Chapter 378 |
The plan had been perfect.
It was designed to make the enemy believe that they were at an advantage, instilling them with false confidence, only to topple everything at the critical moment.
The thought of watching Jinhyuk slowly break down as his rear guard turned into a field of devastation had caused my heart to flutter with anticipation.
However.
That hope shattered into pieces starting from this moment.
“Such strength… They have such potent forces?”
I couldn’t believe it.
The beings guarding the giants’ fortress were no less formidable than the immense powers of the 20th floor.
Not to mention the incorporation of creatures like the Beast Summon and Divine Beast, along with the Dragon Race.
“Kyaooooo!”
As the Sweet Potato’s Breath blasted forth, a beam of white light pierced through the air.
The firepower was unimaginable.
A diminutive dragon hatchling was not to be underestimated.
“Aaaah!”
“Av, avoid it!”
The angels hastily drew upon their magic powers.
[‘Sanctuary Deployment: Solomon’s Barrier’ is now activated!]
A shining white fortress emerged around the angels.
The strongest defense skill, layered with holy power—this should be enough to resist the breath attack of a hatchling…
Kwaang!
The fortress crumbled, and the angels behind it vanished in an instant.
Over fifty angels turned to dust and disappeared.
“He’s not just any dragon.”
No ordinary dragon would possess such a powerful breath.
Nor could it be conceivable that one of the ‘First Dragons’ from the 46th floor was present here, as they acted solely in pursuit of their own interest.
Then…
Who exactly was this dragon in front of us?
There was no time left for them to ponder the answer.
“Here comes another one from above!”
The Azure Dragon that controlled the weather, Myeongryeonghuidurumi, began to move.
Considering the angels’ ability to freely fly, their anti-ground capabilities were formidable weapons,
But Myeongryeonghuidurumi had the power to negate that advantage completely.
“Yeah, I’ll have to at least claim I’ve faced angels’ level to save face later when I talk to that dimwitted white tiger and the slowpoke tortoise. At least it’s not like I’ve been fighting riffraff.”
Myeongryeonghuidurumi hypnotized himself to cope.
The thought of serving Jinhyuk, so dignified as one of the Messenger Beasts, had continuously weighed on his mind.
[Myeongryeonghuidurumi activates ‘Meteorological Change’!]
Swoosh!
The heavens parted, and a torrential downpour ensued.
“It’s impossible to maintain balance…”
“Give up the skies! Let’s all descend to the ground! If we stay up here, we might end up colliding with each other!”
The vision of the angels was obscured by dark clouds and thunderstorms, and they fell into panic.
And taking advantage of the chaos…
“Clank!”
Tibon’s phantasmal warhorse broke through the enemy’s lines.
The Aura Blade, heightened with terrifying momentum, struck directly at the forefront angel that had just descended to the ground.
Kwaang!
The strike, carrying the full weight and speed of the horse, hit.
A giant angel narrowly blocked the spectral horseman with his shield.
“Kuh! I heard that cursed undeads do not submit to humans. Why… why would you risk your life to protect this place?”
Tibon’s eyes darkened further at the angel’s words.
“Our master is no ordinary human.”
And.
“I will not tolerate any casual assessment of my master.”
Even if there were curses, only the shareholders affiliated with Old Water Corporation could afford them.
Only those who have been tormented, oppressed, and slaved, shedding their blood, sweat, and tears, have the right to speak!
[Tibon activates ‘Broken Blade’!]
Crackling…
The blade began to rust, and soon turned black.
The Broken Blade.
A skill that corrodes one’s weapon to achieve extreme offensive power.
Kwaang!
Once again, blade met blade.
Amidst the fierce battle…
Finally…
Andria, who had undergone ‘Nine-Tailed Fox Transformation,’ confronted Kijakiel head-on.
“You are… surely, you’re the boss monster of the lower floors, as I remember?”
“Yeah. That’s right. I’m Andria, responsible for the ‘Psych Ward’.”
“Ridiculous. Now even a boss monster has sided with players.”
“Is that wrong?”
“Is that even a question…? You, charged with overseeing a floor of the Tower, are now submitting to a mere climber. Do you think that’s proper? Don’t you have any pride or dignity?”
“Uh huh. I have none of that. I should have been dead from the beginning anyway.”
Andria was meant to be used and discarded, and ultimately sacrificed as a mere component.
That was the fate set for her.
“Pride as a boss or whatever—it all doesn’t matter to me. I can easily throw away such trivialities.”
Her nine tails swayed softly.
Play of the Foxfire.
A skill merging magical and illusionary effects—a very tricky ability to counter.
Especially with the fox’s inherent swift and flexible movements, it was difficult to gain an upper hand.
But no matter how elusive a gumiho might be, she couldn’t stand against Kijakiel.
Kwakwakwakwakwakwa!
The blade sliced the air.
“Aaargh!”
Andria’s body was cast nearly ten meters away.
The sheer force of the blade was enforced with absurd physical power.
This is Kijakiel—the commander of the Battle Angels.
“With mere unique powers, you dare to oppose Eden—the rulers of heaven. You will fully pay the price of your arrogance.”
Then, at that moment.
“There’s quite the gap.”
Something emerged from between Kijakiel’s shadows.
Wolyeong, who had been hiding and waiting for the right moment within the shadows, made her move.
Thud!
The blade that pierced the armor tore into Kijakiel’s flesh.
“…!”
Kijakiel quickly gyrated, minimizing the damage, but for the first time, blood flowed from his body.
A red streak on white armor. “You will indeed pay for daring to step foot where my lord resides.”
The shadow melded into the darkness, revealing itself only when necessary.
Swoosh.
Dozens of shadows sprang from within the shadows.
All of them were elite members of the Shadow Squad.
“Attack.”
“At your command.”
The masked figures unsheathed their swords in unison.
＊＊＊
“There’s no need to worry about the rear anymore.”
Jinhyuk shrugged his shoulders at ease, relieved by his comrades who securely held the base.
“…”
Natae gestured with his hands.
The mirror that had been showing the giants’ fortress vanished completely.
“Why? Don’t want to watch anymore?”
“There’s no need. It’s all going to be meaningless anyway.”
Kijakiel would not be able to fight for long.
Now, exiled from Eden, he would risk other angels intervening if he prolonged the battle.
In other words…
…The plan had failed completely.
“The rear battle is my complete defeat. Honestly, I didn’t anticipate you would be so well-prepared.”
“You seem to give up fast. It would be good if you could give up your life just as quickly… so we can avoid unnecessary trouble.”
With nihilism and blood control sealing his powers, it was clear which side Fortune favored without needing to say.
Swoosh.
Jinhyuk thrust Barnard forward.
Woowooowooong!
A bloody red aura completely wrapped around the blade.
But.
“Too bad, but I’m not one to stubbornly cling to pride or risk my life unnecessarily.”
I find it bothersome. Or rather, I have no inclination to take risks.
Natae deliberately gave up on crossing the dangerous bridge.
“You’re willing to run even with so many of your men still standing?”
“We still have a fair number of believers left. However, if the special force you prepared enters the fray, the lines will collapse instantly, won’t they?”
Natae’s gaze turned to the right.
Across the wide open forest, a faint smell wafted in the breeze.
“Hidden Trolls among the ambush. Selected for their strength, uncharacteristic for those of the lower floors.”
“…Wow. I went out of my way to place them as far as possible, and you still sniffed them out.”
Jinhyuk let out an impressed exclamation.
The second hidden card prepared to ensure absolute perfection.
The Trolls of the Karakal and Frostblade Tribes, along with Dire Wolves, were waiting.
At the moment of tense balance, the plan was to flank and quickly decide the battle, but that cunning fox had noticed.
‘If he’s blatantly running away, he must’ve prepared an escape route as well.’
There’s no way to stop him from using his devotees as a shield and casting a spatial teleportation spell.
At least for now.
“Finally, it’s time to use you. While I leave this place, block that guy.”
“Grrr…”
A strangely shaped Death Knight appeared before Natae.
An undead that had apparently just been created, not having completely shed the visage of a human, drew its sword from its waist.
Sliing!
“That one is…”
Jinhyuk’s eyes narrowed.
He couldn’t possibly misunderstand.
Although covered in black armor, his face was clearly exposed.
Phaeton.
The traitor who had taken on the role of raid leader for this coalition—ending up in a deplorable fate.
Instead of death, he was trapped in a life of eternal submission to Natae’s commands.
“This one was made with particular care, using high-quality ingredients.”
Rare by-products of the Demon Realm and top-tier equipment had been generously invested.
And.
[Natae activates Lv35 ‘Magic Inheritance’!]
A special skill sharing the caster’s magic power with the target.
Kukukukuku!
“Kraaa!”
Receiving Natae’s magic, Phaeton roared violently.
Terrifying magic power erupted from his entire body.
It was to be expected.
Now, Phaeton’s body was imbued with Natae’s strength.
“Kil…l. Destroy… all.”
Phaeton raised his sword high with both hands.
“Well, I’ll retreat for today. Next time, I’ll make sure to come more prepared, as troublesome as it may be.”
Without any attachment, Natae turned his back and cast the spatial teleportation spell.
Gray runes chaotically wove through the air.
Yeah.
He would think that he could escape safely.
[‘Blood Explosion’ unique ability is activated!]
The distance between Natae and Phaeton was merely a few meters.
A drop of blood within Phaeton’s body rapidly expanded.
“I expected that you’d leave Phaeton behind and run if cornered. That’s why I had you use Magic Inheritance to make sure.”
“What does that mean…?”
Natae’s pupils shook like an earthquake.
The activation of the spatial teleportation spell and the explosion of Phaeton’s body.
The two happened almost simultaneously.
Kwaang!
In that split moment, it was sufficient.
“Arrrgh!”
The spatial teleportation was canceled, and the upper half of Natae was swept up in the explosion.
Given the proximity and lack of defensive stance, the result was unsurprisingly devastating.
＊＊＊
“Euuu… Euuuu…”
Natae, having lost a third of his face and right arm, staggered and crawled on the ground.
It wouldn’t be difficult to kill him.
A simple slice of the sword could end his life.
But. Rather than finishing off the wretch here…
“…”
Jinhyuk held Barnard just above Natae.