Chapter 24: Chapter 24

[Translator - Night][Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 24: Uh… The Strategy Guide…? (3)

"Umm… Apostle, may I rest for a bit?"

"Ah, yes, let’s do that."

Although I wanted to make a cool exit after wiping out the orcs, I realized I didn’t know the terrain here.

So, I returned to the castle, was introduced to an elf who would guide me, and began running together.

Our destination was the Water Sanctuary, the place where the elf ranger captain, Reblo, had gone.

When I shared the locations of the Water and Fire Sanctuaries, along with the routes of the two elite armies as mentioned in the damned guidebook, it was decided to go for the Water Sanctuary first since it was closer.

The elf, who introduced himself as Alfid, collapsed to the ground.

“Pant… pant… I’ve never seen anyone navigate the forest better than an elf. As expected of a divine Apostle.”

“Hahaha, it’s just that I don’t get tired. The gods’ blessings helped too.”

“It’s truly a relief that you’ve come, Apostle. I’ll resume guiding you shortly.”

“Take your time; there’s no rush.”

After letting Alfid rest, I checked the titles section of my status window.

The neutral slot was empty.

I kept the “Bat Awakener” title from the Order faction.

As for the new titles, “Orc Slayer” (Rank D) and “Orc Conqueror” (Rank C), I decided to equip “Orc Conqueror” since it was higher rank.

[Orc Conqueror]

[Rank C]

[A title earned by singlehandedly annihilating an orc legion.

Grants proportional intimidation and fear to all orc-type species.]

So simple.

Still, it’d be nice if they just got scared and backed off for once.

In the hellish landscape, they kept charging at me endlessly, and I killed far too many.

If my “infinite stamina” wasn’t really infinite, I might have collapsed.

This time, please just tremble in fear, orcs.

Still, I gained a lot.

For one, my level reached 34.

Though it felt a bit stingy considering I wiped out an entire legion, breaking into the 30s felt good.

I also had 1,412 SP left even after maxing out the neutral faction stats to C++++.

Now I could shop in the Special Store.

The neutral faction stats, originally two, had increased to nine due to rewards and leveling up.

I decided to save them for now.

Once I rank up and need to raise stats further, I figured it’d save SP.

The bigger issue was the stats from the Order faction.

Although stats rose through absorption when I defeated orcs, uruks, and ogres, they were mostly strength-oriented.

I thought stats would increase drastically since I wiped out the legion, but that wasn’t the case.

Absorption doesn’t continue indefinitely; after absorbing a certain number of times from the same type (like orcs), I couldn’t gain more stats.

Here’s what I got:

Strength: +5, Agility: +2.5, Mana: +0.3. Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Honestly, compared to my days struggling with 5, 5, 5 stats, this is a huge improvement.

But after maxing out my stats with the “Soul Reaper” ability, I wanted to push them to the limits.

With the 2,000 SP reward, I calculated the costs:

For Order faction stats:

Up to 25: SP 20 each.

30: SP 30 each.

35: SP 40 each.

Beyond 35: SP 100 each.

The steep cost past 35 was painful, so I capped all stats at 35 for now, saving the bonus points for later.

Here’s the updated status:

[Name- Kim Jiho (+9 bonus stats)

Class- Soul Mediator

Guardian Deity- Pollux, God of Gemini

Title- Bat Awakener

Level- 34

Stats- Strength: 35, Agility: 35, Mana: 35

SP- 794.2]

That 2,000 SP was gone in a flash.

Originally, I had 2,011.2 SP, only earning about 10 from mediation.

At a time compression ratio of 10:1, SP gain is painfully slow.

Without quests, I wouldn’t have raised these stats at all.

Being a Soul Mediator on Earth was like easy mode, but in this forsaken world, the “Soul Reaper” class is king.

Switching to the Reaper class, my stats read:

[Name- Kim Jiho (+9 bonus stats)

Class- Soul Reaper

Guardian Deity- Aurelia, God of Volcanoes

Title- Orc Conqueror

Level- 34

Stats Cap- C++++

SP- 1,412]

Neutral faction stats maxed out, but SP consumption on Order stats felt higher.

Is the Order faction more demanding?

Regardless, I needed to be cautious with SP.

The SP gain from orcs dropped from 1 to 0.3, and even uruks yielded less over time.

Opening the Premium Store, most items were inaccessible due to my D-rank.

What was available?

[D~F Random Box - Items & Skills] SP 50

[D~F Random Box - Items] SP 100

[D~F Random Box - Skills] SP 100

No way.

With D~F ranks, most would be F.

A higher-rank item might’ve tempted me, but not these.

I looked for ways to level up my Soul Mediator or Soul Reaper skills, but everything was restricted due to my rank.

I need to hit Rank C soon.

Then I can raise the limits on neutral stats too.

“Apostle, I think I can resume now.”

“Let’s get moving.”

We ran toward the Water Sanctuary in the forest of Trein, located at Isar Lake.

Though the destination wasn’t far, the Reblo unit, being elite elf rangers, was hard to catch up with.

Despite Alfid being chosen for his speed, we made little progress.

After seeing him collapse twice, I made a decision.

“Hm. This won’t do.”

“S-sorry…”

“Get on my back.”

“Ugh…”

At first, Alfid refused due to his pride as a forest elf.

But after collapsing twice, he reluctantly let me carry him.

Ah, if only it were a female elf… Instead, I’m carrying this handsome male elf.

With him on my back giving directions, I ran full speed.

My Order stats were buffed, and my neutral stats maxed, so I was like a bullet.

At one point, I accidentally ran into a tree, smashing it to pieces.

“Aah! Apostle, the tree…!”

“Apologies, but it was necessary for the greater good.”

Alfid, who was riding on my back, cried out pitifully, but I ignored it, making excuses about the greater good, and just bulldozed forward.

Running through the night, running through the day, just running endlessly...

After about 10 hours of this:

"Apostle, please, please stop for a moment. I think my bladder is about to burst..."

"Ah, I understand. Ahem."

Even while dealing with such biological necessities, we kept running.

I told him to let me know if he got sleepy, but perhaps because he thought he couldn’t afford to sleep while being carried, Alfid, with bloodshot eyes, continued guiding me along the way.

After running like that for two days, we finally arrived near Lake Isar.

I was thinking about checking out the lake when the sound of clashing weapons caught my ear.

“I’ll go ahead.”

After setting Alfid down, I grabbed my gear and sprinted forward.

At the lakeshore, over 100 elf rangers were being overwhelmed by a bipedal monster with five lizard-like heads.

The creatures were bigger than Uruks, probably around 5 meters tall.

Dressed in black armor, they were breathing fire and systematically subduing the elves.

The elf rangers dodged here and there, firing arrows, but nothing seemed effective.

Hmm.

They look pretty strong.

“Ugh!”

“Dragonkin...?!”

Dragonkin?

Now that they mention it, their heads do resemble dragons.

They’re on a completely different level compared to the likes of Uruks.

If a unit of these things formed a vanguard, I might not have survived.

Let’s try shooting an arrow unnoticed.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

I loaded an arrow, infused it with Peep’s breath, and aimed it at one of the large dragonkin.

Swoosh!

“Who... dares?!”

One of the dragonkin turned around, roaring loudly enough to shake the forest.

Spotting the incoming arrow, it raised its arm to block.

Thunk! Boom!

The arrow pierced through its arm and embedded itself in its chest, exploding with a burst of light.

It seemed like it had underestimated the arrow at first.

As flames erupted across its body, the dragonkin let out a scream of agony.

“Arghhh!!”

Black mist began leaking from its burning body, which was shrinking visibly.

It looked unmistakably evil.

“Kill... them...!”

Why do these things talk so sluggishly?

But despite their slow speech, their movements were lightning fast.

Leaning forward, four dragonkin lunged at me as if they were flying.

Each opened its massive jaws, ready to unleash flames.

“Breath!”

The four dragonkin simultaneously spewed fire at me like flamethrowers.

I drew my bow and shot a single arrow of light directly into the mouth of the leading dragonkin.

A normal arrow would’ve burned to ashes before reaching it, but this one, infused with divine power, pierced straight through the flames.

As the arrow struck, dark energy spilled from its mouth, and it collapsed.

But I still had three more to deal with.

I was about to draw my sword to fight when Peep flew overhead and positioned itself in front of me, opening its tiny beak wide.

“Peep!”

The dragonkin’s flames were instantly sucked into Peep’s small mouth, like trash being vacuumed up.

Nice one, Peep!

“Could... it be...?”

“A... phoenix?”

While they hesitated, I leaped forward and drove my divine-power-infused two-handed sword into the chest of a dragonkin.

Its black armor and tough hide were no match for the blade, which pierced through effortlessly.

I slashed downward, and instead of blood, dark energy flowed out.

“Arrghh!!”

It seems they’re weak against divine power.

And they’re definitely weaker than me.

Too slow.

I quickly severed the legs of the one on the left.

Then, as the last one opened its mouth to spew flames at me, I jumped into its face and drove my sword deep into its throat.

The dragonkin’s head melted, and black energy spilled out.

“Divine... power...!!”

The one whose legs I had severed cried out bitterly as it fell to the ground.

I landed lightly and decapitated it with ease.

Though its hide seemed tough, my blade cut through like it was nothing.

The severed head rolled on the ground before dissolving into black smoke and disappearing.

So, they’re vulnerable to divine power... If not for that, this could’ve been a tough fight.

They seem like pretty strong monsters.

Let’s check the message log.

[Soul Reaper skill activated. You gain 13.4 SP.]

[Trait Absorption skill activated. You absorb 0.05% of the trait "Corrupted Dragonkin's Magic."]

[Through the Perfect Form Preservation skill, the trait is filtered and converted into mana and magic attributes. All corruption is neutralized.]

[Your mana increases by 0.14.]

[Your magic ability slightly improves.]

Wow!

That’s a lot.

And it even increased my mana, which rarely happens.

Mana +0.14... Five of them would give me 0.7.

Incredible.

That brings my total to 35.7?

I absolutely need to kill these things myself.

“Ah... Who are you?”

While I was rejoicing over the message, the elf rangers, who had been on the brink of annihilation, approached me hesitantly.

“This is the Apostle of the God of War, the Last Warrior, sent by Lady Minerva. He’s the one who saved Fort Trein and single-handedly destroyed the Uruk vanguard, creating a legend.”

“Alfid! Is that true?!”

“Yes. And now he has eradicated the evil dragonkin horde in an instant. Truly, the gods have not abandoned us.”

Alfid emerged from the forest and suddenly began singing my praises.

Did he read my biography or something?

This is so cringe.

“O Minerva, bless us.”

“Such power, worthy of the Last Warrior.”

The elf rangers surrounded me, and it seemed like a full-blown worship session was about to begin.

I quickly raised a hand.

“Is Captain Reblo of the elf rangers here?”

“Yes, my lord. You called for me?”

A long-haired, blonde elf approached and knelt respectfully on one knee.

True to elven form, he was handsome, though his golden beard and mature aura gave him more of a seasoned vibe than a youthful one.

They’re all ridiculously good-looking.

And all men...

Their admiring gazes are a bit much.

I need to escape this all-male sauna quickly.

Let’s finish this and go rescue Diana.

“How do we reactivate the Water Sanctuary?”

“Ah! With fifty or more of us elves, it’s possible. Thanks to you, seventy-three of us survived. We are eternally grateful to you for saving us.”

“Thank you, Apostle of the God of War, the Last Warrior.”

“We will never forget this debt.”

All the elves knelt on one knee and placed their right fists over their left chests.

Is this some kind of sign of respect?

Anyway, their gratitude feels nice.

“I’m glad. How long will it take?”

“With so many survivors, it should take only thirty minutes.”

“Understood. I’ll protect you all until then. Begin immediately.”

“Yes, my lord!”

The elves stood and began touching the lake’s surface, chanting something I couldn’t understand.

I stayed alert, keeping an eye on the forest, but no monsters appeared for thirty minutes.

Maybe they thought the dragonkin alone would be enough to handle this?

Well... Considering the elves couldn’t use their elemental powers, those fast, tough, fire-breathing monsters would’ve been more than enough.

But they couldn’t have predicted I’d be here.

“Ah! It’s a success!”

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]