Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Gale (2)
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Cargai Plateau.
A dungeon with considerable difficulty even in the game.
The wraiths that popped out at random intervals inflicted mental damage.
The older ones dealt physical damage on top of that.
Those conscienceless bastards followed a rule worse than a preschooler's: "I can hit you, but you can't hit me."
Like the green ghost army from The Lord of the Rings.
The only way to break through head-on was with holy power!
Even that often got crushed by the curse's energy blanketing the plateau unless it was exceptionally strong...
"Gyaaaaah!"
"Ooooh... Aaaah...!"
Kael's holy power was exceptionally strong.
Wraiths touched by the light wailed in agony as they dissolved.
He'd lost count of how many that made.
At least five hundred, easily.
Even the ones that dealt physical damage melted away like cotton candy in water before his overwhelming holy power.
'Nothing compared to Slien from the Steel Tower.'
The ordeal of twisting his body to take down Slien from the Steel Tower had paid off.
Ah, Father. I finally get it.
Exorcising these minor ghosts was a piece of cake for Kael, who'd pierced even the veil of an outer god.
You have exorcised numerous cursed wraiths. Kael's holy power increases!
Due to a member's growth, the Tenacity of the Weed activates.
The entire group's holy power growth rate increases slightly!
Sweet enough to make his tongue ache.
The Tenacity of the Weed was far better than Bran had anticipated.
Just running around, and holy power growth rate—something so precious—increases.
Was this what welfare in Northern Europe or Qatar felt like?
And even rewards for "just running around."
Due to members' growth, the Tenacity of the Weed activates.
The entire group's endurance growth rate increases slightly!
This had to be thanks to him and Ilrak.
They'd been sprinting all day, each handling one person.
It made perfect sense.
Tears welled up.
Looking back, this was the first time since arriving in this world that he felt like he was sucking on honey.
"Kuhaha! Get out of the way, you flimsy pushovers with no bite!"
The rest weren't slacking off either.
One perk of Morning's Blessing was infusing weapons with holy power.
Kwaaaaa!
Ilrak charged forward, swinging her axe in a wide arc that traced a white semicircle.
A slash brimming with morning light.
A dozen wraiths that had boldly lunged met their end, bisected and scattering.
With the path cleared wide open, Bran could focus solely on running.
Just as Ilrak, now fully fired up, began a rampage of indiscriminate slaughter...
Fooosh!
A black explosion erupted right in front of Bran.
Corrupted soil erupted, scattering curse remnants.
The group whipped their heads around.
Kael, who'd been radiating light tirelessly, shrank back.
"Eek."
Far off, mist shaped like a human writhed.
Bigger than most buildings.
The mist grew larger, absorbing nearby wraiths, its finger aimed at Bran's group.
The face portion tore open, a bone-chilling voice emanating.
"In... truders..."
"Swarm... entity!"
Benden gasped in shock.
Swarm entity.
One of Cargai Plateau's formidable foes—a massive monster born from fused wraiths.
"Run! That's no ordinary wraith. As you saw, it uses strange sorcery!"
"Ow. My ears."
Ilrak grimaced.
Bran, observing the swarm entity intently, shrugged.
Definitely, the aura rising above its shoulders was unlike regular wraiths.
"Kael. Did I ever teach you how to shoot arrows?"
"Ar... arrows?"
"Guess not."
Bran smacked his lips.
Come to think of it, Kael hadn't learned any attack spells yet.
He had mana manifestation talent, so midway through this journey, he'd teach the basics.
It was a shame to deny Kael the swarm entity's experience, but no worries.
Bran said,
"Ilrak. Handle it."
"Sweet! Let's go, Benden!"
"Wh-what?!"
Ilrak veered sharply.
Heat surged from her chest, racing down her spine.
Her bulging thighs slammed the ground.
Bam!
Her body rocketed upward like a missile toward the swarm entity.
"Gwaaaah! Save the dwarf!"
Benden screamed.
A small shadow fell over the field. Hundreds of paces closed in an instant.
By the time the swarm entity noticed her, it was too late.
Kwaaaaaang!
The vertical slash cleaved through the swarm entity and cratered the ground.
"Wha... t..."
"Not much."
Ilrak muttered.
The morning-light-infused cut wouldn't rejoin.
Benden dangled, passed out from the acceleration, but that was minor.
As she sheathed her axe, the swarm entity's form collapsed.
Shwaaaaa...!
Wraiths witnessing the dust cloud scatter like fleeing smoke began backing away hesitantly.
"O... ooooh."
"Doo... ."
Ghosts weren't completely brainless, it seemed.
Even monkey ghosts would learn by now.
A new message appeared.
Defeated a powerful enemy in one strike. Ilrak Zarheim's skill [Heat Control] growth rate increases!
Growth wasn't just for Kael.
Through the Steel Tower and onward, Ilrak had grown even more adept at controlling her heat.
It might sound minor, but it was plenty for Ilrak.
Her hardware was cheat-level to begin with.
'Going smoothly. If it stays like this...'
Yeah, kids. Keep growing tall.
Until I can slack off completely and you'll still end fights.
A frail-born Nameless Hero's happy with luxury and glory.
Though that won't happen until the outer god's down.
"Let's push on."
Bran muttered.
After half a day of exorcist duty, wraiths weren't approaching as boldly.
They'd entered at dawn; now the sun hung high at midday.
Bran halted briefly and glanced back at Kael on his back.
"Not tired, Kael? Wanna rest a bit?"
"Nng... I'm fine."
Kael shook his head.
Bran whistled at the unexpected grit.
Seemed gaining confidence since holy power worked here.
Reality differed slightly.
Kael, cheek pressed to Bran's back, let out a creepy chuckle.
"Really fine."
The beast-like, muscled back radiated heat.
Damp with sweat, but that made it better.
"Heh heh."
Perfect win-win.
As long as holy power didn't run dry, he could do this all day.
"...What in the world are you all?"
Benden asked.
Crackling campfire light illuminated his face.
The night after entering Cargai Plateau.
They were camping amid jagged rock spires like vertebrae.
Bran, sitting opposite, shrugged.
"Just, y'know. Mercenaries or something."
"Don't make me laugh. If a mercenary band this skilled existed, I'd have heard. What trials did you endure to get this strong at such young ages?"
Unprecedented.
Touring Cargai Plateau like their backyard.
Bran chuckled, reminiscing briefly.
"Plenty of ups and downs."
Explaining would take forever.
Good synergy with Kael helped, but breezing through owed to grit overcoming past hardships.
Sensing a long tale, Bran changed topics.
"So, Benden. When do you think the King's Tent will show?"
"Hm... Hard to say for sure, but not long. Moves fast."
Benden stroked his beard.
His goal: find the wandering King's Tent.
Bran's: meet their "friend" somewhere in this plateau.
Both luck-dependent, so they pursued the easier-tracked King's Tent first.
"Seeing these rock spires means we're nearing the center. If my hunch holds, it'll appear soon."
"Planning to infiltrate the King's Tent solo?"
"If you join, I'd be grateful. But no need to overdo it. Way riskier than before."
Benden tore into jerky.
He'd supplied all their camp goods gratis for the help.
"I like you lot. Even if it goes south, I just want to die alone. Do as you please."
Benden's expression was earnest.
The better-than-expected reply left Bran smiling.
He'd planned to tackle the tent anyway; might as well help more actively.
As Bran moved to discuss plans...
"Hiiik! Wh-what's that?!"
Kael's shriek echoed.
Bran and Benden whipped around.
Kael sat midway through meditation on the cliff, finger trembling toward the plateau's far side.
"No way."
Chills crawled up Bran's neck.
The two bolted up, staring where Kael pointed.
"Found it."
And froze.
Visible clearly thousands of meters away.
A tent resembling a Mongol ger glided slowly at the plain's edge.
Smooth as ice over metal plates.
"S-so... huge..."
Kael gasped in awe.
This far, and it loomed massive.
Actual size unimaginable.
A congratulatory message popped up, luck-style.
Discovered the wonder of Cargai Plateau, the Cursed King's Tent!
Agility increases slightly.
Benden's presence sped it up, huh? In-game, it'd take a week grind minimum.
Stunned Benden clenched his fist.
"My instincts were spot on...!"
His eyes gleamed between beard and brows.
Bran asked,
"We going?"
"Obviously! How could I pass this up?!"
Benden shouted.
He took a deep breath and continued.
"Hoo... But can't just charge. Need strategy."
"Agreed."
Bran nodded.
He had experience raiding the Cursed King's Tent—a separate high-difficulty dungeon.
Even with current power, caution necessary.
"We have its rough spot now, no rush. It'll circle nearby till the moon phase shifts. Hmm, the cavalry guarding it is the issue."
Benden muttered.
Ghost horse cavalry were tricky indeed.
Leagues above the wraiths they'd exorcised.
'Would be easier with our friend.'
Bran smacked his lips.
Regrettable not meeting the sought friend yet.
Should've sensed us by now.
As Bran pondered cavalry breakthroughs, rubbing his forehead...
"Halt right there."
"Hik."
An unfamiliar voice boomed behind.
Kael and Benden gasped.
Bran turned slowly, frowning.
"Now what."
About forty paces off, seven burly men positioned.
Three visible, swords drawn.
Four hidden behind rocks, bows aimed here.
'Decent crew.'
Bran shrugged.
Good stealth, even distracted by the tent.
The lead swordsman strode forward.
"We're the Retunir Expedition Team. Who are you?"
"Re-Retunir?"
Benden freaked.
Bran's eyes narrowed.
He'd heard the name.
Encountered a few times in relic quests.
The man approached fully, raising his sword and growling.
"Answer. You look like graverobbers. After the Cursed King's relics?"
"Th-that's... well, you see..."
Benden floundered.
Total surprise ambush.
Bran eyed them boredly and replied.
"Pretty much."
"Ha. Knew it."
The man scoffed.
Aimed his sword tip at Bran and jerked his head.
"Lucky day. Follow us."
"What a clown. Why should we?"
Bran laughed hollowly.
Funny bunch.
"Can't read the room? You're surrounded, life or death in our hands. Come quietly or...!"
As the man continued...
Kwaaaaaang!
Something plummeted from the sky, crushing him.
Nearby men flew back with short screams.
Dust settled, revealing Ilrak with a large deer slung over one shoulder.
"Back from a quick hunt, and this mess? That's the haunted tent, so who's these guys?"
"Kghk. Gurk...!"
The swaggering man lay pinned under Ilrak's foot.
A bit more pressure, and he'd pop like an ant.
Clang. His sword slipped from limp fingers.
His comrades rushed in horror.
"Captain, no...!"
"Shh."
Or tried to.
Bran was there in a blink, blades to their throats.
"Wh-when?!"
Three hostages in seconds froze the hidden archers.
Ilrak tilted her head.
"Kill 'em?"
"Nah. Hold up."
Bran shook his head.
He'd just recalled Retunir.
Retunir Kingdom's large-scale expedition team.
Notorious among explorers for brutality.
This could smooth things nicely.
"Hey. You after the King's relics too, right?"
"Wh-what?"
"Answer."
Bran eyed Ilrak.
She pressed her foot harder.
Crack.
Bone snapped; the pinned man screamed wretchedly.
"Gaaaaah!"
"C-Captain...! Y-yes! Yes, we are!"
A comrade nodded frantically.
Bran's lips curved.
"Good. Let's go."
"G-go... where...?"
"Where you were headed."
Lucky day indeed.