SWNOVELXO Chapter 26
Episode.26 The Light That Calls the Prepared
“Traitor?”
【Yes, a traitor. You can’t possibly not know what that means, right?】
In a dictionary sense, a traitor is someone who betrays trust or loyalty.
“I wouldn’t not know.”
I know it very well. I can’t possibly not know the meaning. I am painfully aware of it because I have also been betrayed.
Of course, lately, I’ve had what felt almost like an easy revenge, but I suppose I’ll find out later whether the impact of the “nerf” is well applied once the results of that guild’s raid come out in the newspaper or as an article.
That said, just sitting around like this makes me uncomfortable. I think I’d rather handle any leftover gates and level up.
‘Is this what those gym rats feel regarding muscle loss?’
– Ding!
『Quest』
『The Light That Calls the Prepared』
『An unknown energy is calling you from the Defector’s Key. Move to the location indicated by the Defector’s Key.』
『??? Enter. 0/1』
『Reward: None』
I slowly read the quest details that appeared before my eyes. Suddenly, I noticed something strange. How does a key guide a path?
The key I hold is a round medieval key with a hollow center. So, putting my index finger in that hollow circle, I couldn’t understand the quest’s content, feeling frustrated, I spun the Defector’s Key like a fidget spinner.
Then suddenly, the key shone again. A strong light spread in all directions, like that from a newly bought flashlight.
【Oh come on! What the hell is this?! It’s blinding!】
But the key remained stuck to my finger and stood rigidly in the air. Then it started pointing in one direction. It indicated the way like a dowsing rod.
‘Does that mean there’s a gate in this direction?’
【Oh. Are we finally going to a dungeon?】
“Yeah. Let’s go level up.”
【Finally, something’s actually useful for my lower half!… I’m really touched for no reason…】
“That’s not why I’m going to find something to cover your lower half.”
With that, Chaewon turned her back to me, playfully sticking her rear out.
【Ugh… I know you’d love to keep looking at my bare behind, but… I’m not really down for that. So let’s hurry and find something to wear.】
If it were up to me, I would want to pull on the underwear she’s wearing right now, but I recalled the punishment I misapplied earlier. In the first place, I wasn’t trying to touch her; I just intended to give her a light hit, but ended up caressing her without realizing.
【Listen. I’d rather kneel here since flying and sitting are tough. Just sit on my shoulder -】
– Smack!
【Ow! Are you crazy?!】
That felt good. The sensation remains on my palm.
When I slapped her, no part of her physical body would’ve created such a luminous ripple.
【Are you ignoring what I said?】
“I didn’t ignore you, but—”
【Shut up! Ugh… I’m seriously going to sue you for sexual harassment…】
“What are you talking about? What can you do with your status?”
I mean, if a ghost said they were sexually harassed, who would believe them? At least in this country, no one would.
It’s 2041, and while there’s nonsense about 2D rights, I’ve never heard that souls have rights.
“You’re my slave, remember?”
【Did you just say that?】
– Clap!
I was slapped again by her.
She hit me hard enough to leave a mark.
**********
It’s currently the rainy season, and it’s not that hot outside.
In fact, wearing short sleeves and shorts makes me feel a bit chill.
But I’m drenched in sweat.
And that damned virgin ghost sitting on my shoulder is laughing at me.
【Ugh, how can you act like this? You’re not even a fool. Seriously, you deserve it, you perverted brat.】
Seeing her smirk infuriates me.
Anyway, what’s the situation right now?
To explain, I followed the direction indicated by the key, and I found a Blue Gate in a pretty deep and secluded area.
Naturally, thinking it was this gate, I entered, but the quest didn’t get cleared.
Wondering if I needed to defeat the dungeon boss to clear it, I fought the boss painfully and finally defeated it.
All the monsters inside that Blue Gate were of the bug type.
It’s so disgusting that I’ll skip the detailed explanation.
After puberty, the only person who likes bugs is probably Fabre.
So far, it was all normal.
The issue was that this Blue Gate was quite deep.
After defeating the boss, its belly split open, and eggs popped out.
From those eggs came the self-detonating bugs, and I desperately ran away from them.
The girl sitting on my left shoulder had been laughing hysterically since I started to flee.
“Ugh, phew.”
I finally made it out of the gate and took a breath.
The Blue Gate closed safely, and the key reacted strongly to the Black Gate deeper inside.
By coincidence, it was in the same direction, leading me to mistake it.
Still, it wasn’t entirely fruitless.
I defeated the bugs and the boss, and the explosions from those self-detonating bugs granted me experience points.
Their levels were lower than mine, making them easy to defeat.
Thanks to that, I easily cleared a quest.
– Ding!
『Quest』
『The Path to Growing the Sword 2』
『Raise the proficiency of this weapon using a double-edged sword.』
『Hunt Monsters. 30/30』
『Reward: G Coin』
I feel like I’ve defeated more than 30, but it still says 30/30.
It seems like it doesn’t count if I exceed the required number.
[You have completed the quest. You receive 2 G Coins as a reward.]
Regardless of how many G Coins I got, it just appears as G Coin.
‘… Shop.’
– Ding!
[Shop]
『Sword Upgrade』10 G Coins
『Attribute Skill of the Soul Contained in the Sword』10 G Coins
『Inventory』8 G Coins
『HP Recovery Potion』3 G Coins
『Magic Recovery Potion』3 G Coins
『Random Stat Increase Potion』2 G Coins
『Random Clothes for the Queen』2 G Coins
『Lantern』1 G Coin
『Bandage』1 G Coin
==========
The random box has been removed, and a lantern has taken its place.
And it seems a bandage has been added.
“Hey, Chaewon.”
【What is it, perv?】
“What do you think about me?”
【Don’t talk to me, perv.】
The girl sitting on my left shoulder shifted emotions rapidly, like a middle school girl going through puberty.
‘Didn’t she just clap and laugh happily a moment ago?’
【….】
This shop offers what I currently need in exchange for G Coins.
Given that the ‘bandage’ and ‘lantern’ have appeared, it seems I might need these items.
Just how many G Coins did I receive earlier?
‘System’
– Ding!
‘Damn, the shop should at least display my coin balance.’
[Recognizing the user’s request.]
[A valid reason has been confirmed.]
[The number of G Coins held in the shop will be displayed.]
[Shop]
『Sword Upgrade』10 G Coins
『Attribute Skill of the Soul Contained in the Sword』10 G Coins
『Inventory』8 G Coins
『HP Recovery Potion』3 G Coins
『Magic Recovery Potion』3 G Coins
『Random Stat Increase Potion』2 G Coins
『Random Clothes for the Queen』2 G Coins
『Lantern』1 G Coin
『Bandage』1 G Coin
Your current G Coins: 2
==========
‘Oh. This works.’
Honestly, it was a gamble.
That said, it seems there’s something in the shop that Chaewon needs.
Clothes for the Queen.
Even though it’s random, it could yield some decent clothes.
But I have no idea why she is sulking.
It should make a good apology gift.
As I walked slowly toward the Black Gate while checking the system window.
‘Buy Random Stat Increase Potion.’
I bought the Random Stat Increase Potion for 2 G Coins without hesitation.
There’s no gift for someone who ignores my words.
– Ding!
[You have purchased the Random Stat Increase Potion.]
[Once a product is purchased, it cannot be exchanged for another.]
I drank the potion immediately, curious about which stat had increased, and checked my information.
‘My Information.’
[Status]
Current Stats: 0
– Current Stats –
Strength: 6
Agility: 3
Intelligence: 5
Luck: 6 → 7
==========
Luck has increased by 1 point.
Now that my luck stat is 7, I feel like today’s fortune will be good.
I probably need the lantern and bandage, but I guess I can manage.
I stood in front of the Black Gate.
For some reason, it feels like I’ve been entering the Black Gate often since this system started.
I thought little of it and threw my body into the Black Gate.
Without a clue about what might come next.