Grilops' Demise

Chaaak—! “Kiaaaak!!!” My sword, swung with all my might through the flames, carved deep into Grilops’ torso. Puhwak! Instead of blood, only swirling darkness like smoke burst from the deep wound.

“Grrrk⋯.” Chiiik—

‘Now he’s using skills while regenerating. Unbelievable.’

The creature lashed out with a fist wreathed in black mana. Tsuzzt. I twisted aside, but the follow-up strikes came relentlessly.

“Kugh!”

Parrying and dodging one after another, I began to be pushed back. ‘If this keeps up, he’ll create distance again. Just like he has regeneration, I have Yeriel’s heals and potions!’

Fortunately, I had already drunk the Earth’s Firmness, gaining reduced piercing damage and increased defense. Time to trade flesh for bone!

I pressed forward, offering my body to his punches and kicks while swinging my sword. Tung. Tung. Puhuhk! Chwaak! Attacks that posed no real threat, I tanked with my armor. Puhk! Tuung. Anything that looked lethal, I dodged with the smallest possible movement after reading its trajectory.

My repaired armor was gradually being destroyed, but the results were undeniable. ‘Yeriel, heal!’

—Okay!

Deadly sword wounds accumulated on Grilops’ body faster than he could regenerate. My own body was accumulating shock in equal measure, but it was slowly recovering through heals. ‘The healing power is weaker at this distance, but it’s still something!’

In a slugfest, the advantage clearly lay with the one wearing armor. Rugen’s Grasp. Black Fangs. From afar, Lumia had seen Yeriel healing me and began chanting spells to support.

Since the light from the heal had already given away our position, there was no point holding back now. As long as I kept the monster from reaching them, their rear support was worth the risk.

Wounds piling up, plus interference from the rear. Grilops seemed to decide that staying close would only lead to death.

Paying no heed to the additional cuts, the creature closed its eyes, leaped high, and slammed the ground.

Tuquaang!!

I immediately retreated after seeing the circle on the floor, but I had forgotten we had been fighting at point-blank range until moments ago. A black shockwave spread from the landing point and swept across my entire body before I could fully escape. Crossing my arms to block, I was only slightly pushed back.

In that brief moment, Grilops contorted its body in grotesque motions and created distance with a desperate backflip. ‘Damn it. That flexible body plus Quickstep…’

Paang! Eyes wide, I charged again.

The creature crouched and spread both hands toward me. Ziiing— This was different! The charge was… faster! White light gathered at a speed incomparable to before its revival.

It was too late to dodge. Without hesitation, I switched to the greatsword, but before I could even raise the blade, I braced for the bleeding.

Tuquagua— Yeriel created a barrier mid-ray to intercept it.

Pakang! It seemed to hold for a moment, but because it was the same holy attribute, it shattered easily. However—

Another barrier formed just before the ray could reach me. ‘Nice assist!’

Thanks to that, I bought time. Switching back to Barak for easier swings, I focused my mind. Hwaruk! The killing intent gathered from cutting Grilops so far—the fruit of battle and endurance—ignited along the blade.

‘Killing Intent Release!’

When the sword trembled so violently it could no longer endure, I swung it toward Grilops.

“Eat this!!”

Kwaaa— The intense holy ray still pouring from its outstretched hands clashed with the released mass of killing intent. The red energy, which seemed to be pushed back at first, devoured the white light and struck the creature, exploding.

—Kwaaaang!!!

“Kiyaaaak!!”

With the creature’s death cry, only smoke from the violent explosion and silence filled the area. Was it finally dead?

“───!”

A gust of wind accompanied the tearing scream. The thick smoke scattered completely. ‘Wow… what a persistent bastard. It survived even that?’

Its hunched form, body regenerating all over, revealed its miserable state.

“■■■■!”

Having taken so many hits, it had completely lost its sanity, only letting out incomprehensible roars. How long would this regeneration continue? Was it drawing resources from somewhere else?

Just as I was about to bite my lip and charge again—

“Catch this!!!”

***

Damn it. Damn it. Goddamn it!! When that idiot brute of a warrior, acting like a leader, suggested entering this suspicious cave, I should have stopped him more firmly. If gods truly exist, I want to ask them: Was it wrong for someone like me to just live comfortably in District 6, occasionally entering the labyrinth around the 4th or 5th floor to make a quick buck and continue that ordinary life?

Damn it, is this the result of everyone except me agreeing to enter? What’s so great about majority rule anyway? If I could see those dead bastards again, I’d ask if it feels refreshing to die because they acted beyond their means.

Especially that pig who touched the orb sitting right in the center without a care, even though it looked obviously dangerous the moment the box was opened. I didn’t want to let that one die instantly from the golem—I wanted to kill it with my own hands.

Kwaaang!!! My hands trembled at the terrifying battle unfolding in the distance.

Yeah. It was fortunate that, with the temporary party wiped out and only me left, I survived thanks to another adventurer party’s mercy. But is it really okay to just stand here and watch? Even after coming this far, is there really nothing I can do?

From the moment we entered the cave, I was almost annihilated by someone else’s stupid decision. Now I have to just watch a mad monster rampage. A sense of powerlessness weighed down my entire body.

The party leader—Aren, was it?—had said this: “Even if it looks like that, it’s a monster capable of ranged attacks and magic, so leave the offense to me and focus on defense and evasion!”

The two in the rear with me could summon barriers or chant spells to hinder the enemy. But all I could do was move a little stealthily and quickly. There was no way for me to influence the battle.

Biting my lip, I racked my brain until my forehead burned. ‘I have to think of something. Something that can help right now! At this rate, I’m just dead weight!’

Ambush from behind? I’d die before even getting close, let alone backstabbing. Throw daggers infused with mana? With my mana at a mere E- rank and poor control, even if I forced it out, I’d only put the other two in danger without dealing any damage.

⋯Then!

The thought took time, but the action was swift.

“Hey! Where are you going!” The angry priest tried to grab me, but I ignored it. There was no time for leisurely explanations.

Seureuk. Circulating a thread of mana through my body, I activated Presence Concealment. ‘Stay calm. I just need to grab the orb and throw it before the golem reacts. It’s simple, right?’

Suppressing my trembling hands, I walked slowly. The wall that had been revealed and fully opened still hadn’t closed. Seuk. Seuseuk. I left the space where the cocoon had been and headed toward the box.

The golem sleeping in the corner… still no reaction. ‘Yeah, the moment I pick this up, its eyes will open.’

Standing before the orb, I took a deep breath ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and reached out. The moment my rough fingers touched the smooth surface—

Beonteuk! The golem’s eyes snapped open. It rose, glaring at me with eerie light.

If it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠catches me, I’m really dead this time. From now on, it’s a race against time!

I sprinted toward where Aren’s party was fighting. “Kuaa!” The golem in the far corner chased me and, unable to close the distance, leaped. Kuung! It blocked my path in an instant.

“Shit!!!”

Like hell I can’t escape twice after doing it once! Huk. I slid on my back, passing between the golem’s spread legs. Its massive arm sliced through empty air. Enraged, the golem pursued me, but I ignored it and quickly stood up.

Regaining balance and moving my legs diligently, I soon spotted him.

“Catch this!!!”

Gathering all my strength into my right arm, I threw the orb. Pak! This was the best I could do. Please, let it reach!

***

Teop! Jacob, who had been out of sight for a while. I thought he had run away for good, but he shouted loudly and threw something toward us.

What is this? Catching it safely and checking, I realized it was none other than the black orb the golem had been guarding. ‘No. Why suddenly this? What am I supposed to do with it?’

Kung. Kung. Kuung! As expected, the Earth Golem was charging toward us with heavy footsteps that echoed far and wide. This guy is ruining a done deal…!

⋯Wait. No matter what, he wouldn’t have thrown it just to mess things up. Thinking carefully, I could guess Jacob’s intention in throwing the orb. ‘Right. He wants me to use this as bait to make the golem attack Grilops and pit them against each other! Since the creature has lost its sanity, it’s worth trying!’

As long as Grilops’ regeneration didn’t stop, without a technique stronger than Killing Intent Release, there was no sign of the battle ending. If things went as expected… this could be the answer.

Dudududu— Unable to run any further, the golem transformed into its spherical form like when it first appeared and began rolling. I had no suitable traits, but at this distance, I could definitely hit it.

No time to hesitate. I immediately took my stance and threw. Pak!

“—!”

The moment I saw Grilops get hit by the orb, I quickly rolled to the side. The golem, rolling at full speed, passed me and delivered a body slam to Grilops. Kwaaang!!

The creature had endured my attacks, but it couldn’t withstand the golem’s follow-up. With a deafening roar, it was sent flying and rolled across the ground.

“■■■!!!”

Ah. Its eyes have completely flipped. Ignoring the sent Grilops, the golem picked up the orb that had fallen to the ground and turned its back, but Grilops let out a roar and charged at the golem as if asking where it thought it was running after unilaterally getting beaten.

Tuquaang. Kwaang. Kwagwang! The golem silently protected the orb and tried to return to its position, but upon seeing the cracks in its body from Grilops’ continuous attacks, it finally began responding with intensified glowing eyes, unable to endure any longer.

“Kuooh!” “■■■■■!”

The golem pushed forward with overwhelming mass and destructive power. Grilops, wrapped in black mana, struck the golem’s body and spewed flames. Watching the two monsters entangled in a fierce battle until one died, I slowly raised my sword from a distance.

Honestly, for everyone’s safety, escaping now while Grilops’ attention was fully on the golem would be the right choice, since the creature was like an onion that kept producing more no matter how much you peeled. ‘Even so, I have to see this through to the end.’

A chance that would never come again. Uuuung— With the resolve to kill the creature no matter what, I continued pouring mana into my sword.

Cheok. I took my stance. Twisting my upper body, right arm back, left hand at the sword tip. Centering my body forward, I extended my left foot as if ready to spring and stomped the ground hard.

I recalled the finishing blow used at the end of the battle with the Full Serpent. ‘Strictly speaking… that was a failed attack.’

It was good that I gathered and released massive mana, but it exploded on the Full Serpent’s body, making the term “single-point breakthrough” meaningless. This time would be different.

I drew the image in my mind. Not an attack that pierces and explodes mana inside, but one that gathers everything into a single point to penetrate. Kkudeuk. Kkudeudeuk. Mana gathered until the blade was on the verge of breaking, cracks spreading. The undulating mana concentrated at the tip to the point of creating an optical illusion of distortion around it.

“■■■!” “Kuaaah!!”

The entangled pair looked terrible. The golem had one arm fallen off, its entire body cracked, and its once-intimidating red glow greatly weakened. Grilops, covered in wounds with darkness leaking out, seemed unable to regenerate anymore either.

When the sword reached saturation, unable ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to hold any more mana, I redirected the flow to my feet. I waited. For the moment their bodies overlapped. For the instant Grilops’ back became exposed and defenseless.

“Kuooh!!!” “■■!!”

⋯Now!

Paang—!! I kicked off the ground.

“Huaaah!!!”

All my nerves focused on the sword tip. The moment I tried to extend my taut arm, everything visible turned white. Only the creature’s back and the sword in my hand dominated my vision.

Even before the sword touched Grilops’ back, I held back the mana that was slowly crumbling and about to burst. ‘Not yet. It needs to gather ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more into a single point. A little more, just a bit more!’

Grilops belatedly sensed my presence as I drew near and turned its body. Too late.

Puk! The moment the sword touched its body, I added my left hand to the right gripping the hilt and thrust deeper, then released all the suppressed mana at once.

Tuquaang—!!!

In an instant, the mana bursting from the sword tip pierced through everything blocking its path. Grilops, of course, and even the golem entangled with it.

“■■⋯Gehuk.”

Grilops looked down at its own torso, now with a gaping hole. Its lips moved as if trying to say something, but no sound came out. It seemed the regeneration had finally stopped. “⋯”

Teolseok. Grilops collapsed forward powerlessly, no longer moving. ‘It’s finally dead.’

Looking down at the scattered sword fragments and the hilt that was all that remained of Barak, I heard a crackling sound. Raising my head, I looked ahead. The golem was the same as the dead Grilops. A cylindrical hole pierced through the center of its body, with its core half-blown away inside. ‘So that’s the core that composed the golem’s body. I just aimed for the moment they overlapped, and I got lucky.’

“Ku, Kuo.”

The golem gazed longingly at the orb that had fallen nearby. It tried to reach out with all its strength. Kuung— Unable to touch even a fingertip, it collapsed backward with a loud noise.

Silence. Anxiously tensing my body, I wondered if Grilops might revive again, or if the golem might move once more with its half-remaining core.

10 seconds. 30 seconds. 1 minute.

“It’s over.”

Deciding there was no point waiting any longer, I immediately relaxed my entire body and plopped down. “Hwaaang.” “Aren.” “Hyung-nim!” ‘What’s with the hyung-nim…?’

Seeing the three of them running toward me calling my name, I let out a deep sigh of relief. Now all that remained was returning. ‘When we return to the city, let’s just rest without thinking for a few days. I’ve been working hard at everything since the transmigration, right?’

Nodding, I turned my head. “Heh.”

Above the hole in Grilops’ chest, gray and black lights had risen. Moreover, there was still one unopened treasure chest left outside. Now, it was time to receive the reward for all that hard work.