Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 33
>Chapter Title: The Suspicious Party
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>“Excuse me. Have you found a party yet?”
A low voice came from somewhere.
The words were polite, but they somehow felt blunt and tossed out casually.
That was why Do-hyun initially thought they weren’t directed at him.
He ignored it, but...
“...Excuse me?”
“......”
“The one wearing the Warrior Set?”
“?”
After the repeated calls grew specific enough, Do-hyun finally turned his head.
There stood a man with a slight frown. He seemed annoyed, thinking Do-hyun was deliberately ignoring him.
But as soon as their eyes met, the man quickly composed his expression and got straight to the point.
“Yes. If you haven’t found a party yet, would you like to join us?”
“...You mean with me?”
“Yes. It looks like you’re having trouble finding one... Why not party up with us if that’s okay.”
“You know I’m a Swordsman, right?”
“Of course. We’re actually higher level, but we’re doing this quest. Our gear is good, so that’s not an issue.”
“......”
“Seeing you even got the Warrior Set, you seem serious about God Oscar. Honestly, that kind of person is even better.”
As he spoke, the man flashed a kind smile.
Any trace of his earlier curtness was gone. At a glance, he looked like an angel who recognized Do-hyun’s sincerity and was extending a helping hand.
Do-hyun glanced back. The man’s companions, whose eyes he’d met, waved with bright smiles.
One mage and one tank.
‘That guy... a Swordsman?’
Perhaps noticing Do-hyun’s gaze on his sheathed sword.
The man scratched his head sheepishly.
“Haha... Truth is, I’m a Swordsman too. Couldn’t just pass by another Swordsman’s plight.”
“Ah.”
“Honestly, is there any job as appealing as Swordsman? Exterminate is basically Swordsman too, but they act like they’re above us...”
Do-hyun could sense the man’s bitterness from the way he ranted about how Swordsmen dominate late-game.
He even came across as a hopeful young man full of dreams.
Even with two Swordsmen, they had a mage and tank, and as the man said, their gear gleamed with at least Rare-grade items all over.
For Do-hyun, this was a situation where he should bow and join gratefully.
But what was this inexplicable chill?
‘Something smells off...’
He couldn’t put it into words, but every single thing—their kind expressions, speech, mannerisms, aura—rubbed him the wrong way.
And Do-hyun knew this discomfort all too well.
It was a sensation he’d felt countless times in Delrock.
“Swordsman?”
Perhaps sensing Do-hyun’s lack of response.
The moment their eyes met again, Do-hyun realized.
‘Ah, so that’s it.’
That the guy was wearing a mask right now.
He’d caught a familiar emotion in that glance just now.
It was hostility.
But it was so faint and ambiguous that even Do-hyun had been unsure.
‘What day is it today? These events keep popping up one after another.’
Unlike yesterday, which had felt as peaceful and warm as spring.
He’d just been diligently leveling up...
The moment he graduated from beginner city, events exploded—reasonable to suspect he’d been marked somehow. Do-hyun sighed inwardly.
‘Guess this is my fate.’
They were broadcasting their ulterior motives with their whole bodies, so wisely avoiding them would be smart, but...
‘Can’t shake the bad taste.’
Do-hyun wasn’t magnanimous enough to ignore someone showing him hostility and just walk away.
Forget payback—it simply left a sour feeling he couldn’t overlook.
How many times had ignoring stuff like this led to a snowball that exploded later?
“Ah, sorry. Caught me off guard... I’d be grateful if you would.”
“Haha, no problem. Then let me send the invite.”
And so Do-hyun donned his own mask.
Pretending ignorance, flashing an innocent smile, he shook the man’s hand.
Ding-.
['Bastard Sword' has requested to join your party.]
[Accept?]
He hit accept, and conversation paused as a translucent hologram window appeared bottom-left.
Then Do-hyun saw it.
['Bastard Sword’s' party is forming.]
[Party Leader]
- Bastard Sword
[Party Members]
- Dick Insertion Service
- Ultimate 10-Class Archmage Japchae
- Kaiser
The moment the party list appeared, Bastard Sword flinched.
The other two did too.
For a brief instant, the hostility in all their eyes deepened.
‘They know who I am.’
It was odd.
Do-hyun hadn’t done anything notable yet, and this was his first time seeing them.
He had no idea how they knew him in this situation.
But he’d find out soon. They’d spit it out soon enough.
“Then let’s head in. That okay?”
“Yes. I’m ready.”
“Going in~!”
With Bastard Sword’s spirited shout, they moved to the entrance, and soon a message appeared.
[Dungeon entry accepted.]
[Entering the dungeon ‘Goblin Chieftain’s Lair’ shortly.]
[Goblin Chieftain’s Lair]
- Grade: Rare
-Type: Standard Dungeon
-Description: The dwelling of a warrior who was a brave and legendary figure among the Green Goblins but was cursed and exiled from his tribe.
[Entry Limit: 4 Players]
[Entry Level Limit: LV24 or below]
[Entering the dungeon.]
‘Let’s see what they pull.’
Do-hyun waited calmly as the dungeon transfer began, and soon his vision flickered as they entered.
* * *
[You have entered the Goblin Chieftain’s Lair.]
“Hmm.”
Confirming the message, Do-hyun looked around and let out a soft exclamation.
The dungeon’s interior differed greatly from the outside.
Externally, it was just a cave plopped in the forest, but inside it truly felt like a habitat.
Like a cave turned into a living space?
Torches lined the walls neatly, and there were stairs and ornaments aplenty.
‘Could believe a native tribe lives here.’
It was developed enough to rightly be called the chieftain’s lair.
Next, Do-hyun checked his party members.
They might reveal their true colors now that they were inside.
“Oooh, this place has some vibe.”
“A chieftain’s place is on another level.”
“For us, that’s like the president~ Gotta be this tidy.”
“Yeah, makes sense. Heh heh.”
But contrary to expectations, they chatted casually with innocent faces.
As if too busy sightseeing to pay Do-hyun any mind.
It was so natural that even someone inexperienced might wonder if he’d misread them.
Even Do-hyun had that fleeting thought.
‘I’ll find out watching.’
Whether his instincts were right would reveal itself as they cleared the dungeon.
They hadn’t done anything yet, at least.
As he scanned the surroundings and walked slowly,
Kirik? Kirik!
“Eh?”
Rounding a corridor corner, they encountered two goblins.
At less than 20 meters away.
Caught off guard, the goblins screeched their signature cries as Bastard Sword drew his sword.
“Scouts, huh.”
“No need for positions. I’ll handle it.”
With that, Bastard Sword lunged forward.
His sword glided smoothly like skating on ice, slicing the goblin’s waist.
It was Charge Slash.
A basic skill every Swordsman picked up, and he had it too.
Slash-!
‘Hmm?’
But his Charge Slash was unusual.
After the initial charge, he slid a bit further and slashed once more.
‘A trait?’
Unclear if it was an innate ability or trait, but it was a phenomenon absent in Delrock, so one or the other.
Kieek!
The goblin, taking the opener, growled furiously and leaped at him, but it never reached Bastard Sword.
Clang-!
Dick Insertion Service had appeared with shield raised.
Stunned that its full-force strike was so easily blocked, the goblin’s face went blank.
“Ooh, nice. Didn’t need the help though.”
“Gotta do something or I get itchy. You get the other one.”
“Fine... Huh?”
Boom! Kyaek!
Before Bastard Sword finished, a fireball flew in, engulfing the remaining goblin.
The power was immense; the goblin writhed in agony.
Seeing it roll on the ground wreathed in flames, the two turned back simultaneously.
There stood Ultimate 10-Class Archmage Japchae, waving his staff. He grinned as their eyes met.
“Grab it quick or I’ll take it too?”
Red flames gathered on his staff.
“Can’t have that.”
Frowning but unwilling to yield, Bastard Sword moved fast.
The goblin tried attacking the charging Swordsman, but Bastard Sword deftly dodged, parried the weapon, and thrust into its neck.
[Red Goblin Scout defeated.]
[Contribution distribution: ‘Bastard Sword’ acquires Red Goblin Scout’s Claw.]
....
[The scouts’ deaths are reported to the chieftain.]
“Whew.”
“Easy, too easy.”
They shrugged off dispatching the two scouts in seconds, as if it were nothing.
Then, spotting Do-hyun late, they gave awkward smiles.
Seeing those innocent smiles, Do-hyun thought.
‘Not bad.’
Their claim of good gear held up—the power and control were solid.
Synergy was decent too.
Especially the mage’s firepower; no wonder fire mages topped damage charts.
[The goblins detect the scouts’ deaths and swarm.]
“Ah, more coming.”
“No problem.”
As notified, goblins appeared soon.
Kyaek! Kek!
Three this time, clutching daggers like the prior scouts.
They charged the instant they spotted the party.
Once more, Bastard Sword and the group sprang into action like lightning.
Clang!
Dick Insertion Service blocked with his shield,
Stab- Boom!
Bastard Sword slashed past, and Japchae poured magic on cue.
Even with four total—one more—they weren’t opponents at all.
A one-sided beatdown; no need for Do-hyun to step in.
Slash-.
As Bastard Sword felled the last one,
[The terrified chieftain sends soldiers.]
[Prepare for combat.]
“Wow, no breather huh.”
“These are soldiers, not scouts.”
Like relay battles, goblins swarmed immediately.
This was the Goblin Chieftain’s Lair concept.
Due to the chieftain’s Coward trait, he never showed first.
He endlessly sent minions in his stead, and players pushed through the ambushes to reach the boss room.
And the goblins grew stronger progressively.
Tatatata-.
It was happening now.
Echoing through the cave in layers, the emerging goblins differed clearly from the scouts.
Unlike the daggers, they wielded long spears, and their builds were sturdier.
Even facing the enraged bull-like soldiers thrusting spears, the party held back.
They even stepped back a pace.
“Think Kaiser should take this one?”
“We’ll jump in if it gets dicey.”
“We snagged all the scouts earlier, so you must’ve been bummed. Go ahead easy-like. Practice synergy too.”
Do-hyun smirked inwardly at their condescending tone.
Barely handling five scouts as a trio, now solo three soldiers?
Their intent was obvious.
‘Wanna see my skills, huh.’
If they were curious about Do-hyun’s level, he didn’t mind showing.
Leaving the unmoving pair—who gestured for him to go ahead—Do-hyun slowly approached the goblin soldiers.
‘I’ll play along for a bit.’
A sinister smile curled on Do-hyun’s lips.