Chapter 75

Chapter 75

The Pied Piper.

His name was Crown.

A court musician, a court jester, and a court magician of the Lake Kingdom, right?

His responsibilities were numerous. I scoffed inwardly.

This man was not that great of an NPC in the game.

Even when he occasionally intruded on the battlefield, he didnt directly engage in combat. He simply commanded monsters or debuffed the players side.

But, there was one scene that I clearly remembered.

The final stage of this game.

He appeared in the first room of the last dungeon leading to the final boss.

But, without any combat ability of his own and given the strength of our party at the final stage, he was no significant opponent.

A few sword thrusts and he fell.

Yes, these white-masked guys were those guys who appeared with him back then.

These masked troops were his subordinates who appeared with the Pied Piper in the final stage.

But just like him, they were nothing special by the time of the final stage.

The later part of the game had far stronger and more terrifying enemies. I didnt pay much attention to this man and his minions.

But now - that enemy was blocking our way.

And what did he say to me?

Did he call me a player, just now?

Does this man understand this worlds system?

There were too many questions, but I asked the most urgent one first.

"Why are you opposing us? Can you tell us the reason?"

From the hands of the white-masked troops surrounding us, crossbows and bows sparkled.

They were drawn taut, ready to shoot at any moment.

Regardless of backstory, our priority was to avoid this immediate crisis.

To my surprise, Crown responded to my question.

"Your party is corrupting this city, trying to uncover the secrets of the kingdom. You dont even know the terrible darkness sleeping inside... Im just trying to stop it."

Crowns voice grew heavier.

"We are the last defense force protecting the kingdom, the remaining remnants of the Lake Kingdom."

The men in white masks introduced themselves thusly.

"We are the Nightcrawlers."

Nightcrawlers.

Creeping through the night, they said.

"Anyone who tries to touch the darkness of this city, we will purge. You are merely our next targets."

As Crown raised his hand, the Nightcrawlers pulled their ranged weapons even tighter.

The moment that hand fell, a barrage of attacks would rain upon us.

Dangerous!

Completely surrounded and outclassed in level and gear.

If we take this volley, someone will die, or in the worst case, we could be wiped out.

Time to play the cards I have!

I widened my eyes.

It was time to use the new skill I had obtained without sparing.

[I use Commands Eye.]

["Please lock eyes with the skill target."]

The world around me slowed down for a moment.

In the midst of the bluish interface unique to skill usage, I looked around, locking eyes with each of the foes pointing weapons at us.

[Target Detected: 12 entities]

["Please state your command."]

The command shouldnt be too difficult. If it were, the skills success rate would decrease.

It also couldnt be something highly stressful, like telling them to kill each other. That would surely increase their chances of resistance.

So, a simple command that could also help us escape!

"All of you..."

I stretched out my hand and shouted,

"Turn around!"

[Command Difficulty: Very Easy]

[Comparing your Intelligence stat with the targets Magic Power stat.]

[Determining success rate. Rolling for resistance...]

Next moment, a bluish flash burst from my eyes.

[Judgement Complete!]

>Successful: 7 entities

>Failed: 5 entities

[Executing forced command.]

Ugh!

I coughed up blood. It felt as though my Magic Power had been completely drained, a heaviness settling in my chest.

"Damn it!"

Almost in sync with my exclamation,

"Huuh!"

Jupiter spun around, a spark jumping from her monocle.

Flash-!

Crack-!

Lightning shot from Jupiters hands.

She used the lightning in her left hand to stop the fire, and the one in her right to stop the wind.

The two spells were neutralized by Jupiters magic before they could combine and amplify each others power.

"Cough!"

Taking on the brunt of two wizards spells, Jupiter coughed up blood. My eyes widened in shock.

"Jupiter!"

"Cough...! I cant hold it much longer, Your Highness! Hurry...!"

Whirl! Whirl...!

As the whirlwind and flames intensified, Jupiters lightning began to falter.

Blood not only flowed from Jupiters mouth but also her eyes and nose. I shouted at the NPC guarding the teleport gate.

"Damn it, clear the path, now!"

"Yes!"

Lucas brandished his sword fiercely, driving away the NPC guarding the teleport gate.

I rushed to place my hand on the teleport gate and activate it.

Hurry, hurry! I thought desperately.

A mound of rocks surged upwards, swirling into formation, and ultimately creating a magic portal.

[Teleport Gate]

- Please select a destination.

> Backyard of the Lords Mansion

> Lakeside Pier

> The Dried Sewer

> Hidden Alley

> Northern Fortress

In haste, I chose the Backyard of the Lords Mansion.

Whee-ing!

With a magical sound of operation, the gate opened.

Damien, supporting Jupiter, went into the gate first.

Following behind, I pushed myself into the gate while glaring back.

The legion in white masks - the Nightcrawlers stopped attacking, as if realizing they could not stop us.

They just stood still, watching us.

Among them, Crown was leaning back, staring at me.

I could not decipher what was going on behind the masked face.

The laughing face carved into the mask was simply unnerving.

"Youre on my list, you flute-blowing son of a bitch."

It was a clich line of third-rate villains, but I couldnt help it.

"Ill be back to take care of you."

Gritting my teeth and pointing my index finger, I threw myself into the gate.

Behind me, I saw Lucas and Evangeline rush in.

As I was sucked into the magic passage where the teleportation started, I touched my aching forehead.

Another enemy has emerged.

***

[Free Exploration Finished!]

[Level-up Characters]

- Ash(EX) Lv.22 (2)

- Lucas(SSR) Lv.36 (1)

- Evangeline(SSR) Lv.38

- Jupiter(SR) Lv.40 (1)

- Damien(N) Lv.30

[Deceased and Injured Characters]

- Jupiter(SR) : Severely injured

[Acquired Equipment]

- Screaming Robe(SR)

[Acquired Items]

- Gargoyle Legions Magic Stones: 72

- Gargoyle Golden Magic Core(SR) : 1

- Golden Armor Fragments : 5

- Golden Room Key : 1