Chapter 184
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Reunion
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The final boss monster of the Slayer Shore Island raid battle.
Sea Serpent.
It meant a giant snake living in the sea, but it was practically fine to consider it a sea dragon.
'According to the lore, it's in a sealed state and on the verge of death...'
In perfect condition, it would be a level 9 monster, but due to all sorts of restrictions, it was level 5 at best, even being generous.
'Still, if you told me to take it on alone right now... it'd be pretty tough.'
No matter that it was the same level 5, you couldn't equate a raid boss monster to a regular level 5 monster.
Plus, though debilitated, it was a dragon, so its magic resistance was anything but ordinary.
Not a favorable matchup on top of that...
'And it's a creature that fights in the sea.'
The terrain was unfavorable too, making it a real pain in every way.
'Guess all I can do is hope we never have to fight it.'
Some might call that overly optimistic, but the truth was Jun had already finished every preparation he could make.
"Looks like things are going well this time too. According to the reports, the Sea Serpent gets summoned around this time just like that."
Snapping out of his deep thoughts at Terdin's words, Jun replied.
"Yes. The data says if it wraps up smoothly, the vortex returns to normal. Otherwise... a burst of blue light comes shooting out."
"Hm. Sounds pretty beautiful now that you mention it, but I have no desire to see it."
"Agreed."
"Hahaha."
And so the two strolled along the sandy beach.
"No suspicious activity so far."
"To come from the opposite side, they'd need a separate boat, right?"
"True enough."
There were generally two layers leading to Slayer Shore Island.
One was inside the island itself.
The other was located on "Lone Rock," a small rocky isle some distance away.
So naturally, you'd need a boat to enter from that side...
No boats had been spotted yet.
'Still, just in case I miss something, I spread detection magic everywhere.'
It was originally a spell made to catch the venom mage.
But since the venom mage met his end before it was complete, it was only now seeing the light of day.
"The more I look at it, the more amazing it is. Used right, the nobles would eat this up."
Even Terdin showed interest in Jun's magic.
How could it not be convenient—just sit there and detect intruders?
"Haha... it's not that cost-effective."
Like most of Jun's spells, it was intricately made but brute-forced with sheer volume, so sustain and efficiency both suffered.
'Without mana fluid, this spell would've been a pipe dream.'
Anyway.
At this level, they'd notice any intruder right away.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Isn't this... an intruder?"
"...!"
Right then, like now.
[Intruder Detected!]
No matter that Slayer Shore Island was a resort, it wasn't free of monsters.
Naturally, visitors stuck to the resort-designated areas and rarely ventured outside the [Checkpoints].
And not just that?
Right now, success in the once-a-year raid was right around the corner.
There was no way anyone would come out.
"Entered from the exact opposite side of the city."
"Yes. Safe to call it an intruder."
The two bolted toward the location.
Jun and Terdin first dispatched the other knight squad members via communicator.
But neither looked pleased.
"They should've... arrived by now."
"Yes. Distance-wise, it's been over a minute since they got there."
"So why no word?"
Jun had no choice but to stay silent at Terdin's words as he stared at the mute comm artifact.
The knights weren't idiots—they wouldn't jump straight into combat spotting someone suspicious.
They'd report arrival first, and if they actually spotted an intruder, they'd report that too...
"Don't tell me they got taken out."
"...High chance."
In that moment, Terdin hoped his squad members were idiots.
He wished they'd been too dumb to report back yet.
He'd drill them mercilessly later, but at least they'd be alive.
'If it's the worst case...'
He'd have vengeance, no matter what.
Vowing that, they nearly reached the destination.
Kwaaaaang――!!
The two men's fears were barreling straight toward the worst.
[Multiple Blackguard Knight casualties! Fuck, it's the monk!]
A sound not in the ears, but resounding in the mind.
"...!"
Aiden and his comrades knew what this phenomenon was.
It was a message from far-off Jun, transmitted via the World Tree's essence.
"Dexter, sir."
"Hm? What's up?"
Aiden explained the situation to Dexter, who was beside him, and Dexter's face hardened.
"An intruder, of all times, right now?"
"Yes."
"No further details?"
"No. Looks like they haven't made contact yet, but..."
Right after, Jun's voice rang out again, widening Aiden's eyes.
"...!!"
A monk?
In that instant, a certain someone's face flashed in his mind.
The guy he'd been powerless to do anything but watch back then.
"Aiden?"
"...Confirmed Heavenly Church involvement. A formidable one, too."
"Even against Captain Terdin at level 7..."
Dexter immediately glanced at the Heavenly Dragon Knights, but the distance was too great for support.
Moreover, changes were hitting the sea vortex here too.
"If it's alright, may I head out myself?"
"You?"
"I'd like to lend what little help I can."
"Very well. Have one of your side's senior priests join too."
"...No. I'll go alone."
Eleanor had recently gained insight into magic, but her mobility couldn't compare to Aiden's.
"We'll handle this side."
And Eleanor knew that well.
She wanted to rush off with him, but reality wouldn't allow it—her face crumpled harshly.
"So... don't you dare die out there. Got it? Don't use that power recklessly."
"Understood. Thank you, Eleanor."
Aiden took off running, vanishing from sight. Dexter asked Eleanor,
"But won't it be too late? I heard it's on the opposite side of the city."
"Ah! That should be fine."
On layer 5's field, Sandwind Hill, the wind spirit dwelled within Aiden's body.
Aiden had recently succeeded in communing with that wind spirit.
It was only a fleeting, brief moment, but the gains weren't small.
"Who can't live without a spirit, geez."
Eleanor patted the sullen-looking Maya's shoulder reassuringly.
"It won't be easy for us either."
"Yeah... true."
Had any incident during their time with Jun ever ended quietly?
The two kept their tension high as they surveyed the festive cityscape.
Thud!
Meanwhile, Aiden, dashing through the dense forest, roused the wind spirit slumbering deep within.
'Help me.'
[Master! What's wrong?!]
'I need your power.'
[For travel?]
'Yeah.'
[Got it! I'll use the power I've stored!]
The wind spirit normally slept deeply but responded to Aiden's call like this.
It unleashed its hoarded power without reserve, drawing in the winds.
[Master's master! Don't die!]
Aiden fully surrendered his body to the wind aura enveloping him.
A single gust began slicing through the forest.
Monk.
The slaughter monk he'd clashed with once at the aptitude test gripped his prayer beads tightly.
"Asura Salvartha."
The knight on the ground let out ragged breaths before quietly passing.
The last of the three knights who'd come rushing the moment he arrived on the island.
"Rest easy, donor."
Closing the eyes of the knight who'd died with them bulging wide, he looked for all the world like a monk deeply grieving another's death—if you didn't know better.
But the one who'd brought death to these three knights here was none other than him.
"Odd, though. They came before I even reached the island. What's going on?"
Sensing something off, the slaughter monk closed his eyes and spread his ki perception around.
"You?"
"...Yeah, me, you fucking monk."
Bound-up black hair, silver-blue eyes.
And a man bearing mana like a natural disaster itself was glaring at him.
"Long time no see, donor. Fate brings us together again."
"Not happy to see you, bitch."
"Knew these guys, huh."
"Not me, but..."
The mage's gaze shifted sideways.
There stood a single knight gazing at the three fallen comrades with mournful eyes.
"You the one who killed my family?"
"They were valiant. Knew the skill gap from the start, yet never backed down."
"Did they."
His teeth ground audibly.
He'd always taught his men never to flee before the enemy.
But right now, he resented that past self.
They should've run.
Crawled if they had to, wallowed in mud—just run.
"No need for introductions, I suppose. But I must know your name, donor. What is it?"
"Terdin. Blackguard Knight Captain Terdin."
"I'll commit your name to――"
"And those three: Leo, Oliver, Theodore. Remember them well."
"... ."
"Down in hell, tell them Terdin sent you there."
The Blackguard Knight Captain, Terdin, drew his sword—and vanished.
"Hmph!"
The slaughter monk raised both arms to block just after.
Kwaaaang!
An unbelievable roar echoed for sword meeting bare flesh, sand whipping violently in all directions across the beach.
The fight erupted, and Jun immediately unleashed his magic.
[Granting: Elemental Armory]
[Attribute: Fire]
The fire attribute—second only to divine power in destructive might—clung to Terdin's blade.
But Jun's magic didn't end there.
[Enhancing: Elemental Body]
[Attribute: Metal]
To brace against the slaughter monk's attacks, he boosted full-body defense, then layered on one more spell.
[Enhancing: Strength Body]
Stacking the same attribute, plus the aura on Terdin's sword absorbed the energy.
"...!"
Cracks spiderwebbed across the slaughter monk's steel-like arms.
He instantly retreated, thrusting out a fist.
Puuuung!
Sandstorm raged, sweeping the surroundings.