The Author's POV

"Very well, you will be allowed to gain access to our treasure to pick whatever skill you want."

Gervis said. Then, pausing, he looked at me straight in the eyes and solemnly said.

"But I warn you, don't be too greedy. When one must choose a skill, one must choose a skill nearing their rank. If you choose a skill that is far above your rank, it would destroy your body, so be careful."

"I understand."

I replied with a subtle nod.

What Gervis said wasn't wrong.

The only reason why Jin and the others didn't have extremely powerful skills that were far above their rank level with respect to their background was exactly because of this problem.

Their immature bodies couldn't contain the power of the skill.

Most times they'd end up suffering extreme consequences.

As such, one had to be careful when choosing a skill.

"I'm glad that you know."

Smiling in satisfaction, Gervis turned to look at the others in the hall and raised his cup.

"Now then, since we're over with all of that stuff, it's time for us to celebrate our victory! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone replied back, raising their cups in celebration.

And so for the next couple of hours, everyone feasted on the delicious food on the table.

I also feasted like never before as I tried all of the food on the table.

It had to be noted that the food was made by cooking special beasts. They weren't simple beasts at that, but vicious and powerful wild ones that had to be hunted beforehand.

Not only did the meat contain mana, but it also had additional effects in helping the body recover faster.

With each bite I took, I could feel myself feeling more and more refreshed.

The feeling felt euphoric to me.

'Since it's free I might as well.'

Without holding back, I stuffed myself with as much food as possible, much to the shame of Douglas and Waylan. But I didn't care. Unlike them, I was still in my growing phase.

It was only after my stomach could no longer hold any more food that I finally stopped.

"I think, I ate too much..." I muttered while leaning back on my seat and rubbing my stomach which was now bulging slightly.

Regret slowly started to seep in.

I had eaten so much that I felt like I could explode at any second.

Aside from that, I also was slowly starting to feel sleepy.

Fortunately, by the time I was done eating the banquet had already come to an end and everyone slowly went back to their residences.

Following Douglas and Waylan out, I also prepared to head out of the hall, but before I could go out, someone tugged my pants.

Lowering my head, I spotted Gervis looking up at me from below.

He was here to remind me about my previous request.

"Ren, I've talked to Randur and he will be bringing you to the treasury tomorrow morning. Go get some good rest."

The moment he mentioned the words 'treasury' my mind sobered up real quick and I nodded my head.

understand. I'll be up

Have a good

"Thank you."

to catch up with Douglas and Waylan who had already exited the

like that, the reward ceremony

***

The next day.

"Huaaaam…"

I let

getting back from the banquet last night, I fell asleep almost

slept like

not for the fact that I was so excited about my reward,

"You're already up?"

my thoughts was

of where the voice sounded, I spotted

"You're finally here."

time." Randur replied, taking out a small item resembling a pocket watch

I've been waiting for this moment since about a

replied back, walking up to

time? You were that confident

really, but it served as good motivation for ensuring that the plan would be a

"That's quite smart."

turning

is quite hidden, so we must

"Yes."

the most precious equipment and

His seriousness was understandable.

behind, we walked through the

make small talk on our way to

been set up again?

set them back up as soon as we

"Oh? I see."

part just in case the demons once again tried to attack, but it looked

disabled the barriers and never actually destroyed them,

"That's good."

talk with Randur on our way to our destination. Before

"Hey."

guard of the portal, Randur headed for

him from behind, I

see, so in order to keep the location of the treasury a secret, the dwarves must've only told the coordinates of the place to a select few

me of what

"Alright, I'm done."

clapping his hands together, he

already set the coordinates, you go in first. We can't let others know of

"Okay."

a step forward and greeting the guard, I climbed up a couple of stairs and soon stepped into the

you on the

were the last words I heard before my vision blurred and slowly

*

"Ugh, I hate portals."

I took a step

been through quite a lot of them, I still hated the sensation I got from taking

been spun around in circles at extreme speeds. Nauseating

"What's this smell?"

I was recovering, a rustic scent lingered in the air, invading my nostrils. Lifting my head up, my eyes soon paused on an enormous ancient door that

the moment, there was no one standing outside of the door, but I knew for a fact that there were people guarding

most likely

"It's nice isn't it?"

Randur looked at the enormous door in the distance. A sense of pride could be felt in his words as his eyes paused on

"Yeah."

I softly replied back.