Piercing the Defenses
Dust billowed as they charged with devastating might.
Pabababat.
But even as the cavalry closed in, James and his crew showed no panic. They'd already sized up that it was just Mu-hyuk moving alone, and they had a good guess at the destructive power involved.
"Karl, if you would."
"Don't worry."
The one called Karl stepped to the front.
The distance to the cavalry narrowed.
When they were about five meters away.
"Hup!"
Karl slammed his shield into the ground.
Shield Deployed
Red aura erupts, forming a massive barrier!
The cavalry crashed into the red energy. Dull thuds rang out as the crimson shield shuddered.
-7 HP
-9 HP
-6 HP
- ... HP
But the damage was negligible.
"Heh, just a tickle?"
His words drew smiles from the whole group.
"No heals needed."
A barrage of bone arrows followed.
HP barely budged. But the impact was real—the red shield's form shattered.
-14 HP
-16 HP
HP drain accelerated.
"Incoming..."
Magic spells hurtled next.
Yet James and his group showed no fear. Instead, Karl fell back as another user stepped forward.
Whoosh!
Swinging his shield whipped up fierce winds, forming a barrier that spells smashed into harmlessly. Once the wind wall broke, every user—including James—hoisted shields overhead.
"Great Shield."
Another barrier enveloped them.
Great Shield
Multi-layered defense minimizes shock!
Kwaaaang!
Mu-hyuk entered James's view, sword drawn.
"Watch out...!"
Too late—Mu-hyuk's blade slashed, unleashing a powerful surge. Karl thrust his shield forward, eyes gleaming.
Kagak!
Sparks flew; the impact shoved his body back.
-39 HP
-5 HP
Additional -70 HP
-9 HP
The damage was heavier than expected.
"Hoo...!"
"Stings, huh?"
James had already closed in on Karl.
"Can't underestimate him, that's for sure."
"Told you to be careful, especially..."
"I know, that instant death."
"More importantly, we need to attack too."
Their target: Mu-hyuk.
But as they moved, an Armor Knight charged first.
--------!
Ki blast locked their movements.
Hmm.
Mu-hyuk widened the gap in that opening.
Didn't proc this time.
Instant death drops to zero percent the moment shields block.
Need to hit when they can't block.
Mu-hyuk pulled back far enough, then veered toward the small town's flank. He slipped over walls stealthily, perching atop a few buildings.
Cooldown up.
White Tiger Swordsmanship, Third Form: White Tiger Slash.
Storm.
A fierce energy lanced out.
Kwaang!
Aiming rearward, the hostile users couldn't block.
-92 HP
Attribute Strike (11) triggers!
Additional -165 HP
Attribute Strike (19) triggers!
Solid damage, but...
Hmm.
No instant death. Regrettable.
Fine. Take it slow.
It was a low-probability shot anyway.
But if it procs just once...!
The momentum would shift.
Mu-hyuk spammed skills before retreating again.
"Grab him!"
As hostiles pursued, he unleashed the mages' second spells. James's group halted to defend.
"Damn...!"
Mu-hyuk smirked.
A pack that sticks together.
Together, they're overwhelmingly tough and strong.
Had to admit that.
But a group that can't split is no different from one. Against that type, he was confident he could crush them.
It'd just take time.
Better to take the safe path if available.
Before that...!
He planned to test just how much they'd changed.
*
James's expression hardened.
"You planning to just defend forever?"
"Nah."
Euro, the man beside him, stepped up.
"Gang up on me."
"Two seconds."
"Got it."
The light enveloping James's group shifted hues. Euro slammed his staff down; the shock rippled outward.
Jjeok, jjeojeok.
A massive quake erupted.
"Wha-what...!"
Users toppled, balance lost; weak buildings crumbled, debris raining down.
The ground split too—cracks widening, sections upheaving.
Then, like magic.
The mere debris.
The upheaved earth.
Sak, sasasak.
Sharpened in an instant, transforming into lethal weapons.
"Wh-what the hell!"
"Urk...!"
Weapons flew fast—from below, from above.
Thuk, peobeobeok.
Off-balance users took hits they couldn't dodge.
-2,019 HP
Lucky ones hit by one shard. Unlucky by seven or eight.
"In-insane...!"
The archer user fading out was the unlucky sort—14,000 HP gone in one hit, logged out instantly.
"Heal, now!"
"Hurry!"
"Tanks forward, DPS back!"
"Protect the priests first!"
Damage exceeded expectations.
Hmm.
Let that fly unchecked, and they'd strike again.
Can't have that.
On Mu-hyuk's command, the cavalry charged anew.
"Here they come."
"Tch, was about to try another attack if they'd been a bit slower."
"Fine. Let's take it slow."
James eyed the tank user.
"Karbom, you're up."
"Yes."
"Euro, hit 'em again after defense."
"Got it."
Meanwhile, the sharp-featured white user Karbom advanced. He eyed the incoming cavalry coolly, then inhaled deeply.
---------!
A ki shout exploded toward the nearing cavalry.
"Urk!"
Distant users staggered; close cavalry took heavy hits.
Cavalry 2 HP down.
Armor Cavalry 3 HP down.
Armor Cavalry 11 HP...
Armor Knight 1 absorbed damage.
Drake's longsword special triggered hastily. Light from the blade wrapped the cavalry—but too late?
Cavalry 2 unsummoned.
Cavalry 6...
More cavalry unsummoned than expected.
"Whoa."
Who'd have thought they'd block like that.
Defense and offense in one.
But Mu-hyuk just smiled.
Good. Show me more.
That way I can gauge your full strength.
Poison Ogre, appear.
All cavalry, retreat.
Armor Knights, form circular perimeter.
Cavalry Archers, Power Shot, Multi Shot.
No intent to lose summons pointlessly. Mu-hyuk commanded cautiously, firing White Tiger Slash every cooldown.
12 seconds left.
Kept directing while moving stealthily.
3 seconds.
Target acquired.
Hmm...!
Priests were too well-guarded. Scanning others, Mu-hyuk targeted a slightly separated user.
White Tiger Slash.
Direct hit, but no instant death.
Nothing for it.
Kept probing, trading blows.
*
Bit by bit, James was pushing back Forma Continent users. Couldn't catch Mu-hyuk, but most summons were gone. Plenty of Forma mercenaries dead too.
No deaths on our side yet.
Kairon Continent mercenaries had taken heavy losses.
But James's group? Zero deaths.
Smooth sailing at this rate.
"Healing status?"
Some priests shook their heads.
Hmm, cutting it close.
But clear advantage. Only answer: press the attack.
"Euro, cooldown?"
"Back up."
"Make it count this time."
"No worries. I'll spam skills like crazy. But that Mu-hyuk guy's getting on my nerves."
"Mu-hyuk?"
"Yeah, keeps hitting us. Dodging works fine, but..."
"Ah, the instant death."
"Right. Hasn't targeted me yet."
"Six attacks so far, all misses. Low odds. Guess I was just unlucky before."
"You? Unlucky? That's your rep."
"Joking in this situation?"
"Not a joke?"
Euro chuckled.
Whoosh.
A surge approached; he leaped, but too slow.
Seogeok.
His robe tore slightly.
"Ah, fine. Damage isn't ba—"
Dismissing it, Euro stood—then froze.
The message was different.
[You have died instantly.]
Realization hit—no movement, no words.
Dead.
Chiiik.
His capsule-ejected face was pure bewilderment.
*
Instant death after so long.
Oh, luck's on my side?
Mu-hyuk savored the satisfaction before rejoining allies.
"Getting dicey."
"Right?"
"Yeah, let's pull back."
Their strength confirmed.
"Okay."
After Sung Min-woo's reply, he approached the knight.
"Looks like annihilation at this rate, sir."
"Mm."
The knight sensed it too.
"Retreat."
Orders went out; mercenaries withdrew.
Skeletons, spirits, squirrels, and some user summons held the line against pursuing Kairon mercenaries.
"They chasing?"
"Mm...!"
Glanced back.
"Nah."
Abandoning the captured small town was iffy. No confidence in catching anyway.
Their choice was sound. But they overlooked one big thing.
Mu-hyuk.
He still had plenty of hidden cards.
"Whew, rest here."
"Sure."
Mu-hyuk approached Sung Min-woo, Ye-rin, and Kim Ji-yeon.
"Heading to a nearby monster habitat for a bit. Coming?"
"Huh? Bro, why there suddenly?"
"Grab some decent ones to revive."
"Ah...!"
Limited Revival.
Several methods using it flashed through his mind. Anticipation lit Mu-hyuk's eyes.