Aiges, the Mid-Boss
The spectators were startled by the sudden appearance of two chimeras.
At that moment, another chimera appeared from up ahead.
Kieeeek!
The two chimeras and skeletons swiftly dispatched the hostile chimera that had appeared.
Thanks to Revive, the hunt proceeded smoothly.
As the pace grew a bit monotonous, Mu-hyuk took a break and casually checked Illusion TV.
Of course, Mu-hyuk had no intention of obliging.
What spectators...?
His face flushed at the unexpectedly large number of viewers and their enthusiasm, so he quickly turned off the screen. Shaking his head, he refocused on crafting.
The spectators laughed and chatted while watching. Then, curiosity piqued by the sudden link, they cautiously clicked it. A video appeared—of Mu-hyuk hunting chimeras. Right below it:
Another link sparked more curiosity.
Overseas reactions?
What did foreigners think?
Hands moved instinctively.
The reactions were more positive than expected.
Korean Illusion players reacted to the reactions.
Viewership spiked again.
Now over 35,000.
Mu-hyuk had rocketed to #3 on Illusion TV's rookie rankings.
*
Several hours of hunting later.
"Whew."
He arrived before the iron door shaped like a demon.
Did it come from here?
His memory wasn't crystal clear, but the odds were good.
Tension crept in.
He now had eight revived chimeras. He'd backtracked the path, reviving every possible one.
Even so, victory wasn't guaranteed.
Greed, huh.
In reality, he never would've pushed this hard.
But it was a game.
That's why he pressed on.
Fail and die? Fine.
24-hour penalty?
Worth it.
Storm, Storm, Storm.
He cast Storm on the skeletons and chimeras, waiting for MP to recharge. At full strength, he pushed open the iron door.
Kiiik.
The interior was brightly lit, everything clear—even the monster in the center. He stepped toward the rigid, unmoving beast. Once inside:
Thud!
The door sealed shut on its own, and the creature turned its head.
Grrr...
You have entered the room of the mid-boss monster, Chimera Aiges.
You have acquired Achievement Points (15 points).
Black Mage's Location
Not only had he cleared the quest, but just entering the room netted achievement points.
Defeat it?
The anticipation of rewards alone was thrilling.
"Alright, let's do this."
The eight chimeras and horde of skeletons charged at Aiges.
Aiges lumbered forward with heavy steps.
"Weakness."
Aiges slowed slightly.
"Strength Increase, Stamina Increase."
His allied skeletons and chimeras grew stronger instead. Yet Aiges pressed on without hesitation, slamming its muscular right leg into the ground.
Kuhuuung!
A powerful quake and shockwave erupted.
Everything but the Armor Knights felt like it would vanish.
To land Storm damage, they had to die up close. Mu-hyuk finally unleashed his held-back skill.
The longsword infused with drake blood, gripped by Armor Knight 1, glowed.
Absorbs 5,000 damage for 5 seconds.
A vast barrier unfurled, blocking Aiges' shockwave. The damage hadn't exceeded 5,000—the shield held.
Mages' spells, Armor Archers', and Bone Bows' bone arrows flew at Aiges.
Kwaaaang!
Skeletons dashed through the dust cloud.
Kirrik, kiririk!
As they closed in, Aiges flapped its wings, clearing the dust. One head turned, sneering at the approaching skeletons.
Kihee, kihehehe.
Its razor-sharp left hand swept wide.
Bone Sword 1 has been unsummoned.
Bone Sword 2 has been unsummoned.
Bone Sword 3...
A few basic skeletons vanished, but Storm detonated, dealing damage.
Deals an additional 180 damage.
Deals an additional 180 damage...
Aiges' massive hammer-like right fist smashed down, unsummoning more skeletons.
Storm chipped away again. Fortunately, Armor Knights survived a hit.
They could tank two with shields. The revived chimeras endured multiple blows without falling.
Lucky.
They made reliable tanks.
And their damage was solid.
Kwaang!
Aiges staggered from a chimera strike.
All eight chimeras charged.
Kwang!
While they clashed in a test of strength, skeletons poked damage. But more skeletons fell in the process.
Expendable Bone Swords.
Only Armor Skeletons and chimeras were true forces. They surrounded Aiges, unleashing indiscriminate attacks for Storm procs.
Kihehehe!
Despite the impacts, Aiges laughed. Wiping the twisted grin, it spread its wings.
Whoooosh.
A fierce gust hurled everything back.
Aiges ascended, gazing down. Its left hand swung lightly. A swish, and long gashes appeared on two chimeras.
Kihee!
Its right fist plunged.
Several Armor Knights shattered without contact. Chimeras were crushed into the floor. They survived, but HP bottomed out.
Insane...!
Skills, no doubt.
Couldn't let it continue.
Storm, Powerful Arrow Shot.
Armor Archers, Power Shot.
An arrow from Mu-hyuk's hand targeted the wings.
Kagak!
It bounced off. Damage landed, but Aiges hovered.
Left hand, then right—more damage to skeletons and chimeras.
At this rate, no chance. Had to shred the wings.
Transformation, Wind Step.
Arrows failed? Sword it was.
Pababat.
Closing fast, he commanded.
Burtan, Ki Wave!
The ki blast made Aiges wobble and plummet.
Mu-hyuk leaped onto an Armor Knight's shoulder, launching skyward.
Precariously atop Aiges' back, he flattened himself and drew a dagger from inventory.
Aiming for the seemingly weaker nape, he stabbed down.
Kagang!
Metallic clang, shock up his arm.
What the hell's this tough!
Grinding his teeth, he hammered the same spot. Aiges bucked wildly, making balance hard—attacks were few.
But persistent stabs finally pierced the skin.
Whew, got it.
Gripping the hilt stabilized him.
No falling now.
Time to...
Shred the wings.
Left hand on dagger hilt, he twisted. Kurkan's longsword swung at the wing base. Another harsh metallic ring.
But relentless hammering cracks even steel.
One wing torn.
Off-balance, Aiges crashed into ceiling and walls before tumbling down.
Mu-hyuk jumped clear, gaining distance.
Swish.
Aiges rose.
Both heads' mouths twitched.
Ki, kihehehe!
The laugh didn't faze him.
All eight revived chimeras intact.
20 minutes left.
End Aiges before they vanished.
Confident charge.
But...
Kwajik. Seogeok.
Aiges was still mighty.
Left-swept skeletons bisected; hammer-fisted ones shattered.
Shields barely blocked, then muscular right leg kicked. Dodge that, steel left foot stomped.
Mu-hyuk's expert commands saved skeletons that should've died.
Pull back, wait for HP regen. Meanwhile, eight chimeras encircled, pressing harder.
Blessing of the Dead!
Refilled chimeras' HP.
Attack renewed.
Mu-hyuk weaved in, sword dealing damage.
Deals an additional 180 damage.
Armor Archer 1 deals 237 damage...
Mu-hyuk's strikes, bone arrows, cycling spells.
Armor Knights and Cavalry refilled HP, others fought on.
Commanding mid-battle strained his mind, but victory demanded it.
Crisis? Slowing poison.
Over? Hallucination poison.
Struggling? Weakness paralysis and bleeding tears.
Finally, chaos potion and barrier potion.
Yet Aiges pressured chimeras relentlessly. Occasional bursts targeted Archers and Mages—Armor Knights intercepted.
Cost: Death.
Skeletons halved. Battle intensified; Aiges' cackling bred anxiety.
"Haaap!"
Had to squeeze everything.
Every scrap of focus.
Aiges raged on; Mu-hyuk hit his limit.
How'd I get this far...!
Couldn't quit easy.
Teeth gritted, he clung stubbornly.
Fierce tenacity.