Unexpected Situation

[ -55,000 HP ]

[ Level 60 Heavy Swordsman 'Marco' slayed ]

[ +79,350 Exp ]

Noah was killing enemies who were overleveled for his level. And the exp of the enemies killed with Mind Corruption skill was also counted as his. Bringing the total gained exp to over 79,000.

Noah spoke, "Word Counter: Sage Resurrection"

[ Ding! Activating Skill 'Word Counter' ]

[ Effect: Nullifies cooldown of one skill per 48 hours. ]

[ Cooldown of Sage Resurrection has ended ]

Noah stared at the remaining enemies. They were unconscious and lying on the ground.

"It's a really overpowered skill, this 'Menzen'."

{Naturally so. After all, it is I – the Saint Sage – who created this skill.}

{Clap! Clap! Clap! As expected of a skill from Sage Hepius.}

{No need to praise me too much, little Saintess. 'Tis a given that I know of such common skills.}

"..."

Step 2 of the strongest skill – according to Hepius – was using Divinity and spreading it in the surroundings in a specific rhythm. This was called 'Menzen'.

It amplified someone's fear and awe of you. When combined with Step 1 'Bluffing' , Menzen became a deadly weapon capable of rendering opponents unable to continue fighting.

{This is just the beginning, brat. As thy mastery over 'Menzen' increases, thou shalt find Step 1 unnecessary, for its potency shall grow to surpass the need for such trickery.}

Noah nodded.

He couldn't forget the chills he got moments before Marco's attack hit his shoulder. That was really a gamble.

Hepius spoke as if he read Noah's mind. {Listen well, the enemy's skill possessed the potential to claim thy life. Yet, his fear rendered him incapable of mustering any strength which resulted in zero damage. Consequently, this amplified his fear, further weakening his resolve and prowess.}

Menzen was a vicious skill. As long as one had the initiative in their hands, the skill was truly unparalleled.

"Huh?"

Noah was scanning his surroundings when he noticed an absurd situation.

"Where is Paris?"

He searched around but did not find him. Almost all masked men were dead while the remaining were unconscious. It didn't explain Paris' disappearance.

Noah ran to the carriage and opened the door. "Helen!"

She flinched. Helen's trembling gaze proved that 'Menzen' had also affected her. But Noah wasn't in the situation to help her relax. Paris wasn't inside the carriage either.

"Did he run away? No, he didn't seem like that kind of person." Noah mumbled.

While Noah was frantically searching for Paris, two unfamiliar voices rang.

"Did Paris defeat them himself? But where is he now?" the first voice asked.

"He seems to be missing. Either way, we need to identify these men. Achilles, keep searching for Paris and I'll bring Helen and Noah back to the King." the second voice answered

Two men stood beside the carriage, while talking with each other casually.

They weren't hostile as Noah's 'Detect' and 'Sixth Sense' hadn't triggered yet. However, the fact they were able to sneak up on him meant they were high-level.

"Who—!?"

Noah's words were cut short when the man named Achilles attempted to tie him with ropes. His movements were smooth, like the water flowing down a stream.

He almost caught Noah before Noah could even react.

Noah activated Battle Concentration and grabbed Achilles' wrists. He then placed his palm on Achilles' head.

Manual Activation: Sage Resurrection

"Inverse"

[ -300,100 HP ]

Achilles' total HP was over three hundred thousand, proving Noah's suspicion of him being a high level enemy. The other man with Achilles must also be strong.

Fortunately, since the 'Imperial Physician Noah' was supposed to be weak, it made them lower their guard.

Noah had to defeat the other enemy before he had a chance to understand what was happening.

"Imperial Physician, what are you doing?" Achilles questioned while removing Noah's palm.

As he stood perfectly unharmed, notifications appeared.

[ Achilles has received damage. Skill 'Invulnerable' activates. ]

[ Received damage has been negated. ]

[ -300,000 HP → -0 HP ]

'Negated? The damage was reduced to zero?' thought Noah.

The second man put his hands on Noah's shoulder and spoke, "Don't resist, Noah. Or we will be forced to take action. Just surrender. Don't worry, I'll plead to the King with you, so let's return."

Noah didn't answer and used 'Sage Eyes' to assess the situation.

—

[ Achilles ] Dungeon Boss

Rating: Elite

Level: 95

HP: 300,100/300,100

Weakness: None

—

[ Odysseus Menus ] Hidden Dungeon Boss

Rating: Epic

Level: 68

HP: 260,450/260,4500

Weakness: Cannot endure injustice against the weak.

—

{Brat, don't fight them. Surrender.} Hepius advised immediately after reading their status.

One was level 95 Dungeon Boss while the other was an Epic-rating level 68 Hidden Dungeon Boss. He was the first Epic-rating opponent Noah encountered.

Noah's muscles tensed.

To fight? Or not fight?

"I'll—!?"

Bam!

Achilles kicked Noah's abdomen and he flew back, destroying several trees in the process.

The air was knocked out of Noah's chest. However, he ignored the pain and drew hand signs for 'Sage Heal'.

Slash!

Achilles appeared in front of Noah and severed his arms. He pointed his sword at Noah's neck….

[ You have resisted Achilles' Skill 'Menzen' with your tough mental fortitude. ]

Noah woke up and felt as if cold water was splashed on his face.

He was breathing heavily while Achilles and Odysseus hadn't moved from their initial positions. His arms were still attached to his body and the trees behind him were intact.

"If you try to resist, the vision you saw will become reality. Choose wisely." Achilles warned.

Gulp!

The vision Noah saw was the effect of a high mastery Menzen. Achilles was able to overpower Noah without any prior preparations. It was enough for Noah to understand the gap between him and the level 95 Dungeon Boss.

***

"Move!"

A soldier pushed Noah into the meeting hall.

Noah's limbs were tied with iron chains and he was dragged up to the King. In the end, Noah chose to surrender. Helen and Noah were then brought to the court of the King.

Murmur. Murmur.

Noah scanned the surroundings.

[ Level 60 ] [ Level 59 ] [ Level 70 ] [ Level 75 ] [ Level 65 ]

Dozens of high-level soldiers were guarding the hall.

The king of the nation 'Nelio', Karnok, stared down at Noah while various ministers occupied the chairs on Noah's sides.

Noah didn't find Helen in the room.

Just as he was wondering about her absence, the advisor beside the king spoke.

"We will begin the Judgment on Imperial Physician, Noah! His crimes are treachery against the crown, colluding with a foreign nation for the betrayal, and kidnapping of the First Lady. Do you have any objections?"

"..."

Murmur. Murmur.

The hall became noisy once again.

"I do."

Suddenly, Odysseus raised his hand. He smiled at Noah before staring at the King with a firm expression.

"I implore the Majesty to drop the charges against Imperial Physician Noah. We cannot ignore his innumerable past contributions to Nelio. Besides, we should focus on the prince of Troy who—"

"Silence." the advisor spoke after the king whispered in her ears. "His Majesty, the Great Karnork, requests for his King Odyssey to not meddle in their nation's personal affairs."

His words caused visible anger in Odysseus, forcing him to audibly gnash his teeth.

"I apologize." Odysseus sat back.

Once again, the advisor spoke and added a multitude of charges against Noah.

Watching Noah's expression, Hepius understood his confusion.

The ghost said, {Thou must understand, Dungeon Bosses are not always enemies to defeat. The title 'Dungeon Boss' simply designates them as the central element of that dungeon. They may be an overseer, an enemy, or, on occasion, even a friend.}

Noah nodded. The new piece of information was surprising, but it explained why Odysseus had been friendly with him.

Noah also noticed that Karnok had no interest in him. He had been staring at Odysseus since the beginning instead.

Suddenly, Karnok raised his hand. The hall fell into silence and he spoke.

"Imperial Physician, it is true that your past achievements have saved countless citizens. However…"

Karnok was staring at Noah. But, Noah could tell that his words were directed at Odysseus.

"It does not pardon your disloyalty. You have done the same once in the past, when your wife insulted the mighty crown by refusing to become my concubin—"

Crack! Splinter!

Odysseus' armrest shattered.

The temperature of the hall fell and the air began to get heavy. Odysseus' deep voice resonated in the hall. "Your majesty, please mind your words."

"Hahaha, I agree. I shouldn't dig past graves." Karnok smirked.

The situation was becoming increasingly confusing for Noah.

Why was the Hidden Dungeon Boss trying to help him? In the first place, why catch him if he wanted to help Noah?

And most importantly, did this situation have to anything do with the upcoming calamity on Troy?

When Noah was unsure of his next actions, the doors of the hall were suddenly pushed forward.

The most beautiful woman and the cause of this situation strode forward. Unlike Noah, she wasn't chained like a prisoner.

She stood in front of Noah and raised her arm, as if to protect Noah from the King.

"I won't hide it any longer. If I'm to be executed for it then let it be, I'd rather be executed along with my love of life."

Her words caused a visible reaction. The faces of the crowd changed as if they were struck by a realization.

"Prince Troy hasn't been caught yet, Helen. And why are you here? Did the healer's diagnosis end?" Karnok questioned.

Helen moved to hide Noah from Karnok's eyes. "Yes, the diagnosis ended. They've confirmed that I wasn't being controlled. My actions were by my own will and…"

She turned back and looked at Noah with a gentle gaze.

"The one I love is Noah."

Her words made Noah close his eyes with an empty smile.

'If I had any chances to avoid execution, they just went up in smoke.'