Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse-Chapter 200: Accept it

Having explored dungeons before, they should have known the importance of raising scouts. It was strange that neither faction had brought any along for this expedition.

Damian’s face darkened slightly as he shook his head.

"No, we don’t have any."

"What? Not even one?"

"Not a single one," Damian confirmed, leaving Justin at a loss for words.

It didn’t seem like a lie, but why hadn’t they raised any scouts? Given their resources, it wasn’t as though they lacked the means.

"No one wanted to take on the role," Damian explained.

"Couldn’t you have made them do it?" Justin asked.

"Choosing a class is based on free will. Forcing someone into it will only lead to regrets later," Damian replied.

Ah, that’s how he thinks, Justin realized. To Damian, the idea of "training someone as a pioneer in exchange for rewards" didn’t even cross his mind. He believed it was the leader’s duty to support anyone who wanted to become a pioneer, and that choosing a class was entirely up to the individual.

Clicking his tongue, Justin then turned to Elias.

"What about you? No scouts?"

"I don’t have any, either," Elias replied.

"Why not?"

"It’s cheaper to sacrifice non-believers."

"...."

Justin sighed, regretting that he had asked. Neither of them was a typical example—one was leading an egalitarian structure, and the other ruled through religious fear. Justin had hoped to get a better sense of how other factions managed their domains, but with these two, he could only shake his head.

"Justin, I think we’ve arrived," Nathan’s voice broke into his thoughts.

Lifting his head, Justin looked forward.

A massive door stood before them, much like the ones he had seen in treasure vaults during previous dungeon explorations.

"...Is this really the end?"

Justin let out a short laugh. They had encountered only two other leaders, fought one battle, and passed through a few traps. Could this really be the end of the main quest? Discover hidden stories at novelbuddy

’What’s going on here?’

Rumble.

As if in answer to his question, the door to the treasure vault opened. The pioneers, who had been nervously watching the door, widened their eyes in shock as they looked inside.

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There were no grand decorations, no imposing throne, and not even a single coin to be found. The only thing in the vault was a single shield, which seemed to be equipment for a warrior, and another massive door behind it.

’Just as I thought,’ Justin mused, turning his attention away from the shield and toward the second door. He smiled.

Up until now, everything had been a warm-up—a tutorial. The true main quest would begin beyond that door.

’I knew something was off.’

The familiar structure, the familiar traps—it all felt like a rehash of past challenges. While the difficulty had increased, everything else had remained the same. These weren’t the kinds of trials you’d expect from a main quest with massive rewards.

Now, it was clear that everything up to this point had been a warning.

If they couldn’t even handle trials they had faced before, the message was clear: give up now.

’So the real challenge starts once we open that door...’

"Hey, Justin, shouldn’t we collect the reward?" Rachel’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Oh, right."

Finally snapping back to the present, Justin glanced at the lone shield sitting in the empty treasure vault. Even though it had just been a tutorial, the trial still came with a reward.

"Yeah, we should grab it."

"By the way, Justin, I wanted to ask… about that shield…" Rachel began cautiously.

"If the stats are good, I’ll give it to you," Justin replied.

"Yes!" she exclaimed happily.

Meanwhile, Damian and Elias, overhearing the conversation, let out faint sighs. They both used shields as part of their equipment, so they couldn’t help but be envious. But neither had played any significant role in this trial, so they knew better than to ask for it.

’No matter how much they want it, they won’t dare ask,’ Justin thought, smirking. In terms of both contribution and power, they were in no position to claim the shield. Its ownership was entirely up to Justin.

He approached the center of the treasure vault and picked up the round shield.

〈Blessed Round Shield〉

Category: Warrior-exclusive equipment Grade: Unique Description: A shield crafted by an unnamed artisan using sacred wood imbued with holy light. Its defense is average, but it doubles the effects of all buffs and healing.

"...."

The description was simple, almost lazy. But despite the brief text, the shield’s effects were impressive. Even considering its average defense, it was still fitting for a unique-grade item. If a pioneer who specialized in buffs or healing got their hands on this, the synergy would be incredible.

However, there was one problem.

’I don’t have anyone in my group who can make full use of this.’

The only one who might benefit was Ethan, but even he had only one healing skill. At best, it would be like using a rare-grade item.

Giving it to someone else felt like a waste, but keeping it for himself wouldn’t be efficient either. It was truly a piece of equipment that was more trouble than it was worth.

"How’s the shield? Does it have any good effects?" Rachel asked eagerly.

"See for yourself," Justin said, handing her the shield.

After examining it, Rachel frowned.

"It’s not much use to me. I don’t have any healing or buff skills."

"Exactly. You’d be better off with a shield that has higher pure defense," Justin agreed.

"Should we give it to Ethan, then?"

"No."

While that wasn’t a bad idea, Justin had a better use for the shield in mind. He turned and called out to Damian.

"Hey, Damian!"

"Yes?"

"This is for you. Catch!"

"...!?"

Damian, startled by the sudden offer, barely managed to catch the shield. When he checked the item’s description, his eyes widened.

"You’re giving this to me?"

"Yeah. I just said so, didn’t I?"

"But I didn’t contribute anything to this exploration," Damian said, clearly confused.

"That’s because you’ll get the most out of using it. Why? Don’t you want it?"

"No, it’s not that, but..."

Damian hesitated, glancing at Justin with a conflicted expression. As a paladin, the shield’s buff-boosting effects were practically tailor-made for him, making it as valuable as an epic-grade item. But after everything that had happened, he knew Justin wouldn’t give such an item for free.

"Is there something you want in return?" Damian asked.

"Of course. I want you to use that shield and support us as best as you can."

"...."

Damian’s eyes narrowed further. It was clear he was waiting for Justin to state the real reason.

"I’m serious. If there’s anything else..."

"Yes?"

"I’d just ask that, in exchange for this shield, you let us have the next good piece of equipment that comes along."

"...!"

The implication was obvious. This reward was just a warm-up. The real legacy of the ancient species would be beyond the next door. Among those treasures could be items that were too valuable to give up, no matter the circumstances.

If something like that appeared, even someone like Damian wouldn’t be able to refuse. But having already accepted this unique item, his say in any future disputes would be limited.

’By accepting this shield, Damian would essentially be conceding the next piece of equipment to us.’

Sure enough, after thinking it over, Damian sighed and nodded.

"Alright. I’ll accept it."

Justin grinned as Damian took the shield. As someone with a strict sense of honor, Damian wouldn’t easily argue over future loot after receiving this gift. Elias seemed to realize this too, as he showed no signs of being upset over missing out on the shield. Instead, he appeared to be biding his time, waiting for a chance to contribute and earn more say in the future.

’He doesn’t even realize how perfect that shield’s effects would be for him.’

Justin chuckled to himself but kept quiet. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.

As the shield’s ownership was decided, a system message rang out.

"Ding! Main Quest: ’Treasure of the Ruins’ has been completed."

"Ding! New Main Quest: ’The Banquet of Kings’ has been updated."

"Ding! Open the door at the back of the vault and enter the ’Banquet Hall.’"