Overgeared: Babylon

The world materialized around Gilgamesh as he logged back into Satisfy, the familiar hum of the game's systems fading into the background. He found himself standing in the same spot where he had logged out—a small clearing hidden by a cluster of boulders, a short distance from the ruins. The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was crisp and still, the only sound was the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze.

Gilgamesh took a moment to stretch, his body adjusting to the transition from the real world to the game. His Instinct tingled faintly, a subtle warning that something was off. He frowned, his eyes scanning the area. The clearing looked mostly the same as he had left it, but there was something... different.

His gaze fell on the ground near the edge of the clearing. The dirt was disturbed, the faint imprint of footprints visible in the soft soil. The tracks were fresh, no more than a few hours old. Gilgamesh crouched down, his fingers brushing against the ground as he examined the prints. They were large, too large to belong to an animal, and the spacing suggested whoever—or whatever—had made them was moving quickly.

But that wasn't all. A few feet away, he noticed a series of drag marks, as if something heavy had been pulled across the ground. The marks led in the direction of the ruins, disappearing into the undergrowth.

Gilgamesh stood, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his new sword that he got after raiding the bandit's base.

[Windrazor]

Rating: Rare

Durability: 150/155

Attack Power: 84~106

Attack Speed: +10%

This sword will carry the element of the wind when used.

Conditions of Use: Level 8 or higher, 15 strength, 13 Agility.

Weight: 480

[Windweaver Cloak]

Rating: Rare

Durability: 89/90

Defense: 50

Movement Speed: 15%

This black cloak is the work of a renowned tailor in the fortified city of Patrian. This cloak will increase movement speed in addition to added defense.

Conditions of Use: Level 9 or higher, 20 Agility

Weight: 50

His Instinct skill was buzzing now, a low hum in the back of his mind. Something wasn't right. He wasn't alone. His mind raced as he considered the possibilities. Bandits? Monsters? Or something else entirely? The ruins were supposed to be abandoned, but the footprints and drag marks suggested otherwise. Whoever—or whatever—had been here was likely still nearby.

Gilgamesh took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He needed to be smart about this. Charging in blindly would only get him killed. He crouched low, moving quietly as he followed the trail. His Instinct skill guided him, sharpening his senses and helping him avoid loose rocks and dry twigs that might give away his position.

The trail led him closer to the ruins, the ancient stone walls looming larger with every step. The air grew heavier, the faint hum he had noticed the day before now more pronounced. It was almost like a vibration, a low-frequency pulse that seemed to emanate from the ruins themselves.

As he neared the entrance, Gilgamesh spotted more signs of activity—scraps of cloth caught on a jagged stone, a broken arrow lying in the dirt, and a faint smear of blood on the ground. His grip tightened on his sword. Whatever had happened here, it hadn't been peaceful.

Gilgamesh paused at the edge of the ruins, his eyes scanning the area. The entrance was a massive stone archway, its surface covered in the same strange symbols he had noticed before. The drag marks led inside, disappearing into the darkness beyond.

He hesitated, weighing his options. He could turn back, return to Patrian, and report what he had found. But that would mean leaving the mystery unsolved—and potentially missing out on whatever treasures the ruins held. On the other hand, going in alone was risky. If there were bandits or monsters inside, he would be outnumbered and outmatched.

But then again, risk was part of the journey. And Gilgamesh had never been one to back down from a challenge.

"If I die, I die," Gilgamesh muttered under his breath, steeling himself as he slipped into the ruins. The ancient stone walls loomed overhead, their surfaces etched with strange, glowing symbols that pulsed faintly in the dim light. The air was thick with an oppressive energy, the hum he had felt earlier was now a low, resonant vibration that seemed to echo in his bones. He moved silently, his Instinct skill guiding him as he navigated the shadowy corridors.

The ruins were a labyrinth of crumbling hallways and empty chambers, their once-grand architecture now a haunting shell of its former self. Gilgamesh kept to the shadows, his movements deliberate and precise. His Lock-in skill kicked in, sharpening his focus and allowing him to move with almost supernatural stealth. Every step was calculated, every breath controlled. He couldn't afford to make a mistake.

As he rounded a corner, the faint glow of torchlight caught his eye. He pressed himself against the wall, peering cautiously into the chamber ahead. What he saw made his blood run cold.

A group of figures in dark cloaks stood in a circle, their hoods drawn low over their faces. Their robes were adorned with eerie, blood-red symbols that seemed to writhe and shift in the flickering light. At the center of the circle was a young girl, her hands bound and her face was pale with hollow eyes.

Gilgamesh's stomach churned. The scene was straight out of a nightmare. The cloaked figures chanted in a language he didn't recognize, their voices low and guttural. The air around them seemed to warp and twist as if reality itself was bending to their will.

"Oh shit," Gilgamesh whispered, his heart pounding in his chest. "That's some Yatan's believers right there."

Yatan Church—a secretive cult that worshipped the god of destruction and chaos. They were infamous for their dark rituals and their willingness to sacrifice innocent lives to further their twisted goals. Gilgamesh had never expected to encounter them here, in the middle of nowhere. But there was no mistaking the sinister aura that surrounded the group. These were no ordinary bandits or treasure hunters like he faced before. They were something far more dangerous.

Gilgamesh's mind raced as he assessed the situation. There were at least a dozen cloaked figures, all of them armed and clearly experienced in whatever dark arts they practiced. The girl was outnumbered and helpless, her fate hanging in the balance. Gilgamesh knew he couldn't take them all on by himself—not in a straight fight, at least. Some of the Yatan's believers are at level 50 while the rest are at least mid-level 30 or 40, while he himself is just level 10 after yesterday's level up on his way to the ruin killing some monsters. But he couldn't just walk away. Not when an innocent girl's life was at stake.

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

[For the Rescue!]

Difficulty: A

A girl was about to be sacrificed by Yatan's believer for her virgin blood.

Quest Clear Condition: Save the girl from Yatan's believer.

Clear Rewards: 1500 golds, Maximum affinity with the girl.

Quest Failure: Level -1

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

After thinking for a few seconds, Gilgamesh decided to accept the quest. He had come prepared for unfavorable situations, but even he hadn't expected to face a group of high-level Yatan believers. The level gap was massive, and his bombs, smoke pellets, and poisonous substances might not be enough to close it. But he had no choice. He had to try.

Gilgamesh suddenly stopped and realized something. 'Wait! I don't need to fight them! I just can rescue the girl and run!'

He glanced around the chamber, looking for anything he could use to his advantage. The room was large, with high ceilings and multiple exits. The altar was positioned in the center, surrounded by braziers that cast flickering shadows on the walls. The Yatan believers were focused on their ritual, their attention fully on the girl. If he moved quickly and quietly, he might be able to disrupt the ritual and create an opening to rescue her.

Reaching into his bag, Gilgamesh pulled out a handful of smoke bombs and a small vial of poison. He had bought these items himself with some golds he had, and some of them he crafted using materials he had gathered during his journey. The smoke bombs would create a thick, blinding cloud, while the poison could incapacitate or at least slow down his enemies. It wasn't much, but it was all he had.

He also had his new sword, Windrazor, but he knew they wouldn't be enough against high-level opponents. So his sword is just in case something goes wrong. He needed to rely on his wits and the environment in this type of situation.

Gilgamesh's eyes fell on the braziers. The flames were burning brightly, their light casting long shadows across the room. If he could disrupt the braziers, he might be able to create chaos and confusion, giving him a chance to rescue the girl.

He crept closer to the chamber, his movements silent and deliberate. His Lock-in skill kept him focused, his mind sharp and his body steady. He positioned himself near one of the braziers, his eyes fixed on the cloaked figures. The girl's hollow eyes met his for a brief moment, and he saw a flicker of hope in her gaze. He gave her a subtle nod, hoping to reassure her.

With a quick, fluid motion, Gilgamesh tossed a smoke bomb into the brazier. The flames roared to life, the sudden burst of heat and light startling the cloaked figures. The smoke bomb exploded, filling the room with a thick, choking cloud. Soon the chaos erupted the Yatan believers coughed and stumbled, their chanting faltering as they tried to make sense of what had happened.

"Now or never," Gilgamesh muttered, drawing his sword and stepping into the chamber.

"Who dares hurt to disturb our prayers! Aren't you afraid of the curse of God Yatan?"

"You will pay a heavy price for your blasphemy!"

Some of the Yatan's Believer began to rambling while Gilgamesh himself moved quickly amidst of smoke screen, his Instinct skill guiding him through the smoke. He reached the altar in no time, his sword cutting through the ropes that bound the girl. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear and gratitude.

"Can you run?" Gilgamesh asked, his voice low but urgent.

The girl nodded, her hands trembling as she rubbed her wrists. "Y-yes."

"Good. Stay close to me."

Gilgamesh grabbed the girl's hand and pulled her toward the nearest exit. The smoke was beginning to clear, and the Yatan believers were recovering from the initial shock. One of them spotted Gilgamesh and the girl, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

"Stop them the pagans!" the figure hissed, their voice dripping with malice.

"God Yatan is almighty! God Yatan has already noticed your sin! You won't be safe for the rest of your life!"

The angry voices of the Yatan followers clamored behind him. Their crazy eyes were filled with absolute hostility.

Gilgamesh didn't wait for them to act. He tossed another smoke bomb, this time laced with poison. The cloud spread quickly, the toxic fumes causing the cloaked figures to cough and stagger. Gilgamesh and the girl used the distraction to slip out of the chamber, their footsteps echoing in the narrow corridor.

As they emerged from the ruins, the cool night air washed over them. Gilgamesh glanced back, his heart still pounding from the close call. The Yatan believers hadn't followed them—yet. But he knew they wouldn't give up so easily.

The girl looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought I was going to die."

Gilgamesh gave her a reassuring smile. "You're safe now. Let's get out of here."

[Quest has been cleared.]

[Affinity with Kaela has risen to maximum.]

[1.500 golds have been acquired.]

[5.000 experience has been acquire.]

[Your level has risen.]

[Your level has risen.]