Guerrilla Assault
In the end, the Paradox Guild scouting party discovered his position.
No helping it.
Column Village was just a short distance away now, so there was no choice but to take the risk. His plan was to take out at least some of the fifty or so scouts sent to search.
Wind Step, Storm.
He dashed to the side of the user in front of him, targeting the gap his armor couldn't cover, and thrust the red dagger of the white horse cavalry.
Puuk.
-1,384 HP
-1,386 HP
After landing two attacks without using skills, he twisted his body.
Power Dash.
With an unnatural movement—and thus unpredictable direction—he struck another user. As he spun, he swung his sword downward.
Storm, Cross Slash.
An explosion erupted, sending one guild member tumbling.
He jumped and plunged his sword down as he landed.
"Damn...!"
◈ Strength (+0.1)
The user faded away as Mu-hyuk picked up the dropped item. In that moment, a dull impact hit his back, launching him forward from a powerful explosion.
-619 HP
-523 HP
Both attacks were clearly skills, but his HP only dropped by a little over 1,100. With his defense over 700 and a 15% shock absorption rate even without a shield, it was possible.
"Now's our chance—grab him!"
"Kill him!"
The users ahead attacked.
He thrust his shield forward.
-103 HP
-91 HP
He grinned even as he was knocked back.
At this level...
...he could really cut loose.
"Hoo."
Mu-hyuk quickly steadied himself after landing on the ground and rose, gripping the hilt of his sword and shield tightly as he murmured.
I'll crush you.
Not a single step toward Column Village.
He charged straight ahead, swinging his sword.
Wind Step, Storm.
Without skeletons, his MP regenerated at a frightening rate. Maintaining summons usually required MP management, making full fights difficult, but now it was different. With all summons gone, he could go all out.
Revive.
Discovered 26 wandering monster souls nearby.
How many would you like to revive?
Of course, all 26.
Will you use the original monster bodies?
[Yes/No]
He selected Yes, and monsters burst out from all directions.
Weakness, Strength Increase, Stamina Increase.
Blue light fell on Mu-hyuk and the revived monsters, then absorbed into them.
Ally Strength +10 for 30 minutes (range-limited).
Ally Stamina +10 for 30 minutes (range-limited).
Enemy stats -10% for 30 minutes (range-limited).
The efficiency of Strength Increase and Stamina Increase was minimal.
Since he'd revived low-level monsters, they could only serve as shields. But Weakness was different—a full 10% drop in physical abilities. That made a huge difference for Mu-hyuk.
"What the fuck is this?!"
"10 percent...?"
"Ah, fuck off. Die, you bastard!"
Furious users unleashed a barrage of skills.
Wind Step.
He quickly ducked behind a nearby monster.
Dark Spirit Summon.
The manifested dark spirit flew wildly, steadily dealing defense-ignoring damage to the Paradox Guild members.
Kwang, kwagwang!
He glanced at the melted monster, then charged sideways to engage an oncoming user.
Kakak!
Swords clashed, sparks flying.
Hueup!
Using the recoil, he lunged back and slashed another user. An incoming arrow was hard to dodge, so he ignored it and pressed the user in front.
"Heal, give me a heal!"
"Me too, heal me!"
"What the hell?!"
"I don't know, something's eating my HP constantly!"
"Hold on, asshole!"
"Fuck, the damage is bigger than expected!"
The user fighting Mu-hyuk yelled amid the sudden chaos.
"Shut the fuck up and heal me first!"
Cross Slash's cooldown was up—he unleashed it.
"Ah, shit...!"
He finally downed the user in front of him.
◈ Knowledge (+0.1)
He quickly scooped the dropped item into his inventory, then rolled aside, shielding himself with his shield.
Kwagwagwang!
The explosion dragged his body across the ground.
"Now!"
He hurriedly gathered the remaining monsters to block the path where users were charging.
"Ah, this guy's such a pain!"
The monsters vanished in seconds, but in that brief gap, Mu-hyuk stood and used Wind Step to widen the distance.
Storm, Multi Shot.
Several arrows pierced the air.
Storm, Powerful Arrow Shot.
Blessing of the Dead.
When they closed in, he'd Wind Step back and fire arrows again. It worked a few times, but as it repeated, the users adapted.
"Some of you draw his attention!"
"Okay!"
"The rest, spread out!"
Their movements were more coordinated than expected.
That was why Mu-hyuk ended up surrounded.
"Got him!"
"Finish him!"
Skills flew from all sides.
This is bad...!
No escape.
He crouched urgently, thrusting his shield toward the direction with the most incoming skills.
Kwagwang!
Damage where the shield was minimal—barely 90 HP per skill. But elsewhere, it was different.
-517 HP
-531 HP
-609 HP
Over ten skills hit. His HP, just over 5,000, dropped by that much, leaving around 7,000.
Still room.
-619 HP
-499 HP
Attacks continued relentlessly.
When HP hit around 4,000.
Expel Exchange.
Converting MP to HP.
MP (-6,000) | HP (+6,000)
He converted his overflowing MP to HP, bringing it to 10,000, but attacks persisted.
-555 HP
Another 5,000 HP gone before the attacks stopped.
"Hoo..."
Dust clouded his vision.
"He's dead, right?"
"No way? How many skills was that? And he took them all head-on."
"He blocked some with the shield here."
"Dude, his back was wide open—it's over!"
The Paradox Guild members were in the same boat.
"Yeah..."
"Surviving that would make him a monster, not a player. I'm reporting him for bugs."
A chilling smile rose at their words. Their carelessness now was the perfect chance to take out at least one more.
"Hey, anyone got wind magic?"
"Cooldown's not up."
"Fuck, then we wait."
The dust didn't clear easily.
"Ah, shit. Let's just check."
"Yeah."
A strong gust blew in just then.
"Oh, wind. Should be visible now."
Mu-hyuk chased the flying dirt to stay hidden longer. After a few steps, the wind lifted it skyward, revealing him—but a defenseless Paradox Guild member was right beside him, staff in hand. Priest or mage, likely.
Storm, Cross Slash.
Before he could raise his shield, the skill hit.
"Wha—what...!"
-3,529 HP
Additional -6,323 HP
Paradox Guild member 'Akuma' defeated.
◈ Knowledge (+0.1)
He stowed the dropped item and turned to the user ahead.
Storm, Power Attack.
The Paradox Guild member struck in the shoulder flew back far. Mu-hyuk followed, slashing relentlessly.
"What are you doing? Help!"
"Uh, uhh...!"
The Paradox Guild members were still dazed. With skill cooldowns not up, they couldn't mount a proper attack. Knowing this, Mu-hyuk kept pressuring the one in front.
Wind Step, Storm!
He circled behind quickly and swung. Only after two more successful hits did he down that user.
◈ Stamina (+0.1)
The Paradox Guild members grumbled at the sight.
"Uwaaaah, so annoying!"
"He didn't die?!"
"No, fuck. Even if we're just average in the guild, does this make sense?!"
"He's a top ranker, you idiot."
"Even so!"
"Haven't you seen our guild's top ranker fight?"
"No, asshole."
"You'd spew the same shit if you did. Top 1,000 rankers are all monsters—monsters. Not human, got it? And that Mu-hyuk guy's not just top 100—he's a super monster in the top 10!"
"Then fuck, send someone more skilled!"
"They didn't expect guerrilla tactics like this, asshole!"
"Hah, damn it...!"
As they bickered loudly, Mu-hyuk widened the distance. A black mass appeared behind them as they recovered and advanced—170 more Paradox Guild members approaching after wiping his skeletons.
With them joining, even escaping would be tough. From now on, better to kite from max range and provoke.
Transform. Storm.
He fell back further, applied Storm, and fired Multi Shot.
Paaang!
Some approaching users halted to dodge or block the arrows.
The untouched accelerated. Spreading in a fan to surround him again.
This way, he'd have to flee toward Column Village.
No.
He veered south urgently.
To slip their encirclement before it formed.
Wind Step.
He glanced back while running.
Please chase.
"Catch him, catch him!"
"Surround him!"
"You idiots!"
As the scouts shouted and moved—
"Everyone, halt!"
The belatedly arriving subjugation leader stopped them.