Chapter 162

“Ah, you’ve already gathered them all? Thank you so much~ It’s not much, but please accept this as a token of my gratitude!”

[Quest ‘High-Quality Troll Leather’ has been cleared.]

[As a reward, you obtain 70 Gold, a certain amount of experience, and a High-Quality Troll Leather Top.]

“What? You wiped out the entire troll colony already? You must be quite skilled! Let’s see… This is my necklace—please take it! It’s my reward for an outstanding hunter!”

[Quest ‘Clearing the Troll Colony’ has been cleared.]

[As a reward, you obtain 90 Gold, a certain amount of experience, and Zepak’s Necklace.]

[The title ‘Max Affinity From the Start?’ effect is activated. Affinity increases more significantly.]

[Zepak’s affinity has increased.]

“You brought back a mutant troll? …Indeed. This thick, concentrated blood is definitely that of a mutant.”

“……”

“Huh… I gave that request half-doubting it would work, but… you’re clearly a skilled one. Talented hunters are always welcome. If you ever need anything, feel free to speak to me anytime.”

[Quest ‘Mutant Troll’ has been cleared.]

[As a reward, you obtain 100 Gold, a certain amount of experience, and an Intermediate Skill Draw Ticket.]

[The title ‘Max Affinity From the Start?’ effect is activated. Affinity increases more significantly.]

[Bezle’s affinity has increased greatly.]

[Your affinity is high. You will not be turned away if you approach him anytime.]

[Level Up.]

After completing all the quests, Dohyeon stepped out of Bezle’s house with the corners of his mouth lifted in satisfaction.

In front of him floated his status window.

[Player: Kaiser]

Level: 58
HP: 7,350 / 7,780
MP: 1,740 / 4,470
Stamina: 630 / 1,150

Class: Last Adventurer <Successor of Kashyar>

Titles (12)

• Max Affinity From the Start?

• First Slayer
  … (Expand)

Stats

Strength: 130 (+116)
Agility: 130 (+116)
Vitality: 5 (+130)
Senses: 50 (+104)
Magic Power: 70 (+105)

Remaining Points: 29

‘Damn….’

No matter how many times he looked at it, those stats were truly astonishing.

No wonder his leveling speed had been so absurd.

With such ridiculous stats, activating Thunder Dragon Descent and the Ice Ki techniques, while also commanding the Undead Legion led by the Legion Commander of Pain, his hunting efficiency had become insane.

Honestly, at this rate, graduating from the area in a single month—let alone two—didn’t even sound unrealistic.

‘I didn’t expect to level up too.’

After reaching level 57, Thunder Dragon Descent still had time remaining, so he kept hunting.

That extra effort paid off—once he completed the quests, he gained another level and reached 58.

Because of that, he could neatly align his stats to multiples of five, which pleased him.

“I burned… myself… completely… ugh…”

“Hmm. You did very well. Your devotion while serving the lord was impressive. We should all learn from it.”

“Riza-riza.”

Unlike Dohyeon, Jihad looked half-dead as he groaned.

Dohyeon had gotten addicted to using his Legendary Skill, hunting nonstop for as long as his stamina allowed.

Even though things had improved compared to before, Jihad still suffered from a lack of mana. Continuously pouring out mana without rest had understandably exhausted him.

‘Hmm… maybe I pushed him too hard.’

He felt a bit guilty, but there wasn’t much he could do.

His first Legendary Skill had been like discovering a whole new world. After five years of frustration, he had been too busy venting it through relentless hunting to think about anything else.

Still, the experience had been worthwhile.

He now had a clearer understanding of Thunder Dragon Descent and his own limits.

‘The mana consumption of Thunder Dragon Descent is ridiculous.’

As expected of a Legendary Skill.

Just activating it drained mana at about the same rate as using Ice Ki Flow and Dark Envelopment together.

Add several buff skills on top of that, and the drain became absurd.

Even with the “Benevolent Light” effect from the Mark of the Holy King, it still wasn’t enough.

That made him consider investing more points into Magic Power, but…

‘That would be too much of a loss.’

He didn’t even use offensive magic.

Spending excessive stat points just for a larger mana pool would be wasteful.

After all, his base magic stat was already 70, and with various effects it rose to 175.

That was probably higher than most mages of the same level.

There was a reason martial artists during the Demrock era had been so sensitive about mana-related equipment.

If Thunder Dragon Descent became stronger based on magic stats, he would invest without hesitation.

But the skill scaled with Strength, Agility, and Senses, likely to maintain the martial artist concept.

It was good—but also slightly disappointing.

‘Guess I can’t blame Jihad alone.’

He’d probably need to look for items that increased mana capacity or mana regeneration later.

“Oh—it’s Kaiser!”

A voice suddenly broke him out of his thoughts.

“Wow… he’s been hunting nonstop and finally came to the city.”

“Wait a second. If he’s here now… does that mean…?”

Before he realized it, players had gathered around him, staring in disbelief.

Amid the mixture of anticipation and doubt in their gazes, Dohyeon walked forward confidently.

He had already grown used to these looks.

“Ahem!”

Jihad, who clearly loved attention, straightened his back and struck a strangely irritating pose as he walked beside him.

“Riza!”

From inside Jihad’s robe pocket, Eliza peeked out with a cheerful smile.

And on Dohyeon’s left side, Charlie walked solemnly like a loyal bodyguard.

Dohyeon had wondered why they were suddenly acting so dramatically.

But there was a reason.

“Wow… those are the Guardians, right?”

“They have serious presence. Though that dwarf in the robe looks kinda shabby…”

“No way. I heard that robed guy commands the Outlaw King as a legion commander.”

The players whispered among themselves.

“What? That makes no sense. That’s insanely broken.”

“A Guardian stronger than all the existing Pratel Zigs combined? Damn…”

“If that’s true, it must be a Divine Beast. What kind is it? It’s always covered up.”

“What kind of necromancer-type divine beasts are there?”

“Also, why does Charlie always look so serious? He always frowned at me.”

“That’s because you… never mind.”

“Still, seeing Charlie again feels strange. Being a former Knight Commander must make him reliable.”

The topic of discussion was Jihad and Charlie.

Now it wasn’t only Dohyeon drawing attention—his Guardians were becoming famous too.

“Ahem!”

“Hm!”

That explained why they were acting so conscious of their posture.

Jihad doing it was expected, but even Charlie joining in made Dohyeon chuckle.

When he first obtained them, he had thought,

What kind of ridiculous guardians are these?

But now—though they still didn’t quite match up to other divine beasts—they had become extremely useful.

“Please place your hand on the orb.”

Soon they reached the entrance of the royal castle.

A guard extended an orb—the same measuring orb used earlier to filter out troublesome players.

[58]

Without hesitation, Dohyeon placed his hand on it.

A number appeared, and the guard nodded.

“Confirmed. What business do you have here?”

“I would like to meet the King.”

“…Please wait a moment. Ah, it seems he is available now. You may enter.”

Leaving the guard behind, Dohyeon pushed open the door energetically.

Let’s see the face of this mysterious king.

*

“What about the King…? Hmm… It’s difficult to speak about him. He is a great man.”

“I’d rather not discuss him with outsiders.”

“Lord Gilverun is someone respected by all. Back when that person was here, things were very different… Ah, forgive me. I’ve said too much.”

Whenever Dohyeon asked NPCs about the King while accepting quests, he usually received similar responses.

A respected king.
A noble king.
The greatest wise ruler in history.

Everyone answered the same way—as if rehearsed.

Yet Dohyeon felt something strange.

‘Their expressions are oddly dark.’

They spoke proudly, but shadows lingered on their faces.

Like people hiding something.

‘So that’s why it felt strange.’

It was exactly the kind of mystery that stimulated a K-gamer’s instincts.

Dohyeon could practically smell a Hidden Piece.

That was why he was curious.

The game practically advertised it as a hidden quest, yet no one had managed to clear it.

‘I’ll find out once I meet him.’

Rumors alone wouldn’t reveal the truth.

He had been waiting days for this moment.

And now it had arrived.

[You have encountered Gilverun, Lord of Pratel.]

[By Gilverun’s goodwill, you are allowed 10 minutes of conversation.]

[Recorded in the Adventurer’s Journal.]

“So—you came looking for me?”

A heavy voice.

Yet strangely, it lacked energy.

Kind eyes. Firm lips.
A tall nose and long, pointed ears.

His impression was warm, yet commanding.

“What business does an Apostle have with me? Is it the same reason as the previous Apostles?”

“Yes. I wanted to personally meet the king known as the Wise Ruler.”

“A wise ruler… I wonder if I still deserve that title.”

Dohyeon tilted his head at the king sitting on the somewhat plain throne.

‘He looks more normal than I expected.’

He had heard rumors the king’s mind was unstable.

But he seemed fairly normal.

Sure, he looked tired and lacking energy—but that could happen to anyone.

However, as the conversation continued, Dohyeon’s thoughts changed.

“I’ve never thought about it.”

“That could be the case.”

“I’m not sure. If you’re curious, I can introduce someone who might know.”

“Well… the time is limited.”

“I don’t believe so.”

What did he think about the Apostles?

Did he have any worries?

Did he need help with anything?

Why had he started using the orb for entry conditions?

No matter what question Dohyeon asked, Gilverun simply replied in a dull, emotionless tone—as if reciting predetermined answers.

He didn’t seem annoyed.

There was simply no emotion.

Like something essential was missing.

‘…This is it.’

Now Dohyeon understood.

Throughout the conversation, something had felt wrong.

Gilverun spoke like someone who had no attachment to life.

That was why every response sounded soulless.

“The allotted time has ended, Your Majesty.”

“I see. My apologies—there is much work waiting. Let us end the conversation here.”

Ten minutes passed without gaining anything.

The knights guarding the king sent silent signals.

Above their heads floated name tags colored dark crimson, nearly black.

Each one was clearly a powerful warrior.

‘No wonder nobody gains anything here.’

The townspeople wouldn’t talk.

The king gave empty answers.

And if someone tried to force the issue, the knights would arrest them.

Once arrested, they would likely rot in prison for attempting to harm the king.

Just imagining it was terrifying.

Master… are we leaving like this?

We have no choice.

It was frustrating.

He knew this was a hidden quest, yet he had to leave.

Getting arrested wasn’t an option.

‘They said to meet the king again I need to clear the Royal Guard Quest.’

He would focus on growth until then.

And honestly, the king wasn’t the only reason he had come to the castle.

There was something else he intended to check first.

“…Please stand.”

The escort knight’s calm pressure grew heavier.

After finishing his thoughts, Dohyeon straightened his knees and stood up.

And at that moment—

[Eye of Truth has activated.]

“…Huh?”