The Automatic Rooting Range Is Too Wide - Chapter 57

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Auto Looting Range Too Wide Episode 57

 

Episode 57: Not My Problem (3)

 

“N-Nasalga sir!”

 

Just then, a Goblin Woman recognized Nasalga and came running over.

 

In the woman’s arms was a Young Goblin coughing up bloody foam.

 

Nasalga quickly grabbed the child’s face and examined it from all angles.

 

“The symptoms have worsened. We need to move quickly.”

 

Nasalga said as he took off his backpack.

 

“Subordinate, follow me. I’ll need your help by my side.”

 

The atmosphere didn’t allow for refusal, so Mincheol obediently followed Nasalga.

 

Nasalga headed to a fireplace set up right next to the Meeting Hall.

 

From its crude appearance, it seemed to have been hastily constructed recently.

 

“While I boil the water, you grind these herbs.”

 

Nasalga handed him a stone mortar and various herbs.

 

While Mincheol diligently ground the herbs, Nasalga lit a fire in the fireplace with flint.

 

Then he pulled out an iron pot and a large water bottle from his backpack.

 

‘How is that backpack structured?’

 

No matter how he looked at it, there were too many contents. It seemed to have some kind of inventory function.

 

Soon after, Nasalga pulled out a balance scale and weights.

 

After measuring the amount of herbs with the scale, he threw them into the pot.

 

“How much have you ground the herbs?”

 

“About this much.”

 

“That’s sufficient. Give it to me, and grind these other herbs.”

 

Mincheol held out the entire mortar.

 

Nasalga put all the contents into the pot.

 

Each time Nasalga added herbs, the color of the contents began to change.

 

From blue to red, then to yellow, and finally to light pink.

 

“Give me the child.”

 

“Y-yes!”

 

The Goblin Woman held out the child she had been cradling.

 

Nasalga ladled the herbal medicine and fed it to the child.

 

The child coughed as he drank the herbal medicine.

 

His expression immediately became comfortable. Color began to return to his pale skin.

 

The woman hugged the child and sobbed.

 

“Th-thank you! Thank you so much!”

 

“Hmph, it’s nothing special. Don’t make such a fuss over every little thing.”

 

Nasalga said gruffly. Mincheol, who was watching from the side, clicked his tongue briefly.

 

To react like that even to words of gratitude. What a cantankerous Old Man.

 

“Everyone, pay attention!”

 

Nasalga shouted toward the patients in the Meeting Hall.

 

The goblins looked at Nasalga weakly. The signs of illness were clear on their faces.

 

“Any goblins who can move, come to me quickly!”

 

Several goblins weakly stood up. Nasalga ladled the herbal medicine into bowls, one ladle each.

 

“Here, drink this. Then distribute it to the other patients.”

 

The complexions of the patients who drank the herbal medicine instantly improved.

 

The recovered goblins delivered the herbal medicine to patients who couldn’t move.

 

“Ah, now I can live again.”

 

“My body feels light. What kind of medicine is this?”

 

“As expected of the Alchemist of the Plague… such an amazing person.”

 

The coughing sounds that had filled the Meeting Hall could no longer be heard.

 

The goblins who had been at death’s door just moments ago were now alert and conversing.

 

“Phew, now I can rest a bit.”

 

Nasalga said as he plopped down heavily in a chair placed in the corner of the Meeting Hall.

 

“Winter’s cold wind affects weaker goblins more easily. When temperatures drop sharply like in winter, it’s easy for it to spread.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Conversely, if you’re healthy, you won’t catch it. Such frail creatures.”

 

Nasalga said gruffly.

 

Contrary to his words, Nasalga’s eyes were very gentle.

 

He seemed to be secretly pleased that the goblins had recovered.

 

Suddenly, Mincheol became curious.

 

“But why are you treating the patients, Nasalga sir? Isn’t this originally the Count’s job?”

 

This region was ruled by a Count.

 

Shouldn’t the Count be responsible for all major and minor affairs in the domain?

 

“The Count has no interest in the domain whatsoever. He only sees it as a convenient tool for squeezing out military funds.”

 

“Military funds?”

 

“The great lords in the Southern Region are showing signs of conflict. He’s building up his army thinking to make a proper profit when that happens.”

 

Nasalga spoke with contempt.

 

“But it’s a plague, isn’t it? Won’t it spread if left alone?”

 

“Didn’t I tell you earlier? This plague doesn’t affect healthy goblins. So as soon as the plague spread, the Count started taking care of his soldiers first.”

 

“Then the domain’s people wouldn’t just sit still.”

 

At Mincheol’s question, Nasalga snorted.

 

“What if they don’t sit still?”

 

“Well, wouldn’t riots or rebellions break out?”

 

“What could people who’ve spent their whole lives plowing fields do even if they rose up? Even just one Knight could kill them all.”

 

Only then did Mincheol realize how foolish his question had been.

 

Even on Earth in reality, there weren’t many cases where commoners’ rebellions succeeded.

 

Moreover, this was a world where superhumans existed.

 

“Is this village the only one where the plague has spread?”

 

“How could that be? It’s spread to other villages too. I’m planning to visit those places tomorrow.”

 

“The plague seems to have spread more seriously than I thought.”

 

When his thoughts reached that point, Mincheol’s expression hardened.

 

“Um… should I throw up the elixir I ate earlier?”

 

“There’s no need. That’s your rightful share.”

 

“But…”

 

“Thanks to you, we have enough herbs. It’s not abundant, but there’s no shortage for treating all the patients.”

 

That was somewhat reassuring.

 

“And the elixir you ate has no effect on the plague.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Winter’s cold wind affects the body. On the other hand, the elixir you ate increases magical power. They work in different areas.”

 

After hearing the explanation, his guilt disappeared.

 

Mincheol turned his gaze toward the patients.

 

They were all conversing with bright faces.

 

‘The Tower’s residents repeat the same things eternally.’

 

Their assigned role was being plague patients.

 

The plague was cured now, but once Mincheol left, everything would reset.

 

It meant they would return to being patients and suffer again.

 

‘It’s not for nothing that residents are given the derogatory term NPC.’

 

Among Awakened, there were those who committed crimes against residents for entertainment.

 

But contrary to such perceptions of awakened ones, the residents were also proper individuals with their own personalities.

 

Begging to save their children, or rejoicing when recovering from illness.

 

‘This feels somewhat bitter.’

 

It was when Mincheol was harboring such strange sentiments.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Suddenly, Nasalga spoke to Mincheol.

 

“Pardon?”

 

“If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to raid the Count’s storehouse. Then we would have had to care for patients with only a few herbs.”

 

Nasalga’s eyes rapidly darkened.

 

“In that case, we couldn’t have even maintained their current condition, let alone treated them. But thanks to you, we obtained enough herbs to treat all the patients in this region.”

 

Nasalga turned to look at Mincheol. With very kind eyes, he repeated once more.

 

“I’m truly grateful.”

 

At that moment, a message appeared.

 

【You have helped Nasalga and prevented the progression of the plague.】

 

【You have completed ‘Nasalga’s Journey’.】

 

【You have met special conditions. Rewards are greatly increased.】

 

-Special Condition: Obtain enough herbs to treat all patients.

 

【Rewards are being distributed.】

 

-All stats increase by 100.

 

【You acquire a Hidden Piece.】

 

-You acquire 20 ‘Bound Coins of Fortune’.

 

Mincheol’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

‘My, my stats increase by 100?’

 

On top of that, he acquired 20 Bound Coins of Fortune.

 

It was a concise but spectacular reward.

 

‘Just how strong have I become?’

 

His level and stats had increased from clearing the 13th Floor.

 

On top of that, all his stats increased by 100 from completing the Hidden Quest.

 

He had become explosively stronger in a short period.

 

‘With this, I might actually be able to take on that Knight?’

 

It was when Mincheol was rejoicing.

 

“Lord Nasalga!”

 

A Goblin Youth came running from the village entrance.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“A, a Knight is leading soldiers and coming this way!”

 

At those words, Nasalga’s expression instantly hardened.

 

“…A Knight? How many soldiers?”

 

“I, I don’t know. A, anyway, there were far more than the goblins here!”

 

Nasalga’s expression hardened even more.

 

There were dozens of goblins gathered in the Meeting Hall.

 

More than them? There might be over a hundred.

 

“Co, could they possibly be coming to rescue us now?”

 

“You fool! How could that be possible.”

 

Nasalga shouted angrily. The Goblin Youth squeezed his eyes shut.

 

“It seems my activities have already been exposed. There’s no other explanation.”

 

Mincheol was listening as if it were half someone else’s business.

 

After all, the 13th Floor was already cleared. Mincheol could just escape to Earth…

 

【A Hidden Route has been opened.】

 

Huh?

 

Mincheol stared at the message with a bewildered face.

 

【Hidden Quest ‘Nasalga’s Atonement’ begins.】

 

【Help Nasalga protect the Villagers.】

 

Mincheol screamed in panic.

 

“Re, return!”

 

【You cannot return to Earth until you complete the Quest.】

 

Mincheol froze in place.

 

What is this supposed to mean? Are they seriously telling me to fight a Knight and an army of over a hundred men?

 

“What are you suddenly babbling about?”

 

“N, nothing…”

 

“Quickly follow me. We need to hide.”

 

Nasalga led Mincheol and hid in the forest.

 

Nasalga concealed himself in the bushes and watched the village.

 

Shortly after, the Knight and soldiers arrived.

 

Just as the Goblin Youth had said, the number of soldiers was tremendous.

 

Moreover, they weren’t just ordinary soldiers but Elite Soldiers.

 

“He brought Elite Soldiers? The Count must be serious.”

 

Nasalga muttered with a pale face.

 

Meanwhile, one goblin approached the Knight.

 

“No, noble sir, what brings you to our, our village…”

 

The Knight looked down at the goblin indifferently while sitting on his horse.

 

The Knight held a halberd in his hand.

 

‘It’s the Knight I first met.’

 

It was the Knight who had emanated such overwhelming presence toward Mincheol.

 

Mincheol swallowed dry saliva as he watched the Knight.

 

“I won’t waste words. The Alchemist of the Plague and the Hop Goblin. Where are they?”

 

“Wh, what do you mean…”

 

The goblin said with a forced smile.

 

At that moment, the Knight swung his halberd. Blood spurted as the head disappeared.

 

“Uh, uaaaah!”

 

“Kyaaaah!”

 

At the Villagers’ screams, the Knight shouted as if displeased.

 

“Shut up!”

 

At the sound that rang throughout the entire village, the residents had no choice but to close their mouths like mutes who had eaten honey.

 

“Nasalga! Listen well! If you don’t come out right now, I’ll kill every last one of these creatures!”

 

The Knight shouted while looking around.

 

“Tsk, so he knew everything after all.”

 

Nasalga clenched his fists and trembled.

 

Mincheol was also trembling just the same.

 

However, his reason was slightly different from Nasalga’s.

 

‘…They want me to fight that thing and protect the Villagers?’

 

It was truly an insane Quest.

 

‘Damn, I should have bolted right after clearing the 13th Floor.’

 

His mind went dizzy.

 

But Mincheol immediately pulled himself together.

 

The situation being shitty was one thing, but he had to find a way to survive.

 

‘They only said to protect the villagers. They didn’t say I had to fight and beat those bastards.’

 

He could clear the Quest as long as he somehow managed to get the villagers to safety.

 

The problem was the method.

 

Mincheol quickly racked his brain. But no suitable method came to mind.

 

‘Ha, is that really the only way?’

 

To survive, he had to go to Earth.

 

To go to Earth, he had to clear the Quest.

 

To clear the Quest, he had to risk his life.

 

‘My life, seriously.’

 

Mincheol said to Nasalga with tears in his eyes.

 

“Nasalga sir, I’ll lure the knights and soldiers away. In the meantime, take the villagers and escape.”

 

“What?”

 

Nasalga turned to look at Mincheol in shock.

 

“Are you saying this in your right mind?”

 

“I’m in my right mind. And that’s the only way, isn’t it?”

 

Nasalga looked at Mincheol with trembling eyes.

 

Mincheol felt awkward for no reason and started joking around.

 

“You…”

 

“You don’t need to be so moved. I also have my reasons for…”

 

“I thought you were a Hop Goblin obsessed with challenges and slaughter, but you’re actually quite deep-hearted!”

 

“…What?”

 

“I’m really sorry for misunderstanding you all this time.”

 

Nasalga patted Mincheol’s back, moved.

 

The absurd misunderstanding left him speechless, but time was pressing so he didn’t argue further.

 

“But they have knights. This is tantamount to suicide. Are you still okay with it?”

 

Of course he wasn’t okay with it.

 

But right now, Mincheol had no other choice.

 

“Yes, I’m okay with it.”

 

“…!”

 

Nasalga showed a moved expression once more.

 

Soon he spoke to Mincheol with a firmly resolved face.

 

“…If you return alive and safe, I’ll give you my treasure.”

 

“Treasure?”

 

“Do you want to know what it is?”

 

Nasalga said playfully.

 

“If you’re curious, come back alive. Then you’ll be able to find out.”

 

“Aw, that’s too much. Anyway, I understand. Let’s move quickly.”

 

There was no more time to chat.

 

Because the knight was looking for his next victim.

 

“Move quickly.”

 

“Got it!”

 

Nasalga began circling around the village along the forest.

 

Meanwhile, Mincheol looked out at the enemies he would have to fight.

 

“Wow, there are so many.”

 

When he first received the Hidden Quest, he thought it would be possible to coast through with Auto Looting.

 

But instead, he kept finding himself in dangerous situations.

 

“They say life doesn’t go as you want.”

 

Mincheol wore a bitter smile.

 

But there was one strange thing.

 

Thinking coldly, it was a dangerous situation.

 

But his body wasn’t reacting that way.

 

He wasn’t trembling or afraid. No, to be blunt…

 

“It seems doable.”

 

Considering what Mincheol had gained on the Special 13th Floor, there was no reason to be scared at all.

 

He had cleared the Special 13th Floor with EX grade, completed the Hidden Quest, and even eaten Nasalga’s special pill.

 

Thanks to that, Mincheol had achieved tremendous growth in a short time.

 

“Maybe I could just fight and win…”

 

When he got that far, Mincheol shook his head.

 

“Hey, what kind of arrogant thought is that.”

 

Didn’t King Burger from the Hunter Community say so?

 

Arrogance leads to carelessness, and carelessness leads directly to death.

 

“Well then, shall we begin.”

 

Mincheol had neither arrogance nor carelessness.

 

He would simply do his best.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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