Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 86
>Chapter Title: Standing in Line
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[Exploration of the Fetid Rock Forest complete.]
[Return to High Priest 'Gildetti' to complete the quest.]
'As expected, I had to check on Philbo to wrap things up.'
Finding out if there were any abyss-infected monsters or traces of them was the point of this quest, after all. It only made sense to confirm the most important one.
The boss would be the riskiest if it was infected.
-Should I help, Master?
"No... actually, yeah. Step up this time."
-For real? Got it!
Do-hyun had been about to refuse like always, but he changed his mind.
He was curious if this guy's undead would actually be useful against Philbo.
'And from the footage, it'd make for a better show.'
In reality, everyone treated Jihad like a simple pack mule.
Giving him a flashy debut this time around wouldn't hurt.
-Keh heh heh... all dead.
Jihad's energy spiked, like he finally had a real job.
-Liza? Liza!?
"Eliza, do whatever."
-Liza!
Eliza acted like she was asking, 'What about me? Me??'
Do-hyun nodded casually, and she struck a heroic pose on his left shoulder.
Goblin on the right, spider on the left...
It was a shabby combo compared to that purple uncle who rolled with a blue dragon on one side and a white tiger on the other.
But it didn't feel half bad.
Do-hyun chuckled and moved to reshape Cheonbyeon.
"Huh? Oh, what the—someone's already here?"
"Damn... thought we'd found it super quick."
Men's voices drifted from behind.
A quick glance back revealed four male players in a party.
Warrior, archer, mage, tank.
They'd rushed over to try their luck now that Philbo had respawned.
"Exactly. The field's been empty, perfect chance... but someone beat us to it."
"Huh? Only two of them?"
"No way, for real? What, a duo try?"
"Insane guts. This might roll over to our turn? Line up quick."
They stood in line, cursing loud enough to be heard.
A far cry from the Raven folks who'd been jockeying for first strike.
'This is how it should be.'
Raven's boss—Eliza's spiderweb gimmick aside—no matter how chaotic God Ose got, the norm for Philbo was first come, first served.
Latecomers lined up, taking turns after failures.
That was the unwritten rule.
'Sure, exceptions happen. But waiting patiently like this feels weird.'
Maybe because he'd only run into thugs lately?
They were just following basic etiquette, but it felt off somehow. Unsettling, even.
Made him more aware of them, really.
Which was why...
He glanced back casually and locked eyes with one of them. The guy's eyes went wide.
"Gasp!"
"What? What's with the freakout?"
His party jumped at the sudden hand-over-mouth reaction.
Instead of answering, he pointed.
Straight at Do-hyun, naturally.
"That guy's... huh?"
They followed his finger, staring at Do-hyun. Silence fell.
Confusion flickered briefly before they all covered their mouths, just like him.
"Isn't that Kaiser?"
"Whoa, first time seeing him IRL."
The guy who'd frowned at their excitement scrunched his face in confusion.
"Kaiser? Who's that?"
"You don't know Kaiser? Brion's blowing up over it. Homepage has tons of articles... didn't you see the Raven ranking #1 change?"
"Oh... not into that stuff. Some big shot, huh."
"Pfft. Never seen a bigger normie."
Kaiser was hot news, sure. But for folks who skipped forums and homepages, it was just another fleeting issue.
No reason to care.
It'd blow over soon enough anyway.
Or that's the excuse...
Truth was, he'd only surfaced big-time yesterday, so not everyone was caught up.
Whatever. The two who'd scored a front-row seat to Kaiser's boss try just sparkled with excitement.
"Wait, so not a duo raid—a solo? Those companions aren't DPS."
"That footage was no joke. Seeing it live? Nuts."
"Come on, Kaiser's not that big a deal. You'd think we spotted Justin Bieber or something."
"Shut it if you don't know."
"Yeah, yeah."
The one tuning them out and the hyped bros.
Do-hyun's back itched fiercely.
'Hmm.'
The stares were intense.
If they were girls, it'd be nice. But burly dudes gazing in awe? Kinda burdensome.
-Not everyone's an enemy, huh, Master.
"Tell me about it. Feels weird to me too."
He used to get this often back in the day, but first time lately. Awkward.
He'd thought it was all thriller survival with killers everywhere.
Guess not entirely.
Everyone needs a chill healing arc now and then.
'Just ignore them.'
No aggression, so Do-hyun tuned them out.
Demlock had occasional ambush actors, but these didn't scream fake.
If it was acting... that high quality? Might as well play along.
Tsssk-!
[Field Boss 'Death's Orc Warrior' recognizes you as an enemy.]
[Death's Orc Warrior]
-Title: Elite Field Boss
-Type: Orc
-Traits: Warrior, Death Aura, Combat Instinct
-Description: A warrior from the orc tribe, once a great fighter.
Nearly died in the Fetid Rock Forest but barely escaped. Long exposure to death aura cursed him to never leave.
That curse amplified his strength destructively.
"Loud one."
And this orc looked riskier than those guys.
A hit from them? No biggie.
From a field boss? Different story.
[Phase 1 begins.]
Do-hyun murmured as the message popped up.
"Jihad, ready. Mana's low—summon four."
-Got it, Master.
Black mana flowed, undead bursting from the ground.
[Guardian 'Jihad Black' summons undead.]
[Forest Red Goblin Undead x2, Forest Blue Goblin Undead x1, Orc Undead x1 summoned.]
The grotesque ones marched to Do-hyun's flanks.
They sensed his strength instinctively?
No orders needed—they took support positions. Do-hyun blinked.
'Undead handle this on their own?'
Never expected that from mindless command-followers.
Appearance aside, they had unique quirks.
Curiosity stirred, but battle time. Do-hyun gripped Cheonbyeon, shaking off thoughts.
[Cheonbyeon morphs into 'Black Raven Spear.']
Thud!
Clutching the blackened spear, Do-hyun leaped short.
Jihad's undead followed.
The fight began.
* * *
Tsssk-!
"Whoa, it's starting."
"Popcorn, where's the popcorn."
They clamored as the field boss 'Death's Orc Warrior' roared.
Even the hefty tank joined in.
The archer shook his head at his buddies.
'What the hell's with Kaiser...'
Archer Coin couldn't get their reactions.
You'd think they'd spotted Justin Bieber.
No, not just them—the whole forum buzzing 'Kaiser this, Kaiser that'? Made no sense.
Snagged Raven #1?
He knew—hot news, even without live alerts.
'Impressive, sure... but overhyped?'
Not denying the feats.
But deifying him? Overkill.
'Solo raid? Beat seventeen rankers 17v1 solo? Toyed with rank 12 with basic skills?'
Absurd claims.
Hell, calling them feats was generous.
Like drunk uncles at a bar spinning 'Back in my day, I flew!' tall tales.
'What, is he a real god? Even AI couldn't fake that.'
Too ridiculous. Everyone hyping him bred doubt.
Kaiser fans looked like cult newbies to him.
Heard a night upload on NewTube, but sketchy.
'Videos get edit magic—who knows.'
God Ose boom flooded NewTube with content.
Survival meant flashy edits and staging.
Still, ex-Demlock #1? Had skills. Decent edit job, probably.
He skipped it—obvious.
"Yo, here. Popcorn."
"Huh? How'd you score that?"
"Alley pub had peanut popcorn bombs. Stashed in inventory."
"Nice, sensei."
Archer Coin sighed at his popcorn-munching, hyped pals.
Field boss queues had basics.
Aggro could swing anytime—chance or wipe incoming. Stay battle-ready: courtesy and common sense.
"Our turn ain't coming. It's fine—chill days happen."
"Don't stand there stiff. Join us."
"Ugh... whatever, do you."
Who could hold back a sigh at their antics?
At least one sane buddy.
"Hmm. Hope it's our turn."
Warrior12456 prayed for his shot, ignoring the chatter.
Classic him—clueless on drama.
Archer Coin snorted.
"Yeah, don't learn from those clowns."
"Hmm. Seems over the top. Kaiser's that good?"
"Well... he's trending, but total BS to me."
"Yeah~ sour grapes~. Grab popcorn. No regrets later."
"Dude, this slaps. Real popcorn flavor?"
Hearing them, the mage 'Sucker Hot Professor' and tank 'All Block' snickered over their snacks.
"What BS—"
"Yo, starting. Focus."
Archer Coin's retort cut short as they zeroed in.
Fight imminent, as said.
'Fine... good chance. See it live, wake up.'
They'd only seen rumors and clips. Reality check would shatter illusions for his dumb friends.
Archer Coin was curious too.
'Alright, let's see if he lives up to a tenth of the hype.'
How the hell did absurd rumors spread?
What confidence for a solo try?
He'd watch every detail.
Eyes locked like lasers, Kaiser moved.
Groooar—guh-.
"...Huh?"
Archer Coin blurted like an idiot right then.