Chapter 255: Open World (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 255: Open World (4)
Adventurers aged much faster than normal people. That was because the higher up in the labyrinth you went, the more time you spent in there. On the upper floors, a single quest could last half a year.
But why is he so young?
That question suddenly popped into my head at the appearance of the platinum-haired man with pomade-style hair, but before long, I swallowed it down. Rather than wasting my time wondering about the secret to his youthful looks, there was information I needed to sort out first.
"I heard you were in the palace. When did you get here?"
While the city was on fire, Baekho had been in the palace.
"Who said you could set a fire without my permission?"
The Fallen Scholar really had been the one to set the fire...
"You wanna die?"
And Baekho was furious about it. But why?
Even the Fallen Scholar, the target of his wrath, frowned like he had no idea what was going on. "I don't understand. Why are you being hostile toward me? I must have made things a lot easier for you tonight."
"Easier? Yeah, right. It's not like that bastard of a king will come outside just because you're burning this place down."
"Oh, so the king really was your target?" Fallen Scholar's eyes twinkled at Baekho's answer. Even at a time like this, he was baiting him.
"What? The king is my target?" Baekho scoffed like the very idea was pathetic. "You really don't know anything, Grandpa. Well, whatever. I can't be bothered to explain." Baekho waved his hand dismissively like he was batting away an annoying fly.
"...You are more disrespectful than I heard." I guessed this was his first time being on the receiving end of this kind of treatment because Fallen Scholar couldn't hide his displeasure.
Of course, Baekho didn't even bat an eye. "Yeah, yeah, the disrespectful one here is you, you naggy, rancid-smelling grouch. Honestly, buy a new pair of dentures or something. I can smell something rotten from all the way over here."
"W-What did you say...?" Fallen Scholar took an uppercut for one clapback. "You shameless..." Judging by that quivering beard and rave review, it looked like the winner of this fight had already been decided. Well, I couldn't imagine a world where this old man could beat Baekho Lee, who carried with him the spirit of a K-Gamer, in a war of words.
"Now, let's get down to business." Baekho ignored Fallen Scholar's irritation and got to the point. "So, how are you going to take responsibility? My favorite beef soup restaurant. It's burned down because of you."
That was the real reason why this guy had charged over here in a rage.
"B-Beef soup...?" Fallen Scholar stared at him uncomprehendingly, but Baekho continued to vent his anger anyway.
"He may have been an NPC, but he made it perfectly just based on my description. Ha... He was going to make me kimchi next time too..."
"...Was there an alchemist workshop in Karnon?"
"Screw alchemy." Baekho spat on the floor like a delinquent. "This is why I can't talk to fucking NPCs. Hansu would have gotten mad with me."
I flinched when my name suddenly came up out of nowhere, but I probably would have gotten angry alongside him. To think there was a place in this city where they made beef soup!
If a place like that existed this whole time, you should have told me earlier! I didn't even get to try it!
Anger welled up in me toward both of them. Of course, there was nothing I could do about it except pretend to be a barbarian who didn't know anything and keep watching.
"So, what do you want? I don't want to make an enemy of you. If this incident has caused damage to your workshop, I will compensate you." Fallen Scholar attempted to negotiate. It was a rather surprising sight. The demon who set fire to the entire southern part of Karnon trying to solve an issue with diplomacy? Just how infamous was Baekho that this old man was acting like this? I couldn't be sure, but I knew one thing for certain.
"Take out your dentures. You said you'll compensate me, right? Well, if you're really sorry, pull out those nasty-smelling dentures with your own hands. Then I'll let it go." When he was your enemy, Baekho was trickier than anyone else, but as an ally, he really was a reliable guy.
"...I don't know how you came to this misunderstanding, but these aren't dentures—"
"Bullshit." As if to announce the collapse of the negotiation, Baekho took a step forward and said something that no one here could understand. "Then what is this?"
Just a second was enough.
Dash.
I heard the light tap of feet kicking off the ground and between one instant and the next, Baekho's body disappeared.
Whip.
I couldn't tell how high his Agility was, but I could only catch snapshots with my dynamic visual acuity skill: Baekho clenching his fists, Fallen Scholar's stunned expression, a veil of mana falling between the two.
Shaaaaaa!
It was a combo of Danger Detection Assistance and Protective Shield, an essential sequence of moves for wizards trying to survive in this roguelike universe. Judging by the purple color of the shield, its mana density was basically maxed out. It was strong enough to withstand even an ogre's punch.
Crackkk!
But it couldn't withstand Baekho's fist.
Soon, the veil of mana shattered like shards of glass. As if to offset that, the blue energy on Baekho's knuckles also lost its light. Not that this was some grand achievement on Fallen Scholar's part, because bare fists proved to be more than enough.
Smack!
The split-second exchange ended, and Baekho's fist cracked against Fallen Scholar's jaw. I saw a flash of something white stained with blood.
"See, you were lying." Baekho snatched it from the air and tutted. "If they're not dentures, why do they fall out?"
Yeah, no matter how I looked at it, this guy was unhinged.
"Do you really intend on giving up here?" he asked.
Fallen Scholar, who had taken a hit, got up surprisingly quickly. Without any emotion, he glanced at Baekho. "If I want to keep going, this won't prevent me from doing so."
"Wow, I've never heard a wizard say something like that in close combat." Baekho laughed as if Fallen Scholar had just said something hilarious, but apart from that, he didn't seem to be looking down on his opponent. That was because Baekho was injured just the same.
Why is he injured?
I couldn't figure that out yet. After the Danger Detection safeguard was broken, Fallen Scholar had used an additional safeguard, and Baekho had broken even that with his bare fists before punching his teeth out. Those were all the moves I saw exchanged.
Spit.
Baekho spat bloody saliva on the floor and asked, "What was that at the end?"
"It was a simple curse spell."
"So, what do you want? I don't want to make an enemy of you. If this incident has caused damage to your workshop, I will compensate you." Fallen Scholar attempted to negotiate. It was a rather surprising sight. The demon who set fire to the entire southern part of Karnon trying to solve an issue with diplomacy? Just how infamous was Baekho that this old man was acting like this? I couldn't be sure, but I knew one thing for certain.
"Take out your dentures. You said you'll compensate me, right? Well, if you're really sorry, pull out those nasty-smelling dentures with your own hands. Then I'll let it go." When he was your enemy, Baekho was trickier than anyone else, but as an ally, he really was a reliable guy.
"...I don't know how you came to this misunderstanding, but these aren't dentures—"
"Bullshit." As if to announce the collapse of the negotiation, Baekho took a step forward and said something that no one here could understand. "Then what is this?"
Just a second was enough.
Dash.
I heard the light tap of feet kicking off the ground and between one instant and the next, Baekho's body disappeared.
Whip.
I couldn't tell how high his Agility was, but I could only catch snapshots with my dynamic visual acuity skill: Baekho clenching his fists, Fallen Scholar's stunned expression, a veil of mana falling between the two.
Shaaaaaa!
It was a combo of Danger Detection Assistance and Protective Shield, an essential sequence of moves for wizards trying to survive in this roguelike universe. Judging by the purple color of the shield, its mana density was basically maxed out. It was strong enough to withstand even an ogre's punch.
Crackkk!
But it couldn't withstand Baekho's fist.
Soon, the veil of mana shattered like shards of glass. As if to offset that, the blue energy on Baekho's knuckles also lost its light. Not that this was some grand achievement on Fallen Scholar's part, because bare fists proved to be more than enough.
Smack!
The split-second exchange ended, and Baekho's fist cracked against Fallen Scholar's jaw. I saw a flash of something white stained with blood.
"See, you were lying." Baekho snatched it from the air and tutted. "If they're not dentures, why do they fall out?"
Yeah, no matter how I looked at it, this guy was unhinged.
"Do you really intend on giving up here?" he asked.
Fallen Scholar, who had taken a hit, got up surprisingly quickly. Without any emotion, he glanced at Baekho. "If I want to keep going, this won't prevent me from doing so."
"Wow, I've never heard a wizard say something like that in close combat." Baekho laughed as if Fallen Scholar had just said something hilarious, but apart from that, he didn't seem to be looking down on his opponent. That was because Baekho was injured just the same.
Why is he injured?
I couldn't figure that out yet. After the Danger Detection safeguard was broken, Fallen Scholar had used an additional safeguard, and Baekho had broken even that with his bare fists before punching his teeth out. Those were all the moves I saw exchanged.
Spit.
Baekho spat bloody saliva on the floor and asked, "What was that at the end?"
"It was a simple curse spell."
"There's no way I was cursed."
"You should be familiar with the trick. Our bodies touched temporarily. I connected the circuit then and completed the spell using your body as a medium."
"Oh, so that's why my Mana Resistance didn't work." Baekho nodded in understanding. Now that I thought about it, it seemed most pro wizards from this world knew how to use this trick. Ha, there hadn't been an overpowered ability like that in the game. "But that doesn't make sense, either. You did that in that brief moment? The other guys all take at least a few seconds to connect."
"I'm the one who created this technique. I should at least be able to do this much."
"Ha, so you're the one who made that damn skill?" Baekho narrowed his eyes at the Fallen Scholar, acknowledging his opponent's abilities.
The same went for Fallen Scholar. "I know your situation. I also have a guess as to why you ended your affiliation with the palace."
"So?"
"Since we've met here, I'll make you an attractive proposal."
"What is it? Tell me," Baekho demanded, apparently intrigued. It seemed this was more entertaining to him than seeking revenge for the beef soup restaurant. The vibe here was getting weird so I quietly took a step back.
Fallen Scholar's gaze shifted to me. "Why don't we finish that man off first before we converse?"
Uh, I didn't expect that... God damn it.
My heart pounded. My life would already be hanging by a thread, facing Fallen Scholar alone, but if Baekho decided to back him up, there would be nothing I could do other than reveal that I was Hansu Lee and appeal to his nostalgia.
"That's not an option." I already had the worst-case scenario in mind, but thankfully, Baekho rejected Fallen Scholar's proposal. Was it because he knew I was a player? No, it wasn't some kind of emotional reason like that he couldn't bear to watch me die. "Then it'll seem like I'm following your orders."
It was simply a matter of asserting dominance. But I guessed Fallen Scholar must have found Baekho's attitude frustrating because he spoke like he was addressing an unruly child. "That man is a nobleman."
"So?"
"As long as you are at odds with the palace, he is a potential enemy."
That was a pretty reasonable argument to me too, but thankfully, Baekho didn't even listen to it. "So what? I can take care of him on my own, so don't even worry about that."
It was obvious what the source of his conviction was. He knew I was a player. He was likely confident that no matter how close I got to the palace, he could incapacitate me at any moment.
Does this mean it's a good thing that he knows my identity...?
"Then... we should relocate." In the end, even Fallen Scholar couldn't wear down Baekho's stubbornness and let go of his selfish desire to kill me. Well, to him, Baekho was more important than me.
"Ah, just warning you in advance, but I'm not getting on a telpor."
"Telpor...?"
"Teleportation. You take the lead instead. I'll follow. You can try something funny if you want, but be prepared to die in that case."
"...Then I'll head off first." Soon, Fallen Scholar flew into the air with the servant-like man behind him. It was float magic.
"What are you looking at? I'll follow, so you can go first."
Fallen Scholar stared at Baekho for a few seconds before disappearing beyond the flames. That took care of one of my problems, but it was too soon to let my guard down. One thing about Baekho was that you could never be sure where he would bounce next.
"Hey."
"...What?" I didn't bother trying to hide my fear.
Baekho smirked. "I'm only saving you just this once." With that parting line, he left.
My mind went blank for some reason.
What, does that mean he didn't just tell Fallen Scholar not to kill me as a power play? I don't know, I still don't know which it is. But if that really is the case... I might be a little touched.
I wiped the ash-stained bridge of my nose with my finger.
"Hm."
Oh, that bastard. I thought he didn't do friendship.
***
Not long after Baekho and Fallen Scholar left, Raven returned. "Mr. Yandel!"
Thanks to the mention of Fallen Scholar, behind Raven was a large battalion of knights and battle mages.
"We came to save y—huh? Why is no one...?"
Raven looked bewildered by the fact that Fallen Scholar was nowhere to be seen. The troops from the palace that had followed her here wore similar expressions. Before any misunderstandings could come about, I quickly explained the situation.
"You mean that the same man who appeared during the assassination incident came and attacked Fallen Scholar?"
"Yes, the two of them suddenly started fighting and disappeared in an instant."
"Do you know the reason why that man decided to attack Fallen Scholar?"
"No, I'm not sure either!"
The reason why I simplified the situation as much as possible was in case someone interpreted what had happened to mean that Baekho had helped me.
"You were really lucky." Since the incident involved such formidable individuals, the knights did not doubt the authenticity of my statement.
"Then we should get out of here as soon as possible."
The troops from the palace stayed behind to search the surrounding area and Raven and I watched them for a while before heading back out. The first to greet us were the survivors who had been evacuated earlier, the ten lives Raven and I had worked so hard to save. Everyone bowed at me with dark, ash-stained faces. Of course, not for long. Ignoring a thank-you wouldn't kill anyone, right?
"Huh? Where are you going?" When I turned around, the question slipped from Raven's lips.
To be honest, I was exhausted after what happened earlier and all I wanted to do was rest, but... "I made a promise."
"...A promise?"
In return for receiving the Fire-attribute equipment and consumables, I told the wizard named Leven Arfegan that I would try to fulfill his request to the best of my abilities.
Raven's expression went blank, but she didn't stop or scold me or tell me that what I was doing was pointless. "Be careful. I will be helping people here."
What, let's each do our best in our roles?
I looked Raven up and down in a show of respect and then stepped back into the fire. Twelve hours later, a deluge of rain poured in, and the fire was finally extinguished.
Shaaaaaa!
A total of seventeen more lives were saved. It was the kind of low number that would never be used as an A-plot in a movie or a comic, but...
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
It was my best.
"There's no way I was cursed."
"You should be familiar with the trick. Our bodies touched temporarily. I connected the circuit then and completed the spell using your body as a medium."
"Oh, so that's why my Mana Resistance didn't work." Baekho nodded in understanding. Now that I thought about it, it seemed most pro wizards from this world knew how to use this trick. Ha, there hadn't been an overpowered ability like that in the game. "But that doesn't make sense, either. You did that in that brief moment? The other guys all take at least a few seconds to connect."
"I'm the one who created this technique. I should at least be able to do this much."
"Ha, so you're the one who made that damn skill?" Baekho narrowed his eyes at the Fallen Scholar, acknowledging his opponent's abilities.
The same went for Fallen Scholar. "I know your situation. I also have a guess as to why you ended your affiliation with the palace."
"So?"
"Since we've met here, I'll make you an attractive proposal."
"What is it? Tell me," Baekho demanded, apparently intrigued. It seemed this was more entertaining to him than seeking revenge for the beef soup restaurant. The vibe here was getting weird so I quietly took a step back.
Fallen Scholar's gaze shifted to me. "Why don't we finish that man off first before we converse?"
Uh, I didn't expect that... God damn it.
My heart pounded. My life would already be hanging by a thread, facing Fallen Scholar alone, but if Baekho decided to back him up, there would be nothing I could do other than reveal that I was Hansu Lee and appeal to his nostalgia.
"That's not an option." I already had the worst-case scenario in mind, but thankfully, Baekho rejected Fallen Scholar's proposal. Was it because he knew I was a player? No, it wasn't some kind of emotional reason like that he couldn't bear to watch me die. "Then it'll seem like I'm following your orders."
It was simply a matter of asserting dominance. But I guessed Fallen Scholar must have found Baekho's attitude frustrating because he spoke like he was addressing an unruly child. "That man is a nobleman."
"So?"
"As long as you are at odds with the palace, he is a potential enemy."
That was a pretty reasonable argument to me too, but thankfully, Baekho didn't even listen to it. "So what? I can take care of him on my own, so don't even worry about that."
It was obvious what the source of his conviction was. He knew I was a player. He was likely confident that no matter how close I got to the palace, he could incapacitate me at any moment.
Does this mean it's a good thing that he knows my identity...?
"Then... we should relocate." In the end, even Fallen Scholar couldn't wear down Baekho's stubbornness and let go of his selfish desire to kill me. Well, to him, Baekho was more important than me.
"Ah, just warning you in advance, but I'm not getting on a telpor."
"Telpor...?"
"Teleportation. You take the lead instead. I'll follow. You can try something funny if you want, but be prepared to die in that case."
"...Then I'll head off first." Soon, Fallen Scholar flew into the air with the servant-like man behind him. It was float magic.
"What are you looking at? I'll follow, so you can go first."
Fallen Scholar stared at Baekho for a few seconds before disappearing beyond the flames. That took care of one of my problems, but it was too soon to let my guard down. One thing about Baekho was that you could never be sure where he would bounce next.
"Hey."
"...What?" I didn't bother trying to hide my fear.
Baekho smirked. "I'm only saving you just this once." With that parting line, he left.
My mind went blank for some reason.
What, does that mean he didn't just tell Fallen Scholar not to kill me as a power play? I don't know, I still don't know which it is. But if that really is the case... I might be a little touched.
I wiped the ash-stained bridge of my nose with my finger.
"Hm."
Oh, that bastard. I thought he didn't do friendship.
***
Not long after Baekho and Fallen Scholar left, Raven returned. "Mr. Yandel!"
Thanks to the mention of Fallen Scholar, behind Raven was a large battalion of knights and battle mages.
"We came to save y—huh? Why is no one...?"
Raven looked bewildered by the fact that Fallen Scholar was nowhere to be seen. The troops from the palace that had followed her here wore similar expressions. Before any misunderstandings could come about, I quickly explained the situation.
"You mean that the same man who appeared during the assassination incident came and attacked Fallen Scholar?"
"Yes, the two of them suddenly started fighting and disappeared in an instant."
"Do you know the reason why that man decided to attack Fallen Scholar?"
"No, I'm not sure either!"
The reason why I simplified the situation as much as possible was in case someone interpreted what had happened to mean that Baekho had helped me.
"You were really lucky." Since the incident involved such formidable individuals, the knights did not doubt the authenticity of my statement.
"Then we should get out of here as soon as possible."
The troops from the palace stayed behind to search the surrounding area and Raven and I watched them for a while before heading back out. The first to greet us were the survivors who had been evacuated earlier, the ten lives Raven and I had worked so hard to save. Everyone bowed at me with dark, ash-stained faces. Of course, not for long. Ignoring a thank-you wouldn't kill anyone, right?
"Huh? Where are you going?" When I turned around, the question slipped from Raven's lips.
To be honest, I was exhausted after what happened earlier and all I wanted to do was rest, but... "I made a promise."
"...A promise?"
In return for receiving the Fire-attribute equipment and consumables, I told the wizard named Leven Arfegan that I would try to fulfill his request to the best of my abilities.
Raven's expression went blank, but she didn't stop or scold me or tell me that what I was doing was pointless. "Be careful. I will be helping people here."
What, let's each do our best in our roles?
I looked Raven up and down in a show of respect and then stepped back into the fire. Twelve hours later, a deluge of rain poured in, and the fire was finally extinguished.
Shaaaaaa!
A total of seventeen more lives were saved. It was the kind of low number that would never be used as an A-plot in a movie or a comic, but...
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +1.]
It was my best.