Chapter 25 Part2 (1/2)

<chapter 25.=”” hansen=”” von=”” dorthe=”” -=”” 2=””>

[Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaah!]

”s.h.i.+n Woo, you really think we can just leave them like that?”

”Yeah.”

He sent Kratia away, and when it was about time that they return to the castle, Jin asked Lee s.h.i.+n Woo a question. 'Them' was referring to the Chimera Golems that were still rolling on the floor and grunting.

The fact that they were still like that, despite the fact that Shriek of the Dead should've worn off by now, must mean that they were suffering from PTSD.

”I feel like they'll just stay like that if we leave them here.”

”They don't have a part in my plan for the time being. We should just leave them like that.”

”So... you're saying that you are going to use them later?”

”Of course.”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo nodded his head, as if saying 'wasn't it obvious? why are you asking me that?'. They were already on a Joker's stage; they couldn't leave unless he said so. They would either dance to his tune, or die; he would only allow one of those choices to pa.s.s!

The Golem Chimeras were comprised of a group of undead that were at least level 5. He was confident that he could inflict damage upon a general, so long as he used them properly.

”What if something goes wrong?”

”Well, then I suppose I'll die a few times or something. Don't worry about it too much.”

Jin was well aware of the fact that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's words were just hot air. They exchanged a few words before the battle, and in the process, Jin once again realized just how determined Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was; then steeled himself as well.

[Kuwoooooooooooh!]

”Keuk. How long do you think it'll take before the general shows up...?”

”To be honest, even Nellopa didn't really know how long it'd take for him to show up. But I'm sure it won't take very long. Since he had plans that would 'let him hold out until the general showed up', no matter the situation.”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo said, and looked backwards. The Treasure Eater was chasing after Jin and was close to catching them. Light was steadily radiating off its body, and it seemed as though it would let out a big one soon.

”Though I have no idea how long we can last against that guy...”

”Why the h.e.l.l did that thing appear here, when it's so hard to even find a level 7? You said that there was only one level 7 elite bone in the secret shop!”

”Instead of asking me, why don't you ask him?”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was also speechless. This operation was supposed to be relatively risk-free and safe, and he had planned to finish things up without any problems! He'd let the chimeras and the undead destroy each other, and then loot everything in the facility; the fact that things had gotten so out of hand was all because of that a.s.shole Steve.

To think that a level 7 Treasure Eater actually existed; even if he had a.s.sumed one did exist, how was he to know that that level 7 Treasure Eater would appear right before him? According to his seniors, Treasure Eaters were such a rare species that meeting one was like winning the lottery on Earth!

”Since it's come to this, we have to get that thing to pay us back for making us walk on such a tightrope.”

”Your voice is really scary right now...”

[Guoooooh!]

Then, Steve began attacking. However, Jin was able to avoid it easily by momentarily accelerating; the lightning cannon ball barely missed, and vanished after leaving behind a crater several meters wide. If they had been directly hit by that, they would have been reduced to bone power; they would've died on the spot.

”...Just one of these would destroy the castle walls.”

”It's alright. Shall we use the undead as meat s.h.i.+elds?”

Fortunately, it seemed as though that skill wasn't something Steve could use often, as it was apparent that Steve had gotten weaker; its speed at which it chased them had slowed. While it was slowed, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Jin moved hurriedly and arrived in front of the outer castle walls.

One of the soldiers atop the walls, surveying his surroundings, noticed Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and yelled happily.

[The lord has returned!]

[Oh, the lord...!]

[The lord's returned safely. Hurry, open the front gate...]

But before the undead opened the front gate, Jin let out a 'heup', and seemed to put pressure in his legs. The soles of his feet, or rather his hooves, suddenly changed shape. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo caught a glimpse of it, and to him, they looked like spinning helical springs.

”Huh...?”

Did Jin just get an ability like that one X Fruit!? [1] Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was astonished, but at that very moment, Jin slammed his feet onto the ground, leaping high into the air. He'd leapt to a ridiculous height in such a short period of time that even Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was shocked!

Seeing that, the undead seemed confused, and Jin calmly landed above the castle walls. It was such a soft landing, belying the powerful leap.

'How's that?'

'Awesome.'

'Hut.'

Jin snorted at Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's honest appreciation and was quite happy. It seemed like Jin had been considering various ways in which he could make full use of his ability.

Honestly, there was a large degree of freedom in the way he could use Steel Heart, which enveloped his body in mana steel, and he'd thought that he could develop it any way he wanted. But... to change a certain part of his body into springs... it was both a simple and extremely effective idea.

[My lord, isn't that horse Sir Seta's...!?]

[Now that you mention it, I don't see Sir Seta anywhere. Did he perhaps...]

”Sir Seta left this horse to me. He... was a knight who fought loyally for the Empire till the bitter end.”

[Ooh...]

The knights took the death of this imaginary figure, Sir Seta, hard. There were several holes in his story that didn't make sense. For example, why Sir Seta had stopped appearing around the halfway point, or how he died, or how he'd bequeathed his horse to the lord. However, those trifling matters didn't matter to them right now.

[That monster will fall by our hands no matter what!]

[That's not all. We'll punish those disgusting b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who invaded the Sanctuary in his majesty's name!]

[Follow Sir Seta's example! Remember his will!]

[Uooooooooooh!]

Jin didn't do anything, but his existence managed to boost the morale of the undead. By the time he tilted his head, the pursuing Treasure Eater forcefully rammed into the outer castle wall and showed itself to all of them!

[Kuaaaaaaaaaaah!]

[Kuak!]

The Treasure Eater, its gigantic body several meters long, had subst.i.tuted its speed for its weight in order to deliver such a powerful charge! It was truly a horrific impact. It seemed as though the castle walls would crumble then and there, and within the vibrations, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo yelled out in a calm, confident tone. Charisma was everything to a lord.

”Who defends Kadinan!?”

[We do!]

”Then, defend it! Show that monster that it cannot look down on us!”

[Understood!]

Jin couldn't believe his eyes. The knights and soldiers atop the castle walls then took the plunge, free falling to the ground.

Several of the knights had landed properly, but the soldiers let out a horrific sound upon landing, as if that alone would kill them; yet the other soldiers followed suit and took the plunge!