Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Archangel Michael Appears
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One of the archangels, Michael, revealed his form.
Jo Youngki's appearance was nowhere to be seen—only the golden angel remained.
Every player's knees buckled involuntarily, bowing their heads to him.
[The main event of the Seventh Round, 'Goddess of Healing, Raphael! She Awakens,' has begun.]
[From this moment, all demons in Hell begin their assault on the cathedral.]
[Mission: Await the archangel's revival while defeating the demons from Hell.]
[Reward: Ancient Artifact]
[Time Remaining: 11:59:58]
The event in what was called the worst round of this game had finally begun.
A thin barrier of light, like a protective shield, enveloped our bodies. This membrane, varying in thickness by difficulty level, was a system device that boosted demon resistance.
I'd never seen such a thin one before—probably because our group's presence had bumped the difficulty up to 'Infernal Hell.'
The silver lining was that the golden aura we'd received from Michael beforehand merged with the thin barrier.
I slowly tested my movements.
My stiff knees straightened bit by bit. As I moved, the other players took the cue and rose cautiously.
-Finally starting, huh? The game's first real hurdle.
-If we survive this...
-Man, that angel looks way bigger than in the game streams.
We looked up at Michael's form.
She was slowly pulling the hilt of the sword embedded in Raphael's chest.
Kiiiiiek!
['Michael' is removing Raphael's seal.]
The first phase of this round ended the moment Michael removed Raphael's seal.
In other words, once that sword was pulled out, the game was over.
It sounded simple, but our mission was to block every demon from Hell and keep them from entering.
This round's core was showing Hell itself what 'ruin' truly meant—not just the human world.
I shouted up at Michael.
"Michael!"
She looked down at my call.
"'The Opener,' I see."
"How many times can you use Angel's Call?"
"...You know of Angel's Call."
"Yeah, I get you're busy, so keep it simple. How many?"
Angel's Call.
A ability to summon aid from angels in emergencies. A skill that called reinforcements to the sanctuary using her power.
She held up three fingers.
'Three times.'
"...Got it."
The players sighed in relief at her answer. Three times was a huge number.
It must've been a perk from the system highly rating my previous plays.
The number of Angel Calls depended on the leader's capabilities, so my guess seemed spot on.
At my signal, players from other countries sprang into action.
Everyone gathered here knew the game inside out—no explanations needed.
They all understood their roles.
Jeongwoo approached me, lighting a cigarette.
"Kim Cheonjae, prep's all set."
"All the other players agreed?"
"Yeah, except the Japanese. They showed up late, no time to brief 'em. You'll have to handle it."
"...Roger."
I slipped into the line of Japanese players organizing their ranks and called out Hanzo separately.
"Let's talk."
Hanzo nodded and sent his subordinates away.
"...What is it?"
"You hear about the plan?"
"Plan?"
"Yeah, the plan."
He shrugged like he had no clue.
"Never heard."
"...Too complicated for details—short version. Everyone in this round jumps straight to the Tenth."
"Skipping the Eighth and Ninth?"
"Yep. Straight to the Tenth."
He tilted his head.
"Is that even possible?"
"It is. I know how."
For a split second, doubt flickered in his eyes. His furrowed brow said it all.
"Kim Cheonjae."
"Shoot."
"If it gets me out of this hellhole fast, I'll do anything."
"...So you're in?"
"Yeah."
He could've just said yes—guy sure likes to complicate things.
"...Got it. Hold the east flank tight, then."
"You hold the south. Isn't that the hottest spot?"
"No need to worry about me."
"No need to worry about me either."
I nodded and turned my back to him. Not the best terms, but we'd talked plenty for now.
* * * * *
Stepping outside the cathedral, we saw countless demons marching in formation.
From small imps to mid-sized gargoyles and hellhounds. Even top-tier large monsters—balrogs—among the demons made an appearance.
Kyung! Kyung!
The hellhounds that reached the cathedral front barked at us.
Whoosh—
Crack!
One of my skeleton soldiers swung his axe, decapitating it. As the hellhound fell, dozens of imps charged my skeleton.
My minions tangled with the demons in combat.
"Heh heh. Jeongwoo, those bastards look fierce."
Ma Jeongwoo slung his axe over his shoulder, picking his nose as he spoke to me.
"They'll vanish if we hold, so they're desperate. When do we head out?"
I lit my cigarette and replied.
Sizzle. Szzz.
Inhale—exhale.
"Right now. I'll handle the rest."
"You sure solo?"
"...Of course."
We bumped fists.
Jeongwoo rounded up the Korean players and headed out from the cathedral.
Toward the World Tree not far from here. They shot me worried glances, leaving me alone.
-Are we really leaving him behind?
-He'll die. There's over a thousand demons right in front of us...
-H-High-level player, sir. You sure you're okay? This is the infamous Seventh Round.
I waved them off with a kind smile.
"Yes, and don't call me high-level player. My name's Kim Cheonjae."
-Ah, yes sir!
No boss-tier demons coming from the south now anyway—I could handle it solo.
'...Solo.'
Not a word that suited me.
But it wasn't bad. To others, I looked alone, but my summons were always with me.
I sat on the cathedral steps and quietly extended my hand.
"Revive."
[Breathing souls into the demons of Hell.]
I raised the Hell demons slain by my minions.
They'd had red skin before, but under me, they turned black.
Imps.
Hellhounds.
Gargoyles.
A system to distinguish friend from foe, I supposed.
"Skeleton Summon."
[Raising skeleton soldiers from demon bones.]
[Attack power increased by 15%.]
[Defense reduced by 15%.]
'Revive' and 'Skeleton Summon.'
Both messages differed from before. Changed by the unique medium of this place, unlike prior rounds.
The skeleton warriors born here looked a bit different.
Same steel construction, but wreathed in flames.
[Burning Steel Skeleton]
Soldiers with dual attributes now.
Special summons possible only in Hell.
Satisfactory.
My minions multiplied one by one, soon forming a company over a hundred strong.
[Population at limit. 160/160]
A number you could call plenty or too few.
Not a legion, but these soldiers packed that punch.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
Gawain walked up to the barrier and asked me.
"My lord, may I take that one?"
Where Gawain pointed, a large demon balrog approached, whipping its chain.
"Solo?"
"Yes."
"...It's yours."
A smile crept across Gawain's lips.
"I shall obey."
Park Gyuhwan, not one to be outdone, sidled up.
"Captain, let me handle that one."
"...A demon?"
The gargoyles' leader demon.
Fallen angels who rebelled against God alongside Lucifer. Former vice-commanders in their angel days, from what I'd heard. Might be okay?
Bigger wings than gargoyles, razor claws—this large monster rivaled the balrog in power.
"Yes."
"You sure?"
"Simple."
Park Gyuhwan was utterly ordinary compared to legendary Gawain.
They seemed to have a rivalry—hope he doesn't push too hard.
"...Fine. That one's yours."
"Thank you!"
Park Gyuhwan beamed.
Our high rapport meant I couldn't refuse.
He'd said it himself—had to trust him.
Other summons could fall no issue, but Park Gyuhwan and Gawain were special.
Proof: they were the only ones not on mute mode.
"Whew."
Seeing their reliable forms boosted my morale.
I flicked my cigarette ash and issued new orders.
"Skeletons, block the entrance."
The steel skeleton soldiers lined up, sealing the cathedral steps.
Thud.
Shield-bearing warriors guarded the front,
Mages capable of spells right behind,
And archer skeletons at the rear.
Three ranks deep, they evoked ancient Greek Spartans holding against Persians—solid as rock.
-Kieeeek!
Gargoyles dove at the cathedral. Skeleton archers shot them down.
Whoosh—
Thud!
Dozens of hellhounds charged madly, crashing into the skeleton warriors.
-Ka-haaak!
The skeleton warriors timed a massive shield bash.
Hellhounds flew back, tumbling across the ground.
Waiting skeleton mages froze the earth and blasted them away with wind.
Boom!
Perfect.
When my demon minions fell in distant fights, I cast Revive again to raise them.
An unbreakable skeleton wall and endlessly fighting demon soldiers.
Gawain and Park Gyuhwan handling the real threats.
Felt safer than PC gaming.
Even with demons right in front of me.
"...Soon, my legion arrives."
* * * * *
An unknown dark void.
Two men stood before a massive hourglass.
The kneeling one's name: Satan.
"Leviathan betrayed us."
From the shadows behind the hourglass, the listener nodded.
"Figured as much from that snake. So, what's your plan now?"
"The human who allied with him has agreed to help us. We'll team up with that human to take Leviathan down."
"Think you can?"
"Yes. If we use that human right, we can handle not just Leviathan, but even Raphael trapped in the cathedral."
The man behind the hourglass stepped forward slowly.
Face hidden in shadow, but any game veteran would know him.
"...Even Raphael?"
"Yes, Lord Lucifer."