Chapter 13 Part6 (1/2)
<chapter 13.=”” arema=”” steelworker=”” -=”” 6=””>
He didn't know exactly how far reaching Arema Steelworker's control over the golems went, but Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Jin tacitly agreed that they would be careful with their words and actions within the train.
In the middle of the odd silence, the train gradually began to slow down. After that, they received a signal that they'd arrived at their destination. They had really traveled from the west end of the Empire to the south end instantaneously.
”Would anyone believe us if we told them?”
”Probably not...”
If all of the heroes were able to use this subway line, the territory of the Empire might change immediately. The system was that revolutionary.
'Is the Undead Emperor unaware of this facility?'
It's because he was unaware of it that this facility had remained safe all this time. He could tell, through the examination of the Original Core, that Arema Steelworker's authority in terms of golem manufacturing was extremely high.
The Emperor had probably trusted in his absolute loyalty and seemed to have entrusted Arema Steelworker with manufacturing the golems, as well as overseeing all the operations. Back then, he had to have absolute trust in them, as they were under a master-servant relations.h.i.+p.
”We're screwed.”
At that moment, Jin spoke in a slightly trembling voice. The land was teeming with golems beyond the automatically opening door. Considering the fact that they were all level 4 Bronze Golems and were armed with weapons, he could tell that they possessed Attack Type Cores.
But Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had already expected that, so he had activated his general administrator seal.
[Confirming general administrator.]
[Welcome.]
A few of the golems spoke mechanically and greeted them. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo wondered if he could, so he ordered them to stand in line, but they wouldn't follow such a detailed order. A general administrative authority only made it so that they 'wouldn't attack him', that's all.
”Well, I suppose it can't be helped. Work hard and get through them. Oh, and make sure you choose the right place.”
”You demon!”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo acted as though he would break apart the seal any minute now, and Jin hastily stepped into the subway train door. He'd desperately moved there to force a 1 on 1 confrontation! Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, without even giving him any time, erased the seal, and at that very moment, the golems turned their attention to them.
[Detecting a trespa.s.ser. He has infiltrated into a critical facility. Reporting to code name, A.S.]
[Communication blocked. a.s.sessing the situation. Proceeding to eliminate the trespa.s.ser.]
When the golems were blocked by Arema Steelworker, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo sensed a portion of the flow of mana in the entire area snap. And what did he realize from that? He realized the way in which Arema Steelworker blocked communication with them.
'He doesn't block communication with each golem, but blocks communication by region, huh.'
In other words, this area was now safe from Arema Steelworker's gaze. The moment he realized that, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo recreated the general administrator seal and turned the golems away. Jin's eyes blazed with indignation, and he turned around and yelled.
”Are you training me like a dog!?”
”I have to feed you something tasty before the training starts.”
”Ugh.”
Jin, seeing the Bone Original Core that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had been saving, spoke awfully, as though he'd eaten an entire lemon whole. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo kindly motioned for him to come over with his hand, and Jin looked as though he was a criminal being offered poison, as he slowly walked over.
”But can you take that out now?”
”The connection's been completely cut in this region. We can talk comfortably now.”
”Really? By the way, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. How the h.e.l.l were you able to stand in front of a level 8 golem and lie without even blinking!? He was a level 8 golem!”
That was probably something he'd really wanted to say. He was more shocked than awed by what he had seen. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo just chuckled and replied.
”Who cares? They lied to me too. They definitely oppose the Emperor, but don't trust anything other than that.”
”Really!? They sounded like they were going to cry...!”
”Anyone can make something like that up.”
It seemed as though Jin had taken everything that they'd said as the truth. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo looked at him pitifully, and then Jin put great effort into turning his head and spoke as if he were justifying himself.
”We aren't enemies, so it didn't seem like there was any reason to lie to each other...”
”There are things you have to keep from your allies as well. And though we have a common enemy, there's no guarantee that they're not our enemies as well.”
”You sure spoke bravely to that golem.”
”Since our growth is a pressing matter. Moreover, I was able to say that to him because he doesn't know how fast our growth is.”
He replied calmly, and continued on.
”In any case, we got everything we wanted; maybe even more.”
”A way to contact them.”
They said they'd only use the train, but as they come and go, the golems would inevitably take an interest in them again. Arema Steelworker knew that as well.
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's final goal was to constantly use the train, give them a strong impression, gain their trust, and ultimately, forge a deep connection with them. If it's possible, a contract with them as well. Hearing that, Jin was frightened and replied.
”In other words, doesn't that mean that we'll remain visible to them, and they'll be watching us?”
”Life is like that. Isn't it a worthwhile risk?”
”You're really bold, aren't you...”
”If I wasn't, I wouldn't be able to act. Hurry up and come over here.”
”d.a.m.n it. I hate things that hurt.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had his fill of Jin's admiring gaze and placed the Bone Original Core atop Jin's forehead. And like an oral surgeon about to perform root ca.n.a.l surgery on a patient, he lied gently.
”If it hurts, just say so. Bone Reinforcement!”
”Ughhhhhhhhhh!”
Of course, there was nothing he could do, even if Jin said that it hurt. All he could do was place a hand on Jin's back, share the pain through their connection, and help him to fully absorb the core. Since he'd already absorbed the core once before, it was quite easily for him.
[Strength has increased by 2, and Magic by 3.]
”What a gold mine.”
Though he'd already absorbed the information from the Original Core, there was quite a bit of newfound memories remaining within.
[You c.o.c.kroaches. Why don't you just give up?]
[Our duty is one of honor. It's all for the sake of the Emperor.]
”Hoo.”
”Gahhhhhhhhh.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo shouldered all of the memories that Jin couldn't handle, and the ma.s.sive quant.i.ty of mana knowledge, as well as the method to harmonize the body and mana were poured into Jin.
It was ridiculously easier than when he'd absorbed the core, but it seemed as though even this was difficult for Jin as he had gritted his teeth.
”It hurts! Just a little... Just a little slower!”
”If I slow it down any further, you'll lose all the memories. It'll be tough, but endure it just a little while longer.”