourished, it hadn’t been so noticeable. But now, Horn was a dazzlingly beautiful girl, even when compared to the famous beauties of this game world. She was on the level of Abel, the beauty standard.f4Dw
QrcZobI imagined the scene Horn attending the academy, with an endless line of boys trying to approach her.vyC7
ePO‘And to think I slept in the same tent as someone like that…’mnmFZDZ
IWZd6wI scratched my temple awkwardly. Then Horn, curious, leaned even closer toward me.D8sU7s
fqMfS“Mr. Kang Geom-Ma, your face is red. Are you feeling sick?”92rwubD
i3JIrv“N-no, it’s just that the weather in Hawaii is a bit hot.”e7v
E0v“Hot? But we’re in the middle of winter… Ah! Of course, you’re human, not a dragon. You must have a higher body temperature! Do you want to share body heat?”VDC
xZRF“No, thank you.”XABergy
T484I didn’t exactly know what she meant by “sharing body heat,” but just hearing the phrase made me refuse immediately.yRs96
xwcHorn, blinking innocently, simply returned to her watch post.gkdJK
vMf3TQAfter about two hours of walking, we found a wide and quiet clearing. I suggested,VTD9
qmTF“Let’s rest here for a bit. We haven’t had breakfast, so we might as well have lunch too.”khHk9
aU6eg“Understood! Leave it to me!”bvc
MZmZjNuEdward, full of energy, started setting up the camp. He wielded his large sword to cut firewood, lit a fire, and in the blink of an eye, everything was ready.BV13P
kjtBHe even brought fresh water from a nearby stream.uUO
zmIaIWith that efficiency, I fully understood why Director Sung had recommended Edward. It wasn’t just brute strength; he was quick, precise, and highly competent.n0m90
bdKSoon after, Edward served us a simple but decent stew made of dried meat and roots. Proudly, he served it in camp plates.5DA7nlL
gL1URI“Please try it, Mr. Kang Geom-Ma.”OvNlg5j
aed“Thank you.”I1NR8f
IFxhI took a spoonful. Although it smelled a bit like cured meat, the flavor was quite acceptable. Horn was also eating enthusiastically, moving her spoon quickly.ZLHDY
lmPJwwEdward, after watching us, hesitated for a moment and served a portion for the old elf.rexW
E8OjR“Eat, big-eared.”A77yX87
aqP1SibThe old man stared at Edward with a blank expression, then grabbed the plate with his tied hands.Mr8fH
LYr“Thank you for the food.”dJkP5tC
z53With those words, he began drinking the stew straight from the plate. Edward let out a dry laugh.xFmhug0
Bks“I thought he’d refuse, but he’s eating with gusto.”25S3vV
GLMiU“We dark elves appreciate good food.”FQUdkcZ
i5lThe old man wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Edward frowned.NrHg57
znx2VY“Is that why you committed cannibalism? For your ‘refined taste’?”qmt
YH2S0“Humans also eat cow, pig, chicken, and lamb, don’t they? For us, humans were just one more addition.”s1M8fjH
wjrGS“Humans don’t eat demons.”7dPSOQi
850k2Dr“Who says they can’t? If you want, you can hunt demons or magical beasts and eat them.”1QTa
uLCH73B“Barbaric savages, no wonder you’re demons.”vbsiv
1UpjEdward clicked his tongue and turned away in disgust. The old man simply continued eating silently.4gxIfq
3tEWhen we finished eating, I took advantage of the break to approach the old elf, who was sitting on a rock.zlmU
eOB0i“Elder.”IQ0
KJCsza3The old elf averted his gaze, as if he wanted to avoid me. When my hand reached for my knives, he reluctantly turned his head toward me.npUygMS
0pRnSHis expression showed pure surrender.swb0
GVWP62“What do you want now…?”pTlb
ttwo“I have a question. Yesterday you mentioned that I’m ‘the result of Balor Joaquin and Lycan combined.’ What exactly does that mean?”qirmII
HWAThe elder, bewildered, stared at me.Djhp4D
4RPC“Didn’t you say yourself that Balor Joaquin was your master? Why are you asking me?”prazFa
ecW3“Because I only recently found out that my master was someone so incredible. And right now, I can’t ask him directly.”lqZjnp
eiEsThe old elf seemed to think out loud, murmuring to himself.4C3
D8E“Balor Joaquin hid that he was a Founding Hero… and also hid the existence of Lycan…”woco
kBxs9fpFinally, he raised his head. His voice was calm.qqi
P0i5“I think I’m not the one who should give you that answer.”KQWw
Vtlw8Ye“…?”wm9bH
hhH“In any case, you’re heading there, right? There you will find someone who can give you a clearer answer than I can.”QmuV7b1
U1kKLcThe old elf, awkwardly leaning on his tied hands, stood up.A1Aj6Z
nFd“Let’s go. In the temple, there will be a priest who can answer your questions.”PJRwQ9f
GPL***QyIo
LBiJWe walked for hours.WLAsOO
PFmQFThen, the old elf who was guiding us suddenly stopped. He turned his head back and said in a low voice.Srv
L1Q“We’ve arrived.”VRd4r
5cUO10vWith a nod, he pointed toward the dense forest that blocked our view. Edward looked around. All he could see were tightly packed trees, no sign of a temple.RQI
fDAcFrowning, Edward glared at the old man.jqE1
DVb“Where do you say the temple is? Or are you trying to fool us, big-eared?”DuBv
z8cPgkThe old elf let out a mocking chuckle.1sU
D1nEPx1“A moment ago you mocked me by calling me a savage, but to my eyes, you seem even more barbaric. Anyway, humans always rely too much on what they can see.”usrOwHr
iYWG“What did you say, you idiot?!”l4a
dcx“How impatient. Just wait a moment.”Ica8
vngThe old man smiled as he approached a massive tree. Unlike the others, its surface was smooth and shiny, immediately catching the eye.Qm2i7W
fqlDWithout hesitation, the old man snapped off one of its branches.Uha
9ahVRumble, rumble.1lT
2KTUThe ground trembled as if from an earthquake. The leaves lifted into the air, enveloping us in a green whirlwind.8IXML
Vfcec83“Ugh.”elxp50m
OTWbA faint groan escaped me. Suddenly, my entire field of vision was dyed a silvery white. My eyes, still unaccustomed, burned. Horn and Edward also covered their eyes with their hands.tsZO3JS
KR9lLittle by little, through the gaps between my fingers, the scene began to reveal itself. I opened my eyes wide.gWfN2y
5GP2g0“Wow.”A7H
bw4U7A sigh of amazement escaped me involuntarily. From behind, I heard more gasps. Horn and Edward were also staring ahead, eyes wide open. It was inevitable.OG9gZ
hSo6u61Colossal stairs rose up, almost touching the sky. At their peak, floating at the height of the clouds, stood a temple built from snow-white stone. If not for the stairs, it would have seemed like a castle suspended in the air. It was the Temple of the Nephilim.F8WyK
A9QvAfter almost a year living in this fantasy world, nothing easily impressed me anymore. But this moment was different—my heart was pounding, and an indescribable euphoria flooded me.DFc3371
Aj2As I gazed at the temple, mouth agape, I heard footsteps echoing tap, tap, tap.NcXxu
PlnWqORI looked up even higher.kQO
S3eI didn’t know if it was the reflection of the sun or a light of its own, but a glow enveloped a figure descending the stairs. The white silhouette, with the sun at its back, radiated an overwhelming holiness.6q3v
9P5J9“Welcome, Son of Heaven. We have been waiting for you for seven hundred years.”LjY4
nQuEFQMThe voice, of indescribable beauty, resonated through the entire space.Udg
gD1c“My name is Kuarne. I am the priest in charge of the Temple of the Nephilim.”P0yh
BFnThe white figure greeted us with a gentle smile.mdEcP
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaPriest huh I just remembered Priest of corruption Manhwa.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaWell he’s point make sense though I don’t know how chicken meat tastes because I am vegetarian.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaAt least he have common sense.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaIt’s first time seeing Kang geom blushing face (reading not seeing)
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaOho this Elf elder have brain.
Kevin khaslana
MortalAin’t he the second commander?
Sergey Kononov
MortalFinally, Agartha