Chapter 40 Part3 (1/2)
<chapter 40.=”” fake=”” hero=”” saga=”” -=”” 3=””>
He'd acquired an army of 10,000 spirits in an unexpected place! Moreover, he'd also obtained a crucial springboard to conquering the surface. Funnily enough, none of this had come about due to his extensive planning, but due to him bringing Sinea with him without really thinking.
”You really don't know what'll happen in life.”
”It's really moving hearing that from you.”
Jin replied teasingly. So many good things had happened, yet Jin didn't seem very happy. The reason was quite simple.
Sinea had approached Lee s.h.i.+n Woo quite aggressively, but once he'd formed an official contract with her, she was so happy that she clung onto him like a girl who'd been in a relations.h.i.+p for 2 weeks.
[Hoo. Hoo. Paul Zero.]
”We've already formed a contract; do you not need to use my real name?”
[An exchange of one's real name is like a wedding ring, so it's fine.]
”I-Is it...”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo finally understood how she felt about him. Apparently, a formal contract with a spirit is like a wedding ceremony. Even more so when the spirits' gender is clearly distinguished like the Dryads (the Dryads are all female)!
She had been waiting for the time to form an official contract with him, yet Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had the gall to form a contract with 10,000 other spirits first. So he could understand her pent-up frustration.
”Hoo...”
[You can stare at me all you want, I'm not going to give Paul Zero to you!]
”...”
At this point, Jin actually appreciated that she recognized him as a rival, which was all the more pitiful. That unspeakable misery made Jin think, 'can I score a point now?', but then, their last remaining party member said.
[Will this really be ok?]
The spirit shaped like a flaming lizard was, of course, the level 7 Elder Salamander Prince Zenon. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had ordered the other spirits to form teams and find the newly born spirits on the surface, but he had asked Zenon to follow him.
”Don't worry. Even the 12 generals wouldn't be able to recognize you when you're hidden within the flames I've created.”
[No, I'm ok. I'm right beside you, so I won't be in danger. I'm worried about the other spirits.]
He was thankful for the overestimation, but Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was still level 7. Of course, if he told Zenon that he was level 7, he wouldn't believe him. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's stats were on the cusp of level 8, he possessed a variety of high rank skills, and his level 11 Rule of Bone skill increased his stats equivalent to a level 8.
'I'm this strong at level 7, so what'll happen when I reach level 8...'
He was confident that he could take on the level 8 12 generals head-on when he hit level 8. Even if he encountered that Lich again! Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could manage against the Lich due to the buffs from his Rebellion skill if they were to fight right now. Even from his own point of view, he felt like he didn't have any weak spots.
[Do you have a plan?]
”A plan? Ah, you mean for the spirits that can go to the surface now. Nope.”
[Keut.]
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo replied irresponsibly and Zenon looked like he was at his wit's end. When they had formed a contract, Zenon had seemed so confident, but now that the excitement had worn off he seemed fearful again. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo sighed and said.
”Like I said, I've taken control of the Emperor's golem network that orders the golems to search for and kill any spirits they find. For now, no one will find out about the spirits. Of course, there's no helping the ones who are unluckily found.”
[Then that means they're in danger...!]
”So you wanted revenge when you're not willing to risk anything to get it?”
[Keuk...]
Zenon's weak response caused Lee s.h.i.+n Woo to sigh once again. How was he such a coward? His att.i.tude didn't fit his appearance at all.
Of course, he'd expected this from the very beginning. If coaxing them to fight had been easy, and they had sufficient courage while being willing to charge into danger without hesitation, then they wouldn't have hidden within the Spirits' Spring in the first place.
”That's what war is like. Each person risks their life. Moreover, the task I've a.s.signed to the spirits is their most important one; it's for the spirits' 'future' and what they'll do after the battle is over. If they can't do that, then give up on your revenge.”
[...I can't give up. We all agree on this.]
”Good. Don't forget that feeling.”
Of course, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo wasn't planning on leaving the spirits to die. The golem network would help, but he also left some spirits on standby within the Spirits' Spring; these spirits would act as a 'rescue unit' and were ready to be deployed whenever necessary.
If they were to die, even though he went through all this effort, then there was really no helping it. They were executing their plan in a much safer environment than the Paul Zero Corps, which was going around the Underground Empire and hunting the undead.
[I'm willing to die for you, Paul Zero. But before then, I'd like to leave behind a child.]
”Don't worry, you're not going to die.”
[Paul Zero...]
Weren't Dryads birthed from trees? So if they had another way of leaving behind children, then what was it?
He wanted to ask, but at the same time, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of anxiety, so he kept it to himself. Following his official contract with her, Sinea began to look at him more sensuously than before. Perhaps... No, he'd figure that out when they were alone.
[It's good to be loved by a spirit. You even got the Spirits' Spring to respond to you; you truly are an impressive Elementalist.]
”Mm, you'll see that later.”
Zenon seemed truly awestruck by Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. On the other hand, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo just felt bitter, replied, and hurried on his way.
They would soon reach the end of the Spirits' Road. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had set it up so that they would arrive outside of the thicket near Kuroa's Glory. At first, it had taken several hours to get to the Spirits' Spring, but it only took a few minutes on the way back.
”If I can control the exit, then I can go wherever I wish on the surface without the Heaven Door's Key.”
”You're too greedy.”
”Greedy? You'd be surprised how much I'm holding back right now. If you knew, you'd be shocked.”
”Y-Yeah...?”
Jin tilted his head at Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's unbelievable response. However, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was telling the truth. Although he'd become able to transform into a spirit, and had leveled up his Disguise skill, enabling him to transform into a human, he desperately held back his desires with the thought 'not while Jin's here'.