The Dark Elf Outpost
The dark elf let out a long breath. “Hoo… it’s hot.”
It had already been two hours since Ian began exploring the tropical rainforest. She fanned her sweat-soaked clothes and kept walking, each step heavier than the last.
Just walking made the sweat pour off her like rain. She even found herself missing the clothes she’d worn back in Valtor. And it wasn’t just the heat—plant-type monsters kept ambushing her at every turn.
Lv 17. Rimbahitam Shroom
“A mushroom this time?”
The mushroom-shaped monster approached her while spewing spores. Before the spores could reach her respiratory system, Ian’s sword sliced cleanly through it.
After repeating this process over and over, even Ian started to get irritated.
“Where the hell is their settlement?”
There were no tall hills to get a better view. The ground was completely flat, and the trees grew so thick they blocked everything. She couldn’t shake the suspicion that she was walking in circles. After struggling with the search in every possible way, Ian finally gave up and sat down.
“Whatever. Let’s rest for a bit.”
If there was one thing better than the Valtor Mountains, it was how soft the soil felt. No matter where she sat, her butt wouldn’t hurt. Ian leaned against a nearby tree and waited for her sweat to dry.
That was when it happened.
-Whoosh!
A sharp sound cut through the air. Ian quickly raised her sword.
-Clang!
“Ugh… an arrow?”
She barely managed to block it, but the sword that met the skill-infused arrow now had a crack running through it.
There was no time to panic. A snare had already wrapped around her ankle.
“Whoa!”
The pulling force sent Ian tumbling across the dirt.
With her ankle caught, struggling was nearly impossible. Even when she tried to cut the rope, the constant dragging made it hard to land a proper strike.
But she couldn’t just sit there and take it.
If I can’t cut it…
Then I’ll burn it. Ian tossed her sword aside and aimed her staff at the snare rope.
“Fireball!”
Even while being dragged, Ian’s magic struck true.
The flames surged up and severed the rope. Freed at last, Ian sprang to her feet and charged in the direction the snare had come from.
There stood a small figure wearing a deep black hood.
Player? Or an NPC?
One thing was certain—the being in front of her radiated clear hostility.
Ian drew her second sword and swung at the hooded figure.
Right before the blade connected, he dropped to one knee and dodged. The sudden movement caused his hood to slip off.
Ian froze in shock.
“A d-dark elf?”
Skin as dark as shadow and long, pointed ears—the classic dark elf straight out of fantasy. Yet his face looked surprisingly young, almost like Rian back in Zone 1.
“Punch.”
Ian was too slow to react. The fist slammed straight into her stomach.
“Guh!”
It felt like all the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Ian’s body shot upward.
The dark elf leaped after her, fist glowing with purple light.
Basic Fist Skill, Fourth Form. Two-hit combo technique.
Somersault
A spinning uppercut and kick combo.
Ian swung her sword vertically, blocking the coordinated assault.
The raw power isn’t that strong.
Even though she took the hit directly, it only hurt—it didn’t leave any lasting damage. From what Ian could tell, he was around level 12. Not a real threat on his own.
But.
-Whoosh!
The biggest problem was the arrows that kept flying from her blind spots every time the dark elf was pushed back.
That one’s definitely stronger.
Each block sent a jolt through her hands. Thanks to her timely use of skills, the sword hadn’t cracked again, but constantly watching the fist while reacting to every arrow was incredibly annoying.
Then I should deal with the annoying one first.
Ian twisted her body hard. She spun like a top, accelerating rapidly.
Top Blade
A wide-range spinning slash of blue light.
The dark elf quickly backed away to avoid getting caught in the attack. In that opening, Ian cast Hate magic on him, then ignored the fighter completely and sprinted toward where the arrows were coming from.
Startled, he tried to chase after her, but her speed was on a completely different level now. She left him in the dust.
“There you are!”
Ian’s sword pulled back tightly behind her waist. She swung with enough force to cut down both the hidden archer and the entire tree behind him.
Slash
A blazing blue slash tore through the air. The combination of speed and power completely severed the sturdy tree.
-Crack!
The tree screamed as it fell. A deafening roar echoed, and thick clouds of dust billowed up around Ian.
But.
-Whoosh!
A barrage of arrows tore through the dust cloud.
“Persistent, aren’t you?”
Ian dashed sideways to dodge them. Before the next volley could come, she pivoted, planted her foot, and charged.
Single-strike rush skill—Sword Rush. Her body became like the wind, slicing through the dust.
The figure waiting there was another dark elf wearing the same black hood, but much larger in build. Before Ian’s sword could reach him, his body slid backward as if he were skating on ice.
Dodge Shot
A basic archery skill that combines evasion and counterattack.
Ian’s sword was once again stopped by an arrow, only managing to knock his hood off.
If the first one had looked like a young boy, this one had the rough, bandit-like face of a seasoned warrior. While Ian was taking that in, his bowstring was already drawn toward the sky.
Arrow Rain
A wide-area annihilation skill. Green mana arrows blanketed the sky.
The front and the sky were completely blocked off. Ian threw herself to the side, then closed the distance to the dark elf again.
The two of them traded blows at blinding speed. Sharp sword strikes clashed against incoming arrows, creating sparks with every collision.
Meanwhile, the gauntlet-wearing dark elf rejoined the fight, throwing punches at Ian.
Ian’s brow furrowed.
What now?
It was two against one. Considering the archer’s skill level, victory was far from guaranteed.
In that case, there was only one way to break this deadlock.
“Hey, who are you guys?”
A shameless attempt at conversation.
They weren’t monsters—they were humanoid elves. Even if they wouldn’t negotiate, she figured she could at least buy some time.
However.
“Looks like they don’t want to talk.”
What she received in return was silent hostility. Both the bow and the gauntlets were aimed at her once more.
Realizing there was no other choice, Ian lowered her sword.
It wasn’t like she had only ever fought battles with clear odds in her favor. In fact, situations like this actually felt more comfortable.
The corner of Ian’s mouth curved into a smile. She was just about to stomp the ground when—
“Stop! That’s enough.”
A woman’s voice rang out from above the trees.
What? When did she get up there?
While Ian was still processing the sudden appearance of the curvaceous female dark elf, the woman dropped gracefully from the branches and fixed her with a cold stare.
The two dark elves who had been showing clear killing intent toward Ian just moments ago lowered their weapons and moved to stand beside her.
Now it was three against one. With no other option, Ian sheathed her sword.
Before turning to leave, the woman spoke to her.
“You there, human. Follow us.”
There were so many questions Ian wanted to ask right then and there. Where was this place? Had she seen anyone like her? Was there a boss monster among the plant-types here?
But the dark elves had already started walking and didn’t seem interested in conversation.
Guess I don’t have a choice.
In the end, Ian had no option but to follow them.
The place the dark elves led her to was deep inside the tropical rainforest, where rows of gloomy tents stood in formation.
Don’t tell me… this is their settlement?
It looked less like a village and more like a forward base. Most of the dark elves walking around were dressed like soldiers, all wearing the same black hoods.
While Ian was looking around, the woman who had been walking silently ahead reached a large tent and gave orders to those beside her.
“You two, return to your duties.”
They nodded, pulled their hoods down low, and left the tent. Then the woman’s gaze turned to Ian, who was still standing there awkwardly.
“Come in.”
She really does whatever she wants.
Ian shook her head and followed the woman inside.
It’s not as bad as it looks.
The exterior was shabby, but the neatly organized desk and simple bed gave it the feel of an office. Of course, it was still far more primitive than anything in Startia… but after spending so much time in Lundel, Ian actually thought this was livable.
While Ian was observing the interior, the dark elf woman sat down at the desk.
Her cold voice drew Ian’s attention.
“Human woman. What is your purpose here?”
“Wow, straight to the point? Don’t people usually start with introductions?”
“Answer the question, human.”
Ian sighed. Dealing with this woman felt like talking to the most stubborn, inflexible old-timer imaginable.
But even if she asked for her purpose, how could Ian possibly tell the truth? Saying I came here to kill the boss to an NPC wouldn’t make any sense to them.
So Ian did her best to give an answer that was close enough to the truth.
“Someone told me there was something dangerous here.”
“Dangerous?”
“My job is to take care of things like that.”
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a lie. Every boss she had faced so far had been a threat to the people in that zone. Even if there had only been two of them.
Anyway. The weaker your hand, the more confidently you have to play it. Ian stared straight into the woman’s eyes without flinching.
The dark elf stared back with clear suspicion for a moment before finally speaking.
“Very well. Then prove it.”
The moment she said that, a window appeared in front of Ian.
Scout Captain’s Trial
Kalinia, the dark elf scout captain responsible for Durigarda’s defense, demands proof of your innocence. Overcome the trial she sets before you and prove yourself.
Durigarda? What is that? And Kalinia—is that her name?
The female dark elf—Scout Captain Kalinia—continued speaking.
“To the west of Durigarda, there is a monster that has long threatened our sentinels. Slay it and bring back its mark. Only then will I believe your words.”
“What’s the mark?”
“You’ll know it when you see it.”
Ian pouted for a moment, clearly displeased, then nodded.
“Fine. How long do I have?”
“Three days.”
“So I can move freely until then?”
“Yes. If you mention my name—Kalinia—you will be allowed to act without interference. But remember this. Our sentinels will always be watching you.”
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll get it soon.”
As Ian turned to leave the tent, Kalinia spoke again.
“Ah, and my name is not ‘you’…”
Ian smiled at the dark elf who was still glaring at her.
“It’s Ian. Make sure you remember it.”
The tent flap fluttered, and Ian disappeared from sight.
“Ian, huh…”
Kalinia stared at the spot where she had vanished and let out a scoff.
“What an amusing human.”