Vol 2 Chapter 54

[Head to the goddess's last temple where the final memory of the Holy Knight and his friend lies. It was protected in the name of friendship, but now it's nothing more than a vain ruin that has lost its former appearance and become defiled by darkness.]

Hyung's expression changed drastically in an instant, as if recalling it.

"Yeah. Why?"

"After I said it was likely to be a dungeon, I thought about it a bit more in relation to that."

To be honest, it had occurred to Kapros while retracing the course of his journey.

"Hyung. I might know a dungeon related to that clue."

Hyung and Palton both widened their eyes as much as possible at the same time.

"W-What? Is that true?"

"To be precise, I've only heard about it once, so Kran probably knows more about it."

As Kran's name suddenly came up, he blinked and asked, "Huh, me?"

"Perhaps the 'Forgotten Temple Dungeon' that was said to be next to the maze dungeon we went to in Torelit. Remember?"

At Kapros's question, Kran seemed to recall the memory for a moment before nodding slightly. At the same time, Kion-hyung, whose face had turned white the moment he heard the dungeon's name, grabbed Kran's shoulder.

"Really?! The Forgotten Temple?! T-There was such a thing?"

"Ah... yes."

"Oh, my goodness! It sounds exactly like the place just from the name! Where is it, did you say Torelit?"

Kion-hyung let out a terrifying shout, almost burying Kapros's attempt to add that it might not be the right place. Palton grabbed Kion-hyung by the scruff of his neck.

"Hey, calm down first. Even I think the name fits perfectly... Torelit, was that the eastern big city accessible by warp gate?"

"Yes."

"Argh!"

As soon as the words ended, hyung screamed and hugged Kapros roughly, spinning around.

"That's it, that's the place! No need to look further! The name matches my quest perfectly! The Forgotten Temple for the quest of the Forgotten Goddess's Glory. It's just perfect, perfect! Thank you, Kar!"

It seemed hyung had completely forgotten that they needed to go to Talant. Kapros could only nod and smile at hyung, who was overflowing with joy. Seeing him so happy made Kapros think it was good that he had come right away to tell him.

"Ah..."

It was at that moment. Suddenly, as if the tide was receding, the atmosphere around them turned chilly.

'...What's this?'

No one dared to open their mouth. In this alien feeling that was 180 degrees different from just moments ago, they slowly turned around.

Thud, thud, thud.

Footsteps that should have been too small to hear seemed to sound loudly. In an atmosphere that felt like ice water had been poured over them, rather than excitement and tension, they saw a group walking proudly through the center of numerous guilds. Kapros instinctively recognized the identity of the man in black helmet and black armor at the very front.

He was the user performing the Knight of the Demon God quest.

His name was... Caesar, wasn't it?

The group walked in silence and stopped at their position. At the same time, the man in the black helmet turned around alone and began walking towards the empty space where the staff was. Only silence filled the path he walked. It seemed as if the footsteps of a single person had suppressed even the breath of hundreds. Everyone couldn't take their eyes off those steps.

Finally, the man who stood in front of the staff with the transparent crystal ball attached, raised one hand in a gesture that seemed almost arrogant, and suddenly turned his head to stare in their direction.

"Caesar. How did that bastard..."

Kion-hyung muttered with a pale face.

"That person... surely not..."

Kran asked in a voice filled with hope that it wasn't who he thought it was.

"The Pale Knights guild master I mentioned before. The Knight of the Demon God quest user. His name is Caesar."

It was Palton who shattered Kran's hope. The man in black armor, who had briefly glanced in their direction, placed his hand on the crystal ball emitting light and muttered something. Meanwhile, people began to open their mouths one by one as if breaking free from hypnosis, and finally started to murmur in astonishment and surprise.

"This can't be. To think Pale Knights would appear..."

"Why so suddenly..."

"So that person is the guild master, Caesar..."

Most people seemed to know them, as there were more fearful whispers than puzzled remarks. Kion-hyung, who had been looking around at this, suddenly started pulling the rest of them and running towards the back.

"Hyung?"

"Damn it, I don't know why that bastard showed up here, but let's get away from noticeable positions first."

Sparks were almost flying from hyung's eyes.

"Now that he's appeared, there's no way this will end nicely. If we leave here in this situation, it'll draw more attention, so wait until the guild war starts and then go, mixing in with the crowd as much as possible! It'll be chaotic and no one will know who's who, and if you just break through in a straight line, you'll reach your destination much faster that way."

At those urgent words, Kapros opened his mouth in confusion, unable to fully grasp the situation.

"Understood. What about you, hyung?"

"Palton and I need to draw that bastard's attention here. If he recognizes you guys now, there'll be no mercy."

"Then hyung..."

"We'll be fine. We've registered for the guild war, so even if we die here, we can reconnect after just one day without any disadvantages. But you guys can't, right!"

With those words, hyung pulled down the hood that Kapros had been habitually wearing, almost covering the front. Thanks to this, his vision was blocked and about half of his face was covered.

"Ugh..."

"Sorry. But it's better to cover your face as much as possible in front of that bastard, just in case something happens later. Now go quickly."

Just as Kapros was about to answer, a loud horn sound rang out.

Ding, ding, ding!

- The guild war has started. 01:30~06:30.

As soon as a simple notification window appeared and quickly disappeared, the many people who had been murmuring began to rush forward with shouts.

Wooahhh!