Spectral Monsters
The spectral-type monsters had existed even in the previous game, so their appearance wasn’t entirely unexpected. With proper preparation, they were the kind of monsters that could be handled without too much trouble. But no one could have predicted that this type of monster would show up in a beginner village. It was a blatant balance breaker.
Most physical classes would be left sucking their thumbs against spectral monsters.
“……Why are wraiths showing up so early?”
-Krrraaak!
At least there was one silver lining—the original monsters were wolves from the southern forest. Thanks to that, their attacks were predictable enough to dodge.
With 45 Agility, he was already in the realm of superhuman compared to a real body. But he couldn’t keep dodging forever. Spectral monsters ignored certain laws of physics.
For example, they could charge at full speed without any recoil.
-Kyaaak!
Shuk!
The wolves’ cunning attacks aimed at vital points, combined with their recoil-free movements, created blind spots. Damage exchange was completely one-sided. Any hit he took landed normally, but striking back with ordinary weapons simply passed through empty air.
“What the hell am I supposed to do with this?”
Ching!
Strangely enough, the ghost wolf’s fangs were stopped by the wooden sword.
“Huh? What’s going on?”
For this to happen, the weapon needed either an enchanter’s attribute infusion or a priest’s blessing.
Attack Power: 24~44
Durability: 310 (Cannot be repaired)
Infused with Grudge: Has a chance to activate ‘Rend’
Rend: Leaves wounds that cannot be healed for a certain period of time.
A wooden sword crafted from Mauro wood. It has been meticulously maintained with fine oils for decades. Far superior to most real blades and unmatched among wooden swords.
The words of the training instructor from Boa Village suddenly came to mind.
-The mana contained in this sword carries a deep grudge. If that grudge is truly embedded in the weapon—even if it came from a former Royal Knight—then this wooden sword is an exceptional piece of equipment.
The Mauro Wooden Sword wasn’t just a high-quality non-attribute weapon. It held a genuine grudge, making it a mana-converted attribute weapon.
Shwaaaak!
Puh-suh-suhk!
The wooden sword, aimed precisely at the crown of the head, erased the ghost wolf from existence.
“So it actually works.”
The mana inside the sword carried an incredibly deep grudge—directed at animal-type monsters like the golden fox. In a way, it resonated with the ghost wolves as well.
-Krrrk?
Wolves weren’t low-intelligence creatures. Especially after becoming spectral entities, they were closer to evolved variants. They could assess changing situations through the death of their packmates and formulate new strategies.
-Krrrr……
The remaining wolves retreated in unison.
With the situation now in his favor, his thoughts began to race.
‘Can you really not skin spectral monsters?’
He had wondered the same thing in the previous game and had put in considerable effort to harvest their hides. The result had been failure. He simply lacked any ability to properly exert physical force against spectral monsters.
‘But it seems possible here.’
This time was different. The very shirt he was wearing was proof.
Defense: 44
Strength +4, Agility +4, Vitality +4
Advanced Darkness Affinity: Basic stats double in darkness. Increased resistance to light-attribute magic.
A legendary masterpiece crafted from the souls of wraiths through a special refining process. It automatically adjusts to the wearer’s body and repairs any damage.
The Master’s Revenant Turtleneck was a true masterpiece woven from wraith souls. And it was Legendary grade, no less.
-Krrrk.
The ghost wolves began to spread out. Their strategy was clear: avoid counterattacks and strike from blind spots to tear into his neck.
“This is getting interesting.”
Even after becoming spectral, their racial traits remained those of wolves. Once he could counterattack without getting hit, the fight was already decided in his favor. Even if he took hits, the defense of his equipped armor was absurdly high. As long as the armor didn’t break, he wouldn’t die. Of course, he had no intention of letting it get damaged since repairs weren’t possible.
“Blind spots are annoying, so let’s thin out their numbers a bit.”
Even encirclement attacks depended on the opponent. Simply charging forward himself opened up paths in an instant. Meanwhile, the wolves’ only means of attack were teeth and forepaws. They had no way to respond to his strikes.
Kwa-jik! Kwa-jik!
The ghost wolf pack’s numbers dwindled rapidly. The battle became easier, but the fundamental problem remained unsolved. As time passed, more ghost wolves kept respawning.
Kwa-jik!
At least he was gaining experience and leveling up, but the lack of any drops was frustrating. Leveling itself wasn’t bad, but the situation in Boa Village was the real issue. He couldn’t afford to stay here forever. If the former Chinese player ruling class returned to the southern forest campsite in greater numbers, the situation would become unmanageable.
Plus, he had no proper tools to extract materials from the ghost wolves. The Mauro Wooden Sword couldn’t skin them.
“I should get away from the river for now.”
The spawn condition for ghost wolves seemed to be staying near the river for a certain amount of time. Boa Village’s water shortage was an extension of this phenomenon, intertwined with the ruling class’s problems.
“Anyway, I couldn’t get the butchering skill either.”
-Krrraaak!
Driving the wolf pack before him, he advanced deeper into the southern forest. Not much time had passed, so the workshops should still be in full operation. He didn’t need to run far. He was already approaching what looked like a workshop group.
Puh-uhk! Puh-uhk!
This was a place where outsiders never came. Just like in the old military, all sorts of corruption thrived here.
“Useless bastards! You can’t even catch a single deer properly?”
“Kuhk! I’m really going to die at this rate!”
Puhk!
“Tsk. A level 10 player can’t even take a single kick? You should’ve hunted properly then!”
Keeping a safe distance where the workshop members couldn’t see him, he leaned against a tree and pointed his wooden sword at the ghost wolves. He was giving them a choice: fight a difficult prey or hunt easy targets freely.
-Krrrr……
“Hm? What’s that sound?”
The wolves’ judgment was swift. With a low growl from the pack leader, the entire pack charged toward the workshop all at once.
“A-Ah, nightmare wolves! Stop them! Stop them!”
“Hiiik! I don’t want to die!”
Nightmare Wolves. He now knew their name. It was useful information for future disruptions.
“How dare you! Stay right there!”
The “nightmare” naming was fairly common. In games, it was usually attached to entities that were despair-inducingly difficult to deal with.
“Kuk! Damn it!”
-Kraaaak!
The lone Chinese player twisted desperately to avoid the attack, but that was all he could manage. The nightmare wolf sank its teeth into his shoulder instead of his neck.
Kwa-deuk!
“Aaaagh!”
The attack trajectories of spectral monsters weren’t normal. Air resistance meant nothing, and their unique acceleration rhythm from mid-air was hard to adapt to.
“Die already! Please!”
Whoosh.
Even his counterattack aimed at the crown of the head sliced through empty air. Ironically, the one feeling bewildered in this situation was the wolf itself. It had been beaten to death every time he swung until now, so this outcome was only natural.
-Krrrk?
The nightmare wolves’ gazes flicked toward him for a moment before returning to the Chinese player, who was still swinging his sword while trying to flee.
‘If we ignore that weird human, we’re actually pretty strong, right?’
That seemed to be their thought.
Kwa-deuk.
“Krrgh.”
Once the workshop player died and logged out, the nightmare wolves, having gained enlightenment, began rampaging even more fiercely. Now they only stayed wary even when close, no longer attacking first.
“Easy. So easy.”
Meanwhile, he collected the loot from the dead players. He didn’t need to carry heavy items—water and money were enough. A single silver coin could buy plenty of wolf or deer materials with change to spare.
“Nice, one silver. Might as well grab all the copper too.”
-Krrrr.
While he was fattening his wallet, one workshop had already been completely wiped out. The wolf pack was growling, demanding the next prey.
“Wait. If we go over there, there should be more.”
-Krrrr!
The other workshops were spaced 100 to 200 meters apart from the first. Since the workshop leader took all the loot, only the leader’s pockets yielded money. That meant fewer things to worry about.
“At this rate, the southern forest will be cleaned up nicely.”
When he pointed toward a workshop, the wolves charged. At some point, a simple gesture was enough to clear a workshop, and occasionally wolves even brought back the leaders’ money pouches.
“……This is auto-hunting. New games really are different.”
It was convenient and pleasant. At this pace, he could gather one gold or more very quickly. And this was income generated inside a beginner village.
“Still, this is enough.”
-Krrrr?
This was only possible because he had taken other people’s income. What he needed to solve was the root problem. He had already identified the water issue, so now he had to return and properly clean up the southern forest camp.
“Our partnership ends here. You guys keep going that way.”
-Krrrr?
“I need to head back now.”
Hunting nightmare wolves had become awkward as well. He had no way to skin their spectral hides, and he could earn plenty of experience through PK anyway. The income was also much better on that side.
“See you next time.”
Thus, he left the future open.
-Krrrk.
The nightmare wolves stared at him for a moment before turning away and heading toward the next workshop.
“They’re definitely not hostile anymore. I should look into this side again later.”
The fact that he could interact with nightmare wolves opened up many possibilities. This was the first time he had maintained any kind of cooperative relationship with monsters. There was likely a related hidden class or hidden quest involved. Otherwise, there would be no reason for spectral monsters to be placed in a beginner village.