Chapter 27
Chapter 27
"I declared to Veron that if he didn't open his mouth, I would cut off his left ankle."
However, my hands were trembling slightly.
The sensation of killing someone was always unpleasant.
Whether the target was a player or an NPC.
The harsh words I spat out while looking at Veron were merely a facade of wickedness.
A facade of wickedness to obtain what I wanted.
Whether they were easy or not, it was a situation involving two Rank 3 combatants using aura.
If I carelessly used a little less strength, just to subdue them, I didn't know what might happen.
Leaving someone alive is also something only an overwhelmingly strong individual can do.
If I were to show such mercy now, it would be recklessness.
"Speak."
As I spoke once more, Veron, trembling with both hands, took something out from his chest and spread it on the floor.
It was a map.
"...We decided to make the final contact in the area marked with a circle."
The place marked with a circle appeared to be the entrance to the Forest of Bewitching Beasts.
The exact location was a large rock behind the entrance.
"When?"
Veron's mouth opened.
"In two hours."
Two hours later.
There wasn't much time.
Veron asked with a trembling voice,
"Then, are you going to let me live?"
As Veron spoke, I quickly retreated backward.
Screeeech!
It was because of an arrow that came rushing from afar.
The trajectory was straight, four of them.
Ting! Ting!
I deflected two of the four arrows with my sword. The other two lodged themselves in Veron's heart and shoulder.
"Kuh... kkk..."
Veron gasped and died.
Those two arrows were meant to kill him in the first place.
In the end, Veron's wide-open, lifeless eyes were fixed on something in the distance.
The direction from which the arrows had come.
A man stood there, holding an arrow.
[NPC - Slave Caravan Rank 3 Combatant Caetor]
Caetor, with his red hair, spoke from afar.
His voice was quite deep.
"Mandagor never spares a traitor who dares to leak information."
I hadn't intended to spare Veron at all, but I hadn't expected him to die like this.
Caetor seemed to have no intention of fighting immediately, as he kept his distance.
"The captain will be here to kill you soon, so stay put and wait right here."
I shouted loudly.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to fight me right now?"
There was no answer.
Caetor turned his heel and strode away, disappearing from my sight.
He must be acting like this after seeing two Rank 3 combatants lying dead.
Should I call him cowardly, or quick-witted?
He seemed to have truly fled.
The captain.
If a Rank 3 combatant trusts someone that much, then the captain must be at least Rank 4.
"...Hic!"
One of the Catfolk who had been watching me suddenly started hiccuping.
[NPC - Nekomimi Beastman Myuren]
Including Mike, there were a total of six Nekomimi Beastmen here at the moment.
I still needed to find two more Catfolk to fully resolve the quest.
Escorting the Catfolk was one option.
But I chose another option.
If the captain was strong, the chance of my head being cut off was high, but if I killed that person, the situation seemed likely to end.
I will wait.
Because in a little while, the guy who just ran away will bring the captain here himself.
I took out all the dried meat from my inventory.
Then, I offered it to the Catfolk, who were looking at me with a mixture of wariness and curiosity.
"I came to save you. Mike, can you explain?"
"Yes!"
Mike's yellow cat ears perked up, and he nodded his head vigorously.
"Gather 'round! Gather 'round!"
Mike seemed to be able to properly command the Catfolk children, unlike when he spoke to me.
"Yuseong-nim saved me...! And Yuseong-nim is strong! Yuseong-nim is kind!"
He repeated the name I had told him on the way here and explained.
The Catfolk children nibbled on the dried meat as they listened.
If he talks that much, they won't suspect me.
"I have things to do, so if an enemy approaches like just now, tell me quickly. Can you do it?"
All the Catfolk children nodded.
Even if I notice it first, I should take every possible precaution.
Time was incredibly tight.
What I had to accomplish in a short period was clear.
I opened the <Transcendent Gallery>.
Title: Reached Level 20.
Author: ㅇㅇ*
-
But I think I'll have to fight someone around Rank 4 soon? Requesting a short-term attribute Sword Qi lecture. Within 30 minutes,
-
Hahahahahaha Do you think that can be a short-term attribute lecture? 30 minutes is a scam.
- Someone who can't grasp the concept is trying to get it done in 30 minutes when it takes over three months ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- Rank 4 is indeed dangerous.
- Scum Sword Saint) Reached Level 20, Mana 25 or more. That's the basic prerequisite.
Mana 25?
I felt like I had far surpassed that.
I opened my status window.
<Player Status>
Name: Han Yoo-seong
Race: Human
Lv.20
Strength: 112
Dexterity: 104
Stamina: 107
Mana: 75
Skills: Pain Suppression Lv.5, Composure Lv.5, Concealment Lv.4, Danger Sense Lv.3,
Vision Expansion Lv.3, Focus Enhancement Lv.4, Fighter's Movement Lv.4,
Mana Body Reinforcement Lv.4, Doombringer Lv.2, Mental Barrier Lv.3,
Trajectory Insight Lv.2
After confirming, I replied to the comment.
-
Yes, it's 75.
- That's way more than enough.
- F***, if your mana is that high, did you break 100 strength? Dexterity?
-
Oops*) Strength 112, Dexterity 104
-
Hahaha You're on Floor 3 and have triple-digit stats Haha I've wasted my life in the Tower.
- Would you like a shot of extreme poison?
- It's Pandemonium, isn't it? Pandemoniㅋㅋㅋumㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- Seriously, I've already hit the mid-point of my Tower life, even though I'm playing on Easy, damn it.
- Owner, one shot of the finest poison. On the rocks.
- Heavenly Demon) The basic principle is the same as 'Mana Body Reinforcement,' where you spread the mana in your Mana Heart throughout your body.
- Sword of Light) You have to go one step further than Mana Body Reinforcement, with the sensation of releasing it outwards.
- Scum Sword Saint) The 'Aura Circuit' extends its roots from top to bottom.
- Archmage) I'd say from bottom to top, but that's 'Magic Circuit.' Your foundation is that of a swordsman, and your talent seems to match, so you should go with the Aura Circuit for now.
- They're all saying the same thing. Once you choose, the decision is final.
- They just want you to be able to use magic somehow.
It would be great if I could use magic, but...
I didn't have the luxury to consider that right now.
- Dragon King) Beltui - It just happens, so I can't explain itttttt.
- Ice Queen) Freeze! Me too!
- Elf) For me, nature itself is power.
Race advantage, bloodline advantage. So envious.
- Sword of Light) The strength you've built up until now. Act with the sensation of extending it into the world.
- Heavenly Demon) Sit in a cross-legged position. Think of it as planting roots within your body. It's the foundation of an unshakeable giant tree.
Planting the roots of a giant tree.
I couldn't understand it at all. I just had to try.
- Famous Person) It's been a very long time since you've sounded like Heavenly Demon.
- Welcome, Open Ark
- You're almost never here, why do you pop in so rarely?
- Open Ark is always busy.
-
Yes, I'm back.
- Archmage) Don't die.
-
Okay*) I won't die.
I closed the Transcendent Gallery and put the terminal into my inventory.
The Catfolk children were looking at me.
Of course, to them, my gallery browsing must have looked like I was constantly gesturing in the air.
As Senior Heavenly Demon said, I sat in a cross-legged position.
I slowly released the mana from my Mana Heart.
The basic principle was the same as Mana Body Reinforcement.
Aura Circuit.
A circuit that extends roots from top to bottom.
I took a deep breath.
Go with the sensation of extending outwards.
I moved my mana according to Senior Sword of Light's advice.
Thump...
The ground around me, where I sat cross-legged, began to tremble.
Rumble-!
I could see tiny pebbles rising into the air.
—Thump
The mana flow, which started from my upper body, spread down to my lower abdomen.
One stream of mana split into two.
And then, like the roots of a tree that has weathered countless years, it branched out infinitely.
Pale white mana flowed faintly onto my palm.
[You have awakened the 'Aura Circuit'.]
Done.
[You have entered the realm of Rank 3.]
I gripped the Bloodied Dagger, which had been tucked into my waist, in my right hand.
Flow.
Onto the blade.
[Skill 'Mana Body Reinforcement' level up. Lv.5]
There is much I will need to cut down from now on.
Tssstsss...
Pure white energy began to flow along the blade.
It was clear Sword Qi.
I suppressed the Sword Qi and stood up.
Perhaps it was because I had awakened the Aura Circuit.
My sight and hearing felt even more open.
Someone is coming.
Multiple people.
Scrrrape—!
A large bush was cut down.
Black leaves scattered thickly in the air.
[NPC - Slave Caravan Rank 4 Combatant Rainer]
It was that guy's doing.
To Rainer's right were two Catfolk, bound by chains around their necks and arms, and to his left was Caetor, who had so naturally left his position a moment ago.
Behind them, two more figures, Rank 1 and Rank 2, were visible.
As expected, from their perspective, the Catfolk, who were merchandise, would not be treated roughly.
Thanks to that, my target became clear.
Kill Rainer, Caetor, and the other two, and rescue the two Catfolk.
It's a difficult task.
But this was within my expectations.
Pandemonium. And a five-star quest.
There had never been a situation where I didn't have to risk my life until now.
Red Sword Qi began to surge around Rainer's sword.
"I heard. You killed two Rank 3 combatants?"
Killing intent.
It was deeper than the killing intent King Kobold had emitted.
So much so that it gave me goosebumps.
"Why are you, a human, trying to help those livestock? Do you want one? I'm willing to give you one."
I drew the Great Enemy Sword Karnavalt.
[Mana Body Reinforcement Lv.5 - Activating skill.]
Next is emission.
Whoosh—
White Sword Qi formed on the blade.
"Snout."
"What?"
He has a big nose, so he's Snout.
As if he liked my nickname, his killing intent intensified.
"If you're done talking, come at me, Snout."
"I'll kill you!"
The truly enraged Snout charged towards me.