Unfortunately (2)
As soon as we entered the rift, the forest landscape shifted dramatically. The territory of the vampire, Count Askyura. Fallen land intertwined with Russia's coniferous forests. The two spaces blended perfectly, split right down the middle.
...The scenery didn't matter.
Crazy, it's even colder?!
It was because the trees had rotted away. The icy wind slapped my face head-on.
"!"
But ever so kindly.
As if to say, don't freeze to death.
I had no choice but to move.
"Grrrraaah...!!"
A wolf infected by Count Askyura's blood.
True to its level, it moved with blinding speed. Far beyond any goblin.
But thanks to the vampire's corrupted blood, its race had become demonkin.
Predator-Prey Relationship
You're not the only fast one.
Clack—
I effortlessly dodged the charging wolf's attack.
I recalled the quest objective.
'Announce the start of the hunt.'
Just hunt one demon, and the goal is met.
No hesitation.
I spun my body.
And struck the wolf as it passed.
Naturally, my weapon was a silver dagger.
Swish—
"Grrrng!"
The sharp blade sliced its hind thigh.
Blackish blood oozed from the wound.
Unlike the imp, its reaction was muted.
No wailing in agony like that imp.
Not because of the level.
The wolf was twenty levels higher than the imp.
But my level had risen too. From 12, plus the class quest stat boosts...
That strike must've done real damage.
Proof was in its limp.
Yet it still bared its fangs...
I knew why.
"Foolishly, thou hast chosen the wrong master to serve."
Undying loyalty to Count Askyura, no doubt.
Of course, that's just the lore.
Not that this wolf truly serves him.
Just Arcana's vampire setting.
I despise vampires.
Because they're insidious.
Demons who crave packs.
Corrupting with blood, forcing servitude.
Hating humans yet craving their ways.
A memory from Akkshan NPC chats.
I added to the NPC's words.
"How foolish. Like true demons."
Count Askyura.
Knows one truth, blind to two!
True nobility isn't about adulation or grand castles.
It's pride in one's heart.
Unyielding in any trial.
Grace that endures water on silk.
Dignity defying muscle aches.
Stubborn refusal of padding, even unto death.
Like some certain someone.
Swish—
The fight didn't last long.
Though inwardly cursing both Askyura and Grandfell.
My vision was sharper than ever.
"I loathe thy kind."
Five levels up to 72.
I could feel the experience needed skyrocketing.
I checked the blinking quest window.
Hunt the Vampire
▲ ●Announce the start of the hunt. (Success)
●Instill the fear of being hunted. (In Progress)
First goal cleared, next popped up.
Instill the fear of being hunted.
True to a class quest.
No demon hunter would get it otherwise.
Make demons feel fear? Sounds ridiculous.
But I had demon hunter experience.
Not for nothing the last demon hunter.
Fear has kept humans alive.
Fear lets us flee stronger foes.
That's how we survived.
Quest-time NPC mental lectures.
But before demons, humans lose that fear.
Didn't get it then.
To hunt demons, conquer fear. Return it tenfold.
The fear of being prey!
Now I get it.
Post-lecture: brutal guts tests.
Quitters galore.
But chuuni me feared nothing.
Aced it.
Stab—!
Right, demons don't scare me.
Sniff.
Russia's biting Siberian high pressure does...
......
And now.
Tea time.
No cup needed? Because I could manifest one.
Scanned scattered rocks, interfered, manifested a cup.
NetTube insight: Alchemy skill.
Like ignition, Grandfell's brain turned it to magic.
Just a cup and hot water?
After days of racking brains...
Feels trivial.
Whatever.
This warmth is precious now...
*
"I have no tea to share with thee."
...What?
I wouldn't drink it anyway!
Leoni whispered seriously.
"...That guy's a NetTuber?"
Shake—
Guildmates shook heads.
"Then, a rookie? Super nova?"
Shake—
Eye contact, more shakes.
"Then what is he? Not a ranker."
Leoni scowled.
Totally off.
But not her intuition's fault.
Who'd guess one player made wolves howl in terror?
And that outfit? Bizarre.
Swish—
Leoni checked hers.
Even low rift, proper gear standard.
Demonkin here? Status resist accessories basic.
Yet.
...Suit? Shoes?!
And holding a teacup.
Gripped tight, like nothing could pry it away.
"Fucking weirdo."
Leoni fumed.
Fine, world's big, players varied.
Her own irritation.
Ego bruised. Shit.
Silent monsters terrified before him?
No combat watch, but still.
Competitive fire lit.
"Hmph."
Who cares about noise?
Strike first, clear first.
Leoni ignored him.
"...Lost again. Damn."
...Though he'd ignored them awhile.
Now curiosity piqued.
What's in that cup?
How's he sipping leisurely here?
...Tasty?
Slurp—
Leoni swallowed, snapped back.
No tea for you.
Really petty, won't drink anyway!
Leoni turned.
"Let's go."
"Said merging better earlier?"
"Changed mind."
"Aww~ sis mad? No tea?"
"Shut it. Said I wouldn't drink even if offered."
"...When?"
Some guildmates glanced back.
"Still risky solo?"
"Ask to join? Might know stuff."
"Nah? Confident type, suit and shoes in rift. Rude too? No tea, sure shares info."
"...Totally sulking."
Crack—
Leoni raised fist, continued.
"Bet he's my level."
"What...? Level?!"
"Yeah. Hidden ranker maybe."
Guild buzzed.
"Skal never shows face..."
Player rank 1, Skal. Veiled too.
Leoni waved off.
"Whatever. Treat as rival. Good warmup."
Her intuition? Way off.
Hoyeol under 80.
Warmup? No.
Swish—!
"!"
Air-ripping noise.
Arrow.
By Leoni's notice, already in guildmate's shoulder.
"Battle ready! Healers, treat wounded!"
Guild rank 32 berserkers.
Ambush? Switched seamlessly.
But...
"L-Leader. Way more than thought?!"
Glowing red eyes in dark.
Innumerable.
"Hawk Eye!"
Archer skill: extreme zoom.
Guildmate scouted.
"Blood-dyed bandits everywhere. Fully surrounded. And leader... 200 at least?"
Berserker guild: 45 total.
Outnumbered.
Humanoids too. Tricky.
"Now that's a new update!"
"Real deal starts?"
"No hunting needed. Perfect."
Leoni, guild battle-hardened.
Berserker name no joke.
Leoni raised dual swords.
"Incoming, kids."
Block arrow volley, charge.
Her plan.
Numbers irrelevant vs level gap.
Tanks hold, she breaks encirclement.
Enough.
Her estimate.
But wait.
Glanced back.
...What about him?
Saw him there.
Leoni gasped.
"That guy's insane?!"
Saw arrows rain, yet.
Still clutching teacup.
*
I sipped, watched.
Arrow pierced player's shoulder.
Presences all around: surrounded.
That many? Arrows incoming plenty.
Obviously.
No plate armor, shield, or allies like theirs.
But fine.
Then arrows flew at me.
Shooo—!
I eyed empty cup.
"Outdoor tea isn't bad."
Well-founded confidence.
Interference target: teacup in hand.
Interference to manifestation seamless.
So I manifested magic.
"Petty use or not."
Cup form shifted.
Crack crack—
Soon, broken arrows rained at my feet.
"Its power is no trifle."