Divide and conquer based on incentives! With the motive to weaken the enemy forces, he instinctively took tactical action.
'I'll crush them one by one for now!'
“Hurry and run before the pursuers arrive!”
Whether the drunkard Smith was fretting or not, Weed's mind rolled onward, flawlessly, and coldly.
“Bingryong. Phoenixes.”
“Speak, Master.”
“No need to wait until they come here. You guys go and wipe them out. Only, our side mustn't take any damage.”
“Understood, Master! You need not have any concerns.”
“Bingryong, you're the commander. You must return safely with the Phoenixes.”
“Thanks for believing in me, Master.”
Bingryong and the Phoenixes flew to the back as they flapped their wings.
Perhaps because of their fire disposition, the Phoenixes were quite aggressive and reckless. However, since Bingryong valued his body dearly, Weed had given the position of commander to him.
“They're my sculptures. If they were to abused, I'll be doing the abusing. I can't watch them get hit by some other guy.”
If not for that reason, there was no other reason to give the stupid and timid Bingryong the position of leader.
After a while, the sky to the west lit up brightly.
Ice Breath must have been fired, since the temperature lowered significantly. Afterwards, smoke from flames rose into the sky.
Fire and ice attacks.
Even in the midst of this, Weed was strengthening Bingryong and the Phoenixes.
After the group of pursuers was decimated by Bingryong and the Phoenixes, the Embinyu Church assembled new pursuers once more.
This time the pursuers consist of 40 Dark Knights. 10 Priests, 3 Magicians, 300 normal Soldiers.
Weed swallowed his saliva with a gulp.
Not only were the pursuers were chasing them more and more rapidly, but their forces were improving as well.
With both burden and pleasure, the enjoyment was increasing.
Like when he dealt with the True Blood Vampires with Alveron, his energy was surging with appropriate tension.
The second alliance tribe of the Matallost Church, Lekiye.
It was a tribe with Knights and Sorcerers.
“We have not forgotten the alliance with the Matallost Church. However, too much time has passed. It's doubtful if the Matallost Church still has the qualification to act with us.”
The Chief of the Lekiye tribe neither welcomed nor opposed Weed.
“How should I prove the qualification between allies?”
The Chief said to Weed. “The power of the Embinyu Church is fearsome. To see if you can fight against them, you will need to undertake a test of courage,”
A test to pass Valley of Courage in the middle of the night without any outside help!
It was the valley the children of the Lekiye tribe ascended when partaking in the coming of age ceremony.
Weed didn't think deeply and simply accepted.
“I will prove I possess courage.”
As long as he didn't want to give up the quest, he had no choice but to continue forward.
The Valley of Courage!
Weed walked quickly under the dark night sky.
The sound of the trees rustling in the wind was frightening, and it felt like something would jump out at any minute.
A situation and place perfect for a test of courage. Without mistake, it was an actual place where courage was being tested.
Unnecessary thoughts would make the heart stiffen and contract.
If one is caught in fear, even footsteps became scary, and will be surprised by shadows. It would get more and more terrifying until one could no longer take another step.
The Valley of Courage was such a place.
Because the space of the passage in the narrow valley was only 50 cm wide, it created an illusion anything could jump out from between the bushes or trees. It was a place ceaselessly stimulated fearful thoughts, and made one's resolve crumble!
It would actually be a relief if a monster or ghost really appeared, however the place was only stimulating pure terror.
Walking in the dark, the path looked like it could lead to anywhere. Anxiety and panic-causing Valley of Courage.
Like a chant, Weed memorized something. “Spinach 2,500 won (~$2.50), sesame leaf 1,000 won (~$1), eggs 1,700 won (~$1.70), sausages 4,000 won (~$4).”
Calculation for a week worth's of expenditure!
Since it was dark and quiet, it was excellent for mentally organizing his household accounts.
“We're out of olive oil. I collected the coupon, so I should buy it the next time I go to the mart. The mart next door was holding an event for kitchen supplies… I must buy rubber gloves in a pretty pink color.”
Calculating his shopping list. The part Weed loathed the most made its appearance. This time was the most difficult and painful.
“This month's total expenditures have risen to 8,000 won more than last month. It was because of the transaction on the 24th. Damn the rising prices! It was because the gas price rose.”
Simply by thinking about the date, he could recall the sum he'd used during day. He could even list the fluctuations in price from last month and the month before last.
Savings, savings, savings.
Even so, the household expenses absolutely wouldn't decrease!
The biggest worries of housewives were difficult for Weed too. “House expenses: once it increases, it never decreases again.”
The desperate battle against the household expenses. Having a large income didn't necessarily mean having money saved up. Thorough management along with limiting impulsive spending was necessary.
“I shouldn't have bought the expensive salt from the supermarket that one time… I needed to live frugally.” He was assailed with bitter regret.
By gathering small sums, it will eventually become a large amount of money.
As he was thinking about the household expenses, he soon exited the Valley of Courage.
Weed's face was haggard and filled with horror.
Ding!
You have passed the Valley of Courage.
You have passed the Valley of Courage in the shortest time.
You have passed the ceremony much faster than young men of the Lekiye tribe.
Willpower stat has formed.
Willpower: Increases concentration. No matter how chaotic your surroundings are, your skill success rate rises and failure rate of magic decreases.
Damage in melee range has increased.
Warriors, Adventurers, and Magicians will admire those with outstanding Willpower.
Speeds up growth of Fighting Spirit. Points can not be distributed into the stat and it will increase by itself based on character's actions.
You have earned the title 'The Courageous.'
Fame has increased by 200.
Courage has increased by 80.
Fighting spirit has increased by 10.
Leadership has increased by 5.
The Chief and Warriors of the Lekiye tribe were waiting at the exit; after seeing Weed coming out of the valley, they ran to him.
With rings dangling on his nose, the chief outstretched his arms.
“Brother has passed the test. In accordance with the alliance, let us assault the Embinyu Church.”
“WHOAAA!” The Warriors shook their spears and cheered.
The drunken Smith came close and patted Weed's shoulder knowingly.
“Seems like the Valley of Courage was extremely difficult.”
Weed replied feebly, “It was truly horrible.”
“At least it's all over now. Take it as a valuable experience.”
“I have to suffer it every month.”
“The Chief said the ghosts of the Lekiye tribe within the Valley of Courage are truly terrifying, but what do they look like?”