Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 49
>Chapter Title: Trial of the Warriors
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>'A hidden field... insane.'
The main continent was vast, with countless fields scattered across it.
Every city had at least two official fields, but in truth, hidden fields lurked within them as well.
Fields where monsters concealed their locations, whether by choice or circumstance, due to certain conditions.
'Even God Ose has stuff like this.'
Of course. Considering God Ose's core concept revolved around adventure, there couldn't be a more appealing setup.
Which meant the events unfolding next would be similar.
[You've met the hidden conditions.]
[Sudden Quest: 'Trial of the Warriors' has been generated.]
[Trial of the Warriors]
-Rank: Sudden Quest
-Description: The warriors dwelling in this hidden field habitat will never forgive intruders.
Endure the fierce assault of these great warriors, reach the deepest part, and pass 'his' trial.
-Clear Reward: 100 gold, a set amount of EXP, Intermediate Skill Draw Ticket x1, ???
-Failure Risk: You can never approach the warriors' habitat again.
-Time Limit: 48 hours
Do-hyun grinned at the notification, exactly as expected.
'As I thought...'
A quest granted spontaneously by the field itself, not from any NPC.
These sudden quests were precisely why hidden fields in Delrock were dubbed honey pots—the very reason they existed.
And they were Do-hyun's favorite type.
'The rewards for sudden quests are always solid.'
Given Delrock's trait of reliable rewards for abnormally tough difficulties or hidden pieces, this was his lifeline.
'Intermediate Skill Draw Ticket!'
Same deal this time.
He had no idea what that final ??? reward was, but it guaranteed an Intermediate Skill Draw Ticket.
Unlike the lower-tier ones that only spat out common skills, intermediate tickets could yield anything from common to rare.
With Eyes of Truth, it was likely to land a rare one.
When a single skill could make or break you, no reward could be sweeter.
'I'm clearing this, no question.'
Do-hyun steeled his resolve.
Meanwhile, Jihard, who had watched the whole process, silently shook his head.
Staring blankly into space, muttering to himself, then suddenly burning with determination—it was just like before the western forest massacre.
-Sorry, warriors...
Jihard clasped his hands briefly in mourning, then followed behind Do-hyun.
It was the moment Raven made its first entry into the warriors' habitat.
* * *
[You've entered the hidden field 'Warriors' Habitat.']
[First Discoverer benefits apply.]
[Sudden Quest: 'Trial of the Warriors' begins.]
[The warrior trial content is 'Intrusion.' Quest rewards scale with how deeply you invade their territory.]
[Quest ends if you fail to intrude within 2 hours.]
[Recording begins.]
Do-hyun gave a small nod of admiration at the tiny RCD icon in the bottom left.
He figured recording a hidden field might prove useful later, so he'd turned it on. While at it, he panned around to capture the scenery.
True to its name, the warriors' habitat resembled a barren wasteland.
It felt utterly out of place amid the forest—like stumbling into another world.
Traces of goblin warriors' long habitation lingered: decorations, weapons swung repeatedly over ages, marks everywhere.
'So this is how recording works? Pretty convenient.'
Back in Delrock, he'd needed dedicated program gear. Things had improved in every way.
The quality was even HD—unless he got greedy for 4K, this would do fine.
He was still marveling at his first recording when—
Kreek? Kieeek!
Whish—.
'Whoa, quick to greet us.'
Do-hyun lightly dodged back as warriors screeched in welcome the instant they entered.
Combat erupted immediately.
Boom!
A greatsword slammed into innocent ground.
Do-hyun stepped on the blade, leaped, grabbed the warrior's nape, and smashed a flying knee strike.
Crack! Crunch!
Splat—!
He didn't stop there—upon landing, he chained into repeated knee drops.
As if it never expected him to ditch the sword for knees, the nose-bleeding warrior's face filled with shock.
Kieeek!
The others joined a half-beat late, and only then did Do-hyun release the nape.
But not without a parting gift.
Stab—.
[Using basic skill 'Vital Point Thrust.']
[Assassin's Dagger's bleed effect triggers.]
[You've landed a bleed skill. Target afflicted with status 'Bleed.']
[Red Goblin Warrior of the Forest's HP is below 50%.]
He'd whipped out his stored dagger mid-motion, stabbed, then flung it away.
The stacking damage was no joke—its HP plummeted under 50% in seconds.
The warrior's red skin flushed even deeper.
Kieeek!
[Trait 'Warrior' activates.]
[Red Goblin Warrior of the Forest's stats rise; enters 'Berserk' state.]
[Trait 'Warrior's 'Berserk' boosts physical abilities; your attack and movement speed drop 4%.]
It flexed its raging red muscles in fury, but to Do-hyun, it was mere clowning.
[Trait 'Hero' blocks mental corruption.]
[Immune to berserk effect.]
His Hero trait shrugged it off effortlessly.
Whether its stats rose or not, it posed no threat to Do-hyun.
Slash— whish—.
[Using basic skill 'Heavy Strike.']
He severed its head in one go, then blocked the belated attacks from flanking warriors with his greatsword's flat.
Ducking low, he swept their legs, then pierced the Red Goblin Warrior of the Forest's heart.
[Red Goblin Warrior of the Forest defeated.]
A pitiful end for an elite monster.
Unbelievable if anyone saw it.
Even spectator Jihard stared blankly for a moment.
He'd felt it during the western forest slaughter, but this combat sense—was he even human? No wonder he hadn't landed a single hit.
'Oh right, better grab it quick. He'll nag again.'
Jihard snapped to and moved to loot—
"Jihard, pick it up later."
-Oh, yeah...!
Do-hyun's voice hit at the perfect ghostly timing, halting Jihard's instinctive motion.
Two warriors still left, and more swarming from afar.
Jumping in now for junk loot would just get him caught in the crossfire.
If he had his full power, maybe—but as a level 1, spectating safely was best.
Do-hyun nodded, pleased at Jihard's quick understanding.
'Is it the robe? Aggro's not pulling at all.'
Do-hyun was hogging it all, sure, but even one should have aggro'd off by now—yet none did.
Only explanation: the robe's facial recognition disruption worked on monsters too.
An unexpected option use.
Intervening directly might mess things up, but at a distance like this? Fine.
Meaning Do-hyun just had to handle his part.
'Alright, time to focus.'
Do-hyun's lips curled into a grin as he assessed the situation.
A hunting ground with no other players—monsters all to himself?
Elite monsters, no less?
The ultimate honey pot.
'Power level time.'
* * *
[Level up.]
"Oh?"
Had it been about ten minutes of hunting?
Do-hyun halted his sword at the cheerful alert.
His stalled level had finally risen—welcome news.
[Blue Goblin Warrior of the Forest defeated.]
Conveniently, the last one croaked to bleed damage—no need to swing.
Swoosh— swish—.
Do-hyun smirked at Jihard hastily looting after confirming no warriors remained.
Grumpy, but obeyed orders perfectly.
As items dropped, Do-hyun moved to open his status window—then paused.
'Right, recording.'
Opening it now would capture his stats.
No need to risk exposing his freakish build.
'Check later.'
Tempting to peek at the mood-boosting window after a level up, but he'd wait.
'EXP's flying up.'
A level that wouldn't budge after an hour rose in just ten minutes.
His absurd hunt speed helped, but elite monsters gave premium EXP.
Plus accumulated EXP from before...
'At this rate, it'll overcap?'
Possible, factoring in the boss.
Wasted beyond graduation level? A shame, but the intermediate ticket made it worthwhile.
And another forgiving factor:
[Obtained Red Goblin Warrior's Leather Top.]
[Obtained Blue Goblin Warrior's Blue Leather Belt.]
....
[Red Goblin Warrior's Leather Top]
[Rank: Rare]
[Description: Upper garment made from the leather of a Red Goblin Warrior of the forest.
Tough and highly elastic, befitting the hide of a great warrior from the Red Tribe.]
[Level Limit: 20]
[Equip Limit: None]
[Physical Defense: 90]
[Magic Resistance: 75]
-Strength +1
-Stamina +1
[Blue Goblin Warrior's Blue Leather Belt]
[Rank: Rare]
[Description: Belt worn by a Blue Goblin Warrior of the forest.
Worn only by great goblins who earned the warrior title in the Blue Tribe; offers high magic resistance.]
[Level Limit: 20]
[Equip Limit: None]
[Physical Defense: 56]
[Magic Resistance: 71]
-Stamina +2
-Agility +1
Shoulder guards, pants, and more...
Items galore.
He'd farmed tons, plus first-clear boosted drop rates.
Stat bonuses were 1 less than warrior sets, but solid for the next city.
[Red Tribe Warrior Set Options]
-3set: +4% damage to non-human types, HP +650
[Blue Tribe Warrior Set Options]
-3set: +4% damage to non-human types, HP +650
'HP boost with bonus damage? Not bad.'
Unlike goblin-only comprehensive options, bonus damage on most monsters.
Even 4% was excellent.
Only flaw: HP useless in PvP.
'Not for me anyway.'
His vitality was plenty; warrior gear traded defense for higher base stats.
Even set bonuses gave +2 to all stats.
Too good to trash overall.
Hence "degraded warrior sets" despite near-graduation status.
Most supplemented with chieftain or ant cave gear for missing stats.
'Warriors thinning out... still far?'
Felt deep enough...
Warriors swarming to block him were fading.
Boom!
Speak of the devil—a massive thud, and a stone wall crumbled, revealing something huge.