Reset Life – Chapter 24

KR Translators:

・StarrySkySailor
・KawaiiKage
・ImmortalInk
・KingPotato
・SugoiSenpai

Chapter 24: That’s Not It. No, It’s Not! (5)

“This looks like a good spot.”

“Isn’t it too close?”

“No, this is perfect. It’s easy to see from here.”

I stopped the group at the remains of a burnt-down house.

The wall blocked the lighthouse, making this spot invisible from there. The location was below the north side of the hill with the lighthouse. There was a risk of monsters, but it was a time when we didn’t have to worry about such things.

“I don’t hear anything.”

Levidian said, looking up at the sky. I shrugged and said.

“We’re at least 150 meters away. Unless they’re shouting really loud, we won’t be able to hear them.”

Fierce battles were probably taking place on the west and east sides of the lighthouse. And they would be attacking only from the east, or only from the west, or from both sides, with intervals in between.

The guy at the top of the lighthouse was probably racking his brains trying to figure out where the real attack was coming from.

In reality, it wasn’t coming from anywhere. Heh heh.

“The sun will be setting soon.”

“Yes. We’ll have to start working when night falls.”

I nodded at Joey’s words. A little while ago, an hour ago to be exact, the Azot Royal Knights and the Empire’s 7th Knight Order had been creating intermittent clashes on the east and west sides of the hill with the lighthouse.

When one side climbed halfway up the hill and concentrated their forces there, the other side would climb up the hill and give them a fright.

There were 100 Royal Knights and 50 knights from the 7th Knight Order. The difference in numbers would be clear, and their attributes would be clear as well. The 100 knights could steadily occupy the hill and approach, while the 50 knights could quickly approach the lighthouse.

If those numbers kept poking at them from both sides, the guy in the lighthouse would naturally get irritated. At the very least, he wouldn’t be able to relax. Because he wouldn’t know when they would try to take over the lighthouse.

But the real power was here. Our five-man third force was actually the hidden talon of the hawk.

“I’m worried if they’re doing alright.”

“They’ll be fine. They’re all excellent soldiers.”

Crown Prince Orange, the fourth member after me, Levidian, and Joey, carefully nodded.

He was the one who faced the most opposition, but no one could dissuade him from his determination to see the truth of the incident to the end. His wife, on the other hand, had a strong heart, saying,”Go ahead”.

Levidian said that his swordsmanship was so-so, but he was useful in many other ways, and I had no reason to object, so I just agreed.

“Well, let’s share this first.”

Anyway, with about an hour left before the scheduled time, I decided to take care of the most important thing. I had brought a heavy black bag for that purpose. The contents were also quite shocking. Because of its explosive nature.

I carefully took the contents out of the bag and handed them out to the people. It was the most important thing to us right now, and it would undoubtedly have a profound impact on our future activities.

I handed this out to the last person, who was somewhat dejected, and said.

“Don’t you want one, High Priest Damachi-nim?”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“Really? It’s delicious, this sandwich……”

I then took a big bite of the sandwich. The texture of the thin ham layered together, and the taste of the vegetables and sauce combined with the bread to fill my mouth was truly explosive.

You can’t work on an empty stomach. So we were in the middle of enjoying Marlin’s special sandwiches.

Damachi, who had been staring at us, finally surrendered to his appetite.

“Give it here. I should eat it.”

“Yes. Here you go.”

See? A clergyman succumbed to the temptation of food. Was it because of Marlin’s skill, or was it because of this man’s weak will? Personally, I’d like to put more weight on the latter.

Damachi was brought here through the collaboration of me and Ronen Trigger. On the surface, it was to show the dignity and mercy of Achuni, the true image of a priest driving out the darkness that had spread in Breedpo.

Even if that wasn’t the case, since he could use Holy Spells, we brought him along as a first-aid kit and a shield against monsters.

After eating the sandwiches, we started to warm our bodies, which were gradually getting cold, by drinking tea. Marlin had thoughtfully packed tea to drink after the meal, and the thermos and spare cups, which I didn’t know where she got them from, made me feel her warm consideration.

“By the time we finish our tea and digest a little, it will be night.”

“That’s right. The sun is already disappearing below the horizon……”

It would soon be dusk. Even after nightfall, the two knight orders would continue their attacks, and the guy up in the lighthouse would be suffering from nervous exhaustion by then.

I peeked out the window and looked at the lighthouse. It was a bit far away, so I couldn’t see clearly with the naked eye, but there was someone moving around on top of the lighthouse.

He looked very flustered.

“Just wait a little longer, my friend.”

I don’t know where you came from or what you were doing, but thanks to you, I’m now completely immersed in war. Thanks for bringing back the old feeling.

We sipped our tea and exchanged short conversations from time to time. I leaned against the wall and looked up at the sky, watching the deep orange turn to purple and then deep blue.

People often call night a curtain. But I would like to call day a curtain. A curtain that hides the stage of night and reveals the actors called stars.

The stars in the night sky, which I happened to look up at, were not much different from the sky I looked up at before I died.

I wonder if it’s okay to compare the fact that the stars are the same, but a different time exists from my memory. Phew.

As I sent various thoughts, such as delusions, fantasies, and sentiments, into the air, night fell.

“Let’s go.”

I got up from my seat and signaled the start.

It seemed that the monster controller was completely preoccupied with the two knight orders attacking from the east and west. We couldn’t even find a tail of a monster on our way to the lighthouse.

“In this case, they might be concentrating their defense inside.”

Levidian said with a grim expression. I agreed with that thought for now. Considering the structure of the lighthouse, if they couldn’t escape, it was common to set up defenses for maximum defense.

As we opened the lighthouse door, a cold air rushed in. The fishy smell mixed in made me frown involuntarily. It meant that there had been monsters here for some time.

But not on the 1st floor.

I examined the height of the floor and the stairs. And soon, I made a decision.

“Joey, you take the entrance. You won’t be able to go up anyway.”

“Yes. I’ll make sure those monsters can’t even lift a finger.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Joey sat down at the entrance with a 3-meter iron bar erected. His wide back alone covered two-thirds of the door. At least for that door, Joey could now set a record of being invincible.

“It’s quite dark inside.”

Crown Prince Lymant took out a lamp and lit it. The lighthouse was said to have a total of 7 floors. Now that we were inside, the 1st floor had a diameter of about 15 meters. It would get narrower as we went up. The lighthouse was surprisingly narrow.

“Be careful not to interfere with each other’s movements.”

Levidian said, drawing his sword. Crown Prince Lymant and I also drew our swords, and Damachi held the Holy Symbol, his only barrier, tightly in both hands. Old man, can you really drive out the darkness while trembling like that?

I twisted my lips into a smile and stretched my foot towards the stairs.

I prefer to pursue two or more goals at once whenever possible.

Today, it was catching the monster controller, and there was one more thing.

Hehe, will both work out well?

Kyaaao!

Kagagak!

I blocked the claws flying towards my neck with my sword. Sparks flew as the force tried to push my sword away, but I wouldn’t be defeated so easily!

“Eeek!”

I gritted my teeth and managed to push the claws away. The opponent, thinking it was no use, growled and slowly retreated, staring at me.

Damn it! Damachi, are you really just a priest in name?!

“High Priest-nim!”

“J, Just wait a little longer……!”

Damachi, who was searching through the scriptures with an anxious expression, soon had a bright look on his face. He held the scriptures open in one hand and the Holy Symbol in the other, and began to recite them.

“To those who cannot approach Achuni, the apostle of God said……”

Kyaaao!

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

When the verses of the scriptures are imbued with Holy Power, it can repel monsters. But there’s no way the monsters would just let that happen.

A Shadow Cat with claws at least 30 centimeters long shrieked sharply and lunged at Damachi. And, although I didn’t like it, I struck its claws to protect Damachi.

There’s no one else to deal with these guys but Damachi! And why are there Shadow Cats here?! These guys usually live in the polar regions!

“And so Achuni shed light, and the power dwells in the apostle! Tere Achuni!”

Finally, the Holy Spell was completed, and a white, warm light filled the lighthouse. And the giant cat made of shadows screamed and vanished as it touched the light.

Kyaaaaa……!

I let out a big sigh and collapsed to the floor.

“Phew, we’re alive……”

The other two who were protecting Damachi on either side seemed to have the same thought as me. Crown Prince Lymant also let out a sigh.

“Phew……Anyway, it’s been taken care of. There are only 6 floors left.”

“Risel, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’ll manage somehow.”

I took out emergency medicine and bandages from the pouch on my waist. There was a long gash on my left upper arm. The damn Shadow Cat had used my arm as a scratching post for its claws.

Although its whole body was made of shadows, only its claws were materialized, so Shadow Cats couldn’t be killed without Holy Spells or magic.

Is it fortunate that we have Damachi?

Levidian had a different opinion about that.

“High Priest Ir-nim, how did you become a High Priest?”

“Well, I, I……”

“A High Priest who can’t even cast a Holy Spell without looking at the scriptures? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Isn’t Wordless Incantation a necessary skill to become a High Priest? This is ridiculous. Risel got hurt because of you.”

“S, Sorry. I’ll heal you quickly……”

“Forget it. This hemostat is better.”

Looking at the situation, it seemed like Levidian was viciously attacking the old man. However, anyone who knew the process of getting up to this 5th floor would say that her actions were rather late.

A ‘normal’ High Priest wouldn’t need scriptures. That’s because the scriptures would already be in their head.

Wordless Incantation, the ability to freely speak the necessary verses and cast Holy Spells whenever needed, was their specialty, pride, and proof of their status.

Moreover, a smart priest would be able to perform Wordless Incantation by the time they became an Intermediate Priest, and above all, since the casting of Holy Spells was based on the verses of the scriptures, a priest who had been reading the scriptures should naturally be able to do it.

In that sense, if we look at the actions of our not-so-ordinary High Priest-nim, they were truly splendid.

He dropped the scriptures while reading them, causing the Divine Protection that was almost complete to disappear, and he almost went to the other side. And after reciting the scriptures for a minute or so to heal, he only managed to achieve the effect of a hemostat.

He deserved to be ignored.

With an angry face, Levidian skillfully sprayed hemostat on my arm, applied gauze, and then wrapped it with a bandage. It stung like hell as the hemostat seeped into the wound. Ouch, ouch, ouch……!

“Phew, Tere Achuni……”

Damachi turned away from me and her, fiddling with the Holy Symbol.

Although I was the leader, I felt sorry for him when I saw him like that. If it weren’t for me, he would have been able to enjoy the power he naturally had among his followers.

However, we had achieved our initial goal.

That was to pinpoint Damachi’s weakness and place a moral debt on him. Honestly, it would have been impossible with a High Priest with normal abilities.

The plan to turn him into a powerless, ordinary old man had worked.

“That’s enough. We’ll have to move soon, what if the wound opens?”

Levidian secured the bandage with a band-aid and said with a somewhat worried expression. I shrugged and said.

“Well, it’s not like I usually show it off, so I don’t care if it leaves a scar. And wouldn’t it be more fitting for a swordsman to have a scar or two? Haha!”

“Oh, just so you know, I don’t have any scars.”

“Oh, right.”

As expected of the fearsome Sword King.

She talked about getting her master’s qualification at the age of twelve as if it were as easy as picking an apple from an apple tree, and now she says she doesn’t even have a single scar. I wonder what her past was like.

As the situation was settled, Crown Prince Lymant spoke.

“Let’s go up then. Ibi will lead the way. Risel will follow, then High Priest Ir-nim, and I’ll take the rear.”

If it weren’t for the pretense of being a delegation, Crown Prince Lymant would have had a lot to say to Damachi. However, the polite Crown Prince was expressing his displeasure in an elegant way by completely ignoring him.

Levidian nodded and climbed the stairs with the lamp in hand.

The lighthouse, like the ‘Northern Tower’ at the northernmost tip of the empire, had monsters on every floor. Perhaps the controller had summoned strong monsters that acted alone or in small groups as his escort.

Oh, this ‘strong’ is a generally accepted term. Since we have Sword King-nim, whose full potential is unimaginable, we can just push through with brute force.

We climbed the stone stairs and opened the door to the 6th floor.

Creeeak……

The slowly opening door made a faint sound. Levidian gripped her sword tightly and opened the door completely.

And the 6th floor that was revealed……was empty.

“It’s empty.”

She said in a deflated voice and walked inside, holding the lamp high. The 6th floor, which had narrowed to about 10 meters in diameter compared to the 1st floor, was illuminated when the lamp was held up in the center.

“What? What is this place?”

I muttered in bewilderment. The guy who had thoroughly placed monsters up to the 5th floor had nothing on the crucial 6th floor. It was a strange thing.

“He might have run out of energy.”

Crown Prince Lymant said after looking around. The 6th floor was a clean space with no furniture or anything. Levidian shrugged and headed towards the entrance to the 7th floor.

“Let’s go. Let’s go see the face of the culprit who caused this.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

I put my sword on my shoulder and followed behind her. I don’t know who this guy is, but he seems pretty easy. Maybe he summoned the guy on the 6th floor and kept him close.

Then we might need to be a little more careful……? Levidian?

Clang!

She suddenly raised her sword and took a defensive stance against the air. Immediately after, there was a sound of metal clashing against metal, accompanied by sparks. Huh? Uh?

“Enemy!”

“Huh?”

And then she pushed her sword forward with all her might.

Kagagak!

It sounded like swords scraping against each other.

Damn it! He wasn’t absent, he was just invisible?!

“Below! Look below!”

“What’s that……? Footprints?”

Footprints were being imprinted on the empty space. The size was about that of an average adult male, and they were the footprints of someone wearing boots. I pondered if there was such a thing, and then I was horrified.

“Oh my God! Footprints?”(*TK: The monster’s name)

“That’s an intermediate-level monster!”

Damachi raised his voice in shock. I followed the footprints with my eyes as they circled around us.

That monster, which only left footprints, was in a different category from the monsters we had seen so far. While lower-level monsters were generally more bestial, intermediate-level monsters had a certain level of intelligence.

But why was that guy here? They usually live in caves in deep mountains, don’t they?

“High Priest Ir-nim, do something!”

“W, Wait a minute!”

Damachi started to unfold the scriptures again. Meanwhile, Levidian chased after the footprints and swung her sword.

Clang! Clang!

I didn’t know what kind of weapon Footprints used, but it seemed to be made of iron. Levidian was following its footprints and engaging in a back-and-forth battle.

Oh my God! Against an invisible weapon?

“Ha!”

Thud!

She kicked at the air. Then, Footprints’ footprints were pushed back. She had gained the upper hand against an invisible enemy with her own abilities.

At that moment, Damachi had just found a verse. He grabbed the Holy Symbol and quickly began to cast a Holy Spell.

“As the sun rises above the sky and Achuni’s blessing falls upon the earth……”

“W, Wait……!”

I knew that verse. It was the Holy Spell used by military priests at night during the war.

I didn’t know much about Holy Spells, but that one definitely didn’t fit this situation!

I ran towards Damachi and shouted.

“Stop!”

At that very moment, the Holy Spell was cast. Oh, God.

“All shall be revealed!”

Too late!

I closed my eyes as tightly as I could and lowered my head, covering my eyes. Nevertheless, the bright light filled my retina. It was like looking at a snowy field.

“Uwaaagh! My, my eyes!”

“Kyaa! What is this?!”

“Heok?!”

Damachi’s panicked voice from behind made me dumbfounded.

He didn’t even know what kind of Holy Spell he was trying to cast and just used it recklessly?!

When I raised my head, the three of them were covering their eyes and in pain. The Holy Spell Damachi had cast was one that created an incredibly bright light. Of course, they would go blind if he used it in this narrow space! That idiot!

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