Shattering the Tyrant's Barrier
A pack of level 230 monsters roamed at a suitable distance—Zombie Goliaths. They moved in groups of two to four, wandering in all directions.
"Hmm, Zombie Goliaths, huh..."
"What do you think?"
"A bit weak."
"Weak? This is plenty. Yeah, more than enough."
"Is it?"
"Yeah, your greed knows no bounds. Level 230 is fine, what more do you want?"
"Hmmm."
Still, Mu-hyuk couldn't wipe the disappointed look off his face.
No helping it.
He nodded and nocked an arrow to his bowstring.
"Going farther would be tricky time-wise."
He soon released the string, aiming at one of the Zombie Goliaths.
Deafening boom. Followed by a shriek.
Kieeeaaak!
Ye-rin stepped forward beside him.
"Need help, bro?"
"Sure, why not."
"I'll lend a hand, just this once."
"Do what you want."
Soon, a squirrel and a spirit appeared, blocking the charging Zombie Goliath. With only two, hunting it down was no trouble.
You have acquired experience.
Mu-hyuk passed right by without a second glance.
"Not reviving them?"
"On the way back."
"Ah!"
That way, he could keep them around longer.
"Next!"
He immediately loosed an arrow at a group of three huddled together, provoking them.
-------!
Shrieking as they charged.
No different from the last hunt.
Boom, kwarung!
The squirrel and spirit blocked their path, while Sung Min-woo, who had closed in, struck from the flank.
Kang Ji-yeon cast timely healing spells, and Mu-hyuk ravaged them with lethal arrows. In moments, he'd bolstered his Zombie Goliath souls.
Twenty minutes later.
"Phew, this should do it, right?"
"Yeah."
He'd taken down about a hundred Zombie Goliaths.
Time to revive them.
Mu-hyuk activated the skill Limited Revival.
Discovered 102 lingering monster souls nearby.
How many to revive?
All 102, naturally.
10,200 MP consumed.
Revived Zombie Goliaths possess 80% of their former stats. They last 30 minutes before body and soul disintegrate.
Mu-hyuk returned to camp with his Zombie Goliaths. The waiting knights and mercenaries looked stunned—not just the knights, but everyone. He'd brought so many.
"What the—no, those monsters behind..."
"Revived with necromantic power."
"Ooh, impressive."
"Can't maintain them long. Best to push into battle now."
"Of course."
The knight turned.
"Rest over. For the small city's reclamation—move out!"
The mercenaries rose.
"Whoa, that's something."
"Hmm, Zombie Goliaths?"
"Level 230 monsters, right?"
"Think so."
"Whew, a hundred? That'll help a ton."
"Obviously."
Everyone figured this battle was winnable. They'd been pushed back before, but this addition tipped the scales.
"Let's go!"
They marched out again.
*
James and his crew, reorganized.
"We waiting?"
Tank Carl's question got a nod from James.
"Narrow entrance favors us defending."
"More rest then?"
"Rest. We'll prep when they approach."
"Got it."
About ten minutes later.
"They're coming!"
A mercenary user shouted.
Must've checked with Thousand-Mile Eyes.
Another chimed in.
"Huh? Monsters?"
"What're you saying?"
"Monsters up front."
James assessed.
Revive, probably.
"How many?"
James asked the user.
"Uh... around a hundred?"
"A hundred."
Not overwhelming numbers.
"What kind?"
The archer user squinted ahead.
"Zombies...? Yeah. Huge ones."
"Huge zombies."
"Oh, I know 'em. Zombie Goliaths."
"Level?"
"230 or so."
"Hmm."
James's expression hardened.
Higher level than expected.
Meaning superior stats.
A pain.
But Revive only grants 60% power. Not battle-deciding.
Of course, Mu-hyuk's was enhanced Limited Revival via combos, but James wouldn't know.
"Other monsters?"
"Nope."
James relaxed.
Good. We can win.
He had unshown skills too.
James returned to position.
"Full power this time. Even if some die, focus on wiping them out."
"Finally?"
"Yes."
He pulled something from inventory.
"Phew, hate to waste it, but no choice."
A black gem.
Black Soul.
A one-use consumable from his Battlefield Commander job change.
Only from job quests, he'd hoarded them. Seven now, using one today.
Need contribution points.
Rewards were huge; he couldn't miss top ranks.
At least top 10.
James's goal.
Come on.
Enemy users arrived.
"Incoming!"
Monsters charged first.
Zombie Goliaths.
Kairon continent users unleashed skills.
Arrows, spells, auras flying.
Converging on the Goliaths' heads.
Expecting a massive blast to sweep some away.
A pristine white barrier absorbed the impact. Drake's greatsword's special option.
Forma continent mages followed with shields. Zombie Goliaths closed distance with minimal damage.
"Tch."
James clicked his tongue.
Knew it.
Time for hidden cards from the start.
Result the same whenever.
Forma users' annihilation inevitable.
Crunch.
He gripped the Black Soul hard.
It shattered, power absorbing into him.
Tyrant's Barrier, activate.
The faint barrier around James and allies rippled. Infiltrating darkness cracked it, then shattered it.
"Hah."
Everyone but James grinned.
"Let's begin."
They scattered like one body splitting.
Tyrant's Barrier.
The Black Soul skill enabled it.
*
Mu-hyuk tilted his head.
What, scattering?
What about the skill?
Broke it?
Makes the fight easier then.
He'd see.
Mu-hyuk shot an arrow at one scattering member.
Arrow blocked by shield.
-31 damage.
Attribute Strike (3) triggered.
Additional 55 damage.
Attribute Strike (6) triggered.
No real damage.
Skill persists even scattered...?
Mu-hyuk's pupils shook.
He'd banked on them as one unit. Premise shattered; future unpredictable.
Hmm.
Adjust plan.
Hole in it, but no choice.
Give it everything.
Skills first.
Madness of the Battlefield, Weakness, Strength Boost, Stamina Boost...
All basic buffs cast.
"Min-woo, handle the regulars."
"On it!"
Sung Min-woo sped up with his spirit.
Lurking behind Zombie Goliaths, he slipped into the city with Armor Cavalry, engaging Kairon users.
Meanwhile, James's scattered crew paired up, forming encirclement. They closed in, unleashing attacks.
Boom, kwarung!
The issue: each blow devastating.
"Insane...!"
Couldn't take or block them.
"Dodge everything!"
Chaos everywhere.
Mu-hyuk checked Zombie Goliaths' HP amid it.
Four at zero.
Limited Revival.
Option 2.
Quick hands.
1 revives dead monster souls.
2 transfers souls to skeletons for stat boosts.
Select soul transfer target monster.
Selected the four bottomed-out Zombie Goliaths.
Select recipient summon.
Pre-selected four.
Poison Ogre.
Yeti.
Giant Cyclops.
Red Orc Great Warrior.
Soul transferred.
Recipient summons' stats greatly increased.
50% of Zombie Goliath stats added to the four summons.
Mu-hyuk commanded; they charged all directions.
James's crew's attacks poured. Agile dodges impressed Mu-hyuk.
Oh ho...!
Stronger than expected.
And fast.
Mu-hyuk issued normally impossible orders; the four executed flawlessly.
Closed distance without heavy losses.
--------!
Instant skill barrage hit six of James's crew.
Frozen.
Stiffened.
Staggering.
Four healers, two protectors.
Got 'em!
Mu-hyuk yelled.
"3 o'clock—everyone, focus fire!"
Tank and healer users frozen at 3 o'clock.
Skills rained there.
Kwarung!
Shared power or not, undefended focus fire was deadly.
"Urk...!"
White healing light enveloped James's crew, but irrelevant. Mages still had spells.
"Mages, primary cast!"
Spells poured.
"Mages, secondary cast!"
Follow-up barrage.
Some scattered, rest on 3 o'clock!
Kwarung!
Explosions, dust rising.
Their survival? Irrelevant.
Priority: James.
Mu-hyuk broke from allies, scaled the city wall.
James.
There.
Several Zombie Goliaths' HP zeroed.
Limited Revival.
Option 2.
Soul transfer again.
Soul transferred.
Recipient summons' stats greatly increased.
His gaze never left James.
Arms crossed, surveying casually.
Mu-hyuk unleashed White Tiger Swordsmanship Third Form: White Tiger Slash.
James anticipated, shield up.
Kwaang!
James lowered shield, grinning, kicked ground.
"You're here!"
Blazing speed.
Hup...!
Wind Step hastily, but Tyrant's Barrier James was faster.