123 – Throwing Away the Plan – 2

Having returned straight to Cor, the party immediately understood the meaning of the words the sage had left behind.

Not only was the city’s atmosphere gloomily heated as if on the verge of war, but both the Summoned and the Letans alike bustled about the streets with expressions that were somehow excited yet fearful.

Flyers were even being distributed on the streets, and when Gi-jun grabbed one to read it, a phrase that seemed very familiar was written on it.

[Recruitment for the Vampire Kingdom Expedition]

―Hazardous journey, no pay, infiltration into a kingdom of darkness filled with horrific enemies, risk of bloodsucking, safe return doubtful with the risk of being reduced to the enemy’s plaything. Upon success, all the wealth accumulated in the monster kingdom for hundreds of years can be obtained.

―Departure from Cor’s West Gate in three days.

“Wait, what is this?”

Just looking at it, the provocative writing that naturally made a man’s heart swell felt incredibly familiar.

There was even a strange sense of reassurance, as if everyone would be able to return alive even if the expedition failed……!

Ji-hye, who poked her head out from beside Gi-jun to check the contents of the flyer, smirked and added.

“Look how they cowardly left out the instigator’s name, Oppa. It’s a pettiness that doesn’t even compare to Sir Ernest Shackleton.”

Gi-jun looked back at Lectus and Fatum with a dumbfounded expression, but the two shook their heads in unison.

There was no way they did not know how important this operation, which even involved the Hero of Light, was.

This meant that it was not a matter of recruiting expedition members so publicly.

“Even if we push with numbers, we cannot achieve victory against the vampires. Furthermore, if we are to strike them from behind, everything must be conducted in absolute secrecy. This is an expedition that has failed before it even started.”

“A vampire disguised as a Summoned must have instigated this.”

Gi-jun and Lectus could not bring themselves to deny the words Fatum spat out with conviction.

Although it was very uncomfortable to agree with Fatum, who basically thought with a negative premise—it was because they had just learned the true nature of the deceptive skill the bastard had handed over to the vampires while fighting Frankenstein Junior.

Most vampires looked so similar to humans that it was difficult to tell them apart, and among them were even Day Walkers who could calmly walk under the sunlight.

If they went as far as to manipulate their status windows to act like humans, one would be helplessly deceived unless they traveled with a spirit like Lucy who could see through a vampire’s true identity at first glance.

“Have they all grown so reckless? It seems quite a few are responding to this flyer, though.”

“We must grasp the situation in more detail. For now, you should rest with your party members.”

Lectus, who was irritated, spat out his words and turned around.

However, Fatum bowed his head to Gi-jun to express his gratitude.

“Jun, if not for the help of you and your versatile party members, we would not have been able to resolve this matter so cleanly. I express my gratitude. Whenever the day comes that you visit the Empire, the Empire will recognize you as a Hero of Light.”

“Wait, we’re going to keep seeing each other for the time being anyway, so why so polite?”

“It is for the completion of the quest.”

Ah, no wonder it felt needlessly wordy and polite; it was the quest completion message!

The moment Gi-jun nodded in realization, messages floated up in front of the eyes of the entire party, including Gi-jun.

―Hidden Quest Cleared! You have successfully eliminated Frankenstein Junior, the rebellious black magician who interfered with the system protecting the balance of the continent. Although a portion of the technology he researched has fallen into the hands of Kudlak, now that you have identified the true nature of the technology, you will be able to deal with them more easily.

―A highly positive modifier has been added to [One Who Lifts the Veil (U)]! The title is likely to grow soon. The rewards of the upcoming Grand Quest have been greatly amplified!

―You are strong on your own, but you become even stronger when gathered together. By leading the quest with the Hero, you have played a major role on a party level. A highly positive modifier has been added to [The Last Hero (L)]!

―Your level has increased by 9, becoming 82! Strength (U) has increased by 7, Dexterity (L) by 5, Endurance (U) by 8, Light Mana (L) by 3, and Spiritual Power (L) by 4!

―As a quest reward, your lowest stat, [Strength (U)], has increased by 5, the next lowest stat, [Endurance (U)], has increased by 3, and additionally, Charm (L) has increased by 6!

―The Endurance (U) stat has reached its limit!

―Hidden Quest Cleared! You have successfully eliminated Frankenstein Junior, the rebellious black magician who interfered with the system protecting the balance of the continent. Although a portion of the technology he researched has fallen into the hands of Kudlak, now that you have identified the true nature of the technology, you will be able to deal with them more easily.

―A highly positive modifier has been added to [One Who Lifts the Veil (U)]! The title is likely to grow soon. The rewards of the upcoming Grand Quest have been greatly amplified!

―You are strong on your own, but you become even stronger when gathered together. By leading the quest with the Hero, you have played a major role on a party level. A highly positive modifier has been added to [The Last Hero (L)]!

―Your level has increased by 9, becoming 82! Strength (U) has increased by 7, Dexterity (L) by 5, Endurance (U) by 8, Light Mana (L) by 3, and Spiritual Power (L) by 4!

―As a quest reward, your lowest stat, [Strength (U)], has increased by 5, the next lowest stat, [Endurance (U)], has increased by 3, and additionally, Charm (L) has increased by 6!

―The Endurance (U) stat has reached its limit!

Ah, it was sweet.

Since it was a hidden quest tied to the royal family and the Hero, as well as the Grand Quest, its importance was extremely high, and the quest reward was thrillingly large.

Ji-hye, perhaps because it was her first time clearing a quest of this scale, spoke in astonishment.

“Huh? What is with this quest reward? I don’t even remember receiving a quest, so how……”

“That is just how hidden quests are.”

“Oppa, that gaze of yours that says ‘I’ve done this a lot, but you still don’t know, do you?’ is really annoying, you know?”

Although Ji-hye grumbled at Gi-jun’s showing off, she too was grinning, satisfied with the rewards the hidden quest had showered upon her.

It was not simply a matter of her level growing a lot; it also increased her stats, so it could not be compared to simply hunting to level up.

The same went for Gin and Lora.

Since the two of them had to grow their stats evenly just as much as Gi-jun, they had gained a lot from this quest.

“Now, I really might be able to see what lies beyond……”

Meanwhile, Tilla was checking the messages that had floated up before her eyes with an excited expression.

Gi-jun could also faintly guess what the ‘beyond’ she wanted to see was.

He knew that Tilla was close to the realm of legend, and he had confirmed her abilities with his own two eyes by watching her fight on equal terms with the Hero, Fatum—but even so, he had never heard for sure that she had reached the Legendary rank.

‘Come to think of it, me too.’

Should he say it was finally, or already?

Gi-jun’s Endurance (U) had reached 99, arriving at its limit.

Not only that, but his Strength (U) was also at 98, with its limit right before his eyes.

Although he had vaguely thought that he might be able to grow both of them to the Legendary grade by the time his species rank became Unique, he was able to reach it much faster than he had expected, thanks to receiving generous rewards while resolving major incidents since entering Leta.

‘I don’t know how this situation will unfold—but I want to grow them as quickly as possible. However, to grow Endurance, I will probably have to suffer like crazy, sigh.’

While having such thoughts, his eyes met Tilla’s.

Had she read Gi-jun’s thoughts? Nodding as if she understood his worry, she threw him a wink and spoke.

“Shall we go on a date, Jun?”

“Scintilla, don’t ask Lord Jun for strange things!”

No, it seemed she hadn’t understood after all.

* * *

“It is not just Cor. Expeditions are being organized simultaneously in almost all major cities. Since it has spread widely as if it is the will of the entire Gratia Kingdom and its credibility has increased, it is a situation where even if the royal family steps forward to deny the expedition now, it will have no effect.”

The situation was considerably more serious than Gi-jun and his party had thought.

Although no one knew where the talk had first originated, the argument that they should invade the vampire kingdom first gained the support of an incredibly large number of people.

Not only the Summoned but also the Letans—specifically, lords who held territories—came forward, agreeing with them and offering to contribute troops.

That the vampires were running rampant and stirring up an unsettling wind in Gratia was a fact that could no longer be hidden.

The rumor of the expedition, which had broken out at a timely moment when everyone was feeling anxious that they could not just sit idly by, spread among the anxious people like wildfire, stimulating their impulses.

“According to our investigation, it seems to be true that they possess a means to enter the vampire kingdom.”

“It is as good as confirmed that there are vampires over there. Whether they plan to lure the fools and bury them en masse, or turn them into ghouls—it is clear that the situation is extremely bad.”

Lectus and Fatum, who had gone to the royal palace, barged into the hotel where Gi-jun’s party was staying and explained the situation.

Gi-jun pressed his temples with his fingers and replied.

“We are being played by the vampires from start to finish…… No, but why is the response so good? Why, when they are going to throw away their lives and invade enemy territory?”

“By nature, the more humans gather, the stupider they become and the more foolhardy they act.”

“Of course it will be dangerous, and many will die. However, they believe that it won’t be them who dies.”

Indeed, there was weight to the statements of those born to the ruling class.

As Gi-jun shook his head in disbelief, Tilla added a word from the side.

“If you survive, you get a definite reward…… Since that is the truth that runs through Leta. If it is certain that there is a way to enter the vampire kingdom, it is not strange for them to risk their lives.”

“They do not know the true strength of the vampires. They believe that if they blindly charge with large numbers, it will work out somehow. They believe that all the trouble Gratia has suffered from vampires so far was only because they were on the receiving end of the attacks, and that if we invade instead, we can screw them over…… That is what they believe.”

Charles Darwin, a great British biologist and the first to propose the theory of evolution, which was accepted as established truth in academia even today, once said, ‘Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.’

While Gi-jun’s party, who properly knew the enemy’s identity and abilities, felt wary and wanted to proceed with the operation cautiously, were those who knew nothing not confident they could win as long as their numbers were large?

“Mr. Darwin would lament……”

“There are really nothing but monkeys all over the place.”

“The problem is what to do. They are demanding the royal family participate in the expedition, and needless to say, this is a trap.”

“However, if we do not participate in the expedition, a lot of criticism will pour in, and there is even a possibility that they will blame the royal family for the failure of the expedition.”

After thinking for a moment, Gi-jun suggested.

“Then, how about finding the ringleaders and assassinating them?”

“They won’t be ignorant of that danger either. They must be hiding themselves thoroughly. Moreover…… at this point, it is not a level where assassinating one or two people will solve the issue.”

“What if we search for them on a large scale and kill them off? I’ll step forward.”

“I cannot permit it.”

Surprisingly, Fatum cut off Gi-jun’s words.

“A Hero must always be the hope of the masses. No matter how noble your actual intentions are, you must not do anything that would lose the support of the masses.”

“Then are you telling me to just stand by and watch as so many people walk into hell? I cannot do that.”

He did not need something like the position of a Hero from the beginning anyway.

If the vampires had even intended for him to step forward and draw negative attention, he would gladly take on the infamy and hunt them down.

Just as the resolved Gi-jun stood up with flashing eyes, coincidentally, a message arrived on his Letaphone.

It was from Ye-min.

“Oh my, she says an expedition is being organized in the city Min-i is in as well. She is asking what is going on, and saying that if we are going on the expedition, we should go together……”

“Hm?! Could it be that beautiful lady!”

Lectus stood up, reacting like a ghost.

Ji-hye, who was looking at him with a contemptuous gaze as if looking at a bug, suddenly thought of a possibility.

“Oppa, should we call Shin-i?”

“……Put a burden on Shin-i?”

“We should at least try what we can. Honestly, when it comes to assassination, I don’t know anyone better than Shin-i.”

“Shin-i?”

“Who is that? Is he your companion?”

Lectus, whose energy visibly deflated as he wondered if it was a man, and Fatum, whose eyes sparkled with deep interest in Gi-jun’s companion regardless of that fact.

Gi-jun, who pondered for a moment, soon squeezed his eyes shut and nodded.

* * *

“Kyaaaaaaaah!”

Ye-min shrieked with joy.

Watching her make such a fuss when she was famous for maintaining her composure and never making a fuss in any situation, Mok-su and Eun-shin exchanged glances.

“Did that punk Jun ask her on a date?”

“Do you think Big Brother Jun is trying to send us curry again?”

“He told us to come! Immediately!”

“Where?”

“To Cor!”

Ye-min shouted, stamping her feet as she was unable to contain her joy.

Although she was drawing all the attention of the surroundings partly due to her extraordinary appearance, she did not care about others’ gazes right now.

However, Mok-su and Eun-shin retorted to her words with somewhat reluctant expressions.

“How do you plan to go all the way to Cor? Are you going to buy a horse or something?”

“It will take a long time to go from this frontier to the center of the country, Nuna.”

“They said they’ll cover the teleportation costs! The Gratia Royal Family!”

The two men exchanged glances again and stood up from their seats immediately.

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s go right away, Nuna.”