Chapter 55: Liberation and Contrast
The other rewards were fine, but the [Lide's Medal] was somewhat special. Based on his estimation, Lide was currently grinding his teeth in hatred towards him. As for the success rate of forging equipment...
"Woof."
Bubu Wang barked, somewhat incredulous that they had managed to trick Lide away so easily.
"Not surprising. Lide is strong, but he's been trapped here for too long."
Bubu Wang looked at Su Xiao with confusion. According to Lide's account, he had stayed here willingly.
"Lide might have been willing to stay here initially, but if you're trapped here for centuries, you'd be willing to pay any price to leave. Earlier, Lide called this place a prison. This should be his prison."
Su Xiao began searching Lide's dwelling. After rummaging around, aside from some not-so-precious metal ores and a large amount of combustible materials, he found nothing of value.
Resolving things with Lide this way was the best option. First of all, Lide wanted to leave the tomb. Su Xiao had clearly fulfilled that request by sending him to Reincarnation Paradise. Given Lide's personality, he probably wouldn't refuse Reincarnation Paradise, or rather, he couldn't refuse it either.
The next time they met, Lide's attitude would definitely be extremely hostile. As for becoming mortal enemies, that seemed unlikely. Fundamentally, Su Xiao had helped Lide regain his freedom. Although the freedom was limited, being inside Reincarnation Paradise was far better than this stone room of only a few dozen square meters. Here, you couldn't even see another person. When bored, you could only swing a hammer. Taking care of physiological needs basically relied on your hands. It was tough on Lide.
Moreover, Reincarnation Paradise held infinite possibilities. As long as Lide wasn't brain-dead, he would recognize the opportunities within Reincarnation Paradise.
For enemies like Su Xiao or Lide, who were fundamentally driven to seek power, Reincarnation Paradise wasn't a terrifying place.
The threat at the entrance had been dealt with. Now, it was time to delve deeper into the tomb.
"Continue."
Su Xiao looked at Goss. Goss subconsciously swallowed. Just a few minutes ago, he had witnessed Lide being taken away to an unknown location. Goss was clearly panicking, wondering if he would face something similar.
Goss was flattering himself. Dealing with him, Su Xiao wouldn't need to go to such great lengths.
Goss took the lead in scouting ahead, and the group continued along the stone corridor, venturing deeper into the tomb.
They quickly passed through this relatively short stone corridor. When they reached the end, another metal door appeared, identical to the previous one.
Alisa Herbert reluctantly approached the metal door and inserted her hand into the hole at its center.
Rumble.
The metal door rose, and a surge of cold air rushed out from behind it. Alisa Herbert couldn't help but shiver.
Flames flickered to life. As the metal door opened, it seemed to trigger some mechanism. Oil lamp stands behind the door were lit one after another.
Behind the door was a wider stone corridor, about ten meters wide and seven or eight meters high. On both sides of the walls, every ten meters or so, there was an iron oil lamp, its oil burning fiercely.
There was no endless horde of enemies rushing out. The wide stone corridor was deathly silent. Su Xiao signaled to continue forward.
This stone corridor was very long. After advancing a few hundred meters, Su Xiao noticed a metal door on the left wall.
This metal door was a full five meters wide and eight meters high, engraved with a sword and a shield.
Su Xiao pressed his ear against the metal door. He faintly heard footsteps from within, sparse footsteps.
Alisa Herbert could open this metal door, but it wasn't necessary. The wide stone corridor seemed to stretch endlessly; they could just keep going.
After a moment's hesitation, Su Xiao decided not to open this door. There were unknown creatures behind it. He had entered the Shia Sanctuary not to fight enemies, but to find the Annihilation Stone, which was deep within the tomb.
Su Xiao's group continued forward. After advancing about ten meters, another metal door appeared on the right wall, also the type Alisa Herbert could open. This time, the pattern on the door was a longbow crossed with claws.
Sword, shield, longbow, claws. These four patterns appeared on the two metal doors. Su Xiao didn't know what they represented for now.
Ignoring the two metal doors, Su Xiao decided to proceed.
After walking for about five minutes, the wide stone corridor turned a corner. Goss checked ahead and found no danger.
Rounding the corner, the group advanced another hundred meters or so before the stone corridor ended, opening into a sizable open area.
Su Xiao surveyed the open area at the end of the corridor. It was about a few hundred square meters, rectangular in shape. In the center of the area stood a stone platform. Lying on the platform was a tall man who possessed both the characteristics of an undead and similarities to a human. He lay flat as if dead.
The man was clad in black armor, about four meters tall. A human of this height would usually look gaunt, but this man's proportions were quite coordinated.
The Apostle's Eye floated up. Su Xiao tried to examine the target's information.
[Comparing intelligence attributes... You have obtained the following information.]
Name: Longsword Wielder: Kong
Rank: Leader-class Creature
Type: Undead · Ancient Bloodline
Health: 100%
Mana: 1250 points
Strength: 85
Agility: 80
Stamina: 80
Intelligence: 5
Charm: 1
Skill 1: Lord's Authority (Passive) Health +8000 points, Mana +1200 points, Strength +13, Agility +13, Stamina +10.
Skill 2: Command (Passive) When Longsword Wielder: Kong's health falls below 50%, summons all soldiers from the 'Barracks' to fight for him.
Skill 3: Sword Qi (Passive) Each slash carries powerful sword qi.
Skill 4: Undead Horse (Active) Consumes 30% of maximum Mana to summon an undead horse from the depths of the Shia Sanctuary.
Skill 5: Cavalry Spin Slash (Active) When Longsword Wielder: Kong is mounted, he swings his longsword around him, unleashing sword qi that deals 0 to 800 damage to enemies within a 10-meter radius (based on number of hits). Being hit by the sword qi triggers a judgment. If Agility is below 75 points, the target suffers a 10-second bleeding state, dealing 60 + 5% of lost health per second. Cooldown: 2 minutes.
...
Longsword Wielder: Kong was probably an elite unit responsible for guarding the entrance to the Shia Sanctuary. As for Lide, that guy couldn't even be counted as part of the Shia Sanctuary.
Longsword Wielder: Kong was a stark contrast to Lide. Su Xiao felt that aside from being tough and thick-skinned, he could easily thrash this four-meter-tall undead.
Lide's strength had genuinely startled Su Xiao earlier, so he had been very cautious along the way. But the current situation was a letdown. This gatekeeping mini-boss seemed... somewhat weak.
Goss also seemed to notice that Longsword Wielder: Kong wasn't that strong. He let out a long sigh of relief. An enemy of this level, he could handle alone.
"Bubu, Amu, guard this stone corridor."
Su Xiao was telling Bubu Wang and Amu to secure their rear. The two metal doors they had seen earlier made him uneasy, even though they probably wouldn't open.
Su Xiao drew the longsword from his waist. In the past, he would have been fighting tooth and nail against elite plot characters. Now, it seemed he could thrash this tall but mediocre mini-boss.
Of course, 'mediocre' was only relative to Su Xiao. For over 90% of third-rank contractors, Longsword Wielder: Kong was definitely not weak. The guy didn't have many skills, but their levels were all very high.
Su Xiao walked unhurriedly towards the stone platform in the center of the area. Longsword Wielder: Kong was lying flat on it, with a long-handled sword placed beside him. These were usually used by cavalry, and Kong's was an oversized model, at least five meters long, its blade gleaming coldly.
When Su Xiao was twenty meters away from Longsword Wielder: Kong, the latter suddenly opened his eyes. They were green pupils, as if ghost fire was burning within them.
The four-meter-tall Longsword Wielder: Kong stood up from the stone platform. A metal helmet encased most of his head, leaving only his eyes exposed. There were many breathing holes around the mouth and nose area, but whether he still breathed was unknown.
"Hoo~"
Longsword Wielder: Kong took a deep breath, as if awakening from a state of suspended animation. His first reaction was to grab the long-handled sword beside him.
Longsword Wielder: Kong stood up on the stone platform, his green eyes fixed on Su Xiao.
"Ka noti (Unknown language, not Undead language)."
Longsword Wielder: Kong swung his long-handled sword with both hands, sending waves of killing intent spreading around him. His momentum was astonishing.
Bang!
Stone fragments flew. Su Xiao vanished from his spot. When he reappeared, he was on the stone platform, his longsword slashing down from above towards Longsword Wielder: Kong.
A crisp sound rang out as a chunk broke off the blade of Kong's long-handled sword.
Su Xiao spread his legs apart and exerted force with his left arm.
Clang!
Armor scraped against stone. Unable to withstand Su Xiao's monstrous strength, Longsword Wielder: Kong knelt directly on the stone platform, kneeling before Su Xiao.
Su Xiao lowered his body and delivered a side kick.
Bang!
Su Xiao's foot connected with Longsword Wielder: Kong's cheek. The metal helmet there immediately dented, and Kong shot away with a whoosh.
Another loud clang echoed as Longsword Wielder: Kong crashed into the stone wall dozens of meters away. He sat slumped against the corner, shaking his head, clearly stunned by Su Xiao's thunderous kick.