Quest: The Curtain God's Final Trial

A new quest that hadn't existed in the original settings. As befitting a quest created by a god, everything from the monster grades to the quest difficulty was top-tier. It was truly hellish.

And as if to prove the weight of that quest, the trial the Curtain God had given me was itself a World Quest.

But what mattered was the exact content of the trial the Curtain God had set.

"Accepting my trial, are you? Well, proving your capabilities is something any hero must do. Especially for someone like you who's stirred up all this trouble."

"Sounds like you're saying, 'Come at me if you dare.'"

"Kekeke…."

God's whims are impossible to predict.

I shook my head as I watched the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠favor shift.

As expected of a god—unlike regular NPCs, raising affinity with the Curtain God through the Affinity skill still seemed impossible.

"Just give me the quest already. Stop dragging it out."

At my words, the Curtain God plucked a small leaf from the tip of the wooden staff he held.

Tsssss…!!

The leaf began to smolder and emit smoke in an instant.

"Beyond the continent's straits lies a place called the Mugung Archipelago."

I furrowed my brow slightly at his words. I knew that place well.

A cluster of large and small islands accessible only by Jahalga's Black Fleet. From Tanome Ruins Island to Alphajal Dungeon, it was teeming with countless dungeons and monsters. But most importantly, one of the Six Great Dragons, Colmar, lived there.

"The place where Colmar, called the Dragon Beyond the World, resides? Not surprising for the Curtain God—you're connected to similar beings."

I sneered coldly.

"Keke, correct. Also known as the Dragon Sage, he's accomplished countless magical researches."

"What's the point of research when the world teeters on the brink of destruction? Besides, he doesn't share his results with the world—he just tests them on all the continent's lifeforms."

"By human standards, he might seem closer to evil than good… But the trial I'm giving you has ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nothing to do with him."

The Curtain God spoke in a low voice.

"Then?"

"At the end of the Mugung Archipelago lies a dungeon called Mangja's Labyrinth."

"Mangja's Labyrinth…?"

It was a name even I had never heard before. The Mugung Archipelago had so many dungeons that even across multiple playthroughs, there hadn't been enough time before the calamity descended to conquer them all.

To reach the archipelago, I needed the Black Fleet anyway… In my memories, I only lived as the Iron Kingdom's king, so using the Black Fleet required ending the continental war and toppling the duchy first.

"What do I do there?"

"Bring me a corpse."

"…?!"

For a moment, I wondered if I'd misheard and looked up at the Curtain God again.

"I understand your curiosity, but before the rules, I can't tell you much. There's a Gravedigger inside Mangja's Labyrinth. Meet him, and my trial will continue."

"Just getting to the Mugung Archipelago is a life-or-death gamble, and you want me to go without knowing the details?"

"God's trials are inherently harsh and sometimes incomprehensible."

Snap—

As he flicked his fingers, the curtain beside him parted, opening a dimensional gate.

Shiiiik—!

Something flew in through the gap and draped over my shoulders. It was the Shadow Cloak he'd shown me before.

"But gods aren't entirely heartless. They can grant a few graces to those undertaking trials, so take that cloak."

The moment the cloak draped over my shoulders, even without using divine power, I felt my form blur faintly.

"It's a good item, sure… But isn't this a bit stingy? I'm risking my life here."

"Keke, such greed… You're the one who was aiming for my neck just moments ago, yet you talk so smoothly."

But the Curtain God didn't seem displeased by my attitude; he rested his chin on his hand atop the jade throne and spoke.

"Divine relics aren't obtained so easily. You've already taken two from my report. A divine relic leaving this world is a hint about your journey."

"A hint?"

"First, Siren's Lips can be obtained in the Mugung Archipelago. If you're lucky, that is."

He extended one finger.

Siren's Lips was one of the three items needed for the deal with the Illusion Merchant in the White Swamp.

"How do you know about that?"

The Curtain God loves to peep. He might have glimpsed my quests. As if proving his absolute existence in the game, he was doing things even the developers couldn't.

"And second."

Ignoring my question, the Curtain God slowly extended his index finger.

"You know there's an outsider like you among the Veil members. Taking her to the Mugung Archipelago will help."

"I don't travel with anyone but those I trust for my business."

"You should bring her."

He called out to my back as I turned.

"The Veil hides, but it also peeps. Peeping reveals hidden truths. Truth is prophecy itself. She'll definitely be needed in the Mugung Archipelago."

"I said I don't bring anyone who's not a comrade."

"I never said comrade."

"…What?"

"The choice is yours, but don't forget—you've accepted my trial. One you must succeed."

Shwaaaak—!!

In that instant, the curtains lifted, and the scenery shifted.

The fierce battlefield from moments ago vanished, replaced by Asera Tanubiel staring at me in bewilderment.

"…The swamp."

Turning my head, I saw Isabel beside Asera as well.

What does it mean?

If bringing her wasn't as a comrade… Gods are never merciful. In the fight against calamity, they don't battle for humanity's sake or see humans as comrades.

Does it mean there might come a time when I have to sacrifice her?

Recalling the Curtain God's final words, I clicked my tongue and sheathed the Blood Alliance dagger in my bosom.

"What happened? You just vanished…."

"I met the Curtain God."

"…What?"

Isabel looked at me in shock.

"He told me to go to the Mugung Archipelago with you."

"M-Mugung Archipelago…."

"I sought the Curtain God's power. But before granting it, he gave me a trial. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠All I know is I must go to the Mugung Archipelago. Nothing more. Will you still come with me?"

She looked flustered at my sudden question.

"I'm not sweet-talking you into it. He said to bring you for reasons other than as a comrade. You might become a sacrifice, or I might have to take your life. Better to get a clear answer beforehand. Resolve that you might die for me."

At my words, she let out a disbelieving chuckle.

"Is that how you ask someone to come along?"

"What's wrong with it? I explained every reason and the proposal's purpose from one to ten."

Isabel Silver shook her head.

"…You're such a jerk."

Poke—

"If you hunt me down properly when I respawn with the full penalty…."

She prodded my side with her finger.

"I'll die for you."

"Good. Dying to a monster has lighter respawn penalties than PK. Easier to recover too."

"…Ugh!!"

Before crossing the swamp, I spoke to the Veil's leader standing there.

"We'll meet again after I complete the god's trial."

"You've accomplished in less than a day what the Veil has prepared for ages."

She gazed at the Shadow Cloak around me and bowed her head, unable to deny it.

"Less than a day?"

I shook my head at her.

"You have no idea. I've endured far crueler years than ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the despair you've seen and felt—several times over."

"…Pardon?"

"You've only just peeked your face out from hiding in the Veil, ignoring the truth. Don't say such things."

Asera Tanubiel, naturally, looked puzzled, unable to grasp my meaning.

"Grow the Yggdrasil seed well. That's your job. When I return, the Veil will follow me."

Leaving her behind, I walked into the fog.

"…You sure said that to Asera. It's practically a challenge to the Veil."

Isabel, following behind me, shrugged lightly.

"I fought the Curtain God. Humans… no, elves are no different."

"Really… You're someone who leaps far beyond what I can predict. Well, that's why you're even more intriguing…."

She mumbled the last part. Her pride as a Hidden Eater lingered, but she was definitely softer than before.

"So… now we head to the duchy? No ship but Jahalga's Black Fleet can get us there… The Mugung Archipelago is the highest difficulty spot right now, so we need solid prep."

"The Black Fleet is already ready."

As planned, Chan-ho and Jin-su should be waiting at the cliff with the Black Fleet, heading toward Salt Island.

"Even a god can peep at those before him but not grasp the big picture, it seems."

"…Ah!!"

Isabel Silver gasped softly, recalling our conversation with them before parting at Geshutalt.

"We're going to the Cliff of Lamentation."

I told the Hidden Eater.

"A trial? Such things don't exist. I've started the god's test, but I won't follow his will."

"…."

She stared at me, entranced by my words.

"Dungeons are just there to be cleared."