The Boy Who Dreamed of Becoming a Fairy (2)
The Boy Who Dreamed of Becoming a Fairy(2)
A boy dreams of becoming a fairy.
To free the fairies, he must reach the bottom of the labyrinth.
There is only one way to get there.
By destroying the Bishop, Knight, and Rook dungeons, called the Three Captains, a path to the Queen dungeon will surface.
There are sealed fairies inside.
To get down there, he needed to be at a Gold rank that would allow him to enter the Three Captains dungeon on his own.
Although this might entice some aggro.
If he uses that aggro and picks the right guild, he can get a lot more out of it. He just needs to pick the right one, and make it work out for him.
The examiner will take care of the most crucial aggro for him, so all he has to do is raid the dungeon.
"We're here."
A place called the 4th Basement Level.
A different kind of demonic energy was flowing compared to the first level. The dungeon in front of him was also oozing with thick demonic energy.
The examiner in front of him held out a recorder.
"Let me ask you again, it is your will to take the Gold level test, and the Union will not be held liable in the event of an accident."
"Yes. I understand."
"Then. Good luck."
He left the examiner and entered the dungeon.
His vision darkened and he lost his senses. The sensation was familiar by now. After a moment, all his senses returned.
Lifting his head, he looked around.
A cemetery.
There were several tombs within an iron fence. A flag with a sword and staff fluttered at the entrance.
Knight-level dungeon.
This means that a boss that specializes in powerful attacks is inside. He recalled the information about the bosses in his head.
There were five bosses related to the cemetery.
Among them, two were Knight-level dungeons.
Unlike last time, he'd come fully prepared, so it shouldn't be too difficult to defeat whoever comes out.
Swoosh!
He drew his sword from the scabbard at his waist. With a light flick of his wrist, he swings the sword around once or twice, and enters the cemetery.
The moment he stepped onto the ground.
A resounding tremor rumbled through the ground, and the tombs around him began to crack.
Bang, crack, crack!
A group of skeleton soldiers rose to their feet. At first glance, one could say they were just skeleton soldiers, but these guys are different.
This is the land of fairies.
When the Demon Cult built their dungeons, they used the fairies they captured. Among them, there is only one species with a skeleton like that.
Elves.
They are basically agile beings. They have excellent skills in swordsmanship and archery.
Crackle, crackle, crackle.
One of them charged first.
Having died once and been resurrected as a corpse.
Although his movements would be slower than when he was alive.
Still, his attacks were sharp.
Clang!
He struck down the skeleton soldier's sword.
A gap appeared, and he plunged in.
Grabbing the skeleton soldier's head with his free left hand, he used the power of purification.
Redin tried it, hoping it would temporarily return to his senses, but as soon as the power cleansed his body, he turned to dust and disappeared into the wind.
Perhaps it was because he had no will remaining.
"If this happens...."
He used a gust of wind slash at the skeleton soldiers charging at him from all directions. With a single rotation, a gust of wind rose and swept through the surroundings.
It contained the power of purification.
The skeleton soldiers were not difficult to deal with. Following the pathway that had been created in the cemetery, he made his way inside.
Along the way.
As Redin made his way deeper into the cemetery, clearing out the surging skeleton soldiers, he came across a large burial mound.
Boom!
The mound burst open and black energy flowed out. A half-skeletal, half-elven monster stepped out of it.
A corrupted spirit hanging from his shoulder.
"Corrupted Spirit Swordsman."
Unlike the average Elven soldier, this one utilizes elemental magic, indicating that he is quite skilled.
Though he has great strength and power to show for it, he has a very weak body.
Take advantage of that and he'll have an easy victory.
He took a good position while holding his sword.
Then the elf swordsman rushed forward and swung his sword. He parried the blow and spun his body around, applying force to his weapon.
Whoosh!
With a leap in the air, the elven swordsman dodged the blow.
Swish.
A path of wind was created by his swinging sword.
He plowed into it with a flurry of slashes. Using his increased speed, he aimed for the elven swordsman.
His opponent hastily brought his sword up.
Booooomm!
The elf was thrown back to the ground.
It was a powerful blow, but it wasn't enough to take him out. It's not because the sword doesn't have enough power.
"Krrrrrrr...."
The elven swordsman stood up, clutching his shattered chest. The corrupted spirit on his shoulder burrowed into his chest.
A corrupted life spirit.
It has the ability to literally restore life to his body. As long as this thing is around, it's not easy to catch the spirit swordsman.
Without a sure shot, he'd be impossible to kill.
"I rather like it."
His sword skills need some refinement.
That Corrupted Spirit Swordsman was the perfect opponent.
Besides,
As time permits, he intends to use the various magical scrolls in the subspace pockets. Do those game-only tricks still work here?
He adjusted his sword and tipped his head.
"Let's have some serious fun."
* * *
Jin Sowol sat down in the corner of the tavern. The owner personally came over to her table.
"You're the one who participated in the rum competition, right?"
"The rum I had back then didn't taste bad."
"I'm glad you recognize it. What would you like to order today?"
"Give me a recommendation."
"Well, it's a little pricey, but we have a special sake that's only available in our shop."
"Okay, I'll have one of those and a side dish."
"I'll make sure it's delicious and bring it to you."
After the owner left.
Jin Sowol sat with her jaw clenched, recalling the appearance of Redin from earlier.
She first saw him at the rum competition.
"He looks like an asshole."
The first person the apprentice felt jealous of.
She wondered what kind of person could make her jealous.
The boy walked into the store on his own.
He looked exactly as the apprentice had described and, most importantly, the moment he walked into the store, he smelled of a special perfume that the apprentice had worn.
The scent of the apprentice.
Just before she left the palace, Rebecca had come to Moon Pavilion, and she had placed an incense scent so that she could easily find her later.
'I heard that a quiet cat goes up to the stove first. What a bastard...'¹
The scent doesn't disappear easily when washed. Also, the smell lingers for a long time, so it would take quite a while to transfer to someone else.
But that was as far as her interest went.
As soon as she saw his face, she sensed that he was not very good. My interest waned immediately. So, she decided to leave after accomplishing what she came to the bar for.
But then.
'The guy who got first place earlier left it behind.'
She's the kind of person who can't live with debt, so she thought she'd teach him a little lesson.
Redin performed his sword arts, and once again, she felt dismayed. How he had managed to make Rebecca jealous with such skill was beyond her.
It was barely enough to qualify as swordsmanship.
It wasn't like she'd given him any advice to understand in the first place, just a few words meant to make him realize his mistake.
But then.
"A day made a world of difference..."
Having practiced swordsmanship for so many years and taught so many people, she assumed that she had a better eye.
It was completely shattered.
Whatever had happened at night, Redin's entire demeanor had changed in a single day.
'The enlightenment you gave me yesterday has broken down my walls. Thank you.'
A tiny bit of interest was piqued.
A unique bastard, with a bunch of rough edges, but when she pointed out those rough edges, he made up for it.
Someone worth teaching...
-Master Jin.
The sound of a transmission reached Jin Sowol's ears.
With a grim expression on her face, she checked the location of the transmission with a quick glance, then sent a transmission to the other party.
-I thought I told you not to look for me for a while.
-His Majesty is looking for you.
-Tell the bastard who drives his own child into the ground that I have no business with him.
-He said he wouldn't take no for an answer.
Tsk.
Jin Sowol clucked his tongue and stood up. She walked over to the owner, got a pen and paper, and scribbled something down.
"When the kid who took first place last time comes, give him this."
"Are you leaving without eating?"
"Leave the sake. I'll come back and eat later."
* * *
Thud!
“Kkwaaaaaaaaa!”
The Corrupted Spirit Swordsman writhed in agony, and along with the spirit, he turned to black dust and vanished with the wind.
[Killed target].
[Harvested a damned soul].
Did that spirit swordsman have a bit of his soul left?
[Transforms into the target].
Crack!
He transformed simply out of curiosity, and his body morphed into that of a Corrupted Spirit Swordsman.
Half elf, half skeleton.
It didn't feel good, so I dismissed the transformation. Unless it's a critical moment, he's unlikely to transform into a monster.
"Huuu."
Redin grabbed the boss Monster Soul on the floor. It's not easy to get, but it dropped both times during his two raids.
After using the power of purification.
He immediately popped it into his mouth.
[You have consumed Monster Soul (C)].
[Your Attack and Speed are enhanced slightly].
When he finished digesting and exited the dungeon, the examiner was waiting, pacing in place.
Glancing at him briefly.
Then he looked at the dungeon disappearing behind him.
A total of two turns and the examiner's mouth drops open.
"You really... cleared it?"
"Does that mean I'm gold now?"
"Yes... Gold rank. Why don't you go back to the Guild Union, and I'll give you a gold-ranked passport there."
Together with the examiner, they walked out of the labyrinth.
Upon returning to the Guild Union, the examiner disappeared, telling him that he could wait in the waiting area.
Taking a break, Redin reflected on the battle.
His swordsmanship has definitely improved, and the power of his wind slash is better than expected. The most satisfying part was feeling like just being able to wield a sword.²
In addition,
"Hmm... Are you by any chance Bahad?"
He turned at the unfamiliar voice and saw a man standing in the doorway of the waiting room.
"I am, but?"
"I'm the head of recruitment for the Tidal Wave Guild. You can contact our guild at..."
Starting with him, people poured in.
"Let's have a little chat."
"Move over, let me talk to him."
A waiting room that has become like a Dottegi Market.³
"Excuse me!"
The examiner rushed over and cleared the room. The only people left in the waiting room were the representatives of the top guilds' recruitment teams.
"First, before I listen to your offer, let me tell you what my conditions are."
If they want him that much, they'll stay.
If they think it's too much, they'll leave.
He can choose from those who remain.
"The condition I want is the ownership of the monster souls that come out of the Three Captains dungeon. That's it."
"Since the reason you're attacking the Three Captains Dungeon is for the Monster Souls, do you mean you want to own them?"
He smiled at the man's question.
"Yes. If you don't like the conditions, you can leave."
After a moment's hesitation, the questioner left, but all of the other guilds' respective recruitment leaders remained in the waiting room.
Turning to them, he spoke once more.
"Now, let's hear your guild's offer. How much can you offer me?"
** ** **
TL/N:
1. It means that Redin who looks unassuming was able to make Rebecca her apprentice get jealous.
2. Recall Redin before entering inside the Bern Chronicle Game is just a Korean Gamer who is most active in the Forum Discussion Board.
3. “Dottegi Market” refers to a disorderly, bustling, and unusual flea market where people used to sell off second-hand goods and junk at wholesale, retail, or under the table prices.