Chapter 37

Chapter 12. Akasha's Snake (5)

Akasha's snake grows by consuming Akasha. However, I never imagined that the concept of 'consuming' would include regeneration as well.

Yeonwoo saw a glimmer of hope.

Or perhaps, if handled properly, this could lead to a much better outcome than the original goal.

The longer it takes for Akasha's snake to resurrect, the larger it grows.

The power contained within its inner core will become even more formidable.

If only it could be fully absorbed.

A glint appeared in the corners of Yeonwoo's eyes.

'Besides, this doesn't violate the quest.'

The quest only required stopping the resurrection ritual, without specifying a deadline.

In other words, the quest could be completed as long as it was done before the resurrection ritual ended.

'If I let Akasha's snake grow to its limit and then cut it off, that would be enough.'

Moreover, he had discovered the cave where Akasha's snake resided.

What secrets might be hidden inside?

And what reward would he receive upon completing the quest?

'Given the level of danger, it won't be something small.'

He thought he could gain much more mana and contribution points than he had planned.

He felt like laughing uncontrollably.

But Yeonwoo barely managed to suppress his laughter.

'I can laugh after the quest is over.'

One must strike while the iron is hot.

Yeonwoo quickly began to formulate a more concrete plan.

'The main material used for Akasha's snake to resurrect is Akasha, which is life force. The more it steals from others, the stronger it will become. Therefore, it needs much more prey.'

Akasha's snake, having just resurrected, must be extremely hungry.

Where could he obtain enough prey for it to overeat?

The Chalice of Undine?

'No. I don't have nearly enough. Even Galiard's Chalice of Undine isn't that numerous.'

He had never considered asking Galiard for help. Yeonwoo intended to monopolize Akasha's snake.

'Then, the remaining method is indeed...'

Yeonwoo watched as the last offering disappeared in a puff of smoke.

'There's no other way but to bring in more offerings.'

Fortunately, there were many monsters wandering outside the cave.

Each of them could serve as excellent prey for Akasha's snake.

'If I interfere with the orc village, the orc shaman might stop the ritual midway, so I need to bring in prey from further outside. Or...'

Yeonwoo's smile deepened.

'Why not shake things up on a much larger scale?'

If he could lure the monsters guarding each territory to this area.

If he could ignite a spark to plunge the entire E sector into chaos.

If he could turn the eastern stone mountain area into a chaotic mess filled with countless monsters.

Wouldn't Akasha's snake grow and consume much more prey?

Yeonwoo organized his thoughts, activated his stealth skill, and quietly left the cave.

The resurrection ritual continued inside the cave even after he left.

"Vinaida. Vinaida."

Kaaah!

The snake's cry shook the cave.

* * *

[150:43:11_56]

There was only a week left until the tutorial ended.

Bain, ranked 6th in the tutorial, was considering whether to stop collecting emblems and move to the F sector.

'Only those in the top 5 can gain recognition on the island, even if it means entering the tower.'

Island.

A slang term used by Arangdan players to refer to their base, Cheonghwa Island.

The island was a society based entirely on merit. To stand out and become a ranked player, one needed to show outstanding performance.

Bain's original performance was enough to secure a top 5 ranking.

In fact, with good luck, he could even aim for the top 3.

However, this tutorial had an unusually high number of strong players.

Pant, Edo, Kan, and Marcus, all skilled swordsmen.

Trying to outpace them and secure a top 5 ranking made him feel increasingly anxious.

Just then.

Bain received an order.

"Hunting? Me?"

"Yes. Sir Build has ordered the 1st squad to gather and move."

Bain scowled.

He already had a long way to go, and now an assassination? Of someone who couldn't even make the top 10?

That alone was enough to hurt his pride.

Moreover, the condition was that all members of the 1st squad, who were among the top players in the tutorial, had to move together.

Bain waved his hand dismissively.

"Send someone else. I'm already struggling to maintain my ranking. Sir Build will understand if I tell him that."

Just as he was about to turn away.

"Sir Build has given a special order. If anyone disobeys, they will be executed."

Bain glared at the messenger, a cold aura emanating from him.

But the messenger remained calm.

"'Special'?"

"Yes. He has instructed that the 1st squad must move together. Additionally, the person who brings back the target's head will be given all the emblems held by Arangdan."

Bain's eyes gleamed with greed.

All the emblems of Arangdan.

Thousands of emblems, all given to one person?

It was a card that could instantly turn the rankings around.

Moreover, it also meant that Build would look after him in the future.

"However, the target is also the one who wiped out the 2nd squad, so he has warned us to be extremely cautious. He will not tolerate any carelessness."

Bain's eyes widened slightly.

The 2nd squad, while not as strong as the 1st squad, consisted of fierce fighters who were difficult to handle all at once.

Bain would need to be prepared to risk his life to take them all on.

'I understand now. Why he wants the entire 1st squad to be mobilized.'

Build preferred to handle things thoroughly.

'Wait. If the target has wiped out the 2nd squad, that means he has all their emblems as well.'

If the emblems of Arangdan and the 2nd squad were combined.

'Making it into the top 5 won't be a problem at all.'

Bain's eyes glinted coldly, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

"Fine. Tell him I'll move to the location immediately."

The messenger nodded and disappeared.

Bain immediately moved to the designated location, anxious that he might be too late to claim the emblems.

Meanwhile.

In various parts of the E sector, 15 players with similar thoughts and situations were also on the move.

None of them anticipated the disaster that was about to befall them.

* * *

Yeonwoo's first destination was not far from the stone mountain area, near the border with the northern lizardman territory.

He stealthily followed a lizardman scout and found their village.

['Stealth' skill proficiency increased to 7.1%]

Stealth was a skill that suited Yeonwoo perfectly. It allowed him to perform all the diverse actions he had envisioned.

As a result, his proficiency in Stealth increased rapidly.

Thanks to this, Yeonwoo was able to sneak into the central tent without being noticed by the lizardmen.

Inside, a large lizardman, presumably the chieftain, was giving orders to his subordinates.

"Our king's death must not be known. Especially, if the orcs find out, they will attack immediately. Be on high alert."

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

The lizardman warriors nodded and left the tent in unison.

"Headache."

The large lizardman sat down and muttered coldly.

'Seems he's troubled by Hargan's death.'

Yeonwoo quickly checked the chieftain's title.

[Lizardman 21th Chieftain, Klarak]

It seemed he had arrived at a fairly appropriate time.

Currently, the lizardmen lacked a king to lead them. Their best warrior, Hargan, was also dead.

Without a central figure, they were in a state of disarray. It was a headache for them.

If they were to go to war with another race at this time, they would likely lose their territory.

They needed to strengthen their defenses and maintain strict discipline.

'But this is actually a good opportunity.'

Yeonwoo saw it as a great chance.

His original goal was to create chaos among the monsters. If he could take advantage of this situation, he could maximize the discord.

Pfft!

So, without hesitation, Yeonwoo attacked Klarak.

"Wha! An assassin... Gah!"

Klarak, sensing Yeonwoo's presence too late, reached for the scimitar by his side.

Thud!

But before he could, Karsuna's dagger had already pierced his forehead.

Klarak fell backward, a pitiful end for one of the 25 chieftains representing the lizardmen.

Yeonwoo placed the orc corpse he had brought with him next to Klarak's body.

He also destroyed a few nearby objects.

If someone saw this, they would assume Klarak had been killed in a struggle with an orc assassin.

'The greater the damage, the better the effect.'

Yeonwoo spread his hands and activated the Flame skill.

Whoosh!

Flames shot up from his palm.

Though small due to his lack of skill proficiency, it was enough to start a fire.

Yeonwoo threw the flames a short distance from the bodies.

The skill-created flames spread quickly, engulfing the tent.

"Fire! Fire!"

"Chieftain! Something's wrong with Chieftain Klarak!"

Soon, the 21th lizardman tribe was in chaos.

Yeonwoo watched this calmly and moved on to the next location.

He had many places to visit that night.

* * *

Chaos spread throughout the swamp.

The lizardmen were already on high alert due to the mysterious deaths of their king and queen.

The tension reached its peak as more chieftains and warriors kept dying.

When it was discovered that an orc assassin was involved in each incident.

Their anger and sense of crisis reached a boiling point.

"Orcs killed our king and queen! Orcs are invading our territory! They will attack soon!"

One person's shout stirred the lizardmen into action.

"We will fight before they come! War! Revenge!"

The next morning.

The northern swamp shook.

An army of thousands of lizardmen began to move.

Toward the eastern stone mountain area.

Meanwhile.

Yeonwoo moved to the western forest area.