Chapter 212
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Decisive Battle - 4
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When Lee Hyun-wook passed through the White Hole and arrived in Suwon—while there was still a significant amount of time before he reached Seoul—Inferno drew two Laevateinn swords.
Whoooosh—
She walked forward, slowly tilting the greatswords in her hands—each larger than her own body—from side to side.
At that, the blades, which looked like solidified magma, began to boil—
Fwhoooosh—!
And in the next moment, enormous pillars of fire erupted to her left and right, as if she were spreading wings.
It was as beautiful and intense as a mythical firebird, like a phoenix.
And as she moved her hands, it was as if the wings began to beat…
Craaash—!
When the two wings of flame touched the buildings on either side, their outer walls crumbled like sandcastles. The rebar within melted like cheese, and the four- to five-story commercial buildings collapsed.
"—Ghk! I… can't breathe…"
"Q-Quick, get inside!”
Ahn Min-tae's team, standing behind her, was a considerable distance away, yet they couldn't withstand the heat and finally dove into a subway entrance.
Tumbling down the stairs and into the cool subterranean air, they could finally breathe again.
"Whoa, that's insane… So that's Inferno!"
"I've watched a lot of old videos of her in action, but she looks much stronger now!"
The reason was, without a doubt, the two crimson greatswords, Laevateinn.
With every swing of Laevateinn, streetlights, roadside trees, and buildings collapsed. The asphalt within range boiled before finally igniting, releasing toxic fumes.
And the undead caught in those crimson strikes were reduced to ash and scattered.
Thud— Thud—
Advancing with such firepower, their sheer numbers were no longer an obstacle.
Gryaaaaah—!
Still, the undead legion did not stop. They charged toward Inferno, trampling over the ashes of their comrades, throwing and firing their various weapons, but…
Pshhhh…
Regardless of the material, they melted upon contact with the 'Flare Field' of flames enveloping her body.
Moreover, 'Laevateinn' not only possessed immense firepower but also had an option that enhanced fire-type abilities, so the area and temperature of the flames Inferno wielded had increased significantly.
Additionally, a dozen or so Players were approaching her.
"—Protect Inferno!"
They were fully equipped with heat-resistant items, allowing them to withstand the heat. As their preparations suggested, they were members of Inferno's raid team.
Their mission was to cast defensive spells on her and provide close-range cover, assisting Inferno so she could wipe out the enemy to her heart's content.
“Quadruple barrier on Inferno, application complete!”
“Watch our surroundings and protect the boss!”
No matter how powerful a weapon is, without defensive capabilities, it will be destroyed by enemy attacks.
That's why numerous Players always stuck close to protect the main damage dealer. At this moment, 18 Players were protecting Inferno, their average level being 69.
Turning to them, Inferno spoke.
"Lee Ho-jin."
"Yes, ma'am! Go ahead! I can hear you!"
The man called Lee Ho-jin took one more step toward Inferno through the turbulent air. Any closer was impossible.
"Be more careful than usual. My power... it's several times stronger now."
"Yes! You seem even hotter than usual!"
She didn't reply, instead making the flames rage even more fiercely.
***
Meanwhile, Lee Hyun-wook was also watching the scene through a live feed from a magic drone.
'…As I thought, it was a good idea to replicate Laevateinn.'
Alain Giam had brought all sorts of expensive bribes to get close to Lee Hyun-wook. Among them was 'Ultimate Replica (Special),' an item with the effect of replicating a 'Legendary' grade item at 50% of its functionality.
Lee Hyun-wook had mulled over what to apply it to for quite a long time.
The most suitable choice was, of course, his main weapon, Mogeuley… but rather than blindly increasing the number of Mogeuleys, he had to make the optimal choice considering the Demon King and the Necromancer he would face.
'Both of them share the common trait of commanding large numbers of monsters.'
And when facing human wave tactics, the most suitable area-of-effect attribute was undoubtedly 'flame.' Based on that judgment, Lee Hyun-wook's choice was the 'Sword That Reclaimed Its Heat'—in other words, 'Laevateinn'.
'My choice is being proven correct.'
But he couldn't just feel relieved.
'For now, she's just barely holding them off. I shouldn't expect more than that.'
Even an Inferno wielding two Laevateinn swords could be crushed in an instant if the Demon King and the Necromancer responded properly.
After all, they already had experience killing Inferno once…
'For instance, they could pull out something like Mistilteinn or the Spear of Longinus.'
Both items were based on legends of slaying gods, and as such, they were implemented as ultimate weapons that could ignore all barriers and kill a Player in a single blow.
And Lee Hyun-wook predicted that the Demon King would have brought at least one such item from his own dimension.
'…He's probably saving it to use on me.'
But depending on the situation, he could easily change his plans and use it on Inferno.
If it were to hit Inferno… all the countless defensive measures protecting her would become meaningless.
'She could even die in a single strike.'
In other words, Seoul would once again descend into hell.
That's why Lee Hyun-wook had to move as quickly as possible.
- *Ksshk*— Zeus ex Machina, beginning charging procedure.
Lee Hyun-wook turned his head and looked out the window.
Thump— Thump—
On the ground, a blue colossus larger than most buildings was moving.
Park Jun-mo was aboard the Zeus ex Machina, preparing to break through the 'Heavenly Castration' seal.
"Still, it's a relief that it's working again."
The Zeus ex Machina had been half-destroyed by Stonox in a previous battle.
But to let Laputa pass through, they needed to make a fairly large hole, and to deliver an electrical attack of that magnitude, they had to get it moving somehow. Even now, blacksmiths, including Kang Hee-seol, were swarming it, performing checks.
'And there's something I need to check before entering Seoul.'
Lee Hyun-wook re-examined one of the system messages that had appeared before him—the details of the Hero's Privilege, Stage 2.
- Congratulations! As the <World Quest: Invasion of the Demon King> officially begins, your 'Hero's Privilege' has been enhanced to 'Stage 2'.
* The Demon King's Castle evolves each time it takes a life.
1) All stats are greatly increased. (+400%)
2) All status effect resistances are increased. (+200%)
3) You can ignore the Demon King's special barrier.
4) You can receive 'transferred' abilities from allied Players.
'Among these, I need to check number 4.'
He raised his mana messenger.
“…Please send a few A.M.T soldiers to the Prydwen now.”
He planned to test the new ability from the Hero's Privilege—number 4, 'Ability Transfer'—through them.
Soon, one ROK A.M.T Captain and two Lieutenants came to see Lee Hyun-wook.
“—Sir!”
The tall male captain saluted.
He didn't recognize any of them, but seeing as Director Woo Seong-mun had carefully selected and sent them, they were surely trustworthy elites.
Lee Hyun-wook explained the situation to them.
Then…
"Um…"
The female lieutenant at the back, who had a staff slung over her shoulder, raised her hand.
"…It's just that, we also got a notification saying we could transfer our power to the Hero."
She said, looking into the empty air—presumably at a system message.
It seemed the trigger for the skill had automatically activated for any Player designated as being on the same side as the Hero.
"In that case, should we accept this 'transfer'?"
"Would you be willing to do that? 'Ability transfer' literally means you'll be handing over your abilities. And I don't know if I can return them."
At Lee Hyun-wook's words, the three of them nodded simultaneously.
"Yes, of course."
"In a crisis like this, shouldn't we concentrate our strength where it's needed most?"
"I agree."
It was a response that was beyond bold; it was noble.
"That must have been a difficult choice. Thank you."
Their levels were 43, 45, and 51 respectively—by no means low.
In other words, these were abilities they had raised by crossing the line between life and death for at least several years, perhaps even over a decade. Numbers that were tantamount to their entire lives, dedicated to this path… and though it all might disappear, they readily agreed.
Of course, this reaction was perhaps only possible because they were members of the Bihyeongrang Team, fostered by Director Woo Seong-mun and armed with patriotism and a sense of duty.
As they reached out their hands toward Lee Hyun-wook, a blue shimmer spread from their fingertips and seeped into him.
Then…
"Ah— Just now, half of my power disappeared."
“…Same for me.”
In contrast, Lee Hyun-wook's abilities had only slightly improved…
- The event buff 'United Strength (Stacks: 3)' has been applied.
* All abilities increase according to the number of 'stacks'. (+3%)
* The maximum number of stacks for this ability is 500.
* The required Player level for this ability is 40 or higher.
* This ability is maintained only for the duration of the 'World Quest'.
Thus, although three Players had lost half of their power, the boost Lee Hyun-wook received was a mere 3%.
However, Lee Hyun-wook thought differently.
'This… is incredible.'
It's 1% per person, but the maximum is 500 people.
'That means a 500% increase.'
It meant a six-fold increase in power was possible. Wondering if that even made sense, Lee Hyun-wook wore a dazed expression for a moment.
But he couldn't simply rejoice, because if he had a benefit this great, it meant the Demon King likely had a similar… or perhaps even more broken, advantage.
'The Hero receives power transferred from his comrades. And the Demon King… absorbs life force to gain power.'
That was why he was trying to swallow Seoul whole.
In any case, to build up stacks for this <United Strength> buff, the Hero needed 500 allied Players who trusted him enough to give up half their power… and they had to be level 40 or higher.
'Hmm… honestly, that's a difficult condition.'
Who would readily hand over half of their power to the Hero? And where would he find 500 such people?
Compared to the Demon King, who would semi-forcibly seize the lives of others to gain power, it was an extremely demanding condition.
However…
'…I have them.'
Lee Hyun-wook turned his head and looked at the dozens of airships filling the sky, and at Laputa. There were so many that their shadows cast a dim gloom over the daytime cityscape of Suwon.
Furthermore, the number of Players aboard them, gathered to fight alongside Lee Hyun-wook, was in the thousands, and among them were not a few who trusted him and were prepared to make a sacrifice.
*Ksshk*—
"Director Woo, I have a somewhat difficult request."
Lee Hyun-wook carefully sent a mana transmission to Woo Seong-mun.
In response…
- *Ksshk*— At a time like this, if it's something I can do, then nothing is difficult.
He had agreed before even hearing the request.
As always, Woo Seong-mun had staked his life on this war. He believed the outcome rested on Lee Hyun-wook's shoulders and was supporting him body and soul. If asked to give his life, he would.
And he wasn't the only one with that mindset. Nearly every Player gathered here felt the same way.
Lee Hyun-wook realized anew.
'…They are true heroes, ready to die for the world.'
These were the kinds of people who had fought to the very end and died in his past life as well.
Only such individuals had been gathered here.
Lee Hyun-wook asked Woo Seong-mun to gather 497 Players, level 40 or higher, who could transfer their abilities to him.
And not even a few minutes later, 497 people were selected and gathered before Lee Hyun-wook. The majority of them belonged to Director Woo Seong-mun's Bihyeongrang Team, but a considerable number of others were mixed in as well.
"Well, it's to save the world. It's better for Steel Rain to have it than me."
“…It feels a bit iffy, but the Korean government said they'd take responsibility and compensate us.”
The rest didn't take long.
"Will you please accept the Hero-related event before you and transfer your power to Steel Rain?”
At Director Woo Seong-mun's words, without a moment's hesitation, they all began to transfer their abilities to Lee Hyun-wook, following the instructions on the system message that appeared before them.
And so, a multitude of lights flew in—*whoosh, whoosh*—and clung to Lee Hyun-wook's body.
“—Ghk!”
As they entered his body one by one and accumulated, he began to feel a strange pain.
"Hoo…"
He slowly began to accept the 497 sources of power.
And soon…
- The event buff 'United Strength (Stacks: 500)' has been applied.
'…It's done.'
For the first time in a long while, Lee Hyun-wook felt an incredible sense of exhilaration. From his heart to his fingertips… he could feel the new power flowing wildly, as if it hadn't yet adapted.
'With this much, I can move far more weapons at once.'
And just then—
Bzzzt—crack—!
A brilliant blue light erupted from somewhere.
"Uwaaaah—!"
The Zeus ex Machina, now activated, was in motion. Park Jun-mo manipulated a tremendous amount of electricity like a storm, striking the dome-shaped 'Heavenly Castration'.
Crack—shatter—!
At that, the red chains encircling the sky began to snap one by one.
“—The path is open!”
- *Ksshk*— Steel Fleet, advance toward Seoul.
Team Leader Lee Gyo-jun's voice.
"Alright, everyone move out—we're departing again!”
And the Players who had lost half their power also moved busily, returning to their original duties.
They had lost power, but not courage or their sense of mission.
Immediately, five airships at the vanguard entered the opening and secured the area. Following them, the Prydwen, which Lee Hyun-wook was aboard, and then Laputa moved in, passing under the sealed sky.
- Transmitting to all fleets. Proceed to Seoul at full speed.
The Steel Fleet pushed its engines to the limit, advancing at full speed, and within just a few minutes, they were able to enter the airspace over Gwanak District—in other words, Seoul.
Then…
- In this area, the effect of the 'Savior of Seoul' achievement is applied. (All abilities +100%, stacks apply)
Thus, Lee Hyun-wook's 'Savior of Seoul' achievement activated.
'If this is the case…'
- Currently controllable metal weight: 1,002,445kg
'…I've surpassed it.'
It's 1,000 tons now.
It was a number he could never have achieved in his past life, a number he wouldn't have even dared to imagine.
But thanks to the incredible stat-boosting conditions of <War Hero>, <Hero's Privilege>, <Savior of Seoul>, and <Dragon Slayer>, as well as the effects of items like the four Mogeuleys, he was able to achieve it.
And…
- Congratulations! You have succeeded in the Final Potential Break and acquired a 'Trait Skill'.
Until now, whenever his metal control reached a certain threshold, Lee Hyun-wook's existing skills would be enhanced or he would gain new ones. That was the most basic skill acquisition method for a non-level-based growth trait.
And just now, upon reaching 1,000 tons, he had gained a skill once more—and seeing the words 'Final Potential Break,' it would be the last.
Therefore, this time, the reaction was quite different…
"Ghk…"
Lee Hyun-wook felt a certain heat enveloping his entire body.
A strange twisting sensation, as if the very structure of his body was being rearranged, was occurring throughout him. As his hands trembled, the people around him shot him worried glances.
But Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee were different. They actually looked pleased.
"Ah, this 'about to faint' reaction… You've gained a new skill, haven't you?"
This had happened a few times in the past.
The skill he acquired with such a dramatic prelude was…
[Skill Information]
- Name: Lord of Steel
- Grade: EX
- Effects
1) Reinforce: Greatly enhances the durability of all controlled metals. (Consumes 10 mana per 1kg)
2) Replicate: Can 'replicate' metal items of Hero grade or lower. However, their performance is limited to 20%, and skill usage is extremely restricted. (Consumes 100 mana per item)
3) Domain: For 10 minutes, creates a 'Zone of Steel' within a 2km radius. Within this zone, you can create, shape, and fuse metal without restriction, and the weight limit for metal control is removed.
'Each one of these is an incredible ability. The Replicate and Domain skills especially… they're enough to turn the tables completely.'
If that was the case, the Demon King who flew to Seoul to catch Lee Hyun-wook off guard… would be reduced to a foolish beast that had walked right into Lee Hyun-wook's den on its own.