Chapter 1474

<Chapter 1474> 1474. Paladin: The Journey of Evil

Clang clang.

With every step I took, my armor clanged against itself, echoing through the old wooden staircase that seemed like it could collapse at any moment as I descended to the first floor.

The first floor served as both a dining hall and tavern, but there were no customers around. Of course not—it was broad daylight. Everyone would be busy with their work.

“Good morning, Sir Paladin! I’ll prepare your breakfast right away.”

The innkeeper greeted me. She was a bright woman, pretty face, and an excellent figure. As far as I know, she’s married, though she’s probably envied by all the men in this village—or maybe still is.

I continued walking toward the kitchen where she stood.

“Sir Paladin?”

She looked at me curiously while preparing bread and soup.

“Huh? Your armor has changed? This one looks much cooler than the one you wore yesterday. Breakfast will be ready soon!”

I didn’t stop approaching her.

She suddenly smirked, realizing something.

“…Have you changed your mind today? I’m always available, you know.”

She gave me a seductive wink.

This woman tried to tempt me last night too.

Though this isn’t a brothel, it’s common for innkeepers to sell more than just rooms in such a harsh world. It shows how difficult life can be here.

Keeeeeeeng.

I activated Holy Sight.

Her body and face distorted, revealing her true form—grasshopper-like head with arms made entirely of blades.

“Woah, what interesting eyes! Is that some kind of special holy skill from the church?”

“Shut up.”

“Huh?”

My left hand moved swiftly, grabbing her head tightly. My steel-covered fingers pierced through her skin, digging deep until they hit her skull. Blood streamed down her face.

“Aaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Die, corrupt being! This is the greatest penance you can offer.”

I plunged the greatsword in my right hand into her chest. Her body twitched violently, shedding its human disguise to reveal her monstrous true self. Without hesitation, I slashed downward, cutting her open. She collapsed onto the floor, spilling her entrails.

Not taking any chances, I swung my sword down again, severing her head.

Demons and corrupt beings aren’t human. Some have incredible regenerative abilities and can survive even after losing their insides. The surest way to kill them is by decapitation—or better yet, using divine power to destroy them completely.

[Level Up!]

[Name: Eugene


Origin: Paladin


Level: 2


Strength: 7 Agility: 5 Vitality: 5 Divine Power: 2


Available Points: 1


Skills: Holy Sight (Lv. Master), Holy Aura (Lv. 1)]

I immediately allocated the point to increase my Divine Power.

While Strength is the most efficient stat, Divine Power is the most crucial.

Before leaving the inn, I glanced back at the dead innkeeper’s corpse. All I felt was disgust.

‘If this were a game and I fell for her seduction… I’d get eaten alive and die instantly.’

This world is dangerous. Traps are everywhere. That’s why I chose Holy Sight…


The reason is to avoid these kinds of traps. There will surely be unknown traps ahead.

Stepping out of the shop, I slowly looked around the village. The small village with a population of less than 50 people felt completely deserted.

I carefully examined the ground. A sinister black aura was visible. This too is one of the abilities of Divine Vision—to detect traces of demons.

“I already know where it is.”

I moved my steps. My destination was the forest at the back of the village.

KYAAAAAAK!

A monster leapt out from atop a tree. Calmly, I swung my greatsword and took care of the charging beast.

The monster resembled a squirrel.

It’s a Corrupted Beast.

Corruption isn’t limited to humans. When animals fall to corruption, they’re called Corrupted Beasts.

Black smoke rose from the corpse of the Corrupted Beast and lunged toward me. It’s the soul of a demon or corrupted entity trying to curse me.

“In short, experience points.”

[Level Up!]

[Name: Eugene


Origin: Holy Knight


Level: 3


Strength: 7 Agility: 5 Vitality: 5 Spirituality: 3


Available Points: 1


Skills: Divine Vision (Master Level), Holy Aura (Lv.1)]

Once again, I allocated the point into Spirituality.

There was no other choice.

If my spirituality is low, I’ll quickly succumb to corruption from the influence of demonic souls or corrupted spirits.

“A paladin can still fall to corruption, after all.”

Even with full recovery and divine favor, one must still prepare against corruption.

I continued moving forward. The frequency of encountering Corrupted Beasts increased.

Stopping in my tracks, I looked down.

Black energy was wrapping around my body. After killing over 20 Corrupted Beasts, the corruption had progressed quite seriously.

“Guess it’s time to use it.”

I pulled out a vial of holy water from my bag and sprinkled it on myself. The corruptive aura began to fade. However, it didn’t disappear entirely.

“Still has its limits, huh.”

To fully cleanse the corruption, I’d need to go to a cathedral or church. The effect of holy water is stronger in sacred places.

“I’ve arrived.”

A broken stone wall appeared. In the corner of the wall, which was over 5 meters tall, stood a giant spider. The spider, standing over 3 meters high, had the head of a carp. The utterly mismatched combination evoked an instinctual sense of disgust.

“…Arakss. The guardian of the tutorial. Enemy of newbies.”

They say half of the new Paladin players fail to defeat this monster and quit the game.

“Let’s give it a try.”

Gripping my greatsword with both hands, I got into a combat stance.

In my mind, I recalled Arakss’s first pattern—it would leap. It would fly straight at me, attempting to grab me. I would dodge and then strike its rear hard.

But my plan crumbled from the start. Arakss didn’t leap. Instead, it circled around me as if probing.

“…Right. This isn’t a game but reality.”

Arakss’s carp head twitched. It spat oil from its mouth. I dodged the oil and charged at it.

“Holy Aura!”

Spiritual power surged. A soft golden aura enveloped my greatsword. I slashed off one of Arakss’s front legs. Smoke rose from the severed limb.

“KEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!”

Arakss screamed and rolled around on the ground. It was my chance. I jumped onto its body, using the weight of my armor to pin it down while swinging my sword.

“Die!”

Just as I was about to bring down the greatsword, Arakss suddenly regained its composure and wrapped its spider legs around my body. Thanks to Stormbreaker, the legs didn’t pierce through me, but the pressure was increasing. My armor wouldn’t hold up for long.

“KEKEKEKEKE!”

“Did you deceive me with that act?! Wicked fiend…!”

At this point, there was no holding back.

I dropped my sword. It was too large to swing effectively in such close quarters. Instead, I used both hands to punch Arakss’s head and grabbed parts of its body to pull.

“Lightning!”

Zzzzzziiiiiiiiip!


The golden lightning that manifested by divine power illuminated the sky. The lightning coursed through Arak’s body, and he let out a terrible scream.

At the same time, his legs began to tighten even further.

My armor tore apart as Arak’s sharp legs pierced into my body. The feeling of his legs rummaging through my insides was absolutely atrocious.

“…I’m definitely dying.”

I clenched my teeth and grabbed Arak’s head with both hands, crushing it. His carp-like head shattered, but his legs were still brimming with strength.

[Death Resistance has been activated. You will not die for the next 15 seconds.]

After confirming my death, Arak finally released the tension in his legs. He wobbled, trying to regain balance as his broken head slowly regenerated.

Arak had let his guard down. Seizing the opportunity, I used Complete Recovery. I grabbed the fallen Paladin’s sword and immediately stood up.

Startled, Arak shot out spider silk from his butt.

[Heaven’s Heart (天心) has been activated. It will last for 1 minute.]

The spider silk slipped off me as soon as it touched my body.

[Acceleration is being used. It will last for 10 minutes. Remaining stacks: 6]

[Instantaneous Strike (刹那) is being used. Remaining stacks: 5]

In one swift motion, I closed the distance and wildly swung the Paladin’s sword, filled with Holy Aura, at Arak.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

I cut off his legs and slashed through his torso—or rather, it was more like I just beat on him.

“Disgusting spider freak! Die already!”

Arak died.

His soul clung to my body, trying to corrupt me. Being a demon, the level of corruption was far beyond anything I’d experienced before.

[Level Up!]

I quickly allocated the points gained from leveling up into Divine Power, weakening the corrupting influence. Not stopping there, I pulled out holy water from my bag. The steel bottle containing the holy water was sturdy enough to survive even during battle.

I sprinkled the holy water over myself, further weakening the corrupting energy.

‘I’ll return to the village, slaughter all the corrupted ones, and take their experience. Then, I’ll head to the Valentier Cathedral.’

Having made my plan, I retrieved Arak’s heart from his corpse. A demon’s heart makes for excellent crafting materials.

‘Gotta grab everything worth taking.’

I returned to the village.

Even though there was still plenty of daylight left, all the villagers had gathered for some reason. They quietly observed me, their eyes filled with fear.

‘Have they discovered the bodies at the inn?’

I scanned each villager one by one. More than 10% of them were corrupted.

A man suddenly stepped forward. I recognized him—he was the innkeeper’s husband.

“Paladin! Why, why did you kill my wife?!”

“Your wife was a disgusting corrupted being.”

“No! My wife was human! Human, I tell you! Why did you kill her?!”

“…”

I ignored his cries and walked past him. Since he wasn’t corrupted, there was no need to kill him—yet. If he attacks, I’ll deal with him then.

A boy suddenly appeared in front of me. Around 10 years old, he handed me a flower.

“Paladin! I heard you came to save our village. Thank you! Please take this flower!”

“…How revolting.”

“Huh?”

My right foot moved instinctively, pressing down on the boy’s chest. His face twisted in confusion and fear as he desperately tried to push away my steel-encased boot and leg. I applied even more force, causing the boy to spit blood.

“Aaah, it hurts, Paladin! P-please spare me!”

Ignoring him, I raised my greatsword.

The boy’s eyes widened. His face and body began to distort. Human skin peeled away, revealing the grotesque exterior of a monster.

“Corrupted—”

I gripped my sword backward, its tip precisely aimed at the corrupted being’s neck. The monster’s tentacles shot out, latching onto my legs.

“—to the core.”

I sliced through the boy’s neck.

Immediately afterward, hidden corrupted beings revealed themselves and charged at me from all directions.