Chapter 8
Who is it?
Drawn by a familiar voice, Mona’s eyes searched for its source. Someone came charging through the violently shaking bushes.
Nearby users who had been hiding complained that their [Stealth] skill had been broken, then hurriedly concealed themselves again.
Among them, that golden hair was unmistakable—it had to be [MyNameIsGonan], who had visited not long ago. Judging by how comfortably he’d settled in to watch, she almost wanted to hand him some popcorn. He was definitely still sulking over the Favorability Potion.
“Mona! Get out of the way!”
“!”
Her wandering thoughts snapped back instantly.
Ah, right. This isn’t the time.
Gripping her staff tightly, Mona saw black clothing completely filling her field of vision.
The broad back standing with its back to her felt strangely familiar.
You don’t see backs like that very often—so why hide it? …No, really, that just looks hot. I mean, warm.
Swallowing an excuse no one would ever hear, Mona slowly lifted her gaze. The black robe fluttered, tracing a familiar silhouette.
The brave user who had swiftly jumped in front of the witch was—
Riota?
Riota—the one she hadn’t seen in forever, to the point she’d wondered if he’d quit the game. She couldn’t see his face, but she knew it was him.
In NPC mode, his name showed up, and above all else, that black robe… that robe… that robe. It was practically a uniform.
Riota drew his sword, cloak billowing. The blade glittered in the moonlight—it looked expensive.
Mona appraised it internally.
That definitely has some insanely rare options.
“Ooooh!”
Despite having no clue where this was going, the users enthusiastically cheered.
“Grrrr.”
As if to assert its presence after being ignored, the wolf glared with burning eyes. Its massive, muscular legs scraped viciously against the ground.
“……”
After observing quietly, Riota slowly raised his sword. Mona watched him with anticipation.
Showing up with this much confidence at this timing—he had to be a hidden master.
So that’s why he always wore that robe! To hide that he’s a high-level ranked player!
Then why did NPC mode clearly show—
She shoved the question aside.
Riota lifted his sword high and shouted,
“Please fall back! It’s dangerous!”
For a moment, Mona felt a powerful urge to do exactly that. Anyone would be grateful if someone else took care of that giant wolf.
But she was a witch. Technically, she was on the same “side” as the monster. There was no script anywhere where a witch received protection from a mere user.
While Mona’s thoughts raced, Riota struck a dramatic stance. The raised sword tip gleamed under the moonlight.
Alright. If she couldn’t retreat—
Then at least I’ll cheer. Smash it to pieces!
Of course, that was only in her head. Outwardly, she struggled to maintain a witch-like blank expression. The skull on her staff clacked as if in agreement, jaw opening and closing.
Send it flying!
The sword came down, slow but flashy, as if it would split the wolf’s head in two.
But—
“Huh?”
Mona narrowed her eyes.
…I think even I could dodge that.
A question mark flickered through her mind, and something appeared in NPC mode.
MISS
And again.
MISS
MISS
…?
The giant wolf gazed at Riota with the indulgent eyes of an adult humoring a child’s antics.
This guy…
A crack finally formed in Mona’s expressionless face. The skull that had been chattering nonstop fell completely silent.
A beginner? All bark and no bite? A shiny but useless shell? What is that pathetic attack power? He’s not even at a level where he should be here!
Riota’s unsteady swings looked so pitiful that Mona wanted to shut her eyes.
Why does he at least look cool for no reason… Stop. Please stop. This hurts to watch.
“ROAR!”
At last, the wolf casually lifted a front paw and swatted Riota away like a fly.
A collective gasp rose from the spectators. The long body of the man hit the ground with a dull thud, completely incapacitated.
So yes—he really did go down in one hit.
“……”
The wolf’s triumphant roar reached Mona’s speechless ears. Having just taken someone out, it looked extremely pleased with itself.
She’d thought he was a hero, but he was closer to a paper doll that shattered at a touch. Her eyes felt suspiciously moist.
She was grateful that he’d rushed in to help. Truly. But still—
Mona’s gaze drifted to Riota’s sword lying on the ground.
So it was just shiny for no reason?
…Right. From the beginning, this monster had been hers to deal with.
Should I try hitting it with the staff? I mean, I’m a caster—but is this really all I’ve got?
“Mona… sorry… please…”
Lying on the ground, Riota urged her to run. No, that wasn’t really an option…
As she hesitated, cold sweat she couldn’t see running down her back, an alert finally rang out.
<SYSTEM> A message has arrived. – [Operator1]
It’s here!
[Operator1] I won’t believe you were waiting for a user to save you.
[Operator1] It was an unexpected situation, but you handled it well. Holding back your laughter was impressive—we nearly died laughing here.
[Operator1] Oh, and one more thing! If you’re given a weapon, read the manual!
There really was a way out.
Ignoring Operator1’s scolding about not even reading the level adjustment function, Mona raised her trembling hand and opened the skull’s mouth.
As high as possible…
<SYSTEM> Setting level.
“Huh?”
The skull’s eyes flared, and Mona’s body began to glow.
Then—
Her HP gauge and other stats skyrocketed!
The system kindly made it visible: her skin darkened, and sinister black energy began to rise around her.
<SYSTEM> Setup complete.
When she opened her eyes, NPC mode was flashing brilliantly. She looked like a villain who had just finished transforming.
Alright. Straighten your shoulders.
Stats she’d never seen before filled her with confidence.
After calmly stretching, Mona regripped her staff. The giant wolf, which had paused, bared its teeth once more.
I can do this! I’m not embarrassed! I’m strong! Not embarrassed at all!
And toward the charging wolf, she finally used a skill she’d been too mortified to try before.
[Laugh Out Loud]!
“Ha. Ha. Ha.”
The movement speed of ‘Giant Mutant Wolf’ greatly decreased!
Maximum HP damage inflicted on ‘Giant Mutant Wolf’!
Periodic magic damage applied to ‘Giant Mutant Wolf’!
The laugh was lifeless, but the damage landed perfectly.
The slowed wolf practically presented its body parts for a beating.
Hey, this isn’t bad.
Encouraged, Mona swung her staff harder, not forgetting to let out eerie laughter in between.
<SYSTEM> Casting [Laugh Out Loud]!
<SYSTEM> Casting [Skull Strike]!
Thanks to the skill effects, even her laughter sounded chilling, inflicting powerful debuffs on the wolf.
Damage! Success!
The sparkling sound effects rang like music. The battered monster staggered, whimpering.
“One more time! Skull Strike!”
The perfectly timed attack landed as a critical hit. As the wolf was shoved backward with a roaring gust, Mona prepared the final blow.
Time for me to clock out!
<SYSTEM> Casting [Skull Curse]!
Fwoosh! Black flames shot from the skull after a long charge.
Boom!
“Yip!”
The wolf squealed pitifully, flames tearing into its body.
Without realizing it, Mona shouted,
“Die!”
That must have been the finishing blow.
The wolf staggered, bared its teeth one last time, then slammed its head into the ground—as if scripted.
Is it over?
As Mona anxiously gripped her staff, waiting for cooldowns, a skull icon appeared over the fallen wolf.
“That’s definitely—”
Incapacitated.
Everyone on the field held their breath, staring at the wolf’s HP bar.
<SYSTEM> ‘Giant Mutant Wolf’ has been defeated!
<SYSTEM> Top Contributor – [Witch Mona]
I survived…!
Mona nearly burst into tears but quickly composed herself. She wanted that message gone as soon as possible. If it broadcast server-wide, it would be a nightmare.
First, let’s clean up this clown act.
Getting dragged into a territory fight with a monster—playing a “witch with a backstory” wasn’t easy.
After touching the skull a few times, the black energy that had felt ready to blot out the sun gradually subsided.
“Whoa. What just happened?”
“Do we get a keyword now?”
“She’s stronger than she looks—hey! Hey! Cancel the skill!”
Only now did the users’ voices reach her ears, as the wolf dissolved into particles.
Mona felt a flicker of pride—then imagined how she probably looked, like a flattened green slime.
So embarrassing…
<SYSTEM> Progress has increased for the mission ‘Witch, Mona’.
Mona, looking like she’d aged ten years in mere moments, opened the system window.
I deserve hazard pay.
Opening the popup beside it, she saw the third [Incomplete] marked as [Complete].
At last, the mission ‘Mona and the Sword of Light’ was finished.
