Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Gwangmyeong's Raid (3)
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Hyun-soo was not reckless.
He considered the feasibility of any task before starting it.
From a common-sense standpoint, a level 120 blacksmith fighting Jack alone to save the Saintess was pure madness.
After hearing Bellia's words, he ran dozens of simulations in his head.
There was a way it could be possible.
Guild Gwangmyeong had the dragon knight Risel, who had become the top damage dealer, and Bakeu, the strongest tanker active as an unofficial ranker.
[Guild Master Hyun-soo: How about we hunt the Fifth Calamity?]
[Risel: Sounds good. The Calamities have never been raided before. If we can take one down, it'll have a tremendous effect on Hyeon's Smithy's reputation later on.]
[Nel: I think it's a good idea, too.]
[Bakeu: I’m looking forward to it ^^?]
[Nel: Here's the key issue. No one can break through the power of the Tome of Calamity.]
Hyun-soo thought calmly and then laid out his plan.
[Guild Master Hyun-soo: The barrier doesn't extend to the sky, right? How about you wait above it with the dragon made from the Smelting Sword? I'm guessing that guy Jack will try to restore his weakened power before sacrificing the Saintess.]
[Nel: Sir, are you a genius……?]
[Risel: Now that I'm actually thinking about fighting the Fifth Calamity, I'm getting nervous. Can we really win……?]
[Nel: It won't be easy. Named NPCs have incredibly high HP and defense. Plus, this being called Jack is a higher level than you, Risel and Bakeu.]
Hyun-soo agreed.
[Nel: On top of that, named NPCs are much stronger even at the same level. That's why the key will be how much HP you can shave off Jack, Hyun-soo. His wounds won't just heal when the Tome of Calamity's penalty disappears.]
The plan was perfect, and as it all came to fruition, Hyun-soo aimed at Jack and spoke.
“Guild Gwangmyeong. Commencing the first raid.”
[Fifth Calamity Jack Lv. 365]
[HP below 32%.]
Jack had already taken significant damage from Hyun-soo's Gungnir and Sword's Cry, so the possibility of a successful raid had skyrocketed.
“Th-this...!”
As the bewildered Jack stumbled backward, Risel and Bakeu attacked simultaneously.
Watching their exchange, Hyun-soo walked over to Aria.
*I have to do what I can.*
Jack was a level 365 named NPC. A level 184 Hyun-soo joining the fight against him would only get in the way.
That's why Hyun-soo decided to do what he could.
Which was to forge the Tiger Blade using God's Emergency Production.
Hyun-soo's God's Emergency Production was already on cooldown.
However, according to Bellia, the Saintess Aria could reset the cooldown.
And this Tiger Blade would be far more powerful than the one he had made before.
*Bellia told me. Saintess Aria has a minuscule amount of Asnium.*
The mineral Asnium, said to have been created by Aska.
It was the mineral that held the most divine power in the world.
***
Risel rapidly closed in on the backpedaling Jack.
*Kiiieeeek—!*
With just a swing of the sword, the fierce roar of a dragon could be heard.
Jack, who had been retreating, soon calmed himself.
*Even so, they're ultimately weaklings.*
The difference in levels was immense.
The level gap between Jack and Risel was more than 30.
It was a gap that couldn't be closed, no matter how much damage he had taken or how weakened he was.
Moreover, the difference between a named NPC and a player was clear.
Yes, right now, Risel's actions were akin to a child lunging at an adult.
*K-k-k-krak—*
Dozens of blades of dark magic materialized, forming a single shield.
But then, something strange happened.
The shield of dark magic blades and the dragon-infused sword wielded by the man named Risel.
When two such weapons collided, a sharp *CLAAANG!* should have rung out.
Instead, the shield of dark magic blades was literally sliced apart.
*CRACK!*
“Keuk!”
A spray of red blood erupted from Jack's body as he was cut along with it.
Jack's eyes wavered.
*Why?*
An immense amount of damage had been dealt.
Jack's defense and HP were double that of others at his level.
And as the sword swung again, he felt its keen presence.
*Is it because of this sword?*
Blink.
Jack warped above them.
Looking down at Risel and Bakeu, he summoned a great power.
*Crackle—*
This time, they couldn't be described as mere blades.
Dozens of longsword-shaped masses of dark magic rained down.
In that moment, the man named Bakeu slammed his shield down hard in front of Risel.
The two of them hid behind the shield together.
“Foolish. That shield will crumple like paper.”
The dark magic longswords possessed a power equivalent to a 400% bonus attack.
Until now, no shield had ever blocked his dark magic longswords...
*CLAAAAANG—!*
With a clear ring, the dark magic longsword was deflected.
Only a scratch remained on the shield.
Dozens of longswords fell.
The falling longswords were all blocked by the shield inscribed with 'Aegis', without letting a single one through.
“Tide of Frost.”
*C-c-c-crack—*
Furthermore, an energy surged from the shield.
Jack felt the air around him freeze and looked down at himself.
Before he knew it, he was frozen up to his neck.
*Why is this happening?*
Jack couldn't understand.
***
Pureum Inc. Conference Room.
They had expected the Fifth Calamity's death to occur in two months' time.
After succeeding in summoning an evil god and destroying numerous temples, the Fifth Calamity was scheduled to be hunted as a quest given to the nation's top rankers.
But now, a hunt was being attempted in a completely unexpected place.
“Gwangmyeong is only a level 1 guild, though.”
CEO Lee Se-jin let out a dry laugh.
A guild's level isn't determined by its members' levels, but by their achievements.
By that measure, Gwangmyeong, which hadn't done anything of note recently, was at the lowest level.
On the screen was Jack's bewildered expression.
Those in the room knew why he was so flustered.
“That's right. No matter how strong Risel and Bakeu are, they can't be a match for Jack.”
That was the standard logic.
But there was something that defied it.
“One legendary weapon and one unique that's close to legendary.”
There weren't even ten legendary items on the Korean server.
In other words, they were more valuable and rarer than Jack himself.
Nevertheless, Lee Hae-seok, the head of the story team, spoke with a confident voice.
“They won't be able to kill him.”
“...I agree. The power difference is just too great. Plus, Jack will manifest his Calamity if he deems himself in danger.”
Named NPCs had traits, and his was special.
Having reached that conclusion, they continued to watch the screen.
Five minutes passed.
“Did he do it again...? This is the first time with Emergency Production, isn't it?”
Lee Se-jin's eyes widened in shock.
Story Team Head Lee Hae-seok shot up from his seat, and Team Leader Kim Tae-seok let out an involuntary gasp of admiration.
Soon, Lee Se-jin spoke.
“They might just be able to kill him.”
The reason his opinion had changed in an instant was the notification that had appeared on the screen.
[Approaching the third legend.]
***
Risel and Bakeu.
Their hearts pounded, muscles tensing and relaxing as their entire bodies grew taut with tension.
The battle with Jack was that thrilling for the two of them.
They had also been seized by the arrogant conviction that they could defeat him without Hyun-soo's help.
Bakeu's shield slammed down hard on Jack.
Bakeu, having swung his shield, was taken aback.
Because he saw Jack catch the underside of the shield with one hand, blocking the attack.
Bakeu and Risel couldn't understand.
Mages were weak in close combat.
That's why they thought Jack, now close to them, was prey they could easily take down.
But they were wrong.
Jack was wearing a sinister smile.
“At first, I was surprised. Then, I was impressed. And I wanted to know why.”
Bakeu couldn't understand what he meant.
“I wondered why strong individuals like you followed that man. It seems there was a good reason. The artifacts he creates are magnificent. Now that I know why, my interest has waned. And I've also sensed danger.”
For Jack, who hadn't found a worthy opponent in a long time, this had been a refreshing bit of fun.
Jack was petty and vicious.
[Fifth Calamity.]
[The Calamity of Reinforcement is activated.]
The reason the Calamities were called 'Calamities'.
It was because they manifested their unique traits like a disaster.
[Jack grows even stronger.]
Jack's Calamity lay in strengthening himself.
[Magical Defense increases by 44%.]
[Magical Attack increases by 56%.]
[Physical Defense increases by 54%.]
[Physical Attack increases by 43%.]
[Jack temporarily transcends himself.]
“Do you know why I let you get so close?”
Bakeu and Risel groaned.
A massive amount of dark magic erupted from Jack's body.
It soon formed into spears and scattered in all directions.
*Psh-psh-psh-psh-psh-psh-pshuk—*
[HP below 90%...]
[HP below 60%...]
[HP below 40%...]
The two were pierced by dozens of spears before they even had a chance to dodge.
“Keuk... Dragon's Claw!”
Even as he was sent flying backward, Risel launched a counterattack.
Two sharp claws materialized in mid-air and struck Jack's chest.
*CRUNCH—*
Bakeu and Risel, having taken massive damage, were stunned for over five seconds.
Clutching his chest, Jack walked toward the two of them.
First, he would kill these two, then he would kill that blacksmith.
*There's nothing to fear now.*
[Fifth Calamity Jack Lv. 401]
[HP below 11%.]
He had been drastically strengthened, and it felt as though no one could touch him.
Just then, he felt an immense pressure from behind him.
And something strange happened.
As if someone had flipped a switch, the bright surroundings turned dark as night.
Jack lifted his head and looked at the sky.
Twenty-eight stars had appeared.
*What is this?*
Soon, Jack realized what it was, and a chill ran down his spine.
Artifacts had something called an effect.
But he had never seen a mere artifact change day into night like this.
*What in the world was just created...?*
Breaking out in a cold sweat, Jack slowly turned his head.
There stood Hyun-soo, holding a single sword and looking at him.
***
Hyun-soo, who had obtained a small amount of Asnium from Aria.
The Asnium held in his palm slowly began to float.
The white mineral, known to contain the most divine power in the world.
Hyun-soo grasped the white sword as it was forged into a beautiful shape.
*It will be nothing more than a mirage.*
This newly created sword would vanish in thirty seconds.
But that was fine. Something just as valuable would be returned.
A sword forged from his knowledge and experience, born of his understanding of why the ancestors first created such a weapon.
[The third legend is written.]
The effect activated, and the surroundings were consumed by a darkness like night.
Jack turned, and his eyes met Hyun-soo's.
Jack asked out of pure curiosity.
“...What in the world is that sword?”
“It's a sword called the Tiger Blade.”
The twenty-eight stars in the sky became meteors and seeped into the sword.
“This isn't a sword for cutting. It was crafted with ritualistic meaning.”
*ROOOOAR—!*
A tiger's roar erupted from the sword. The fierce power of divine energy became a wind that swept over Jack.
[Tiger's Aura.]
[The immense power of divine energy weakens you.]
[You are weakened.]
[You are weakened.]
[Fifth Calamity Jack Lv. 331]
[Fifth Calamity Jack Lv. 301]
[Fifth Calamity Jack Lv. 287]
[You are stunned for 3 seconds.]
Jack was hit with a debuff the likes of which he had never experienced in his life, and Hyun-soo spoke about the Tiger Blade.
“The king wished for it.”
Guktaeminan.
“For the people and the nation to all be at peace.”
Taepyeongseongdae.
“For it to be so, at least during my reign. So, create such a sword.”
Hyun-soo swung the sword once more.
[Light of Divinity]
[Inflicts 640% damage to evil or undead beings, extending to a 15m radius.]
A colossal light of divine energy engulfed Jack.
“The sword created for that purpose is this Tiger Blade, the sacred sword of Joseon.”
Jack felt it.
His body was slowly disintegrating.
It was an irresistible power.
The powerful force and pain incinerating his entire body were so intense that he couldn't even scream.
Furthermore, his opinion of the man he'd thought to be of a trivial level changed.
He was not someone to be ignored.
*He was the world's greatest blacksmith, a crafter of peerless arms.*
A strong man, just in a different way.
*Ssssss—*
And so, the Fifth Calamity, Jack, met his complete demise.
And for Hyun-soo, who had killed one of the top named NPCs and an axis of evil, a flood of tremendous reward notifications began to pour in.