Everyone is Young Except for Me

South Korea had a saying that goes something like this: “You will live longer if you are scolded.”

It was a saying with the meaning that someone who was scolded for doing something wrong would live longer. It was also a saying that I knew. Of course, I didn’t do anything bad. I just told the truth. However, the response I got was childish swearing. “Stupid! Idiot! Sea anemone! Mongrel!”

“Lord, please calm down. Your dignity...”

“Stupid! Pig nose! Orc nose! Goblin nose!”

Kerenos was sweating as he tried to calm down the little lord. I smiled at the sight. Tsk tsk, I was being insulted by a kid. The nose series continued. A short time later, Edward apologized.

“Kuk, I’m sorry. Pretend that you didn’t hear that.” He coughed. He was a child and I should be generous enough to forgive him as an adult.

“It’s fine. I couldn’t hear anything because I have bad ears.”

“Cough, let’s talk about this next time. First, talk about what you saw in the orc village!”

“I understand. The orc village is now...”

A long explanation followed. After a while, I walked around the city with Kerenos, who asked me, “Will you really be okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“You have to once again enter the orc village. It is a forbidden zone in Windia. It could be dangerous.”

This guy was worried about me.

“Are you worried about me?”

“It isn’t worry, it is magnanimity.”

“Rotten guy. This is what I call worry. I will be fine so just prepare well like I told you.”

“...I understand. Then I’m going. I will gather the best soldiers.”

“Yes. See you later.”

Kerenos bowed and headed back to the castle.

At this moment, Kim Sujeong approached. “Did you finish it well?”

“Yes, I think I will have to continue alone. I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s fine. It is pretty interesting to explore around here.”

She was smiling. Cer, being held in Sujeong’s arms, was staring at me with big eyes. She didn’t even recognize her master!

“Grrrung.”

Damn. Should I make something delicious?

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is giggling.]

I wondered, “By the way, Drain hasn’t come yet?”

“Yes. Should I contact him?”

“No. He isn’t a child and can look after himself. I’m going.”

Thus, I headed back to the Loch Mountains.

* * *

Meanwhile, there were some people watching them secretly.

“What? It is that damn old man from that time.”

“Do you think it’s right?”

Their identities were Four Fires and Six Fires, who had been humiliated in Mulan after being stripped. That day, they were so stigmatized in Mulan that they couldn’t sleep at night. It was because a user posted a photo stating to be careful of these Mulan perverts. Therefore, their faces became known at the top of the A.S.L Community. People often fled when they walked through Mulan and mothers were busy covering their children’s eyes. Thus, they were completely branded as perverts.

“Kuek. That old man wouldn’t know how much hardships we have been through.”

“Now he’ll know.”

The pain continued even in reality. They stopped by the mart because the Fire Dragon family needed food. Then someone recognized them and reported them to the police! Eventually, it was revealed they were just going to the mart and were released, but they were forced to feel wronged. People had already been avoiding them because of the vicious impression they gave off. Now, people didn’t approach them at all. They had to always wear a mask whenever they went out.

They had vowed to get revenge. They would surely get revenge. Return everything they had experienced to the old man who did this! Their big brother had given them instructions to be strong and the two of them focused on leveling up. Therefore, their level was approaching 60.

Supreme Fire Dragon left for a while, stating he wanted to be alone. Once he came back, he was level 80 and had obtained a strong armor from an unknown place. They were doing everything possible for revenge.

“Let’s go to Big Brother.”

“I understand.” 

The sparks of revenge burned in their eyes.

* * *

I arrived at the orc village. On the way, I killed the spiders and leveled up twice to reach level 32. I hadn’t forgotten to absorb the cobwebs and now I only needed to absorb around 40 more cobwebs. I was excited at the thought of eating the inner core.

“Zigma Transformation.”

Familiar rings of light rose from my feet and reached my face. Suddenly, I was Zigma with an arrogant expression.

“Let me try fishing.”

I remembered the previous conversation with Kerenos. Two hours ago...

“In fact, there is someone acting behind the scenes.”

“Huh? What are you saying?” Kerenos’s eyes widened as he walked with me.

I explained, “The orc chief is Gorba. He seemed very strong at first glance. It isn’t just the chief. All of them are elite soldiers.”

“What extent are their skills?”

“Equivalent to me.”

“......”

“However, there is someone controlling them from behind. It is a goblin called Ragneos.”

“Goblin...?” Kerenos looked startled. He hadn’t expected a goblin to be controlling the orcs.

“He is believed to be a goblin priest from Mulan. He is manipulating the orc chieftain with a spell. He is preparing for war.”

“Why are you saying that now...”

“If the Lord knew, he would’ve tried to go to war. Isn’t that right?”

Kerenos nodded in an unspoken confirmation and asked me, “Then what do you intend to do?”

“I have a good idea.”

Once I returned from my recollections, I summarized the plan in my head. First, lure out Ragneos. Second, the knights secretly hiding would ambush Ragneos. Third, I would hit the back of the vigilant Ragneos. It was a really simple plan. The problem was luring out Ragneos but I wasn't worried about that. I had the mission that Ragneos had given me. Come to think of it, I hadn’t told Kerenos I would transform into a goblin but it should be fine.

I shrugged and walked toward the orc village. I passed through the familiar location and saw orcs sharpening their weapons. They seemed to be preparing for war.

“Damn. I need to hurry.”

The orcs were preparing for war faster than I expected. Ragneos was staying at Gorba’s residence. A small, old goblin was sitting in the seat of a mighty orc chieftain. It was a bit outrageous. However, that wasn’t the important thing.

“Zigma, have you found the Giant Spider King? Kiik.”

“Yes, I just saw it enter the cave.”

...I thought it was too blatant. I didn’t know I could lie like this. I enjoyed Arkstar and felt like I was getting the full experience.

Ragneos laughed. “I can finally complete my plan. Kikikik.”

Plan? He was probably talking about ingesting the inner core... 

I was curious about how good it was for Ragneos to react like this. I felt that I had to finish charging the inner core as soon as possible.

Ttiring~

[Spider Raised by Ragneos has been completed.]

[The Giant Spider King was a spider raised by Ragneos. He wants to gain the power of the spider by ingesting the inner core. However, the spider has already died. Ragneos will be outraged when he learns about this.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

[Your credibility with Goblin Priest Ragneos has increased.]

“Good job, Zigma. As expected, there are no subordinates like you.”

“No. I just did what I had to do. Kiruk.”

“No, I don’t have any subordinates like you. I will give you this book. Train hard and help me more. Kiik!”

An old book appeared in the air with a sound. It fell into my hands.

[Low-grade Dark Magic Book - 'Dark Arrow' has been acquired.]

“Kikikik, lead me, Zigma. I will go and see the Giant Spider King right now!”

* * *

The wind was blowing. The wind swept through the leaves and shook the entire mountain. The wind screamed as it passed through branches and there were people looking down while holding their breaths. They were the elites of Windia, including Knight Captain Kerenos, and Lord Edward. They were the 30 most elite knights who could climb the Loch Mountains.

“Lord, will you really be okay? It isn’t too late to go back now. Return to the town...”

“It will be okay. I'm also a brave man like my father. I can do at least this much.”

“Hah...”

Kerenos had actually tried to secretly come here. However, Edward found out somehow and followed.

‘He has always been curious about the forbidden zone since he was a kid.’

He was at a curious age but he was also a lord. Kerenos knew that Edward’s life was directly related to the safety of Windia and sighed.

‘I will do my best to protect him.’

Edward shook his head and spoke, “Can he really bring over the goblin called Ragneos?”

“Don't worry. He isn’t a man who would speak empty words.”

“Yes. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

After five minutes, there was the sound of someone walking on the leaves.

‘This...?’

There were two goblins. The goblin in front had a sturdy figure and was holding a dagger while the goblin in the rear had a beard and was holding skull staff. The first one was unknown but the goblin in the rear was recognizable instantly. It was a perfect match for the Ragneos that the old man had described.

‘He is really here! Where is the old man...?’

Kerenos looked around but didn’t see the old man. Well, he should’ve escaped. He came back alive from the forbidden zone so he should be able to take care of himself. Kerenos and Edward’s gazes met at the same time.

“Attack!”

“Waaahhhhhhhh!”

* * *

Meanwhile, I had transformed into Zigma and was luring Ragneos to the cave. I watched him following me without any doubts and swallowed the accusations in my heart. Just then, a shout was heard. “Attack!”

“Waaahhhhhhhh!”

I saw the knights of Windia descending the steep slope and felt it was time. Huhu. Now I would have a chance to handle Ragneos...

“Ahhhhhhh!”

“...?!” I reflexively kicked at the knight who swung a sword at me.

“Kuock, be careful! This goblin is stronger than I thought!” All the knights started to look at me after these words. Something was ominous...

[The knights of Windia are hostile to you.]