Meteor Strike Threat
"Section Chief! The enemies are gathering again. You need to come see this."
At the subordinate's words, Lee Tae-ho and Taejeong both shot up from their seats. Stepping outside to check, they saw a massive force assembling just as the man had said.
"They still have that much manpower left? Creepy bastards."
Taejeong replied as he geared up for battle, responding to Lee Tae-ho's disgusted mutter.
"Don't worry too much. I'll handle it somehow."
"Then I'll hand over full command. It's better than me, the incompetent one, trying to lead..."
Taejeong waved him off, declining Lee Tae-ho's offer.
"Nah, Section Chief. I'm no good at that stuff. I'll just focus on fighting."
"Still..."
"You handle the commanding. I really don't know the first thing about it."
"Then can I ask one thing?"
"Shoot."
"Could you tell me the cooldowns on your skills?"
"Hmm. Rockets are 36 per minute, including standard rounds. The rest are unlimited as long as mana holds up."
"36 per minute, and the rest infinite... Hold on a sec."
"Sure."
Lee Tae-ho stepped away briefly, and Taejeong eyed the enemy forces massing ahead. Thousands by rough count—not a small number even compared to before. He'd beaten them once, so he wasn't too worried, but just in case, he ran mental simulations nonstop.
The key to victory in this fight was simple: don't get hit. His defense was weak compared to his overwhelming firepower, so any damage beyond his limits meant a high chance of respawning. Main skills from level 500+ were basically one-shots, so to win, he couldn't take even a single hit.
'Gotta level up fast and get some decent defense gear. Or at least better equipment...'
As he pondered, Lee Tae-ho returned from below with a few hunters, carrying several crates.
"What's all this?"
"Potions we collected from the troops. We left just enough for minimal fighting and swept up the rest. Figured you might need them..."
"Ah, you didn't have to. We still have some leeway..."
"No, no. We couldn't even use them all anyway. Please take them. Stuff like this should go to the strong ones."
"Alright, then. Since you went to the trouble, I'll put them to good use. Thanks."
"No problem. We're the grateful ones."
The sheer volume of potions Taejeong received was staggering. The hunters here were all base level 500+, and not a single one was below top-grade. Rough math put the value over 2 billion won easy.
With this unexpected windfall, he stashed them neatly in his inventory and fired himself up.
"Alright. Mana's plenty now too. Come at me if you dare."
While Taejeong rallied Jenix around him, over at the Smith alliance, Jo Han-cheol was forming a special ops team.
"When will the War Mages be ready?"
"We lost a lot early on, so not many over 600 left."
"How many?"
"Not even close to 20. If we pull from the shield unit, maybe ten..."
"That many dead?"
"The assault force was 7,000 strong."
"I know. Damn it. Tsk. Pull the shield guys anyway. They're useless right now."
"Got it."
Soon, nine War Mages assembled before Jo Han-cheol.
"Our job now is summoning a Meteor Strike."
One War Mage spoke up in surprise.
"Just us?"
"I get what you're saying. Power'll be way down with this numbers. But we can't be picky now."
The man pressed skeptically.
"Heard they have a solid magic unit too. Can nine of us make a dent with a Meteor Strike?"
"That's why we use bait."
"Bait? You mean..."
"What's left on this board? Ground troops."
"So, sacrifice the ground forces and smash the castle in the chaos."
"If it lands right, we won't stop at the castle. We could wipe everyone inside."
"Understood. Orders are orders."
With the special team set, Jo Han-cheol issued advance orders through his commanders. Roughly 2,000 troops roared forward.
Watching from the opposite side, Taejeong summoned his gear.
"Fewer than before. Last push?"
Lee Tae-ho nodded in agreement.
"Already exceeded what one guild could field last time. They're scraping the barrel now. Block this, and the castle's safe."
"Got it. Let's unload everything."
Taejeong called out to Gerard as he spoke.
"Understood."
Anticipating surprises, Taejeong had laid mines too, waiting for the enemies to enter range. And finally.
"Enemies entering 4km range."
"Roger. Let's go."
Rockets, pre-aimed at coordinates, launched one by one. They arced down, turning the ground to hellfire.
Boom!Boom-boom!
Rockets slammed everywhere, unleashing massive blasts. The enemy lines shattered, units crumbling in seconds. But as if expecting it, they scattered without panic, pressing on relentlessly. Ordered to charge straight ahead, that's what they did.
Dozens of rockets hammered the suicidal rushers. The castle's others could do little—most mage-types wiped in round one, leaving melee and support useless now. They clasped hands, eyes only on Taejeong.
"Stay sharp! If any get near Taejeong, self-destruct if you have to. That's our only job. Got it?!"
"Yes, sir!"
Lee Tae-ho and the hunters were ready to shield him. Over 90% of firepower came through him—no choice. They'd die to buy him one more shot. That's how they'd save the castle.
Ten minutes in, enemy movements shifted. Initial clumps broke into individuals. Normally, one barrage would've routed them, but respawn-ready and fearless, nothing scared them.
'Weird. They're charging like they wanna die.'
Sensing something off, but no time to dwell—best to thin numbers max.
Then Lee Tae-ho spotted it. Not far off, skyward: a dozen hunters in formation, ominous glowing light.
"What're those guys up to?"
A nearby hunter squinted.
"Mana drain?"
"Mana drain? They still have experts like that?"
"Whoa, light's turning red."
"Red... Fire magic. But why mana drain... Wait, that's—?"
Lee Tae-ho's eyes widened. The red glow ballooned into a massive black cloud, fiery orbs visible within. A spell he knew well.
"M-Meteor Strike."
"What!? Then that's..."
"Definite. Meteor Strike. Didn't expect a 700+ Wizard left."
Meteor Strike. True Meteor's sub-skill, pinnacle 700-level attack magic. Rival to 800-level Blizzard. Skills rarely bridge level gaps, but this one's mana-scaling damage let it compete—pure mana output determined power. Hence the helpers draining mana.
Lee Tae-ho crunched numbers.
'Ten. Supports 500—no, drain means 600+. So...'
He turned to his subordinate.
"At least 12. Damage minimum 50k each."
"Sh-shouldn't we evacuate?!"
Ignoring him, he rushed to Taejeong.
"Taejeong! Taejeong!"
Taejeong paused his barrage at the call.
"Yeah? Problem?"
"No—look there."
Lee Tae-ho pointed skyward. Taejeong, already curious, asked.
"Was wondering about that. What is it?"
"Meteor Strike attack spell. It'll drop soon. Evacuate now."
"Evacuate?"
"Slip out the back, wait for it to hit, then return."
"If you say so..."
"I'll get the others out."
Lee Tae-ho yelled orders as he ran. Taejeong eyed the dark fiery cloud again.
"Gerard, is Meteor that big a deal?"
"Depends on mana, but stronger than any skill you currently have, Master."
"Yeah? What's it like?"
"Two types: true Meteor, aka Meteor Summon, and Meteor Strike, the catapult version. That's the latter. Giant fireballs empowered by total mana. More mana, more power. Judging by exposed mana there, each hits with 100m radius wipeout on impact. Per orb, that is. Note: minimum 10 orbs even at base level."
"One does 100m, minimum ten?!"
Realizing the danger, Taejeong started to move—then paused, head tilted. Something forgotten clicked.
"But can we not just... y'know, we got those. Intercept missiles."