Reincarnated Jester: Taming Players-Chapter 68: Quest Completion

Struggling to deal with the punches, Jung smiled as he watched the system notification.

It wasn’t something world-shattering, nor was it a super important quest, yet the gesture itself touched his heart.

<Quest VI: Activate Keeping Mask

<Rewards: Manifesting mask that lasts 10 seconds. During this duration, you receive a boost to all of your abilities, but you’re bound to act within a randomly assigned archetype.

<Note: You aren’t forgetting and betraying the promise. You aren’t changing; I believe it’s still you.

Everything was the same about this Arc, but if Jung had seen it as a distortion before, now he knew it was based on his past lives.

’Was I such a hero?’ he pondered, reminiscing about the past. In his memory, he wasn’t a noble hero, but after seeing it just an hour ago and hearing Vex’s statement, his viewpoint was transformed.

Now he trusted the system, as she broke her own rules while helping him.

So Jung’s genuine grin intensified, and the Arc was sparked.

[You activated Keeping Mask.]

[Quest VI Completed.]

[Explorer Archetype is selected.]

Rings after the rings were heard and Jung’s entire essence was modified, adapting to his current archetype.

His every aspect surged with energy, and even though his thought process was adjusted, Jung somehow still felt like himself.

Then he channelled persona into himself.

Ten seconds wasn’t much, and he had to exploit every moment of it.

As an explorer, he didn’t blindly charge, especially when the blows on his body never ceased.

Unlike raw power-driven fights, Jung’s mind became even more calculative, studying his enemy and environment alike.

It took him one second to do that.

Then, using the handle of the axe, he deflected a punch that aimed at his face and turned Astra’s force against him.

His parrying generated intense force, stumbling the Chosen One and delaying his instincts.

Kicking his limbs onto the ground, Jung jumped to his feet and darted with a leaping step.

Explorer archetypes probed everything, including the battle, meaning the longer the fight went on, Jung’s understanding increased.

Ticking seconds later, he was upon Astra, and his hands were spinning the axe around in rapid strikes to reach the weakness the boy’s aura attempted to conceal.

It did a pretty good job, and Jung’s first attack only wasted another second.

However, it wasn’t for nought when Jung explored more and understood how to locate the opening between the god and the Astra.

Confident in his discovery, Jung cross-guarded a kick that almost smashed his fingers on the axe and resumed his assault.

He rapidly changed his position, confusing Astra and finding the perfect timing for a fully powered overhead blow that almost cleaved through an impregnable aura wall.

At least he created a tear he could abuse, and not wasting another second, Jung drove the axe down with a downward chop, finally breaking the blessing.

Shattered light blue particles covered both of them.

Only one second remained for Jung to utilize his mask and slay the Chosen One.

Knowing what to do, his wrists danced in quick motion, aiming to harvest a life.

As for Astra, even if he lost his god-like power, he remained conscious and leapt to save his dear life.

Jung was still an explorer, and this nature won over his desire to swiftly behead the enemy. Instead, he wanted to pry into Astra’s character, so he only cut off his hands, creating the blood pools all around.

Keeping Mask deactivated, Jung’s normal mindset was back.

’I did it,’ he thought, but immediately corrected. ’We did it.’

Of course, he meant Vex and not Nero, who was idle this entire time, lying on the ground and licking her paws, acting lazy and carefree.

Meanwhile, Astra bled like a slaughtered pig, yet not a single scream slipped from his mouth.

Dropped onto his knees, it didn’t seem like he was in pain, and even after losing his hands, his demeanour never wavered.

"Wow, you did it," Astra said to Jung as if he wasn’t concerned about his impending death.

Eying him with no sympathy, Jung smirked and said, "Any last words, you son of a bitch?"

"I am good," Astra answered, content with losing his life; he had no attachments to beg for forgiveness. "But killing me means dooming the world; I guess you are willing to do that."

His words didn’t contain sadness.

It was more of a warning and his proud personality talking.

"What about your sister?" Jung asked for the last time. "Are you comfortable leaving her at my mercy?"

"I don’t care about Leora. I think you should kill her; she is too vulgar and annoying," Astra said indifferently. There was no remorse or love in his voice.

Jung’s hatred towards the boy intensified, and it wasn’t about him being an asshole, the Chosen One, a threat, or simply someone Jung needed to kill.

Suddenly, with his careless words, it became more than that.

As an older brother, as a person who was searching for his sister, Astra’s speech made Jung despise the boy to the limits, and before he even knew it, his axe turned and struck with clean motion, executing him on the spot.

However, Jung’s enmity wasn’t quenched just yet.

Mercilessly, without considering the state of the corpse, Jung butchered him until he was satisfied.

Just like that, so simply, humanity’s so-called future hero failed before he even started.

In his place, the messiah emerged, the guy who decided to shoulder this responsibility and uphold justice.

Jung was examining the outcome of his actions.

His breathing quickened, but waves of relief washed over him.

The brutal and gory scene he created wasn’t for the weak to see, but Ronan stood not too far away, smiling, and not dwelling too long, he left soon after.

[You slew the Chosen One and replaced him before his myth even started.]

[Quest IV Completed.]

[You gained the Messiah identity.]

«Caveat: This action caused the wrath of the Archeons.

Finally, after all his efforts, Jung completed this quest, achieving one of his primary goals.

Following that, he devoured Astra’s dead body and harvested its pill, hoping to obtain something unique.

When nothing noteworthy happened, Jung set off on his journey.

Smiling, he went back to the cave to find the girls and said to the system, "Good job. You were right."

[I told you. Next time, you better trust me immediately.]

She giggled and said, delighted with Jung’s grateful attitude.

"Sure!" Jung said shortly and marched to the cave, Nero striding behind him.

He had a lot to do, including clearing the situation in the academy and meeting Walt.