Chapter 59
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: 8th Floor - Lv. 159 Brigade Headquarters (4)
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"You're here too, I see?"
"No, he's returned to the family estate for the time being."
"I heard he abandoned his nobility, but it seems he has thoughts on this invasion."
"Why wouldn't he? Vampires are gathering in this city as well, after all."
"Pretending to be human, eh."
"They can't fight during the day, so they're not exactly a huge help. Still, though."
Of course, not all members of Night Crow were victims of vampires.
Vampires were certainly a threat, but there were plenty of other things that killed people.
They just drew attention because they lived within human territory.
"Vampire clans end up being helpful in times like these, whether they like it or not. Funny, isn't it?"
"That must be why the goblin assassins can't infiltrate."
"Exactly."
Let's think about this. If the fairy mage in front of me was the one who killed Karkrish, he'd probably been pushing forward as a challenger toward clear until the very end.
Without knowledge from outside the labyrinth like mine, it was impossible to have the forces to face hero units before the kingdom timeline.
At least not within a month.
The possibility was that this guy was a gamer too.
In that case, the "seventy-year-old" bit was probably a bluff.
Veterans rarely revealed their true identities like that.
Best to assume it was all bullshit.
Including that childlike appearance—maybe a long-time gamer random NPC?
With Provence already in play, I didn't think it impossible.
Should I ask for his nickname?
No, I'm at a disadvantage no matter how you slice it.
At least his race being fairy meant he wasn't on the Greenskins' side.
Who'd want to play king of the Greenskins, anyway?
From what I'd seen, it was always fairies, humans, or even dwarves trying to swallow the continent.
They'd all started as humans originally, and ruling over stupid Greenskins? Who knew how much of a headache that'd be.
The fairy mage tapped his temple with his index finger and spoke.
"As far as Night Crow knows, the Barbaroi bloodline has scattered, their whereabouts unknown."
"They don't even know what happened to their own clan master."
"There must've been connections as exiles, so it's not like they never saw them. All dead? Let me think. Meeting here means it's the snowfield theme."
"Froze to death on sight."
"Makes sense. The first place we met was Dragon Marsh, right? Not far from here."
What? Dragon Marsh? Damn it, that explains the ancient alligator.
"Why didn't you tell me that?"
"Well, we didn't have the forces to take it down back then anyway."
"Hah, still, we should've grabbed that real dragon."
"A rotten dragon heart's still a dragon heart."
Sometimes you had to infer from fixed location names. The kind of encounter you miss without probing locals.
Deep at the bottom of that marsh slept a real dragon.
Something worth mobilizing the entire Night Crow for, no matter the cost.
"I didn't want to see my squad get hurt, so cut me some slack."
"Fair enough. My apologies, senior."
"Anyway, I do know a vampire I could introduce you to right away. But that cloak—can non-Barbaroi bloodline use it?"
I shook my head.
It was tied to the clan master's unique setup. Similar to an authority, which we called that for convenience, but different.
"Then I can't help. I don't know where the Barbaroi remnants are."
Made sense—no reason to track a fallen clan's movements outside human lands.
"So, what's this mission?"
"Wide map. Just find the stairs and go down, but somehow..."
"Heh heh heh, probably in the Stormhowl Brigade headquarters."
So it was those guys invading. Trdongt and the saintess were probably here too. If the whole brigade marched, it'd be no other way.
Lots of problems to handle. RPGs got bigger maps, more side quests.
I sighed like I was tired.
Then went to the bar owner dozing at the counter and ordered.
"Boss, got any decent beer?"
The fairy mage whispered softly.
"Something from the dwarf brewery."
"Where the hell's that brewery anyway?"
"Head north, past the frozen mines—there's a rock dwarf village. They say they brew with the hot spring water inside the mine."
Huh, feels like I was just there? Yeah, never saw booze in that village. Suspicious. Dwarves wouldn't do that.
When I mentioned it, the fairy mage burst out laughing.
"We buy in bulk, so they only have enough for themselves."
Dwarves and their booze obsession.
According to the fairy mage, the vampires claiming this castle as territory were the Probori Clan.
A martial warrior clan with no ties to magic—simple, but powerful, as vampire warriors often were.
After a drink, we left the tavern.
The mage said it was smart to show my face, in case I turned vampire.
Barbaroi were vagrant outcasts.
In vampire society, fair game to hunt.
Exile vampires didn't trespass on clans' hunting grounds, regardless.
Territorial vampires saw exile vamps as temporary guests who'd leave soon.
No need to antagonize; just hush it up.
If that wasn't known, attacks could happen.
His courtesy made sense.
If we were both exiles.
But a settled fairy mage had no reason to go that far for me.
Highly suspicious offer.
Still, I followed quietly for now.
That wasn't the only oddity.
We never once mentioned Karkrish or the northern [Meteor Swarm].
"How far'd you get with that girl?"
"What do you mean 'how far'? I don't see little kids that way."
"Is that so? Rank unknown, but still human-like. Pure exile mindset. Good for a challenger, maybe."
The fairy mage stopped. We'd passed a dark alley into a vacant lot.
The kind of shady spot where magic fallout or a body disposal wouldn't draw eyes.
"I've never liked challengers much. Finding the [Main Dungeon] and challenging it, treating residents' lives like nothing."
Mana surged. Massive for his small frame.
He'd hidden his power against Barbaroi.
That optimism wasn't faith in Sir Dusburn's win—confidence he could handle it himself.
Or else...
Vampires emerged from the shadows.
Weapons in hand—Probori Clan.
Infiltrated Night Crow with ulterior motives from the start?
Vampire nation-building was fine. Easier to manage than you'd think.
Quick, efficient freeloading—top tech path.
The fairy mage continued.
"I've always hated challengers messing with the continent's history. Lived long, got attached. I'm a resident of this continent."
Magic manifested. Not flashy—a barrage of split [Fire Bolts].
Practical combat casting, beyond skill dependency.
"Sorry to the girl. Can't let her disrupt my home. Exiles forbid love anyway, right?"
I smirked.
"You sure love this continent yourself, senior."
Enough to want it all.
Competent exiles were obstacles.
After reaching the kingdom, fewer entry points from old servers was better.
I'd carried it from the start, but recognition-block magic hid it. Now, one motion to aim.
Let's see your skills.
Save bullets.
Throttle single-shot.
Target acquired—firing!
"Uncle's late."
"Sis, you comfortable?"
At first, it was whatever. But the honorifics grew burdensome.
Figured he was just a thug, but he was decent—someone she'd have protected in her old world.
Yet he treated her with such respect.
As a Korean, it itched worse than an allergy.
"Come on, cut it out."
The girl's scowl amused the hunter; he chuckled low.
"Stuck with guys, what can ya do?"
"You too, Hunter Uncle..."
He kept it up despite protests. She grumbled but settled to sleep.
Uncle had clearly stated his errand before leaving.
Night Crow didn't seem bad, and with the pendant, she'd be fine.
The tent for mercs was cramped, naturally.
Even accounting for her small size, the giant maknae made it impossible for three.
"When leader's back, we rotate watches two at a time. You sleep first."
"I can take watch too."
"You're growing—leader said get good rest."
Thoughtful, but embarrassing.
And was she actually tall?
No mirror, no wall—hard to tell.
Hunter took first watch. Meant no one'd wake her, words or not. He had the best stamina anyway.
Stay alert till shift.
She'd learned protests were futile; kept eyes shut.
She took the tent corner; maknae crammed his bulk in.
Cramped space forced side-by-side.
"I'll turn in. Night, sis."
"Yeah."
Sole girl with big bros. Felt like an invalid.
For a girl always guarding outside, it tickled into hives.
Staring at maknae's broad back, she wished to grow up fast.
Thoughts impossible outside.
There, she'd wanted to stay a kid.
This felt like real adventure. Die and revive anyway.
Gamey, but deeper it got, gamier.
When's Uncle back? Midnight fire for two—giggle giggle.
Wanna try that.
Get scolded for not sleeping, probably.
Melt him with killer aegyo. Tried daily, but meh reactions.
His eyes warmed sometimes—not useless.
Or granddaughter antics? Damn.
Lost to sleep mid-thought.
Hunter yelled outside.
"Up! Both of you, now!"
She bolted out, tent shaking.
Dawn chill hit.
"What time?"
"Was just about to switch."
Two hours-ish?
"What's up?"
"Goblins slipped in. High-level ones."
Chaos everywhere. Castle with knights lit up.
Merc camp too. Screams, blood scent.
Shadows flickering like smoke between fires.
Knew that effect.
[Stealth]
"Where's Uncle?"
"Leader not back."
She fumed a bit.
Again? Trouble always when he's gone. Still not here—something's up.
Then take me too. If dangerous, I should be there.
Overprotection.
"Always treating me like a kid!"
Her shriek drew a knowing smirk from the hunter.