Suspicious Cries and the Hidden Lair
"That way......"
"What's wrong? Is there a reason we shouldn't go there?"
"No, sir. We'll prepare."
The knights clearly didn't want to go, but with Vulcan insisting so strongly, they had no choice. If they refused, it would raise suspicions. There was no excuse not to go.
So the decision was made quickly. Though exhausted, the knights, soldiers, and priests finished reorganizing.
They began moving toward the direction Vulcan had pointed.
They're stalling.
Of course, it wasn't completely swift. As Tud said, they were dragging their feet, moving sluggishly.
But that changed nothing. Even if it took a little longer, the march had begun, and Vulcan cut down every monster they encountered, heading straight for the destination.
"......Waaah, waaah."
Then, the suspicious cries from the quest started to echo. Faint sounds like a baby's wails.
"Everyone, battle ready!"
The moment everyone noticed, the formation shifted to combat stance. As if they knew enemies were coming, the knights surrounded the group in a defensive posture.
"It's a gnoll village."
Moments later, crudely built huts came into view. A habitat for gnolls—hyena-faced humanoid monsters like those Vulcan had seen in the Raseu lord's private hunting grounds. Intelligent enough to use human-like weapons, their lifestyle resembled humans in some ways.
"Grrrrowl—!"
"Arf arf!!"
"Shields forward!"
Vulcan's group and the village gnolls spotted each other almost simultaneously. With murderous growls, the gnolls charged, and the knights responded with practiced skill. Just like before, they divided roles to block attacks, creating openings for Vulcan or preparing counterstrikes.
Putting on a show.
But Vulcan watched them coldly. He knew this wasn't real combat—it was theater.
Can't wait to hear their excuse for an empty village.
The village was deserted. There were quite a few attacking gnolls, and unlike in Raseu, each one had decent combat power, but for the village's size, this was barely patrol numbers—woefully insufficient.
"Take them out."
Of course, it wasn't just a handful. Dozens of heavily armed gnolls lunged forward. At Vulcan's command, the knights swung their swords more aggressively.
It was fierce, but laughable. Pretending to struggle against such foes.
They're weak.
They probably gathered only the weak ones.
The fight ended quickly. With elites on their side, it was expected. But that wasn't all. Despite heavy armor and berserk charges, they felt oddly feeble.
A normal person might credit the knights' skill, but Vulcan and Tud, knowing the backstory, saw through it.
"Just these?"
"Yes, sir. Seems so. The others must be out hunting or smartly fled. We've killed plenty of monsters so far."
One skirmish, and the gnoll village's defenses crumbled. Vulcan, new to the area, wouldn't know the original numbers, so this was their ploy to gloss over it.
The intent was obvious, but without proof, he couldn't press. Accusing them of colluding with monsters without evidence would just make him look crazy.
"Here! Pups!"
"These must be the source of the cries!"
Before Vulcan could order a search, some knights already scouring the village shouted, drawing eyes.
Gnoll pups. The eerie, infant-like wails came from gnoll young.
"Hmm. I see."
You have completed the Main Scenario Quest 'Investigate the Suspicious Cries'.
The identity revealed, the Main Scenario Quest completed. Suspicious as hell, but it met the conditions.
But Vulcan wasn't satisfied.
"The other gnolls are out hunting?"
"Yes, sir. Seems that way."
Fled, too—but that didn't make sense. Gnolls cherished their pups. If fleeing, they'd take them.
"Wait for them to hunt and take them out?"
The knight who first suggested the direction now gauged Vulcan's mood. Willing to help if wanted, but questioning the need.
"Yeah, that's it."
Vulcan smirked. He'd seen something while waiting at the lord's castle.
The knights entering the Beast Forest first, talking to gnolls. Probably instructing them to hide while Vulcan was in the forest.
Intelligent gnolls could negotiate with humans.
But Dragon Eye showed few gnolls nearby. Some huddled close, but not enough for the whole village.
Where were the rest?
"Blessing of Strength."
Vulcan buffed himself and leaped high. Soaring like a hawk, he targeted a gnoll pup and dove.
"Judgment Strike."
"Agh?!"
"Whoops, hand slipped."
BOOM!!
His fist shook the earth—no, collapsed it. Hitting beside the pup created a sinkhole, sucking in nearby allies.
Hidden floors echo differently.
Dragon Eye had spotted the underground space and hidden presences, but even without, he'd felt odd vibrations walking the village. Cleverly dirt-covered, but hollow with wood bracing changed the footfall.
The Main Scenario Quest has been updated.
You have received the Main Scenario Quest 'Investigate the Suspicious Cave'.
The secret space exposed, the "completed" quest updated. This was the real path.
"Hmm. An underground space?"
The knights, tense and watching Vulcan, tumbled down too. Vulcan landed fine—intentional—but others panicked.
Now what'll you do?
Not pain or surprise at the space. Their hidden secret was busted.
The knights' eyes darkened. Whether Vulcan knew didn't matter now. Block entry? Play dumb? Choose.
"Viscount, you alright?"
The knight checking him trembled slightly. Undecided. Or scared.
Vulcan had farmed easy EXP thanks to them, but they'd witnessed his raw power. Simple move, but lethal if turned on them.
"I'm fine. Did you know about this space?"
Vulcan forced the choice. He could solo, but no need for a backstab risk. Proper fight, he'd win—but ambush could hurt. Revival was easy, but they'd scheme meanwhile. Can't revive in rejected villages.
They could hide evidence if committed.
"......No idea. Our apologies."
Short hesitation. Play dumb.
"Yeah? Lead on. Gotta investigate."
"Yes, sir! Everyone, exploration prep! Scout ahead!"
Vulcan watched their act. Giving chance, but using them as vanguard.
"Wedge formation! Crush anything that appears and advance!"
Unlike before, priests rear, knights/soldiers probed. Gnolls attacked; he didn't join.
No more EXP from trash. Let them clear safely to the end.
Knights pushed harder. Kill before gnolls talked? No waiting for Vulcan—charge, spam skills, instant kills.
Start infighting?
Not really. Humans using them one-sidedly. Slip in at right time, grab proof.
Vulcan watched leisurely. Found space without lifting finger, drained both sides.
Didn't want them killing the last ones—Dragon Eye saw "real" ones ahead. Black-aurad beings, not gnolls.
Time to warm up.
As black clumps neared, Vulcan loosened up. Knights might not handle; traitors unpredictable.
"Blocked!"
Deeper in, sword gripped ready—lead scout yelled.
"......Huh?"
Blocked? By what? Vulcan blinked, focused on evil aura via Dragon Eye—missed the massive iron door filling the passage.
"Ugh! Won't budge."
"Too heavy!"
Not lying—ground cratered under pushing knights. Real effort, but immovable.
Magic?
Not magic. Dragon Eye: no defense spells. Auto-open enchantment, maybe.
Vulcan considered pushing—no dice. His strength epic, but group couldn't budge; extra useless.
"Won't move. Call for backup?"
Knight suggested to watching Vulcan. All tried; fetch help?
Like leaving fish to cats.
No. They'd bolt, enemies flee/destroy evidence, stall him.
"I'll try."
Only option: try himself. Vulcan tensed abs, charged door.
Stop!!
Tud missed the lunge.
"Power of Fire, Focused Strike, Judgment Strike!"
Smash. Shatter. All attack skills slammed door.
"Guh?!"
CRASH!!
But spark explosion—Vulcan rebounded. Not just shock—vomited blood, HP plummeted.
Wh-what?!
Tsk tsk, should've checked material. Thornsmelt.
Then Vulcan realized. No magic, but door mixed with Thornsmelt—cursed metal reflecting damage. Hard to smelt, but castable for big doors.
"Viscount, you okay?!"
"Priests! Heal now!!"
Head spun. Massive HP loss instant. Reflection—no follow-up; priests healed quick. But Vulcan scowled.
His damage bad, but door barely dented. Too thick; few hits useless.
What now......
No answer. Ten, twenty hits might crack—but unknown depth; reckless in traitor midst. One betrayal, dead.
All effort wasted.
No way?
Ahem. My time to shine.
Tud posed, hands on hips.
Lord Tud? A way?
Ahem. Wait, hungry... forgot.
......Didn't I say I'm hiring a chef?
Tud wheedled chocolate at Vulcan's reaction—but whatever, buy tons. Worth more than chocolate.
Here, take it!
Gulp! Tail-smacked Vulcan's head, Tud flew up, arms spread wide.
Something big? Magic? Radin block power?
You have received the Job Quest 'Path of the Master Artisan'.
"......What?"
Tud's big reveal: Job Quest. Like 100/149, now 200-level.
Strength? Trial? Face soured—but odd.
You have completed the Job Quest 'Path of the Master Artisan'.
Received and completed instantly. New 200-level Job Quest rewards—skills—unfurled before Vulcan's eyes.