Chapter 29
Chapter 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Land of Distrust (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Names weren't given without meaning. They all carried some significance or had a reason behind them.
There were two reasons why this gate was named the Land of Distrust.
One was due to the characteristics of the monster "Palsilokus," which only appeared in the Land of Distrust. The other was the form of the "special clear condition" that occasionally appeared alongside the basic clear conditions.
Sa-yoon checked the clear condition description window floating in front of him again. At the very bottom, there was one condition added in red text.
[Or betray a comrade who entered together 0/1]
Right now, only Geon-ju and I had entered, making it quite limited, but if you filled the recommended party of seven people, it would demand absurd betrayals like "kill the party leader" or "kill your lover."
The important thing was that if even one person received the special clear window, everyone else who entered the gate together would also receive it.
And among those who received it, there were people who actually carried out the special clear condition to monopolize the rewards.
That was why it was called the Land of Distrust.
Even if everyone promised to ignore it and just achieve the basic conditions to clear, there was always one betrayer.
Since I had received the window, Geon-ju must have gotten something similar, so Sa-yoon pressed down hard on Geon-ju's shoulder.
"Really none?"
"Yes."
"...Really? Then why can I see the quest text saying 'murder the comrade who entered together'?"
He was caught. As Sa-yoon's lips curled up, having fallen right into the trap, Geon-ju, who had been staring silently at his condition window, finally spoke.
"You knew."
"Hm...?"
It wasn't the reaction he expected. The scenario Sa-yoon had imagined was the guy startling with wide eyes, stammering something like "H-how...!" in panic and anxiety. But the Geon-ju in front of him seemed not just calm, but almost transcendent.
"Why do you keep testing me?"
He even pushed back further.
"I didn't beg to come in here; I was half-forced. Why are you so suspicious and testing me?"
Is our guild leader a goblin or something...?
Goblin. A being known for loving bets and tests. Sa-yoon wrinkled his nose at Geon-ju, who was screwing him over with that characteristically soft tone, and lowered his arm.
Done, done. No fun to be had.
"You seem to have known already yourself, pretty boy. How did you figure it out?"
"You said you'd explain on the way but didn't give me a single document until we arrived. You didn't even properly tell me what gate it was."
"So?"
"So I figured there must be something you couldn't explain until we entered. And there was. A guild leader who's conquered every gate wouldn't be unaware of special clear conditions, so what else could it be but testing me?"
"You knew and still didn't say it straight?"
"If I just obediently fall for it, I'd feel bad."
"......"
It was a response that clearly showed he wasn't the docile type.
Sa-yoon shrugged, having tried to toy with him a bit only for the fun to be ruined. He pulled out "Heris's Dagger," his main weapon, from his inventory and gripped it.
"So, what do you plan to do now? Try breaking the special clear condition to monopolize the rewards?"
"As if. The test seems over, so explain what kind of gate this is. I came with an experienced guy, but I haven't benefited much yet."
Every additional response from him was annoying, but damn quest had Sa-yoon by the balls—he couldn't even smack him. Feeling like the beneficiary of his system window was Geon-ju, not him, Sa-yoon swallowed his dissatisfaction and looked at the space inside the gate.
Unlike its unpleasant name, the Land of Distrust, the inside of the gate was quite beautiful. Greenery and flowers blended well, the sky was clear, and the sunlight was decent.
However, in a gate, the moment you were enchanted by the beautiful scenery, you were one step closer to death.
Sa-yoon walked under the full sunlight and spun the dagger once in his hand.
"Listen well, pretty boy. This place is just a pretty minefield. Touch the wrong thing and..."
Sslash!
Sa-yoon's dagger sliced through a well-grown sunflower. It was then that Geon-ju, who was with him, looked puzzled at the sudden action.
-Kieeeek!
The severed sunflower wailed. Then its stem began to writhe and undulate.
What had clearly been in the shape of a sunflower grew and swelled, grotesquely transforming. Geon-ju held his breath at the overwhelming sight.
-Kiaaaak!
Finally, the thing, now the size of a villa building, roared. Petals scattered like blood, blue leaves fluttered, and the ground trembled faintly. The sunflower had become a ferocious monster beyond recognition.
A white monster with three eyes and a face split into two. Sa-yoon faced the pressure emanating from it head-on, gripping his dagger in reverse grip.
"Grade 2."
"What is that?"
"What else? Palsilokus."
The monster that explained why this gate was the Land of Distrust. The false being, Palsilokus.
As it finished wailing and tried to lock onto its target, Sa-yoon grabbed Geon-ju by the collar. Then he hurled him far away with brute force.
"......!"
Geon-ju's eyes widened in shock at the rough handling. Sa-yoon looked at him, now about 500 meters away.
"Rest there, pretty boy. You'll get hurt if you get caught up."
"Behind you!"
"I know."
Geon-ju, bewildered at Sa-yoon showing his back to the enemy, urgently warned of the danger.
Kwang!
With a roar, the Grade 2 Palsilokus's foot slammed into the ground. It was where Sa-yoon had been standing.
But Sa-yoon was no longer there.
"Big size means slow movement. Ah, this only works up to Grade 2, so keep that in mind."
Air-stepping and shrinking earth technique.
A skill specialized in Taoist arts, ripped off from the famed Myeongnyang Guild. It worked to some extent up to A-grade monsters. Using it, Sa-yoon stepped into the air and leaped, readjusting his grip on the dagger.
-Kiii.
The Palsilokus let out an irritated cry upon realizing its attack had missed. Sa-yoon landed on its shoulder.
-Kiaaa!
The irritated creature swung its webbed hand. The massive hand darkened the sky for a moment. Sa-yoon lightly jumped to the side.
Kwang!
Another loud boom. As the Palsilokus turned its head to check if it had caught Sa-yoon, he landed on its opposite shoulder.
"Guess the shoulders hurt."
He taunted playfully and spun the dagger once. Kiaak! Enraged, the creature shook its body violently left and right to shake him off.
Sa-yoon's body fell downward as a result. Seizing the chance, it immediately opened its mouth.
"Watch out for the petals it shoots at times like this."
Even as he fell, Sa-yoon advised Geon-ju. A hum vibrated, black light gathering at the center of its mouth. The Palsilokus, mouth wide open, fixed the light on Sa-yoon and fired the petals.
Kwajijijik!
The concentrated blast was explosive. Nothing remained where the light pierced—beautiful flowers, plants. And Sa-yoon.
It happened in an instant, so Geon-ju, who missed Sa-yoon's movements, panicked and searched for his guild leader.
-Kieeeek!
A eardrum-shattering scream shook the ground. Geon-ju plugged his ears at the horrific sound and looked at the Palsilokus.
Then he was stunned.
In the blink of an eye, Sa-yoon had climbed onto the Palsilokus's head and was stabbing his dagger into the eye on its forehead.
"Heris's Penance."
[S-grade Weapon Skill]
Sa-yoon thrust the dagger deep and recited the activation word. The Palsilokus thrashed in resistance. It didn't dodge the incoming massive hand. As the giant hand bore down to crush him.
Flash!
A white light burst, illuminating the view. A "boom" explosion followed.
Geon-ju squinted at the intense light and blast. In his barely secured narrow vision, even the monster's form was invisible.
He rolled his eyes to find Sa-yoon. At the center of it all, Sa-yoon was leisurely descending from about six stories high in the air.
Thud.
Finally landing steadily, Sa-yoon slightly furrowed his brow at the blood spraying everywhere. Honestly, it wasn't a visually appealing sight. If Geon-ju had a weak stomach, he might have vomited.
It's good, but the visuals are gross.
S-grade weapon, Heris's Dagger.
Once the activation word was spoken, it could cause a powerful explosion three times a day. Useless against people, but unmatched for finishing monster bosses.
Just stab it in deep and mumble a word.
He shook the bloodied blade and looked for Geon-ju, whom he'd placed far away. The pretty boy was obediently staying put where thrown.
Since he was staring at Sa-yoon with somewhat dazed eyes, Sa-yoon approached at a leisurely pace, like going for a walk.
"See that?"
"......"
"Didn't see?"
"No."
"Then listen up. Those are Palsilokus. Grades 1 to 4 exist, and you don't know the grade until you attack the disguised form. After attacking, its true form reveals, and you gauge by size. Higher grades are bigger and stronger, so be careful."
Sa-yoon continued explaining while glancing at the flesh chunks.
"Roughly, Grade 4 is like an E-grade gate boss you've done, Grade 3 is D-grade, Grade 2 is C-grade. Grade 1 is weak A-grade level, but they rarely appear, so relax."
He spoke lightly to ease tension, but no reply came. Sa-yoon stared intently at Geon-ju's somehow stiff expression.
Scared maybe.
It was probably his first time seeing a C-grade monster. Sa-yoon had kept him far to watch safely, but he might still be overwhelmed.
Since Geon-ju had the guts to stare him straight in the eyes before, Sa-yoon hadn't worried much, but realized facing monsters and people were different. He infused energy into his right hand and patted Geon-ju's shoulder.
No matter the talent or guts, a newbie was a newbie.
Overwhelming him with stronger energy could shake off the pressure, so he patted and stroked the shoulder a couple more times. Adding a word would perfect it, so Sa-yoon hummed and observed Geon-ju's face.
Tense expression.
What to say to ease the pressure in moments like this?
From childhood books to adult conversations, all his direct and indirect experiences mobilized. Finally finding something suitable, Sa-yoon smiled softly.
"How is it? Seeing it up close, it's weaker and easier than you thought, right?"
He said the carefully chosen words gently. Confident in their effect, Sa-yoon looked at Geon-ju expectantly, then felt disappointed.
Seems like a failure.
The pretty boy's expression hardened even more.