Manager App - Chapter 128 (128/615) <-- [Summer Sea] -->
“……”
I stared at the long string of notifications, utterly speechless.
But that only lasted a moment. Snapping out of it, I immediately claimed the Random Skill Box.
Slime Summon
Effect: Summons 1 slime.
If forcibly unsummoned, can be resummoned after 10 minutes.
“……A slime this time, huh.”
After goblins, skeletons, and orcs, now slimes too. I was a full-on summoner at this point.
Clicking my tongue in amazement, I checked the time.
4:45 PM……
Seoyeon unnie got off work at 6, so I had at least an hour to spare.
“Might as well tackle an Otherworld Quest.”
With that thought, I pulled up the Otherworld Quest list.
The orc chieftain discovered that mana stone fragments greatly enhanced his power and virility. Boldly, he embedded one in his manhood. Astonishingly, his stamina surged beyond compare. But it wasn't just stamina—his semen became thick and sticky like mud, guaranteeing impregnation, laced with aphrodisiacs that stimulated females' erogenous zones. Any female who tasted it submitted utterly. And this wasn't limited to his own kind. Using his amplified strength, he captured females of other races and mated with them. No matter their mental fortitude or physical resilience, they all fell swiftly. At this rate, the world will become the orcs' domain.
📍 Objective: Obtain a mana stone fragment from the orc chieftain.
🎁 Reward: Random Equipment Box
The elves' forest is being corrupted. Sensing something amiss, the elves search for the source. Find the mana stone fragment before they do.
📍 Objective: Locate the mana stone fragment before the elves.
🎁 Reward: Random Skill Box
“Elves, huh……”
It looked way easier than the orc chieftain quest—no real combat expected, either.
Letting out a soft chuckle, I selected Elf in Trouble.
My vision warped for a split second, then brightened into a dense forest scene.
Where is it?
Once inside, I opened the minimap to check the mana stone fragment's location.
“Pretty far off.”
Unlike previous quests, this one was quite a distance away. Frowning briefly, I hurried onward.
Complaining wouldn't help—it'd just waste time.
“Urk.”
Then, a gurgling rasp came from the bushes to my right.
What the—?
Every hair on my body stood on end. Gulping, I summoned my black staff and stared toward the sound.
“……”
After a tense wait, something emerged from the bushes—rotting flesh, tattered rags, shambling along.
Zombie?
The thought hit instantly. A decaying corpse, yet moving. Slow, but its flailing arms and limping gait were intimidating.
“Haa.”
Exhaling lightly, I aimed my staff.
“……Darkness Arrow.”
Bang!
The incantation unleashed a black orb that pierced its skull and exploded.
“Ugh.”
I groaned involuntarily. Even with magic, the bursting head wasn't a pretty sight.
“Grraaah……”
As I grimaced, zombie moans echoed from all directions, drawn by the blast.
“Goblin Summon.”
I quickly summoned my goblins. Twenty-four of them appeared, encircling me.
“……Take out the zombies.”
“Kerruk! As you command, Master!”
They charged. The zombies flailed back, but goblin clubs shattered limbs with sickening crunches.
Overwhelming.
Catching my breath as they wiped out the horde and regrouped, I addressed them.
“Good work.”
They knelt in unison, pledging loyalty. A swell of pride hit me, but now wasn't the time.
Hurry.
If the fragment were close, I'd have asked the goblins for leads—but it was far, and time was short.
Turning toward the minimap marker, a piercing scream suddenly rang out.
What now?
I froze as another young woman's cry followed.
“……”
I hesitated. Ignore it and head for the fragment? Or help?
“Aaaah!”
Another scream decided it.
I'll save her.
Pretending not to hear felt wrong now that I had.
……Over there.
Soon, I spotted her: a woman surrounded by over fifty zombies, fighting desperately. Her leg was injured; she limped, trying to flee, but they clung relentlessly.
“Aaaah!”
A zombie bit her arm. She screamed, and grotesque moans rippled through the forest.
These zombies were sound-sensitive.
Rescue her before more come.
Turning to my goblins, I ordered:
“Clear a path.”
“Kerruk! Leave it to us! Keruk!”
The twenty-four charged bravely. Seizing the gap, I dashed toward her.
“Grraaah!!”
“Kerrruk!!”
Collision brought crunching sounds like breaking clay—zombies shattering.
Goblins pulverized them, carving a bloody path of flesh and gore. I crossed it to reach her.
“You okay?”
“H-Human……?”
Her eyes widened in shock. Something felt off, but dull thuds nearby snapped me back—I scooped her up and ran.
“……W-Wait! Put me down! Kyaa!”
“Stay still.”
“B-But……”
“Keep squirming, and I'll leave you behind.”
“……”
Her mouth clamped shut. Hated being carried, but not being abandoned in zombie-infested woods.
With a wry smile, I ran until safe, then set her down.
“Haa.”
Panting hard, I finally examined her face.
She's pretty.
Too frantic earlier to notice, but up close, a real beauty.
Shaking it off, I wiped sweat from my brow.
“Goblin unsummon.”
Behind us, zombie howls grew louder.
“How is a human here……”
She muttered incredulously. Tilting my head, I noticed her pointed ears.
Elf.
Elf derived from ancient Norse álfr, meaning fairy. They dwelled in Alfheim, worshipped like gods.
But this one was in a forest—maybe a different origin, or exiled. Or perhaps this was Alfheim.
Zombies in Alfheim? Ridiculous.
Myths were myths.
“Answer me, human!”
Suddenly, she snapped at me, face grave. This forest must be off-limits to humans.
“Calm down.”
“Answer! How did you get here?!”
She groped for a weapon—none.
Ditch her?
Tempting, but too many zombies.
……Heal her first.
After that? If hostile?
After agonizing, I spoke.
“I'll heal you.”
“What?”
“I saved you, but I can't babysit. I've got my own mission.”
“Mission……?”
“Healer’s Staff summon.”
“Gasp!”
The silent appearance startled her; wide-eyed, she stared.
Her expression was comical—I stifled a laugh.
“Wound Recovery, Stamina Recovery.”
White mist seeped into her. The bite healed flawlessly.
“……”
She gaped, stunned.
Unsummoning the staff, I tapped the ground with the black one.
“Go home. It's dangerous.”
Checking the minimap, I headed for the fragment—but she called out.
“W-Wait!”
I paused, then kept walking—too annoying, and no time.
“……Wait!”
“……”
Relentless, she followed, yelling.
That'll attract zombies.
Regret crept in for saving her. Frowning, I stopped and glared.
“Quiet. Want to get swarmed again?”
“Ah? Oh…… Sorry……”
At least she had manners, apologizing.
I inhaled deeply.
“No harm to your people. Just leave.”
“How do you know if it'll harm us or not?”
I seriously weighed enslaving her. But that took time too.
Tsking wryly, I met her eyes.
“Follow me.”
“Eh?”
“You'll see.”
Her face lit up; she nodded, extending a hand.
“Belated, but thank you for saving me. I'm Rishar. Risha's fine.”
“Kim Yuhyun. Yuhyun works, Risha.”
We shook, introducing ourselves, then headed for the fragment.
En route, Risha eyed my smartphone curiously.
“What's that for, Yuhyun?”
“Finding black stones.”
“Black stones?”
“Yeah.”
Bald-faced lie—or half-truth. She marveled, “Humans have such wondrous tools.”
Seemed little human contact.
Oh, right—no robe.
She didn't comment on my clothes, just pure curiosity.
A bit annoying, but maybe an opportunity.
“By the way, Risha.”
“Yeah?”
“Were there always this many zombies in the forest?”