Ever since she accepted the second domain's main quest, two days have gone by and it was now the twenty-fourth of December.
At first, she was down the drain of her emotions, enough to make her sleep for nearly half of a day when she returned to Carsenia.
Despite that, the moment her eyes opened at six in the morning, most of it was gone, almost like the system intervened due to the rising chances of her giving up on fighting and just moping in bed for the rest of her time, but it's not like she forgot.
As per usual, she kept dressing her sporty outfit, arranged her hair, and ran around a different section of the city every day, even if her mind was clouded. In just a few days, the city was already filled with snow.
After doing this routine every day, Jae-Hwa had reached a point where her body was starting to become used and no longer hurt after completing it... If anything, she only needed to rest a little to catch her breath. However today, when she ran around the south section in a path she hadn't found yet, her own stomach contorted with the sight in her surroundings.
A sight that was so rare before that she always tried to avoid it. It was not her job and there wasn't much to help with anyway back in South Korea, but as her gaze wanders around, several small buildings, either abandoned or in ruins were scattered on the street.
Some small children ran around wearing only rags and barefoot, thankfully with a smile still in their faces. Further ahead was a somewhat large house and on the other side of the road, what seemed to resemble a school.
Similar to the rest of the habitations, although it was somewhat cleaner, it didn't seem to have anyone living anywhere closer until a young woman opens the wooden door, dressed in a very simple white dress holding a basket filled with wet clothes.
Cho Jae-Hwa exchanges greetings with her, continuing her run in a slower pace. It was obvious she was poor, she looked malnourished and the traditional sister habit she was wearing seemed somewhat old, but above everything else, the clothes she was wearing were too small for her.
There's no mistaking it, that is an orphanage.
Perhaps it was a sign, an event found due to random luck, but her heart was sure to tell her what to do, even if it was selfish.
Increasing her speed, she finishes her running for the day and takes a quick bath. Her mind was set on what to do, so she went accordingly to Regg' Dob's store, finding Hyeong Hae by coincidence.
"Ms. Hae? Did you get some new gear?"
The mature woman with golden hair turns her head to the entrance, showing her amber eyes that seem to increasingly become livelier as time passes. A soft relaxed smile is shared between the two just before continuing the conversation.
"Well, I figured it might be best to have something better. The few times I went to the second domain, the battles took too long. What about you?" Hyeong responds, waiting by the counter for Reggie, most likely.
"I'm going to sell some stuff and then find a restaurant or something like that that can sell me some food."
"Hmm?" The former leader frowns, unable to understand the reason behind this. "I'm sure you can get it in cafés and such, it's not like we require to eat anymore."
"It's not for me. I'm going to give them to an orphanage I saw earlier. I don't know how many kids there are, but I want enough for them to be filled."
As they talk with each other, Reggie comes back from the forge with a wooden box in his hands, Hae's armor and weapon.
The armor was thick enough for any weapon to get through it, a silver chestplate and several plates and guards of the same material for her waist, legs, arms and shoulders.
The shield was big enough to cover her whole torso and finally a broadsword with a yellow jewel embedded in the guard, something that seemed too impractical to use with one hand, but for her was a perfect fit.
All of it with details and highlights of yellow, all of the same material, nanite.
After selling all the drop items from both the first domain and the second that she obtained until now, Jae-Hwa's wallet became metaphorically heavy.
CREDITS: 237
"That's good and all, but why this so suddenly?" Hae asks, tilting her head in wonder.
Closing her fist, a pained expression in the halberdier's face surges amidst a certain sense of guilt.
"A quest I had recently kind of got in my nerves, that's all. It's selfish, I know that I'm only doing this for me to feel better, but I think it is the only way for me to calm down."
"Then there's no problem, right?" The golden haired swordswoman looked at her in the eyes, having changed from her armor, saying words like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It's not like we can live peacefully everyday and no one knows when we will go back, so until then, I don't think it's right to judge if we indulge ourselves or do something more selfish."
"...I guess so."
Just as they get near the entrance, they soon come to a halt as a large figure clad in plated heavy armor opens the door abruptly.
The material seemed simple enough, but the threatening aura emanating from a small group and the giant shields behind their backs was enough to make the girls wary.
Three men, full-blown warriors at least in appearance, did not budge despite being the ones blocking the entrance. Instead, they just looked down menacingly until one of them opened their mouths.
"Are you perhaps players as well?"
From what should be two meters of fearlessness, came the most gentle and docile voice one could expect from a man.
"Yes... Is there a problem?"
"No, no, not at all. We have actually been looking for some players that could help us.
I am from the Dragonspine clan, Pak Sangwook, a level twelve
Dragonspine? That's the same clan that went after the Howling Den... I don't think he saw me if he was there... Well, if they didn't say anything yet, then I should be safe...
Despite her thoughts, the group did not ease up with the questions, to the point where they were somewhat obliged to cooperate.
"Alright, I will join you, even if it's just for today... I also haven't defeat the ruler yet, so it's beneficial to me. I am Cho Jae-Hwa, a level eight uhh— Well, I use an halberd, if that works for you."
The men look at each other, nodding in approval. From behind them comes Hae's husband, asking embarrassingly to be let in.
"So a
After a minute or so of discussing between them, they came to a conclusion and decided to also join.
"I am Hyeong Hae, level eight and I fight with a sword and a shield mainly. My husband, Myo Dong-Sun, is the same but he is level seven." The swordswoman states proudly, presenting her forever partner.
What she hadn't noticed was how he even looked somewhat ashamed of being weaker than his wife, level and skill-wise, but that itself was not a surprise as even Jae-Hwa was jealous of her.
"Well then, please come to the central plaza's teleports. We will initiate the raid soon."
There was no room for negotiation when the gentle giants were so eager to help, so the details were explained on the way, as they reached the portal and immediately went through the portal.
What the Dragonspine meant as a raid, was simply lead and defeat the domain ruler, so they could advance. Although they had already done this, they were still in need of more fighting power to go against the third domain's ruler that was supposed to have a lot of defense, so some members chose to come to Carsenia and recruit beginners to then further train them.
As the group traversed the
The newbies that had no means to fight yet, wandered in the back line, injecting the healing items on those that had low health or energy when really necessary.
Those that had a shield were positioned in the front, having one person or two defending the attacks or their teammates.
Meanwhile, for attackers like Jae-Hwa that had no way of defending herself besides dodging or blocking with her weapon, they remained behind someone with a shield until it was the correct time to engage the enemy.
In total, there were thirty players walking around the second domain, shields up, weapons at the ready, nearing the cemetery.
"Enemy skeletons coming up ahead! Two archers, three warriors and one knight!" Hyeong Hae shouts to the whole group, preparing her stance.
Skeleton Archers were already difficult enough to deal with, considering they usually have the warriors to protect them, but the new variable, the
Not only was its armor and weapon in better condition when compared to the others, but it also had a shield to defend itself, not to mention the movements the enemy performed were too accurate for just a mere undead monster.
Thankfully, there were no
"I will take on the knight!" Jae-Hwa shouts, positioning herself in front of the enemy.
Even if it hasn't been too long since the battle against Eirdan, the elven skeleton warrior, she felt the need to prove herself once again, as selfish as it was.
Deep in her heart, a voice kept telling her that if she were to defeat it alone, it would finally show how strong she is.
"Alright! Tankers in position! Block the first arrows! Attackers go after, straight for the archers!" The group leader, Pak Sangwook, shouts as he joins the frontline shield formation.
As the first arrows rain down on them, the halberdier runs toward her target, stopping before she had gotten too close and like a lumberjack, swung her halberd towards the skeleton.
A loud metallic thud stops her attack, a somewhat broken shield blocking her axe head after a cloud of smoke dissipates is revealed, showing the knight's head bobbing up and down under its rusty helmet.
"It's... laughing?"
In response, there was not much she could do but keep on attacking, but the condescending behavior of her enemy was somewhat too much for her to remain calm.
Seeing as it does not attack, Jae-Hwa switches the side of her weapon, presenting the axe side outwards, and starts rotating her body counter-clockwise to hit the other side.
The boney enemy had already positioned its shield to defend against it, it already knew such thing was coming, but she was also not oblivious to it.
Using her skills
"Alright! Let's see..."
—ENEMY———————————————
ENEMY NAME: Skeleton Knight
HEALTH: 137/140
SKILLS:
"— The bastard still has so much health, can I really defeat it alone? But then... No— What is important right now is to converse as much health and energy as possible for the ruler."
There was a greater objective ahead, something that she could not risk or it could cost the lives of many, even if it meant that she would need to swallow her pride and forget her proof of strength.
As the skeleton becomes increasingly closer to her with a swift recovery, Cho Jae-Hwa brings her arms up front in a wide stance and with all the voice she could muster, did the same as others have been doing throughout the battles.
"TANK!"
Whether she had realized or not, knowing one's limits in a world where survival is key is also a way to prove you're strong. Of course, surpassing them is an incredible achievement, but when it comes to live another day, one must be reminded with conditions like these that they are not alone.
Just before the enemy could slash, golden hair appears in front of her vision followed by the screeching sound of the rugged sword hitting a shield.
With her arms still open, Jae-Hwa catches Hyeong Hae's body, slowing down the knockback impact from her hurried defense.
In the matter of a second both fighters stood up and readied their armaments, preparing for a second round.
What the halberdier hadn't noticed, however, was that Hae was smiling despite not showing it to her just yet. In fact, everyone was smiling and with even more motivation to win.
They all had the same thought: The girl that has been fighting alone all this time, finally let us join in the fun!
It wasn't a grand thought or action, but it made the raid members feel trusted.
"Go ahead, Cho! While it's not attacking!"
Following the orders, Jae-Hwa took a step forward to appear in front of the enemy like a mirage. Before it could even have a moment to react, the effects of her activated skills let her slash horizontally with enough precision to throw the skeleton away.
ENEMY HEALTH: 86/140
Dazed and defenseless, the
However, before it could even pick up the remain of its sword, the bones rattled uncontrollably. Even without a mind, something akin to a thought resurfaced, wondering if such feeling was fear— Not from the halberdier, but from the other female beside her, emanating a cackling golden aura.
A deafening screech is let out from the skeleton but soon shut from a voice that seemed to echo deep in its cranium.
"Let thy punishment be quick... For the almighty thunder is instant."
Taking advantage of the element residing in Hyeong Hae's sword, she points it up to the sky, forming clouds loaded with electric energy. As her words finish, the blade is directed towards the enemy and like a guide, a thunderbolt befalls the skeleton, turning it into dust.
After everything was dealt with and managed, the group moved forward with the two having a conversation until they reached the cemetery.
"So, what was that exactly? It looked like a skill, but at the same time it didn't felt like it..." Jae-Hwa asked, sitting on a rock near the entrance.
"Well, technically it isn't, it's more of a forced natural phenomenon. One day, while I was still in my lowest, something talked to me." Hae paused, wondering whether it was fine to share it or not, then nodded to herself. "To this day I don't know who it is or was, but it told me words of comfort and even taught me how to do things like this... So at the very least I am thankful."
A voice like that... Could it have been a deity? Doesn't seem to be problematic, so it is probably ok to leave this matter alone.
"I see, I am happy then."
As both share a giggle, the raid leader Pak Sangwook stands in front of the gates to the cemetery and claps his hands loudly.
"Alright! Everyone is already fully healed and with their energy restored right? I've seen our supplies and we also have enough for the battle ahead. Is everyone ready!?"
Silence reigned for some apparent reason.
Jae-Hwa, Hae and Dong-Sun simply did not have the mental energy, so they were simply waiting for the others to start it, but for some reason they would not move and instead were just staring at what was beyond their leader as if it was a ghost— or rather, they were looking at an actual ghost.
"Captain... Behind you! Behind you!"
Behind the giant shield in his back was a translucid man with enough muscle to be a fighter but too little demeanor to still be alive. Even then, its face was mostly skin and bones and the eyes were aimless.
Every participant kept some distance from it, as the dead man took step after step slowly. It didn't seem hostile in any sense, just looking for something as its direction changed to Cho Jae-Hwa.
"W-wait... Me? N-No, no, no! I hate ghosts, no!"
Just as she gets up from her seat, somewhat terrified, the ghost places its hand on her shoulder and light blinds the surrounding area.
"Who thought ghosts were your weakness?" Hyeong Hae states with a grin, looking nervously downwards.
The ground under had disappeared and become some sort of invisible barrier that separated the raid members and what now seemed to be a cave with dusty walls of dark wood and a stone brick floor.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I am a firm believer of what is dead should stay dead! Anyway, what's happening?" The halberdier stood up, cursing the system in her mind for thinking of such a thing.
"No idea, I only woke up a minute or two ago and the others also say this didn't happen before."
Lying on the stone floor, dressed in rags without a bath for what should have been weeks and multiple bruises in her skin was a woman with ghostly white hair, seemingly in her thirties.
She was neither sleeping nor dead, just emotionless until the turn of a doorknob wakes her and everyone's attention.
The ghost from before opened the door, this time alive and well, with auburn short hair and a good physique. He did not say anything and instead just observed with pained eyes what was in front of him.
Only when the fragile woman raised her hand to ask for help did he move, going down the stairs so fast that he almost tripped.
"Are you alright? I am the first prince of the Holy Kingdom Solusreich. It will be alright.... You will be alright."
The scene unveiled in front of the players was almost like a theater, the fantasy-like encounter between a dame and a knight in shining armor, but to their surprise, the moment the two united hands, the scene below them zoomed in into an uncomfortably close space without any warning.
The woman was incredibly weak and could only muster some words, but the smile in her became as ominous as the dead of night where every danger could lurk.
In the midst of a forest at night, it looked as if only her smile would be found beneath the foliage and eventually the prince indulged in it.
Her eyes shone red with malice, locked into the man's as her lips obtained a scarlet tint.
"I believe I have not heard your name yet, fair lady. What is it, if you would let me hear it?" The prince asked as he fell deeper into the trance within her eyes.
"Medea Traditor. Your love, your heart, your other half, my dear prince."
Both closed their eyes, one more sleepily than the other and sealed their words with a kiss. Moments later was as if the prince had lost his free will and remained a puppet that listened to her every order.
Soon after, the surroundings become filled with fog and the raid group returns to the second domain, in front of the gate to the cemetery where they were before.
"What was that? I really don't remember something like this happening before." Pak asks, unable to understand.
"It's probably because of the main quest I have. It was supposed to give some information about the ruler, but I didn't expect it to be like this." Jae-Hwa explains, looking at the quest panel in front of her that had changed without notice.
It's complete? Then what about the chest I was supposed to open?
The keys stored in her inventory had disappeared as well, but that was something she didn't have much time to think about.
"The ruler here is a banshee, so she uses sound-based attacks... I guess that would explain the prince being charmed. But isn't that information a bit meaningless? You could find it easily in the battle." Pak adds, turning his mind to his past experience.
Jae-Hwa grabs her weapon tightly, pensive as she attempts to reach a worthwhile conclusion.
"Maybe there's more to it. I think it's not only her voice, but her whole being. I found it strange how much this quest's story focused on her, but maybe that's the point. Her weapons are not just the voice, but her eyes, her hands... Who knows."
Everyone became tense, knowing that there was a chance of the danger level increasing, but it is not as if they can ignore the reality. Instead, Pak Sangwook claps his hands louder than before, grabbing everyone's attention.
"We will think about it when the time comes! For now, we just fight! I and others have defeated it before, so no matter what comes, we can overcome it! Got it!? Now, let's go!"
There were still doubts and worries, but just as he said, that was something to worry about later.
Those with a shield were in the frontline, then the attackers and finally the support. With this formation, they entered in groups to the cemetery where the Domain Ruler resided, getting ready for a fight.
—CURRENT STATS——————————
PLAYER NAME: CHO JAE-HWA
LEVEL: 8 <218/360 EXP>
BLESSING: Phantasmagoria
TITLE: Giant Slayer
HEALTH: 180/180
DAMAGE: 49 (+28) // DEFENSE: 41 (+15) // ENERGY: 55/55
WEAPON: Ceremonial Nanite Halberd
ARMOR: Reinforced Hunter's Garb
ACTIVE SKILLS:
PASSIVE SKILLS:
CREDITS: 237