Chapter 211
Chapter 211
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Master of Lightning
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During that time, Cheongryang lost and regained consciousness several times.
Each time she woke, the same thought crossed her mind. What had become of Unhyang by now? And Soo-hyuk?
'What kind of stupid request did I even make?'
It was none other than Shinryeon Castle.
No matter how incredible a player Soo-hyuk was, there was no way he could do anything in a place like this.
That was the rational assessment.
But...
"You don't have to beg like that."
For some reason, Soo-hyuk's response to her plea sparked a faint glimmer of hope.
"You're already my comrades."
Those words gave birth to faith.
No, to hope.
The resolve to die had been momentary, and looking back, it terrified her.
She could hardly believe that a coward like herself had mustered such determination.
She wanted to live. To survive and return to how things were before.
For some reason, she felt he might actually pull it off.
"Over here!"
"Anyone know what this Cheongryang guy looks like?"
"I do!"
"Lord Vice Castle Master's orders! Hurry!"
At that moment, a commotion erupted.
The noise reached all the way down to the stairs leading to the underground prison, suggesting some urgent situation.
'Did he really do it?'
Had he rescued Unhyang and escaped?
She wanted to know what was happening outside, but there was no way to find out. Suddenly, worry crept in—what if she ended up as a hostage again?
With her arms bound, Cheongryang barely managed to stand.
She wanted to smash the iron bars in front of her and charge out, but she lacked the ability.
"Weaklings like me... what's the point of living in misery? Damn it."
The iron chains around her wrists sealed her mana, but she planned to resist anyway.
She had to buy even a little time so she wouldn't be a burden.
"Come at me, you bastards!"
Cheongryang shouted with more spirit than she'd ever mustered in her life.
Yeah, come on. Whether they bit her arm or yanked the bars, she wouldn't budge an inch.
She stood there, brimming with that defiant energy.
"...?"
Strangely, nothing happened.
The earlier clamor had vanished; the stairs above were silent.
Thud.
Then came the slow, deliberate sound of footsteps descending the stairs.
No matter how dull her senses, she could tell.
The person coming down now was different from those who'd been shouting earlier.
'Who is it?'
Fwoosh.
As he emerged, the torches in the underground prison flickered.
The man illuminated by the torchlight was a middle-aged man who looked somewhat aged. It was a face Cheongryang didn't recognize, tilting her head in confusion.
He wasn't some fresh recruit who'd just entered Shinryeon Castle, and there was no way she wouldn't know an adult of that age.
The man approached the iron bars where Cheongryang was imprisoned.
Then, with a quick motion.
Clink.
As if scratching the lock with his fingernail, the padlock shattered easily.
The door swung wide open. Cheongryang stood there dumbfounded, not even thinking to step out.
"You're Cheongryang, huh?"
He scanned her up and down before speaking.
"Looking at you, yeah, that fits. Your face screams gambling addict."
"I-I'm Cheongryang, but... who are you, mister?"
"Mister?"
Jinun let out an incredulous chuckle.
Soo-hyuk had done it too, and now this weirdo was calling him mister.
"I'm Jinun. Call me that again, and I'll toss you right back in."
"Jinun...?"
Cheongryang's eyes widened in shock.
It seemed unbelievable, but if it was someone named Jinun capable of subduing Shinryeon Castle's warriors so effortlessly, there was only one.
"Why are you here...?"
Jinun sighed at Cheongryang, who was too stunned to close her mouth.
"Yeah, that's what I'd like to know."
Crackle, crackle.
The color of the mana flowing from Soo-hyuk's body changed.
It wasn't just the visible sparks that had altered.
The density, nature, output, and aura of his mana—all of it.
It was as if he'd become a completely different person in an instant.
'Master of Lightning.'
Baek Yi-dan's eyes gleamed. This was his first time witnessing it firsthand.
The Master of Lightning was, in a sense, a spec-up skill. The moment it activated, physical abilities and lightning power surged dramatically.
"Can't maintain it for long, though?"
The sole flaw in the near-perfect Lightning skill.
It was the stamina consumption proportional to its power.
And Master of Lightning accelerated that risk even further. No player in the world was unaware of this weakness.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't an overwhelmingly great skill.
There were other, more perfect skills without such risks, unlike Lightning.
But even so.
'I get it now.'
Zing, zing.
The instant the skill activated, Lee Soo-hyuk transformed into an entirely new being. It was hard to believe he was the same person from moments ago.
Once again, Lee Soo-hyuk and Unhyang whispered something to each other.
"Take back what I said earlier."
Step by step, Lee Soo-hyuk advanced.
"Stick to the positions."
With those words.
Crackle.
Lee Soo-hyuk vanished from sight.
Master of Lightning
Physical abilities and lightning power dramatically enhanced
Kyaaaooo!
Two dragons lunged from both sides, baring their fangs. It was the same technique as before, but the threat level was worlds apart.
Whoosh, he crossed and swung his fists. Boom! A deafening roar shattered the dragons into pieces.
Crackle.
Black clouds formed beneath his feet at that moment.
'When?'
Boom!
Lightning erupted from the ground.
He hurriedly wrapped his body in qi to protect himself.
Meanwhile, he kept his focus on Soo-hyuk and Unhyang's movements.
And he noticed one thing.
'Where's Unhyang—'
At that instant, a chilling sensation from behind.
Baek Yi-dan spun reflexively, raising his arm.
Slash!
A red blade sliced into his tough flesh. The swing, powerful enough to bisect him, only carved halfway through his forearm.
"You bitch—."
Baek Yi-dan's curse didn't finish.
Immediately after, Soo-hyuk's blade flashed.
Boom, crash!
The two attacked in succession. It felt like facing a superior master where a single lapse in focus could cost his head.
Though two, they moved as one. They complemented each other's actions seamlessly.
Flash!
His vision went white in that moment. Baek Yi-dan reflexively unleashed a technique.
Boom!
Flames from his fist clashed with thunder. Though hastily executed, it was one of the techniques that had forged the current Baek Yi-dan.
Sizzle.
But it was Baek Yi-dan who was pushed back.
No matter that it was rushed—a clash of raw power, and he'd been overpowered.
Zing.
The impact lingering in his fist was immense. He couldn't believe it.
'A streamer does this?'
He had to abandon his prejudices about the profession. The bias many top rankers held against 'streamers' was affecting the fight.
'Did Lee Soo-hyuk really come back to life or something?'
His thoughts didn't continue.
Ping.
A thrust flew straight at his face.
Slash!
Baek Yi-dan's clothes tore, a wound opening on his body. Following the sword's path, the upper castle walls were sliced, shaking the ground beneath.
He thrust his fist again. Soo-hyuk and Unhyang's joint assault resumed.
Grind.
At this rate, he'd lose.
Unbelievable, but undeniable.
No matter how strong Baek Yi-dan was, enduring Soo-hyuk and Unhyang's teamwork was impossible.
Baek Yi-dan shouted.
"Kill those bitches now!"
They probably didn't know.
The resolve behind this command.
Rush!
At Baek Yi-dan's order, Shinryeon Castle's warriors who'd retreated charged at the two en masse.
"Hoo—."
Soo-hyuk caught his breath in the gap.
All of Shinryeon Castle's forces were now focused here.
He'd wanted to take out Baek Yi-dan first if possible, but that had failed.
Pressuring Baek Yi-dan demanded tremendous fatigue. It was the only way to face him.
As always, it was a time-attack battle.
Moreover, the opponent was Shinryeon Castle, the second-largest power in the Murim world.
'A mission would be nice right about now.'
Soo-hyuk chuckled dryly.
The fact that such idle thoughts surfaced meant he still had some leeway.
Well, it was inevitable.
Just before this, he'd fought the Heavenly Demon.
No matter how strong the foe, compared to that, they were all rookies.
And now, he had a comrade fighting alongside him.
Crackle.
His heart's output intensified.
Thump, thump.
No next time meant he could break his limits.
Lightning warned him once more.
Keep this up, and he might really die.
'I know.'
As he ramped up output and opened his eyes, Shinryeon warriors charging from all sides came into view.
Here we go.
Crackle!
Boom!
Pitch-black lightning surged from the ground. Warriors caught in the max-output Earth Dragon Flash screamed as they flew back, dropping like moths to a flame.
Bang!
In the meantime, Soo-hyuk targeted Baek Yi-dan.
As if by prior agreement, Unhyang moved with the same goal.
"These lunatics..."
Evidently unprepared for them to target him like this, Baek Yi-dan panicked and unleashed his ultimate technique.
Like a meteor streaking forth, a fist concentrated with massive inner energy collided with Soo-hyuk's sword.
Boom!
Screech.
The castle shook momentarily from their clash.
Bang, boom!
Soo-hyuk, with heightened output, exchanged blows with Baek Yi-dan. Until now, it had been with Unhyang, but at peak output, Soo-hyuk faced him alone.
Whoosh.
And then, another presence.
'She broke through that?'
Unhyang, piercing through Shinryeon warriors to aid Soo-hyuk.
Clang!
"Gah!"
Unhyang's swung sword struck his body. His steel-like frame shook, his waist bending.
'If it was just one...!'
Against either Unhyang or Soo-hyuk alone, this wouldn't have happened.
Grind, clenching his teeth, he racked his brain.
The only way to turn this battle.
Baek Yi-dan shouted at the two charging straight at him.
"Do you even know what kind of bitch Unhyang is before helping her?!"
There, Unhyang's movement halted abruptly.
As expected, it was her sole weakness. And a way to shake her mentally.
Sneer, the corner of Baek Yi-dan's mouth rose.
"Once you know what kind of bitch she is, you'll regret this choice. That woman is..."
Crash!
Thunder swallowed the surroundings at that moment.
Baek Yi-dan's words vanished into the roar. In that instant, a chill—Baek Yi-dan sensed killing intent from right behind, unnoticed.
While he'd shaken Unhyang's mind.
Soo-hyuk had slipped behind him.
"Whatever the secret—."
Crackle!
"I don't wanna hear it."
Clang!
As Baek Yi-dan turned to counter, the spear pierced his torso.
Crash, his body flew far off with the spear.
Soo-hyuk's gaze turned to Unhyang, standing there stunned.
"Until she tells you herself."