Chapter 227 – Witch Hunt (2)
Clan house.
A clan needed a reliable base once they had enough members. However, with the continuous war in the Tower, it wasn’t easy to protect a base from danger.
On top of that, it wasn’t easy for clans centered around the higher floors to get new recruits.
Even if scouts roamed around the lower floors for potential, there were limits to that process, and even if they scouted players, it wasn’t easy to set up a station to maintain their presence on each floor unless you were a Large Clan.
On the other hand, it was hard for clans that were set up on the lower floors to maintain their power as they climbed floors.
It wasn’t easy to set up a clan house because of the unique preferences of the people in the Tower.
Allforone, dominating on the 77th floor, and the Red Dragon with their headquarters on the 76th floor were special cases.
However, the mysterious merchants, who made the impossible possible, gave a solution.
They began to sell the Outer s.p.a.ce that made up the subs.p.a.ces outside of the Tower.
The Outer s.p.a.ce was the only area that could guarantee safety for multiple clans.
Because it was a superior location, permission to enter could be controlled, and it was easy to defend, even if there were intruders.
Thanks to that, even though the Outer s.p.a.ce was expensive, it was sold like hotcakes.
That was also why Arthia’s clan house wasn’t discovered to this day.
In addition, the Endless World of Night, Brocken Castle, where the witches stayed, was also one of those Outer s.p.a.ces.
Unless you knew the exact coordinates, you couldn’t even dream of entering. If you were even a bit off, you could crash into an unknown area between s.p.a.ces.
Boo was able to confirm that he was right after checking several times.
[I will. Open. The portal.]
The Teleport portal opened wide. Beyond the red portal, there was a glimmering s.p.a.ce.
“Before we move… We don’t know if there are any traps of tricks set beyond here. So everyone, be careful.”
Brahm, Galliard, Phante, and Edora gravely nodded their heads. Even if they were chasing after Red Dragon, this was a superior territory of the witches’ Endless World of Night.
It was said that even a dog knew to stay away from other dogs’ territories. No one knew what the witches had set up in their territory.
Vieira Dune didn’t say a word about it to Yeon-woo’s brother, although they were lovers.
They had to be prepared for everything since they were entering an unknown world.
“And above all, we have to prioritize information about Ananta. Don’t do anything that’ll draw attention to you.”
Phante, already having heard about Sesha and Brahm’s backstory, sniffed and pounded his chest.
“I might be a mischievous son who doesn’t listen to his father, but I know that much.”
Yeon-woo nodded his head. Pulling his Magic Bayonet out, he took a step inside the portal.
And at that moment, he felt like he was back in Africa. A memory of himself leading his subordinates into unknown land was overlapping with the present time.
Calming his boiling blood down, he spoke.
“Let’s go in.”
***
Brocken Castle didn’t appear right beyond the portal.
They must’ve judged that it was dangerous because someone could follow them like Boo had, so the path to the Brocken Castle was full of twists and turns.
Each time Yeon-woo turned a corner, he saw different sights.
-W, Who are you folks…..!
-You’re the Walpurgisnacht, right?
-W, What are you…..
-So I’m right. You easy b.i.t.c.hes. I could smell something disgusting all the way over here. Sweep them all away!
The witches were described as ‘easy’ because they had given their bodies to demons. People had already come by where Yeon-woo and his party were moving through.
The Red Dragon already invaded the secret locations and labs of Walpurgisnacht, and they were torturing the witches to find out more information.
-You dirty things! Why are you doing this to us! We don’t have anything to do with this!
-Then why are you here?
-I, It was so we could confirm too! It’s the truth! Really!
The purpose of their torture ranged from trying to confirm their suspicions of Walpurgisnacht…
-O, Our c, clan…..
…to confirming the information that they learned about the exact location of Walpurgisnacht and their other bases, and how their subordinates were organized.
-The Emerald Tablet was…..!
-The Emerald Tablet?
-Found in the F, Faust dungeon! It was an item from another world that Faust made with orders from Mephistopheles!
-Be more clear.
-I, I’ll tell you…..so, please! Please k, kill me!
There was also information about the Emerald Tablet.
-W, We don’t exactly know what that is either! All we know is that it’s something mysterious from unknown G.o.ds.
‘Unknown G.o.ds?’
What the witch confessed was that the information on the Emerald Tablet was something that had nothing to the G.o.ds and demons on the 98th floor, and of supernatural beings from a completely different world.
Yeon-woo suddenly felt cold.
The Tower was a place with many different dimensions and worlds. With the different cultures, the Tower was able to keep on growing. Even with that, the Philosopher’s Stone was knowledge that most people weren’t aware of.
But Faust had used Mephistopheles to receive a part of the knowledge of the G.o.ds from other worlds and make the Emerald Tablet.
A part. Not everything.
Then how far did the knowledge of the G.o.ds from other worlds reach?
The problem was that there weren’t any messages from the G.o.ds and demons about this.
They had been busy sending him messages when they were bored, so why were they quiet about this?
Yeon-woo wanted to hear the details, but the witches didn’t know much. Since the person in charge of the Emerald Tablet was Vieira Dune, the puzzle would be solved when she was caught.
Also, it wasn’t just the Red Dragon that was after Walpurgisnacht.
-I didn’t think I would see you here.
-How dare you?!
The other clans that had been humiliated by the Red Dragon at the Kelat Auction house showed up to bother them, and many rankers and clans made an alliance after hearing that the Emerald Tablet was from the Walpurgisnacht.
Because of this, everywhere that Yeon-woo’s party pa.s.sed by was in ruins.
The corpses littering the ground explained how bad the battle had been.
In the midst of that, there were souls that hadn’t moved on yet.
‘Eat.’
[Hey! We sound like your pets since you say it like that! Well, I’ll dig in. Hehehe!]
[I’ll feel full for the first time in a long while.]
Shanon and Hanryeong could consume the dead souls as much as they wanted.
The attack of the Red Dragon, the witches that were being chased, and people that were following after them.
The trick that Yeon-woo set up was becoming bigger.
And as they walked, they arrived at their destination.
[You have entered the ‘Endless World of Night.]
[Warning! This is private property. Receive permission from the owner of this world. If you trespa.s.s, you may be very disadvantaged.]
[What happens here won’t be recorded by the Tower.]
An ashy world appeared along with messages filled with warnings.
Cliffs that soared meters into the sky covered the stars.
The little canyons between the cliffs looked like complicated mazes, and even that was hard to tell for certain because of the fog.
[I guess witches are witches. Why is this place so creepy? Humans aren’t creative at all.]
Yeon-woo agreed with Shanon, opening his Draconic Eyes to observe the canyons.
There were flaws webbed everywhere.
They must’ve been extra tight with security because even the Draconic Eyes weren’t able to see how the canyons were made.
“Ugh. Why is it so gloomy? This is why witches are told they’re creepy.”
“It’s Ghost World Formation.”
Everyone turned to Brahm at what had said.
“A ghostish fog is artificially spread to give intruders illusions and fear and take away from their lifespans. It’s difficult to deal with.”
‘Fog of Blood?’
Yeon-woo was reminded of a skill that Boo had.
The fog scratched at the lifespans of the enemies and buffed allies. What Brahm said about Boo being an outstanding black magician flashed through his head again.
“Can you get rid of it?” Yeon-woo asked.
Brahm shook his head with a sour smile.
“Maybe if I had the Book of Mercury, but I can’t get rid of it. But I can decrease the effect it has on our allies.”
Galliard added on, “Then I’ll help find the path.”
The skill that Galliard had, Fairy Eyes, helped him to find the truth, so it was useful. Also, he had the best eyesight out of them, so if the two of them worked together, they wouldn’t have to worry about anything.
As Brahm recited a spell, a blue effet wrapped around them.
[‘Brahm’ has cast ‘Blessing: Curse Defense’ on his allies.]
[‘Brahm’ has cast ‘Blessing: Immunity Increase’ on his allies.]
…..
[The party has been made.]
[Current members (4/4)]
###
Galliard Fin Blackelven
Phante Cheongram
Edora Cheongram
Yeon-woo felt strange about the party that was a.s.signed by the system. It was normal for teams or clans to work together, but he had never imagined he would be in a party himself.
Yeon-woo’s name was still censored, and Brahm wasn’t counted as a party member because he wasn’t a player anymore.
He could lightly sense the locations of his party members, so he would be able to find them even if they were split apart.
[Two sudden quests have been created.]
[Hidden Quest / Field Arrest (1) ]
Summary: A while ago, the Bureau decided on disciplinary action for the Red Dragon, who attacked the Kelat Auction house for personal reasons. However, there is a limit to what the Bureau can do, so help is needed.
Capture or kill the Red Dragon’s players within the given time.
You can take a percentage of the skills or artifacts of the ones you kill.
Time limit: 3 days
Conditions of completion:
Red Dragon members killed.
Red Dragon buildings destroyed.
Reward: The artifacts or skills of the one you killed. Additional rewards depending on Karma.
[Hidden Quest / Field Arrest (2) ]
Summary: Red Dragon is asking for an explanation from Walpurgisnacht after what happened. However, because they were denying all charges, the Summer Queen Ismenios has come to a decision.
From now on, destroy and take everything related to Walpurgisnacht.
Only the players and clans that contribute will receive rewards, and the top three players will be given ‘Dragon’s Blood.’
Time limit: None
Conditions of completion: Destruction of the Walpurgisnacht
Reward:
Opening of Intrenian
If the conditions are met, Dragon’s Blood.
“Hyungnim!”
“Yeah. I saw.”
Phante shouted in excitement. Yeon-woo shook his head looking at the quest window.
‘So the Bureau stepped up. And the Red Dragon fought back without restraint.’
Like the summary in the quest windows, it was hard for the Bureau to touch the Red Dragon even if they gave them disciplinary action. That was how powerful the Red Dragon was.
So the Bureau decided to give all players a quest to attack the Red Dragon. There was a time limit of 3 days, but the Red Dragon would have to expect some damage as punishment.
However, the Summer Queen had cleverly reflected the damage they would get onto someone else.
She had given the Walpurgisnacht as a sacrifice to draw attention away from the Red Dragon and gave rewards for the new quest.
‘Of course, most players will attempt both quests.’
Just as Yeon-woo had planned, the entire Tower was in pandemonium.
Multiple variables could pop up, but one thing was for sure.
‘The Walpurgisnacht is properly f.u.c.ked. They already had a lot of eyes on them, but with the Red Dragon added to the mix…..’
Brahm must’ve been thinking the same thing as the smile didn’t disappear from his face. He met Yeon-woo eyes, and looked away, coughing lightly.
“Then, let’s go. There’s no time.”
***
Galliard was in the lead as the pathfinder, Brahm was in the center, Phante and Edora were standing to his side, and Yeon-woo watched the rear, in case of attack.
The canyons were extremely creepy.
The fog didn’t disappear even as Brahm and Galliard used magic and spirits, and they weren’t able to see clearly.
Yeon-woo sent his consciousness forward, hoping that he would see something, but he couldn’t feel anything, like he was trying to grab air.
Kiiiiii—
Kikikikiki!
When the wind crashed into the rough cliffs, it sounded like screams.
And for some time, the party was able to see.
“This…..”
“Is a b.l.o.o.d.y mess.”
There were traces of swords exchanged and corpses everywhere.
Everything they had seen so far seemed like child’s play.
The problem was that party members and allies had fought amongst themselves. No, to be exact, it seemed like they had fought without caring about who they were attacking. It was a disaster.
Brahm had said that the Ghost World Formation made people hallucinate and decreased their lifespans.
It seemed like these people were its victims.
Yeon-woo was able to tell his party members to be careful. But the moment he turned around, there was no one standing behind him. It was just filled with fog.
‘What is this? Since when?’
Yeon-woo’s eyes hardened. They had been swept up in the barrier and caught off guard. But to think Brahm’s buff would be broken this easily. He couldn’t believe it, so he checked his body. However, the buff was still there.
Then did it even trick buffs? This fog? Yeon-woo attempted to open his Draconic Eyes and Extrasensory Perception before it was too late.
But just then—
“Oraboni? Oraboni!”
Edora’s voice could suddenly be heard through the fog, and a black shadow approached him.
“There you are…..!”
Edora appeared through the fog. When her concerned filled eyes turned to those of relief—
Swek!
Yeon-woo swung his Magic Bayonet without any hesitation. Edora’s head was blown away.
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