Chapter 114
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Heimer's Reward
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It was a buff-type skill with a simple description, but its power was anything but simple.
‘It’s a skill that lets me use Moonlight Flash, which normally has a ten-minute cooldown, in just one second.’
For a mere ten seconds, the skill called Red Moon allowed him to use Moonlight Flash consecutively.
‘One second to gather energy for Moonlight Flash, and a one-second cooldown. In other words, I can use Moonlight Flash every two seconds.’
A skill he could once use every ten minutes could now be used five times in ten seconds.
It felt like he had gained another ultimate move.
‘Now, if I just get the experience reward for completing the escort and the separate reward from the dwarves….’
There was nothing more to gain from the dwarven caravan.
“Alright, we've dealt with the monsters, so let's start hunting for traitors again!”
The search for traitors resumed, and a few were killed.
However, it seemed some of the traitors were assassins, as they skillfully slipped away using invisibility during each search.
[Current Personnel Status]
└Participants: 190
└Traitors: 5
“Ha, there are only ten minutes left, but there are still five traitors remaining?”
“Is there anyone we haven't attacked yet?”
“I don't know, I think we've stabbed everyone….”
“Damn, even when we attack each other to find the traitors, no one gets caught.”
They had conducted several searches while fending off 29 of the 30 monster waves.
And yet, the traitors remained undiscovered.
They could easily avoid detection by moving away during the searches or, if they were assassins, by using invisibility skills.
‘With 200 people, it's not a small group, so finding them must be incredibly difficult.’
Moreover, with monster attacks every ten minutes, there was no time to spare for finding traitors.
Of course, they could conduct a full investigation whenever they had a moment.
‘But for that to happen, someone would have to take charge, and no one is stepping up.’
They were busy enough dealing with the orc attacks; who had the time or energy for that?
And even if they did split up the time to investigate, nicknames weren't visible, making it impossible to remember everyone individually.
As a result, the players were deeply troubled.
“Hmm, are you sure we've stabbed everyone?”
“I'm telling you we have. We've tried more than ten times now.”
“Then why are there still five traitors left, is what I'm asking.”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Then who should I ask? Huh?”
“Did this bastard just get informal with me?”
“What? This bastard? You son of a bitch.”
Perhaps exhausted from fighting orcs, everyone was on edge.
“Stop! Everyone, stop fighting!”
Someone stepped in to mediate the heated atmosphere.
“Fighting like this isn't going to solve anything.”
“Then do you have a better idea?”
“First, we need to talk and see if there's anyone we haven't stabbed.”
“I told you, we've stabbed everyone!”
“What about Black Scythe? Have you stabbed Black Scythe?”
“Black Scythe?”
“Stab Black Scythe?”
“Would that even be possible unless you're crazy?”
“So no one's stabbed him?”
“I wouldn't dare. Heh heh.”
“What if Black Scythe is a traitor? My head would fly off.”
“True.”
“So that's a no, right? No one?”
The murmurs reached Ryu Min's ears.
All eyes were on him.
‘They seem to be suspecting me.’
At this point, someone would step up and take the lead.
Right now.
“If you don't have the guts to stab him, should I?”
“Go ahead and try.”
Ryu Min answered immediately, as if taking the bait.
“Stab me if you have the nerve.”
“…”
The player flinched at his murderous aura but then burst out laughing.
“Th-Threatening me like that, you must be a traitor. Haha.”
“When did I threaten you?”
“D-Didn't you just glare at me like you'd kill me if I stabbed you?”
“Should I smile at someone who suspects me? I'm human too; it feels bad to be suspected.”
Ryu Min said again, feigning a displeased expression.
“If you want to stab me, go ahead.”
People like that were all talk and no action.
Ryu Min understood this and deliberately acted tough.
And just as he expected, the guy who had been shouting confidently began to back away like a puppy being scolded by its owner.
There was no one here with enough nerve to stab Ryu Min.
‘But that doesn't mean the suspicion has completely disappeared.’
Just as Ryu Min predicted, people started murmuring.
“Seeing that reaction, isn't it possible Black Scythe really is a traitor?”
“No way.”
“So has really no one stabbed him, not even once?”
They tried to speak quietly, but Ryu Min heard everything.
However, it seemed Ryu Min wasn't the only one who heard the murmurs.
“There's no need to suspect Black Scythe! I've already stabbed him.”
Someone was defending Ryu Min.
It was none other than Min Ju-ri.
At her claim, the players who had been benefiting from her buffs mumbled, “Oh, uh…”
“Did you really stab him, Buffer?”
“Yes. It's true. I stabbed him, but it just bounced off with a *ting* sound.”
“Hmm, if the Buffer says so…”
It's more effective when someone else defends you than when you claim your own innocence.
As if to prove this, the players accepted it and turned away.
Reading their thoughts, Ryu Min couldn't help but be inwardly surprised.
‘The guys who were just suspecting me completely dropped their suspicions after one word from Min Ju-ri.’
It seemed their consciences wouldn't let them suspect the Buffer after already suspecting Black Scythe.
Having received free buffs from her until now, that was only natural.
‘This is surprisingly hurtful to my pride. She's better at handling people than I am.’
Is it that attracting people with good influence is more effective than subjugating them with force?
Unaware that she had thrown his mind into turmoil, Min Ju-ri giggled and whispered in a quiet voice.
“Black Scythe. I did well, right? Don't worry. I'll keep your secret about being a traitor.”
“A traitor? I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Aw, you don't have to play innocent with me.”
Min Ju-ri smiled brightly, humming a tune as she walked away.
She was moving away to avoid suspicion from being seen talking with Black Scythe.
‘She's absolutely thrilled. Did she want to help me that badly?’
Having always received help from Black Scythe, Min Ju-ri couldn't contain her joy at finally being able to help him.
However, not far away, Seo Ah-rin was watching.
Her face was filled with regret for not being the one to defend him.
Ryu Min could only facepalm at the situation.
‘Why am I surrounded by people who are so eager to help me?’
When in reality, Ryu Min didn't need any particular help.
Just then, people's shouts were heard.
“Monsters! Monsters!”
“They're appearing again with only ten minutes left!”
Ryu Min knew.
This was the final attack.
‘Since it's the last one, shall I wipe them all out?’
*Duuung-*
A curtain of darkness covered the entire area.
Using Night of Death, he massacred the orcs with a 50% increased attack speed.
And for the finishing blow, of course.
*Kiiiiing-*
‘Moonlight Flash.’
*Flash-*
The unleashed flash of light wiped out fifteen orcs in a straight line at once.
[You have leveled up!]
His level had already reached 62.
Even without the experience reward, it was a pretty satisfying growth rate.
After completely annihilating the orc horde.
[Time to destination: 00:00:00]
As soon as the timer hit zero, the dwarven caravan stopped their wagons.
“Warriors from another world, thank you. This is as far as the escort needs to go. We've passed the dangerous section.”
Heimer raised a short arm and pointed ahead.
“Our destination is over there. We'll go the rest of the way ourselves, so you may all return. Thanks to you, we were able to transport our goods safely. Thank you again.”
Heimer, who had been repeating his thanks, suddenly got down from the wagon and walked somewhere.
Following his gaze, there was Ryu Min, transformed into Lost Ark.
Heimer took Ryu Min's hand, expressing his personal gratitude.
“Warrior from another world, no. One who walks ahead. Thank you so much for saving my life.”
“Don't mention it.”
He acted cool on the outside, but inwardly, Ryu Min was full of anticipation.
Hoping for the reward he was waiting for.
And sure enough, Heimer took something out from within his clothes.
“It's nothing compared to the value of a life, but I would like to repay you. Please accept this.”
Far from refusing, Ryu Min snatched it up.
[You have received 'Rune Fragment of Durability' as a reward from the Dwarf Blacksmith Heimer.]
He used it immediately, just in case Heimer asked for it back.
[Using 'Rune Fragment of Durability'.]
[The acquired rune is automatically engraved onto the player's body!]
[Rune of Durability]
-Effect: The durability of equipped items recovers by 1 per second.
At the long-awaited reward, a wide grin split Ryu Min's lips.
‘Yes. Now I won't have to ask Russell to repair durability anymore.’
He used to return to the real world to get the Orb of Eternal Slumber repaired, but now that was no longer necessary.
Because now he could restore durability on his own, without a blacksmith.
‘With this, I can wear the Orb of Eternal Slumber and raise my stats indefinitely.’
However, in the real world, he would rarely use the orb.
Because the stacks only increased when he killed monsters.
‘Some might think you can raise stacks by killing mealworms, but mealworms aren't monsters. They're insects.’
Only things like the Rune of Slaughter, which activates upon killing a target, would apply to mealworms.
‘Not that I can't use it in the real world at all.’
I said he would rarely use the orb, not never.
That meant monsters also appeared in the real world.
“Well then, One who walks ahead. I hope we meet again.”
After saying that, Heimer led the caravan away.
Once the caravan had disappeared from sight, the same message appeared before all the players' eyes.
[You have safely escorted the dwarven caravan to its destination.]
[Quest 'Escort the Dwarven Caravan' completed.]
[In a moment, all participants will receive experience as a reward for the successful escort.]
[The amount of experience given is double that of the monsters hunted by you and your party members.]
“Whoa, is this for real? Double the experience for all the mobs we've killed?”
“That's a lot, isn't it?”
“Since we're in a party, everyone will get it, right?”
Failing to find the traitors was disappointing, but the promise of double experience lifted the players' spirits.
Soon, as the rewards came in, cries of admiration were heard from all around.
Min Ju-ri and Seo Ah-rin were no exception.
“Wow, the experience is pretty sweet. Black Scythe, I'm already level 38.”
“Is that so? Congratulations.”
“What level did you get to, Black Scythe?”
“Me?”
As Ryu Min's lips moved, Min Ju-ri asked again.
“I'm sorry, what did you say?”
Wondering if she had misheard him.
“Level 70.”
It was, after all, a shocking level to reach.