Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Missing Stake
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Hisss―――.
The capsule lid slid open, and Alteon, or rather Im Seo-jun, rose from his seat, ruffling his tired hair.
"Hey! Im Seo-jun!!!"
Spotting Im Hee-jung rushing into his room as if she'd been waiting, he let out a sigh.
"...Why?"
"Why'd you log out all of a sudden? What about Torn Bach?"
"I bailed. Couldn't bring myself to head to the holy city, so I just left. I'm at the portal."
"What are you talking about?"
"You saw the video I sent, right? It probably hasn't spread yet... Sharl's dead. And the Immortal's Stake is gone."
"What the hell happened?"
"No idea. The stake's effect just vanished before its duration was up."
"Someone pulled it out?"
"Probably."
"Who? Why would they do that?"
"Beats me. I don't know if it was pulled or pushed out."
Im Seo-jun racked his brain, but nothing came to mind.
"Can't gauge the Black Dragon's power accurately. Maybe it forced the stake out itself."
"Any chance a player did it?"
"Only other player there besides me was this guy named Khan. He said two more headed out to evacuate villagers, but they never made it back during the fight."
"Hmm... What about NPCs?"
Im Seo-jun chuckled at his sister's question.
"Come on, that makes no sense. Why would an NPC take the stake? Besides, they're all knights."
"Knights are all saints or something?"
"You didn't see it. They risked their lives escorting me to safety."
"Then why'd the stake come out?"
"...No clue."
He scratched his head as he looked at his sister.
"Ugh, this is tricky... Now that you're gone, no one to record with a secret skill."
"Didn't you say reinforcements were coming?"
"Yeah, but you know how it is. Official portal's down, so getting to Torn Bach takes time."
"Hmm..."
"You haven't entered the portal yet, right? Go back in."
"Look at you, telling your little brother to go die."
It was the kind of banter only real siblings could have.
Im Seo-jun snorted in disbelief at her.
"Don't even think about going. Your character wouldn't last a minute."
"That bad?"
"Yeah. Even with my resistance maxed, health drained fast. Most characters couldn't survive the dark zone."
"Then that guy?"
"Huh?"
Im Hee-jung tilted her head.
"He held out in there for three days, right?"
Her words made Im Seo-jun's eyes widen in realization.
"...Yeah?"
'A place that looked brutal even for a day... and he lasted three days? Fighting the Black Dragon no less?'
Gulp.
Im Seo-jun swallowed dryly without realizing it.
"What kind of character is he?"
"Blue Knight Order...!! Hold the formation!! Holy King and Royal Guard target the Black Dragon's rear!!"
Rumble rumble rumble―――!!!
They were knights from different kingdoms, yet they moved in perfect unison, as if they'd rehearsed.
[Annoying pests...!!]
While the Blue Knights' cavalry drew the Black Dragon's attention, the others unleashed volleys of attacks in sequence.
'...Impressive.'
Zion Müllenga was remarkable, though Woojin hated to admit it.
He commanded the battlefield like he owned it.
'His brothers' swordsmanship overshadowed it, but...'
These were Zion Müllenga's stats as seen through Eye of Focus.
The level gap hid traits, but it was enough to size him up.
He was a genius in his own right.
His total stats dwarfed a typical level 60.
And one stat stood out glaringly.
'First time seeing Tactics over 100.'
His command proved it—dazzling, even earning awe from foreign knights.
High Tactics meant a master strategist.
Brilliant mind.
Unyielding faith.
Exceptional dexterity.
On the surface, prime commander material.
'But the problem's his true nature.'
A twisted mind breeds evil deeds, warped faith spawns malice, misguided talent sparks catastrophe.
The makings of the worst villain.
'The Immortal's Stake is one ingredient for crafting a faceless monster.'
If it was in his hands now...
It might be Woojin's fault.
In this world's history, the Labyrinth Tower's 10th floor clear never summoned the Black Dragon.
'Sharl never would've brought the Immortal's Stake.'
His rapid growth lured the dragon and gave Zion Müllenga the chance to steal it.
Woojin, knowing the future, distrusted him—but others, unaware of his villainy, were entranced by his brilliance amid despair.
"Holy King Knights!! Half the force falls back to crescent formation!!"
The knights shifted at Zion's shout.
"Blue Knights hold the front and harass the Black Dragon!"
The Blue Knights, lances ready, charged low.
Boom―――!!!
Dozens of spears pierced the Black Dragon's hide.
"Attack!!!"
As the Blue Knights split, the Holy King's crescent formation unleashed holy power, swords slashing.
"Royal Guard!!"
Post-strike, the Royal Guard slammed massive tower shields into the ground.
[Roooaaar―――!!!]
They blocked the Black Dragon's breath roar, then Blue Knights speared anew.
Simple, effective.
The Black Dragon was tiring visibly.
Crack―!!!
A Holy King Knight's sword finally breached scales, drawing blood.
Flesh sprayed, red spilling.
"Yes...!!"
Knights cheered.
Crunch―――!!!
The Black Dragon, face twisted, chomped the attacking knight's head.
"...Monster."
Cheers faded; knights gnashed teeth.
"Don't falter!! It's stopped using magic since sometime ago! Proof it's weakening!!"
Zion's cry shattered the lull.
"Press the assault!!!"
Waaaaah―――!!!!
Knights renewed fury.
Bang―!!
Crash――!!
The battle raged; unbroken knights fought fiercer.
"Wish the Black Dragon would just leave like this."
Luen approached Woojin, watching.
"Who knows."
He replied, pensive.
'...Took a hit there.'
Reinforcements from the Five Kingdoms? Expected.
Dragon emergence: continental crisis.
But Zion Müllenga leading Bolton's forces? Not foreseen.
"Attack!!!"
Zion's voice boomed; knights squeezed last strength, cornering the dragon.
Boom―――!!!!
Yet the Black Dragon whipped tails wilder, flinging knights.
"Something's... off."
"Why?"
Luen frowned, observing.
"They're fighting well... but knight numbers keep dropping."
"Can't be helped with the Black Dragon's power..."
She shook her head at Karlan's words.
"No, not that. Look—except Blue Knights, all others are thinning."
"Hmm."
"Blue Knights harass briefly, scatter when Royal Guard arrives—shortest combat."
She pointed.
"Defensive Royal Guard takes heaviest losses."
"Th-that's because Royal Guard specializes in defense..."
Karlan stammered, uncle or not.
"True. But Royal and Holy King numbers plummeting fastest."
She eyed Zion sharply.
"By reinforcements' arrival, only Blue Knights might remain."
"N-no way..."
Karlan disbelieved, but Woojin, knowing Zion's bent, couldn't dismiss it.
'Not impossible.'
Maybe planned this formation from the start.
Why?
If his goal wasn't slaying the dragon but the stake...
'Eliminating witnesses matters more.'
"Argh...!!"
"Aaaah...!!!"
Screams from Holy King and Royal Guard persisted amid talk.
"Don't give up!! Hold till reinforcements!! Fail, and the continent falls to that beast!!!"
Knights charged over dying comrades at Zion's call.
Madness gleamed in their eyes now.
Like moths to flame.
"Magic...?"
Woojin shook his head.
No mana in Zion's stats via Eye of Focus.
'Hasn't touched black magic yet...'
Then how'd he craft that cursed sword for Karlan?
'Something's there.'
Suspicion swelled, proof absent.
Proof needed, but facing Zion, Woojin knew he was no easy mark.
He'd woven a tight net pre-battle.
Knights died unknowing pawns; no way to stop them.
'...Need a way.'
Clench.
Woojin gripped his fist.
Neigh...!
Then Zion rode up.
"Karlan, why're you still here? I told you to flee with the substitute."
"Ah, y-yes... well..."
Post-curses lifted, Karlan still stammered, cowed.
"Don't tell me... you still suspect me?"
He glared down at Woojin.
"No idea why you think I pulled the stake... but if I did, would I fight this hard?"
"What'd you do to the knights?"
"No clue what you're on about."
He sneered, yanking reins ostentatiously.
"...Master."
Luen gently grasped Woojin's trembling, tense arm.
"Can't let him have his way."
"What'll you do?"
"Find out. What he did."
Woojin's eyes flashed.
"Nisen!"
"Yes?"
"How to cast magic on that many?"
"The knights...? That number, you'd need a magic circle or..."
"...Exactly."
"Yes. Labyrinth Tower changed it, but 20 years ago, that was Müllenga estate."
"Right. Estate's gone, but the lot's still theirs—he visits often."
Woojin recalled Karlan's words on first Torn Bach arrival.
The Müllenga estate lot.
"There."