LTTH C47

Chapter 47

Perhaps it could be seen as a plea bordering on servility. Yet in Kassie’s expression there was not a trace of such weakness. His request, resolute and, in a way, even courageous, compelled Hansol to nod solemnly. He wished to save them—and he would. Every single one.

“I will guide the people toward the shelters prepared for emergencies.”

“Then, during that time, I shall stand guard over the Saint.”

Kassie and Peter exchanged glances, each finding his role before turning away. Kassie cast a spray of light into the air, his voice ringing out like a signal flare.

“Everyone, gather in the shelters! Even those in their homes—everyone without exception!”

So unlike his usual easy smile, Kassie’s voice now resounded across the village like a great loudspeaker, stirring the people into swift motion. As though well-drilled in such practices, families grasped each other’s hands without hesitation, and those living alone hastened directly toward the designated refuge.

“I will begin the purification.”

Turning away from the bustling Kassie, Hansol looked to one he had purified earlier. The woman held tightly to her young daughter’s hand, her eyes clouded with confusion as she watched others streaming toward the shelter. Without words, she seemed to know something had changed within her.

Hansol carefully extended his hand, releasing a thread of golden light upon the small girl. The radiant line of purification washed over her body and faded, leaving nothing changed. The system remained silent. If she was uninfected, that was a relief—yet Hansol could not rest easy. He cast the spell again and again, until at last—

You have purified a Sacrifice of Bertel. A chain quest has begun.

“……!”

‘A quest?’

It was fortunate that the mother and daughter had been freed of infection, yet Hansol had no time to rejoice. Another system window had already appeared, its words halting his breath. A chain quest?

Purification of Bertel’s Sacrifices ①

You have bravely succeeded in cleansing the sacrifices Bertel gathered one by one. Should he discover this, your life will be imperiled, yet it remains an achievement of great renown. Show your courage!

Purification of Bertel’s Sacrifices: 2/10

Reward upon success: A great quantity of experience points

Penalty upon failure: ???’s disappointment

Unlike the system’s usual curt messages, this quest window brimmed with emotion. Still, the penalty was but the disappointment of some unknown entity. It was a quest Hansol could not refuse.

‘…Accept.’

At once he pressed the option, and, under Peter’s guidance, began purifying the gathered people. Thankfully, Peter’s quick wit allowed him to organize the crowd and prepare a makeshift infirmary, leaving Hansol free to devote himself solely to purification.

“Next, please.”

“Thank you.”

How many times had he heard words of gratitude? By the time Hansol had purified more than the ten people required, he paused to steady his breath, drawing a potion from his inventory. His once-brimming mana was nearly drained, and his experience bar remained unmoved.

Unlike slaying monsters in a gate, cleansing the Dark Zone and healing the Infected yielded no experience. Only his mana and strength were consumed. From here, he would have to rely entirely on potions—though how long they would last, he could not know.

‘I will do all I can.’

He could not abandon them. With firm resolve, he uncorked a high-grade mana potion. Its cool scent touched his lips just as the chime of the system rang in his ears, and light began to envelop his body.

Quest completed.

A great quantity of experience has been gained.

Your level has risen.

Your level has risen.

Your level has risen.

“……!”

Startled by the light wrapping him again and again, Hansol hastily opened his status window. His level now stood at thirty-one. Astonishing. His first goal in Britain had been to reach level thirty, yet through this quest alone he had surpassed it with disarming ease.

Hansol slowly returned the potion to his inventory and steadied himself.

What he had completed was but the first stage of the chain quest. How many more lay ahead, he could not tell. But he felt with certainty it would not end easily. Not only might he obtain the regeneration skill at level thirty—perhaps far more lay within reach.

A chain quest has arrived.

As expected. The quest window reappeared, identical but for the number changed to two. This time, however, the required number was doubled—not ten but twenty. Yet even twenty was but a trifle when the true task was to purify one thousand.

And without even a press of the button, the quest accepted itself and faded. Hansol pushed back his sweat-dampened hair.

‘So, the system demands I focus solely on purification, does it?’

It felt uncomfortably close to compulsion, but he set his mind only to the work before him. Thus began a long and arduous chain of quests.

How many times had he repeated purification? By the time he completed the third chain quest, dawn was already breaking.

“…Peter, how many are done?”

“About… one hundred, I believe.”

Only one hundred. Hansol brushed his heavy eyelids, looking to those gathered apart. They preferred to remain together rather than return home, driven by fear of what might lurk in their houses—and by the absence of their families, still within the shelter.

He felt a pang of guilt, but he could do no more. Though his repeated level-ups had replenished his mana, his spirit remained exhausted. Perhaps it was the divine strength drained from casting purification hundreds of times.

Hansol rose slowly. His body groaned and ached, each movement strained, yet he managed to stand.

“It would be best to send these people home for now. And… I must rest, even briefly.”

“A wise decision! Saint, I will guide you to a place of rest.”

Peter rushed toward him with a joyous face, perhaps relieved himself. Had he too been weary? He had urged Hansol to rest time and again, yet seeing the anxious eyes of the people, Hansol could not. Always, he had told himself—just a little longer. And so he had poured out his power until this very moment.

“Truly, it is a wonder you have not collapsed.”

Peter’s voice, softly whispered, reached Hansol’s ear as he moved to support him.

“Everyone, please return to the shelter for now and come back later.”

“…Very well.”

Though they might have complained, the people obeyed Peter without protest. They knew full well that Hansol was sacrificing himself for their sake.

“…Haa.”

Watching their retreating figures, Hansol too began to move. Just a short rest, he told himself. It would be enough. With that fragile reassurance, he followed Peter into the wooden building.

At once his steps faltered, his vision reeled. Already at his limit, his mind slipped into darkness. And in that moment before he succumbed, a golden brilliance flared faintly into being.

You have created a Small Sanctuary.