NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 29: Second Hero (3)
Merilda, or rather, the wolf, spoke in a voice filled with irritation.
What are you babbling about now?
Just as I said, I would like you to return the Execution Sword.
In contrast, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, or rather, the half-demon, looked directly into her eyes with an endlessly gloomy expression and continued,
Originally, the Execution Sword you received was because you whined to the Master and got it before me, wasnt it?
At the half-demons words, the wolf looked at the Absolute Ruler of Darkness with eyes now filled with anger but did not readily open her mouth.
Grit-!
Because her words were true.
The wolf felt jealous of the half-demon receiving expensive things from the Master and, because of that, poured out her jealousy and whined to the Master.
Knowing well that she couldnt use the Executioners Sword, she did such a foolish thing, and in the end, the Master gave her the Sword before passing it to the half-demon.
And stupidly, the wolf at that time was very pleased with it.
Crack-!
As the image of herself wanting to tear apart from ten years ago replayed in her mind, her mood plummeted even further to the worst.
It was as if it showed how impossible what Merilda wanted now was.
I dont want to.
Therefore, Merilda decided to run away from the suffocating image of herself even at the thought.
After all, there was someone here now who could help her escape.
Thats mine.
Didnt you just stubbornly cause trouble for the Master and take it from him?
Shut up!
The wolf growled.
The half-demon stared at her then soon scattered the darkness that was behind her.
Thud- Thudduddud-! Thud!
From the darkness, numerous weapons were scattered.
Starting from spears and swords, bizarre weapons that couldnt be considered ordinary were scattered on the ground, sticking into the dirt.
Even if you dislike it, I will take it.
As soon as the half-demon spoke,
the wolf was already swinging her claws in front of her.
A massive explosion.
However, the half-demon, who surely had nothing in her hands a moment ago, was now blocking her attack with a sword.
Try it if you can,
murmured Merilda, her red eyes flickering.
A loud crash.
The cliff was shattered.
Boom-!
?
Kim Hyunwoo, who was moving towards the front of the tavern, momentarily turned his gaze and tilted his head at the sound of something collapsing from a great distance.
Ive been hearing sounds like that recently.
Recalling that such sounds had been occurring somewhat frequently lately, he shrugged and stepped into the tavern.
Creak-
Upon opening the door and entering, the taverns interior definitely looked different from when it was at Level 1.
The tavern he remembered from the previous stage was quite cramped, but now, despite clearly having leveled up only one stage, the size of the tavern seemed to have expanded significantly.
There she is.
After looking around the changed tavern for a while, Kim Hyunwoo quickly shifted his gaze to the heroes sitting around and soon spotted a girl sitting in a corner of the tavern.
She seemed to not want to reveal her identity, wearing a robe, but the pink strands of hair peeking through the robe made her presence quite noticeable, so Kim Hyunwoo moved towards her without hesitation.
Perhaps due to the sound of his approaching steps, the girl sneakily turned her head.
I would like to recruit you, is that possible?
Yes?
Caught off guard by Kim Hyunwoos directness, she momentarily wore a blank expression before responding in a flustered tone.
Me? You mean me?
A voice that was clearly flustered to anyone who heard.
Kim Hyunwoo felt a hint of doubt at Ranis reaction but soon realized what the issue was.
Come to think of it, I havent introduced myself. I am Kim Hyunwoo, the Lord of Lartania.
The Lord, you say?
Yes. As the Lord, I am making you a recruitment offer.
Kim Hyunwoos words.
At that, Lani momentarily wore a blank expression and then, just like before, looked flustered but soon smiled faintly, seemingly pleased by the recruitment offer.
Thank you for the offer, but I think that will be impossible.
However, as if she had remembered something, her smile clouded over and she soon adopted a somber expression, promptly expressing her refusal to Kim Hyunwoo.
[Would you like to make a recruitment offer to hero 'Lani'? Y/N]
[Warning: Accepting this hero into your territory will result in hostile territories.]
[Warning: This is a fugitive. Someone is pursuing this individual.]
[Antalia territory relationship: -47]
[Mala territory relationship: -25]
At that moment, Kim Hyunwoo stared blankly at the notification that had conveniently popped up.
For Kim Hyunwoo, a hero with cooking traits like Lani was quite essential.
This is because a cooking hero can provide buffs to soldiers or other heroes, minimizing troop losses or hero injuries.
Hmm.
However, the reason Kim Hyunwoo suddenly stopped after making a bold recruitment offer to Lani was not only due to the penalties that would come with her recruitment but also due to an essential question that arose.
Do 1-star heroes also have such cases?
When Kim Hyunwoo played Arteil, heroes drawn from gacha or refreshed over time would sometimes have low relations with NPC territories, perhaps due to their background.
But he had never seen a mere 1-star hero with such damaged relations, leading him to ponder with a puzzled expression whether to persuade Lani or to give up.
Antalia territory is at -42, Mala territory at -25. Given that I dont remember them, they dont seem to be significant territories.
Kim Hyunwoo had identified territories to be cautious about shortly after entering Arteil, and he remembered the names of such territories.
However, at least in Kim Hyunwoos memory, there was no Antalia or Mala territory.
This meant, at least in Kim Hyunwoos judgment, that Antalia and Mala territories were either not significant or were located far from Lartania territory.
Still, the relationships do bother me.
As Kim Hyunwoo remembered, a relationship score of -70 or worse was practically a state where war wouldnt be surprising.
This meant that recruiting Lani wouldnt create enemies across the entire Continent like it did with Merilda.
Nonetheless, the reason for Kim Hyunwoos concern was that creating enemies at this point offered no benefit to Lartania.
Above all, the risk was tied to acquiring a 1-star hero.
It is tricky indeed.
If Lani had been a 2-star or 3-star hero, Kim Hyunwoo would have continuously made recruitment offers despite the relationship penalty, but she was only a 1-star.
The potential for growth is high, though.
Even considering the high growth potential, recruiting a 1-star hero who would undoubtedly take a long time to develop, resulting in relationship penalties with other territories, seemed ambiguous.
Given that shes being pursued, it seems she needs immediate care.
Above all, Kim Hyunwoo noticed she was involved in a special event, something he hadnt even seen in Arteil.
Should I just give up?
As he leaned towards not persuading Lani and was about to speak,
Thump-!
Tch, this is so annoying! Why run all the way to this backwater?
Suddenly, someone entered the tavern, roughly opening the door.
How, how did!
At the same time, Lani reacted with a startled expression, and Kim Hyunwoo turned his gaze towards the door.
What do you mean, how? Did you think I wouldnt find you if you ran away, you idiot?
Soon, Kim Hyunwoo saw a blond man cursing at Lani.
The man, with a face that couldnt be considered friendly, was smirking mockingly.
Isnt it too soon for a pursuit event to happen before I even get to do anything?
Kim Hyunwoo wore an incredulous expression at the scene, but the man, seemingly uncaring, boldly approached and grabbed Lanis wrist.
Uh-!
Lani, coming to her senses too late, struggled to break free from the man.
However.
Slap-!
Ugh!
The man slapped her cheek in an instant.
The violence was swung all too familiarly.
Drip-!
Shouldnt you just quietly get sold instead of running away?
Looking at Lani, who now had blood at the corner of her mouth and her head hung low, the man uttered those words and then turned to Kim Hyunwoo, who was blankly staring at the swiftly unfolded situation.
Who are you?
I am the Lord of Lartania.
Kim Hyunwoo responded with a look of disbelief to the man who boldly disparaged him upon their first meeting, to which the man snickered and said,
Ah, so youre the village head of this backwater?
Village village head?
Ah, got it, got it. I can tell by the size. You approached her thinking you could do something, huh? Full of vigor? But sorry, what to do? This girl already has an owner.
Snicker.
Unfortunately, I have to sell this one as merchandise, so I cant give her to you. Ah well If the village head shows me a bit of favor, who knows?
Seeing the man speak so brazenly, Kim Hyunwoo inadvertently opened his mouth, thinking,
Who the hell is this guy?
The mans behavior was so ridiculously thuggish that Kim Hyunwoo was left speechless.
The man looked so foolish that Kim Hyunwoo had to reconsider whether he should even engage with him.
However, the man, oblivious to Kim Hyunwoos thoughts,
Tch, I guess a failing territory like this cant show any favor, huh? I expected too much from a village head who looks so incompetent.
Mocked him further with those words.
At that moment.
On top of the territorys hill.
Even without seeing from the territory, the back hill had essentially become a plateau due to numerous collisions.
Worrying if Kim Hyunwoo might notice, silencing the noise, and being cautious towards the territory, now grabbing each others hair, the two heroes were already fighting disgracefully.
What?
Without anyone saying anything, they both looked towards the territory at the same time.
With chilling eyes.