Chapter 138

“Miss Ha Yu-ri, if going to the right last time didn’t yield any results, I think we should try going left this time.”

“Ah… I guess so…”

Ha Yu-ri looked deep in thought.

It seemed like she might still choose the right path, so I approached her and spoke up.

“Miss Ha Yu-ri, can we talk privately for a moment?”

“…..”

Ha Yu-ri glanced at Priest Komer, then gave a small nod.

“…. So, what’s this about?”

“Don’t go right, go left.”

At my words, Ha Yu-ri stared at me intently and asked.

From her perspective, my suggestion to go left must’ve seemed sudden.

“…. Is there a specific reason?”

“Yeah, there is. But before I explain, I need to ask you something first.”

“… Go ahead.”

“Last time during the expedition, didn’t you follow Priest Komer’s advice and go right?”

“… Yes.”

“How did that turn out?”

“Ah, well… The number of people losing their senses increased rapidly, making it hard to proceed. Especially since it was our first time entering the Swamp of Oblivion, no one knew we’d lose our senses.”

Now that we know about the sensory loss, we can prepare, but back then, it must’ve caused mass panic.

“So, it wasn’t strong monsters, but people losing their senses rapidly after going right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then it must’ve been chaos. No one knew about the sensory loss back then.”

“Exactly. That’s why we failed.”

“Then isn’t it possible that Priest Komer, or whatever he is, deliberately sabotaged us? Why do you trust him?”

That’s the biggest question.

Of course, thanks to my unique ability, I could tell something was off, but if following his advice led to failure, anyone would be suspicious.

“Ah… I’ve thought about that too, but Priest Komer has helped us a lot. He treated the injured, let us stay in the village…”

‘Probably managing his image in the village to avoid suspicion.’

“So, it’s because he’s helped you?”

“Yes. He hasn’t actually harmed us. There weren’t even strong monsters on the right path…”

‘Ugh, I’ll just spill it.’

Since we’re in a large uncharted area, not just a regular dungeon, we don’t have the luxury of waiting.

“… Listen carefully. Priest Komer isn’t the real Priest Komer.”

“Huh? What do you…”

“There’s a monster called the White Devourer. That priest has already been consumed by it.”

“… What? Wait. Even if that’s true, how do you know that?”

“… My unique ability lets me see others’ status windows.”

Well, there’s more to it, but I didn’t feel like explaining everything.

“An ability to see status windows…?”

Ha Yu-ri looked stunned.

Who could’ve imagined someone having an ability like that?

My ability doesn’t show at all unless I reveal it myself.

“Right. So don’t follow that priest’s advice. Do the opposite.”

Ha Yu-ri still looked like she couldn’t believe it.

She seemed hesitant to trust my ability.

“Sigh… Your magic stat is 95, right? It was 94 at the training facility. Must’ve gone up recently.”

“Wait, really…? Then… no, so…”

Ha Yu-ri finally seemed to understand everything.

From her perspective, she must’ve wondered how I managed to do what I did with my weak combat skills.

“Now… now it makes sense. Why I’ve been so powerless against you…”

“No, you’re just dumb…”

“What?”

… I stopped myself when Ha Yu-ri glared at me.

“Anyway, so why is that priest insisting on going right?”

“He said… going right is the only way to purify the Swamp of Oblivion.”

“Ugh, that monster’s full of it. Just do the opposite. Got it?”

“… Got it.”

After our private conversation, Ha Yu-ri made a decision.

“The expedition will head left.”

Just as everyone agreed, one person, as expected, objected.

“Why is that? The divine revelation said we must go right.”

‘Nonsense.’

“To purify the Swamp of Oblivion, you must go right. Go right.”

“Sorry, Priest Komer. This isn’t a decision I can make alone, and the expedition has decided to go left.”

“… You must go right.”

‘What the…’

“Priest Komer, please understand…”

“You must go right.”

‘What’s wrong with this guy?’

His repeated insistence on going right felt instinctively off, not just to me and Ha Yu-ri, but to others as well.

“…. What’s going on?”

“… Something’s weird.”

Everyone started murmuring. It was natural to feel uneasy about Priest Komer’s fanatical insistence.

Some even debated whether we should go right after all.

“… No. We’re going left. Everyone, get ready.”

Priest Komer didn’t say anything more. He just stared at us with an expressionless face.

******

“Miss Ha Yu-ri, the Shape is still at the front.”





We encountered new monsters.

“What kind of monsters?”

“Well… their overall appearance is similar, but they’re much larger. About the size of an orc, completely white on the surface, and they only have a mouth on their face.”

“How’s the battle going?”

“It seems like we need support. The Plum Blossom Clan and other leading clans are struggling because the monsters have strong physical resistance…”

Ha Yu-ri nodded.

If the monsters have strong physical resistance, it’s time for the Mardan Clan’s troops to step in.

As the Mardan Clan and our clan moved to the front, the situation of the battle became clear.

“Damn it! When are the mages coming?!”

“This bastard’s skin is tough! And it’s incredibly strong, everyone be careful!”

‘Close-range attacks aren’t working well.’

Indeed, I can see why we’re struggling. Checking the monster’s information with my eyes, its skin is tough and durable. Its defense is on a whole different level compared to Shape.

“…. Aim for the monster’s ankles. That area shouldn’t be as tough.”

Everyone seemed surprised by my words.

Yoo Ju’s eyes widened at my suggestion.

While the Mardan Clan’s magic spells struck some of the monsters, the fighters began to hesitantly aim for the monsters’ ankles.

Slash—

Thud!

The monsters, their ankles cut, lost their balance and fell to the ground.

“… It’s working! The blade is working! Everyone, attack the ankles!”

Once we figured out the strategy, the battle started to go more smoothly.

Although the monsters’ specs were decent, and we still took some damage, it was inevitable in a battle like this.

The highlight was Ha Yu-ri’s magic.

“Freeze.”

Crashhhhh!

The top ice mage in Eras.

As if proving the weight of her words, the monsters’ lower bodies froze instantly.

“Spears, pierce them.”

With their movements sealed, the slaughter began.

Even though the monsters’ skin was tough, they were helpless against Ha Yu-ri’s magic.

Crunch—

Countless ice spears pierced the heads of the immobilized monsters.

‘… Impressive. I can see why mages are said to be the strongest in mass slaughter.’

In one-on-one battles, or against legendary-grade monsters, people like Yoon Yeon, Yoo Ju, and Yanagiya Riki would naturally have the advantage.

However, in wars or large-scale battles, swordsmen, spearmen, and martial artists can never match the efficiency of mages.

Even though these monsters weren’t low-tier, they were being wiped out effortlessly.

‘Now I understand why Ray Hakter, or rather Baronia, didn’t want to lose Ha Yu-ri.’

Ha Yu-ri is a strategic weapon. On Earth, she wouldn’t be a nuclear missile, but at least on the level of a tank or missile.

‘And that woman is in my hands.’

I couldn’t help but smile.

“…. Hey, why are you grinning like an idiot at that woman?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you grinning like that?”

It seems Kang I-seo got the wrong idea after seeing me smile while watching Ha Yu-ri cast her magic.

“No, I’m just happy the battle is over.”

“… Bullshit. You were grinning creepily at Ha Yu-ri. Are you a pervert or something?”

“No, why are you talking nonsense? Can’t I smile if I want to?”

“Fuck, you guys with lower bodies can’t help but drool over pretty girls.”

“Seriously… what are you even saying?”

Ever since that time at the royal palace when I stayed out late with Yoo Ju, it seems Kang I-seo has had it out for me.

Kang I-seo glared at Ha Yu-ri and then turned to me.

“Hey, I have ears too, you know. I heard you’ve been hanging out with that girl lately?”

“… Where did you hear that?”

“…. I heard it, and I saw it too. Anyway, stop hanging out with her.”

“… Why?”

Kang I-seo looked at me like I was an idiot.

“Why? Are you seriously asking that? You… don’t you remember how crazy she was back at the training facility?”

“Well… that’s in the past, and I don’t really think about it anymore.”

“Ha… sigh… hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you… sleep with her?”

“…. What?”

‘What the hell is she talking about?’

For a moment, I thought I misheard her.

“Crazy, what are you even saying? Did you eat something weird?”

“Yoo Ju told me. She said you went to Ha Yu-ri’s tent late at night.”

I closed my eyes tightly after hearing Kang I-seo’s words.

‘Yoo Ju…! What the hell are you telling people?!’

“Hey, just be honest. Did you sleep with her?”

“What kind of crazy talk is that, you lunatic.”

“You bastard, stop playing dumb. You’ve been hanging around Ha Yu-ri a lot lately. Tell me the truth before I shoot an arrow through your head.”

“Hey, no. Why would I do that with Ha Yu-ri?”

“…. Really?”

“… What do you even think of me?”

“……”

“And honestly, even if I did or didn’t, what’s it to you?”

“… What?”

“No, I mean…”

Whack!

Suddenly, Kang I-seo kicked me in the shin.

“Ouch!”

“You bastard…!”

‘Ugh, damn…!’

… As I held my shin, I couldn’t understand why I was the one getting hit.