I Raided the Demon’s Treasury

Chapter 75

“I’m called Shax.”

“Is that all?”

“…… I’m currently the leader of the Merfolk.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m the player of the tutorial, Jung Se-woon.”

As expected, he was indeed a Merfolk.

There wasn’t much detailed information in the records, but it seems they weren’t extinct. Rather, they might have been exiled from the Tower, or perhaps they chose to leave on their own and settled here.

During the time when Queen Estrosha of the Black Sea ruled the floor, it’s known that the Merfolk went through some tough times.

On top of that, there was the indiscriminate hunting by players.

Perhaps the empty depths outside the Tower were safer and more comfortable for them.

“First, let’s lower the spear, shall we?”

“Shouldn’t you first explain why I should do that?”

“That’s…….”

Shax hesitated to answer Se-woon’s question.

After all, from his perspective, Se-woon was a complete outsider.

Even though he introduced himself, Shax didn’t know if it was the truth or what Se-woon’s intentions were.

No one knew that Merfolk existed outside the Tower. Shax had no intention of letting Se-woon live and potentially reveal their presence to Tower players who might intervene in the tutorial.

Of course, he was aware it seemed impossible, but players knew no limitations.

To prevent even the slightest chance, their existence had to remain concealed.

While contemplating the immediate situation, Se-woon proposed an idea first.

“If you take me to Leviathan, I won’t kill you.”

“…How do you know about that?”

“She kindly informed me.”

Se-woon said, lightly poking Estrosha’s head.

Shax’s sharp gaze momentarily locked onto Estrosha, but she quickly scrambled to defend herself.

“Look at my state! This person tortured me into this, how could I possibly resist?”

“….. Hoo.”

Shax shook his head.

He hadn’t really expected her to keep the secret, but thanks to her, their most crucial secret was now out.

However, he needed to confirm one thing.

“Why do you want to meet him?”

“Hmm…….”

Se-woon pondered on how best to explain.

No matter how he attempted to explain, Shax’s suspicion wouldn’t ease.

Reflecting on his experiences before and after regression, Se-woon realized that showing proof was often the best approach.

Thwack.

“Screee-”

Splash.

“What are you doing?”

Se-woon redirected his spear from Estrosha to pierce a nearby egg.

From it, a partially formed monster let out a weak sound as it emerged.

The creature from the egg died before its life could even commence.

Immediately, Se-woon raised his hand toward the egg, activating his power.

– The ‘Egg of the Deep Sea’ has been devoured.

– The nutrients are so minimal that no attributes have been absorbed.

“This… this is!”

Gulp!

A black fang materialized as usual, swallowing the monster and egg whole.

While his attributes hadn’t increased, that wasn’t his current goal.

– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince’ finds the texture reminiscent of jelly and desires more.

“If you’re aligned with Leviathan, you know what this power is, right?”

“The Power of Gluttony…….”

“Oh, and also.”

Se-woon then utilized a new power.

– Opened the (True) Treasury of Greed.

The Power of Greed.

He didn’t need to unveil anything; just the effect of opening the treasury was enough to make Shax’s eyes widen with disbelief.

“The Power of Greed too.”

“Does that suffice as an explanation?”

“Do both Demon Gods wish to meet our Constellation? Why now? Even when he fell here, they showed no interest!”

“Sorry, but that’s beyond what I can explain to you.”

“…I see.”

– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven’ looks at your actions with an unreadable expression.

– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince’ pleads for a meal, saying he’s feeling dizzy from hunger.

There was a concern whether the Demon Gods would be upset at Se-woon for using their names recklessly, but…

Mammon seemed to implicitly understand him, and as always, Beelzebub was solely interested in food.

After contemplating for a moment, Shax nodded with determination and spoke.

“Understood.”

“Can you swear on the name of your Constellation?”

“Of course. I, Shax, vow in Leviathan’s name to guide you to the sanctuary.”

“Good.”

A vow in the name of a Constellation was not mere words.

Breaking such a vow would mean losing all powers granted by the Constellation and being unable to form a contract with that Constellation ever again.

In the Tower, some players audaciously swindled using a Constellation’s name but judging by Shax, he held deep loyalty to Leviathan.

Therefore, a pledge in Leviathan’s name was the most sincere vow possible.

Only after hearing the vow did Se-woon remove the spear from Estrosha’s head.

Finally.

“Shall we proceed?”

It was time to meet the Demon God of Envy, Leviathan.

* * *

Rumble…….

The remnants of shattered coral reefs, the corpses of monsters strewn everywhere, and the vast amounts of blood clouding the water currents.

Cleaning up the aftermath was a tiresome effort for the Merfolk.

Though there was no human casualty, as it was mere cleanup rather than the expected fierce battle, the task seemed more than a day or two.

Fortunately, Queen Estrosha and most of her eggs remained intact.

If restored well, there shouldn’t be an issue for the next tutorial.

Of course.

– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince’ finds this a tantalizing taste but desires more.

To satisfy Beelzebub, around a hundred eggs were utilized.

Even that failed to satisfy Beelzebub.

Looking at the restless Shax who couldn’t stop Se-woon due to the demand of a Demon God, Se-woon halted his actions.

With the other Merfolk handling the situation, Se-woon and Shax departed the hidden dungeon.

It was time to meet Leviathan, the Demon God of Envy.

“I will adjust my speed, please follow suit.”

Perhaps realizing Se-woon was contracted with two Demon Gods, Shax now treated Se-woon with a respectful attitude quite unlike before.

However, excessive consideration was unwelcome to Se-woon. He’d thrown himself into the sea mid-tutorial, and excessive care only felt like a hindrance.

They couldn’t afford to waste time now, even if they were searching for traces of Leviathan in the dungeon.

“Just move as you usually do—or faster, if possible.”

“The Power of Greed does seem impressive, but…”

Shaks glanced over Se-woon’s gills, fins, and webbed fingers.

He already appeared more like a Merfolk than a human, and his movements were as fluid as any fish’s.

“We Merfolk are known for our swimming skills, even among aquatic creatures. It won’t be easy for you to keep up.”

“I’ll manage.”

“…Understood.”

Splash!

With a burst of white bubbles, Shaks shot forward. It was as if he were pushing off solid ground, gaining speed by forcefully kicking against the water.

Judging by his pace, he’d been holding back considerably up until now, clearly accommodating Se-woon’s speed.

However, Se-woon churned up bubbles just the same.

Swish!

With the gills of a Mermaid and the fins of a Merman, Se-woon was every bit a Merfolk.

The power of Greed did more than cause an external transformation; it enhanced the inherent power of the treasures he wore. In other words, it bolstered his proficiency with them.

Though it typically took time to grow accustomed to their use, Se-woon, accustomed to utilizing a variety of treasures, found it easy to adjust.

He had sufficient time to become familiar with the gills and fins.

‘He’s really keeping up……?’

Shax looked back at Se-woon, startled.

As well he might be, as Shax was the leader of the Merfolk.

With speed characteristic of the shark-like Merfolk, combined with skill honed over countless years, not to mention the attributes gained as an Apostle of a Demon God.

He assuredly thought no creature of the sea could surpass him.

Yet, how was it that even as he swam at his top speed, Se-woon remained tightly behind?

Thus.

‘…… I can’t lose.’

Competition flickered in Shax’s eyes.

His opponent was a human. He was a Merfolk.

To lose in a swimming speed contest in the sea was unthinkable.

Swish!

Shax sharpened his fins and increased speed.

This wasn’t just physical swimming—he utilized mana to reduce water resistance and empower his legs.

The sight of him was akin to that of a full-fledged shark rather than a Merfolk.

Except.

‘He’s still keeping pace?’

Se-woon didn’t allow the gap to widen with Shax.

Thanks to the accessory ‘Wrath of the Sea’ obtained by defeating the Sea Drake Drakan in the fifth chapter of the tutorial, which had the effect of ‘significantly reducing underwater constraints.’

Feeling anxious, Shax refocused as he looked ahead at the approaching rock clusters.

“This is a reef zone. You’ll need to reduce speed.”

Despite saying so, Shax didn’t decrease speed. He deftly maneuvered his fins to rapidly change direction.

While maintaining a difficult balance to avoid smashing into the reefs, Se-woon had vanished from view.

‘Did I get carried away?’

Now regaining his sense, Shax shook his head.

No matter how fast, the opponent was still human. Navigating swiftly through reef zones was difficult even for Merfolk.

Reducing speed would have been wiser to avoid potential injury.

‘I should wait after the reef zone.’

Thinking so, upon emerging from the reef, what appeared before Shax’s eyes was……

“Glad to see you’re safe, is this the right way?”

Se-woon was there, having exited the reef first, waiting for Shax.

Having not known the way, even after surpassing the reef, he had to wait rather than blaze ahead.

“…… Yes.”

Swish!

Clenching his lip and concentrating strength on his fins, Shax pressed forward.

Having failed in straight swimming and within the reef, everything seemed futile.

Fearing a shattering of his Merfolk pride, he vowed to prevail in the final stretch!

Before reaching the Merfolk’s sanctuary, they had to traverse a vortex created by Leviathan’s Power of Envy.

Difficult to swim through, with twisted currents capable of dragging one in for taking the wrong path.

Truth be told, it wasn’t purely about swimming skills.

It seemed mildly unfair, yet preferable over breaking his Merfolk spirit.

“Please follow closely!”

“I just need to pass through there, right?”

“Indeed! As long as you keep right behind me, there should be no……”

Though Shax was speaking, Se-woon didn’t wait for him to finish.

Grip.

Gripping tightly, the scales of a Lizardman surfaced over Se-woon’s body as he readied the spear he carried.

Swish!

“What is he doing?”

Like a moth drawn to a flame, Se-woon darted toward the vortex.