Chapter 35 Part9 (2/2)
”s.h.i.+n Woo, you're not late!”
”Senior!”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo drew his Lightning G.o.d's Fury, cut through the undead, and approached him. Ethan Cruz sported an overwhelming relieved expression and looked at him.
”You came to rescue me!”
”Of course, Senior!”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could give Ethan Cruz's contemptible smile an 8/10. As he thought, perhaps this guy had the Acting skill as well.
However, he discarded that thought and moved on. Ethan Cruz smiled brightly and spoke.
”Even though the curse hasn't affected you!”
”Tch.”
”Heup!”
To think he'd notice! Hearing that, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo clicked his tongue. At that moment, Yasunori Akira popped out of his hiding place and attacked Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. He'd only heard of the style before, Battōjutsu. Yasunori Akira's strike was so powerful and swift that it felt like he'd be cut in two.
But because he shared Jin's ridiculously high speed stat, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's reflexes and dynamic visual acuity had grown beyond comprehension, so he was barely able to see the trajectory of his strike. And if he could see it, he could block it too.
”You were able to block my strike!?”
”Hoo. You know, I want to trust other people too sometimes.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo blocked Yasunori Akira's strike with his Lightning G.o.d's Fury (the moment their swords clashed, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's entire body shattered, but through his Acting and Regeneration skills, no one noticed) and sighed.
Well, of course he'd sigh. Both his plan of using Ethan Cruz's curse and Yasunori Akira helping him had all gone up in smoke. Honestly, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had somewhat expected Yasunori Akira to betray him, but he hadn't given up on him till the very end.
'I'd considered the possibility that Ethan Cruz would use Yasunori Akira as well... Since he'd need to know what Retadane would do and prepare accordingly.'
Ethan Cruz knew that Retadane had suspected him. If that's the case, then he must've known that Retadane would eventually approach Lee s.h.i.+n Woo... as he hadn't been in this world for very long and hadn't been approached by Ethan Cruz yet, therefore being trustworthy.
However, Ethan Cruz had planted a spy in preparation for that eventuality. Someone who would meet with Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and Retadane, and who would report what they were planning back to him: Yasunori Akira.
The reason Yasunori Akira had approached Lee s.h.i.+n Woo first and had warned him about Ethan Cruz was to gain his trust. By doing so, he would be able to manipulate Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, form a sense of camaraderie amongst him, Retadane, and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, and ultimately cause them to believe that he's their comrade.
”Did you know?”
”I said I really wanted to trust you. Are you deaf?”
With that in mind, the reason Lee s.h.i.+n Woo hadn't killed Yasunori Akira was because, contrary to Ethan Cruz, there was a chance that Yasunori Akira was 'innocent'. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo hadn't been able to discard the chance that Yasunori Akira had approached him out of genuine concern.
However, with this, he was sure. He was definitely on Ethan Cruz's side. Now he could kill him without feeling any guilt.
”Haha, you really are strong. I really like you.”
”You mean you like me enough to kill me and raise me as your subordinate?”
”So you're aware of it already, Super Rookie!”
”Yeah, that shamelessness really suits you.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo sighed once more, and completely dispelled the curse. Since Ethan Cruz was already aware of it, there was no reason to carry a curse that wouldn't be of any benefit to him.
Even though Ethan Cruz should be aware of Lee s.h.i.+n Woo dispelling the curse, his expression didn't change. That meant he had something else up his sleeve, aside from the curses and Yasunori Akira.
”You're really amazing. I really admire you.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was surrounded by the airborne troops, the 2 remaining undead heroes, and Yasunori Akira. They came closer and closer, and Ethan Cruz spoke relaxingly.
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo knew that he was just buying time to completely encircle him, but he decided to play along for now. He also needed to buy a bit of time.
”You really made a mess of my plans. I even used Akira, but I couldn't stop you. I didn't think you'd create such an impressive plan behind Retadane's back. Not only did you block my curse, but you also killed Mentes. How did you do it? I still don't understand how you did it. Ah, you can't use the chatting channel here, so relax and talk to me.”
”Do you really think I'll tell you?”
”Mm, yeah. You wouldn't want to talk. However, you'll soon change your mind. Once you've died and been brought back.”
”Mm... I have something I'd like to say. Want to hear it?”
”Of course.”
Once his encirclement was complete, Ethan Cruz was sure of his victory. He was definitely feeling relaxed.
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had expected Yasunori Akira's betrayal, but he hadn't expected Ethan Cruz to discover his curse plan. As a result, he had jumped into the mouth of the tiger.
”If I was suspicious of Yasunori Akira, then I could've made a plan separate from Retadane's. Have you thought about why I didn't?”
”I've thought about it, but there's no point in bluffing at this point. Since Retadane is currently fighting against tens of thousands of undead. I a.s.sure you... she won't be able to rescue you before he kills them all. Because that's her core, her hatred for the undead. She lives only to kill the undead!”
It seemed like Ethan Cruz was also aware of Retadane's obsession with the undead. Perhaps he had been waiting for Retadane to go deep into enemy lines and go on a rampage.
”Mm, you're right. That's why.”
”...What?”
Ethan Cruz was slightly fl.u.s.tered by his calm affirmation.
”It's simple. It means that there's a part of my plan that Retadane can't know.”
”Wait a sec. Hey, Ethan. Ethan! I feel a presence... an overwhelming presence! How... all of a sudden!?”
”What are you talking about...”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo grinned and said.
”The real battle starts now.”
A 'kw.a.n.g' sound rang out. The airborne troops began to drop like flies. Was it due to Kratia and Prince's magic? Nope. Boulders had caused them to drop from the sky.
[The Great Paul Zero has commanded us!]
[How dare you challenge his authority! Kill them all!]
”G-Giants...!”
It wasn't just the Giants. There were the level 7 Chimeras, the level 6 golems, and several other elites mixed in as well. The Heaven Defying General's corps had finally arrived.
”Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, how did you...”
”Who knows? I have no idea what you're talking about.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo pulled out an unknown staff and beamed.
Ethan Cruz's body felt chills.
Death was calling for him.
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