Chapter 337

Chapter 337

Lucas opened his eyes.

He was greeted by the sight of an unfamiliar, low, and dirty ceiling.

"...!"

As he jolted upright, a sharp pain surged through him. Upon inspection, he noticed hasty bandages wrapped around his upper body.

"Where am I...?"

Lucas mumbled, bewildered.

"Ah, youre awake!"

The voice of a young child filled the room.

Turning, Lucas saw a scrawny boy carrying a water jug and a towel, walking into the room.

"Are you okay, Sir Knight? You lost a lot of blood."

"You are..."

Lucas soon recognized the boys identity.

It was the same boy who had locked eyes with him earlier while fighting Mason.

Just before landing the finishing blow on Mason, Lucas had noticed the boy watching him through a basement window. Realizing that his sword strike would also devastate the boy and the house he was in, Lucas had changed the direction of his attack at the last moment.

Because of this, he had failed to finish off Mason and had instead been struck down himself.

However, his actions had spared this home and its inhabitants.

"I only managed some basic first aid. But youre really tough, Sir Knight! I thought you were dead!"

The boy smiled innocently.

Suppressing a grimace, Lucas pressed his hand against his blood-soaked bandages.

Masons greatsword had aimed precisely for Lucas heart and had ripped through it. Mason, believing Lucas was dead, had then left.

However, Lucas had the passive skill [Man of Steel].

A near-miraculous ability that blocked fatal damage once per stage.

That had saved his life.

But that was it.

His sword was shattered, his armor was torn, and while he had avoided death, the residual damage was still there. He felt a dreadful fatigue and pain throughout his body.

But I have to go.

Ash is in danger. I must act before its too late...!

"Where is... my lord..."

As Lucas struggled to rise, muttering to himself, the boy hurriedly spoke.

"I saw it."

"Huh?"

"I saw where the scruffy guy you fought went."

Lucas eyes widened, and the boy explained.

"He headed towards the Northern Ruined Village. People in the neighborhood have been talking a lot recently about strange folks hanging around there."

"The Northern Ruined Village..."

Nodding, Lucas gently patted the boys head.

"Thank you, kid."

The boy looked up hesitantly at Lucas and stammered.

"Um, I know. You lost because of me, right? If I hadnt distracted you, you wouldve won, wouldnt you?"

"..."

"Im sorry, because of me..."

With a rueful smile, Lucas shook his head.

"Its not your fault. I lost because I was weak."

Yes, he was weak.

Why couldnt he harden his resolve?

Why couldnt he properly judge what was more important?

He should have killed Mason. There were ample opportunities. He should have even used his beast transformation.

If not, even if it meant this boy would be swept away, he should have swung his sword and severed Masons life.

But he hadnt.

He couldnt bring himself to hate Mason enough. Nor was he audacious enough to risk an innocent boys life.

He hesitated, wavered, and failed.

In the end, due to his weak spirit, Ash was in danger.

Isnt that a disqualification even as a guardian...?

"Ive... become weak."

As Lucas muttered to himself, the boy shook his head vigorously.

"No, Sir Knight, youre strong!"

"Huh?"

"You tried to protect me, someone youve never even seen before, didnt you?"

The boy clenched his small fist.

"So, Sir Knight, youre... strong!"

"But I lost, how am I strong?"

"Ash... Ash Born Hater Everblack... 23 years old... The lord of Crossroad..."

I wondered if I would have said, A devoted... 3N-gen... game streamer... if I had really fallen for the succubis tricks. Just imagining it gave me the creeps.

"Please stand up."

I slowly lifted myself from the chair.

"Turn left once. Turn right once."

I spun around.

"Jump in place. Three times."

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Lastly, scream for three seconds towards the front!"

"Aaaaaah!"

"Hmm, success it seems."

Mason nodded, appearing satisfied.

Externally, I grinned, but internally, I gritted my teeth. This damn kid! Does he think this is a Marine Corps camp?! Youre way out of line, you little shit!

Thank you, succubi legion! Thank you, Salome!

Thanks to your descendants making such crappy potions, I can deceive this punk! I am sincerely grateful!

Next time we meet, Ill give you a hug, Salome.

Though Ill follow that up with a headlock and an armbar!

Feeling grateful for Salome and the succubi legion, Mason sat me back down in the chair and asked with a serious face.

"From this moment on, please answer my questions truthfully."

"Of course... I will... not tell... a single... lie..."

Just the thought of fooling him had me salivating.

"Firstly, how does one enter the Lake Kingdom?"

"You must... purchase an entry ticket... 60,000 Adel for adults, 48,000 Adel for children..."

Damn, those tickets are surprisingly expensive.

"And where can one purchase these tickets?"

"The place where... the red roots of the earth... barter with each other..."

But you can get it cheap at the second-hand market.

"... Could you explain it more straightforwardly?"

"Discounts are available on site... you seem like you qualify..."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"You could get a pregnancy discount... judging by your belly, you could easily fool them..."

Masons eyes narrowed. Yikes. Time to stop messing with him.

"At the main gate of the Lake Kingdom, a secret knock will... open it immediately..."

Masons eyes lit up at my words.

"A secret knock?"

"You perform a specific pattern of knocking... they hear it and open the door..."

I was just saying anything that came to mind, and it was comical how seriously Mason was taking it.

Mason even pulled out a notepad and prepared to take notes.

"Whats the pattern?"

"Well, you see..."

What should I make the secret knock?

I hesitated for a moment and then knocked on the table next to me.

Knock. Knock-knock. Knock.

Once, twice, once.

I didnt know why such a simple pattern popped into my mind, but I ended up doing it that way.

Mason slowly nodded.

"Hmm... I see. So, just knock, and it will open..."

Heh, idiot. Go ahead and knock on the gate by the lake. By the time youre back, well be ready to counter-attack.

I was internally celebrating when...

"However, Ive heard theres a shortcut within this city."

Mason suddenly leaned in closer to my face and blurted this out.

"During the last festival, we gathered intel that guests appeared near the lords mansion."

"..."

"Theres a shortcut leading to the Lake Kingdom within this city, isnt there? Exactly where is it?"

Mason asked in a menacing tone, the corners of his mouth twisted cruelly.

I tried to maintain a foolish expression, but a bead of cold sweat trickled down my back.

This guy...

Hes no ordinary opponent.

"Whats the matter? Why are you hesitating?"

Meeting my trembling gaze, Masons eyes narrowed like a predator.

"Could it be that the hypnosis didnt work?"