Summoning the Holy Sword

Accompanied by Rhode and Sereck arrival, the members of the 'Victorious Wine' mercenary group were finally relieved. In fact, after they asked for reinforcement, the only thing they could do was to wait. But in this world where there's no phone satellite—despite Mages capable of communicating from a distance—it surely wasn't something that a small mercenary group could afford. They didn't even know whether the person that they had sent could escape Silent Highland safely. Sometimes, they would look at the darkness before them and even feel despair, thinking that perhaps the person that they had sent was unable to escape and fell in a particular corner in the darkness. Then what was the point for them to live on? It only added to the pain.     

But when they were lifting their sword in a bid to commit suicide, they could not suppress the human instinct to live on in their hearts. Maybe the person that they sent has successfully escaped and people from Mercenary Association were rushing here. If that was the case, as long as they persisted, there was still hope!     

Being in a perilous situation, these few days were an unimaginable torment—survival and death, hope and despair. Every time they opened their eyes, they couldn't wait for them to come, to prove that they existed. Day by day, the food supplies were decreasing, causing them to suffer even more. In the Silent Highland where there were undead creatures everywhere, there was nothing they could eat except corpses. Even if they went crazy and ate the corpses, those corpses that had already rotten, deteriorated, and smelled could only push them even closer towards death instead of extending their lives.     

They were already at their limits; if Rhode didn't appear, perhaps they might have already gone crazy because of the despair and pain of losing.     

Fortunately, this possibility had been eliminated.     

Under the Clerics' treatment, the mercenaries injuries were soon healed. After eating the food they brought, the mercenaries could finally relax on the ground and enjoy sweet dreams. It was unlike before where they weren't even sure whether they had the opportunity to wake up because of the suffering and darkness.     

The exhausted Clerics also finally had an opportunity to rest. After all, besides Lize, all of them had no adventuring experience. Although they had rested a few times before, these Clerics weren't able to remain calm; they were always worried that the terrible undead creatures would come from somewhere. In addition, Rhode has always been pressing them to speed up, which was why they didn't have the time to adjust their composure. They were finally able to relax now that they had given treatment to the injured.     

Marlene was a lot better than these Clerics. Although she had also contributed a lot after arriving in the Silent Highland, it was still not as much compared to those Clerics. Compared to those Clerics who were 'physically and mentally exhausted', she was only a bit tired because she had strained herself too much. Right now, she was sitting at the corner of the bonfire, eating food while talking with Lize in a soft voice. Anne, who was energetic previously, joined the two of them and slept. Looking at her peaceful sleeping face really did make people doubt how her brain worked.     

Old Walker wasn't together with these girls. He sat across them in a corner, drinking his wine while looking at the bonfire before him in a daze. It was unknown what was he thinking about.     

It was really a group of strange people.     

Looking at the people before him, Kudla couldn't help but wonder. Frankly, he had never seen a mercenary group that had such a strange member constitution. According to the general mercenary group, melee occupations like swordsmen, thieves, ranger, and warriors were the most important roles. On the contrary, there were a lot of Mages and Clerics. Firstly, these occupations were very rare. Secondly, be they Mages or Clerics, they wouldn't like to be mixed with each other since Mages were noble and they didn't want to reduce their worth by hanging out with these vulgar people. Moreover, Mages were confident in their own intelligence; even if they forced themselves to follow the mercenary group, they would still want to have the authority to command. As for the latter, it was because of their own identity restrictions. It was difficult for them to move together with a mercenary group. After all, Clerics didn't have many skills to protect themselves. If the whole team was in crisis, they would be the first one to collapse.     

This was also the reason why many dangerous Mercenary Association missions which were related to undead creatures were all located in Silent Highland. Undead creatures were not afraid of death and injury, and they were the nemeses to melee occupations. Like the police who couldn't stop zombies attack with firearms, it could be imagined what the result would be when this mercenary group used a normal weapon to face those endless undead creatures.     

Although Rangers could attack undead creatures from a distance away, a creature that had long been dead wouldn't care less being shot by an arrow or two, right?     

On the other hand, Rhode's mercenary group could be said to be varied—Mages, Clerics, Swordsmen, Rangers, Shield Warriors… It didn't seem like a mercenary group. Not to mention…     

Kudla looked at the girl who closed her eyes while standing beside Rhode. The white wings behind her were like a beautiful cloak.     

An angel.     

Kudla could swear by the holy soul that he had never seen an angel join a mercenary group. At first, he thought that the angel girl was Sereck's acquaintance. Since Sereck has a high status and was one of the most important people in Deep Stone City's Mercenary Association. To a small mercenary group, it was not strange for an important person to be mysterious and unpredictable. But when he looked at Celia, who politely called Rhode 'Master', this person with a barbarian bloodline who dared to fight with the terrible undead nearly fell to the ground in fright.     

Who is this young man actually?     

Kudla didn't know and tried to probe Sereck. But this Swordsmaster didn't give him an answer, making him feel that Rhode was even more unfathomable.     

However, no matter what, he still needed to thank him, and…     

With this in mind, Kudla stood up and walked towards Rhode.     

"Mr. Rhode, I'm very grateful that you participated in this rescue operation. I am here to show you my utmost respect for you and your mercenary group."     

Although his appearance looked big and tall, his words clearly showed that this barbarian also had a cautious side. Also, he kept remembering Sereck's warning, to not to mention anything about Rhode's face, or else… it would be difficult to guess what would happen next.     

It wa also not difficult for Kudla to understand what Sereck meant. He was also shocked the first time he met Rhode, but now…     

"We, 'Victorious Wine' won't forget the help that your mercenary group has given to me. Please rest assured, after we return, we will definitely give you enough compensation… For brothers who have sacrificed themselves for us, we won't let them die in vain!"     

What is this guy talking about?     

Rhode looked up and felt puzzled looking at the man before him. He completely didn't understand what he was talking about. At the same time, Sereck smiled and spoke.     

"You are wrong, Kudla. To tell you the truth, no one was left behind from the moment we entered Silent Highland. Don't underestimate his commanding skill. Frankly, in my opinion, you can't be compared to him. That's why don't curse him by saying something like sacrifice and dying in vain. Be careful, he might turn against you."     

No one died?!     

Upon hearing that, Kudla was shocked. He looked at Rhode, his eyes filled with fear. It was not a surprise. All the mercenaries clearly knew what kind of place the Silent Highland was. Ignoring a small mercenary group, even a fully armed Mercenary Association would still have to be mentally prepared for deaths.     

But now, Sereck actually told him that no one was injured or had died!     

How did this young man do it!?     

If it was someone else who said this, Kudla might not have believed it. But hearing it from the mouth of Sereck, who was one of the strongest people in the Mercenary Association, there obviously credibility in it. Having realized this, Kudla panicked. After all, he was also a mercenary leader, and he knew the taboos among mercenaries. Saying something like that in front of others was clearly not a good thing.     

"I'm sorry, I…"     

"You don't have to apologize to me, Mr. Kudla."     

Rhode calmly stopped Kudla's explanation. He really didn't care about such trivial things; moreover, he didn't do it on purpose, so he didn't really mind it.     

"But I have my own request."     

"Please say, Mr. Rhode."     

Hearing Rhode change his tone, Kudla felt relieved and revealed a warm smile.     

"Just as Sereck has said, I can ensure that everyone will leave Silent Highland safely. But I have my own request. I know that you're also a mercenary leader, but frankly I didn't believe in your commanding skill. So my condition is before we leave I want all of you, including yourself to obey my command unconditionally. If you can promise me this one thing, I can ensure that every one of you will safely leave this place. But if you're unable to do so…"     

Having said that, Rhode paused and looked at Kudla's face that began to darken.     

"Then, to protect everyone, I have to make some sacrifice."     

He believed that Kudla definitely could understand what he meant.     

Of course, after hearing these words, Kudla expression kept changing. At first, it turned blue, then red. He clenched his fist before relaxing, and once again clenched it. There were no more smiles on the barbarian's face. He gloomily and silently looked at the young man who was younger than him by almost twenty years.     

The truth was that he couldn't accept what Rhode had said. He thought that there was no problem in his commanding skill, or else he wouldn't have been able to keep his men to persist until now in this Silent Highland. But on careful thought, he also admitted that Rhode wasn't wrong. After all, if he could bring everyone here without any casualties, it clearly proved the young man's commanding ability. Although taking into account Sereck's strength as a Swordmaster, his help would still be limited. As a qualified mercenary group leader, Kudla clearly understood that part. Sereck was only one person and couldn't take care of many aspects of a mercenary group.     

Then what should he do?     

"I understand, I will tell it to my subordinates."     

In the end, Kudla nodded, turned around and left. The politeness and respectfulness from before were all gone at that moment.     

"You shouldn't have treated him like that, Rhode."     

Looking at Kudla's figure, Sereck smiled bitterly and shook his head.     

"I'm just talking about something inevitable."     

Rhode didn't look back to give his answer. The reason he was this rude was that this matter was nonnegotiable and another reason was that Rhode was not happy with Kudla. If it wasn't because he had brought his mercenary group to enter such a dangerous place, they could have completed the mission easier and faster in the first place. But now… having come to this realization, Rhode couldn't help but be angry. Although strictly speaking it had nothing to do with Kudla since it was his first time coming to Silent Highland and hence, not being aware of the places with danger, ignorance was never a good excuse. Furthermore, there was no psychological burden on him to feel angry… In the game, Rhode already had such experiences; as long as someone caused danger to his mercenary group, whether they did it voluntarily or involuntarily, intentional or unintentional, benevolent or malicious, the result still wouldn't change regardless of their motives.     

Since the result wouldn't change, his explanation would be meaningless.     

Just suck it up and move on had never been his style.     

Hearing Rhode's answer, Sereck didn't continue speaking. Since he was from the Mercenary Association, it wasn't his place to get entangled between two mercenary groups. Moreover, this young man was prideful and confidence; he wouldn't let anyone doubt this part of him.     

This made Sereck feel somewhat familiar but unfamiliar. Familiar, because he had seen a number of powerful commanders with such persistence. It was actually a necessary cycle; only people who believed in themselves would be able to persist until the end and wasn't affected by anyone to make a decision. Although it might not be a correct decision sometimes, it was still an expression of authority.     

He found it unfamiliar because he had never seen any young man with such a performance. They were either arrogant or ignorant, without even knowing what fear was. This made them show a blinded sense of self-confidence, and this fake self-confidence left people confused. It was just like a paper tiger which would show their real character in actual combat.     

However, Rhode was different. From him, Sereck could feel an aura that could only be felt from a real commander. If he knew that Rhode was once the strongest guild leader in the game, perhaps he would understand why Rhode would have that kind of aura, confidence, and persistence.     

After replying Sereck, Rhode didn't say anything more because he had something more important to do.     

As a high-level dungeon, despite the drops looted from Silent Highland being a little too shabby, there was a lot experience points to gain. After he led everyone through the light and dark battlefield and blocked the attacks of the undead creatures, the experience Rhode gained made him break through to level 15.     

To Rhode, it was very good news. At the same time, he also got another system prompt.     

After he rose to level 15, the system finally prompted him that he had met the second sealed swordsmanship requirement and that it had been unlocked.