Chapter 387
Chapter 387
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 387
Chapter Title: Synced Assault and Long-Awaited Clash
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Hyo-min had synced up with many of her party members due to the nature of her abilities.
She had more utility skills than direct combat ones—support, healing, defense, and even powers bordering on superhuman.
In that process, she learned one thing.
Pairing with Unhyang was just as efficient as pairing with Ye-ryeong.
Whoosh—.
Unhyang's sword sliced through blazing flames, cleaving a massive tree trunk in two.
The thick pillar of wood split apart, carving through the wizard hiding behind it for cover or protection. Unhyang had exploited that oversight.
At that moment, spears of ice flew toward Unhyang.
It was a situation that called for a defensive stance, but Unhyang trusted Hyo-min and searched for the next enemy. Sure enough, a bluish barrier unfurled behind her.
Clang clang clang—.
The ice spears were all blocked at once. Unhyang conserved the mental and physical energy needed to fend off attacks and poured it into her charge instead.
Whoosh—the distance closed. She moved as if stepping on air, soaring through the sky.
Before long, Unhyang plunged into the midst of the wizards. They hurriedly tried to unleash their prepared spells, but her sword was faster.
With a crimson scarlet aura, Unhyang's blade danced. It traced elegant curves, truly like a sword dance in motion.
The ultimate technique of her unique sword style, learned in Shinryeonseong, had been unleashed.
Unhyang's sword dance shredded the wizards' barriers. Her sword energy slipped through the gaps, precisely slicing their vital points.
A skill that lived up to the name of genius.
They'd coordinated before, but Hyo-min was amazed again today.
'She's gotten stronger.'
Just a short while ago, she hadn't been at this level—her skills had suddenly surged.
The difference was immediately apparent.
There was no hesitation or reluctance in executing her techniques anymore.
'Is it because Uncheon-geuk died?'
She knew about the relationship between Shinryeonseong's lord, Uncheon-geuk, and Unhyang. She'd heard that Ye-ryeong had personally cut him down in the Murim Alliance.
Perhaps that event had unshackled her. She'd resisted the techniques she'd learned until now, but no longer needed to.
Unhyang, for her part, was equally astonished.
"Unnie, you're the best!"
This was their first proper real combat together.
After unleashing Blood Moon Mad Dance, Unhyang leaped high again. Far higher and faster than she'd put strength into.
'I can't control it.'
Her body felt like it might fly away. The sudden speed and lightness made adaptation difficult at first.
With changed stride length and velocity, she couldn't move fluidly right away.
And the buffs' effects were different too. Hyo-min's support varied by situation.
Accounting for all those changes and possibilities.
That made the difference between them being worth less than one person or three.
That was when it happened.
Crack crack—.
Hyo-min's feet froze over, and a Blue Tower wizard emerged beneath her.
The wizard with an ice-cold expression instantly encased Hyo-min's body in frost. Exuding chilly air, he smirked at her frozen form.
"Taking out the supporter first is basic."
But only for a moment.
"I've slept plenty."
Hyo-min's voice emanated from within the ice. Her eyes, which had seemed solidly frozen, locked onto the Blue Tower wizard.
Crack, craaack—.
Fissures spread across the ice. The startled wizard raised his staff to cast again.
Then, a shadow fell over his back.
Shhh—.
A snake shot forward at high speed, coiling around the wizard's body. He panicked and redirected his spell.
Intending to freeze the snake in one go.
"S-Silvarion?"
Silver-like pure white scales, a snow-white body, and strikingly crimson eyes.
The snake was the spirit known as the god of forests and silver—a being so formidable that even high-rankers needed groups to hunt it.
Crunch—.
Silvarion crushed the wizard's body in an instant. It shattered the ice effortlessly, and Hyo-min stepped out casually. Silvarion lowered its head to her.
She stroked its head and surveyed the surrounding wizards. Before she knew it, she was surrounded by seven summoned beasts.
The fox spirit who'd lived over a thousand years, Yora.
The white guardian spirit of the ancient mountain, White Tiger Baek A-ryeong.
The monkey god that frolicked in the skies and heavenly realms, Marukan….
Encircled by divine beasts, Hyo-min smiled.
"If I stay quiet, everyone thinks I'm just a supporter."
Surrounded by her seven divine beasts, Hyo-min continued.
"It's not that I'm weak and staying back—it's because the others are too amazing."
Si-woo walked steadily.
He strolled alone through the vast forest. Amid trees reaching to the heavens, far off in the distance, a colossal turtle approached.
Thud—.
The turtle, the size of a small island, shook the ground with each step. He'd seen it several times on his way here, but now it felt entirely different.
Si-woo's eyes calmed. The light faded from his blue irises.
Several people rode atop the turtle's shell. They'd spotted Si-woo from afar and scrambled in surprise.
There were many of them, but only one caught Si-woo's eye.
'This moment has finally come.'
Si-woo closed his eyes briefly.
He couldn't say how long he'd waited for this. He'd endured and endured.
Because it wasn't sudden, he could suppress his excitement. He'd visualized this endlessly to avoid mistakes when it arrived.
His heartbeat slowed. Cooling his own heat, he opened his eyes again.
"……Charge!"
A shout arrived belatedly. It had been yelled seconds ago, but sound traveled slow, and the distance was still great.
But they were already gearing up for battle.
So was he.
Swish—.
For the first time since the trial began, Si-woo drew the spear from his waist.
He assembled the five separated segments into one long spear. It was the one Kindre had forged, and this was his first real combat test.
But it felt familiar.
'It feels exactly like the old one.'
Length, thickness, weight, balance, even the grip—everything matched perfectly.
To the point where he wondered how there could be zero margin for error.
The awe he felt for the blacksmith in this situation proved how masterfully it was made.
And the item's effects were at least twice as potent now.
Grip—.
"I'm ready."
Clenching the spear tightly, Si-woo blocked Blue Zone's path.
"How about you?"
Craaack—.
The surroundings froze.
The turtle's foot, shaking the earth as it advanced, locked in ice, halting its movement.
Roooar—!
The turtle's cry echoed through the forest. Rankers leaped down en masse from its immobilized back.
Si-woo gave them a cold smile.
"No wonder I hadn't seen a single one."
Blue Zone's entire force was here. No split between offense and defense—they'd focused solely on holding this spot.
Meaning they'd known he'd come.
The descended rankers spread out left and right in a long line. They didn't rush Si-woo recklessly, staying cautious.
Si-woo was the same.
'A lot of them.'
All of Blue Zone's rankers had gathered here. It felt like a miniature Blue House.
At a glance, there were at least five hundred.
It had to be that way—mixed among them weren't just Blue Zone rankers, but those from other Earth guilds too.
And representing them, one man stepped forward.
Step—.
Kim Il-su walked out.
"Fancy meeting here."
Si-woo felt a mix of emotions watching him pretend it was coincidence, acting friendly.
Nauseating, pitiable. That half-ruined face must have suffered greatly.
He probably wasn't smiling because he wanted to.
"I've been waiting."
Si-woo had no intention of playing along with the act.
"Can't end it all here, but it'll still vent some frustration."
Dying here wasn't true death anyway. True finality required one side's actual demise, impossible in this place.
Yet Si-woo had come seeking Kim Il-su. Or rather, that's why he could. He'd be more cautious otherwise.
Kim Il-su's eyes gleamed as Si-woo aimed his spear tip.
"Came alone?"
Si-woo sneered at his wary glance around.
"What, scared of Ye-ryeong?"
"No."
Kim Il-su shook his head.
"Even if you two charge together, it doesn't matter."
Si-woo didn't bristle at the dismissal.
More than their combined numbers here, he wariness Kim Il-su. In Blue Eyes, his skill was second only to Soo-hyuk.
So the one he truly feared was singular.
"Worried about Soo-hyuk, huh."
Kim Il-su's face twisted subtly at the blatant mention of Soo-hyuk.
As expected, he was conscious of him. The encounter days ago must have left a strong impression.
"Acting tough."
Even his quiet mutter got a reaction again.
The pitiful sight was satisfying, yet oddly irritating.
"Yeah. To you, he's probably invisible."
"What the hell are you even saying?"
"Playing dumb? Things have changed—no longer the old days with just family? I get it. Yeah, it's different now. For you, for us."
Some rolled their eyes at Si-woo's words. What was this conversation?
Most gathered here had been drawn by Blue Eyes' past fame. They glanced between Si-woo and Kim Il-su in confusion.
Who was right?
They, most shaken by Blue Eyes' recent actions, couldn't shake the feeling of being deceived. Distrust in the guild quietly spread.
Kim Il-su, ever perceptive, wouldn't miss that flow. He reined in his guildmates with the surest method.
Power.
"You're all talk."
Whoosh—.
Mana erupted from one man, dominating the surroundings.
Pierre nearby and Blue Zone rankers alike were startled.
Some saw Kim Il-su unleash his power for the first time. Others had forgotten he was once Blue Eyes' number two.
The bone-chilling forest frost vanished like a lie. In its place filled killing intent and malice.
Having flaunted his full might, Kim Il-su spoke.
"Gonna stand there forever?"
That was the signal.
Fwoosh—.
The rankers lining left and right charged at Si-woo.
After the long wait, Si-woo's spear cleaved left and right.