Chapter 95 095

Before embarking on the quest, Seojin assessed the situation carefully.

Shahav's main quest involved collecting edible monster meat, with the added incentive of bonus points for delivering high-quality meat. As a result, players naturally attempted to kill a variety of monsters in their own unique ways.

"Damn it! I missed again!"

"I told you to time it right! Buff me when I raise my hammer!"

"Well, if you use your skill a bit later next time, we might be able to kill it!"

Of course, it wasn't easy as ground monsters would hide underground whenever they were at a disadvantage, but they were much easier to deal with than aerial monsters.

'Things won't be easy,' Seojin thought.

It was like trying to play whack-a-mole. Players had to strike the monsters at the right time and with the right amount of force to prevent them from escaping and kill them quickly. As long as the group moved as one, it wasn't impossible.

"It's not impossible if players are good, but it'd be hard to see such a capable players in a settlement of level 70.'

Unlike Seojin's roller coaster playthrough, most users had arrived here through general hunting and ordinary quests, so they were not accustomed to being creative.

'No one even knew how to deal with instakill moves on the Churai Islands. Anyway, I think I could make a guide for this.'

Seojin's analysis was almost complete. Although those factors did not apply to him, they would be useful in building his fame.

"I guess Robert's guide has robbed people of their ability to think, blindly following what they've been told."

After reaching Level 100, they would face much more difficult monsters and challenges.

'It's a loss for the entirety of Valaran in the grand scheme of things.'

Valaran was the Korean server, and its weakening would lead to the deterioration of the entire server.

'They'll be even more helpless when they go to other continents.'

They would be outmatched and outnumbered, and the gap would not be easy to bridge.

-Found a cluster of monsters.

Seojin stood up as soon as he heard from Flappy.

-How many are there?

-Tons of them. It's a trap set by Maya.

-A trap?

-There shouldn't be this many monsters in one place.

Flappy was confident.

-It's like a bomb waiting to explode.

Ordinary players would steer clear of such clusters, but Seojin was not one of them.

-So, get rid of them all and my quest is done, right? On my way!

* * *

In the hunting ground of the Shahav, known as "The Coiling Menace," an unusual sighting occurred.

Monsters were engaged in a fierce battle with each other, despite the fact that there were no territorial disputes as they all lived in the vast underground. This was the first time they had ever fought in such a manner.

"What's happening? Is this an earthquake?"

"Could this be a sign of a field boss?"

"Why is the ground shaking like this?"

All the players were left confused and bewildered, unable to comprehend what was happening. However, Maya was different. She sensed that something was amiss and was left in awe.

"This doesn't make sense…"

Maya had seen Seojin's stats and knew that he was not strong enough to take on the monsters of Shahav, so how was he able to defeat them so effortlessly?

"Could he be controlling their minds?"

That was the only explanation that made sense. Warlocks and evil priests had the ability to control or manipulate their opponents' minds using corrupt divine power.

"I haven't sensed any dark energy from him though… I'm sure of that."

For the first time in years, Maya found herself doubting her senses. Seojin, an adventurer who was not aligned with evil, possessed similar powers and was able to defeat monsters with ease, even when he was weak.

'I'm in trouble… I've already signed the contract!'

As soon as the man fulfilled his part of the contract, she would have to spill the beans. Eventually, Maya began clinging to meaningless optimism.

'He can't do that twice… every adventurer has a unique skill. That's probably just one of them. There's no way he can do it several times in a row.'

Maya consoled herself, feeling a throbbing headache coming on.

'He better be…'

The sudden earthquake soon stopped and players simply thought it was a natural phenomenon as they returned to their battles. Seojin, who had accidentally caused the earthquake, was collecting rewards and wondering,

'Hmm, is this enough?'

Desert Mole's neck meat - (8)

Desert Mole's belly meat - (17)

Desert Mole's…

Sand snake meat - (11)

* Excellent quality.

"I feel like throwing up. I ate those things?"

Flappy bent forward exaggeratedly. Seojin had to agree with her this time as the monster's meat was disgusting, to say the least. Some of them were sickly green or rotting black. Of course, they looked better after having been cooked, but Seojin wasn't sure if he could put it in his mouth.

'Gotta clear the quest anyway,' he thought to himself.

With a professional mindset, Seojin calmly put all the loot in his inventory.

"Shall we head back?"

"Don't tell may thuh reward iz…"

"A dish made from these meats."

"Ugh."

"You don't have to eat it. It's just a cultural difference. Embrace it."

Of course, Seojin wouldn't eat it either, if they cooked it right in front of him.

"I feel like I'm going to throw up. Did I really eat those?" Flappy exaggeratedly bent forward. Seojin had to agree with her this time, as the monster's meat was disgusting, to say the least. Some of them were sickly green or rotting in black. Of course, it looked better after cooking, but Seojin wasn't sure if he could put it in his mouth.

"Anyway, we have to clear the quest," he thought to himself.

With a professional mindset, Seojin calmly put all the loot in his inventory.

"I thought they would know something," Seojin said, looking dissatisfied even after winning the battle.

He had attempted to communicate with a sand mole using their own method of communication, but it only seemed interested in eating.

'I can't use creatures with low intelligence… what a shame…'

Sand moles were capable of swimming through sand like water, and since monsters generally didn't attack each other, they had the potential to be Seojin's eyes and ears.

'The duration of my buff is too short too.'

Seojin decided to put his plan on hold for now as he had other matters to attend to.

Main Quest: Supply Run

Basic Reward: Mystery Meat Stew…

* * *

"Splendid, splendid! Such variety, such quality!"

"I'm glad you're satisfied."

"Not just satisfied! Take this first!"

Main Quest complete

The merchant is stunned by the superior quality of the ingredients you've brought. As a result, he rewards you with even more valuable items.

The honest-looking merchant handed Seojin his wallet and quickly ran into his house, telling him to wait.

"Five gold, huh?"

Seojin had received five gold, which was a whopping five-hundred thousand won in cash. It was a much better reward compared to the monster meat stew. However, Seojin wondered if the merchant expected him to eat the stew in front of him.

'I hope not,' he thought. After a moment of contemplation, Seojin came up with a plan.

'I'll pretend to eat and put it in my inventory!' he decided, knowing he had to execute it smoothly.

Just then, Maya appeared. Seojin acted surprised to see her.

"Maya? Were you waiting for me?" he asked.

"I watched the whole process! You were amazing," she exclaimed.

Seojin noticed that Maya seemed different from before - she was cheerful and confident, just like when they first met.

Then, she asked him a surprising question.

"Are you a warlock?"

Seojin was taken aback.

"Me? No," he replied.

"So, what about an evil priest?"

"Not even close."

"I see. You're not… but why not?"

"What do you mean?"

Seojin chuckled, thinking Maya was joking, but she was serious.

"You used mind control on me before, didn't you?"

Seojin finally understood. Maya mistook his stanceshifting for mind control, which was understandable since she was an NPC.

"It's not exactly mind control, but the effect is similar."

"Let me be frank with you, do you use the Power of Darkness?"

"No, I don't."

"What a shame."

Just then, the merchant reappeared.

"Dinner's ready! I bet it'll taste even better with all… oh, Maya! Would you like some too? This adventurer brought me some amazing ingredients!"

"Why not? Thank you very much!"

"Hahaha, wait a minute!"

She watched the merchant rush back inside before turning her gaze back to Seojin.

"Are you absolutely sure you're not one of them?"

"Damn sure. Who knows, maybe you're the one dabbling in dark magic. If I claimed to be a warlock, you'd…"

"Sir."

Maya's eyes flashed with a hint of malice, causing Seojin to fall silent. She quickly regained her composure and flashed a fake smile, while Seojin nodded awkwardly.

"It's truly disheartening to see you have such a misconception. I despise such bastards."

Seojin could sense the anger behind her smile, but he wasn't afraid in the slightest.

"If that's the case, then you shouldn't have been asking me such things either."

"What do you mean?"

"Treat others the way you want to be treated. Don't ask me if I worship dark gods if you don't want to be asked the same thing. I saw you sneak out your dagger too."