Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Black Dragon Rampage
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"Whoa…… this is chaos."
"It's not just the community—broadcasters are going nuts too."
"At this rate, our 10th-floor clear interview might get buried, huh."
The members of Phoenix Unit, gathered at their office, watched the broadcasts on various monitors and the posts flooding the community with less-than-friendly stares.
"Interviews don't matter anyway. We've already secured all the sponsorships we need."
Unlike his team members' reactions, Do Kyung-hoon sat down at the table, sounding utterly disinterested.
"But, hyung, shouldn't we head there too? If even Norn Raid Party got wiped out…… no ordinary raid party could take down that black dragon."
Choi Kyung-su, the raid's druid, ventured cautiously.
But the moment he caught Do Kyung-hoon's gaze, Choi Kyung-su knew he'd messed up.
"If you wanna go, go ahead. But if you pull some pointless stunt and lose levels, that's on you."
"Ugh…… sorry."
"We're here to prep for the 11th floor. The 10th took way longer than expected. We can't afford the same on 11."
He said that, but even Do Kyung-hoon couldn't completely ignore the black dragon's emergence.
'The Red Witch risked it for the Dragon Heart, sure—but something even bigger……'
It was the buzz.
Top rankers like them all had sponsors, who naturally wanted their investments to shine brighter and gain more fame.
That was the whole point.
In Evil Tail, Phoenix Unit was undeniably the most famous, but after ten straight Labyrinth Tower clears, public interest was definitely cooling off.
'Need something flashier.'
That was why Do Kyung-hoon was mulling a one-coin clear.
Taking the 11th floor in a single run.
Which meant he was being more cautious than ever about challenging the Labyrinth Tower.
"Keruga, Kyung-su's not totally off-base. If we snag that black dragon, your worries vanish—no rush on the tower."
David patted the rebuked Choi Kyung-su's shoulder and chimed in.
"Plus, pull it off, and we might unlock the server's first Dragon Slayer. Epic class that's just a name on the homepage so far."
"Honestly, I think it's a decent shot too."
With Serin jumping in, the previously deflated Choi Kyung-su perked up and nodded eagerly.
"You guys really think we can take it down?"
"……Huh?"
"I mean…… yeah? It spawned, so it must be doable."
Do Kyung-hoon remained skeptical.
"Doesn't look killable to me."
"Then……?"
"It's a forced wipe event. Remember those dragon soldiers on Labyrinth Tower's 9th floor?"
"How could we forget? That nightmare."
It had wiped them out multiple times.
"Dragon soldiers are demonic beasts forged from dragon bones. If mere scraps are that brutal…… hunt an actual dragon?"
Ridiculous.
"Keruga, if you're right, they summoned it just to slaughter people…… why bother?"
"Probably to advance the next phase."
"You don't mean…… this is an event for the second scenario?"
"That's my hunch. Scenario update rumors have swirled for years."
"Yeah…… can't rule it out."
They nodded along.
"Is this…… your Precursor ability? Y'know, that skill from the 'special existence' you met crossing to the central continent."
"Nah. Just a gut feeling."
Do Kyung-hoon shrugged at David's question.
The continent's apex predator.
To uphold the majesty of its title, the black dragon wouldn't fall on its debut.
That was Keruga's verdict.
"If it's paving the way for dragons, no one's surviving that place."
"Torn Bach…… falls?"
"Likely."
Gulp—.
The members couldn't help but tense up.
"If it's a forced event, it's just one thread in the continent's history. Outside player turf."
"Kingdoms step in."
"Exactly. NPCs will steer the flow. We tail 'em later—no harm."
'Only……'
One loose end nagged him.
Keruga frowned at the monitor.
'Posts from those raid parties say the player left in Torn Bach is the black fog conqueror.'
The player Khan, who'd messaged him.
Not just uncharted zones, but shattered his own Dark Forest dungeon records and hoarded all the titles.
'If there's a wildcard, it's him…… but a fresh central continent arrival slaying a dragon? No shot.'
"Heading to Torn Bach is suicide."
He pondered briefly, then shook his head. No way a rookie pulls it off if he couldn't.
"No one's going."
"Kraaaah---!!!"
Weden hoisted his shield to shield his face and charged with every ounce of strength.
[Gruk…… grrruk……]
Unlike their brute-force brawls so far, these wildlings—born from Red Tower mages' corpses—wielded magic.
Fwoosh……!!
They raised hands skyward, conjuring orbs of purple flame overhead.
"Hraaaah---!!!"
Weden accelerated straight into the oncoming blaze.
Boom—! Boom—!! Kwang—!!
Wildling fire slammed into his battered shield.
[Medium Round Shield destroyed.]
On the fifth blast, his shield shattered into fragments.
"Watch out!!"
"Not yet! Stay back—no matter what!!"
Hearing Woojin's status—minimal potions to preserve Indomitable—Weden threw his body in the flames' path.
Sizzle……!!!
Purple fireball seared his shoulder, filling the air with the stench of burning flesh.
"Kuhk—!!!"
The wildling flames clung stubbornly, gnawing deeper into Weden's flesh.
"Now!!"
Weden bellowed as he clasped his hands and bent at the waist. Woojin planted one foot atop them.
"Kraaaaaah---!!!"
Weden heaved his arms upward with all his might, launching Woojin skyward.
Pew—!! Pew—!! Boom—!!!
The wildlings' flames aimed at Woojin detonated harmlessly in midair.
Flames erupted along Woojin's blade.
[Ancient Orc form invoked.]
The spectral ancient orc flickered into view and vanished, Woojin's muscles bulging grotesquely.
Whoooosh---!!!
Bolton Secret Arts, First Form—Wind Wave
His flame-wreathed sword unleashed not waves, but roiling torrents of fire.
Kwa-gaga-gang---!!!
The blaze from his blade smashed into Bensina's face.
"Kraaak—!!"
Wildlings swarmed, tearing into Weden.
"Go!!"
Woojin gritted his teeth at Weden's roar, twisting midair to slip between Bensina's legs.
In that instant, massive claws crushed inward from both sides.
Paat—!!
Woojin vaulted onto the right claw.
Whoooosh—!!!
He rode the sweeping foot, slashing the black dragon's leg with desperate fury.
Kang!!
A sharp ring echoed.
'Damn it!'
Not the sound he'd hoped for.
A clean clang meant his strike was deflected.
The rebound hurled Woojin staggering backward.
[Kraaaaaah---!!]
Bensina reared its head and bellowed.
Its pupils blackened to void-like pits.
Shaaaak---!!!
Black orbs from the dissolving wildlings surged into Bensina's body.
Kang—!! Kang—!! Kaga-gang—!!!
Woojin flailed his sword wildly, but the reinforced scales showed no scratches.
[Grrr……]
A low rumble as Bensina glared down.
Kwaaaang—!!
Its claw slammed down.
[……?]
Bensina cocked its head, lifting its foot. Nothing where Woojin should've been.
"Hoo…… hoo……"
In the murky haze—like swimming underwater—Woojin bolted for Bensina's blind spot.
'One slip, and Indomitable is gone.'
Stamina ticking up, Woojin pushed harder.
"Hraaap—!!!"
Black Guardian dropped, Woojin lunged from behind at the reverse scale.
Pook—!!!
Flesh tearing.
The sound he craved—but Woojin's face darkened.
It came from him, not Bensina.
"……Cough."
The black dragon's claw impaled his gut, jutting from his back.
"……Damn."
So close.
His sword halted just shy of the reverse scale.
Raoul slew a dragon with this technique.
The swordsmanship wasn't lacking.
He was.
'Just…… a little……'
Arm strained to breaking—but the claw only burrowed deeper.
Then Bensina yanked it free.
Chuaaak……!!
Crimson sprayed from the gaping wound.
[Stamina < 1%]
[Death imminent—recover now.]
[Vision reduced.] ▶ Recovers at 50%+ stamina.
[Hearing reduced.] ▶ Recovers at 50%+ stamina.
"Hy-hyungrim……!!!"
Weden's voice faded into haze.
"Damn……"
Reeling back, Woojin fumbled a potion from his inventory.
'Abandon Indomitable……?'
Surviving at all was a miracle.
'……No. Keep fighting.'
Without it, no damage on the beast.
Even now, Woojin schemed to topple the black dragon.
Squeeze—.
He doused the chest wound with potion, scanning the blur.
'Reinforcements……'
None.
Distant onlookers scattered.
'Figures…… who'd come to die on purpose.'
Then.
"Struggling solo, are we?"
A voice from behind.
Woojin smirked despite himself at the familiar drawl.
"……You made it."
Reinforcements had arrived.
One man, but still.
"Wouldn't miss it."
Someone steadied his crumpling back.
Peron.