◈ 10. Regrettably (2)

The landscape of the forest changed as we entered the rift.

The estate of Count Ascura, a vampire.

Fallen lands and Russian coniferous forests.

It looked like an exact 50/50 mix of the two.

……The scenery was kind of nice.

“Crazy, isn’t it colder?!

The trees were rotting.

The cold wind felt like an authentic slap.

“!”

But kindly.

It was trying to keep me from freezing to death.

I couldn’t help but move immediately.

“Grrrr……!!!”

[Bloodstained Wolf: Lv.230]

A wolf infected with Count Ascura’s blood.

Indeed, its movements were fast for its level. However, its race has been corrupted by the blood of vampires, making it a ‘demon race’.

[Triggers Skill, ‘Natural Enmity’].

You’re not the only one who’s fast.

Another angle.

I dodge the wolf’s attack with ease.

I recalled the quest’s objective.

‘Let it be known that the hunt is on.’

All I had to do was kill one demon and the goal would be achieved.

There was no hesitation.

I just spun.

I staggered and attacked a passing wolf.

Naturally, the weapon was a silver dagger.

Shhhh.

“Crunch!”

The sharp blade sliced into its back thigh.

A thick stream of blood flowed from the wound. Judging from its reaction, it was not like an imp.

It hurt, but unlike the imp that had struck Sochi the whale, it didn’t react.

‘It’s not about level’

The wolf was 20 levels higher than the imp.

But then again, so am I.

Counting my 12th level and the stats I’ve gained through class quests, I’m at …….

My attack must have done some damage to the wolf.

I could see the evidence.

The wolf was limping on its hind legs.

But it still bared its teeth…….

I could see why.

“You foolishly chose the wrong one to be loyal to.”

His loyalty is to Count Ascura.

Of course, that’s what he said.

I mean, really, the wolf is not loyal to Count Ascura.

I’m just saying that’s the way vampires are set up in Arcana.

-I hate vampires. They’re despicable, and they have a habit of latching onto demonic subjects. They corrupt their victims with their blood, forcing them to serve them. They hate humans and want to live like them.

A dialogue with an NPC in Rising Akshan.

I added a word to the NPC’s words.

“Stupid, like a demon.”

Count Ascura.

A man who knows one thing and not two!

A nobleman by birth.

You’re not a nobleman just because you’re admired by others and you have a huge castle. Above all, you must have pride in your heart.

A sublime pride that cannot be shaken by any circumstances.

A dignity that cannot be broken by water on your hands.

A dignity that doesn’t give in to muscle pain.

The kind of shitheadedness that won’t wear padding even if it means freezing to death.

Why, just like anybody who lives anywhere.

Boom.

The battle was not long.

I was chewing on Count Ascura and Grandfell at the same time.

At this moment, my vision was clearer than ever.

“I abhor the likes of you.”

[Leveled up].

[Leveled up] [Leveled up] [Leveled up] [Leveled up] [Leveled up] [Leveled up

[Leveled up]…….

You have gained 5 levels, bringing you to level 72.

The experience required to level up is rapidly increasing.

I check the flashing quest window.

Hunt a Vampire. (In progress)

Announce that the hunt has begun (Success)

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

As soon as I accomplished my first goal, the next one came to mind.

Make them feel the fear of being hunted.

Indeed, a class quest.

‘Demon hunter or I don’t understand.

Make demons feel the fear of being hunted?

You might be thinking, what the hell?

But I had experience as a demon hunter.

I’m not the last demon hunter for nothing.

-Fear is what has kept humans alive for so long. Being able to feel fear has allowed humans to avoid enemies that are stronger than them, which has allowed them to survive.

During the quest.

The NPCs kept saying.

-But in the face of demons, humans are unable to harness the emotion of fear that allows them to survive.

What the hell were they talking about?

I couldn’t understand them.

-Therefore, in order to hunt demons, we must overcome fear. You have to give it back to them. In this moment, you are being hunted!

I think I get it now.

That psychology lesson was followed by a wicked quest.

It was a test of courage that I don’t know how I made it through.

There were quite a few players who gave up there.

Of course, I was a fearless second lieutenant at the time.

I passed the drill with flying colours.

Pow!

Yeah, it’s not the devil that makes me shiver.

Sigh.

It’s the cold Siberian high pressure in Russia…….

.

.

.

And now it was.

I had tea time.

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

It was because I could manifest a teacup.

I searched and interfered with the rocks that were lying around and manifested a teacup out of them.

This was also a “magic” that I learnt from watching Netflix.

Technically, it was an [alchemy skill].

Just like ‘Ignite’, he had borrowed Grandfell’s brain and converted it into magic.

Just to heat a teacup and water.

I’d been racking my brains for days.

I felt like it was a very small use, but…….

I was glad I did.

The warmth is so precious to me now…….

*Photo.

“I have no tea to offer you.”

……Why, because I wouldn’t drink it even if you gave it to me!

Leonie whispered seriously.

“……Is he a nettuber?”

Sigh.

The guild members shook their heads.

“Well, yeah. Rookie or supernova?”

Sigh.

The guild members exchanged glances, then shook their heads again.

“Then what is it, that’s not a Ranker.”

Leonie rolled her eyes.

He’d been completely mistaken, hadn’t he?

But it wasn’t her own fault.

Who would have guessed? It was just one player who had made the wolf howl in pity, and the outfit didn’t make sense either.

Shhh-

Leonie lowered her head and checked her outfit.

Yes, even in a low-level rift, it was normal for a player like him to be properly equipped.

Besides, this rift was infested with demons, right?

It was common sense to wear at least one trinket that would increase one’s resistance to abnormalities.

But.

“……Suit? Shoes?!

As if that wasn’t enough, the man was holding a teacup.

As if he couldn’t give up his teacup no matter what.

He was holding onto it tightly.

“Shit, he’s stuck.”

Leonie’s irritation flared.

Yeah, well. The world is big and there are many players.

If there are players like this, there must be players like that.

It was a self-inflicted annoyance.

‘You’re hurting my pride. Fuck.

You mean to tell me that the monsters were terrified in front of him?

Well, I didn’t watch the battle, so I don’t know why.

That’s enough to get my competitive juices flowing.

“Hmph.”

You make a sound, you don’t make a sound, what does it matter?

First down, first clear, that’s what matters.

Leonie didn’t want to pay any more attention to the man.

“……I lost again, Mr. C.”

……Of course, the man had been paying attention earlier.

At this point, you start to wonder.

What is the tea in that teacup?

Is it possible to enjoy a leisurely cup of tea in this environment?

‘……Is it good?

Churrrrr.

Leonie swallowed hard, then regained her composure.

-I have no tea to offer you.

I’m not going to drink it because it’s really poisonous!

Leonie turned and said.

“Let’s go.”

“I thought you said you’d rather join us.”

“Forget it, I’ve changed my mind.”

“Ai-san, you’re pouting because I won’t give you tea?”

“Shut up. I said I wouldn’t drink it, didn’t I?”

“……When?”

Several guild members looked at the man and said.

“Isn’t it still dangerous? You’re alone.”

“Why don’t we ask them to join us, maybe they know something?”

“No, because you’re so confident, you’re wearing a suit and shoes in the crack. Besides, look at that bargain, he won’t even give you a car, but he’ll give you information.”

“……What the hell, you’re pouting.”

Quack.

Leonie raised her fist, then spoke.

“If you’re good, you’ll be as good as me.”

“What……. No way, a level?!”

“Yeah. Well, maybe one of the undisclosed rankers.”

Leonie’s words caused the guild to chuckle.

“Well, it’s not like he’s ever shown his face before…….”

Skal, the number one ranked player.

He was one of the mysterious players.

Leonie threw up her hands.

“Forget it. Consider him a competitor, warm up properly.”

Indeed, Leonie’s touch was very blunt.

Somehow, he couldn’t hit anything.

Not even his level, which was less than level 80.

And he thought he could use this crack to warm up.

Suwak-!

“!”

A noise that ripped through the air.

It was an arrow.

When Leonie recognised the sound.

The arrow was already lodged in the shoulder blade of one of the guild members.

“Everyone, prepare for battle! Healers, tend to the wounded!”

Indeed, the Berserker, ranked 32nd in the guild.

They had been ambushed, but they had skilfully transformed their stance.

By the way…….

“Dae, captain. That’s a lot more than I thought!”

A red light shone in the darkness.

Those red eyes were too many to count.

“Hawkeye!”

An archer class skill that enlarged their vision to an extreme degree.

A guild member who checked the surrounding area reported the situation.

“Bandits with blood everywhere, completely surrounded. By the way, Captain……. I’m guessing there are at least 200 of them?”

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

Clearly outnumbered.

Moreover, the Blood Bandits were humanoid monsters.

They would be tricky to deal with.

“Yeah, that’s what new updates are for!”