Chapter 12

Episode 12. All Transactions Are Prepaid (2)

Keter was not seeing a cursed weapon like Amaranth for the first time.

‘Demon Sword Apophis.’

He had once borrowed it briefly from the Grand Duke of Ruquer. As expected of a cursed weapon, each use required a price in lifespan.

Keter had used Apophis about twelve times. He had grasped the source of the Demon Sword’s power.

“It has the properties of both Aura and Mana, right?”

Aura is nearly impossible to transform but is powerful. It also dissipates rapidly once contact with the body is lost.

Mana is freely transformable but weak in intensity. Unlike Aura, it maintains its form and technique even if contact with the body is lost.

Apophis, recognizing Keter’s discovery of Ain’s secret, proposed to teach him the method to obtain the power of the void, ‘Ain,’ in exchange for ten years of his lifespan.

But—

‘No thanks.’

Keter refused Apophis’s offer and, after much trial and error, succeeded in fusing Mana and Aura, obtaining ‘Ain’ through his own power.

Though it was an incomplete Ain, Keter naturally learned during the process that he could control Apophis with the power of Ain.

Thanks to this experience, Keter believed he could handle Amaranth as well, and he was exactly right.

The total power of the Demon Bow far surpasses Keter’s.

But its operating principle relies on a human as a medium.

Humans unaware of Ain’s existence are helplessly eroded, but Keter, who knows Ain better than anyone, used Amaranth’s power against itself to suppress it.

That’s right.

If you can wield the power of Ain—

Using cursed weapons is no longer a threat.

‘If I had the power of Ain, I wouldn’t need cursed weapons in the first place, but my case is a bit different.’

He knows how to wield the power of Ain, but there are times when he doesn’t have it. This is a situation unique to Keter in this world.

Unaware of this truth, Amaranth could only feel wronged.

It was fine until it escaped Keter and began to erode Taragon’s body. Just a little more, and it could have turned Taragon into a Mana Arrow shooter and controlled him at will……

But this out-of-spec human, Keter, subdued it in an absurd way.

‘The power he holds isn’t extraordinary. So how does he wield the power of the void so skillfully?’

‘The power of the void’ is a power not granted to humans. All records of it were erased long ago.

Yet this seemingly unremarkable human, Keter, not only understands the power of the void but also knows how to use it.

As Keter, breaking through the storm of power, tried to pull Taragon down, Amaranth finally decided to step forward.

Even after manifesting in the terrifying form humans fear most, Keter just sneered and punched it in the face.

*Wham!*

Amaranth tasted immense pain.

It had been hundreds of years.

‘…Yes. This is pain…. Proof that I’m alive!’

Amaranth’s joy was fleeting.

*Crack.*

Keter forcibly opened Taragon’s fingers and took the bow. Feeling its connection with Taragon severed, Amaranth cursed.

[I may retreat now, but I will return. I will take everything from you.]

Then, Keter spoke.

“Let’s make a deal, Amaranth.”

[……!?]

“You like deals, right? I like them too.”

[A mere mortal… daring to propose a deal to me.]

“Don’t like business relationships? Then how about a master-servant relationship? I’m fine with that.”

[How bold. Fine! I’ll give you seven arrows. Six are yours, and the last one is mine.]

Amaranth presented the usual contract terms Vulkanus had mentioned.

Keter shook his head.

“That’s an unfair contract. A deal is about exchanging equal value.”

[Heh. Why should I entertain a human’s deal?]

“What if I destroy your seal in return?”

[…What?]

A crack appeared in Amaranth’s ironclad demeanor. Keter skillfully exploited it.

“You want to be free, right? You want to escape from that bow.”

[How do you know that?]

“Well, I’ve met someone like you before.”

The Demon Sword Apophis had also longed for freedom, asking Keter to break its shell. Of course, Keter didn’t comply.

After a moment of thought, Amaranth spoke.

[I don’t know how you know this secret, but it’s impossible for a human to break my shell.]

“You mean it can’t be done without the power of Ain Soph?”

[……!?]

Amaranth thought it couldn’t be more surprised, but it was wrong.

[How does a mortal like you know about Ain Soph?]

“No need to know. Here’s my new deal: one free Mana Arrow per day. If you refuse, I won’t use you.”

[One per day, not just one? You mean unused arrows accumulate?]

“Of course.”

[…….]

“You’re hesitating, so I guess you prefer being stuck in a warehouse? Fine. This time, I’ll bury you deep underground. So deep you won’t be found for thousands of years.”

[I accept the contract… no, the deal. But the accumulated arrows can’t exceed 30. That’s non-negotiable.]

“That’s fine. I’ll compromise.”

Amaranth both believed and didn’t believe Keter.

It believed he would bury it deep underground.

It didn’t believe he would break its shell.

Yet, it agreed to the deal, obviously planning to deceive.

‘No matter how great you are, you’re still human. Humans always make mistakes and let their guard down. It doesn’t matter how many years it takes. Your body, so skilled in wielding Ain. Once I possess it, true revival won’t be a futile dream.’

Amaranth’s true intentions should only be known to itself. But Keter already knew them all.

‘Pretending to cooperate. Obviously waiting for me to let my guard down. Guys like you are a dime a dozen in Ruquer.’

Keter rolled up his left sleeve and said.

“Come into my left arm.”

[You know a lot…….]

Amaranth transformed from a bow into a black liquid, covering Keter’s left arm. This was clearly different from trying to erode him.

Not erosion, but assimilation.

The black liquid twisted into patterns, eventually settling like a tattoo on Keter’s arm.

The black storm that had swept through the house was quickly absorbed through Keter’s left arm and soon completely subsided.

Vulkanus, who had been watching all this while lying down, spoke with a dumbfounded expression.

“Hey, country boy. What exactly are you?”

Keter tidied his wind-swept hair and replied.

“Problem solver.”

* * *

Water was splashed on Taragon’s face.

“Cough.”

Water must have entered his nose, as he coughed and suddenly sat up.

The house was a mess, and Vulkanus’s grim expression was enough to understand the situation.

“Sigh……”

Taragon let out a deep sigh and hung his head low.

“Can’t I do anything right?”

Taragon wasn’t foolish enough to push his luck after already failing once. Instead, he realized his limitations and quickly became haggard.

Keter approached Taragon.

In a past life, he had tried to handle Amaranth and failed, leading to a rampage.

That future was now gone.

For now, he was free from Amaranth’s temptation, but it was clear he’d cause more trouble.

But that future could also be changed.

“Taragon. You’re not useless.”

As Keter extended his hand, Taragon’s eyes reddened.

“Keter……!”

He was the only one. The only person who listened to him and gave him a fair chance.

Even though he got beaten up, didn’t he get to test if he was worthy of being Amaranth’s master?

Holding Keter’s hand and standing up, Taragon held back tears and said.

“Alright. I’ll give up Amaranth. I’ll find another path.”

“No, don’t.”

“Huh?”

“You’re not the type to figure things out on your own.”

“……!?”

Was this a case of giving medicine after causing illness? Taragon couldn’t grasp what Keter was trying to say.

Vulkanus, tidying up the mess, grumbled.

“What nonsense are you spouting now?”

Ignoring Vulkanus’s jab, Keter placed a hand on Taragon’s shoulder and said.

“Taragon. From what I see, you’re good at following orders.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“But our family is reserved and overly trusting. To put it nicely, we give the freedom to grow on your own, but that freedom is too much for you.”

“……!”

“You need someone to give you orders. Someone smarter than you. Your brothers or father could do it, but as I said, our bloodline isn’t like that.”

Taragon nodded in agreement. It was all true. Taragon himself hesitated to even ask others for help, let alone give orders.

Taragon, now in a listening posture, waited for Keter’s next words.

“But taking orders from someone outside the family is absurd, right?”

“Right.”

“Taragon. You’re lucky. You’ve met someone much smarter than you, good at giving orders, and with time to spare. And they’re right in front of you.”

“You mean……?”

Taragon gulped. He was filled with anticipation that Keter would give him the perfect orders.

Then, Keter extended his palm and said.

“That’s the end of the free consultation. The next part is paid.”

“What!?”

Taragon was shocked, and Vulkanus clicked his tongue as if he expected it.

“That guy isn’t the type to help for free.”

Taragon quickly recalled how much money he had. Keter’s words were worth paying for.

“Keter. 200 gold is all I have. Can we work something out with that?”

Keter’s authority had already been proven. His arrogance and composure had valid reasons. Everything he said so far was correct, and he had accurately assessed Taragon’s worries and situation without even being told.

Moreover, Keter wasn’t just anyone. He was family, sharing the same blood. Even if only half, he had acknowledged Taragon upon their first meeting.

Taragon, naive and thirsty for recognition, had no reason to doubt Keter.

“Sigh. Normally, I’d charge 500 gold. But Taragon, since you didn’t insist on Amaranth’s ownership, I’ll make an exception! Just for today.”

“Haha, thanks. Tell me the rest quickly.”

“All transactions are prepaid.”

“Huh? I don’t have 200 gold on me… I’ll have to bring it.”

“Then go get it.”

“Ah… alright.”

Taragon hesitated for a moment. His clothes were a mess from Amaranth’s storm, and he was covered in blood, looking anything but normal.

Then, Vulkanus threw a cloak at Taragon.

“Wear this. Don’t cause misunderstandings.”

“Thank you, Vulkanus.”

Wrapping the cloak around himself, Taragon left the house.

Keter sat on a chair with no backrest and said.

“Old dwarf. Got anything to drink? I’m thirsty after using so much power. The black tea was all destroyed earlier.”

Vulkanus, with a meaningful expression, replied.

“No water, but drink this.”

He pulled out a ceramic bottle from a floor compartment and tossed it to Keter.

Keter caught it effortlessly, opened the lid, and marveled.

“This is the fruit wine only elves drink, right? The rich aroma suggests it’s quite aged. I’ll enjoy it.”

Since Vulkanus gave it without hesitation, Keter didn’t hold back and chugged it down.

“Huh?”

Keter, who wouldn’t flinch even if a comrade suddenly pointed a sword at him, widened his eyes after drinking the fruit wine.

“Damn, this tastes better than the 100,000 gold premium wine I had in the Lawless City. What’s it made of to have such a deep yet refreshing flavor? Tell me.”

Vulkanus found a relatively intact chair and sat down.

“Finished it already?”

“Yeah, well. Just a sip. Was it expensive? How much? I’ll pay right away.”

“Don’t know how much it’s worth. But it’s made from the fruit of the World Tree and glacial water.”

“What? The World Tree’s fruit!?”

The World Tree.

A sacred tree revered by elves like a god.

It’s not just superstition; the World Tree truly contains divine power, making it a treasure sought by many hunters.

The fruit from such a tree is, of course, priceless.

‘There was only one auction in Ruquer. How much did it sell for then? I remember it was several hundred thousand gold.’

If a human eats the World Tree’s fruit, even a dying old man becomes vigorous, and their lifespan extends.

This is a proven effect, making it a treasure coveted by high-ranking nobles and royalty.

‘Wait, is this really made from the World Tree’s fruit?’

Even the glacial water, only obtainable from the peak of an eternal snow mountain, costs 10,000 gold per cup.

At this point, it’s not just wine. It’s the elixir everyone dreams of. Even a drop should be savored, yet he chugged it down like water.

Keter peered into the bottle. He was checking if there were any remnants, but unfortunately, there were none.

But then—

“……!”

A change occurred within his body.

The Mana that had been quietly residing in his body suddenly began to surge.