Chapter 10

◈ Chapter 10. Regrettably (2)

As soon as I entered the rift, the landscape of the forest changed.

The territory of Count Ascura, the vampire.

A corrupted land and the coniferous forests of Russia.

It seemed as if these two spaces were mixed together in equal parts.

...The scenery didn't matter.

‘Damn, it’s even colder?!’

It was because the trees had rotted.

The cold wind felt like a slap in the face.

“!”

But kindly,

Perhaps to prevent me from freezing to death.

I had no choice but to move immediately.

“Grrrrr……!!”

[Blood-Stained Wolf: Level 230]

A wolf infected by Count Ascura's blood.

Indeed, its movements were fast, incomparably so compared to similar creatures. However, due to the corruption by the vampire's blood, its race had become 'Demon.'

[Skill, 'Predator-Prey Relationship' activated.]

You're not the only one who's fast.

Crack─

Easily evading the wolf's charging attack.

I recalled the quest's objective.

‘Announce that the hunt has begun.’

Just killing one demon would complete the objective.

There was no hesitation.

I spun my body.

Attacking the wolf that passed by.

Naturally, the weapon was a silver dagger.

Swish─

“Grr!”

The sharp blade sliced the wolf's hind leg.

Dark blood flowed from the wound. From the reaction, it was different from an imp.

Unlike the imp, which would scream in pain, there was no significant reaction.

‘It’s not because of the level.’

The wolf was 20 levels higher than an imp.

But my level had also increased.

Adding the stats gained from the class quest to my level 12...

My attack must have dealt considerable damage to the wolf.

The evidence was visible.

The wolf was limping on its hind leg.

Yet, it still bared its teeth...

I could understand the reason.

“Foolishly, you chose the wrong master to be loyal to.”

This must be due to the wolf's loyalty to Count Ascura.

Of course, that's just a saying.

It's not that the wolf is actually loyal to Count Ascura.

It's just the setting for vampires in Arcana.

-I hate vampires. They are despicable. They have the habit of forming groups, corrupting subjects with their blood to force them into servitude. They despise humans but wish to live like them.

Recalling the conversation with an NPC in Akshan.

I added a comment to the NPC's words.

“You are dull. Like a demon.”

Count Ascura.

A creature who knows one thing but not two!

Nobility, you see,

Is not about being revered by others or owning a grand castle. Above all, it's about having pride in one's heart.

An unwavering, noble pride.

A dignity that doesn't bend even when your hands are dirty.

A boldness that doesn't falter even with muscle pain.

A stubbornness that refuses to wear a padded jacket even if it means freezing to death.

Why, like someone living somewhere.

Swish─

The battle was not long.

Though I was inwardly cursing Count Ascura and Granfel.

At this moment, my vision was colder than ever.

“I despise your kind.”

[Level up.]

[Level up.]

[Level up.]……

My level increased by 5, reaching level 72.

The required experience for leveling up is noticeably increasing.

I checked the flashing quest window.

-Hunt vampires. (In progress) ▲

●Announce that the hunt has begun. (Success)

●Make them feel the fear of being hunted. (In progress)

As soon as the first objective was achieved, the next one appeared.

Make them feel the fear of being hunted.

Indeed, a class quest worthy of its name.

‘Only a demon hunter could understand this.’

Making demons feel fear?

You might think this is nonsense.

But I had the experience of a demon hunter.

I wasn't just the last demon hunter for nothing.

-Fear has played the biggest role in keeping humans alive. Because humans can feel fear, they can avoid enemies stronger than themselves. That's how they survive.

This was a philosophy repeatedly mentioned by NPCs during the quest.

-But in front of demons, humans cannot use the emotion of fear to survive.

At the time, I couldn't understand what they were saying.

-So to hunt demons, you must overcome fear. And return it to them. At this moment, you must feel the fear of being hunted!

Now I understand.

After that philosophy lesson, a series of ruthless quests followed.

Looking back, I wonder how I succeeded in those tests of courage.

Many players gave up during those tests.

Of course, I was a middle schooler with no fear back then.

I passed the training with excellent results.

Thud─!

Yes, what shakes me is not a demon.

Sigh.

It's the bone-chilling Siberian high pressure in Russia...

.

.

.

And now.

I took a tea break.

The reason I said I didn't need a teacup.

Was because I could manifest a teacup.

I searched and interfered with the rocks scattered around, using them as material to manifest a teacup.

This was also a 'magic' I learned from NetTube.

More precisely, it was an [Alchemy Skill].

Like 'manifestation,' it was a magic converted using Granfel's brain.

Just a teacup and boiling water.

Considering the days of brainstorming,

It felt a bit trivial.

But it didn't matter.

The warmth is precious now...

*

“I have no tea to offer you.”

...What? I wouldn't drink it even if you did!

Leoni whispered seriously.

“...Is he a NetTuber?”

Shake, shake─

The guild members shook their heads.

“Then, what? A rookie? Or a supernova?”

Shake, shake─

The guild members exchanged glances and shook their heads again.

“Then what is he? Not a top player.”

Leoni frowned.

You completely missed it, didn't you?

But it wasn't her fault.

Who would have thought that a single player could make a wolf howl pitifully? And his appearance was also incomprehensible.

Swish─

Leoni lowered her head to check her equipment.

Yes, even in a low-level rift, it was common to wear proper gear.

Moreover, this rift is full of demons.

It was common sense to wear at least one piece of jewelry that increases resistance to status effects.

But,

‘...A suit? Shoes?!’

Moreover, the man was holding a teacup.

As if he wouldn't give up the teacup no matter what.

He clutched it firmly in his hand.

“You’re a moron.”

Leoni felt annoyed.

Yes, the world is wide and there are many players.

If there are such players, there must be others.

This was self-directed frustration.

‘It hurts my pride. Damn it.’

Those silent monsters were terrified in front of this man?

Well, I didn't see the battle, so I don't know the reason.

But that alone is enough to stir up competitiveness.

“Hmph.”

What's the difference between making a sound and not making a sound?

What matters is who falls first and who clears it first.

Leoni didn't want to pay attention to the man anymore.

“...I lost again. Damn it.”

Of course, the man had been ignoring them all along.

Now, I'm getting curious.

What kind of tea is in that teacup?

How can he enjoy tea so leisurely in this environment?

‘...Is it delicious?’

Slurp─

Leoni swallowed and regained her composure.

-I have no tea to offer you.

Really, I won't drink it even if you do!

Leoni turned and said.

“Let's go.”

“But you said it would be better to join earlier.”

“Never mind. I changed my mind.”

“Hey, sis, are you upset? Because he didn’t give you tea?”

“Be quiet. I said I wouldn’t drink it, didn’t I?”

“...When?”

Some guild members looked at the man and said.

“Still, isn’t it dangerous? He’s alone.”

“Why not ask if he wants to join? Maybe he has some information?”

“Never mind. He’s so confident, wearing a suit and shoes in a rift. And look at his attitude? He won’t give you tea, so why would he share information?”

“...You’re upset, aren’t you.”

Crack─

Leoni raised her fist and continued.

“He’s probably as good as me.”

“What... Level?!”

“Yeah. He might be one of the top players who haven’t revealed their identity.”

The guild members murmured at Leoni’s words.

“Well, Scall hasn’t shown his face properly either...”

Player ranking 1st, Scall.

He was also one of the mysterious players.

Leoni waved her hand.

“Whatever. Think of him as a competitor. Just warm up properly, okay.”

Indeed, Leoni’s intuition was very blunt.

She didn’t guess anything right.

Not even the fact that Ho-ryul’s level was less than 80.

Or that he considered this rift as a warm-up.

Swish─!

“!”

A sound that seemed to tear the air.

It was an arrow.

By the time Leoni noticed the sound,

The arrow was already embedded in a guild member’s shoulder.

“Everyone, prepare for battle! Healers, treat the injured!”

Indeed, the 32nd ranked Berserker.

Despite the ambush, they quickly adjusted their stance.

But...

“Captain, there are a lot more than we thought?!”

Red light shining in the darkness.

The number of red eyes was countless.

“Hawk Eye!”

A skill that greatly expands the archer class’s vision.

A guild member reported after checking the surroundings.

“They are blood-stained bandits. We are completely surrounded. By the way, Captain... there must be at least 200 of them?”

The Berserker guild had a total of forty-five members.

Clearly outnumbered.

Moreover, the blood-stained bandits were humanoid monsters.

Difficult to deal with.

“Well, this is what a new update should be!”

“Is it finally starting?”

“No need to search around. Good.”

But Leoni and the Berserker guild were experienced in battle.

The guild name wasn’t just for show.

Leoni raised her dual swords.

“They’re coming. Kids.”

After blocking a round of arrows, they would charge.

Leoni planned to do just that.

The number didn’t matter; the level gap was significant.

The tanks could handle the attacks.

Leoni intended to break through the encirclement in the gap.

‘It’s enough.’

Leoni estimated.

But, wait.

Suddenly, Leoni turned her head.

‘...What do I do?’

When she turned, the man was there.

Leoni was shocked.

“That guy, he’s really out of his mind?!”

Clearly, he saw the arrows raining down.

Yet, he still clutched the teacup firmly.

*

I held the teacup and observed the situation.

An arrow pierced a player’s shoulder.

The surrounding atmosphere indicated we were surrounded.

Considering the numbers, I would also face a significant number of arrows.

Naturally.

I didn’t have the plate armor, shield, or allies to block the arrows like the players.

But it’s fine.

At that moment, arrows flew towards me.

Swish─!

I looked at the empty teacup.

“Enjoying tea outdoors isn’t bad.”

This was a confidence based on facts.

The target of ‘search’ was the teacup in my hand.

The process of ‘interference’ was smooth, like a series of actions.

So, I ‘manifested’ magic.

“Even if used trivially.”

The shape of the teacup in my hand changed.

Crack─

Soon, the arrows broke and fell to the ground.

“The power is not insignificant.”