Level Up Inquisitor [EN]: Chapter 177

Level Up Judge of Heresy – 177

177. The Silent War

The Hellfire Zone in the Solstice region.

A vast area dominated by a massive volcano, where the ground radiated intense heat and rivers of lava snaked through the canyons.

Unsurprisingly, few people willingly ventured into such a hostile environment.

Yet, despite its dangers, the Hellfire Zone saw a surprising number of visitors.

This was due to the abundance of high-level hunting grounds for players in the early 200s.

As top-tier users found their options dwindling, this area became a valuable resource.

Its harsh environment also meant that large guilds generally avoided interfering, allowing players to hunt without paying tolls – a significant advantage.

However, this lack of guild control also brought its own dangers.

The Hellfire Zone remained a chaotic and lawless place.

“I really don’t want to die!”

“So, it’s okay if someone else does?”

“No, that’s not what I meant……!”

Users were arguing precariously at the edge of a cliff.

Two players held onto another, weapons pointed menacingly.

The molten lava flowed behind the captured man, shimmering ominously.

‘Damn it, I shouldn’t have come alone!’

The man, eyes squeezed shut, regretted his decision.

The trouble began when his usual party member called in sick. Having just reached level 200, a significant milestone for ordinary users, he was eager to progress. Unable to find a replacement in time, he decided to hunt solo.

He chose a relatively easy hunting ground, but the problem wasn’t the monsters – it was the other players.

Being his first time in the Hellfire Zone, he hadn’t fully accounted for the risk of Player Killing (PK).

“If you’d come as a pair, you could have at least ambushed me head-on…….”

The man gritted his teeth, glaring at his captors.

Lost in his hunting, he’d been caught off guard by two PKs who attacked from behind.

He knew he wouldn’t have been caught so easily if the odds had been even, but that was a moot point now.

“You lost. Why are you complaining?”

“Kuh…….”

The man fell silent.

PK activity had surged recently, exploiting the general chaos across the continent.

Professional PK users around level 200 often operated with limited oversight from their guilds.

While guild affiliation offered some protection, it wasn’t enough to deter these opportunistic killers.

‘How did I even reach level 200……?’

The man, remembering his hard-fought journey, felt tears welling up.

Not only would his prized level drop back to the 100s, but he’d also lose money, equipment, and face a two-day connection penalty.

The potential losses were devastating.

“Honestly, you don’t want to die, right? Should I just let you go?”

“What?”

“Hey, what’s the point of screwing people over like this? We’re just doing this for money. I’ll let you go if you take off all your armor and hand it over. A clean getaway. We gotta make a living, too.”

“Ha, try that trick on level 20 newbies.”

“I’m offering you a way out, and you call it a trick?”

“That’s ridiculous. You think I don’t know you’ll kill me after I hand over the items?”

The man retorted, annoyed.

The reward for killing a player once was limited.

That’s why PKs often demanded items in exchange for a player’s life, only to betray the deal and take everything else afterward.

If successful, this tactic could yield double the profit.

Having experienced PK attempts before, the man wasn’t naive.

The PK simply smirked.

“Really? Then die.”

Without hesitation, the PK raised his foot.

Instinctively, the man raised his hand.

“Wa, wait a minute!”

“Hmm? Changed your mind?”

The PK lowered his foot, a mocking smile on his face.

“Then make a deal quickly. Unless you want to dive into the lava behind you.”

“Damn it…….”

The man glanced nervously at the bubbling red lava flowing beneath the high cliff. Even he felt a surge of fear.

He knew that 99 out of 100 people in his situation would be robbed and killed, but facing it directly made his head spin.

“How long are you going to make me argue~ My shoulder…….”

“Shut up. Countdown starts.”

The PK, cutting off his companion, began counting down.

“5, 4, 3……!”

Thwack!

“Kuaaaaaak!”

Suddenly, he was kicked and sent tumbling over the cliff.

Struggling, he plunged into the fiery river and dissolved in the scorching lava.

But the one who fell wasn’t the captured man.

“Wh- what!”

Eile, appearing from behind, had kicked the counting PK.

The PK’s companion quickly drew his sword, but it was too late.

Whirr!

White chains erupted from the floor, binding him tightly. Simultaneously, Eile’s longsword pierced him.

The PK was subdued and slammed headfirst into the ground.

Eile helped the captured man to his feet.

“Are you okay?”

“Ye- yes! Thank you so much!”

The man, deeply moved, grasped Eile’s hands.

He never expected a savior to appear in such a place.

Of course, Eile’s actions weren’t purely altruistic.

[You have successfully rescued someone in distress!]

[Light Church Contribution +100]

[Faith stat +0.9]

Eile, subtly checking the notifications, approached the fallen PK.

“Hmm, those accessories look pretty good? Give me that ring on your finger, and I’ll spare you.”

“Don’t talk like a XX [expletive]. You’re acting up because you’ve become a bit famous lately.”

The PK, recognizing Eile, cursed.

He knew Eile was trying to humiliate them by using their own tactics against them, and he wouldn’t fall for it.

“No, do you think I’m like you guys? I’m a believer. I’ll be punished if I lie.”

‘Wait. Come to think of it…….’

Hearing Eile’s words, the PK’s expression changed.

The Inquisitors of the Light Church were fanatics who followed the goddess ‘Loo’.

Despite her reputation as a crazy goddess, she was still a deity with the alias of ‘Justice’.

Their fanatical devotion to justice meant that lying to deceive others would be problematic.

“Are you really not lying?”

“I’m serious. I need new accessories because my current ones are lacking.”

“Why don’t you just finish him off……?”

The rescued man said worriedly.

However, the PK, reassured by the scene, took off the ring and handed it to Eile.

It was an expensive Unique-grade accessory he’d recently taken from another player, but his life was more important.

“Then now…….”

“No, there’s no such thing.”

Whack!

Eile’s foot sent the PK flying.

Justice was a luxury for heretics.

Lying meant nothing to someone who had been burning them alive every day.

“You son of a……!”

His expression twisted as he fell, but it was too late for regrets.

[‘Light’s Judge, Loo’ gives a thumbs up.]

“Kuaaaaaak!”

A scream echoed from below the cliff.

Loo, pleased by the spectacle, rewarded Eile with contribution points.

“An execution by lava. I can’t miss this.”

Eile looked down the cliff.

He needed new material for his next video, and this scene was perfect.

It should get a good response.

‘Yeah, as expected…….’

The rescued man stared in horror.

Barely alive, he was paralyzed by the fear that he could end up the same way if he made a mistake.

‘The hunting ground efficiency is good, and there are plenty of heretics around. I’m glad I came here.’

Eile nodded, pleased with the stats and experience he was gaining.

He had kept his promise to the Iron Cross by exposing the spies, but the deal with Nightmare wasn’t over.

The plot to summon ancient spirits was still underway, and the Church was still hunting the Knights of the Covenant hidden in each region.

While the Church’s efforts were yielding results, Eile lacked a significant clue for direct intervention.

He decided to temporarily focus on building his stats and leveling up.

‘Holy objects are important, but I shouldn’t neglect my own growth by getting distracted.’

His immediate goal was to catch up with the leading players.

‘More than anything… they’ll come looking for me anyway.’

Eile smiled knowingly.

Mut, from the Knights of the Covenant, had warned him that the Church wasn’t his only pursuer.

As a high-ranking Church official, he would inevitably be targeted.

That’s why Eile, knowing he might be tracked, was making such a spectacle without concealing his location.

Whooong!

A fireball grazed his head.

Without looking back, Eile slightly shifted his body to avoid it.

A member of the Knights of the Covenant, who had come to assassinate him, stood where the magic originated. Eile grinned, anticipating their arrival.

‘Is this the third time… Doesn’t seem like an executive this time either, but I’ll destroy them all until an executive shows up.’