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The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills - Chapter 36

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Chapter :: Encounter

Several hours later, we had made our way to the northern edge of the city. The area was dotted with several deep, massive holes. Beside them stood the half-built structure of a temple, and at its center was a statue of the god of fate, Dalis.

“So there’s a temple to Dalis here too.
I wonder if the people here were devout… or simply feared the evil god, Dorlz.”

As I scanned the area, I noticed a gentle slope leading upward—it looked like it connected to the dungeon above.

“Looks like we might finally be able to escape the underground city…”

Clack... clack-clack…

Suddenly, I heard the sound of something rattling—like teeth chattering.

From the surrounding buildings, more than three hundred skeleton soldiers appeared, emerging all at once.

They blocked off every path and completely surrounded us.

“Everyone, take battle positions!”

At Corrine’s shout, the members of the Moonlight Brigade each drew their weapons.

Almine, Pirn, Kinako, and I stood in front of the researchers, ready to protect them from the undead.

But unlike before, this was just too many.

“This… might be bad.”

I drew the demon-eating dagger from my waist.

But the skeleton soldiers didn’t advance.

“Huh? They’re not attacking?”

“Why don’t you just come out already?”

Silphiel raised her Twin-Headed Light King and shouted.

“You're not exactly hiding well. Or would you prefer I come to you?”

A few seconds later, a figure emerged from the ruined building with a shattered ceiling.

A demon with silver hair and black horns.

“You're Daglud, aren’t you?”
Silphiel pointed directly at him.

“That’s right. And you’re a high elf?”
“I am. Silphiel, one of the Twelve Heroes.”
“…Hmm.”

Daglud tilted his head slightly as he looked at Silphiel.

“I wouldn’t mind testing out this weapon I acquired, but killing a high elf… seems like a waste.”
“Huh? What are you babbling about?”

Silphiel raised her silver eyebrows.

“You're the one who’s going to die.”
“…Bold, aren’t you? Against a demon.”
“I’ve killed plenty of your kind already.”

She leveled her golden blade at him.

“You’ll be next. And when you're in hell, you’ll regret ever crossing me.”

“Wait.”

Daglud raised his right hand.

“Let’s negotiate first.”
“Negotiate? With a demon?”
“Indeed. You don’t want your companions to die, do you? If these skeleton soldiers attack all at once, people will die. But… if you agree to a deal, I’ll let them live.”
“…Fine. I’ll hear you out. Talk.”
“Return the slaves you stole. And you—become a slave yourself. I’d like to examine how a high elf’s body differs from a regular elf’s.”

Silphiel’s brow twitched.

“…You seriously think I’d agree to a deal like that?”
“I thought it was a fair trade.”

Daglud tilted his head again.

“If you refuse, you all die. But if you accept, over twenty people live. Can’t you do simple math?”
“Your math is wrong. We’re not all going to die.”

Silphiel took a step forward.

“If you don’t want to die, you’ll let us go. Because I’m far stronger than you.”
“Oh? You’re saying you’re stronger than me?”
“Obviously. I’m the strongest.”
“…The strongest, huh.”

Daglud narrowed his eyes, locking onto her.

“…Interesting. Now I want to see how strong you really are.”

He pulled out a small cylinder engraved with the script of the Porta civilization from his chest.

When he pressed a button on the device, a gleaming silver figure appeared from within the building.

It was a humanoid doll nearly two meters tall with a thin, wiry build.

It had no eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. Its metallic silver skin reflected the scenery like a mirror.

“This doll—was found here in the underground city. I’ve made some improvements to it. Using only the finest materials.”

Daglud looked on proudly as the doll swayed its upper body while approaching.

“This is the Metallic Doll.
If you can defeat it… I’ll let you all leave, unharmed.”

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