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Translator: similarTIGER

Editor: Sotheno

Ross believed in Carten’s abilities. He was confident that Carten would bring back information on Garrett and his group, and even at least a hint of where they were associated.

***

“Haccid!”

“Sorry.”

Romian approached Haccid, and Haccid apologized to Romian.

Once they began their conversation, a new notification popped.

[Quest ‘Abducted Haccid’ has been completed.]

‘It’s finally over. Will I be able to go this time?’

The reward for the “Abducted Haccid” quest is the quest “Cave Exploration.”

However, the reward “Cave Exploration” appeared several times before, but Soo Hyuk wasn’t able to receive the quest yet, so he was a little worried that it would be pushed back once again.

‘I don’t think Haccid will be able to come with us.’

No matter how much Haccid’s condition improved through Heal, it wasn’t reasonable for Soo Hyuk to request Haccid to follow. Soo Hyuk was worried that there may be a possibility that Haccid had to be present at the cave. If that is the case, then the “Cave Exploration” quest would be pushed back again.

‘It seems like he doesn’t need nursing, so no one would stay behind.’

Haccid wasn’t in a state that required someone to nurse him, so Romian would definitely come to the cave.

‘If Haccid isn’t necessary, I believe we should be leaving any moment.’

“Go rest, Haccid. You can use the room over there”, said Romian as he helped Haccid to the room.

Romian returned to Soo Hyuk and bowed his head,

“Thank you very much.”

“No problem. When are you planning to explore the cave?”

Soo Hyuk waited for Romian’s reply and shortly after.

“I think Haccid won’t be able to come with us.”

Romian could also see Haccid was not in his best condition.

“I think it will be just us. Is that fine with you?” asked Romian.

As soon as Romian finished his question, a new quest popped.

The preparations have been finished for the exploration of the secret cave of the Great Thief Kelta. Now it’s time to explore. Reach the deepest part of the cave and figure what Kelta left behind!

Quest Reward: ???

Fortunately, the quest was, indeed, “Cave Exploration.”

“Yes, Of course.”

Seeing that the quest was finally available, Soo Hyuk smiled and answered Romian.

[You have accepted the quest “Cave Exploration.”]

“So when will we depart?” asked Soo Hyuk.

Soo Hyuk did not see the departure time in the quest details, but he knew there was a high chance they would depart now.

“Right now, but…”

Romain’s voice faded.

“…?”

“I have something to tell you before we leave, Soo Hyuk. It’s about the cave.”

Romain had something to say to Soo Hyuk; no, it was to Soo Hyuk as a person who would explore the cave together.

“I obtained a book from where I got the intel about the cave.”

“A book?”

Soo Hyuk instinctively responded to the word “book.”

“Yes.”

Romian nodded and continued,

“It is a book that has various information on the cave, and in the book, it is written that there are two paths within.”

“Two paths?”

“Yes. According to the book, one path is full of traps, and the other is full of monsters. The problem is that although the book contains all the information on the traps, it lacks information on the monsters.”

The book had lots of information about the cave, but it did not contain everything. There were many details on the traps. Therefore Romian took a week to prepare the counter measurements, but there were little details on the monsters.

The book only had the types of monsters that would appear in the beginning, and only one line saying that the monsters get stronger the deeper one goes in, but the monster path was much shorter than the trap path.

“Though the monster path is much shorter, the lack of information makes it more dangerous.”

Although the trap path was also dangerous, at least they had information on it and also prepared beforehand to destroy the traps. It was relatively safer.Therefore, there were two options to choose from: The dangerous but shorter monster path or the slower yet safer trap path.

“Thus, I believe we should go to the trap path,” said Romian.

Listening to Romian, Soo Hyuk had a question.

“Isn’t it possible that there are traps not mentioned in the book?”

It was possible that the book didn’t mention every trap, or was a trap, to begin with. The traps in the book might not be the actual traps in the cave.

“Yes. There is that possibility, but I concluded that it would be better to enter the trap path since we have more information on it. I am telling you this to hear your opinion too.”

“My opinion?”

“Yes, this exploration will be very dangerous. We might have to put our lives on the line. Therefore, I think we should take your opinion into consideration too.

And it also may be better to split up, then both of us going to one path and failing. The monster path may be dangerous for me, but for you, Soo Hyuk, with your strength…”

Romian didn’t finish his sentence.

“I see…”

Soo Hyuk sighed and thought,

‘He wants to split up.’

Romian didn’t directly point it out, but it insisted it.

Soo Hyuk checked Romian’s expressions.

‘He means it.’

Romian’s expression showed he was serious. Well, that was obvious. Romian wouldn’t joke around in a situation like this.

‘But why all of a sudden?’

Was it really because Romian respected his opinion because their lives were on the line, or was there another reason?

‘He’s bullshitting about the success rate.’

Splitting up to increase the chance was bullshit. Both of them might die in vain, and Romian should know that.

But why did he insist splitting up? No, the question is, why is Romian leading Soo Hyuk to the monster path?

‘Is he trying to monopolize the treasures?’

‘No, no, that went too far.’

That didn’t make any sense. If he was going to monopolize it, there was no point in going together in the first place.

“Let me think about it,” said Soo Hyuk to Romian, who was waiting for an answer.

After replying, Soo Hyuk thought deeply.

‘The monster path is more appealing…’

Romian wants to go to the trap path but insists on Soo Hyuk to go the monster path.

Soo Hyuk would gain nothing going to the trap path, but he would gain much more in the monster path.

Hunting monsters gave experience points and had a shorter path.

Thus, it would take less time.

Getting experience points while taking less time to reach the end.

No matter how much he thought about it, going the monster path was much more beneficial.

Soo Hyuk opened the quest window and checked the details,

The preparations have been finished for the exploration of the secret cave of the Great Thief Kelta. Now it’s time to explore. Reach the deepest part of the cave and figure what Kelta left behind!

Quest Reward: ???

‘It never mentioned it had to be with Romian.’

The requirement was to reach the deepest part of the cave and figure out what Kelta left behind.

It didn’t mention Romian nor that it had to be done with anyone.

‘It also seems that Romian hopes that I go to the monster path.’

That means Romian also wants to go separately.

Soo Hyuk had already leaned towards going separately.

‘Wait.’

It was at that moment, Soo Hyuk realized a crucial thing.

‘There’s only one key.’

There was only one key. Realizing this, Soo Hyuk closed the window and asked Romian,

“But Romian…”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t there only one key?”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about the key. The key is only used when opening the entrance to the cave. That is before the path splits.”

“Oh”

Soo Hyuk was surprised again because he thought the key was for the last part. But even though he still had some suspicions.

“Wouldn’t that be a bigger problem?”

“…?”

Romian didn’t get where Soo Hyuk was going.

“You said the monster path was shorter. Then I’d arrive first.”

The problem Soo Hyuk mentioned was the order they would arrive. The monster path was shorter than the trap path. If Soo Hyuk goes to the monster path, he will arrive first.

‘Is he planning something.’

Romian came up with the idea first, so he should definitely know this too. Why would he deliberately direct Soo Hyuk to the monster path? Was Romian not worried that Soo Hyuk would take all the treasures?

‘Is he sounding me out?’

Soo Hyuk wondered whether this was a trick question.

Romian returned a smile and said,

“There will be lots of treasures. Even if you arrive first and take some, I’m sure there will be enough left for me.”

Only special NPCs know the existence of the inventory. Normal NPCs like Romian do not.

“I see.”

Soo Hyuk had no reason to explain, even if he did, the NPCs wouldn’t understand.

Pangea’s system was made in a way that the normal NPCs wouldn’t understand the concepts of inventories.

“It seems like you’ve made your decision,” said Romian.

Although Soo Hyuk hasn’t completely decided, it was true that he favored one than the other.

“Yes, I’ll go to the monster path.”