Monster Assault (4)
The monster emerged from the lava as if it had been taking a leisurely half-bath, radiating an infernal heat. Mixed with its venomous aura, it created an environment so harsh that merely approaching it could make one cough up blood. Behind him, some of the class kids hacked up coughs laced with blood.
"Kishaaaak!"
The tail at the monster's end whipped around like a lash. The heated stinger tip carried a ferocious poison that could melt flesh on contact.
It's gotten way faster.
Berserk. A skill innate to greenskins like orcs and ogres. It turned their bodies red, boosting attack power and speed.
Damn...
There was no way a mere monster had learned something like that on its own—it had to be something the demon cultists had implanted. They really pulled out all the stops. In that state, it felt no pain, so dragging things out with petty tricks wouldn't work.
Clack.
He kept rotating his sword. Twisting from wrist to forearm. He deflected and nullified the beast's attacks. He furrowed his brow. His body screamed in protest, as if saying it couldn't take any more. Fatigue he couldn't even hide with the contract document crept in. A subtle pain welled up, like massive shackles clamped around his ankles. His reactions slowed, and he started letting a few attacks graze him. Each brush ruined his tactical vest and uniform, stripping away their protection.
Tsk.
Just in case, he clenched his left fist and slammed it into his heart. For a moment, his blood surged rapidly. But that was it—no change like he'd hoped. He'd just wasted stamina for nothing.
Master. Your growth is still insufficient to use that technique yet.
Long-term contract? Even if I could just tweak my senses, it'd be easier.
I apologize. It's impossible.
Fuck.
He needed time to regroup. Time to recover. His current body couldn't keep fighting with the contract document's aid any longer.
If my body was even half—no, a quarter—of my past life's, this wouldn't take so damn long.
He shook his head, suppressing the rising thought. Pointless what-ifs. Since regressing, he'd pushed himself to the limit every single day to build strength. He couldn't go any faster, and beating himself up over it was just self-sabotage. There was no logic in losing a winnable fight over one negative thought.
Right now, just focus on cutting it down.
The monster's body was crumbling bit by bit. It knew its time was short too, so it threw everything at killing him.
"Kishararak!"
The surrounding area shattered and melted. The beast whipped its tail like whack-a-mole, slamming toward him relentlessly. He barely blocked a strike aimed at his back.
Crack—!
The sword he'd been husbanding broke.
Fuck. My ten million won! For a split second, he chuckled at the thought that he should've bought something pricier. Even in this mess, I'm bitching about money? Guess I've gotten numb to crises.
A whoosh cut through the air near his ear. The beast didn't miss the brief opening, pressing its assault relentlessly. Seeing the incoming strike, he gave up dodging.
Not bad.
Magic-smeared claw or not, it'd be fine. Not the tail stinger—taking one hit wouldn't kill him. He'd endured crushing blows dozens, hundreds of times. He'd turn it into an opportunity. Use that flying moment to regroup. Five seconds... no, three would let him jab a syringe into his arm and chug a potion.
As he braced defensively—
Bang—!
A impact rang out, followed by a screech like nails on chalkboard.
"You okay, Choi Siwoo?!"
"...What the hell are you doing?"
Cheolwangguk stood there, clad head to toe in armor. He'd summoned his axe and used it like a shield to take the hit instead.
Cough—!
Blood spewed from Cheolwangguk's mouth. It trickled from cracks in his crushed armor. Pushed back by the force, he bellowed anyway.
"Song Junho!"
In response, Song Junho leaped forward. He planted a foot on Cheolwangguk's shoulder, vaulted high, and raised his sword overhead. Crimson flames wreathed the blade. The magic sword, said to be forged from a fire-mad witch's heart, exuded an ominous power. With a shout, Song Junho plunged it toward the monster.
Kwachik—.
The carapace shattered, opening a small gap.
"Crimson Flame!"
Song Junho uses ultimate skill Crimson Flame (B+).
The roaring flames shifted to blue. Azure flames enveloped the monster's body. The spreading inferno engulfed the area, generating scorching heat.
"...Kiik?"
"...!!!"
But even wreathed in fire, the monster let out a puzzled sound, like what the hell did you do? It casually swatted Song Junho aside like an annoyance.
"Guhk!"
Song Junho flew and slammed into the wall. The monster took the ultimate skill head-on but showed no real damage. That was the insane gap between it and the kids.
"Hey, get out of the way. You know damn well our levels don't match—"
"—I know!"
"What?"
"I said I know. We're not idiots. We get how ridiculous that thing is. Even top Korean awakeners would struggle against it."
"Fuck. If you know, then get the fu—"
"—That's why you're the only one. I saw your swordplay. Fighting you showed me how childish my skills are. So we're putting our hope in you, Choi Siwoo! No one else can get us out alive!"
"...We'll buy you time."
Fuck. What now?
He turned. Song Junho leaned on his sword like a cane, eyes fixed on him. Despite the pain twisting his face, those eyes shone. He scowled at the admiration sparkling in those irises. No way, right? Don't tell me you're gonna get cringey like Cheolwangguk...
"It's all we can do. Sucks, but you're the only one who can kill that thing!"
"......"
He pinched his brow. What is this, a teen drama? Better to swing that sword one more time than spout that crap. Is this some law of the world? Cringey lines give you power?
Still, thanks to them, you should have time to recover.
Tsk... He clicked his tongue and slumped to the floor.
"One minute. That's all I need. Just don't die holding it off."
"One minute... Got it. I'll stake everything to buy you that time!"
Cheolwangguk roared and charged. His axe gleamed silver, and steel golems burst from the cracked floor. While they desperately held the line, he quickly scanned his internals. Mangled organs, bones piercing everywhere amid the bleeding. He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out an intact vial—Jeon Eunbyeol's so-called fake inventory mercy. The vile taste nearly made him puke, but he forced it down. He grabbed the supply pouch from his ankle, jabbed the morphine-adrenaline syringe into his arm. The injected fluid forcibly revived his vigor.
Meanwhile, Cheolwangguk's massive frame soared through the air. Song Junho grimly pressed on, buying time despite the groans.
One minute my ass... They won't last 30 seconds.
He sat cross-legged, slowly regulating his breath. Introspecting, he visualized springs bubbling up from his exposed internals. Droplets fell, merging into a thin stream.
Good. Just a bit more...
Now, to make it a mighty river...
River...
"......"
Master. Focus. Every minute, every second counts!
"......"
Master!
I know, but it's not working!
I know, but it's not working!
It had been over ten years since he'd circulated qi. He'd faced crises before, but always replenished mana differently. Later, slicing through Six Demonic Heavenly Lords, Yurika had filled him up directly—no shortages then. Rusty as he was, it wasn't going smoothly. As mana trickled in and he moved to stand—
Analysis. Taking special measures.
What?
He blurted out dumbly, and a voice unlike Kay's echoed in his mind.
What the hell are you doing? Is that udon noodle slop in your skull? You worthless disciple. What the fuck have you been doing all these years?!
...Crazy?
That distinctive low, powerful voice. Pain stabbed his vitals. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
...Cecilia?
Now you're calling your master's name so casually? You're begging to die!
W-Wait. Hold on!
Even without a hit, he hallucinated being thwacked with a sword hilt. He knew it was just Kay's parlor trick, but ingrained memories triggered automatically.
Breathe properly! Control the flow of qi! If you can't even do that, die right here! No, wait. I raised you for a reason—I'll kill you myself!
He listened silently, focusing his mind under her guidance. Grinding sounds echoed. The thin stream strengthened, surging wildly. Just a bit more—
Song Junho's shout rang out.
"Choi Siwoo! Dodge!"
Song Junho's urgent voice. He sensed the slowly approaching object. Its size, shape, the nose-stinging stench confirmed it.
Poison glob.
The monster, mid-battle, had finished its attack on him. It instinctively knew his actions were dangerous.
Tsk.
Mana reflux be damned—he'd dodge. Better than getting melted.
Then—
Footsteps raced along the outer wall. Distinctly swift and nimble. A trigger pull. The familiar sensation made him smirk.
Bang—!
The shotgun's fiery blast intercepted the incoming venom.
"Siwoo, focus on recovering! I'll block it no matter what!"
Ohana snarled, reloading. Blood scent wafted from her wounds. Smart girl, he thought. She'd hidden a weapon like that without getting caught.
Flames roared higher. Song Junho swallowed agony that threatened to shatter him, swinging Flame Demon Sword like a madman. No attack worked on the beast. Helplessness crashed in, like all his efforts crumbling. But he gritted his teeth. No time to whine. Choi Siwoo had pushed this monster back multiple times. Thanks to him, they could heal the injured kids. Without him, they'd be beast chow already.
"Kisik."
The claw moved. A casual swing shattered Flame Demon Sword. Song Junho's mana backlashed. Shock from the recoil spewed organ chunks from his mouth.
"Song Junho!"
Leg-broken Cheolwangguk bellowed. Shadow loomed overhead. The follow-up would end him, Song Junho swallowed dryly. Guess this is it. But okay.
If I buy just a little time...
Choi Siwoo. He'd figure it out.
Bang—!
"...?"
He cracked open his closed eyes. Confusion at the non-death—then a bloodthirsty voice.
"You closed your eyes? Special training after this."
"...!! Choi Siwoo!"
There he was, staring down. Despite near-death, those unyielding eyes made Song Junho grin.
"What're you smiling at? Don't get in the way—fall back."
He shoved him aside and stepped forward. The monster flinched.
"Kirik."
"Less than 20 minutes in, but damn, we've been at it a while, huh?"
"Kishaak!"
"Yeah, yeah. You're bored too. Let's end this."
The monster raised its claws, gathering them forward. Tail coiled atop. It spun its body like a drill, magic swirling with a whine. He sensed it was all-in. He'd match it.
"Hoo..."
Exhaling, he lowered his stance. Empty broken hand gripped an invisible hilt, sword-drawing pose. Cecilia's voice echoed in his mind—words from his past life.
"Someday, your sword alone won't cut it. Then, draw the sword from your heart."
"What kinda bullshit is that, Cecilia?"
"Call me Master! Anyway, it exists. The realm called Mind Sword Kill. Can't explain details, but you'll see it eventually."
"...You just can't teach it, huh?"
"You wanna die today?!"
He hadn't gotten it then, but now... He etched the will to cleave into his core. Muscles twitched. Skeleton warped, surging like a honed blade. Something hazy gripped in his hand.
But not enough. Insight? Body state? He couldn't wield it fully. He'd force it. Activated Behemoth's Pupil. Purple waves of killing intent flooded everywhere. He compressed forcibly. Focused in his grip, fixed with power and will. Heart and Kill formed a blade of form and style.
He seized the swelling, ready-to-burst energy.
"Kishaak!"
Facing the charging beast. Dragon Horn Step. Floor cratered, spiderwebbed cracks. Overforce tore his palm, blood flowing. He eyed the approaching foe and slashed down. Purple sword-qi shot along the arc. Cracked floor froze. Qi strengthened en route, turning black. Collision.
A momentary clash. One second decided it. Qi pierced claw, shattered carapace, sliced brain and guts, reached the tail.
The spinning beast halted.
"...Ki...ik."
A short death cry, then crack! It split in half.
[Skill core's transcendent regeneration...]
The message window shatters.
The bisected body bleached white and crumbled.
End confirmed—then something caught his eye.
...That?
Paper-like things fluttered around the corpse. The texture, the look—he knew it well.
...Arhat's Contract Document?
Why? It hadn't activated. As he blinked in confusion, the monster fully vanished, leaving only dust.
[Defeated Demon-Blazer Scorpion.]
...Hallucination?
Overexertion? Figure it out later. He wiped sweat and slumped to the floor.