Canon Starts!

Frontier, one of the most prominent cities in the Eternal Kingdom. In a lavishly adorned chamber, where sunlight filtered through intricately designed stained glass, the only daughter of Earl Steim lay in a deep slumber, her beauty so ethereal it seemed almost otherworldly. With cascading silver hair that shimmered like moonlight and delicate features that could inspire poetry, she was a vision of purity that would ensnare the hearts of any who beheld her.

Hueett~

But the tranquility of the night was shattered as an intruder slipped through the open window, a shadowy figure cloaked in darkness. With a swift and practiced motion, he clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling the scream that threatened to escape her lips. Her wide, terrified eyes met his, a silent plea for help that went unanswered.

"Hmgghh!!" She yearned to let out a scream that would summon the guards stationed outside, but the desperate cry was stifled, rendered futile because of the hand that grabbed her mouth.

As dawn broke over Frontier, the sun cast a golden hue over the city, but the light did little to dispel the darkness that had descended upon the Earl's household. The news of the Earl's beloved daughter's abduction spread like wildfire, igniting a wave of panic that swept through the streets. Guards were summoned, and frantic searches commenced as the citizens of Frontier rallied together, their hearts heavy with dread and uncertainty, desperate to uncover the whereabouts of the girl whose beauty had captivated them all.

***

A palpable aura of dark energy enveloped the dimly lit chamber, casting eerie shadows that danced along the stone walls. Cloaked figures, their faces obscured by hoods, moved with a deliberate grace, their expressions etched with a somber intensity that spoke of grim purpose.

Kiyaaaaak!

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the oppressive atmosphere—a girl's anguished cry echoing from the depths below, a haunting sound that sent chills racing down the spines of all who heard it. 

At the top of the ritual that takes place, Gilgamesh concealed himself, silently watching the fervent devotees of Yatan with a keen, discerning eye. The flickering torchlight cast eerie patterns across the stone walls, illuminating the twisted expressions of the believers as they moved with a fervor that bordered on fanaticism.

It has been 10 months since the release of Satisfy. That means It was also the time when Grid finally obtained Pagma's Rare Book. Realizing that the canon is about to start, Gilgamesh spent his time searching for the closest Yatan Temple near Northern End Cave.

Now, standing above the ritual, Gilgamesh surveyed the scene, his gaze fixed on the dozens of Yatan's fervent believers roaming the chamber, their faces contorted with zeal. In the center, four of them encircled a girl, helplessly pinned atop a sinister altar, preparing to enact a dark ritual that would seal her fate.

Suddenly, he felt a light touch on his back, but Gilgamesh didn't flinch. He turned to find a Caucasian man standing behind him, his appearance suggesting an assassin's class, characterized by his light gear and agile physique.

"What do you want?" Gilgamesh asked, his voice steady.

Realizing that Gilgamesh was not one of the Yatan's believers as he expected, the man sighed in relief.

"Young man, I called out to you, but you were so lost in thought that you didn't hear me. That's why I poked you. I'm sorry."

"Oh, really...?" Gilgamesh replied, feigning ignorance, though he had been aware of the voice calling him out for several minutes.

"Yes. As you may know, the Yatan Temple is steeped in malevolent energy. Ordinary people would be overwhelmed by fear if they lingered here for too long. Yet, I observed you, and you seem unaffected despite the time that has passed."

'Well, it's mostly because of my composure stats. Even in real life, I will lose my shit if I put in the same situation.'

The man then continues talking while Gilgamesh is in his thoughts. "My name is Doran. I am a shadowy protector of Earl Steim. Just a day or two after I went on vacation, the Earl's beloved daughter was kidnapped. I tracked her down and discovered that she was trapped in the basement of this temple. Will you lend me your strength? I can offer you a reward for your assistance."

[Rescue the Earl's Esteemed Daughter]

Difficulty: S

Irene, the only daughter of Earl Steim, is a beautiful and innocent virgin. The elders of Yatan had kidnapped Irene in order to sacrifice her for her virgin blood.

Quest Clear Conditions: Rescue Irene within one hour after accepting the quest.

Clear Reward: 3,000 gold, a low probability of becoming the earl's son-in-law.

* Earl's son-in-law: Nobility stat will open, all stats +20.

You will be treated as a viscount after marrying the earl's esteemed daughter. Power and honor will rise. You can advance into the social circle of the nobles. You will receive a monthly salary. This can be a shortcut to becoming a high-ranking official or lord.

Quest Failure: Level -2.

[Would you like to accept the quest?]

Though, minus 2 levels will be devastating for a player, especially a ranker. It was not a big burden for Gilgamesh, whose power relies on his stats and items.

"Alright, I'll help you out."

[The quest has been accepted.]

Doran placed his hand on Gilgamesh's shoulder, his voice filled with gratitude as he exclaimed, "Thank you!"

For Doran, every passing moment was a race against time. The young lady's life hung in the balance, and he knew that while he sought reinforcements from the Earl, precious seconds could slip away, putting her in even greater peril. Relief washed over him as he realized that Gilgamesh had accepted his request, and he was grateful to have found an ally at this critical moment.

"So that girl is Earl Steim's daughter, Irene...?" Gilgamesh asked, his voice low as he crouched beside Doran, who nodded solemnly.

"Indeed. This is a dire situation, but I'm grateful to have a companion by my side."

Gilgamesh nodded solemnly as he heard Doran answer before the latter continued.

"First, we need to formulate a plan to deal with the dozens of Yatan's believers guarding the altar, and after we sav—what are you doing...?" Doran began, but his words trailed off as he noticed Gilgamesh rising to his feet.

"You talk too much. We need to rescue Irene quickly, right?"

"Yes, but we need a plan of attack!" Doran insisted, his voice tinged with exasperation.

Without a word, Gilgamesh strode over to the edge of their hiding place, his gaze fixed on the Yatan's believers below. "I have a plan... attack," he declared, a fierce glint in his eyes, before leaping down into the midst of the believers.

Gruddukk!!

"Kuackk!" One of the believers shrieked as Gilgamesh struck him with a powerful blow.

"Hey, yo bastard! Miss me?!" Gilgamesh shouted as he dealt the final blow to the believers below him.

Not long after Gilgamesh dealt with the first one, he was surrounded by the rest of Yatan's believers.

"Who dares to lay a hand on Yatan's faithful? Are you not afraid of the wrath of God Yatan?"

"God Yatan is all-powerful! He has already seen your transgressions! You will never know peace again!"

"You will pay dearly for your insolence!" another voice echoed, filled with venomous anger.

The furious shouts of the Yatan devotees swirled around Gilgamesh, their crazed eyes burning with unyielding hostility, ready to unleash their fury upon the intruder who dared to challenge their dark faith.

"Blah blah blah. Seriously, save your breath," Gilgamesh mocked, rolling his eyes. "I've heard it all before. Honestly, I couldn't care less." He had faced hundreds of Yatan's believers in the past, and their repetitive tirades had long since lost their impact, leaving him weary of their hollow proclamations of anger.

"Young man!" Doran shouted, following Gilgamesh's lead as he leaped into the ritual room. With the swift precision of a seasoned assassin, Doran began to dispatch the believers surrounding him, his movements fluid and deadly.

"Kill all the heretics!!" one of the believers bellowed as they rallied together. Doran quickly noticed the black magicians among them, their chants rising in intensity as they prepared to unleash dark spells. He knew he had to act fast to prevent them from completing their incantations.

"Blessed souls underground."

"Use your grudges and fears to ensnare the enemy."

The believers began using dark magic, the group shared the spell by chanting the sentences one by one. Those sentences would connect to form one spell, and the magic would be cast.

"Did you think I'd let you finish that spell?!" Doran shouted, hurling his daggers with deadly accuracy.

"Ack-!!" one of the casters gasped as the dagger struck true.

"Tch, he's targeting the casters!" a presumed leader of the group clicked his tongue in frustration. "Children of Yatan, buy us some time! Eliminate the heretic at all costs!"

At his command, more and more of Yatan's believers surged forward, their eyes filled with fervor and rage. Doran steeled himself, ready to give everything he had to save the young lady.

"Save yourself, I will deal with this." Gilgamesh stepped in. He grasped Doran's shoulder and pushed him aside, creating space for himself.

"Y-young man!" Doran exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden shift.

"Wave!" Instantly, dozens of Yatan's believers were thrown into disarray, their ranks breaking apart as they struggled to regain their footing. Gilgamesh then turned his gaze to Doran. "What are you waiting for? Go save her!"

"Thank you!" Doran replied, his heart racing with gratitude and urgency as he rushed toward the altar.

___

Although most of Yatan's believers were fixated on Gilgamesh, a few remained stationed around the altar, and Doran knew he had to confront them.

"Young Lady!" he called out, determination fueling his advance as he brandished his dagger. With a swift motion, he hurled the hidden weapon toward the guards, aiming to dispatch them quickly.

Tatatang!

"...Eh?" Doran's eyes widened in disbelief as the hidden weapons abruptly halted mid-air, clattering harmlessly to the ground. His forward momentum came to an unexpected stop.

"Shield?"

Defense magic couldn't be used by black magicians. It was only possible for black magicians who had completed their second class advancement.

"How fortunate for you," a voice purred, cutting through the tension. Emerging from the ranks of the black magicians was a striking young woman, her beauty unparalleled. Blood Witch, Yura, the player Gilgamesh had encountered before during his rampage through the Yatan Temple.

"I'm afraid this is as far as you'll get. As guarding this ritual is my S-ranked quest." She stood in front of Doran. Blocking his way to save the girl on top of the altar.

===========================

[Guardian of the Temple]

Difficulty: S

There are foolish people who have entered in order to rescue the sacrifice to God Yatan. You must defend the dignity of God Yatan and punish the blasphemous intruders.

Quest Clear Conditions: Repel attackers or defend the sacrifice for one hour.

Clear Reward: The title 'Guardian of Yatan's Temple.'

* Guardian of Yatan's Temple: Faith +300, Health +1,000, Intelligence +60

You are an example to other believers after defending the dignity of God Yatan. God Yatan will bless you more, and the faithful will worship you.

Quest Failure: Level -2, Faith -250.

===========================

Her focus was entirely on him as she extended her hand, a sly smile playing on her lips. "To think that a named NPC like you would become my enemy. I haven't felt this kind of excitement in quite some time."

Peeng!

A crimson fire sword materialized in Yura's grasp, its fierce momentum crackling with energy. But Doran, a named NPC for a reason, skillfully evaded the magical onslaught, his reflexes honed from countless battles.

"As expected of a named NPC," Yura taunted, her eyes narrowing. "But I must admit, I don't particularly like that agile body of yours!" With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed another spell, transforming the ground beneath him into a sticky, glue-like substance.

'My legs?!' Doran thought, feeling the sudden grip of the magic as his feet became momentarily ensnared. Yet, he refused to be hindered. "As if such a trivial skill could hold me!!!" he shouted defiantly, summoning his strength to break free.

With a swift motion, he launched a counterattack, infusing his dagger with mana. "Let me return the favor!!"

The dagger hurtled toward her with deadly precision, but Yura remained unfazed. Known as the 'Blood Witch' for a reason, she deftly manipulated the blood of the fallen Yatan believers around her, conjuring it into a protective barrier that absorbed the impact of the incoming dagger.

"You must have already exhausted a considerable amount of stamina. How impressive," Yura remarked, a smirk playing on her lips. She had assumed Doran was alone and weary after battling through a throng of Yatan's believers.

"I have more than enough strength to deal with the likes of you—!" Doran shouted defiantly before he noticed blood magic gathered on top of him.

"You can thank me now, I will make your body little lighter by draining all of your blood."

"Gackk!!" Doran howled in agony as he felt the life force being siphoned from him, the warmth of his blood flowing away, leaving him weak and disoriented.

'It's an advanced skill that used 30% of my mana. With this, he is done for,' Yura thought, a triumphant smile spreading across her face as she watched Doran writhe in pain.

But her confidence quickly turned to shock as she noticed a green light beginning to leak from Doran's ring, a protective aura shimmering around him.

"..!!" Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Aren't you an arrogant little black magician!" Doran shouted, his voice rising with renewed vigor. "Let me show you what the power that has protected a family for a hundred years looks like!"

It was all thanks to the ring Doran wore right now. It has a special ability to protect and heal the wearer. While the protection wasn't perfect, it was capable of shielding him from Yura's curse and accelerating his recovery.

'He is tougher than I thought.'

Yura then blocked another dagger that was thrown at her while thinking how to deal with Doran quickly. She then noticed some of Yatan's believers had respawned one by one.

"Kill the heretic!" The Yatan's believers that respawned shouted.

Taking her chance, Yura then started her chant.

"Great god of the darkness, your humble servant calls you."

"Fill this place with darkness and plant fear in the enemies' hearts, show your power to those who worship you."

"Dark Storm!"

Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

A silent storm formed in the darkness and poised to strike Doran. But before it could reach him, someone leaped into the fray, taking the full brunt of the Dark Storm head-on. The sheer force of the attack sent tremors through the temple, causing the pillars to sway and cracks to spiderweb across the ground and walls. It was a display of raw power that could easily bring the entire structure crashing down.

Yet Yura was not focused on the destruction she had wrought, her attention was fixed on the figure who had stepped between her and Doran.

Yura was a clever woman, adept at seeing through any situation with cold logic. In her 21 years, she had been lauded for both her beauty and intelligence, using her innate insight to excel in her endeavors and earning a reputation as a talented individual capable of thriving in any environment.

Satisfy was the path that she finally chose.

Anyway, there is only one man the brilliant Yura couldn't figure out.

"Gilgamesh!"

Yura exclaimed the man's name. How could she forget him—the one who had rendered her helpless? Even her most potent magic had failed to subdue him, and now, her Dark Storm seemed futile as Gilgamesh stood there, unfazed.

Refusing to back down, Yura prepared to confront both of them. Just then, Doran sprang off Gilgamesh's back, launching himself at her with a fierce attack.

Kaaang!

Yura barely managed to block Doran's assault, her gaze darting back to Gilgamesh, anticipating his next move. But to her shock, he was nowhere to be seen.

"...?"

Afterwards, Yura received big injuries as she struggled with Doran and barely managed to subdue him. She stared at the place where Gilgamesh last standing, ignoring the system window that informed her of the success of the quest.

'Even if he were hit by Dark Storm, he wouldn't have died so suddenly. He must've been penalized and forcibly logged out. Why?'

Yura's expression darkened as she contemplated the implications. It was common knowledge that one could not exit the game while a timed quest was active. There were ways to force an exit, but doing so would incur a severe penalty.

"Did he yield the quest to me...?"

She felt helpless and received Gilgamesh's sympathy. That day became the worst day for Yura, when her sturdy pride was thoroughly shattered.