Everyone Else is a Regressor (70)
[Damaged Yggdrasil Access Permit (L-)]
[A permit to enter the mystical Iron Forest. However, it's torn in half, and its power won't activate unless the other half is found and combined. Infusing magic will guide you to the location of the torn half of the permit.]
KiJun sealed the coin deep within his inventory as soon as he checked its information.
Yggdrasil is known in Norse mythology as the forest located in Jtunheimr, the land of the giants, called Jtunns.
It's known as the Iron Forest, inhabited by giants and powerful wolves.
Yes, wolves.
In Yggdrasil, the wolves Skoll, who swallows the sun, and Hati, who swallows the moon, were born.
To add, their father is the infamous Fenrir, the Wolf God.
'Why would I seek out such a mystical place?'
Moreover, it seed likely that the other half of the permit was with Skoll. While Skoll would indeed be an attractive quarry, if asked whether it's currently feasible to hunt, KiJun would shake his head.
Hati had been a formidable opponent, uncertain of victory even in a rematch.
Without Ruthven's tily aid and KiJun's possession of attributes directly opposing Hati's.
Defeating him would have been impossible.
But sohow, it feels like having that will entangle you with werewolves later, Contractor. Right?
'I was thinking the sa, so don't remind .'
Let's forget it.
The thought of facing vampires a year from now was headache-inducing enough.
"I'm glad you're safe."
"In."
Aware of In's approach through sensory sharing with Lucy, KiJun greeted him with a nod.
In was covered in blood, mud, and gri, but fortunately, he didn't seem to have any serious injuries.
Given the blood and traces on his body, it was surprising how unscathed he appeared, which In quickly explained.
"You completed the quest. Thanks to that, I survived. No matter how tough I am as an orc, this ti, I nearly t my end."
"Ah."
Realizing that In and Lora were still part of his party, KiJun exclaid in amazent.
That's right.
When the Hidden Quest was completed, KiJun wasn't the only one who received the rewards!
In, and likely Lora too, had their levels increased as part of the quest rewards, aiding their recovery.
"I'm glad I could help but where's Lora?"
"...She was bitten. I even warned her in advance, but to end up like this, I'm ashad."
KiJun's expression hardened instantly.
There was no need to ask who had bitten her.
If the level-up had healed her, Lora wouldn't be lying there as if dead, which ant...
"Has she beco a vampire?"
"It's peculiar. If she had beco a vampire, she should've lost Ishtar's divine power, but that's not the case."
"Ishtar's divine power?"
"Ah, I haven't explained yet."
With that, In belatedly revealed that he was Lora's halfbrother and also a priest of Ishtar, apologizing for keeping it hidden.
But KiJun, having known the vampires' true identities and still kept it secret, had no right to be angry with In.
"Rather, I'm the one who should apologize. I dragged you into danger..."
"I joined the party in anticipation of the vampires' appearance. If you say that, I have even less of a face to show."
"Anyway, as the party leader, I should have protected you... Ah, forget it. You can speak comfortably. I'm too tired to bother with formalities."
Sighing, KiJun took Lora into his arms.
He noticed two distinct bite marks on her neck and asked Lucy.
'How is it?'
For now, she's not a vampire. Given the 'blood power' she possesses, common among vampires, maybe half a vampire? But it's impossible for a vampire to harbor so much light and survive.
After examining Lora with focused senses, Lucy ended up tilting her head in confusion.
She seems to have changed a bit too, Contractor. If you have silver on you, can you try bringing it close to her?
Following Lucy's suggestion, KiJun nodded, obtained In's permission, and brought out the moon-infused silver close to Lora.
Instead of harming her, the silver, reacting to the divine power within her, emitted a dazzling light.
As expected. Could she have beco sothing similar to a Dhampir, like Ruthven ntioned earlier?
'So Lora is still aligned with the light?'
Definitely. I'd feel it imdiately if she were aligned with darkness.
'You're the best, Lucy.'
Keiit!
'Of course, our Ur is the best too.'
Typically, being bitten by a vampire and undergoing a racial change would inevitably align one with darkness.
However, Lora remained aligned with light despite the transformation, indicating she underwent an irregular mutation similar to what Gin experienced.
Considering Bice's ssage suggested such mutations were rare, it was absurd that two occurred on the sa day.
'It's a relief they both remained aligned with light.'
KiJun, reassured that Lucy's power didn't harm Lora, imdiately poured his spirit power into her, revitalizing her energy.
Perhaps stimulated by the similar origin of the light spirit power, a dazzling golden light surged, intertwining with the crimson, enveloping and invigorating Lora.
Only then did KiJun notice the subtle change in Lora's appearance.
Parts of her originally bright and beautiful golden hair had turned red, as if dyed or highlighted.
As the light subsided, Lora's eyelids fluttered before slowly opening.
"Uuum... Oppa...?"
Mistaking In's divine power for Lucy's spirit power, Lora murmured 'oppa' as she fully opened her eyes, eting KiJun's gaze.
Thankfully, her clear, pure blue eyes remained unchanged.
Relieved, KiJun asked her.
"Are you awake?"
"...Haa."
After a mont of silence, she closed her eyes again and let her head fall weakly.
KiJun, taken aback, was about to speak to her again when In, with a heavy shake of his head, interjected.
"She's passed out."
"Why?"
"At least she's safe. I'll carry her again."
"No, In, you should rest now. I'll carry her..."
"I appreciate the thought, but if you were to carry this child, I fear Lora may never wake up."
"Why is that!"
Ah, I knew this would happen...
'You knew too, Lucy...?!'
KiJun, shivering at the thought of the terrifying potential for knockout magic within him, left him to his devices as In, cradling Lora, suddenly let out an exclamation of admiration.
Following In's gaze, KiJun saw a man slowly walking towards them and let out a low sigh.
The man, with his wild blue hair resembling a wolf's mane and eyes shimring silver, was wearing Ruthven's clothes.
He carried his mother's battle axe and his father's magic shotgun in an Xshape on his back, and on each side of his waist, he had a pistol and a crossbow in their respective holsters, looking every bit the experienced hunter.
Of course, it was Gin.
"Where's Ruthven?"
"He's gone... I wanted to bury him near my parents, but he turned to ash and nothing was left."
Turning to ash upon death, a well-known trait of vampires.
Considering Gin inherited all of Ruthven's gear and his complex expression, it seed Ruthven requested more than just his own death.
Having transcended their racial limitations and harboring enmity towards those races, they likely shared a connection.
Gin, now closer, bowed his head and said,
"He said, Mr. Jun, you will fight vampires in the future."
"So?"
"I want to help. My life is yours, use as you see fit."
"No, that's not necessary."
"...I know I'm lacking, but..."
KiJun scoffed at that.
"It's not that you're lacking. It's absurd for you, who just freed yourself from the shackles of Vrykolakas, to willingly take on another burden."
"I'm different!"
Gin firmly shook his head in response to KiJun's words.
"I now have the freedom and the will to make my own decisions! I want to help you out of my own volition... If I'm not a burden, I wish to join you!"
"Fine."
"Excuse ...?"
Surprised by KiJun's easy agreent, after initially refusing, Gin looked dumbfounded.
KiJun flicked Gin's forehead.
"Ow!"
"Don't forget the precious freedom you've regained. Don't talk about letting others use you."
"...Mr. Jun."
"Don't make that moved face either."
KiJun, snorting, pushed away the overwheld Gin and firmly stated,
"Once we've dealt with the vampires, you can think about what cos next. That is if you don't die in battle."
"I won't die! I promise!"
Gin responded energetically, bowing deeply. His deanor, far from the revengefueled one from monts ago, seed much more stable.
Considering Ruthven cared for soone in a similar situation until his dying mont, KiJun couldn't help but smile at the thought of Ruthven's actions before his death.
Deep down, KiJun was truly grateful to him.
Ultimately, your choice was right, Contractor. That's a relief.
'Of course, this ti. But I don't plan to say my choice was right just because the outco was good, Lucy. I just want to keep making choices that don't go against my principles, no matter the situation.'
Yeah, I'll always support you, Contractor.
KiJun smiled again at Lucy's words.
Having at least one ally who always affirms you can't be a bad thing.
"Mr. Jun."
In, gazing at the sky now darkened by the loss of the moon, spoke with a grave tone,
"We should leave soon. The energy sustaining the relic is fading, and it will collapse shortly."
"Right we'll head to where we first entered."
Their exploration of the relic was concluded.
The quests were completed, and although not everyone was saved, a werewolf gained freedom.
With five entering and two dying, plus one addition, making them four, KiJun looked back at his party and declared,
"Let's go back."
What was supposed to be a months-long expedition when they left the small town ended in just four days, including the travel ti back and forth.
The ripple effects of that brief expedition were anything but minor.
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): You think I don't care which side you're on? Of course, I knew that! Did you think I was scared and trembling?]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): You really want to die, huh? Getting cocky because you haven't been scolded by lately?]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): It's okay to be scolded as long as I can see you? What, you're not Jun, are you!]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): Who said not to talk?! I told you it's okay sotis!]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): (ssage deleted.)]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): You didn't see it, did you? If you saw it, you're dead. I'll really kill you.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): I'm suspicious, but I'll let you live for now. If we et later, everything you've hidden from will be revealed.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): Huh? Irregular mutations happened twice in a row? A priest and vampire mix, and a werewolf with the moon mix? What's that, a new trendy way to commit suicide?]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): Both are fine... Huh, such beings are usually called 'Villains.' Dhampirs like you ntioned are a pri example, but those two are really blatant.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): Take good care of them; they'll be a great help. Ah but.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): Did they eat your shiny cooking?]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): I knew it. I'm jealous.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): It must have been delicious. I want to eat it too.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): You better make a lot when we et. Really a lot, enough to fill up my inventory.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): (ssage deleted.)]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): ...Don't say that to just any girl, okay? Answer right now.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): Ah, I really can't be at ease.]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): One of the mutated ones is a girl, right?]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): She fainted seeing your face? Why?]
[Bice(Dinsional Waiting Room): I'm still worried... It's not like there will be more girls there, right?]
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