Chapter 121

Level Up IlDanSimPanGwan – Chapter 121 (121/227)

Chapter 121: The Purifier

“This should be far enough…”

After slipping away from the scene, Ail gently laid down the elf and took a deep breath.

Fortunately, he managed to escape unnoticed by the guards who were gathering in the alley.

However, his depleted stamina was still critically low, making him feel dizzy and disoriented.

Just as he started worrying how much longer he could keep this up…

[The curse’s effect has worn off. Healing immunity has been removed.]

“Finally.”

With the message appearing that the curse had ended, Ail immediately pulled out a potion and restored his health.

This time, his HP smoothly recovered without issue, and the dizziness faded.

Though the curse had only ended for Ail.

Giving a recovery potion to the severely wounded high elf didn’t have any effect at all.

It seemed she was under an even stronger curse than what Ail had endured, and given her current condition, it was becoming a dangerous situation.

Her pale face indicated how critical her state was.

While he managed to stop the bleeding with bandages, her condition continued to worsen as if poisoned or suffering internal injuries.

“There’s no point… I don’t have much time left.”

Leaning against the wall, she weakly spoke.

As she said, without treatment, surviving would be difficult.

“Is there no way to remove the curse?”

“Normally time would resolve it… but I don’t have that luxury.”

She resignedly accepted her grim fate.

After going through so much trouble to rescue her from the dark elves, it was tragic she might die from the curse – though sometimes these things just can’t be helped.

“Can you tell me why? Why did the dark elves attack, and why are both sides violating their treaty by coming to human cities?”

“But that’s confidential information…”

“I have ties to the White Forest.”

Ail revealed a special feather from his pocket.

Proof of their recognition – upon seeing it, the high elf’s expression completely changed.

“You possess the feather… then may I ask one last favor? I can’t leave my mission incomplete like this.”

“Anything you need.”

Moved by her earnest plea, Ail nodded in agreement.

“Recently ancient elemental sanctuaries have been getting contaminated. Dark elves and other suspicious forces seem to be behind it.”

This much was already known.

In fact, Ail himself had been the one to first deliver this news to the high elves via messenger.

“To stop the contamination we tried to act directly, but the treaty held us back and royal approval hasn’t come yet. We couldn’t wait any longer, so we had to break the treaty and leave the forest.”

‘So that’s how it happened.’

With the royal family divided as they are now, if the high elves were to intervene directly, the prince would desperately try to stop them, making negotiations impossible.

“But the royal family must have noticed something was up and were blocking it. Wouldn’t it be better to leave it to them…?”

Ail raised one concern.

Currently, the world quest was progressing rapidly with the princess faction and users taking on quests to defend the sanctuaries.

Though there have been attempts to invade various locations, they’ve reportedly been successfully defended and normalized.

But upon hearing this, she shook her head.

“No… There are many hidden sanctuaries beyond what humans know about. Ancient elemental sanctuaries are usually located in places untouched by people. If dark elves capable of sensing elemental energy went out, even the well-hidden sanctuaries would be in danger.”

Not just the sanctuaries already identified by the high elves.

Patrol members from the White Forest have been going out themselves to find undiscovered sanctuaries and prepare for any potential incidents.

The patrol members of the White Forest were elite high elves and undoubtedly formidable combatants.

But since they weren’t officially authorized, they had to operate subtly, and due to the vast scope of the incidents, their manpower was insufficient.

Because of this, even those not officially part of the patrol had to venture outside the forest, including her.

“And we weren’t just looking for sanctuaries. Though we couldn’t sense elemental energy, we did discover several locations where the contaminating energy had spread… Finding new clues there was my mission. I was attacked before I could even arrive here…”

Her breathing growing more labored, she coughed up blood.

Blackened blood stained her elven clothing.

“Please take over my mission. It may be too much to ask of you right now, but it’s a mission that absolutely must be completed. If we can’t stop them, who knows what might happen…”

Shakily reaching out, she grabbed Ail’s hand.

With those final words, the high elf’s breath ceased, leaving behind a final item in Ail’s hand.

‘…’

A map marking the destination.

* * *

“This should be the place…”

Arriving at the location marked on the map, Ail looked around.

The Vessra Plains.

Despite its large area, it’s a peaceful region free of monsters, not very popular among players.

But that wasn’t what concerned Ail.

This place was simply too clean to be contaminated.

No undead or evil spirits appeared – just pristine nature with wild animals running around.

‘The info shouldn’t be wrong. In cases like this, it’s usually… underground.’

Ail set off to find the target.

Unlike elves, he couldn’t sense elemental or corrupt energies from afar, so he had to rely on rough guesses.

Carefully examining the map’s location, he searched the accurately marked spot for any hidden landforms.

“Found it.”

The suspicious entrance Ail discovered reeked of foul play, hidden inconspicuously in a corner.

Whoosh!

And his suspicion proved correct.

Upon entering, the air was thick with corruption.

The stark contrast to the environment outside made it feel almost surreal, and the cave interior was gradually decaying.

‘Since no elemental energy is detectable, this isn’t a sanctuary where elementals slumber… What are they after?’

Kirlrrrk!

At that moment, a black wraith appeared before Ail.

Similar in appearance to the ones seen at the sanctuary, checking the monster’s info quickly confirmed its level at an impressive 90.

‘That wasn’t an idle warning after all.’

The high elf who entrusted him with this request did mention it might be too much, adding a cautionary note.

Even NPCs unaware of Warode being virtual reality have some awareness of the level system.

Moreover, while unable to see info panels, NPCs can roughly gauge a player’s level similar to how players estimate NPCs.

Given Ail was heading to a hunting ground meant for levels in the 90s while being in the 70s, it was reasonable for her to warn him of the potential danger.

‘Won’t be easy, but not impossible either.’

Currently at level 75, Ail had a 15-level gap with the enemy.

While generally hunting near your own level is most efficient in Warode and most games,

when paired with important quests and adequate stats, the rules change.

Swish!

Sword drawn, Ail and the wraith charged at each other.

Despite the wraith’s ferocious rush aimed at cursing living beings, the fight didn’t last long.

Kwaaak!

Keeeear!

The wraith writhed as it caught fire from Sacred Flame before Ail swiftly slit its throat.

The collapsed wraith, already riddled with large and small wounds from Ail, couldn’t hold on any longer.

‘Unless facing multiple enemies at once, doesn’t seem too dangerous.’

Having gauged the general difficulty from the previous battle, Ail judged it possible to clear the dungeon.

Though he couldn’t rampage through like usual, carefully defeating each enemy one by one allowed him to make progress.

‘This…?’

Human traces visible along the passages.

Not belonging to monsters and relatively fresh, Ail proceeded cautiously.

Whether players, cultists, or elves, any of them could pose dangers different from monsters.

‘The structure is complex, but the dungeon itself doesn’t seem too large…’

Standing before another dead end, Ail contemplated.

He’d already grasped the general layout despite not being inside long.

High-level dungeons being too expansive would be burdensome, so this was good news for Ail.

But then, an unwelcome visitor appeared.

Kwaaaang!

A giant monstrosity burst through the wall.

[A wicked presence detected! Blasphemer of the sacred!]

Kooorrrr!

The hulking giant roared at Ail, swinging its massive club with enough force to shatter a wall.

“Crap!”

Checking the creature’s info in a hurry, Ail frowned.

Even a regular boss in a current level dungeon would be troublesome, but this was a 95-level Sacred Desecrator.

Certainly stronger than the dark elves he faced earlier.

Kwaang!

When the beast slammed its club down, a powerful shockwave erupted.

Thrown back by the shockwave, Ail tumbled across the floor as the giant swung its club again, seizing the opportunity.

One hit would obviously be catastrophic.

Dodging barely in time, Ail retaliated with a burst of flames.

But the damage dealt was less than expected.

Besides the unavoidable level difference, the giant’s massive build came with extremely high HP.

Unable to properly assess the threat.

This was an incredibly tough opponent, and Ail was struggling.

‘Dammit, should I retreat?’

Any choice would be better than losing his life, and he considered withdrawing.

But right then…

Kwaaaaa!

A massive black spear pierced through the giant’s chest.

Dealing tremendous damage and activating the binding effect, immobilizing it.

Silent Spear.

An attack magic scroll Ail was familiar with, requiring high costs and usable only by those affiliated with the Church.

‘Could it be…’

Swish!

Nesha emerged from the shadows, dagger in hand.