The Black Horde Awakens
The chat room was more lively than usual.
It was all thanks to Ye-rin's looks.
While that chatter flew back and forth,
Mu-hyuk finished crafting two swords and a shield.
Since the users hadn't moved yet, he whipped up a simple meal to satisfy his fullness.
He ate with Ye-rin and Kang Ji-yeon, chatting idly.
"Mmm, this tastes pretty good?"
Kang Ji-yeon looked surprised.
"My Cooking skill level is high."
"Crafting and cooking?"
"Basics."
"You're such a freak."
"Freak, my ass."
Only as they finished eating did the users finally start moving. It seemed Squad 5 had reached the opposite side and begun climbing the mountain.
"All done?"
"Yeah, thanks for the meal."
"Me too!"
He cleared up and stood.
"Let's head out too."
"Got it!"
Mu-hyuk took Ye-rin and the detachment toward the midpoint of the Alpono Mountains. The raptors they encountered on the way were handled easily without him lifting a finger.
With 50,000 users gathered, there was zero issue. Thanks to that, they reached the midpoint without a hitch.
"Hold position."
"Yes, sir."
Leaving the 50,000 users on standby, Mu-hyuk headed to the black mage's final lab with the detachment.
Upon arrival, he saw NPCs surrounding the place. Knights, mages, archers, and priests mixed in proper formation.
Then he spotted Duke Amur right in front of the lab's main entrance.
"Ah, there you are."
"Yes, but..."
"Wondering why we're just sitting here?"
"Yes."
"The path is too narrow for everyone. So I sent in 50 knights and 10 priests, and now we're waiting."
It felt like too few.
This would be tough.
No, not just tough—impossible to break through.
Regular knights were level 100+.
That was the minimum. To join a kingdom or empire's knight order, at least 140.
Once seasoned in a knight order, they hit 170 easily. And to lead one, over 200 at least.
For reference, the strongest knight Mu-hyuk remembered was over 300.
Soldiers varied too.
Low-tier around 80, mid-tier about 110. Empire guards were high-tier at 130.
The archers here were high-tier too. Once untouchable, but now not so strong.
Mu-hyuk was currently 154.
Pure stats, he could take several level 170 elite knights at once. With good Revive setup, dozens.
But even he had barely taken a mid-boss.
Deeper inside, dozens more chimeras stronger than that.
Did his concern show on his face?
"I know."
"Pardon?"
"It's impossible for them alone."
"Ah, sorry."
"No need. You've been inside, so it's natural. I don't expect results from those knights either. But if we provoke the black mage into revealing his hand, that's enough. I told them to retreat if it's too dangerous—no lives lost."
"I see."
Mu-hyuk nodded in agreement.
"Direct the foreigners well, in case the black mage shows his power."
"Understood."
Nothing more to do here, so he turned back to the midpoint.
"Hey, bro."
"Yeah?"
"What do we do?"
"Nothing for now."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. When full combat breaks out later, that's our cue."
"Full combat?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm, so it's gonna be a big fight?"
"Probably."
Actually, 100% certain.
A good chunk of users here would die.
Kingdom and empire NPCs too.
But if this sacrifice stopped it, great. The powerless in villages wouldn't die.
Just NPCs?
Eh.
Too human-like to dismiss.
Better if none died.
What about the empires' elites?
They were prepared. Elites meant high average levels. No point playing hero—he'd let them handle their job.
Mu-hyuk reached the midpoint.
"Alright, hold here."
"Got it."
"Yes, sir!"
"Oh, oppa."
"Yeah?"
Ye-rin came close.
"Just thought of this—why don't you turn off view mode on Illusion TV?"
"View mode?"
"Yeah, it shows your quests, rewards, all that."
Mu-hyuk smiled softly.
"Worried?"
"A bit."
"No big deal."
"Huh?"
Achievement points or rewards?
So what if they saw.
Achievement info was already out.
Seeing messages wouldn't let them copy—achievements required real value.
Mu-hyuk got most as firsts. Latecomers got zero points.
"Uh, well. Combat style though..."
"Already showed it all in the top ranker tournament?"
"Oh, right."
Of course, not Revive, buffs, or curses. But any other Gangster Necromancer hitting 150 would reveal them anyway. No sweat.
"W-what about items?"
"Status and items aren't visible."
Insane options.
Ridiculous stats.
That'd spark controversy.
"Thanks for worrying."
Mu-hyuk stroked Ye-rin's hair with a smile. She grinned happily, and he gazed at her face.
BOOM!
A massive quake hit suddenly.
The ground shook hard.
Swish.
Then, a powerful presence approached from far away, rustling through trees. Hidden by foliage, but certain.
"Monsters."
"They're coming...!"
"Get ready, everyone!"
Mu-hyuk shouted too.
"Battle stations!"
All drew weapons in unison.
"Battle stations!"
"Battle stations!"
"Battle..."
User voices relayed his orders, spreading instantly to Squad 5.
"Come on out!"
"Ugh, scary..."
Kang Ji-yeon gripped her staff; detachment drew weapons.
Ye-rin summoned her squirrel; Mu-hyuk called skeletons and positioned them forward.
Swish, swish.
The approaching sounds grew louder.
Then the roar.
GRRAAAAAHH!
Ears and skull rattled; front trees crumpled like paper.
Black monsters emerged.
CRUNCH.
A tank user hit by a raptor flew back.
"Crazy!"
"Heals first!"
The user sprang up.
"Whoa, half my HP gone?"
No pain, but impact. He shook his head and charged again.
"Focus heals!"
"On it!"
Another user flew back.
CRUNCH.
A DPS— insta-killed. Logged out pathetically.
These darkness-infused ones surpassed the raptors and black dragons they'd fought climbing—power, speed, all upgraded.
Different league.
"Low-HP users, play safe!"
"What the hell's this damage!"
"Tanks hold, healers focus!"
Mu-hyuk faced forward, loosed an arrow at a charging black dragon. As expected, weak damage.
Defense up too...
Other users' fights showed offense jacked up.
Solution?
Hated wasting skeletons. To preserve strength, he had to step in.
Burtan, Ki Wave ready.
Commanding skeletons, he kicked off.
Wind Step, variant.
Bow became sword instantly.
As black dragon closed in.
Ki Wave, fire.
Dodged sideways on command.
--------!
Ki Wave engulfed the black dragon.
Hup!
Mu-hyuk leaped up, landing on its torso.
Shoved sword into its unbalanced hide.
Still dazed—time to drain HP. Ordered skeletons to attack.
Hiding behind it as shield, he watched bone arrows rain.
Thuk, thunk thunk.
Arrows pierced its skin. He remounted.
Planning to finish it—then three raptors appeared.
Hit by one's attack, Mu-hyuk flew back.
HP chunked.
"Whew."
High defense kept damage low. Up again, Wind Step.
Accelerating, eyed the three raptors.
Left and center closing simultaneously—go right.
Twisted, grazed center raptor.
Wasted chance—slashed lightly.
KIIEEEEK!
No time to savor; rolled, raptor fangs clashed overhead.
Sprung up, jumped desperately.
Black dragon tail grazed toes; extended knee, stepped on tail.
Natural double jump.
Landed leisurely on torso.
Storm. Cross Slash.
Purple-wreathed sword plunged down.