Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Citadel's True Secret
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“Is that how it is... Human blood, time, and the number of orcs. All three conditions must be met to summon the demon beast.”
Woojin gazed at the red-eyed orc before him and murmured in a low voice.
'So what people saw until now were just orc illusions. That's why everyone reported different conditions.'
When some of the three conditions were fulfilled, illusions appeared.
But when all three were met, the illusion revealed its true form.
'This is the citadel's true secret.'
And now, it was the enemy they had to hunt.
“Haha, human blood as a condition. Should we thank those guys? For dropping their hand axes!”
“Your gratitude seems a bit off... but yeah, thanks to the Genesis Unit.”
Woojin chuckled at her words.
“What now?”
“What do you mean? If there's a demon beast, we hunt it. That's only natural.”
Thud—
The moment she stepped forward, a sharp aura emanated from her entire body.
Boom!!
Her stout frame shot up several meters like a cannonball in an instant, and her hammer crashed down onto the ancient orc's head.
“Into Muha's embrace!!”
With a meaningful prayer to kill in one blow, her hammer smashed into the orc's crown.
Boom!!!
Wow, the Genesis Unit guys... got hit by that hammer?
The explosive roar made Woojin flinch despite himself.
[Graaaahhh!!!]
A scream echoed from within the black smoke.
'Did it work?'
No, it wasn't a scream—it was a roar.
“Dodge!!”
With Kahira's shout, the orc swung the axe in its grip with all its might.
“Ugh!”
Kahira's body, blocking the axe, soared into the air.
She flailed to regain her balance, but her short legs would take time to reach the ground.
Tap!
Woojin closed the gap.
He leveled his sword parallel to the ground and thrust it into the orc's flank with everything he had.
“...!!”
Did it pierce the skin?
His sword that shredded citadel orcs in one hit barely tore the ancient orc's flesh.
'This is a hunting ground for level 25s.'
Yet his attack was blocked?
Well, even Kahira—higher level than him—hadn't broken through...
Whoosh!!
He ducked to narrowly evade the orc's axe.
Kagagagang...!!
The axe unleashed a blast of wind pressure that obliterated the pavilion ruins in one sweep.
'A solid hit... would be dangerous.'
Was this a hidden monster crafted without regard for level balance?
Grip—
Woojin tightened his grip on his sword.
No, that made no sense.
This was a game.
'Right, because it's a game...'
Boom!!!
Woojin accelerated.
'There has to be a strategy.'
[Graaaahhh!!]
Crack!!!
The orc twisted to pursue Woojin, who had hidden behind it with [Dash], only to clash with Kahira's hammer.
Bang! Bang! Boom!!
Like driving a nail, she hammered away relentlessly.
“What the hell is this body made of...!”
But even her full-force barrage left the orc unscathed—it whipped around and seized her throat.
“...Guh!!”
The orc hoisted her up in an instant.
'Stay calm. Immunity traits like physical or magic resistance aren't rare for monsters.'
Woojin gritted his teeth, forcing his mind to focus.
'There has to be a strategy.'
It was the same as always.
Back in the real world running his business, countless rivals had threatened him.
Yet he crushed them all.
How?
Whenever adversity struck, he fixated on one thing.
To find the solution, you needed...
Not blind charges, but flawless analysis of the foe.
'Ancient orc. Without the conditions, only an illusion appears.'
Because they'd met all three, it had gained a physical form.
'That's what it said upon summoning.'
Never return?
In that instant, Woojin's eyes flashed.
'It's not a true living being—it's a summon. "Return" means...'
One thing.
Vanishing again.
“...Found it.”
Its weakness.
Woojin dodged the orc clutching Kahira and bolted toward the ruined pavilion.
“Hey! What happens if we smash this?”
Standing before the bloodstained pillar, Woojin yelled at the orc.
In that moment, it turned its head.
First time.
Its behavior shifted.
From relentless aggression to guarding something.
And...
That turned Woojin's hunch into certainty.
“Kuh?!”
The orc hurled Kahira aside and lunged to intercept Woojin before the broken pillar.
“Of course not stopping. Smash this, and you turn back into an illusion, right?”
“Fooled ya. Pig brain after all.”
Boom!!!
In that instant, Woojin's body rocketed toward it like a bullet.
Crack!!!!
Woojin's legs locked around the orc's neck.
“Hyaah!!!”
He plunged his sword downward with all his strength.
[Graaak!!!!]
Finally, a true scream—not a roar.
As his sword sank deep into the orc's eye, it buckled at the waist like a bow in agony and collapsed to the ground.
“Once the sword's in...”
Crack... Cracckk...
As he pressed, the blade in the eye shifted sideways bit by bit.
“No reason it can't be severed.”
Zzt... Zzzzt!!
Electricity arced along the sword, convulsing the orc's body like a shock victim.
Slash!!!
In that moment, Woojin's sword split the orc's skull.
Inside the tough hide lurked no blood—only black smoke.
Thud.
The orc's body deflated like a punctured balloon, leaving just the husk behind.
▶ Ancient Orc Leather x5
▶ 40 Silver
[Only one party member can possess it.]
▶ Rift Stone
▶ Ancient Mana Stone
“Hmm. What's this?”
A black stone and a blue-tinted stone lay atop the ancient orc leather.
The moment Woojin reached out,
“Stop!!”
Kahira's urgent cry rang out as she flung her robe over the stones.
Swoosh!!
The robe vanished into the black stone like sucked into a vacuum.
“...!!”
Even Woojin couldn't hide his shock at the sight.
“Rift Stones suck in anything. Even living things.”
Kahira pulled a thin-barred box from her pouch.
“You heard I'm hunting rifts? They say the power inside connects gaps and spaces.”
Click!!
Rattle!!
The box unfolded, lid popping open.
“Rumor has it they lead to other dimensions... but who knows. I haven't tested it.”
'Other dimensions?'
Woojin stared at the stone impassively.
'I've been there...'
But he still couldn't log out after returning.
Maybe it could send him back to that other world—but his hand wouldn't move.
He didn't know how to return to the game either.
No room for risky gambles.
“They say rifts and dungeons spawn from Rift Stones. Now I can finally research new demon beasts and dungeons properly. Thanks to you.”
Clink— Clink—
She clapped the box over the stone upside down, and it wriggled like a living thing.
Click—
Once sealed inside, the stone thrashed wildly, as if desperate to flee.
“It's called the Earth Spirit's Grasp. Can't handle Rift Stones without it... Mind if I take this?”
Fair point.
He had no means to use it anyway.
She'd seized the initiative knowing that.
“In exchange, the rest goes to you.”
She handed him the remaining blue stone.
👤 Name:Ancient Mana Stone⭐ Rank:C📝 Description:Special mana stone from demon beasts over 100 years old. Effects vary by type.
✨ Effects:
“What do you think? Mana stones aren't easy to get even on the Central Continent. Auction it, and mages will pounce. Not bad for a Dark Forest reward...”
But Woojin smirked at Kahira's words.
“Eh. Hearing that makes it feel less valuable.”
“What?”
“Saying it's 'obtainable' means it is. But Rift Stones aren't available on the Central Continent. That's why you came all this way, right?”
“So? You aren't saying you want something you can't even handle?”
Chill—
Her aura shifted.
The fierce glare she'd given intruders swinging her hammer.
“No need to glare. I pick my battles.”
Woojin gave a wry smile to soothe her.
“But I have one request.”
“Request?”
“Share any info you learn about Rift Stones with me too.”
Kahira tilted her head, eyeing him.
“Unexpected. I figured adventurers only cared about tower clears.”
She nodded, seemingly pleased by his proposal.
“That? More than welcome. Alright, my turn for a proposal. Bring some juicy stories when you visit the church? Anything works.”
[Contract with Kahira]
▶ Rank: C
▶ Gather new rift intel before heading to Central Continent.
▶ Reward scales with intel value.
▶ Greatly boosts Muha Church affinity on delivery.
'A quest...'
He was heading there anyway—extra rewards were icing.
“Deal.”
Woojin clasped her hand.
“Good. Not exactly a contract seal, but take this. Common, but pretty useful.”
She pulled a small pendant from her bosom.
👤 Name:Pilgrim's Cross⭐ Rank:C📝 Description:Muha Church relic. Mass-producible, issued to all members.
✨ Effects:
“You're giving it?”
“Of course.”
“No reason to say no.”
“Heh, good. Now, for my hardworking future partner...”
Kahira slung the fallen orc leather over her shoulder.
“I'll craft the finest armor.”
“...Impressive.”
No flattery.
👤 Name:Mana-Infused Ancient Leather Armor⭐ Rank:C📝 Description:Armor from Goblin Lord and Ancient Orc leather. Master-crafted for superior effects.
✨ Effects:
“Pity, leather's not my specialty. Maxed the extras, but low defense caps the rank.”
Unlike Woojin's awe, Kahira shrugged, underwhelmed.
“Not a rank problem. Two traits plus a skill.”
“Good materials.”
“Even prime stuff wouldn't work without you.”
“Glad you like it. Now I can head out worry-free.”
Kahira offered her hand.
“One last thing. Ever heard of... Sarbandin?”
Woojin asked just before parting.
“Sarbandin?”
“Yeah. Some ancient divine beast.”
“Hmm, no clue?”
He'd hoped as a church pilgrim, but she tilted her head blankly.
“Got it.”
“Divine beasts? Druids would know. I'll connect you when you hit Central.”
“Thanks.”
Woojin shook her hand, wrapping up.
“Watch yourself. Those guys... won't go down easy.”
“Yeah. But top clans are stirring too. Should be fine.”
Back in town, Woojin checked the community first.
Thankfully, no ancient orc chatter—just Genesis Unit posts everywhere.
“Good? More people could complicate things though.”
Kahira paused at the inn door, turning back as if struck by a thought.
“Hey, why not hire a mercenary? Beats solo.”
“Mercenary?”
“Yeah. Locals are low-level, no instant boost... but unlike Central hires, they grow.”
Woojin eyed her.
“Central mercs are maxed—no growth post-hire. Locals can hit high levels with luck.”
With that, she departed the inn.
“Mercenaries...”
Woojin mulled her words.
Not a bad idea.
They cost pay, but no XP split in parties.
Wouldn't hurt his [Solitude] trait—a big plus.
Though capped around level 20 was an issue.
'Bigger problem: even "growth-type" has unknown ceilings.'
Hire a level 20 that caps at 30?
'Money down the drain.'
That's mercs' fatal flaw—and why players shun them.
Woojin glanced at the Mercenary Association across the square.
Boom!!!!
That's when it happened.
Someone flung the doors open and stormed inside.
“Boss! Get out here!!”
The man fumed, yanking the collar of someone behind him.
“Take this trash back!!! Contract's off!!”
He slammed the mercenary contract onto the floor.
'...What's going on?'