Ch.138Chapter 138. Night Stalker Demon (2)

Chapter 138. Night Stalker Demon (2)

– Five people, huh.

There’s no way five Paladins were born in the same cave at the same time. Is it a small group of survivors living in the cave? Could be a family.

Well, it doesn’t matter. Five people isn’t a particularly threatening number for Lakye. She may not have area attacks like Princess Dina, but in one-on-one combat, she’s nearly invincible.

The half-human half-demon only managed to fight her because of Charon’s support and the zombie characteristic of being able to move even with severed limbs and without feeling pain. Originally, it wouldn’t have been a match for Lakye. Only something like the manta ray demon that attacked the Tribal Federation headquarters could give her a sense of crisis.

In Paladin terms, I’d say she’s around level 8-9. Unless they’re low level, the difference between each level above 5 is quite significant.

Abraham, a level 7 user, died helplessly against the cloud demon, but Princess Dina, who was level 8 at the time, at least put up some resistance.

Charon, who landed a few hits on the cloud demon… was probably around level 10. Perhaps even stronger than a max-level Paladin.

Anyway, even if there are five hostile Paladins level 7 or higher in the cave, we could win with my support.

Of course, the only force capable of that in the current situation would be Dina’s special forces, but still.

After a brief calculation, I decided to proceed. Lakye entered the cave, silencing her footsteps like an assassin.

Going a bit deeper, I could hear voices.

“That’s not it. A real man should be able to subdue an opponent without fighting.”

“But you said to always strike first when a fight breaks out, right? Don’t avoid confrontations that come your way, and always strike first. The 12-second technique of punch-punch victory!”

A boy’s voice and a young man’s voice. Since the boy is speaking formally, they’re probably not brothers… an uncle perhaps?

“It’s not punch-punch, it’s first-punch. There might be situations where you can’t strike first. Say, what if your enemy is a pretty girl who’s your type? Could you hit her face right away?”

“Does it matter if she’s pretty? Winning the fight is more important! I’ll hit her right away! Like this, pow!”

“Even if her chest is this big?”

“Even if her chest is this big!”

“What if her butt is this big?”

“Who has a butt that big?”

What the hell is this guy teaching a kid? Where’s his guardian?

“That’s because you’re still young… never mind. Anyway, preparing for all situations is the true mind of a Paladin, the mind of nothingness. Watch carefully and follow.”

“Yes!”

“When fighting someone you can’t strike first, establishing dominance is essential. Watch my posture.”

What’s with this first-punch talk? The natives here don’t know such terms. One of them must be a possessed person.

“Step one foot slightly forward, put your weight on the ball of your foot, and bend your upper body slightly with elasticity. Place your hands on your knees and glare forward. That’s it.”

“Wow…! So this is the Paladin’s 20-second technique for establishing dominance!”

“That’s right.”

This conversation sounds familiar. I think I’ve seen it on the community… ah.

I know who it is.

– They are not enemies. No need to be cautious.

Since they’re not dangerous, I can speak up. My voice echoed through the cave.

“Eek!”

“Ugh!”

Startled sounds came from inside the cave. Lakye walked steadily toward them without panicking.

I discovered a boy and a young man in armor looking this way with surprised expressions. So the young man is a Paladin.

“S-someone has invaded!”

The young man shouted with a terrified expression. He looks weaker than Noah.

“Who goes there!”

“Evan!”

Hearing that, a middle-aged couple and a girl came running with weapons.

“C-come at me!”

Meanwhile, the boy took that strange posture, supposedly the 20-second dominance technique or whatever. What kind of dominance is that? It’s a posture that invites a forehead flick.

As Lakye, without even drawing a weapon, and the five tense people continued their brief standoff…

“Paladin mister! First-punch victory! First-punch victory!”

Thinking the dominance technique wasn’t working, the boy quickly dropped his stance and looked at the Paladin.

“What are you saying, kid? Stop. No, please stop. I’m a Paladin.”

The young Paladin stepped forward slightly after gulping.

His sword hand trembled slightly, seemingly intimidated by Lakye, who was maintaining the posture of a true strong person – ‘standing straight with an expressionless gaze.’

I know this guy’s name, or more precisely, his nickname. I connected to the community.

[TrustedMonkeyUncle: Real-time Paladin is screwed for real

(Photo of Lakye with glowing yellow eyes in a dark cave)

A super strong-looking woman invaded the cave, damn…

Just looking at her height, build, and aura, she’s an alpha female, no, alpha girl.

I’m such a loser that I bow my head just seeing a queen bee girl OMG

I’m trying to resolve this through conversation, what should I do?

This kid is yelling at me to beat her up quickly;; I’m going crazy]

That’s right. TrustedMonkeyUncle.

By the way, he types fast. He already took a photo and posted it? It seems like only 2-3 minutes have passed since we met.

There are already quite a few comments, as if many people saw it right after posting.

– Comments –

[3Lift500: Wow, she’s so pretty]

[OneSlice: Why are her eyes that color? Is she a worshipper?]

[MorningTentInstaller: ?!?!?! Why is she appearing here]

[DinosaurPunch: Oh no… what do we do. She looks like she can fight really well]

[Ghooulr: Try begging for your life]

[MeleeSpy: That weapon is called a kukri, mainly used by barbarians]

ㄴ [MeleeSpy: Wait, looking closely, it’s a transformed meteor sword? Sans, is that you again?]

[SexySexySaint: Wow! Scary sister! You.Might.Lose.If.You.Fight~!]

[NotACatfish: Why is that bitch there]

MeleeSpy figured out I got the hidden piece. It’s funny seeing Hanna and Siwoo flustered.

I don’t mind if Lakye’s appearance spreads on the community. After revealing the Tribal Federation headquarters, what’s left to hide?

As long as her identity remains secret. She’s the Federation’s ace and joker card.

“I don’t know what you need, but let’s resolve this slowly through conversation…”

– I see you posted on the community.

“H-how did you…!”

“The toy is talking!”

The monkey uncle… let’s just call him Monkey. Anyway, his and the boy’s mouths fell open in shock.

This is real dominance.

– I am the wind-rain god Malak. I lead the Tribal Federation with the goal of saving the surface world. And…

I recited the repertoire I’ve told dozens of times to different people in different places. It flows naturally now. I might have said it hundreds of times, not just dozens.

Well, the conclusion is the same.

– If you become my follower, I can help you live a human-worthy life. If you wish, you can leave the cave and go straight to the Tribal Federation.

I briefly explained my blessing, ‘Follower Summoning.’ They seemed to understand when I called it a divine power.

Now, what will you do, Monkey? Will you come too?

From what I’ve observed through the community, Monkey may be a bit silly, but he’s not a villain. The fact that he’s taken good care of a kid is proof enough that he’s a decent human.

If it were me, I would have given up halfway out of laziness. He might be eccentric, but his patience and perseverance are commendable.

The boy’s parents seemed half-doubtful but eager to go. Yet they were waiting for Monkey to speak, showing considerable caution.

To firmly change their minds, Monkey needs to speak up… but this guy is just quietly watching.

“…”

I can almost hear the wheels turning in his head. Don’t tell me he’s trying to ask the community what to do.

– I don’t appreciate information about me and my followers being posted on the community without permission.

I spoke more sternly this time. I didn’t want to reveal to the community users that I was a totem.

“Paladin. Were you trying to do something unnecessary? Malak’s anger is my anger, so make a wise decision.”

Lakye stepped in well.

“Ah…”

Monkey flinched and lowered his eyes. Well, Lakye in front of him is probably scarier than some totem claiming to be a god.

– Paladin. Haven’t you indirectly encountered the Tribal Federation through the community?

Let’s try some gentle persuasion at this point.

“…I understand. I will join the Tribal Federation with these people.”

Monkey nodded after some deliberation.

Good. I’ve gained another Paladin. Even a low-level Paladin is a good asset, so he can help when searching for the night stalker demon.

I plan to use the Follower Summoning blessing when morning comes. There are several procedures to go through upon arriving at the Tribal Federation, and doing this late at night would inconvenience many people.

To maintain the concept of a human-friendly god, it’s better to send them in the morning.

I was about to ask Monkey and the family about the high-ranking demon living in this area.

[MeleeSpy: You… were a black-haired, golden-eyed, beautiful female warrior?]

[MeleeSpy: I see… I like it]

[MeleeSpy: As a big-hearted person, I’ll forgive your past rudeness]

A private message from this crazy guy.

Did you think I’d respond with “Awww~! Thank you so much, MeleeSpy oppa~!” to that?

I just ignored him.