Chapter 144
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: City Blockade Order
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Shriiing-!
The Lament, which had returned before he knew it, whined at the Black Knight.
【It hurt! It hurt me!】
"...Quiet down."
The Black Knight gritted his teeth as he glared at Kang Seol's twin knights.
Crunch...
[The Black Knight enters stage 1 of Moonlight Ascension: Crescent Moon.]
Vwoooong...
"Be careful! Everyone, get ready!"
With Chameli's sharp cry, the clash between the Black Knight and the black pilgrims began.
Kwaaaaang-!
[The Black Knight's Lament uses Echo of Slaughter.]
[Each time the Black Knight's Lament is blocked by something, it deals damage equal to 50% of the offset damage around that area.]
"Urk..."
Karuna successfully defended against the attack with his breath technique, but the lingering vibrations that followed still pushed him back.
In that moment, Karen thrust embers into the Black Knight's opening.
Fwoosh-!
Kaaaaang!
[Forcible Breakthrough activates.]
[Deals 50% of the original damage.]
Fwoosh...
"Grk!"
They traded blows once each.
"Now!"
[Sacred Earth activates.]
[The ground blazes with holy energy.]
[Grants increased HP regeneration to allies and reduces enemy life recovery by 50%.]
Sizzle...
The Black Knight drew upon his power to escape this unpleasant situation.
[The Black Knight enters stage 2 of Moonlight Ascension: Half Moon.]
"Haaaaap!"
Tzzzzz...
A murky energy began gathering around the Lament.
Kang Seol shouted immediately.
"Dodge!"
[The Black Knight uses Moonlight Slash.]
The party had expected the Black Knight wouldn't recklessly use Moonlight Slash in Half Moon state, so they couldn't counter the energy and scattered to save themselves.
Kwagwagwang-!
The black wave sliced through all the surrounding trees as it passed.
Dust filled the air, and the people slowly raised their lowered bodies.
"Are you alright?"
"Any injuries?"
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any wounded.
'...No injuries?'
Kang Seol hadn't taken his eyes off the Black Knight for a moment, but he instinctively sensed that something had happened during that brief moment of rising dust.
Slither...
And his instinct proved spot on.
"He's gone! Damn it... he escaped!"
"The h-horses..."
Chameli hurriedly tried to pursue the Black Knight with the pilgrims.
But an unexpected problem arose.
"The horses tied to the trees are all dead..."
"Did he target the horses from the start?"
"We need to hurry... The Black Knight must be heading to Ilia!"
Kang Seol thought for a moment before saying,
"I'll chase after him first."
"That's too dangerous! Alone, you'll..."
"No choice. Catch up as soon as you can."
"Wai..."
With that, he dashed toward Ilia.
Pop-!
'Can't waste any time.'
Ilia was right around the corner from here.
A normal person could walk there in literally 30 minutes.
And that fact was working massively against Kang Seol's group right now.
At the Black Knight's speed, he'd reach Ilia in at most 5 minutes.
'I have to catch him.'
If he didn't seize the bastard as quickly as possible, Ilia would face a blood-soaked night.
【Smart! Aren't I smart?】
"......"
【Hurry and feed me blood! They're in danger! I'll handle them, so give me blood!】
"......"
【Horse blood isn't enough! Humans! I want human blood!】
Pop-!
Pop-!
Even while running, the Black Knight replayed the recent events in his mind.
'That guy's power... how did it suddenly get stronger?'
The owner of the fragment had grown at an unnaturally rapid pace.
No, perhaps that's exactly why Karen was drawn to him.
If he'd kept fighting there, he might have dragged it out, but he'd have lost in the end.
"Doesn't matter... I'll fill Lament's belly here, then face them again."
Lament wasn't called a demonic sword for nothing. After sucking in life's blood, it unleashed power equal to the blood it absorbed.
'First, I'll cut down the border guards and gather blood.'
But from the start, things didn't go according to the Black Knight's plan.
"No border guards...?"
【Weird! So weird!】
This was Ilia's west gate.
As befitting a major city's entrance, the Black Knight had expected excessive guards to greet him, so he was momentarily flustered.
There wasn't a single guard in sight.
【What do we do! What do we do! I'm hungry!】
"Sh-Shut up! I'll feed you soon enough."
Tzzzzz...
[The Black Knight uses Moonlight Slash.]
Kwaaaaang-!
Kwajik!
The black energy not only shattered part of the city gate but penetrated inside.
"We're going in!"
【Yay! Yay!】
Pop-!
The Black Knight entered the city, intent on killing the first people he saw.
But.
"......"
Ilia was divided into four districts—east, west, south, and north—with massive walls separating them inside the city.
Yet all the lights in those districts were out.
【Gone! Gone! No breathing sounds!】
"What is this..."
Rustle.
A presence stirred from the direction of the gate the Black Knight had passed through.
"Damn, you're fast... I told you to wait up."
"...Did you arrange this?"
"Hold on, let me catch my breath."
Kang Seol hadn't imagined the entire west district would be completely evacuated. It seemed the pilgrims who'd relayed the news about Ilia had crossed paths wrong.
'Doesn't matter.'
The city was shrouded in pitch-black darkness right now, but atop the walls dividing the districts, he spotted a group of people.
When Kang Seol focused his eyes, their outlines came into view.
'Those are spectators come to watch... and that's Brispin?'
At that moment, a loud voice echoed from the wall.
They must have used a magic tool, as the words came through clearly despite the distance.
"So you're the blood-mad monster causing all the fuss lately."
"......"
"I won't spare even a drop of Ilia citizens' blood for the likes of you. Pay for your crimes and get out of Ilia at once."
"...Pay for my crimes? You say pay for my crimes?"
"Indeed. You..."
"Ha... haha..."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Hahahahaha! Pay for my crimes... right... yeah..."
[The Black Knight enters stage 3 of Moonlight Ascension: Full Moon.]
Patzzzzzzzt!
"What... what kind of power is that!"
"My lord, it's dangerous! Leave this to the others and withdraw immediately..."
The Black Knight's energy surged wildly.
"So who's going to make me pay for my crimes?"
"Seize... seize him! Drag him before me on his knees! No... you can kill him too! Whoever makes him pay will receive a grand reward!"
At that instant, a message appeared to every Transfer present in Ilia.
[A powerful suppressive force arises nearby.]
[Rest ends temporarily.]
[The next adventure is replaced by a sudden adventure.]
[Starting the next adventure.]
[Adventure 20 begins.]
[Adventure 20. City Blockade Order]
Adventure 20. ‘City Blockade Order’
Ilia's lord, Count Brispin, has ordered the city's blockade.
As a result, Ilia's west district has become a massive trap to contain the infamous murderer from the area.
However, this is no time to relax.
If you fail to take him down, his blade will shatter the trap and target everyone in Ilia.
📍 Objective: Subjugate the Black Knight
⚠️ Warning: This adventure is extremely dangerous.
⚠️ Warning: This adventure's situation changes by the minute.
⚠️ Warning: This is a base adventure based on the outpost ‘Ilia’.
⏰ Remaining Time: None
'...No!'
Kang Seol's vision shook unsteadily.
An ominous premonition gripped him.
Sure enough, Transfers swarmed over the walls beyond.
"What's going on? The Black Knight?"
"Was the west district lockdown during the day for this?"
"Look at all the people. Whoa..."
"Grab him!"
"That's the guy? The one in black armor?"
"Who's next to him?"
"No idea! Take down the Black Knight first!"
Kang Seol yelled.
"No! Don't come!!"
"Ha! Trying to hog the reward, huh..."
Pop-!
The Black Knight charged at the first Transfer entering the west district.
"Wai..."
Slash-! Thud...
The blood-soaked Lament laughed as the Transfer's head hit the ground.
【Ehehehe! Delicious! So delicious!】
The sword's mad cackling contrasted with the head rolling across the ground.
"Kyaaaak!"
"R-Run!"
"Open the walls!"
But the Black Knight was faster.
As he swung Lament at the Transfers who'd already crossed into the district...
Kaaaang-!
Sizzle...
Karuna smacked away the blade heading for the Transfer.
"Kuh..."
"Don't interfere!"
"N-Now! Everyone, run!"
"Monster..."
As people fled in chaos, Kang Seol grabbed the Black Knight from behind.
Kang Seol lifted his leg in an odd stance—a move he'd once performed in the Labyrinth of Penance.
Baaaam-!
Kang Seol's kick landed on the Black Knight's pauldron.
[Insight activates.]
[Hope Devourer swallows the impact.]
[Hope Devourer is slightly filled.]
[Hope Devourer partially digests the impact.]
"Groooar..."
[Epiphany! Awakening a new ability.]
[Awakens Sky Kick and Ground Kick.]
[One of the two abilities activates.]
[Ruffian's Movement activates.]
[Evasion rate increases by 10%, hit rate by 5%.]
Kwajik-!
Kwajijik!
Kang Seol pressed the Black Knight as hard as he could.
Until he could no longer concern himself with the others.
"W-We survived!"
"Who... who is that?"
"It's the Penitent! Has to be the Penitent!"
"What? The Penitent?"
"You idiots! Get the hell out of there now!"
Rumble...
Kang Seol's movements were beastly.
Attacks aimed at him were properly blocked by Karuna and Karen, allowing him to focus solely on offense.
Baaaam-!
"Urk..."
Ever since succeeding in stage 2 reinforcement, hitting the Black Knight's armor no longer felt like striking mud—it was different now.
'It's working!'
Thud!
Thud!
Thuuud!
[Insight activates.]
[Hope Devourer swallows the impact.]
[Hope Devourer is slightly filled.]
[Hope Devourer partially digests the impact.]
"I'll make your gut burst."
【Danger! Danger!】
"Don't underestimate me!"
Baaaam-!
"Kuh..."
Rumble...
Kang Seol was sent flying through a wooden building wall by the Black Knight's attack, kicking up dust.
The Black Knight rushed to finish him off.
And in that moment, two swords crossed to block the Lament.
Kaaaang-!
Grrrrr...
The rage buried in the Black Knight's heart boiled over.
Seeing Karen and Karuna's swords crossed to block his—it only fueled the flames in his chest uncontrollably.
Rumble...!
His ominous energy rippled violently.
【Ehehehe! Yes! Lose your reason! Leave it to me!】
"I'll kill you allll!"
Vwooooong-!
"Danger!"
Kwajik-!
Kang Seol burst through the building wall and struck the Black Knight from behind.
Kwaaaang-!
The Black Knight was pushed back, creating a momentary lull.
Kang Seol's complexion wasn't good.
'What was that? That energy just now...'
Tzzzzz...
The Black Knight staggered to his feet.
"I'll... kill you all."
Ssssssssss...
[The Black Knight enters stage 3 of Moonlight Ascension: Blood Moon.]
"What is that?"
The Lament slowly burrowed into the Black Knight's body.
【Hehehe! Accept me! I'll kill them all! Just like always! Close your eyes for a bit and open them again!】
Rumble...
The Black Knight's body began to slowly grow larger.
Rumble... Rumble...
It grew so massive he had to look up, its body turning red while the same heavy armor enveloped it as before.
Clank...
Moments later, the Black Knight's mouth opened.
But what emerged wasn't the Black Knight's voice—it was the Lament's.
【They'll all... be dead.】
[Hope Devourer's damage capacity greatly increases.]
[Lament materializes.]
A massive demonic aura rose from the Black Knight's body.
Fwoosh...
[The Black Knight uses ultimate technique: Dark Side of the Moon.]
[Physical abilities greatly enhance at the cost of reason.]
[No longer craves blood.]
The situation was absolutely disadvantageous for anyone watching. The Black Knight had clearly grown far stronger than before.
Yet, the more certain it became that the Lament had devoured the Black Knight, the brighter Kang Seol's expression grew.
He said,
"...You just made a mistake."