Chapter 362: Base Overhaul (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 362: Base Overhaul (2)
"P-Please!"
Orun's hammer struck with all his might.
Sparks flew in all directions.
Only one chance remained.
If he failed this time, the materials would be destroyed.
Naturally, it went without saying that the life of the blacksmith who ruined those materials would also be forfeit.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A single second passed, feeling like an eternity.
Orun slowly opened his eyes.
At that exact moment,
Ring!
With a cheerful chime, a golden mist poured out.
...It was a success.
"Uwooooh! I-I did it! It worked!"
Orun let out a triumphant shout.
His voice was thick with the sheer joy of survival and pride in his success.
"I knew it. I always believed you'd succeed, old man."
"Y-yes, of course. Actually, I knew it too. I only failed before to build up the right amount of tension. Ahem! Cough!"
Orun puffed out his chest.
Seeing him shine in the clutch, it seemed his old skills hadn't completely faded.
Nice.
Jinhyuk approached the finished product with a satisfied smile.
A blade blending a soft white glow with a blue light.
This dagger, roughly 40 centimeters long, was the new weapon he would be using from now on.
[Habelian's Soul - Barnard]
Rating: Indigo
Durability: 17,000 / 17,000
Attack Power: 35,000
Effects: Weight is reduced to 1g due to weight-reduction magic. Inflicts Bleed (+100) with every attack, and increases Critical Rate by 10%.
Special Skill: Protection of the Habelian Race (Passive)
Attack Power increases by 30% when fighting alongside an Ancient Species, Spirit Beast, or Phantasmal Species.
This was insane.
There was no other word for it.
For a dagger to have this much attack power... it's almost absurd.
A whopping 35,000.
On top of that, with the weight-reduction magic applied, he would be able to wield it with far greater agility.
He was also quite pleased that it felt similar to the Fang he had used before.
But above all, the most broken part was...
...not the weight, the damage, the critical rate, or the bleed.
It was the 'Special Skill'.
True to a Phantasmal Species known for high affinity, he loved that it allowed him to synergize with various other races.
Receiving a massive 30% buff in battles where the margin between victory and defeat was razor-thin meant he could take on much higher-ranking species.
With this, he could hold his own not just against Kizakiel, but even divine beings like Guntaper.
"Thank you. I really like it."
Jinhyuk lightly flicked his wrist.
Scattering a blue radiance, 'Barnard' spun in a smooth arc.
The balance was perfect.
Its sharpness was no different.
I can't wait to dive into a dungeon or a labyrinth.
He finally understood what it felt like to have his whole body itching for action.
"I'm glad you're satisfied."
"Well, I'll be on my way. My companions are waiting for me at the Imperial Capital."
"They're hosting a ball, aren't they? Are you attending?"
"Sir Abraham practically shoved the invitation down my throat, so I have no choice but to go."
"Hmm. I'm not worried about you in the Empire, but be careful when you venture out into the middle floors."
"Did something... happen?"
"This is some high-level intel from the Dwarf Kingdom, ahem, cough!"
Orun coughed loudly, letting his voice trail off.
Look at this guy.
This sly old fox...?
"Whew. I did hear that the Empire's banquet will have plenty of fine wine. I think I might be able to swipe a few jars."
"Oh! I happen to love that wine. I'd really love to have a taste. Pairing it with a goat leg would be absolutely..."
"Cut the chatter. What's the intel?"
As Jinhyuk pressed him, Orun slowly began to speak.
"Well, it's about the 20th Floor. Not long ago, players from your world headed up there."
Players on the 20th Floor...
That meant Teresa.
Right after the 19th Floor was cleared, major guilds—led by Europe's Olympus Guild—had announced a massive raid on the 20th Floor.
It had dominated the news and media for two straight days.
I heard the former vice-master of the Olympus Guild died... and some new guy took over.
He had heard that this new guy ruthlessly purged the guild's ranks and achieved incredible results.
What was his name again?
Jinhyuk had been so busy lately that he couldn't recall it clearly.
The important thing was that Teresa was participating in this raid.
"What did the players do?"
"Ahem. Before that, you do know what kind of place the 20th Floor is, right?"
"I have a general idea."
The 20th Floor was a chaotic battlefield where all kinds of monsters and races clashed.
Under the strict law of the jungle, it was a massive arena where everyone fought bloodily to claim even an inch of territory.
To survive, one had to trample over others; to climb higher, one had to tear others apart.
However, even there, there were several forbidden areas that one must never approach.
The territories of those called the 'Lesser Kings'.
They were monsters occupying the key regions of the 20th Floor.
Each possessed such overwhelming power and influence that even factions from the floors above did not dare trespass into their domains.
And yet.
"Don't tell me the players entered one of their territories?"
"That's exactly what happened. They must have coveted the resources there. I heard they're currently scouting around the mine, trying to secure a route inside."
If there was a resource worth coveted, there was only one.
"A magic crystal... mine."
"Indeed. That's exactly where they went. Naturally, the bastards occupying the mine are absolutely furious. The players probably don't know it yet, but a pursuit force will catch up to them soon."
"..."
Of all places, they had to go somewhere completely unrelated to clearing the 20th Floor.
They claimed they were climbing the tower for the sake of humanity.
But in reality, they were just busy lining their own pockets.
And that greed would bring about the worst possible outcome.
Even if the major guilds formed an alliance, they won't stand a chance in a war of attrition...
No one who hadn't experienced it firsthand could ever understand how brutal the free-for-all on the 20th Floor truly was.
That was why...
...only Jinhyuk could foresee what would happen to the guilds currently on the 20th Floor.
* * *
Boom!
Rumble!
A massive explosion rang out, accompanied by a fountain of blood.
Pandemonium.
There was no better word to describe the current situation.
"Aaargh! M-my leg...!"
"Healers! What are you doing? The healing can't keep up!"
"Damn it, we're doing everything we can! What do you expect us to do when we're out of mana?!"
Today marked their third day on the 20th Floor.
But to them, it felt like they had already spent three years here.
That was how nightmarish the daily onslaught of monsters was.
Right then.
"Everyone, get behind me! I'll buy us some time!"
Teresa stepped forward, desperately trying to reform their collapsing line.
[Teresa activates her unique ability, 'Blessing of the Stars'!]
As a dazzling light descended, the monsters' attention shifted to Teresa.
The 'Executioners', wielding long scythes under black hoods, switched their targets in unison.
"Kill... them. Kill them and offer them as sacrifices to God!"
"A festival of blood! Build an altar of flesh and bone!"
"Kieeeeee!"
The raid team was currently fighting the 'Cult of Specters'.
They were residents who served the Demon Race, fanatics whose reason had vanished long ago.
Though they didn't employ systematic tactics or strategies, a fearless army was a nightmare to deal with on its own.
Because of their sheer obsession with taking their enemies down with them, the raid team's casualties were spiraling out of control.
Rumble!
Teresa swung her sword of starlight.
"Argh!"
"Aaaargh!"
The Executioners' bodies were sliced to pieces by the sword strikes infused with divine power.
Of course, the Executioners swung their scythes in retaliation, but they couldn't inflict any fatal wounds on Teresa, who was clad in heavy armor.
Having restored the front line in an instant, Teresa leaped into the heart of the enemy ranks.
Engaging in a war of attrition would be disadvantageous in the long run.
In that case, she had to take down the enemy commander and end the battle quickly.
Crash!
Unlike the other Executioners, this fanatic wore a white hood.
The 'Elder'.
That guy was the leader of the fanatics.
Teresa accelerated even further.
The ordinary fanatics and named-grade Executioners also moved to protect the Elder.
The wall of enemies grew thicker and thicker.
"Protect Teresa!"
"We have to support her so she can break through!"
The rankers of the raid team shouted until the veins in their necks bulged.
Boom!
Crash!
Supporting fire from the ranged damage dealers rained down.
Taking advantage of the opening,
"This is the end."
Teresa finally reached the Elder.
Her sword soared high into the air.
At the same time,
"Tu ark. Akraba."
The Elder cast a blood-red Blood-Realm Magic.
A curse that bound space and twisted limbs constricted her entire armor.
Creeeak!
Her white armor began to dent and warp.
"Ugh..."
Teresa's face contorted in pain.
Yet, she did not stop her swing.
Something like this... is nothing.
In far more difficult situations,
under far more extreme conditions,
she knew a player who had fought and won.
Therefore, she couldn't afford to whine and complain about the pain here.
She couldn't just stand still, unable to defeat an enemy like this!
Slash!
Teresa's sword drew a clean arc.
"Ak... ra... ba..."
Spurt!
Blood sprayed violently.
The Elder's body slowly collapsed.
With that, the battle was over.
* * *
About an hour had passed since the battle ended.
The raid team was busy tending to the wounded and setting up camp.
"Damn it. What's wrong with this floor? There has to be a limit. This is just too much."
"We're going to die of exhaustion at this rate. I can't even remember the last time I got some decent rest. Fuck."
"Exactly. They rushed into this without any information. Isn't this all because they wanted to get those damn magic crystals or whatever?"
The players who were still in one piece grumbled.
Due to their extreme fatigue, they couldn't even swallow jerky and water despite their hunger.
Everyone is exhausted.
Teresa looked around the camp with worried eyes.
The current situation, with morale at rock bottom, was dangerous.
If they didn't find a turning point to reverse the situation...
...let alone clearing the floor, all the major guilds gathered here might end up ruined.
It meant the prestige of all of Europe would plummet to the ground.
I can't let that happen.
Even if just for the sake of the Rosenberg family, she had to prevent that at all costs.
"Whew."
Teresa quickly made her way toward the largest tent.
"Teresa?"
"What brings you here?"
The two players guarding the entrance of the tent immediately stood up.
"Is Payden inside?"
"Yes. The raid leader and vice-leader are currently holding a meeting inside. If you have business with them, please wait a moment. They gave strict orders not to let anyone in."
"It's urgent. I need to see them right now."
"B-but..."
The male player hesitated, looking troubled.
But at that exact moment,
Thud!
A heavy impact shook the very earth.
"Aaaargh!"
"W-what is this?!"
"Get the rankers here! Now!"
An anomaly was occurring on the outskirts of the camp.