Chapter 344
The Growth of Must Save (1)
Evan’s party members returned quietly in the same manner with which they had headed out. Some were always aware of whenever Evan was absent, though it didn’t matter.
“Whew, this time I’m feeling really worn out.”
“You should be. Master had to throw three punches although he has the power to defeat strong enemies with just one hit.”
“Take note; there should be one each with the palms and the kick.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Mirole, who had expected Evan to encounter the Mana Realm monsters soon, would be surprised to hear that he had already cleared its ruins. In addition to this, there was one more person who would be more astonished than ever; Evan giggled as he headed to the Brotherhood Pharmacy.
“What’s all this?”
“Grandpa, I’ll explain to you what has happened to me so far…”
“There’s no need. It’s probably something inhuman and extraordinary again.”
With his joke stopped shorted, Evan sulkily explained about the new ruins. Bernard pressed a palm against his forehead after hearing Evan’s impressive story.
“What is the world going to be at this point?”
“It feels new, seeing you sighing like this, Grandpa.”
“Shut up, kid. It’s good that you were able to acquire the materials of the Elixir…perhaps the time will come that I need to join the frontline.”
“I told you that from the start. Here’s a present for you, Grandpa.”
As Evan offered the Glacier Tear set aside for the Elixir materials, Bernard quickly took it with a sigh.
“Well…I was thinking of making at least one attribute gun, so this is great. Well, are you planning to stop with just one? You should make one for Eir, too.”
“You have become a really good father, Grandpa.”
“Shut up, kid.”
Evan gave away one more crystal just as he wanted. Bernard examined the Glacier Tears with a contented smile. He stored one in a specially manufactured flask for the Elixir and put the other two into a standby state for making suitable preparations. While he did that, he spoke to Evan.
“As you’ve brought the ultimate ice attribute, try bringing an ultimate fire attribute next. I’m sure you are aware of the area called Volcanic Desert in Eskarothi in the Southern Continent, right?”
“You mean the endgame area like the Eternal Glacier, only with fire as the main attribute.”
Volcanic Desert. Dozens of giant volcanoes had gathered in one place, and the story went that the desert of black ashes appeared as the volcanic ashes from those volcanoes stacked up. There was an opportunity to experience the Eternal Glacier, seeing as it had appeared in the final battle in Yo-Ma Great War 3; however, this Volcanic Desert was only mentioned once in Yo-Ma Great War 2, so there wasn’t a chance for Yeo Ban-Min to even experience it.
“Grandpa, have you been there?”
“No, even when I had the final battle with Rose, I wasn’t able to get close. Such heat isn’t something a mere human can handle.”
“Uhm. It was a monstrous place.”
Before anyone knew it, Rose appeared and crossed her arm with Bernard’s. Come to think of it, unlike the actual Yo-Ma Great War 2; it was said that the final battle in this world happened in Eskarothi and not Houmi.
“It was so severe that even the spores of Mahwa Tribe died while they were flying to that place. I lost all contact with those who aimed to conquer the place; then I flew away…”
“I’m starting to get nervous after hearing that story…Rose; what should I do if monstrous creatures that adapted to the environment appear?”
“What is there to worry? You’re wearing the ring I gave you.”
“Well, you have a point.”
With Rose’s words, Evan couldn’t help but feel easy as he looked down upon his ring (with the attribute of special damage to Mahwa Tribe). Now it felt like the Mahwa Tribe would 100% appear in the Volcanic Desert!
“If it’s you, then it’s possible. You can also craft armor with the Glacier Tear to protect your skin if you’re still worried.”
“All these must be crafted into weapons. Don’t worry; I’ll be able to handle it anyhow.”
“Well, you’re not a human after all.”
Evan thought about looking for the Volcanic Desert for Belois’s sake since she wielded fire magic, so he gladly accepted Bernard’s request. However, that didn’t mean the request was free.
“What do you think about all this unique weaponry, Grandpa?”
“Are you trying to make something out of the Heart of Spirit Lord, the one you acquired this time?”
Bernard’s attention was still stuck at the cuboid crystal held in Evan’s hand. Its presence was as precious as the Elixir. This was undeniable proof that the New Generation Dungeon had appeared in this world. Honestly, the power within the Heart of Spirit Lord was so immense that one would eventually think of creating the unique weaponry.
“Well, unusual monsters gradually appear…I think I should do as much as I can.”
“What will you do after becoming stronger than you are now…? Fine, all right. It seems that the most active research has reached a lull, so I can research it in the meantime.”
“Love you, Grandpa!”
“Hey, stay away!”
“Don’t touch my man!”
“What!?”
After a conversation with Bernard, Evan went straight to the Knight’s Headquarters. Jhin, Lin, and Lan went out for a mission but found that all the other members were there.
“Commander!”
“The Commander came back!”
As Evan patted on each one of the children who greeted him noisily (although these children were now fourteen and fifteen years old), he turned his head to see the High Elf Mirole gently looking at him.
“Ah, Mirole. I’m home.”
“Welcome home. I believe something out of the schedule happened, so why don’t we talk about…”
“Evan!”
As Mirole was talking, Arisha appeared from nowhere and clung to Evan. The time they spent away from each other was just too long for her to keep her dignity as the Vice-Commander of Astray. Of course, it hadn’t even been a week yet.
“Next time, I’ll go with you no matter what. Are we clear on that?”
“All right, all right. Mirole, I’ll drop by after.”
“…Okay, I’ll be waiting.”
At this, Mirole stepped back with a bitter smile as she watched Arisha, who was busy kissing Evan’s face and neck while clinging onto him. Evan jokingly pulled at Arisha’s cheek.
“I know you did that on purpose.”
“Maybe.”
“Anyway…”
“Will you hate me if I’m filled with jealousy?”
“No. But this must be a misunderstanding.”
Evan calmed Arisha, who still felt unsatisfied with his words, with a kiss on her lips. In addition to being engaged with Serena, there was a need to show everyone that he was on good terms with Arisha.
“No, this isn’t enough. Belois has been enjoying her monopoly, so today is my turn.”
“It wasn’t a monopoly. I had to share some with Her Majesty Serena.”
“What!? Serena, talk more about that. Come here, quickly!”
“Not now, it’s not the time yet…”
As Evan was a little apart from those three who started a conversation with which no man could intervene, he looked for the new member who recently joined. He was able to find Enoch and Lucid at the corner, standing uncomfortably as they were their guests for the moment.
“Have you two been resting well?”
“Yes, of course. But this place is so vast and large that I’m not sure if I’m even allowed to live here.”
“What a shame the Master and I believe in a different G.o.d.”
Lucid, who didn’t know what to do just with all the happiness from the fact that he was at this place, and Enoch, who was regretting his words as he spoke. Strictly speaking, the positions for these two were a bit different. Lucid was brought here since Evan took responsibility for the rest of his life, and Enoch followed him with the condition that he would be joining and working in Louise’s party. There was also a difference that Enoch had monetary problems.
“You can build the Temple as great as this place. And of course, to do so you must do your best.”
“Have faith in me and trust me! I’ll bring everyone alive from any kind of dungeon!”
As it was the most important virtue for the priest to keep the party members alive, Enoch said he’d do the best he could. But still, nothing could stop him from thinking about gold coins, as shown in his shining eyes.
“Lucid, you have to get used to it. You deserve to be treated here. Of course, you also need to show your effort from now on.”
“I-I’ll do my best!”
Great. Then what’s left now is…Evan called for Louise, who was staring at something from the corner. The mood was down enough to make Evan reluctant to call her, but he was more worried by the fact that there were no problems with the reports he received so far.
“What is it, Louise?”
“No, nothing. Master…it’s nothing. I’m happy that the Master came back safely.”
As if looking at a distant place despite having Evan right in front of her, Louise showed that everything was fine with the effort since Evan held an anxious expression.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but cheer up. When there are hardships, feel free to tell me. You are one of the most important people in the current scenario.”
“…Okay!”
Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be a grave problem. Perhaps it was something to do with her pride since she seemed to have her energy recovered from Evan’s repet.i.tive encouragement…Evan shook away the feeling of bitterness before he introduced Louise to the other two people.
“I’m sure you heard briefly from Maybell, so these two would officially join your party from now on. Priest Enoch will join right away, and Thief Lucid will do the same after receiving basic training. I’ll make it look like you’ve had a natural encounter with Enoch, so act like you’re trying to scout him on that spot. All right?”
“Understood, Master. I also thought that healing every wound of the party with just potions was too much of a burden, anyway.”
“Healing the wounds with just potions!? Is that even possible?”
“Well, yes. Somewhat possible within Sherden, I guess?”
Thanks to the Brotherhood Pharmacy, Sherden had acquired enough potions to even have the parties without priests partic.i.p.ate in dungeons. Enoch emptily gazed at Evan as he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He knew from the rumors that the Brotherhood Pharmacy was Evan’s.
“What in the world is happening in this city…?”
“Compared to what will happen in the future, the Brotherhood Pharmacy is nothing. It’s not even a problem for Enoch to earn fame in this city if you follow me well, so expect that to happen.”
It happened so suddenly. The enormous medication — produced by Evan — and the glaring sun — also produced by Evan — both that didn’t exist in Sherden in the past would now be the stepping stone for the heroic battle — produced by Evan again — to come. The priest of Louise’s party who would bravely become the pillar for the great resistance…that person was Enoch!
“Believe in me and follow me. I’ll let you realize that the place you just sat on is a pile of gold.”
“Oh, oh my…!”
Enoch made a prayer to the nameless G.o.d who had led him to meet with Evan. Louise shuddered at such thoughts, thinking of what-ifs that could happen.
‘No way that this person is it, right…?’
‘Perhaps Master Evan is the Saint, our Savior who will lead our order!’
Louise’s hardships never ceased to increase; a priest who was mad for money and fame, believing in a nameless G.o.d, had just joined the sub-party.