We Did It!
The moment the Denial of Faith was utterly destroyed, shattering Sharon's convictions, her attacks came to a halt.
But Vulcan couldn't yet claim survival as assured. Sure, about a second of invincibility remained, but with just 1 HP, even a flying pebble could finish him off.
If only he'd had proper armor—but every piece he'd worn had been smashed by her assaults. Hoping to live through that was like a thief praying for mercy.
Still, the quest...
No regrets lingered. Even if he died here, the quest wouldn't fail. With Tiran taking over, her contribution would earn hefty extra rewards.
Hell, his sacrificial spirit might even get higher praise that way.
So Vulcan could flash a grin even as strength drained from his limbs.
"...?"
Your HP is fully restored.
A divine protective power envelops you.
Just as he let his battered body rest, Vulcan's view darkened—not the black of death, but someone blocking his path.
"Tiran!!!"
Tiran had swiftly stepped in front of him. With her, a barrage of spells restored his HP to full and wrapped him in a shield nothing could breach.
"Save your mutterings for later. For now..."
The Denial of Faith's destruction hadn't weakened Sharon's power itself. She'd actually held back against Tiran, conserving strength with near-invincibility—meaning she had more raw power left than Vulcan.
"Take this."
Thwack!!
But that meant nothing. Tiran had no intention of turning this into a holy power duel.
Her slender arm whipped like a lash, smashing into Sharon's face. Despite her looks, the punch packed no mercy.
"Guh, urk..."
As Tiran's fist withdrew from Sharon's face, a few white grains tumbled free—teeth.
Her muscles smaller now, but not weaker—just denser. Tiran unleashed monstrous physical prowess, pummeling Sharon mercilessly.
"..."
Damn, she's beating the crap out of her.
Even battle-hardened Vulcan winced at the brutality.
Legendary Item Repair skill rank has increased.
Vulcan even averted his eyes. But hey, his skill ranked up thanks to hammering a 300-level Unique item—special powers and all—until it broke.
"Haa... my money... these were pricey pieces..."
But sorrow outweighed joy. The thorn under your nail hurts worst, after all.
Gazing at his shattered armor remnants, Vulcan slumped in despair.
Shit, how much gold do I even have left?
Too wrecked for repair—he'd need new gear. And with Item Master, higher level was better, even with crap options. High-level stuff cost a fortune, shitty options or not.
Recalling his balance and auction prices, he sighed deeply.
His weapon survived—small mercy—but refitting the rest would drain his savings.
Maybe trade contribution points for gear...
Auctions weren't the only way; temples traded items for points. But long-term, it sucked. Player calcs showed saving for top gear maximized value.
Still, maybe gold rewards too? Clutching his sour gut, Vulcan gathered what shards he could.
◈ Scraps from destroyed equipment. Can be melted down for a chance at recreating similar attributes.
Maybe salvage a coin or two. Worthless as scrap, but melting them for recrafting offered a shot at similar gear.
"Sorry, but we need those as evidence. Mind handing them over?"
As Vulcan pocketed even Denial of Faith shards, Tiran approached, job done.
It nullified holy power, so the Roona Temple wanted it for evidence and study.
"Mm, got it."
He'd wrecked the gear, but couldn't claim full ownership. Too big a deal, tied to main scenario quests—no greed would ruin that.
Definitely not spooked by knocked-out Sharon.
At least I snagged some.
She didn't demand the pre-pockets ones, so he had plenty.
"Thanks for yielding. And for the help."
Maybe gratitude for beating Sharon with his aid? Tiran's tone was polite now—unlike her half-condescending knightly vibe before, despite rank and level gaps.
"Heading back now?"
"Yes. Gotta treat those tainted by false divinity. Plans changed with the ambush foiled, criminal caught—we'll interrogate back home. And petition the lord for village rebuild."
Village burned, goblin plot's mastermind nabbed—escort her, alert lord, rush Regon repairs.
Fear another powerhouse might rescue Sharon too. Vulcan's power saved them this time, but another like him now? Doom.
No losing her, just survive—head to Rezina fast.
Scenario Branch Point Occurred
Main Scenario Quest 'Noble Sacrifice' has been canceled.
📍 New: Main Scenario Quest 'Heretic Interrogation' accepted.
With fires out and soldiers handling cleanup, the main scenario quest shifted.
Originally, Tiran sacrifices to seal with Sharon—but destroying Denial of Faith skipped that.
"And rewards for your deeds, Vulcan—we'll handle back home. Meager next to saving our lives, but I'll push for what you want. Can't give my heart, though."
Basically, Vulcan was her lifesaver. She acknowledged it, promising max accommodation.
The heart bit? No joke.
"Gold! Gold's plenty."
Tiran back to muscled form, Vulcan clarified: cash sufficed—lots of it.
"Gold, huh... You've researched well. Understood."
"...?"
Her reply felt off, but good enough. Tiran rallied the investigators for return.
Left soldiers for order in guard-less Regon—no big threats expected. Lord'd aid rebuild; surviving NPCs already quested players for it.
"That form earlier..."
Heading to Rezina, Vulcan's status upgraded—no cart fodder now. Got a horse (return on arrival), even unlocked Riding skill.
Placed upfront by Tiran, he queried freely.
"I'm still too weak to fully form my body. Shame as Roona's servant."
See? Told ya.
Her real form was that girl...
As Tud said, the petite girl was Tiran's true self. She forcibly pumped muscles with Roona's power normally.
Incomprehensible without temple ties.
"If you blab that secret..."
"N-no way. Uh, speaking of—how'd that gear nullify holy power? Never heard of it."
Tiran's killer aura hit; Vulcan switched topics to Denial of Faith.
"It's our order's shame, but you deserve to know. Made from a holy relic."
"Relic?"
"Yes. Sharon was one of us—trained with me. Failed High Temple Knight exam, but devout, talented. Then faith shook; she slipped."
"Slipped how...?"
"Stole the order's Grail of Might and fled. Twisted faith led her astray. We've tracked her secretly. Didn't expect this encounter."
Classic tale: Talented duo rises; one ascends, jealousy twists the other. Felt superior, raged at god promoting "inferiors."
But how'd that link to Denial of Faith?
"What's the Grail of Might?"
"Holy chalice. Accumulates essence of power over time. Drink for might, or infuse items to awaken new strength. Unworthy users suffer backlash."
Ah, explained the crap fullplate's insane option.
"But why nullify holy power? And unworthy can't use it?"
"Likely corrupted when she fell. Needs purification if recovered. Priority: retrieve so misused power—like that drop awakening huge strength—doesn't spread."
Vulcan's mind raced. Just one drop did that? Self-fills with essence?
If I could use it, I'd rake in cash...
Reeked of profit. Get it, infuse top gear despite conditions? Jackpot.
Hmph. Just transfers some power. Clear limits.
Tud grumbled at Vulcan's gleaming eyes, but he agreed—sorta.
But Legendary crafting + grail? Craft Legendary, infuse grail? Or essence as material? Monster gear.
Coveted it. Poker face on, he asked:
"She got the grail?"
"Interrogation'll tell. Not on her. Hidden, or with someone else. Her fall wasn't solo."
"Backers, huh."
Hint dropped. Main scenario wouldn't end simple. Without him, seal duo—impossible clear. But "Sharon solo villain" ending? Nah.
300-level rarity for NPC, but too weak final boss. No faction, weird using demon Pain Eaters for goblins.
Ending there? No. Backers expected. Tiran hinted it.
"Can I help?"
"You?"
"Yeah. Might overstep for Roona affairs, but seems bigger. Innocents dying if ignored—adventurer can't sit. If okay, I'll aid relic recovery."
Main scenario tie-in; probe got thoughtful nod, then yes.
"Fine. Official request as Roona guardian. Don't overreach against them. Share intel; we'll aid you."
"Of course."
Temple Quest 'Relic Pursuit'
📍 Assist: Roona Temple in recovering the Grail of Might.
🎁 Reward: Temple favor, potential divine blessings.
Innocent deaths or Roona's grace? Either way, relic hunt access.
"Decisive aid in recovery? All Roona offers in his name."
Jackpot.
No plans returning grail pristine. Drain essence first. Temple'd honor word.
Could bus level hard. Tough, but...
Roona weaker faction, but fighter-heavy. Party up, Mercy Strike leaves 10k HP—Vulcan finishes, levels soar.
Or priest buffs/heals farming monsters? Breeze past old level, chase rankers.
Relic quest no cakewalk, but his Dragon Eye pierced all. Near grail? Instant spot.
Smug grin.