Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Place Where Death Lingered #2
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"S-Save me...!"
"Huh."
A terrified person was visible, fleeing in panic.
Obviously not a Hunter.
There wasn't a hint of combat prowess in their blatantly exposed form—just the overwhelming vibe of a sacrificial lamb.
"Do-yoon."
"Yeah. We should help them out first, right?"
"Exactly. Better to secure the NPC right away."
They exchanged a casual nod of agreement and were about to move when—
📜 NEW QUEST 📜 【Event】- The Place Where Death Lingered
📍 Description: You've discovered a 'village citizen' being chased by ghouls.
⏰ Objective: Rescue the citizen and investigate what happened here.
"Oh."
Kim Do-yoon reacted instantly to the unfamiliar status window format.
"You see it too?"
"Just popped up."
Rakiya Bells nodded with eyes gleaming in anticipation.
"Quest. Gotta be good rewards. Let's—"
"Yeah."
Do-yoon agreed, and they immediately set off to rescue the citizen.
"Hah... hack...!"
Their physical specs were leagues behind the ghoul's.
Still, they desperately ran for their life, but it didn't last.
Their foot caught on roadside debris, sending them tumbling spectacularly into the dirt.
"Kyaaah...!"
"Kee-eek...!"
The ghouls, sensing prey within reach, grew frenzied and charged.
"...Ah."
Empty eyes foresaw death.
Terror-filled pupils took in the ghouls' horrific forms one last time.
Eyes brimming with malice, mouths torn into long gashes.
And inside those maws, teeth shaped for slaughter.
Fragile flesh would tear so easily, devoured greedily along with their agony, delivering death.
The citizen squeezed their eyes shut, sensing the end.
But the horrific pain they expected never came.
"...?"
Instead—
"Kee-ek! Kie-eek...!"
"Kiiit...!"
-Crunch!
A harsh whoosh and the splatter of something wet made them crack their eyes open.
"Get behind me."
A chilling voice rang in their ear.
A man stood there.
Sword buried in the skull of a ghoul that had been alive moments ago.
Staring down at them with a blank expression.
"Eek."
"If you're compos mentis, get behind me."
At the repeated order, the citizen finally snapped to and scrambled up.
Their legs trembled from fear, but they were grateful the sword wasn't aimed at them.
-Slash!
The sound of flesh parting spurred them to flee the scene even faster.
"On it."
Confirming the citizen fully out of attack range.
Rakiya Bells hefted her massive axe against the remaining ghouls.
'Event quest.'
One more thing to ask the Gallery about.
But first, the quest.
With that thought, Do-yoon followed Rakiya Bells into the fray.
📰 Breaking News Event Quest Alert — Is this the NPC you guys mentioned? (Photo of the citizen staring at me in bewilderment) Was getting chased by ghouls so I helped ㅇㅇ 💬 Comments — Paper Enthusiast ㅇㅇ Yeah, that's the NPC. — Anonymous How can you tell if that's an NPC? — Paper Enthusiast Face looks all innocent and round. — Anonymous Fr real lololol — Anonymous ....? — Anonymous Oh yeah, Hunters have that vicious look from the start lololol — My Post Anyway, I helped them out. Just keep doing the quest like this? — Paper Enthusiast ㅇㅇ〇 Keep going. Linked quests might pop up, or just head straight to the boss room. — Anonymous Boss on the 10th floor? — Anonymous No reactions, so probably not. — Anonymous 10th floor is still lower floors ㅇㅇ; — Anonymous Something about rotation~ fast speed~ 📰 Breaking News Ghouls, right? — So probably a higher variant or undead-like boss. Holy power wrecks them, but newbies don't have that, do they? 💬 Comments — Anonymous ㅇㅇ Still pure physical so far. — Anonymous Holy (physical) ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Hoeet...! Newbie-chan is super strong even without that...! — Anonymous Help him out a bit, you wench; — Aged Wine is... ...Helping more than this gets me scolded by the Lord. — Anonymous Gasp — Anonymous ;;; "Undead?"
As a few users suggested, Do-yoon lacked any skills effective against undead.
'Jeong A-hyeon.'
Suddenly, he recalled the healer and buffer back at Association HQ.
"Would've been a breeze if she was here."
An impossibility due to the Tower's restrictions, but with her, they could've cleared floors easily even with penalties.
"What's up?"
"Nah. Was thinking of a senior Hunter."
"...Earth, huh."
"Yeah."
Around them lay the corpses of several ghouls, strewn about.
"...Impressive."
The citizen, watching from afar, approached hesitantly.
"Hello."
"Oh."
Their cool tone amid the chaos contrasted sharply, making the citizen flinch and freeze unwittingly.
"Any injuries?"
"N-No, none."
Rakiya Bells followed up, and the citizen finally relaxed, spilling words in a rush.
"I-I was just walking the path when monsters suddenly..."
"Just walking? Casually?"
Do-yoon looked around incredulously at that.
No signs of human life anywhere.
Corpses if anything—nothing like the healthy, lively vibe of the NPC before him.
But before he could question it—
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Successfully rescued the citizen! Event quest cleared. Rewards ▶ Low-Grade Potion x1 ▶ Linked Quest Conditions Unlocked "Oh."
The fresh dopamine hit excited Do-yoon as he turned to Rakiya Bells.
"Popped for me too. Linked quest."
"Chains like this, huh?"
"Yep."
"Gave a potion too."
"Great for combat or injuries. Super useful."
"Nice?"
"Yeah."
Really nice.
Do-yoon eyed the citizen with a cheerful mood.
"Total gift bag."
"Y-Yes...?"
"Never mind. So, why were you wandering alone here?"
The citizen's face darkened instantly.
"I-I had someone I was serving. But then I heard their village was attacked."
"And you came here solo?"
"I-I was too frantic."
Fair enough.
Judgment clouds when a loved one is in danger.
That's what makes us human.
Do-yoon roughly understood and moved to proceed.
-Ding!
📜 NEW QUEST 📜 Linked Quest
📍 Description: You've successfully rescued the citizen in peril.
⏰ Objective: Help her safely exit the stage.
⚠️ Warning! If the citizen dies, the quest fails.
"Quest success probably up to just before the boss room. Sis mentioned it."
"Got it."
One person? They could protect them.
Especially with a party member along.
Eying the reliable Rakiya Bells, they pressed on through the stage.
"Um, though."
"Yeah?"
"H-How should I address my benefactors...?"
"Hunters is fine."
"Ah... Thank you, Hunter."
With a casual nod, they resumed toward their original goal.
Guide in tow.
"Heard this is..."
Rakiya Bells scanned around, pointing one way.
"Looks like the fountain square by the village. Ruined, but recognizable."
"That way?"
"Per the info, yes."
"Let's go."
Do-yoon checked the Gallery intermittently while staying alert.
📰 Breaking News Heading to Boss Room Now — Got the linked quest and low-grade potion. Says escort NPC to safety? 💬 Comments — Paper Enthusiast Straight to quest means situation's not bad. — Anonymous How do you know where the boss room is? — My Post Party member I'm escorting knows. — Anonymous Competent ;; — Anonymous Newbie won't ditch us...? — My Post Why would I ditch you guys outta nowhere? ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Citizen... — My Post Know something? Even if nothing else, be hyper-aware of Wine Lord's reactions.
She was this Tower's owner, after all.
— Aged Wine is... I'm fuzzy on details too...! Just proceed go go! — Anonymous Your own Tower? Why so vague on info? — Aged Wine is... Hoee...! I was kidnapped on a whim...! I'm a victim...! — Anonymous Vi?ctim — Aged Wine is... (Angry bat character image) 📰 Breaking News Anyway Something Something — Village vibe is straight-up graveyard level. This Wine Lord's backstory? 💬 Comments ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Slander, pure slander...! — Anonymous Perps never remember lol — Paper Enthusiast Pretty much? But not sure if she did the whole village. — My Post Hmm. — Anonymous Just stay cautious and it'll be fine. — Anonymous Hunter caution! Extra caution! — My Post OK OK The stepping stone zone for the 15th-floor themed stage.
What past horrors prompted this brutal human civilization backdrop?
Death.
The landscape embodied it.
Ghouls fit perfectly as a bonus.
— Anonymous I'm Wine Lord's mid-upper boss, gets worse above lol — Anonymous Fr, worse horrors await lol — My Post What is it? Why talk like only you know! — Anonymous (No spoilers) ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Breaking News Nickname: Paper Enthusiast* — Nothing Changes Anyway Find boss room, clear it, ascend floors. That's how you reach the themed stage. 💬 Comments — My Post That's the main objective either way. — Paper Enthusiast Spot on. — My Post Yeah yeah, bring on the object. "..."
The 15th floor's object, more vicious and horrific than even Wine Lord.
Gauging its danger while scouring the stage interior.
"Ugh, ah..."
The citizen gulped, eyeing scattered bones everywhere.
'How'd they even survive?'
No matter how you slice it, they didn't fit this area.
Should've been ghoul chow long ago.
Only possible as an NPC.
Right call.
And so.
"We're here."
They reached the magic circle signaling the boss room entry, oozing ominous hues.