Chapter 144: Because I'm Used to It
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 144: Because I'm Used to It
Something had emerged.
—W-What on earth is that…!
—What is this intense mana…?!
Something was slowly descending from the upper exit of the Dynamic Entry Arena, its wings fluttering as they scattered a dark purple mist.
It held a human shape, but the mana radiating from it was anything but human.
That was only natural, considering it was emitting the mana signatures of a 7th Stratum Elite Entity from Hechituk and the 5th Stratum Boss of Roanmarie simultaneously.
Furthermore, what was with that eerie, drifting mist? It looked as though one’s skin would rot away the moment it touched.
Then there were the beastly horns enveloped in an alien flame and the hideously elongated tail. Despite the announcer referring to the figure as "him," he looked every bit a monster in the shape of a human male.
In fact, the Red Ogre Warchief and the Haunted Centurion Armor—who lacked wings, tails, or horns—looked almost human by comparison.
—Sssssss!!
—Grrrr…
Even the two bosses, despite the loathsome scent the newcomer gave off, hesitated to face him.
The purple mist grew thicker with every flap of his wings, filling the vast arena. Exposed to the mist, the two stratum bosses began to back away, sensing something wrong with their bodies.
The audience’s concern was no longer whether the thing that had just appeared was human, or who would win the fight.
They were now wondering if they would even make it out alive.
People usually say the most entertaining fights are between weaklings. The audience had been enjoying watching the talentless and low-level monsters scrap in the wide arena. Because of the arena's size and the high elevation of the stands, it was usually difficult for the sparks of battle to reach the spectators.
—H-Hey!! Is this really okay?!
—If that mist touches us, we’re all dead!!
In truth, the mist was actually the toxic spores of the Poison Mushrooms found at the entrance of Roanmarie. However, magic is a force whose power can change drastically depending on the user’s mana core.
The 5th Stratum Boss, Queen Arachne, was inherently venomous and an incredibly powerful monster. Meanwhile, Tenebrax’s dark purple flames possessed the devastating power to incinerate living flesh.
As the two mana cores resonated, they transformed the Poison Mushroom spores—which normally only caused mild hallucinations and paralysis—into a lethal tool of slaughter capable of killing most monsters on contact.
Fortunately, Tenebrax’s power allowed the caster to directly control which areas were affected and which were not. It was the same reason the wicked flames clinging to the horns of the Blue-Horned Deer (which were no longer blue) didn't burn Yoo Eon’s own head.
But how could the audience know that?
—Dammit, save me!!
—Kyaaaaah!!!
The announcer hurriedly tried to calm the crowd, launching into a long-winded speech about a hundred reasons why they were safe to the front-row spectators who had jumped up and were screaming.
Beside the announcer stood a smiling female mage. Dressed in a wide-brimmed hat and a luxurious robe, she looked like a powerful mage at a glance.
[It is alright, everyone! This barrier I’ve created will never break!]
Of course, cold sweat was pouring down her smooth back.
What is that monster…?! It’s a relief the mist has no physical force, but if it takes a powerful impact, the barrier might actually shatter…!
Fortunately, she wasn't someone who had lied on her resume to get a job at the arena. Still, that monster was simply off the charts. It was a moment that made her reflect on her past, wondering if she had been a bit too lax in her barrier magic studies back at the Academy.
I guess I should start now.
Regardless of the chaos, Yoo Eon was timing his entry. Having lived in 21st-century Korea, where provocative content was rampant, he saw no need to force a start while the audience was in a panic and the announcer was sweating bullets. Once the crowd had settled down somewhat, Yoo Eon began his performance.
—Clang…!
Yoo Eon raised the massive, pitch-black greatsword in his right hand toward the sky. At 1.7 meters long, it was certainly not a weapon an ordinary person could swing with one hand.
—Gasp! Look at him…! He lifted that weapon!
—He’s about to start the fight!!
Currently, his entire body was infused with muscles more special than usual. These were the mana muscle fibers that had been packed inside the eight slender legs that supported Queen Arachne’s massive frame.
Originally, the muscles of a spider were slightly different from those of humans. While they used muscles normally for contraction, they used a hydraulic extension method involving internal body fluids for expansion.
Of course, a monster as massive as Queen Arachne didn't rely solely on that. Instead, it used mana to reinforce the muscles inside its relatively thin legs to move.
Unintentionally, Yoo Eon had found a way to convert the surplus mana generated by Tenebrax’s Dragon Heart into physical strength.
—Whoosh!!
The pitch-black longsword lunged forward with that reinforced mana. To an onlooker, it seemed as if a demonic sword had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
* * *
“Ah, I didn't bring a weapon.”
“That’s fine. We have weapons prepared here!”
“The weapons used by the talentless are a bit too weak.”
“We have some surprisingly sturdy ones over here as well.”
Just before heading onto the stage, Yoo Eon realized he had forgotten his weapon. As he was looking through the spare weapons provided by the arena…
“What is… this?”
“Ah, that is the Demon’s Greatsword!”
“The Demon’s Greatsword?”
The name alone gave off the vibe of a rare demonic blade. Furthermore, its sleek black design and the purple gem embedded in the center made it feel as if it possessed some mysterious mana.
“Yes, isn't it cool?”
“Is it a very strong weapon?”
“Of course not. It’s just a decorative sword made with a bit of Rare Metal so it won't break easily.”
“Oh.”
“It doesn't have any special abilities, but the audience loves it when someone carries it out. Doesn't it look like a magic sword?”
It was a form of entertainment. He wasn't going out there to film a desperate struggle for survival anyway. Though it was a decorative sword, it was still functional for actual combat. It contained Rare Metal, and the blade was surprisingly well-honed.
“I’ll take this one.”
* * *
A massive greatsword swung down from the sky without warning. Not only did he wield the enormous blade effortlessly with one hand, but every swing released a noxious purple mist.
The Haunted Centurion Armor fluidly blocked the powerful strike descending from above. Though momentarily overwhelmed by the dramatic entrance and terrifying appearance, the Haunted Centurion Armor was a formidable warrior who had earned its place as a 3rd Stratum Boss through its swordsmanship.
—Screeeech!!!
Yellow sparks flew as the two greatswords clashed. Taking a half-swording stance to effectively neutralize Yoo Eon’s blade, the Haunted Centurion Armor angled its tip toward the ground, sliding Yoo Eon’s sword away.
Whoosh—!!
In the same motion, it spun its body halfway and executed a masterful horizontal slash with exceptional strength.
—Clang!!
Despite taking that powerful force directly to the face, Yoo Eon didn't have a single scratch.
“…!”
A brief silence followed. The Haunted Centurion Armor was stunned that its blade, which could even cleave stone statues, had been easily stopped by armor of unknown composition.
—Creak…
Then, with a sickening sound like a rusted hinge, Yoo Eon slowly turned his head.
The sight of him slowly turning his head after taking a powerful blow to the neck made him look like a monster straight out of a painting. Some might have even thought Yoo Eon had a talent for acting.
In reality, Yoo Eon’s head was just ringing after taking the heavy sword to his chin, and he had simply been slow to turn his head.
My brain is rattling.
Seeing this, the Red Ogre Warchief decided this was the moment. It charged at Yoo Eon, crushing the ground beneath its feet. From its perspective, watching from behind, it looked as though the Haunted Centurion Armor’s greatsword had landed a clean hit.
It rushed behind the stationary Yoo Eon and threw a massive punch, which landed squarely on his back.
—Boom!!
It was a punch of devastating power, delivered by a fist the size of a human torso from a four-meter-tall creature. Normally, exposure to such physical force without any countermeasures would send someone flying through the air, rolling across the ground, and slamming into a wall.
—Skreeeee!!
As Yoo Eon was being propelled forward by the punch, four long, thin spider legs erupted from his back and slammed into the ground like stakes.
Immediately after retracting the spider legs, Yoo Eon spread his wings wide and seemed about to soar into the sky, when—
—Crack, crackle.
The tip of his tail split open, spitting out something white and mysterious. The projectile was both fast and thin; the Haunted Centurion Armor, with its excellent agility, managed to dodge it by a hair’s breadth.
“Sssssss…!!”
The Red Ogre Warchief, unfortunately, was not so lucky. What Yoo Eon had spat from his tail was none other than Queen Arachne’s spider silk. While the Red Ogre Warchief struggled to free its limbs from the tangled webbing…
Yoo Eon descended slowly from the sky as if pronouncing a death sentence and began walking toward the Red Ogre Warchief.
Seeing this, the Haunted Centurion Armor rushed over with quick footwork and shredded the spider silk with its greatsword.
“Sss…!”
“…”
The Red Ogre Warchief, having been saved. The Haunted Centurion Armor, who had provided the help.
The two boss entities nodded to each other and stood back-to-back, prepared to face the approaching death together.
—Urgh…!! Win!! Fight back, Ogre Warchief!!
—The Living Mail is so cool!!!
—I’m a fan!!!
—Kill that monster already—!!!
The audience was moved to tears by the magnificent display of camaraderie. Yoo Eon, with no one on his side, felt lonely.
Well, I’m used to being the villain…