Level Up Inquisitor [EN]: Chapter 92

92. The Dissolution Squad (5)

Creak, creak.

Rodin, squatting in front of the chest, was wrestling with it, laying out his lock-picking tools on the floor.

The treasure chest, promising valuable spoils, was secured with a robust lock.

He gently scratched, probing the keyhole with a tension wrench, while Aile quietly observed from behind.

Aile had also packed spare lockpicks, anticipating this situation, but lacked practical experience and confidence.

As he hesitated, Rodin, the self-proclaimed expert, volunteered and began the unlocking process.

“How’s it going… do you think you can open it?”

“Relax, trust me. Believe it or not, I have a knack for this kind of thing… Got it!”

With a click, the chest’s lock disengaged.

Leaving behind an admiring Aile, Rodin eagerly opened the chest and peered inside.

“This is…!”

“Hmm?”

Both were taken aback by the unexpected contents.

Inside the large chest were not weapons or armor, nor skill books or jewelry, nor gold coins.

Thorium ingots.

The rare metal, with a subtle green glow, was processed into ingots and stacked high within the chest.

“What is this…”

They paused, momentarily stunned.

It wasn’t disappointment with the value; thorium ingots were undoubtedly precious, worthy of a vault.

However, they couldn’t fathom why demon-worshipping fanatics would hoard thorium ingots in a dungeon.

‘Come to think of it, the demand for thorium ingots has soared in recent weeks, and the market price has jumped. Could there be a connection…?’

Thorium’s primary characteristic is its excellent conductivity, making it ideal for imbuing magic.

It’s widely used in equipment and accessories, primarily sourced from the northern region.

However, these facts didn’t illuminate the fanatics’ motives; they remained puzzled.

Furthermore, the question of who gathered them remained unanswered.

Perhaps Mute from the Dissolution Squad requested them, rather than the fanatics needing them directly.

“Well… there’s no way to know the reason right now.”

“That’s right.”

Rodin nodded and began removing the thorium ingots from the chest.

The value of the accumulated thorium ingots was undeniable; they divided it equally.

Then, they turned to survey the remaining spoils.

Aside from the thorium ingots, there were items and gold of considerable value.

Considering Wardor’s overall landscape, this was a low-level dungeon, yet the gold amassed exceeded 6,000.

They split that evenly as well, each taking 3,000 gold, a substantial immediate gain.

[Priest’s Butchering Gloves (Rare)]

[Abelion Shoes (Rare)]

Aile first claimed the level 30 rare-grade light armor.

He upgraded his gloves and shoes, which had previously felt inadequate, to a higher quality.

Next, he selected a weapon.

[Executioner’s Axe]

– Grade: Heroic

– Type: Two-Handed Axe

– Restriction: Level 35 or higher

– Physical Attack Power 50

– Strength +14, Stamina +4

– Special Effect ‘Shock and Horror’: If you defeat an enemy with the final blow, it inflicts a fear debuff on nearby enemies.

‘This has a great option…’

Aile, impressed, examined the axe.

This weapon possessed a potent special effect, inducing fear in nearby enemies upon delivering a fatal blow.

Furthermore, Aile’s basic passive, ‘Fanatical Martyr,’ amplified status effects like fear and flinch, doubling their impact, making it even more effective.

As expected of a heroic-grade weapon, the base stats were excellent, and the level requirement was perfect.

Combined with Aile’s auxiliary abilities, it was undoubtedly a top-tier weapon.

‘This is more than satisfactory… no, it’s just awesome.’

Aile reveled in the bounty from their successful dungeon raid.

Of course, many more equipment items remained, but they were unsuitable for immediate use and destined for auction.

“Now all that’s left are… the antiques.”

Aile, looking around, focused on the pile of antiques.

But Rodin shook his head.

“Ah, I don’t need those. If you want them, Aile, you can have them all.”

“Huh? Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Honestly, the appraisal work is too annoying… It takes time, and I’ve never profited, only lost money.”

“Hmm, if that’s the case…”

There was no need to decline such an offer.

He would accept them gratefully.

* * *

“Keuh… P-Please save me! I was wrong!”

A bloodied fanatic screamed, crawling on the floor.

He had been willing to surrender his soul to the devil, driven by misguided beliefs, but now he crumbled before the true horror of madness.

However, the new Inquisitor standing before him hesitated, failing to deliver judgment like a true follower of Ru [Goddess of Justice and Order].

Something seemed to restrain him.

“Are you alright?”

“E-Executor…”

A woman appeared from behind and slowly approached.

Aileen, the executor, clad in calm white armor with blonde hair.

The new Inquisitor, surprised by her appearance, tensed and displayed a stiff expression.

“You look tired. Is there hesitation in your heart?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize. It’s simply something to resolve.”

Aileen offered him a gentle look, acknowledging his cautious behavior.

After a moment of hesitation, the new Inquisitor confessed.

“I have slain many monsters during my probationary period. There was no hesitation or regret. Monsters that bring chaos to the world must be purified. But this man… is crying and begging for forgiveness. The fact that he is a human like us, capable of making wrong choices due to foolishness and ignorance, keeps holding me back.”

“I see. But brother, just because they appear the same doesn’t mean they walk the same path as us. Have you seen the mark of heresy cast upon the heads of sinners? It is a mark of sin, signifying their fall into the devil’s grasp. It is also the Goddess’s decree. Even if they weep and repent before the sword, they are monsters who will devour innocent people the moment they escape the crisis.”

“But this man… doesn’t have a mark.”

The Inquisitor pointed to the collapsed man.

The fanatics here were treated as ordinary monsters, and the mark of heresy, reserved for bosses, users, and elite monsters, was absent.

“The Goddess does not always dictate everything. That is why we must cultivate the ability to discern good from evil.”

“Will my eyes always choose the right path…? I fear that if I take this man’s life, I will never be able to turn back.”

“I understand. But isn’t that what God commanded? If hesitation paralyzes you, and your actions falter, nothing will change. We are the sword and flame of the Goddess. Do not fear, be brave. Whatever the outcome, He will be with you.”

Aileen’s words were calm and reassuring.

She could have been frustrated by his hesitation, but her gaze remained steady.

The new Inquisitor, swallowing hard, raised his sword with trembling hands.

He wanted to close his eyes, but he knew better than to do so before a sacred judgment.

Paah!

A swift sword strike flashed past him, and the fanatic’s head was severed instantly.

Blood gushed from the cleanly severed neck.

Clang!

Aileen, having sheathed her sword, lowered the trembling Inquisitor’s arms.

“Of course, not today.”

“Keueut…”

The Inquisitor, relieved of tension, dropped his weapon and collapsed.

Aileen addressed the female Inquisitor assisting from the side, observing the new Inquisitor gasping for breath.

“Sister, please take care of the brother.”

“I understand, Executor.”

The female Inquisitor approached and supported him.

Meanwhile, the hot bloodstains soaked the floor and soiled her shoes, but Aileen, turning her head indifferently, welcomed the new guest who had come to see her.

“You’ve come just in time.”

“Executor…?”

Aile looked at her with surprise.

Behind him, Rodin stood nervously, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

He was terrified by the Inquisitors’ bizarre behavior, setting fire everywhere and wiping out the entire dungeon.

“You have carried out the mission more wonderfully than expected. Of course, I must express my gratitude before discussing the details. Thanks to you, many brothers and sisters were saved from the evil plot.”

Aileen said with a smile.

It seemed they had learned of the incident while Aile and Rodin were collecting their rewards, and she was expressing her gratitude.

“No, more than that, why are you suddenly here…?”

According to the plan Aile had heard from Aileen at the Inquisitorial Office before departing for the abandoned temple area, she shouldn’t have come here herself.

Originally, Aileen was supposed to head to another area to resolve other disputes.

But as Aile could see, her destination had changed.

“The Goddess has sent a message of revelation to the five executors of the Inquisitorial Office, including me. Accordingly, there have been major changes not only in this plan but also in the entire movement of the Order.”

‘That…’

It was an unexpected variable that the will of Ru had directly influenced the executors.

Even if it was indirect intervention through revelation, a considerable amount of influence consumption would inevitably follow if it was at the level of moving the entire Order.

If her words were true, it explained why Ru hadn’t even shown her face.

“What did you say…?”

“The Goddess revealed the target to which our swords should be directed. Now, the Order’s all-out war to punish the followers of Benaron will commence. It is to completely eradicate the Crimson Twilight Society, the group of sins.”

The moment he heard the words Benaron and all-out war, Aile’s expression hardened as he recalled the events in the village of destruction.

‘Could it be… because of me…?’