"Hiss…"

A low, sinister sizzle, like frying bacon, came from the Headless Knight's body. Black gas emanated from his form, curling into the air before dissipating entirely. Moments later, the figure crumbled into ash, disappearing from the party's sight.

Although Karen had fought him fiercely, it was Ariana who ultimately dealt the final blow, ending his existence.

Except for Anyi, everyone else gained enough experience to level up twice from the Headless Knight's defeat.

Anyi, on the other hand, due to already being level 20, only gained a reduced amount of experience. Even for killing a Class 3 monster, he barely managed to advance half a level.

The system encouraged continuous challenges. For Anyi, Class 3 monsters were simply too easy.

Reaching level 20 meant at least several types of weapons and equipment were available, and with normal point allocation, one attribute would likely be close to 30.

If Anyi fought the Headless Knight alone, even with the opponent’s 25 Agility and 20 Durability, Anyi’s equipment could easily boost his Strength to 27 or more.

Anyi could make countless mistakes, yet with a single Multiple-Release skill, he could kill the Headless Knight instantly.

But…

“Hm?” Layton noticed something strange.

Ariana and Miruku.

“Strange… why aren’t there any new items?” Ariana muttered, checking her inventory. She found it empty.

Miruku noticed something else. In the group chat:

【Thorn Hero: That… The Headless Knight’s attributes are very strange.

Strength: 10 Agility: 25 Endurance: ∞

Durability: 20 Prana: 3 Intelligence: 0

Technique: 5

His Agility and Durability are both above 20, so you would need Strength and Agility above 20 to consistently deal damage to him.

Class 3 monsters are supposed to be challenged by level 5 teams, but his attributes seem a bit too high for level 5 heroes? In my opinion, it’s probably more dangerous than a Slime King. 】

Anyi said nothing, but silently agreed.

That’s right. It was indeed a Class 3 monster.

But this wasn’t the recommended boss for new players.

This was an elite monster in the Tale.

Although the experience was granted as normal, elite monsters weren’t quest objectives. Theoretically, even if killed, they wouldn’t drop quest-related items or progress.

However, their appearance suggested this mission was at least on the same level—or even harder—than the Kill Three Goblin Centurions quest.

Because it was an elite monster from a higher-level Tale, its attributes weren’t calibrated for new players.

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The Slime King, for instance, was a boss-level monster notorious for frustrating new players. But it had clear weaknesses, and with the proper information, it wasn’t overly difficult to defeat.

The Headless Knight, however, was different.

Its overwhelming stats alone made it a nightmare for beginners.

Even Karen had been shocked when she first saw the Headless Knight’s attributes.

“There’s no equipment drop. Maybe because he’s not a quest objective,” Anyi reminded them.

“Not… a quest objective?” Ariana murmured, checking the quest details.

【World Quest: Castle of the Dead

Quest objectives: Reclaim the Castle of the Dead (0/1)

Quest Difficulty: ???

Recommended level: ???

Recommended number of people: ???】

The quest objective wasn’t to kill the Headless Knight.

It was to reclaim the castle.

【Thorn Hero: That explains it. Ah, this Class 3 monster isn’t the usual Class 3 monster. It’s just that, in the quest to reclaim the Castle of the Dead, defeating monsters is part of the challenge. The difficulty of the quest isn’t the difficulty of defeating a normal Class 3 monster. Therefore… the Headless Knight’s challenge is far beyond a normal level 5 hero!】

“No wonder! I thought, why is a Class 3 monster so strong?” Ariana exclaimed.

Anyi nodded. “So that’s how it is.”

Layton scratched his head. “Ah, whatever! We just need to reclaim the castle!”

He seemed to understand—or maybe he didn’t.

Karen stood to the side, her face frozen in confusion.

“???”

What are they talking about?!

Ariana noticed Karen’s puzzled expression. “Ah, right! Karen wouldn’t be able to see the group chat. Wait, let me ask Kami-sama!”

A moment later, glowing words floated into Karen’s view—

【Holy Hero invites you to join the chat group. Do you wish to join?】

“Chat group?” Karen hesitated briefly before agreeing in her mind.

【System Notification

Eyes Hero has joined the chat group!】

As the interface opened, Karen immediately saw the chat log and pieced together the earlier discussion.

「Ah… This castle is much more dangerous than we thought?」

Curious, she scrolled further up.

Surely, the world’s strongest hero team would have valuable strategies and monster-fighting techniques discussed in their chat!

【Holy Hero: What’s for dinner?

Holy Hero: Good morning! What’s for breakfast?!

Holy Hero: What’s for lunch?

Holy Hero: Hungry! What’s for dinner tonight?!

Holy Hero: What’s for breakfast today?

Sword Hero: Aluminum hot grenade for breakfast.

Holy Hero: ??? 】

Karen blinked.

“...”

This… is the world’s highest-level hero team? And this is what they discuss?! It has nothing to do with fighting monsters!!

Ariana surveyed the throne room. “It looks like there’s only one Headless Knight here. So… where should we go next?”

Karen snapped back to reality. Ah, the mission! Her thoughts turned to their next move.

If the enemy occupied this castle, their goal must be to establish dominion, to take the throne. Even if that idea was based on mere assumption, it gave a clear path forward.

And if the throne room had already fallen…

The enemy’s next logical step would be to regroup, perhaps convene somewhere strategic to plan their retaliation.

“Next, the enemy is most likely in the castle’s meeting room,” Karen concluded.

...

The Castle Meeting Room.

Under their Master’s command, a chilling assembly had begun. The meeting room, once a regal hall for human rulers, now bore witness to a macabre gathering.

The “Master” had summoned an assortment of powerful undead, each more horrifying than the last.

【Class 3 Monster: Soul-Devouring Demon】

【Class 3 Monster: Devouring Ghost】

【Class 3 Monster: Blood Demon】

【Class 3 Monster: Hungry Ghost】

【Class 3 Monster: Beholder】

【Class 3 Monster: Skeleton Mage】

【Class 3 Monster…】

The room teemed with dozens of undead monsters, their forms grotesque, their abilities diverse. Each exuded an aura of menace, but only a handful possessed intelligence greater than a stone.

The majority—undead with Intelligence of 0—were mindless thralls, endlessly roaming the castle and surrounding city. They moved solely under the Master’s command, devoid of independent thought.

The Skeleton Mage, whose Intelligence was a rare 5, presided over the gathering. His hollow eyes flickered with an eerie blue glow as he telepathically addressed the room.

「I’m sure you all know by now… The Headless Knight Sergeant has been slain by the invaders.」

A ripple of restless energy moved through the room as the creatures processed this grim announcement.