Chapter 109
Chapter 109
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Empire's Guardians
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The empire's support, huh."
Seo Woojin let out a hollow laugh as he headed back to the dormitory.
He could really feel just how impressive it was by looking at Baek Siwoo.
Even compared to himself, who was leveling up like crazy using the 'Summon Stone,' Baek Siwoo wasn't falling behind at all.
The fact that Seo Woojin still hadn't caught up to Baek Siwoo's level was proof of that.
'What kind of monster did they feed him by the truckload?'
There was no other way to explain that speed.
Unless he had a 'Summon Stone' just like Seo Woojin.
Either way, it was clear this was tremendous support.
'Should I have just accepted it?'
Honestly, it was an incredible opportunity.
If he accepted the support, he might grow even faster than he was now.
And yet, Seo Woojin had turned it down.
He'd accepted the bait role, but the empire's support? No way.
'...It felt like it would sever my ties with Massive Guardian.'
Sion and Massive Guardian meant a lot to Seo Woojin too.
It was the place that had shaped who he was now, where he'd fought side by side with comrades risking their lives.
Van Slaine, Testron, Gerald, and the soldiers.
He owed them an immense debt of gratitude—greater than anything he could repay.
He couldn't betray Sion for the empire.
'Well, it was tough at first.'
Looking back now, even that had become a fond memory.
That was why he'd refused.
He could still play the bait without the empire's support.
And with no real danger involved, there was no reason to hesitate.
"They said they'd protect me with the full might of the empire, right?"
The chancellor, Yorn Sailers, had said exactly that.
Their top priority was eliminating the Demon King's followers, but they'd prioritize Seo Woojin's safety even more.
Honestly, it was hard to take those words at face value.
Not after crossing so many lines of death.
Even so, Seo Woojin had accepted.
'I want to give them a real taste of their own medicine.'
Gerald, Reina, the Dark Elves.
He'd only ever been on the losing end against the Demon King's followers.
If he could, he wanted to pay them back properly.
And now the empire was laying out the perfect stage for him. No reason to refuse.
'...It shouldn't be dangerous this time.'
Two of the Guardians were joining this plan, he'd been told.
Guardians ranked even higher than Grand Duke Briana, no less.
With their protection promised, how could it be risky?
Seo Woojin brushed aside the creeping unease.
"There's still some time left, so I'll just level up in the meantime."
Even with their protection, he wanted to prepare for the worst.
There was no better way than boosting his own strength.
Remembering the 'Summon Stone' he'd left in his room, Seo Woojin quickened his pace.
* * *
"Reina, pureblood noble."
The Lion's hoarse voice echoed.
"I'm tired. Why'd you call me?"
Reina rolled around on the long sofa, answering irritably.
"State your reason for failure."
It was so overbearing.
Hard to believe these words were coming from an Apostle.
"State? Have you lost your mind...? What's with that tone?"
Reina's brow furrowed.
"The matter is grave. Cease your jests."
But the Lion ignored her mood.
He pressed her even harder.
At the same time, Reina's eyes narrowed.
[Lion, oh Lion. Lowly spawn raised on rotten corpses. Remember whose presence your filthy flesh stands before at this moment.]
Red demonic energy infested the air.
It was a domination far beyond the Lion's own intimidation—on a whole other level.
[This Dark Commander observes your insolence only for the greater cause. But no more indulgence will be tolerated.]
The Lion's body trembled.
An untouchable aura was invading him, slowly breaking down his flesh.
[Begone. I tire of sensing the stench of your vile bloodline.]
An irresistible eviction order.
But the Lion didn't back down.
This matter was too critical for him.
"...I need to know why. Why you had no choice but to retreat that day."
The Lion asked, convulsing like a leaf in the wind.
"Tch."
In an instant, Reina's aura vanished without a trace.
The demonic energy that had ruled the space, the pressure crushing the Lion—all gone.
As if it had never been, it retreated back into Reina's body.
"It's not working. Annoying."
She returned to her usual self.
Sighing with an exasperated expression, Reina spoke.
"It was fire. The kind my clone couldn't withstand."
"Couldn't withstand? Was holy power infused in it?"
The Lion asked in his usual gloomy tone.
"No, the opposite."
"Explain."
The Lion pressed.
Reina replied with the brightest smile imaginable.
"That kid... he's one of us."
The endless blaze of impossibly high order that had burned her body.
It was an all-too-familiar energy.
'It felt a little different, but...'
To her, at least, that energy was a form of demonic energy.
"An incomprehensible tale."
The Lion shook his head, and Reina shrugged.
"I feel the same. But what can you do? It's the truth."
Silence fell for a moment.
The Lion said nothing, as if organizing his thoughts.
After a few minutes.
His mouth opened.
"This requires verification. All plans are provisionally halted. From now on, every Apostle's top priority is securing the hero called Seo Woojin."
A hero who wielded demonic energy.
From the Lion's perspective, this was no trivial matter.
"It may bear His will. Pureblood noble. Ruler of the Blackest Night. You take charge of this."
What was he thinking?
The Lion ordered Reina—who had already failed once—to secure Seo Woojin again.
"Why should I listen to you? Isn't once enough?"
Reina smirked mockingly.
But the Lion showed no reaction.
"A message will soon arrive from the Beast King. Go to him."
"No, but why should I...?"
Reina protested, but the Lion had already vanished.
"Tch."
She clicked her tongue again.
"Always so disagreeable. No blood worth sucking. I'll just kill him later."
As she spoke, Reina pictured a certain face.
"...Still, I'm looking forward to seeing him again."
It was just a clone, but a hero who'd slipped from her grasp.
A hero who'd used a power akin to demonic energy.
'And his blood smelled like perfume.'
Thinking of Seo Woojin's face, Reina vowed to taste his blood next time.
And that day wasn't far off.
* * *
[You have leveled up.]
He gained one level.
But Seo Woojin's expression wasn't great.
'Levels are coming slower now.'
It had taken catching five monsters to level up.
Compared to when one kill netted 2-3 levels, this was painfully slow.
On top of that, training with his hero friends meant less solo grinding time.
"At this rate, I won't even hit 70."
He had five 'Summon Stones' left.
That meant 50 more monsters.
His current level was 54.
Considering how the gains would slow even more, 70 was a pipe dream—60 was iffy.
'Without the Summon Stones, I'd be in real trouble.'
At this pace, how could he fight the real Demon King?
'Even the Guardians who look around level 100 can't beat him.'
That meant he needed over 100 to even contend.
Was that realistic?
"There's still time left, but..."
At least a few years of leeway.
But Seo Woojin felt impatient.
His enemies weren't just the Demon King.
Ideally, he wanted to grow strong enough that other heroes wouldn't even dream of challenging him.
"I need to think of a way."
Consulting Martes or Briana might yield better ideas.
'Or maybe...'
Seo Woojin glanced at the book in front of him.
'The Chronicles of the Otherworld Demon King.'
Maybe this unassuming book held some clues?
It sure looked like it hid some fateful opportunity.
To check, he needed to decipher the runes soon...
"Varshik said he'd visit soon."
They hadn't met lately due to constant crises, but entrusting the runes to him would reveal everything quickly.
After memorizing a bit more of the book's runes, he could exit the black space and return to reality.
"Hmm..."
As usual, the indoor training hall was a mess.
He ignited 'Purgatory Flame' with minimal mana.
The pure white, wondrous blaze devoured the monster corpses in an instant.
It was overkill for mere cleanup.
This was the power that had even driven off a monster like Reina...
But he had no other choice.
Staring at the now spotless indoor training hall, Seo Woojin turned and headed out.
The caretaker he'd grown friendly with asked how he was, and after some chit-chat, Seo Woojin made for the dormitory.
He felt the caretaker's gaze on his back but ignored it.
'When will the plan start?'
Yorn had said soon.
Days had passed already, so contact should come any moment.
He'd prepared body and mind for that day—now it was just execution.
That's when he spotted someone approaching.
"Hm?"
Looking over, it was an imperial knight.
Spotting Seo Woojin, the knight hurried straight over.
'It's time!'
He knew instinctively.
This knight was here to summon him.
"Seo Woojin."
The knight, closing in fast, called politely.
"What's the matter?"
When Seo Woojin asked, the knight announced—as expected—that the moment had arrived.
"The Chancellor requests your presence."
"Should I go right now?"
"He ordered me to bring you as quickly as possible."
The knight looked urgent.
It really felt like the day had come.
"Let's go."
As Seo Woojin started walking, the knight swiftly took the lead to escort him.
Thanks to the quick pace, they soon reached that familiar spartan chancellor's office.
"Seo Woojin has arrived."
With a knock, the knight announced him, and the door flew open as if on cue.
It was Yorn.
He greeted Seo Woojin with a warm smile.
"I wondered when you'd show. Quicker than expected."
"I was on my way back to the dormitory."
"Come in."
Yorn welcomingly ushered him inside.
Seo Woojin stepped forward thoughtlessly—then froze.
Two more people were in the chancellor's office.
One was familiar.
"Sword Sage."
It was Dariel.
He sat in a chair, feet propped on a pile of books, gazing at Seo Woojin.
And beside him stood a stranger.
His appearance was unknowable.
Gender too.
Like something sculpted from shadow, his form rippled, cloaked in darkness.
'Could it be...'
Seo Woojin guessed his identity.
And he was right.
"It's Steroin."
The most enigmatic of the empire's Guardians.
The Shadow Duke Steroin.