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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Korea had the highest average player level in Demon’s Saga, despite the United States holding the top spot.
It wasn’t because of superior gaming skills or intellect.
It was simply because of their starting location. Korean players started in the Empire, one of the few regions with advanced infrastructure and resources.
It had given them an early advantage.
Other regions weren’t far behind, but Korea had a head start, as Ha-neul explained.
Yor nodded.
‘That explains why I haven’t seen any other races.’
The different server regions were geographically separated, with limited interaction between them. Otherworlders were too busy leveling up to spend weeks or months traveling to other countries.
The travel costs, the potential dangers… it was too much of a risk.
“Our destination is technically in another country… but we probably won’t encounter any other players. It’s near a forbidden zone, so it’s mostly deserted.”
South of the Severed Plains, the earth burned. The intense heat made it uninhabitable.
He appreciated the information the otherworlders provided.
He looked at them apologetically.
“Thank you. Two weeks is a long time… I didn’t realize it would take so long.”
“It’s fine. We’re getting paid for the escort quest. And…”
She enjoyed his company. A two-week journey with a man… It was exciting, even if it was for a demon hunt.
Ha-neul, a rather conservative woman, wouldn’t normally consider such a thing. But this was a game. She wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“Finding a caravan heading southwest was harder than I thought… but I’m a great negotiator!”
Chae-rin arrived, a triumphant smile on her face. Yor didn’t know anything about caravans, and Ha-neul lacked the social skills, so Chae-rin had taken on the task.
They headed towards the caravan’s meeting point.
The caravan leader looked at them suspiciously.
“Hmm… these are your companions?”
“Yes. Don’t worry, they’re strong.”
She’d seen their B-rank adventurer tags. She knew they were capable.
But their destination was dangerous. She had to be sure.
Her gaze lingered on Yor.
She cleared her throat.
“…Very well. Board the carriages.”
There was a hint of… something in her voice.
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Dangerous jobs, for some reason, attracted mostly women.
They required strength and courage, and women, on average, had higher stats in those areas. It was common knowledge.
Merchants were mostly women. They traveled long distances, facing monsters and bandits.
It required courage.
And it meant limited interaction with men. The attention Yor received was… predictable.
“…This is… uncomfortable.”
They were in the third carriage, out of five.
It was comfortable enough. The long journey required a smooth ride, and the carriage wasn’t crowded.
The problem was the nightly camps. They had to sleep, and that meant setting up tents.
And that’s when the flirting began.
“Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you.”
“If you need anything, just ask. I’d be happy to provide it.”
Simple courtesies from the merchants, at first.
Then…
“Hey, cutie, want to come to our tent?”
“Yeah, hehe, we’ll show you a good time.”
“We can send you to heaven.”
“You crazy bitch! Hee hee…”
Crude propositions from the other adventurers. There weren’t any otherworlders on this caravan, but there were a few other adventurer parties.
“I should have brought my hood.”
He’d enjoyed the attention at first. He rarely received such… blatant flirting. He was used to being treated with suspicion, or outright hostility.
He’d indulged his… darker side, enjoying the attention.
But it had become tiresome. And their advances were becoming bolder.
One boasted about her experience in brothels, promising to send him to heaven. Others initiated physical contact, even with Chae-rin and Ha-neul present.
Adventurers. No class, no manners.
“Should I cast Illusion?”
“It’s fine. They’ll figure it out eventually.”
Chae-rin and Ha-neul weren’t happy with the situation either.
Especially Ha-neul. She wouldn’t admit it, but she’d been hoping for… something.
‘We’re stuck together for two weeks…’
They were sleeping in separate tents, but… something could happen.
But nothing happened.
She was disappointed. She considered making a move, but she lacked the experience, the courage.
She noticed something else. A subtle shift in the dynamic between Yor and Chae-rin.
Even a dog learns new tricks after three years.
She wasn’t a dog, and it hadn’t been three years, but she was smarter than a dog. She could read the room.
They weren’t a couple, not officially.
But their physical distance had decreased. A hand on his shoulder, a playful poke on the cheek… small gestures, but noticeable. And Yor didn’t seem to mind.
Small things, but they bothered Ha-neul.
‘Did something happen between them…?’
She kept her thoughts to herself.
Just as Yor was about to lose his patience, the caravan was attacked. Hyena-like creatures… Gnolls. Dozens of them.
Gnolls were known for their cunning. They wouldn’t attack unless they were confident of victory.
They’d clearly assessed the caravan and deemed it easy prey.
“Damn it… Gnolls.”
“Form up! Stay together!”
The merchants and adventurers paled.
Yor stepped forward. He’d been looking for an excuse to release some pent-up frustration.
“What are you doing? Get back! It’s dangerous!”
“Stay back.”
He charged into the fray.
“Kreeee!”
“Yiii!”
The Gnolls didn’t stand a chance. In minutes, they were reduced to a bloody pulp. Yor stood amidst the carnage, his face… refreshed.
“Ha, that’s better. I was about to lose my temper.”
The adventurers stared at him, silent, a cold sweat running down their backs.
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The two-week journey ended.
The Gnolls incident had put an end to the unwanted attention. They’d learned their lesson.
‘I should have done that sooner.’
I felt a pang of regret. But the initial attention had been… enjoyable.
We’d reached a small village, south of the Severed Plains. Andras was further south, but this was the caravan’s destination.
“We’ll be parting ways here. Thank you for dealing with the Gnolls.”
“You’re welcome.”
We said our goodbyes and discussed our next move.
“What now…?”
“We need to go further south to find the demon… but it’s open plains… that’s not ideal.”
“Let’s find an inn and rest. We can log out, but you’ve been sleeping in the carriage for two weeks… and you need to eat.”
I nodded and followed them to a nearby restaurant.
“Welcome!”
The restaurant was almost empty. A small village, as advertised.
I was slightly worried about the food, but I preferred the anonymity. I’d learned, once again, that too much attention could be inconvenient.
I made a mental note to bring my hood next time and ate the food the server brought.
It was surprisingly good.
“We’re going to find an inn… want to come?”
“I’ll explore the village on my own.”
“Hmm… okay.”
I left them after the meal. I wanted to explore.
To walk freely, without hiding my face, for the first time since receiving the identification tag. It wasn’t the Empire, but it was still… a city. A new experience.
I walked through the streets, observing the villagers. Some glanced at me curiously, others looked worried, their faces etched with concern.
News of Andras’s descent had reached this village. It was close to the affected area.
‘The Knights haven’t arrived yet.’
They needed time to prepare.
I continued my stroll, lost in thought.
“…?”
I sensed something. Someone was following me.
I’d initially dismissed it as my imagination, but they followed me around corners, maintaining their distance.
If it was Chae-rin or Ha-neul, they would have called out to me.
Someone was tailing me.
‘My popularity is a curse.’
I assumed it was someone looking for a fight. A small village, a relatively unknown stranger… they probably thought I was easy prey.
My tattoo was hidden, so they didn’t know I was a Carrier.
And I’d received a lot of unwanted attention during the caravan journey.
‘Fine, let’s play.’
A different kind of play.
I deliberately walked towards a less populated area. Unless an S-rank adventurer appeared out of nowhere, I could handle them.
I wanted to see who they were. I could always run if necessary.
“…”
I reached a deserted alley. They approached.
Two figures, their faces hidden by hoods.
I swung my spear without hesitation.
Swish!
The spearhead sliced through the air.
But it didn’t connect.
Crack!
A barrier appeared. A thick wall of ice.
My spear cracked the ice, but it didn’t penetrate.
“What?”
A panicked voice.
“Wait, wait! Don’t attack!”
The voice was familiar. They lowered their hoods.
I was even more surprised.
“…It’s you.”
Sephir and Niki, members of Lemegeton.
I hadn’t expected to see them here.
“What are you doing here?”
Niki frowned.
“I should be asking you that. What are you doing outside the forest?”
“…”
A tense silence.
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YEEES its back! tyftc
It’s back!