Kanna Blitz (2)
Yun-seok's question prompted the man to give him a strange look, but fortunately, he answered kindly enough.
There were two main reasons why mission trial challengers formed parties.
"You know how each mission has special challenge objectives, right? It's better to form a party if you're aiming for those."
Even without that, he explained, missions requiring large numbers of people like this one were easier to survive by operating like squads in a party. Anyway, the man had already found his party and seemed to have some time to kill, so he answered Yun-seok's follow-up questions as well. Maybe because Yun-seok looked like a total newbie, he didn't invite him to join.
"Thanks."
"No problem. But you've only done apprentice difficulty up to this point, huh? You didn't even know this stuff..."
"......"
Far from apprentice difficulty, this is my first mission ever, Yun-seok thought, but he kept quiet. No point in saying he came from the duels—he'd just get labeled a psycho or draw unwanted attention.
As time approached, the man headed back to his party, and Yun-seok pieced together the information he'd gathered.
So that's how the difficulties are divided.
Unlike what he'd expected, different mission difficulties didn't change the space itself. They just ramped up the conditions you had to meet. For a "dungeon conquest" mission, the number of floors to clear would vary by difficulty. For "bounty hunting," the number of wanted posters you had to process increased. And for this escort mission, the duration changed based on difficulty: apprentice was 1 day, normal 3 days, proficient 7 days, expert 15 days, unique 45 days...
So once everyone else leaves... I'll have to handle the escort alone from then on?
Yun-seok glanced around. No one had obviously chosen unique. Even expert had only a handful, formed into one single party.
While Yun-seok stood there blankly, a bearded man with a dignified presence clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.
"My name is Wellington! I'm a third-class templar of the Trinity Church, in charge of this operation. I know you're all here as hired help for pay, but thank you so much for coming this far!"
Dressed in silver full plate armor like a medieval knight, he first expressed his gratitude to the group with solemn dignity.
Only then did he give a brief briefing on the mission details.
"Our destination is Zaris Bay. And the moment the High Priestess boards the ship to Leban Neutral Country, your missions will be complete."
Murmurs rippled through the challengers. Most were like, "What? It's in Sehelanbard?" in surprise.
Hearing that, something clicked for Yun-seok. Leban Neutral Country—the nation Raguna Hamblton had called her homeland back on the 4th floor.
"I won't risk your lives on false pretenses! We've received intel that evil heretics are targeting the High Priestess. It will be extremely dangerous. If you want to leave now, I won't stop you!"
Templar Wellington gave them another chance to back out, confessing his conscience quite earnestly. Of course, no one did. They weren't just mercenaries; they were challengers summoned by the Tower of Heaven. Naturally, Wellington, unaware of that, was moved.
"They say the mercenaries of Edensbaum have unparalleled spirit, and it's true!"
Whether he praised them or not didn't matter to the group. One cluster in the crowd raised a hand with a question.
"What year is it now?"
"...517."
Wellington answered straightforwardly, though his face said, Why ask something like that?
Another stir spread through the crowd.
"So that's 500 years ago?"
"No wonder Edensbaum feels so backward."
The complainers were mostly from Sehelanbard—flashy hair colors, diverse races like humans, beastkin, and elves. The others, not from here, were mostly unfazed. Except for a few from Murim.
"Does that mean we can really go to the past through here? Then I could find the Cheonma Cave that appeared 500 years ago!"
"Look at those Murim guys already scheming. What's the big deal with their martial arts anyway? You can't even learn them anymore, and you're risking your life for it?"
There were Murim folk and Earthlings here. But no demons from Killian—no orcs or lizardmen. Not a coincidence, probably. Was there a reason?
As Yun-seok pondered, departure time arrived.
"Then let's move out!"
Mounted on his horse, Wellington led the group with wagons close beside him, challengers following and guarding the perimeter.
"Monsters won't swarm on day one, right?"
"Who knows. Just hope we hit camp time soon."
In groups of three or four, most chatted idly as they marched. Yun-seok alone marched silently, speaking to no one.
A few eyed him oddly but didn't approach. Even the curious were held back by their groups.
"Don't talk to him. Looks like a retard—might drag us down."
Fine by Yun-seok. Better they stayed away. He just kept his ears open, eavesdropping for info as they yapped.
How long had they been walking the forest path—barely more than a dirt road after leaving the fortress city—when it happened.
"Chwiik!"
Dozens of orcs ambushed them. The orcs Yun-seok knew were ferocious but had language and reason. These were different—snarling guttural cries, barely intelligible roars.
And weak as hell.
"Kya, now that's an orc!"
One presumed Sehelanbard challenger hacked through them like he was home. The others too. The fight ended anticlimactically before Yun-seok needed to step in. Wellington, like it was routine, said nothing and pressed on.
No more attacks after. As dusk fell, Wellington halted at a suitable spot for camp and began setup. He called challengers one by one, handing out a day's pay. Seemed standard here.
"Man, this mission's a cakewalk. Should've picked higher than apprentice."
For apprentices, this was it. Unless attacked at camp, they'd complete at dawn and return to the waiting room.
Shin Sang-hyun? Did that guy climb like this?
Explained why he was weak on the 10th floor. Apparently, missions advanced floors after three successes regardless of difficulty, with varying rewards.
"Sir Wellington, mind if we scout the area?"
The expert party, drawing subtle stares, asked. Wellington praised their professionalism repeatedly and approved.
"Hunting challenge objectives."
"They really make work for themselves."
The other challengers watched them leave without fondness. But mock them as fools, and envy lurked in their eyes.
"Back already! Anything I need to worry about?"
"Nothing."
"Good work! Skip night watch—rest up."
An hour later, they returned empty-handed. Challengers snickered.
"Strikeout today."
"Like it's that easy."
Yun-seok couldn't relate. If they envied from afar, why not just do it themselves?
"Now for night watch. Bear with any gripes—everyone rotates the dirty work anyway, right?"
Watch assigned, challengers wrapped in issued blankets and crashed hard. Yun-seok lay down too.
But sleep wouldn't come. Not from the ground—Blood Demon Divine Art erased fatigue entirely.
Sleeping feels weird anyway...
When was his last real sleep? Not since the Tower. He'd passed out mid-duel with Cheonma dozens of times, but that wasn't restful slumber.
Guess I'll train till dawn.
No sword dancing alone at night, so meditation instead. Unexpected long mission felt negative at first, but free time was nice.
But his focus shattered soon. Couldn't ignore the sleazy talk by the fire.
"Kanna Blitz—gotta be a woman, right?"
"Who cares. Don't like it. What's with the High Priestess holing up in the wagon, not even showing her face?"
"Exactly. So... wanna check it out? Mission ends tomorrow morning—might as well have fun first."
"But that templar Wellington is guarding it."
"Just kill the bastard. Other challengers won't notice. Got area sound-block magic. They'll sleep like babies."
The mage's idea turned the hesitant guy beaming—no risk. The silent ones agreed.
Mage chanted; mana spread wide. Silence fell, all noise gone.
Yun-seok rose quietly. The five on watch crept toward the central wagon.
"......"
Why were scum like this everywhere? Or was he murder-drunk, seeing kill-worthy trash in everyone?
No way.
He'd realized post-Earth. Suppressed it till Blood Demon Divine Art's side effects faded. That's why he'd ignored marked sinners so far.
But now? Changed his mind. World kept tempting him—no need for doubt.
Yun-seok decided no consequences. If he regretted post-side effects, fine. Better than letting them slide.
"......"
Watching them approach the wagon with pity, Yun-seok slashed horizontally at empty air.
Sound block? No echoes.
But... thud.
They collapsed before the wagon one after another. Mage screamed internally; spell broke.
Sound minimal. Good no light sleepers. Yun-seok hurried over for cleanup.
Sizzle—
Blood Demon Divine Art absorbed blood; butchery melted corpses. Clean. Melt marks on ground? No one'd think human.
Heading back—
Creak.
Wagon door opened. A fresh-faced early-teen girl appeared.
Thinking ghost at midnight? She froze at Yun-seok, breath catching.
"...Gulp!"
Soft voice from inside, like woken: "Who... are you?"
"K-Kanna! Th-there's an e-evil spirit..."
Evil spirit, not ghost? Couldn't laugh. Frail woman in white robes emerged. Escort target: High Priestess Kanna Blitz.
First sight; Yun-seok eyed her curiously. Froze at her scolding the girl.
"El, I told you not to leave the wagon. Wake me if you must."
"But... you're tired too..."
Kanna Blitz called the girl "El." Nickname? Real name? Common here? Or title?
Just coincidence...?
Yun-seok knew little of El: robed superior figure, lovely deep-red hair. Outer traits only.
Glanced at girl again. Sleep-tousled, but hair matched. Figure budding, too young to judge. Voice softer, aura totally different.
Only hair matched. But "El" made her look... different.
"El...?"
Yun-seok murmured unwittingly.
Returned: cold glare.