A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 196

World Quest: Tagirion Hunt.

Starting from today at 5 PM for a week, New Dimension’s very first World Quest.

Unlike the regular ‘raids’ like general Tagirion or Albion, where participation is optional upon meeting certain conditions, this is a ‘special quest’ where you have to participate without exception if conditions are met.

…Well, I guess there is a way not to join, but who among gamers would actually do that?

At least, I was determined to participate no matter what.

[Rene]

[Hello]

[New Dimension | 7948 viewers online | 00:15:26]

“By the way, are you all not joining this World Quest…?”

Yet, for some reason, nearly 8,000 Rebongi were logged into my stream.

Are they planning to watch while I play?

Which wouldn’t be a problem, but it would be hard to concentrate.

─I’ll go after watching you

─Even if it’s hard to follow, knowing the patterns makes it easier.

“Ah…”

That’s true.

Since the event runs from 5 PM onwards, there’s no need to rush unnecessarily.

Still, I’m a bit anxious that it lasts a week.

Moreover, I’ve heard it’s split into two parts, and even just the first part will last for 5 days.

That’s basically saying it’ll be a high difficulty, right?

In fact, during the last offline event, they already said they had prepared the story direction for ‘when the World Quest fails.’

“Puhee…”

─Why are you laughing by yourself all of a sudden???

“Isn’t it thrilling that it’s an ultra-high-difficulty World Quest that might fail…?”

─Honestly, I agree.

─To be frank, I’m more curious about the failed story lol.

─Is there no way to see both stories???

─Looks like comparing it to the overseas server is the only option ㅇㅇ;

─Haven’t they even opened the Holy War overseas yet?

─Japan and the US are opening up the Holy War this time.

─Guess we’ll have to wait at least 3 more months;

─I wonder if they’ll have an offline event to coincide with that overseas launch.

─Huh?

With my one comment, the chat window instantly turned lively.

Most of the people gathered in Streamer Rene’s broadcast were New Dimension players.

The chat becomes most active during talks like this.

Anyway, it’s nearly 5 PM, the start time for the World Quest.

I was logging in early to check the surroundings, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Will something change the moment it hits 5?

“Honestly, can you believe our Tabung is in its first World Quest?”

─For real lol.

─I honestly don’t get why they’re treating Tagirion like this when it’s still a difficult raid lol.

─Well, Tabung is Tabung…

Though the chat’s reactions aren’t necessarily wrong.

Even if Tagirion has been overshadowed by the Albion Hunt, it’s still officially a final content raid.

You can’t just challenge it without any thought.

…But for some reason, I can’t shake off the image of Tabung that spread around New Dimension Gallery.

It feels as if I could see someone grilling patties at a hamburger shop.

“Anyway, it’s about to start…”

As I chitchatted, the time ticked closer to 4:58 PM.

Only 2 minutes left until the World Quest begins…

KWA-WHAM!

“What?!”

An incredible explosion shook the floor.

The level of vibration was such that it could easily knock one off balance.

Looking around, I wasn’t mistaken—NPCs were also huddled over, holding their heads.

─Oh lol.

─T-Tabung is coming…!

─Calling it Tabung makes it sound totally lame lol.

─Whoa, I thought I was the only weird one for a second.

[People of the land! You, who have dropped the Great Demon Tagirion to Tartarus! You fools who think you are favored by the gods! I will burn your arrogance to ashes with this judgment! Feel the name of the Great Demon Tagirion!]

Then the familiar voice of Tagirion echoed in my ears.

[Oh gods… Please look over us…]

[That demon has resurrected after all…]

NPCs screamed in panic.

I gazed at them, waiting for it to be 5 PM.

And the moment the clock struck 5…

〔World Quest – Tagirion Hunt〕

〔All seals released, and Tagirion that fell to Tartarus attacks the continent.〕

〔Tagirion summons players who meet the conditions to the ‘Room of Evil Dream’.〕

〔Condition: Level 70 or above. Clear Tagirion Raid〕

〔Only players who clear the Room of Evil Dream will gain the eligibility to challenge the ‘Great Demon Tagirion’.〕

〔If you give up the challenge in the Room of Evil Dream, you will lose the eligibility to challenge the ‘Great Demon Tagirion’.〕

〔System: ‘Great Demon Tagirion’ summons you to the ‘Room of Evil Dream’.〕

A system message welcomed me.

Simultaneously, my view shifted dramatically, revealing an unfamiliar room.

It resembled the ‘Room of Torment’ from the previous Tagirion Raids but had distinct differences upon closer inspection.

─So what am I supposed to do here???

─Tabung, prepare yourself. The Beast is coming to hit you…

─No matter how much of a Great Demon Tabung is, it’s still facing a ‘Beast’.

─LOLOLOLOLOL.

─I wonder who the raid leader is…

─Even a bear can tear through demons;

─And not just any bear, but a Woongnyeo.

─Woongnyeo (foreigner).

─A Woongnyeo in full plate armor (OMG).

With flickering torches showering light in the center of the room and vintage decorations filling the space, the patterns of goats, deer, and snakes painted on the ceiling somehow felt unpleasant.

Right after checking out the entire structure of the room.

[Is it you…?]

Tagung’s voice resonated once more.

[You, who were one of the strong ones that defeated my clone…. That strength will certainly be a nuisance, so die in this evil dream…!]

Oh. There’s an impressive atmosphere.

Just as I thought that, a figure appeared that I had seen countless times to the point of getting bored with during the Tagirion Raid—the Black Knight.

But this one was nothing like the Black Knight I’d seen before.

What used to be two had become one. The weapon had changed from a great sword to a lance.

More importantly, its form was entirely different—its lower half didn’t have a human figure but rather that of a horse.

[KUO-OOOOOOOOO!!!!!]

The roar shook the space, sending a prickling sensation through my entire body, and the Black Knight began to move.

With flaming black flames erupting from its hooves, it charged toward me.

It nearly felt like it was tearing space apart.

SWISH!

A spear shot at me, cutting through the air.

I activated my acceleration skill just as I slammed my Warhammer down on the spear.

KWA-WHAM!!!

“…Huh?”

KZZT!

An unpleasant sound resonated from my chest as I flew back and crashed against the wall.

─???

─What just happened?

I definitely slammed down on the tip of the spear accurately, but its spear didn’t stick to the ground; it pierced right through my chest.

Thanks to that, my HP plummeted by nearly 10 percent in an instant.

In line with the name ‘World Quest’, it was indeed a fierce blow.

─But did the raid leader just retaliate from that?

─As expected of a Beast.

─Isn’t dodging the right tactic at first? What the heck lol.

“This is fun…”

Though it shouldn’t be, I stood up while loosening my oddly tense body.

For some reason, the beast wasn’t charging at me as I was pinned against the wall; it seemed to be waiting.

As if it were waiting for me.

[KUO-OOOOO!!!!!]

And once I got back on my feet and readied my stance, it lunged at me again with the same fierce roar.

Just like before.

So this time, I should aim for its body instead of the spear…

“…Huh?”

While trying to dodge its attack to close in, its right arm swung inward wildly.

It wasn’t a stabbing attack like before, but a sweeping attack.

A lightning-fast slash tore through the air horizontally.

I immediately reacted and crouched down, but then, its foreleg kicked my chest.

“Ugh…?”

KWA-WHAM!

Once again, I was sent flying into the wall, leaving me with 78 percent HP.

Yet again, it merely stood there, waiting for me to rise and take my stance.

“Hmm…”

Then it seems I’ve discerned three patterns so far.

A charge followed by a stabbing blow, a sweeping slash, and a kick while I crouch down.

They were simple attacks that were almost too easy to classify as patterns.

But the simpler they were, the faster and stronger they became.

However, if I already knew those patterns, they were absolutely not unwinnable.

“Whew…”

Taking a deep breath as I got back up.

Each time I allowed it to attack, it depleted around 10 percent of my HP, so I could only afford to take a max of 7 more hits.

I just need to bring it down within that limit.

Well, it would be best if I could drink a potion… but sadly, it seems potions are disabled in this area.

[KUO-OOOOO!!!!!]

It charged at me again.

But I stood still and observed its movements.

After all, with the last attack being uncertain until the very end, making a preemptive move would only be detrimental.

The Black Knight came within a step of me.

Its arm… still fully extended.

“…Now.”

I sharply twisted my body to dodge its attack by a hair’s breadth.

Then, using all my strength, I struck the side of the spear that passed right by me, aiming for its torso.

KWA-WHAM!

With a heavy impact, the Black Knight slammed against the wall, just as I had moments ago.

I guess I just need to keep doing this until it falls.

“…This doesn’t seem too tough.”

─It sounds incredibly challenging though.

─Your mindset is just different from ours.