I Raided the Demon’s Treasury

Chapter 7

– You have devoured ‘The Gravekeeper Wolf’.

– Absorbing its nutrients increases Strength by 3, Agility by 5, and Stamina by 2.

Before returning to the camp, Se-woon didn’t forget to use the Power of Gluttony to satiate Beelzebub’s hunger.

“So, you can absorb more stats from boss monsters.”

This time, the total stats increased by 10 points.

Compared to the 3 points gained from consuming the first Brown Wolf, this was more than three times the value.

This increase brought all of his stats above 10, with Agility nearing 20.

Considering his initially poor stats, he now had stats that were quite fitting for a player.

– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince,’ expresses satisfaction, saying that this level of meat provides a good chew.

Beelzebub seemed pleased, so it was a very satisfying first journey.

‘Before arriving, let’s check the items.’

He examined both the sword he had drawn from the grave and the hide obtained from hunting the Gray Wolf.

Although he initially assumed the hide was merely a material item, it turned out to be equipable immediately.

[ Sword of the Forgotten Hero ]

Category: Longsword

Rank: D-

Description: A sword commemorating a long-forgotten hero who vanished ages ago. It has grown old and rusted over the years.

Abilities:

1. Metal Poison – Slows the healing of wounds inflicted by the sword.

2. Hero’s Legacy – Increases attack power against monsters by 10%.

[ Gray Wolf Hide ]

Category: Cloak

Rank: D-

Description: The hide of the Gray Wolf that ruled over the Brown Wolves in the Wolf Forest. It still retains its former majesty.

Abilities:

1. Aura of Dominance – Grants charisma to allies and instills fear in enemies, befitting a leader’s presence.

2. Blessing of the Wind – Increases movement speed by 5%.

No wonder.

While it seemed well-honed despite the rust, the attack power increase likely made it feel that way.

Normally, old and rusted weapons would have weakened abilities, yet this sword had gained a beneficial ability, ‘Metal Poison.’

The Gray Wolf Hide was similar.

The tough hide he had felt while battling it translated into decent defense, and the attached abilities were quite appealing.

Most importantly—

“Both of these are already this good even before proper maintenance.”

The rust on the sword could be removed, and the dulled edge re-sharpened with a whetstone. The Gray Wolf Hide could also be tanned properly to make it even more useful.

Once done, both would likely rise to at least a D+ rank.

Considering that most items obtainable early in the tutorial were around F rank, these were incredible finds from the start.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ looks down at your sword, thinking it’s not complete trash, and casts an indifferent gaze.

The Bowed Raven.

Apart from the initial interaction when Se-woon first used the treasury, there had been little to no response. True to the nature of the Demon God of Greed, it showed interest as soon as Se-woon checked the items.

With the sword in hand and the cloak roughly draped over his shoulders, he was almost out of the forest when a new message appeared.

[ Tutorial Chapter One – Adaptation ]

– The second wave is starting.

– Defend against the monster wave and prove your worth.

As expected, the wave had begun before Se-woon could return.

He recalled the promise to Yoo Seo-ah to return before the wave, but he wasn’t too concerned.

Instead, it was a good opportunity to gauge the reactions of the people.

What Se-woon desired were people with determination. He had no intention of dragging along those who contributed nothing and only caused trouble.

Swoosh.

Se-woon bent down and parted the last bush.

“Aaaah!”

“Damn, after wolves, now it’s boars?”

“Were boars always this strong? Ugh!”

“We can do it! Hold them off!”

– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince,’ drools, watching the scene while chewing on his meat.

Se-woon’s eyes took in the sight of people engaged in a desperate battle against dozens of boars.

* * *

“Hold them off! Hold them!”

“Squeeeal!”

It was just like the first wave.

The moment the number in the system message hit zero, monsters appeared as if they had been waiting.

The main difference was that the enemies were boars instead of wolves, and they appeared from the direction of the hill rather than the forest.

Moreover, their tactics were entirely different from the wolves in the first wave.

While the wolves gradually surrounded and closed in, tightening their grip like a noose, the boars charged at people with their blunt tusks bared the moment they appeared.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

“Damn, what strength!”

How often does a modern person face a wild boar directly?

The strength of the boar, a ‘beast’ encountered up close, far exceeded their expectations.

Stopping the charge was inherently impossible, and even if they tried to evade it, the boars twisted their direction with surprising speed, far beyond what one would expect from pigs.

‘If I didn’t have this, I would have been helpless as well!’

Yoo Seo-ah, gripping a thick stick she had found in the forest, felt cold sweat running down her forehead.

Discussion with the others? At first, it seemed to be going well, but it quickly turned into chaos due to a few individuals. Specifically, those hiding in the back while presenting themselves as weak.

“Hold them off! Don’t dodge, just block them!”

“What the hell! You, didn’t you say you worked for our company? If you don’t want to get fired, fight properly!”

Especially, the middle-aged man with a frayed suit and partially bald head.

“I’ll reward you well when we get back! What? Do you know who I am? I’m the president of Towne Corporation! I can ruin a person’s life easily…”

He skillfully wielded both carrot and stick, manipulating those with weak wills.

The weak could do nothing but bow their heads, and those worried about returning to Earth were also forced to lower their heads.

Yoo Seo-ah wanted to rush over and stop his tyranny, but she couldn’t afford to.

“Ugh!”

A boar’s tusk grazed her thigh.

She thought she dodged it, but her pants got caught, ripping open, and leaving a long wound.

She swung the wooden stick, but it barely inflicted any real damage.

Helping others ultimately requires strength.

Why?

In this urgent situation, a man’s face popped into her mind.

The man who claimed that discussions were unnecessary and went into the forest. A man who didn’t return when the wave started, likely because he was mauled by wolves.

As he left, his parting words echoed like a refrain.

‘At this rate…’

As gloomy thoughts infiltrated her mind, she slapped her cheeks with both hands.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she grabbed the wooden stick again and faced the boar.

“Squeeeal!”

At that moment, another boar’s terrifying squeal rang out from behind.

In the sudden confusion, unsure of where to aim her sword—

Slice!

“…You are?”

Se-woon appeared over the fallen body of a boar, its neck cleanly slashed.

* * *

‘They’re fighting better than I expected.’

That was my impression as I observed the people battling the boars.

Of course, I wasn’t referring to their combat skills.

Determination.

While a few were still paralyzed by fear, a significant number were doing their best to fend off the boars.

Particularly—

‘Kang Han-cheol and Yoo Seo-ah.’

Their abilities stood out the most.

Kang Han-cheol used his large build and immense strength to grapple with the boars, while Yoo Seo-ah employed her quick movements and weapon to fight them.

Each had already taken down more than four boars.

Considering they had no proper equipment, their performance was truly impressive, indicative of high potential.

‘Time to step in.’

Leap!

Se-woon rose to his feet.

Whether it was from exhaustion or loss of focus, Yoo Seo-ah was momentarily frozen between two boars. He rushed to her aid.

Slice!

Hamel Family Longsword Technique.

While he couldn’t yet muster the strength to decapitate with a single blow, severing the neck where it wasn’t protected by bone was well within his capability.

The boar, fatally wounded, tumbled to the ground, unable to overcome its own momentum.

However, the recoil left his wrist throbbing with sharp pain.

“…You are?”

Yoo Seo-ah’s eyes widened as she opened her mouth, but the wild boars, having seen their companion’s death, became even more enraged, stamping their feet.

“Let’s deal with them first.”

– Opened the Treasury of Greed.

[ Tendons of a High Orc ]

– The tendons of a High Orc, a species inherently strong and fierce by nature, contain the sturdy vitality characteristic of orcs.

Grip!

Se-woon felt strength surge into his hand, grasping the sword firmly.

The leather wrapping around the sword handle twisted, snugly fitting his grip.

Although treasures from Mammon’s Treasury couldn’t directly increase his stats, they could certainly enhance his physical attributes.

Of course, one still needed a body capable of handling it to use such enhancements.

“Squeeeal!”

Utilizing the unique movements of the Ten Path Leg Technique, Se-woon deftly dodged the boar’s attack and thrust his sword into its side.

He could distinctly feel the boar’s thick muscles twitching desperately against the blade in his hand, almost as if they were clamping down to prevent him from pulling out the sword.

However—

Crunch!

“Squeeak!”

Was it thanks to the ‘Tendons of a High Orc’ he had just used? With strength surpassing his usual capacity, he twisted the blade, tearing through the boar’s gripping muscles.

‘Rather than becoming stronger, it’s more accurate to say my body can now handle the strength better.’

Human muscles have built-in limitations to prevent self-damage.

With the addition of the excellent component known as High Orc’s Tendons, the potential output of his muscles had increased.

As he withdrew the sword, the boar gushed blood from the gaping wound in its side.

Swoosh—Slice!

Thud!

The boars that had been rampaging as if they owned the place were quickly being dealt with one by one.

People cowering under the boars’ might began to regain their spirit with Se-woon’s intervention.

Amid the ongoing battle, someone placed a hand on Se-woon’s shoulder.

Clap!

“W-wait!”

He reflexively swung his sword, realizing just in time that the touch wasn’t from a boar. He halted the blade mere inches from the person’s neck.

It was the middle-aged man with a partially bald head, using a damp handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

Se-woon’s expression naturally contorted into a grimace.

“You’re really something! Unlike those useless ones over there, you’re on a whole different level!”

Sweat from the man’s hand had soaked into the shoulder he touched.

Despite Se-woon’s deepening scowl, the man continued, unfazed.

“Why don’t you become my personal bodyguard? I’m the president of Towne Corporation! You’ve heard of it, right?”

There was no way Se-woon could remember.

Although his body had just crossed into the tower, Se-woon’s mind was that of a veteran who had endured countless trials within the tower.

Most of his memories from Earth had faded into the background. Even if they hadn’t, who would remember the name of every company?

“If we get back, I’ll reward you handsomely! How much do you want?”

Despite the barrage of questions, Se-woon didn’t reply.

Meanwhile, new boars continued to gather, attracted by the scent of blood on Se-woon’s sword.

Sensing the danger, the man’s speech quickened.

“Oh, if you wish, I’ll appoint you as a director in our company! You’ll receive far better treatment than in any major corporation!”

Did he even realize?

Talking about big companies or directorships was meaningless once inside the tower.

The tower was a one-way street. Having entered the tutorial, returning to Earth was impossible.

Se-woon, having listened to the man’s offers, finally spoke.

“Perfect.”

“Haha! I knew you’d see reason! It’s a wise choice! Just protect me, and I’ll make sure you’re set for life…”

“Actually, I was just looking for a suitable human shield.”

“Yes, a human shiel—what? What did you just say…”

Thud.

Se-woon lightly pushed the man’s stomach with his foot.

Without even needing to use the leg technique, just a slight application of force sent the man crashing to the ground, his own weight overwhelming him.

“Handle four boars for me, given your size.”

“W-what do you mean!”

“Squeaaal!”

As if they understood Se-woon’s words, four boars closed in on the man.

He tried to scramble away frantically, but his thick belly prevented him from quickly getting on his feet.

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven,’ grins as it assesses your nature.

– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince,’ whines, demanding you leave that tasteless man and bring more delicious meat quickly.

The man screamed, but no one came to his rescue.