Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Alluring Dark Elf
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Pavarintos' sub-race DLC, Other Races.
The evaluation of it was simple.
A high-difficulty playstyle with high risk, high return.
And despite having zero content, the price was insanely high... well, let's skip the harsh words for now.
The point was straightforward.
Even with the option to choose sub-races, humans still had the highest pick rate.
Humans topped the pick rate charts, and they had the highest average survival rate too.
...But.
What if we think of it not as a game, but as 'reality'?
If a status window popped up in the real world right in front of you, offering a choice of 'race'.
When suddenly given this opportunity, plenty of people would opt for a 'race' superior to humans.
Elves had optimal specs.
They were canonically beautiful men and women, gifted in both magic and martial arts, able to borrow the power of 'spirits' from birth, and they had long lifespans to boot.
Dark elves took it even further.
They couldn't use spirit power, but like vampires, they didn't have a concept of lifespan.
In Pavarintos lore, dark elves were elves that had turned undead.
However, their racial traits were so overwhelmingly strong that even after undeath, they could live and reproduce just fine.
Moreover, both were among the sub-races you could choose that started with inherently high levels.
Races with more than enough appeal to mesmerize players into picking them.
...Still.
On the other hand, there was another line of thinking.
Nah, no way.
This wasn't some other game—it was Pavarintos.
Anyone who didn't want to die would just pick human, right?
Hardcore players could run around in nothing but underwear because the game was that forgiving.
Pavarintos wasn't forgiving. It didn't care if you were a noob or a vet—mess up once, and you'd get one-shot.
Everyone knew how brutal the early game was for sub-races.
Unless you'd min-maxed your build from the start like me, no one would foolishly pick elf first, right?
...Or so I thought.
But actually seeing an elf made me reconsider a bit.
Hmm. At that level... well...
It might be worth betting my life on.
She definitely seemed worth it.
'Woo Hyang-tae'.
Her name sounded Korean, but her noble beauty could only be described as elven.
A dark elf with blonde hair exuding an exotic vibe, yet her aura was more serene and profound than frivolous.
Her dark skin only added to the mystique.
In-game graphics made me think elves were just okay, but seeing one in person blew that away completely.
The feeling was entirely different.
It inspired awe even toward Pavarintos' devs—especially the graphics team.
...They nailed the bugs so well, so why couldn't they do elves like this?
Or maybe this person just pulls off Dark Elf perfectly...?
Maybe.
I hadn't seen other elves yet.
Anyway.
"So, is that guy a player?"
"...."
Her voice was annoyingly good too.
At Woo Hyang-tae's question, I glanced at Hyun Tae-jin.
He'd been staring at her in a daze, but he snapped out of it and shook his head.
"Ah, no, I'm not."
"...You looked like one."
No hint of disappointment.
She nodded as if she'd expected it, then turned her gaze to me.
"Then you're... hmm?"
And then.
Mid-sentence, she tilted her head and scanned my face.
"?"
What?
No blood on my face or anything.
No way she fell for me at first sight.
"Why'd you stop—gah!?"
I never found out why.
Not even time to wonder.
The next instant, Woo Hyang-tae reached out and grabbed my cheek.
"Wha—?"
"Yes?"
"....Huh?"
...What the hell.
I hurriedly raised my hand to shove her arm away, but it wouldn't budge.
Was it the vampire strength penalty?
This slender, beautiful elf's arm didn't move an inch.
Had she shifted the attunement penalty to magic power?
[Squish—]
"—Guh!?"
And it didn't end there.
The next moment, Woo Hyang-tae, still gripping my cheek, shoved her finger into my mouth.
"Gahk—?!"
The slim finger rummaged inside.
Somehow gross... but also kinda not bad?
So this is what a dark elf's finger tastes like.
This might actually be decent... no.
...What the fuck is wrong with her.
"Wha... what...?"
"...Guildmaster?"
Even the two guys watching seemed clueless.
Confusion and bewilderment crossed their faces.
No, don't just watch—pull her off me!
Telekinesis.
"Ugh!?"
[Thud.]
No choice, I cast the spell.
I formed a telekinetic force in the air and shoved Woo Hyang-tae hard, making her lose balance and fall back.
...I'd meant to send her flying.
...She's heavy.
A tough opponent.
I'd pushed with full intent to launch her, but she barely budged.
She must have been using [Inner Force Activation].
And her magic power was high too—the distance she moved was minimal compared to the force.
...A few days earlier summon meant thorough 'magic power training,' huh.
"Ow, my back."
"...."
"...Sun-gil. Stop staring and help me up."
"No, Guildmaster, you're the one at fault here. What era do you think this is, committing sexual harassment...?"
"It's not harassment, idiot. I just want help getting up."
Still, no hostility.
The dark elf rubbed her back as she stood ungracefully and immediately asked me,
"You're a vampire, huh?"
"...."
Bingo.
That must've been her intent.
I'd vaguely sensed her touching for fangs—checking my race.
...Even accounting for that, it was pretty aggressive.
"...You could've just asked."
"Oh."
I wiped my mouth and answered; she blinked like she'd forgotten.
"Right. Should've asked."
"...."
...Is she an idiot?
I got the intention, but it was still ridiculous.
Confirming fangs by shoving fingers in my mouth.
...No matter how you slice it, that's harassment.
"A vampire? Really?"
"How'd you...! Oh."
This time, Kim Sun-gil was shocked.
Hyun Tae-jin next to him looked equally surprised.
"Yeah. This girl's a vampire."
"Vampire... like the blood-sucking monster?"
"Monster my ass. We're all fuck-ups trying to survive together now, so no worries."
"...So she doesn't drink blood?"
"Nah, she chugs it. Vampires only drink blood, right?"
"Gasp."
Woo Hyang-tae grumbled her answer; Kim Sun-gil quietly stepped back from me.
...I got his feelings, but bad move.
A thief distancing from a mage?
That just favors me.
"...No option to just ask directly?"
"Would you have answered?"
"Obviously."
It's not some big secret.
I nodded casually; Kim Sun-gil objected from the side.
"But she didn't tell me."
"You didn't ask."
"...Oh. True."
...He's admitting it?
I was the one baffled now, but Woo Hyang-tae's next question was equally weird.
"You. What's your name?"
"Lee Do-hwa."
"Not that. Your in-game name."
"...You mean my ID?"
"Yeah."
ID, out of nowhere...
...Don't tell me.
"...Fuse Girl. Nickname was Firecracker Fairy."
"...I see."
Woo Hyang-tae nodded.
Her face looked contemplative.
To her, Kim Sun-gil asked,
"You two know each other?"
"No. First time hearing of her."
"I don't know her either."
".....Then why?"
But Woo Hyang-tae ignored him and asked me again.
"Ever hear of Kargrim?"
"...Yeah, I've heard the name."
...What the hell is Kargrim.
Some weeb shit?
I knew it, but no obligation to say.
"Kargrim...?"
"What's that?"
The guys asked instead.
Hyun Tae-jin mumbling, Kim Sun-gil puzzled.
Woo Hyang-tae answered casually.
"Some asshole who specialized in black magic, infamous for griefing hard. Of course, it was just a game back then."
"Ah... But why bring it up now?"
"This character looks just like the one he used. Thought maybe."
"...."
"....It doesn't look that similar. The graphics weren't realistic enough to confuse with reality."
Harsh.
Suspecting based on looks.
I objected calmly; surprisingly, she apologized readily.
"...Fair enough. Sorry for the misunderstanding."
"Verbal apology only?"
Of course, words alone wouldn't cut it.
I wasn't that mad, but I prodded anyway.
Wondering if she'd offer something...
"Not exactly compensation, but let's trade. We've got spare mana stones."
"...Mana stones?"
"Yeah. Can even tell you the portal location if you want."
"......Portal?"
...Not what I expected.
Portal and mana stones.
That changes things.
.
.
.
After the brief commotion,
the real talk began.
"You figured it out since you're players too, but we're planning to set up a guild here."
"...Guild? Not clan?"
"Name doesn't matter. Use whichever feels right."
"...."
Building a physical guild inside a dungeon.
Outlandish, but not useless.
Even in the game days of Pavarintos, people did it often.
In matching dungeons, big servers—same deal.
Of course, endings were always one of two: server wipes or guild wipes.
It was a game built for that thrill, so natural... but now, we can't afford that.
"Long story short, we'd like you to join the guild."
"...That's tricky. Don't know about the others, but I'll pass."
I refused outright.
I didn't like belonging anywhere.
Part personality clash with building relations... but that's real life.
In Pavarintos, it was trickier.
Not playstyle—my build forced it.
Casual encounters were fine, but long-term? No good.
Might be okay now, but later? Especially in a 'reality' with one life.
...'Black magic' was that kind of build from the start.
"Got it. Can't force you."
"...."
Surprisingly, Woo Hyang-tae accepted easily.
Too casually—made me suspect ulterior motives.
"But one favor instead."
"...."
...Knew it.
Her intent was blatantly obvious, though. First time seeing that.
"...I get the negotiation tactic. But is it smart to telegraph it?"
"Skip it if you hate it. We just won't share the portal."
"...What favor?"
But the bait was too juicy to ignore, obvious or not.
Might as well hear it out.
No force involved, no big risk.
"Item delivery."
"...Delivery?"
"You know how as a player. We need some skills; guild'll procure them. From class guilds in Labyrinth City, not here."
Guild.
Originally meant job-specific facilities in Labyrinth City.
Hence 'clan' to avoid confusion, but names don't matter, as she said.
"...Simple enough."
"Right?"
"Why not do it yourselves?"
"Want to, can't. Only me and Kang Yun are players here."
"....Ah."
Made sense.
Delivery wasn't easy.
Combining skills, library research, returning to base.
Not trustworthy for clueless 'normies'.
...Even vets might hate the last part.
"Pay's solid. We've got mana stones overflowing."
"...You trust me? What if I take and run?"
"Hell no. That's why Sun-gil's going with you."
"...Me? Why?"
"You idiot. Figure it out."
"...."
Anyway,
not a bad deal.
More mana stones the better, and Labyrinth City was on my list anyway.
But first, one curiosity.
"...Woo Hyang-tae, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks for remembering."
"What's the goal with the guild?"
"My safety, everyone's safety, building power. Won't say priorities."
"...."
...I see.
Priority didn't matter.
Leveling up, power-building, protecting people—doing one achieves the rest.
Smart play regardless.
Guild for labor, players focus on magic training.
Fastest way to level, arguably.
"...So, when and how'd you meet that ogre guy?"
Of course, needed force to pull off.
Probably coordinated from the start.
Very meticulous—
"—Kang Yun? Found him wandering. Nearly killed him thinking he was a mob blocking the path."
"...What?"
"True story. Shocked me too. This huge thing sprawled out. Almost swung."
"It's true. I saw it with my own eyes."
"...."
...Not that.
No prior plotting.
Shocking.
Seemed no initial guild intent.
...Makes sense. No guarantee same dungeon even with contact; why risk it?
"Curiosities satisfied?"
"More or less. Thanks for answering."
"Good. So, our request?"
"...Need to think on it."
"No rush. Not today. But don't drag too long."
"Tomorrow work?"
"Perfect."
She nodded leisurely and waved.
Signaling the end of the talk.