Novels online

The Player Who Eats Steel - Episode 212

212fury. 

====================

When Lee Hyun-wook passed through the White Hall and arrived in Suwon, there was still quite a bit of time left until he arrived in Seoul, and Inferno took out two Levitains..

Go—oh—oh—oh——

She walked forward and slowly tilted the large sword larger than her body in both hands from side to side..

Then, the sword body, which seemed to have hardened magma, bubbled up and rose up.—

Per—uh—uh—uh——!

Immediately afterward, huge pillars of fire rose to the left and right as if exploding, giving the appearance of spreading wings..

It was beautiful and powerful, like a phoenix or a Suzaku, a bird of fire from mythology..

And it seemed as if she moved her hands and started to flap her wings.…….

quaddd——!

As the two flame wings touched the buildings on both sides, the outer walls crumbled like sand castles. The rebar inside melted like cheese, and commercial buildings of about 4 to 5 stories collapsed..

"—Pfft! I can breathe……."

"Oh, go inside.!”

Even though Ahn Min-tae's team, who was standing behind her, was quite far away, they couldn't handle the heat and ended up rushing into the subway entrance..

And when I tumbled down the stairs and entered the cold air of the basement, I began to be able to breathe..

"Wow, crazy… … That's Inferno!”

"I've watched a lot of old performance videos, and it looks much stronger than that.!”

The reason was definitely the two red giant swords, Revatiin..

Each time she swung Levatein once, streetlights, trees, and buildings collapsed, and the asphalt within the range began to boil and eventually catch fire, emitting toxic gas..

And the undead who were swept away by that red blow turned into ashes and scattered..

Jeopuk- Jeobok—

When advancing with that much firepower, no matter how large the number was, it was not an obstacle..

Wow——!

Still, the undead army did not stop, and charged towards Inferno, stepping on the ashes of their comrades, throwing and shooting different weapons........

Pa—s—s—s.......

Whatever it was made of, it melted when it touched the flame field surrounding her body..

And 'Levatain' not only had strong firepower, but also had an option to increase fire-related abilities, so the area and temperature of fire that Inferno dealt with had clearly increased..

Also, about a dozen players were approaching her..

"—protect against inferno!”

They were fully armed with heat-dissipating items and could handle the heat. As can be seen from the fact that they were well-armed, they were members of Inferno's attack team..

They were performing a mission to assist Inferno in wiping out enemies to her heart's content by casting defensive magic on her and providing close range cover..

“The quadruple shield has been applied to Inferno.!”

Be alert to your surroundings and protect the boss!”

No matter how strong the weapon is, if it does not have protection ability, it will be destroyed by enemy attacks..

Therefore, many players were bound to come together to protect the main dealer, and at this moment, there were only 18 players guarding Inferno, and their average level was 69..

Returning to them, Inferno opened his mouth..

"Hojin Lee.”

"Yes, sister! Please speak! I hear it!”

The man named Lee Ho-jin took a step closer to Inferno in the dynamic air. Anything more than that was difficult..

"Be more careful than usual. my abilities. Because it has risen several times.”

"yes! For some reason, you’re hotter than usual.!”

Without answering, she made the flames even more fierce..

***

Meanwhile, Lee Hyun-wook was also watching the scene through a live video from a magic drone..

'……As expected, you did a good job replicating Levitain..’

Alain Giam, he brought all kinds of expensive bribes to approach Lee Hyun-wook, and among them, there was an item called 'Extreme Replica (Special)', which had the effect of replicating a 'legendary' grade item with 50% function..

Lee Hyun-wook thought about where to apply it for quite a long time..

As expected, the most suitable one was his main force, Mogley... … Rather than blindly increasing the number of Mogley, we had to make the optimal choice considering the demon lords and necromancers we would face in the future..

'They both have something in common: they both control multiple monsters..’

And since the most suitable range attack attribute when dealing with human tactics was by far 'fire', Lee Hyun-wook's choice was 'the sword that regained heat', or 'Levatain'..

‘Proving that my choice was right.’

But I couldn't just feel relieved..

‘So far, we're just doing a good job of blocking it, so don't expect much more than that..’

Even if Inferno had two Levitains in his hands, if the Demon King and Necromancer responded properly, he could have been defeated in an instant..

They have already experienced killing Inferno once.…….

‘For example, you can take out something like Mystiltain or the Spear of Longinus..’

Both of those items have a legend of killing a god, and based on that motif, the items were implemented as the strongest weapons capable of ignoring all barriers and killing the player with a single blow..

And Lee Hyun-wook predicted that the Demon King would have brought at least one bag of that item from his dimension..

'……He's probably hiding it to use on me..’

However, depending on the situation, the plan could be changed and used against Inferno..

If it even hits Inferno... … Her countless defenses that protect her all become meaningless..

‘You can even die in one hit.’

In other words, Seoul will fall into hell again..

That's why Lee Hyun-wook had to move as quickly as possible..

- Chic—Zeus Ex Machina, start charging.

Lee Hyun-wook turned his head and looked out the window..

Thump—thud—

On the ground, a blue giant soldier larger than most buildings was moving..

Park Jun-mo was preparing to board the Zeus Ex Machina and break through the seal of ‘Sky Castration’..

"But I'm glad it's working again.”

During the previous battle, it was Zeus Ex Machina that was destroyed by Stonox..

However, in order for Laputa to pass through, a fairly large hole had to be made, and it had to be moved somehow in order to attack with that much electric current, so even now, blacksmiths including Kang Hee-seol rushed in to inspect it..

'And there is something to check before entering Seoul..’

Lee Hyun-wook looked again at one of the system messages that appeared before his eyes—the contents of the second level of the hero's privilege..

- congratulations! As this begins in earnest, ‘Hero Perks’ will be strengthened to ‘Level 2’..

* The Demon King gradually evolves every time it takes a life..

1) All abilities increase significantly. (+400%)

2) Resistance to all status ailments increases. (+200%)

3) Can ignore the Demon King's special barrier.

4) You can ‘transfer’ the abilities of friendly players..

'Among these, you need to check number 4..’

He lifted up the Mana Messenger.

“……Please send some AMT soldiers to Pridwen now..”

Lee Hyun-wook was planning to test the new ability of the hero's perk - number 4, 'Ability Transfer', through them..

Soon, a ROK AMT captain and two lieutenants came to visit Lee Hyun-wook..

“—loyalty!”

The tall male captain saluted..

I don't know all three of them well, but seeing as they were carefully selected and sent by Director Woo Seong-moon, they must be trustworthy elites..

Lee Hyun-wook explained the whole story to them..

OK…….

"I……."

At the back, a female lieutenant carrying a cane raised her hand..

"......Well, it turned out that we can also give power to that hero..”

she said, looking into space, perhaps at a system message..

Perhaps the skill trigger was activated automatically for players who were determined to be in the same faction as the hero..

"So, can I just accept this ‘transference’??”

"Would you please do so? The term transfer of ability literally means transferring ability. And I don't know if I can give that power back..”

Three people nodded at the same time at Lee Hyun-wook’s words..

"yes of course.”

"In moments of crisis like this, shouldn't we focus our energy where it's most needed??”

"I agree too.”

This was a bold and noble response..

"This must be a difficult choice, thank you.”

Their levels were 43, 45, and 51 respectively, which could not be said to be low..

In other words, it was an ability that had been gained by going back and forth between firing lines for at least several years, possibly more than a decade. A number that is equivalent to the lives of these people who have dedicated their entire lives... … It might disappear entirely, but I readily agreed..

Of course, this may have been a possible reaction because they were members of the Bihyeongrang team fostered by Director Woo Seong-moon and were armed with patriotism and a sense of duty..

When they stretched out their hands towards Lee Hyun-wook, a blue shimmer spread from their fingertips and permeated Lee Hyun-wook..

OK…….

"Uh—I just lost half my power..”

“……So do i.”

In contrast, Lee Hyun-wook's abilities improved slightly.…….

- Event buff ‘United Power (Stacks: 3)’ is applied.

* All abilities increase according to ‘stack’. (+3%)

* The maximum number of stacks for this ability is 500.

* Player level required for this ability is 40 or higher.

* This ability is maintained only for ‘World Quest’.

In this way, half of the abilities of the player set were lost, but the increase in ability gained by Lee Hyun-wook was only 3%..

But Lee Hyun-wook’s thoughts were different..

'this… … tremendous.’

1% per person, but up to 500 people.

‘That is a 500% increase..’

This meant that a whopping six-fold increase in ability was possible, so Lee Hyun-wook looked blank for a moment, wondering if this made sense..

But you can't just like it, the fact that you have this much benefit is similar to the Demon King... … Perhaps it was because it could be seen that even more fraudulent benefits were being provided..

‘Heroes receive the abilities of their colleagues. And the devil... … Absorb life force to increase ability.’

So they wanted to swallow Seoul whole..

Anyway, in order to build up a stack of this buff, the hero needs a fellow player who trusts him and will give up half of his abilities... … It also required as many as 500 players of level 40 or higher..

‘hmm… … Honestly, it's a difficult situation..’

Who would willingly hand over half of their abilities to a warrior? And where are you going to get 500 people like that??

Compared to the Demon Lord, who would semi-forcibly take the lives of others and gain increased abilities, it was bound to be a very difficult condition..

but…….

'……I have it.’

Lee Hyun-wook turned his head and looked at the dozens of airships filling the sky, and then at Laputa. Their shadows were so numerous that they made downtown Suwon dark in broad daylight..

In addition, the number of players who gathered to fight alongside Lee Hyun-wook was in the thousands, and among them, there were quite a few who believed in Lee Hyun-wook and were ready to sacrifice themselves..

Chic—

"Well, Director Woo, I have a little difficult request for you..”

Lee Hyun-wook carefully sent a mana message to Woo Seong-moon..

OK.......

- Chic - If there's anything I can do at this moment, there's nothing difficult..

Even though I haven't even heard what the request was yet, I agreed early on..

As always, Woo Seong-moon risked his life in this war. And he believed that the victory or defeat of this war depended on Lee Hyun-wook, and he supported Lee Hyun-wook both materially and spiritually. If it meant giving up his life, he would give it up..

And it wasn't just Woo Seong-moon who had that mindset. Almost all of the players here were like that..

Lee Hyun-wook suddenly realized.

'……They are real heroes, ready to die for the world..’

People like this fought until the end even in their past life and died..

It was selected only from such people..

Lee Hyun-wook asked Woo Seong-moon to gather 497 players of level 40 or higher who could transfer their abilities to him..

And within a few minutes, 497 people were selected and gathered in front of Hyunwook Lee. Most of them were members of the Bihyeongrang team under Director Woo Seong-moon, but there were also quite a few who were not..

"Well, if it's about saving the world, it's better for Steele Lane to have it than for me to have it..”

“……It's a bit uncomfortable, but the Korean government said they would take responsibility and compensate..”

It didn't take long after that.

"Will you accept the event related to the hero in front of you and transfer your power to Steelaine??”

At Director Woo Seong-moon's words, without any hesitation, they all followed the explanation of the system message that appeared in front of them and began to transfer their abilities to Lee Hyun-wook..

Just like that, a lot of lights flew in, whoosh, and stuck to Lee Hyun-wook’s body..

"—Pfft!”

As they entered Lee Hyun-wook's body one by one and accumulated, he began to feel a strange pain..

"after......."

He slowly began to accept the power of 497.

And soon…….

- Event buff ‘United Power (Stacks: 500)’ is applied.

'……done.’

For the first time in a long time, Lee Hyun-wook felt a tremendous sense of elation. From the heart to the fingertips... … I could feel the new power flowing like crazy, as if I hadn't yet adapted to it..

‘At this level, much more weapons can be moved simultaneously.. ’

and then—

Pa—ja—ja—ja——!

A blue light exploded from somewhere..

"Wow——!”

Zeus Ex Machina is now operational. Park Jun-mo moved a huge amount of electric current like a storm and struck the dome-shaped 'Sky Castration'..

T-that-that-that——!

Then the red chains surrounding the sky began to break one by one..

"—the passage was opened!”

- Chic—The steel fleet advances toward Seoul..

Team leader Kyojun Lee’s voice.

"Okay, everyone move—let's go again!”

And even the players who lost half their strength were busy and restored to their original duties..

I lost my strength, but I didn't lose my courage or mission..

Immediately, the five leading airships entered the hole and guarded the area. Next, Pridwen and Laputa, which Lee Hyun-wook was riding, moved in that order and entered under the sealed sky..

- Spread to the entire fleet. Full speed ahead to Seoul.

The steel fleet roared its engines and advanced at full speed, entering the skies of Gwanak-gu, or Seoul, in just a few minutes..

OK…….

- The effect of the ‘Savior of Seoul’ achievement is applied in that area. (All abilities + 100%, overlap applies)

In this way, Lee Hyun-wook’s ‘Savior of Seoul’ achievement was activated..

'if it goes like this…….'

- Current steerable metal weight: 1,002,445 kg

'……passed.’

Now it's 1,000 tons.

It was a number that I could never have achieved in my previous life, and that I could not even dare to think about..

However, the ability was able to be achieved thanks to the enormous ability increase requirements and the effect of items such as 4 Mogleys..

and.......

- congratulations! Successfully surpassed the final potential and acquired a ‘characteristic skill’.

Until now, whenever Lee Hyun-wook's metal control reached a certain amount, his existing skills were strengthened or he gained new skills. That was the most basic way to acquire skills other than level growth characteristics..

And just as I reached 1,000 tons, I gained the skill once again and for the last time when I see the words 'final potential breakthrough'..

So this time, the reaction was quite different.…….

"Pfft......."

Lee Hyun-wook felt a certain heat surrounding his entire body..

Strange distortions were occurring throughout the body, as if the structure of the body was being rearranged. As he shook his hands, people around him looked worried..

But Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee were different. Rather, it was a welcoming expression..

"Ugh, this fainting reaction… … You've gained a new skill.?”

Because this has happened several times in the past..

The skill acquired with such a loud omen is…….

[Skill information]

- Name: Lord of Steel

- Grade: EX

- effect

1) Enhancement: Greatly increases the strength of all metals under your control. (Consumes 10 mana per 1kg)

2) Duplicate: You can 'duplicate' metal items of hero grade or lower. However, its performance is limited to 20%, and skill use is extremely limited. (Consumes 100 mana per piece))

3) Area: Forms a 'steel zone' within a 2km radius for 10 minutes. It is possible to create, shape, and fuse metal without restrictions within the area, and the weight limit of metal control is eliminated..

‘Each one of them has tremendous abilities. Especially the replication and area skills... … It's worth turning over.’

If this happens, the Demon King who flew to Seoul to catch Lee Hyun-wook off guard... … Rather, he would be reduced to a senseless beast that entered Lee Hyun-wook's den on his own feet..