Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 140
>Chapter Title: The Moon Bell
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Gamillion had said it.
That Sargis's lord was keeping a fragment of fate.
But he never imagined it would be *that*.
'No, what kind of fragment is that size?'
It was on a whole different level from the previous ones, starting with the scale!
And its position was way too blatant.
Left abandoned near the top of the castle, it looked like nothing more than a massive bell.
Without the Eye of Truth, could he have ever even imagined it was a fragment of fate?
"……Apostle? What is it?"
- Master? Why'd you suddenly bolt out like that?
- My lord!?
The voices of those who had hurriedly followed him from behind reached his ears.
Jay Ruddel in particular was being supported by the head butler, staring at him from afar with a puzzled look.
Only then did Do-hyun snap out of it and shake his head.
"Sorry. I had something to check for a moment."
"……The Bell of the Moon?"
"Well, it's my first time seeing such a mysterious and enormous bell. I thought I'd take a closer look. Sorry for worrying you."
"Hmm……."
The head butler and Jay Ruddel eyed him suspiciously, but soon nodded as if letting it slide.
Do-hyun hadn't done anything too outlandish, and from an apostle's perspective, it was understandable to be curious.
"……Uncle Jin often said he wanted to steal the Bell of the Moon too. It's natural to be amazed at first sight. Feel free to take a look."
"Thank you."
Was it because he was an apostle trusted and entrusted by Jin Ruddel?
After a brief moment of thought, Jay Ruddel graciously allowed time to admire the bell.
Seeing that confirmed it even more. No one knew the bell's true nature.
'……Yeah, the lord's keeping it without even realizing.'
It was just amusing that Gamillion's words weren't wrong.
Given that it had presumably been stored in the castle since ancient times, it was natural they'd just think of it as a bell.
'……Wait, then how do I take it?'
Would they really hand over a bell steadily preserved and passed down through generations?
Even if they did, it was too big—how would he carry it?
His head was already starting to ache, but first things first: absorb the yin energy and then figure it out.
[The Eye of Truth activates.]
'Why are you late this time?'
Right now, the hovering message in front of him was more annoying.
The notification that usually popped up promptly had lagged this time, so he only now realized the bell he'd seen upon first entering was actually a fragment of fate.
It was ridiculous, but he had a hunch why.
'The red glow is much clearer now.'
From outside the castle, it hadn't even given off a faint light.
More precisely, it emitted such a subtle red hue that it just looked like a regular red bell.
But up close like this, the vivid red glow was unmistakable.
To the point where he couldn't even sense where the blue was supposed to be.
'The Eye of Truth has a range after all.'
Strictly speaking, the Eye of Truth was a search skill.
It had worked flawlessly so far without issues cropping up, but of course it had a usage limit.
Which meant……
'It probably benefits from search range boosts too.'
Maybe he could even see it as a red bell thanks to the search range increase from his Competent Explorer title.
Thanks to that, he'd learned something new about the Eye of Truth.
'There might be more to it.'
As his unique trait, there were surely things even Do-hyun didn't know yet.
But that could wait—he'd learn eventually. Not worth worrying about now.
With the fragment of fate found and the enemies clear, Do-hyun had only one thing left to do.
And if he had to do it anyway……
"Lord."
"Yes."
"Those ghost soldiers are causing you trouble, aren't they?"
"……."
The lord froze at Do-hyun's sudden question, then gave a wry smile.
"Embarrassing as it is…… yes. Exactly. They're a huge problem. If I could, I'd kill them all right now."
"……."
"But it's impossible. No one wants to fight anymore."
It wasn't that they had zero forces.
Many soldiers had died to them, but Sargis wasn't so feeble as to lose all its strength from that.
"A fight where death is certain. Who would want that? Even the immortal apostles avoid it…… I have no right to send them to their deaths in a battle we can't win."
No one simply wanted to fight.
The moment they clashed with the outlaws, they'd end up as corpses or half-crippled wrecks.
As long as they didn't provoke them, the outlaws wouldn't invade.
A battle they couldn't win anyway—if avoiding it saved lives, who would throw theirs away?
"They have no obligation anymore. Especially since even the lord is hiding like a coward."
"Lord……."
"If I die, the head butler becomes lord. You're the only one I trust."
"Please don't say that. I'm a butler. In the past, now, and in the future—that won't change."
"I know my own body. I don't have much time left."
No fear or desperation showed on the lord's face as he spoke calmly in the face of death.
Just bitterness.
At not being able to stand before his people as lord.
At being able to do nothing but hope the war wouldn't erupt like this.
"If I have regrets, that's the biggest one."
It was too regrettable.
Do-hyun, who had been listening silently, finally spoke.
"What if there's a way?"
"……Pardon?"
"I think I can find a way to fight those guys."
"……That's impossible. Their chill aura freezes you to the bone the instant it touches you and burns out your nerves! Can't you see my condition!? Even if you're an immortal apostle, I can't send the one who brought news of Uncle Jin into the jaws of death."
Jay Ruddel shrieked in horror at Do-hyun's confident words.
But Do-hyun didn't care. Instead, he countered coldly.
"Jin Ruddel is buying time right now. But it's already been three years. Do you think it's good that he's doing it even in death?"
"……."
"He's at his limit. When that happens, they'll invade. Oh, and if he's caught before then, his soul might get torn apart."
Every word rang true.
Mentioning Jin Ruddel on top of that made Jay Ruddel grit his teeth in frustration.
Crunch.
"Then…… then what should we do?"
"I'll step in."
"……I don't understand. I can't even fathom how you'd overcome that chill, but even if you could, why risk it?"
"The world doesn't always run on calculations. It's just something I have to do."
"What does that……."
Jay Ruddel's mouth hung open in a daze as he met Do-hyun's gaze.
Do-hyun's eyes staring straight back held no hesitation.
Perhaps that's why.
Jay Ruddel, who had been wavering, squeezed his eyes shut and spoke while suppressing his emotions.
"……I'm a terribly shameless person. I thought I'd let it all go, but with a sliver of hope, I can't help but cling without shame."
"……."
"Could I…… dare to ask you?"
Ding-
[Special conditions fulfilled.]
[Linked quest 'Ruddel's Savior' has been created.]
[Ruddel's Savior]
-Rank: Hero+
-Description: One day, outlaws appeared.
Everyone who opposed them fell to a vicious disease or died horribly.
Now, no one dares fight them. The lord's condition can't be revealed, making it hard to request aid.
You are the only hope.
Drive out the outlaws aiming to conquer Sargis Castle and become the savior of Sargis and Ruddel.
If you do, Ruddel will never forget your grace.
-Quest Success: High-grade Skill Draw Ticket, Ruddel family's absolute support and favor, Ruddel's Conviction.
-Quest Failure: Sargis Castle may suffer a massacre.
Do-hyun clenched his fist at the quest that appeared after Jay Ruddel's words.
'Perfect.'
God Ose's linked quests didn't always generate automatically.
With AI so advanced it was hard to distinguish from real people, quests could appear or vanish based on the NPC's heart.
And Jay Ruddel had been in despair.
To get the quest, he needed to change the man's mind.
'If I have to take them on anyway, might as well snag the quest rewards too.'
Absorb the yin energy, grab the fragment of fate, and the quest rewards.
Kill two birds with one stone—well, more like four—and play savior while at it.
Great for them getting rid of their headache, great for him pocketing rewards. A win-win.
'……Master, you're too calculating. What happened to the world not running on calculations?'
'Tsk. This isn't calculating—it's wise.'
'I know you really wanted to help him, my lord, you lowly sword.'
'Riza!'
'Charlie, I always think this, but is your head a flower garden…… No, does the world look beautiful to you?'
Ignoring the chatter, Do-hyun gave a curt reply.
"Of course. It's my job."
"……Please, I beg you, Apostle."
With that, Do-hyun left the castle.
"Kaiser's out! Kaiser came out!"
"Gasp! Everyone, get……."
"Shh!! Keep it down. Didn't you see the forums? Mess with him wrong and you're deleted before you can log out."
The murmuring players' eyes locked onto Do-hyun.
They'd been waiting nonstop since he entered the castle—their numbers hadn't dwindled at all.
'Feels like there are even more now?'
Word must have spread, drawing more players.
Who wouldn't be curious about the first player to enter the castle in a year and a half?
Especially since it was the hottest topic, Kaiser.
'Kekeke.'
'They all seem to admire my lord…… Though a few impure gazes full of envy and jealousy are quite irritating…… Just give the order, and this lowly sword will handle them.'
'Riza, Riza!'
As Charlie said, some shot impure looks, but most were just curious about Do-hyun's actions.
Pure fandom, curiosity, anticipation, and more.
All sorts of reactions poured over Do-hyun.
"……What do you think? What quest did he get?"
"A castle that size must have huge rewards, right? What's inside? Rumors say it's full of gold, silver, and treasures."
"Nah, the lord's actually a dragon. It's a dragon lair keeping people out."
"Whatever it is, first clear's gotta be epic. So exciting."
"Please upload a NewTube video this time too……."
As the murmurs grew and their curiosity peaked.
Do-hyun, who had stood still without a twitch, finally moved. He quietly raised his hand, slowly extending it into the air.
"……Huh?"
"Eh?"
And then vanished.
Kaiser, along with those following him—all gone without a trace.
The players blinked in shock at the unforeseen event before realizing.
"……He logged out again, didn't he?"
"Push-pull genius King God Kaiser."
"Sass god……."
"Forbes' No. 1 man with the most perfect logout timing."
Kaiser had coolly logged out.