Dark Knights' Onslaught
Mu-hyuk took care of the three Dark Knights and caught his breath again.
"Whew, it's tough, but the experience is insane."
"The level gap's huge."
"Honestly, we're the only ones who could take them down. No one else would even dream of it. Look—no other users around."
"Yeah."
"Hmm, come to think of it, aren't we the first to hunt Dark Knights?"
"Probably?"
"Should we record it and sell as a paid video? Bet it'd get tons of views."
"Not a bad idea…"
"Okay. I'll film, edit, and upload. We'll split the revenue evenly."
"You edit and upload, so you get 4 shares. Me and Yerin get 3 each."
"Deal. Camera's rolling."
"Sure, but there's something you haven't heard yet."
"What?"
"Illusion TV is live right now. You know that, right?"
"Oh…?"
"Viewers might upload it first."
"Ahhh…?"
"Just know there's a high chance it'll spread for free."
"Damn, forget it then."
"Whatever."
"Ha, maybe we should just do Illusion TV? Does it pay well?"
"It's not about the money… but yeah, pretty good."
Even during the Dark Knight fight, coupons had poured in.
"Oh yeah? Let me check it out."
Mu-hyuk took a break to look as well.
The chat was flying by at breakneck speed.
('Giraffe' donated 10 coupons.)
One coupon was worth 100 won, netting Mu-hyuk 85 won each.
That was 850 won right there.
26 coupons piled up in seconds.
"Crazy, coupons are no joke."
"Not always like this. Only when fights get tough."
"Still a jackpot."
"Pretty good, right."
The viewers kept nagging even then.
Their wish came true soon enough.
*
Three comrades called by two Death Knights.
"Shit, five of 'em?!"
"Curse you, curse…! Viewers' curse…!"
They pressed from all sides.
Grrrr…!
With over 150 skeletons, spirits, and squirrels, it might seem hard to believe they'd be pressured by five Dark Knights.
But Mu-hyuk's group—and every viewer on Illusion TV—agreed unanimously.
('Wowza' donated 10 coupons.)
('Loser' donated 5 coupons.)
('CheerUp' donated…)
Of course, oblivious to it all, Mu-hyuk and his crew focused solely on the battle.
Whew, this'll be rough.
He'd already used Soul Burst, so no cooldown reset for 24 hours.
No ultimate finisher skill left—facing them was brutal.
"Run if it's dangerous!"
"Got it!"
"Okay, oppa!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Still, he wanted to take down what he could.
The razor-thin thrill was addictive.
He kicked off the ground hard amid the tension.
Whoosh.
Closed in on one, chipping its HP with nearby Armor Knights' help.
Skeletons died here and there, but it was manageable—until Sung Min-woo's urgent shout.
"Mu-hyuk! Too strong!"
"Can't hold?"
"Two minutes!"
That'd fly by.
Hurry?
Better thin the herd first.
Storm, Power Dash.
Storm + Power Dash
Sudden strike—but the Dark Knight reacted.
Boom!
Blocked with its shield.
Damn…!
Its sword swung next, slashing Mu-hyuk's armor.
-1,029 HP
Reeling back, the Dark Knight smashed surrounding skeletons.
Mu-hyuk regained balance, loosed an arrow, then Wind Step to close in.
The Dark Knight swatted the arrow casually and charged.
Distance vanishing.
Hup…!
He swung down desperately.
It twisted slyly, sidestepped, and shield-bashed him.
Staggering, a blue blade plunged at Mu-hyuk.
Skill, probably.
Dangerous.
That hit would shave 2-3k HP.
Fear Stimulation!
A nearby Dark Spirit scouting struck it and got absorbed.
Twitch.
A split-second breather.
Enough.
Balance recovered, shield up quick.
Kaboom!
The blow landed—but worth it.
Armor Knights stabbed from all sides, bone arrows rained—solid damage.
Mu-hyuk's focus whittled its HP steadily.
Still, anxiety gnawed. It'd taken heavy damage, yet clung to life.
"Nngh…!"
Worse, Sung Min-woo was getting pushed far off.
"Just die already!"
Sword swing, bracing for counter.
Storm, Cross Slash!
Storm + Cross Slash
Luckily, it hit the armor clean.
Grooo…
First Dark Knight finally collapsed.
"Haa…"
Exhaling, he eyed the corpse briefly.
Close, but no time.
Corpse Dissection tempting, but no luxury.
Rushed to aid Sung Min-woo's Dark Knight.
Wind Step, Storm!
They downed another together—over half summons gone. Spirits and squirrels battered too.
But no retreat yet.
"One more!"
Sacrificed more skeletons for another kill.
About 20 left?
Three squirrels.
One spirit barely.
Resummon cooldown? Over 10 minutes.
"How? Retreat?"
"What now?"
The last two were fresh.
"One more possible?"
"Let's try."
Gave it all, but impossible.
Abandoned the final two and pulled back.
"Skeleton Warhorse summon."
All four mounted and bolted.
Same time.
Count Alteon scanned documents with a blank face.
His eyes betrayed unease and fidgeting.
Someone from Duke Amur was watching, no doubt—but he couldn't show he knew.
Never, ever…
Ignoring cold sweat down his back, eyes back on papers.
Yeah, safe for now.
Stay calm.
To survive.
Emperor wanted it quiet, surely.
But what "quiet" meant? Unclear.
Light slap and bury? Or silent death?
Alteon bet on death.
Honor tarnished—grave sin.
Honor above all for nobles.
Whew, must live.
So, final gambit.
Escape here, and…!
Success might mean luxury beyond this.
Distractions kept document contents from sticking.
Not that he needed to read.
"Count?"
"Hm?"
"You okay?"
"Ah, fine."
His steward, working same room.
"Should I stay?"
"Fine. Stay."
Needed someone for peace.
"Dinner?"
"Preparing now."
"Sigh, okay."
Seconds like minutes.
No—hours in hellish mire.
Knock knock.
Maid entered at last.
"Count, dinner served."
"Bring it in."
Maids hauled lavish trays into the study.
"Good work."
"We'll clear later."
"Do that."
Alteon approached the table post-maids.
Please, please…!
He sat, praying inwardly.
Checked food layout first.
Fish rear.
Smooth sailing.
Soup right.
Six meat chunks inside.
Right meant confirmation; six meant time.
Solid answer in 6 hours.
6 hours, 6 hours…
Endure extreme tension that long.
Driving me mad.
But doable.
Held this far.
Yeah, 6 hours seals it.
Endure.
"Whew."
Ate slowly, trays cleared.
Still over 5 hours left.
Desk-bound, eyes on papers, mind wandered endlessly.
Forcing stagnant time forward.