LS 83

[Party] SiblingSpicyNoodle: Seriously, what kind of quest makes you answer every time without any choices??

[Party] SiblingSpicyNoodle: This NPC’s got no shame ㅡㅡ;; Like go do it yourself;;;

[Party] Tando: If they did that, how would the quest progress? ㅎㅎ

[Party] Tando: Do you even think before you speak, Noodle? ^^

[Party] SiblingSpicyNoodle: ….??? ***

[Party] YeojinHae: But honestly, it is annoyingㅋㅋㅋ All they do is say ‘Adventurer~ Adventurer~’

[Party] YeojinHae: Like we’re their personal errand boys or somethingㅋㅋㅋ

At Yeojin’s comment, Dohee let out a small laugh. They really were getting asked to do all sorts of things. Still, there weren’t any real choices. The group begrudgingly agreed to head for the Kelathus Temple. It was like taking medicine with tears.

After portaling a few maps north from Wornan Field, they saw the Kelathus Temple standing tall on a rocky cliff. As they approached, it revealed itself to be even larger than expected, but despite its grand scale, barely anyone came or went.

Inside the quiet temple, priests in robes of white and beige moved around solemnly. Unsure where to go, they hesitated until a priest with an orange question mark above their head approached. This one wore a deeper brown robe, likely indicating a higher rank.

When they spoke to the temple priest NPC, the quest continued.

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: May the grace of Kelathus brush past you on the wind. May the wind at your fingertips guide greater dreams.

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: What brings you all the way here, adventurers?

: I came with a question. Do you recognize this box?

▲ Answer

Dohee took the box from his inventory and presented it. The priest’s expression darkened as they looked it over. A new dialogue window appeared.

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: This box is…

: It belongs to the Bark Merchant Guild. We retrieved it after it was lost, but the lock was badly damaged. I came here after recognizing the symbol on the lock. There’s a sinister aura coming from it… Is there another lock powerful enough to seal it again?

▲ Answer

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: This is my first time seeing the box in person. But there’s a story passed down for 150 years. Would you like to hear it?

: Please tell me.

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: 150 years ago, a young boy from Wornan came to this temple. He was carrying a small box surrounded by black energy. That aura blackened all the land around and seeped into the boy’s body, he looked like he could barely stand.

His name was Jubite. He spent three days and nights praying to Goddess Kelathus, begging her to seal the box because he, a mere human child, could not.

…That really happened?

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: Yes. Just as his breath was about to give out, Kelathus responded. She briefly manifested herself here.

It was a divine presence far too great for a small temple like this to handle. But in that short time, she breathed life into the boy and drew in the dark aura, sealing it back into the box. She then locked it with a sacred lock she made herself.

: And that sacred lock could still be damaged like this?

▲ Answer

The priest’s expression turned even graver. A soft sigh came through the speakers, a sound full of concern.

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: 150 years is longer than it seems. As time passed, fewer believers came. Faith is the key to maintaining a temple and divine power…As belief faded, so too did the strength of Kelathus. Now, only one or two high priests can even hear her voice. That’s likely why the divine lock weakened.

: So what must we do to reseal the box properly?

▲ Answer

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: Since Kelathus cannot manifest again, we priests must combine our power to reseal it. But we need two sacred relics to do so.

: What relics are required?

[NPC] Priest of Goddess Kelathus: …According to the records, the first can be found in a “barren desert where not even one oasis can be found.”

The other vanished along with Jubite 150 years ago. But the two relics are said to be connected, if you find one, you’ll likely find the other. Could you help us search for the first relic? It’s hard for us priests to leave the temple…

: I’ll do it.

Of course. Dohee clicked his tongue quietly. He had a feeling retrieving those relics would end up being the main storyline of the Lost Demon Hunter raid. When the dialogue ended, a new quest window popped up.

<Lost Demon Hunter>

In Search of the Sacred Relics #1

? This quest leads to the main story of the world raid “Lost Demon Hunter.”Return to the NPC “One-Armed Merchant” and relay what the priest said.

!Note:

▷ All party members must complete this quest to enter the Demon Hunter raid.

▷ Completing all “In Search of the Sacred Relics” quests will grant access to the Lost Demon Hunter dungeon.

The guild began heading back toward Wornan. On the way, Moonhyuk suddenly muttered in a gloomy voice,

“…That’s kind of sad.”

What is? Who?

Dohee blinked and turned to him, confused where the sudden emotional reaction had come from. Moonhyuk’s eyebrows were drooped like a little lost puppy as he moved his character. Dohee asked,

“Who?”

“Jubite.”

“…? Out of nowhere?”

“He was just a kid… and because of that box, he lost his parents, his village was ruined, and he almost died too…But even then, he felt responsible to seal it… Haa.”

Haa? What a ridiculously cute sound. Dohee smacked his lips unconsciously. He quickly snapped out of it.

Seriously, what was he supposed to do when Moonhyuk kept making such adorable little noises and reactions? He couldn’t just gobble him up like some sweet fruit. Cute, sure, but that didn’t mean you could eat him.

“Well… anyway, the box got sealed properly, and if you follow the story, Kelathus gave him the gun Babur or Babus or whatever its name, right? Then he got corrupted and turned into the big final boss, so… yeah, he’s pitiful.”

“It’s Babru! And Dohee you are–!”

Moonhyuk raised his voice and turned sharply toward him. His eyes were filled with wounded reproach as he looked at Dohee. Dohee blinked rapidly without realizing it.

Uh… Did I say something wrong again?

“I’m…?”

“Dohee… you’re sometimes way too cold. Like, sometimes you talk all harsh and–kind of, um… like a total psycho…”

That genuinely stung. Dohee had only stated facts, being called a psycho for it felt a little unfair. He pouted and grumbled.

“Hyung. I’m not actually a bad guy, you know?”

“I know you’re not, but still… I mean, Jubite must’ve been really sad…”

Moonhyuk’s voice trailed off, like he was realizing he’d gone too far by calling Dohee a psycho. Watching him mumble that Jubite was pitiful, that he must’ve been so traumatized, Dohee felt both baffled and oddly charmed. He couldn’t help laughing.

Yeah, that’s so typical Moonhyuk.

It was an over-the-top emotional reaction, but that was just part of his charm.

“Right, right. So that’s why we need to hurry and help reseal this box, huh?”

”…Yeah.”

“Then come here, quick.”

“Okay!”

The guild members were already clustered around the One-Armed Merchant NPC. There were grumbles in the chat about all the ridiculous errands, but everyone still seemed excited about progressing the main raid storyline. Once Moonhyuk’s character – bringing up the rear – finally arrived, they resumed the quest.

[NPC] One-Armed Merchant: Oh, you’re back! So, were you able to find a new lock?

: There’s a problem.

[NPC] One-Armed Merchant: A problem?

: The box is far more dangerous than we thought. It needs to be resealed, and the priest said we’ll need two sacred relics. Finding them might take some time…

▲ Answer

[NPC] One-Armed Merchant: Sacred relics, you say? Oh dear… We’re due to depart for the capital trade route in two days. That could be a serious issue. Would you be willing to wait just a bit? I need to speak with the merchant guild’s deputy first.

: Understood.

The One-Armed Merchant left briefly, then soon returned with another NPC. This one was short and clearly well-dressed, likely the company deputy he’d mentioned. A glowing orange question mark floated over their head. The quest continued when they were approached.

[NPC] Bark Merchant Guild Agent: I’ve been told what happened. So the kid lost the box, and you helped recover it? I had no idea the box was sealed with a divine relic, it’s more dangerous than we expected. That box is actually meant to be delivered to the royal palace. It’s on the gift list for the king, but we can’t deliver something so hazardous. I’ll report back to our boss that the item has been recovered. Don’t worry about us, just focus on the sealing process.

: I will.

[NPC] Bark Merchant Guild Agent: Thank you for your help. Once this is all over, the Bark Company will make sure you’re properly rewarded. When the seal is complete, return to Wornan. We’ll be gone by then for the trade route, but I’ll leave a contact at the Hananna Inn. Use them to keep in touch.

: Understood.

The deputy handed over a small pendant. A system message appeared.

[System] You have acquired the quest item ‘Bark Merchant Guild Pendant.’

[NPC] Bark Merchant Guild Agent: As for what to do with the sealed box… I’ll need to discuss it with the company head. I’m counting on you.

: Don’t worry.

As the deputy quickly disappeared into the village, the One-Armed Merchant let out a sigh and spoke again.

[NPC] One-Armed Merchant: I feel bad dragging you into such a mess…

: It’s fine. Someone had to do it anyway.

▲ Answer

[NPC] One-Armed Merchant: As expected from a renowned adventurer across the continent! I’m counting on you.

: Got it.

As soon as the merchant left, the next quest window popped up automatically.