Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Master of the Night Sword Zelsa
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Belvorks were endlessly climbing onto the roof of the main temple's chapel, where Zenbe ajusshi had pointed toward Titania. At a glance, there were at least twenty of them. They spread their wings wide and dove toward the plaza.
But something bothered me. Strangely enough, these Belvorks were crawling out from inside the buildings.
"What kind of nonsense is this?"
"This isn't the time to sit around idly. We need to join the fight before more damage occurs."
"You're right, but..."
I half-agreed with Zenbe ajusshi's opinion. With over twenty Belvorks, the temple guards and holy knights gathered at the Euroa Temple wouldn't stand a chance. It was a ripe business opportunity, so it seemed time to make our move.
"What else?"
At Zenbe ajusshi's question, I glanced regretfully at the half-eaten bread.
"Can I keep this?"
"Human!"
"Fine, fine. Geez, so impatient..."
The moment I set the bread down and drew Yojjo, one Belvork circled sharply and dove straight at us. Sitting still must have made us look like easy prey.
As it closed in and raised its talons sharply, I kicked Zenbe ajusshi's shoulder to launch myself into the air, slicing off its head along with one leg.
The headless Belvork crashed successively into the ground and the temple wall before coming to a stop. Yet its head still snapped its beak open and shut, threatening us.
Since its Chaos Core was in the left eye, the head was still alive. I immediately thrust Yojjo into the eye, pulling out the contents.
"A coin?"
Unexpectedly, in place of the Chaos Core sat a large copper coin. Zenbe ajusshi, who had witnessed the scene while scanning the surroundings, let out a small groan.
"Monster summoning magic."
Monster summoning was a curse that called forth monsters. In this world, where monsters were deemed absolute evil, it was a forbidden art. Anyone caught practicing it was executed in the name of the gods on sight.
However, summoned monsters had one key difference from natural ones: they weren't driven by Chaos Cores but by the summoner's curse, which controlled them. Thus, in place of a Chaos Core, they'd have something like a metal piece with good mana absorption and conduction properties.
It was definitely man-made. I pointed Zenbe ajusshi toward Tohu's procession.
"Ajusshi, hurry and protect the client!"
"Client?"
"Tohu. Tohu. Right now, he's the most likely target."
"Ah, got it. What about you?"
I looked toward the main chapel roof where the Belvork pack had emerged. Three Belvorks there were patrolling protectively, not joining the attack.
Given the situation, that's where I needed to go. It was a surprise assault from an unknown enemy, full of unpredictable variables. Sending the rigid Zenbe ajusshi would make me uneasy.
"I've got to take out the summoner. That's a hundred times faster."
"Understood."
"And make sure to handle the cleanup properly."
"What do you mean?"
At Zenbe ajusshi's calm expression, I let out a long sigh. Entrusting him with the sales pitch was probably a lost cause.
"Just keep the client from getting away until I get back. I'll talk to him properly later."
"Got it."
I nodded and dashed toward the main building. Zenbe ajusshi hurried off to Tohu's group.
Kieeeek! Kieeek!
Belvork screeches echoed behind me. They were closing in—some had targeted me and were in pursuit.
As expected, the summoner seemed to be inside the main building. Otherwise, the attacks wouldn't concentrate the moment I headed there.
I shattered a window and slipped inside. The pursuing Belvorks couldn't fit through the narrow frame, so they flew to the front door, pecking furiously at the sturdy wooden gate.
With a brief respite, I scanned the central lobby.
'Two paths?'
The lobby had doors to the first-floor grand chapel and spiral stairs leading up to the second floor on both sides. But I didn't deliberate long. The grand chapel was silent, while snake-faced bipedal monsters swarmed down the stairs.
"Snakers. Perfect guides."
Snakers were weak level-10 monsters, slightly smaller than humans, equivalent to a single well-armed soldier.
I smashed the lead Snakers head and swung Yojjo wide left and right as I ascended the spiral stairs.
Kraaa! Kraang!
Blue-purple blood sprayed everywhere as I methodically climbed. The charging Snakers met my flashing blade, limbs and necks severed, bodies sliding down the stairs.
Snakers' weak point was the fangs. But I just decapitated them. No need to bother with precision against level-10 trash.
I stomped the gaping severed heads rolling on the floor and reached the second floor.
'Hmm...'
The second floor was quiet. Those Snakers were all there were.
I scratched my head.
"Did I kill them too fast? Lost my guides now."
The second floor radiated from a central staircase to the third, lined with small chapels on either side.
It clearly wasn't here either. If dozens of monsters had burst out, doors would be ajar—but all were firmly shut. Still, I meticulously checked every small chapel and even the first-floor grand chapel before heading up.
No sense rushing to the third and getting flanked.
'Huh?'
Midway up to the third floor, I halted. Intense mana pulsed from above.
It felt like a magic item. Living beings thrummed with vitality, but this was steady, unwavering mana residue.
'Magic item? But why so potent? Stronger than my pitch-black absolute demon horse.'
Then a Belvork hopped toward me, wings folded. I dodged its swinging beak effortlessly, wall-ran, and decapitated it.
Belvorks were level-50 threats in the air, but grounded, they were sub-20 trash mobs. Their attacks were two-dimensional, movements sluggish.
But they hit hard, so I extracted the copper coin from its left eye to finish it.
'Jeez. Belvork down, and the loot's just a 10-rip copper? Worst trade ever.'
Smacking my lips, I finally reached the third floor. This was the top—the Euroa Temple's main building was three stories.
I cautiously entered the corridor, scanning around.
The third floor had a row of prayer rooms and an outdoor sky lounge, separated by a corridor and arched columns. Beyond lay the vast Kara Lake.
"Hohoho. Who's this? The famous celebrity of Kara graces us with his presence."
A young woman's voice rang out from somewhere. Sultry tone, quite alluring.
My head whipped left and right.
No sign of her. Worse, no presence or mana trace at all.
Definitely a skilled assassin.
"Who are you?"
"But aren't you a bit slow? I figured you cleared the Snakers ages ago. Why show up just now? I even wasted a Belvork looking for you."
"If you don't mind, show yourself? I hate blind dates."
"If that's what you want."
Slowly, a figure materialized on the distant right corridor ceiling. She'd been hiding with invisibility magic.
The woman landed lightly on the floor and approached with long strides.
'Whoa. Hot.'
The mysterious woman wore a skin-tight black bodysuit. Under a shadowing black hood, her lower face was veiled in red cloth, revealing pale skin around her brows.
Deep double eyelids, pitch-black eyes. Slender upper body contrasting long legs, sharp jawline. Ample, perky breasts, wasp-thin waist narrow enough for one arm to embrace fully.
Without the veil, it'd be clearer, but she was undeniably flawless beauty.
Yet she held an absurdly large essence orb in one hand. Melon-sized sphere, etched with intricate magic arrays. That was the source of the mana I'd sensed climbing up.
"Where are the other summoners?"
"Relax. It's just me."
"Then who's summoning the monsters?"
She jiggled the orb.
"This. Called the 'Jade Demon Orb of Great Sins.' Pretty useful."
"Nice toy."
"Not that great. I've got a better one."
She grinned, sharp fangs tracing through the veil. Blood clan canines.
The Blood Clan lived a thousand years, youthful till 950, then brief old age. Blessed race. But every light has shadow: weak to light.
Sunlight blinded them and blistered their skin.
'Blood Clan woman assassin... Hopefully not Evelyn Sokos, but fat chance. Only she'd reveal herself knowing who I am—or a madwoman.'
Evelyn Sokos was a mid-tier assassin master. Priciest killer on Prosia Continent, ruthless reputation.
Good news: stunning beauty. Men who saw her once were ensnared.
"What better one?"
"Night Sword, Zelsa."
She set the orb down and drew a pair of bone daggers from her waist.
The grips were like ground femurs, backs engraved with humans writhing in hellfire.
Odd hue: shinier than normal steel, iridescent sheen over the blade.
"God's metal, Oriharcon...?"
"Oho~ Sharp eyes. Not your average joe."
Of course I knew. Unlike others, I'd seen the Seven Divine Artifacts up close. Entered the sacred hall twice where most go once, view Dalahan and Talatas morning and night.
I swallowed dryly.
"One more question? Are you Evelyn Sokos?"
"Even figured that out? You're no pushover."
I rubbed my face.
"This is nuts."
"Anyway, this'll be fun. Wanted to test Zelsa, and a decent opponent shows up."
I drew Yojjo. No choice but to fight. Against Evelyn, my speed meant nothing. I was a fake assassin with bare survival skills; she was the world's best.
Turn my back carelessly, and I'm dead.
Evelyn flicked her wrist. Thirty centimeters of Aura Blade surged from Zelsa. Damn, definitely her.
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