Chapter 35 Part3 (1/2)
<chapter 35.=”” the=”” call=”” of=”” death=”” -=”” 3=””>
”Why did you do that?”
Once they had finished their duel, Prince grabbed Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's arm, not Lloyd's, and dragged him away from the other heroes. She wanted to know why he had hidden his abilities.
She didn't want to leave Lloyd behind, but it seemed like she didn't like Lee s.h.i.+n Woo hiding his abilities either. While thinking that she was a really troublesome person, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo maintained his smile and replied.
”I just didn't want to embarra.s.s Senior Lloyd.”
”Are you an idiot? We're going to be fighting one of the 12 generals soon. Do you really think you'll be able to hide your abilities then?”
”Yes.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's nonchalant response caused her rosy cheeks to thin.
”You're really...”
”Ah, I'm not saying I'll be playing around while you're all in danger. There are so many ways that I can do my part without revealing my abilities.”
Prince was fed up with Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, as he spoke while smiling unashamedly. However, she wasn't able to criticize him anymore, as Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's expression turned serious and suddenly grabbed onto her shoulder.
”W-What is it?”
”More importantly, you remember your promise with me, right?”
”That's... I know, I got it. I just need to stay next to you, right? Anyway...”
It seemed like she'd say something strange if he just let her be, so Lee s.h.i.+n Woo took the initiative.
”No, please stick with Kratia.”
”...Huh?”
”You have to stick with Kratia for the duration of this battle. Since Kratia will need your help for something. Please, you have to.”
”Wait, that's... Huh?”
Prince tilted her head, as she couldn't understand his words or intent. But then, a single strand of mana coiled around her. It was Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's darkness mana. He was trying to find the root of Prince's boundless trust and confidence in Ethan Cruz.
”Huh? What are you doing?”
”It's nothing.”
Ethan Cruz had used a high rank spell on her. While the other heroes might not have noticed, it couldn't escape Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's notice when he was actively trying to find it.
It would've been easier if Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had found the spell when he had initially formed a contract with her, reminding him that he still had a long way to go.
'Ah, is this it?'
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo discovered the darkness magic and gently erased it on the spot. Of course, he did it covertly enough that the caster, Ethan Cruz, wouldn't notice. He would probably notice eventually, but by then it would be too late.
”Hey wait, did you just do something?”
”I just dispelled a small debuff that was applied to you.”
”A debuff? Mm, now that you mention it, my body feels refreshed for some reason.”
It's likely her mind, not her body that's refreshed. She wouldn't feel the effects, as the spell had been applied to her so covertly. Which meant that she would still find it strange if he started talking to her about Ethan Cruz.
”In any case, you just need to remember one thing: please stick with Kratia.”
”You want me to stay with her instead of with you? I-I'm straight! No matter how cool or mature I look as a man...”
”Please don't worry. Since I'm straight too.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo smiled bitterly and returned to the group with Prince. No one was suspicious of them, as they were aware that they had worked together before.
”If I could, I would keep talking with you guys forever, but... Unfortunately, I won't be able to do that. The Beast General will be here soon. Everyone, get ready for battle.”
Ethan Cruz gathered all the heroes in one place. Aside from Seira Von Retadane and Kratia, everyone was focused on him. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was the only person to see the quietly exchanged glances, their plot, and their resolve.
'I guess it's true. Mentes Orun...'
Mentes Orun was the more obvious of the two; he looked at the perpetrator, Ethan Cruz, with irritation, resignation, and fury, and also looked at the other heroes as well.
It may look like he was anxious before the battle, but to Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, who knew his true intent, it looked ridiculous. Mentes Orun was one of the variables that could affect the coming battle...
'Yeah.'
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo decided quickly that he would have to take this guy down first. For that reason, he had arrived here before anyone else and had made preparations. A secret weapon that had even escaped Seira Von Retadane and Yasunori Akira's notice!
[Master, Chi Paul and s.h.i.+no Rendu have caught up with Target 1.]
'Oh, good. What about Yasunori Akira?'
[He is still hiding. Target 2 is getting close, but Bisher Moon will stop him soon.]
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo received his long-awaited report from Rem, raised his head, and secretly looked at Ethan Cruz's complexion. The once relaxed and smiling middle-aged man had instantaneously stiffened. Yeah, he was shocked.
”What's wrong, Senior?”
”Oh, it's nothing... Mm, don't worry about it.”
Ethan Cruz hadn't been able to properly control his facial expression. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo knew he would act like this, as two level 7 elites had popped up out of nowhere and attacked his subordinate. There was no way he wouldn't be surprised. Also, since one of them was s.h.i.+no Rendu, it made him feel like the world was against him.
”Senior, are you alright?”
”You're the most important person here, so please tell us if something is wrong!”
”Haha, you rascals. I told you, there's nothing wrong.”
Ethan Cruz's comrade, as well as the other heroes soon realized something was up. His juniors were concerned about him, and Ethan Cruz flashed them an uncertain smile. It would have been better if they had left him alone so he could think, but he couldn't come up with a suitable response with all of them fussing over him. Oh, how embarra.s.sing it must be!
”Senior, are you really ok?”
”Ah, yeah. Of course I am. Even if something did happen, shouldn't we be focusing on the upcoming battle?”
He was absolutely right. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo acted as though he were moved by Ethan Cruz's statement and nodded his head. While he was doing so, Ethan Cruz's expression worsened even more. Ah, the other undead hero must've been taken out by Bisher Moon.
Bisher Moon was powerful. He could use the darkness element, which made him and his element the undead heroes' worst enemy. Moreover, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's contract strengthened him significantly, so Bisher Moon could take on as many level 7 undead heroes as you could throw at him!
”Why is that b.a.s.t.a.r.d showing up now...”