Chapter 58: Persistence


    "Something to do with the story view of Shuvuliz?" Raina tilted her head as she asked.


    "The lore behind Shuvuliz, maybe that is why she shifted her aggro over to Shinto," Lucas exined. "If you follow the story regarding this dungeon, it is said that ''Shivuliz'' was sealed away here, no?"


    "Yes, that''s what I''ve heard. But what does that have to do with anything?" she continued asking.


    "It''s simple. Shivuliz was defeated by a hero, and then that hero sealed away Shivuliz. Do you know who this ''hero'' is?" he turned towards the group.


    "...The swordsman of elementals?" Shinto muttered as he answered.


    "Wrong. It wasn''t the swordsman of elementals, but- A priest."


    "It wasn''t the swordsman that sealed her away?" Shinto raised his brow.


    "History is but a long archive of events that ur within the world, Shinto. You may have heard bits and pieces of the story of Shivuliz, but is it the full one?" Lucas said. "The swordsman wasn''t the one who sealed her away, it was a priest. In fact, it was a priest who delved into the realms of duality."


    "..." Shinto silently starred at Lucas as he took in the information given to him. The ''priest'' that he was referring to was very familiar to him. "...So, where are you getting at with this?" he asked.


    "Yeah? Just where are you going with this? Is this just an excuse to tell us about your hobbies? Or, is it an excuse because you failed to take aggro properly?" Ethaniel clicked his tongue in impatience. "What does it have to do with the earlier situation?"


    "Don''t interrupt me, I''m getting to the good part!" Lucas smiled as he turned to Shinto. "What if, that ''priest'' was here?"


    Shinto let out a sudden cough upon hearing the abrupt question. "Are you telling me I''m that priest?" he said in a slight tone of confusion.


    "Hmm well, you did say you were a priest right?" Lucasughed. "But, maybe my theory is wrong and I''m just rambling on. But this can be the only exnation as to why the aggro was suddenly shifted."


    "...I''m just but an ordinary priest," Shinto said. "Though, hearing your reasoning, there is another exnation that could exin why the aggro was shifted."


    "Oh? Do exin."


    "It could have been a misunderstanding," Shinto calmly exined. "Shivuliz who had been sealed away for a long time could have just been mistaken that I was this ''priest'' you were talking about. After all, since priests, in general, are of the light attribute, there really is no way of telling apart spells from one another besides the holiness of it, right?"


    "Hmm... Yes, it could very well be a misunderstanding," Lucas nodded his head. "Though, it could still be the former, no? Since weak holiness wouldn''t make the boss be in such a ruckus."


    "But, you have to note that the spell I used, "Silencing Purity", always had a strong presence in holiness," Shinto exined. "And besides, the priest was a person in the past, so it''s impossible for me to be it."


    "True that. I guess with your reasoning, my theory wouldn''t make much sense huh?"


    "Bah, can you two stop discussing this already?" Ethaniel frowned. "This is getting out of topic now. Does it matter now that it''s over?"


    "...Right. It is getting out of hand, I apologize for that," Lucas said.


    "Good. Now can we get on to the loot and then with your deal, already?" he turned towards Raina. "What dropped?"


    "Oh! Errr... Servant''s Staff, Cobwebs, Broken Vial and... Torn Striders," Raina answered whilst reading through her notifications out loud.


    "Servant''s Staff and Torn Striders, huh? Both are mage items, how unfortunate for us swordsman," Lucas shook his head.


    "Tsk, do you even have a use for the item even if it was swordsman equipment? You have that high and mighty gear you''ve boasted every time," Ethaniel scoffed.


    "Well, the same could be said to you, no?" Lucas said.


    "...Hmph."


    "Ahem... Anyways, since you two don''t have a use for the equipment, then it would just be me and Shinto who will take it right?" Raina turned towards Shinto. "How should we go about this?"


    "...I''m fine with whatever equipment. You can have the priority," Shinto said.


    "Hmm, well... Servant''s Staff is a rare grade staff equipment... While Torn Striders is an epic grade boots equipment, are you sure you want me to have priority?"


    "It''s fine. If anything, I''d prefer to get the staff," Shinto reasoned. "My staff is still the basic one."


    It wasn''t a question of priority or not, Torn Striders wouldn''t be useful for him aspared to Servant''s Staff. That was because the boots increased one''s damage rather than speed whilst the staff had an option where it had a chance to cast a small barrier on an ally. Shinto needed something that would increase his support capabilities rather than damage output.


    "Right... I can see that. Then you''ll get the staff while I get the boots?"


    "Yeah, that''s right," he nodded his head.


    "Alright then!" she nodded her head as she passed the staff over towards Shinto.


    [ You have received the equipment ''Servant''s Staff'' from Raina. ]


    Confirming the notification that he had received the item, Shinto averted his eyes over towards the description of the staff.


    [ Servant''s Staff ]


    Rarity: Rare


    Attack Power: 31 ~ 62


    Durability: 215/215


    *Upon supporting an ally, there is a 10% chance of giving them an HP barrier of 275 HP.


    *Intelligence +6


    A ck staff enhanced by the energy of Shivuliz''s servants. The staff embodies the yearning of the servants who have the desire to protect their leader from any danger.


    Condition(s): Level 10 or above, minimum of 20 intelligence required.


    Weight: 65


    ...


    "Looks like everything regarding the equipment is settled? For the materials, I and Ethaniel will take them," Lucas said.


    "Just take everything. I don''t need it," Ethaniel refused. "I just want one thing from you and you know what it is."


    "Right, right. Then, shall we get going?" he asked.


    "Don''t beat around the bush and just go already," Ethaniel said.


    Lucas nodded his head as he turned towards Shinto quickly he whispered to him. "Remember my offer from before? You should consider it!" he whispered. "Oh, and how about we keep contact so we can continue dungeoning together?"


    "...I''ll think about it," Shinto answered.


    "I see, I see. Well, if you want to find me, just go to the attendants in Lavida Hotel and ask for the person named ''Lucas'' there," he smiled. "Anyways, till we see each again, yeah?" he said as he went away along with Ethaniel.


    ...


    "...Phew," Seeing that Lucas went away, Shinto let out a breath of relief. ''Thing''s could have gone much worse if this guy persistently went on...'' he shook his head. ''I should be more careful with partying up to dungeon in ces that have to do with my ss from now on.''


    ''Anyways... Now that everyone is gone... I should be heading my way out as well.'' he thought to himself as he took a step forward.


    "Ah, Shinto? Are you leaving as well?" Raina asked.


    "Huh? Oh, you''re still here?" Shinto turned towards Raina. "I thought you went together with Ethaniel and Lucas."


    "Ah, no, no. I was about to, but Ethaniel said not to follow... He said that they were going to somewhere to handle some business? So I wasn''t allowed toe."


    "...I see, anyways, do you need something?"


    "...Ah, well, I was hoping that you''d like to keep contact? Thing''s went crazy a little earlier, but it would be nice if we could party up some time?" she said. "And well... I wanted to ask of favour to you."


    "...Huh?"