Chapter 189 …

[Scythe of the Terrible Nightmare]

Grade: Hero+ (Raid Equipment)

Description:
Ruidra, the Witch of Dreams and the Ruler of Nightmares.
This scythe, once wielded by her, contains the power of dreadful nightmares. It carries an alien energy that opposes divine power and can cut through it.

Level Requirement: 71
Equip Restriction: Monk Class

Physical Attack: 1081–1137
Durability: 100 / 100

Divinity Destroyer:
Can split and destroy divine power that is lower than the wearer’s mana.

Faint Nightmare:
When striking an enemy, there is a low chance to inflict the status ailment “Nightmare.”

[Ominous Nightmare Earrings]

Grade: Hero+ (Raid Equipment)

Description:
Ruidra, the Witch of Dreams and the Ruler of Nightmares.
These earrings she once wore contain the power of ominous nightmares. They wear down the enemy’s mind.

Level Requirement: 71
Equip Restriction: None

Magic Resistance: 600
Durability: 50 / 50

Strength +5
Mana +3

Exhausted Mind:
When striking an enemy, there is a low chance to inflict the status ailment “Exhaustion.”

Mental Superiority:
Deals 16% additional damage when attacking an enemy suffering from Exhaustion.

[Unsettling Nightmare Bracelet]

Grade: Hero+ (Raid Equipment)

Description:
Ruidra, the Witch of Dreams and the Ruler of Nightmares.
This bracelet she once wore contains the power of ominous nightmares. It confuses the enemy’s mind.

Level Requirement: 71
Equip Restriction: None

Magic Resistance: 601
Durability: 50 / 50

Vitality +3
Mana +5

Confused Mind:
When striking an enemy, there is a low chance to inflict the status ailment “Confusion.”

Confusion Spread:
Targets affected by Confusion become more susceptible to other status ailments.

“Three Hero+ items… This is insane.”

He had secretly expected something good after seeing the title “Hidden Named,” but this was far beyond expectations.

Normally, raid bosses drop one or two top-tier items at most, and the rest are lower-grade gear.
That was the general rule.

So he would have been satisfied even if just the weapon had dropped as Hero+.
But now all three pieces of equipment were top-tier.

How could he not be excited?

And they weren’t just ordinary items—they were raid equipment.

“Even among the same grades, raid gear is considered a higher tier.”

It wasn’t quite on the level of Legendary items, but it was right below them.

If you had to classify it, it was somewhere between Hero+ and Legendary.

There was a reason why top-ranked players and the so-called Top 10 guilds risked their lives for raids.

“Legendary raid gear was on another level.”

Especially Legendary raid bosses, the absolute highest tier.

Their difficulty was insane, but their performance matched it.

Their equipment was basically priceless.

That was only natural.
Legendary raid bosses appeared extremely rarely. Even high-rankers couldn’t just hunt them whenever they wanted.

“The last Legendary raid boss clear video had… what, 2 billion views?”

It was probably a raid video from the Execution Guild.

Back when he was in the military, everyone had been talking about it nonstop.

Dohyun shook his head as he remembered the days he could only watch helplessly, wishing he could hunt one himself.

“Someday, I’ll get one.”

It wasn’t Legendary raid gear, but he had at least reached the tier right below it.

For this level range, it was practically best-in-slot endgame gear.

That’s why the items he obtained this time were on an entirely different level.

“Right now, Thousand Variations’ max attack power is around 813, right?”

Considering how Thousand Variations grew based on the player’s level and the highest-grade weapon it had devoured, Ruidra’s Scythe had nearly 300 more attack power than weapons of the same Hero+ grade.

The other two accessories also had top-tier stats for their grade.

“And the options are great too.”

Abilities specialized for overwhelming enemies.

Especially Divinity Destroyer—if he had enough mana, it was practically a hard counter against priests.

And that wasn’t even the end of the options.

<Ruidra’s Nightmare Set>

3-Set Effect:

When entering combat against Holy-type enemies, Defense and Damage increase by 25%
Deal 10% additional damage to enemies afflicted with Nightmare
All stats +10

“At this point, did she have a grudge against priests or something?”

The options were such extreme counters that it was almost safe to say Ruidra hated priests.

But that didn’t mean the set was only strong against them.

Every attack could inflict annoying status ailments, while the wearer gained buffs—those were excellent effects regardless.

“The real question is how low the probability is…”

Still, it didn’t matter.

These options perfectly matched his combat style—not getting hit often and attacking rapidly.

There was even a conditional effect that increased status ailment chances, so if he kept beating enemies nonstop, something would eventually trigger.

At this point, turning the Hero Guild into enemies had been worth it.

“If I wasn’t an All-Master, I’d be crying right now.”

Otherwise, he would have had to sell the raid gear he’d just obtained.

[You cannot equip this item due to insufficient level.]

The only downside was the level requirement of 71.

But Dohyun quickly brushed off the regret.

After defeating Ruidra, he had already gained two levels, reaching Level 69.

Just two more levels.

That wouldn’t take long.

“Well then…”

Dohyun closed his inventory and raised his head with a grin.

The appetizers were finished.

“Time to go wake up Angela.”

After an appetizer that felt like a full-course feast, it was finally time for the main dish.

Later

[You have handed the Purification Ember to Gilberun.]
[Quest “Ember of Purification” has been completed.]

“My goodness… You already retrieved it?!”

“Incredible. It truly is the Ember of Purification. We hoped you would bring it, but never imagined it would be so soon… Ah, a hero has appeared in Pratel, Your Majesty!”

Gilberun and the Knight Commander stared in shock.

Gilberun even had tears in his eyes.

“That reaction reminds me of Charlie…”

Dohyun glanced sideways.

Charlie looked completely satisfied.

“Hmm! They have all realized your greatness, my lord. It is my honor as a humble sword to serve you.”

“Riza-riza!”

“You think so too? Excellent attitude! Though one small thing… try doing this with your hands.”

“Riza?”

“Yes! At times like this, people clap their hands to express admiration.”

Eliza echoed along while the two watched warmly.

After fighting Ruidra’s army and the Hero Guild together, their relationship had clearly improved.

Behind them, however, Jihad looked strangely gloomy.

“…Eliza is changing. She used to be my Eliza.”

The atmosphere was almost like a father sending off his daughter for marriage.

Standing awkwardly aside, Jihad suddenly felt someone tap his shoulder.

It was Luriel.

“Nice work. I knew you’d get it eventually, but that was fast. Even with the teleport scroll, dealing with the legions must’ve been annoying.”

“…Some people ended up drawing the aggro for me.”

“Heroes are blessed with luck… something like that?”

Dohyun nodded.

If things were good right now, that was enough.

Future problems could be left to future him.

Soon, Gilberun approached, wiping away his tears.

“Thank you. This is a debt I can never repay. In the name of Gilberun, I swear that until the day I die, I will stand on your side.”

“I am Hyde Rakdrear, Knight Commander of the Royal Knights of Pratel. Though I am nothing special, I swear on my knightly honor that if you ever need help, I will not refuse.”

Ding!

Favorability with King Gilberun has reached maximum.
You have formed an overwhelming friendly relationship.
No matter the situation, he will support you.
Favorability with Knight Commander Hyde Rakdrear has reached maximum.
If you need help, he will draw his sword without hesitation.
You have formed the first friendly relationship with the Royal Castle of Pratel.
Recorded in the Adventurer’s Journal.

“Oh… That’s even better than expected.”

Now he had two castle lords and two knight commanders who would respond if he called.

“At this point, I’m basically the King of Connections.”

Ironically, he barely had friends in real life, yet NPCs adored him.

Then the knights spoke again.

“So now we just have to eliminate that cursed witch.”

“Yes. It may take time, but defeating Ruidra before awakening Angela would be safer.”

“Wait…?”

Dohyun paused.

Then he realized something.

“Oh. Right… they don’t know I already killed Ruidra.”

His quest had only required bringing the Ember of Purification, not defeating Ruidra.

Originally, the plan was:

Use the Ember to erase the Nightmare Mark.
Then kill Ruidra.

“Actually… there’s no need to mobilize soldiers.”

“…What do you mean?”

“To put it simply… Ruidra is already dead.”

“…?”

Both men blinked in confusion.

Dohyun silently held something out.

Dream Powder.
Origin of Nightmare.

Proof of Ruidra’s death.

“My god…”

“Are you serious?!”

Even Luriel cursed in shock.

Ding!

Because Ruidra has been defeated, the reward for the quest “Ember of Purification” has changed.
Reward EXP has greatly increased.
Level Up!
The planned Special Event “War with Ruidra” has been removed.
All linked events have been removed.

“…What?”

Dohyun was stunned.

The Special Event he thought was the main reward… had been deleted.

“What kind of scam reward is this?!”

Just as anger started to rise—

Ding!