Chapter 40 Part6 (2/2)
”There's nothing to worry about. You don't need to be so nervous either. You're the one who picked this dungeon, so I'll trust you. So, you should trust me too.”
”Mm. But our knights aren't weak either. They can protect themselves at the very least.”
”If I think I can clear the dungeon all the way with them, I'll do so. However, if I judge that that's impossible, then I'll send them back. That's all. ...We don't have a simple business relations.h.i.+p. I'm looking out for you as well.”
”...Is that so. I didn't think you'd say something like that.”
Of course, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was thinking something along the lines of 'I can't take out a bone while other people are watching', but unfortunately, the Pope didn't have the ability to read minds. He'd also accepted the Kerr Century Wine, so any grievances he had were cleared up when he took a sip of the wine.
”Alright, I'll trust you. Once the knights and priests are able to escape, the hero clears the dungeon alone and returns. That'd make quite the story too.”
”I'll let you take care of that.”
”But for that to be a reality, you have to clear the dungeon. ...Can you prove to me that my ambition wasn't unreasonable?”
”Hoo, I already told you. If it's a level 7 dungeon, then everything will turn out just fine. If I was going to give up from something like this, then I wouldn't have taken your offer in the first place.”
Around the time they were finished speaking, the soldiers and knights surrounding the ruins looked like they were at their limit. They were probably responsible for taking out the monsters that occasionally popped out. That meant that...
”You really came, Pope (of the Sun G.o.d religion).”
”It's been a long time, Evileye General.”
At the center of the soldiers, a person boasting exceptional energy walked forward and greeted the pope. They wore a full suit of armor, so Lee s.h.i.+n Woo couldn't tell their age or even their gender. But when the general raised the visor of their helm, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could see her eyes and hear her voice. She was definitely a woman.
[Lv7 Evileye General Shurina Von Hegel]
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo tilted his head, as he couldn't really feel anything magical about her eyes. Her eyes were just a normal, deep green color. Maybe it was an active skill.
”Evileye?”
”You don't know anything, do you? She is one of the 12 generals and is known for her eyes that see through all; she sees her enemy's weak spots, and snipes her enemies with frightening accuracy.”
He listened to the Pope and then checked her over once more. There was indeed a longbow hanging on her back. It was a level 4... No, a level 5 artifact. Unlike with humans, an artifact was amazing when it hit level 4, and when one found a level 5 artifact, they would have to treasure it forever. It was a piece of equipment fit for one of the 12 generals.
However, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo wasn't the only one sizing her up. The Evileye General was in awe of Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's weapon and armor (his armor was level 6 and his weapon was level 7, but all she could find out was that his equipment was good), yet was looking at him lukewarmly. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo kept a portion of his mana from flowing, so it was only natural that she would look at him like that.
”Are you the Sun G.o.d's hero? ...So how is he really, Pope?”
”I can only say that the Sun G.o.d himself sent him down to revive our religious order and to bring peace to the continent. If you see him in action, then you'll come to understand. He has truly impressive abilities.”
”Is he truly one of yours? ...You used quite a cunning method. No, it was more reckless than cunning.”
The Pope and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's current plan was 'you know what they're thinking, but you still have to take it'. It didn't matter what his purpose for coming here was, so long as his methods were righteous. They would have no reason to refuse Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, and even if they had legitimate concerns, they had no evidence. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's background was much too 'clean'.
”Once he clears this dungeon, no one will be able to say what you just said.”
”Hmph. You've just found a man of talent, but because of your impatience, you're going to overwork him; he'll die and you'll end up regretting it. Yes, it's my Evileye. You (Lee s.h.i.+n Woo) shouldn't do everything he says. After all, you only have one life.”
As he thought, the relations.h.i.+p between the Sun G.o.d religion and the 12 generals seemed strained. No, perhaps every religious orders' relations.h.i.+p to the Emperor's forces was like this.
Perhaps the Pope hadn't accompanied Lee s.h.i.+n Woo to go into the dungeon with him, but to ensure that no conflict would come between him and the Evileye General, he would remain on standby near the dungeon.
”Did you hear me?”
”Hmm. Yes, I heard you.”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo briefly thought about verbally manipulating her, but... he decided against it. He didn't have only one life, but he didn't want to argue with her.
”I'll leave the outside to you, Pope.”
”Oh, you're going in already?”
”It seems like she doubts my skills. It'd be much faster to prove my skills with my actions than to try to convince her with words. Now, everyone, prepare yourselves. We're going in.”
”...I warned you. I'd rather not have to get rid of your corpse, so be careful.”
While she nagged at him, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo picked the most elite (level 6) paladins and priests that had followed him here. He only picked those who, at minimum, possessed level 5 Intermediate Fire Resistance. Ultimately, he had picked six level 6 paladins and two level 6 priests.
”Alright. Let's go.”
”Do you really not need me to go in with you?”
”It won't take very long.”
The Pope said his goodbyes with a relaxed expression. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo then confidently led his elite force into the dungeon. They felt immense heat at the entrance, but it had no effect on Lee s.h.i.+n Woo due to his High Rank Fire Resistance.
'It's tough. I feel like I've experienced this once before.'
'I'm sharing my resistance with you, so buck up.'
[Power. I can feel power surging within me!]
Jin acted like he was suffering, yet he walked on top of the sand as if he'd gotten used to it already. Zenon couldn't handle the power that surged from the hot environment. Finally, the priests and paladins followed close behind, sweat dripping from their faces... Lee s.h.i.+n Woo sighed softly and stepped forward.
Thus began the dungeon conquest of the Sun G.o.d's hero.
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