Solo Leveling- Ragnarok-Chapter 274

The true nature of the city became clear to Suho after the captain of the guard’s explanation.

Last Paradise.

It was a haven for villains—and at the same time, their final stronghold for survival.

Then there were the enhanced humans, who ate the fruits of the Elvenwood and replaced their damaged body parts with those of magic beasts to survive. The bank shackled them in endless debt, forcing them into difficult, dangerous work.

“So that tree is this city’s lifeline,” Suho muttered.

“That’s right. We would all have been wiped out a long time ago without Álfheimr. Magic beast attacks, extreme weather, sickness... None of it matters as long as we have the fruit to keep us going.”

Yeongjoon nodded and chuckled to himself.

“Of course, that’s also how everyone ends up in debt. Eventually, we all become enhanced humans.”

“Fruits, huh...”

Suho gazed up at Álfheimr. It towered over the city, its size so immense that he had to crane his neck painfully back to see it. The trunk was so thick that dozens of grown men joining hands wouldn’t be able to encircle it.

Compared to any of the other Elvenwoods that he had encountered so far, this one was far more fattened, as it were—astonishingly beautiful and full of vitality. Yet ironically, its base was surrounded by gray, decaying concrete buildings. This place—with its flamboyant signs, but also dark and decadent like a slum—reminded him of Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong.

However, from a slightly different perspective, the walled city looked like something else.

This entire city is like a giant flower pot.

It was structured like a giant planter that existed solely to grow one tree and collect its fruit. The only thing that had really changed about the situation was that humans, not the high elves, were tending to it. But just like the elves, the villains here were being kept and raised like livestock for the sake of the Elvenwood.

In terms of just the results, however, the humans seemed to be doing a far better job of nurturing the Elvenwood. That was evidenced by the fruit.

None of the other Elvenwoods bore fruit.

The tree’s size aside, there was something else that was different about the Elvenwood in this place—the color of its leaves. The Elvenwoods where the high elves lived were always lush and verdant, but here, there were red leaves mixed among the green, looking ready to fall at any moment.

“Autumn has begun,” Sirka murmured softly, quietly gazing at the same scenery as Suho.

Sillad agreed.

[The Monarch of Frost informs you that the season of harvest has already arrived in this land.]

Suho nodded.

Sillad, who had endured the bitter cold and become a Monarch, meant something far deeper than mere seasonal change.

The seasons of the elves were an entirely different concept from those of Earth. They did not follow the flow of time, as only the growth cycle of the Elvenwood dictated the passage of their seasons. Fruits did not appear because it was fall—instead, the season became fall because the Elvenwoods were ready to bear fruit.

Suho already knew what would come after that.

[Sillad confirms that this city will soon be destroyed.]

Sirka had detected the familiar scent of a coming winter as soon as she set foot in this city. To her, a being born in the cold, the elves’ winter felt like returning home.

“Winter will come soon,” she said.

She could even estimate when it would arrive.

“When the leaves all turn red, and the last of them fall...”

That day would be the day the city met its end.

Suho nodded at Sirka’s words and looked up. High above them, deep crimson fruit dangled from the tree, standing out against the blazing red leaves. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Before he could ask, the captain of the guard perceptively remarked, “Yes, those are the fruits. You could say they are the lifeblood of Álfheimr.”

Suho nodded. Just as the captain described, the clusters of fruit hanging from the branches looked like drops of blood, glistening and round.

“But you know...” the captain said, lowering his voice subtly, “picking them isn’t easy. It’s downright dangerous.”

“Dangerous?”

“That’s right. Álfheimr is a tree, but at the same time, it’s a living creature. What living creature enjoys having its blood drawn?”

It made sense. Elvenwoods had always been hostile entities, feeding on the elves themselves.

“And that’s why the bank sometimes gives quests for people to retrieve the fruits. Such jobs are taken mostly by the debtors, the ones with the chokers around their necks.”

“I take it the reward must be high?”

“Of course. You have to climb that thing with your bare hands, risking your life the entire time. One wrong step, and your spine shatters. And even if you don’t fall, the branches and elemental spirits will try to stop you.”

Yeongjoon grinned. He was making the intent of his friendly explanation clear enough.

“But it’s become even harder these days to pick the fruits,” he added.

“Why is that?”

“Álfheimr keeps getting stronger. More than half of the climbers never come back. Or they return injured and end up eating the fruit they picked instead of delivering it for the reward.”

He then suggested in a subtle tone, “Speaking of which, wouldn’t you be interested in attempting it?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You’re a summoner, aren’t you? You could call forth that lizard from earlier and have it climb up the tree instead. No risk involved.”

Ah. So this is it.

Seeing the expectant look in the captain’s eyes, Suho finally realized why the man had been so friendly.

Yeongjoon continued, “Summoning skills might not be much good in battle, but I have a feeling they’d be perfect when it comes to picking fruit. And you’ve got to think about where you’re going to stay tonight. Food is a problem, but if you don’t have any money to pay for lodging, you’ll have to sleep on the street.”

He seemed completely certain that Suho would accept the suggestion. It was normal for first-time visitors to the city to be wary of bank loans, just like Suho appeared, but their hesitation usually only lasted a couple of days.

“Don’t forget that this city, despite how it may look to you, is a dangerous place crawling with villains. You never know when and where someone might decide to rob you. It’s best to have a couple of fruits on hand just in case you get hurt.”

“So the conclusion is that I should stock up in advance.”

“Exactly. If you try to get some in the market once you’re injured, they’ll suddenly raise the prices. I told you, this place is lawless. The market price changes constantly.”

“Hmm. I’ll think about it.”

“Now, now. Don’t be so hesitant. Think positively. If anything goes wrong while you’re controlling your summons from below the tree, I’ll be there to protect you. I’m a strong enough tanker to be the captain of the guard, you know.”

Yeongjoon wanted a partnership, but he had no idea that Beru was snickering in Suho’s shadow as he listened to his drivel.

“Foolish human. My Young Monarch has potions. Why would he need such nasty fruit?”

“In any case, think it over, and we can discuss it again tomorrow,” the captain said. “Sleep on the streets for a night, and you’ll change your mind.”

With those parting words, he turned and strode away, returning to his post.

“Oh, and watch out for the debtors while you’re out there! The ones with high choker numbers are especially ruthless.”

Even as he was leaving, he still couldn’t give up on Suho. He shouted to him and pointed to an alleyway where it was relatively safe to sleep.

“Friendly to the end,” Suho commented.

“He talks too much. I think he rather likes the sound of his own voice,” Beru muttered.

Suho’s eyes lingered on the shadow ant for a moment, then with a quiet laugh, he turned to Sirka.

“Well, anyway... Should we start looking for a place to sleep now?”

“A place to sleep?” Sirka repeated.

Since she couldn’t understand Korean, she had simply followed along in silence. Now she tilted her head.

“Young Monarch, what are you saying? Someone like you can’t sleep on the street!” Beru protested. “Why not use Shadow Exchange and return to South Korea? You could be resting in a proper bed!”

“That is always an option, yes.”

Beru’s advice was wise. With a single use of his skill, he could teleport straight into the comfort of a warm bed. There was no need to purposefully make himself uncomfortable.

“And you can bring Harmakan on your way back,” the ant added.

“That is also technically correct.”

Beru seemed puzzled. It appeared that Suho did not intend to listen at all—instead, he casually stepped into one of the alleyways that Yeongjoon had pointed out earlier.

“Do not tell me you are actually planning to sleep out here, Young Monarch.”

“I’m not. But don’t you think this is strange?”

A mischievous smile crept onto Suho’s lips as he stepped forward.

“That man just now, the one who was so welcoming, is a fugitive from South Korea just like the others. Why is he so eager to help a complete stranger?”

“Kiek?”

The moment Suho set foot in the dark alley, his eyes flashed violently.

“Yeah. This is more like it,” he murmured.

The alley was already occupied. Grinning coldly, Suho took in the figures surrounding him.

This alleyway, which the captain of the guard had so helpfully pointed him toward, was already filled with people waiting for Suho. The debt-ridden beggars, each wearing a choker around their neck, had grotesque grafts of monstrous limbs in place of their own. This particular alleyway was the most dangerous in the city, occupied by the hyenas who went after newcomers who didn’t know any better.

At the very back, that same friendly captain sat casually, smirking.

“Fancy seeing you again,” Suho said.

“Oh, don’t take it personally. I’m just doing my job from the bank. Want to hear what it is? I’m supposed to show a newcomer around... and make sure they end up in debt as well.”

Yeongjoon gave a bitter smile as he waved at Suho from behind the thugs.

“I genuinely believe your summoning skill is perfect for picking fruit. I think the only way to make you listen is to tear off an arm, at the very least, so you need the fruit to survive.”

Suho had noticed the brief glance exchanged between the bank employee and Yeongjoon earlier. Now he understood exactly what it meant.

“I thought the bank didn’t force people to take loans,” he said. “I take it that they actually do want everyone to start with debt, then.”

“That’s right. That’s just how things work around here. What are you doing, you idiots? Get him! All of you!”

With that, the debtors of the city surged forward, all coming for Suho at once while swinging their monstrous limbs.

“Young Monarch, if you plan to kill them, you should do it while Harmakan is—”

Even in the heat of battle, Beru was concerned about maximizing experience points.

Suho grinned and lifted his hand into the air.

“I know. And there are still a few things I need to investigate here.”

He gave a casual flick of his fingers, and the next instant the massive fist of the first attacker exploded like a balloon.

The shocked expressions on the debtors’ faces and the captain’s wide-open eyes showed that a realization had dawned on them—something was wrong.

“Oh?”

However, Sirka looked pleased.

“I didn’t understand a word of what you all were saying, but this I understand perfectly.”

Before, she had been a mere observer, unable to follow the conversation. Now she was already forming the Trident of the Ice Tree in her hands.

That night—in the city beneath the Álfheimr, where autumn had only just begun—a slightly early winter wind froze the dark alley.