Chapter 36 Part3 (1/2)
<chapter 36.=”” what=”” remains=”” of=”” the=”” battle=”” -=”” 3=””>
[You have hunted a member of the 12 generals, the Lv7 Vulture General, Bureuche Von Golden Eagle! All contributing heroes acquire 30,000,000 Perium, and all stats are increased by 100. You have acquired 10 permits to G.o.d's secret shop. Proficiency in all combat related skills has increased dramatically!]
[The High Rank Bursting Thunder skill has become Lv5. Strength and Magic have increased by 10.]
[The Intermediate Shadow Horn skill has become Lv10 and has evolved. The Intermediate Horn Gigantification and the Low Rank Shadow Extension skills have been absorbed. You have learned the special pa.s.sive skill, Thorn Shadow Lv1. Agility has increased by 30. Strength and Magic have increased by 10.]
[You have received G.o.d's grace. The max level of Invisible Heart has increased by 10.]
The Vulture General fought desperately, but he was ultimately killed. His immense power, despite being unable to fight on his own terms, was a reminder that he was one of the 12 generals. However, his opponent had too much of an advantage against him.
Retadane was not only level 8 but could utilize light magic, which was fatal to all undead. Not to mention that all the heroes had attacked the Vulture General simultaneously. It was amazing that he'd even lasted as long as he did.
”I saw it before with the Beast General, but... the rewards are considerable.”
”All stats are increased by 100... Moreover, my combat skills that wouldn't budge leveled up twice.”
”Hoo... I'm satisfied.”
”Junior! Why did you set me up with this crazy woman... Explain, now. Hey!”
When fighting against the Vulture General, all the heroes had been focused, but once they were rewarded, their anxiety faded away and they began to talk amongst themselves. Seeing that, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo softly sighed and spoke calmly.
”The battle's not over yet, Seniors. We have to take out the remaining soldiers.”
”Y-Yeah, you're right.”
”That's not all.”
Seira Von Retadane added firmly, once she'd collected all the loot from the Vulture General.
”We may have to face the Heaven Defying General as well.”
”That's right... They're killing the other undead right now, but eventually, they'll come for us...”
”...Seniors.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo knew that this was his chance.
”I was helped by them before.”
”...You were... helped by them?”
The mood turned chilly. The heroes remained silent, except Prince, who looked at him most favorably amongst the heroes. She accepted what he'd said and muttered.
”Yes. I was going to die, but the Heaven Defying General helped me, allowing me to survive. I'm surprised and fl.u.s.tered myself, but... the Heaven Defying General told me this: Since our enemy is the same, there's no reason not to work together.”
”Our enemy is the same...”
Lloyd interjected this time. He had realized that the only reason they were able to focus entirely on the Vulture General was because the Heaven Defying General's corps had fought against the undead forces in their stead.
”...How can this be? All undead should be completely loyal to the Emperor.”
”He said that they'd escaped his control. That there was a way to escape his control. Apparently, his forces reject the Emperor's control and they fight against him.”
”There's no way...”
Erian and Lloyd were dumbfounded and speechless. Through their experiences in the Empire, they had seen the undead as an absolute enemy, but because they saw the Heaven Defying General's forces crus.h.i.+ng the undead, they couldn't reject what Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was saying.
”Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, don't be fooled.”
However, there was one person who rejected it without hesitation. As he'd expected, it was Retadane.
”They're all undead. They're not sane. You cannot believe what they say. It's an ironclad rule for heroes.”
”But Retadane, they're really...”
”It's foolish to believe them just because they're on our side now. ...Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, they're 'fundamentally' different from us. They're existences that you cannot communicate with or understand. Even if it seems like you can trust them for now, it's nothing more than an illusion...”
”...”
She said firmly, and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo smiled bitterly. Of course, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo knew she'd come out like this, but... her emotional wall was greater than he'd expected and he was a bit hurt by her.
”There must be a reason behind them saving you. Perhaps they wanted to a.n.a.lyze us, or perhaps they're aiming for our G.o.d. But you can't do what they want. All undead must be exterminated. No more, no less. We cannot work together.”
”...Ha.”
A sharp refusal, coupled with such hatred. He suddenly realized just how lucky he'd been. Kratia had treated him (and Jin) fairly, without any prejudice, and was kind and genuine. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo ended up laughing despondently. Then...
”You can't believe what someone says if you don't trust them. That goes for both the undead and humans. In fact, humans can be much worse.”
Kratia spoke and refuted Retadane's statement.
”Calm down. Make your decision by using what's actually happening as evidence. It's a fact that they're helping us right now. They're not attacking us, so there's no point in being hostile. Above all, we don't even have the strength to do so right now. Am I wrong?”
”You're not wrong. If they're fighting against each other, then there's no point in putting ourselves in unnecessary danger. A wiser choice would be to use them. Of course, we should a.n.a.lyze them now to prepare for the future...”
Even though she agreed with Kratia, Retadane remained suspicious of the Heaven Defying General's motives and rejected him. As a representative of mankind (a hero), it was perhaps only natural that she acted while thinking so deeply.
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was relieved that he hadn't appeared in front of her in his undead form. He had to think of a way to convince her. It seemed as though Kratia had understood him and said something unnecessary. It was probably intended to console him.
”...I believe that there are undead that are trustworthy.”
”You're thinking along the same lines as Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. It's truly unfortunate, but... this is no place to chat. I'll keep the Vulture General's loot for now. I'll divvy it up once the battle is over.”
And thus, their conversation was over. Her uneven breathing, a result from the intense battle, had somewhat evened out, and Retadane brandished her flail, charging into a gap between the monsters. She crushed anyone in her way, startling the heroes.
”Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, I believe Retadane is right on this. There's a high chance that an intelligent undead will try and trick us...”