Ch.30Ghoul and Skeleton

# 30. Ghouls and Skeletons

Elves, being nature-friendly beings, absolutely detest undead creatures whose very existence is the most unnatural.

So how do the undead react when they see elves?

With the exception of some highly intelligent specimens, most undead spew hatred and aggression toward all living things regardless of gender, age, or race.

However, if an elf and a human were standing side by side, the probability of the undead rushing toward the elf first would be about 99%.

That’s because elves are more full of life and are the closest race to “nature,” which is the direct opposite of “unnaturalness.”

“Raid Leader.”

“Yeah?”

“Is this… really going to work?”

“Trust me. It’s a verified method, more or less.”

So when I was deep into researching game settings and writing strategy guides, I created a tactic using this information.

Operation name: Hansel and Gretel (Undead Version).

It was a strategy that utilized the undead’s strong aggro attraction to elves and spirits, luring them by dropping spirit stone fragments at regular intervals.

“I do trust you, I really do, but… is this really going to work? Huh?”

“Tsk. Your faith is lacking!”

The key was the amount of spirit stone fragments and the spacing between placements.

If we scattered too many fragments in one place, an unmanageable number of undead would swarm us.

If the spacing was too narrow, it would be no different from placing too many in one spot, and if too wide, the aggro wouldn’t be maintained.

It was almost like an exploit, and since it lowered quest difficulty while increasing rewards, it remained a popular strategy guide for quite some time.

So I had crafted a plan based on promising evidence, and when the two heard my plan, they said, “I think I saw that too. It’s a good plan,” and followed my instructions without question, but…

‘Though since this is from years ago, I’m a bit fuzzy on the optimal bait quantity.’

When I added this comment, Sae-ax, who was assigned to guard me while retreating and scattering bait, expressed her concerns with words of distrust.

“We agreed that if things go wrong, you’d grab me and run, right? You worry too much.”

“…I appreciate that you see me as so reliable.”

“You’re welcome. So trust me too.”

“Ugh. Fine.”

Though I said that, once I started scattering the bait myself, I got the feel for it.

‘Ah. This amount should do it.’

Could it be that I’ve reached a state of complete unity between myself and my character?

‘Focus.’

I can’t mess up the Double Burning event.

So let’s control it well and eat until we’re about to burst.

**

‘The Raid Leader is really hard to figure out. Well, it’s only been a week since we met.’

Wearing the robe the Raid Leader gave me on the first day, I watched as he concentrated.

As someone who enjoyed combat more than story, I found it amazing how the Raid Leader knew not only the story but even the detailed settings, and I was impressed by his boldness in implementing them without practice.

It was like watching a top-five student who seemed like they’d only study all day, but turned out to be good at sports and fighting too.

Even I, who had grown up being told I was fearless, felt my knees shake a bit at the thought of fighting “undead” that I’d never see in my lifetime on Earth… Was the Raid Leader actually a macho type?

“Yuri.”

“Ah. Yes.”

“See those dark masses over there?”

“Yeah. There are just skeletons and ghouls in front for now.”

“Wow, look at that eyesight. As expected of the Barbarian class.”

“Pfft! I’ve always had good eyesight, you know?”

I just mentioned what I could see, but the compliment made me feel good. It helped shake off some of the tension too.

“Since you can see clearly, are the skeletons more in front, or the ghouls? Which ones are more on the sides?”

“Hmm, skeletons?”

“Tsk…”

I could guess why he asked that. Probably because of resistances. Skeletons have high resistance to slashing weapons, so spears and swords don’t deal much damage.

My axe has blunt properties so it’s not affected, but since the Raid Leader and my sister use swords, he seemed to hesitate a bit.

“Can’t expect to get everything on the first try… Yuri, let’s just pull a few skeletons first.”

“To get an estimate?”

“Yeah. If I can take down skeletons quickly, I’d rather pick them off selectively than deal with those annoying ghouls that might poison us.”

“But they’re all clustered together. Is that even possible?”

Why, why are you just silently grinning like that?

**

‘Damn—this is pure horror.’

I spoke confidently, but seeing them up close was truly creepy. Not just their appearance, but their aura too. Probably the effect of the undead’s unique malevolent energy.

Fortunately, as I expected, the level of the undead horde wasn’t that high.

‘Just a little, just a little more.’

Nevertheless, taking each step toward the maximum aggro range was nerve-wracking. The foul smell made my head spin, and my back was drenched in sweat.

Still, I didn’t show it. I had planned this and told them to trust me, so showing anxiety would only spread it.

The burden of being a raid leader.

Clatter—

“Raid Leader!”

“First bait, deployed.”

Some of the skeletons walking toward Albrant turned their heads—or rather, their skulls—toward us. The sound of their joints twisting was grotesque.

I wanted to retreat to where Keutjukil was waiting, but dropping the bait wasn’t the end. We had to continue dropping bait at regular intervals.

“Five skeletons, two ghouls.”

“Ghouls are top priority, then three skeletons.”

“Okie.”

“Be careful not to get scratched.”

“Don’t worry.”

The amount of fragments was just right. We couldn’t help that ghouls were attracted too, but having Sae-ax with us was reassuring.

Crunch—

I confirmed that seven undead had stepped on the first bait. At that moment, the spirit stone fragments were tainted by the malevolent energy and lost their effectiveness. No more undead would be attracted unless we scattered new bait.

“Let’s fight here.”

“Okie.”

Sae-ax, holding her axe with glowing red eyes, was not the same person as before the operation began. Her already muscular body seemed to swell to its limits, ready to spring into action.

“We don’t need orders for these small fry, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Go.”

She disappeared from my side, and a handful of dirt flew up.

Sprinting like a 100-meter dash athlete, Sae-ax approached in an instant and swung her axe with full force.

“Head!”

And then I witnessed exactly how the forest goblins in Kairend Plains had been “dismantled” about a week ago.

“Skull!”

“Total paralysis!”

Before I could approach, the two ghouls were already sprawled with their necks crushed, and by the time I got there, the three skeletons were shattered into dozens of pieces.

“…Couldn’t we just throw you into the middle of them?”

“I went wild because there weren’t many. Anyway, I left two for you.”

Seeing how a ghoul’s neck was torn off with just a slight touch of her axe blade, and how a skeleton’s skull was not only split but its sternum cleaved in half, I felt truly awestruck.

“I really picked a good raid member.”

“Pfft, if you know it, treat me well.”

The battle ended so quickly that her eyes still glowed ferociously, but knowing this wasn’t the end, she showed signs of self-control.

“Now it’s my turn.”

“Fighting?”

“Yeah. Fighting.”

Don’t be scared. It’s nothing.

I thrust my sword toward the bone sword swung by the skeleton.

Clang—!

“Ugh!”

The vibration was no joke. But I had the advantage in strength and skill, so the skeleton’s arm was completely lifted, and I didn’t miss the opening, aiming for its neck.

“Oh! Nice one, Raid Leader!”

With a cracking sound, it didn’t cut through immediately, but with more force, I was able to separate the head. I quickly dealt with the remaining one too. This was manageable.

“How was it?”

“Yuri, go bring Seyeon to the third point and then come back.”

“Can’t we just fight here?”

“No. If the scale gets bigger, aggro might shift, and if Seyeon uses holy magic, that could draw attention too. It might seem overly cautious, but if we get surrounded, we’re done for.”

“Got it.”

Sae-ax, who had briefly left her position, soon returned.

“Let’s lure them again.”

“Focusing on skeletons again?”

“Yeah. For now.”

Do we have enough stored spirit stone fragments?

We did.

**

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer: With three people missing…]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Even when playing games…]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer: It doesn’t feel like playing games anymore ㅠ…]

[PhysicalTherapist: Yebeop, Yebeop]

[YebeopNojeong: ?]

[PhysicalTherapist: Did you find out anything?]

[YebeopNojeong: Hmm]

[YebeopNojeong: Well]

[SteadfastBackDoor: He knows something!]

Other than the fact that the families of the missing people had filed missing persons reports, there was no additional information. The reason for their disappearance was still unknown.

As always, they logged into the game, but these people who were usually diligent with their daily quests had been just chatting in Gilha for days.

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Do you know something??]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer: If you do, please tell us anything!!]

[WaterKnowsTheAnswer: I’m going crazy with curiosity ㅠㅠ]

[PhysicalTherapist: Really]

[PhysicalTherapist: I guess we’ve grown attached to this place]

[PhysicalTherapist: If it were somewhere else]

[PhysicalTherapist: We’d just think: Did something happen? Did they quit? Time to move on? That would be it]

[PhysicalTherapist: But seeing how we’re worried about why they’re not logging in and if something happened…]

[SteadfastBackDoor: That’s true…]

YebeopNojeong, who had been watching the chat, finally decided to reveal the information.

[YebeopNojeong: Let’s make a separate room and talk there]

Where the hell did you go, you bastard.

If you make me wait any longer, will you leave?