Published at 3rd of April 2026 8:11 am

Chapter 952

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

In Ilendils opinion, people who got along well with spirits usually had poor relationships with everyone else.

After all, Ilendil herself was a prime example of this.

However, the Wardanaz Family Junior was excessively sociable.

He even contacted his friends family separately and discussed gatherings with them.

Ilendil might have been mistaken, but this seemed rather

Gasp. That sounds plausible.

Nilia felt goosebumps at Ilendils words.

The idea that being close to spirits meant poor relationships with others.

As someone who had dreamed of picture book cakes while the Shadow Patrol Hunters of the northern mountains feasted on the blood and liver of freshly caught beasts, Nilia found this very relatable.

Come on. Nilia has lots of friends and lots of spirits too.

I think that senior is just being stubborn about not having friends. And the reason she has no friends is because she secretly summoned artificial spirits in the forest.

However, her friends were lukewarm about Ilendils words.

Even Adenart joined in.

Affinity with spirits has nothing to do with social skills. Thats nonsense.

Thats right, isnt it?

When even Adenart, who didnt want her social skills denied, nodded repeatedly in disagreement, the friends became even more convinced.

Meanwhile, Lee Han returned with the permit. Oddly enough, he was carrying a new coat on his other arm.

Wardanaz. Whats that?

Here. Asan. Daihal said he prepared clothes for you.

What!? He didnt blame me for my test scores?

He did do that a little, but anyway, thats not important. Here. Take it.

Asan checked the coat very suspiciously.

He wondered if there might be a letter inside saying something like Dont be satisfied with 100 points, get 200 points, but there was nothing like that.

Hmm. Maybe I was too suspicious of my brother

I told you Daihal doesnt not think about you.

Of course, when Lee Han visited, Daihal had said Wardanaz! I was actually preparing to give you a gift next time I saw you, so this works out well and presented the new coat.

But that didnt mean he wasnt thinking about his younger brother. He had continuously asked questions about Asans magical achievements.

But theres no need to relay that.

And Asan. Heres spending money from Hidan.

Wait. The pouch has Lee Han Wardanaz written on it?

Thats because I transferred it to my gold coin pouch when I came out.

Isnt this too high-quality fabric for Lee Han to use?

Yoner felt something was off but said nothing.

Something else was more important.

Senior. Where should we search first once we get inside?

The barracks where Granden Citys guards and senior knights stayed was larger than expected, with several buildings inside.

If they stirred things up carelessly, the enemies might notice first.

The underground temporary prison.

Indeed. Thats definitely the most likely place.

Lee Han nodded as if agreeing with Ilendils designation.

Other places like guard barracks, armories, or warehouses could also be hiding spots, but they werent ideal locations.

Barracks would require bribing all the personnel there, and armories or warehouses had too many potential complications.

In contrast, a temporary prison dug underground would be dark with plenty of space and wouldnt attract much attention

To figure that out immediately. Truly impressive.

Yeah the spirit just told me.

Then lets go in.

Lee Han turned around abruptly and strode forward. Ilendil was slightly flustered and asked her friends.

Did, did I do something wrong?

You tried to attack Wardanaz with artificial spirits in the forest. Its natural for him to be wary.

That was so long ago!

Ilendil felt wronged inside.

***

This is bad. Of all people, Akdin got caught.

We can handle things fine without that guy.

Is this the time to act tough? We havent even dealt with this evil no, this thing?

The mercenaries were gathered in a hidden space behind the underground temporary prison.

Originally a place for stacking wooden barrels containing food for prisoners, it had now been forgotten and was only known to a few servants and thieves.

Experienced mercenaries secured several such places when conducting business in cities, using them as temporary hideouts.

Staying near inns or taverns with many watching eyes was like offering their necks to be caught.

But despite such experience and cunning, the evil gods power was gradually consuming them.

An ancient artifact emitting evil light.

This artifact that couldnt be thrown away or discarded was strangling them.

Move obey my command

Damn it!

They wanted to go to temples or mages and ask them to remove it, but in their current situation, doing so would likely result in immediate betrayal.

For the mercenaries, it was a maddening situation.

Ping!

!

When the string hanging in the corner snapped, the mercenaries eyes changed.

They werent just hiding. They had installed light detection devices at the entrance and access routes.

The bribed servant would only come at scheduled times, so this was

A guard?

Shh.

One of the mercenaries pulled out a crossbow that emitted a bluish light in the darkness.

This crossbow, which Jenbaya had personally enchanted, boasted penetrating power that could pierce through thick metal armor like mud.

Being armed with such artifacts proved the combat power of these mercenaries. Mercenaries generally preferred this type of power enhancement over personal training or practice.

Not coming in?

When only the door opened but no one entered, the mercenaries narrowed their eyes.

Whats this?

Crash!

With the sound of breaking glass, smoke began billowing up inside the basement.

The mercenaries were shocked and sent hand signals.

-Cover your mouth and use scrolls!

Breathing toxic smoke prepared by alchemists directly could make them collapse within ten seconds. The mercenaries hurriedly tore their scrolls.

They used scrolls.

Yoner, who had thrown the glass bottle from above and was waiting, confirmed the scroll activation and spoke.

Contrary to the mercenaries assumption, the potion just thrown was simply for creating smoke.

Since the opponents would have poison defense measures too, there was no reason to launch a powerful attack from the start.

For an Einroguard mage, this level of deception was basic.

Understood.

Adenart shot a chakram-shaped artifact into the smoke. The artifact that detected life force rampaged regardless of visual disadvantage.

-Its mages! Mages above!

-Break through the encirclement!

Once the attack was confirmed, the mercenaries moved boldly.

They immediately activated their potions and scrolls, thn ran toward the side wall.

This underground prison appeared to have only one exit, but in fact the mercenaries had already identified the locations of the thin walls.

If we break through here

Crash!

When a mercenary who had drunk a strength potion swung his hammer to break the wall, the figures of mages appeared beyond it.

Angrago and Rowena, who had cast enhancement magic and were holding out behind rock barricades, didnt look easy to shake.

To the other side!

Too late. Just break through!

Without Akdin, confusion arose among the mercenaries. At that moment, a purple glowing arrow precisely sniped one of the mercenaries.

Turn left for one more!

They can see through the smoke!!

When Asan cast divination magic to assist Nilia, the darkness and smoke in the basement became obstacles that were one-sidedly disadvantageous only to the mercenaries.

Gah!

One mercenary who couldnt hold out rushed forward, relying only on his temporarily amplified strength.

Since getting close was always the right answer when facing mages, he charged forward even if it meant taking a few hits.

However, the mages above were prepared for even that. When Angrago launched an attack to break his stance, Rowena swung her staff to knock him unconscious.

Tutanta! Collapse the wall on the perch side to cover them!

Wait. If we do that, the passage will become too wide!

Realizing they had been properly caught, the mercenaries retreated back inside with curses.

Then Yoner threw another potion. This time it was a proper offensive potion.

Again!?

As people commonly said, having even one decent mage in a party made them troublesome to deal with.

Because even one mage would fill the partys gaps and diversify their combat power.

But today, the mercenaries faced several such mages.

And they were very skilled at cooperating with each other!

Individual mages were already troublesome, but mages moving in such thorough coordination like this.

From the mercenaries perspective, it was almost nightmare level.

Sur surrender. We surrender!

Got it! Just keep breathing that smoke where you are!

The mercenaries who had tried to create an opportunity shuddered.

They didnt know which magic tower mages those Granden City bastards had brought, but they werent ordinarily vicious.

Even the Lava Tower probably wouldnt be this nasty

Thud!

Are they all down?

Just to be safe, lets wait a bit more before going in. Yoner. Could you throw one more potion?

At Lee Hans words, Ilendil cried out in a shocked voice.

How how!

I dont think thats really wasteful.

No, thats not it. How are you all like this

???

The friends were puzzled by the seniors unexpected reaction.

Were we too harsh?

No. Einroguard was harsher to us, so what nonsense is that.

You work well together?

Ah.

At Ilendils words, the students finally realized what the senior was talking about.

It certainly was an unfamiliar sight.

Not just one or two people, but this many people moving without a single error.

Are you all close friends?

Wh-what. Were not close!

Alpha, you bastard. Wont you get out of the way?

The students from each tower shuddered and pushed each other away.

It was a very unpleasant misunderstanding. As expected of a strange senior, even the misunderstanding was unpleasant.

When the friends who had just fought together started fighting unnecessarily, Lee Han stepped in.

Were not close, weve just cooperated together many times.

Isnt that being close?

Ilendil absolutely couldnt understand the second-year students.

Of course, it wasnt like he had understood his juniors well before either, but these second years were especially

I really dont get it!

***

Oh. Its a magic crossbow. Nilia. Take it.

Thanks.

This armor looks like it would fit Angrago well. Wait. Theres a curse of intelligence reduction.

Doesnt matter, right?

What do you mean it doesnt matter, you bastard Tutanta.

It doesnt matter because you can wear it together with this intelligence-boosting bracelet here.

Ah. Thats what you meant? Haha.

Then what did you think I meant?

Lee Hans group thoroughly looted the mercenaries.

Watching that bizarre scene, Ilendil shook his head and focused on the original goal.

The ancient relic, Echo of the Demigod.

-!

Ugh.

When the corruption level felt from inside was worse than expected, Ilendil frowned.

It seemed like they shouldnt touch it carelessly.

Whats wrong?

The corruption level is worse than expected I think we need to purify it first

Ilendil pondered what approach to take.

Since it was an object related to an evil god, half-hearted methods were unlikely to work.

Shall I ask for a moment?

Ask who?

Instead of answering, Lee Han opened the Echo Stone and called the insane projection.

Im warning you for the last time, if youre wasting time on useless things again

This time is a bit different. Master. This relic

Upon discovering the relic, the insane projections anger subsided. In a much kinder voice than before, the insane projection spoke.

Ill forgive you. Quite commendable. I didnt expect you to come find the next magic to learn yourself

Snap!

Lee Han immediately turned off the Echo Stone.

Huh???

Oh dear. It seems he doesnt know much about it.

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