Chapter 138: Eternal Spire (24)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 138: Eternal Spire (24)
I swung my sword hard at the giant serpent. Putting all my strength into the hand gripping Black Night, I drove the blade in as deep as I could.
Sssshhhlick!
The sword tore through the black snake’s scales, and dark red blood gushed from the deep gash. The beast thrashed violently, letting out a monstrous shriek.
But in that instant—
A powerful energy began to swirl within its massive jaws.
"It’s a breath attack! Everyone, scatter!"
I quickly pulled my sword free and threw myself aside.
KRA-BOOOOOM!
With a deafening explosion, an intense breath attack erupted from the snake’s mouth. A blinding light filled the temple, a flash so bright it was as if the sun had just exploded.
The rocks and structures in front of it vanished in an instant, as if they had evaporated. Stone fragments and dust flew in every direction, and a shockwave swept through the area.
I rolled away, narrowly avoiding the blast. Still, the immense heat seared my skin as it passed.
CRASH!
Behind me, debris rained down from the aftermath of the explosion. The temple’s structure collapsed without a trace.
This is it.
I read the snake’s movements. Right after unleashing its breath, it was momentarily defenseless. I dashed toward its exposed neck.
Sssshhhlick!
A blade of blue energy sliced through the giant’s neck, cutting deep. It pierced the hard scales, and dark red blood erupted like a waterfall.
The scales on its neck are weaker than the rest.
Having found its weak point, I shouted without hesitation.
"Aim for its neck! The scales are weaker there!"
My guild members reacted instantly.
Isia drew her bow and fired a rapid succession of light-infused arrows. Each one flew true, accurately piercing the snake’s vulnerable neck.
As the arrows sank deep, the snake twisted its body, letting out a pained cry.
Lauren also seized the opening and charged. Her axe flashed, drawing a sharp arc through the air.
CRACK!
The powerful blow struck the snake’s neck, leaving another deep wound. A barrage of attacks from the other guild members followed.
Good, at this rate, I can leave the rest to them…
I turned to Lauren and spoke firmly.
"Lauren! You’re in command!"
"Yes!"
Lauren nodded resolutely. Without a moment’s hesitation, I shot forward.
I charged toward the fragment of Tiamat that was possessing Tia’s body, floating in mid-air.
"Does a pathetic human truly intend to challenge me?"
Tiamat wore a relaxed smile as she gestured lightly from the air.
With her gesture, a dark red energy exploded outward. Countless magic circles materialized in the air, unleashing a torrent of innumerable chains.
So she can use Tia’s magic, too.
I twisted my body, dodging the incoming crimson chains.
CRASH!
One of the chains slammed into the ground, shattering the floor. I focused my internal energy into my sword and swung.
A crescent of blue energy flew out, slicing through the chains. But the severed links immediately reconnected and flew at me again.
Damn it, this is on another level from what Tia used. At this rate, I won’t even be able to get close.
I watched the regenerating chains and looked up at the fragment of Tiamat floating in the air. She was smiling as if my struggles were amusing.
Hah, I have no choice. If I’m going to beat Tiamat while she’s letting her guard down, it has to be now.
I drew upon the internal energy in my dantian, pushing it to its absolute limit. The energy flowed through my meridians, coursing through my entire body. The blade of Black Night began to glow with an even more intense blue light.
The aura emanating from the sword grew stronger and stronger.
I looked at Tiamat, trying to figure out how to get Tia back. The most obvious target was the dark red gem on her forehead.
That’s my target.
I fixed my gaze on the gem on her forehead and took my stance.
"Hoh, is this your last-ditch effort?"
"We’ll have to see about that."
The moment I spoke, I shot forward. A powerful shockwave erupted from where I had been standing, destroying the floor. My muscles, enhanced with internal energy, generated explosive propulsion.
Tiamat’s chains rained down like a storm. I swung Black Night once, cutting them all down, and reached her in an instant.
"What?!"
For the first time, a look of genuine surprise crossed Tiamat’s face.
My sword swung toward the gem on her forehead, but only an afterimage remained where she had been.
"Heehee, it has been a long time since my heart has pounded so."
Tiamat appeared beside me in an instant, her hand clamping around my neck.
"Ghk…!"
"How weak."
She lifted me up as if I were a toy. A dark red energy flowed from her grip, slithering down my neck.
I channeled my internal energy into my sword and swung, but chains shot out from thin air and wrapped around my blade.
"Are you done with your little tricks?"
Her cold voice echoed as the grip on my neck tightened.
Damn it… at this rate…
I couldn't breathe. I could feel my consciousness starting to fade.
Tiamat’s violet eyes curved with amusement. She slowly lowered her face, drew close to me, and sniffed.
"Hoh, I sense a familiar aura from your body."
A meaningful smile played on her lips.
"You’re covered in the scent of that slut, Cheon-wol."
"Grk…"
I gritted my teeth, but the hand around my neck only squeezed harder.
Tiamat smiled as if my reaction intrigued her, then gently lifted my chin with her finger.
"Hmm… a human that Cheon-wol, that nympho, has taken an interest in…"
A strange light gleamed in Tiamat’s eyes. Her face drew closer and closer. Her cold breath brushed against my cheek as she whispered.
"Abandon that slut and become mine."
"Ghhk… off…"
"Hm? What did you say?"
"Fuck off… you bitch!"
Gathering the last of my strength, I focused my internal energy into my forehead and headbutted the gem embedded in hers.
CRACK!
For a moment, Tiamat’s head snapped back. A small, but distinct, crack appeared on the gem.
"You… how dare you…!"
Her grip loosened, and I took the chance to roll away across the floor.
It was then.
"Seo-yun…"
For a split second, her eyes returned to their original violet. Tia’s consciousness had briefly resurfaced.
"Tia…!"
But the moment was far too short. Golden light soon flooded her eyes once more.
"Do not interfere, you weakling."
Tiamat’s cold voice echoed. She looked down at me and whispered.
"You insolent thing… To dare mock me. You will pay dearly for your sin."
She slowly spread her arms, and a massive magic circle appeared in the air.
[Come forth—O despair of the abyss, slumbering in endless darkness—.]
The magic circle glowed intensely. From its center, a colossal silhouette slowly began to emerge. As if dragged up from the very depths of the abyss, the being, wreathed in pitch-black energy, radiated an overwhelming pressure.
It was so enormous it filled the entire temple. Its body was a murky blend of water and shadow, but I could feel the overflowing power within it.
[Leviathan (Replica) Lv. 90]
The moment the notification window appeared, the air grew heavy. An intense pressure, like a hand crushing my heart, spread in all directions.
It was a monster that looked like a cross between a snake and a dragon, its entire body covered in jet-black scales that bristled with hard, sharp spines. Its four blazing red eyes held such a terrifying presence that just meeting their gaze felt like it could steal one’s soul.
The beast opened its massive maw and unleashed a breath attack at me.
KRA-BOOOOOM!
I instinctively twisted my body away, but the aftershock alone was enough to send me flying backward.
"Ghk…!"
"Master!"
I heard Isia’s urgent cry. I raised a hand to stop her from coming closer.
"Don’t come! Get everyone and run, now!"
"No…! I can’t leave you alone…"
Isia’s voice trembled. Lauren, too, was clearly hesitating.
"That’s an order! Get out of here now!"
"Did you think I would simply stand by and watch?"
Tiamat’s cold voice rang out.
"Levi, devour them all."
At her command, the Leviathan slowly raised its head. Its breath alone made the air vibrate, followed by a tremendous roar.
KRA-BOOOOOOOOM!
The ear-splitting roar shook the dungeon. Stones and debris flew everywhere as the floor cracked and split apart. I barely managed to get back on my feet, struggling to keep my balance on the crumbling ground.
"Lauren! Grab Isia and get out of here! If you don’t want to die, go!"
Lauren and Isia looked at each other, hesitating, but finally, Lauren gritted her teeth and pulled her away.
"Yes…!"
"No…! Let me go!"
Isia struggled, but Lauren held her tight and retreated with the rest of the group.
I swung Black Night at the Leviathan as it began to move.
From the pitch-black darkness, a crescent of blue energy shot forward. The sharp blade of energy cut through the air, racing toward the Leviathan’s massive body.
BOOM!
The energy slammed into the Leviathan, but the impact barely left a small scratch on its dark red scales. Even that regenerated in an instant, returning to its original state.
Those scales… a normal attack won’t work.
As the beast continued to advance, I sprinted forward and leaped onto its body. I ran straight for its head.
In that moment, the Leviathan’s red eyes locked onto me. Dozens of magic circles appeared in the air, unleashing a torrent of sharp blades made of a transparent liquid.
Crazy bastard… A damn snake that can use magic… Isn’t that cheating?
While dodging the attacks, I checked to see if my party had escaped. Thankfully, I saw them just leaving the temple.
The Leviathan seemed to notice this too, and it let out a massive roar of fury at having lost its prey.
I ran toward its head, scraping the tip of my sword along its scales.
Screeeeeeech!
The sound of my sword grinding against its scales was bloodcurdling. The tip of the blade slowly dug into the miniscule cracks.
However, the beast bucked its body violently, throwing me into the air.
Damn it…!
Just then, the Leviathan opened its massive jaws and lunged at me.
"Gaaah…!"
I barely managed to shove my sword into its mouth, preventing it from closing completely. But I was being crushed by its monstrous strength, and the blade began to groan.
Cracks started to form on Black Night’s blade. The fine fractures spread, making a sound like metal about to shatter.
"At this rate…!"
But it was too late to push it away. An intense energy was swirling inside the Leviathan’s mouth.
"Heehee, what a truly pathetic sight."
Tiamat, looking down from above, raised her hand with a sneer.
A black energy swirled within the Leviathan’s massive jaws.
"Ghk…"
I gritted my teeth, but I knew instinctively. This was not something I could block.
KRA-BOOOOOOOOM!
The black breath exploded outward.
A tremendous impact slammed into me, sending my body flying. I felt a powerful blow to my back as an immense force threw me against the wall.
CRASH!
The moment I hit the wall, I heard the sound of bones breaking, and a crushing pain shot through my lungs.
"Cough…!"
Red blood trickled from my lips, staining the floor below.