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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 134
5.
He was on his way to the place NPC Ireumi called a village.
Just in case, he had checked.
“Lord, if we go in this direction, there’s nothing.”
It reported that there was nothing there.
Coming from Nocturnium, it was almost certain.
Yet, for them to be heading this way meant…
It was one of two things.
‘Either it’s a trap, or it’s a Hidden Dungeon or Hidden Field that Nocturnium cannot detect.’
A Hidden Field or Hidden Dungeon.
Or a trap.
It didn’t matter which one it was.
He had to level up anyway.
Wasn’t a Hidden-Linked quest like this always welcome?
It was said that quests were more efficient for gaining experience.
He thought his level would probably rise if he cleared it.
As Seonghyun harbored such expectations…
-Just give the word, and I shall act, my Liege.
-J-Just s-say the word, m-my Lo-Lord.
“I, too, am the same.”
The three, excluding Anemor who had been sent to the Netherworld for being too conspicuous, spoke thus to Seonghyun.
Seonghyun nodded at the incredibly reassuring combination.
Of course, Seonghyun could handle it sufficiently on his own, but…
In any case, they followed Ireumi for quite some time.
How far had they gone?
After walking for a while…
“Haha, we’ve arrived at the village.”
As if possessed, they had somehow reached the village entrance.
However, Seonghyun and all three retainers had noticed it.
The fact that while they were walking, the space had suddenly distorted, and they had entered some kind of portal.
It wasn't a hidden space like the Hall of Knights.
They had been teleported.
It shimmered like a heat haze.
The surroundings gradually changed into the scenery of a village.
An ominous energy filled the air for a moment, then it began to transform into a village brimming with vitality.
It certainly seemed like there was something to this place.
Even as Seonghyun looked at the vibrant village, he watched with considerable doubt.
‘Didn’t he clearly say it was in trouble?’
A village in trouble is this lively?
Something was indeed strange.
But there was no rule saying it couldn't be so.
Seonghyun decided to let it slide for now.
Upon entering the village…
One by one, the villagers started to look at Seonghyun.
Since the three retainers were still in a state of complete invisibility…
All eyes were directed towards Seonghyun.
However, every single one of those gazes…
-Insolent fools. Even gouging out all their eyeballs, grinding them up, and drinking them wouldn't be satisfying enough.
-Th-They must be killed.
“How dare they cast such irreverent gazes upon the Lord.”
Indeed, all the villagers were looking at Seonghyun as if he were prey.
They were gazes that other users might have found difficult to notice, but it wasn't easy to deceive the perception of Seonghyun, who had absorbed the memories of various masters, or that of his three retainers.
Seonghyun, too, observed the village as if amused.
And Ireumi, watching Seonghyun, said.
“Hahaha, everyone is welcoming Sir Seonghyun. What a relief. I dread to think what would have become of the village if Sir Seonghyun hadn't come.”
“Not at all. More importantly, about the monsters you said your village was in trouble with……”
“Ah! Why are you in such a hurry? You’ve only just arrived. You should relieve your travel fatigue a bit! As it happens, our village was preparing a feast for such a hero.”
“Pardon?”
Wasn't this an overly strange attitude?
As Seonghyun looked at him with open suspicion…
Ireumi laughed "haha" and said smoothly.
“One needs rest to accomplish great things, wouldn’t you agree? Now, now. Don’t be like that, please come this way.”
At Ireumi’s words, as Seonghyun was almost pushed along…
It truly seemed as if the villagers had been preparing for a festival, with an incredible amount of food and a festive atmosphere thick in the air.
Adding even more to it.
“Everyone!! Everyone!! The hero who will finally help our village! And he’s even a Knight, sirs!!! Please welcome Sir Seonghyun, everyone!!!”
As Ireumi’s hyping continued…
Seonghyun was dazedly led to the spot.
And all the villagers, as one, clapped and cheered looking at Seonghyun.
“Wow! A Knight!!!”
“To think he came to help our village!!! Thank you so much!!!”
“Oh my!!! For a Knight Sir to help us!!!”
“Our village is truly blessed!!!”
“Kehahaha!!! This is our village’s great fortune!”
Bang! Pop!
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!!!
Wheeeew!!
Ta-da-da-da!!!
Whistles, the sound of fireworks exploding, fanfare, and applause.
As all the villagers rejoiced and expressed their delight so fervently…
Seonghyun’s suspicion only deepened.
It was a sight that might have made ordinary people giddy with joy.
But it didn’t work on Seonghyun.
Perhaps sensing that…
The villagers retracted their over-the-top gratitude.
And quickly changed the subject.
“Here, here! Please try some, Sir Knight!! It’s really delicious!!!”
“Kyaaaah!!! This drink is amazing too!!!”
“Oh my, my? This is really tasty as well, isn’t it?”
To be this blatant.
It seemed a bit low quality.
Would anyone really fall for this?
As Seonghyun was thinking such thoughts…
[You overcome the illusion with your high mental strength.]
[The illusion does not take effect.]
‘Huh?’
No wonder it felt strange.
So they were casting an illusion.
Wouldn't other people have fallen for it at this point?
It was so natural that he hadn't even realized they were casting it.
Even Seonghyun hadn't noticed something was being cast on him until he saw the message.
So, what to do about this?
‘Hmm.’
His three retainers were ready to leap out at his mere word.
However, Seonghyun somehow felt that this wasn't the end of it.
[Conditions met.]
[Hidden-Linked Quest, 『Village in Trouble』, has been cleared.]
[Rewards will be given for clearing the quest.]
[Hidden-Linked Quest, 『Suspicious False Village』, has been generated.]
『Suspicious False Village』
→《Hidden-Linked》
→Following the suspicious NPC Ireumi Eops, you arrived at a strange village that suddenly appeared.
The village welcomes you sincerely.
They hold a festival and treat you, who decided to help the village, as a hero, genuinely liking you.
Were you, perhaps, also somewhat influenced by the village’s atmosphere?
You immersed yourself in the mood but feel a strange, subtle energy.
An illusionary aura is being directed at you.
This aura is clearly being emitted to charm you.
However, you overcame it with your outstanding mental strength.
But the villagers are still suspiciously attentive to you.
Unsure what to do, you contemplate whether to match the atmosphere here or deal with these suspicious individuals.
Choose one of the two.
→Restriction: A user who has overcome the illusionary aura in the village.
→Reward: Leads to the next quest; experience for linked quests is received all at once upon clearing the final quest.
‘Oho.’
At the new quest, Seonghyun pondered for a moment.
Should he choose to strike the villagers here?
Or play along?
He had to pick one.
Seonghyun had a feeling that if he dealt with them here, there would be some kind of big loss.
For Seonghyun, who used spiritual abilities, such intuitions were not something to be simply ignored.
“Thank you all for the warm welcome.”
Seonghyun said so and downed a drink a villager handed him.
And then.
[You overcome the illusionary aura with your high mental strength.]
[The illusion does not take effect.]
The message popped up again.
However, Seonghyun’s appearance was slightly different.
His eyes looked a little dazed.
Of course, he wasn't actually affected but pretended to be.
At Seonghyun’s appearance, the villagers looked relieved and wore sinister smiles.
The look of "He finally fell for it."
It seemed the illusionary aura hadn't worked at first.
“It worked after all!”
Ireumi exclaimed triumphantly.
The three retainers were on the verge of moving immediately to kill them all.
But Seonghyun spoke to Leonik and Fiora through their soul connection.
‘I’m fine, so wait.’
-……As you wish.
-O-Okay.
Those two relayed the message to Nocturnium as well.
However, all three were displeased.
Even if it was acting, it seemed truly difficult for them to watch Seonghyun pretend to be affected.
As Seonghyun continued his act…
Ireumi revealed his true colors.
“Hahaha, you finally fell for it. Even a knight is helpless before the power of illusion.”
The fellow who had been flattering him so much until just moments ago had done a complete 180 as he spoke.
A woman who had been preparing food nearby approached.
“I thought he was resisting at first, you know.”
“That’s what I thought. But once he drank the beverage, there was no doubt.”
“That’s because a powerful illusionary force was cast on it.”
“Hahaha! We’ve secured an excellent meal to offer to our Master!”
Ireumi exclaimed those words.
Master?
As Seonghyun caught that…
“How much time is left until the Master’s cave opens?”
“Because you arrived early, there are still 30 minutes left.”
“Better than being late, isn’t it?”
“That’s true. It would be great if the Master is pleased.”
“Hahaha! Of course, the Master will be pleased! We’ve caught such a fine knight. The Master will surely reward us!”
At the highly suspicious conversation, Seonghyun smiled.
This is somehow getting interesting.
A Master, he says.
It seems it really is a village in trouble after all.
And by a very vicious monster at that.
As Seonghyun thought that…
Another system message popped up.
[Conditions met.]
[Hidden-Linked Quest, 『Suspicious False Village』, has been cleared.]
[Rewards will be given for clearing the quest.]
[Hidden-Linked Quest, 『Master of Illusions』, has been generated.]
『Master of Illusions』
→《Hidden-Linked》
→You have realized there is a monster ruling the village!
The villagers serve a monster, calling it "Master."
In this situation, a clue has been left that you have 30 minutes before being offered as a sacrifice.
Escape this village within that time, gather comrades to defeat the Master of Illusions, and prepare for a raid!
The Master of Illusions is not an easy opponent!
→Restriction: A user who chose to feign being affected by the illusion in the village.
→Reward: Leads to the next quest; experience for linked quests is received all at once upon clearing the final quest.
Warning: If you are offered as a sacrifice as is, you will have to conduct the raid alone.
Seeing that message, Seonghyun inwardly tilted his head.
Comrades?
Is that necessary?
In other words, if he waited quietly here for 30 minutes, didn’t that mean he’d be allowed to do the raid solo?
Where else would he find such an opportunity?
He finally had a chance to test his new sword.
‘Ah, Abyss was also too easily swept through last time, so this will be a good chance to test it.’
After having such expectant thoughts, Seonghyun continued to feign being caught in the illusion and quietly waited for the 30 minutes to pass.
And the three retainers, watching Seonghyun from afar, observed him with expressions full of deep concern and spoke amongst themselves.
-Heh, how come… the former Lord was like that too…
-Th-This Lord too…
“……It seems he enjoys putting himself in predicaments.”
How could his actions be so identical to Helena’s?
It was a headache.
But why?
Somehow feeling a sense of nostalgia…
The memory of the Helena of the past surfaced, and each of them wore a peculiar smile.
At times like this, they would remember her, the one they missed.
As they were thinking such thoughts and waiting for Seonghyun…
Though no one else could tell, Seonghyun’s chest shimmered with a teal light, and through it, strands of red hair could be seen.
Simultaneously.
-Haaahmm, I should sleep just a little longer before going out.
An alluring voice was heard along with it.
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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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