Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 67
>Chapter Title: Ominous Energy
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Chapter 67
>67.
Truth's Eye activated, and the first thing Do-hyun did was check the remaining time.
[Remaining Play Time: 00:01:17]
One minute and seventeen seconds.
It was barely enough time to cook half a cup of ramen, but plenty to check that thing's info—if he hurried.
'No way, a Piece of Fate?'
He was focused on orc hunting right now, but the Piece of Fate took top priority.
Main Quest and Main Stream.
They seemed similar at a glance, just a hair's breadth apart, but the difference was huge.
If Main Quests were the leaves progressing one by one, Main Stream was the thick trunk holding it all together.
Of course, explaining it that way was like the old chicken-or-egg debate.
Clearing Main Quests would eventually yield Pieces of Fate, and stacking those would clear the Main Stream anyway.
'It's popping already?'
In that sense, a Piece of Fate appearing now was thrilling.
Just in case, Do-hyun quickened his pace.
-Master? No, it's starting again. What exploded this time?
-Liza?
Do-hyun suddenly bolted toward a rock, prompting Jihard and Eliza to follow with puzzled looks.
His group reached the rock.
It was an utterly ordinary rock scattered everywhere in Brion's fetid rock forest. That's how it looked to the naked eye, but not to Do-hyun's.
'This one's glowing red.'
Red light seeped from one blood-smeared corner of the rock.
Even staring right at it, the difference was subtle—without Truth's Eye, he never would've spotted it.
He reached out instinctively, frowning at the odd stickiness.
'Sticky.'
Thick viscosity, like sweet honey mixed in?
It didn't feel like blood at all, and only the spot highlighted by Truth's Eye was sticky—everywhere else was normal.
'What is this?'
He'd hoped for a Piece of Fate, but no crystalline shimmer anywhere.
Next guess: a herb. But not even a claw-shaped one in sight.
Ding-.
The alert chimed right then.
Perfect timing for his growing curiosity. Do-hyun checked the message, eyes widening at the unexpected content.
[Hidden clue discovered.]
>[Recorded in the Book of Adventures.]
>[Quest item 'Ominous Energy' discovered. Quest generated.]
[Ominous Energy]
>-Rarity: Rare
>-Description: You've discovered an ominous energy in Brion's fetid rock forest. Something feels deeply off.
>The high priest 'Gildeti' at Lair's Grand Temple might know what it is.
>Take the ominous energy to 'Gildeti.'
>-Quest Success: Gildeti affinity increases. Linked quest 'Material Search' generated.
>-Quest Failure: Linked quest unavailable.
"......Huh?"
It was the first quest item Do-hyun had ever found in God Ose.
* * *
Quests.
A system every RPG player knew, essential for growth.
Like most RPGs, players were quest slaves.
God Ose was no different.
Job quests went without saying, but even low-rarity ones made a big difference if taken or skipped.
Do-hyun himself had followed the guidebook's quests religiously before arriving in Brion.
'But the guidebook's quests aren't everything.'
Even those useful guidebook quests were just the tip of the iceberg.
God Ose's adventure theme boasted a vast world, full of hidden secrets.
Whether Book of Adventures entries or hidden pieces...
The list was endless, including hidden quests unlocked by secret conditions.
Like the sudden quest when Do-hyun found the hidden field, Warriors' Habitat, with Jihard's help.
Those hidden quests weren't just random pop-ups.
You could get them from NPCs by meeting conditions, during raids, or very rarely, from items.
"Who knew a quest item would drop..."
That was the true nature of the quest floating before Do-hyun now.
A honey item that filled the Book of Adventures and linked to hidden quests.
The kind Adventure King Barion would go nuts for.
Of course.
To a guy ready to conquer any peril for adventure, quest items were irresistible.
'I barely got any even in Delmrock, and now this.'
Do-hyun's luck had always sucked, so rare quest items were few and far between.
Snagging one after just three days in?
'Is this what Truth's Eye is?'
'No, Truth's Eye, what are you? Where's your limit?'
Finding secret dungeons, spotting stealth, now quest items too?
Insanely broken performance.
Not finding herbs almost felt more unbalanced at this point.
'Ha... sweet.'
So what if he couldn't find herbs?
It handed him every hidden piece!
With Truth's Eye, Do-hyun could hunt every quest item and secret dungeon out there.
'Explorers would die of envy if they knew.'
Envy turning to murder?
Even they couldn't complain about such balance-breaking power.
'Well, quest items aren't always good.'
Their value was purely rarity.
Difficulty and rewards varied wildly by item.
Too much of a gamble compared to how rare they were, even if you hunted deliberately.
Players saw them as nice bonuses if stumbled upon, no big loss otherwise.
'The Adventure King is the weirdo.'
Anyone else would shrug, but not him.
This one was Rare rarity anyway—probably most quest items were.
Rarest common hidden pieces were Rare and Rare+.
'Someone got a Legendary quest item from Cheonoecheon for a divine beast...'
Wouldn't that have been ideal? But that was greed talking.
Plenty more chances ahead, and a Rare quest was plenty good.
'Linked quest too.'
Final rarity might hit Rare+—worth hoping.
No time now; he'd check with the high priest after logging in tomorrow.
[10 seconds until logoff.]
>[Logoff imminent. Evacuate to a safe area.]
'Won't hit 250.'
Better than one orc, but it nagged like a flaw in jade.
No choice—Do-hyun waved lightly, shoving aside regret.
"Hey, I'm out. Take care, Eliza. Back tomorrow."
-......? Weren't you orc hunting?
-Liza!
Eliza hopped onto his shoulder, nuzzling his cheek.
Like waving goodbye.
'She's just like a puppy.'
Exactly like Hoochi, the one he'd briefly fostered.
Do-hyun chuckled, petting her head with his index finger.
"Bit disappointing, but got something better. Yeah, logging off now..."
Fwoosh.
Jihard stared blankly at the empty spot Do-hyun left.
After a while, he sighed.
-Dazing at blood-smeared rocks, poking blood... My master's weird as hell. Right, Eliza?
-Liza? Lizaliza!
-What? Still a good master? Lord, Eliza. Don't judge by looks. How ruthless is he?
-Liza? Liza!
-Huh? Despite that, I don't hate him? Hmm...
Jihard paused, pondering, then blurted.
-...Well, he's more fun to tag along with than expected. Good ol' me puts up with it. You know how awesome my legion is?
He rubbed his nose sheepishly, bluffing to change topics.
Eliza tilted her head at him when—
[Relocating to Guardian Room.]
-Ah.
-Liza?
It finally came.
Eliza's eyes widened like saucers too—must've popped for her. Jihard, used to it, soothed her.
-Don't worry, our guardians shift worlds when master's away. You'll go somewhere comfy.
-Liza....
-Bit sad for me too, but... he said soon. See ya tomorrow, Eliza.
-Liza!
A light hand-bump farewell, then vision flickered. The scenery shifted.
Clouds blended with earth, ice fields neighbored lava—a mystical world of countless realms, now familiar.
-Feels new but comfy somehow.
Yesterday was first time out after being trapped, but today confirmed it.
Didn't get it, but good was good.
Fresh air, cool breeze on skin—nice bonus.
-Slept all day yesterday, so let's explore today.
Best part here: new vistas every few steps, endlessly fresh for walks. He stepped forward eagerly when—
-Hm?
Light gleamed in Jihard's eyes.
-Was that there?
Something new he hadn't seen yesterday.
A lone small cabin in the empty field.
Worn wood traced with time—Jihard knew it well.
-...My house?
His old place from Raven days.
Nostalgic yet surreal after so long.
Why now, when it wasn't there yesterday?
Puzzled, he approached, gulped, and opened the door.
Creeeak-.
Wood scraped wood as he entered. The interior greeted him exactly as he'd left it.
Cozy size for living, utensils, table, chairs.
Three chairs total; opposite one had a cushion.
Eliza's spot.
The house frozen since he left looked like time had stopped.
-...Yeah, it was like this.
Memories welled up, souring his expression faintly.
Probably waited up there a century for him. Chest tightened at the thought.
Swish-.
Then.
A familiar presence behind—Jihard reacted instantly.
-Liza!
-Huh?
Fluffy sensation on his shoulder.
He whipped around to Eliza beaming cutely.
-Eliza!?
-Liza!
-What? Why're you here??
-Liza? Liza!
-Just woke up here? No way!
-Liza!
Jihard's wide eyes sharpened.
Didn't matter why.
Who cared about reasons.
-Whatever. Eliza, wanna walk like old times?
-Lizaliza!
What mattered was reclaiming old memories.
Eliza hopped up to his head. She'd always loved perching there.
Those perked ears gave stability, great ride.
-Still the same.
-Liza!
-Yeah, let's go. You'll freak—super cool.
-Lizaliza!
-Oh, take this? Still stored here, huh. Nah, no need—nobody else around.
Time flowed again in the still cabin.
* * *
Meanwhile, the God Ose community, quiet for a bit, exploded like wildfire.