While he and his troops were crossing through the level 3 danger zone, Lee Shin Woo accessed the chatting channel. There, Lee Shin Woo heard what heād been somewhat prepared to hear.
[Ethan Cruz: I had it narrowed down to a few candidates. It took a long time to find the one that can be lured in, but Iāve finally found the right one.]
[Prince Altania: As expected of you, Senior! But itās boring if itās too easy.]
[Ethan Cruz: Weāre taking on one of the 12 generals. Even if heās the weakest of them, itās not going to be easy. If youāre reckless, then you or I may die.]
[Lloyd H.K.: ā¦Iāve done a lot of prep. Iāve also steeled myself. I think itās time we reveal ourselves (the heroes) to the Empire.]
The heroes in the chatting channel were getting fired up by Ethanās declaration. However, not everyone thought favorably of his idea.
[Seira Von Retadane: Do you really intend on facing one of the 12 generals? Theyāre not like normal undead. Theyāre highly intelligent and cooperate with each other. It wonāt go as smoothly as you think.]
[Yasunori Akira: No matter how I think about it, itās too early. I donāt think those whoāve just become level 7 will be able to properly use their strength.]
[Ethan Cruz: Oh dear, Iām not trying to force anyone to join me. But if youāre that worried, all the more reason that you, as their seniors, should be participating, no?]
How can this be? Seira Von Retadane and Yasunori Akira both plan on throwing away this opportunity? If thatās the case, then thatās more evidence that Ethan Cruz is allied with the Empire! No, if he really was allied with the Empire, then there was a chance that he would lead not one, but two of the twelve generals to them.
āAnd what if he brings the Archmage? Is he allied with him?ā
Lee Shin Woo recollected how powerful Feotane Von Seldin was and clenched his fist. He couldnāt beat him right now. It was impossible.
It was impossible, butā¦ At the very least, he might have a few ways to make him retreat. Yeah, perhaps it was time to try āthatā.
[Seira Von Retadane: Are you serious? ā¦I donāt want to lower morale, but please remember what happened in the past. Seven level 7 heroes joined together, but still died. At that time, you, at level 6, were the only one who survived. Ethan Cruz, have you already forgotten?]
While he was formulating complex plans in his head, those opposed to Ethan Cruzās plan were beginning to give clear reasons for why his plan wouldnāt work.
Was Seira Von Retadane referring to the group of heroes (that included Lee Man Bok) that attempted to take down the 12 generals? As expected, it seems like she didnāt participate in that expedition. Then again, if she had, then she wouldāve known the horrors that Ethan had unleashed. Lee Shin Woo nodded his head and Ethan Cruz replied.
[Ethan Cruz: Of course I remember. That was a huge failure.]
āOf course it was a huge failure. After all, heād lost Lee Man Bok, as well as the two Giants,ā Lee Shin Woo thought.
[Ethan Cruz: Thatās why Iāve prepared so much more. I really did my best after that. To the point that I could probably take on one of the 12 generals by myself. Itās because Iām so sure of that that I want to take down one of them with my juniors.]
Well, of course, he was that strong. If he wasnāt, then he wouldnāt be able to control the other heroes. After all, heād lost some undead heroes in the past because of his weakness.
[Ethan Cruz: You know that Godās blessing wonāt last forever, right? We have to purify the Empire before then. If not, thenā¦ do you not want to take down one of the 12 generals?]
[Seira Von Retadane: What are you saying?]
[Ethan Cruz: You already know, donāt you? Retadane.]
[Yasunori Akira: Hey, are you doubting an ally right now? Stop. I listened quietly, but you went too far.]
[Ethan Cruz: No, I just wanted to hear the truth from her.]
As expected, they were definitely talking about Seagald Von Retadane of the 12 generals. Considering the mood in the chatting channel, half of the heroes knew about Seagald, and the other half didnāt. Lee Shin Woo supposed this was proof that his seniors hadnāt been just playing around thus far.
That was a topic that shouldāve been difficult to ask her about, so Ethan Cruz was definitely taunting her. So in other words, did that mean he was confident that he could overpower Seira Von Retadane?
[Seira Von Retadane: ā¦I want to destroy the undead more than anyone else. Whether it be the 12 generals, the Emperor, or anyone. Regardless of what name they held in the past, or what person they were, so long as theyāre undeadā¦ Iāll purify them all.]
She was just talking in the chatting channel, yet Lee Shin Woo felt goosebumps. Was this what Lee Man Bok was telling him to be cautious of, her hatred of the undead? Now he could understand what he was warning him about.
[Seira Von Retadane: I suppose your cheap taunt worked. Since I donāt want a repeat of the past. I must stop precious heroes from degenerating into such a cursed form.]
[Ethan Cruz: You made the right choice. I have high hopes for your power over light.]
Could Seira Von Retadane use light magic? Lee Shin Woo decided to stow that away for later. Their powers should clash against each other, so the fact that Ethan was willing to taunt her and bring her into this meant that he was just that confident. ā¦If not, then perhaps he wanted to use this opportunity to take her down, as she was a bothersome opponent.
āSeira Von Retadane. Sheās diligently doing her duty as a hero, so Iād like to keep her alive if at all possibleā¦ā
Lee Man Bok warned him that he should avoid her at all cost, but that was way too half-hearted for him. To defeat the Empire, he needed to even use his greatest enemy. Even more so if she were someone who hated the undead to that extent.
[Ethan Cruz: Akira, what about you?]
[Yasunori Akira: Donāt talk so casually. It makes me sick. If you really did pick a safe target, then me not going wonāt make much of a difference.]
[Ethan Cruz: Youāll regret it. Our super rookie, Lee Shin Woo, are you almost ready?]
[Lee Shin Woo: Yes, Senior. Iām making sure Iām prepared, especially for any unforeseen situations.]
He was preparing a plan for if Ethan Cruz went onto the frontlines personally, when he didnāt, when his undead grouped together, when he moved stealthily when there were one or two of the 12 generals, or if the Archmage himself appeared!
[Ethan Cruz: Youāre so reliable. As expected of our super rookie!]
āThat reliable super rookie is coming to put a sword in your gut,ā Lee Shin Woo smiled and inwardly muttered.
But then, he suddenly got two requests for private chats. They were from both Seira Von Retadane and Yasunori Akira! Lee Shin Woo was flustered and sent a message asking Seira to wait just a second. He accepted Yasunori Akiraās private chat first because he thought he would be easier to deal with.
[Yasunori Akira: This might sound a little weird, but listen carefully. Can you promise me that?]
āOf course, Senior Yasunori.ā
[Yasunori Akira: I plan on hiding while you guys are fighting against one of the 12 generals.]
āWhat are you talking aboutā¦ Are you trying to protect me?ā
[Yasunori Akira: Yeah. I want to protect you guys. ā¦But not from one of the 12 generals. From Ethan Cruz.]
Everyone, thereās a hero as reliable as Kratia over here! Lee Shin Woo was touched, as heād found another hero that tried their best for endless growth and glory!
[Yasunori Akira: It might sound weird, but I thought itād be ok to tell you since you havenāt met Ethan yet. Those who meet him, even just onceā¦ follow him a bit blindly.]
Lee Shin Woo thought that was most likely due to Ethan Cruzās darkness magic, but he didnāt voice it.
[Yasunori Akira: Thatās already strange. Even if he were blessed to have so many people willing to help him, itās still too unnatural. Moreover, this hunt for one of the 12 generalsā¦ itās way too dangerous. Since itās almost impossible to bait one of the 12 generals.]
In the past, Lee Shin Woo had infiltrated a city and had successfully led Hansen Von Dorthe there, but he acted as if it had never happened before.
[Yasunori Akira: Be wary of him. Donāt get too close. Especiallyā¦ his buffs. Make sure you reject his buffs. Even if he gives you a good reason, make sure you refuse them. Donāt let yourself get touched by his magic.]
āIāll keep that in mind.ā
[Yasunori Akira: Do you believe me?]
āHow could I not believe you, as youāre acting out of concern for me? Youāre not telling me to attack him. Youāre just telling me to refuse his buffs.ā
Lee Shin Wooās Acting skill was really paying off. Yasunori Akira was slightly touched by Lee Shin Wooās sincerity.
[Yasunori Akira: ā¦I thought you were only good at fighting, but youāre a smooth talker too. But it makes me feel better if you think like that. Who is that again? That hero you were close toā¦ can you tell her about my request too?]
āYes, of course. Iāll remember to be careful around him.ā
[Yasunori Akira: Iāll mark you off. I wish everyone was as careful as you, butā¦ if we all make it out of this safely, letās hunt together.]
āIāll be looking forward to it.ā
Heās going to mark him off personally. If thatās the case, then itās likely that Yasunori Akira was in the most dangerā¦ Lee Shin Woo thanked him for his warning, but before he left the chat, he warned Yasunori Akira about the curse that came from Deadly Force. Yasunori was surprised but said he understood.
Now, it was Seira Von Retadaneās turn now. Lee Shin Woo took a deep breath and accepted a private chat with her.
[Seira Von Retadane: I heard you became level 7. You were afraid youād stick out, so you hid your level.]
āIām sorry, Senior. I know I shouldnāt be lying to you, but I was afraid of you (seniors) pinning all your hopes on meā¦ā
[Seira Von Retadane: I understand. Since you mustāve been exceptionally talented in your original world. As they say, āTall trees catch much windā.Ā [1] It mustāve been suffocating.]
āSeniorā¦ā
He acted as though he were touched by her kindness. Lee Shin Woo said pretty much what heād expected her to say.
[Seira Von Retadane: Please be careful of Ethan Cruz. On that day, the day that the heroes were wiped outā¦ Why was he the only one that came back alive? I find it quite odd. Perhaps heās connected with the Empire.]
Heād gotten another reliable senior.
[Seira Von Retadane: Iād rather not even think of that as a possibility, but if heās really a traitor, thenā¦ we have to take him down no matter what. Since an enemy on the inside is more threatening than the 12 generals.]
āSenior Yasunori said the same thing.ā
[Seira Von Retadane: Yasunori Akira did? Thatās a relief. Now that I think about it, heās never met Ethan in person. Heās benefitting from his caution.]
āOf course, Iāll be sure to be careful. Thank you for the advice.ā
He thought she had said everything she was going to say, but then, she dropped a bombshell.
[Seira Von Retadane: It canāt be helped. Letās meet up before you see him. Iāll contact Yasunori Akira as well. Ah, please come with the hero youāre on good terms with too.]
āā¦Iām sorry?ā
[Seira Von Retadane: I want you to meet me before youāre exposed to his magic. Iād also like to formulate a plan on site as well.]
He was doing fine on his own, but she had suddenly offered to meet!
Lee Shin Woo looked miserable, as it was like he was drafted into a team meeting for a presentation for a huge client.
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[Paul Zero, we have arrived at the city!]
[Apparently, the second corps has arrived at the opposite city! How about attacking before our enemies have a chance to react!?]
Then, the frontline Giants, who were unaware of how he was feeling, yelled. Lee Shin Woo saw the huge city in front of him and yelled, putting all of his stress from the chatting channel into it.
āBreak everything and trample over them! Break them into pieces, so that no one can even identify who killed them!ā
[1] T/N: If you stand out from the crowd, then you draw attention to yourself.