Old People Don’t Hold Hands - Chapter 128



Only Krnovel

Episode 128, Cigar (4)

The Orb of Neltma.

It was the name of an item that dropped with a very rare probability when defeating the 4th floor boss, Neltma.

Overall, it was a strange red-colored pill-like item… … .

What was unique was that it looked like a Naedan from a martial arts novel.

Moreover, it was so small that it was difficult to swallow it in one bite.

Because of its odd appearance, most people wouldn’t think of it as something that would be eaten.

From what I’ve experienced, this ‘Neltma’s Orb’ has already been used step by step in EndWorld.

Especially if you are a chosen people of very high status who support and lead many adventurers.

So what is this thing?

… … Well, the purpose of this item is very simple.

After eating this, the subject is forced to keep the first words they say forever.

If we consider it as a successor, it has a similar effect to an oath made in the name of God.

If you don’t keep that promise, the remnants of the jewel wrapped around your neck will burst and you will die.

Since I discovered the true purpose of this object, I started calling it by this name.

Words of agreement.

It was named so because it made people have no choice but to believe what it said.

I held the Orb of Neltma and brought it close to Inogen’s mouth.

Inogen kept his lips tightly shut, knowing the purpose of this object.

When I tried to push him in, he ended up turning his head away and avoiding me.

“Hey, what are you trying to make me say by feeding me this?”

… … Really, you don’t even have the luxury of being brave like this, but you’re still full of doubts.

Even if we leave him tied up like this, Inogen won’t come back for us.

I was going to be stuck here for a long time.

But the reason why they insist on feeding them this kind of thing and trying to lure them in is… … .

Because it’s definitely useful.

Besides, Geumdae also knows where this dragon’s nest is.

If Geumdae comes and the two of them hold hands, my position will become very awkward.

So, my conclusion is.

“Eat this and it will ensure our safety.”

“Oh, it’s safe?”

“Okay. Eat this and swear not to kill me or my colleagues. Then I’ll let you go.”

At my words, Inozen looked at me for a moment as if he was thinking about it.

“Or, do you just want to die?”

At my words, I had no choice but to put Neltma’s orb in my mouth.

For a while, I looked straight at Inozen, who was chewing the orb.

I got lucky first.

“I will never harm DeKlen and his associates. Tell me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Inogen also swallowed the Orb of Neltma.

He started talking along.

“… … I will never harm DeClen and his colleagues.”

As soon as Inogen finished speaking, it seemed to take effect.

For a moment, a red aura seemed to wrap itself around her neck.

It remained as a tattoo in the shape of a necklace.

Well, I think this is the minimum safety measure.

“Then let’s consider the contract between us concluded.”

With these words, he freed Inogen from his bonds, which were hanging on the wall.

“You’ve been treating me like this all along… … !”

Inogen, who had been released, raised his arms threateningly, shouting out his anger.

He swung his arm in anger, not with the intention of killing, but clearly intending to hit him.

Boom!

The arm that was trying to swing at me bounced away before it could even reach my head, and just slammed back into the wall.

“Hey, what is this?”

Inogen also seems confused by his own arm moving on its own.

To be exact, it wasn’t because he swallowed Neltma’s orb.

If you don’t keep your promise, they’ll just kill you.

Because there was no function to enforce promises or restrict actions.

But the reason why you can’t touch me is…

“It must be because of instinct.”

“… …Instinct?”

Yeah, instinct.

The moment you swallow the Orb of Neltma and disobey your word, you will die.

So, that body with those monstrous reflexes is limiting its own actions.

To save lives.

I sat down, leaving Inogen still looking at my arm with a bewildered expression.

And then he looked up at Inogen, who was standing there blankly.

“What are you doing? Sit down first.”

As I tapped the floor, Inozen, who was caressing my arm, seemed to dislike something.

He just lay there, grumbling and sprawled out in the corner.

The remaining three people were just blankly staring at the sight.

After a brief silence, it was Nowen who spoke first.

“D, DeClen? What the hell is going on!”

“Uh, sir, do we have to go around with that woman from now on?”

“… Mr. Declen, can I talk to you for a moment?”

As soon as Nowen started the conversation, the three people rushed towards him as if they had been waiting for him to open their mouths.

I raised both hands lightly.

“Let’s all calm down for a moment.”

“Ha, but… … .”

Well, I totally understand your concerns.

In short, you go to the dragon’s nest, meet a woman who claims to be a dragon, and fight her.

Because I took that woman on as a colleague.

It is only natural that this series of events is not understood.

Let’s turn our heads slightly and look at Inozen.

Inogen also glared at me as if to say, “What should I do?”

… … Well, I did put the leash on though.

Are you saying you have no intention of cooperating right now?

“First, I will explain everything.”

It started with a god called ‘Siger’.

Well, even if Diana and Biella know that I am a manifestation, they will ignore it.

Since Nowen still thought I was the successor to Revel, I needed to correct him.

… … Of course, with a little bit of lying thrown in.

“Mr. Nowen, first of all, I am not the successor to Revalo.”

“Huh? You’re not the successor to Revalo?”

“To be exact, not Rebel, but… … . I should say the successor of a god whose name is not well known.”

Nowen tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

Next I explained honestly about the cigar, or rather the power I possessed.

Nowen, who had been silently nodding his head, heard the talk about power.

I was just purely amazed.

“To be able to kill others and steal their powers is an incredible ability. On the other hand… … , I also think it’s a scary power.”

“… … Well, yeah.”

“Now I understand. Why did you, DeKlen, become so strong in such a short period of time?”

Nowen looked down at the floor for a moment, as if lost in thought, then raised his head again.

“Excuse me, Declen. I have something to ask you.”

“Just ask.”

“Have you ever deliberately killed someone because you coveted their power? For example… … .”

Nowen hesitated and eventually couldn’t continue speaking, but I knew very well what he was trying to say.

“Like a hunter, you know.”

“Ah, uh… … . I know this is rude, but I wanted to ask.”

Yeah, I know.

I guess I can’t help but think that way.

That’s understandable, since it’s only been a few months since Nowen and I first met.

I couldn’t even catch one regular monster on the first floor, so I begged to be spared and made into a slave.

In the meantime, he gained fame and was now climbing the 4th floor to become a 4-factor adventurer.

In fact, his growth rate was explosively faster than any other character I’ve raised in EndWorld.

So, it was only natural for Nowen to think this way.

After all, it is the power to take away other people’s power.

If I had the power, it would naturally mean that I would have killed the one who had the power.

but…….

I dare say it.

“No, I have never done that.”

Nowen seemed relieved by my answer and said this with a much more relaxed expression.

“Really?”

“… … Mr. Declen has never attacked anyone first because he wanted their power. I can guarantee that.”

“Oh, that’s right! The old man helped me there! … … Yeah.”

Diana was calm, and Biella quickly raised her hand and intervened.

I explained to Nowen what had happened to me.

From the first time I met Diana in the winter forest, to the coincidence of encountering Biella and wiping out the hunters.

Of course, I’m leaving out the story of how he was caught being a manifester and was locked up in the temple.

Throughout the story that had unfolded, Nowen nodded silently.

All he said was this.

“I see. So you fought to protect yourself and your comrades in the end! How touching!”

… … Well, I guess I overreacted a bit.

“A strong god is sure to be followed by a strong successor! Declan, you are truly a greater man than I thought! Haha!”

I just awkwardly laughed as I watched Nowen talking while patting my back.

In the meantime, Inogen, who had been stretching out, suddenly intervened.

She sat with her legs crossed awkwardly, and her little fingers were poking at her ears.

“What kind of strong god is that? He’s just a weakling who can’t even protect his own successor.”

“Mom, how can you insult the god you serve… …!”

Nowen looked bewildered by Inozen’s words.

Inogen just blew his fingers into his ears as if he didn’t care.

“Anyway, you there. Human male. You know the deal? In exchange for being with you, you have to help me complete my contract.”

I smiled brightly at Inozen’s confident words.

“Yes, I swear on the name of the cigar. I will help you complete your contract.”

Inogen smiled as if he was satisfied with my words.

It was an ineffective oath anyway.

I’m sorry, but your contract will never be completed.

You just promised that you would never touch the person you were supposed to kill for the rest of your life.

“So, you’re going to help the god you serve die… … , , what is this… … .”

Of course, Nowen, who did not understand the conversation between me and Inozen, turned his head here and there in confusion.

Inogen ignored even that and just banged his hands together.

“Okay, so! When are you going to leave the nest?”

Oh, that’s it.

“I’ll be leaving soon, but I have a favor to ask.”

“… … ?”

“I’d like you to break this down a bit. Is that possible?”

“… … What?”

***

The purpose of our visit to this place, the Dragon’s Nest, was very clear.

Gathering the treasures we need.

Of course, it would have been helpful to sweep everything away.

That couldn’t be possible because of the rules that exist here.

So, ever since I planned to go there, I’ve been making a list of items I need to pack.

The first treasure you need is the silver sword called Ahre’s Night.

It was characterized by being crafted with blue gemstones and had simple functions.

Completely removes the penalty of power entangled between two targets who shed blood together.

Since this can be used in the Dragon’s Nest in the first place, it will be excluded from the treasure count.

And next, the mirror of the King of Net.

It was a special treasure that could transfer its power to another target.

This has been marked as a treasure of Biella.

If only the condition that it was only possible when in contact could be nullified by the mirror’s ‘transfer’.

Or assisting your colleagues by hiding them from afar.

At least a complete surprise attack would be possible.

Next, I thought about Diana and Nowen’s things, but let’s move on for now.

Above all, the treasure we needed most right now was the Frost Queen’s coffin.

But no matter how much I search, I can’t find it.

Besides, when I was playing EndWorld, I only got information that it came from here.

I couldn’t tell exactly where it was.

Even though it was a one-of-a-kind treasure, it could not be obtained anywhere else.

So it must be here.

No matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find it…

Besides, looking at Inogen’s reaction, it seems like no one had visited in the meantime.

If so, we had no choice but to come to this conclusion.

The Frost Queen’s coffin is still hidden somewhere here.

Before moving in earnest, I asked Inogen if there were any other secret spaces.

Inogen simply replied that they didn’t know much about it because it was made so long ago.

To be exact, the connection with the bowl is still unstable.

He said that his memories from the past were blurry.

Well, I guess that’s not a lie.

They started destroying this place without any plan.

This decision was made because secret areas in EndWorld are usually hidden by the terrain or revealed when certain conditions are met.

There was no need to worry about the debris that would come out as the space was broken, as it covered half of the four sides.

So Inogen, the only one who can freely touch this place, breaks the walls and floor.

If there is no gain, repeat the process of using half of the amnesty to return it.

Ku, kugugu, kugugun!

… … hidden behind a broken wall.

I was able to discover a hidden door.