Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 96
>Chapter Title: Unexpected Assembly
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Chapter 96
Do-hyun, momentarily stunned by the unforeseen situation, let out a hollow chuckle.
“Hah.”
He’d been burning with vengeance against the gods, exuding that lonely aura, yet here he was, mingling with the outside world?
He didn’t look the type at all—an introvert passing as a social butterfly...
It was absurd, but on second thought, it wasn’t all that strange.
He had to keep tabs on worldly affairs somehow, and NPCs were residents of this world too—they could have urgent business.
There were even specific NPCs who’d be gone for two whole days in extreme cases, so this was tame by comparison.
‘Guess I’ll head to Gildeti first.’
This quest needed clearing first.
Waiting around for an hour was just a waste of time.
After another fifteen minutes or so of walking, they arrived at the Lyre Grand Temple, where a guard who recognized Do-hyun’s group hurried over.
“You’ve arrived. Please, go right in.”
Glancing around at the guard’s words, Do-hyun prompted an addendum with an “Ah.”
“If Kang Do-hyun shows up, let him in first—no need to worry about the line.”
“Got it.”
A special perk for the one tackling the quest, no doubt.
No point queuing when they said not to, so Do-hyun accepted it without protest.
He could feel piercing stares from behind, but he tuned them out as best he could.
‘Can’t blame them.’
Even a quick glance at the line was dizzying.
It was the weekend, so the temple was packed.
To them, Do-hyun waltzing in like a VIP pass holder at an amusement park must’ve looked infuriating.
But a sidelong peek at their faces revealed something far different from expected.
“Heading to see the High Priest, right?”
“That’s gotta be the quest the Kaiser’s streaming... Wonder what it’s about.”
“Hope he uploads a video. That’d be awesome.”
Most were watching with eager anticipation rather than envy or jealousy.
Sure, there were negative glares, but positive reactions outnumbered them.
‘Newtube’s influence, huh.’
He’d openly advertised tackling a rare quest, yet instead of greed, they were hoping for results.
The response was worlds apart from his past experiences, easing his tension unexpectedly.
Basking in the crowd’s expectations, he entered, greeted this time by a priest.
“This way, please.”
“Yes.”
*Ahem.*
The treatment was a far cry from last time—Zihard cleared his throat with a smug shoulder shrug.
A quick poke in the ribs got his attention, but nothing could be done about that annoyingly smug expression.
After a few minutes of such favored escort,
“Go on in. They’re all waiting inside.”
The Grand Temple was absurdly vast; it took a while to reach the door, where the priest bowed and withdrew.
‘Different room from last time.’
The door alone screamed grandeur.
Last time felt like the High Priest’s office; this was more like an auditorium.
Stepping inside revealed an even vaster space welcoming him.
No exaggeration—it rivaled a school sports field.
Seats packed the perimeter like a baseball stadium, with a circular table and massive statue at the center.
‘Whoa...’
Awestruck by the overwhelming scale, he was greeted by a somewhat weary Gildeti.
“Perfect timing. Investigation done? We’re still in session, but... actually, this works out. Come on in.”
“...You’re here.”
“Hm. Finished already? Faster than expected.”
Beside Gildeti stood the handsome squad captain knight and vice-captain from before.
Same crew so far, but today wasn’t stopping there.
“Oh... So that’s the esteemed guest.”
“An outsider, just as rumored... Can we really trust him?”
“They’re the gods’ apostles—mind your manners.”
“Hmph, apostles in name only. Plenty of worthless ones out there...”
“Easy now. We know little of the Abyss ourselves. An outsider not only knows of it but was entrusted with the investigation—skepticism’s natural.”
Behind them, countless priests filled the seats encircling the room.
Way more than double digits at a glance.
Over a hundred, surrounding and peering down at him like some exotic creature—not the most pleasant vibe.
‘...Master, this is awkward.’
‘Lizaliza...’
Even attention-loving Zihard was squirming.
Do-hyun tucked the peeking Eliza back into his pocket and followed Gildeti’s lead, subtly scanning the surroundings.
‘A lot of them. And none seem ordinary priests.’
The front row stood out especially.
Their varied robes set them apart from the corridor priests, exuding an aristocratic air in their presence and aura.
Those elders’ gazes lingered even as Do-hyun took his seat at the central round table.
One gaze clung particularly stubbornly.
‘What’s his deal?’
It grated amid the crowd.
Frowning slightly and turning,
“Huh?”
Do-hyun’s brows relaxed.
No—they shot up round in shock.
It couldn’t be helped.
‘...Gamilion?’
‘Greetings, successor.’
Boldly seated alone in tattered priestly robes was none other than Gamilion Adran.
As their eyes met, Gamilion’s lips curved into a subtle smile, dipping his head slightly.
No illusion there.
‘Why the hell are you here, bro?’
Urgent business, he’d said—why show up here?
Coincidence?
He’d return in an hour, so not tailing Do-hyun...
Confounded by the surprise amid the chaos, he sat as guided. Opposite him, Gildeti spoke cautiously.
“These are the elders and High Priests. The most devout among the high priests.”
“...So that one’s a high priest too?”
“Him? Ah, you mean that one.”
Gildeti glanced sideways with a kindly smile and shook his head.
“He’s High Priest Hertie. We’ve invited High Priests and elders from neighboring dioceses beyond our own—all graciously accepted.”
“...High Priest Hertie.”
“Yes. Per unspoken doctrine, we can’t disclose his diocese—my apologies.”
“No worries.”
*Because he’s our cult leader who wants to smash the gods.*
Swallowing words he couldn’t voice, Do-hyun clutched his throbbing forehead.
Gamilion, peeking slyly, grinned as if amused, his lips twitching in a whisper.
‘See you after the meeting.’
‘...Yeah.’
Hiding his name to mingle meant he was fully committed to these interactions.
Questions could wait post-meeting.
‘Actually, perfect.’
No back-and-forth hassle—knock out both quests here.
Opting for optimism, Do-hyun focused on the moment.
‘Front row’s the elders... Over ten from Lyre alone.’
That meant at least thirty high priests total.
Huge number—other places averaged six to ten. Add the elite Lyre Holy Knights...
Unbelievable for a single temple’s forces.
‘No wonder the Lyre Grand Temple’s fame reaches the Empire.’
Typically, NPCs scaled with city tiers upward.
As player levels rose, stronger NPCs were needed to keep them in check.
Exceptions shattered the mold, though...
In Raven, alchemist Kalde; in Brion, the Lyre Grand Temple.
Worshipping gods in the holiest city of Brion was fitting, but their power belonged Empire-wide—that was the consensus.
‘It really hits home seeing this.’
He’d sensed it glimpsing Vice-Captain Taxinel and that obnoxious knight before, but today it sank in deeper.
Taxinel’s aura in full gear felt utterly different—unfathomable if winnable.
Leagues beyond Jerduk, same red tag.
Now curiosity burned for Captain Rhebed’s strength.
“Given the gravity, we’ve summoned everyone who needs to know. Shame Knight Commander Rhebed couldn’t join... He’s out leading the Holy Knights on duty.”
“...Too bad.”
Sincere regret.
Missing a top-tier NPC like ever-top-ranked Rhebed.
“He shoulders much. We’ll handle this ourselves.”
“I see.”
*Rhebed’d break the balance, so we’re sidelining him naturally.*
That’s how it rang in Do-hyun’s ears.
Common RPG trope: strong NPCs benched via contrived reasons for balance.
Anyway, preamble over.
“What did the investigation yield?”
As Gildeti cut to the chase, the murmurs died.
A silent prod: Speak up.
All awaited Do-hyun’s words for seconds.
He slowly shook his head.
“Nothing. Not even from the Death Orc Warrior.”
“What...!?”
“How can there be nothing!?”
Murmurs erupted on cue.
“You investigated thoroughly, outsider!?”
“Abyss traces can’t be faked or hidden. They were clear—nothing!?”
“High Priest of Lyre, if you permit, I’ll assemble a team to search now!”
Some outright doubted Do-hyun’s competence.
Reactions varied wildly, but all were intense.
Ears rang from the din.
A glimpse into how deeply the Abyss shook them.
No real talk possible at this rate.
Swoosh.
Gildeti raised a hand.
The frenzy hushed instantly—even elders and foreign High Priests.
‘So this is a Lyre High Priest’s authority?’
Gildeti, looking every bit the kindly grandpa, revealed his absolute sway here.
High Priest was High Priest.
Easily quelling the chaos, his gaze turned gravely serious.
“...You’re certain?”
Eyes intolerant of lies.
A heavy pressure that’d crush ordinary folk from opening up. Do-hyun met it squarely.
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“...I see.”
Gildeti closed his eyes.
The prior intensity faded from the sighing man, replaced by something deeper.
A chill only Do-hyun, facing him directly, could feel.
‘Suddenly?’
Jolted by the shift, Gildeti raised his hand again as he bowed his head.
*Ding-.*
The cheery alert popped the quest window then.
Do-hyun panicked.
[You’ve cleared quest ‘In Search of the Abyss Trace.’]
[Rewards: Gildeti affinity, Intermediate Skill Draw Ticket, substantial EXP gained.]
[Level up.]
[Hidden condition ‘Time Limit’ met. Linked quest becomes Forced Linked Quest.]
[Forced Linked Quest ‘Rat in the Poison’ now active.]
[Warning! You may lose your life during this Forced Linked Quest.]
[Death results in quest failure.]
‘Hidden condition met?’
Totally unexpected alert.
Apparently, clearing before this council ended was the hidden piece trigger.
Gamilion’s return in an hour—logging in late would’ve missed it.
Chilling thought.
Early bird gets the worm—or bursts it, apparently.
Beating morning sleepiness scored the hidden piece.
‘...Forced Linked Quest? Warning?’
This hidden piece puzzled even Do-hyun.
‘What’s all this? Not even in Delrock...’
New in God of Oath?
Unclear, but something huge was brewing.
Sharpening his wits in this novel scenario,
*Clank.*
As expected, chaos erupted.