Chapter 27: Is it a lullaby?

The [Cemetery of Rest] was a place most players avoided.

First, the enemies were unsettling.
Even those who prided themselves on their strong nerves, both in the real world and in the game, found them disturbing.

As a VR-based game, the enemies were extremely detailed.

Protruding bones, torn flesh, and trailing entrails were commonplace. Of course, there was a mosaic option in the settings.

Facing such enemies relentlessly,
In a chilling atmosphere far more intense than any haunted house, was mentally taxing.

Furthermore, fighting them was tricky.
Without equipment with holy or purifying properties, or skills of a similar nature, there was no way to damage them.

Swords passed right through them, and kicks, instead of inflicting pain, only resulted in them crawling along the ground, relentlessly pursuing the player.

Another reason for avoidance was
The lack of rewards for clearing the [Cemetery of Rest], coupled with the significant risks.

There was one minor benefit.
Anastasia offered a small compliment upon returning after clearing the cemetery.

Even that was diminished by the fact that the enemies in the Cemetery of Rest respawned.

While some players sought that compliment, most avoided the area entirely.

And yet, in the heart of this place,

Bang—!

A woman was effortlessly cutting a path through the hordes.

Her white hair flowing,
Scattering dazzling light in all directions, this being was Yujin.

“Hmph!”

Yujin took half a step back,
Twisting her body to the left.

A Dullahan’s bloodstained axe slammed into the ground where she had been standing, sending dirt flying as it cracked the earth.

-Wow, just now
-How did she even dodge that?
-I didn’t even see it lol
-Lunatic Tellurak Phase 1 is seriously tough lol;
-Even with the Holy Sword fragment; other streamers prepare so thoroughly
-She’s all true physical ability
-ㄷㄷ

—Raaaaaaaaaargh!

Empowered by the [Tellurak]’s Phase 1 buff, the attacks of the enemies were truly formidable.

Yujin leaped into the air,
Dodging the shockwave from the Dullahan’s axe.

But being airborne restricted her movement. While praising her evasion, the viewers lamented her subsequent action.

-Why jump there?
-She should have just created distance lol
-Ah~ Reaper incoming lol Getting ready!

They thought it was a poor decision.

-Huh?

But a single chat message changed the mood.

-Look at the hands coming out of the ground lol

Where Yujin had been standing,
Rotting hands emerged from the cracks created by the Dullahan’s axe.

-Oh? He’s right lol
-Hands? Huh? What is that lol?
-How did she know to dodge?
-Yeah~ But there’s no dodging this lol

The viewers, momentarily startled, refocused on the immediate threat. Reapers, wielding scythes, were rapidly closing in on the airborne Yujin.

—Kiiiiiiiiyaaaaaaaa!

From all directions, women clutching their heads shrieked curses.

The Banshees.
Though they appeared to be sobbing with their heads bowed, their lips were stretched wide in a grotesque grin.

Their intent to shatter her mind was clear. The viewers recoiled.

There was a story of a player
Who, with their synchronization rate set too high, listened to the Banshees’ screams for so long that they experienced auditory hallucinations even after logging out, requiring psychiatric evaluation.

The story, along with proof, had become quite famous, and the Banshees’ screams were ranked among the most dreaded sounds in Eftarel Verden.

-Ugh; that f*cking Banshee
-Keeeeeeeeek!
-Not scary at all, I’m going to sleep with my mom tonight
-Hero noona will be in my dreams…
-Waaah…
-The mental attacks are coming lol

The pressure was immense.
As with Mobidik, Yujin gritted her teeth, forgetting she was even playing a game, her brow furrowed.

Even amidst the Banshees’ screams, ranked among the top five most hated sounds by players, Yujin remained unfazed.

Instead, she grew more resolute.
With a fierce grin, she opened her mouth wide and murmured dramatically,

“Haaaaam… Is that a lullaby?”

-Crazy lol
-This is class, you Banshee b*tches lol
-Even the Banshees are probably freaked out lol
-That’s true madness; How dare a mere Banshee;
-Some people use those screams as their morning alarm;
-At this point, I seriously can’t tell if it’s a concept or if she’s actually like this lol
-What kind of weirdo would say that after hearing those screams? Just -cringe-

As if provoked by Yujin’s taunt,
The Banshees’ screams intensified. But Yujin could easily ignore even the whispers of destruction that followed.

Wiping the playful expression from her face, Yujin looked at the Reapers approaching, cloaked in shadows.

Despite their scythes aimed at her neck, Yujin merely scoffed.

And then,
Moving only her head, she dodged the Reapers’ scythes.

-What the hell was that lol
-That’s terrifying
-Gotta make a GIF of this lol This is hilarious lol

The neck had always symbolized life, and the Reapers targeted only that.

Of course, it wasn’t easy.
Her vision blurred as she dodged the scythes coming from all directions, deflecting those she couldn’t avoid with the Holy Sword fragment.

Then, she swung powerfully.
Responding to its wielder’s will, the Holy Sword fragment emitted a blinding light, as if about to explode.

The undead recoiled from the lightning-like flash.

Yujin leaned forward,
Raising her arm and blasting the intense light towards the ground. The hands that had been trying to drag her down burned to ashes.

Yujin murmured calmly,

“Darkness cannot overcome light. It merely blinds those who look upon it. That’s why so many are mistaken.”

—Thinking that hope doesn’t exist.

Yujin landed,
Bending her knees to absorb the impact. She shifted her weight onto her legs, putting strength into her feet as she planted them firmly on the ground.

Putting weight into her feet allowed her to move forward powerfully.

Crack—!
Yujin, having put enough force into her stance to crack the ground, spoke,

“How ridiculous.”

A small prelude.
Followed by,

“Especially with me here.”

Bang—!
An explosion erupted.

Yujin sprang forward, charging towards [Tellurak] standing at the top of the cemetery hill.

The countless enemies were mere obstacles. Nothing could stop Yujin, now a streak of light.

Intangible beings were torn apart.
Restless souls were lulled to sleep.

Enemies touched by the radiant light closed their eyes, feeling a warm embrace.

The viewers went wild.
Before her casually delivered line, she had captivated them with an overwhelming performance.

-Legendary quote;
-She’s enjoying herself lol
-Unnie, you’re so fcking cool!
-Lee Hae-min, that crazy btch lol
-Ah… the embodiment of ‘hope’…
-Is this person’s real job being a Hero lol?
-Cringe lines are pouring out of her like she’s breathing lol
-I’m not even cringing anymore lol My heart races every time I hear them, am I corrupted lol?

As the viewers cheered,

—Groooooowl…！

Yujin stood before the massive, growling wraith.

The Graveyard Keeper of the [Cemetery of Rest].

Tellurak.
She stared at Tellurak, its red eyes blazing, then reached out and pulled the cross it had planted in the ground.

—Rumble!

The earth trembled as if an earthquake was about to strike. Tellurak, wielding the uprooted cross with immense force, roared again.

—Raaaaaaaaaargh!

-Phase 2
-But she’s seriously fast, right?
-The trigger for Phase 2 is getting close to Tellurak ㅇㅇ;
-Shouldn’t she have thinned out the surrounding enemies in Phase 1? The difficulty ramps up if it takes too long;

Some viewers shared the concern.
They saw the situation as unfavorable.

It seemed that at this point, people had an instinct to view things negatively.

Their worries were justified.
If Phase 2 began without properly clearing the enemies in Phase 1, they would have to be dealt with alongside Tellurak, the field boss.

But the majority of viewers,

-Someone else should be worried lol
-Do you think our Hero is a joke, you bastards lol?
-She’s the symbol of hope for a reason;

Were more excited than worried about what would happen next.

As if to prove their point,
As if to reassure the worried few, as Tellurak swung its cross powerfully,

—Twist.
Yujin’s wrist turned upwards, her arm tensing, her body shifting.

Clang—!
The cross and the Holy Sword fragment collided. The iron cross and the fragment of light, locked together, began to growl at each other.

The moment one yielded, momentum would be lost, and the fight would be decided in that instant. Such was the nature of battles between beings beyond human.

-She just blocked the swing head-on lol
-She’s not even being pushed back; Just how strong is she?
-Isn’t her synchronization rate incredibly high?
-F*ck lol This is terrifying just watching it, and she’s experiencing it at a realistic level?
-She’s hardcore;

Finally, Tellurak’s cross and Yujin’s fragment separated.

While Tellurak’s movements were large and sweeping, Yujin stood firm, already preparing her next attack.

The viewers reacted as if it were expected. They were anticipating something more than just combat.

-Tellurak’s patterns are pretty simple;
-And Phase 2 is the last one ㅇㅇ
-Who knows; She unlocked the hidden route
-Upvote if you want to see more
-Good
-Good good
-It still seems terrifying; Doesn’t one hit mean instant death?
-If she dies here, she gets a debuff even after reviving lol

Tellurak’s Phase 2 patterns were simple.

Aside from its physical attacks with the cross, it occasionally reached out or threw its chain to [Grab]. If you watched out for that, it was a relatively easy boss to defeat.

What made it difficult
Was dodging Tellurak’s one-hit kill attacks while
Simultaneously dealing with the remaining enemies from Phase 1, all while being bombarded by the oppressive atmosphere of the cemetery.

But for Yujin, only the last condition posed a real threat. And even that could be avoided by defeating Tellurak quickly.

Yujin decided to pick up the pace.

‘It’s a shame I can’t talk to it.’

She didn’t have a deep connection with
The Graveyard Keeper lost in madness,
Tellurak. She merely pitied its fate, bound to the cemetery, and wished to grant it peace.

Dodging the cross that sliced through the air, Yujin’s gaze briefly shifted to the ground.

What lay beneath the dry, cracked earth?

Yujin knew. Beneath it lay,

A being she loathed so intensely that even she, who rarely lost her composure, gritted her teeth at the mere thought of it.

‘…Keliata.’

Yujin dodged the cross aimed at crushing her head by twisting her body.

Each of Tellurak’s actions was menacing and destructive, but Yujin remained unimpressed.

Rather, she frowned, seemingly annoyed by the delay.

Yujin tightened her grip on the Holy Sword fragment.

“…Enough mourning.”

-Mourn?ing?
-She hasn’t been hit once lol
-Isn’t the Hero struggling? Honestly, just dealing with the surroundings would give me a headache;
-Counterattack already!

Her words were directed at Tellurak, who was struggling to pull its cross from the ground.

Yujin didn’t miss the brief opening. The moment her wrist flicked, time seemed to shatter into fragments.

Between the distorted fragments of time,
Yujin weaved her actions, creating a new flow.

Countless sword strikes overlapped in a single instant, rendering counterattacks and defenses meaningless.

A straight line,
Followed by a diagonal slash.
Thin, white lines connected the points where her gaze landed.

There were
At least twenty such lines. Tellurak, still clutching its cross, slowly tilted and collapsed to the ground, never releasing its grip.

As if believing it would bring peace.

Yujin briefly observed Tellurak’s quiet death, then brushed off the Holy Sword fragment, ending her mourning.

-Holy f*ck
-What was that? (I don’t know)
-Is that what it takes to clear Mobidik…?
-I’m not lying, I didn’t even see her arm move ㅇㅇ;
-You don’t have to lie about that;

The viewers showered her with praise.
And they anticipated what would happen next.

-Phase 3 let’s go!
-I can’t even imagine how much harder it’ll get;
-Seriously lol;
-Is there really a Phase 3?

Their reactions stemmed from Yujin fulfilling the hidden route conditions.

But despite their keen observation, nothing dramatic happened.

The black energy, [Despair], that emerged from defeated [Wraiths] in Eftarel Verden flowed from Tellurak’s body towards Yujin.

Yujin accepted it without resistance and began to systematically eliminate the remaining enemies, who had only now dared to approach after Tellurak’s fall.

The viewers, disappointed that their expectations weren’t met, filled the chat with complaints.

-What? Isn’t Phase 2 over?
-Isn’t there anything else?
-Seriously; I got excited for nothing;
-Is this really it? Tellurak is the only field boss in the cemetery
-Doesn’t seem like she got anything either;
-This isn’t what I expected~
-No highlights?

While Yujin’s overwhelming physical abilities were impressive, they ultimately wanted something more.

But surprisingly, Yujin,
Being a newbie in Eftarel Verden, didn’t question the situation and simply accepted it.

This led to the viewers’ disappointment.

Clearing the [Cemetery of Rest] incredibly quickly with sheer physical prowess was certainly impressive, but not unprecedented.

So, the viewers who were hoping for hidden content started leaving the stream.

Yujin didn’t try to stop them.
She simply continued, focused on her objective in the cemetery.

-Kind of disappointing…
-Seriously; I miss the cringey lines lol
-Is this really the end?
-She left right after clearing Mobidik too, so is this it for today?
-Unnie, please don’t leave and look at the chat!
-Lee Hae-min, that b*tch, instantly bans viewers who are like that in her stream lol

The remaining viewers expressed their disappointment while continuing to watch Yujin play.

But the situation didn’t change.
Yujin effortlessly defeating the weakened enemies after Tellurak’s fall was no longer a remarkable feat.

Finally, Yujin eliminated most of the remaining enemies.

-She cleared it;
-Honestly, clearing it is impressive enough ㅇㅇ;
-Is this the end~

Just as the viewers were about to give up hope,

Yujin sighed deeply and started walking.

She headed towards the spot where Tellurak had vanished. There, the cross lay slanted, as if marking Tellurak’s grave.

And the viewers were stunned.

-No way lol
-What is she doing?
-Why is she touching that;
-Desecrating a grave lol
-What’s she going to do with that?

Because Yujin,

“Heave-ho.”

Pulled out the cross Tellurak had wielded and hoisted it onto her shoulder.

Then, she started walking again.
Oblivious to the viewers’ growing confusion, she continued exploring the cemetery.

Then,

“Found it…!”

Yujin, who had been wandering around, suddenly stopped.

She stood before an unremarkable grave. The only distinguishing feature was the lack of a headstone.

Every other grave,
Whether the headstone was standing, tilted,
Or lying broken nearby, had one. But the grave Yujin stood before had none.

A fierce smile spread across her face.

-?? What did she find?
-Us mere mortals can’t comprehend the Hero-nim’s thoughts;
-Not just mortals, even Awakened can’t understand lol

As the viewers voiced their confusion,
Yujin did something that instantly turned their confusion into shock.

Crack—!

With a harsh grinding sound, she slammed the cross she’d been carrying into the ground where the headstone should have been.

And then, something strange happened.

-W…What is this…?
-Ah lol All you guys who left, get ready to be salty lol
-Don’t relay this stream; how dare you doubt the Hero?
-Unnie, I believed in you!
-How does she even know this? Isn’t she a newbie lol;

The cemetery began to tremble.
Not with the violence of an earthquake.

It was a gentle tremor, like a suppressed sob, like something awakening from a long slumber.

Yujin, her hand resting on the cross, a predatory smile on her face, her eyes sharp, silently observed the trembling cemetery.

Then,

[I thought it was nothing, but you’re no mere wraith?]

A surprised voice cut through the rumbling. Yujin, baring her teeth, spoke the owner’s name.

“Keliata…!”

[Oh?]

The one whose name was called,
The true master of the [Cemetery of Rest].

[Who are you to disturb my slumber?]

Keliata revealed itself.