**#190. Rael Row (3)**
—
“184 years old? That’s still considered a newborn in the Last Forest. And you were trying to throw your weight around at that age?”
Each time Grine’s agitated voice lashed out, Parun’s face, cracked like parched earth, turned red as if scorched by blazing sunlight.
He looked too stunned and ashamed to speak, and the same went for the other elders.
“You said I was an ill-mannered brat, but aren’t *you* the ones acting like children? Speak up. What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”
It was a fascinating and rare sight.
A 224-year-old elf verbally beating down a 184-year-old dwarf—something you wouldn’t see just anywhere.
Unfortunately, Parun’s emotions were nearing the breaking point, and Ray felt the need to step in.
“If we’re done here, maybe it’s time we got to the—”
“I’d appreciate it if we moved on to the main topic.”
The voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough to make everyone turn.
A yellow gemstone Ray had summoned was sitting atop the table, radiating a brilliant light and emitting a resonant hum.
“Is that… a Electrostone?!”
“There’s no doubt. It’s the real deal.”
The elders marveled in astonishment.
Parun, regaining his senses after the heated exchange, spoke.
“That’s the item we saw earlier. You’re right—we’ve been dancing around it. Let’s get to the point. How exactly did you acquire that Electrostone?”
“In Sector 46. In the basement of a building.”
“Hm? Are you saying the item we’ve scoured the lands for was in a place like *that*?”
“I’m telling you the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
Parun narrowed his eyes.
After whispering something with the other elders, he asked again.
“Did you stumble upon the Electrostone by chance? Or did you already know it would be there?”
“Before that, I’d like to see the Electrstone you possess. I showed you mine—it’s only fair you show yours.”
Parun remained silent for a moment, then opened his mouth stiffly.
“I’m afraid I can’t comply with that request. Outsiders are not allowed access to the Electrstone. In fact, even the residents of Rael Row are not permitted. Only the six elders who manage it have access.”
“…”
No access permitted.
The Electrostone.
In other words, it wasn’t in someone’s possession—it was kept in a specific location.
And that location was…
*‘Behind the elders, past the wall.’*
It wasn’t certain.
But from somewhere deep beyond that wall, Ray could feel a familiar and powerful presence.
“If you won’t show your cards, I have no reason to answer your questions.”
“Well, that’s not a problem. Whether you knew where the Electrostone was isn’t what matters. What matters is that you have it now. Let me be direct. Would you be willing to sell it to us?”
The sudden proposal made Veronica hiccup in surprise.
Grine’s eyes sparkled with curiosity at the intent behind the offer.
Ray met Parun’s intense gaze and answered dryly.
“I’m not planning to sell it.”
“Why not? Do you think we don’t have human currency? Rael Row is rich with gemstones and rare minerals mined underground. We regularly send agents to the human sectors to sell them and have secured an unimaginable amount of shillings. You needn’t worry about money.”
Parun’s voice brimmed with confidence.
But Ray was firm.
“It’s not about money.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’ve also been searching for the remaining half of the Electrstone.”
Silence.
Then, like a spell breaking, the elders burst into laughter.
“You were looking for it? For what purpose?”
“We know you’re a mage. But the mana from the Electrstone isn’t the kind one can control. It’s useless to you, isn’t it?”
“You don’t have the technology we do—to extract mana and convert it into energy.”
“I’ve visited the sector before. Humans try to mimic us and create all kinds of magical tools, but their level is leagues below ours.”
Anyone could tell their laughter was laced with mockery, but Ray felt no anger.
Only curiosity.
“Is it truly impossible to control the mana from a Electrstone?”
“We once extracted the mana and stored it in a specially made container to take it to the sector. We had over a hundred mages try it. Not one succeeded.”
Another elder nodded beside Parun and added,
“We even visited the Mage Tower—the place where the most powerful human mages supposedly gather. But even the professors there failed. Some even collapsed from internal injuries.”
“…”
Ray was baffled.
Was controlling the yellow gem’s mana really that difficult?
It had become significantly easier for him recently, thanks to their growing compatibility, which made the claim even more puzzling.
*‘…When I released a little mana from the gem, Grine and William couldn’t control it and let go right away.’*
But that wasn’t enough of a sample size to judge the difficulty definitively.
Yet from what the elders were saying, it seemed like no one else in the world could handle the Electrstone’s mana.
*‘I’m the only one. Out of everyone I’ve met or heard of.’*
Though they weren’t hostile, there was no reason to reveal all his cards.
Ray continued the conversation while hiding his abilities.
“Either way, I’m not going to sell it.”
“Think it over. The Electrstone holds immense mana, yes—but to a human without the proper technology, it’s nothing more than a shiny rock.”
“It’s useful to *you*?”
“Of course. *We* have the technology. The massive fortress of Rael Row is able to move thanks to the limitless power of the Current Stone. And—”
Parun extended his arm, and a drawer in the wall opened.
A small metal sphere flew into his hand, which he promptly crushed.
*Crunch! Crack!*
It dropped onto the table, severely misshapen.
“—We can use magical devices like these thanks to the Current Stone.”
The elders all wore thick metal gloves on both hands.
Inside, mana of various colors flowed, but the yellow hue—far brighter than the ambient mana—was the most dominant.
“We dwarves are born with strong bodies. And thanks to our advanced technology, we’ve overcome the natural limitation of not being able to use mana.”
Parun flicked his hand to close the drawer and continued.
“In other words, we’re showing you courtesy. We could easily take the Electrstone from you by force, but instead, we chose to talk.”
His tone, brimming with confidence and pride in his people, didn’t feel arrogant or rude. It felt like he simply wanted to explain the reality.
Ray assessed the situation.
Could he win if a fight broke out here?
The dwarves he’d seen—including the elders—were all short but powerfully built.
That meant each one was a strong warrior.
And since he’d never fought this race before, the battle could go in unexpected directions.
But strangely, he didn’t feel uncertain.
*‘I don’t think I’d lose.’*
He wasn’t entirely sure, but… probably.
Having made up his mind, Ray opened his mouth.
“Even if we fought, I’d probably win—”
*Crunch.*
A sharp pain flared in his thigh. He looked over to see Veronica glaring at him with fiery eyes.
“I’d probably win—”
*Crunch!*
“I’d—”
*Crunch!*
Crushed by external pressure, Ray tactfully rephrased.
“I can’t say who would win in a fight, but I do think it would be a loss for both sides.”
“I agree. A loss, however minor, is still a loss. May I ask why you’ve been searching for the Electrstone?”
Ray thought for a moment before answering.
“To see a rainbow.”
“A rainbow? What’s that?”
“I’ll explain. I heard about it when I visited the sector.”
After listening to the explanation, Parun let out a dry laugh.
“A seven-colored band that grants wishes? Humans sure have vivid imaginations.”
At that moment, the indoor lighting suddenly began to dim.
Parun explained to the puzzled group.
“Lights out. We shut down the mana extractor linked to the Electrstone during certain hours to prevent overload.”
Ray asked,
“What if we’re attacked during that time?”
“There’s enough stored mana. Our external defense systems and distortion fields never stop running.”
*Distortion field.*
Now Ray understood why the moving fortress had only ever been seen within the sandstorm.
The distortion field must temporarily weaken inside the mana storm.
“In any case, we both want the Electrstone, but neither of us is willing to part with it. This won’t be resolved easily. How about staying the night here and resuming negotiations tomorrow?”
“That’s fine. But first—”
Ray suddenly fell silent.
As the lighting dimmed, the dwarves’ faces began turning gray.
Like stone.
—
*
*
*
*The group followed the guide, Isra, through the dim corridors.*
*Step— Step—*
The sound of four pairs of footsteps echoed in the silence.
They passed the dining hall, classrooms, the plaza—but not a single dwarf was in sight.
Ray asked, looking at Isra’s back, which was slightly below eye level,
“Did everyone go to sleep?”
“…”
No answer.
But Ray didn’t give up.
“They went to sleep?”
“…”
“Everyone’s asleep?”
“…”
“Why is there no o—”
“Enough.”
Succumbing to Ray’s persistence, Isra finally answered.
Still facing forward, he continued the conversation.
“Rael Row’s residents live on a fixed schedule. At the designated hour, everyone returns to their chambers to sleep—except for a few on duty.”
“And they wake up at a set time and resume their schedule?”
“Yes. Wake-up, training, meals, leisure—they’re all predetermined. It’s a life of maximum efficiency, with no room for wasted time.”
The efficiency and rationality of a strictly regimented life.
Ray thought,
*If this were back in Sector 50, before my journey, I probably would’ve agreed completely.*
“You must have a lot of pride in your race.”
“That’s true of all dwarves, not just me.”
But Ray tilted his head.
Despite the words, Isra didn’t *radiate* pride.
Rather, what Ray sensed most was frustration—and dissatisfaction.
In any case, the group was shown to two guest rooms.
“If you need anything, speak to the night guard at the end of the hall. But don’t wander around—Rael Row is filled with all kinds of security systems.”
After Isra left, the group conversed briefly at the door.
“What do you think of the dwarves?”
“That Parun guy was extremely rude. I’ll definitely correct the way he addresses me tomorrow. 184 years old, acting all high and mighty.”
“Mm… the atmosphere feels really rigid and stiff.”
Grine, who had been expressing her displeasure while thinking of Parun, added to Veronica’s comment.
“There definitely is that kind of feeling. Elves also value group discipline, but not to this extent. Aside from the responsibilities tied to the group’s mission, they respect individual freedom in every other aspect.”
Ray nodded.
It seemed the group had all received a similar impression from the dwarves.
While continuing their conversation centered on the dwarves, the group eventually split off toward their respective rooms.
“See you tomorrow. If anything happens, stir up your mana strongly.”
“Ray, see you tomorrow.”
“Both of you, see you tomorrow.”
Creak—click.
Entering the left room alone, Ray looked around the interior.
It was a luxurious room, reminiscent of a hotel suite.
After confirming that there were no bugs or CCTV devices installed, Ray entered the bathroom and washed up.
He dressed again and lay on the bed, gazing at the dim lighting as he fell into thought.
Dwarves and the old era.
The yellow gem, Rael Row.
What each race had lost.
‘…What did the dwarves lose?’
Just as his drowsy mind was on the verge of drifting off to sleep—
The boy suddenly realized one thing.
This bed’s too small—my feet are sticking out.
