RTGR126

Chapter 126 ….

[Lycanthrope has been defeated.]

……

[Level Up.]
[Swordsmanship proficiency has reached LV16.]
[Spear proficiency has reached LV9.]
[Dagger proficiency has reached LV11.]

The effect of the experience booster was incredible.

In just a few hours, he had gained two levels, reaching level 37, and his proficiencies increased in three different skills.

The speed was shocking enough that anyone watching would be astounded.

And it was all thanks to the anti-demon effect and the set item bonuses.

“20% extra damage feels this sweet… it just melts away.”

Even though these monsters should have been stronger, they were easier to handle than before nightfall.

It felt like slicing through them and they simply disappeared.

They had been somewhat tough before, not as easy as orcs, but now they went down in two or three hits.

And that wasn’t all.

“They barely hurt me before, now they’re just a tickle.”

Thanks to the 30% damage reduction from the anti-demon effect, getting hit barely registered.

He didn’t need to leap or measure the distance carefully—he could just swing at everything that came near.

It was pure overpowering damage.

Master, aren’t you taking this a bit too easy?

Grr… grrr-

The undead responded in agreement to Jihad’s words.

The undead themselves had changed a lot.

[Lycanthrope Undead]
[Lycanthrope Undead]

Two new friends had been recruited into Jihad’s undead army.

Whether it was due to their insufficient level or these monsters’ strength, only two could be handled this time.

It was a bit disappointing, but judging by their performance, they were even better than three orcs.

Crunch, crunch.

“Are they… eating their own kind?”

Grr-

Thanks to the dark aura, the undead tore the lycanthrope apart with devastating power.

Even if it was their kin, it was hard to feel sympathy. But Jihad’s answer was simple and clear:

They’re undead now, Master. There’s no such thing as kin. They’re all the same undead.

“…I see.”

Jihad clearly had a very strict perspective on life and death.

No wonder he treated undead like disposable bombs.

In that sense, it was fortunate for these undead that they followed a necromancer commander like him.

Grr…?

Perhaps Dohyeon felt something off in his gaze.

Ignoring the undead that slightly trembled and backed away, Dohyeon asked:

“How’s your mana? Are you okay?”

Yeah, Master. No matter how much I use it, it keeps regenerating!

“Don’t overdo it. I noticed when you summon the entire undead army, it drains you a bit.”

Got it! But this should be enough for now.

Dohyeon chuckled at Jihad’s excited response.

Although maintaining all eight undead at full strength still noticeably drained mana, it was far easier than before.

[Granting ‘Compassionate Light’ to Guardian ‘Jihad Black’.]
[If used on another target, the effect on ‘Jihad Black’ will disappear.]

“Definitely worth the legendary tier.”

One of the special options of the Holy King’s Mark: Compassionate Light.

It increased HP and mana regeneration by 200% for both the user and the chosen target.

This partially solved Jihad’s chronic mana shortage.

“With the army control on top of this, we should be fine for now.”

Until he creates higher-tier undead later, there would be no problem.

Everything was going smoothly, but Dohyeon felt a slight sense of dissatisfaction.

“Experience isn’t coming in that fast.”

Others might think that was a selfish complaint, but Dohyeon couldn’t help but feel that way.

He had always leveled up at ridiculous speeds before.

It was natural to struggle closer to the cap, but this was the first time experience had been this slow from the start.

Considering the monsters he defeated and the experience buffs, he had amassed a huge amount of experience.

“Well, it’s balanced, I guess.”

Sargis was the third city.

Out of the five cities on the main continent, he had already visited half of them.

It was no longer a low-level zone; the players in Sargis were of higher levels.

“When I get closer to level 50, the experience needed must be huge.”

Even Dohyeon would probably have to grind for at least a month this time.

But that wasn’t a bad thing.

“Might as well figure out a way to get inside the castle.”

Dohyeon had a goal: to enter the castle.

Since it was going to take a long time, he intended to proceed calmly.

Master, what are you doing? Setting that up again?

“Yeah.”

Jihad grinned as he watched Dohyeon set up the fuse.

Oh man, I’m needed again! Can’t be helped! Guys, got it? Move out!

Grr-

Hurry it up!

Dohyeon restrained his irritation, knowing it was helpful.

When Dohyeon set the fuse, Jihad’s undead would herd the monsters.

Then, they would be weakened a bit before the fuse exploded, finishing the hunt in one go.

“Setting each one up is such a hassle. Do rogues always hunt like this?”

Using maximum distance dealt good damage, but it was tedious.

Moreover, typical rogue fuses wouldn’t deal as much damage as Dohyeon’s, so monsters wouldn’t die in one hit.

“Honestly, our army’s better than any skill.”

The fuse wire quivered as if protesting, but Dohyeon ignored it.

It wasn’t a lie.

“Our army is myth-tier, can transform appearance, comes when called, and listens well… huh?”

Ah, speaking like a nosy neighbor bragging about their kid, Dohyeon paused.

Something suddenly clicked in his mind.

“…Wait. Army?”

Looking between the fuse and the army, Dohyeon’s expression changed.

After a quick mental simulation, he smirked.

“…This might actually work.”

Though unfortunate for the excited Jihad, Dohyeon had thought of a perfect plan.

“Hey, are we really doing this?”
“Of course! Why are you hesitating?”
“But…”
“Come on, can’t be this timid if we want to make a living, can we?”

On a full-moon night, four people hid behind bushes, whispering cautiously.

Their equipment gleamed, clearly rare and valuable.

They weren’t just well-equipped—they were high-level, experienced players.

[Do you know Gyuchul? LV41]
[Pokjjik End LV41]
[Staff LV42]
[Reliable as a Rock LV43]

A four-player party from levels 41–43.

They could easily handle a lycanthrope.

Even with the full-moon buff strengthening the lycanthropes, they stayed in the forest confidently.

But their real reason for staying was different.

“Experience buffs? How much do they even help?”
“At this level, would normal lycanthropes even give a signal?”
“Where else could we have fun? Let’s do some PK if the opportunity arises.”

They were scouting targets for PK.

Once players graduated Sargis, nearly everyone was protected by a guild.

Reckless PK would invite retaliation.

But Sargis was a system-recognized lawless zone.

“If it’s a PK-allowed field, what’s wrong with PKing?”
“Controlling it would be worse.”
“Exactly. Just disrupting the game.”

Even if they PKed, guilds had no grounds to intervene.

Here, death penalties were low, and item drop chances were minimal.

As long as they avoided the super-rookie being nurtured by a guild, PKing at night was profitable.

“Meeting Kaiser here?”
“This could be our chance.”

Gyuchul’s party, part of the PK-hungry players, had discovered Kaiser.

Hence, the urgent meeting behind the bushes.

“I’m against it.”

But opinions split over the golden opportunity.

“Didn’t you see the videos? That’s a person. It’s guaranteed to be a tough fight.”
“Right? Even the big guild scouts were just watching.”
“Ugh, I just don’t want to get caught.”
“You fools. If you fight face-to-face, you’ll get wiped. Who doesn’t know that?”
“Then why even try?”

Kaiser’s accomplishments were too impressive.

And he already had a history in Brion—repeating it would be foolish.

But the opposing side had a valid argument.

“This isn’t a normal situation. What if Kaiser’s ambushed?”
“…Maybe others died thinking that.”
“But… this is Sargis. With the full-moon buff and surrounded by lycanthropes, an ambush could work.”
“…Hmm.”

The strategy was flawless.

Death penalties were negligible, so even failure wouldn’t matter much.

“What if we succeed? Lifetime bragging rights.”
“Bragging rights? Just post a screenshot on the forums, and scouts will definitely recruit.”

The reward outweighed the risk.

As the scale in their minds began to tip:

“Ugh, these cowards still won’t move.”
“It’s not that…”
“Fine. I’ll ambush first. Pokjjik, follow me. You two stay hidden at range and shoot.”

Gyuchul sealed the decision.

Those in favor were Gyuchul and Pokjjik, the opposition were two ranged players—a perfect split.

They couldn’t back down now without losing pride.

“Alright… understood.”
“You cowards… wait, everyone, positions. I strike first.”

At that moment, the irritating undead arrived with the lycanthropes.

“Not sure how the swordsman set up the fuse, but it worked perfectly.”