Upon entering the rift, the forest scenery changed.
The territory of the vampire, Count Ascula.
The corrupted land and Russia's coniferous forest.
An appearance as if those two spaces were mixed together exactly half and half.
...The scenery didn't matter at all.
'Crazy, it's even colder?!'
It was because the trees had rotted.
It felt like the cold wind was slapping me straight in the face.
"!"
However, how thoughtful.
Was it consideration so I wouldn't freeze to death?
I had no choice but to move my body immediately.
"Grrrrrrr...!!"
[Blood-Stained Wolf: Lv.230]
A wolf infected by Count Ascula's blood.
Indeed, befitting that level, its movements were fast. Incomparably so compared to the similarly-looking imps. However, thanks to being corrupted by the vampire's blood, its species became 'demon race'.
[Skill, 'Natural Enemy Relationship' is activated.]
You're not the only fast one, was what I meant.
Clack─
I easily evaded the charging wolf's attack.
I recalled the quest objective.
'Announce that the hunt has begun.'
Just hunt one demon and the objective would be achieved.
There was not even a moment's hesitation.
I rotated my body as it was.
I attacked the wolf as we crossed paths.
Naturally, the weapon was a silver dagger.
Swish─
"Kruung!"
The sharp blade sliced the guy's rear thigh.
Dark blood flowed from that wound. Looking at that reaction, it was different from the imps.
Unlike the imps that screamed loudly that it hurt, there was no particular reaction.
'It's not because of the level.'
The wolf was 20 levels higher than the imps.
However, my level had risen too.
If I calculated the stats that had increased through the class quest in addition to 12 levels...
My attack just now must have dealt considerable damage to the wolf.
The evidence was visible.
The wolf was limping on its hind leg.
Yet it still continued to bare its teeth...
I could figure out the reason.
"How foolish, to have chosen the wrong one to be loyal to."
That must be because of loyalty to Count Ascula.
Of course, that's just what I was saying.
It didn't really mean that wolf was loyal to Count Ascula.
It was just that the setting for vampires in Arcana was like that.
-I hate vampires. Because they're cowardly. Those guys, despite being demons, have a habit of trying to lead a pack. They corrupt targets with blood and forcibly make them serve them. They despise humans yet wish to live like humans.
A conversation with an NPC in Arkshan came to mind.
I added a word to that NPC's statement.
"How foolish. Like a demon."
Count Ascula.
A guy who knows one thing but not two!
You see, being a noble.
It doesn't mean you're a noble just because you're admired by others and have a great castle. Above all, you need to have something called pride in your heart.
Noble pride that doesn't waver in any situation.
Dignity that doesn't break even when your hands get dirty.
Confidence that doesn't yield even to muscle pain.
That kind of stubbornness where you wouldn't wear padding even if it meant freezing to death.
Why, like someone living somewhere, you know.
Swack─
The battle wasn't long.
Inwardly, I was cursing both Count Ascula and Grandfell at the same time.
But in this moment, my vision was more clear-headed than ever.
"I detest those of your kind."
[Level has increased.]
[Level has increased.]
[Level has increased.]...
I rose 5 levels to become level 72.
I could feel that the experience points needed for leveling up were rapidly increasing.
I checked the flashing quest window.
─Hunt the vampires. (In Progress) ▲
Announce that the hunt has begun. (Success)
Make them feel the terror of being hunted. (In Progress)
As soon as I achieved the first objective, the next objective came up immediately.
Make them feel the terror of being hunted.
Indeed, befitting a class quest.
'No one but a demon hunter would even understand this.'
Make demons feel terror?
You'd think, what kind of nonsense is this?
However, I had experience as a demon hunter.
I wasn't the last demon hunter for nothing.
-The thing that played the biggest role in keeping humanity surviving until now is fear. Because they can feel fear, humans were able to avoid enemies stronger than themselves. That's why they could survive.
It was during the quest.
The mentality lectures that NPCs endlessly rattled off.
-However, in front of demons, humans cannot utilize the emotion of fear that enables survival.
At that time, I had no idea what they were talking about.
I couldn't understand it at all.
-So to hunt demons, you must overcome fear. Furthermore, you must return it to them. The terror that at this moment, you are being hunted!
I think I finally get it now.
After that mentality lesson, vicious quests followed.
Thinking back now, there were continuous courage tests that made me wonder how I succeeded.
Quite a few players had given up there too.
Of course, back then I was a chuunibyou with nothing to fear.
Which meant I passed that training with excellent grades.
Thud─!
Right, what makes me tremble isn't something like demons.
Sniffle.
It's Russia's bitterly cold Siberian high pressure, is what I meant...
***
And it was now.
I had teatime.
The reason I said a teacup wasn't needed.
It was because I could manifest a teacup.
I detected and interfered with rocks that were lying around, and manifested a teacup using them as material.
This too was 『Magic』 that I had realized from watching NetTube.
To be precise, it was [Alchemy Skill].
Just like 'Ignition', it meant I had borrowed Granfell's brain to convert it into magic.
Just a teacup and heating water.
For having racked my brain for several days.
I felt like its usage was extremely trivial...
But it didn't matter.
Right now, this warmth was far too precious...
"I have no tea to offer you lot."
...What the? I wouldn't drink it even if you gave it to me!
Leonie whispered seriously.
"...Is that guy a NetTuber?"
Shake shake─
The guild members shook their heads.
"Then, what. A rookie? Or if not that, a rising star?"
Shake shake─
The guild members exchanged glances with each other and shook their heads again.
"Then what is that? He's not a ranker."
Leonie furrowed her brow.
I was completely off the mark, wasn't I?
But this wasn't her intuition's fault.
Who could have predicted it? That what made the wolves howl so pitifully was just one player. Moreover, that outfit also didn't make sense.
Swish─
Leonie lowered her head to check her own attire.
Right, no matter how low-level a rift was, it was normal to properly wear equipment like herself.
Besides, this rift was crawling with demon race, wasn't it?
It was common sense to wear at least one accessory that increased status ailment resistance.
But.
'...A suit? Dress shoooooes?!'
Not only that, but that man was holding a teacup.
As if he could never give up the teacup no matter what situation came.
He was firmly grasping it in his hands.
"Fuck, he's got no sense."
Irritation surged in Leonie.
Right, well. The world is wide and there are many players.
If there are players like this, there would be players like that too.
That was irritation with herself.
'My pride is hurt. Fuck.'
It meant those taciturn monsters were terrified in front of that man, didn't it?
Well, I didn't watch the battle so I couldn't know the reason.
But that alone was enough to make my competitive spirit boil.
"Hmph."
What did it matter whether they made sounds or not?
What's important is defeating them first and clearing first.
Leonie didn't want to pay any more attention to the man.
"...Lost again. Damn."
...Of course, the man had been ignoring this side from the start.
At this point, I'm starting to get curious.
Just what could be in that teacup.
That he could leisurely enjoy tea even in this environment.
'...Is it delicious?'
Slurp─
Leonie swallowed her saliva and then came to her senses.
-I have no tea to offer you lot.
Really, I wouldn't drink it even if you're that stingy!
Leonie turned around and said.
"Let's go."
"Didn't you say earlier it would be better to join up?"
"Never mind. I changed my mind."
"Aw~ Sis, you're sulking? Because he won't give you tea?"
"Be quiet. I said I wouldn't drink it even if he gave it, didn't I?"
"...When?"
Several guild members looked back at the man and said.
"Still, wouldn't it be dangerous? He's alone."
"How about at least asking if he wants to join up? Well, he might have information he knows too, right?"
"Never mind, okay? He's so full of confidence that he came into the rift wearing a suit and even dress shoes. Besides, you saw that attitude, right? He won't even give tea, so as if he'd readily share information."
"...What, you are sulking."
Thump─
Leonie raised her fist and continued speaking.
"If he's good, he might be around my level."
"What... Don't tell me, his level?!"
"Yeah. Well, he might be one of the rankers who haven't revealed their identity."
At Leonie's words, the guild members stirred.
"Now that you mention it, starting with Skull, he's never properly shown his face..."
Player ranking 1st, Skull.
He too was one of the players shrouded in mystery.
Leonie waved her hand dismissively.
"Never mind. Think of him as a competitor. It's good to warm up properly. Well."
Indeed, Leonie's intuition was extremely dull.
Somehow, she hadn't gotten a single thing right.
Neither Hoyeol's level, which didn't even reach 80.
Nor thinking of this rift as a warm-up.
Swaaak─!
"!"
A noise that seemed to tear through the air.
It was an arrow.
When Leonie noticed that sound.
The arrow was already lodged in one guild member's shoulder blade.
"Everyone prepare for combat! Healers treat the wounded!"
Indeed, Berserker, guild ranking 32nd.
Though they were ambushed, they skillfully shifted their stance.
But...
"C-Captain. There are way more than expected!"
Red lights shining in the darkness.
Those red pupils were so numerous they couldn't be counted.
"Hawk Eye!"
A skill of the archer class that extremely magnified vision.
The guild member who checked the surrounding area reported the situation.
"Blood-stained bandits on all sides. We're completely surrounded. That aside, Captain... Those guys look like at least 200 of them?"
Berserker guild's total personnel was forty-five.
In terms of numbers, it was a definite disadvantage.
Moreover, the blood-stained bandits were humanoid monsters.
Which meant they were troublesome to deal with.
"Right, this is what a new update should be like!"
"Is it finally starting to get serious?"
"No need to search around annoyingly. Nice."
However, Leonie and Berserker guild were accustomed to battle.
Their guild name wasn't Berserker, mad warriors, for nothing.
Leonie raised her twin swords.
"They're coming. Guys."
After blocking one round of arrow baptism, charge.
That was Leonie's plan.
No matter how many there were, the level gap couldn't be ignored.
The tanks would be able to sufficiently withstand the attacks.
Leonie planned to exploit that gap to break through the encirclement.
'It's enough.'
That was how Leonie estimated it.
But, wait.
Suddenly, Leonie looked back.
'...What about him?'
When she turned her head, the man was there.
Leonie was shocked.
"That guy is really out of his mind?!"
He must have clearly seen the arrows pouring down.
Yet the man was still firmly clutching the teacup.
I watched the situation while holding the teacup.
An arrow pierced through a player's shoulder.
Judging from the presences felt from all sides, we were surrounded.
Considering that number, the arrows that would pour down on me wouldn't be few either.
Naturally.
Unlike those players over there, I had neither plate armor to block arrows, nor a shield, nor allies to stand in and block for me.
However, it was fine.
At that moment, arrows flew toward me.
Swish swish swish─!
I looked at the teacup that had been emptied down to the bottom.
"Tea enjoyed outdoors isn't bad either."
It was confidence with grounds.
『Detection』 target was the teacup held in my hand.
The process up to 『Interference』 was smooth like a series of movements.
So I 『manifested』 the magic.
"Even if I used it trivially."
The form of the teacup held in my hand began to change.
Thudududuk─
Soon, the arrows broke and poured down at my feet.
"That doesn't mean its power is insignificant either."
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