The Player Who Stands Above All

Chapter 175

He analyzes his opponent with calm eyes, simultaneously finding their strengths and weaknesses, and from the countless artifacts he possesses, he pulls out one specialized for that opponent and meticulously attacks them step by step.

That was Crowley's fighting style.

Crowley, whether looking at magic or martial arts alone, was more than deserving of being called a genius.

And the profession of an alchemist embraced and combined all of Crowley's talents, creating an explosive power.

Click- Clack-

"The artifact experiment is now over."

Therefore, it was impossible for Lee Shin to subdue Crowley, who possessed various artifacts, in a short-term battle.

"What, it's already over?"

"Most of the artifacts were already tested against monsters when the dungeon break occurred."

At that, Lee Shin retrieved Yagong as if he had no choice.

If he had his way, he would have ignored the experiment and just swung his spear to continue attacking Crowley.

However, Lee Shin was not a fool who would cut open the belly of the goose that lays the golden eggs for the sake of immediate gratification.

'I have to endure it to see those guys suffer under Crowley. I can fight Crowley when I get tired of watching them suffer.'

Lee Shin, having come to a clean conclusion, looked at the audience who was staring blankly this way and said.

"Well, in this way… just like I did, all of you can combine your strength and attack Crowley. How about it? Simple, right?"

At Lee Shin's words, spoken with a wide grin, no one, including Eun Yeonwoo, could answer.

They just looked back and forth between Lee Shin's and Crowley's faces and.

Swoosh-

The scenery inside the dungeon, which had been completely destroyed by the aftermath of their fight.

"You don't need to worry too much. As I said, I plan to arm you with the defensive artifacts I have as much as possible. There are also recovery facilities using potions, so you don't have to worry about injuries."

Crowley, organizing the data he had obtained from his fight with Lee Shin, looked at them with eyes that asked what they were going to do now.

"I'll do it."

"I'll do it."

And the ones who met Crowley's eyes head-on and answered his question first were Lee Hyunseok and Lee Sieun.

"It's something Hyunyoung is doing, so as her older brother, I should help."

"I want to become stronger."

At the two's answers, Crowley nodded once and then looked at the other two.

"Sigh, what can I do. Sieun said she's doing it, so I can't back out."

Lee Jieun spoke as if she wasn't very interested, but she had a slight smile on her face as if she thought it would be fun.

And Eun Yeonwoo looked at Crowley and asked in return.

"Is there any separate compensation for us?"

"Compensation?"

At Eun Yeonwoo's question, Crowley asked back as if he hadn't expected it, but having met Lee Shin, Eun Yeonwoo had become bold and shameless.

"Yes, since we are strictly helping with your experiment, Crowley-nim. I was wondering if some kind of compensation would be necessary…"

"Compensation, compensation… Yes, it certainly seems necessary."

Crowley looked at Eun Yeonwoo, who was calmly proposing a deal without getting caught up in the situation, with curious eyes and said.

"I will give you compensation according to how well you work. I can't give compensation to someone who is of no help."

"Understood."

Eun Yeonwoo, with those final words, cleanly retreated to where the other three were.

As everyone concluded that they would cooperate with the experiment, Crowley turned to Lee Rion and Lee Hyunyoung and said.

"Rion, you give these four a ring with translation magic on it, and then tell Hyunyoung the basic things she needs to know while staying here."

"Yes!"

"It will be busy from tomorrow, so be prepared."

"Am I forced to participate?"

At Lee Rion's question, Crowley said as if it were obvious.

"Since guys who can help with the experiment have appeared all at once, I plan to reduce guild work for a while and focus on research. So you two must help me with the auxiliary preparations."

Crowley looked at Lee Hyunyoung and Lee Rion as if it would be a good experience.

"Uhm… then when you're testing the performance of the artifact, Master, can I also observe from the side?"

"Ah, I'd like to ask for that too."

"I don't mind."

Crowley nodded at Lee Hyunyoung's and Lee Rion's requests, as if telling them to do as they wished.

At that, the two bowed their heads slightly and expressed their gratitude to Crowley.

With that, Crowley used the door he had entered the dungeon with and went outside.

The rest also went out through there one by one.

***

The five who had decided to participate in Crowley's experiment were being guided around the [Meister] guild by Lee Rion.

"Now, this is a list of the artifacts the master has made so far. It starts tomorrow, but it would be good to prepare your minds to some extent."

"Thanks."

While they were doing various things to prepare for tomorrow's experiment.

"Hmm, I had some expectations since it's Italy, but there's nothing special."

Lee Shin left the [Meister] guild and looked around the city.

Just like Seoul where [Wonderland] was, the area where [Meister] was located had hardly any damage from the monster attacks, so simple sightseeing was more than possible.

'But what should I do and where should I go from now on?'

-Did you come out without even thinking about that?

At Lee Shin's monologue, Irehgue asked, wagging his tail.

'Originally, I was thinking of just looking around the city and killing time, but looking around the city is not as fun as I thought.'

-Hmm, then what do people usually come on a trip for?

At Irehgue's fundamental question, Lee Shin thought for a moment and then said.

'Usually, they say it's to see foreigners they don't usually see, or to see the sights of a new city…'

Lee Shin said with a small sigh.

'It's a bit much to be amazed at seeing foreigners in a world where monsters roam.'

-Then what about looking at the city's sights?

'I'm already tired of that.'

Lee Shin said that and walked around aimlessly.

Originally, Lee Shin was the type to move impulsively and make plans on the spot whenever he saw something that looked interesting.

But now, there was nothing that sparked his interest like that.

Perhaps because it hadn't even been a week since he had been slaughtering countless powerful monster hordes due to the dungeon break, even entering a dungeon seemed a bit boring.

To put the current situation simply, Lee Shin's growth rate had far surpassed the dungeon's growth rate.

'What should I really do…'

And as a result, Lee Shin was feeling the same maddening thirst he had felt before Pantheon appeared.

No, it was even worse now than it was then.

After Pantheon appeared, Lee Shin had partially released the impulses he had been suppressing until now and had felt a joy he had never felt before in his life.

The intense sensation, as if color were returning to a colorless world, had already stained Lee Shin, but now the situation was returning to a time when nothing was happening?

Just imagining it made him feel a surge of annoyance.

'Should I just go back to the guild and bully those guys? Crowley will probably interfere. But I can't fight Crowley either… Is there really nothing fun to do? I was looking forward to it since I came abroad, but is lying in bed and reading novels really the best option?'

Grumble-

While Lee Shin was contemplating how to resolve this feeling, his stomach asserted its presence.

-It seems you'll be able to spend a not-so-boring time for a little while.

'I know, right.'

Lee Shin chuckled and smiled lightly.

'Should I go into a nearby restaurant and get something to eat? I heard there are many delicious restaurants in Italy.'

-Italian food… I'm looking forward to it. A good idea.

Thanks to the activities of the [Meister] guild, the surrounding area had not suffered much damage from the monsters.

Thanks to that, there were many restaurants open here and there.

'That place looks good.'

-Ooh, is that an Italian pizza! Savor it slowly! That way, the taste will be transmitted to me more clearly!

'Alright, alright, I get it.'

Lee Shin went to a restaurant with a picture of a pizza among the open restaurants, sat down, and then ordered a few dishes from the menu.

Then, after chatting with Irehgue and waiting a little, various dishes such as a steaming hot pizza and spaghetti were placed on the table.

'Hmm, the appearance is a bit strange, so I wasn't expecting much, but the smell is better than I thought. Is this what Italy is all about?'

-Quickly! Try it quickly!

At Irehgue's urging, Lee Shin nodded his head roughly, took a bite of the pizza full of cheese, and then, as Irehgue had said before, moved his mouth slowly.

-Uhm, as expected of the home country! It's more delicious than I thought! This alone makes it worth coming here!

'Is it that good?'

-What, you're feeling the same taste, but you can't feel this deliciousness?

'No, it's certainly delicious, but…'

While Lee Shin was diligently moving his mouth and contemplating the difference in taste between himself and Irehgue.

'Huh?'

-Hmm?

Lee Shin, feeling a familiar, very familiar sensation from behind him, slightly curled up the corner of his mouth, which was stained with tomato sauce.

'Until a little while ago, I thought all places where people live are the same, but I didn't think even this part would be the same.'

-Tsk, my mealtime has been sullied.

Lee Shin and Irehgue, at the sharp gaze they felt from behind, slightly changed their posture.

Judging by Lee Shin's experience, this sensation was definitely a sensation of sizing up whether it would be trouble to touch or not.

'Have you found who the owner of this gaze is?'

-Found them. A total of two adult men, one with golden hair and one with brown hair. They're snickering and laughing among themselves right now.

'Direction?'

-Left, behind.

At Irehgue's words, Lee Shin focused his internal energy on his ears and detected the sound coming from that direction.

It was only natural that the conversation the two were having was in Italian, but to Lee Shin, it was a negligible obstacle.

Because he had an artifact with a translation function.

"Puhahaha."

Just when he was bored and wondering what to do next, a toy walked right up to him.

The fact was so funny that a laugh naturally escaped Lee Shin's mouth.

Lee Shin, suppressing his internal energy as much as possible, acted as weak as possible, appealing that there would be no trouble even if they took him.

'Then all that's left is to wait until those guys make a move, right?'

-But what happens if those guys give up and leave?

At Irehgue's words, Lee Shin said as if it were obvious.

'If they don't come from that side, I'll have to go from this side. To where their organization is.'

-Is an organization going to be annihilated just because you happened to meet in the same restaurant and briefly let out some energy…

Irehgue, who had said that much, tapped Lee Shin's head with his tail.

-Certainly, it seems it will be much more fun than just wandering around the city blankly.

'I know, right?'

Lee Shin answered that and took a big bite of pizza.

'It seems I'll be making a good memory in Italy.'

The pizza was very sweet and delicious.