[System: The exclusive attribute 'Abyss Madness' is activated. Nullifies the effect of nightmare.]
"Ugh… … ."
About a week has passed since I finished the quest for the abandoned hospital in Gamaksan Mountain.
After delivering what I had to deliver to Tudor that day, I spent the whole week lying down, ignoring any calls from Tudor for a while.
I tried my best to recover as much as possible for the next quest, but it was difficult to get proper rest due to the terrible and bizarre nightmares that the beings of the abyss forced into my head.
"I didn't know that not being able to sleep properly was this painful… … ."
Last night, in a nightmare, I made eye contact with Cthulhu.
In the game, there were often situations where the character was penalized for having nightmares continuously through the [Repeating Nightmare] or [Lelie's Call] events, but the situation I'm experiencing now goes beyond that.
The [Feast Offering] trait has brought in the evil influence of the beings of the abyss every night, and he must have unpleasant nightmares sent by the great old beings.
As a result, the body does not recover properly, and the mental power and concentration that a magician possesses continue to wear out. He picked up a magic book from the lab, but his body and mind were so weak that he couldn't even dare to look into it.
"Isn't there some innovative way to defend yourself?"
In most cases, it is difficult to prevent.
No matter how powerful a wizard I am, even if I compare them by weight class, they are divine beings whose weight difference is hundreds of millions of weight.
Even if you master magic, there are limits because the power of magic itself is tied to many things.
"Ah, I wonder if it will be blocked if I block it in a field other than magic."
Even though it's not perfect, there are some pretty good abilities.
"Among the unique abilities or exclusive characteristics, is there anything worth comparing… … ."
Based on my experience playing [Cthulhu World], several ideas came to mind, but there were not many of them that I could try right away.
At least in order to continuously maintain that type of magic, an appropriate type of artifact is needed. However, there is no place near Paju where artifacts that can be used for such purposes have been found.
"To find something with a similar effect, you have to go at least to Gangwon-do… … ."
No matter how far you look, the Korean Peninsula is narrow. No matter where you go, you can travel within a day. However, apart from the physical distance, the psychological distance was quite far, and my small and shabby studio apartment was too unstable to leave and go to such a distant place.
'It seems like some strange unexpected quest will occur while we're that far away... … .'
In the end, long-distance movement was postponed until the stability of the base had been strengthened.
"Tsk, then do I have to endure the nightmares sent by the creatures of the abyss... … ."
No, when I think about it, there is no reason to insist on an existing, completed artifact.
Last time, I had a hard time meeting the [King in Yellow Clothes] in Tanhyeon, but as a result, a new ability was added to Carcosa's mask.
[Madman's Dexterity: You can unlock the artifact's hidden abilities or attempt modifications to give it other abilities. Plus +100% success rate for inventions, repairs, research, and development.
However, whenever you use this ability, you will attempt a Sanity check. Each time you fail a check, a random bout of madness takes over your mind.]
It is a rare trait that can only be possessed by alchemists, technomancers, or artisan classes, not originally wizards.
Of course, it's not possible to just put the abilities you want into any artifact, but it's worth trying to strengthen the abilities of something with a similar effect.
Aside from simply blocking nightmares, several other artifacts and abilities come to mind that can be used. If you do well, you may be able to create an artifact that increases health or strength.
"I see. "I should have thought of this a long time ago."
Okay, I've decided. I have to go out today, even if it means overdoing it.
When I try to get up from my seat, I hear a crashing sound coming from my body.
"Ugh… … Lying down and resting isn't the best solution... … ."
On your way out, it would be a good idea to stop by Vasilisa and check out Helistic's current status, and if you're lucky, check out the curtain call reaction.
"Oh, eat some food before that."
I barely crossed the room where miscellaneous items, artifacts, and gold and silver treasures were strewn about like trash, and headed toward the small kitchen.
When I opened the refrigerator, among the refrigerated food ingredients, I was greeted by biological tissue samples from the laboratory and flesh samples that were a by-product of life-creation magic.
Strangely shaped chunks of flesh floating in a glass bottle. Things with dozens of eyeballs, sprouting unpleasant hairs, and even forming finger-like organs larger than their own bodies. It's a sight that would make an average person lose their appetite or even cause confusion, but it doesn't have any effect on my mind.
I took out half a head of leftover cabbage, a carrot in pieces, and a sausage from among the flesh samples.
"I guess I can make stir-fried sausage and vegetables."
We cooked and ate in a cramped house with only minimal space left for living.
When I finished eating and went outside, the sun was already setting.
It's already been more than two months since I haven't seen the sun properly.
If you don't look at the sun for too long, you'll have health problems, right?
Originally, I felt uncomfortable walking around the streets during the day wearing a mask, so I started walking around at night.
'But that problem has already been solved.'
Using second-level magic, it was possible to move around during the day by creating an illusion over a mask or completely hiding one's presence.
Nevertheless, I am still moving, hiding in the darkness, wearing this strange mask.
Now, people are making excuses about the problem of backwards sleeping patterns, but that's not true. It's just that I feel an inexplicable resistance to putting illusions on top of this mask.
'Perhaps the obsession with masks creates a psychological break unconsciously... … .'
Because it is a feeling of rejection that is difficult to explain properly, it is not easy to think of a way to fix it. Perhaps things will continue like this until the current situation creates a bigger problem.
As I moved around thinking about various things, I eventually reached Vasilisa.
Vasilisa was still unfolding her wonderful and extraordinary life.
The sight of the rugged mercenary and the scarred, muscular fixer sitting across from each other drinking iced Americano or caramel macchiato makes me feel dizzy.
'Why do they always sit here and drink coffee because they have nothing better to do?'
And at Vasilisa's counter, a strange barista with a large monitor instead of a head is cleaning cups. Today, there is also a curtain call sitting nearby.
This is not a bar or a bar. However, as if it were the curtain call, he brought a chair in front of the counter and sat down chattering to Orb.
"Hey, curtain call."
"Oh, is Kim Shin-hwa here? "You know, did you know that I went to Gamak Mountain with Kim Shin-hwa last time?"
The curtain call gave me attention for about 1 second? After an insincere response that wasn't even a greeting, I headed back to Orb. That way we can't have a conversation.
While I was contemplating whether to talk to him again in another way or wait for the next opportunity, Tudor, who was chatting with a customer in the back, motioned to me.
'Okay, I didn't come today for the curtain call.'
I sighed, left the curtain call while I was preoccupied with Orb, and walked to Tudor.
"I was already talking about myself, so you came at the right time."
"my story?"
Tudor smiled slightly and glanced at the person next to him.
"Ah, is that the New Face wizard that Tudor is bragging about these days?"
'scamp… … ?'
He is a middle-aged man with such a rude appearance that I am not sorry that my first thought was that he was a gangster.
Dressed in an unconventional outfit with four shirt buttons undone, a colorful tattoo is visible through the clothes.
Anachronistically large sunglasses, a beard covering his chin and a scar around his mouth.
It's a familiar face. Like most people I've met recently, he's a character from the game [Cthulhu World].
"I heard that my kids took care of everything they couldn't, so I wanted to take a look, but luckily I was able to meet them. "I am Ko Kyung-soo from WGS."
Go Kyung-soo still maintained his intrusive attitude and handed over his business card.
The business card, which has an unsophisticated design, has his name and business name written in shiny gold leaf letters.
WGS
Wild Guns Security.
Externally, it is a private security company that provides security and guard services.
In reality, it is a mercenary group called Wild Guns and a private military company (PMC) that specializes in deploying firepower and suppressing bases. Of course, that doesn't mean you're doing anything particularly great. Is this just an extension of the contract gangsters that are commonly seen in real life?
And Go Kyung-soo, nicknamed Wild Dog.
This gangster is the leader of the hired thugs.
I said to Go Kyung-soo with a sad expression.
"I don't really have any business cards or anything like that."
"Hehehe… … Well, it doesn't matter because if I want to contact them first, I just have to go through Tudor. "Do you know how much this woman is making a splash in this industry these days thanks to you?"
"Well, I know you're working hard."
"If you need some real stimulation that you can't get from Vasilisa, please contact me anytime. We're like you... … !"
Tudor took a picture of Go Kyung-soo's thigh with the menu.
"Oh my, our Mr. Gae Kyung-soo. "You said something and then you said you were going home?"
"No, this woman…" … "If you're not going to let her even give or receive business cards, why are you bragging about her!"
"That's why you say I'm jealous. "I even gave him permission to give me a business card, but I can't tolerate his rude behavior after that."
Go Kyung-soo is ultimately an NPC that plays a similar role to Tudor.
Park Gwang-rim, whom I met last time, was not a broker worth choosing, but Go Gyeong-soo is a bit different.
Depending on the situation, this is an NPC you might consider trading with.
He is as trustworthy as Tudor, and there are quite a few quests that can only be accessed by trading with him.
If you sign a contract with him, there will be basic weapons provided directly, and you can only repeat more direct and combat missions. In other words, you become a mercenary rather than a problem solver.
What is different from Tudor is that he is also active as the head of an armed force. Therefore, he is able to interact in a different way than Tudor.
Compete for the same target or engage in direct combat as adversaries.
They are a team with a very large number of people, and they are the ones snooping around in any field that can be handled with guns and explosives.
If you don't do business with him, you may end up as a competitor or enemy.
'Killing Go Kyung-soo in the game… … Three times? No, four times.'
What will happen this time?
Go Kyung-soo poured the ice in his glass into his mouth and chewed it while making a crunching sound.
"Have you received any contact from Cure?"
What nonsense is this again?
"Cure?"
"I guess you haven't received any communication yet? Cure Biotech. Umm… … It's a company that is an enemy of Helistic… … ."
"No, I know that. "What is that Cure saying to me?"
Go Kyung-soo is... … He made a sound and scratched his beard for a moment before continuing.
"The Cure was talking about the basement."