Chapter 142
Kate probably said it with that kind of confidence, but she'd picked the wrong opponent this time.
...Who the hell is she?
Carpe genuinely had no idea who Kate was.
He'd only started playing Last Savior a short while ago, and he wasn't the type to go hunting down videos of the top ten guilds.
Someone like Cheongeom might dominate every billboard and ad space, but there was no way Carpe would know some ambiguous(?) position like vice master of a top ten guild.
His reflexive "Who're you?" nearly slipped out.
Ice Queen Kate. Vice master of The Sun. One of the biggest shots in RaSe.
Kate? Oh! That Permafrost user!
It was a name he remembered.
When he'd fought those Silver Lion bastards, everyone had been yelling "Kate!" and "Ice Queen!" at him.
He'd meant to look her up out of curiosity back then, but he'd been too wiped out and crashed early. After that, he'd totally forgotten about it.
"Could you step aside, please?"
With no reaction from Carpe, Kate asked again.
Hey, hey. Keep your voice low and answer her. This could be the first time your voice shows up in a Cheonma TV video!
"...That'd be a problem. I've got business here too."
"Figured as much. Sigh. This wasn't in the plan."
Luckily, Carpe's tone didn't come off awkward, and Kate didn't react oddly.
"Mind if I ask one? Don't you need two people? Where's the other one?"
"Who knows? Why should I tell you? Maybe they're hiding somewhere, waiting to sni..."
BOOM! CRASH!
Kate's words cut off.
A massive rumble echoed from beyond the golden door at the far end of the rest area.
Kate let out a deep sigh, like nothing was going right.
"Haaa."
"Bluff called? Guess the other's already inside."
"Spot on. Sigh. Could've at least fought fair."
"Why not go in together? Looks like the boss room. No reason to solo it."
"Exactly!"
Kate lit up like she'd found a kindred spirit.
"This isn't some lowbie hunting ground—it's high-level territory! Soloing the boss? Does that even make sense? If there was some special reward for solo clears, fine, but otherwise?!"
She vented like she'd been holding this in forever.
"'Wanna test my power' or 'It's more fun that way.' Risking their life for crap like that?! They've forgotten their place. If they die, the losses..."
"Ooh, yeah, totally get it. Your guild master's someone who actually enjoys the game."
"...Don't tell me you're the same type."
"I've done similar stuff for similar reasons."
"Just die. All of you."
Kate scowled, frustration boiling over.
She was the reasonable one here!
This insane situation made her look unreasonable because of those two weirdos.
I get how she feels...
Cheonma nodded sympathetically, eyeing Kate with pity.
He totally got her frustration, but unfortunately, she couldn't see him.
"Anyway. If you won't back off... guess I'll have to team up with you. Can't let anyone mess with the guild master—got my position to think of."
"Hmm. Bullying an innocent player from a top ten guild? That cool?"
"Bullying? Harsh words. Our goals align, so it's friendly competition."
Of course, that competition could involve swords and spells flying.
Things could heat up enough for someone to die.
"Eh, just testing you. Never thought you'd let me in easy anyway."
"Glad you're reasonable."
Shing.
With that, Kate swapped all her gear.
High-rankers like her had completely separate PvP and hunting sets.
Players had way less HP than mobs, so utility beat raw firepower.
Kate equipped everything with cooldown reduction, then sized up Carpe.
He'd soloed through flame spirits without a scratch.
No damage, not even singed clothes.
Definitely a top-tier ranker.
Martial artist job. Can't let him close the gap.
Her throat tightened at the sight of those gleaming dark gauntlets.
She'd bluffed confidence, but the situation favored her opponent.
She was a cannon mage, all-in on DPS. Without a frontliner tanking, she couldn't shine.
Of all places...
She even had a Unique-grade pet, "Ice Turtle," a solid tank for spellcasting cover.
But she couldn't summon it here.
Flame Spirit Haven blocked ice familiars Unique-grade or lower.
Still fine. Maintain distance, and I win... Gah?!
The gauntlet guy closed in instantly.
Martial artists usually had footwork skills, but this speed exceeded her expectations.
"Chilling Shield!"
Clang!
A thick ice wall erupted before her frantic call.
THUD!
Carpe's heavy fist smashed into it.
* * *
Quick reflexes. Rank 6 lives up to the hype.
Carpe had ambushed on Cheonma's tip that she was a typical mage.
His top speed, and she'd blocked it despite panicking.
She's a ranker for a reason. But you're way ahead. Gunter might be trouble, but Kate's job sucks for PvP.
Still, gotta be careful. Time to check her out.
Dragon's Eye activated.
Displaying target's current HP/MP, acquired skills, and equipped gear.
Her info popped up briefly with the alert.
• 8-star Ice Body
• 8-star Dual Spell
• 7-star Blizzard Laser
• 7-star Storm Dust
• 6-star Chilling Shield
• 6-star Blink
• ...
• 4-star Ice Javelin
Two 8-stars, two 7-stars. Gear all Unique.
Anyone else would've gawked: "Top ten guild vice master specs!"
Bit underwhelming?
That's normal! You're the freak!
To Carpe, it looked meh. Impressive skills, but gear felt lacking.
Maybe hidden 9-stars or Epics, but...
Ridiculous. 9-stars and Epics aren't dog names. Just watch for Permafrost.
I've pulled way too much crap. Talent, effort—nah, life's all luck!
But in RaSe, that luck was skill.
"Mukhyang!"
"Kyuu!"
Mukhyang activated Spell of Eight.
Lightning attribute granted to target's weapon.
"Round two!"
As Blue Dragon Step's cooldown reset, Carpe dashed in again.
"Hmph!"
But Kate threw up Chilling Shield once more.
Normally longer cooldown, but her 8-star Ice Body cut ice skill cooldowns by 30% passively.
This time it'd block again, but Carpe had a counter.
"Ma Sword Penetration Mirror!"
CRASH!
The thick ice shattered instantly.
Lightning synergy with defense pierce.
And it didn't stop—hurtling toward Kate's side.
But...
"Blink!"
She teleported just before impact.
Paper-thin margin. If she hadn't known the skill, game over.
Damn. Blink's a pain.
Mages need it to survive PvP. No Blink, no mage in PvP.
Blink: Short-range teleport, RPG staple.
Kate reappeared at a distance, hurling a skill.
"Ice Javelin!"
An ice spear shot at Carpe—faster than expected, item-boosted.
"Whoa?!"
Carpe leaned back urgently; it grazed his side, nicking minimal HP.
Kate caught his slight imbalance.
"Blizzard Laser!"
Ice beam targeted his head—fastest ice skill projectile.
"Casting!"
Instead of recovering, Carpe swapped with Mukhyang instantly.
Stuck to the floor, Mukhyang let the beam slice empty air.
"Casting?! You've got everything!"
"Plenty more where that came from. Fireball!"
"Magic...?!"
Unprepared for magic from him, she panicked and raised an ice shield.
BOOM!
Flames clashed with ice, steam billowing thick.
"...What?!"
She was stunned inside.
Magic? Magic Fist Lord?
Magic-martial hybrids existed, though rare.
But those used magic for "checks"—weak damage.
That Fireball shook her shield. Mage-tier power, specialized tree.
Makes no sense.
Agility/speed to close gaps.
Physical power to smash shields.
And pro-mage magic?
Ugh. Kate, you idiot—think later!
Her bad habit: freezing in confusion.
Not now. That magic martial could strike anytime.
Steam blocks vision completely.
Intentional or not, perfect for her.
Her vision blocked meant his too.
AoE skill!
No precision targeting, but AoE didn't need sight.
And she had RaSe's best AoE.
"Permafrost!"
Crackle!
Ice wave surged from her.
Gotcha!
She knew it'd landed. Room size perfect—total freeze unless airborne.
But a man's voice shattered her certainty.
"Permafrost!"
"What?!"
Kate's shocked cry echoed.