CH 110

Some of the men snickered in low voices. The others shot those men looks of contempt, but they didn’t bother arguing. Encouraged by the others agreeing with him, one corps member cackled as he jested, “Anyway. I never dreamed His Excellency would lose his senses over a woman. You live and learn, right? If someone told me about this before that woman came along, I would’ve strangled him for lying.”

“I know, right? Speaking of which, I heard the special units are expected to set out for a dungeon? Did you know?”

“Finally?”

“So she’s finally going to earn her keep after all the coaching she was doing with those kids.”

“You still don’t know if she’ll earn her keep, or if it’ll cost more to keep her. Do you think it’s cost-efficient to take a regular member on top of Reverend August just to raise three special unit members?”

“One of them awakened as a wind mage, but he’s still an unproven brat. One’s an acolyte forced into being a melee striker for being strong…”

“Still, that one rookie. Nova, was it? He seemed to show some promise.”

“It’s still madness, regardless. It’s a waste of manpower in various ways. Hoo, I’d wish for nothing more if Reverend August came to support our squad!”

No one expected Jun and the special unit to achieve anything amazing. They would swagger about as if they’d become seasoned champions for clearing a single low-level dungeon after all the support they got. The thought made the men fume with anger. But the situation went differently from how they expected. As soon as the special unit cleared the dungeon, they set out for another one. Clearing dungeons one after and another was a rough schedule that even regular corps members didn’t abide by. Yet, the special unit continued to engage in that reckless act. Each time they cleared a dungeon, the level of the dungeons they challenged continued to rise at an extremely fast speed.

“Hmph. Acting all tough…”

“I bet August and Vegan did all the work while the others just put the finishing touches.”

“That would make sense. How else could you explain rookies clearing dungeons in a row? They’d have tried running away crying otherwise.”

The naysayers were certain that the special unit members were piggybacking on August and Vegan. They believed that the two were sacrificing themselves to give Jun Karentia credit. “Since they’re only level 25 now… Level 30 should be the limit, no matter how hard they try. Vegan’s level 50, but there’s a limit for him to killing fellspawn by himself, after all.”

“Right. It’s quite hard to do so even with a level difference unless you’re a monster like the captain. Even with Reverend August’s support, he’ll definitely slow down eventually.”

But level 30, level 33… The special unit continued to challenge dungeons of a higher level without any hesitation. In fact, they seemed to be speeding up even more until they actually managed to reach level 35. By that point, everyone who was looking down on them and talking behind their back turned silent.

Level 35 was the dividing line between the 2nd Corps and 3rd Corps, as well as the point where squads began to level up in earnest. Squads contested fiercely to be assigned dungeons. With the special unit joining the fray, the 2nd Corps squads were feeling pressured. No longer could they mock the special unit as if spectating a late runner’s futile efforts. They were now part of the competition. And judging by their leveling up speed… it didn’t seem like it would be long before the special unit would bypass them. The 2nd Corps squads became anxious at the thought of being surpassed by the ones they had laughed at.

“How the hell did they reach level 35 already? It doesn’t make any sense!”

The three rookies were below level 20 at the time they joined the special unit. A mere few months later, they had reached level 35. It was impossible to level up at that rate in the scale and level of dungeons they had challenged. What in the world was the reason?

It was then they recalled Zinnia’s words. “I’m telling you, the dungeon raid went faster thanks to her.” And finally, the forgotten presence of Jun Karentia came to mind. Could this absurd rate of leveling up be thanks to her? As opinions on Jun Karentia in the Dark Knights were beginning to be revised, shocking news got out.

“The special units are challenging a level 40 dungeon!”

Even those who were dead set against acknowledging Jun’s capability fell to their knees at this, and that signaled the impact of that news. The Dark Knights had no choice but to believe that Jun Karentia was special, had some amazing abilities. If all this was thanks to her… Although the naysayers would hate to admit it, Jun Karentia would surely be a talent sent from the heavens to eradicate all dungeons.