◈ Episode 10. Regrettably (2)
The moment I entered the rift, the forest scenery was overturned.
The territory of Count Askyura, the vampire.
A corrupted land and the coniferous forests of Russia.
A sight that looked like those two spaces had been mixed together exactly half and half……
I couldn't care less about the scenery. ‘Crazy, it’s even colder?!’ It was because the trees had rotted.
The cold wind felt like a direct slap across the cheek.
“!”
But, as if considerately.
Was this so I wouldn’t freeze to death?
I had no choice but to move my body immediately.
“Grrrrrr……!!” [Blood-drenched Wolf: Lv. 230]
A wolf infected by Count Askyura’s blood.
As expected, its movements were fast befitting its level. To a degree incomparable to a similarly-looking Imp. However, thanks to falling to corruption by the vampire’s blood, its race had become ‘Demonic’. [Skill, ‘Natural Enemy Relationship’ has been activated.]
You’re not the only fast one.
Click─ I lightly evaded the charging wolf’s attack.
I recalled the quest’s objective. ‘Show that the hunt has begun.’ Simply hunting one demon would achieve the goal.
Not a moment’s hesitation.
I spun my body just like that.
I attacked the wolf as we crossed paths.
Obviously, the weapon was a silver dagger.
Ssk─ “Growl!”
The sharp blade split the back of its thigh.
Black blood flowed from the wound. Judging by its reaction, it was different from an Imp.
Unlike the Imp that had thrashed around, screaming that it hurt, this one showed hardly any reaction. ‘It’s not because of the level.’ The wolf was 20 levels higher than the Imp.
But I had risen in level too. If you factor in the stats increased through the class quest on top of level 12…….
My attack just now must have dealt considerable damage to the wolf.
The evidence was visible to the eye.
The wolf was limping on its hind leg.
Even so, it was still baring its fangs…….
I could figure out the reason.
“You’ve foolishly chosen the wrong master to serve.”
It must be due to loyalty toward Count Askyura.
Of course, that’s just me saying so.
It’s not like that wolf is truly loyal to Count Askyura.
It’s just that Arcana’s setting for vampires is like that.
—I hate vampires. Because they are despicable. They have a habit of leading groups despite being demons. They corrupt their targets with blood and force them to serve. They loathe humans, yet wish to live like them.
A conversation with an NPC in Ackshan came to mind.
I added a single line to that NPC’s words.
“How foolish. As befitting a demon.”
Count Askyura.
A man who knows one but not two!
Being a noble, you see.
You aren’t a noble just because you’re revered by others or possess a grand fortress. More than anything, you must have pride in your heart.
A noble pride that does not waver in any situation.
A dignity that remains unbroken even if you get your hands dirty.
A confidence that does not yield even to muscle pain.
Such stubbornness that you wouldn’t wear something like a puffer jacket even if it means freezing to death.
Why, like a certain someone living somewhere, you see.
Swish─ The battle wasn’t long.
In my heart, I was trash-talking both Count Askyura and Grandfell, but.
At this moment, my vision was colder and sharper than ever.
“I despise vermin like you.”
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
……. I rose 5 levels and reached level 72.
I could feel the experience required for leveling up increasing drastically.
I checked the flickering quest window.─Hunt the vampire. (In Progress) ▲●Show that the hunt has begun. (Success)●Make them feel the fear of being hunted. (In Progress)
The moment I achieved the first objective, the next one appeared immediately.
Make them feel the fear of being hunted.
As expected of a class quest. ‘No one but a Demon Hunter would understand this.’ Make demons feel fear?
Anyone would think this is nonsense.
But I had experience as a Demon Hunter.
It wasn’t for nothing that I was the last Demon Hunter.
—Fear has played the biggest role in allowing humans to survive until now. Because they can feel fear, humans were able to avoid enemies stronger than themselves. That is how they survived.
That was during the quest.
The mental theories the NPCs constantly spouted.
—However, before demons, humans cannot utilize the emotion of fear that enables survival.
Back then, what on earth were they talking about.
I couldn’t understand it at all.
—Therefore, to hunt demons, you must overcome fear. Furthermore, you must turn it back on them. At this moment, the fear that you are being hunted!
Now I think I kind of get it.
After that mental theory lesson, vicious quests continued.
Looking back now, there were continuous tests of courage that make me wonder how I succeeded.
Quite a lot of players gave up there too.
Of course, back then I was a chuunibyou who feared nothing.
Meaning I passed that training with excellent scores.
Squelch─!
That’s right, it’s not some demon that makes me tremble.
*Sniff.*
It’s the cold Siberian high-pressure system from Russia……..
And now was the time.
I had teatime.
The reason I had said I didn’t need a teacup.
It was because I could manifest a teacup.
I searched out and interfered with a nearby rock, using it as material to manifest a teacup.
This too was 『Magic』 I realized after seeing it on NetTube.
To be precise, it was the [Alchemy Skill]
but it was. Like ‘Ignition,’ I had borrowed Grandfell’s brain and converted it into magic.
Just a teacup and boiling water.
For something I had wracked my brain over for several days.
I couldn’t help but feel its usage was extremely trivial, but…….
I didn’t care.
Right now, this warmth was so precious…….* “I have no tea to give you.”……
What? Like I would drink it even if you gave it to me?!
Leoni whispered seriously.
“……
Is he a NetTuber?”
Side to side─ The guild members shook their heads.
“Then what. A rookie? Or if not that, a supernova?”
Side to side─ The guild members exchanged glances and shook their heads again.
“Then what is he? He’s not a ranker.”
Leoni scowled.
She had been completely wrong.
But it wasn’t her instinct’s fault.
Who could have predicted? That a single player was what made the wolf howl so pathetically. Moreover, his attire was incomprehensible.
Swish─ Leoni lowered her head to check her own equipment.
Yes, no matter how low-level the rift was, it was normal to wear proper equipment like herself.
Besides, demonic races were swarming in this rift, weren’t they?
Wearing at least one accessory that increased abnormal status resistance was common sense.
But. ‘……
A suit? Dress shoooooes?!’ On top of that, that man was holding a teacup.
As if he could never give up the teacup no matter what situation came.
He was gripping it tightly in his hand.
“Damn, it makes no sense.”
Leoni felt irritation surge up.
Well, whatever. The world is wide and there are many players.
If there are players like this, there are probably players like that.
That irritation was directed at herself. ‘My pride is hurt. Fuck.’ Those silent monsters were terror-stricken in front of that man, weren’t they?
Well, she hadn’t watched the battle, so she couldn’t know the reason.
But that alone was enough to stir competitive spirit.
“Hmph.”
What does it matter whether you make a sound or not?
What matters is taking them down first and clearing it first.
Leoni no longer wanted to pay attention to the man.
“……
I lost again. Damn.”……
Of course, the man had been ignoring this side from earlier.
By now, she was starting to get curious.
Just what kind of tea was in that teacup.
How could he leisurely enjoy tea even in this environment? ‘……
Is it delicious?’
Gulp─ Leoni swallowed her saliva and came to her senses.
—I have no tea to give you.
I wouldn’t drink it anyway because you’re being so petty!
Leoni turned her body and spoke.
“Let’s go.”
“Didn’t you say it would be better to join up earlier?”
“Forget it. I changed my mind.”
“Aw~ Sis, are you sulking? Because he didn’t give you tea?”
“Be quiet. Didn’t I say I wouldn’t drink it even if he gave it to me?”
“……
When?”
Some guild members looked back at the man and said.
“But won’t it be dangerous? He’s alone.”
“Why don’t we ask if he wants to join? Maybe he has information too, right?”
“Forget it. He’s overflowing with confidence, coming into a rift in a suit and dress shoes. Plus, did you see his attitude? Like he’d share information when he won’t even share tea.”
“……
See, you are sulking.”
Thud─ Leoni raised her fist, then continued speaking.
“At best, he’s probably around my level.”
“What……. No way, his level?!”
“Yeah. Well, he might be one of the rankers who hasn’t revealed their info.”
The guild members stirred at Leoni’s words.
“Well, even Skal has never properly shown his face…….”
Player ranking #1, Skal.
He too was one of the veiled players.
Leoni waved her hands.
“Forget it. Think of him as a competitor. All the better to warm up properly. Yeah.”
As expected, Leoni’s instincts were terribly dull.
Somehow, she hadn’t gotten a single thing right. Not even Hoyeol’s level, which wasn’t even 80.
Nor her thinking of this rift as a warm-up.
Swish─!
“!”
A noise like tearing air.
It was an arrow.
By the time Leoni noticed that sound.
The arrow was already lodged in one guild member’s shoulder.
“Everyone, prepare for combat! Healers, treat the injured!”
As expected of Berserker, ranked 32nd in the guild rankings.
Despite being ambushed, they skillfully shifted their stance.
However…….
“C-Captain. There’s way more than we thought?!”
Red lights gleaming in the darkness.
Those red eyes were innumerable.
“Hawkeye!”
The Archer class’s skill that greatly expands vision.
A guild member who checked the surroundings reported the situation.
“It’s Blood-drenched Bandits in every direction. We’re completely surrounded. By the way, captain……. I think there’s at least 200 of them?”
Berserker Guild’s total members were forty-five.
They were at a clear numerical disadvantage.
Moreover, Blood-drenched Bandits were humanoid monsters.
Meaning they were difficult opponents.
“Yeah, this is what I call a new update!”
“Is the real thing starting now?”
“No need to search around annoyingly. Nice.”
But Leoni and the Berserker Guild were accustomed to battle.
Their guild name wasn’t Berserker for nothing.
Leoni raised her twin swords.
“Here they come, boys.”
Block the arrow barrage once, then charge.
That had been Leoni’s plan.
No matter their numbers, the level gap couldn’t be ignored.
The tanks would be able to take enough attacks.
Leoni intended to exploit that opening and break through the encirclement.
‘It’s enough.’
Leoni had made that assessment.
But, wait.
Suddenly, Leoni turned around. ‘……
What about him?’
When she turned her head, the man was there.
Leoni was shocked.
“Is that guy really crazy?!”
Even though he must have seen the arrows pouring down.
The man was still tightly gripping his teacup.*
I held my teacup and watched the situation unfold.
An arrow pierced a player’s shoulder.
Judging by the presences felt from all directions, we were surrounded.
Given their numbers, the arrows that would rain down on me wouldn’t be few either.
Naturally.
I lacked plate armor to block arrows like the players over there, a shield, and comrades to stand in my stead.
But it was fine.
At that moment, arrows flew toward me.
Sh-sh-shk─!
I looked at the teacup, emptied down to the bottom.
“Tea enjoyed outdoors isn’t bad either.”
It was confidence founded on solid grounds.
『Detection』 target: the teacup in my hand. The process until 『Interference』 was as smooth as a series of movements.
And so, I 『Manifested』 magic.
“Even if used trivially.”
The form of the teacup in my hand began to change.
Thud-thud-thud─ Soon, arrows broke and poured down at my feet.
“That power is not so insignificant.”