novelraw Chapter 84: Quick Reattempt of the Fourth Scenario
Chapter 84: Quick Reattempt of the Fourth Scenario
“Appreciate the offer,” I said carefully, “but we’re fine on our own. That said, I don’t mind a bit of cooperation if the situation calls for it.”
Marcel didn’t look surprised. “I figured you’d say that. You’re independent—and that’s something I respect. Reaching this level without the backing of a faction isn’t something just anyone can do.” He looked me square in the eyes. “Still, things are going to get harder soon. When they do, if you ever reconsider, our doors are open. You can find us at the Green Wind Inn, near the plaza in District D.”
With that, he offered a polite nod and stepped aside with his group, returning to their spot in the line a few paces back.
As I watched them go, I thought about the current state of Fantasia. For one thing, divine warriors, especially those belonging to factions, could actually rent or outright purchase buildings in Fantasia. Not just for lodging, either. Some turned them into training halls, crafting stations, or meeting hubs.
For guilds—what most people from Earth would call factions—it was possible to buy a building directly in the main plaza, making them easily accessible to divine warriors across multiple districts. It was an ideal setup if you wanted your group to be seen and grow quickly. In contrast, staying tucked away in a single district meant limiting who could find you. But at the current state of divine warriors in Fantasia, no one should be able to do that just yet, since they would need at least one Daleth rank.
“You think we’d benefit from joining them?” Michelle asked softly beside me, following my gaze.
I shrugged. “Maybe yes, maybe not. The thing is, we don’t need their help—and joining them would only limit us.”
Because the moment you joined a faction, you gave up a degree of freedom. And I had plans. Too many, in fact, to be tied down by someone else’s rules or ambitions. Besides… if the Battle of Divine Will really was coming, then neutrality might just turn out to be the deadliest weapon of all.
“Indeed, lad. And I feel like there’s more to that guy’s words than he let on,” Boris added, arms still crossed as he eyed the group behind us.
He wasn’t wrong. There had been some calculations behind Marcel’s words. A man like that didn’t offer help without expectations. And since Graham’s death, the power vacuum was pulling out every ambitious faction like moths to flame.
At the moment, I heard that there were four to five divine warrior groups or factions that were vying for power on equal footing. Obviously, I didn’t want to meddle with the powers in Fantasia at the moment, especially when I didn’t have enough force to hold it firmly, and when there were many people with different agendas. Therefore, I gave it little thought.
I turned back toward the alcove of the Rift of Scenarios. “In any case, let’s focus on our run for now.”
Not long after, it was our turn. After confirming our intention to rechallenge the fourth scenario, Elysia nodded and opened the entrance into the fourth scenario. A swirling dark portal then shimmered into existence.
Without hesitation, we stepped forward and crossed the threshold. The world around us warped, and a familiar feeling of weightlessness appeared.
A moment later, my feet landed on familiar ground—the dense, humid forest of the fourth scenario. The scenario’s description also appeared before my eyes.
Scenario #4 [Encroaching Wilds]
Monster settlements have begun to appear deep within the forest, and numerous primitive monsters have taken root in the region. Destroy two monster settlements and eliminate the dwelling monsters within.
Mission Type: Suppression
Difficulty: E
Main Objective: Destroy 2 monster settlements. (0/2)
Time Limit: 3 days
Reward: 2,000 Soul Coins
Penalty for Failure: Death
Extra Conditions:
1. Recover a hidden key fragment. (0/1)
Reward: Bet-Tier General Lootbox
2. Destroy 3 monster settlements. (0/3)
Reward: Uncommon-Grade Armament Voucher
3. Destroy 5 monster settlements. (0/5)
Reward: Rare-Grade Armament Voucher
This was going to be easy.
***
You have fulfilled the main quota of destroying monster settlements.
Congratulations.
You have cleared Scenario #4 [Encroaching Wilds].
You have fulfilled the second extra condition of the scenario — Destroy 3 monster settlements. (3/3)
Basic Rewards: 2,000 Soul Coins
Additional Rewards: Uncommon-Grade Armament Voucher
Your Stamina has increased by 1.
It didn’t take long for us to complete the fourth scenario and fulfill the second extra condition. Although the layout of the forest had shifted slightly, the monsters roaming about were mostly the same, and the monster settlements hadn’t changed much either.
Unfortunately, aside from gaining a single point in Stamina, I didn’t manage to increase any of my other stats or skills this time around. The fourth scenario felt considerably easier compared to my first run through it. Still, the experience points it yielded were fairly decent overall. Particularly, the plausibility I gained wasn’t too shabby.
Maximillian Anderson Lv. 4/60 (EXP 566/2,560)
HP: 100%
MP: 398/398
Rank: Gimmel [3]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Paradox Incarnate
Title: One Who Conquered the Impossible (4)
Status: Normal
Strength: 327 + 23 + 33 | Dexterity: 329 + 5 + 33 | Stamina: 274 + 18 + 27
Mind: 184 + 18 | Magic Power: 219 + 22 | Luck: 224 + 22
Plausibility: 796
Free Attributes: 36
A total of 356 plausibility had been gained from absorbing the three totems. Alas, we were ejected from the scenario the moment we destroyed the third settlement, as all objectives had been completed. As for the second extra condition’s reward, being an Uncommon-Grade Armament Voucher, it was practically useless at this stage.
“Well, better than nothing,” I mused.
After we emerged back in Fantasia, we wasted no time returning to District D. Our next priority was to find a capable craftsman or blacksmith who could upgrade our equipment. The fourth scenario had gone smoothly, but from the sixth onward, the difficulty was bound to spike. It was better to be overprepared than under-equipped.
Michelle stretched her arms overhead as we walked. “What kind of craftsman are we hoping to find?”
“Preferably a dwarfsmith,” I replied, “but we’ll be considered lucky if we can find one. Otherwise, any decent craftsman in District D should do for now…”
Of course, finding the best one in District D would be ideal, but checking every workshop would take time. Still, anyone here would be leagues better than those back in District E. After all, it wasn’t just divine warriors who climbed the ranks—skilled blacksmiths, craftsmen, and artisans often moved up to higher districts as well. Those with exceptional talent had likely already relocated to District C or beyond.
But just as we neared the outskirts of the Hall of Beginnings—a landmark building where new divine warriors arrived in Fantasia—a sudden uproar broke out. Dozens of divine warriors had gathered near the entrance, murmuring, some even shouting. We slowed our steps, curiosity getting the better of us.
“What’s going on below?” Michelle inquired.
From the second-floor walkway, I gripped the railing and leaned forward for a better look. In the center of the crowd stood a group of five divine warriors, clearly different from the rest—not just in their stance, but in their very appearance. Three women and two men, each bearing distinct animalistic traits: clawed fingers, a light layer of fur running along the backs of their forearms and around their shins, and most striking of all, ears and tails that could only belong to wolves.
“Wolf therianthropes…?” I murmured, brows furrowing.
Despite having just come out of the Hall of Beginnings, they didn’t seem confused or lost like most newcomers. They were all elites.
At the front of the group stood a striking female wolf therianthrope. White-and-gray fur, sharp amber eyes, and a long tail that swayed with warning. One look at her and you knew she wasn’t someone to cross. Her left foot was currently pinning a man to the ground—a young, terrified Bet-rank divine warrior whose face was half-buried in the cracked stone pavement.
“Filthy human,” she snarled, her lips peeling back to reveal sharp canines. “How dare you try to lay your hand on our youngest?”
“Boss, should we kill a few of these humans to set an example?” one of the male therianthropes asked.
It was clear that these therianthropes hated humans.
The crowd around her had gone completely silent, save for a few sharp intakes of breath. I narrowed my eyes and quietly activated Inspect Eye on her.
Kaela Ash
HP: 100%
Rank: Daleth [4]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Beast Berserker
Total Attribute Points: 2,993
A Daleth-rank divine warrior!
My heart skipped a beat. This was the second Daleth-rank divine warrior I’d seen in Fantasia, and unlike Graham, she was a full-fledged Daleth from the start… Furthermore, her total attribute points were even slightly better than Graham’s. Istellia must have hit the jackpot this time.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Kaela, the wolf therianthrope leader, turned and shot a glare in my direction. Huh, she notices me? What a sharp perception! A bead of sweat rolled down my neck. This was the first time anyone had detected Inspect Eye in use.
“No need,” she said.
Curious about the whole situation, we began asking around, and it didn’t take long to get the story. According to a few divine warriors who had arrived earlier, the Bet-rank man she had pinned had tried to touch one of the younger therianthropes’ tails—likely out of curiosity, stupidity, or both. Clearly, Kaela hadn’t taken it kindly.
Actually, there were quite a few demi-humans in Fantasia. The rat beastman vendor I’d met back in District F was one such example. However, they were rare among divine warriors—and therianthropes were almost unheard of, especially ones this fierce. No wonder their appearance had stirred up such a commotion.
“I am the Hero of Ash Village!” she announced, her voice echoing across the plaza like a war horn. “Anyone who dares lay hands on us will be killed! Let this be a warning to you all!”
She removed her foot from the man’s back and kicked him hard to the wall with contempt—it was unknown whether he was still alive or not. Then, without sparing another glance at the crowd, she turned and led the other therianthropes away. The crowd quickly parted for them, giving them space as they strode out like a pack of proud wolves.
I glanced at Michelle and Boris. Both were watching intently.
“She’s strong…” Boris muttered, furrowing his brows. “Feels more like a war machine than a person.”
“Sir Boris,” Michelle said quietly, casting him a concerned glance.
If even Boris made such a remark, then Kaela wasn’t someone to be trifled with. It would be wise not to provoke them or catch their attention until we’d grown stronger.
“Anyway, we’d better find that blacksmith. Sooner the better,” I said.
“Agreed,” Boris nodded. “Let’s move.”
With one last look at the retreating Daleth-rank therianthrope and her group, we slipped away from the crowd and continued toward the craftsmen’s area of District D.