Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 78
>Chapter Title: Meanwhile, What About Kaiser?
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On the flip side, what about Kaiser?
In the past, he'd been called a god, reclaimed the number one spot on Raven...
He was the talk of the town, but at the end of the day, he was just one guy.
A foolish man who'd brushed off every guild's advances and chosen to walk the thorny path alone.
No matter how amazing he was, levels existed for a reason. If enough people ganged up on him, what could he do?
"He'd just get beaten down."
"But it's Kaiser... You think he won't do something?"
"Kaiser's human too, isn't he? Even at graduation level it'd be tough, and right now he's probably only around 26. What happens if higher-level guys come at him for real?"
"......"
It sucked, but that was reality.
Reality was cold, and standing tall after taking on a horde of enemies solo only happened in movies.
"I like Kaiser too... but this time he flew too close to the sun. Guilds aren't even the issue right now. They might still have some lingering interest in recruiting him, and with all the eyes on them, they'd at least have a line they won't cross—but what about the players?"
"Yeah... there are just so many bad apples."
"And it's not just them. With all the chatter on the forums like 'If I take down Kaiser, I'll be a star too,' he's got enemies everywhere... Huh?"
They were chattering away enthusiastically about the situation when—
"Kaiser's here! Kaiser's out!"
"Where, where!"
The commotion up ahead made them stop talking and turn their heads.
Sure enough, someone was emerging through the entrance.
He looked like a boy of about ten, judging by his height and build.
A deep black robe that covered him head to toe.
-Kyrk.
It was the companion who always stuck with Kaiser.
People turned their gaze beyond the entrance.
With that one out, Kaiser had to show up any second now, right?
But...
"......?"
"What's the holdup? Why isn't he coming out?"
"What's going on? Did the kid just come out alone first?"
That wasn't even the weirdest part.
Whoosh.
Out of nowhere, the companion raised both hands into some inexplicable pose.
Like basking in the sun, or savoring something?
-Kyrk!
Strange noises leaked out faintly, but they were so quiet—and the crowd's clamor so loud—that they got swallowed up immediately.
After soaking in the stares for a bit(?), the companion started walking off.
Then headed straight somewhere with bold strides.
"What the heck? That's not even the field over there."
"Follow him for now! Something's up. Bet it's a hidden quest!"
"What about Kaiser?"
"He's not coming out. You gonna let him get away like this? You stay here; I'll tail him."
And so the players split: half stayed behind, half chased the companion.
He straightened his back, glanced coyly over his shoulder, and strutted like he was on a runway—it was kinda cringy for some reason, but they didn't give up.
It wasn't long before they saw it.
Shh-.
"......Huh?"
"Where'd he go?"
"He just vanished?"
"......Wait. No way he logged out, right?"
The companion blinking out of existence right in the middle of town.
Disappearing like teleport in the city?
Only two options: warp or logout.
Warp gates were way off, so this had to be the latter.
"What about Kaiser?"
"......Hasn't come out. No sign of him at all."
"Ah, seriously. Did he just log out?"
"Damn, wasted our time..."
The players' faces twisted like they'd eaten shit.
They'd been waiting just for this moment—what a waste.
No one had imagined he'd log out.
"Makes sense, though... with everyone swarming like this."
"Thought Kaiser wouldn't log out, being who he is."
"Who knows, maybe he just went to grab food. Guy's pretty detached from worldly stuff."
"As if. Does he look like the type who'd pull that king shit?"
Even the onlookers who'd gathered with high hopes dusted off their hands and left.
Some diehards stuck around, refusing to give up, but even they bailed after about an hour.
And so Brion returned to its peaceful state.
Meanwhile, Do-hyun...
[You have entered the Fetid Rock Forest.]
[Tip: Excessive kiting draws thick fog.]
['Faint Stealth' effect is active.]
'Whoa, slipping through like this.'
He'd successfully ditched Brion and entered the Fetid Rock Forest.
Right behind him, light flashed as someone appeared.
[Guardians 'Jihad Black' and 'Eliza' move to the owner's side upon leaving the field.]
-Owner, I'm here.
-Liza!
It was Jihad and Eliza, who'd been hiding in the robe pocket.
Jihad, looking noticeably cheerier, approached and reached out into the air.
Clap!
This time, Do-hyun met his hand with a solid high-five.
Perfect teamwork.
* * *
The plan was simple.
Jihad draws the eyes, and Do-hyun sneaks out during the lull as the crowd thins.
Once Do-hyun reaches the field safely, mission accomplished.
But what about Jihad and Eliza?
No issue.
As guardians, they'd auto-summon to Do-hyun once the field changed.
[Guardians ‘Jihad Black’ and ‘Eliza’ move to the owner’s side upon leaving the field.]
And the plan worked like a charm.
Do-hyun grinned as he entered the Fetid Rock Forest.
'Wouldn't have thought of it without that Eliza experience.'
This is why experience matters.
That prior run-in had kept him from turning into the Pied Piper.
-Kyrk. That was so fun, owner. Call me anytime you need it again.
-Liza-liza!
-Eliza had fun too?
-Liza!
With Jihad and Eliza in high spirits, it was a win-win strategy all around.
The mood was lighter, but no time to slack.
'Still too many people here. Let's head deeper in.'
'Got it.'
'Liza!'
The Fetid Rock Forest was huge, but as a popular hunting ground, it was still crowded.
They'd thin out once the fog cut visibility.
At minimum, get that far to relax.
Poor sight would work in Do-hyun's favor if trouble brewed.
'Alright, let's move.'
'Rager!'
'Liza!'
Do-hyun led the way under stealth, with Jihad following.
Eliza poked her head into Jihad's pocket, not to be outdone.
They moved in a train like kids on a choo-choo ride—but that's not how players saw it.
"Hm? Hey, check that out."
"Huh? Why... oh?"
"That robe—ain't that the one always with Kaiser?"
"Yeah? Why's he solo today?"
To them, it just looked like Jihad strolling leisurely alone.
Thanks to NewTube videos, Jihad had some fame, so plenty recognized him.
Which left them all wondering.
"He's wandering without Kaiser, so probably not a guardian. Been a lot of talk about that."
"Yeah. Heard he logged out too—why's he still here? Logged back in?"
"Huh? Then maybe Kaiser's—"
"......Nah. Looks like he logged in solo this time?"
Players who'd scanned around on a whim shook their heads.
No sign of anyone who could be Kaiser.
Not like he'd come back so soon after logging out.
If he had, he'd be mobbed or trailed before even arriving.
"Not a porter? He's hunting too."
"Who's got 'porter' as a class in God Ose? He's just playing the role. Gotta level up to keep up, right?"
"Hunting solo here? Even Kaiser's porters are that spec'd...?"
"......Now that you mention it."
Back in Delroc, Kaiser's party were all monsters.
Ranking 1st as leader, 3rd, 4th, 5th as members.
From rankings alone, they were no joke—each the pinnacle of their field.
So anyone Kaiser kept around wouldn't be average.
"Or maybe heading to a party he saved a spot in?"
"Wonder... wanna tail him?"
"Nah, don't. This is a field. Get killed for stalking and you've got nothing to say."
"True... plenty've died that way messing with stars."
Stalking was a crime IRL, and it got even worse rep in God Ose.
Worse than PK, even.
Low-class vibes aside, some folks were chasing hidden pieces or quests—made people wary.
Not Kaiser, no need to risk it on a porter.
"Or maybe Kaiser's stealthed? Actually rolling with the companion right now."
One player theorized.
His buddies froze, then let out impressed sighs.
"Ooh...? That kinda ma— Bullshit. At that level, my dog Ppobi could chat with you."
"Pfft, exactly. Everyone knows Kaiser's a swordsman—how's a swordsman gonna stealth?"
Pure sarcasm at the guy's wild fantasy.
A swordsman pulling stealth? Come on.
As his crew burst out laughing, the guy's face flushed and he sputtered defenses.
"You know Weapon Master trait means he can use stealth gear if it—"
"Dude, think the AI's stupid? Weapon Master just removes equip restrictions. Where's the stealth option on a weapon? They're all on other slots."
"High-level stuff sometimes, sure... but not this bracket."
"Cut the nonsense and focus on our grind."
"......Fine."
Of course, his argument fell flat.
Having caught hell for nothing, the guy shut up, and the group ignored Jihad.
Most other players did the same.
Thanks to that, Jihad drew stares but no major hassle...
Not everyone was like that.
-Hm, these stares sting, owner.
'Endure it.'
Some just gawked curiously, but others shot outright hostile glares.
They wouldn't charge yet, but the sticky malice wasn't welcome, even for attention-loving Jihad.
From greedy eyes to "should I jump him?" vibes.
'Just Jihad alone draws this much—if I wasn't stealthed, it'd be chaos.'
Do-hyun smirked at the predictable scene he didn't even need to see.
Forgetting quests, he'd be busy fending off players.
Nah, that'd be tame.
Better if they rushed outright—he could cut loose.
But half-assed trailing or sneaky stalking? Most annoying shit.
"Tch."
"Let's go."
Even now.
Some followed a bit, gave up on no gains, turned back—happened all the time.
Maybe because of that, no one tailed anymore.
Just distant glances from afar.
Do-hyun's crew weren't fazed by that much; they pressed on without hesitation.
'Almost there.'
'Liza!'
But Do-hyun didn't know.
Among those not watching fondly, one shot particularly sinister glares.
He showed no hostility, made no show of it.
Just lurking by a rock in the distance, eyeing Jihad.
Rustle-.
After standing still forever, he slipped away quietly once Jihad vanished from sight.