[EP2. Vampire's Castle]
Clang!
The Frost Blade deflected the gargoyle's claw, sparks flying in all directions.
The gargoyle tilted its head at the sudden appearance of Jae-jun.
Among all the toys that had died with just a touch until now, one had dared to fight back.
Grrrrrr.
Viscous blood dripped from the gargoyle's curled lips.
Bits of flesh clung messily between its teeth.
Flap!
The gargoyle spread its wings wide.
In an instant, it seemed to triple in size, an optical illusion born of intimidation.
The moment Jae-jun parried the claw, he grabbed the man's collar and yanked him backward.
"Th-thank you."
"Thanks can wait."
He flung open the warehouse door where Yoon Mi-kyung and Maru were hiding, shoved the man inside like a sack of potatoes, and slammed it shut.
The real problem started now.
Jae-jun planned to finish this quickly before drawing the attention of the other gargoyles.
'Fire Lance would attract too much notice—skip it.'
'Blink!'
Blink
Jae-jun's form blurred for a split second before vanishing from sight.
He reappeared above the gargoyle's head.
The gargoyle whipped its head around, searching for the suddenly disappeared foe.
'Double Strike!'
Mana gathers.
Attack power increases by 10% when Strike is used.
Mana gathers.
Attack power increases by 50% when Strike is used.
Jae-jun channeled mana into his blade, targeting the gargoyle's neck.
The sword hummed and vibrated as mana gathered, amplified by the falling acceleration and the Frost Blade's sharpness, radiating a menacing aura.
'Strike!'
The mana concentrated at the blade's tip exploded in light, boosting its attack power.
But the light-sensitive gargoyle reacted instantly, twisting its body away from the glow.
Slash!
'Damn it!'
The strike meant for the neck only severed one wing.
Thud!
The gargoyle crashed to the floor.
Blood gushed from the severed wing.
Roaring in pain and rage, it glared at Jae-jun.
"Kraaaah!"
Crunch!
Its talons gouged the department store floor.
Then it exploded forward, kicking off the ground.
Jae-jun couldn't even react to the gargoyle's full-speed charge.
'Danger!'
By the time he spotted the incoming claw, it was already at his chin.
Dodging seemed impossible.
That was when a lifesaving system window appeared before Jae-jun.
Counter (Passive) triggered.
His body moved fluidly like water, slipping past the claw and thrusting his sword forward.
Stab!
The blade pierced the gargoyle's chest precisely.
Yet it didn't fall.
It gaped its jaws wide, as if to devour Jae-jun's entire head, fangs bared.
Even impaled, the gargoyle thrashed vigorously.
Jae-jun barely yanked his sword free to block the fangs.
Screeech!
The unpleasant grind of teeth on steel echoed.
His C-rank Strength wasn't enough; his body tilted toward the gargoyle bit by bit.
A corpse-like stench wafted from its maw.
Backed against the wall, with the gargoyle's jaws closing in—a desperate do-or-die moment.
'Damn it.'
'Blink!'
Blink
The cooldown had just ended; Jae-jun Blinked to the gargoyle's opposite side.
Losing the resistance, the gargoyle face-planted into the floor.
With its neck stretched out, it almost looked like it was begging for the axe.
'Double Strike!'
Double Strike cast.
Jae-jun's sword unleashed two powerful slashes.
Slash!
Thud!
The gargoyle's head flew off, black ichor spraying everywhere.
Finally, the massive body collapsed to the floor.
Ding!
Save the Man in Peril!
🎁 Reward: Cursed Key usage conditions now displayed on item.
🎁 Reward 2: 3,000 Shop Gold granted.
Ding!
Vampire's Kin: Gargoyle defeated!
'Just one gargoyle gave me six levels.'
Thinking of the horde clinging to the ceiling earlier sent chills down his spine.
Jae-jun wiped the gargoyle blood from his blade on the corpse and entered the warehouse.
—
Park Dae-gi was a reporter for a major newspaper.
He specialized in stories about Hunters and gates.
He took pride in his job and burned with passion for it.
He didn't shy away from danger, even venturing inside gates for interviews.
The reason he pushed himself so hard was his wife, who had died two years ago.
He was an unawakened ordinary person, but she had been a Hunter.
One day, she never returned from a dungeon raid.
Killed in some unforeseen incident inside.
Since then, he obsessively covered dungeons and Hunters in his articles.
Perhaps it made him feel a little closer to her.
Today, Park Dae-gi was heading home with a gift for his daughter and grandmother.
Monsters suddenly appeared in the department store.
He hid in the bathroom, but a gargoyle burst in, killing everyone.
Park Dae-gi alone barely escaped outside, but there was no way out from the gargoyle.
As its sharp claw descended toward his face,
he prayed desperately.
'Someone, please help me!
Please!'
Clang!
His neck was still intact.
When he cracked his eyes open in terror, he saw someone's back.
'...'
The back of a hero.
Park Dae-gi, the survivor thanks to Jae-jun, staggered over.
Then he collapsed to his knees.
"...Thank you."
Park Dae-gi was sobbing.
He'd thought he'd never see his daughter's face again, but this man had saved him.
Park Dae-gi and Yoon Mi-kyung had watched Jae-jun's entire fight through the cracked door.
When the claw neared his throat.
And when he instantly teleported and severed the gargoyle's neck.
"...Anyone would have done the same."
Jae-jun smiled awkwardly and helped the man to his feet.
But Park Dae-gi looked even more moved by those words.
What would he think if he knew Jae-jun had saved him just for quest rewards?
'No need to mention that.'
Jae-jun plopped down on the floor.
He wanted to check his rewards and reduce his fatigue while he was at it.
'Last time fatigue wrecked me—terrifying.'
'Status Window.'
Available Stat Points: 44
Fatigue: 28 | Level: 79
Title: One Who Transcends Rank | HP: 530 | MP: MAX (Unmeasurable)
One gargoyle netted him six levels.
Jae-jun felt the shortcomings of his stats bone-deep in that fight.
When the claw came within inches of his chin, his legs had nearly given out.
He couldn't even track the attack visually.
Agility was too low.
He had 44 points saved up.
Dumping them all into Agility would make it C-rank, but still insufficient.
'Maybe buy gear with stat bonuses.'
He had plenty of shop gold from this quest anyway.
'Shop Window.'
Ding!
The familiar categories scrolled down to his current shop gold.
960 left from before, plus 3,000 from the sudden quest—total 3,960 gold.
He didn't need skills or weapons right now.
He wished for armor with hefty stat boosts.
Clicking [Armor] brought up a list by type.
But the prices were absurdly high.
D-Grade (Common)
Strength +21
No special abilities
Gloves crafted with care by shamans
Price: 3,500 Gold
E-Grade (Common)
Agility +17
No special abilities
Boots made for clowns to move nimbly
Price: 3,000 Gold
The Talisman Leather Gloves only boosted stats by a measly 21, yet cost 3,500 gold.
Dancing Boots were similarly low-stat and pricey.
'Better to buy more skills than this.'
Jae-jun checked other categories.
Potions showed no purchasable items—probably too valuable.
All that remained was [Perks].
Clicking [Perks] made the window's edges sparkle with special effects.
Ding!
Perks feature special sales and promotions at bargain prices!
Today's featured item: Random Potion!
Grab master alchemist Krista's legendary Random Potion!
30% off promo period!
30% off for new buyers!
Extra 30% off for 3-pack purchase!
3 Random Potions for the stunning price of 3,900 Gold!
Time Remaining: 14:20
'This is straight-up infomercial territory.'
Jae-jun's interest piqued.
The price fit his gold perfectly.
Hovering over the promo brought up the item details.
◈ Legendary potion randomly boosts a stat from 1 to 1,000.
◈ Master alchemist Krista made it by mistake—irreplaceable.
'Random stat boost from 1 to 1,000?'
90% off at 3,900 gold.
Jae-jun hit purchase without hesitation.
[Purchase Random Potion?]
'Buy!'
[Random Potion purchased.
[Item moved to inventory.]
Jae-jun pulled the Random Potion from his inventory.
It was a tiny vial, barely the size of a knuckle.
Pop—
'Please.
I won't ask for 1,000—even 100 would be a dream.'
Jae-jun squeezed his eyes shut and downed the potion.
Ding—
Random Potion consumed.
Stat increased!
Jae-jun's eyes widened at the popup.