Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Mercy of the Black Dragon
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“Haa... haa...”
The sky was dyed yellow.
Watching the morning sun rise, Woojin consciously lifted the Pilgrim's Cross and pressed it to his chest.
[Foolish. Dragon magic isn't impure. Even with divine power, it's not something that can be purified. Why do you keep using it?]
Bensina looked down at Woojin and asked.
“Just... because I want to live a little longer.”
[How ridiculous. A guy who cherishes his life is fighting me right now.]
“Heh—.”
There wasn't a single spot on his limbs that was unharmed.
The potions had run out long ago, and Woojin gazed up at Bensina with eyes that threatened to close at any moment.
“...Just kill me already.”
[That's not something a guy who was pressing a cross to his chest to survive even a bit longer should say.]
“Three days. The people of Tornbach have probably all fled by now.”
Woojin took a deep breath.
The blowing wind scattered the black smoke laid out on the ground.
Was it the influence of the Dark Zone?
The air he inhaled felt different, as if space itself had been split apart.
No, it actually was.
At some point, Woojin had become completely cut off from the outside world, as if isolated.
He couldn't even send messages.
No matter how many times he tried, all he got was that crimson warning window.
'They'll be fine...'
Woojin thought of Peron and Weden, who had gone to rescue the villagers.
As players, they could resurrect even if they died, but what he really wanted to know from them was something else.
Luen and her group.
He was worried whether they had safely escaped the Dark Zone.
'Not like I'm in a position to worry about others.'
Woojin gave a wry smile and slowly pushed himself to his feet.
[What are you doing?]
“You won't kill me even when I ask, so what choice do I have? I'll have to fight again.”
[......]
As he staggered to his feet and pointed his sword at her, Bensina wore an exasperated expression.
[Do you think I've been entertaining you for three days because I couldn't kill you?]
“Whether you kept me alive to toy with me or not doesn't matter. What matters is that I've done everything I can right now.”
[Are you admitting defeat?]
“Yeah.”
Woojin answered toward Bensina.
Strangely, his face looked relieved.
“You're truly the strongest being on earth. I can't think of any way to beat you right now.”
Bensina stared at him intently.
[They say foreigners don't fear death. Is that why? You're the strangest human I've ever seen.]
“No way. Sure, we treat it more lightly than continentals... but foreigners fear death too.”
[Why? You can resurrect at shrines.]
Woojin felt an odd sensation.
Having a conversation with Bensina in what was just a game made it feel like he was really in another world.
'Chatting with a program...'
He shook his head as if it was ridiculous even to himself.
“We lose things when we die too. Not just dropping gear, but the time and effort we invested to get stronger is taken away.”
Woojin glanced around as he spoke.
“Contrary to what you think, our time is finite too. To recover lost experience, we need that much time again.”
[Finite time is the same for everyone...]
“See? No one's here. If they weren't afraid of death, they'd keep challenging endlessly.”
[A weak excuse.]
“Yeah, humans are weak by nature. That's why people love this place. You can get stronger here.”
Rumble—.
The black dragon slowly raised its head and looked down at Woojin.
[So that's why you dreamed the vain dream of standing above dragons.]
“Standing above dragons?”
Grip—.
Woojin unconsciously tightened his grip on his sword.
“My dream is bigger than that.”
Flash—!!!
Squeezing out his last bit of strength, he charged toward the black dragon.
[Then what is it?]
“Going home.”
Bensina tilted her head as if she couldn't understand.
“Raaagh—!!!!”
It was desperate, but pathetically weak.
Having exhausted all his stamina, even running looked grueling for him.
[...Slow.]
The sword flying toward her felt like nothing more than pointless flailing to Bensina.
“Come on, hurry up!!”
King Keldian, who had crossed through the portal, arrived where Sharlo's Holy Knights were and immediately began setting up the base.
“You've had a long journey. Well done.”
“No need for formalities.”
As the two exchanged greetings, a group of people entered the base.
“As expected of the King! A fine strategy.”
Tachip, leader of the Naga Mercenaries, shouted while leading three wolves on leashes.
A hundred mercenaries followed behind him, and beside them, a massive magic cannon was being pulled on a cart.
The Royal Guards looked at the entering mercenaries with displeasure.
“Good work.”
Victor, the magic cannon commander, glanced at the knights' mood and spoke to Keldian.
“No trouble at all. The black dragon was drawn elsewhere, so it ended more smoothly than expected.”
“So that rumor... was true? Someone fighting the black dragon?”
“A foreigner, they say... Could it be Keruga of the Phoenix Unit?”
“No. A warrior named Khan, I hear. Lord Alteon from the Third Papal Vicar's office said he'd look into it.”
Alteon, who had been among the commanders, bowed.
'All the big shots are gathering. Things are really escalating...'
“As His Majesty said, the one confronting the black dragon is a foreigner like me... but we don't have solid info yet. Seems he hasn't been in the central continent long.”
The commanders in the tent couldn't hide their astonishment at Alteon's words.
“Hasn't been in the central continent long?”
“And he's fighting the black dragon...?”
“Does he have the skills of the Sword Emperor or something? Holding out for three days against a dragon that wiped out raid parties in one hit...?”
Alteon looked troubled at their questions.
“I think the black dragon is going easy on him... for some reason. But word is, the one who cleared the black fog recently is that guy.”
“The black fog?”
“No wonder... He conquered an unexplored region shrouded in mystery for decades.”
“Wonder what kind of guy he is.”
The commanders all expressed curiosity about Woojin.
'Well... this'll spread his name properly.'
Alteon gave a wry smile watching their reactions.
How many people struggled desperately to connect with the higher-ups after arriving in the central continent?
At best, they ended up affiliated with one faction, like him.
Yet a newbie who had just crossed into the central continent was drawing the attention of all the powers that be.
'Well... impressive.'
Alteon thought as he gazed at the battlefield.
Was holding out against the black dragon for three days even possible to begin with?
'Who the hell is he?'
He felt envious, but also curious himself.
Not just him, but everyone thought fighting the black dragon was suicide.
'If this hits the community, my sister’s gonna flip out.'
Alteon shrugged, thinking of one person.
Im Hee-jeong, administrator of the game portal In Game Star and host of the popular show Game Station.
She was Alteon's older sister.
'Maybe warn her before the nagging starts...'
His dilemma was brief; the commanders had already moved inside the tent.
“Advance at midnight. Sir Victor, complete the magic cannon charging by then.”
“Understood.”
“Tachip, lead your mercenaries to defend the magic cannon.”
“Got it.”
“Keep this in mind. Our foe is the greatest creature in this world. Never take it lightly.”
“Understood.”
The commanders replied in unison.
Though each represented their kingdoms, the King stood out among them.
His age commanded implicit respect from the other commanders.
“Then... how should we contact the foreigner facing the black dragon?”
Victor asked.
“No way. There's a barrier around the Dark Zone—visible but impenetrable.”
Keldian's response to the question was colder than expected.
“Unless we enter the Dark Zone ourselves, contacting him is impossible.”
“Surely... you don't plan to fire the magic cannon with him still there?”
“If necessary.”
Keldian was resolute.
Perhaps the mark of a true knight.
Prioritizing kingdom and continent over personal life.
“Besides, unlike us continentals, foreigners have the shrine's blessing. If we win, we'll reward him accordingly.”
Alteon couldn't refute.
It was true, but would they react the same if an NPC instead of a player was inside?
Seeing them exploit a player's death left a bitter taste for Alteon.
“I'll go.”
It was then.
“Sir Sharlo...?”
Even Alteon was surprised; he looked at Sharlo in bewilderment.
“Foreigner or not, we can't demand sacrifice. Give the signal, and I'll rescue him myself.”
'As expected... Apostle of Rasin.'
Sharlo's actions, unbound by foreigner or continental divides, befitted the highest holy knight, the Apostle.
“Isn't it too dangerous?”
“Rasin gave me this for such a moment.”
Sharlo pulled something from his bosom.
A golden stake.
The Stake of the Immortal.
“Then... I leave it to you.”
“Understood.”
“Any word from Bolton Kingdom on reinforcements?”
“Yes. Contact just came in.”
“Oh?”
“House Müllenga is joining. The third son will lead the Blue Knights.”
“The third son...”
The commanders, who had brightened at the venerable knightly house Müllenga's name, couldn't hide their disappointment at "third son."
“Unlike his two older brothers, I haven't heard he's exceptional...”
“Still, it's House Müllenga.”
“Hmm—.”
Whoosh—!!!
As the portal's light faded, a man slowly opened his eyes.
“Nervous?”
“Maybe.”
The man standing before the portal, staring at the battlefield, chuckled at the knight's question.
Skin pale as if he'd never seen sunlight.
Sunken eyes and brittle hair made him look like someone imprisoned for days, months, or years.
Zion Müllenga fastened his cloak and pulled a small notebook from his bosom.
“Was the Glory Knight said to be joining this battle?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm—.”
He nodded at the knight's reply and slowly scanned the notes in the notebook.
Stake of the Immortal
Mark of the Ghost
Camilla's Jade]
The notebook was filled with other unknown characters as well.
“Let's go.”
He licked his lips as if savoring the taste.