Berserk Boss's Pursuit

Mu-hyuk watched as Kalzekan swung its fist, shattering the skeleton that took the full brunt of the blow.

An explosion erupted simultaneously, engulfing Kalzekan's fist.

The contribution points gained from taking the hit were 30, just like when he'd faced Mokryeong.

But on top of that, the Storm added extra contribution.

Storm was exactly what it sounded like—a technique that compressed wind. Whether that compressed air went into an arrow, a sword, or a skeleton's body was entirely up to Mu-hyuk's will.

Damage of 2,451...

Mu-hyuk checked Enhanced Skeleton 2's status.

Current HP was 2,485.

It could tank one hit...

But the problem was sustained damage.

What if it survived the initial strike but died to the ongoing effects?

That would be pretty damn annoying.

Using recovery...?

He could picture the scenario.

But it was still a card he needed to hold back.

MP was low anyway, so he'd have to throw Bone Swords out as bait first.

Normally, he wouldn't have sent skeletons as fodder.

Back when it was sane, Kalzekan had been smart enough to track down the skeleton's master.

But now, with its reason lost, could it still find the summoner on instinct alone?

Mu-hyuk judged the odds low.

So from here on, bait was fair game.

He approached Bone Sword 4.

Compressed wind power surged through Bone Sword 4's entire body.

Moments later, Bone Sword 4 charged at Kalzekan, while countless bone arrows and five elemental spells rained down from above.

Mu-hyuk nocked an arrow and unleashed Powerful Arrow Shot.

The attacks landed cleanly.

That rage turned toward Bone Sword 4 instead.

Bone Sword 4 was reverse-summoned, but contribution jumped by 30 in exchange. The 200 extra from Storm and 4 more points were a bonus.

MP was still low. Mu-hyuk sacrificed Bone Sword 5, 6, and 7 the same way. Only then did his MP hold steady enough even with Storm.

Good. Now...

Time to get serious.

He approached Enhanced Skeleton 2.

Enhanced Skeleton 2 taunted Kalzekan.

Kraaaargh!

The beast closed in instantly, its fist slamming home. He'd ordered a shield block, but Kalzekan's punch was too fast.

He quickly cast a healing spell on Enhanced Skeleton 2.

Thanks to that, Enhanced Skeleton 2 wasn't reverse-summoned.

Good!

The five mages unleashed their spells, making Kalzekan flinch momentarily. Mu-hyuk pulled Enhanced Skeleton 2 back without missing a beat.

"Hoo."

Fortunately, the other users were spamming skills for contribution too.

Kalzekan's attention shifted elsewhere.

This was manageable.

He could hunt it like this.

Even aim for top ranks.

Since Enhanced Skeleton 2's HP wasn't full, he sent out another Bone Sword.

Kraaaargh!

The Bone Sword died to Kalzekan's attack.

The beast took damage too.

Normally, killing the skeleton would send it raging toward the nearest user or rampaging wildly.

Mu-hyuk's plan was to watch for an opening and strike.

But unexpected twists always hit when you relaxed or got comfortable.

Kraaaaaah!

Suddenly, Kalzekan locked eyes on Mu-hyuk.

A chill raced up his spine.

Wha...?

No time to read the full message.

On pure instinct, he kicked off the ground with the skill.

Paths that usually seemed plentiful were scarce now. He forced his way ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠into a thread-thin gap, praying this ominous feeling would pass him by.

*

The infamous rank 1 player, Dark, watched from afar.

"How's it looking?"

"They'll all be dead soon."

"Hmm."

A few of Dark's allies scanned the battlefield.

"Who's that guy, though?"

"Who?"

"That necromancer."

"Worth caring about?"

"His skeletons are tanking Kalzekan's hits."

"Oh yeah?"

Dark looked genuinely surprised.

"Doesn't matter, though."

Everyone there was doomed to die anyway.

Another change was coming soon.

That shift would log out every user who'd racked up contribution.

Then he'd step in, finish it off, and snag first place with minimal effort.

"You're something else, man."

"What?"

"You die trying to catch that thing once, get pissed, expose your position and everything to the players... and now you backstab 'em like this?"

"Had to if I wanted it."

"Fair. It's a monster, after all."

The monster that had killed Dark and his crew too.

Boss monster Kalzekan.

But not for long.

Time to put it down.

Kraaaaaah!

In that instant, Kalzekan's roar echoed, its red aura flaring brighter.

"That's phase 2, right?"

"Yeah."

"Tch, we're done."

Wonder who it'd target first.

"Ah, that necromancer?"

"Hmm."

"Kinda pitiful, huh?"

"A little."

The situation unfolded starkly.

Kalzekan leaped into the air and crashed down right where the necromancer had been.

BOOM.

A massive shockwave rang out.

---------!

The necromancer user pierced through the rising dust, etching himself into their vision.

*

It was no exaggeration—a paper-thin margin separated death from life.

All nearby skeletons were reverse-summoned, but he had no time to worry about that.

"Hup...!"

He was in another do-or-die dodge.

Whoosh.

Kalzekan, soaring skyward, still had its eyes fixed on him.

He entrusted his life once more to the lingering Wind Step.

A few paths caught his eye. He threw himself into one.

BOOM.

He evaded Kalzekan's strike.

Damn...!

But things weren't looking good.

Kalzekan hadn't given up on him.

Was this how he'd die?

Mu-hyuk's eyes hardened.

Fine. If it was like this...

He wouldn't go down easy. Stowing his bow, drawing sword and shield, he charged straight at Kalzekan.

This pissed him off.

Boss monster or not...

This was too much.

Feel it yourself.

That even a worm could wriggle.

He'd show Kalzekan.

*

Sung Min-woo and Yura had barely survived.

"Wh-what do we do?"

"We save him!"

Sung Min-woo directed his four spirits at Kalzekan. But it ignored him completely.

Other users just stared blankly at Mu-hyuk and Kalzekan.

Crazy, in this situation...!

Frustration boiled inside, but there was nothing to do.

Just command the spirits.

Wait...!

Then it hit him.

"Yura!"

"Yes?"

"Got anything to make a loud noise?"

"Noise?"

"Yeah!"

"Oh, one sec!"

Yura got something from Kim Min-ho PD.

A special Illusion-made item: Megaphone.

"Here!"

"Use that and shout!"

"Shout what?"

"It's targeting one guy—let's all focus fire and end it!"

"Got it!"

Yura stepped up and activated the megaphone.

Mu-hyuk had been lost in dodging Kalzekan's assaults.

But he couldn't keep that up forever.

"Yeah, end it now."

"No point risking it later."

"Attack, quick!"

Top rankers moved especially frantically.

"Focus fire, everyone!"

"Unload everything!"

Spells and skills poured toward Kalzekan again.

Yet its gaze stayed locked on one target: Mu-hyuk, deftly evading every strike.

Furious at his endless dodges, it leaped.

BOOM!

Dozens of users in the radius died instantly. Those a bit farther lost balance to the shockwave, got pelted by flying rocks, and staggered.

"Heal! Heals first!"

One had a rock lodged in his throat; another's face was half-gone.

"Fucking insane!"

HP remained, but those wounds led to bleeding out. That user died too. Everyone swallowed hard at the brutal scene before this overwhelming power.

Gulp.

In that moment, Mu-hyuk burst through the dust, circling to Kalzekan's rear.

He slashed the back of its ankle.

Slash.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

A deep gash opened on Kalzekan's ankle.

Kieeeaaak!

It thrashed, swinging its leg and pounding the ground with both fists, but Mu-hyuk slipped away effortlessly.

In that brief window, sustained damage had drained 900 HP.

Luckily, someone cast a heal, refilling it fast.

He relaxed his furrowed brow and circled back, striking the same spot again.

Kalzekan swung again, but without the AoE blasts, it was dodgeable.

No time.

But Mu-hyuk was pressed.

Remaining MP: 700.

35 seconds...

Could he end it?

Even if not, he had to fight.

Couldn't run.

Kalzekan wouldn't let him.

You bastard!

His only hope: sever one leg. The wounded spot was already mangled—worth trying.

I'll cut it. No matter what.

Gritting his teeth, he closed in again.

200 MP vanished in a flash. Seizing the moment, he slashed the wounded heel again.

It didn't sever the ankle, but the massive hit left it dangling loosely.

Plenty of potential.

Once more...

One more time, and it'd come off.

Just once more!

Of course, right then it leaped skyward. Even with Wind Step, tension gripped him.

BOOM.

He dodged with everything he had.

Another blast incoming.

Dodged again.

Dodged... dodged it.

Relief flickered.

Damn...!

A third blast was coming.

Kalzekan had soared high, looking down at the rolling Mu-hyuk before plummeting.

Who'd have thought it'd chain three blasts?

As despair wrapped around him with the realization he couldn't dodge—

Kieeeaaak!

Kalzekan's sudden scream flipped the situation.