Chapter 36 Part4 (1/2)
<chapter 36.=”” what=”” remains=”” of=”” the=”” battle=”” -=”” 4=””>
[Through your plotting, your swindling, your troops, and your comrades, you have achieved the feat of annihilating an undead army. Of the surviving heroes, you have achieved the greatest feat. You have acquired the t.i.tle, 'Shadow Hero'. All stats have increased by 15. You can now more skillfully hide whatever you wish.]
[The Thorn Shadow skill has become Lv2. Strength, Agility, and Magic have increased by 5.]
[The High Rank Command skill has become Lv7 and all stats have increased by 5.]
”Retadane!”
”Keuk!?”
Once he'd confirmed that all the 12 generals' troops were annihilated, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo stopped Retadane from attacking his Paul Zero Corps. He had stayed near her because he knew that she'd act this way.
”Please get out of my way.”
”You can't fight anymore. You're exhausted.”
”They're our enemies.”
”If we don't attack them first, there's a chance that they won't become our enemies! At the very least, you agreed that we wouldn't fight them today.”
”I changed my mind. I can't let them go. The undead are... our enemies...!”
Even while gasping for breath, Retadane's red eyes s.h.i.+ned sharply, and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could clearly feel the swelling killing intent within them. It felt like she would attack Lee s.h.i.+n Woo as well, if he tried to stop her. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was sure that she wasn't in her right mind right now.
”Please... get out of my way...!”
When they had talked before, she hadn't said something so reckless. But when she saw the undead nearby, she blanked out and became unruly. There was no difference between her and a brainless undead right now.
”Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, get out of my way!”
”Please calm down!”
Her flail came flying at him, but Lee s.h.i.+n Woo blocked it with a s.h.i.+eld he'd summoned beforehand. Although it looked normal from the outside, the t.i.tan's Fortress (which was now level 7) had changed slightly from the t.i.tan's Pride. While it didn't lack in the defense department, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't have an answer for the force behind Retadane's flail.
'I ordered them to retreat already, so I should just keep her busy until they've all left. Anyway... this woman's really strong.'
Retadane was level 8, so his Rebellion skill was in effect. Despite the skill buffing his stats, it was difficult for him to block her attacks.
The fact that he was being pushed back, despite him reinforcing his body with both the Rebellion and the Rule of Bone skills, meant that Retadane possessed a special ability that reinforced her physical abilities, adding onto the increased effectiveness of her status as a level 8. If not for the other undead, this woman would've been able to defeat both of the generals by herself.
”How!? You've only just hit level 7...!”
However, Retadane was even more agitated than Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. A level 7 hero, not one of the 12 generals, was blocking her strike head on; she didn't even think that was possible. Moreover, she was also using a skill that increased the force of her blows, so she was even more surprised.
”Have you calmed down?”
”...Keuk.”
Retadane's blind hatred and rage subsided slightly, perhaps due to Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's shocking strength. She realized that if she were to attack the Heaven Defying General (with her weary body), she would die.
”Thank you for stopping me... Lee s.h.i.+n Woo.”
[Seira.]
Once Seira withdrew her flail and stepped back, one of the undead amidst the Heaven Defying General's retreating undead, wearing jet-black armor, came forward. Because he had taken off his helmet, Retadane could recognize him.
”...s.h.i.+no Rendu.”
[It's been a long time, Seira. I really missed you.]
”To think you'd fall so far and follow the orders of an undead. You're a disgrace.”
[...]
Amongst the countless species of undead, s.h.i.+no Rendu was a high rank undead who almost completely retained his living appearance. Because of that, his contorted face stood out even more. Retadane had caused a commotion, attracting the other heroes, and they could see s.h.i.+no Rendu as well.
[I still have my own free will. I still hate the Emperor and I want to annihilate the 12 generals as well. The one I follow wants that as well. ...So can we really not fight on the same side?]
”We cannot. G.o.d demands but one thing from us: exterminating the undead. You're no exception.”
[Seira...]
”My name is Retadane.”
[...Retadane. Why can't we understand each other when we both want to save the Empire? Don't be so biased. Look me in the eye.]
”Your premise is wrong.”
Although s.h.i.+no Rendu clearly relayed his feelings to her, Retadane's voice remained frigid. No, it actually seemed colder than before.
”I don't want to save the Empire. So, I'm the only one who can understand myself. You a.s.suming that you know what I want makes me sick.”
[...]
”You're my enemy the next time we meet.”
Retadane declared coldly and turned around. It was for no other reason, but the fact that she wouldn't be able to restrain her hatred for the undead if she looked at him any longer. s.h.i.+no Rendu recognized this fact; he smiled dejectedly and had no choice but to retreat.
”s.h.i.+no!”
But before he left, Lloyd called his name. s.h.i.+no Rendu stopped. Lloyd hesitated for a while, but ultimately... spoke.
”Thanks... for helping us today.”
[Lloyd. I'm glad you're safe.]
”...I don't know. Everything that happened today... it's too difficult for me to make a decision on my own, but I'm glad I was able to meet you again. ...I'm being honest.”