Chapter 49
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Priest of Evil
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It wasn't long before a new monster appeared as he moved forward.
Lv.100 Priest (Evil)
If the one he'd just taken down was the "Priest (Good)," then this one was the "Priest (Evil)."
However, this one was easier to hunt than the Priest (Good).
It had a build nearly twice as large as the previous priest and wore a black robe pulled low over its face.
An ominous aura seeped from it, marking it as no ordinary foe.
"At least it's less disgusting. Maybe because the hypocrisy is gone?"
Unlike before, Anima didn't hide behind Jeong Hoon.
"Yeah."
The reason it was easier than the Priest (Good) was simple.
This one didn't toy with the mindit overwhelmed with pure brute force.
The previous one had at least pretended to be virtuous, but this was pure evil.
"Kekeke."
It let out a chilling laugh and summoned a black spear.
The Priest (Evil) uses 'Black Field.'
It activated its ability next, and the surrounding area was dyed black.
All stats of the Priest (Evil) are doubled.
All its stats ballooned twofold.
This bumped the Priest (Evil)'s level up to 200.
But that wasn't the only problem.
All stats are reduced by 10 due to the Black Field.
Jeong Hoon's own stats dropped by 10.
Normally, his holy power would resist the debuff automatically, but the level gap with the monsternow a whopping 108 levelsprevented it, thanks to the Black Field.
"You got this?"
Anima's eyes held worry as she looked at Jeong Hoon.
"No need to worry."
He'd faced this exact situation countless times before his regression.
And he'd overcome such crises endlessly, growing stronger each time.
If his comrades hadn't betrayed him, that damned New World would have ended.
Jeong Hoon drew back the bowstring.
"Kieeeek! Pathetic human, you think that toy can harm me?"
The priest swung its black spear down from above.
A human arm rose from the blackened ground and grabbed Jeong Hoon's pant leg.
It intended to drag him down.
The extreme level gap left him unable to resist properlyhe sank into the mire like quicksand.
"Hey! You okay?!"
Anima's urgent voice rang out.
"I'm fine."
Not a trace of panic showed on Jeong Hoon's face.
If anything, the corner of his mouth twitched upward slightly.
This was an illusion.
A restraining hallucination for anyone entering the field.
In other words, it had no physical form.
Jeong Hoon released the drawn bowstring.
'Quiet Breath.'
'Eagle's Eye.'
Even with his stance broken, the arrow arced perfectly and pierced the priest's forehead.
Noit snatched the arrow with its left hand just before impact.
A legendary weapon could only bridge so much of the vast level gap.
"The difference in skill is huge..."
Anima frowned at the sight.
"It's fine."
Jeong Hoon grinned.
The change hit the Priest (Evil) three seconds later.
"Kraaaagh!"
It shrieked and flailed its left hand, which held the arrow.
Acrid smoke rose from the hand alongside a foul stench.
"What the...?"
Anima's eyes widened.
"Holy power."
The critical arrow had been infused with holy power.
To a being of pure evil like the Priest (Evil), holy power was like poison.
Light and darkness were polar opposites.
They could never coexist.
As the priest writhed in agony, the grip of the hand pulling Jeong Hoon loosened.
He thrashed free of the dark swamp.
Then he drew the bowstring again.
Its weak point was still the head.
Now, while it suffered, was the perfect chance.
Pew-shooo!
He released, and the arrow arced through the air.
This time, it struck true between the priest's eyes.
"Keh!"
Critical hit!
The critical strike from Critical Arrow triggered.
The damage doubled from the crit.
With double damage piercing its weak point dead-on, the Priest (Evil) collapsed on the spot, lifeless.
At the same time, the Black Field shrouding the area lifted, returning them to the original dungeon.
Likewise, the Priest (Evil) dropped a skillbookthis one black.
Skillbook: Black Field (Unique)
-Type: Skillbook
-Rank: Rare
-Using the skillbook grants the 'Black Field (Rare)' skill.
Perfect. He'd successfully snatched both skillbooks that Louis Verdant had gotten.
'...I died over 40 times trying to clear that back then.'
He'd had to endure Louis Verdant's endless yapping until his ears bled.
Thanks to that, he'd memorized every detail and claimed both skillbooks.
'This time, they're mine.'
Satisfaction lit Jeong Hoon's face.
"It's over?"
Anima glanced around.
"Yeah. It's done."
Achievement unlocked! You have completed 'Hidden Dungeon Clear.' 10,000 achievement points awarded.
This dungeon had only two monsters.
Both were such pains that it had taken quite a while.
Without his pre-regression knowledge and experience, 40 deaths would've been nothing.
He might've died 100 times and still failed.
The brainwashing and Black Field were that potent.
At that moment.
In the basement of Edenhark's lordly castle.
"Uh...?"
"The portal is vanishing!"
The shimmering portal before them was fading bit by bit.
This change meant it would fully disappear soon.
"It's really closing...? That accursed portal that's tormented us forever?"
Juan muttered in disbelief.
From his ancestors to him, they'd only barely contained its outbursts, with mounting losses they could scarcely bear.
He'd thought he'd carry that headache to his grave... but for it to close like this?
The tower master's words had all been true.
Soon after, a stranger emerged from the fading portal.
He looked impossibly pristine to be the one who'd sealed it.
"Success."
The curt but powerful declaration sent shivers through Juan and everyone present.
"We'll lift the barrier!"
The energy leaking from the portal was gone.
It should be safe to drop the barrier now.
But the stranger shook his head.
"No. The contamination level is too high. Don't lift the barrier until the portal is completely gone."
"...Understood. Keep the barrier up."
At Juan's command, the mages halted immediately.
"Whew. Then I'll rest a bit."
The stranger looked thoroughly exhausted.
He must have expended immense energy sealing the portal.
"Escort the honored guest!"
Juan ordered the butler behind him.
But the stranger shook his head again.
"No. I'll rest here until the portal vanishes. Contaminated mana is caked all over me."
"Ah, of course. We'll prepare a spot for you to rest comfortably right here."
This time, he wouldn't refuse.
"Yes. I'd appreciate that."
The stranger nodded.
With his approval, everyone but Juan moved with perfect coordination.
Furniture including a bed was brought inside the barrier and arranged.
That wasn't all.
The table overflowed with Edenhark's local delicacies.
He knew even the lord made do with modest meals due to the territory's poor finances.
It felt a bit burdensome.
"If you need anything, just call anytime!"
The mages who set down the food exited the barrier.
The portal was now just a faint outline.
In about 30 minutes, it would vanish completely.
Then the contaminated mana clinging to his body would wash away, and he could exit safely.
"Thank you."
Jeong Hoon picked up a piece of meat with his hand and took a bite.
Money really was the best.
The meat's quality was leagues above.
Fatigue Recovery Buff (10 minutes) applied.
A buff restored his character's fatigue instead of granting satiety.
"Hmm, it's better than I expected."
Jeong Hoon still had the Dragon Anima Longbow on his back.
So Anima could taste the meat through him.
'I should use the skillbook right away.'
Martial Sovereign was a legendary class.
Every time he advanced to 2nd, 3rd, or 4th job change, all his skills would upgrade in rank.
No reason to hold onto it.
Acquired active skill 'Brainwashing.'
Acquired active skill 'Black Field.'
New skills registered upon using the skillbooks.
Unrelated to weapons, they went into the General category.
"Shall we lift the barrier now?"
After 30 minutes, the portal was gone.
The contaminated mana on Jeong Hoon's body vanished as if washed away.
"Yes."
Quest complete.
While the mage lifted the barrier, Jeong Hoon followed the butler to the lord's chamber.
"Welcome!"
Juan greeted him warmly.
To him, Jeong Hoon was the benefactor who'd solved Edenhark's chronic headache.
A red exclamation mark blinked above his head.
Quest completed.
Rewards being tallied.
All conditions met! Maximum reward available!
Unlike Louis Verdant, he'd earned the maximum reward.
Back then, Louis had gotten a level-up potion.
It had let him skyrocket past level 100 and rush to the next village.
"I'm truly grateful. Without you, I'd still be scrambling to contain the outbursts."
Juan expressed his heartfelt thanks.
At the same time, a butler stepped forward with an ornate box.
Jeong Hoon's eyes locked on it.
A red box emblazoned with a dragon emblem.
"I pondered what reward to give my benefactor... and decided this was best."
The box clicked open.
Inside, not one but several potions glimmered alluringly.
"This is...?"
Jeong Hoon's eyes widened.
"Potions that enhance all abilities. Heirlooms passed down from my ancestorsquite precious."
Not just level-up potions.
An assortment of various types.
Potions for levels.
For strength.
For agility.
For stamina.
For wisdom, and more.
A wide variety.
'The potions have diversified.'
He hadn't expected rare items from a beginner zone anyway.
The real prize in this quest was snatching Brainwashing and Black Field from Louis Verdant, alongside whatever reward came.
Of course, the reward wouldn't end with just potions.
Was maximum reward simply more potion types?
"I'll gladly accept."
"And I thank you for resolving Edenhark's long-standing curse."
Jeong Hoon took the box.
Acquired Edenhark Special Potions!
The potions inside transferred straight to his inventory.
"Oh, and I prepared one more thing. Will you accept it?"
The reason he loved 'maximum reward.'
It was this extra prize.
The one Louis Verdant had always regretted missing.
Maximum reward additionally granted.
Acquired Title Benefactor of Edenhark.