Chapter 24

Translator: Exodus Tales

Editor: Exodus Tales

After Shidon’s guidance, Fang Zheng had a feeling that he would have an easier time in that world.

Apart from the reason that he didn’t have enough understanding of the world itself, all of Fang Zheng’s miserable deaths could be accredited to the fact that he didn’t know how to deal with a sudden situation. Especially when he encountered those four to five-meter tall giants or some other strange monsters; Fang Zheng didn’t know how to deal with them at all. He could not help but wonder, Can I even cut them with my sword?

Not even a real headstrong player, who charges straight at monsters without fear of death, would be hardpressed to carry on, let alone those damn mimics!

In this regard, Shidon was very experienced. Just a few words from him helped Fang Zheng immensely. And in return, Fang Zheng didn’t keep anything about that world from Shidon. Whereas Shidon seemed to be quite interested in that world; he kept asking Fang Zheng about the recent situation. From time to time, this gave Fang Zheng the illusion of discussing the game strategy with his classmate every day he went back to school…

However, Fang Zheng’s hard work paid off finally. Fang Zheng clearly found that he was suffering fewer and fewer deaths when coming across any kind of sudden encounters. And after he had defeated the Abyss Watchman outside the Fallen Fortress without getting injured successfully, Fang Zheng finally got his first harvest in the Free Instance. 

Mastery: [Weapon Specialization]!

[Weapon Specialization: You have learned the true essence of battle in the endless cycle of death; life and death are up to heavens, you can only start with the sword. In this world, only the weapons in your hands are your most trusted comrades (the initial proficiency for all weapons is 100%)]

After gaining this mastery, out of curiosity, Fang Zheng tried it a bit. And he was overjoyed at the result because Fang Zheng discovered that not only did he become more fluent in using the Royal Crusader Art under the bonus of Weapon Specialization, but when he picked up the giant swords and short swords, he felt that those unfamiliar weapons seemed to be an extension of his body; he could use them as easily and proficiently as he could raise his finger.

This was truly a pretty good mastery reward.

And through gaining this mastery this time, Fang Zheng finally noticed that the reward from this instance seemed to be given depending on whether or not he could defeat the boss without injury. Fang Zheng had died several times fighting other bosses and was dead-tired, even if he won. Fang Zheng could defeat the enemy without any injury this time by completely relying on Shidon’s guidance and his preparation, as well as, a little bit of luck…

After acquiring this mastery, Fang Zheng made a beeline to the church with great enthusiasm, hoping to find Shidon so they could train. However, Fang Zheng had not expected that he would meet Shidon walking out in the armor before he could step into the gates of the church and was patted on the shoulder before being dragged into the church.

“Let’s go, Kid, we have work to do!”

“Are we going to fight?”

Fang Zheng was used to Shidon not playing according to common sense; he reacted immediately after just a momentary shock. After all, the church wasn’t training him for charity. Since Fang Zheng had enjoyed the benefits from the temple as a squire knight, he had to contribute, of course.

“That’s right.”

Shidon, bringing Fang Zheng along the corridor, informed Fang Zheng quickly.

“Just now, we received a request for help from Shadow Canyon. A team of knights entered Shadow Canyon, tracing the cultists’ whereabouts. But they accidentally triggered the enemy’s trap and are now trapped in the Graveyard of Bones… What a bunch of fools!? Who allowed them to go to the Shadow Canyon? Don’t they know that that’s the Border of Twilight? Now, I have to clean up their mess…”

Hearing this, the corner of Fang Zheng’s lips twitched involuntarily. Why do I feel that these paladins are probably the unlucky ones who brought doom to themselves…

“Am I going too?”

“Of course, you aren’t that weak. In my opinion, you are just lacking in actual combat experience. Also, Starlight City is currently short on manpower. And more importantly, you have divine power which just happened to restrain those bastards. Show me your abilities!”

While they were talking, the duo had also reached the end of the corridor. The church warriors at the end of the corridors hurriedly saluted them upon noticing Shidon and Fang Zheng’s figures and then opened the thick stone doors behind them.

Behind the thick stone doors was a huge circular teleportation array, which was also the most powerful weapon in the church’s arsenal. This teleportation array could achieve unlimited long-distance interlinked teleportation. This kind of teleportation array could even directly teleport the troops to the battlefield with the help of archbishop in the time of war.

Of course, this teleportation array might have looked invincible, but in fact, it too had restraints. As long as the opponent sealed the entire space using a Space Lock, this teleportation array would be completely scrapped.

Be that as it may, the teleportation array was still a pretty good choice to travel quickly.

“Hmm!?”

But Fang Zheng did not expect that he would see two figures standing beside the teleportation circle just as he entered the teleportation hall. One of them was the old priest who Fang Zheng was familiar with for a long time, while the other caught Fang Zheng by some surprise. It was a cute girl in the black robe. After seeing Fang Zheng, the girl’s cheeks flushed red before she lowered her head, looking at the ground; she didn’t utter a single word.

… If I’m not wrong, isn’t she the clumsy girl who gave me the star-print at the city hall?

What is she doing here?

“How’s the situation?”

Shidon turned his gaze to the old bishop, who was standing by the teleportation array, immediately after entering the teleportation hall. But the old bishop shook his head helplessly against Shidon’s inquiry.

“It’s not very good. I just got in touch with them but it was quickly interrupted…”

“Stupid idiots.”

Shidon rolled his eyes helplessly in response to the old priest’s reply.

“What about their teleportation crystal?”

“The opposing party has blocked the space. The teleportation crystal cannot be used…”

“So to say, at least a lich-level opponent is waiting for us there!?”

The more news Shidon received, the more somber his face became. 

“What’s up with those fools? Why did they run to the Graveyard of Bones to fight the lich? If they are so good, why didn’t they fight at the Border of Twilight? Are they so confident that they think they are ready for the waves? Those guys under the Bishop’s Conference are unreliable. Each and every one of them is a self-righteous prick with their noses up in the air. But in fact, it’s just the opposite… They think they can save the world just because they stopped breastfeeding!?”

As the old adage says, he who lies with dogs will rise with fleas. Having been with Fang Zheng for so long, Shidon had readily learned those baffling yet reasonable words after hearing them.

“So, what should we do now?”

“The rest is up to her.”

While speaking, the old bishop looked at the girl next to him. The girl shuddered upon feeling everyone’s gaze on here. Then, while trembling, she raised her head and nodded to the crowd.

“Miss M can provide the coordinates for you to teleport to the nearest location…”

M…

Fang Zheng could not help but chuckle at her name. However, he did not display any surprise. Over his time in the church, Fang Zheng almost knew enough about this world. He knew that the astrologers treated their names as special secrets because the astrologers believed that there was a special connection between their names and the stars. Therefore, the astrologers generally used codenames instead of their real names. Only the astrologer’s mentor and his or her family were allowed to know the astrologer’s real name.

However…

Looking at the girl, who was trembling like a little squirrel, Fang Zheng felt that this codename was really suitable for her… From her appearance, this girl appears to be submissive.

“She?”

In contrast to Fang Zheng, Shidon was concerned about another aspect.

“Isn’t there a space block there? How would she lead us in?”

After hearing this, the girl opened her mouth finally, speaking in a feeble voice.

“In…fact…I can point to a star path by observing the orbit of the constellations. It’s not affected by the space ban…but…”

“Can you do it?”

Hearing this, Shidon was taken by surprise.

“If my memory serves me right, even a senior astrologer would find it extremely difficult to find a complete star path!”

“Miss M is the beloved disciple of the royal astrologer, Sir Oscar.”

The old bishop finally intervened.

“So, you must keep her safe. You can’t let this lady get hurt, otherwise, that old man will come knocking at the door, and I won’t be able to stop him.”

“Wait, wait, wait… You mean to say?”

Hearing the old bishop’s reply, Shidon’s face changed again, while a smile appeared on the old bishop’s face.

“You heard it right, this lady will be coming with you to the Graveyard of Bones…”

“…Huh!?”