Chapter 18 Part1 (1/2)
<chapter 18.=”” corps=”” destroyer=”” -=”” 1=””>
The large force of undead probably consisted of wandering skeletons from outside the commercial city. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo acted calm, and spoke whilst nodding his head.
”Is the reason that you're leaving now because...?”
”To be honest, even after becoming level 6, I couldn't completely give up on this field. However, once I learned of the impending undead force, I completely gave up on it. I asked Lloyd for his opinion, but he thought that this force may be troops under the 12 generals' command. You see, a force that large and disciplined is not that common.”
Not only is a corps under the 12 generals' command dangerous, but there's also the possibility that they could get involved with the 12 generals themselves if something went wrong. Therefore, it would be a good idea to avoid them for now... When Lee s.h.i.+n Woo heard her say all that, he honestly couldn't believe it.
'They're pretty much giving us an opportunity to find out more about the 12 generals, but you're just going to throw that all away?'
If he fought against the corps under the 12 generals' command, he'd not only gain a ton of information, but he might cause some sort of change amongst the 12 generals by facing off against their force, which would be a huge advantage in and of itself!
There was nothing he could do if there were other heroes nearby, but he could at least consult the chatting channel once beforehand. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo thought about mentioning it, but ultimately didn't express his doubts aloud. Erian's vibe wouldn't permit it.
”Fortunately, we still have some time before they arrive. I'm not bragging, but we elves have sharp eyes, so I could tell early on that they were on the move. Since it's a huge corps, they should take at least four days before they pa.s.s by here.”
”What direction are they coming from?”
”So... Ah, share your minimap with me. They should be around here.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo just laughed when he saw the coordinates she'd marked on his minimap.
It did feel like this was what was happening, but... those coordinates were extremely close to the commercial city, Kehebe, that he had left from.
”I see. We should leave before we encounter them.”
”Ah, that's a relief. I was concerned that you might say you'd fight them...”
”I'm well aware of my limitations. I know the difference between courage and foolhardiness.”
”Hoo... I'm glad. It seems like I'll be seeing you for a very long time.”
Despite sounding somewhat p.i.s.sed, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo nevertheless replied as though he'd made up his mind. Hearing that, Erian was genuinely relieved and smiled simply. She also proposed a place worth going to.
”There's a highlands in the west that's filled with level 4 Bronze Golems. To be honest, I wanted to hunt them, but they aren't a good match for me... Moreover, I want to join up with Lloyd as fast as possible, so I'll give up the spot to my junior. You're probably already well aware of this, but one golem is connected to all the others in the group, so lure them well and destroy them.”
”Thank you.”
This was likely extremely generous for a hero who wandered around looking for strong foes.
Of course, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo knew more about these highlands than anyone, but he just acted like he was thankful for now. Erian nodded her head in satisfaction and extended her hand to him.
”I pray that we meet again someday. It'd be nice if Jin Jin was with us then.”
”Yes, I hope we all stay safe until that day comes.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo unhesitatingly stretched his hand forward and shook her hand.
Erian felt the warmth of a human from his hand, as well as the sense of comfort and peace she would feel whenever she came across another hero. She smiled once again in relief feeling that she wasn't the only one clinging on to life and struggling in this world filled with death.
Seeing that, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo responded with his own smile, confirming that he had indeed fooled her, and the two parted ways amicably.
”Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, what are you going to do now? Do you think that girl's already left?”
Erian lead them outside and parted ways. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Jin ran towards the west highlands, and when they were sure that they were outside the range of Erian's hearing, Jin spoke. Naturally, he was talking about both her and Kratia.
”I feel like Kratia will just b.u.t.t heads with anyone who comes her way.”
”Yeah, it's a relief since it would've been difficult to hunt with just the two of us.”
Jin spoke nonchalantly and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo chuckled. From the very beginning, he never intended on simply running away like Erian had suggested. Jin was already well aware that there was no way Lee s.h.i.+n Woo would back off without even knowing their enemies' number and levels.
”Then don't we need to hurry back to the city? That girl wouldn't know if we changed directions now. We don't know how long Kratia will be able to hold them off...”
”You don't need to worry about Kratia. Since I already sent reinforcements.”
The moment Lee s.h.i.+n Woo realized that an undead corps would invade Kehebe, he ordered the three Iron Golems to use the underground pa.s.sageway to return to the city. If the golems were there, it wouldn't be too difficult for her to protect herself and fight off the undead.
”But we don't know how large the corps is, so I'm thinking of sending over some 's.h.i.+elds' as well.”
”s.h.i.+elds? What are you... Ah, aah.”
As expected, Jin was quick on the uptake. When he thought about it, they were headed towards the highlands, where the Bronze Golems lay dormant! From the start, the reason Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had followed Erian's words to the letter was because of that!
”We'll arrive soon, so get ready.”
”It doesn't even feel like it's been a few minutes. You're frighteningly fast.”
No matter how often he experienced Jin's speed, it was always a thrilling and new experience. They arrived in the highlands instantly; the nearest Bronze Golem noticed them and stood up... At that moment, the Steelworker seal floated atop his palm, as if he were an inspector taking out his badge.
[Welcome, Steelworker.]
[Welcome.]
[Welc...]
At the same time, he heard the golems' voices resound in various parts of the highlands! As expected, they seemed to be exactly the same in this one aspect when compared to the Iron Golems. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo saw all of the numerous Bronze Golems speak in the same voice and stand up. He then immediately commanded them.
”Sprint mode! Release mana limiter!
[Releasing mana limiter. Miniaturizing body as much as possible in order to use sprint mode.]
Unfortunately, the Bronze Golems didn't have the ability to significantly downsize their bodies like the Iron Golems. Instead, there was a command that caused them to remove their armaments, and run faster than before; he placed those armaments into Jin's inventory since he still had s.p.a.ce.
That speed was truly quick; it was as if they were running a simulation! Jin was speechless and just kept his inventory open. After placing all of their armaments into Jin's inventory, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo turned around and yelled vigorously!
”Nice. Then let's go to the city now!”
[Following Steelworker!]
”You're always going beyond my expectations.”
Hundreds of Bronze Golems were forcefully following behind a running horse whilst Lee s.h.i.+n Woo maintained a human disguise! That's because there was the possibility that Erian Ruparte could be following behind them.
However, around the halfway point, they were absolutely sure that Erian Ruparte had completely left the area, so Lee s.h.i.+n Woo released his disguise. Seeing that, Jin asked.
”...s.h.i.+n Woo, are you going to keep acting like a human from now on?”
”At least when we encounter heroes, yeah. Wouldn't it be easier for us if I acted like a human in front of them?”