Chapter 493
Chapter 493
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 493
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Zone 6,333. You have entered the Castle of the Persistent King."
It's something I feel anew every time, but the power of information is tremendous.
Just knowing about Zones 6,331 and 6,332 in advance allowed us to reach Zone 6,333 without taking a single hit.
Perfect information and the perfect攻略 method.
The Throne holders probably think this: that Kang Myung-jin is the real regressor.
'But in this run, there is no regressor.'
Kang Myung-jin is a human who entered his little brother's novel. He's proceeding without a single gap, even in events he hasn't personally experienced. It can only be explained as protagonist buff.
Kung!
The castle gate slammed shut the moment we entered. We didn't panic and scanned our surroundings. A worn, broken chandelier barely hung from the high ceiling. The interior space was much larger than it appeared from outside.
A deep male voice echoed.
The A-Plan Legion froze at the voice filling the space.
"Come again?"
"What have you come to steal this time, invaders?!"
Intense hostility laced the voice brimming with rage.
"I won't lose anything more! Invaders! To protect us, I shall take your lives!"
Everyone except me and Kang Myung-jin assumed combat stances. But no attack came.
Kang Myung-jin fiddled with his bangcheon hwagok. A small blue dragon hidden in his bosom rubbed against his temple. Unlike before arriving here, he tensed his body. From here on, even knowing the攻略 method offered no room for complacency.
'Has Yuria successfully entered the hidden zone? It's frustrating not knowing her situation.'
Kang Myung-jin, gripping his spear, stepped forward.
"This is where it gets real. Just because everything's gone smoothly so far doesn't guarantee it will continue."
He swung his spear at the tattered black curtain covering the window on the right wall.
"Kieeeek!"
The black curtain tore with a scream. It flew toward Kang Myung-jin to wrap around him.
"Hup!"
The spear whipped three times in rapid succession. The shredded black curtain fell to the floor, wrinkling into leather. With eyes and mouths in places, it was clearly human skin.
"The castle itself is our enemy. Drop your guard."
Kang Myung-jin's dragon eyes gleamed fiercely.
"Let's go."
Clack clack.
Five knights in black armor approached us down the corridor.
"Invaders... kill... invaders... kill...!"
"Kill..."
"Grrrrr..."
The faces visible through their helmets resembled withered mummies. Blue ghostfire burned where eyeballs should be, and black energy crept from their mouths and bodies like smoke.
Death Knights.
Knight more loyal than any other, who cast aside death's comfort for their faith.
"Death Knights' strength lies in overwhelming physical prowess, defense, and the swordsmanship and experience from life. Never let your guard down."
Kang Myung-jin warned. We all prepared for battle. We applied holy water from our pre-prepared stock to our weapons. Since no one in A-Plan Legion could wield light or holy power—the bane of undead—we had to rely on items.
'Undead... Already corpses, so no electrocution. Normally, they'd be a pain.'
But I had the Flame Lotus Sword. Even without holy water on the blade, it inherently possessed demonic power lethal to demons and undead. The Astraphē manifested through it carried the same.
"Astraphē."
Red lightning surged from the blade.
I charged at the Death Knights alongside Kang Myung-jin and Joo Seo-hyun, engaging in combat.
I ducked the Death Knight's sweeping sword and closed in. Red lightning scorched its body. Yet it wouldn't stop—a knight ignorant of pain.
'Kang Myung-jin's holding the center well, and Joo Seo-hyun... no worries there. Overcoming physical gaps with swordsmanship. She's doing great.'
Our coordination wasn't perfect. We fought separately. Yet we overwhelmed the Death Knights. Our skill surpassed theirs.
I thrust my sword into the Death Knight's body. But it didn't fall easily.
Whoosh!
I spun away from its greatsword and used the momentum to smash its head. Clang! A crack formed in the helmet, but it didn't shatter. As my numb hand tingled and I retreated, the Death Knight's greatsword split into two, aiming for my neck and abdomen.
'Instant!'
The world slowed. On closer look, it wasn't split—the illusion from swordsmanship. The abdomen strike was real.
'...Ha. Fun.'
I released Astraphē. No acceleration or Instant. I wanted to beat it purely with swordsmanship.
Yeongcheon-ryu: Byeokgye.
I slashed past the Death Knight, aiming for its neck. But it raised its gauntleted arm like a shield.
'Eyeless corpse, so Byeokgye didn't work...? No, that's its skill.'
The Death Knight wielded its heavy greatsword with delicate precision. Dangerous. But also an opportunity.
Yeongcheon-ryu: Paewol.
I evaded its greatsword by a paper's width and counterattacked. The Death Knight's helmet shattered.
I immersed myself in battle. The Death Knight relied on its armor for defense, aiming for heavy blows. I hit-and-run repeatedly.
Victory was mine.
After over 30 attempts, my sword pierced its defense and severed its neck.
"I... lost..."
The light faded from the Death Knight's eyes, its body crumbling.
Looking around, A-Plan Legion members watched me. Joo Seo-hyun's gaze was particularly intense, lips pressed tight, fists clenched in frustration.
"Ah, what? I was last?"
"Sung Yu-jin. I get it. Time around you slows, consciousness merges with the weapon—that rare sensation. But restrain yourself now. It's dangerous in this situation. We're raiding the zone."
Kang Myung-jin said gravely.
Merging with the weapon? He was misunderstanding something.
I nodded vaguely. Experience told me arguing would just mean more nagging.
"Got it."
A shattered statue halted our steady advance. Four devil-shaped statues lay broken on the floor.
The others shrugged it off. We'd seen enough decayed undead in this castle. No reason to fuss over broken statues.
But Kang Myung-jin couldn't hide his agitation.
"Impossible... Why is this... The gargoyles are dead?!"
His shock spilled out as mutter. His mind must be racing now.
'Yuria passed through here. Got caught by the gargoyles? Makes sense. Gargoyles guard doors. Even Yuria couldn't fool them with her lowered stats.'
Kang Myung-jin would be confused.
If someone entered before us, the initial voice shouldn't have sounded—normal procedure.
'Entered from somewhere other than the entrance. Without alerting the voice's owner, this zone's ruler.'
But the zone's nature made groups impossible to hide. He'd think they were all stealth experts or solo.
"Master? What's wrong?"
Ji Young-bin called. Kang Myung-jin snapped back.
"...These statues are gargoyles. They masquerade as statues to ambush. But they're shattered and dead. Someone ahead of us took them out."
"Possible? Zone 6,331 requires that compass—impossible without. No signs of anyone ahead so far."
Yoo In-ha, silent till now, spoke. Others nodded. The thorough prep to reach here left no traces of others.
"Maybe they tailed us and overtook at some point."
"Master. Shouldn't we move now? Before they claim dominion."
"......Can't assume 'they.' Could be solo, or not human. Purpose not dominion... Hm."
"Not dominion?"
"Something else. Either way, we move now."
Kang Myung-jin probably suspected their goal was the hidden zone.
Later, he'd learn it was raided first. Even if he suspected me or others, he couldn't act.
Hidden zone info was his alone.
30 minutes later, we reached the king's hall.
A skull wearing a golden crown sat on the throne, awaiting us.
"Invaders... You've finally reached here. My soldiers, rise! Protect the kingdom from invaders!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
70 elite soldiers appeared.
Undead, but temporarily manifested by the king's power—not truly alive.
"Yoo Seo-hee! Yoo In-ha! Your turn!"
Kang Myung-jin shouted.
"Yes. About time. Watching from behind was itching."
"......"
Yoo Seo-hee activated her Charm skill. All 70 soldiers were male. Their gazes locked on Yoo Seo-hee twisting her voluptuous body. Drooling, they staggered toward her.
"Seo-hee! I'll protect you!"
Ji Young-bin seized the chance.
"...Fire Blast."
Yoo In-ha, timing it, cast her spell. Crimson flames engulfed the soldiers. They screamed and collapsed.
"......Rise again! My soldiers! Even hellfire can't burn our souls."
The soldiers reappeared.
"...Yoo Seo-hee, Yoo In-ha, Ji Young-bin. You handle the soldiers. The rest... kill the king."
"...My kingdom is once again... ravaged by invaders..."
The skull crumbled to dust.
The crown rolled across the floor.
That was my message, but Kang Myung-jin likely saw more complex ones.
Legion members collapsed in exhaustion post-攻略, resting their weary bodies.
I pretended to rest while watching Kang Myung-jin.
His face remained stiff. As he moved to leave, I asked.
"Kang Myung-jin. Where you going? Tired, right? Rest a bit."
"...You rest here. Something bothers me; I'll check and return."
Clearly heading to confirm the hidden zone.
He returned 10 minutes later, face darkened.
"Found a hidden zone someone raided first. Fortunately, they didn't claim dominion. We'll攻略 it in an hour—investigate too."
Not fortunate at all, his expression said.
Passing thorny vines for a suitable rest spot, Yuria surveyed the castle. Entering the front exposed her to the owner immediately.
Sneak in elsewhere. Fortunately, finding the gap was easy—a window. The challenge: reach the back door undetected by interior undead.
"......"
Yuria downed a mana potion from the shadows and infiltrated the castle.