Fall of the Overwhelming Boss
Dark's pupils trembled.
The comrades around him wore shocked expressions as well.
"Does... that even make sense...?"
Once Kalzekan entered its second phase transformation, responding to it was virtually impossible.
That was the reality even for the number one ranker, Dark. The jump speed accelerated, drastically reducing the overall reaction time.
On top of that, the continuous bombardment was a catastrophe in itself. The only reason he hadn't died easily was the all-out support from his comrades.
Dark's hidden powerhouses. Without them, facing the beast wouldn't have even been conceivable.
"But... why...!"
Why was that player holding his own against it?
And in the exact form Dark had desired.
"You okay?"
Even his comrade's consolation failed to calm his mind.
He glared fiercely for a long while.
No, no. It'll collapse soon anyway. It has to. Holding out forever doesn't make sense.
"Whew, yeah, I'm fine."
"Good?"
"Yeah. More importantly, hurry and get ready."
"Got it."
The other comrades were surprised too, but they looked confident.
That was the moment.
Kalzekan jumped three times in succession.
Even if the first and second were dodged, the third couldn't be avoided.
Despite the situation unfolding as desired, Dark felt an odd unease.
Like he was missing something crucial.
What the hell is it?
He pondered, but never realized it.
The insane mobility to evade Kalzekan's bombardment. The exceptional HP to withstand sustained damage while dodging attacks. The fact that the player with all those traits was a necromancer.
"H-Hey, look at that!"
"What?"
Dark snapped out of his thoughts and looked up.
The situation was veering strangely off course.
*
Kalzekan's movements were off.
Yura, sensing a vague unease, grabbed her megaphone and shouted urgently.
She wanted to take down Kalzekan before this anxiety closed in.
The weakness was clear now.
Right ankle.
The spot Mu-hyuk had targeted.
Conveniently, it jumped.
At Yura's call, everyone unleashed their skills.
It jumped again in quick succession.
Finally, the third!
It was already badly wounded, afflicted with severe bleeding.
The deep gash took massive hits in succession, and the flesh and bone could no longer hold—finally tearing away.
Kieeeaaak!
Due to the pain?
Kalzekan, plummeting down, twisted its body midair.
Its trajectory veered off, allowing Mu-hyuk to avoid the bombardment.
"Somi!"
"Y-Yes!"
The healer who'd come with Yura cast a healing spell on Mu-hyuk.
HP is recovering.
Mu-hyuk, dazed for a moment, snapped to when a rock shard smacked his face. He hurriedly stood and retreated.
Kiaak, kieeeaaak!
Kalzekan writhed on the ground, shrieking.
This was the chance.
"Let's finish it!"
The players' attacks poured endlessly.
Kwaaang!
In the meantime, Mu-hyuk reached Sung Min-woo and Yura's side.
Only then did he realize he'd escaped the beast. A deep sigh escaped him naturally.
"Haa..."
Yura eyed him worriedly, while Sung Min-woo clapped his shoulder.
"You good?"
"Not really, man."
"Tch."
Mu-hyuk turned his head.
He smiled softly at Yura.
"Thanks."
"N-No big deal."
After thanking her, he pulled an MP potion from his inventory and downed it.
It wasn't over yet.
"Let's finish it."
"Okay!"
"Sounds good."
He nocked an arrow to his bow.
Aimed at Kalzekan as it tried to rise.
Kieeeaaak!
It lost balance and collapsed.
Tried to stand again.
The moment it stumbled once more—
Pang!
Mu-hyuk's arrow pierced the air.
-231 Damage
-415 Damage
Contribution (5) increased.
Contribution (9) increased.
The arrow embedded in Kalzekan's head.
Kr, krrrng...
Almost simultaneously, its eyes closed.
Experience increased.
It was down.
"Fi-Finally...!"
It had been an excruciatingly brutal battle.
Over a thousand players had died.
"Haa."
Mu-hyuk let out a sigh of relief, lowering his bow hand.
"It's over, right?"
"Yeah."
"Whoa, insane. This is next-level epic!"
"Amazing, really!"
Even Yura couldn't hide her excitement beside him.
A smile crept up involuntarily.
It really had been incredible.
Even recalling it now, Kalzekan was overwhelming.
Especially the plunging bombardments after jumps.
How he'd dodged them—thinking back, he felt proud of himself.
But...
He'd gotten too swept up in one monster.
I'm still way too weak.
Having so much room left to grow was, in a way, a blessing.
That was the moment.
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened.
First place...?
In the frantic chaos, he hadn't checked contributions.
He'd assumed top ranks subconsciously, but first? No way.
Mu-hyuk hurriedly checked the reward.
◈ Random high-end item appears.
Sung Min-woo beside him seemed to have gotten a reward too.
"Oh, reward's in?"
"What'd you get?"
"Silver Box? Two of 'em."
Mu-hyuk: Gold Box.
Sung Min-woo: Silver Box.
Colors by rank, apparently.
Bronze too?
Conveniently, chatter nearby.
"Bronze Box, two."
"One for me."
Mu-hyuk quickly stowed the Gold Boxes in his inventory.
If spotted, it'd be a hassle.
"Kinda tired."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Tired?"
Ignoring Sung Min-woo.
To Yura:
"Yeah, a bit."
"Then rest up."
"Gotta. Logging early today."
"Um, hey."
"Yeah?"
"Free tomorrow?"
Sung Min-woo pouted beside them.
"Jealous, punk."
Mu-hyuk shot him a sharp look.
"Ahem, just jealous."
Sung Min-woo averted his eyes.
Mu-hyuk chuckled and turned to Yura.
"Yeah, I am."
"Then..."
"Lunch tomorrow?"
"Y-Yes! Sounds great. Hey, Min-woo?"
"Yeah?"
"My friend's coming too. Join us?"
"R-Really?"
"Of course."
"Yessir!"
Mu-hyuk to the pair:
"Gonna log. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. Resting too. Meet here tomorrow."
"Rest well."
Nodded and logged out.
*
Impossible.
"..."
But it happened.
Dark stared long at where Mu-hyuk vanished, then looked up.
"Impressive, huh?"
"What is?"
"A player like that..."
"Whew, yeah. Put so much prep in, and now it's hollow."
A woman approached.
"But..."
"Hm?"
"That player... necromancer, right?"
Then he realized what he'd overlooked.
The source of that unease.
"He summoned and commanded skeletons at first. Thought I mis-saw."
"That..."
"Not?"
"N-No. Yeah. Necromancer... probably."
He'd seen it with his own eyes.
"Yeah, saw it. But..."
How could a necromancer move like that?
Hallucination?
Mistake?
Everyone here dreaming?
"..."
Dark shut his mouth.
Silence stretched long.
The next day.
Mu-hyuk met Yura after ages, lunching together.
Sung Min-woo and Han So-yeon tagged along, but they chatted among themselves, leaving Mu-hyuk and Yura to talk.
"Good here?"
"Yeah, tasty."
"Hot spot lately. After food?"
"Obviously Illu—"
Sung Min-woo's finger jabbed Mu-hyuk's side like lightning amid his chat with Han So-yeon.
"Eup!"
"H-Haha. Coffee at a cafe after, obviously. Then a movie? Musical works too."
"Movie for me!"
"Me too. Got one I wanna see."
"Nice. Movie it is!"
Mu-hyuk blankly took in the trio. Then glared at Sung Min-woo. Who grinned, stood, and excused himself.
"Bathroom break for us."
"Sure. Go ahead."
Sung Min-woo dragged Mu-hyuk.
"Hey, buddy."
"What?"
"How are you this oblivious?"
"Huh?"
"Asking post-meal plans means wanna hang more."
"Hmm?"
"You know that, right?"
"Uh, not wanting to go home?"
"Dude...!"
"Asking means no plans, right?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"So both free—head home, Illusion time. That vibe?"
How's that the read?
"Sigh, like you've lived solo 10 years."
Mu-hyuk flinched.
"10 years?"
"Anyway, hopeless with women."
"Am I...?"
"Yes! Shut up, follow me. Got it?"
"Ahem."
Mu-hyuk frowned but couldn't retort. 10 years solo was true.
Days blank, hours in capsule searching Illusion vids.
No talks, no touches. Romance cells dead, naturally.
"Cafe then movie today. Got it?"
"Yeah."
"Good, let's go!"
Back to table, meals with lovely ladies.
Post-restaurant: cafe, coffee, chit-chat.
Honestly tiring and dull for Mu-hyuk, but occasionally nice.
"Whoa, hilarious, Min-woo."
"Right? My humor. Haha!"
Han So-yeon chatting with Sung Min-woo eyed Mu-hyuk.
"You seem blunter each time, Mu-hyuk."
"I'm kinda..."
Yura cut in.
"Stoic's cool."
"Thanks."
Embarrassing praise, but nice.
"Coffee done. Up?"
"Yeah."
Then movies, street shopping.
Chilly weather? With them, not really.
"Six already."
"Mm..."
Yura clapped.
"Illusion's World soon!"
"Oh, right."
"Watch over dinner?"
"Huh?"
Together? Where?
"Follow!"
Yura led.
Sleek building.
"This...?"
"Restaurant. Private rooms, great food."
Inside: private room indeed.
Diverse menu.
TV, laptop too.
"Whoa, place like this..."
Mu-hyuk impressed.
Nice.
Ordered, ate lightly—7 PM. Hurriedly tuned TV.
Illusion's World started.
Yura greeted on screen.
Real Yura right there, screen Yura too.
Novel feeling first.
"I don't monitor much myself..."
She seemed embarrassed.
About five minutes in.
Yesterday's boss, Kalzekan, appeared.
"Stayed up almost all night recording that."
"Tough."
"But fun."
Screen showed players.
Thousands.
Grand sight.
Then close-up on someone—froze on Mu-hyuk.
"Ah..."
Mu-hyuk's face flushed.