Chapter 218 – The Temple of the Nephilim (1)

At dawn, we set off directly toward the temple.

This 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.

Edward was a warrior from the Hero Association, also known as the “Black Bear.”

He 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.

Even demons, who seemed so distant from faith, behaved respectfully there. Yesterday, both the Sword Master and the old elf had assured us of that.

Humans and demons alike coexisted inside the temple, and confrontations were unthinkable.

Outside 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.

Step 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.

A dragon flying in the sky would attract too much attention, and we didn’t want to cause a commotion.

Moving quietly, guided by the old elf, was much more prudent.

“About two hundred steps from here, you must turn right. You will see a large coniferous tree. From there, just go straight…”

The old elf explained while raising his tied hands, and Edward, looking distrustful, came closer to me to whisper.

“Heavenly Sword, why is that elf being so obedient? Won’t he try to escape or lead us into a trap?”

“I don’t think so…”

A voice cut into the conversation from ahead. Without looking at us, the old man said.

“No need to worry.”

“Did you hear that?” Edward jumped in surprise.

The old man spoke indifferently.

“They always call us ‘big-eared.’ We are simply living up to the nickname.”

“……”

“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.”

Edward asked again.

“Even so, you could lead us to a dangerous place.”

“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?”

Hearing him, I couldn’t help but admire him. The old elf had quite a bit of common sense.

‘He’s not just called an elder because of his age, his judgment is sound.’

The old man let out a resigned sigh.

“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.”

Then he kept walking. Edward, stroking his beard, muttered.

“These demons speak well… but you never really know what they’re thinking. Don’t you think so, Heavenly Sword?”

“Well, at least we know he’s not planning to betray us. In any case, stay on your guard.”

“I will. Always learning from you.”

Edward gave me a respectful look and straightened up.

“Understood!”

Edward stuck close to the old man to keep an eye on him. Although the elf showed discomfort, he said nothing and kept walking.

Little 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.

‘Although, seeing how he suspects the old man, he’s not just a muscle-headed fool.’

I turned my head to the side. Horn, alert, was scanning the surroundings. When our eyes met, she tilted her head curiously.

“Is something wrong, Mr. Kang Geom-Ma?”

“Nothing important. I was just thanking you. I asked you to come without much explanation and you accepted without hesitation.”

“Come on, what kind of comment is that between us?”

…Between us.

‘Humans and demons can reproduce.’

Suddenly, the Sword Master’s warning popped into my head. Why now, of all times?

As 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.

Now 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.

I imagined the scene Horn attending the academy, with an endless line of boys trying to approach her.

‘And to think I slept in the same tent as someone like that…’

I scratched my temple awkwardly. Then Horn, curious, leaned even closer toward me.

“Mr. Kang Geom-Ma, your face is red. Are you feeling sick?”

“N-no, it’s just that the weather in Hawaii is a bit hot.”

“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?”

“No, thank you.”

I didn’t exactly know what she meant by “sharing body heat,” but just hearing the phrase made me refuse immediately.

Horn, blinking innocently, simply returned to her watch post.

After about two hours of walking, we found a wide and quiet clearing. I suggested,

“Let’s rest here for a bit. We haven’t had breakfast, so we might as well have lunch too.”

“Understood! Leave it to me!”

Edward, 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.

He even brought fresh water from a nearby stream.

With that efficiency, I fully understood why Director Sung had recommended Edward. It wasn’t just brute strength; he was quick, precise, and highly competent.

Soon after, Edward served us a simple but decent stew made of dried meat and roots. Proudly, he served it in camp plates.

“Please try it, Mr. Kang Geom-Ma.”

“Thank you.”

I 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.

Edward, after watching us, hesitated for a moment and served a portion for the old elf.

“Eat, big-eared.”

The old man stared at Edward with a blank expression, then grabbed the plate with his tied hands.

“Thank you for the food.”

With those words, he began drinking the stew straight from the plate. Edward let out a dry laugh.

“I thought he’d refuse, but he’s eating with gusto.”

“We dark elves appreciate good food.”

The old man wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Edward frowned.

“Is that why you committed cannibalism? For your ‘refined taste’?”

“Humans also eat cow, pig, chicken, and lamb, don’t they? For us, humans were just one more addition.”

“Humans don’t eat demons.”

“Who says they can’t? If you want, you can hunt demons or magical beasts and eat them.”

“Barbaric savages, no wonder you’re demons.”

Edward clicked his tongue and turned away in disgust. The old man simply continued eating silently.

When we finished eating, I took advantage of the break to approach the old elf, who was sitting on a rock.

“Elder.”

The 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.

His expression showed pure surrender.

“What do you want now…?”

“I have a question. Yesterday you mentioned that I’m ‘the result of Balor Joaquin and Lycan combined.’ What exactly does that mean?”

The elder, bewildered, stared at me.

“Didn’t you say yourself that Balor Joaquin was your master? Why are you asking me?”

“Because I only recently found out that my master was someone so incredible. And right now, I can’t ask him directly.”

The old elf seemed to think out loud, murmuring to himself.

“Balor Joaquin hid that he was a Founding Hero… and also hid the existence of Lycan…”

Finally, he raised his head. His voice was calm.

“I think I’m not the one who should give you that answer.”

“…?”

“In any case, you’re heading there, right? There you will find someone who can give you a clearer answer than I can.”

The old elf, awkwardly leaning on his tied hands, stood up.

“Let’s go. In the temple, there will be a priest who can answer your questions.”

***

We walked for hours.

Then, the old elf who was guiding us suddenly stopped. He turned his head back and said in a low voice.

“We’ve arrived.”

With 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.

Frowning, Edward glared at the old man.

“Where do you say the temple is? Or are you trying to fool us, big-eared?”

The old elf let out a mocking chuckle.

“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.”

“What did you say, you idiot?!”

“How impatient. Just wait a moment.”

The old man smiled as he approached a massive tree. Unlike the others, its surface was smooth and shiny, immediately catching the eye.

Without hesitation, the old man snapped off one of its branches.

Rumble, rumble.

The ground trembled as if from an earthquake. The leaves lifted into the air, enveloping us in a green whirlwind.

“Ugh.”

A 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.

Little by little, through the gaps between my fingers, the scene began to reveal itself. I opened my eyes wide.

“Wow.”

A 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.

Colossal 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.

After 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.

As I gazed at the temple, mouth agape, I heard footsteps echoing tap, tap, tap.

I looked up even higher.

I 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.

“Welcome, Son of Heaven. We have been waiting for you for seven hundred years.”

The voice, of indescribable beauty, resonated through the entire space.

“My name is Kuarne. I am the priest in charge of the Temple of the Nephilim.”

The white figure greeted us with a gentle smile.