Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 30
>Chapter Title: Overheard Gossip
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>Thud-.
Keeek! Kee!
It was a giant centipede.
The massive creature lurking behind the rock had been biding its time, aiming to sink its venomous fangs into Do-hyun's neck.
Do-hyun grimaced as he grabbed its head.
"Damn insects are always sneaky, no matter where you go."
Their tactics never changed, whether in Delrock or God Ose.
In Delrock, no insect-type monster fought fair or clean.
They looked disgusting, and their behavior was just as repulsive.
Knowing this was a hunting ground crawling with such bugs, Do-hyun had anticipated their ambush patterns from the start.
They always struck when players let their guard down.
Crack-.
Even after he crushed its head with a burst of strength, the thing still writhed, trying to slither away.
True to its insect nature, it had tenacious vitality.
Stab, stab-.
A couple of thrusts with his greatsword finally brought up a cheerful alert.
[You have defeated the Giant Centipede of the Forest.]
[Swordsmanship proficiency has risen to LV10.]
[Your level has increased.]
The battle was finally over.
Do-hyun swept up the miscellaneous drops from his hunt and checked his status.
'Didn't expect proficiency to level up too.'
His axe proficiency had risen earlier—Weapon Master was definitely worth it. Proficiency shot up at an insane rate.
That meant his sword damage was now up by 10%.
At this pace, he'd be overpowered, but God Ose wasn't that forgiving.
'Damage stops rising easily after LV10.'
Weapon proficiency gave 1% damage per level up to 10.
From 10 onward, it was 1% every two levels, and the proficiency needed per level skyrocketed.
It got ridiculously harder with each one.
Most players aimed for the 20s at best—that said it all about the grind.
'Long road ahead.'
Proficiency requirements would only climb higher, so plenty of work left.
Anyway, that was for later....
Do-hyun shook off his sword and opened his status window.
[Player: Kaiser]
[Level: 19]
[HP: 2,110 / 2,450]
[MP: 320 / 600]
[Stamina: 170 / 350]
[Class: Last Adventurer [Apostle of Kashiar]]
[Titles (3)]
- Max Affinity from the Start?
- First Slayer
- Throne of Time Attack
[Stats]
[Strength: 35(+38)] [Agility: 35(+37)] [Vitality: 5(+37)] [Senses: 22(+36)] [Mana: 5(+34)]
Remaining Points: 49
"Already up two levels."
He'd heard leveling got tough in the West Forest, yet he'd gained two in under an hour.
Other players wouldn't believe it.
From level 17, EXP bars ballooned, and parties were standard at the west gate—so one level per hour was impressive.
Even for skilled parties.
Mismatched teams could take two hours.
Do-hyun had doubled that in one hour—utterly insane growth.
"A bit of a hassle, but it's a honey pot. They attack fine despite Intimidation."
Not sure if they trusted terrain or what, but they came at him without needing to hunt them down. Pure bliss.
Only possible because Do-hyun could one-shot them.
Average players would've been paralyzed by their ambushes.
Their escapes?
No issue for Do-hyun with Backstab and Charge Slash. If he spotted them, they were done.
'Backstab really is a cheat skill.'
Insane damage, mobility, high utility combo instant-cast—and Heroic tier?
Cooldown just 50 seconds?
With skill haste gear later, down to 40. No escaping then.
Balanced because Assassins got it, but standalone? Pure cheat.
'And if I snag a Mage's 'that' or a Swordsman's 'this'?'
Every class had one.
The kind where you think, "OP if another class had it."
Not quite Backstab-level, but contextually better sometimes.
Mixing a few with Backstab painted a picture.
'Yeah, I see it. Balance in shambles.'
Of course, only if he could get them—but with Eye of Truth, it was just time.
His second chance was near.
'One more level, and it's draw time.'
Just one to 20 for the second Random Skill Ticket.
Back then, he'd waited without hype. Always duds anyway.
He obsessed over fixed-grade tickets instead.
That's why no Legend skills.
'Legends only from Randoms.'
Meaning, up to 100, countless draws from levels, quests, hidden pieces—no Legends.
Godlike bad luck!
His Kaiser luck—cursed by gods.
'Can't wait.'
But this God Ose run was different!
He had the ultimate unique trait: Eye of Truth!
What grade would drop? Excitement bordered on thrill.
Delrock denied it to Kaiser... no, God Ose's one true drug!
He was imagining that moment when—
Ding-.
[You have completed exploration of the West Forest.]
[Go to Linda and report the situation in the West Forest.]
"Huh?"
The sudden alert led him to check the quest—conditions met.
Twenty giant bugs done ages ago. One quest left.
[Lost Pendant]
-Rank: Common+
-Description: Camilla's plea—her cherished pendant stolen by a cat. Find it outside the west gate for the girl.
-Lost Pendant (0 / 1)
-Clear Rewards: 1 Gold, EXP, Camilla's Small Gift
-Failure Risk: Emily's affinity may drop.
-Time Limit: 28 hours
The west gate's only Common+ quest.
Not hard at all.
Opposite, really.
'Spot's well-known.'
Just grab it from the guidebook coords.
Could do anytime, so he prioritized others.
Crunch crunch.
Shaking off thoughts, Do-hyun followed the guide.
Ten minutes later, people clustered ahead.
Closer, and murmurs hit.
"Come on, everyone line up."
"We're all squeezing in busy time—no cutting."
It was a line.
Players queuing for the pendant caught on a tree branch.
Popular easy quest, one item—natural bottleneck.
'Respawns 10 seconds after pickup, right?'
Barely anything solo, but crowds changed that.
Ten people? Over 100 seconds.
Bad timing wasted playtime.
Why Do-hyun skipped it earlier.
Line was brutally long then.
'This one's doable.'
Only six ahead.
One minute—fine.
Dazed in line, chatter from ahead.
Familiar names dropped.
"Hey, heard those bullies got a kill order?"
"Assassin Boy and his asshole crew? Yeah, serves 'em right."
"Full guild bounty—they can't even log out, just taking it."
"Tsk tsk, should've played nice. Their crap was nauseating."
Assassin Boy. Bullies.
Do-hyun knew them.
'Those PKers? Bounty already?'
He'd thrashed them hard—how could he not know.
But a guild bounty? Surprising.
'Guilds don't bother unless it profits... hit the wrong nerve?'
Even from other RPGs, Do-hyun knew: bounties for gain or revenge only.
Obvious.
Chasing anywhere for endless kills? Massive manpower, resources, time.
'All money.'
No point for small fry.
Unless profit or to not look weak against threats.
Sure enough, Do-hyun nailed it.
"But I hate Hero Guild simps too. How many dirty tricks they pulled?"
"Yeah, dungeon control, quest hogging... don't like it? Crush 'em. Hero name, villain moves."
"No clue why they're popular."
"Fanbase. Guild master's got celeb-level fans—two-thirds women...."
"Tough in front of Execution Guild, tsk. No lions, foxes rule."
"Shh. Too loud."
They glanced around; Do-hyun played oblivious.
Worked—their voices dropped, but talk continued.
'Hero Guild... Delrock had their type.'
Heroes Guild?
Started noble: aid weak, defy strong.
'Yeah, at first.'
Then money corrupted them.
Front: saints. Back: scum.
They'd sent assassins after Do-hyun.
No beef, but his unyielding stance irked them.
Planned to crush someday—no need.
'Game died, they bailed.'
Heroes Guild, Hero Guild.
Coincidence?
"Image wash via PK hunts—not new. Tsk. Trash catching trash, yet fans lap it up...."
"PK fatigue's real."
"Yeah, saw that Assassin bitch's post—victim cosplay by perps."
"Kek, exactly. Mentioned Kaiser or something?"
Silent listener Do-hyun flinched.
Why his name here?