Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Luring the Vampire Moths
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The blood dripping from my palm had already pooled on the ground, forming a red puddle.
A thick, metallic scent teased my nostrils.
'About time they show up.'
The monsters I was about to hunt would soon reveal themselves.
Completely unaware they were being herded right to me.
'Here they come.'
At the far end of the ravine.
A massive black shadow was hurtling toward me at incredible speed.
As it drew closer, the shadow's true form came into view.
A gigantic swarm formed by moths roughly the size of human heads.
These things were extremely sensitive to the smell of blood and survived by sucking it dry. Their name: Vampire Moths.
'So that's their proboscis.'
Their only weapon was the long, sharp proboscis protruding from their mouths.
'That's the part to watch out for.'
The tip contained a paralyzing agent. Let them land too many hits, and you'd end up drained dry before you knew it.
'Even my past self hated this place. They're a pain to kill.'
Plus, being flying monsters, hitting them with skills or swinging a sword was no easy feat.
And finally, the biggest, most primal issue.
They gave even less EXP than goblins, and they didn't drop magic stones.
All those risks, and nothing worth hunting for.
But for me right now? Perfect fit.
I needed EXP over cash.
Vampire moths had a habit: once they caught the scent of blood, they swarmed relentlessly.
Even if I activated [Lava Shield] and stood still, they'd keep coming.
'Thanks for the gifts.'
Credit where it's due—to the original owners of the [Phoenix's Tear] and [Lava Shield].
The vampire moths were almost upon me now.
Time to add one more reason this was one of the worst three hunting grounds.
They were disgustingly gross.
Gray bodies, ceaselessly flapping wings, bristling hairs everywhere, and those long, protruding proboscises.
Goblins looked cute by comparison.
I drew my dagger.
Judging that after 12 seconds, when the survivors reached me, a short blade would be better for close quarters—no room to swing a sword.
"Be careful, human. If you die, I die too. Can't waste this precious chance."
Was that... encouragement?
Hey, for a constellation, that's practically normal.
The vampire moth assault finally began.
Their attacks were nothing special.
Just proboscises thrusting from all directions, aiming for my body.
I didn't bother blocking.
With this many, even my bad luck couldn't beat the activation odds.
In an instant, a red [Lava Shield] filled with scorching heat enveloped me.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lava Shield activated] Sizzle! Ssssss!
Each one that touched it burned and melted, dropping to the ground with wet plops.
'Good thing they're not smaller.'
If they were, they might slip through gaps between shield segments and stab me.
8 seconds.
I counted down, eyeing the growing pile of dead moths around me.
They charged headlong toward certain death, desperate for my blood.
Like moths to a flame, oblivious even as they burned.
5 seconds.
Nearly half were dead.
2 seconds.
Problem.
About 50 survivors.
Way more than expected.
Still.
Alone, maybe trouble. But I had a legendary healer behind me.
Won't die from blood loss, at least.
I gripped my dagger tighter, preparing for slowed time.
"I'll join you, human."
As's voice came from behind.
"Level 12. With those stats, you can fight. Tough enough to tank a hit or two."
Level 12 from one herding session? Impressively fast.
But skeletons gained 1 stat per level. Double for As's trait—still, strength, agility, stamina at just 24 each.
"Even so, you can't kill them."
Skeletons started with pitiful base stats.
"Human, you're misunderstanding. I'm no ordinary being. I'm a constellation. Trust my judgment."
Fine, if the great constellation insists.
"Don't get snarky, human."
No blocking mind-reading, huh?
"Pick already."
Playtime's over.
'Their paralysis won't work on me anyway...'
Unlike flesh-and-blood me, As was pure bone.
Blood-sucking? Useless on him.
'But collisions or wing flaps could still kill him.'
Low stamina was the issue.
He claimed he could tank a couple hits. Maybe. Maybe not.
Tough call.
Trust the confident constellation?
Or solo it, slight risk?
"As. I trust you."
"Time to show why I'm a constellation."
My goal was Solomon's death.
Truth was, if even this setback broke him, better to ditch the "constellation."
Time to test his power.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lava Shield dissipates.] The shield vanished, leaving around 30 moths.
If As pulled his weight, no need for slowed time.
I wasn't yesterday's me with useless 114 mana anymore.
Squish!
I smoothly sliced open the gut of the moth in front of me.
Then, fluid as water, severed an incoming proboscis from the side.
With my current strength and agility, handling two at once was fine.
Then As shouted.
"Fall back, human."
Ordering his master around?
"Can't attack with you there."
Fine, whatever.
I smashed the moth's head with my dagger, then leaped back.
'Figured. His looks alone scream "don't mess with."'
As took my spot, exuding thicker black aura.
One foot forward, greatsword gripped in both hands, he twisted at the waist.
"Here I go."
The massive blade exploded left to right.
A blast of wind pressure sent over ten moths smashing into the cliffside, bursting on impact.
Using the flat of the blade.
Smart for multiple small foes.
Strength 24, pulling that off? Something I didn't know about him?
As's greatsword whipped like a storm, moths exploding everywhere.
No need for me to step in.
Utter domination.
Done in seconds.
"It's over."
As planted his greatsword in the ground, basking in victory.
"You used the weight."
I recalled the thud— I'd hefted that sword myself once, felt its insane heft.
"Exactly. Feels like a feather to me."
No such limit for him.
Test passed, anyway.
Lives up to "constellation"—knows his power well.
"We'll keep doing this. I thin the herd with [Lava Shield], you finish."
And so I kept bleeding, herding them in. Time flew.
Five days in Utopia already.
"Time to move."
Once more, [Burning Vitality] proved its worth.
Nonstop grinding like my skeletons—now level 35.
As and Sia hit 30.
"Agreed. EXP's drying up."
As was right.
This damn system hated pure grinding; big level gaps slashed incoming EXP.
"Where to next?"
As asked about the next spot.
Tough choice.
Straight to the dungeon?
Or hit 50, add a skeleton slot, then dungeon?
'Even at 50, no guarantee of an extra slot.'
I checked As and Sia's status windows.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 👤 Name: As ⭐ Level: 30 💨 Agility: 30 (+30) ⚡ Strength: 30 (+30) 💪 Stamina: 30 (+30) ✨ Magic Power: 1 ⚔ STATUS ⚔ 👤 Name: Sia 💨 Agility: 30 ⚡ Strength: 30 💪 Stamina: 30 ✨ Magic Power: 40 🎁 Unique Skills: Great Heal, Group Heal, Heal Mastery Oddity: As's magic power stuck at 1.
He said he sacrificed it to max physical stats.
Solid progress overall.
"Dungeon time."
Decision made: tackle one from my memories.
"Both of you, unsummon and rest."
I released Sia and As immediately.
No desire to attract eyes en route to needless hassle.
'East from here.'
Portal city stop unnecessary—no extra rations needed.
My target: Boss Dungeon.
Clearable in about five hours. I set off along the path.
'Hope she's mining gold fine.'
Should've checked on Lee Eun-joo midway.
'She wouldn't run off with it, right?'
Maybe too hands-off.
'Clear this dungeon, then head to Earth.'
Call first; if no answer, visit Kim Tae-hyun's place.
Mulling over Lee Eun-joo, I kept walking when—
"P-please! Spare me!"
A desperate man's voice from the forest ahead.
What now?
Chased by monsters?
This area was golden monkey turf.
Given their cunning, high chance he was in deep.
I darted through the dense trees toward the voice.
Spotted a pale-faced man fleeing frantically between massive trunks.
Deep arm wound—blood streamed between clutching fingers.
'Where are the monkeys?'
Scanned the branches—no sign, no signature howls.
Should've shown if herding prey.
So who wounded him, then?
Moment I thought to grab and question him—
Shiiiing!
A sharp whistle, ice arrow slamming his shoulder.
"Argh!"
He tumbled forward from the shock.
Golden monkeys didn't use skills.
"Ha? This bastard's running."
"Such a pain. Just kill him quick."
"Hey! Loot and move. Place is emptying out."
A group of five humans emerged from the trees.
Their speech and swagger screamed it.
'Raiders.'
Raiders.
Just what it sounded like: Utopia killers who looted items for profit.
I ducked behind a tree. Would've jumped in for monkeys, but...
'Can't gauge their strength.'
Raiders were dangerous.
Like that Cha Mu-hyuk crew I'd clashed with before.
No basis to assume orc-hunting level or whatever.
These were human-hunting raiders, not monkey-chasers.
"P-please... spare me."
The fallen man begged, voice breaking.
Up close: high schooler, barely adult.
"You saw our faces. Can't let you go. Heh heh heh."
One drew a razor-sharp sword, smirking sleazily.
"Empty your inventory first. Make it painless—one swing."
He advanced slowly on the kid.
Left alone, kid's head rolls. But I stayed put.
No clear goal or gain worth the risk.
'Wait it out.'
Hold breath, slip away post-kill.
"I'll do anything! Sir, please!"
The kid clutched the raider's foot, face tear-streaked.
Pitiful.
If he'd shown something to sway me against raiders, maybe.
But groveling without pride?
"What can you even do? Easier to kill and loot."
"Th-then... I'll tell you about treasure! P-please, spare me!"
"Treasure? What kind?"
"White peaches guarded by golden monkeys. Looked super special!"
"White peaches? Hahaha!"
The raider laughed like it was ridiculous.
"Peaches are everywhere on Earth, kid. Monkeys hoarding snacks—what's special... G-guhk..."
His words cut short.
"Who the hell are you?!"
My dagger, buried in his throat.