The Holy Warriors Emerge

Three days.

The time spent hunting fallen elite holy knights and elite priests.

The number of monsters they'd slain so far was impressive.

"Phew, we've already taken down this many."

"Seriously, that's a ton."

"And the exp gain has been insane because of it."

"True that. Level 204 is right around the corner. You?"

"I'm at about 55 percent now?"

"Whoa, 55 percent already after hitting 204?"

"Yeah."

"That's huge. Even if it's slow, you'll hit it for sure within four days."

"Sounds good."

Mu-hyuk couldn't help but look forward to it deep down.

As soon as possible in three days, or four at the latest.

He smiled faintly, picturing the moment he'd reach level 205.

"Alright, everyone rested up?"

The moment he started to stand—

Ye-rin lifted her head and stared at him intently.

"Oppa~"

"Yeah?"

"Can we rest a little longer? Please?"

"Tired?"

"Yeah. Unnie says she's tired too."

"Oh, alright...?"

"Mmm."

"Five more minutes then."

"Hehe, oppa's the best!"

Mu-hyuk sat back down and began enhancing a sword.

Ever since the empire stopped supplying enhancement materials, he'd been holding back on high enhancements.

The material costs were sky-high, and failure meant massive losses.

It was a far cry from the days of unlimited supplies, but he'd accepted it quickly and was used to it now.

Safe up to +5.

No more, no less—just +5 was perfect.

Finishing up, he glanced at Ye-rin.

"Enhancements done. Rested up?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go then?"

"Okay!"

With her crisp reply, he stood.

He revived the fallen elite holy knights and priests, then pressed forward. Spotting an elite group in the distance, he unleashed a barrage of magic attacks.

Boom, kwarrrrng!

Amid the blast's aftermath—

Charge!

Over a hundred melee summons thundered ahead, shaking the ground.

Perhaps from growing familiarity, they hunted them down with surprising ease.

*

Another day passed much like the last.

"See you after dinner."

"Yeah!"

Logging out, they ate dinner, enjoyed a brief break skimming the Illusion homepage.

Dark, episodes, new powers, loot...

Fortunately, no users seemed to have gained anything major.

At least, that's what he figured.

Pushing stray thoughts aside, he returned to his room and logged back in.

Advancing with his companions, they hunted elite monsters.

After clearing the third group, they encountered the fourth.

Swoosh.

Mu-hyuk's expression turned grave.

"Those guys..."

He slowly raised a hand, signaling silence.

Sung Min-woo, Ye-rin, and Kim Ji-yeon noticed and followed his gaze in silence.

Monsters appeared in the distance—not elite holy knights or priests.

"High priests and holy warriors?"

"Yeah, they look totally different from the elites."

They whispered as quietly as possible.

"Definitely bigger too."

They'd entered a new zone. The moment they realized it, the group's mood shifted—from bored to tense and alert.

"Hoo, finally."

Slumped shoulders tensed, power coursing through their bodies.

"They must be crazy strong, right oppa?"

"Probably?"

No way to know for sure, but he was certain.

They'll be seriously tough.

These were the ones to shatter the monotony.

"Go back and Revive more? Or fight straight up?"

"Only about ten of 'em."

"Right."

"We can probably handle it."

"Ye-rin, what do you think?"

"Seems okay to me."

"Ji-yeon?"

"M-me too, I like it."

With everyone's agreement, they prepared for battle.

"Here we go."

Magic and bone arrow barrages, followed by buffs and debuffs.

Thud, thoom!

Then the melee summons charged.

Revived elite holy knights were among them.

Holy knights healed by elite priests were practically unkillable zombies.

Only seven holy warriors and three high priests—good odds, they figured.

Accelerated Thrust!

Mighty Strike!

Ice Hold!

Skills flew, dealing damage and forcing openings to slip through.

They scattered the ten foes, aiming to pick them off one by one—

Whoooosh!

One holy warrior swung its greatsword down with crushing force, embedding it deep. Wind erupted from the blade, starting small but swelling into a typhoon that devoured the space.

Shields up!

Everyone raised shields, but the wind was everywhere. Shields alone couldn't block it.

The wind assaulted from all sides—heavy yet sharp, piercing like awls while blunt. Contradictory forces battered them.

Mu-hyuk bent one knee, enduring as he scanned with Vision Secure. No skill needed; it was obvious.

Messages flooded nonstop.

Insane...!

Even his trusted elite holy knights began vanishing one by one. As the wind eased slightly, another holy warrior slammed its greatsword into the ground.

Kuuung.

The winds intensified, merging into something fiercer.

Armor Archers, Power Shot!

Bone arrows veered off course in the gale.

This won't work...!

Using his shield for support, Mu-hyuk rose and locked eyes on one holy warrior—its greatsword still buried deep.

Wind Storm, Power Dash!

His body pierced the winds instinctively. Poised to land a solid hit on the unresponsive foe—

Swoosh.

Another holy warrior blocked his path from behind.

Kuuung!

The target took zero damage, still spewing gales from its embedded blade.

"Damn it!"

He tried White Tiger Step for a quick approach, but others had already surrounded it protectively.

The situation was dire, but retreat wasn't an option. Better to gauge their strength now.

White Tiger Swordsmanship, Second Form: White Tiger Wave.

The world slowed. Mu-hyuk became a streak of light charging the holy warrior.

He swung like a phantom, but it twisted away.

The second and third strikes were parried by the greatsword's broad side.

Kagak!

The fourth connected, but three blocks stunned him.

Dodging and parrying this...?

As the skill ended and form returned, he shook his head sharply.

Calming himself to retreat— a holy warrior closed in, its greatsword slamming his chest.

Kwajik.

The impact hurled him back.

"...!"

The damage was shocking, but its pursuit speed was worse.

It leaped midair, smashing down. Backward momentum clashed with the overhead strike, smashing him into the ground.

"Kuh...!"

Skidding three meters, cratering the floor.

Step.

Another holy warrior approached.

Mu-hyuk rolled up, evading with White Tiger Step, then widened the gap with Wind Step.

Relief flickered—then the holy warriors fanned out.

Pababat.

Excluding specials like Snowmen and Poison Ogres, no summons held.

Overwhelmed by raw power and agility, they unsummoned without response.

Rear armor archers and mages fell too.

Holy knights, surround!

Poison Ogres, spread spores!

Burtan, Ki Wave!

They fought desperately, but it was futile.

Accepting defeat without a real fight was tough.

Dazed, staring at the holy warriors and high priests, Sung Min-woo approached and nudged his shoulder.

"Snap out of it. Let's go."

"Ah... yeah."

They had to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠leave before the remaining summons fell.

"Oppa, hurry!"

Ye-rin, waiting anxiously, beckoned.

He nodded, joined her, summoned his warhorse, mounted up, and galloped away without looking back.

Far enough away, they halted.

"Rest here."

"Ah... yeah."

They sat, exchanging glances.

A brief silence.

Then light chuckles at each other's grim faces.

"Look at those faces, seriously."

"Yours ain't much better."

"Well, we got wrecked bad."

"Fair."

"But come on, isn't this a bit much? Holy warriors and high priests? Few in number, but each one's quasi-boss level. How the hell do we beat this?"

"For real, way too strong."

"Right?"

"Yeah, I was shocked."

"M-me too...!"

"Unnie too?"

"Yeah. Super strong."

"Right? What now...?"

Only one option seemed viable.

Revive.

"Gotta gather elite holy knights and priests. That's why we left souls alone. Honestly, snag one group, and we're set."

"Oppa’s right. Reviving one by one will help tons."

"Exactly. That'll make it way easier."

Sung Min-woo stood.

"Cool! Let's go now. Everyone agree?"

"Yeah, I'm in!"

"M-me too."

They rushed back to the elite spawn zone.

Finding spared souls, he revived them with Revive.

Still, doubt lingered: Can we really win?

But they had to try.

No other way for now.

"This should do it. Let's go."

"Yeah!"

Over 150 fallen elite holy knights and priests revived, they turned toward the holy warriors and high priests.