Episode 581. To Shine (3)

Looking out over the battlefield.

“Charge!”

Of course, even with my support.

A level 2,000 mob hunted by a Lionheart Knight alone?

Definitely not possible.

‘After level 1,000.’

Because the experience points in each level increase exponentially. Moreover, what is important is not the numbers. The experience gained in order to raise that level becomes even more important.

It’s right, the snout mutters.

“That’s why I said it’s just a number.”

I’m kind of pissed, but ……!

You’re right again, Grandfell.

Words that I once thought were mere bravado begin to make sense.

Maybe that’s why.

I’m able to look at the creature without feeling the slightest bit intimidated.

My current level, [Lv.1,105].

Despite the 900-level gap.

The experience I had accumulated.

It’s so valuable that even if you’re a giant snake from the Eastern Continent, you can’t experience it.

‘Besides, even if I surpass Lee Hoyeol.’

I’m just a ray of light.

Even if I look beyond, there’s an infinitely deep darkness behind me, Grandfell.

Maybe because I have such a strong back.

“When it’s time to be stepped on, do you wriggle, earthworm.”

Gooooooo.

Not overwhelmed by the vastness of the battlefield, I brazenly continued to command, yes, with a real baton in hand. It’s been a while since I’ve had a [Baton of Rhyme], but it’s been effective.

“Hit it faster!”

Dag-dag!

The hooves of the Lionheart Knights, as well as the steeds they rode, began to beat a steeper beat. Venomous fluids gushed out from all over the battlefield under the effect of the transformed field.

puhwag.

But even the sudden explosion seemed slow. The Lionheart Knights dodged every attack, running across the mangled ground as if it were a racing track.

‘It’s like this.’

Do you think my magic particles floating in the air will be a bit embarrassing?

I have a lot of insurance.

I shouldn’t even be able to blush.

‘But you can’t let your guard down.’

I don’t think I’d let my guard down.

Why, look at that ghastly thing. Eight heads, each moving, each exuding life, and one head taunting the Sunrise Warrior.

‘I guess it means there’s still room.’

Maybe, like me, there’s a part of the creature that believes.

For now, it’s just what it looks like.

We can’t leave out the tough-looking skin.

seogeog.

Still, The Sunrise Warrior’s blow cut through its skin.

It was the only scar on its massive flesh, and perhaps that’s why it paid so little attention to the advancing Lionheart Knights.

‘I can tell by the way it’s glaring at me from afar.’

Well, I suppose it could be.

The level of the Lionheart Knights isn’t high.

If you take Harkon aside and average them all, they’re only level 400 if they’re good.

In other words.

‘Weight class difference.’

That’s how players often describe the disparity. The smaller player’s attacks don’t do any damage. The opposite would be death by a thousand cuts.

And yet.

‘You don’t know, do you?’

You’re from the Eastern Continent, not Arcana, so of course you don’t know.

You don’t know the horrors of sword aura, which leather so casually dismisses.

Harkon and Yessica.

Suoooo.

Their swords are imbued with clear sword aura.

Harkon’s sword aura is already at the peak of its power.

Yessica’s sword, while still faint, has become noticeably sharper.

The meaning of the words is simple.

“From a place I couldn’t see.”

The Lionheart Knights.

It means they’ve been through life-and-death battles.

It’s not just Harkon and Yessica.

The Lionheart Knights.

Seuooooo.

Faint but clearly black. All members of the Lionheart Knights were handling sword aura. Yes, this is why I wanted to hunt down this Serpent Head with the Lionheart Knights.

seogeog.
seogeog.
seogeog.

“……?!”

A sword that gently cuts through thick snake skin.

For the first time, the creature’s massive body flinches.

Even if the attack ignores its defense, it won’t do much damage.

‘Basically, it’s going to have a ton of health.’

But isn’t that what boss raids are supposed to be like?

Grandfell’s case was a bit special.

In that sense, I said to Grandfell.

‘Be generous with me even if it’s frustrating, Grandfell.’

If you value efficiency, you might think I’m being a pain in the ass, but ……. If you didn’t like it, you shouldn’t have made me realize I was a light!

I thought to myself.

“Because now I feel like I know everyone’s feelings.”

I know what it’s like to feel like I’m not helping anyone, like I’m just holding them back, because someone else did, so I’m going to do it my way ……. As much as it pains me to say it, I’m going to say it.

Yes, I planned to move forward with them in the way of ‘light’.

‘This is the only way I can do it.’

It’s not a strange vow to make to Grandfell.

Even as I thought about it, I cringed inside.

Grandfell merely blurted it out.

“You’re good.”

Was that a compliment?

For a moment, I thought it was directed at me.

What did I do to deserve that, obviously, dazzling development.

Is that you, looking at the Lionheart Knights?

‘Forget it, I wasn’t expecting anything?’

After grumbling like that, it was the moment to focus on the battle situation again.

With a heavy sound, a great change occurred on the battlefield.

Blinking vision.

[Harkon Kingsguard lands a critical hit].

[Sunrise Warrior lands a critical hit].

[The first head of the Great Yokai of the Valley of Blood, the Cruel God Killer Eight-headed Viper, has been slain].

Kugugugung.

‘This is more than expected, isn’t it?’

After all, it was Harkon, my first swordsmanship teacher. Not to mention the Sunrise Warrior, once again realized the concept of the Arcana Continent called sword aura in Transcendent.

Blood gushed from the severed neck, and Harkon shouted.

“Stand back!”

Even at first glance, it didn’t look like regular blood.

It was venomous.

The blood was also close to purple, as if deadly poison was flowing through it.

“What’s wrong with you?! You look like someone else!”

The Lightning Child shouted, clinging to the Sunrise Warrior.

However, the Sunrise Warrior’s eyes were still fixed on Eight Headed Viper.

“Onya, It’s definitely a new taste.”

As I said, this creature must still have as much faith as its seven heads.

As if to prove that statement, the atmosphere on the field begins to change rapidly.

Cheeeeeee.

[The field is transformed.]

The venomous liquid gushing from the ground begins to vaporize.

Of course, I wasn’t about to let that happen.

I immediately interfered with the scattered magic particles.

“Stop breathing……!!!”

Harkon shouted from the corner of his mouth.

He must have been the first to notice the change.

He looks at me from afar, nods, and calls out.

“Knights of the Lionheart, do not cower!”

I manifest the highest level of spatial magic, 『Ether Barrier』.

The effect is to unfurl a field made of magical particles woven into a more complex and subtle structure. If I told you I knew anything about magic, you’d probably scratch your head.

‘Speaking of space magic, you’d be asking where that kind of thing is located in the Magic Tower.’

That’s right.

There were currently only twenty schools of thought in the tower. Only twenty seats were reserved for the senior mages, the leaders of the schools.

That was why the senior mages, who had nothing to envy, were so eager to attend the regular conferences. If a senior mage could not prove the weight of twenty seats, they would be demoted along with their school.

So where are the unfortunate seniors who have been demoted?

The Amethyst Hall.

In a private chamber of the Magic Tower, accessible only to those with the rank of Senior Mage or higher, they search for the truth in hopes of earning their place as Senior Mages once again.

Spatial magic was one of the legacies of such former Senior Mages. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the Aether Barrier is the magic they invented.

“Consider it an honor, earthworm of the Eastern Continent.”

I mumbled.

“Because you are the first to witness this magic.”

Wouldn’t a quick-witted person have guessed the barrier from the beginning? This means that I, the founder of architectural magic, cleverly took only the advantages of spatial magic and manifested and created it……!

‘Actually, it’s a grand package.’

To tell you the truth, this time too, I managed to catch something after struggling.

You know what?

If I can use it for anything.

I’ll use it my way, because that’s how Lee Hoyeol works.

By the way, check the flashing message.

[Grandfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo changes the field].

I’m stunned.

It’s really ……!

You’re just throwing full names at me without blinking?!

‘It’s a shame there’s no player here but me.’

Anyway, as the system that doesn’t lie professes.

“It’s called the absolute zone.”

No matter how much the field changes in your advantage.

It means there are ways around it.

I was sure I had the upper hand.

‘My allies’ momentum will not be easily broken.’

The only variable is that my magic is running out.

It’s not like I used to be able to rely on the [Blessing of the First World Tree] alone.

I have the Six Sight Brooch that adorns my Dawn Jacket.

[Six Sight Brooch 5/6]

[Set item effect applied.]

[Set Effect currently applied: 5/6]

[1. All base stats are increased by 2 points].

[2. Increases all damage dealt by 10% when attacking boss monsters].

[3. When facing multiple enemies, damage taken is reduced by 10%].

[4. Gain the ‘Awakening’ effect when reaching 70, 50, 30, 10, and 1 percent maximum health during combat].

[5. Entering the ‘Awakening’ state grants you zero magic cost for a period of time].

It means I have the ability to hunt you nobly, overwhelmingly, any way I want. However, there was an unexpected variable. Not from that side, but from our side.

Cackle,

It was the moment when the blood pouring from the throat connected to the severed head stopped. To be precise, it was the moment when instead of blood, the things it had swallowed were regurgitating from the intestines.

Yessica’s urgent voice came through.

“Captain! It’s spitting out humans……! ”

Her report was correct. Something human-shaped was spewing out of its throat, covered in venomous fluid, obviously with arms and legs, but far from human.

Harkon was cautious.

“All forces, stand back and watch.”

I can see why he said that.

It didn’t look like something you’d find on the Arcana continent.

Yes, those were the Eastern Continenters it had devoured.

It was then that Sunrise Warrior’s voice began to tremble.

“…Magnolia, are you there, Magnolia?”

[A status abnormality, ‘delusion poisoning’, occurs in the Sunrise Warrior.]