Chapter 383
Chapter 383
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 383
Chapter Title: Tartrulion Escort
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The radiant light enveloping their bodies faded, revealing the stage of the trial.
The first thing to catch Soo-hyuk's eye was the sparkling green expanse.
A beauty so clear it seemed to sharpen even blurred vision. In the heart of a forest made up of colossal trees soaring hundreds of meters into the sky, Soo-hyuk and his companions stood.
"It's beautiful..."
Unhyang gasped, her eyes wide. No one could deny it.
Sunlight filtering through the massive trees looked like a painting. It felt as if they had stepped into the world of giants living in the forest.
But they couldn't just admire the forest's beauty.
"The Elfrado folks must be loving this."
Hyo-min was the first to wary of Elfrado's rankers.
Elves naturally wielded the greatest power in forests. With such enormous trees as the trial's backdrop, it was especially advantageous for Elfrado's rankers.
"Trees burn easily in fire, though."
Hailz eyed the Red Tower warily.
She knew more about the Red Tower than anyone. Especially since Magnus was leading them in this showdown.
Just like that, advantages and disadvantages were determined by the trial's stage.
Kyooooooo—.
That's when a strange cry echoed from beneath their feet, accompanied by a tremor in the ground.
Hailz reacted first, flying forward on her staff.
"A turtle?"
Hailz was startled upon identifying the source of the cry.
The ground they stood on wasn't earth—it was the back of a massive turtle.
A colossal creature spanning several kilometers.
The moment its identity registered, a message appeared.
Thud—.
The giant turtle, Tartrulion, began to move. Its steps were so slow that impatience already gnawed at them.
"Tartrulion?"
Hyo-min was startled by the turtle's name. Soo-hyuk asked at her reaction.
"You know this turtle?"
"Not personally. It's a spirit from the Ancient Mountains. It swims through the earth underground in the mountains, not the sea."
She was well-versed in all kinds of creatures.
While the others had been wary of Elfrado and the Red Tower, Hyo-min might actually hold the greatest power here.
Si-woo surveyed the slowly shifting scenery. Upon closer inspection, there was a path in the direction the turtle was heading.
"It's an escort mission."
A trial where they had to safely transport something designated to its destination.
Escort missions had many variables. Even if everyone moved at the same speed over the same distance, they could interfere with each other.
In worst cases, they could destroy the opponent's transport or kill it outright.
In other words, the key to an escort mission was protecting their own turtle well while stopping the opponents'.
Shrrrrr—.
At that moment, green light flowed from Hyo-min's hand into the turtle's shell.
The back, which felt like solid ground, trembled slightly, and the passing scenery doubled in speed.
Hyo-min's buff had boosted their movement speed.
Soo-hyuk watched mana continuously flow from Hyo-min's hand to the turtle and asked.
"Can you keep it up?"
"All day if needed."
No bluff—her expression showed no strain.
She could probably even support others in this state. That's what she'd worked hardest for.
Soo-hyuk thought for a moment before saying.
"Then defense: Jin-un, Hailz, Hyo-min, Unhyang. Attack: the three of us."
No objections. It was a fitting division, and everyone agreed.
More on defense made sense. Slowing others was important, but defending their own was paramount. If they stopped, interfering with others meant nothing.
The attackers were Soo-hyuk, Ye-ryeong, and Si-woo. Soo-hyuk looked at the other two.
"You know what to do, right?"
No need for explanations.
Ye-ryeong, her mask pulled higher, nodded and slipped away silently. The moment she silenced her presence, she became an assassin.
Si-woo followed her without a word. Watching the two hurry off silently, Soo-hyuk turned in the opposite direction.
Their wordless resolve was more reassuring than any promise.
The rankers from the Khan Continent gathered on their turtle's back for a strategy meeting.
Leading them was Mu-kan, the high ranker representing the Khan Continent.
Over 2 meters tall with a greatsword exceeding 3 meters, he had become a high ranker through overwhelming strength, representing an entire world.
And Mu-kan had a primary target.
"We need to shake off Blue Eyes here."
Some questioned his proposal.
"Why them, of all people?"
A natural doubt.
The Khan Continent wasn't particularly strong. Neither weak nor dominant. They had to watch the bottom ranks more than aim for the top.
Logically, if attacking, they should target similarly matched worlds first.
Facing the puzzled looks, Mu-kan spoke heavily.
"There's a promise. That's all you need to know."
His answer wasn't satisfying.
But his authority on the Khan Continent was absolute. No one opposed, even if unconvinced.
To their visible doubts and discontent, Mu-kan thought inwardly.
'Just follow me. I won't let you fall into ruin.'
He had lived solely for the Khan Continent. Lining everyone behind that massive greatsword to protect them all.
"Let's go. Whether blue eyes or red, let's make them shed bloody tears."
"No need to go far."
Mu-kan jolted, raising his greatsword at the sudden voice.
It felt like it came from right beside him, but his instincts turned him precisely toward the source.
It was quite far—near the head of the turtle carrying the Khan Continent rankers.
A man stood there, masked.
It was Soo-hyuk.
"I got here before you did."
Mu-kan's eyes gleamed at "I".
Glancing around and sensing no presences, he asked again.
"Alone?"
"That's how it turned out."
Though phrased as unavoidable, Mu-kan could tell.
Soo-hyuk came alone out of confidence in his skills.
One might underestimate a lone foe, but Mu-kan didn't. He was more wary than if there were many.
The masked man, sword still sheathed, declared with his whole body: Even alone, it's fine. Block me if you can.
"Should've never made that promise."
He hadn't expected a fight just between them, nor truly known Lee Soo-hyuk.
'Heard the rumors, but to feel this pressure before even clashing.'
Mu-kan felt his greatsword tremble for the first time in ages.
Stepping forward with heightened resolve, he positioned his subordinates behind the blade as always.
Then Soo-hyuk prodded at Mu-kan's earlier words.
"Mind if I ask who you made that promise with?"
"You're streaming, right?"
Soo-hyuk nodded, and Mu-kan stated firmly.
"Sorry. Can't say."
The refusal didn't bother him. Soo-hyuk smiled behind his mask.
"Not just because of the stream, though."
Even off-stream, he wouldn't betray secrets. Unbeknownst to him, this was their second meeting with Mu-kan.
A steadfast man swinging that massive sword solely for the Khan Continent.
That was Mu-kan.
"Unlike you, my coming here was coincidence. Just found the nearest turtle."
"You could've stopped us without showing up."
"Is that what you wanted?"
"No. I'm trying to say thanks."
Mu-kan realized Soo-hyuk had given them a chance. If he'd wanted? Lightning storms would already rage from that clear sky.
"Gotta conserve energy too. Consider it half a favor."
"Since you're being generous, one more request?"
"Go ahead."
"Let's end this fight between us."
"What about the others?"
"They won't interfere. And if I lose, we won't hinder your progress."
Mu-kan glanced back at his subordinates, who nodded at his warning.
Soo-hyuk accepted.
"Deal."
"Thanks. Here goes."
Mu-kan charged without hesitation, his body turning to wind.
Despite wielding a house-cleaving greatsword, his movements were lightning-fast.
Distance closed in an instant. The blade swept a wide arc.
Clang! Thunder roared as swords met. Soo-hyuk's eyes lit with interest. Raw power like a beast.
Mu-kan was known for no fancy skills—just speed and strength.
Kaboom! True thunder exploded from Soo-hyuk's sword, echoing through the forest.
Mu-kan's greatsword was top-ten in durability. It didn't shatter, but the lightning clash numbed his hands.
"Hraaaah!"
The greatsword whipped up a storm, slicing towering trees.
"He's holding his own!"
"Not winning?"
"Mu-kan! Fight on!"
Cheers erupted from his fervent supporters behind. The duel looked evenly matched.
But they were wrong. The longer it dragged, the more powerless Mu-kan felt.
'Can't reach him.'
Each swing and clash revealed the yawning skill gap.
Sure enough, the tide turned the moment Soo-hyuk's eyes sharpened.
Flash—!
A blinding light filled all vision.
When it cleared, Mu-kan knelt, greatsword clattering on the ground. Dropping it sealed the outcome.
Shocked, Mu-kan asked.
"Why didn't you end it sooner?"
He'd known after a few exchanges—the vast difference.
This shouldn't have lasted. To save stamina and mana?
No. It didn't feel calculated.
The opposite.
"Why spare me? You could've finished earlier."
Soo-hyuk's sword had conveyed consideration.
Not letting his subordinates see their leader crushed humiliatingly. Allowing him to keep their respect.
Thanks to that, Mu-kan had shown his full prowess against Soo-hyuk.
"That's how it is."
That he'd briefly matched Soo-hyuk, even if staged.
Mu-kan could accept it, knowing the truth.
Fighting well against Soo-hyuk might even boost his fame.
Yet, aware of the stream, he didn't hide receiving mercy.
"Because a time will come when we need someone like you."