Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Earth Dragon Andras
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The Adventurer’s Guild system was broadly divided into two types.
Nominated quests and public quests.
Nominated quests, as the name implied, involved assigning a request to a specific adventurer.
This method was commonly used for quests with high difficulty or those requiring adventurers with special abilities, primarily targeting four-star adventurers and above.
Public quests, unlike nominated ones, were open to an unspecified number of adventurers.
The details of the quest were posted on the guild hall's bulletin board to recruit members. Most lower-ranked adventurers, like one-stars or two-stars, made their living through these general quests.
Rescuing the Abigail expedition required a large number of adventurers, so it took the form of a public quest.
Upon hearing Klien’s report, the Aachen branch manager didn't immediately announce the public quest. Instead, he only spread rumors about the Abigail expedition's current situation and the possibility of an upcoming quest.
The reason was simple.
This matter was too grave to be decided by the Aachen branch manager alone.
* * *
“The Earth Dragon, Andras.”
Inside a lodging house near the Adventurer's Guild.
Georg, sitting across from Kang-seok's party, continued in a low voice.
“It is a giant monster said to have destroyed this entire region two hundred years ago.”
“A… giant monster?”
Choi Yu-ra asked again, taken aback by the unexpected descriptor. Georg nodded with a grim expression.
“Yes, according to the legends, its body length reaches a staggering forty meters. Since it’s shaped like a lizard, its tail accounts for nearly a third of that length, but… it can only be described as a truly giant beast.”
Whether by sheer coincidence or for some other reason, the people of this world used the same metric system as the one Kang-seok’s party came from.
A body length of forty meters.
While Choi Yu-ra could only blink in disbelief, Kang-seok asked.
“Are you saying that beast was sleeping in the Sauerland Mountains?”
“That’s actually a bit ambiguous. According to the records, it was defeated and killed by the hero, White Darkness.”
“White… Darkness?”
Seong Yu-jin, who had been silent until now, tilted her head. It was a peculiar name.
Georg answered immediately.
“Ah, it’s a pure-blood Elder naming convention. They say White Darkness was an Elder born through atavism.”
In fact, the party had heard a similar name once before.
The Green Meteor, strongest in the human realm and one of the world’s eight superhumans.
As an Elder princess, it was only natural for her to have an Elder-style name.
The conversation had strayed, but Georg quickly brought it back to the point. He placed his hands on the table and spoke.
“Aachen was practically destroyed once back then. The damage was so great that many records were lost. But the fact that White Darkness defeated the beast is certain.”
The Earth Dragon Andras died two hundred years ago.
It no longer exists.
“It would be more reasonable to assume that Andras's old nest is in the Sauerland Mountains, and the expedition was attacked by the monsters that resided there.”
It was a plausible story, and one they wanted to believe.
It was a far more hopeful scenario than a forty-meter-long giant monster being alive.
But Kang-seok found it hard to think so.
Park Han-yeong had specifically said ‘Andras’s nest.’
How did she come to know that name? Did the five-star adventurer Abigail, who went with her, declare that it was undoubtedly Andras’s nest?
Unlikely. Park Han-yeong had most likely seen the ‘letters of light.’
*And Iris’s warning.*
Iris had warned him to be careful, as Andras was one of the 72 Demonic Beasts.
Kang-seok was certain.
The Demonic Beast Andras was real.
He didn't know if this Andras was the same individual as the Earth Dragon Andras that had died two hundred years ago, but in any case, it had the potential to be the greatest obstacle blocking the rescue team.
Georg left the lodging, saying he would check on Park Han-yeong's condition. Once the party was alone, Kang-seok asked into the air.
“Iris, is there any way for us to rescue the expedition without fighting Andras?”
[Due to information restrictions, I also do not know Andras's current situation. But based on my personal speculation… I don’t think it’s impossible.]
[The quest is to rescue the expedition being pursued by Andras's minions. In that case, it is reasonable to assume that the expedition engaged with monsters guarding the vicinity of Andras's nest, as Mr. Georg speculated, and was cornered.]
[And if I may add one more thing… the only thing I can say with certainty is that Andras is a stronger demonic beast than Cimeries.]
Fortunately, Iris’s reply came immediately. Choi Yu-ra followed up with a question, her voice tinged with irritation.
“What are these ‘72 Demonic Beasts’ in the first place? Neither Mr. Jade nor Mr. Georg knows anything about them. The people of this world don't seem to know either.”
At first, she thought it was some kind of list of powerful demons that existed in this world.
But the people of this world knew nothing about the 72 Demonic Beasts.
The intellectual class, the priests, didn’t know. The monster experts, the adventurers, didn’t know either.
So what in the world were the 72 Demonic Beasts?
[Um… I’m sorry. I don’t know either.]
“What?”
At her incredulous question, Iris let out a small groan. She hesitated before finally speaking again.
[I feel like I definitely knew… but now I don’t. I only remember that they are 72 demonic beasts with immense power.]
“This is driving me crazy.”
That damn information restriction.
Choi Yu-ra was fuming, but she didn’t take her anger out on Iris.
She could clearly feel that Iris was suffering too.
Moreover, Iris had said, ‘I feel like I knew, but now I don’t.’
In a way, her memories had been erased against her will; her feelings must be truly wretched.
Kang-seok let out a long sigh.
“In any case, we have no choice but to move forward assuming the worst. Iris, you said Andras is stronger than Cimeries, right? How does it compare to Barbatos?”
[Barbatos is the more powerful demonic beast.]
The Demonic Beast Barbatos, master of the dungeon Labyrinthos.
A monster defeated by a nameless hero.
“Alright, it might be enormous, but it won’t be an unbeatable foe. And we won’t be fighting alone. The Adventurer’s Guild is taking this seriously, so there’s a high chance we’ll have sufficient forces.”
The regular army of Aachen might even be mobilized.
This wasn’t a situation where a three-person party was challenging a giant boss. It was a situation to be confronted by a ‘raid party’ of dozens. There was no reason to get scared and back down.
Kang-seok and Seong Yu-jin looked at each other and nodded. Seeing the two of them, Choi Yu-ra sighed inwardly.
*Just passing on this quest is also an option, you know.*
Of course, Choi Yu-ra had no real intention of doing so. As Kang-seok had said, it was highly likely that they would have sufficient forces.
The reason Kang-seok and Seong Yu-jin were so actively tackling this quest.
To save people.
To get a clue about the World Quest.
She found it strange all over again. Not everyone could act so proactively.
*Hunt was like that, too.*
Kang-seok wasn't the only one who had suggested traveling with Hunt.
Hunt’s words about not setting foot in dangerous places and being content with his current life.
It wasn't a bad way to live. It was certainly one way to survive in this unfamiliar world.
*But.*
Glancing at Kang-seok, Choi Yu-ra bit her lip slightly. She stood up from her seat and said in a deliberately energetic voice.
“Everyone’s tired, right? Let’s get something to eat. We need to keep our spirits up at times like these. Don’t you think?”
Seong Yu-jin smiled and nodded, and Kang-seok agreed that she was right, getting up from his seat as well. Choi Yu-ra pulled on his hand.
* * *
As news of the Abigail expedition spread, most of the adventurers in the vicinity of Aachen gathered at the Adventurer's Guild.
With so many people gathered, the reactions and responses were naturally diverse.
“My goodness, Sir Abigail was defeated?”
“Even a five-star adventurer can’t do much if he’s surrounded by nothing but rookies.”
Some were shocked, while others were cynical.
The reactions of the Players who didn't know much about Abigail were simpler.
“Whoa! This is just like a game event, for real!”
A young Player wearing armor made of bone exclaimed in awe, beside himself with excitement. A man with brown skin next to him shook his head.
“No, it’s dangerous. It’s better to take a step back when faced with an unknown quest like this.”
“What are you talking about! Crisis is opportunity! We’ve never had a quest so openly advertised as a large-scale one. Aren’t you excited to see how much Kron and experience we’ll get if we succeed? Other Players are sure to join.”
The man in bone armor said this as he looked around at the adventurers and Players. As if asking for their agreement, he sent them a sparkling gaze, and a few of the Players nodded in response.
[Large-Scale Quest: Rescue the Expedition]
[Rescue the isolated Abigail expedition, which is being pursued by Andras's minions near its nest.]
[The regular army of Aachen is likely to assist this expedition.]
[* It is recommended that ten or more Players form an alliance.]
[* All participants will be rewarded upon clearing the quest.]
A large-scale quest.
Rewards for all participants.
Support from the Aachen regular army.
Not everyone was as cautious as Hunt or the brown-skinned man. There were those like the man in bone armor who felt a thirst for battle, and others who treated the whole affair as something similar to a game event.
It wasn't just the Players who showed a strong desire to participate in this expedition.
“This is to save Sir Abigail. We cannot refuse to participate.”
“The time has finally come for me to become a five-star.”
To save Abigail.
To enhance their own fame and worth.
As people began to gather one by one, the sheer ‘number’ of people moved the hearts of the Players and adventurers.
*Wouldn't it be safe with this many people?*
*With so many people gathered, could anything dangerous really happen?*
On the day the public call began, a total of thirty-two people, including Players and adventurers, formed a rescue party.
* * *
How much time had passed since they were isolated in the stone chamber?
Kim Kang-san, chewing on the meat of a wolf that the goblins had ridden, glanced towards the stone door.
A day and a few hours ago, the expedition had briefly opened that door. It was to let Park Han-yeong out.
And the sacrifice required to close it again. The two people who lost their lives fighting the monsters that swarmed in the moment the door opened.
Even now, monsters roamed outside the stone door. As if waiting for the expedition to starve to death inside, they never let up their siege.
“Feels like we’re on a time limit.”
He turned to see Abigail, as usual.
He continued in a voice so low that only Kim Kang-san could hear.
The howls of the monsters outside the stone chamber concealed Abigail’s voice from the other expedition members in the room.
“You people, what was it you called it? Remaining survival time?”
“We call it remaining potential survival time.”
“Whatever it is. It must be nerve-wracking. In a way, you could say you're always in a situation like this.”
There was a limit to how long they could hold out in the stone chamber.
And that time was steadily growing shorter.
Kim Kang-san narrowed his eyes. It didn't seem like Abigail was trying to pick a fight. It was more likely that he was just making small talk to distract himself from the difficult situation, as he usually did.
But why choose this topic? Remaining potential survival time was bound to be a negative subject for Players.
“I know what you’re thinking right now. ‘Has this old geezer gone senile, why the hell is he picking a fight with me?’ Right?”
“Hmm. It’s not quite to that extent.”
When Kim Kang-san showed a troubled expression, Abigail grinned again.
“It just came to mind. And there’s something I wanted to say.”
Of all the Players Abigail had met on this expedition, he liked Kim Kang-san the most. He was a man who possessed the ‘mental stability’ that Abigail himself valued so highly.
“The prophecy of the Great Summoning… have you heard of it?”
“I have.”
On the day of the Great Summoning, the Players will come to this world—a prophecy so hollow that it was impossible to read more into it than that single sentence.
There was hardly a Player who didn't know about that prophecy.
Abigail spoke.
“Many people think that’s why the Four Great Gods caused the Great Summoning. But I don’t think so.”
Kim Kang-san turned his head to look at Abigail’s face. It wasn't the playful expression he wore when teasing about Park Han-yeong.
It wasn't the Four Great Gods who caused the Great Summoning.
As a Player, Kim Kang-san couldn’t help but be intrigued by this assertion.
“Do you have any basis for that?”
“It’s too cruel.”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t it too cruel? Remaining potential survival time. To summon a whole bunch of people who were living their lives perfectly fine and turn them into terminally ill patients. I heard the number of Players summoned by the Great Summoning was as high as 370,000. And of those, only a few thousand survived to pass something called the tutorial.”
From a certain perspective, it was nothing short of a mass slaughter.
Moreover, the Players who survived were saddled with the inescapable shackle of ‘remaining potential survival time.’
Cruel.
He was right. The perpetrator of the Great Summoning had committed a truly cruel act against the 370,000 Players.
“I cannot believe that our benevolent Four Great Gods would bring about such a cruel history. I cannot think so.”
Abigail was serious. But in the end, Kim Kang-san couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed.
He had expected some plausible argument, but it was just a statement born of faith, akin to ‘The gods couldn’t possibly be that cruel.’
But Kim Kang-san didn't get angry. This was a world where gods actually existed. So perhaps Abigail was right.
Abigail observed Kim Kang-san’s reaction and grinned again.
He opened his lips to say something more about the Four Great Gods. But Kim Kang-san’s gaze was directed elsewhere, not at Abigail.
[Quest: Holdout]
[A rescue party has been formed in the city of Aachen to save the expedition.]
[Survive until the rescue party arrives.]
“A rescue team!”
“Park Han-yeong! That woman succeeded!”
The remaining Players shouted almost simultaneously. Even those who had been buried in despair, not moving an inch, shot up from their seats.
The adventurers couldn’t help but be bewildered as people who seemed on the verge of death moments ago suddenly erupted in cheers.
Abigail blinked and asked Kim Kang-san.
“Wh-what’s going on?”
“A rescue party has been formed in Aachen. It seems they’re on their way to save us now!”
Kim Kang-san said hastily.
Finally understanding why the Players were ecstatic, the faces of the adventurers also brightened.
*We’re saved! We’re saved! Han-yeong!*
He wasn't happy for his own survival. Kim Kang-san was happy that Park Han-yeong had reached Aachen alive.
It felt as if a heavy rock that had been pressing down on a corner of his heart had been lifted.
But the expedition’s joy was short-lived.
*KABOOM!*
A loud roar was accompanied by a shockwave. The expedition members reflexively looked towards the stone door.
A second roar struck the stone door in succession.
“Crazy!”
“Block it!”
“A battering ram?”
Voices mixed together.
The Players and adventurers, each grabbing their weapons, began to move urgently.
Kim Kang-san also looked at the stone door. He rolled his eyes and re-read the letters of light that had appeared in his mind.
[Estimated time until rescue party arrival: 21 hours, 11 minutes, 06 seconds]
A third impact shook the stone door.