Golden Experience-Chapter 233: “Extremely Suspicious NPC”

“What’s that? Guests already? Is someone in front of the boss?”

The boss of this marsh dungeon is a giant grey bear.

Periodically, or rather, probably every time it gets hungry, the boss appears outside the boss area and attacks nearby small fry or players.

If it attacks a player, it quickly moves on to the next victim because the corpse disappears. However, if it attacks small fry like deer or NPCs from the town who came to collect, it just eats the meat and goes back to sleep satisfied.

Moreover, when the gray bear is asleep, it’s possible to get dangerously close, almost within touching distance.

Originally a powerful monster that beginners can’t defeat, gathering a large number of players, applying buffs as much as possible, and attacking its head simultaneously can bring it to the brink of death before the bear wakes up.

Janet and her group had successfully defeated the boss using this method several times.

Initially, they gathered a large number of people, around dozens, but this method yielded significant experience points for a low-level dungeon, so many members quickly stepped up and moved to other hunting grounds. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

However, if the number of people decreased, the individual burden increased, but the share of experience points obtained also increased. With the gained experience points, the damage dealt also increased, covering the loss of the reduced number of people.

For these reasons, Janet and her three companions continued even when they were the only ones left. While it was challenging with only four people, if the remaining LP was low, they could defeat it before suffering any damage if fought strategically.

Repeating this process would naturally make the boss wary, stop sleeping, or change its sleeping place. However, this gray bear remained cautious for a while, but as the saying goes, it forgets the heat past the throat, quickly returned to its routine, opening its mouth wide to sleep in front of this cave.

Whether the bear’s intelligence is related to this, Janet and her group didn’t know, but if it were, it would surely be low.

In the past few days, they had been avoiding the area due to the periodic invasion of annoying small fries called angels for some event. However, after various players posted declarations of extermination on the SNS event thread, they resumed.

“It’s not like we were hiding anything, and it’s not strange for other beginners to start. But, wait, there are only two, right? And they seem like quite small players. A pair of thin dwarfs, maybe?”

Having been away for a while, they had lost track of the current giant bear’s behavior pattern. They were observing the situation, but the timing was confirmed when a beginner party fled while talking about the timing.

That time was undoubtedly the bear’s mealtime.

If they waited for a while, the bear should be asleep.

Thinking this way, they came to assassinate the bear.

“…Allison, look closely! It’s not that the players are small; the bear has gotten bigger! What’s going on!”

“Quiet, Margaret, that bear, it seems like it’s not sleeping… Well, sorry, Janet.”

“…Or rather, doesn’t the pattern look different? Was it such a flashy pattern?”

As Elizabeth said, the bear strangely had a leopard pattern.

In this marshland, where green stretches and white or pink flowers bloom here and there, that leopard pattern stood out significantly. It would blend into the surroundings in more arid areas like savannas, but here, it has the opposite effect. Perhaps it’s a warning color. Is it related to the fact that its body has grown larger?

“But somehow, it doesn’t seem like it’s in the mood to attack those players…”

“Maybe it’s part of an event. There are many players around here despite the low difficulty, but I’ve never heard of such an event…”

In any case, if the bear is awake, the attack would fail.

Ideally, the correct response would be to run away immediately.

Even though they were earning experience points thanks to the bear, fighting head-on was too risky.

However, knowing that there were players not being attacked and that some event was ongoing, they made the wrong judgment driven by the desire to take advantage of the situation.

In this game, events do not occur specifically for individual players. They happen as events within the game world.

Therefore, even if an event occurs, it doesn’t become an instance area, and players unrelated to the event can intervene at any time.

Depending on how and when the intervention occurs, it is possible to receive rewards similar to the event initiator.

For example, when receiving a quest from an NPC requester, if you had previously mentioned, “We are in a party, and more members will join later, so we’ll tackle this with six people”, even if there were only two members when accepting the quest, the reward for six people might be promised from the beginning.

However, if it turns out to be false, and only four people were involved in the end, not only would you receive the corresponding reward, but in some cases, you might also lose trust.

While Janet and her group aim for efficiency and want to earn easily, it doesn’t mean they have no use for such special events. If there’s a chance, they want to take advantage of it.

“Well, for now, let’s try talking to them. Even if things go south, we’re in the middle of an official event where there’s no death penalty.”

“I leave it to you, Janet.”

“We’re on the same page.”

With the approval of Allison, Margaret, and Elizabeth, Janet approached the suspicious duo wearing black and white robes.

“Hello. Um, that bear, uh. Why isn’t it attacking you? Is that bear a boss monster? Is this some kind of event?”

In response, the black and white-robed figures looked at each other and then questioned Janet.

“Event? What’s that? Are you guys… speaking in the dialect of foreigners or something?”

“…You should at least understand the meaning of ‘event’. It’s like a festival or entertainment.”

“…I get that much. I just asked because it didn’t look like there was any event going on here, and I thought it might be some kind of code word for something else.”

The suspicious duo began to argue in a somewhat relaxed atmosphere.

Although their faces were not visible, their voices were similar, and despite a slight difference in height, they had a similar atmosphere. They might be blood relatives.

“Looks like they were NPCs.”

“Why are NPCs here? It’s so damn suspicious.”

“Even if players can accept such appearance, isn’t it a bit strange for NPCs?”

“Could it be that we accidentally triggered an event?”

If they were indeed NPCs, it meant the event was ongoing, and the players involved in the turmoil were themselves.

They felt a slight excitement and tension, as if a cold sweat was running down their backs.

“Well, whatever. We’re not really interested in your story. We just want to see the results of our experiment. Coming here means you guys are regularly fighting this bear, right? In that case, it might be a good opportunity to see the bear’s performance.”

“…A group of beast-like girls, huh. Well, never mind. Hey, bear. If you want to go wild, it’s perfect to play with these girls… Don’t disappoint me.”

At the white-robed figure’s words, the leopard-patterned bear shivered and roared towards the sky.

“[Failed to resist.]”

The body became stiff and unresponsive.

It wasn’t just a simple roar; it seemed to be an action with some kind of skill.

Although it only lasted a few seconds, if such a thing happened during a battle, it would undoubtedly lead to a defenseless attack.

Fortunately, the leopard bear did not attempt to attack during that vulnerability.

It seemed to be observing the situation, looking towards the black and white-robed figures.

“…? What are you doing…? Ah, you don’t have to worry about us. Feel free to use anything, whether it’s indiscriminate area attacks or whatever. We’re not weak enough to be concerned about stray shots in a battle like this. No need to worry.”

It seemed that the black and white-robed figures were not concerned about whether they were affected.

“The boss bear seems completely obedient to those black and white robed people.”

“This is definitely bad! The bear looks more powerful than before!”

“Is it an evolution or something? Definitely the work of these robed ones.”

“They were talking about experiment results, so there’s no doubt. Is this an event meant just for us?”

Fortunately, their stiffness had worn off during this exchange. However, judging by the remarks of those black and white-robed figures, it didn’t seem likely that they would be let go without a fight. In any case, there was no choice but to fight.

“I’m coming! ‘Inspiration’!”

“[Harden]!”

“[Provocation]!”

“[Spiral Arrow]!”

First, Janet boosts everyone’s attack power with a skill, and Elizabeth increases the defense of tank Margaret with an enchantment.

Once confirmed, Margaret taunts the target, and when the enemy focuses on Margaret, the attack begins. The role of the first attack falls on Allison, whose main weapon is a bow.

Recently, they’ve only been engaging in chaotic battles with angels, and before that, they were attacking a sleeping bear unilaterally. However, they have established basic party tactics. Although their level of coordination is somewhat questionable, Janet and her group do not believe they can continue earning experience points by defeating bears here forever. Occasionally, they would practice against deer while waiting for the bear to respawn.

It seems Margaret’s [Provocation] had no resistance. This skill is based on the sum of the caster’s STR and VIT, while the target makes a resistance check based on their MND.

Since it refers to two different stats, the check is generally in favor of the caster. Even if there is a nearly doubled difference in ability values when all stats are lined up, it is possible to generate hostility.

The leopard bear charges straight towards Margaret. A spiral arrow fired by Allison pierces its forehead.

[Spiral Arrow] doesn’t involve the arrow spinning but instead follows a spiral trajectory due to some mysterious force. It’s an active skill that enhances destructive power rather than penetration. Given their recent playstyle of defeating the boss bear before it wakes up, Janet consciously acquired skills that focus on increasing attack power rather than precision or support effects.

However, the blow that should have pierced the skull and caused critical damage was, after spiraling around the bear’s forehead for a while, ultimately exhausted and fell to the ground.

“What!? It didn’t go through!?”

“Change the arrow! Use a magic iron arrow, even if it’s a waste!”

Magic iron looks like ordinary iron, but it’s a magical metal known for its good magical conductivity. In this game, the effectiveness of enchantments varies based on the magical conductivity of materials. If the person shooting the arrow has acquired skills or magic that allows temporary enchantment, using magic iron as a material is cost-effective. However, Allison already multitasks as a scout and archer, so making her even more versatile is not advisable. As a result, the magic iron arrowhead and tip she uses are enchanted with a permanent effect to increase attack power. It’s expensive, but there’s no choice.

Even if they can’t defeat this leopard bear and end up wiped out, it’s meaningless if they can’t deal any damage. Considering it’s an event and even if they die here, it would be cheaper than losing in other circumstances, Janet was determined to resist as much as possible.

After all, it’s probably a unique event that no one has ever seen. They want to gather as much information as possible and use it for the future.

“[Beast Soul]! [Reckless Sacrifice]! [Lance Charge]!”

Janet thrusts her sword, a hand-and-a-half sword, toward the leopard bear’s neck, using a combination of overlapping self-enhancement buffs.

Beast Soul is a racial skill that only beast-type races can acquire. It temporarily adds the caster’s VIT value to STR and AGI, providing a powerful self-enhancement effect. The duration is 30 seconds, and it can be activated up to three times a day. While this skill itself cannot be stacked, it can be combined with other skills since it only references two ability values. If all the ability values are roughly the same, even with a double difference in power, it’s possible to generate hostility.

Sacrifice is, as the name suggests, a skill that sacrifices oneself to increase attack power. Specifically, the next damage received is doubled in exchange for a temporary doubling of one’s attack power for 10 seconds. Since this skill refers to the current attack power at the time of activation, if Beast Soul is activated first, the additional increase is also doubled. Doubling the damage received for a short period is a significant drawback, but it can be mitigated by careful planning.

The plan involves Lance Charge. Originally an active skill under [Spear Arts], it can be activated with any weapon capable of thrust attacks. It has higher power than thrust-type active skills under ‘Sword Arts,’ but it comes with the disadvantage of receiving recoil damage when the attack hits the opponent. The amount of damage received depends on the difference between VIT and STR.

If VIT is higher than STR, there is no damage. Normally favored by tanks who prioritize extending VIT, this skill intentionally accepts the damage to control the double damage from the drawback of Reckless Sacrifice.

Although a basic combo for melee attackers, its effects are exceptionally high.

Janet’s sword pierces the leopard bear’s neck, splattering fresh blood.

It didn’t go as deep as she thought, but considering that Allison’s arrow didn’t penetrate, the bear’s defense has likely increased significantly, and there’s nothing they can do about it.

Then, another arrow from Allison comes flying. The magic iron arrow strikes the leopard bear’s left eye, temporarily robbing it of vision on the left side.

It seems to be another critical blow with a skill attached, but it couldn’t go any further.

Against the previous bear, it would likely have pierced through the eyeball, dealing critical damage. This time, however, it only left the eye wounded.

At this point, it’s unclear whether they’ve achieved partial damage. Still, it’s better than dealing no damage at all.

The charging leopard bear, after briefly staggering due to the attack on its left eye, quickly recovered and, as if driven by something, attempted to body slam Margaret.

“[Rampart]!”

Margaret raises her shield and activates the skill, Rampart, intending to withstand the leopard bear’s body slam—or so it seemed—but she couldn’t endure it and was sent flying.

Margaret danced in the air, twirling around like a falling leaf, and landed on the ground.

“Margaret!”

Collapsed, Margaret lay motionless.

“Sorry, can’t move. Seems like a stun status. Also, my LP is red. Isn’t this impossible?”

It appears she can’t even speak very much.

Elizabeth sent [Healing Magic] towards Margaret.

If Margaret continued to be attacked, it would have been over. However, perhaps due to Margaret losing consciousness, or the hostility diminishing, the leopard bear now glared at Elizabeth, who had just used Healing Magic.

“Take this! [Slash]!”

Janet aimed for an effect similar to a trip, using a skill on the hind legs of the leopard bear to distract it.

However, even with this, they couldn’t penetrate the robust fur, and it only managed to cut a few strands of hair.

“It’s hardened! What is this!?”

Previously, using the combo of Beast Soul, Reckless Sacrifice and Lance Charge, they managed to inflict a wound on the neck. It seems that initial active skills under Sword Arts can hardly deal any damage.

“This is tougher than I thought. A certain-loss event?”

“Wait, looking at the left eye where the arrow hit earlier… Isn’t it normally open?”

“…It’s stained red with blood, but I can’t see any scars.”

“That arrow was expensive!”

“I should be able to get up soon, but even if I do, what can I do?”

Currently, they have no effective means of attack. Janet’s attacks and Allison’s arrows don’t deal significant damage. The tank Margaret is on the brink of death with just one blow, and Elizabeth, being a mage, lacks offensive magic.

“Hey! You’re quite something, bear-chan! Although those foreigner girls weren’t as powerful as we thought, if you can overwhelm them like this, it’s enough.”

“True. Was that the girls’ all-out attack on its neck? In return, our body slam managed to stun their shield-bearer. Even if they were evenly matched to begin with, we can consider the reincarnation a success.”

The leopard bear stood up and looked in their direction at the sound of their good mood, seemingly relieved. It was unconcerned about Janet and her group. While they did inflict some damage, it seems there’s not enough to be a fatal blow. They were being ignored.

Normally, Janet and the others causing even the slightest bloodshed would never be forgiven by the leopard bear, but the mood of the black-and-white robed ones is more important than such trivial matters.

To subjugate this terrifyingly powered-up bear to this extent, what kind of beings are these robed figures?

“…They seem like some kind of masterminds scheming in the shadows, huh?”

“If they continue to power up bosses all over the place like this, it’s going to be unbearable.”

“I don’t think so, and even if that was the plan, we can’t do anything about it, can we?”

Margaret, recovering from the stun, cautiously readies herself.

The leopard bear and the mysterious robed figure should have noticed, but they show no signs of paying attention.

“Huh? No, no, wasn’t the purpose to enhance bear-chan?”

“Oh, right. Well, forget it. For now, I think we’ve confirmed enough in this marshland. Shall we move on?”

“Yeah, let’s go. See you later, young ladies. Take care of bear-chan for us.”

Leaving those parting words, the black and white robed figures casually walked towards the town.

However, their figures, certainly seen a moment ago, inexplicably disappeared a little distance away.

Unintentionally rubbing their eyes and taking a second look, the robed figures were nowhere to be found. Allison and others seemed to be doing the same, and Janet’s eyes didn’t seem to be playing tricks on her.

The leopard bear was visibly, repeatedly sniffing. Perhaps the scent still lingered.

Either way, by now their figures have disappeared.

After a while, the leopard bear stopped sniffing, and Janet and her group slumped down, feeling a bit deflated.

“…They were more dangerous than I thought.”

“…If there wasn’t any information on the forum, would we have been their first encounter?”

“…Hiers and Aural are noisy, but honestly, compared to that, Pearl was somewhere between peaceful and rather plain. I’m a little happy.”

“…That’s an understatement. Anyway, they headed towards the town. Is that okay? Shouldn’t we raise a warning?”

“That might be a good idea, but…”

“For now, let’s deal with this situation first…”

In front of them, the leopard bear seemed to have regained its senses and was glaring at Janet and her group.

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