Chapter 69
Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Catastrophe of the Mid-Level Dungeon
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Leyzon hunted down every Phantasmal Beast he came across, as if to show them exactly what a mid-level dungeon catastrophe looked like.
And the result?
'Looks like it's full.'
Leyzon had finally completed the 8th Ascension quest.
"Leyzon, I think I've filled up my ascension too!"
Hanok had also maxed out his ascension experience once more.
In other words, it was time for Hanok to ascend as well.
Leyzon had cleared every dungeon, quest or no quest, for Hanok's sake.
It was always best to stockpile as much experience as possible.
So Hanok's ascension EXP had piled up nicely.
"I've finished my 9th Ascension trial this time too, so perfect timing. We'll stop by the next village."
There were still plenty of ascensions ahead.
Leyzon decided to claim his ascension quests quickly.
And the nearest village where he could ascend?
Ironically, it was Sahā Village.
'At this point, I wonder if I'm fatefully tied to Sahā Village.'
It was a bit off-center from the cardinal directions.
Like it or not, Sahā Village was always on the path.
'No Judge Lord or Sword Saint this time, hopefully.'
He had no desire to tangle with any more dangerous figures.
'Even I get uneasy just associating with Sahā Village for no reason.'
Even Leyzon, who tried to stay positive, was sick of Sahā Village by now.
Especially with all the enemies chasing him already.
Leyzon planned to ascend and get out fast.
"Welcome."
When Leyzon arrived at the Pioneer Association, a familiar staff member greeted him.
Leyzon greeted the staffer back and presented his Pioneer ID alongside Hanok.
The staffer took the IDs and headed inside.
[Leyzon, Five's on his way with the other four.]
Syria's voice came from the shadows.
'Guess he's wrapped things up.'
Leyzon had left the Steel Wolf Guild in Five's hands.
Rafila alone wasn't reliable enough.
So he'd assigned Five, the expert in such matters.
His return meant the guild affairs were more or less settled.
"Hanok, Five's coming."
"Really?"
Hanok's tail wagged at Leyzon's whisper.
Hanok had learned a ton from Five.
To him, Five was like a master.
So he was excited to reunite with his teacher.
"Haron should evolve by today too. Train with Five when he gets here."
"Yes! Sounds good!"
Haron had grown alongside Hanok's progress.
Haron's Corruption Level was now 4.
He was entering mid-level Pioneer territory, so level-ups would slow, but...
It felt okay to try evolving now.
'Just a hunch, but evolving later than that level range seems more efficient.'
Leyzon trusted his instincts like this.
Skills were about intuitively wielding ingrained power.
Unlike games, reality offered no pop-up explanations for skills.
'All we've got are the Pioneers' records.'
Everyone knew recorded info wasn't everything—the more you used skills, the clearer that became.
So intuition played a huge role with skills.
'That's why I've held back on Haron's evolution until now.'
Now it felt right.
Whoosh!
Leyzon soon felt a surge of abundant power filling his body.
'9th Ascension.'
He felt it every time, but this system was utterly bizarre.
It was blatantly Empire-approved power growth.
'And from Hero-rank on, you need royal permission for ascension.'
That was a problem for later.
A Necromancer showing up at the palace would get caught red-handed.
And his abyssal nature would be exposed for sure.
He'd figure out a solution down the line.
Maybe something involving undead.
"Hm?"
Just then, someone walking by stopped in front of Leyzon.
Leyzon looked up at the presence and saw a burly, hairy man standing there.
A man in the white uniform of the Pioneer Association.
Leyzon recognized him and racked his brain for the name.
Then it clicked.
"Oh."
This guy.
Definitely the Sword Saint's aide.
"Oh, it's you, right?"
The hairy man grinned heartily, clearly pleased.
This was bad.
He recognized him.
Should he strike first?
Take him out?
As those thoughts flashed through Leyzon's mind...
"The Pioneer from the bathhouse!"
A completely unexpected response came back.
Leyzon blinked.
Then he realized.
'The black mask hid my face, so my description never spread.'
And even if it had...
That description was fake anyway, thanks to the Gray Mage Tower Lord's mask.
Nothing could be more fortunate for Leyzon.
"I was wondering where I'd seen you. It was that old man from back then."
Leyzon relaxed his face into a bright smile.
While scanning the surroundings quickly.
No sign of the Sword Saint nearby.
[Leyzon, no sign of that Sword Saint guy. Probably not in the village.]
Syria, who'd checked around, confirmed the same.
Thank goodness—no Sword Saint.
He didn't have the conditions to deal with the Sword Saint yet.
Better to avoid him for now.
"Sorry about that time. Our boss caused a scene."
To the hairy man, Leyzon was just an innocent bystander caught in the bathhouse mess.
So he gave an apologetic smile.
"Looks like you slipped out without getting dragged in."
"Yeah, I was startled, but no injuries."
His mana circuits had burned like hell, though.
"Haha, glad to hear it!"
"So, what was all that about? I had business and left Sahā Village right away."
Leyzon probed subtly.
The hairy man, feeling guilty, answered readily.
"Ugh, it's complicated. Our boss has this vicious enemy.
Happened to spot him here and gave chase."
"Oh, so did you catch him?"
"Nah, he got away. Man, first time seeing the boss come back that banged up."
He shook his head, wondering what kind of monster it was.
"So he's still pursuing?"
"Nah. Realized he needed more power, so he went off to train.
Even after picking up the sword again after ages, he's flying high."
He'd return stronger next time. That was the vibe.
He'd been a huge headache already.
Leyzon's head already throbbed.
'But if I meet the trade conditions...'
The Sword Saint getting stronger could boost his own forces.
Leyzon decided to think positively.
"Now I'm stuck handling all his paperwork. Heh, it's killing me."
He clicked his tongue, saying desks weren't for him.
"Ascension complete... Oh, ah, Pensaldor, sir!"
Just then, the returning staffer froze at the sight of the hairy man.
"Sh-should I fetch the branch manager?"
"No need. I've checked everything."
He waved off the staffer dismissively.
Typical Pioneer Association insider.
The staffer groveled at the sight of him.
"The Steel Wolf Guild Master is still stationed in Sahā Village?"
"Y-yes, that's right."
Steel Wolf getting mentioned here.
Leyzon narrowed his eyes, eavesdropping on the staffer and the man.
Steel Wolf was practically his now.
The man oversaw Pioneer Association guild management.
Worried he might pull something on Steel Wolf.
"Call him here. No need to spook him with a sudden visit."
He said it like he hated unnecessary hassle.
A flexible guy all around.
"Shall I relay the message?"
Leyzon jumped in smoothly.
"Huh? You know the Steel Wolf Guild?"
"I've been friends with the guild master's little brother for a while.
Acquainted with the guild master too."
"Oh, perfect timing. Mind doing it?"
Pensaldor laughed heartily.
"Sure thing. Let's go, Hanok."
"Okay."
Leyzon headed out with Hanok.
Once outside, the smile vanished from his face.
'No idea what it's about.'
But the Pioneer Association wanted Rafila summoned.
Probably due to the changes Leyzon had pushed on Steel Wolf.
"Syria, Five and Rafila."
[They're at the temporary guild building.]
Leyzon headed straight for Steel Wolf Guild without hesitation.
Planning to coordinate stories first.
He found the temporary Steel Wolf Guild hall.
Leyzon creaked the door open, and the guild members turned.
Their faces twisted sour at the sight of him.
"What ugly mug is that?"
"Hey, tough guy, no outsiders. Guild apps go to HQ."
True to Steel Wolf, plenty of rough-looking bastards.
'Says the guys way uglier than me.'
But these were the cream of the crop among Steel Wolf members.
Guys who'd have swung fists back in the day.
Now they were trying words first.
Progress enough for Leyzon.
"Where's Rafila?"
Leyzon asked, and they started rising one by one.
"Who the hell calls the guild master by name like some mutt?"
"Our guild master's the most dangerous dog out there."
"Scram if you don't wanna get bit."
Threats, but no punches this time.
Good enough for Leyzon.
"Fine, ask Rafila then. Tell him Leyzon's here."
The guild members glanced at each other.
One started moving, sensing something off.
"Sniff."
Hanok wrinkled his nose toward the door.
"Leyzon, better step back from the door."
Something coming.
Leyzon backed away at Hanok's words.
Boom!
"Hey, Rafila!"
The door burst open with a new figure.
A man with neatly pomaded hair back.
His prominent mustache twitched as he bellowed on entry.
"You bastard! Word is you're suddenly playing saint? Know your limits!"
The man fumed, pulling a staff from behind.
"Let's see if you survive like when you blew up one of our branches!"
Red light seeped from his staff.
"Shit, he's nuts!"
"Mad fire! Get the guild master now!"
Flames erupted from the staff, panicking the guild members.
Just before it exploded...
Clack―
Another staff blocked it.
The Staff of Abundance, bearing [Undying Life].
The man twitched, glancing down.
"Hey, what're you doing?"
Leyzon was there.
Back then, maybe not—but now Steel Wolf Guild was Leyzon's asset.
This guy trying to wreck it?
That was a declaration of war on Leyzon.