Ch.131Chapter 131. Breaking the Seals (4)

Chapter 131. Dojo Storming (4)

This would mean our trip was wasted.

“What should we do?”

MeleeSpy asked for my opinion as Lakye carefully examined the inscription on the stone. He couldn’t understand it since it was written in Korean.

Right. What should we do?

– I should check the map the Saint gave us.

Since it would be a shame to return empty-handed, maybe we should just head to the next destination.

I examined the map Lakye pulled out and chose the closest location.

Grips Mountain Range. This is where the griffin-like demon lives, right? Over 10 meters in size with sharp beak and claws. And it has the ability to control wind, if I recall.

Looking at its abilities, it doesn’t seem particularly threatening. It’s below the stingray demon in class. At most, it’s probably at the level of a half-human half-demon. Let’s subjugate it.

“Understood.”

Lakye nodded and started moving. I feel bad that I’m only putting Lakye through this dog training.

Should I make conversation?

– How’s your control of Roa’s power coming along?

We decided to call the divine power obtained through the Pope’s sacrifice “Roa’s power.”

When the Pope transferred it to Lakye, it was probably Ishtania’s divinity, but now that Lakye has absorbed it like a sponge, it’s more accurate to call it Roa’s power.

Though he can only wrap it around himself and swing it around for now.

“Ah, yes! I can feel myself getting stronger every day!”

He seems really happy about it.

Lakye values and enjoys honor, combat, strength, and ability. His favorite thing is me, Malak, but that’s generally how he is.

– Have you made any notable progress?

“It’s small, but I think I’ve figured out how to release power externally. …Since we need to kill a high-ranking demon soon, I can’t show you right now.”

He raises his fist and trembles with disappointment.

Anyone watching would think he’s angry because he can’t beat someone up.

– That’s fine. I can see it then. I’m glad you’re making progress. As expected of my guardian.

“Hehe…”

He laughs like a child. Cute.

Lakye and I chatted about various things as we headed toward the Grips Mountain Range, the habitat of the griffin demon.

“Have you ever seen the face of Bojak, the priest of the Golden Sun tribe?”

– No.

“I caught a glimpse of him eating alone. He was more ordinary than I expected. Just an old man.”

Why would you look at someone eating alone? They might choke.

Once my guardian starts talking, he chatters excitedly like a bursting dam (not that dam).

This might sound a bit mean, but he reminds me of those exposition dump characters often found in novels.

You know, those socially awkward characters who have a lot to say but no friends to talk to, so they dump all their knowledge on the protagonist when they get the chance.

Since Lakye eats alone, I can’t say he’s not socially awkward… No, wait. Where would you find such a beautiful and capable socially awkward person?

It’s not that people ostracize Lakye. It’s Lakye who ostracizes people. That’s clearly different.

Let’s think of it that way.

“That civilized woman who calls herself a Saint. She’s very strange. I had some free time, so I watched her all day. All she does is take walks, play with orphans, ask about people’s well-being, or read books. I don’t think she’s plotting anything, but she’s definitely a weird woman.”

The Saint revealed she has an ability similar to psychometry. She might not be reading books but using her supernatural power to see the memories of those who wrote or read them.

In other words, reading by proxy.

– …I see.

Isn’t that just living a righteous life? She seems like someone who could be a role model.

And what do you mean you had free time? Lakye… you’re always free when you’re not fighting. You spend more than half your day with a totem. You’re the strange one.

I kept these objections to myself.

I know why Lakye is badmouthing the Saint. He probably doesn’t like how she smiles at me and says “Please trust me~!”

In other words, it’s “jealousy.”

He might tease Paya because she’s still young and not seen as competition, but the Saint is a mature woman in her early to mid-twenties.

Additionally, she holds the title of “Goddess’s Representative,” so he might see her as a threat to his position.

He might worry about losing even a bit of my favor.

In fact, aside from being blind, the Saint is as good a woman as they come from a human perspective. She’s beautiful, well-spoken, and appears to have a good personality. She’s kind to everyone.

With her lady-like elegance, she’d probably be considered the top marriage prospect in the Tribal Alliance.

If she didn’t have the intimidating title of “Goddess’s Representative,” she would have received courtship from many men.

As for Lakye… he scores close to zero as what people of this era would consider a “good woman.” His appearance is exceptional, but he’s unkind to everyone except me.

– If my guardian says so, then it must be true.

I’ll play along here.

If I defend the Saint, Lakye might become anxious. He might even become depressed and refuse to eat.

Honestly, I’m not sure if Lakye could ever date anyone. He seems like the type who would beat someone up saying, “If you mess with my boyfriend, you’re dead!”

Wait, does this mean I’m the only one who could take him?

If asked whether I like Lakye… I could say I like him quite a lot. Though I’m not sure if this feeling is love.

But we should consider Lakye’s perspective too. How can a person date a totem? This isn’t like Pygmalion who fell in love with a figurine.

Come to think of it, even Pygmalion didn’t marry a figurine. The figurine eventually became a real person.

The same applies even if I were to obtain a physical body. I don’t think Lakye likes me in a romantic sense.

It’s a relationship between an object of loyalty and one who gives loyalty, a god and a worshipper. It’s ultimately a master-servant relationship. That’s why I’m drawing a line too.

Well, I can’t be certain, given that my ex-girlfriend always called me clueless.

Come to think of it, my first relationship started in such a ridiculous way. Was it during university orientation or MT? Probably MT.

A quirky-looking junior kept talking to me, and I thought, “She’s quite chatty,” so I responded. Even after the MT ended, she kept texting me.

What are you doing? Have you seen this? Let’s go somewhere. She kept at it, and I got annoyed, so I gave short answers. Then one day, she suddenly came to me, hit my shoulder, and started crying.

I instantly became famous in the department as “the insensitive jerk.” Afterward, I was practically pushed into a relationship.

Wow, how many years has it been? The me from back then wouldn’t have imagined becoming a totem.

“We’ve arrived at the Grips Mountain Range.”

Time flew by as Lakye and I chatted excitedly.

Lakye said he needed to focus, so I acknowledged and logged into the community. It was quite an enjoyable conversation.

The community was divided into two factions engaged in a heated keyboard battle.

Those who like the Tribal Alliance and those who don’t.

[LuluTV: Honestly, doesn’t Malak look like a cannibalistic monster?]

[MorningTentInstaller: Honestly, doesn’t LuluTV look like a total loser?]

Everyone seems to have nothing better to do than stir up pointless drama. Meanwhile, MeleeSpy and I, who were the first to take opposing stances, are quietly observing.

Oh, there’s a keyboard battle going on in Siwoo’s post. Since I have nothing else to do, I’ll take a look.

[MorningTentInstaller: LuluTV is probably a low-level noob lol. How would you know anything with such a low level?]

ㄴ [LuluTV: What level are you then? lol]

ㄴ [MorningTentInstaller: Level 4?]

ㄴ [LuluTV: You’re full of crap lol. You almost died trying to get Viagra]

ㄴ [MorningTentInstaller: How ancient is that story? lol. Are you a newbie who read through all the community posts?]

ㄴ [LuluTV: If you’re upset, prove it~?]

ㄴ [MorningTentInstaller: Want proof?]

ㄴ [LuluTV: Go ahead. If you do, I’ll grovel and apologize like a dog]

ㄴ [MorningTentInstaller: How should I prove it? Take a picture of me using a skill?]

ㄴ [LuluTV: Go ahead]

ㄴ [MorningTentInstaller: Should I post it? Or send it as a message?]

ㄴ [LuluTV: Anywhere is fine]

ㄴ [MorningTentInstaller: You’re chickening out lol]

ㄴ [LuluTV: I said anywhere is fine, you erectile dysfunction patient]

– A new post has been uploaded –

[MorningTentInstaller: Sorry, I’m actually level 2

(Picture of Siwoo grinning while using Purification, a level 4 skill)

Did you think I’d say that?

Get lost, punk lol

I’ll kill you]

What on earth is he doing?

I transferred my consciousness to Totem #1 and called Rachel.

“Lord Malak, you called?”

– Paladin Siwoo seems bored. Are there any tasks that need manpower?

“To use the Paladin…”

– I give permission. Tell him that.

“We were short-handed, so this works out well.”

Rachel pushed up her glasses. Look at that quick change of attitude.

Anyway, that Siwoo. He should be doing something productive instead of engaging in keyboard battles. Go do some grinding, you fool.

While I was watching the pathetic fight between Tribal Alliance fans and haters:

“That looks like the high-ranking demon’s nest.”

Lakye, hiding behind a rock, pointed to an enormous nest perched on a cliff. The high-ranking demon wasn’t inside.

Is it out for a walk or something?

We looked around a bit more. The sky became noisy, so I looked up…

Screech! Screech!

What the hell is that?

Bird-like creatures with human heads were fluttering around.