Chapter 85: 85 Ex grade artifact
I examined the item that came out of the chest. It was an Exalted-grade artifact. Good, this is what I wanted!
As I tried to take it out, the adventurers blocked my path.
"Leave that and go, kid."
"You think we’re joking? We can kill even a child!"
"Or maybe since he’s cute, we can just screw him and kill him? Ohohoh."
"We’ve got Those Who Recite Sins backing us, you know? It means there’ll be no repercussions whether we kill a kid or a woman!"
A sigh escaped me as soon as I heard that. What, Those Who Recite Sins again?
"Haa, Those Who Recite Sins everywhere, fuck. Even though their leader’s dead, they’re still amazing, truly amazing."
"Did you just curse? I’ll have to pull out your tongue first."
The adventurers charged. Of course, I defeated all of them.
There were two women, so I looked at their appearances. One was a pig, and the other was the type with no chest but only a big butt.
’Fuck, both of them are disgusting.’
I killed one, killed another, and killed one of the men. I intentionally left one alive.
I subdued the last remaining muscular man and asked him,
"Hey, why did the cult hire you guys? What were you doing here?"
"You’re talking nonsense. Get lost, you bastard. Or are you a half-goblin?"
The guy sneered at me. I shrugged and raised my sword.
I cut off one of his arms.
"Kkheaaak!"
"One arm, two legs left. Oh, if you count the one between your legs as a leg, then you have three legs left, huh?"
"P-Please, *cough, th-the cult, they told us to find all the dungeons nationwide and... clear them. That’s all!"
"Why?"
"I don’t know. They said something about eliminating future threats? P-Please, save me."
Eliminating future threats? So they told them to search and clear all dungeons nationwide?
’This is a bit troublesome. If this continues, other valuable hidden pieces might fall into someone else’s hands.’
Leaving things as they were would be a big problem. Of course, they would find all the ordinary dungeons. Hidden pieces aren’t usually easy to discover unless you’re truly unlucky.
Nevertheless, it bothered me that someone else would take what should be mine.
"Thanks for answering well."
"Haaah, y-you’re letting me go, right?"
"Of course. Live a good life from now on."
"Th-Thank you...!"
As the guy, pale, picked up his severed arm and turned his back, I instantly struck the back of his head with the flat of my sword.
Kaaang!
I knocked him out.
’Because I’m going to use him as a gift.’
Since I’ve accumulated a lot of points this time, let’s allocate some stats for a change!
I allocated stats until I reached level 50. Then, the Dawn Guardian glowed.
[Congratulations! ’Dawn Guardian’ reacts to your growth!]
[Owner’s level confirmed: 50.]
[The following effects have been unlocked!]
The next effects had been unlocked! Ohh, is it now?!
[Dawn Guardian]
Rarity: Masterpiece
*Unique Effect ’Become Light’: The target you kill vanishes.
*Unique Passive Effect ’Aura’: Consumes ki to add power equivalent to one Force Heart.
*Unique Passive Effect ’Merciful Judgment’: Instantly concentrates energy into the sword to unleash a large and beautiful sword aura.
*Unique Passive Effect ’?’: Unlock required!
*Unique Passive Effect ’?’: Unlock required!
「Become Light. -Lord Grant」
Huh, amazing. Is my sword going to be a beam weapon now? Can I just spam it while shouting Excalibur~?
’No, I don’t have mana. I have to operate it purely with ki, and that’s limited, so spamming it will be difficult.’
Ah, so this is why spirits need a master. I didn’t realize mana backup was this important!
Anyway, I gripped the item I had just obtained and shouted,
"Expert Mid-stage, let’s go!"
The item glowed brightly and disappeared. At the same time, my body glowed silver, spreading in all directions before returning to normal. This effect is still cool.
I looked down at my chest. Five glowing lights were visible. I had entered Expert Mid-stage.
’I’m growing, and my sword is growing. This is good!’
Grinning, I hoisted the man onto my back and left. I rode Lynn and galloped.
The place I arrived at was the dungeon where Drom was. As I entered the dungeon, Drom bowed 90 degrees.
"B-Brother! You’re here?"
"Yeah. Hey, Drom."
"Yes, Brother!"
"I have a favor to ask."
I put the man down. On the way, I had roughly bandaged him to stop the bleeding, but I wasn’t sure if it worked well.
Well, it’s none of my business.
Drom tilted his head.
"What is it?"
"Do you know what’s in that direction over there?"
"The plateau, isn’t it?"
"You know there’s a temple near there, right?"
"I don’t really know about the temple."
Drom tilted his head. Then he thought for a moment and his mouth dropped open.
"Ah, those building ruins, could they be?"
"Yes, you idiot. There’s a watchtower near there, okay? You stay there and keep an eye on the laborers, and make sure no monsters or other weirdos invade. I’m giving you a job."
Drom was surprised by my words. His ears perked up like a rabbit’s.
"M-Me? I’m going to be a watchman and a butler?!"
"...Think of it that way. However, the top floor of the tower is my bedroom, so if you go in, you’ll die."
"I-I’ll never do that!"
"Good. This man is a gift. This bastard is a Runner Mid-stage, you know? When he wakes up, fight him. It’ll probably help improve your skills or if you want you can have him that way too."
That’s right. The reason I specifically brought this man was to train Drom.
As his words and actions showed, this guy had now completely become my subordinate. But he was originally a named monster from a dungeon.
There’s no harm in getting close to someone like him. Drom grinned.
"After I defeat him in both ways... can I eat him?"
"Do as you please."
"Oh, thank you so much! Brother, truly thank you! Lucian is the best!!"
Leaving Drom’s cheers behind, I got on Lynn. Now, I should go do the remaining work, right?
’Shall I go to Ravenscoft Manor now?’
I had only one thing to do. It had been a while, so I should go meet Alpa’s bitch of a mother, Anya.
I wondered how she was doing. This time, I was going with a slightly different opening.
Riding on Lynn, I smiled silently. I was already getting excited.
