Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Dilapidated Mansion
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Naltorri stared at the mansion in front of him. It looked like something a high-ranking noble might have lived in—grand and imposing. But he had zero desire to live there.
It was so rundown that the pillars looked ready to snap at any moment, and the ceiling might cave in. The window frames were so worn they creaked audibly even from beyond the fence.
The garden was choked with withered, twisted shrubs and trees, and the fountain was cracked all over, filled with filthy stagnant water. Thorny brambles covered the walls guarding the mansion.
A classic haunted house. That was the perfect way to describe the place.
"It was bad enough in videos and images, but seeing it in person is on another level."
[It looks exactly like a house from a ghost story.]
[If there was a theme park with houses like that, I'd go right now.]
[Calling it a ghost house isn't wrong, is it?]
"Right? And the extra boss here is undead, after all."
The so-called master of the dilapidated mansion. A monstrous boss who had cleaved countless players in two with that massive greatsword.
"The mansion's vibe is famous too. Even people with the skills to put up a decent fight against the boss skip it just because the atmosphere is so creepy."
[I don't think I could even step inside.]
[The atmosphere kept me out too. If I could just get in, I'd crush the extra boss and anything else.]
[Lololol For Real]
<lmao>
"Same here. I'm deathly afraid of scary stuff. I'd love to skip this boss, but..."
[You gotta keep your promises lololol]
[You said you'd shave off 10% lololol]
"Yeah, why did I even say that?"
The crowd loved watching Naltorri pull a face.
'Good reactions.'
Thanks to his decent skills, sharp wit, and connection to Yuseong, Naltorri's viewer count had grown nicely. For a newbie streamer, this momentum was far from bad.
'But it really is scary.'
He looked up at the mansion again. Naltorri prided himself on having some guts, but the place had an aura that put anyone on edge.
'Still, gotta do it.'
As he tightened his grip on his sword hilt—
[Wait, is that Bom Bom?]
[It is!]
Naltorri turned. There was a woman hesitating as she eyed the mansion, clearly spooked.
She was the streamer who'd broadcasted with Yuseong before.
'She's here for the extra boss stream too?'
Naltorri knew Bom Bom well. Among Arc's countless streamers, only a handful ever tasted real success. Newbies like him faced even steeper odds as latecomers.
But some persisted and saw results—Naltorri and Bom Bom were among them.
He secretly saw her as a rival.
"You're Bom Bom, right?"
That didn't mean he disliked her. Bumping into another streamer in-game was prime content, so he called out without hesitation.
"Oh, Naltorri?"
She recognized him too. He felt a quiet swell of pride at his growing fame.
"I watch your streams. As you know, I'm Naltorri."
"I'm Bom Bom. Nice to meet you."
"Are you here to take on the master of the dilapidated mansion too?"
"For now."
She glanced at the mansion, her pupils trembling.
[She looks scared.]
[The mansion's vibe is kinda off.]
[Naltorri was scared shitless too.]
"Look, I know it's weird to say this, but want to go in together? I hear you can party up until the boss room."
Better than going alone—the fear would be less with company. He was already dreading entry, so a companion felt like a godsend.
Bom Bom's face lit up.
"Sure, that works for me."
Streamers in Arc often formed instant parties on sight. A huge skill gap could cause issues, but these two were evenly matched.
Right now, they both desperately needed someone to share the terror inside that creepy mansion.
No complaints from the viewers either.
They chatted lightly as they approached the entrance. Having a companion did ease the dread a bit.
But only up to the door. Their feet froze in place at the mansion's front porch.
"...Bom Bom, you first."
"Huh?"
Her eyes went wide in surprise, but Naltorri was dead serious.
[Lolololol Lady First]
[Not scared, just giving her the honor of entering first.]
[Taking the lead with a huge audience watching? That's real courage.]
Ignoring the chat's mockery, Naltorri stared at her earnestly.
But Bom Bom was no pushover—she was a rising newbie streamer too.
"No, you should go first, Naltorri. You're the one who suggested teaming up."
[Lolol She Has An Excuse Now]
[Debating excuses now?]
[Newbie fights are always the most fun.]
Bom Bom's viewers watched the back-and-forth with glee.
It was half-joking, so no one got heated. Still, both were dead serious about making the other go first.
As they bickered—
"...If you're not going in, mind if I do?"
They jumped. They'd been blocking the door this whole time.
"Oh, sorry. Go ahead—"
Naltorri started to step aside and bow, then froze.
"Yuseong?"
Messy cropped hair, that signature dry aura, and eyes that sent chills down your spine at a glance.
No mistaking it—Yuseong.
[Whoa, it's Yuseong! Yuseong!]
[Wow, first Bom Bom, now unexpected guests all day.]
[Who's that?]
[The guy who found and killed the newly discovered extra boss right away.]
[That's him?]
Naltorri's chat exploded. Fans, rumor-hearers, and total newbies alike buzzed at Yuseong's sudden appearance.
"Oh, hi, Yuseong!"
Bom Bom knew him too and greeted him warmly. Her chat updated furiously.
Yuseong gave a curt nod to acknowledge them. That was it.
"Can I go in?"
He pointed at the front door, making it clear his focus was solely on the mansion. Naltorri and Bom Bom quickly cleared the way.
But they didn't let him pass without engaging. Ignoring a chance like this would be streamer malpractice.
"Are you here for the extra boss too, Yuseong?"
Yuseong glanced at Naltorri—hardly friendly. But Naltorri knew from hunting with him a few times that Yuseong would answer straight despite the attitude.
'Not rude, just quirky.'
Sure enough, Yuseong halted his charge and replied.
"Yes."
"Wow, so you'll have taken down two extra bosses back-to-back in no time."
"Not sure if I can take this one yet."
His voice held no tension, though.
'The guy who one-shotted the first extra boss he found.'
If anyone could handle the master of the dilapidated mansion easily, it was him.
Bom Bom jumped in.
"Got any strategy planned?"
"Nope."
"Oh, so this run is to scout the boss's combat style."
Yuseong stared at her blankly—not agreeing, more like he had no idea what she meant.
"Uh, Yuseong, you know the master of the dilapidated mansion gives three attempts, right?"
"I do."
Last time with the Hermit Sage's Relic, he'd charged in with minimal info and adapted to the surprise paralysis attack. This time, he'd grilled the strategy guide for details on the mansion's master.
Knowing he had three shots made him relaxed.
But—
"Planning to beat it in one go again?"
"I hear you don't need to use all three attempts."
"......"
"......"
Bom Bom went quiet. So did Naltorri beside her. Their chats, meanwhile, sped up.
[Confidence!]
[Isn't that arrogance?]
[If it was anyone else, I'd call it delusion, but he bagged an extra boss on discovery, so...]
[Arrogance with results is just confidence.]
"Th-that's impressive."
They weren't even thinking of soloing an extra boss in one try—their goal was just to chip away as much HP as possible over three attempts. But here he was, dismissing all three shots to end it in one.
Naltorri wasn't fully convinced, though.
He knew Yuseong's skills inside out. First and most frequent hunting partner among streamers, plus that extra boss kill.
But he couldn't ignore the situation.
"Uh, Yuseong. I think you could pull it off, but... you're not challenging it in that gear, right?"
Yuseong's equipment was nothing special. New gun, sure, but no armor—just the starter cloth rags.
'He wore those against the Hermit Sage's Relic too.'
It highlighted his skill.
But could even Yuseong beat the mansion's master in basic clothes? The mansion boss was stronger.
Just two levels higher, but at low levels, one mattered a ton—especially for an extra boss.
'One hit could end it.'
His concern didn't land, apparently.
"I know extra boss challenges only restrict by level—no other limits."
"No, I'm just suggesting you gear up with some armor first."
"I agree," Bom Bom chimed in.
"No money."
"Huh? Didn't you make a fortune off the Hermit Sage's Relic?"
"Spent it all elsewhere."
"That's a lot of cash—where could you even..."
Naltorri trailed off.
"Sorry, I pried too much."
They'd only hunted together at his request—no need to interrogate.
"But yeah, no armor looks rough," Bom Bom added.
"If it doesn't work, oh well."
Yuseong had no better options anyway. It wasn't real life-or-death.
'Failing this won't cut off my money or fame.'
"Questions done? I'd like to head in."
Naltorri and Bom Bom exchanged glances. They instantly knew the other thought the same.
They turned to Yuseong in unison.
"Can I join you?"
"Can I come along?"