Chapter 49: Chapter 49

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Chapter 49

Not long after he started walking, a new monster appeared.

[Lv. 100 Priest (Evil)]

If the one he just dealt with was ‘Priest (Good)’, this one was ‘Priest (Evil)’.

However, this one was easier to hunt than the Priest (Good).

It was twice the size of the previous priest, wearing a black robe pulled down low.

Moreover, the evil energy seeping out of it indicated that it was no ordinary foe.

“At least it’s less disgusting. Is it because the hypocrisy is gone?”

Unlike before, Anima didn’t hide behind Jeong-Hoon.

“I guess so.”

There was only one reason why the Priest (Evil) was easier.

It didn’t try to manipulate people’s minds but relied purely on brute force to crush them.

If the previous one had at least some hypocrisy, this one was literally pure evil.

“Kekeke.”

The monster let out an unpleasant laugh and summoned a black spear.

[Priest (Evil) uses ‘Blackfield’.]

Then, it used its ability, and the surrounding area turned black.

[All stats of Priest (Evil) are doubled.]

An ability that doubled all stats.

With this, the Priest (Evil)’s level was raised to 200.

But that wasn’t the only problem.

[All stats are reduced by 10% due to the effect of Blackfield.]

Jeong-Hoon’s stats were reduced by 10%.

Normally, his divine power would automatically resist the monster’s debuff, but due to Blackfield, the level difference between him and the monster was a whopping 108.

So he couldn’t dispel the debuff.

“Can you do it?”

Anima’s eyes were filled with worry as he looked at Jeong-Hoon.

“Don’t worry.”

He had experienced this situation countless times in his previous life.

And he had grown by overcoming such crises countless times.

If his comrades hadn’t betrayed him, this damn New World would have ended.

Jeong-Hoon pulled the bowstring.

“Kieeek! Human, you think you can do anything to me with that?”

The priest swung the black spear once.

Then, a human arm rose from the blackened ground and grabbed Jeong-Hoon’s leg.

It was trying to drag him down.

Due to the extreme level difference, Jeong-Hoon couldn’t resist properly and started getting sucked down like he was sinking in quicksand.

“Hey! Are you okay?!”

Anima’s urgent voice reached him.

“I said I’m fine.”

Jeong-Hoon’s face showed no sign of panic.

Rather, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

This was an illusion.

An illusion to subdue those who entered the field.

In other words, it wasn’t real.

Jeong-Hoon released the drawn bowstring.

‘Calm Breathing.’

‘Hawk Eyes.’

Even with his posture broken, the arrow drew a parabola and accurately pierced the priest’s forehead.

No, just before it pierced, the monster caught the arrow with its left hand.

There was a limit to how much the legendary weapon could compensate for the extreme level difference.

“The level difference is too great…”

Anima frowned at the sight.

“It’s okay.”

Jeong-Hoon grinned.

The change in the Priest (Evil) came three seconds later.

“Kyaaaak!”

The monster screamed and shook its left hand holding the arrow.

A foul smell and smoke rose from its left hand.

“What’s that…?”

Anima’s eyes widened.

“Divine power.”

The Critical Arrow just now was imbued with divine power.

To the pure evil Priest (Evil), divine power was like poison.

Light and darkness were incompatible.

They could never coexist.

The more the priest suffered, the weaker the grip of the hand pulling Jeong-Hoon became.

Jeong-Hoon struggled and escaped from the swamp of darkness.

And he pulled the bowstring again.

The monster’s weak point was still its head.

Now was his chance while it was in pain.

Whoosh!

Jeong-Hoon released the drawn bowstring, and the arrow shot out in a parabola.

This time, the arrow hit the monster’s forehead.

“Keuk!”

[Critical hit!]

The critical hit characteristic of Critical Arrow activated.

The arrow damage was doubled due to the critical hit.

With the damage doubled and the weak point accurately pierced, the Priest (Evil) collapsed and died on the spot.

At the same time, the Blackfield that had been dyeing the surroundings black disappeared, returning the dungeon to its original state.

The Priest (Evil) also dropped a skill book, which was black.

===

[Skill Book: Blackfield (Rare)]

-Type: Skill Book

-Grade: Rare

-Using this skill book allows you to learn ‘Blackfield (Rare)’.

===

Alright, with this, he had successfully intercepted both skill books that Lewis Verdant would have obtained.

‘…I died over 40 times trying to clear that.’

Back then, he had to listen to Lewis Verdant blabbering on and on, which was almost enough to make his ears bleed.

Thanks to that, he had secured both skill books.

‘This time, I’ll take them.’

A look of satisfaction appeared on Jeong-Hoon’s face.

“Is it over?”

Anima looked around.

“Yes. It’s over.”

[Achievement Unlocked! ‘Cleared Hidden Dungeon’ completed. 10,000 achievement points granted.]

There were only two monsters in this dungeon.

Each one was quite tricky, so it took quite a while.

If he didn’t have the memories and experience from his previous life, 40 times wouldn’t have been enough.

Even if he had died 100 times, it would have been difficult to clear.

That’s how powerful Brainwashing and Blackfield were.

* * *

Meanwhile,

Idenharc Lord’s Castle Basement.

“Uh…?”

“The portal is disappearing!”

The flickering portal in front of them was gradually fading.

The change meant the portal would soon disappear altogether.

“Is it really closing…? That damn portal that always bothered us?”

Juan muttered in disbelief.

From his predecessors to himself, they had only been busy blocking the outbursts, and the resulting losses were growing to an unbearable degree.

He thought he would have to live with the troublesome portal forever… but to think it would be closed like this.

The tower master’s words were all true.

And soon after, the stranger appeared from the fading portal.

He was surprisingly clean, considering he was the one who closed the portal.

“I succeeded.”

At his short but powerful words, Juan and everyone else felt a thrill run through their bodies.

“We’ll lift the barrier!”

The energy flowing from the portal was disappearing.

At this rate, there would be no problem lifting the barrier.

However, the stranger shook his head.

“No. The contamination is too severe. Don’t lift the barrier until the portal completely disappears.”

“…I see. Don’t lift the barrier yet.”

At Juan’s command, the mages immediately stopped their work.

“Phew, then I’ll get some rest.”

The stranger looked quite tired.

He must have used a lot of energy to close the portal.

“Escort the benefactor!”

Juan ordered the butler behind him.

But the stranger shook his head again.

“No. I’ll rest here until the portal disappears. I have contaminated mana all over my body.”

“Ah, I see. Then I’ll have a place prepared for you to rest comfortably here.”

This time, he wouldn’t refuse.

“Yes. I would appreciate that.”

The stranger nodded.

As soon as his permission was granted, everyone except Juan moved swiftly.

* * *

Furniture, including a bed, was brought in and arranged inside the barrier.

That wasn’t all.

The table was filled with local specialties from Idenharc.

He knew that the lord’s finances weren’t in good shape, as even he had a simple meal.

Perhaps because of that, it felt a bit burdensome.

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call us!”

The mages who had brought the food exited the barrier.

Only the shape of the portal remained.

In about 30 minutes, the portal would completely disappear.

Then the contaminated mana on his body would disappear as if washed away, and it wouldn’t be a problem to go outside.

“Thank you.”

Jeong-Hoon picked up the meat in front of him with his hand and took a bite.

Indeed, money was the best.

The quality of the meat was definitely different.

[Fatigue Recovery Buff (10 minutes) has been applied.]

Instead of feeling full, a buff that recovered the character’s fatigue was applied.

“Hmm, this is more delicious than I expected.”

Jeong-Hoon still had the Dragon Anima Bone Bow on his back.

Therefore, Anima could taste the meat through Jeong-Hoon.

‘It’s better to use the skill books right away.’

The Martial Emperor was a legendary class.

Every time he advanced through the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th classes, the grades of all his skills would increase.

There was no need to save them.

[Active Skill, ‘Brainwashing’ acquired.]

[Active Skill, ‘Blackfield’ acquired.]

New skills were registered as he used the skill books.

Since they weren’t weapon-related skills, they were categorized under [General].

“Can we lift the barrier now?”

After 30 minutes, the portal completely disappeared.

At the same time, the contaminated mana on Jeong-Hoon’s body also disappeared as if washed away.

“Yes.”

It was time to complete the quest.

While the mage was lifting the barrier, the butler guided Jeong-Hoon into the lord’s room.

“Welcome!”

Juan greeted Jeong-Hoon very warmly.

To him, Jeong-Hoon was the benefactor who had solved Idenharc’s problem.

A red exclamation mark was blinking above his head.

[Quest Completed.]

[Rewards are being calculated.]

[All conditions met! You can receive the maximum reward!]

Unlike Lewis Verdant, he was able to get the best reward.

Then he received a potion that increased his level.

Thanks to that potion, he quickly surpassed level 100 and was able to move on to the next village.

“Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, I would have been busy blocking the outburst as always.”

Juan expressed his sincere gratitude.

At the same time, a butler came forward with a luxurious box.

Jeong-Hoon’s eyes turned to the box.

A red box with a dragon pattern engraved on it.

“I thought about what kind of reward to give you… and I thought this would be the best, so I asked them to bring it.”

The box opened with a click.

Inside, not just one, but several potions were shining brightly.

“This is…?”

Jeong-Hoon’s eyes widened.

“These are potions that enhance all abilities. They are precious treasures passed down from my ancestors.”

They weren’t just potions that raised levels.

To be precise, there were various types of potions gathered together.

Potions that raised levels.

Potions that increased strength.

Potions that enhanced agility.

Potions that boost stamina.

Potions that enhance wisdom, etc.

There was a wide variety.

‘There are more types of potions now.’

He hadn’t expected rare items to be given out in a beginner zone anyway.

The important thing in this quest wasn’t just the reward, but intercepting Brainwashing and Blackfield that Lewis Verdant would have taken.

Of course, the reward wouldn’t end with just potions.

Would the maximum reward simply be an increase in the variety of potions?

“I gratefully accept.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful for solving Idenharc’s long-standing problem.”

Jeong-Hoon accepted the box.

[Acquired Idenharc Special Potion!]

Then, all the potions in the box moved to his inventory.

“Ah, and I have one more thing prepared. Would you accept it?”

The reason he liked the ‘maximum reward’.

It was for the next reward.

The reward that Lewis Verdant regretted missing out on.

[Additional maximum reward granted.]

[You have acquired the [Title] Benefactor of Idenharc.]

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