Considering there were multiple inns, I figured there might be several general stores too, and checking them out turned out to be a stroke of genius.
There were plenty of general stores, and even better, each one had different prices.
"...."
Bargaining or checking too many places didn't fit my concept anyway.
I decided to just pick a shop that seemed least likely to rip me off and go in. It wasn't something I'd ever succeeded at in real life either.
"Um, Archmage. The Demon Knight doesn't look too happy."
"He's only here because he was roped into this journey, so it can't be helped."
"...?! W-Wait, you were forced into this? Did I unknowingly pressure you into...?!"
"No, that's not what I meant...."
For some reason, while I was lost in thought with a stern expression, the two NPCs started whispering.
At this point, they were straight-up Dumb and Dumber. It was hilarious just watching them.
"Departure!"
In the meantime, the caravan called out to move. The wagon where I sat with the two NPCs rattled into motion.
They called it consideration in lieu of payment...but every time my butt bounced, my stomach churned. This wasn't consideration anymore.
In the end, I closed my eyes. I'd toughed it out last time through sheer grit, but did I really need to this time?
Role-playing was supposed to be fun, not torture. I could endure more for greater thrills, but not this. Better to give up.
"Are you asleep?"
Instead of answering, I thought of sleep. A window appeared even through my closed eyelids. Just thinking about it advanced the time without touching anything.
For now, set it to about three hours. It'd be great if I could set it until arrival, but I didn't know the exact time. I could always sleep more if needed.
"May the gods grant you peaceful slumber...."
With the Inquisitor's blessing, my vision went dark. The blackness swallowed even the light seeping through my eyelids, like ink flowing down.
* * *
I was the idiot for expecting only three hours after coming from the northwest forest.
It took nearly three full days to the next city. Yeah. That's a whole day in real time.
Even after the escort ended and we all rode hard on horseback, it was still that long.
We dealt with bandits and minor beasts along the way, but no other events or quests. Truly boring days.
A day of my 300,000-won three-day full dive wasted. Now I had less than a game day left—eight hours real time.
"One thing I'd like to ask."
So I spent most of it scowling while learning to ride, which apparently struck the Archmage as odd.
When we arrived at the next city, she approached me.
"You haven't asked a single question. Aren't you curious if we really received a divine revelation, where we're going, or why?"
It was an odd question. The main reason I hadn't talked to them was my concept.
Plus, as a player, the main quest already verified their identities. Why doubt it?
Without knowledge of this world, destinations meant nothing anyway. Even if I'd played the original, I wasn't sharp enough to remember city names.
Ah, I was a bit curious why we were switching cities...but was it worth breaking character?
Above all, they needed muscle, so they'd recruited a 'player' and others.
If there was a must-do quest for me, they'd explain. Dragging silent allies to their deaths was common.
"If the revelation's fake, I'll just kill you both. If it's a place I need to know about to prepare, your tongues would've wagged unless your brains were mush."
I translated my thoughts into words and caught my breath. The last line was key.
"Finally. Whatever you're up to or plotting, I don't care—as long as it doesn't get in my way."
Nice. Perfectly conveyed I was just tagging along for demon hunting, no interest in them. Drawing lines multiple times was fine.
"I see."
The mage stroked her chin, seemingly accepting it. She didn't look upset, but who knows. Affinity might've dropped.
"Then, have you ever been involved with the Magic Tower or temples—?"
"We sold the horses! Here's the money... Ah, were you two talking?"
Just then, before the Archmage could finish, the young man she'd sent to sell the horses at the stable returned.
She'd assigned him to gain social experience, and it didn't seem like a bad call to me. NPCs grow through repetition anyway.
"Did I interrupt...."
"No, no. Just a brief chat. Come on, let's go. There's a temple here, so no need for an inn."
I was curious what she'd been about to say, but the chance was gone. Asking again in character would be awkward.
So I focused on the next destination. First temple since starting the game—wonder how it's designed. Temples were stunning in the original; this one probably too.
Ah, should've checked the last city's temple. Too far and bad timing, though.
No temple near the northwest forest village either.
Lost in such thoughts, I followed the leading Archmage. Felt weird trailing an NPC instead of them chasing me.
Usually, you lag and they overtake, wandering ahead confused.
"We came to this city because the temple here contacted us about a demon appearing."
After a short walk, the Archmage explained. The kimchi dumpling finally realized.
"Separate from gathering companions, we go where temples request aid or rumors spread to help. As followers of the gods, we can't ignore those in peril."
I hadn't asked, but info wasn't bad. Yeah, take all main quests through you guys.
"There's a temple here, but they say it's beyond their power, so they reached out. Thus...."
Demon-related anyway, so I could butt in. My concept was demon-mad. Uhahaha.
"Don't care about your excuses. What demon? Location and time?"
"We don't know yet. Just got word of a demon, no details. We'll know at the temple."
Makes sense; info gathering first for these quests.
"Pathetic incompetence."
But my concept doesn't know that.
While trash-talking, I eyed the updated quest ahead of investigation, search, and hunt.
「❖ Village Hidden Evil
∎ Go to the temple
∎ Talk to the bishop」
Why isn't this a main quest? Not a big deal.
Anyway, eager to progress. Travel just drains points, but hunting demons is fun.
What's left in an ARPG without combat?
Gripping my sword hilt in anticipation, a mid-sized cathedral came into view.
* * *
"Demon!"
But I wanted the quest, not this treatment.
Should've foreseen it when the Inquisitor misunderstood and attacked early on. Guess skipping the last temple was lucky now.
"Wait, calm down!"
Priests swarmed out weapons drawn as we approached. Without the Archmage and Inquisitor in front, it'd be combat already.
Enemy alert semi-transparently covered part of my view. Gotta tweak targets later.
"He's not an enemy!"
"But!"
"Are the gods' servants protecting a demon?!"
The Inquisitor panicked, glancing at me. Her shouts didn't calm the hostility; it grew fiercer.
"I said again: he's not an enemy!"
Judging it wouldn't resolve easily, she removed her gauntlets. Bare skin revealed calluses and scars visible from afar.
No one would call those hands ugly. Especially with the pattern on the back manifesting holy power.
"Th-The hero's mark...?"
Come to think of it, a question from original play hit me.
The chosen class got that mark, visible only with holy power.
But Demon Knight takes damage from holy power. How'd they check? Game convenience?
"I swear on my name: he's a victim, not a demon. Lower your weapons."
While distracted, I watched them.
From priestly word to hero's, weight shifted. Temple folk's eyes bulged.
"Didn't the hero say to lower weapons?"
Archmage nailed it shut.
Clergy sheathed weapons, attitudes shifting. Still wary toward me, but no hostility.
"As the Proxy commands."
But does that mean I will?
Gripping my longsword hilt, I tensed my neck. Muscles twitching like veins popping—perfect. Maybe overkill for a game.
"Hold it."
As I stepped forward, Archmage's hand blocked me. Her hand, half mine, crushed mine and the hilt.
"No malice from them."
I'd gripped just for show, but her intervention helped.
"If malice, I'd have cut them down already."
Scowling fiercely, I strode in. The two flanking me stole glances. Their obvious wariness was too fun.
Ah, grab intel and bail.
* * *
The briefing stayed tense throughout. Heroes and sages got welcomes; not me.
Subtle standoff between me and temple folk persisted—concept fun overflowing—and continued post-briefing.
"Rooms prepared. Meal first? Or deliver to rooms if dining hall's inconvenient."
Last bit aimed at me. Creepy for an NPC.
"Pass."
But unpleasant? Hell no!
Priests used fatigue to beg the two to search tomorrow, trapping them here.
Eyeing me to leave? Perfect excuse to bail in character?
"Better to sleep on forest floor than hypocrites' nest—closer to god's embrace."
"What...!"
Can't resist a straight feed. Logout time ticking! Absolutely bounce!
Grabbed my never-dropped luggage and turned.
Half-kicked out, but fine. They hinted, I chose, and I never planned staying!
I hate slow pacing anyway. Full dive means max thrill.
This development? Reward.
Ah, pout in character. Duh. Pro role-player here.
"Demon Knight!"
Quest updated from talk too. Can track solo; confident without them.
"Wait...!"
Ignoring grasping Inquisitor, I checked quest.
「❖ Village Hidden Evil
∎ Track the demon hidden in the village
∎ Choice: Ask villagers
∎ Choice: Search for demon traces」
Hints for tracking via choices.
Unneeded for me. Temple info gave the answer.
Demon type unknown, appears day/night. Targets mostly sleepers: crushed, drained, eaten variably.
Familiar from research. Plus original play.
New mob possible, but this? Known.
It's a 'Draugr'.
"Please wait!"
Slap.
My briefly relaxed right hand—demon-possessed—was grabbed.
"...!"
Reflexively shook it off. Hate sudden touches anyway, plus concept.
Right hand? Demon hand? No way.
"Me."
Facing pale Inquisitor, I snapped sharply. Contempt mixed self-loathing, fear under anger at her.
"Don't. Touch. Casually."
Kuh, perfect. Daily kimchi soup, but acting career? Nah, face no good.
"S-Sorry."
Clenching right fist, I turned from her hold.
"Where you going?"
Archmage grabbed ankle now. Easy question.
"To. Kill. The demon."
Tonight's night and dreams will be long.
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