Chapter 183

Chapter 183. A Benevolent Mindset

We commenced our journey toward the ancient structures around the middle of the day.

“Destiny leads my path!”

Demian bellowed a grand declaration to mark the trek that had finally commenced, though in stark contrast to his fiery enthusiasm, the travel itself proved incredibly tedious.

In the beginning, it possessed the distinct atmosphere of a true quest, in its own unique manner.

“Just as you felt yesterday, you can draw breath normally. conversing will not cause any issues either.”

We moved through the depths of the body of water, keeping pace behind Myserln sunbae.

Consequent to Myserln sunbae’s elemental spirit mastery, drawing breath beneath the water was completely effortless, and the aquatic landscape spreading out under the surface was magnificent enough to momentarily steal one’s breath away.

It felt precisely like stepping across the threshold into an entirely different realm.

It was reminiscent of those legendary underwater kingdoms that frequently feature in children’s fables.

Massive schools of marine life, ranging in every size, glided past in tight clusters, and watching them reminded me exactly of the unruly youngsters from the Black and White Zone mobilizing for a neighborhood turf war.

Meanwhile, the unfamiliar flora drifting idly around our figures resembled the stray debris tumbling along a desolate street.

While I was absorbed in that nostalgic, awe-inspiring spectacle, Myserln sunbae’s words echoed through the silence.

“Very well, we shall accelerate our pace now. Chenbi, remain calm.”

After ensuring Chenbi was comfortable, Myserln sunbae instantly called upon Aiki.

A fierce torrent of water completely enveloped us.

Naturally, it only appeared turbulent from the outside; our internal stability was exceptional. In fact, it was outstanding. It mirrored the sensation of relaxing every muscle and permitting a powerful gust of wind to transport you forward.

That was precisely how we gained entry into the subterranean waterway.

From that moment onward, it transformed into an endless stretch of absolute monotony.

When we were in the open lake, there had at least been a picturesque view to admire, but within this narrow passage where not a single glint of light penetrated, utter blackness consumed every angle, and the sole auditory sensation was the rhythmic sloshing of the rapid stream against our ears.

Had it not been for the fluid pressing and brushing against my skin, I might have mistakenly believed I was drifting through total emptiness. Even so, this degree of isolation was perfectly manageable.

If anything, I was actually quite content.

‘This must be identical to what a handler feels while traveling with a performing circus bear.’

I had absolutely no responsibilities.

I merely needed to permit the current to guide my drifting form.

Weighed against the past when I was forced to rely strictly on my own endurance and legs, this was undeniably a luxurious method of transit—though regrettably, Demian was incapable of appreciating the luxury.

What was it that he uttered?

“My companion, is it permissible for me to offer sustenance to the marine life?”

Initially, his inquiry completely baffled me.

‘Why would he bring up fish food out of nowhere?’

He had been holding a root vegetable earlier—had he deliberately carried along rations intended for the sea creatures?

However, upon hearing Demian’s subsequent remark, the true meaning became instantly clear.

“I believe my stomach is turning.”

He was experiencing severe motion sickness.

In hindsight, it was entirely logical.

Regardless of how smooth the aquatic transport felt, navigating a rushing current was vastly different from walking on solid ground.

It was hardly surprising that his equilibrium had been thoroughly disrupted.

Was his condition truly that dire, though?

“I feel as though my life is slipping away.”

Demian’s utterance carried a hollow, dying quality that perfectly matched his claim, and his sheer wretchedness caused me to tensed slightly.

‘Was his position directly ahead of me? Or was he behind?’

On solid ground, I could easily determine his location through sound alone, but under these conditions, it proved impossible.

Nonetheless, owing to my reasonably dependable recollection of our initial lineup, I did not waste time puzzling over it.

“Go ahead and offer them sustenance.”

“The marine life… it is time… to feast…!”

For once in my life, I felt genuinely grateful that the dark corridor lacked any illumination.

Had there been even a sliver of light, I might have been subjected to watching the aquatic creatures consume their meal firsthand.

Regardless, I remained in high spirits, Demian continued to suffer, and Chenbi maintained a quiet presence as our group pressed onward.

I was thoroughly enjoying this rare respite from physical labor, immersing myself completely within the enveloping dark—but unfortunately, the peace concluded far too swiftly.

“We have reached our destination.”

Myserln sunbae’s muted tones cut through the blackness.

Immediately following his declaration, the rushing waters subsided, and a radiant glow emanated from a luminous stone held aloft by Myserln sunbae, piercing the shadows.

Our group stood before the entrance of a submerged cavern, and right at the boundary where the stone’s radiance began to fade, a colossal gateway made of iron blocked the path.

‘Could this be the place?’

While I observed the heavy iron barrier, Myserln sunbae spoke once more.

“If you please—could you direct your attention over here?”

“……?”

Prompted by his request, I shifted my gaze.

And then—what exactly caused it?

The environment that had been entirely devoid of color suddenly became brilliantly illuminated.

The shift occurred because Myserln sunbae had arranged several dozen luminous stones across the area. Positioned at precise intervals, their collective glow flooded the massive subterranean chamber.

The surrounding view was… how could one accurately describe it?

‘…Astonishing.’

The chamber was so unimaginably grand that the only fitting description was completely breathtaking.

Within the vast expanse that I had assumed was completely deserted aside from us, countless varieties of fish glided past in massive schools, and I watched the entire display in absolute silence, completely mesmerized.

It generated a sensation as though I were dwindling down to an insignificant speck.

Evidently, I was not the only one struck by the sight.

“Woww….”

“Ah.”

Even Demian, who had just been incapacitated by nausea, and Chenbi, who typically maintained a sullen quiet, let out soft gasps of admiration.

As we stood collectively enchanted by the view, Myserln sunbae broke the silence after a brief interlude.

“I wished to grant you a view of this spectacle prior to our exploration of the ancient site. Well? Is it not quite remarkable?”

Quite remarkable?

This far exceeded being merely “remarkable.”

Considering the sheer brightness of those luminous stones, their market value would be—unbelievable!

And he had dozens of them deployed simultaneously?

After a brief moment of internal commentary regarding Myserln sunbae’s staggering affluence, our group gathered tightly near the entrance of the submerged cavern.

“Puri, Aiki.”

Summoning the dual elemental forces, Myserln sunbae constructed a spherical dome of breathable air, yet my mind was still reeling from the display of wealth.

To be perfectly frank, I had witnessed plenty of individuals flaunting their riches before.

‘People parading around in extravagant, glittering carriages… individuals who coat their sheaths in pure gold or embed rare minerals into them.’

Furthermore, there were garments woven with actual golden thread, expensive ornaments, and an endless array of methods to display fortune.

Yet, this particular approach was entirely unprecedented.

‘Utilizing luminous stones for a casual display like this?’

In all honesty, utilizing precious gems or gold bars is far more direct.

The value is immediately apparent.

However, if one were to evaluate which method appeared more “sophisticated,” the answer was undeniable—it was the deployment of these luminous stones.

One might argue that luminous stones are merely functional equipment?

That shows a complete lack of understanding.

If someone intended to utilize luminous stones strictly for practical utility, they would install them permanently in a fixed location. They wouldn’t carry an entire hoard around haphazardly.

Perhaps Myserln sunbae lacks the capacity for standard magic, forcing him to transport them manually?

While that seems like a logical hypothesis, I can state with absolute certainty:

That is wide of the mark.

‘What sort of individual transports dozens of these highly valuable items merely as “functional equipment”?’

Therefore, this was a calculated, subtle exhibition.

A cultured and dignified approach—displaying immense wealth through understated elegance rather than crude bragging.

“Sunbae, your capabilities are truly extraordinary.”

“……? You have my gratitude.”

In any case, that initial astonishment quickly faded.

Shortly after, we separated slightly to consume a modest midday meal consisting of the dried meats and baked goods we had packed.

A fair amount of time slipped away in that manner.

By the time Demian—who had been completely incapacitated by his nausea—had fully rebounded and finished his portions, we were finally prepared to concentrate on our primary objective.

Myserln sunbae was the one to initiate the dialogue.

“As it stands visible before us, that is the threshold leading into the ancient ruins. Do you perceive anything unusual?”

Perceive anything?

Seated in a position that afforded a clear view of the massive iron portal, I quietly evaluated its formidable presence, and a singular observation occurred to me instantly.

“To begin with, a defensive barrier is active.”

“Furthermore?”

“That particular door… it commands quite a steep price, does it not?”

It undoubtedly did.

As expected of an ancient relic, the exterior was etched with archaic hieroglyphs, and if one were to extract it and bring it to the surface world, they could demand any sum they desired.

Even if it lacked any inherent magical properties, historical remnants possessed immense value to scholars.

Yet, for some reason.

“…….”

Myserln sunbae directed a completely blank, expressionless gaze toward me.

Only then did it register that I had completely misconstrued the intent of his query, prompting me to clear my throat awkwardly.

“Ahem. Cough. Would it be acceptable if I inspected it from a closer vantage point for a moment?”

“Count me in! I want to look too!”

“…….”

Demian surged forward to my side as though he refused to be left behind, and even Chenbi, despite his usual detached silence, displayed a hint of curiosity and glided over with us.

Flanked by the two of them, I scrutinized the iron barrier closely, uncovering a handful of details during the inspection.

“It refuses to budge.”

As a test, I exerted the full measure of my physical strength against it, but the heavy iron barrier remained completely motionless.

Granted, it was entirely possible the components had corroded over centuries or the mechanisms had seized up, but the feedback I received did not align with that theory.

It felt as though the kinetic force I exerted was not translating into the structure whatsoever.

“The interference seems to stem directly from the active barrier.”

“Indeed.”

I offered a slight nod of agreement and resumed my deliberate evaluation of the iron portal.

Following that, I focused my attention on the archaic symbols raised upon the exterior.

Analyzing the sequence and presentation, it did not appear to be an arrangement designed for casting spells—it felt more akin to an inscription intended to communicate a message….

‘…As expected, this remains completely unreadable to me.’

Moving on.

As I persisted in evaluating the threshold, it was not long before the observations of Demian and Chenbi reached my ears.

“Energy cannot penetrate it.”

“The composition… it does not mirror standard ironwork either. It appears to be a specialized composite material.”

“Even when I channel a massive volume of energy into it, it completely rejects it!”

“Hmm… I considered whether we could bypass it by demolishing the adjacent structure, but that route seems unviable. The protective ward extends through the interior of the masonry as well.”

Demian was merely forcing his internal energy into the structure without any strategy, while Chenbi was utilizing his affinity for earth magic to evaluate the surrounding structural integrity.

Simultaneously, I carried out my own independent analysis, though truth be told, the lack of progress was becoming tedious.

‘I assumed that once we arrived at the actual site, some sort of clue would reveal itself.’

I detected absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

Could it possibly operate as a pull mechanism rather than a push door? I attempted to pull it toward me, and even tried shifting it laterally as if it were a sliding partition, but the outcome remained entirely unchanged.

We spent a considerable duration analyzing the iron gateway in that manner.

Precisely then, Myserln sunbae approached our position.

“Hmm… do you still fail to register any distinct impressions?”

“That is correct. Well, nothing as of yet.”

“Ah—is that so? Absolutely nothing whatsoever? Not even a minor detail?”

“Correct. Regrettably so.”

Myserln sunbae emitted a quiet grunt, appearing somewhat perplexed by the situation, and this time, I directed a query toward him.

“Sunbae, have you discerned any relevant details yourself?”

“Myself? Nothing of particular significance. If I were forced to pinpoint an observation… it would be that the active ward exhibits signs of volatility. However, that can hardly be classified as hidden lore. The reality that the elemental forces managed to project their energy and intent beyond this perimeter was likely only achievable due to the ward’s compromised stability.”

Ultimately, it meant that even sunbae had failed to uncover any breakthrough material….

Right at that juncture, Myserln sunbae offered another perspective.

“This is merely a personal hypothesis, but I harbor a suspicion that the solution rests with you, in some shape or form. Nonetheless, my intuition suggests that this ‘solution’ will not manifest through conventional magical prowess or academic expertise.”

What exactly was he implying by that statement?

As I paid attention in quiet contemplation, the core of Myserln sunbae’s reasoning was clear:

If a master of the mystic arts possessed the capability to unseal this iron gateway, the elemental entities would have simply sought out an individual far more accomplished than myself.

Furthermore, why was it disassociated from “academic expertise”… because the perception of the spirits did not value scholastic data to that degree.

This implied that an attribute entirely exclusive to myself held the key to unlocking the iron portal.

“Ponder the matter deliberately. Is there an attribute or possession that is completely unique to you? Even a seemingly trivial detail would suffice.”

I turned the question over in my mind before answering abruptly.

“Could it perhaps be a benevolent mindset?”

“…….”

Myserln sunbae’s expression flattened once more.

…Naturally, it was meant as a lighthearted quip.

While I do possess a compassionate soul that far outshines the average person, there is no reality where complex problems are unraveled through good intentions alone—aside from children’s stories.

In reality, I did harbor a specific theory regarding the required key.

The very instant Myserln sunbae had initially outlined the situation, a specific thought had crossed my mind: ‘What if…’

Precisely as he noted, if access were governed by any standard parameters, someone would have uncovered this location centuries ago, and the elemental spirits would have already integrated into the wider world.

Therefore, what constituted the actual key?

‘…Yeokcheon.’

Indeed. Yeokcheon.

Because the singular unique traits I possessed when weighed against the rest of the world were a compassionate disposition and Yeokcheon—absolutely nothing outside of those two.