Chapter 70

Temple Blessing Volume 13 - Chapter 17

One day before the seven major guilds invaded Reidan.

Fong and Regas, who had been exploring various parts of the desert, discovered a dungeon entrance that reminded them of an ant hell.

"Is this a dungeon not marked on the map?"

It was Regas's question.

Fong, who had rechecked the map, nodded. Then Regas swiftly dived into the dungeon.

There wasn't even time to stop him. It was truly an astonishing action.

Fong, shaking his head, followed Regas.

Ten seconds after they entered the dungeon.

The dungeon entrance disappeared into the desert.

"Wow."

"Oh..."

Fong and Regas, who had entered the dungeon, were taken aback by the consecutive pop-up windows.

[You have entered the Underground City of Vampires (13).]

[As the first discoverer of the dungeon, you will receive benefits! The gold and item drop rates within the dungeon will increase by 8% each! This benefit will last for ten days and will disappear upon death.]

It was disappointing that the experience gain rate did not increase, but it was good up to this point. However, the problem was what came next.

[The entrance to the dungeon has been sealed. Communication with the outside world is cut off.]

[You cannot escape the dungeon until you defeat the dungeon boss or die.]

It was a unique format of a dungeon.

The duo, the strongest in the Temple Blessing team, were on a mission to gather information on dungeons in the west and find the ideal hunting ground.

They were in a life-or-death situation.

"Trapped..."

Fong knew a lot about vampires.

The top-tier combat race, equipped with basic skills such as bloodsucking, attack nullification, and enchantment, was especially strong in the dark.

In this pitch-black place, completely cut off from light, being trapped in the city of vampires with just the two of them meant...

'We're dead.'

Just as Fong was feeling dejected, Regas was looking around the dungeon's landscape below the canyon with bright eyes.

"This place is amazing, isn't it?"

Tall buildings and pointed spires.

Gothic-style architecture reminiscent of Notre Dame Cathedral and Cologne Cathedral was scattered throughout the dark dungeon.

The grand and eerie scenery was overwhelming, but Regas was only delighted to have discovered a new dungeon.

"Let's start hunting before the buff ends."

"..."

The penalty of death is something anyone would fear, especially the higher the rank, the more severe the fear.

But Regas was not afraid of death. Even now, ranked 12th in the overall rankings, he enjoyed challenges rather than avoiding them.

'He's really something.'

Seeing Regas smiling, I feel like a fool for being so intimidated.

Fong, chuckling, got up from his seat.

"Let's go."

If they had to fight, they would do it thoroughly.

It would be ideal to wipe out the vampires and raid the boss before the buff's duration ended.

Fong and Regas moved secretly.

It was the beginning of a long battle.

***

Jude.

He is a knight of Grid and also serves as the chief of the Reidan police force.

Preventing any harm from occurring in the great Lord Grid's city.

That was Jude's top priority.

"Sir, take a break now."

"I don't want to."

There was no rest for Jude.

Except for sleeping time, he always worked hard to ensure the safety of Reidan.

He even managed to eat his meals while patrolling.

'Sir is admirable.'

'I need to work harder!'

Jude's appearance, chewing on dry bread while observing the surroundings, was a model for the soldiers.

The soldiers of Reidan became more diligent day by day. They endured harsh training, and their growth rate was very fast.

Since they were soldiers equipped with Temple Blessing, it was only a matter of time before they became elite.

"Reidan is safe today."

Jude didn't know.

A week ago, in the dead of night.

While he was asleep, hundreds of invaders had attacked Reidan.

He didn't even dream that four farmers had repelled them.

Was it because his maximum intelligence was only 20, making him a fool?

No.

It was Raoul's intention.

Raoul did not announce the Reidan invasion to prevent the people from unnecessary fear.

The cover-up was easy.

It was nighttime, and the enemies had only reached the entrance of the wheat field, far from the outer wall. They even retreated quickly.

Very few people knew what had happened that night. It was unfortunate that Jude was not among them.

"Jude. Working hard today."

Reidan is peaceful today.

The people believed it was due to the efforts of Chief Jude.

"Sir Jude! Thank you for your hard work today!"

"Always appreciated!"

Jude was proud as the people greeted him. He patrolled even more diligently.

It was all for Lord Grid.

***

[Hidden Quest <Fun and Exciting Training!> completed.]

The moment that notification appeared, Crowel put down the farming tools he had grown attached to over the past month.

'It's over.'

Bittersweet.

He was happy to embark on a new adventure, but sad to have to say goodbye to Reidan.

Looking back, this was the first place he had grown so attached to.

'I'll miss it.'

He took one last look at the vast wheat field.

The joyful and precious memories of the past month were etched in his heart, never to be forgotten.

"Leaving, are you?"

A middle-aged man with a dignified presence and deep eyes approached.

Though he had a simple appearance, it was clear from his eyes that he was not an ordinary person.

Piaro.

The person Crowel could never defeat, even at the top of the rankings.

Crowel bowed deeply to the man, who was smiling kindly.

"Thank you for everything."

Meeting Piaro was a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck.

Thanks to the constant fieldwork and sparring with him, Crowel finally broke through his barrier.

<Master Swordsman Candidate> Level 4.

One step away from the Master Swordsman level.

"Come visit often. You're always welcome."

Piaro extended his hand.

A rough, dirt-covered hand.

It gave a glimpse of the path Piaro had walked.

Crowel respectfully took his hand with both of his.

"Yes, brother."

The next time I come...

'I will be your worthy opponent.'

When Piaro changed his profession to a farmer, Crowel was greatly disappointed.

He thought Piaro had given up on the path of a Master Swordsman.

But he was wrong.

Living together, he realized.

Piaro had not given up but had chosen a path more suitable for himself.

The profession was not important.

The legend was what mattered.

The current Piaro, who had successfully combined swordsmanship with farming techniques, was no less than the Master Swordsman Mueller. He had become the strongest man.

To become his worthy opponent,

'I must become a legend.'

Master Swordsman.

Crowel was determined to achieve that level, no matter how long it took.

He wanted to stand on equal footing with Piaro and face him more confidently.

***

'Did he notice?'

The man in the straw hat, who had bid farewell to Piaro and left.

He never took off his hat. The moment he left Reidan, he unleashed the White Light Sword Technique, shaking off Faker's pursuit.

'So, he... '

Faker, who had just opened his eyes after the white light faded, was certain.

'He's a Transcendent.'

The pinnacle of 200 million users, Crowel.

If it were him, it wouldn't be difficult to notice and shake off my pursuit.

A faint smile appeared on Faker's indifferent face.

He speculated that Crowel's connection with Reidan might positively impact Grid in the future.

***

[Hidden Quest <Fun and Exciting Training!> completed.]

Eight days after Crowel left.

Damian also completed the quest period.

"Great!!"

Damian was overwhelmed with joy as he checked the stats and skill levels that had increased as quest rewards.

The rewards he had obtained in such a short period were incredibly impressive.

Damian had made remarkable progress compared to three weeks ago.

"If I could have shared this joy with Lin Zhe and the others, it would have been great."

Damian, feeling regret, turned his gaze to the horizon beyond the wheat field.

'Now, I just have to wait for Lord Grid.'

Today was the day Grid was scheduled to return.

Damian was looking forward to it.

'If Lord Grid seals Raphael's spear...'

He could save Isabel Zhe.

But he was also worried.

'What if Lord Grid refuses my request?'

The Grid he had encountered was an extremely greedy person.

He couldn't imagine someone who would help others out of simple goodwill.

'Lord Raoul said to trust him, but...'

He had to prepare for any eventuality.

Damian began to prepare the treasures to offer to Grid.

He sold all items except his main equipment for gold and even broke his savings.

'Maybe I should be prepared to sell my house...'

Damian was determined.

And that night.

Grid finally returned, along with Asmofel.

"Did you all do well?"

Grid's level was 295 after five weeks.

His appearance, having grown even more after a long journey, was enough to overwhelm the Temple Blessing team.

Especially, Raoul was trembling.

'He's amazing!!'

Eyes emitting a faint red light from behind the black blindfold!

It was completely Raoul's type.

Grid stroked his head, showing affection.

"Did nothing happen?"

Damian, who had been watching Grid from behind the Temple Blessing team, clicked his tongue.

'Nothing happened? Does he not know that his city was invaded?'

The invasion of Reidan by the seven major guilds was a global issue. It was so widely reported that even non-players knew about it.

But it was absurd that the actual party, Grid, seemed unaware of it.

Raoul laughed.

"Too busy with the quest to watch TV, I guess?"

"Don't even mention it. I reduced my sleep time and only played the game."

This quest had several annoying aspects.

The distance to Titan was far, and finding Asmofel's mansion was difficult due to the illusionary barrier set up by Darkbus.

Thinking back to the day he aimlessly wandered through the much larger and continent's largest city, Titan, Grid still shuddered.

Fortunately, the final boss was weak (or so it seemed), or he would have shed tears of blood.

'It was worth the effort. The reward was good, and most importantly, it was linked to a hidden quest.'

Grid wanted to reunite Piaro and Asmofel as soon as possible to complete the quest.

He wanted to log out, take a shower, and have a good sleep. He missed his mother's cooking and hadn't seen his family for days.

"But why did you bring up the TV? Did something happen?"

"It was just a minor thing... Check it out later."

"Seems like nothing serious. Where is Piaro's house?"

Grid, who had casually brushed it off, asked, and Raoul and the Temple Blessing team guided him. Damian, realizing it wasn't his turn yet, silently followed them.