LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 22
If a game requires a certain level of control, it’s generally like this.
In the [Demon’s Saga] game, there were things called ‘mad movies.’
Since players directly control their characters in combat, many amusing scenes are frequently created.
And those who get hooked on such scenes often edit them to make them even flashier.
They might add some unique color effects to the video or insert graphics matching the timing of the attack. The ways to create mad movies are varied.
However, what’s peculiar about [Demon’s Saga] is that these mad movies include not only the users but also NPCs.
I mean, as long as it looks cool, who cares?
Naturally, Yor, who became quite the hot topic this time, was no exception.
Click-
Yoo Chaerin clicked on the trending posts.
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[Mad Movie Fresh Out]
(Video)
Just added some effects lightly, what do you think?
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[Oh~ It’s chaotic, isn’t it?]
[The original is way better, right?]
[But the shockwave around the Owlbear is pretty epic, lol.]
[No, seriously, just adding screen shake would make it super epic.]
[It ended too quickly, though, lacking the flashy vibe, I’m gonna go watch Kim Mari’s mad movie instead, ugh..]
[No, seriously, these star-chasers are driving me nuts.]
Click-
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[Analyzing Yor’s combat scene briefly]
The only thing I focused on was the last scene.
At the end, he prepares for a stab, and at that moment, the spearhead turns blue, right?
At least as far as I know, only sword energy can turn blue.
In other words, Yor literally tore the Owlbear apart with his sword energy.
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[Wow! That was a remarkable analysis!]
[In the end, it just means he beat it up with pure physical strength, huh? This guy pretends to be all smart with his ‘analysis,’ lol.]
[No, isn’t sword energy a technique then? Damn.]
[But is that really sword energy? Aren’t high-ranked mercenaries using that?]
[No, it’s a definite thing. I’ve tried poking fun at the four knights’ leader dozens of times, and while it’s rougher, that is indeed sword energy.]
[What a boast, seriously.]
[You’re the reason our recognition drops, you jerk.]
Click-
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[By the way, why is this guy dressed so hotly?]
(Photo)
Ha, who the hell is he trying to seduce?
Look at those bulging veins and shredded muscles.
His body is so tantalizing; I just wanna have a taste.
I could definitely make him cry like a baby, lol.
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[Come on, dude.]
[Before that, your neck might get cut off, lol.]
[It’s just a pretty normal t-shirt and shorts, please live in reality.]
[No, usually having that casual appeal is way better than outright being seductive, right?]
[Man, this is driving me insane.]
Click-
“Hmm….”
Once Chaerin hastily checked all the posts, she swallowed for a bit.
The forum was literally in chaos. She woke up to find the community ablaze.
She felt a bit curious.
The NPC she casually talked to turned out to be such a powerful figure.
Of course, she was aware the other party was strong, but seeing it confirmed in a video was beyond her imagination.
She silently chuckled.
‘He’s going to get even more famous from now on….’
After all, he pulled off such a remarkable scene.
Moreover, the video hadn’t even been uploaded to YouTube yet.
It had barely been a day since Kim Mari’s broadcast ended.
Once that video was nicely edited and uploaded on YouTube, it would surely get even more reactions.
If the streaming platform BIRIRI was a small well, YouTube was nothing less than a vast ocean.
Now that she knew of his strength, such an incident like last time wouldn’t happen again…
Thinking so, she erased her bitter feelings.
But contrary to her expectations, that topic didn’t escalate any further.
A few days later.
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[A notification just dropped on the guild board.]
It’s important, so everyone should go check it out.
I didn’t take a screenshot since I thought it’d be better to see it directly.
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An even bigger news related to Yor had squashed the gossip.
*
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[Recruiting members for the Demon Subjugation Squad]
Due to the previous incident, a prophecy has come that the demon will descend soon.
Dark clouds loom over the entire continent, so we’re looking for heroes to participate in the subjugation.
Participants will be rewarded based on their contributions in combat.
Moreover, all participants will be granted a starting bonus of 50,000 gold.
Especially for otherworlders, all equipment lost upon death will be retrieved and returned later.
The lives of countless citizens depend on your hands.
We sincerely request your support.
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Buzz buzz.
When Yoo Chaerin arrived at the guild, the first thing she sensed was the atmosphere was quite chaotic.
Otherworlders and NPCs were all mixed together, creating a frenzy.
Their gazes turned toward the notice posted on the guild board, of course.
However, the reactions varied among those gathered.
“They’re giving 50,000 gold just for participating?”
“If they’re returning our items, isn’t that a huge win?”
Those celebrating the notification were mostly the otherworlders.
“Haah, demons in this chaotic time…”
“I can’t believe something we only heard in history is actually coming!”
“We’re all going to die!”
Those responding earnestly were mainly NPCs.
That was only natural.
While otherworlders could perceive it merely as a raid, for NPCs, it was a matter of life and death.
But even considering that, their reactions were a bit puzzling.
Some NPCs reacted so excessively it felt like they’d lost their country.
Why? If they put out a notice like this, wouldn’t they have prepared sufficiently?
‘Is the demon’s descent really that dangerous…?’
Chaerin tilted her head.
Including her, the otherworlders were completely in the dark about demons.
It was clear that gathering people indicated the content was a raid.
But knowing nothing about the enemy’s strength, appearance, or abilities limited the responses of the otherworlders.
They could only react in limited ways, either being excited about new content or delighted over unexpected windfall.
50,000 gold was a considerably large sum in this place, roughly valued at 10 won per gold.
Just by participating, they were getting 500,000 won of game money for free.
It was impossible not to be happy for the otherworlders, who always struggled to gather enough gold for equipment and potions.
However, such reactions from the otherworlders didn’t seem to sit well with NPCs.
Their high-performance AIs processed the users’ behaviors and came to a conclusion.
“Isn’t this a bit too much?”
An adventurer NPC who had been viewing the notice with a serious expression voiced out.
“We’re worried about whether my family will die. Is it really okay for you to be laughing and enjoying yourselves? Is this the time to be in high spirits?”
In summary, it was a request to be more aware of the situation.
Of course, the otherworlders weren’t polite enough to hear that and go, “Oh, I see. My bad.”
“What’s that guy talking about?”
“Are we really supposed to be somber while enjoying a game?”
The atmosphere turned grim. A few adventurer NPCs stood up, clenching their fists.
“Damn it, these otherworlders. I can’t take it anymore. Today shall be your funeral.”
“Get out of our world this instant!”
A fight broke out momentarily.
Angry NPCs and disgruntled otherworlders had a scuffle.
Fortunately, a guild receptionist came to break it up, but the intensified atmosphere couldn’t be helped.
This was a relatively common occurrence.
There would often be NPCs who didn’t like otherworlders picking fights with them.
From their perspective, otherworlders were intrusive visitors, and the acts of the otherworlders in the game’s early days were quite notorious.
As such, conflicts between NPCs and otherworlders were fairly frequent throughout the game.
Naturally, Yu Chaerin, who merely watched all this unfold, could only chuckle bitterly.
*
“…That’s what happened at the guild.”
After confirming the notice, Chaerin reported the news to Yor shortly after.
She was dutifully fulfilling the contract made a few days ago.
Though she wished to stream, strangely enough, this time Yor had rejected it, so she had to hold back.
Currently, he wore a similar t-shirt to before.
As the weather shifted into mid-spring, even his outerwear began to feel hot.
Therefore, his outfit was unbelievably easygoing, but she had started to adapt, so she didn’t react much.
Perhaps it was due to the intense impact of that dawn fashion she saw last time; she had gotten used to it to some extent.
However, one thing was bothering her; Yor kept scratching his right collarbone.
From his actions, it seemed that spot was particularly itchy.
She tilted her head and asked,
“Did a mosquito bite you?”
“No, it’s… uh.”
Yor nodded with a dubious expression.
Though she was a bit puzzled, it wasn’t important, so Chaerin let it slide.
After all, she had conveyed everything she intended to say.
Upon hearing the information, Yor’s expression stiffened quite a bit.
‘I was hoping it wasn’t true, but…’
The demon was really about to descend.
He had heard about it only in history; it was his first time experiencing a real demon emerging.
As an orphan, all he had was hearsay about such events.
He’d heard tales of a demon appearing hundreds of years ago, which reportedly led to nearly tens of thousands of deaths.
It was not unwarranted that people in this world would react sensitively around someone like him.
What kind of catastrophe would unfold this time…?
Even if it was a hellhole of a world, it was the one he lived in, so Yor couldn’t help but feel grave.
After a moment of silence, Chaerin cautiously asked,
“So, what do you think? Are you considering participating?”
“…What?”
“The recruitment notice. It said strong individuals are welcome…”
Chaerin thought of Yor as quite a strong figure.
After all, living in this forest was no small feat.
The Owlbear was a monster that even the locals struggled to deal with.
With that strength, he might indeed make a significant contribution in a raid.
However, Yor’s response was lukewarm.
“No, I’m good.”
Even if it was unavoidable for others to see him, he had no desire to expose himself so much by going out there.
Even if he accomplished something significant, it could lead to trouble later.
Once the countries found out about him being a ‘Demon’s Blood’ holder, their reactions would be predictable.
“I see.”
Of course, Chaerin understood he had his own circumstances and had no high hopes.
She was merely asking since she had conveyed the news.
“Oh, it’s getting late. I’ll be going now. See you next time!”
“Sure.”
With that, she gracefully left the Forbidden Forest.
A few weeks later, the demon descended.
The name of the demon was Andromalius.
The 72nd demon, Andromalius.