Chapter 9 of The Gods' Subscriber

Chapter 9. Into the Dark Forest

-You have performed an act of kindness!

-The people of Ferren's territory feel infinite gratitude towards you!

-You have achieved the [First Step of Kindness] achievement.

-You have gained 1 like!

The gang in the back alley were definitely evil. Thanks to them, I achieved my first act of kindness achievement and gained a like.

The reward of 1 like may seem small at first glance, but just as one becomes five and five becomes ten, it's important to accumulate them step by step.

There are so many achievements to achieve, so you can get as many likes as you want.

'Besides, I gained quite a bit from this fight.'

The Hero's Breath not only strengthens the body but also trains the mind, and with my current body, I can only bring out the speed of the Whickers sword technique.

'I managed to capture the big guy using poison in reverse, though.'

I still haven't been able to fully utilize the inherent power of this sword technique.

It was just 1 like, but I plan to accumulate them step by step and use them all at once for subscriptions and video purchases.

A wry smile suddenly came to my face.

'I usually don't do these kinds of acts of kindness achievements.'

In the game, performing acts of kindness is something you can do or not do, with no real penalty.

Of course, performing acts of kindness improves your reputation in various ways, and you might even gain fame depending on the act.

However, the criteria for acts of kindness are ambiguous, so even if you save someone's life, it could end up being a good deed or a future evil deed.

'That's why most people don't do it.'

Others would rather spend their time on more certain things, like hunting, clearing dungeons, searching for superhuman powers, or clearing the main scenario.

'I did it in the first run, but didn't in the second and third runs, and only started doing it seriously in the final run.'

The reason for doing acts of kindness was simple. It wasn't because I suddenly had a good heart, but because I aimed for a full clear.

'But if I do it this way, there's no reason not to perform acts of kindness. I'll aim to achieve all the achievements.'

Ethan took a deep breath.

"Is everyone alright?"

"We're fine, you saved our lives. May I ask who you are?"

"I am Ethan Whickers."

"Of course. The rumors weren't all true!"

"Thank you so much."

"Thank you, sir!"

The merchants had already figured out Ethan's identity.

This place was so close to the Whickers barony that it was natural.

Far from the barony, many people wouldn't know Ethan's name, but since Ferren was near the Whickers barony, his name was somewhat known.

Moreover, Ethan was once known as a swordsmanship prodigy, so almost no one didn't know him.

"I will never forget this kindness."

The merchants kept expressing their gratitude.

They were truly saved from a life-threatening situation, so they were prepared to give Ethan anything, even their livers or gallbladders.

"Do you happen to know if these guys have a warehouse where they store their stuff?"

"Ah! You mean the poison! Of course. These guys were doing things beyond their station. Damn bastards!"

One of the merchants spat and pointed inside.

"I saw it just now! They were bringing the poison from over there!"

There was a small warehouse inside.

Ethan immediately headed towards the warehouse with Schudlen.

"Master."

"You did well, Schudlen."

"I didn't do much. More importantly, you were incredible. I didn't know you were this strong, Master."

"It was nothing. And it was for the sake of the silver lotus, anyway."

Schudlen looked at Ethan with shining eyes.

How could someone be so excellent in character?

Ethan scratched the back of his neck at that look.

'He seems to have a lot of misconceptions, but there's no need to point them out.'

"We need to get the silver lotus. It's essential."

"Are you going to make medicine with it?"

"Yes, but I'm not going to eat it."

"Then what are you going to use it for?"

"I have someone to feed it to. I met them by chance, and they're not in good health."

'Of course, they were forced to be in poor health.'

As they approached the warehouse, the distinctive smell of the silver lotus wafted through the air. It seemed not all of it had been processed into poison. Ethan went further inside.

'They made a mess. The fact that they can still produce poison with this setup shows that the recipe given by the Poison King is indeed remarkable.'

When making poison, everything around must be clean to produce the desired poison.

Those who use poison must also be able to control its toxicity.

Ethan collected all the silver lotuses piled up on one side.

He also gathered the poisons into nearby glass bottles.

'That's why I bought the subspace bag.'

It was very expensive, but there was nothing better for storing large quantities of items. Now, it was as convenient as having an inventory.

"I feel more secure now."

He had collected the silver lotus he wanted and the poison.

As they came out of the warehouse, the merchants were still waiting for him.

"Go back now. I'll take care of the rest."

"Thank you!"

"Thank you!"

Now, they wouldn't forget the debt Ethan had erased for them. Of course, something significant wouldn't come of it, but isn't that what acts of kindness are about?

'I also got a like.'

Heh.

"It's a profitable deal."

* * *

"If the enemy had been a bit stronger, I would have had to run away."

Ethan recalled the fight with the thugs.

He won, but only with enough strength left to run away.

"The proficiency of Hero's Breath has increased quite a bit. Indeed, actual combat is the most important."

Just breathing and breathing while fighting are completely different. And Hero's Breath is a skill that shines in combat situations.

"It increased by 5%, so I can breathe much deeper than before."

Breathing deeply allows you to draw out even more powerful strength.

'Ultimately, the lack of offensive power must be resolved by understanding what I've learned more deeply.'

At that moment, Schudlen came to him.

"Master, are you alright?"

"Schudlen, can you do me a favor? I'm exhausted, can you buy some food?"

"Ah, yes! I'll go right away!"

Ethan immediately used the Hu Liu Acupuncture. The increase in breathing proficiency meant an increase in the amount of mana accumulated.

'Save the mana that can be saved, and extract the mana that has rotted.'

Even as the mana rotted, it steadily accumulated in small amounts.

This small amount of mana helped create stamina in Ethan's body.

'Hero's Breath and Hu Liu Acupuncture work together very well.'

Ethan slowly breathed, inserting the needles into various points. The rotten mana flowed out with Hero's Breath.

"Hmm."

Feeling his body become full, Ethan thought it wouldn't be bad to bring Schudlen over completely.

'Originally, I couldn't keep Schudlen with me all the time.'

He was basically a person of the Whickers barony, not Ethan's personal servant.

'He has the skills to carry out various orders without hesitation. He's not overwhelmingly skilled, but he has a clear loyalty to me.'

That was enough. What he needed now was a loyal subordinate who would follow his orders.

Ethan immediately prepared to make a decoction.

He took out a pot from the subspace bag and started boiling the decoction, muttering to himself.

"The effect of the decoction is good, but if I get even sicker, I won't be able to eat it all. That's when I'll walk the path of a medicine addict. A medicine addict swordsman. I've heard of medicine addict mages, but not this."

After easing his body condition, Ethan prepared to leave.

"Let's go, Schudlen. We'll eat on the way."

* * *

The Dark Forest.

Ethan didn't stop training for a moment on the way here.

Every day, he would wake up, use Hero's Breath, practice swordsmanship, and treat his body with Hu Liu Acupuncture.

"Master, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Come on, really."

Schudlen swung his sword at Ethan.

At first, Schudlen was very puzzled by Ethan's daily use of acupuncture, but he didn't ask further when he learned it was for treatment.

Clang!

Ethan trained with Schudlen every day. Schudlen had quite good swordsmanship skills, making him a perfect training partner.

He improved his senses and the proficiency of his skills. He didn't want to die from illness, nor did he want to die from being outmatched in skill.

As a result, the proficiency of Hu Liu Acupuncture and Hero's Breath increased significantly.

'The numbers don't seem to have increased much, but the difference in proficiency is noticeable.'

Clang! Clang!

"Even though you swing the same way, the power seems to change every day!"

As Schudlen said, Ethan could feel it too.

'I can feel my body changing day by day.'

His condition was so weak that even a little muscle growth made a big difference.

Moreover, he now knew where to insert the needles without looking at the video for Hu Liu Acupuncture.

Of course, it was still difficult to accumulate mana.

The mana he managed to accumulate rotted quickly, so he had to extract the rotten mana with Hu Liu Acupuncture.

At least, a little mana was accumulating.

And the body was being trained with Hero's Breath. He needed to make his body strong first.

'And Hu Liu Acupuncture. With just 5% proficiency, this is impressive. I wonder what it will be like at 100% quality.'

At 100%, he would likely be able to use acupuncture freely.

After finishing their training, the two moved forward again.

"From now on, we need to be more cautious."

The journey to the Dark Forest wasn't particularly difficult.

He didn't know the way well since he hadn't been to the Whickers barony area often, but the path from Ferren to the Dark Forest was familiar.

Therefore, Ethan knew how dangerous the Dark Forest was.

Even a slight lapse in attention could result in being eaten by the monsters living there.

'I need to do everything I can before entering.'

"Master, are you really going into the Dark Forest?"

Schudlen frowned slightly.

In fact, Ethan wasn't the type to explain the meaning of his actions in detail.

Schudlen also didn't ask unnecessarily. His purpose was to protect Ethan.

"Yes. The person I'm looking for is in the Dark Forest right now."

"It's too dangerous, Master. In the back alley, I could handle it, but not in the Dark Forest. This forest is really dangerous."

"I know."

"If you know, you shouldn't go in. Your body isn't fully recovered, and I can't handle the strong monsters deep in the forest. If we go in like this, we'll both likely die. I don't mind dying, but it would be a great shame if I can't protect you and die."

The Dark Forest was indeed a dangerous place.

Among the many forests in the game, those with the "dark" descriptor were all filled with dangerous monsters.

It was due to the sticky aura emanating from the forest.

Even if Ethan were in his original condition, the Dark Forest would be dangerous, let alone in his current weakened state. He wouldn't be able to handle the forest's monsters.

"I'll run if it gets too dangerous, so don't worry."

"Hmm, I understand. But who are you going to meet in there? There are only monsters in the Dark Forest."

"The person who will save my life."

* * *

Before entering the forest, Ethan made several preparations.

First, he inserted needles into various points on his body.

He might not have a chance to use Hu Liu Acupuncture once he entered the Dark Forest.

"Oh, and there's one I haven't seen yet."

He then opened [New World].

There were two videos of Hercules, and Ethan hadn't seen one of them.

"The title is 'Lion Hunting.' I wonder if it will be helpful."

Ethan currently had a total of 7 likes.

To watch the second video, he needed to use four more likes.

'It's a bit of a waste, but it's probably worth four likes.'

So, Ethan pressed the video without hesitation.

-Using likes to unlock additional video.

'What is this?'

The video that appeared was surprisingly simple.

The first video tried to explain things well, but the second video was just a straightforward lion hunting video.

'But there is something.'

Ethan watched the video again and finally realized.

"He's using a club, not his fists."

That was the only thing special about the video.

It was a bit disappointing.

"I used likes for this."

It didn't even get a single like.

Four likes. More than half of the likes Ethan currently had.

-You have learned Hercules' skill.

-New skill: Disaster of Monsters (A)

At least, he didn't fail to get a skill.

"I remember Hercules killing a lot of monsters, but what kind of skill is this?"

Ethan immediately tried to use the skill, but nothing happened.

'It seems I need a target to use it.'

He tried using the skill on Schudlen, who was sleeping lightly, but it didn't activate.

'Hmm. It doesn't work on humans. Maybe it can only be used on monsters, as the name suggests?'

If so, he had no choice but to enter the forest.

The next early morning.

Ethan entered the Dark Forest with Schudlen. Even though it was morning, the forest was dark.

There were glowing insects, but they weren't enough, so Ethan and Schudlen carried torches.

After walking for a while,

A growling sound suddenly came.

"Roar!"

"Master!"

Schudlen quickly reacted, swinging his sword to block a monster.

It was a wolf with large fangs. Schudlen blocked it once, but another monster appeared from a different direction.

Ethan didn't hesitate and aimed his sword at the creature.

'Hmm?'

A red dot suddenly appeared on the wolf.

Ethan, with years of experience, knew what it was.

'Could it be... a weak point?'

Small dots indicating weak points started appearing on various parts of the wolf.

"So that's why it's called the Disaster of Monsters."

Then, something Ethan had never seen before appeared in his vision.

"Could that be..."