Chapter 98: There’s No Way I Would Learn Such a Creepy Mystery
Chapter 98: There’s No Way I Would Learn Such a Creepy Mystery
“That’s not an unreasonable request.”
Targon nodded and turned his gaze toward Odilon.
“The clause allowing him to select items from the treasury is already included in the contract. The second son of the Brites family persuaded Elvira, so I accepted it.”
“…To be precise, I gave up.”
Secretary Elvira let out a dry laugh.
“He repeated the same argument for three days straight until I grew sick of hearing it, so I simply conceded. Since he’s much younger than I am, I let him have it, young master.”
For a gem elf who hated losses almost pathologically to abandon negotiations herself—
I felt proud of our stubborn young master and instinctively held out my hand.
“What.”
“A high five.”
“No.”
“Come on, don’t be like that.”
I grabbed the young master’s wrist—drier than that of a cultist—and forced our palms together.
Elvira, who had been watching with curiosity, raised three fingers.
“If the guild war is won, you may select three items from the treasury.”
Considering the value of the artifacts stored by the Ashen Wolf Guild, being allowed to take three items was an extremely generous reward.
I tried another high five out of joy, but the young master frowned and placed Rosalia between us.
Soon after, Targon gestured toward his secretary.
“Follow Elvira and meet the guild members scheduled to participate in the guild war. They’ll sincerely welcome you. The problem is Vice Guild Master Yallen…”
Secretary Elvira snorted from beside him.
“If it’s Kar, I feel like he’ll somehow use some trick to subdue him.”
“A trick? I pursue only fair and honorable competition as a model cultist.”
“Of course you do.”
Targon lightly snorted and extended a hand as large as my face.
“In any case, until the guild war ends, I will consider you a member of my pack and protect you to the end.”
Ranked second among the Twelve Heroes.
A declaration of protection from the strongest warrior in Pletika in both name and reality was an extraordinary privilege in itself.
“I’m honored.”
“I hope you will become the key figure in winning the guild war.”
“That’s exactly my intention.”
We shook hands, our sizes so mismatched it looked like an adult shaking hands with a child.
“Please follow me now.”
Following Elvira’s guidance, I headed toward a training ground near the guild headquarters.
“…Cultist Kar. From here on, it’s your turn. Handle things well.”
Odilon had reached his physical limit and returned to the inn with Rosalia’s support.
Even a simple conversation exhausted the young master.
“This is the place.”
Before long we arrived at the training hall.
It was a building nearly as large as the guild headquarters.
Unlike the headquarters, its exterior did not reflect the guild master’s excessively eccentric taste.
“Everyone should be gathered. Please enter.”
Following Elvira inside, I saw an interior decorated with imposing wolf imagery covering the ceiling, walls, and floor.
Statues depicting wolves howling were placed everywhere, and even the ceiling had a massive wolf face attached to it.
“Even actual wolves, werewolves, or wolf beastmen wouldn’t love wolves this much.”
“…The guild members only managed to persuade him about the exterior.”
At the secretary’s bitter remark, the guild members sitting on the stepped benches along the wall either lowered their heads or sighed.
“You’ve arrived, Elvira?”
“Yes.”
One guild member who had been staring in disgust at the wolf face hanging from the ceiling walked over sluggishly.
He was a tall, muscular human with copper-colored skin.
A typical northern continent barbarian.
《Battle Maniac Brunelda Nabld (Human, age 29). One of the vice guild masters of the Ashen Wolf Guild. Due to the difference in level, deeper information cannot be confirmed.》
“Nice to meet you, Vice Guild Master. I’m Kar, cultist of the Twisted Truth, temporarily joining the guild.”
I bowed deeply.
Vice Guild Master Brunelda waved his hand lazily as he approached and stared at me silently.
I stared back without speaking until I realized a newcomer acting this boldly was rude, so I hurriedly poked my cheek with my index finger.
“…What are you doing?”
“I’m showing my ultimate charm before the atmosphere becomes too hostile. What do you think?”
“…….”
Brunelda and Elvira blinked blankly before bursting into laughter.
“Ah. So this is the ‘Mad Golden Crow.’”
“Yes….”
Why had someone inserted a creative adjective in front of Golden Crow?
“Wow, nice to meet you!”
While Brunelda stepped back and rubbed the back of his neck, a dwarf with a childlike appearance jumped up from his seat and spoke.
《Ambitious Yallen (Western Continent Dwarf, age 39). Also one of the vice guild masters of the Ashen Wolf Guild. Further information cannot be read.》
“I heard you discovered the Hidden Piece in the Sanctuary of Restful Purification and became a distinguished guest of the Harmony Church?”
His cheerful jumping gave off a certain calculated feeling, but I answered without showing it.
“It just happened that way.”
“Wow, am I really speaking with one of the future Twelve Heroes? I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of performance you’ll show in the guild war!”
《True meaning: I don’t know about the future, but right now you’re just a greenhorn. I doubt you’ll accomplish anything impressive in the guild war.》
Truthy’s message wasn’t malicious this time.
Western continent dwarves who resembled human children often differed from the boisterous eastern dwarves. Many had a tendency to hide their true feelings.
“What I want from you isn’t much. I just want to see you try your best!”
In reality, it meant no matter how hard you try, you probably won’t achieve much.
It was an indirect expression so roundabout it nearly lost its way entirely.
Because western dwarves had been exploited as slaves by humans for a long time, a culture developed where they concealed their true thoughts as much as possible.
“For reference, all the guild members participating in the guild war this time—including Brunelda and myself—have at least eight years of exploration experience.”
Which probably meant: How dare someone with barely any experience act so boldly?
《What an irritating little brat!》
But honestly, it didn’t bother me.
Compared to Manager Choi’s “normal conversation,” which disguised mockery and abuse, everything this dwarf said was adorable.
Besides, his appearance was cute.
“How could I possibly dislike him?”
“Since you exposed the true identity of the fake Rigobert that nobody noticed, everyone acknowledges your ability as a cultist serving Lidni, the Evil God of knowledge. Isn’t that right?”
Two ordinary guild members nodded hastily.
“But since you haven’t challenged any labyrinth above B-rank yet, I’m a little worried about whether you’ll adapt well to the guild war!”
An elf and a sheep beastman who met my eyes gave awkward smiles.
Even though we had just met, we perfectly communicated through our eyes.
“Brunelda! What do you think?”
“Hmm.”
Brunelda slowly looked me up and down before speaking bluntly.
A northern barbarian would naturally say something straightforward.
“We’ll find out if we fight.”
“…Pardon?”
While Yallen froze, Brunelda slowly drew a sword with an antique design.
The creator’s favorite weapon: the Japanese sword.
In this world where such an island nation did not exist, it was called a katana.
《Artifact — Nightfall》
《Allows the Mysteries “Scattering Night” and “Gathering Night.”》
Even if it wasn’t as valuable as Astrimia, it was still a rare artifact.
Just granting two Mysteries without conditions made it absurdly powerful.
“I will not move from this spot from now on. I won’t use Mysteries either.”
Brunelda raised Nightfall lightly and pointed its tip toward me.
“If you can make either of my feet move even slightly from this position, you win. If you defeat me, no one will object to your participation in the guild war.”
It might sound easy at first, but considering the difference in level between us, it was nearly impossible.
It was about as difficult as lifting and moving an elephant with human strength.
“Brunelda? You trained hard today too—won’t you be tired?”
“Yallen. I said I’ll do it.”
“…….”
After dismissing the western dwarf with a cold voice, Brunelda looked at me again.
“What will you do?”
“Of course I’ll accept. It’s an honor to face the famous ‘Rhinoceros of the Northern Continent,’ Brunelda.”
“At least your attitude is correct.”
I stepped back slightly while facing Brunelda.
Once the distance was sufficient, the powerful barbarian shouted,
“Come at me!”
Waiting while staring for an opening was something only amateurs did.
I immediately raised my left hand.
Fwoosh!
The violently flying Sa · Yeom · Hwa.
Brunelda lightly swung Nightfall, slicing the flames apart.
《A human cutting flames…? He’s not quite Targon, but he’s still an incredible monster!》
In fact, Brunelda was a Tier-2 swordsman just below Tier-1 Pendrick.
Of course, that was his potential peak. If they fought now, even a miracle wouldn’t allow our genius swordsman to scratch that northern barbarian.
“You’ll never make me move with Mysteries like that. Will you continue?”
His question openly expressed disappointment.
It was a trap.
If I shrank back and gave up here, that northern barbarian would be deeply disappointed and fail me immediately.
I shook my head and raised my left hand again.
“From now on, I will fight seriously.”
Swoosh.
A figure popped out of Kar’s left eye.
“Heehee!”
The second Kar.
An illusion directly controlled by Eye That Whispers Falsehoods.
“What should I do, Master Kar?”
“Create confusion. Draw his attention as much as possible.”
“Okey-dokey!”
The fake Kar cheerfully raised both arms, then suddenly opened his mouth wide.
Whip!
A long tongue shot toward Brunelda.
Bewildering Tongue.
A Mystery that lengthened the tongue at the cost of slightly reducing taste.
Naturally, Nightfall slashed through the air at nearly invisible speed, but the illusion had no physical substance.
“Ha ha! It was just an illusion!”
“…Tricks like that won’t work on me.”
Kar already knew that.
So he prepared the next step.
Fwoosh!
Wild flames surged forward.
Every flame was sliced apart by Brunelda’s swordsmanship, yet Kar kept unleashing more.
Until the surrounding area became a sea of fire.
When the flames grew large enough to reach the ceiling, Kar opened his mouth and swallowed the fire before him in one gulp.
“…Ghk.”
A burning throat.
A heated stomach.
“Ahaha!”
“Ahahahaha!”
“Aha!”
Countless voices overlapped.
Illusory Kars created by Eye That Whispers Falsehoods ran around laughing everywhere.
“Ahahahahaha!”
Kar laughed along and leaped into the flames.
“Is that really all you’ve got!”
Even now, the advancing flames couldn’t reach the northern barbarian.
Miraculous swordsmanship cutting through fire.
Yet the flames kept advancing.
And occasionally the thick tongue of the fake Kar struck toward him.
“…Everyone move to the corners!”
The entire training hall grew hot.
While Yallen and the guild members evacuated, the confrontation between sword and flames continued.
Fwoosh!
Burning Sa · Yeom · Hwa.
Whoosh!
Nightfall slicing apart every incoming flame.
It looked like the battle could continue endlessly, but Brunelda hadn’t even begun using his full strength.
If this continues, he’ll collapse from exhaustion.
Honestly, the fact that he fought bravely without shrinking despite facing a far stronger opponent was impressive enough.
He deserved praise.
Though if I slapped his back too hard, it might break, so I’d need to be gentle.
But regardless of my thoughts, my evaluation had to remain cold.
“If this keeps dragging on, I’ll end it myself!”
For the first time, Brunelda gripped his sword with both hands.
Not even a Mystery—just swordsmanship.
Yet a strike capable of cutting most enemies in half instantly.
Just as the Level-8 swordsman prepared his final attack—
“Brunelda.”
Suddenly.
A massive gray orc walked calmly out of the flames.
Targon.
Guild Master of the Ashen Wolf Guild.
“Shall we fight.”
“…….”
The warrior Brunelda admired most and challenged daily for sparring.
“Why is the guild master here…?”
It made no sense logically.
Clearly it was the cultist’s trick.
But while his mind said so, his heart did not.
“Why are you hesitating? I came because I wanted to fight you. Is that not allowed?”
“…You look too much like the guild master!”
“Of course I do. Because I am.”
Brunelda couldn’t swing his sword.
More precisely, he had been guided not to.
Thunder Dududung.
A Mystery of Sue’je that altered the target’s perception according to what they focused on.
“Come here. Try swinging your sword at me, Brunelda.”
If the user’s Charm was low, Thunder Dududung had little effect. But when possessed by a half-elf, it could deceive even high-level explorers briefly.
At that moment Brunelda was momentarily captivated by the overwhelming presence of Targon.
“Up we go.”
Because of that, his reaction was just a little too slow.
“…Tch!”
The instant Targon grabbed his leg, Brunelda immediately broke free.
But his foot had already shifted slightly away from its original position.
“You moved.”
Kar, who had returned to his true appearance, declared expressionlessly in a voice that sent chills down the spine.
“My victory.”