Chapter 134
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Curse
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A trivial fight.
So thought Lar Arga.
Whether it was hundreds of summoned beasts, dozens of high-level Awakened Ones, or a prodigy renowned throughout the Odobaekryeong.
Since the only worthy opponent for a transcendent Awakened One was another transcendent, no matter how many rabble who couldn't even breach the transcendent wall gathered, they were no match for him.
In that sense.
This was less a battle and more a slaughter.
A one-sided affair where he would tear the rabble to shreds, then devour the White-Masked Young Master.
…Yes.
That was how it should have been.
But…
*CRASH, CRAAASH!*
“Such, trivialities!”
Chamgeomwon and Yamyowon.
From the two territories, once pirate domains and thus well-equipped with various war facilities, came a barrage of stones and bolts launched by siege catapults and ballistae.
But they were still just rocks and quarrels.
They were not enough to destroy the body of a transcendent Awakened One, made larger and stronger by absorbing corrupted mana.
Lar withstood the onslaught and charged toward the territories.
*BOOM!*
“Kuh!”
No, he *tried* to charge.
That is, if he hadn't been struck in the head by a rock infused with hidden chakra while blood bats muddled his vision.
As he staggered from the shock that rattled his brain, an iron fist wreathed in aura and a variety of weapons struck his ankle like lightning before retreating.
With one of his feet now mangled, the barrage of rocks and ballista bolts intensified.
Most of it was mere harassment.
But the few unique abilities mixed in were enough to cause him pain, even if they weren't heavy blows.
Unable to tolerate the irritation, Arga seized control of their shared body and swung his fists wildly.
“I’ll kill, you all!”
“Wait, Arga!”
“No waiting! I’ll kill…!”
*KABOOOM!*
“Gack!”
“Grk!”
As if waiting for this very moment, a flock of crows flew into the opening he created by swinging his fists in vain.
The powerful black magic blew one of his heads clean off. Lar Arga writhed as the curse preventing his wound from regenerating took hold, his mind reeling in disbelief.
‘Me, I was hit? By this pathetic rabble?’
Subjectively speaking.
It wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
His body, larger from the corruption, had also grown slower, and his extra head made it difficult to cast spells.
He was still suffering from the aftereffects of his previous injuries, making him far weaker than before.
In contrast, the White-Masked Young Master, who had previously only had a few companions, was now at full strength with dozens of slave soldiers and his own territories.
‘No! It’s impossible. For this to be possible…’
But objectively speaking.
This should not have been happening.
No matter how mutated and weakened he was, a transcendent Awakened One was not a being that could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
Yet, there was a reason this situation had come to pass.
It wasn't the hundreds of forest spiders binding his feet with webs, nor the swarm of blood bats clouding his vision.
It wasn't the territories slowly backing away while unleashing their siege weapons, nor was it the White-Masked Young Master, a sorcerer whose skill surpassed that of a high-level Awakened One.
…No, it was the white-masked slave soldiers who were the decisive factor in creating this situation.
『Unlight Family Myriad Demon Military Arts
Mountain from Dust』
Chakra, mana, black magic, and more.
The spellcaster slave soldiers wove their magic together with precision, casting a spell that suppressed his power.
The support-class slave soldiers aided the battle, each in their own way.
And the warrior-class slave soldiers, led by the dark elf maid, exploited his openings to tear into his flesh.
Perfectly synchronized.
Exquisite.
Advanced.
This was beyond a simple numbers game; it was a coordinated assault that could only be executed by those thoroughly trained to use high-level secret arts in unison. As he endured their onslaught, Lar Arga was finally forced to admit one thing.
‘…These mere slave soldiers possess power comparable to a knight order?’
He had dismissed them as nothing more than slaves, even if they were high-level Awakened Ones.
But the Baekgwi-dan—each and every one of them—were knight-level elites, accustomed to fighting transcendent Awakened Ones.
***
A short time ago, not long after they had set out on their expedition.
Dion had asked a sudden question.
“Do you know what a knight needs?”
“Why, it is obviously a knight's noble honor and pride, is it not?”
“No. It's money, lineage, and connections.”
“Is there no chivalry in this demonic world?!”
“Chivalry isn't a necessity. It's a luxury you indulge in when you have resources to spare.”
“I feel so pathetic for the human race, which went extinct before fiends like these, that I could almost curse them…”
The lineage of a family possessing the talent and secret arts of a high-level Awakened One, the money to purchase the vast amount of mana stones needed to advance one’s class, and the powerful connections to guarantee loyalty.
Even for a high-ranking noble, possessing all three was no easy feat, let alone just one.
That was why no expense or effort was spared when recruiting proper knights in the Odobaekryeong.
As such, forming a knight order was practically a privilege reserved for the highest echelons of nobility.
But…
“It’s hard to raise a knight, but surprisingly, it’s not that hard to create a knight order.”
“What sort of bark… Pardon me, what are you saying?”
“As they say, as long as you reach your destination, the path doesn't matter, right?”
“In other words, are you saying that as long as they can fight a transcendent Awakened One, they don't necessarily have to be knights?”
“Yes, correct.”
“…Uh, um. That doesn't sound like the right answer. That sounds more like trying to take a shortcut and ending up driving your entire territory into a Labyrinth.”
There was a simple reason why knight orders were composed solely of knights.
Whether in terms of ability.
Or in terms of mentality.
Only knights, living weapons of war, could perform the insane act of confronting a transcendent Awakened One.
In that sense.
A knight order without knights was a contradiction.
It was a statement more absurd and ridiculous than trying to build a house without pillars.
If it were truly possible, there would have been no reason for nobles to spend fortunes raising knights and maintaining their orders.
“No, it’s possible.”
“…”
“—As long as they can properly understand and execute the roles of the five job classes.”
And yet.
He claimed it was possible for the slave soldiers.
The boy’s declaration was so firm, so devoid of hesitation.
And so, throughout their expedition, they endured hellish training alongside the slave soldiers, lamenting their powerlessness to defy Dion.
But at some point.
They came to realize.
The life-threatening efforts they had made were not in vain…
…And Dion’s promise to make them capable of fighting a transcendent Awakened One had been true.
***
*BOOM!*
“Kugh!”
‘Hmm, they’re still a bit clumsy.’
Dion coolly assessed the slave soldiers as they swung their weapons and cast their spells against the giant, transcendent-class mutant.
To be clear.
They were still far too weak.
Though they had achieved abnormal levels and class advancements by having all sorts of achievements funneled into them, a shortcut was still a shortcut.
Their rapid growth meant their individual capabilities had not surpassed the [Beginner] level, let alone that of a knight order.
The reason they could continue to hold Lar Arga in check was not just because of the secret arts Dion had taught them or Arsha’s command.
“You rat-like, things!”
*RUMBLE!*
Perhaps unable to contain his rage.
Lar Arga stomped his foot.
At the same moment, his tattoos faintly glowed, and a spell was cast.
A massive earthquake shook the canyon, causing countless rocks to tumble down and making several of the slave soldiers at his feet stagger.
Just as a slave soldier who failed to dodge was about to be crushed.
*CRUNCH!*
“Nngh… Riya, bring out more beasts.”
“There are none! We ran out of reserves a while ago!”
“Then get some from the other clan members. We have to hold out at least until we take him down!”
“You think I don't know that?!”
‘Right, that’s how a Summoner should be.’
A forest spider shoved the slave soldier aside.
And was crushed by the rock in his place.
Watching Kael and Riya use their forest spiders and blood bats to support the slave soldiers, even sacrificing them in moments of crisis.
Dion recalled the advice he had learned, and in turn, taught.
[A Summoner’s true strength isn’t in their ability to command numerous beasts.]
[It’s in their ability to use a variety of beasts to harass any opponent, and if necessary, use them as shields.]
[In other words, a Summoner’s true advantage is being a one-man army capable of stable tanking for days on end.]
They required a lot of upkeep.
They excelled in long battles against weak foes.
But against powerful enemies, their limit was holding the line.
However, the ability to protect allies by sacrificing their beasts against any enemy was the true value of a Summoner.
Just as Dion had taught them throughout the expedition, the Hara siblings threw their beasts into the fray without hesitation to stop Lar Arga.
They were oblivious to the dumbfounded looks from their parents and clansmen as they sacrificed the beasts they had painstakingly raised.
And the others were fighting just as hard.
*CRASH!*
[A Fighter is the sturdiest class and excels in single combat, but their role is not to endure.]
[If a Summoner is the party’s shield and armor, then a Fighter is its sword and spear.]
[Their true purpose is to be a dealer who can break through even the toughest defenses and sharply pierce a vital spot.]
‘Parsha is doing well on her own, as expected.’
The dark elf maid, drenched in holy water, dashed through the cursed mist, leading the slave soldiers.
Although she hadn't participated in the expedition and its training, as a dedicated maid of the Unlight family, her own training had forged her into the sharpest of swords and spears.
Parsha’s iron fists and feet, along with the slave soldiers’ weapons, continued to wound Lar Arga’s body.
Moreover, that was not her only role.
“His regeneration makes most attacks useless! We have to aim for his vital spots!”
“Can’t you see we’re trying to find them? If you want to complain so much, find them yourself.”
‘…As a Ranger, she still has a lot to learn, though.’
Though slightly disappointed.
Dion was satisfied for the most part.
The summoned beasts clung to Lar like insects, throwing their bodies in the way to block his vision and attacks.
The dark elf and slave soldiers hampered his movements with spells, landing blows whenever an opening appeared.
And from the rear, the catapults and ballistae in the territories continued their barrage.
It wasn't enough to be fatal.
It was merely a slight annoyance.
But they were not breaking.
They were standing against the giant.
Their valiant struggle was a precarious tightrope walk.
They were barely holding on, burning through their precious summoned beasts in real time, but for now, that was enough.
It was enough to buy Dion the time he needed to change his class and accelerate his chakra.
『【Ghost Tracker】☆☆☆+【Archaeologist】☆☆☆+【Magical Beast Hunter】☆☆☆』
『Three same-grade jobs (☆☆☆) of the same ability have been gathered. Job Combination activating.』
Chakra (☆☆☆) Triple
2nd Awakening
【Ascetic】
[A Ranger is stealthy and agile, but their true value lies not in combat, but in their senses, which are superior to any other class.]
[They are a compass that finds a path in a complex Labyrinth and reads the weakness of even an impregnable foe.]
[Thus, the ideal Ranger is a pathfinder who creates answers where there are none, the first to charge in and the last to retreat.]
He saw.
The slow and simple attack patterns, a consequence of becoming larger and stronger through mutation.
He heard.
The sound of bones and muscles twisting with every move the giant made, and the beat of its heart hidden beneath its roars of rage.
He smelled.
The lingering scent of turbid mana mixed with the metallic odor of blood pouring from its large wounds.
He felt.
The subtle shifts in the flow of battle each time the giant forced itself to cast a spell.
And so.
The moment he found the ‘answer.’
Dion immediately switched his class and drew upon his magic.
『【Black Mage】☆☆☆+【Sand Mage】☆☆☆+【Necromancer】☆☆☆』
『Three same-grade jobs (☆☆☆) of the same specialization have been gathered. Job Combination activating.』
Magic (☆☆☆) Triple
2nd Awakening
【Magus】
[A Caster is the most powerful class in terms of burst damage, but what’s more important is their adaptability and control of the battlefield.]
[They are the trump card that can fell a superior foe with a single spell or turn the tide of a disadvantageous battle.]
[Therefore, the essence of a Caster is to be the joker that flips the outcome of a battle.]
“Adra, Ir, aol, HAzaT.”
Mana.
Black magic.
Nether force.
By forgoing a shortened chant and reciting the spell through the proper procedure with hand signs, he created an even stronger and more majestic current.
“Do you think, I would just, stand by and watch, such trickery!”
Perhaps sensing the flow of magic.
Lar, who had been harried by the slave soldiers, glared at Dion, sparks flying from his eyes.
At the same time, crimson chakra emanated from his body, and his tattoos began to glow all over.
Whether summoned beasts clung to him.
Or various weapons dug into his flesh.
Or rocks and bolts rained down upon him.
The flow of his chakra never ceased, a testament to his fearsome concentration.
It was a sight that proved he was still a sorcerer who had surpassed the transcendent wall, even if his mind had grown hazy from becoming a half-beast.
But Dion did not stop his spell, even as he watched Lar Arga.
Because he still had his most dependable and trustworthy vassal.
*AWOOOOOOOOOOO!*
*CRAAASH!!!*
“Kugh!”
A giant lizard slammed into the giant, accompanied by the howl of the beastkin girl.
The Divine Beast of the Waryongjang, the Basilisk, was using its massive body to attack Lar.
[A Driver’s essence is not that of a combat class. They are closer to a production class and a porter, responsible for supply lines at the base.]
[But a Driver with a Divine Beast can become the ultimate supporter, serving as both a tank and a dealer.]
[…However, do not forget that they are also a weakness that must be protected, as the territory is at risk of being destroyed every time they join a battle.]
The last resort that shouldn't be deployed.
But once deployed, it was the strongest power in terms of sheer scale.
The Divine Beast grappled with Lar Arga, ignoring the buildings on its back as they crumbled.
In sync with its movements, countless vines shot out and wrapped around the giant.
It was the core reward Dion had obtained from defeating the dungeon boss, Rashanta, during the Gwoemokjang’s hunt in the past.
[Rashanta’s Seed (SR)]
An artifact-grade item that had granted the Basilisk tenacious life force and additional abilities, allowing it to survive the living hell of a 3-star Labyrinth.
That mighty power, which could threaten even a transcendent Awakened One, allowed the Basilisk to stand against the giant, if only for a moment.
Even so, Lar tried to ignore the Basilisk with his resilient body and regenerative powers, somehow maintaining his focus to cast his spell, but…
*BOOM!*
“Eat, Divine Beast!”
“You fool…! Get a grip, Arga! This is no time to be distracted by a Divine Beast!”
Unfortunately for Lar.
Arga’s head, already tainted by corrupted mana, could not resist the beastly instinct that coveted the Divine Beast.
As Arga forcibly moved their body to brawl with the Basilisk, the flow of chakra that Lar had painstakingly gathered was disrupted.
“Too bad, Mr. Troll. For us, this fight isn’t a duel, or even a war.”
And before Lar could somehow correct the flow.
Dion, having finally finished his incantation, flicked a finger with a smirk.
“It’s just a Raid.”
*Snap!*
In the next instant.
As if fed into a grinder.
The corpses of countless monsters and summoned beasts, ground into fine sand, seeped into the giant’s body through its wounds.
The sand flowed through its massive blood vessels until it reached the weakness Dion had pinpointed with all his senses.
A second heart, formed in its lower abdomen to support its oversized body.
A heart that was weaker than the original, yet far more fatal.
The moment the sand reached its interior.
『Unlight Family Myriad Demon Inherent Magic
Corpse Sand Detonation』
*KABOOOOOOOOOM!!!*
The giant’s heart was torn to shreds by a massive internal explosion. It froze, blood pouring from its five orifices.
***
The rampaging giant stood still.
As still as a statue.
Watching its unmoving body, blood cascading like waterfalls from its eyes, nose, and mouth, she couldn't help but think.
It was truly, utterly absurd.
Even if he was cursed and had become a half-beast, the Lord of the Dogwi-ryeon was undeniably a transcendent Awakened One.
To reduce him to such a state without a transcendent on their side was a sight she couldn't believe even after seeing it.
It was all the more shocking because she remembered how, just a few months ago during the hunt, they had struggled to handle a high-level mutant and a few 3-star monsters.
But on the other hand, she accepted it.
It was an expected result, in a way.
The Baekgwi-dan’s training, which had put them through all sorts of hardships in the Tower of Shadows, had been that grueling and thorough.
So much so that they had fought and eventually subjugated several 4-star bosses throughout their expedition.
And in that state, she was certain that not even a troll with powerful regeneration could survive.
…That was, until Lar Arga suddenly raised a hand.
*Grip.*
“Everyone, on your guard!”
Did he still have the strength to move?
Weary of his tenacious life force, the slave soldiers, as well as the Basilisk, retreated from the giant at Arsha's command.
And as they prepared to resume their assault with the summoned beasts at the forefront.
They were horrified.
*CRUUUUNCH!*
“G-Guh!”
“…?!”
“What is that…!”
Instead of attacking.
Or defending.
A hand gripped its own neck.
The moment Lar snapped Arga’s head, which let out a final death rattle, and tore it from his own body.
The monsters, which had been relentlessly swarming them while melting in the cursed mist.
Those fiends, which had been tied down by the Hara clan’s beasts and the other Divine Beasts, suddenly ignored them all and converged on the giant.
And the moment those monsters touched the giant.
—A change began.
*Crrk, crrrk, crrrrrrrrrrrk!*
Absorbed.
Mixed.
Mutated.
Like bunches of grapes throwing themselves into a press to be juiced.
Hundreds, thousands of monsters melted into the giant’s body the moment they touched it.
As it absorbed the monsters, the bleeding slowed, and its already massive body swelled even larger.
A short while later.
When all the monsters were gone.
And the gruesome transformation was complete.
The twin-headed troll, the master of the Dogwi-ryeon, the high-ranking noble, was no more.
In its place, a single monster with dozens of Lar’s head instead of the useless Arga’s, clenched its six fists.
“Kill.”
“Eat.”
“Killkillkillkillkillkill.”
“Eateateateateateateat.”
“Kekekekekeke.”
Dozens of small heads repeated the same words endlessly, as if mimicking someone’s whisper.
And in their midst, Lar’s original head wept tears of blood.
And…
A chuckle.
Echoed in their ears.
Hearing that laughter.
She, and they, realized.
Now that Pandora’s seal was broken.
Even Lar Arga, whom they had fought with all their might, was just a mere toy. The being they truly had to fear was something else entirely.
The curse that had caused numerous Labyrinths to rampage and nearly destroyed the Odobaekryeong, only to be sealed by five heroes and vanish into the annals of history.
The curse that, though the first to be vanquished, was considered the most terrifying.
The intelligent races of that era had a name for it.
One of the Seven Calamities.
Destined to one day destroy the world.
The Malevolent Fiend.