The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor: Dad is a Legend

Chapter 6

Weed was diligently running around, holding the club he had taken from the orc.

(If you run 30 meters ahead, a goblin will appear. After dealing with them, you need to immediately run to the right for the next hunt.)

(I’ve identified the patrol pattern of the goblin scouts. The main group will arrive soon. I’ll tell you the best place to ambush them before they come.)

(There’s a trap set by the goblins, though it’s not particularly important. It’s better to avoid touching the large branch on the ground.)

AI Versa served as an all-around navigator.

Hunting, and more hunting.

Weed could clearly feel the battle instincts from his Royal Road days reawakening.

This was the feeling.

Hunting monsters and animals, gradually growing the character.

70%, 80%, 90%.

As his physical condition improved, he could feel his concentration increasing bit by bit.

Your level has increased.

As the level increases, strength and stamina grow. You can allocate bonus stats to further enhance your physical abilities.

The addictive nature of virtual reality games comes from the constant feeling of getting stronger.

(There’s a blue fruit growing under the bush on the right. It’s used to make magic potions, so it’s recommended to collect it.)

For the past 20 years, Weed hadn’t paid much attention to AI Versa’s suggestions.

But in Roanoke, he was thoroughly following the AI’s advice.

You have obtained a Dalponi Fruit.

The AI not only guided him when hunting monsters but also helped him spot miscellaneous items he might have missed.

Not bad at all.

(It seems you’re finally recognizing my abilities after 20 years. I’ve always been highly competent. You were the only one who didn’t realize it.)

Weed was leveling up while hunting, but the basic physical abilities he had from the start of Roanoke were already exceptional.

Weed swung the orc’s club at the goblins’ heads.

“Kueeek!”

The goblins died with bitter screams.

You have gained experience points.

You have temporarily acquired a trait: Despise the Weak!

Goblins will become severely intimidated when they see you. Their attack and defense will decrease by 10% each.

Weed efficiently cleaned up the goblins as he moved through the forest.

He completely destroyed three goblin villages and chased down and eliminated the goblin patrols.

He felt a compulsion to play perfectly, to find the quickest way to conquer, and when he finally achieved it…

(Considering the traces on the ground and the expected population of goblin villages in Roanoke, it’s unlikely you’ll find more monsters.)

Too bad.

Weed felt that the combat had been too brief to fully satisfy him.

The joy of character growth was something he hadn’t felt in a long time, and since this was the first stage of the Hellfire difficulty that no one had cleared before, it felt even more significant.

This world will probably value strength above all.

(That’s correct. The weak will have a very difficult life.)

In Royal Road, I was always conscious of others’ perceptions. I was obsessed with being a good person…

(I find it hard to agree, considering your past of overcharging users and exploiting labor by building pyramids.)

History tends to be romanticized over time. Since I unified the Versailles Continent, I’m in the right.

Weed collected every piece of junk as he returned to the starting point of Hellfire difficulty, where the orc had been.

“Chwi, Chwiik!”

The orc was terrified.

Unlike its initial confidence, it couldn’t escape due to its multiple broken legs and remained in place.

Weed raised the club high.

“Goodbye.”

?!

The orc closed its eyes tightly, bracing itself for death.

As a warrior race, it didn’t fear death much; it only regretted losing.

But even after waiting, the club didn’t come down.

“Chwiik?”

The orc opened its eyes, feeling a faint sense of hope.

Could it be that the human wouldn’t kill it, that it would mercifully pass the test by just letting the time pass?

The orc’s thoughts were far from the truth, as it had no understanding of Weed.

Although 20 years had passed since Royal Road, people don’t change.

“Equipment should be used sparingly.”

“Chwiik?”

“I don’t know how long I’ll need to use this, so I need to save the club’s durability.”

Instead of using the club, Weed beat the orc to death with his fists.

You have passed the first trial of Hellfire difficulty.

You went beyond surviving the allotted time and defeated the orc.

You displayed excellent combat abilities.

You have been granted 2 unique traits.

Dragon-Bearer (Level 1): Increases strength by 10% and vitality by 20%. Increases resistance to all magic by 5%.

Warlord (Level 1): Increases leadership by 10%, increases field of vision by 30%.

In Roanoke, having unique traits greatly aids character growth.

Even having just one well-chosen trait results in a massive power boost that’s hard to catch up to by leveling alone.

The highest-level unique traits could be leveled up to 12 stages.

Dragon-Bearer and Warlord, what kind of traits are these?

(They are extremely powerful traits that can only be obtained through Hellfire difficulty or certain special quests.)

Weed was thinking it was an incredible reward for just clearing the first stage of Hellfire difficulty.

You have successfully exterminated all the monsters in the Jervio Forest.

You have accomplished a heroic feat of complete domination and will be granted a special reward.

You have been granted an additional unique trait and equipment.

Hunter Sovereign (Level 1): Increases attack power by 5% when hunting monsters.

You have obtained the Bow of the Wind.

Weed was taken aback by the rewards.

Unique traits and equipment were being handed out generously.

They’re really not holding back on rewards.

* * *

Players who first logged into Roanoke quickly fell in love with this world.

The desperate backdrop of a world on the brink of collapse.

Most players, after creating their characters, didn’t start in a bustling city developed over time but in a pioneering village with just a few or maybe a few dozen households.

Then, due to monster invasions or attacks by demons, the starting villages couldn’t hold out and were destroyed.

“Ah, Suryube Village is finished too.”

“Because of the demon attacks, the price of wine has doubled from before.”

“Let’s all flee.”

“Which refugee route is the safest?”

Some became refugees, while others worked as mercenaries to protect them.

There was a raw enjoyment in surviving in such a dangerous, thrilling world.

The nobles and lords of Roanoke were horribly greedy and self-serving.

“The taxes we have to pay to the village have doubled from a month ago.”

“They’ve gone mad.”

“I hear they’re not using the tax money to strengthen the military, just hoarding jewels.”

“There’s no hope here. Let’s move to the city.”

“But if we leave, the village will collapse.”

“Other players are already leaving. If we stay, we’ll just die.”

Players liked Roanoke for its life-and-death struggle, a game where they could grow and survive.

In this chaotic world, the strong were respected, and the weak had to bow their heads.

But players logged into Roanoke began to feel uneasy when they couldn’t log out.

“Ah, I have a job interview today… I can’t make it. Lucky me?”

“I was going to order chicken, but I’m hungry now. They’re even forcing a diet on me.”

At first, they thought lightly of it, but as the logout issue extended beyond hours into days, the mood shifted.

“Isn’t this logout issue lasting too long?”

“It’s the third day now. Isn’t this a serious problem?”

“This game is officially trash. I’m never playing it again.”

“This is a serious situation. Something seems very wrong.”

Players connected to Roanoke via capsules started to worry not just about work or school but also about their physical well-being.

Even players who normally didn’t worry about their health had never gone this long without eating.

“I don’t feel hunger here, but in reality, I must be starving.”

“I can handle not eating, but going without water for long isn’t possible. Should I go to the hospital immediately after logging out?”

“My parents must have at least given me an IV.”

“Ah… I live alone. No friends, a total loner. If I can’t log out, will I just die while playing this game?”

As the players in Roanoke became increasingly anxious and confused, a notice appeared in the game according to the developers’ schedule.

“We sincerely welcome you all to the world of Roanoke.”

“To those who are alarmed that they can’t return to reality, there’s no need to worry.”

“Your lives will continue in Roan

oke.”

“You chose this life yourself.”

“Now, stop thinking about returning to reality and live with all your heart in this world on the brink of destruction.”

“This is a free, beautiful world where everything is allowed.”

“There are a few things we need to inform you as residents of Roanoke.”

“1. The logout function to return to reality has been completely removed.”

“2. From now on, death in Roanoke will be true death, with no resurrection.”

“3. If the world of Roanoke is destroyed, all players will die.”

“4. Streaming services will be available for players. Your fiery lives will be watched by people in reality. There’s no need to live heroically. Feel free to indulge in cowardice and ugliness for your enjoyment.”

“Also, you don’t have to worry about punishment for any illegal activities you commit from now on. If this world ends, you won’t face legal consequences in reality.”

“Make the most of your final life and burn brightly!”

“Think of this as a hardcore mode dedicated to those who loved and cherished Roanoke.”

“Have fun! ^^;;”

“What is this…”

“That’s a bit too far for a joke.”

“Is it April Fool’s already?”

Roanoke’s players thought the developers were playing a sick joke.

It was too serious to be anything else.

The notice claimed that the logout function had been removed, death in the game was permanent, and their gameplay would be streamed for others in reality to watch.

“If there’s a logout bug, they should fix it quickly. Instead, the developers post this garbage.”

“They’re trying to ruin the game.”

“What are they doing, seriously…? I’m running out of curse words.”

But as the logout problem persisted beyond the notice, the players began to realize that the situation was real.

“Is the developers’ notice true? If we die here, we really die?”

“They’re completely insane!”