RD | Chapter 57

The tail of the snake that had crawled into Ian’s body coiled tightly around his thigh. Ian found himself unintentionally glancing down at his lower body again, prompting Keith to apologize once more.

“I’m sorry.”

“Just take it off!”

“I’m sorry…”

Ian already knew that snake mamool came out in this place. But all he really understood was that he could ignore the snakes, even as they bit and whittled down his HP, and just climb upwards.

Why would anyone think about where the snake entered or where it might bite? But now, Ian had no choice but to think about it!

He was paralyzed by a near-insane sense of disgust. Yet, he couldn’t afford to interfere with Keith, who was engaged in battle, so he stayed silent.

Keith, sensing Ian’s predicament, tore his clothes. But he stopped there—he didn’t remove the snake. Instead, he kept apologizing without even looking at Ian. The situation grew more awkward, and the snake’s slimy presence only drove Ian further to the brink of madness.

“Hurry up! Ugh, it’s so gross…”

“My apologies…”

Keith finally grabbed the snake and yanked it off Ian’s body. The creature had sunk its fangs into Ian’s chest, and as it was pulled off, the pale skin of Ian’s chest stretched slightly before springing back into place.

Keith mumbled again, “I’m sorry.”

“Enough already!”

How many times was he going to apologize? This was seriously making things awkward.

‘What the hell is this guy trying to do?’

Keith closed his mouth, seemingly about to apologize again. Quickly, he averted his gaze from Ian’s body and removed his cloak, draping it over Ian.

Ian’s bare torso was wrapped tightly in Keith’s large cloak, secured neatly with a ribbon knot. Then, Keith picked him up once more and stepped back with a leap.

Thwack!

An arrow-like branch struck where they had just been standing.

“Bear with it for a little longer. I know it’s uncomfortable, but just until the fight ends…”

Keith acted as if Ian might lash out at him for covering his bare body with a cloak. But Ian wasn’t someone to care about such trivialities—whether he was draped in rags or completely bare, it didn’t matter to him. It was Keith who seemed overly concerned about it.

Ian hoped this guy would pull himself together.

“Keith.”

“Yes.”

“Remember this tree. If you’re too close, it’ll choke or whip you. If you’re far, it’ll stab.”

All boss mobs had patterns. They were generally divided into close-range and long-range attacks. Naturally, Ian was well-versed in the patterns of this centipede tree.

“You noticed all that?”

“Watch for yourself. What else would you even be looking at during a fight?”

Keith suddenly fell silent. Judging from his expression, Ian had a good idea of what Keith had been looking at. This realization silenced Ian as well.

‘What is this guy’s deal? Seriously.’

Why was he making everything so awkward? Ian felt like losing his mind.

But there wasn’t much time for idle thoughts—the boss mob’s attacks grew twice as fast as before.

Thanks to his years of gaming experience, Ian’s trained eyes could see the attacks coming. But he couldn’t react in time. Keith, however, slashed and evaded every single move, as if he’d memorized the pattern after hearing it once.

He slashed or stomped on nearby attacking limbs, dodging the long-range stabbing moves by mere inches with minimal movements. All his actions were so composed that Ian, held securely in Keith’s arms, felt his own nerves settle.

‘I don’t think I’m going to get skewered, at least.’

Meanwhile, Keith kept ascending. He never paused. The centipede tree grew more frenzied, its attacks faster and wilder, while Keith’s responses became even sharper.

As they neared the upper levels, they could see centipede legs gripping the attacking tree branches. Keith didn’t discriminate between tree and centipede leg—he cut them all with impartial ruthlessness.

Slash!
Kieek, Kieeeek!

The centipede screamed, causing the entire forest to tremble. The ground beneath them shook, but Keith didn’t falter. His pace remained steady as they climbed higher and higher.

‘Is this guy insane?’

Ian’s jaw dropped.

Swoosh!

‘.’

Ian’s only contribution was to cast whenever poison filled the air. Essentially, he was a living <Purification> potion.

Even so, Keith managed to display overwhelming power. Despite having one arm occupied holding Ian, his combat ability seemed unaffected.

Eventually, they reached the top of the tree. The dense branches gave way, and the canopy cleared, offering a panoramic view from above.

“Three o’clock!”

Ian’s sharp, game-trained eyes spotted the centipede.

“Yes. Hold on tight.”

“…!”

Keith tightened his grip on Ian with one hand and sheathed his sword. Then, he leaped between the trees, moving as though he were flying.

Ian couldn’t bring himself to look down, fearing he might fall at any moment. Every branch Keith stepped on bent under their combined weight before breaking. Yet, before each branch could collapse, Keith had already moved to the next one.

‘Is this guy flying?’

Ian couldn’t help but marvel.

Their speed increased, leaving the snake mamool unable to keep up. Ian felt Keith’s heartbeat pounding through their contact, his chest pressed firmly against Keith’s.

The centipede’s grotesque face and densely packed legs loomed closer. Its body was three times thicker than an ancient tree trunk. The brownish creature stood arrogantly, as if it were part of the forest itself, but when the radiant knight approached, it revealed its true form.

Kieeeeeek!

The centipede swelled before contracting.

Swoosh!

The area filled with toxic mist.

“Let go!”

Ian freed his upper body from Keith’s grasp and nocked an arrow to his bow.

There was no need to hit the centipede. Ian had confirmed Keith’s power during their ascent. Defeating the creature was entirely within Keith’s capability.

Ian’s task was to clear the poison mist so Keith could fight without hindrance.

With a flash of light, his arrow cut through the mist, creating a fresh breeze. Ian quickly loosed two more arrows, scattering the poison further.

Ian shouted, “Keith!”

Keith knew exactly what to do.

He seemed to forget, however, that he should’ve put Ian down first…

Instead, he slung Ian over his shoulder and leaped straight toward the centipede’s head.

The holy sword, shining brilliantly, returned to its master’s hand. The blade, impervious to filth or corruption, struck true and cleaved into the monster’s head.

Gripping the hilt tightly, Keith swung the sword with all his strength, decapitating the centipede.

Crash!

Squelch!

The monster’s viscous fluids sprayed in all directions, and its massive head flew through the air.

It soared high enough for even the fairies hiding beyond the forest to see it.

Splash!

The centipede, which had plagued the area for so long, fell into the sea surrounding the island.

Simultaneously, its shell split open like a molted skin. Dark energy exploded outward.

‘Life Vessel.’

If he didn’t purify it, the area would be ruined despite the centipede’s death. Ian remembered his rookie mistake during his early days, when the fairies lost their home and the Fairy Queen blamed him.

‘No time for nostalgia.’

“Put me down!”

“Yes… Lord Ian…”

Keith, seemingly dazed by the dark energy, stumbled toward the Life Vessel with Ian still in his arms.

Ian squirmed free and grabbed the Life Vessel with both hands.

“It’s dangerous,” Keith muttered. Ian couldn’t understand why his voice sounded so uncharacteristically dreamy.

Wasn’t he a Holy Knight immune to such effects?

Even if he wasn’t, Ian’s job was clear. Without hesitation, he activated his skill.

‘<Purification>’

The high-level purification slowly drove out the vessel’s crimson aura, replacing it with pure light.

‘<Purification>, <Purification>, <Purification>…’

As he repeated the skill, the dark energy was overwhelmed. Finally, the vessel shattered.

Clink!

“Phew.”

Though he hadn’t done much, Ian felt exhausted. Being carried around wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

“Vessel’s dealt with,” Ian said with a grin, turning to Keith. But Keith looked off.

He clutched his chest, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily—a picture of distress.

“What’s wrong?”

Ian hesitantly approached, but Keith shook his head, closing his eyes in pain.

“Run.”

“…?”

“Get away from me. Something’s wrong.”

“…?”

“I… I feel like I need you. I don’t know what I might do to you.”

Keith’s breathless voice alarmed Ian.

What the hell did he mean?

Ian opened Keith’s status screen.

Ding!

[Character]
‘Agent of God’ Keith (★★★★★)

Reputation
Agent of God, Holy Knight, Zealot

Skills
Healing: LV.10
Enhancement: LV.10
Swordsmanship: LV.10
⁝

[Status Effect: Curse]
[The curse is activating.]

Ding!
[Belial’s Curse (S)]
Turns the cursed into a slave of their desires.

Ian didn’t bother reading further. Just seeing the activation notice made him bolt.

But Keith was faster.

He grabbed Ian, who stumbled forward and ended up pinned beneath him.