Chapter 401

“Ahaha! The most impactful moment had to be at the port, right? It was early on, but I really felt it then. Ah, this person is really incredible.”

“……”

“After that, every time something happened, a legendary scene would pop up. What? Echo of Death? I’m using it well! It’s just that there aren’t many chances to use it, but when I do…”

Lily had been inside the trial for about 8 hours.

In front of Lily, who sat with her eyes closed as if asleep, Yena was sitting across from her, continuously hosting a talk broadcast.

The broadcast was categorized as Just Chatting.

Since handing over the broadcast to Lily, Yena had been holding onto hundreds of thousands of Lily’s viewers, but she was starting to tire.

No matter how experienced and skilled a broadcaster is, talking for 8 hours straight is quite a challenge.

At first, she talked about recent events and kept the conversation flowing, but eventually ran out of topics and had to delve into past stories.

You might think, “Can’t we do something else besides talking?”

[There’s really nothing here]

[Looks like no hidden stuff? lol]

[Nothing at all lol]

The space where the Agent NPC resided was just decorated; nothing existed there.

In the early part of the broadcast, they had spent about an hour exploring this space, but eventually gave up and continued with the talk broadcast.

[Yena, you can do it! lol]

[-Yeah- Let’s spill some guild stories]

[Lily, something’s not right, right?]

[8 hours lol]

[Remember Sugarado? Didn’t it go 60 hours unscheduled?]

[Legendary]

[Doesn’t the World Tree take 3~4 days?]

[The World Tree was way harder lol]

[It must be tough, if Lily, who’s at least at the 4th stage, is struggling this much]

[It’s the Mythical choice you made; endure it with grit]

[Let’s do a 72-hour no-broadcast!]

“…Hoo. I chose this, didn’t I?”

Yena read the chat and let out a small sigh.

It’s taking longer than expected.

Though Ms. Lily had mentioned it could take three days, she thought it was just an exaggeration and never truly expected it would take that long.

Especially considering it was none other than ‘Lily.’

Partially progressing through the 4th stage, she was the unparalleled number one with no rivals to be found.

Even if she wasn’t ranked first by numbers, everyone had already acknowledged her, so Yena thought it would end quickly…

[Can’t we invite someone else in?]

[-Yeah- Let’s call Bur]

[Call Leo gg]

“Call? They can’t get in here.”

This place can only be accessed with the blessing of the Agent.

Only Lily can enter; no matter how hard anyone outside tries, they can’t get in.

The only chance would be if the peaceful Agent over there decided to open the door.

‘Feel free to stay.’

“Can you open the door…?”

‘Unfortunately, those without qualifications are not permitted entry.’

“And what about me?”

‘You have received permission from a qualified person. However, others have not.’

“Ah.”

In the end, she had to entertain herself alone in an empty space for three days.

Maybe this situation will last longer than three days.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a big deal if I took it slow or quit halfway, but Lady Lily gave me a Mythical Dagger.

She outright refused to take any rental fee, so it’s practically a gift.

‘Still, I have to do it all.’

I need to successfully wrap up this broadcast so I can face Lady Lily again.

[Alice has escaped, and there’s nothing to do, lol]

[The Agent, can’t we just attack?]

[Let’s try to kill the Agent]

[LOLOLOLOLOL]

[Let’s just kill him]

“The Agent? Are you guys out of your minds?”

How on earth am I supposed to kill the Agent?

[The hidden one is right in front of us, Yena!]

[Hidden chance?]

[Fact: There’s a 99% chance of rewards if we kill the Agent.]

[If we combo with Shadow Slash, we might just get a one-shot kill, right?]

[It could be possible since it’s mythical!]

[Really itching for that hidden reward]

“……”

I’m conflicted.

It’s not really about whether or not to kill him.

After gathering information from Lady Lily, I found out the opponent is practically a World Boss in power.

No matter how mythical the dagger is, winning is impossible.

But continuing this talk broadcast without any action is also a stretch.

‘Now I really have nothing left to do.’

I pull out the Green Hermit.

“Alright. Let’s go, brothers.”

[Oh?]

[Ooooooooh]

[Yena, let’s gooooo!!]

[LOL, just say the word for hidden]

[But if we die, we can’t get back in, right? LOL]

[Expecting a one-shot on Yena]

[Go, Yena!]

I slowly approach with the dagger in hand.

The Agent’s robe, already aware of my approach, rustles slightly.

‘What’s going on?’

“…Want to spar a bit?”

‘Spar?’

The robe tilts slightly.

Though I can’t see it, it seems the head tilts as well.

Yena nods and takes her stance.

“You said you were bored and lonely, right? It’ll be nice to move your body for a change.”

‘Hmm… well, I don’t really like fighting.’

“Aren’t you bored?”

You clearly said you wouldn’t mind some company.

‘I’m used to it. Just having you chat beside me brings me joy. Is there really a need to fight?’

“What if we’ve run out of topics to discuss?”

‘That’s a pity.’

“Or would you like to chat with me some more?”

‘I’m sorry, but I’m not really capable of deep conversations.’

“…I can see that.”

The robe enveloping their entire body hides any vibrant colors underneath, making it look like a gigantic mystery.

It definitely gives off the vibe of, “I have a lot of secrets.”

[He’s being super evasive]

[Let’s just kill him]

[Feels like a beauty might be underneath that robe]

[Good grief]

[Let’s stab first and ask questions later]

‘If you had the qualifications, we would have had a deeper conversation.’

“…Is that possible with Lady Lily?”

‘She completed all her missions and earned her qualifications. In contrast, you are just a visitor as a ‘companion’…’

The visit…’

“……”

‘You can’t talk to me.’

“Is that so?”

‘I see.’

“Got it.”

So, you can’t have a conversation, huh?

Sre.

Yena’s body, having finished speaking, disperses in an instant.

The Assassin’s body, now at level 90, vanishes in the blink of an eye, causing The Agent’s robe to flutter as they reach out behind.

Craack!

The black shape of the dagger’s flurry is effortlessly blocked.

But that doesn’t matter.

“It’s true up ahead.”

Kagakakang!!

The pink shield surrounding The Agent is sliced by Yena’s Green Hermit.

One of the Assassin’s main skills, Shadow Clone.

The main body and the shadow. Both possess real attacking power, and with the Green Hermit’s ‘Cutting’ effect activated, The Agent is suddenly exposed, vulnerable.

Of course, The Agent had enough time to activate their protective shield.

“Hoo…”

Yena didn’t let that opportunity slip away.

Casting a newly created technique, merging the skills learned from Lily with her own.

Infusing the seven cuts with rotation.

Condensing and manifesting her mana. Out from that, a gigantic storm is unleashed.

The storm etches itself into the Green Hermit, gaining sharpness, and the cut divides the world seven times.

Yena-style secret technique.

“Storm Cut.”

‘…!’

Whuuaaaak!!

The Agent’s robe splits apart.

■

The beginning was very weak.

From the moment Yena learned ‘Spear’s Roar’ from Lady Lily, she continuously tried to succeed with the technique.

She died many times, and the aftereffects impacted reality too.

It really hurt, almost to the point of death.

Especially before the Academy was established, during those one-on-one training sessions, it felt like her whole body was being torn apart, and she collapsed.

Back then, she truly thought she was going to die.

Lady Lily managed to heal her somehow… but something changed since that day.

How should she put it…

‘It feels like my capacity to endure has increased?’

Instead of using it once and collapsing, she became able to use it more stably.

After going through several events and with the establishment of the Academy, she discussed techniques with Lily and the professors.

How to integrate ‘Roar’ into the dagger and maximize the number of uses.

Countless attempts were made, and she eventually succeeded.

Yena’s first secret technique, uniquely hers, ‘Storm Cut,’ made its debut in the world.

‘But it requires a Mythical-grade.’

If the Mythical Dagger hadn’t borne this burden, the power just displayed wouldn’t have even reached half of what it was.

[Wow]

[???????]

[Yena, what the heck]

[Storm Cutting ㄷㄷㄷㄷ]

[? Didn’t they say that’s still experimental?]

[Oh]

[Holy sh*t ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is insane]

[Great Yena]

[Just now, Yena was like Leo]

[Kyaa]

[What the hell?]

[Yena?]

[?]

Yena, unable to see the chaotic chat window and the torn robe of The Agent, lowered her head.

Delayed Reaction.

“Wow. W-Wow, S-Seriously… Ba! Dogman… Ugh?!”

It hurts like hell!

I expected it, but not this much…!

‘Interesting. I didn’t know there were other humans like you besides my sister.’

“…Ugh?”

Yena raised her heavy eyelids and looked up at the Agent.

The robe that she thought had been torn apart was perfectly intact.

The only parts that were cut were a bit of the right and left hair.

Through the gap where it was severed, something pink could be seen.

So…

Twitch.

‘Ear?’

‘I’ve changed my mind. You asked for a duel, right?’

I’m curious about you.

“Ah, no. Wait a minute.”

Ding!

[World – Training with the Ancient Being (Hidden)]

Objective – Deplete the Agent’s stamina by 30% through dueling.

Reward – A massive amount of experience points, Obtain skill ‘Divine Cat’s Path.’

[This quest cannot be refused.]

[You cannot leave this space until you complete this quest.]

[Logging out is possible.]

“Are you insane?!! No escape from refusal… Huh?!!”

‘You’re right. I was just bored. This is perfect.’

“Excuse me? Why is this happening─”

‘Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?’

“N-No way, no way, what are you talking about?”

I wanted a hidden quest, but not like this.

Despite appearances, I’m a pretty busy being…

Swish!

The robe flickered and something sharp with multiple tines slashed at Yena.

Before she could even move, she was cut and her body flipped backwards.

A long…

‘…Claw?’

‘Giving up is a sin. So never give up.’

But I can’t give up.

[You have died.]

[You will resurrect at the location where you died without penalty due to the Agent’s power…]

■

“I wonder if Miss Yena is doing well.”

Looks like there’s nothing but the Agent over there.

─It’s better to hurry. If that place isn’t cleared, the restless spirits of the east will pour out, becoming uncontrollable.

“Right.”

The spear radiated light and thousands of demon beasts perished.

While trampling over the fabric of soulless corpses, I thought.

The Agent.

I still can’t be sure exactly who they are, but their power rivals that of a high-tier World Boss.

Splash!

“Hmm…”

I hope I’m not causing unnecessary trouble by poking around.

---