Crushing the Death Knight
The Death Knight flinched at Park Taemin's lightning-fast thrust, hurling its body backward while swinging its sword vertically downward. A crescent-shaped black energy surged from its greatsword, hurtling straight toward him.
Taemin effortlessly dodged the frontal black energy wave. He deflected the follow-up attacks to the sides and closed in right up to the monster's face, unleashing a barrage of strikes.
Pa-pa-pat! Pat! Pa-at!
His blistering barrage of rapid strikes whipped around the Death Knight mercilessly. The monster's once-composed face began to twist in panic at the sheer speed.
'Unbelievable. Is this truly human power?'
The Death Knight realized the human before it was no ordinary man. Not only were his movements dazzling beyond comprehension, but the speed of his attacks vastly outpaced its own reaction time. As proof, it was getting pummeled like a dog on a hot summer day.
The silver lining was that the impacts lacked destructive force, so no real damage was coming through. Still, it couldn't keep taking hits forever—its pride wouldn't allow it.
'You bastard! Taste this!'
A red glow erupted from the Death Knight's body amid Taemin's relentless assault. Instinctively sensing danger, Taemin leaped sideways, putting as much distance as possible between them.
In that instant, the surging light flashed brilliantly, erupting into a massive explosion of fierce flames.
Pa-pa-pat! Kwa-kwa-kwang!
The ground-shaking rumble traveled up through Taemin's feet. Just from that, he could gauge the explosion's terrifying power.
Once the dust settled, the Death Knight emerged, gazing smugly at the crater it had created—a single strike that had obliterated everything in a ten-meter radius.
A triumphant voice leaked from its mouth.
"Heh, you dodged that nicely. Your speed is top-notch. But how long can you keep running?"
Taemin, who had nearly brushed death's door with that last attack, reflected on his complacency and cast aside any leisure. He taunted the monster.
"I'll fight you for real now."
"Insolent fool!"
The fierce exchange between Taemin and the Death Knight resumed. Having nearly fallen for one of its techniques, Taemin no longer rushed in recklessly. In contrast, the Death Knight brazenly closed in on him, spamming skills relentlessly.
Pa-pa-pat! Kwa-kwang! Kwa-rung.
Explosions rocked the area, cracking the earth and collapsing the ground. Seemingly unaffected by stamina drain, it unleashed techniques whenever Taemin drew near.
After several clashes, a roar of laughter burst from the Death Knight.
"Kuhahaha! What's wrong, human? Was all that talk just bluff?"
"Bluff? I was just testing how strong you are."
"Hmph. All talk."
"We'll see about that."
Taemin sensed it was time to end things. Truth be told, he'd dragged out the fight to gather intel. With all of Wolfsrein Guild's dungeon data lost, information on hunting grounds was crucial for future raids.
'Time to get serious.'
Taemin immediately activated Invisible, vanishing from the Death Knight's sight. At the same time, he summoned a clone, registering it in the monster's perception.
His form disappeared as the clone charged at the Death Knight.
"What? The human vanished, and now some unknown creature's coming at me?"
The Death Knight panicked briefly but unleashed its technique the moment the clone entered range.
Pa-pat! Kwa-ang!
The light it emitted engulfed the clone, triggering an instant explosion. Astonishingly, the clone survived the blast and kept advancing.
"You bastard!"
The Death Knight struck the clone again with light.
Kwang!
After two hits, the ragged clone collapsed and dissipated. The Death Knight let out a hearty laugh.
But the laughter didn't last. It sensed an alien energy from beneath its feet.
Instinctively looking down, the Death Knight's head snapped toward the ground.
"Wh-what is this?"
The ground had turned pitch black, leaving the monster visibly flustered. Deciding to evade first, it tried to leap aside—but its feet wouldn't budge from the surface. Unidentified black energy climbed up its legs, binding its upper body and rendering it immobile.
Sensing something wrong, it strained with all its might to break free, but the energy only tightened further.
Then Taemin's voice echoed from above.
"I warned you. Watch your feet."
"Wh-where are you, you bastard?"
The Death Knight frantically scanned around, but Taemin was nowhere.
Then, an unbelievable sight unfolded before it. A human silhouette slowly materialized in empty space.
Once fully formed, the monster's crimson eyes flickered in disbelief.
"H-how?"
"It's a skill called Invisible. Makes the body transparent. And what you're standing in is a trap. No one's ever escaped it. Give up and die."
"Nonsense! Think this puny power can subdue me?"
"Tsk tsk. Still haven't grasped the situation? You're done for. At least your eyes work."
For some reason, the Death Knight seemed immune to the trap's smoke effect.
"Whatever. Doesn't change that you're dying."
With the trap's duration ticking down, Taemin quickly loaded his setup skills. Hydeger and Defensive Critical armed, he reactivated Invisible and triggered Ambush.
The Death Knight, rolling its eyes, shouted into the air.
"Heh. Even so, your feather-duster attacks won't work on me."
"Just a taste for now."
With those words, an explosion rocked the Death Knight's body.
Kwa-ang!
"Hurk!"
A thunderous boom delivered massive shock to the Death Knight. Contrary to its bravado, Ambush's power was immense. Its sturdy armor shattered beyond recognition, and half its helmet cracked open, exposing its face. Thick black smoke poured from a gaping chest wound—it looked on the verge of death.
Taemin sneered at it.
"How's that? Feather-duster strong enough?"
"Ugh... How dare... a mere... human... like you... do this... to me..."
The badly mangled Death Knight could barely speak. Watching it, Taemin knew it was time to finish for good. He began another skill setup.
The Death Knight, observing, muttered in a fading voice.
"On the day... my seal breaks... my brothers... will surely... avenge..."
"Sure. Come back and try your revenge anytime."
With that, Assassination struck true. A castle-shaking explosion erased the Death Knight without a trace.
46,000,000 EXP acquired.
Hearing the EXP notification, Taemin rummaged through the remains and spotted a sword. It screamed high-end quality. The massive blade was so heavy he barely lifted it with both hands, squeezing every ounce of strength to stuff it into his inventory. He checked its info.
◈ Attack Power: 820
◈ HP +300 | MP +180
◈ Strength +21 | Vitality +20 | Mentality +21
◈ 7% chance for +50 additional damage
◈ 15% chance for +100 additional damage
◈ All Skill Levels +2
"Figures it looked familiar. It's that sword from the market before."
The blade boasted insane stats, but Taemin's face didn't light up with joy. Lately, he'd snagged six unique items already. Compared to what lay ahead, this was nothing. Plus, he had a special-grade weapon he couldn't use yet.
"No stairs in sight. Guess it was the final floor like it said. Time to head back."
Taemin scanned the room once more before exiting.
Returning to base from Demon King's Castle, he dragged his weary body to his tent.
"Huh? What? Who's...?"
Sitting casually to remove his shoes, Taemin jolted up at the sensation behind him. Flicking on the magic light overhead, he identified the culprit: Yoon Ji-young, rubbing her eyes as she stirred awake.
"You're back?"
"Uh? Why're you sleeping here?"
"Fell asleep waiting for you."
At her answer, Taemin asked what was up.
"Me? Why?"
"Just... You've been acting weird lately. Disappearing every night. Something wrong?"
"Pfft, what 'wrong'? Just looking into some stuff."
"What stuff?"
"Hunting-related. Was gonna bring it up at tomorrow's meeting anyway. Cool?"
"Nah, tell me tomorrow. It's late. You tired? Get some sleep. I'm heading out now."
"Heading out?"
"Yeah. Saw you come in, so now I can go."
"Don't go. Just sleep here. Your tent's so far."
"Huh? It's right next door."
"C'mon, stay the night. Yeah?"
Taemin gently pushed the rising Yoon Ji-young back down, turned off the light, and pulled her into his arms.
"Hey! Can't breathe."
"Stay still. It's been forever since we just held each other like this."
"Last night by the warehouse..."
"That was outdoors. Oh yeah, got a gift for you. Too late tonight—tomorrow."
"What gift?"
"Something special. You'll love it."
"Really? Can I get excited?"
"Get super excited. Can't buy it easy even with money."
"What is it... Now I'm dying to know."
"Build up that anticipation. And... c'mere."
"Eek! Tickles. Stop. Ah!"
"Shh. Everyone's asleep."
"You're the one tickling too mu—"
In the silent predawn hush without a whisper of wind, their youthful love deepened.