Confident Mimicry
You possess the Warden's Sword!
The Golem will not attack you!
I knew it!
Cain stared at the golem with newfound confidence. They say even a school dog can recite poetry after three years, and Cain, who had rolled around as a slave of Archisus for just as long, was confident he could at least mimic Tae-hyun.
“Hear me, Golem! Listen to my words! Obey me! Become part of my army!”
Your Speech skill is extremely low.
The Golem looks at you as if you are a lunatic.
The hybrid golem tapped its finger against its temple, spun it in a circle, and walked away.
“...”
Cain’s face flushed a deep crimson. The party members behind him couldn't even bring themselves to speak, quickly averting their eyes. Even the three captives were so embarrassed on his behalf that they kept their mouths shut!
“I-I told you to listen to me! I have the Warden's Sword! Hey! Listen to me! I said, listen!”
The party members grabbed Cain by the shoulders to hold him back.
“Calm down, you lunatic!”
“Just because you have a sword doesn't mean you can order them around! It's just for identification!”
In Alcott’s eyes, that sword merely served to prove one's identity as the warden, thereby preventing the golem from attacking. That was the extent of its power! Standing there and shouting, “Become my subordinate!” was sheer madness.
“But Kim Tae-hyun orders them around...!”
“Don't talk nonsense. Well, actually... maybe Kim Tae-hyun could. Regardless! Don't do anything stupid. Just stay still!”
Alcott stopped Cain, fearing he might actually provoke the golem. It was already a blessing that the golem wasn't attacking, so why was he being so greedy?
Meanwhile, Tae-hyun and Lee Da-bi were busy dismantling the main gate.
“Let's destroy just the edges as much as possible, then have Towang-i swallow it.”
—???
“That's a great idea,” Lee Da-bi agreed.
—?????
Clang, clang, clang—
You are destroying the Iron and Blood Fortress Main Gate!
Your Infamy rises!
Your Strength stat has increased!
Your Blacksmithing skill proficiency has increased!
Ah, where should I install this?
Tae-hyun happily hammered away, lost in pleasant contemplation. The Valley's fortress walls would be nice, but the Great Temple's main gate sounded excellent as well...
“The first wave is coming!”
“Everyone, get re—”
Kaaaa-boooom!
As the demon army's first offensive began, the players tensed up. They prepared to unleash their attacks the moment the enemy drew near... but a devastating barrage of explosions rained down before they could even start!
The Valley's defenses have been unleashed!
A giant shockwave spreads across the battlefield!
The heavens shake and the earth crumbles!
“W-What was that?”
“What just happened?”
The players stationed atop the walls and fortresses blinked in disbelief. Just a moment ago, there was a blinding flash, and then a massive explosion swept through the surrounding area. The bombardment felt like it lasted for dozens of seconds!
Currently, all the terrifying NPCs Tae-hyun usually traveled with were deployed in the Valley. To make matters worse, the ecstatic Mechanical Engineering Blacksmiths were there as well.
“Just one shot! Please, let me fire just one shot!”
“Calm down! There are no enemies yet, who are you going to shoot? It was banned last time!”
“Damn it! I made a new bomb! I went through all the trouble to develop it!”
“Guys! Good news! Demons are invading the Valley!”
“Whoaaa!!! Awesome! We're under attack!”
And now, the results of that excitement were unfolding right before their eyes.
“C-Crazy...”
“That power is absolutely insane...!”
Gulp.
The players who were live-streaming stopped their commentary and swallowed hard. It was an overwhelmingly intimidating sight. The players already knew the Valley possessed incredible firepower. After all, their bomb items boasted massive destructive power, and the subordinates Tae-hyun brought along were highly capable NPCs.
However, the Valley's firepower seemed to multiply every single time they saw it. At this rate, were they going to fire a continent-splitting cannon next?
“They're on our side, but they're seriously terrifying.”
“If we go down to fight and get caught in their bombs, we'll get logged out in one shot.”
With various buffs and the giant cannons of the Valley, the concentrated firepower was beyond imagination.
“...But they're our allies right now!”
“Exactly!”
In a situation like this, those lunatics were incredibly reassuring. The players found their courage. In such large-scale battles, tension was inevitable, but seeing their allies unleash such powerful magic—no, artillery fire—caused their morale to skyrocket.
“Come on! We're ready too!”
“Warrior party, ready? We charge when they get close!”
“Skill read—”
The first wave of the Demon Army has failed!
The Demon Army is temporarily retreating!
“Huh?”
“Wait, no! Hey! Where are you going! Come back!”
“I just lit my arrows on fire!”
The demon army retreated due to massive casualties. The players on the walls screamed in frustration. Come back, you cowards! We haven't gotten any EXP yet!
◈ Type: Accessory / Clothing
◈ Description: A luxurious item left behind by a high-ranking prisoner of the Ancient Empire.
“I-Is this heaven?”
“Hmm. Considering how many dead people are here, it does feel a bit like heaven...”
Currently, the group was searching the cells one by one. It was a luxurious underground prison, almost like a palace, making them slightly confused as to whether they were looting a prison or a palace.
The passing golems didn't touch them, making it a peaceful search. The only problem was...
...They're all dead?
"Since so much time has passed, it is only natural that they are all dead..."
The rooms were littered with relics left by prisoners—expensive jewelry, fine silk clothes, and the like.
“C-Can we get a share of the loot too?” one of the captured Power Warrior guild members asked.
Cain was amazed by their audacity. How can anyone be more shameless than me!
“Do you even know whose fault it is that we're here?! Have you no shame?!”
“If Cain is telling you that you have no shame, you really need to self-reflect. Indeed.”
“That is true.”
At Alcott's words, the captured guild members looked embarrassed. Comparing themselves to Cain made it hit home.
“...Why are you bringing up my name...” Cain muttered.
“Ah, there are stairs. Let's go that way.”
“We've finished searching this area.”
The group moved quickly, opening doors, checking inside, and grabbing items. But they still couldn't find the prince or the Archisus bishop.
🏛 Type: Deep Dungeon / Prison
⚔ Danger Level: Extreme
📝 Description: This floor is reserved for the most important and dangerous prisoners of the Ancient Empire.
“...”
......
Wasn't the Archisus bishop supposed to be here?
A bitter cold sweeps over you! Freezing cold is draining your health.
Sadiq's Authority and Adamantium Armor are mitigating the effects.
Whoooooosh!
The third basement floor was not cozy and narrow like the second floor. It was a desolate, freezing, vast expanse of ice! It was on par with Ice Duke Furneus's territory. A vast darkness that seemed completely unconstructed welcomed them.
"I now realize why they built a prison here... Because freezing them solid is the safest way to keep them contained."
?
“...”
Tae-hyun's group was fine, but the others immediately started taking cold damage. Tae-hyun lit torches with Sadiq's flame and handed them out.
“Here, take this.”
—Hey, wait. Isn't this our chance?
—What chance?
The three captives whispered to each other, plotting. If they stayed like this, their game would be completely ruined! They had to escape somehow.
—Look at the terrain. It's huge. Monsters are bound to appear. If we find the right moment to escape...
—We're tied up, how?
—I have a tool. If I throw it, catch it immediately and use it. We can break free.
—Is... is it really okay? Kim Tae-hyun is right there.
—Hey, Kim Tae-hyun is only human.
—I don't think so.
—Yeah, definitely not.
—...Anyway, Kim Tae-hyun already got the stone tablet and seems to be doing an important quest. Would he really care about guys like us? Once we run, he'll lose interest.
—Oh... that's humiliating, but it sounds reassuring.
—Makes sense.
They agreed. Tae-hyun was a pragmatic player. If they ran and put some distance, he wouldn't chase them to the ends of the earth. Cain might, but Tae-hyun was a rational player!
The problem is shaking them off.
They were surrounded by the party and guild members. They needed a monster to appear...
“Prepare for battle!”
The moment Tae-hyun's words fell, the party moved instantly. Alcott was shocked by their speed. He thought, Aside from Kim Tae-hyun, I'm better than the rest of them, but...
Incredible!
Although Team KL had a strong image of being Tae-hyun's one-man show, the other members hadn't stopped growing either. Their teamwork from fighting dozens of battles together was flawless!
“Cain, magic incoming!”
“I know!”
Six arms unfolded, creating a massive shield wall. Alcott realized for the first time that a guy with six arms could actually look cool.
—Outsiders! Kill them!
The Ard Tribe mages, looking terrifying and un-elf-like, unleashed magic from both hands. But Cain didn't even blink, deflecting and absorbing the magic with his body. Incredible tankiness! It looked as if his armor was absorbing the magic.
How did that guy get so good?
Alcott felt a sense of urgency and stepped forward. He felt pressured to perform better than Cain.
“I'll take them!”
Dealing with mages was always the job of close-range dealers like assassins. Once close, mages were helpless.
“Uh, Alcott, wait...” Cain panics. “Hey, we're fine, but you...”
The bitter cold of the frost envelops you!
The power of Sadiq's Flame weakens.
Your body slows down due to the cold.
The Ard Tribe Mage casts Frost Shackles on you!
The Ard Tribe Mage casts Ice Spear on you!
Oh no!
Alcott's feet froze, and magic poured down. He panicked. His hasty mistake was costing him dearly. He couldn't counter because he was frozen, and the party was too far to help immediately. Looking at his rapidly dropping HP, he would die before receiving help!
Oops.
Tae-hyun was the first to notice. The others assumed Alcott wouldn't die easily, but Tae-hyun knew squishy dealers could get wiped out in one mistake. He didn't know why Alcott had rushed in so hastily, but...
Let's heal him first!
Tae-hyun grabbed Douglas, one of the three captives nearby.
—Sacrifice of Archisus!
“Huh? What? What?!”
Douglas, who was looking for a way to escape, accidentally accepted the prompt. The skill activated instantly!
Sacrifice of Archisus has been activated!
A powerful buff is granted to the entire party!
“I-I'm alive!”
Alcott broke free from the frozen state and immediately used a skill to dodge. His HP multiplied, and with all his defense, attack, and movement speed boosted, he survived a near-death experience.
—Ray of Akisus!
At that moment, a powerful beam of light shot from behind.
The Ard Tribe mages screamed in terror.
—It's those crazy Archisus bastards!
—Run! Don't get involved with them!
They fled in a hurry.
Should I have just said my name? Tae-hyun thought.
—No... to think you would use the Ray of Akisus... Could you be the Pope?
Meeting with the Ancient Bishop
👤 You have met Pelmarne, a Bishop of the Archisus Cult!
📈 Your Cult's Reputation rises significantly!
✨ Your Holy stat has increased!
As the Ard Tribe fled, a bishop appeared from behind.
To their surprise, the Bishop of the Archisus Cult was...
An undead ghost.
“...”
......
Well... a lot of time had passed, so it made sense, but still...!