Chapter 249 - Fooled By A Man
Ilwoo paused momentarily, he shook his head and chuckled. "It's actually quite useless if I tell you anything about the East right now. Since they had blocked all the access from here, you wouldn't be able to use this information."
Elliot pouted and asked, "And why is that?"
"They believed that the Western culture would only bring corruption to their land," Ilwoo said as he placed the tray from his hands. His extra hands were meticulously placing the trays on top of the tables, his movements were silent yet efficient.
"The East had always believed that their Crystal Maidens are pure because we do not have as much as the influence of the West," Ilwoo continued. "The Crystal Maiden were created almost at the same time as the Five Kings reigned here. But when the deadly Abyss came to wreck everything, only the West had fallen."
After putting down the last tray, his extra hands reverted back into his body. He stretched his real arms for a moment while his customers clapped in awe. He has one of those body modifying abilities, one that could let him temporarily grow several pairs of arms in his body.
It was clear that Ilwoo was an Adventurer too. He had a pin on his upper chest that had a pink flower on it.
"Oh, so it's like Eastern Supremacy thing," Jester laughed after Ilwoo's stretch. "Typical easterners. Just because of some myth, they think they're all high and mighty. It's comical."
"You've been there?" Elliot turned to the clown wide eyed.
"For a Campaign, yeah," Jester replied and pointed at Tempest. "With him. And was brutal. We didn't understand anyone, we couldn't talk to anyone since their tongue was different. Hardest six months if my life. But it was worth it though. I had my Divine Inception there. A technique in one of the kingdoms that enhances your abilities. Quite chill."
Ilwoo sighed, "The East is not as open as here. They're very conservative and very strict about everything. They have always followed culture. Only Kkeun was open enough to at least let things flow naturally."
Ilwoo excused himself and returned to his wife. Elliot was looking at them with curiosity. The quest said that he needed their recipe so he could complete it. But it didn't specify what recipe it was.
With a sigh, Elliot continued his meal. It was his first time eating Eastern steamed dumplings. They were very popular for their burst of flavor, but judging from the couple's number of customers, their dumplings don't have the best flavors in the city.
"I need to excuse myself," Elliot said to everyone and walked over to the counter. Ilwoo and his wife weren't there, which made him curious. He was just here a moment ago.
"Ilwoo?" Elliot called out and walked to the part of the counter where a door was. He saw Ilwoo's wife go in here before. He tried to knock on the door, but heard nothing in response.
"I swear to you…" the wife trailed off. "He looked exactly like that man."
"He doesn't," Ilwoo argued. "You're just seeing things. They have very different build, and they don't even have the same… wait, they do."
"I told you," the wife smacked her husband on the back of his head. "He's the reason why we're here. We can't go back to Kkeun because of him. It's only normal to ask him for help."
"But what should I say?" Ilwoo looked away. "Hey, kid. You look like someone who told us to go here because our lives would get better. Since we can't find that man now, we're gonna come after you. Is that what you want to ask him, Jung?"
Jung, the wife, was silent for a moment. It was like there was a blast of cold water being poured all over her.
"I–" Jung stopped and sighed. "I missed my father, Ilwoo. It's been almost two decades since we were home. I don't think father is alive anymore. I'm losing hope."
Elliot opened the door, making the couple look in his direction. He entered the room and walked in front of the two, determination in his eyes and a flame of passion burning through.
He knew it was a far-fetched thing to say, but his gut tells him that that man that brought Ilwoo and Jung in Avancia was his father. Someone looking like him would be rare, especially if it was an Adventurer.
"I think I can help you with whatever you need," Elliot said. "But I have to have something in exchange first. And I can only do it after the Championship."
"How can we trust you?" Jung narrowed her eyes. "I knew you were out there this whole time, I just kept silent because I'm intrigued about your decision. What will you do to help?"
"Do you, perhaps have a connection with the Eastern kings?" Ilwoo asked. He was playing with his fingers in nervousness, his sweat started dripping from his forehead.
Elliot paused for a moment and shook his head. It was his first time even seeing people from the East, he wouldn't have any connections there. And to think that they closed off their kingdoms from the West, it was going to be a hard feat.
"We will pass then," Jung said. "I trusted enough Western men, and all they did was ruin us even more."
"I promise I won't let you down," Elliot uttered. "I am true to my words and I know there's always a purpose for everything. Just please let me check your recipes. I need it for something."
Jung looked at Elliot softly for a moment. Her heart was softening for the boy. But she needed to be true to her words. With a huff, the woman walked out of the room leaving Elliot with Ilwoo.
"Please?" Elliot pleaded. He has to remember that this quest is a stepping stone for the Twilight Bless. If he hatches the Twilight Cocoon he have in his room, he may gain another set of power, saving Terra in the process. He knew he could absorb two, and if his body won't, he will force it.
"Come back later tonight," Ilwoo whispered. "Don't tell anyone."
Elliot nodded and grinned. Ilwoo placed his hands on the boy's shoulders and flattened his lips. "Do you know what that man told us? He told us that we should venture the West for us to have more opportunities. We can build our lives here, start a business, and start a family."
"He gave us two thousand gold coins for our new start. And even in the East, that amount is huge. We were tempted," Ilwoo sighed. "But I guess, it was all a lie considering all we did here was to fail. We can't run our business, we can't run anything. We also found out that Jung is infertile so we can't have kids. We're now living a miserable life."
"All because of that man?" Elliot gulped. He watched the expression of Ilwoo change from bad to worse in a span of a second. The man nodded slowly and removed his hands on Elliot's shoulders. "I won't do that to you."
"I'll hold on to your words, then," Ilwoo smiled at him. Ruffling his hair before pushing Elliot out of the kitchen. "Now go to your friends.. I will see you back here later."