Chapter 94

A scream echoed through every corner of the village. The residents, awakened from their sleep, began to emerge from their homes, each clutching something that could serve as a weapon.

“……”

Urdman, the one-eyed, one-legged old man, stepped out of his house bare-handed.

“Is that the scream of the white demon…?”

“Why are all the warriors gathered there?”

The villagers murmured.

The conversation did not last long.

“Keeek! Keeek!”

Another scream echoed, one that made the mind go blank and caused dizziness just by hearing it, a terrifying scream.

As the residents gasped for breath, Urd finally realized what was happening.

The monster hunters were indeed fighting the white demon.

“…To start like this.”

Muttering, Urd moved towards the square.

“Kiaaak! Keeek!”

High and low screams continued.

The soldiers standing on the palisade came into view in the old man’s single eye.

“Just three of them….”

Urd’s sigh momentarily faded.

Turning his gaze to the statue that rose on one side of the square, the old man sighed again.

“O mighty one of the North….”

The holy light from the statue’s greatsword was spreading, the blood on the tip of the sword evaporating and turning into holy power.

“O… Oh….”

“Is the avatar of Kharha saving the village…?”

The villagers sighed upon seeing the statue. Some were even praying to it.

Even though they knew Kharha was not a god who responded to prayers.

“Keeek!”

A scream of pure agony burst out at that moment.

The soldiers on the palisade were the first to fall silent.

Their silence spread to the village, closing the mouths of the murmuring residents.

“……”

Only the red light spreading from Kharha’s statue silently illuminated the surroundings.

“…It’s coming.”

“Oh my… really dealing with that thing alone…?”

“Two? Just two…?”

Finally, sighs and shock began to spread among the soldiers on the palisade.

The warriors slowly moved towards the main gate.

Their gazes, all looking at the same spot, gradually lowered.

“Gate! Open the gate immediately!”

The voice that followed was very familiar to Urd. Askel.

Urd, finally taking his eyes off the statue, spotted Askel running along the palisade’s railing.

His usually calm grandson’s face was now a mix of shock and joy.

In contrast, Valeri, who followed behind, had a wax-like, expressionless face.

A few warriors hurriedly ran down from the palisade and unlocked the bar that blocked the village gate.

Creak—

The gate slowly opened.

Beyond it, a black-haired stranger revealed himself and soon entered the village with a leisurely pace.

A black-furred demon followed, but no one gave her a wary glance.

“O Kharha….”

“To really kill that demon…!”

Everyone’s gaze was completely captured by the massive head the black-haired stranger held in his arms.

It was unlike any harpy known to them.

The completely hairless, snow-white head shone like scales.

The place where eyes should be was flat and empty, and a mouth like broken glass was gaping wide below. A thick, snake-like tongue split into two hung from it. Two horns each protruded from the front and back of the head, curving towards each other, forming a crown-like shape.

“The white demon….”

The monster that had long terrified them was now crossing the village with its head cut off.

With each step the man took, glossy black blood dripped from the messy cut on the neck.

The black-haired man, who had introduced himself as Ian Hope, did not even notice it.

His face and body were already covered in the same black fluid.

Urd, who had been staring at him blankly, suddenly turned his gaze to the side.

He felt the light from the statue had become more intense.

“……!”

It was not a hallucination.

As Ian approached, the holy power flowing from Kharha’s greatsword became even more intense.

“Why would Kharha… to such a stranger…?”

“Perhaps he is also from the North.”

Some of the villagers who witnessed this whispered.

‘Could he really be from the North…?’

Thinking the same, Urd looked at Ian approaching him.

Black hair, black eyes.

Fair skin.

Though he seemed hairless and had a thin build for a Northerner, it wasn’t strange if he was a half-breed.

Finally, Ian, who had crossed the quiet village, arrived in front of Urd.

“Ha… I just took a bath today.”

Ian muttered so softly that only Urd could hear, and threw the head at his feet.

The massive head rolled on the ground.

A calm voice followed.

“The mission is complete. Any objections?”

Urd, looking into those indifferent black eyes for a moment, finally answered.

“None. You have completed the mission.”

His voice became more reverent.

“I will come to collect the reward tomorrow.”

Nodding, Ian turned and left.

As he approached, Kharha’s statue shone even brighter.

“……?”

Ian, frowning slightly, stopped and looked at the statue.

The faces of some of the villagers and soldiers, who had just noticed the statue’s state, were filled with shock.

He stopped for only a moment.

With a low snort, he continued walking and entered the house where he was staying.

Creak, thud.

The creaking of the old door’s hinges announced the end of the village’s nightmare-like night.

Urd, looking at the monster’s head in front of his feet, let out a low sigh.

“Perhaps, he really is…?”

***

“I feel like I’m going to vomit.”

Tesia, lying on the bed, groaned.

She had been in this state since early yesterday morning.

“You’re revealing your impurity with your whole body. Despite doing nothing.”

“What do you mean by nothing? I even found the location of the monster.”

“You did a great job, you little brat.”

“Just bear with it a little longer. We’ll leave the village soon.”

While putting on the equipment he had roughly cleaned and laid out, Ian said.

“Why is Kharha suddenly acting up? Did he fall for you, Ian?”

Tesia made a blasphemous remark without hesitation.

Of course, Ian didn’t pay attention to that part.

Because the statue wasn’t just emitting holy power; it had even given him a quest he had never seen before.

“Well, it’s not the first time. The statue of Ru Solar used to shine like that too.”

I didn’t expect the god of barbarian warriors to show interest in me.

Ian shrugged and held back his words.

The barbarian warriors in the game were a group that hated mages more than anyone else.

“All the gods of heaven seem to desire you, Ian.”

Charlotte said in admiration. She was genuinely proud as if it were her own achievement.

Her eyes, looking at Ian, were now filled with nothing but admiration and affection.

Ian snorted.

“Well, let them do as they please. I’ll use their power if they offer it.”

He would never serve anyone.

That was his current and future resolve.

To him, the gods of this world were merely tools to be used, never objects of worship.

Emotionally, it was one thing, but practically, it was another.

There were already enough constraints.

Moreover, it was unknown how the seal of a god would interact with the fragment of chaos.

“So, how was it? The harpy queen.”

Tesia added.

You said it was tough, but your mouth is still running.

Thinking this, Ian replied.

“It was nothing special.”

Perhaps because the giant wraiths were so strong, the battle with the mutated harpy queen didn’t feel particularly dangerous.

Of course, this was also a matter of synergy.

The mutated harpy queen used powerful enchantment and mind-affecting spells, as well as a death scream that caused both status effects and real damage.

Neither of these could penetrate Ian’s mental strength and resistance.

Her sharp claws and teeth were more threatening.

Moreover, Ian already knew the strategy of attacking the membrane of the wings to reduce her flight ability, and her defenses could be penetrated even with wind blades.

If he had used more offensive spells, he could have captured her without a single drop of fluid on his body.

He didn’t do this because he didn’t want the northern barbarians to know he was a mage.

‘Definitely, I’ve become much stronger than before.’

Ian thought, clenching and unclenching his fist.

Of course, it might feel more significant because he had just fought a powerful enemy like the Legion Commander of the Fallen Kingdom and then a relatively easier named enemy.

Still, his stats were much higher than when he started.

The effects of the overlapping quest rewards, which had been hidden due to the reset of the scenario, were now gradually showing.

‘It’s hard to call it growth as a mage, but…’

Still, the fact that he was continuously getting stronger was meaningful enough.

Ian, having finished preparing, moved to leave.

“Where are you going, Ian?”

“To collect the reward.”

Ian answered indifferently to Tesia’s question and opened the door.

His brows furrowed.

Askel was standing in front of the door.

“…How long have you been there?”

“About two hours, I think.”

His answer was calm, but his eyes were filled with awe.

It was a feeling that was still uncomfortable, even though he was somewhat used to it.

His actions were not filled with any noble purpose or intention.

It was easier to deal with those who feared or hated him.

“Did you wait to talk to me?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask if you could stay in the village for a few more days.”

“Why?”

“We’re having a feast tomorrow afternoon. Since you’ve helped us eliminate the white demon, we’d like you to attend.”

To strengthen the bond.

Thinking it was just an escape from reality, Ian replied.

“Your High Warrior won’t like it.”

“It was Valeri who insisted on inviting you….”

“Is that so…?”

Ian shrugged.

“Think about it. I’m going to your house now.”

“To collect the reward, I see. Our elder is waiting for you.”

Ian nodded and gestured towards Charlotte, who had followed him out.

“You can go alone. Guide Charlotte. She needs to buy things for the journey.”

Askel nodded, and Charlotte, passing by him, said,

“It might be hard to find a carriage. Ian.”

“A cart will do. Check if it has a roof, and if not, just buy it as is. If there’s nothing, a horse will suffice.”

“Understood.”

Ian immediately moved on.

The residents he passed bowed their heads as they saw him.

It was common for people’s attitudes to change after completing a mission, but this time it was more intense.

‘Don’t get your hopes up. I have no intention of becoming your apostle.’

Ian, recalling the quest from last night, glanced at Kharha’s statue and snorted as he passed through the square.

***

“You’ve come.”

The old man, Urd, stood up from his chair.

His expression and tone didn’t change much, but his attitude was much more respectful.

‘If I do a few more things like yesterday, Kharha might start worshipping me instead.’

As Ian sat at the table, Urd immediately placed a small pouch in front of him.

“The promised reward.”

Ian picked up the money pouch.

Two gold coins. A large sum for a dying old man’s savings. Perhaps it was money he had earned from past wars.

“Excellent.”

Ian placed the pouch on the table and looked at Urd.

“What about the head?”

“I’ve placed it at the feast venue. Everyone will see it at the feast tomorrow.”

“You were worried about retaliation.”

“It seems unlikely. Some warriors said Kharha sent avatars to save the village.”

Ian snorted.

“I don’t worship Kharha. I have no intention of becoming his apostle.”

“There’s a misunderstanding. Kharha does not appoint any agents.”

“Doesn’t appoint…? So Kharha has no priests or apostles?”

Ian narrowed his eyes and asked.

Urd nodded.

“Kharha became a god through his own power. Therefore, he needs nothing else.”

“But there’s a statue, and he blesses the warriors, doesn’t he?”

“That’s just because he favors warriors who walk the same path as him. There’s no other reason. The warriors who sometimes offer tributes to Kharha are just boasting of their achievements.”

Ian’s head tilted slightly.

‘If it’s not an apostle quest, what does this mean?’

Ian, looking at the quest window, turned back to Urd.

He thought this old man might know the answer.

“I have a question.”

“Good. I also had something to ask you. Please go first.”

“What exactly does ‘High Warrior of the North’ mean?”

Urd’s eyes, which had been calmly smiling, suddenly widened.