Chapter 28 Part9 (1/2)
<chapter 28.=”” kratia's=”” quest=”” -=”” 9=””>
The promised three days had pa.s.sed. During that time, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had run throughout the facility with Jin while activating his a.s.similation skill so that they could match each other's senses; because of that, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was just about able to match Jin's dynamic visual acuity and reflexes, both of which stemmed from his agility.
'In terms of this, you're better than most level 7s.'
'But Rebellion increases my max stats during battle. I have to be able to adapt to that quickly.'
'That's true.'
Fighting back against their current illogical situation was enough for the Rebellion skill to activate, which would result in a stat increase. Now that the Rebellion skill was level 4, all his stats increased by 16%. This was the amount of stat increase that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was used to now.
However, if he were to face more than 1,000 enemies, or a higher level enemy, his Rebellion skill would activate and increase his stats by another 16%, as well as an additional 11% due to the existence of a partner.
His stats would increase by another 27%. Of course, that entire effect would be shared with his partner, so Jin would be reinforced equally.
'Mm, it should all work out. Anyway, my goal is to gather as much mana as possible to strengthen my body, as well as to unleash a powerful attack.'
'...Yeah, we can do it. I haven't been just sitting around all this time either.'
No matter how strong the level 7 elites were, could they be stronger than Hansen Von Dorthe? Of course, it was scary that they had to fight against three level 7 elites at the same time, but Lee s.h.i.+n Woo decided to trust Kratia. Prince, who was close to level 7, wasn't very reliable, but he still took her into account too.
Once they had finished up their training, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Jin returned to the designated meeting place. Kratia and Rem had already returned and were waiting for them.
”Do you think it'll be ok?”
”Yep.”
She responded confidently and stuck out her chest. Rem sat atop Kratia's shoulder with a similar pose. It seemed like they had formed a sense of kins.h.i.+p from collaborating for three days.
”A level 6 golem... A golem that pledges loyalty to a hero... A golem that can meddle with another golem's structure... A golem that doesn't even make any sense...”
”You keep adding 'golem' to your sentences, Senior. Are you alright?”
”Do I look ok to you? I'm not in the right state of mind right now. I'm scared of the training exercise, and I'm even more scared of you.”
It seemed like she hadn't slept well, as there were large, dark circles under her eyes. Then again, it was right before D-Day, and she should've just finished with her last minute training, so it was kind of obvious that she'd be tired.
”As expected of you, Senior. It should've been a hard decision to make, but you came to a decision all on your own.”
”Hmph, I'd rather die than be beaten by fledgling juniors!”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo decided to respect how Prince would do whatever it took to maintain her pride as a senior.
Moreover, he was could tell that she hadn't stayed just because of her inferiority complex. Even if she attempted to not show any signs of it, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Kratia could tell that Prince was worried about them. No... it was more accurate to say that she didn't want to see another 'hero' die.
”Then, let's get through this and get to level 7.”
”How would I feel any better if you were to reach level 7 at the same time as me... Hmph, if you don't do it properly, then I'll teach you lesson.”
Prince shared a few minor facts with him (she knew that he could somewhat control elemental power, and that Rem was his subordinate) and it seemed like she had given up on understanding him about half way.
Despite that, it was cute that she still considered him a junior that she needed to look after. As he thought, she's a good person. He felt a bit sad that he couldn't tell her about him being an undead.
'Well, as long as she's a beautiful girl.'
'I told you, that's not how it is.'
Jin reacted ridiculously and scorned him, but Lee s.h.i.+n Woo a.s.serted that it wasn't like that, and joined up with the group. Now there was nowhere to hide. It was time for them to finish this and clear the magic training facility that the Royal Magician Leader, Feotane Von Sledin, had put his heart and soul into.
”We're going in. Is everyone ready?”
”Yeah.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo checked that his six Breath of the Lightning G.o.ds, two of which were in his hands, were fully charged, and replied. Seeing that, Prince trembled once more, but she didn't retort; it was as though she had given up.
”Good. I'm all ready too. We need to get the drop on them. I'm going to seize control of all the magic traps from the get go. Our enemies probably won't be restrained by the rules, so we shouldn't worry about them either.”
”You're just going to destroy everything, aren't you.”
”Yeah. So long as we can win that way.”
”Defense... defense...”
If Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's job was to fight against the monsters, and Kratia's job was to seize control of the magic traps, then Prince's job was right in the middle.
Her job was to protect them against any unforeseen attacks, or from the magic traps that Kratia couldn't control. It definitely wasn't an easy task, but Prince steeled herself. If she couldn't do this, then she didn't deserve to reach level 7.
”Then... let's go in.”
”Alright, let's go in together.”
They formed a single group and entered the building. Of course, once they entered, they were met by a vast environment that couldn't be called a building. And like Kratia had said, it seemed like the s.p.a.ce was significantly reduced compared to the previous facilities.
It was a forest lined with trees. The group was pressed down by the ridiculously dense concentration of mana, which made them unable to breathe for a moment.
[a.s.sessing atmosphere. Mana concentration at 1,876%.]
”Ha, haha...”
Prince breathed out unnecessarily at Rem's report. It would be hard to use magic when the concentration of mana was doubled, but 1,876% was ridiculous.
Of course, if one were actually able to use magic in these conditions, then it would be quite an achievement, but if they were going to do that, then they wouldn't have to go through all the effort of adapting to this level of mana concentration!
'The mana concentration in the twenty-first facility was high as well. It wasn't this unbelievably high, but... I can still do it!'
Prince gritted her teeth, and the moment she raised her level 4 fire spirit staff, a voice rang out throughout the vast but small s.p.a.ce.
[The training exercise will begin soon.]
”Don't listen to that thing anymore. Because it's already started.”
The voice rang out, as if to put their minds at ease, but Kratia curtly denied its validity.
Of course, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had realized that as well. He had already felt it through his connection with Jin. The gaze of three fierce beasts looking right at them. Each of them were concealing their presences, but they couldn't hide from Jin's senses.
'Jin, it may be a bit tough, but endure it. If it all goes to plan, then... we'll be able to win easily.'
'Alright. That's always how it is. I trust you.'
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo activated Lightning Shadow and Lightning Sprint simultaneously. The lightning was wilder than usual and enveloped both Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Jin in an instant; it was so dense that no one could see them from beyond the lightning.
”Keuk, Kuu.”
[Koo...]
”It's coming!”
Then, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo heard the beast's subdued voice and directed Jin to run quickly. At the same time, Kratia's...o...b..gathered the ambient mana in the air, created a giant ice spear and shot it in Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's direction!