22. 'My Gift "Additional Bonus," Which Was Treated as the Weakest, Was Actually the Strongest Skill That Could Obtain Allies, Weapons, and Rewards' - Chapter 23

Recap of the previous episode

After ending the death battle with the Black Fang Wolf, Selene was acknowledged by the Forest Spirit God Druid and entrusted with the "Gandiva."
A pixie also appeared, and the allies of the "Contract of Dawn" gained new power. However, the word "boundary" uttered by the masked man continued to cast an ominous shadow over the party.

~Chapter 23~ The Shadow of the Boundary and the Path of Return

Reporting to the Elf Kingdom

The day after the battle ended, Asura and his party stepped into the Elf village under Selene's guidance. The country, which spread deep within the forest, consisted of giant trees connected together, with branches and roots intertwined to form the city. Everyone held their breath at the sight, as if the great nature itself had become a city.

When they were guided to the plaza, the Elf Elder appeared. With silver hair and wearing emerald robes, the figure exuded a dignity as if they had assimilated with the forest.
"You defeated the Black Fang Wolf... is that true?"
At the Elder's low voice, Selene stepped forward.
"Yes. I saw it with my own eyes. And... if it weren't for them, the 'Contract of Dawn,' I wouldn't be standing here."

At those words, the surrounding Elves murmured. Their eyes, which had been wary of humans, wavered with surprise and confusion.
Asura stepped forward and held up his black-silver twin blades.
"To prove that we are not enemies, we fought risking our lives. Faced with the darkness approaching the boundary, it doesn't matter if one is a Hume or an Elf... we must stand together."

At those words, the Elder closed their eyes, and after a long silence, nodded.
"...Very well. Child of man. I shall acknowledge you as allies. If Selene has chosen you."

Thus, a bridge was built across the rift between the Elf Kingdom and the Hume Kingdom.

Return to the Guild

A few days later, the party returned to the human city. The moment they pushed open the guild doors, the hall was filled with a buzz.
"They're back...! The 'Contract of Dawn'!"
"Was the story about them defeating the Black Fang Wolf true...?"
The adventurers' gazes were fixed on Asura all at once. On the man who was once mocked as the weakest and seen only as a baggage carrier or a decoy.

"Hah, it's probably thanks to his allies anyway."
"No... it seems he really does obtain allies and weapons through something called an 'Additional Bonus'."
"That's ridiculous..."

Mockery, astonishment, envy, and fear. Asura quietly sheathed his twin blades at his waist under the gaze that mixed all of those emotions.

Guild Master Hume slowly stood up from his seat.
"...Well done, Contract of Dawn. The matter of the Black Fang Wolf, and the reconciliation with the Elf Kingdom—these two achievements will be carved into the history of the guild."
The voice rang out majestically, and everyone held their breath.

"But it is not over yet. The boundary is beginning to waver. The next thing you must challenge is... the ancient ruins."

Silence swept through, and eventually someone whispered softly.
"...The story of the weakest aiming for the strongest, huh?"

Asura returned a smile at those words and exchanged glances with his allies.
Everyone felt that this was the beginning of the true adventure from here on out.

Afterword (Chapter 23)

In this chapter, I depicted two major turning points: "reconciliation with the Elves" and "return to the guild."
Asura, who was once despised as the weakest, has finally become a presence acknowledged by both humans and Elves together with his allies, and the story moves to a new stage.

In the next chapter, we will finally enter the "Ancient Ruins Arc"—.

Thank you for reading this far!
The covenant of "allies" with the Elf Kingdom has finally been exchanged, and Asura and the "Contract of Dawn" have taken a new step forward.

If it were you—
If you were in Asura's position, standing at the moment of being acknowledged as an "ally" by a different race, what words would you reply with?
Also, what kind of developments do you expect in the upcoming adventures?

Please let me know your thoughts and imagination in the comments!
Everyone's words are the power that expands the story even further✨