Declaration of War (1)
After the reflection meeting, our strengthened bonds allowed us to climb Babel even faster.
Death Dragon King Desmuth's Nest
A undead dragon over 20 meters long flapped its rotting, tattered wings and let out a thunderous roar.
The sound was so deafening it left my ears ringing.
"Isn't it cheating for a beast that huge to fly around like that?"
The worst part was that it could spread its wings and move freely. Its speed was insane—it could swoop down on us ground-dwellers in an instant and unleash a breath attack.
"Earth Golem! Ice Golem!"
Two massive golems burst forth in a flash, serving as meat shields. Thanks to them, we avoided taking the breath head-on.
But we still had to tank the poison laced within it. Even indirectly, the agony of melting flesh surged through my skin.
"Heal us up right away. It just burned through its breath, so now it's gearing up for close combat. That's our damage window—stay sharp, everyone."
As Park Se-eun quickly briefed us, the beast lunged with fangs and claws, trying to bite and topple the ice golem.
But the ice golem had a passive that froze nearby enemies. After prolonged contact, the Death Dragon King's teeth froze solid and shattered off.
"Now!"
The earth golem's massive fist smashed into the Death Dragon King's face. Boom! Ice shards exploded, and a chunk of its jaw tore free, dangling limply.
"Even if half its body is gone, it keeps moving fine. Don't get cocky!"
"Got it!"
Chae-young pushed to the front lines, using instant teleport to harass its eyes and nose. Even as an undead, did it still have nerves? It screamed in agony.
It must feel like rotting alive. A truly horrific existence. Better put it out of its misery quick.
"Pour on the damage as hard as you can! Don't stop!"
The assault continued relentlessly. The priest player fired holy fists— a trait that dealt bonus damage to unholy foes.
Normally, it wouldn't do much, but this thing counted as unholy. The extra damage blew its head open.
On top of that, the archer's petrifying arrows sniped it. The headshot landed critically.
"Nice! Finisher, if you please."
That was my cue. I swung my scythe wide at the battered Death Dragon King's head, severing its neck.
But maybe because it was half-dead already, decapitation wasn't enough. It still writhed, trying to spew more poison.
Of course, I didn't let it. Another swing obliterated its life vessel entirely. The double-slash procced, chaining into follow-ups.
◈ The helmet used by Death Dragon King Desmuth in life. Grants powerful resistance to all diseases and poisons.
◈ Can resurrect and control corpses of monsters or people below the player's current level, ignoring conditions.
◈ However, all corpses retain only half their living stats.
Valkyrie Reinforcement: Valkyries now wear armor forged from solid solar metal. They can burn impious enemies nearby.
Jackpot—leveled up and scored loot at the same time. My new level was 55, and the party hit 52.
It was an upgrade to the solar cape trait I'd missed before. No-brainer—I took it.
"Whoa...! Isn't this an epic item?"
"E-Epic?!"
My first epic in ages. And one I could actually use.
"Going full summoner tree wouldn't be bad. Your main body's no slouch either."
"I think so too."
Seemed smarter to pivot from close-combat warrior to summons. Valkyries and corpse revival... definitely geared more for Babel than PvP.
'Is this really okay?'
Knowing Master was in danger, was it fine to pick this? Guilt flickered.
If she got hunted by even stronger foes... if I lost her, I wouldn't survive it.
'Gotta talk to Master about this later.'
Before I knew it, my mindset—my entire playstyle—revolved around her. It felt off, but there was no turning back.
"Oh, your trait? Pick whatever. I don't care."
Unlike what I'd expected, Master brushed it off coolly. Did she not want me fighting alongside her?
"You're the strongest player in Korea. I've never seen a better bitch, even if I scrub my eyes raw."
"I know, but... numbers beat skill, right? Even the top player."
"True enough. I'd guess a party averaging level 70 could take me down."
With her at 89, yeah—a level 70 average would win. They'd have solid experience too.
"Top guilds always have one or two parties averaging 70."
Put another way, Master could solo a top guild's elite squad. Taking out level 50s took battalion-level firepower. Level 70s? Just 20 levels higher, but 100 times tougher. Probably needed division-level force.
"So don't worry about me. Like telling a celeb not to sweat their fortune? Same diff."
"Still, I wanna fight by your side. Don't be so cold."
"Hm... wanna fight with me, huh? Talking like you're my husband or something."
She pressed in close. We were mid-serious talk—cut it out. I couldn't hold back a sigh.
"Who said anything about marriage? Quit the weird talk and think countermeasures!"
"You already like me. You know it."
"What kinda nonsense—! Cut it out."
But Master didn't stop. Ignoring me, she closed in further.
Swoosh... My dick, still hard, got swallowed up. Strength drained from my body, muscles going slack.
I had something important to say. This'd make me forget...
...Luckily, right before her tits smothered my face, it came back.
"Master, so... you're really safe?"
"You know that's like fretting over a lion's safety on the savanna?"
"Skip the lame analogies. Your safety is my safety—you get that."
She snorted, exasperated.
She'd been dodging since earlier, but I had to say it.
Were we really safe? I didn't think so.
"Master. You know this isn't something to laugh off. That National Intelligence Service we crushed recently—if they come for revenge..."
"Crush 'em again? I let 'em live. If they come back, no grudge, right?"
"No... that's not—!"
Why was she so damn optimistic? If the president's head spun fully and ordered us dead...
"Scared? Then get stronger. Anyway, time to come he—"
"Problem is, it'll take months for me to catch up. Master..."
"Mm, level 55 now? Mid-tier player. You'll catch me soon."
Forty-four levels left, lady.
"Honestly? It's a crisis. If I were president, I'd send assassins regardless. It's inevitable eventually."
"See?!"
"But messing with someone like me ain't easy. They'd need a top guild's elite party—costs more than a regular army."
Translation: plenty of time. No secret budgets for that. Probably hit her with media smears first.
President was ally now, but after that scandal, he'd turn enemy eventually.
"If it happens, I'll protect you, Master."
"Do that."
"...I'll protect you, no matter what. Even if the whole world turns against us."
"What's this romantic bullshit?"
And, in the cruelest twist...
It became reality soon enough.