Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Whereabouts of the One Who Knows the Truth
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Ma Jeongwoo and I chatted as we headed back to the pub from the general store.
Just having a Skull Armor and Reaper's Scythe, which were hard to obtain early in the game, was impressive enough.
But to be a player wealthy enough to monopolize emergency treatment potions that cost over a hundred coins each...
"Among Necromancers, isn't there only one top-ranking player besides me?"
"...Kim Sejin?"
"Yeah, that guy."
"Isn't that bastard your rival?"
My one and only rival.
There were only two Necromancers in the top 100 rankings in the Land of Ruin.
A Necromancer's abilities weren't particularly outstanding in combat, and without good summons, they couldn't do anything.
Of course, genius players like me were the exception.
I took a bite of the bread I'd bought from the general store and replied to Ma Jeongwoo.
"Yeah. No matter how I think about it, the only Necromancer who could grow that much is that guy."
"That's just your opinion. There were tons of big shots outside the rankings."
"Everyone outside the rankings is mediocre. They couldn't even make it near the tenth round."
"They just couldn't progress the story. There were plenty who were pros at PvP."
"That's true, but..."
Necromancers are divided into two main categories based on their skill usage.
"Curse Necs" who use curses as their main weapon.
"Summon Necs" who mainly use summons.
And "Hybrid Necs" who mix both.
With only three skill slots available, you eventually have to choose one of the three paths.
Especially if you want to get picked by a good group.
Of course, I was a Hybrid Nec who used both curses and summons.
My group's strategy was to make others adapt to me, not the other way around.
Ma Jeongwoo swaggered along carelessly.
"Well, what if that guy from earlier is Kim Sejin? He wouldn't even recognize you anyway."
"...I'm just worried he might collect the hidden pieces faster than me. The fact that there were no demon ghosts in the basement keeps bothering me too."
"You're worried he took the demon ghosts?"
"Yeah. The demon ghosts, I can understand... but if he takes all the other hidden pieces too, it'll throw our plans way off."
Ma Jeongwoo nodded.
"I guess. It'd be tough without summons that fit your combat style."
"For now, we'll proceed to Jang Yu's mansion as planned. And before the next round starts, during the remaining time... I'll go hunt for summons."
"Do whatever you want, Teacher Kim Cheonjae."
* * * * *
Daybreak arrived.
With all preparations complete, we headed to the mission supply depot for the main event.
"Hold up!"
At my shout, everyone stopped.
As we walked toward the supply depot, I paused in front of the plaza fountain and exchanged Jenny for gold coins.
[Used 5 Jenny]
[Remaining Jenny: 5,290]
Ding.
A single gold coin with an angel emblem appeared in my palm.
Seeing the gold coin in my hand, Ma Jeongwoo asked,
"Just one Park Gyuhwan enough for you?"
"I'll give it a shot."
"You shouldn't push yourself."
"......"
I curled up the corner of my mouth into a smirk.
On the path leading into the market beside the plaza, a large sign reading 'Mission Supply Depot' caught my eye.
In front of the building that looked like a community office, a long line of unfamiliar players stretched out.
There weren't many middle-aged men or women—mostly young men and women.
The notable exception was a white-haired old man with a long white beard mixed in.
'Staff...'
The old man's grip on the staff looked awkward, like he wasn't used to using it.
We arrived at the mission supply depot and quietly joined the line.
The players who arrived first just eyed each other warily, not exchanging a word.
Logically, in a ridiculous situation like this, you'd think they'd band together and figure out how to survive.
But seeing the players act like it was natural to be on guard against each other in this game world was downright amusing.
"Well..."
I was keeping my distance from them too, so I wasn't in a position to judge.
Competition.
It made sense—they knew that if they didn't grow faster than anyone else, they'd die.
Especially since Lucifer's minions would start moving periodically from the third round.
"Kim Cheonjae. What're you thinking so hard about?"
"...This situation is hilarious. Look at them, not even NPCs, just silently sizing each other up."
"Let 'em be. Once Lucifer shows up, all the low-rankers die anyway, right?"
"Yeah... I guess. It's just funny."
Lucifer hadn't appeared since we arrived in the third round.
More precisely, none of Lucifer's minions had come here.
In the Land of Ruin, after a set time, an invincible entity that kills a fixed number of players roams around.
Like a ghost, only its soul wanders, impossible to fight with human power.
A system designed to accelerate player growth in the game.
Of course, that's why the players here wouldn't share info or acknowledge each other.
One person's death is another's survival.
I nodded.
"We could die too if we're not careful. Some of the early birds might've picked the one-year course, right?"
"Yeah... but we're fine. Just looking at the players gathered here, they're all below us."
Ma Jeongwoo and I scanned the surroundings.
He was right. They all looked low-level, equipped with mediocre items.
Cowhide armor, a dull dagger, a wooden helmet.
Mostly beginner gear.
Land of Ruin noobs.
"What percentage gets eaten per round?"
"Ten percent. Out of a hundred, ten die."
"That's more than I thought."
"Whether it's a lot or not, as long as we don't die, it's fine, right?"
"Yeah... I suppose."
As long as we don't die.
But is that really right? Or not?
Honestly, I'd prefer as many players as possible advance to the next round.
No, not just the next one—I want them to keep progressing.
The more survivors, the easier the late game.
-Next, please!
It was finally my turn.
Inside the depot, I extended my palm to show my fingerprint to the staff.
"I've come to confirm completion of my daily mission."
"Yes. I'll check."
The man in the suit scanned my palm with a device, then typed on the computer.
Tap. Tap tap tap.
[System Message]
[Daily Mission 'C+' Rank Completed]
[500 Jenny awarded along with EXP.]
A golden light circled above my head.
"Good work. Any other business?"
"I'd like a new mission. Preferably one starting in the Jang Yu's Mansion area."
"Jang Yu's Mansion, huh. What difficulty level are you thinking?"
"C-rank or higher."
"Understood. Please wait a moment, and I'll display the available daily missions."
"Wait. This..."
I pulled a gold coin from my pocket and handed it to the staff.
He glanced around cautiously before pocketing it.
"You're giving this to me?"
"Yes. They say carrying a gold coin brings luck. I pray you receive the angel's grace too, sir."
"...Thank you."
"No problem."
[System Message]
[Mission Supply Depot Staff feels grateful for Player Kim Cheonjae's action.]
[The staff will try harder to find better missions for you.]
He searched something on the computer, then pressed a large blue button. A hologram window appeared before me.
[For Player 'Kim Cheonjae' Only]
['Jang Yu's Mansion' Daily Mission Selection Screen]
-Protector of the Land of Ruin (Difficulty B+)
-Mover of the Land of Ruin (Difficulty S-)
-Mansion Murder Case (Difficulty B+)
-Whereabouts of the One Who Knows the Truth (Difficulty ??)-
I couldn't help but smile.
I'd tipped the coin just in case, and sure enough, the hidden mission appeared.
I selected the bottom option on the daily mission list.
Beep.
[Whereabouts of the One Who Knows the Truth]
[Difficulty: ???]
[Reward: ???]
[Description: Find the one who knows the truth of that day.]
A secret mission with two faces, like the heads and tails of a coin—risk and reward.
Higher difficulty, but massive payoff.
I nodded slowly at the mission window.
"...Thank you. Thanks to you, I found a good mission."
"Not at all! The daily mission supply depot is always open, so come anytime."
The final greeting was the NPC's standard line.
Even so, things were going so well it put me in a good mood.
After checking my status window, I had Michael and Ma Jeongwoo go through the same process.
Of course, without the gold coin, their options topped out at B+ difficulty 'Mansion Murder Case'.
It was the mission linked to mine—the one giving the most EXP among available ones.
Ma Jeongwoo and Michael received their missions in turn.
Finally, Yoo Sora, still wobbly and hungover from last night's binge, staggered up to the depot staff.
"Daily mission complete. Hoo... here to confirm."
The staff pinched his nose, grimacing at the booze smell.
"I'll check."
Scanning Yoo Sora's palm print, the computer let out a loud 'BEEP!'
"Huh? What's going on?"
Yoo Sora tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
"System error... could you wait a moment?"
The staff hammered at the keyboard and made a call somewhere.
Seemed like he was trying to fix the system error, but no luck.
-What's this? My computer's frozen all of a sudden?
-Mine too! What's happening?
-Contact the control room.
The NPCs grew rowdy.
Sudden system error—nothing was proceeding.
"Sir, sorry, could you come back this afternoon? Can't process due to data error."
"Afternoon? What time?"
"Support team's on the way... should be fine after lunch."
I patted Yoo Sora's shoulder and nodded.
"...Got it. We'll come back after lunch then."
"Sorry. See you this afternoon."
Our story wouldn't start till night anyway, so delaying the daily mission wasn't a big deal.
No time to waste—time to move.
* * * * *
Leaving the mission supply depot, we headed straight for 'Jang Yu's Mansion.'
A blue building not far from the plaza.
Grand enough to call a hotel, lined with statues of heroes from the Land of Ruin.
I took the lead and pressed the mansion's doorbell.
Ding-dong.
The intercom activated.
-Who is it?
"Hello. You requested mansion verification from the supply depot, right?"
-Yes, that's right.
"We're from the depot. Mind if we come in?"
Clunk.
The iron gate swung open.
-Come in.
After briefing Michael and Yoo Sora on precautions inside the mansion, we entered.
"Alright, we're coming in. And whatever you do, do NOT touch anything in this house."
"Got it~!"
"Got it. Can I use the bathroom? I feel like puking..."
I nodded.
"...Yeah. Let's go."
Pulling the handle of the wooden double doors twice my height, the hinges creaked as it opened.
Creeeeak-
Releasing my hand, it slammed shut with a loud bang.
Thud.
It begins.
This round's main event.
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