Chapter 77: Naga Slayer (1)
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Just two hours after the Tag of Death video was uploaded, the video had reached the number one spot in the popular videos. It was unprecedented for a non-ranker to achieve this!
However, Kai, the person at the center of all of it, was a bit disappointed.
“Well... if this were a game, I would have gotten a special title.”
There was no end to human greed!
Of course, there were rewards in reality as well. Instead of a title, he was compensated in the form of money.
I thought about reading all the comments... but that seems impossible now.
For every comment he read, dozens more appeared. It felt like running endlessly down a never-ending hallway!
It’s my work, but the result is truly outstanding.
Compared to the view count, the likes were high and the dislikes were significantly low!
After seeing that the community was all talking about him, Kai closed the internet window with a happy heart.
“Alright, that’s enough watching.”
That was enough. The video was a hit, and Unknown’s brand value had not just hit a jackpot but a super jackpot.
He also now knew that his bank balance was leaping by hundreds of thousands by the second.
Well then. I should forget about it now.
After all, from Kai’s perspective, the Tag of Death was a thing of the past.
If it were someone else, they could cling to this past for days and be happy about it, but Kai was a man aiming higher and could not waste his time in such a manner.
I should go meet Cyrus first.
Kai immediately went to Cyrus and discussed his concerns.
“A way to breathe underwater? Hmm...” Cyrus stroked his shark fin while pondering, then nodded, “Alright. I can handle that for you.”
“Is there a way?”
“Yes. It's not a permanent solution, but it’s not impossible. Have you heard of the Magic Conch?”
“No, I haven't.”
As Kai shook his head, Cyrus smiled faintly. “It's one of the royal treasures. For that reason, I can’t give it to you permanently, but I can lend it to you until this matter is resolved.”
“Thank you. So, I can breathe if I have this Magic Conch?”
“Not exactly. Hmm... simply put, even if I cast a specific spell on you right now, it would last for a maximum of three days.”
“I see.”
“But if you use the Magic Conch, we can extend this period up to a week.”
“Wow...!”
It was truly a revolutionary item!
But one must listen until the end—Cyrus added with a hesitant expression, “However, there’s something you must be cautious about before using it. You must not forget this part.”
“That sounds scary. What is it?”
“It’s that only the Magic Conch knows which spell's duration will be extended.”
“...That means...”
“Yes, it means it’s random.”
In short, which buff skill's duration would be extended was random!
As Kai's expression grew serious, Cyrus smiled broadly. "Haha, don't worry too much. I recommended this method because there is a solution to that part."
"Phew, I was worried for a second there... So what is the solution?"
"You use the Magic Conch while only having the breathing spell on you."
"So... limit the choices to just one and use it? Is that what you mean?"
"You catch on fast. Yes, if you use the Magic Conch in that state, the duration of the breathing spell will naturally extend."
"Then there shouldn't be any major problems."
Cyrus, having reassured Kai, stepped out of the room for a moment, then returned with the Magic Conch.
Placed on a blue cushion, the white conch shell about the size of two adult male fists emitted an elegant presence.
"Item information."
[Magic Conch]
Grade: Unique
When used, this item extends the duration of a buff affecting the user by 1/3/5/7 days.
(30-day cooldown upon use.)
"Oh..."
Kai’s eyebrows furrowed.
I thought it was just the type of buff that was random... but the duration is random too?
The anxiety he thought he had shaken off creeped back.
Looks like I need to go back to land.
Even if it meant spending money, he felt the need to buy potions and items related to the Luck stats.
In case the duration only extended by one day, that would create various complications.
"Please be careful not to lose this royal treasure."
"Of course, I will handle it with utmost care." He planned to just keep it in his inventory, so there wouldn’t be any issues. "Oh, and could you tell me the location of the nagas? I think I might go there soon."
"Oh, you're finally going!" Cyrus clenched his fist, visibly excited, and handed over a map. "I've been waiting for you to say that. Do you need... any of the merfolk warriors by any chance?"
"No, I will go alone." Kai shook his head.
Of course, having the help of merfolk warriors would make navigating the dungeon easier.
But I’m not yet at the point where I can afford to protect others in battle.
Despite the innovative invention of Moving Casting, the reason the merfolk were losing the war was simple. That technique was tricky to learn and required additional training in swordsmanship or with a trident. And naturally, there weren’t many merfolk warriors who had mastered both skills.
On the other hand, the nagas produced many offsprings at once, and they even hatched quickly! In short, the merfolk were overwhelmingly outnumbered.
It's better to go alone. That way, I can also escape if necessary.
If the warriors were wiped out, he wouldn't be able to face merfolk again.
Understanding Kai’s thoughts, Cyrus's eyes held gratitude for Kai's consideration. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
"No, I should be the one sorry for continually needing various kinds of help."
"Please don't feel sorry about that. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Could I possibly go to the mainland once more?"
"To the mainland? Is there something troubling you...?"
"Not really, but I need to prepare some items before tackling the dungeon."
"Hm... If that's the case, I understand. When you wish to return, just break this orb."
"I see it’s kind of a return scroll, then. Thank you very much."
Kai stored the orb in his inventory and was instantly transported to Aquaria through Cyrus's teleportation magic.
Magic Conch. I will use it to its best.
Kai's cunning had already planned the usage to the last detail!
Changing into his cleric robe, Kai immediately entered the auction house. The items he focused on there were mostly related to luck.
[Luck Potion LV.5]
Increases luck by 30 for 5 minutes when consumed.
[Lucky Guy's Hat]
Grade: Magic
Defense: 14
Magic Resistance: 11
+5 Luck
A hat favored by a man who swept the gambling tables with his innate luck.
Requirements: Level 10+
Durability: 42/100
Kai was fully equipped with items related to the Luck stat from head to toe! He spent 3 million won in the process, but surprisingly, he didn't regret it at all because Kai felt like he was Mansour at the moment!
Donations are pouring in by the tens of thousands every second.
With a light heart, Kai left the auction house and headed straight for the Alchemy guild. Upon entering, he was immediately hit by the acrid and bitter smell that deterred many from visiting the Alchemy guild.
But ignoring this, Kai boldly approached the counter and took out his gold pouch.
"Give me a potion of endurance, worth 21 gold and 60 silver."
***
The Potion of Endurance, known among players as a painkiller, was an unrivaled hit product of the Alchemy guild. Taking one bottle reduced pain significantly for a duration of one hour!
Thanks to this, it was popular among players who were afraid of being hit by monsters and among female players.
This little thing costs ten thousand won per bottle?
Kai smirked as he looked at the 216 bottles of the potion stored in his inventory.
The first discovery reward of a dungeon lasted three days in real time, nine days in game time.
If things go well and the Magic Conch extends the duration for 7 days...
That meant he could have the pain reduction effect for the entire duration of the dungeon!
Using the Returning Crystal Orb given by Cyrus, Kai returned to Aquavera and immediately went to find him.
"Have you already returned?" Cyrus tilted his head as Kai returned in an hour after going to the mainland. "But why do you look so uncomfortable... Oh!"
Realizing that Kai, having returned from the land, couldn’t breathe underwater, Cyrus quickly cast a spell on him.
"Phew... thank you."
"Oh my, I'm sorry for noticing late."
Cyrus apologized, scratching his head, to which Kai gave a sly smile.
"The spell you just cast. It will last three days, right?"
"Yes."
"Have you heard this saying on land? Strike while the iron is hot."
"I haven't heard of it, but... you're not suggesting..."
"Yes. I will be going now."
Cyrus, surprised by the sudden announcement, asked with a worried expression, "Are you sure it's alright? We still have time, you can prepare more before you go."
"There's no reason to delay thanks to the Magic Conch you gave me." Kai chuckled as he saw Cyrus, who didn't understand, tilting his head. "I’ll be back."
"Well, it seems you've already made up your mind. I'll transport you nearby then." Cyrus opened a teleport gate and looked worried until the last moment. "Please be careful. And if you think it's too much, pull out immediately."
"I will. But don't worry too much."
Because that wouldn’t happen.
Then Kai bowed his head and stepped into the teleport gate.
His view changed in an instant. Unlike the bright city, the pitch-black abyss made Kai's chest feel tight.
Stay calm...
By ssing Sacred Flare, the surroundings were brightened a bit, and occasionally, he could see swarms of jellyfish swimming in the deep sea, so it wasn't impossible to make out what was ahead.
And the nagas’ nest is...
He could check the mini-map, but that seemed unnecessary.
"Kyaaak, kyaaak!"
"Kyaaa!"
Below.
From below, creatures were screaming as they ascended. They were covered in scales like lizards. The upper body resembled a human, but the lower body extended like the long tail of a lizard. They were the nagas!
Three young naga warriors, each clutching their weapons, were fiercely charging at the intruder.
[Naga Soldier LV.154]
[Naga Scout LV.141]
[Naga Patrol LV.137]
Even the young ones have high levels.
But Kai also had his beliefs.
In an instant, Kai stepped on the water and his form dropped sharply downward. At the same time, Kai's eyes widened! His vision captured the scene of the tridents attacking him.
Dodge this.
Swoosh!
A trident whizzed past, barely grazing Kai's earlobe.
Dodge that.
Kai twisted his body while kicking through the seawater, but another trident grazed his side.
Also dodge this.
However, Kai had only learned how to engage in underwater combat, not yet mastering it perfectly. This meant he couldn’t dodge every attack!
Unfortunately, Kai failed to completely avoid the last trident. What was worse was that it was an attack launched by the level 154 naga soldier!
[Critical Hit! You’ve received 23,142 damage.]
"Kugh...!"
The pain felt as if he was unexpectedly stabbed in the chest with the tip of a pen! With that, a notification window appeared before Kai, causing his expression to involuntarily scrunch up.
[You have died.]
Allowing just one attack resulted in a devastatingly powerful strike enough to kill him!
At the moment of death, all players lost all buff statuses and disintegrated into polygons. And this was an inescapable fate for Kai, even as the Solaris Cleric.
But just as he seemed about to turn into polygons, a dark red energy began to flow out from his body.
[Undying Will activated. You have resisted death.]
[Regain 1% of total health as part of Undying Will’s effect.]
[Invulnerable status activated for 5 seconds as part of Undying Will’s effect. All abilities gain a 10% bonus while in this state.]
"Kekeke!"
"Guaaagh!"
The young nagas mocked Kai for recklessly rushing them and facing death! But the one who laughed last was the true victor.
Without bothering to hide his smile, Kai said, "Open inventory! Use Magic Conch."