LTTH C60

Chapter 60

“…You’re telling me to abandon you and run?”

The man still standing before Hansol, breath slightly ragged, spoke in a voice that was not so much a question as it was a grim statement. His tone carried the unyielding obstinacy one might expect of a knight.

“It’s just—I don’t think I can die. But Isaac and Kassie? They can.”

“What?”

Hansol’s words, sharp and deliberately provocative, were flung back at him in Isaac’s brusque retort. With Isaac’s temperament, soft words would never move him.

If only the two of them retreat, then maybe… there’s still a chance.

At least Berthel could not kill Hansol. The problem was that Hansol had no skills capable of protecting Isaac and Kassie. And just like Sanctuary had a time limit, so too would this “Advent.” The system would never hand out such a near-invincible skill without constraints.

And that wasn’t the only concern. When the time limit ended—if Berthel was still standing—they would all be exhausted, and forced to continue fighting while defending others.

That would almost certainly mean the massacre of everyone here. Better, then, that at least one life be saved—even if it was not his own.

“Healer.”

“…Yes?”

“Yes. You’re a healer.”

Did Isaac mean to say, “It’s only right that you be protected”? Or perhaps, “You’re weaker than I am”? Hansol couldn’t know what his true intent had been, for before he could hear more, Isaac dropped from the sky.

“Isaac—!”

Hansol cried out at the sudden fall, but to his relief, Isaac landed safely.

“Phew.”

Hansol exhaled in relief, while Isaac gazed up at him with eyes brimming with regret. To anyone else, he might have resembled a tragic heroine. In truth, he was merely a knight robbed of the chance to continue the battle aloft.

This is the right choice.

Isaac, and Kassie beside him, still catching his breath and restoring mana—they were no longer part of the main assault. Perhaps they could land a blow or two on Berthel, but no more. The rest was Hansol’s burden.

“Guardian Summon.”

It was time to counterattack.

Guardian Summon Lv.1

Summons a Guardian matching the summoner’s rank.

※ This skill can only be used while “Advent” is active.

Some skills bore such conditions. And those skills were always of great power.

A Guardian matching the summoner’s rank, is it?

Hunters were generally divided by rank according to level: roughly, Level 1–15 was F, 16–45 D, 46–70 C, 71–99 B, and so forth.

Of course, equipment, traits, and stats also played into evaluation, so levels alone did not define rank. But as a rule of thumb, Hansol’s level would only allow him to summon a Guardian of around D-rank.

Yet the Guardian who appeared, showered in silver dust, looked anything but ordinary.

…There’s no way this is just D-rank.

Flowing robes, skin like polished jade, silver hair dusted with shimmering motes, and eyes of the same hue—he looked entirely human, and strikingly beautiful at that.

The stronger the summon, the more human its form. Though Hansol’s skill was not technically a summoning skill, it belonged in the broader category of “Summon.” The principle could apply.

Normally, summons can’t communicate. Would a Guardian be the same?

Heart quickening, Hansol glanced toward the figure beside him. The Guardian turned, and their eyes met.

“Greetings.”

The gamble of the summoning skill paid off.

“It is an honor to meet you. I look forward to serving.”

“Oh—yes.”

He spoke. Fluently, even.

Then this might really work.

With the buffs of Sanctuary, Proclamation, and Advent, and with his stats elevated to infinity, Hansol’s Guardian could hardly be less than A-rank. His wager had been correct.

“Shall I deal with that creature?”

“Yes, if you would be so kind—”

“Then so be it.”

…He’s in a hurry!

The Guardian bowed politely, then before Hansol could finish his reply, his silver hair swept through the air as he drew his sword and placed himself before Berthel. His hands, though slenderer than Isaac’s, did not appear weak in the least.

Oh!

Where Isaac had struggled to match Berthel, the Guardian fought on a wholly different plane.

[Hey. This… this isn’t according to causality, is it?]

“……”

[Hey! …Damn it!]

Berthel faltered, barely able to defend himself, as though he were leagues beneath his opponent. The Guardian offered no words, no banter. Only unrelenting offense, driving Berthel back blow after blow.

…Almost feel sorry for him.

“No, no—that’s ridiculous.”

Catching himself, Hansol shook his head violently. To feel pity for that monster? His eyes must be failing him.

Regaining focus, Hansol cast Blessing and Holy Light just as he had for Isaac—only to be met with an unexpected system message.

Target cannot be affected.

…What?

There were targets immune to his skills?

“I appreciate the thought, but it’s unnecessary.”

Even as he fought, the Guardian turned back to bow politely. Caught off guard, Hansol reflexively bowed in return, his hands hovering helplessly in the air.

So much for helping with even a cat’s paw. If I can’t aid him, then I’ll turn my power on that thing.

“Healing Light. Prayer of Healing!”

Amplified by Sanctuary, the waves of healing light spread wide, enveloping not only Isaac and Kassie but also touching Berthel.

[…Ghh!]

At once, Berthel recoiled as if stung by filth.

Yes!

It worked—and not insignificantly, either.

The more Berthel writhed beneath the radiance, the more the Guardian pressed the attack, sword flashing with growing momentum.

Hansol’s eyes blazed as he poured out every skill he had—Healing Light, Prayer, Heal, Purification, Blessing—until the words tumbled from his lips without pause.

Level? Mana? Such constraints no longer mattered. His health and mana were infinite, gleaming with the symbol of eternity.

Like a steady drizzle soaking into cloth, the ceaseless downpour of Hansol’s skills began to accumulate within Berthel.

Berthel’s body trembled violently, wracked by the divine energy pouring into him. Each time he tried to turn toward Hansol, the Guardian intercepted him. And Berthel could not afford to ignore the Guardian, whose every strike sheared great chunks of his shadowy form.

Trapped, pressed from both sides, Berthel’s fury mounted higher and higher.

[Damn it—!!]

At last, his rage reached its peak. Instead of striking Hansol or the Guardian, Berthel retreated.

Perhaps it was a rational choice—to withdraw and return later with greater preparation. For Hansol, it was the ideal outcome. He had no desire to press pursuit. If Berthel turned instead to target Isaac or Kassie, the situation would collapse.

As Berthel withdrew toward the edge of the Sanctuary, Hansol clenched his fists in triumph. But just then, a blue window appeared before his eyes, shattering the moment.

Advent has been dispelled.