Chapter 571

Chapter 571

Matans Shooter 571

From a humans perspective, it was an object as large as a bathtub, difficult to move alone. However, compared to Toon, it was no larger than a mere eyeball.

Still, as if not wanting to miss even a speck of dust, Toon carefully examined the jar at his feet.

Not bad, right? Its much sturdier than what you guys used in the second Human-Demon War. Its made from plundering the magic units from the Minis Kingdom.

Chiyou opened her mouth, carefully watching Toon.

Toon only grunted in response, not engaging in Chiyous words.

[Is everything else the same?]

Of course. If you cant trust from such a samplewe cant work~ together.

Chiyou ended her sentence with a hint of playfulness, but Toon expressed no particular emotion. Instead, Yongyong, who was standing next to him, glared at Toon with jealous eyes.

But why do you need these? Five jars that can hold ten thousand souls each. If they are all filled, thats a total of fifty thousand, isnt it? It wont be easy to collect fifty thousand souls, but Im more curious about what you will use the energy of these collected souls for.

[No need for you to know.]

Ah, come on. We even signed a contract. Give me a hint. Is it related to Le-

[Do not utter the Counts honor with your filthy mouth.]

Toons demeanor changed instantly.

Even Igor, who stood behind Chiyou, twitched his muscles dangerously, reaching almost for his sword.

-I apologize for my rudeness.

Chiyous gaze momentarily faltered, but she did not let her inward annoyance show.

She had often endured such treatments in Minis for the sake of information.

But I can be curious, right? You couldnt consolidate the city with the last wave, so naturally, I have to think it has something to do with the Count, right?

[It doesnt require the Counts power to overthrow your city of pests. I alone am enough.]

Toon said proudly, with Chiyou responding with a smile.

Claiming to overthrow the city, and having enough power to do so, yet not doing it?

There is a hidden meaning at odds with the surface-level interpretation.

So, it seems that collecting souls has nothing to do with the Count, but its related to you, isnt it?

[.]

Toon didnt speak anymore. However, his silence was enough for Chiyou to understand. Why was Toon collecting souls?

Her information network had significantly weakened, but she had heard enough about the second total attack on the location where Toon and the

Arch Matans Right Hand had been.

They said they infused power into Toon to collect souls, right? That purple beard gave Toon a mission. But if its not for himself or Toon?

Chiyous mind raced.

Ive heard this from the Magic Unit in Minis too. The souls of humans were also used as materials to strengthen the Demon Kings Army in the second Human-Demon War.

By putting all of these together, the answer was clear.

I wonder if the Count may wish to visit us in our fortress soon?

[I do not know his deep intentions.]

Ugh, but if he does, it would be great. Before the others wake up.. I think we need to revise the contract conditions a bit more decisively. Wouldnt it be better to clarify that we are on the same side, rather than having such an ambiguous relationship? Hehe.

For a moment, Toons pupils widened.

A user of Chiyous caliber wouldnt miss that reaction.

Toon snorted and flicked his finger. The jars for storing souls floated and circled around him.

[I see why the Count is paying attention to you.]

Oh my, thats a compliment. I didnt even know that I was being noticed. Please thank him for me.

With a sly smile, Chiyou turned around.

Igor, Faust, and the others were looking at Toon with dumbfounded expressions.

I thought Faust would have at least gotten a grasp of it, but it seems its too difficult. Well, he doesnt possess as much information as I do, after all

Even though Faust is sharp and smart, he couldnt deduce much without a basis for his assumptions. Chiyou smiled faintly, confirming her guess was spot on by observing Toons reaction.

She relished in the flattery of being the only one who knew this level of information at this point.

However, her belief was a mere illusion.

Hehehe, if the actual defeat of the Monster Wave was intendedhow interesting! I wonder what other surprises are in store?

Biyemi and Petyr were listening in on their entire conversation.

Thankfully, the interior was not pitch-black.

Hooooooo HAAAAAAA!

Wow, thats surprising.

Sometimes, spurts of lava would illuminate the cave. Of course, with the light came a surplus of heat and toxic gases.

I wonder if there arent any monsters because of the environment Leeha reassured himself, reconfirming the feel of his musket-pistol in his hands.

While there was some fun in using the old-fashioned gunpowder and lead bullets to forcefully reload, it was still insufficient to use perfectly in actual combat.

I havent been using the musket much nowadays. I am called a musketeer after all.

Would it be because Jellypong had been too domesticated with modern firearms like Black Bass? Even though Agility was overwhelmingly high, the loading speed was not much different from before.

[Myong!]

Huh?

[Myong myong. Myong, myong, myong.]

Jellypong had cautiously advanced a little further when he abruptly spoke to Leeha.

At the sound of him, Leehas eyes widened in surprise.

Really?

[Myong! Myong- myong, myong, myong!]

As Leeha answered, Jellypongs voice became even faster and lower. Assuming from the cautious attitude that didnt want anyone to overhear, Leeha took a brief look around.

And then he laughed.

Ha-ha, sorry. I didnt understand a single word.

[ Myong?]

I just wanted to act serious for a moment

[Myong?!]

Swwwwwwoosh!

From Leehas chest, two of Jellypongs long arms sprung out.

The bulging eyes of the beast. Jellypong stared at Leeha with a stunned look.

Hey, you dont need to be that surprised. Its stranger that I can communicate with you. Even Noeanen and Celestinee, who were top-ranking spirits, couldnt understand you. How could I?

[. Myong ]

Jellypong sighed.

And then, once again, his two arms stretched out long. Soon, the two arms formed into a huge arrow, pointing in a specific direction.

Huh?

Even Leeha could guess what this meant keep an eye out over there.

Leeha scrutinized the area pointed out by Jellypong. Up to now, the cave ceiling had not been too high. However, in a spot about 30m away from where Leeha was standing, it formed a sort of underground plaza.

Jellypong was pointing at a dark ceiling, so high that the light of the flowing lava couldnt quite reach it.

Terrain has started to change. Does that mean theres something over there?

Leeha adopted a crouching stance.

Taking cautious steps, as soon as Jellypongs finger retreated, he navigated a cliff below where the lava flowed and the path was very narrow.

Suddenly, the open plaza. If he is worried about getting ambushed, it would be better to pull the monster to where he is standing rather than confronting it directly. If forced to confront, they wouldnt be able to dodge his musket in this straight path.

If theyre found, theyll shoot first. Thats the plan. Only after considering Jellypongs warning, and imagining the best combat position, did Leehas movements speed up.

One step, two steps

When he had entered the crossover connecting the narrow path to the plaza, Leeha finally made eye contact with the alert that Jellypong had warned about.

The ones being illuminated by the glow of the lava, their eyes suddenly increased in number.

Ahh thats why it was pointing at the ceiling. Still wondering why it had pointed at the ceiling and not at a monster.

Ssssssssst

Sssssssttttttttt-

Sssst, sssstttttt Flap-flap-flap-flap!

Didnt you say they were bats in the first place? YAAAAHH!

Numerous giant bats hanging off the ceiling suddenly began to fly. Witnessing a couple of hundred glowing eyes flying towards him, Leeha shouted aloud.

[Multishots]!

BOOOOOOM!!