The Healing Solaris Cleric

Chapter 103: Cal Rashya’s Paladin (2)

This boss is a paladin.

Its actions were like a berserker who went wild at the sight of blood, but it was crucial not to forget its class.

It’s bound to activate some nasty pattern if it gets cornered.

Most paladin monsters were like that. They would use healing skills or invulnerability skills when their health dropped.

From what I've observed so far, this guy always does something before using a skill.

The moment that thought flashed through his mind, a tile on the floor shot up and gravity pressed down on Kai's shoulder.

"Argh...!"

It felt like riding a drop tower without a safety belt!

While enduring this through sheer willpower, something shiny caught his eye.

A blade! It's a sword!

Kai reflexively pushed away the sword aimed for his heart with his hand. His palm was pierced and the sword slashed his other arm, but he survived.

Gulp.

Damn, the damage is insane.

He had taken near-fatal damage. The attack power of a level 160 boss monster was indeed overwhelming!

Seeing his life hanging by a thread at around 7%, he thought it was a miracle that his heart wasn’t pierced.

I'd be dead for sure if it had pierced my heart.

Kai then saw the sword rise again and lunged toward Lynel’s chest.

Lynel instinctively took a step back to take a defensive stance as if it hadn’t expected the weak Cleric to charge at it, and that was its critical mistake.

"I'll take that!"

Kai quickly snatched the helmet tucked under Lynel's arm! Then, with a move reminiscent of his soccer skills, he kicked it hard toward Black Bear.

[You dealt 876 damage.]

Kai cleared the message and shouted, "Finish it off! It can't use its skills without that!"

"Understood, that makes sense!"

Before using a skill, Lynel always raised its helmet high.

Kai had meticulously noted that fact even while running away!

I've turned it into a headless loser, just according to plan.

He had bet on the possibility that Lynel couldn't use its skills without its helmet. It was a reckless gamble, but it paid off.

The raid members swarmed around the helmet, pouring all their skills into it. Their attacks were fierce and ruthless, as if to vent all their pent-up frustrations!

—Graaaah!

Blue smoke spewed from Lynel's headless neck like a fountain of blood. It clutched at the empty space above its shoulders, twisting and squirming in pain.

"So you really can't use any skills without your helmet, huh?" Kai taunted.

Lynel reached out a trembling hand toward him.

Kai glanced at the top of Lynel's head and didn't bother to dodge.

[The Seventh Knight, Lynel.]

[Remaining HP: 0%]

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"Move your hand."

As he flicked its arm, it crumbled like old dust. The destruction quickly spread throughout its body.

Ding!

[You defeated the Seventh Knight, Lynel.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

[Acquired 20 stat points.]

"Whew... that was tough."

It had been an exhausting battle even for Kai!

He massaged his trembling legs as he sat down.

Then Lynel, whom he thought was dead, suddenly got up.

...What? It’s not dead?!

Kai was startled and quickly got up but soon realized something was off. Squinting, he quickly scanned Lynel's body.

It’s translucent?

It looked similar to when he used the Ethereal Body skill.

Moreover, Lynel no longer exuded the intense killing intent or anger from before. Instead, a serene smile and warm emotions, like a monk, spread through the air.

At least it doesn't seem hostile. The armor changed too.

The tattered cleric robe and dented armor that had covered Lynel were now transformed into a clean, dignified cleric robe and armor that seemed to have been forged by a master craftsman. Crucially, it now appeared as a complete person with its head attached.

—Is it you? The one who broke the eternal curse placed upon us, the followers of Cal Rashya?

"Well, we did kill you..."

—I see. Thank you for stopping me and my comrades, who were consumed by unstoppable rage.

With a wistful look, Lynel glanced around the floor.

—The Church of Cal Rashya is the order to which my brothers and I belonged. We were defeated by the Church of Muldine, and the price was irreparable destruction.

A bitter smile spread across Lynel's face as he looked at his translucent hands.

—After losing to them, we became their test subjects and had to endure horrific fates.

"Was one of those horrific fates becoming undeads?"

—That’s correct. We became undead knights, dullahans, who were fueled by rage, blood and vengeance. The proud paladins and clerics of Cal Rashya became skeleton knights and dullahans, and are still roaming around this land.

Lynel slowly made the sign of the Church of Cal Rashya and then expressed his gratitude once more. “Thank you very much. Because of you, my brothers and I are now freed from the eternal curse and can move on to our eternal resting place.”

"I just did what I had to do."

That was the textbook answer listed in Proper Etiquette for Dealing with NPCs, Volume 1!

Lynel, clearly pleased, smiled warmly.

—But do not worry. Cal Rashya governs change. We who serve the god also know the way of gratitude. I shall reward you fittingly for your help. Moreover, the holy power I sense from you belongs to another faith. If I am correct, it is the Church of Solaris?

"Yes, that's correct."

—I thought so... The only command implanted in my mind by the wicked remnants of the Church of Muldine was to exterminate the followers of the Church of Solaris.

"Oh..."

Kai finally understood why Lynel had been targeting only the Clerics, despite the beating he was taking.

—My personal hope is that you will continue the will of Cal Rashya.

Ding!

[Hidden class “Cal Rashya’s Grand Inquisitor (Heroic)” now available.]

[Cal Rashya is a god who governs change. Though an old god forgotten in this land, if you spread his teachings among people, the forgotten Cal Rashya's order can be revived once more...]

“No, I’m okay.”

[The Solarian God Helik nods in approval at your unwavering faith.]

[Contribution increased by 5,000.]

He refused without a second thought, but from Kai's perspective, it was an obvious decision.

Even if they offered me a Mythic-class job, I’d think twice, but they’re offering a Hero-class?

Of course, Lynel hadn't anticipated this situation and looked flustered.

—Oh... It seems you don't understand...

“I said no, I won't do it.”

—But the noble will of Cal Rashya must be continued on the continent...

“I already have a god I believe in.”

Just like a woman with a boyfriend firmly rejecting advances, Kai put up a solid wall.

Lynel, not knowing what to do, made the saddest face in the world and pleaded.

—Is there really no way you’ll do it? I could even kneel before you.”

“Should I kneel too? I’m really not going to do it.”

Ding!

[You have declined the hidden class, Cal Rashya’s Grand Inquisitor (Heroic).]

Kai watched Lynel, who was left speechless with his mouth agape, and let out a sigh. “Well, I can't become a cleric of Cal Rashya, but if I ever meet a worthy and talented cleric, I will strongly recommend them for Cal Rashya’s Grand Inquisitor."

—I-I would be very grateful if you did that! In that case, I must give you this in advance.

Realizing that this was the most Kai could offer, Lynel finally gave up on persuading him and handed Kai two rings.

“What are these...?”

—Check them out.

“Item information.”

[Depraved Knight’s Ring]

Grade: Unique

Attack Power: 15

Spell Power: 15

Defense: 150

Magic Resistance: 147

Lets you use the Appoint skill.

(Appoint: Allows you to evolve Skeleton Knights under your command into Dullahans. One-day cooldown.)

The corrupted followers of the Church of Muldine have explored various ways to harness the powers of other gods. This ring contains a part of the power they gained by experimenting on the followers of Cal Rashya, who governs change.

Requirement: Level 100+, Cleric class.

Durability: 47/100

“Th-this is...!”

Kai's eyes widened in shock.

I can appoint my skeleton knights to dullahans? This is the skill Lynel used, isn’t it?

Memories of the frustrating moment when Skeleton Knights transformed into Dullahans instantly resurfaced.

I can use that skill too... But wait, I don't have any skeleton knights.

Kai’s brows furrowed. He could summon low-level undead using the Staff of the Undead Gnoll Chieftain, but they weren’t skeleton knights.

... I never thought there would be a skill with such an effect.

In other words, this implied that there could be a skill to promote lower-level undead to skeleton knights!

C-could it be?

Kai hurriedly looked at the other ring he received, hoping it would have such an effect.

[Cal Rashya’s Guide]

Grade: Rare

Defense: 10

Magic Resistance: 10

Allows wearer to teleport to any place that has accepted the will of the Church of Cal Rashya.

Requirement: Level 100+, Cleric class.

Durability: 100/100

"Well, that's disappointing,” Kai expressed his disappointment as he looked at Lynel. "Do you know of any way to transform low-level undead, such as gnoll undead, into skeleton knights?"

—Hmm. That's a difficult question. I'm sorry, but I was under the control of the Church of Muldine, so I have no understanding of the skills I used during that time. Your question might be better answered by the necromancers of the continent.

"I see..."

—Oh my, look at the time.

Lynel's body began to fade further.

—Make sure to pass the Cal Rashya’s Guide ring to a worthy person who can help prosper the Church of Cal Rashya. You can keep the other ring for yourself. It seems it's time for us to part.

"May you watch over the prosperity of the Church of Cal Rashya from hell... no, a better place."

—Thank you, once again.

With a smile completely free of any lingering regrets, Lynel vanished like a puff of smoke.

[The Solarian God Helik smiles approvingly for fulfilling the wish of Lynel, who was once a child of a friend.]

[+10 Benevolence.]

"Well, I'll be..."

Perhaps Cal Rashya was a friend of Helik.

As Kai chuckled at Helik's message, Black Bear came from behind.

"Kai, so... about the reward..." His voice was full of respect.