Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: ACT. 28 Disaster of Solitude (7)
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“The path was blocked, so it took a while to clear.”
Hwang Chan-jin narrowed his eyes.
“What is this?”
Covering his mouth with his hand to avoid the thick dust, Hwang Chan-jin surveyed the area.
Then, as if he'd quickly grasped the situation, he wore a dumbfounded expression.
“Did you really use those expensive things as a bomb?”
“Better than letting that thing absorb them.”
They would have disappeared one way or another, so I just put them to good use.
It was also a way to advance to the first phase without much effort.
“You did get what you were supposed to, right?”
“What do you take me for? Of course I brought it.”
Hwang Chan-jin scoffed, offering a glimpse of a small earthenware vessel from inside his coat.
Myeonggyeongjisu (Clear Mirror, Still Water).
An item based on the small bowls used to hold water for maintaining a pure body and mind during prayer.
It could only be found on Gyeryongsan, a mountain frequented by shamans, and its effect was to provide considerable defense against mental attacks.
It had durability, so it wasn't permanent, and would likely be destroyed once the fight with the Disaster of Solitude was over.
“Are you sure you have a way to withstand the solitude?”
“Probably.”
“I suppose so. Seeing the bodies outside, it looks like the disaster went on a rampage, yet you're perfectly fine. It must be true.”
Finishing their exchange, they turned their heads in unison.
The Disaster of Solitude was wearing a chilling smile.
The same expression it had shown on the surface, right before using ‘Final Solitude’.
“If you happen to fall under its mind control, I'll be sure to smack you hard on the head, so you know.”
Hwang Chan-jin said, glancing at me.
His face looked like he was hoping for it to happen.
For some reason, it felt similar to what I'd said to Jun Bo-ra.
“Now… there are two…?”
*Swaaak!*
Pitch-black darkness spread out.
An aura, the very embodiment of the emotion of solitude, instantly swept over Hwang Chan-jin and me.
[You are being affected by ‘Final Solitude’.]
[‘Watcher Beyond the Screen’ is responding.]
[You are not affected by ‘Final Solitude’.]
Same as before.
A slight tingling and a flash of pain passed, and then I was fine, as if nothing had happened.
It proved that the effect could effortlessly defend against even the power of a disaster.
“It's real.”
Hwang Chan-jin, whose body was glowing with a faint blue light from the power of the Myeonggyeongjisu, muttered in wonder.
“I can't believe you had a power like that. The most annoying enemies are the ones with mind-interfering abilities. If you have something like that, there should be no problem.”
*Crack.*
A crack appeared on the Myeonggyeongjisu Hwang Chan-jin was holding.
Half-broken after blocking just once.
If not for the suppressor, it would have been completely destroyed like a single-use consumable.
“…”
The Disaster of Solitude stood still, looking dazed.
Then, it tilted its head.
As if it couldn't understand why we were unharmed.
“Hwang Chan-jin.”
At the call of his name, a silent gaze turned to me.
“I have a skill that can deal massive damage without collapsing the mine shaft. But it needs some time.”
“Are you telling me to buy time?”
“Glad you're quick on the uptake.”
“There's no need.”
Hwang Chan-jin smirked and stepped in front of the Disaster of Solitude.
The sword in his hand was now enveloped in a blue light.
“I'll end this myself.”
*Kwang!*
The Disaster of Solitude and Hwang Chan-jin's sword clashed.
Their strength was evenly matched. Neither side gave an inch.
Looking closely, it wasn't just an aura of ice; there seemed to be some kind of sacred power swirling around it too.
‘No wonder he took so long.’
It seems he didn't just find the Myeonggyeongjisu; he also received a shamanistic blessing to channel the power of a divine spirit.
The cost to do something like that at this timing must have been astronomical.
But since it was one of the few ways to temporarily boost one's stats, it was probably an unavoidable choice when facing the Disaster of Solitude.
“Zeta.”
At my call, Zeta emerged silently from the darkness.
I stood slightly ahead of Zeta.
I focused on the system message floating in the air.
[A new skill can be acquired.]
Just like Alpha, Zeta could also acquire a skill.
This was possible because its loyalty had increased significantly after dealing with the demonic beasts in the Training Grounds.
But what I wanted wasn't simply for Zeta to become stronger.
‘The opposite.’
Just as I was able to use the Shattering Moon that Alpha acquired, I was having Zeta acquire a skill for my own use.
[List of Acquirable Skills]
Black Death (S)
Soam (S)
…
I directly imparted it.
I immediately chose ‘Soam’.
I could only take back one skill from each entity through impartation.
Black Death was also an attractive skill, but I had to give it up.
After confirming a small halo of light sweep over Zeta's body, I immediately began the transfer process.
If this landed properly, it should be possible to skip straight to the final phase of the strategy.
[Hey! Kim Se-hyeon! We're in big trouble!]
Besial partially materialized, shouting urgently.
There was only one thing that could make Besial panic like that.
“Is it an inspection?”
[Yeah! They found my sudden promotion to intermediate suspicious, so I can't use any of my administrator powers!]
What the succubus had said, ‘the consequences of killing an administrator’.
I had expected news to get out eventually, so I wasn't fazed.
“Buy me time. Whatever it takes.”
[Y-You think that's as easy as it sounds!?]
“What's the alternative? You know you became an accomplice the moment you absorbed the succubus's energy, right?”
[I knew this would happen, but…!]
Besial vanished, making a half-sobbing sound.
‘Discipline’ is unavoidable.
But not right now.
After defeating the Disaster of Solitude.
‘Ten minutes.’
Within that time, I will end this.
“Hwang Chan-jin!”
I shouted his name at the top of my lungs.
Instantly, Hwang Chan-jin, who had been exchanging dozens of blows per second with the Disaster of Solitude, changed his actions.
*Crack!*
The ground froze in an instant.
Perhaps it had been careless about its footing while blocking Hwang Chan-jin's attacks, but the Disaster of Solitude froze in place as ice crept up from its feet to its knees.
Immediately after, Zeta and I moved in unison.
“Soam (消暗).”
I crossed the space.
I moved so quickly, drawing my sword from its sheath so smoothly, it felt like an illusion.
Two black lines were drawn in the air, as if intersecting.
Sword marks slowly began to appear on the body of the Disaster of Solitude, which stood exactly in their path.
*Chwajwajwak!!*
Slashed multiple times, its body swayed back and forth.
[Aaaah! I'm dying! I'm gonna die!!]
‘Just hold on a little longer.’
*Swoosh…*
The dust kicked up by the wind pressure slowly settled.
Unlike in a game, I couldn't check the opponent's remaining HP, so it was hard to confirm the result.
It couldn't have died from this.
I felt the impact in my hands. It must have dealt a significant amount of damage.
“…Looks like it worked.”
Hwang Chan-jin, who was closer to the disaster than I was, spoke up.
“It seems the fallen hero has remembered the time when he was a hero.”
From within the dust cloud, a figure shot up toward the ceiling at incredible speed.
A relentless movement, despite knowing it was blocked.
I couldn't believe it, but.
*Kwagwagwang!!*
It smashed right through the ceiling and vanished from sight in an instant.
What was the reason I'd avoided using Shattering Moon?
I had been careful because a little more impact could have caused a collapse this deep inside the mine.
The Disaster of Solitude had triggered it.
So, naturally.
*Rumble!*
“Ha, shit.”
We ended up starring in a blockbuster escape from a collapsing mine.
“We can get out through the path I dug! In that state, it won't go to the residential area and kill people!”
“I know!”
We escaped the collapsing mine.
Ignoring a sense of déjà vu, we kept running until, just after we got out, the mine completely caved in with a tremendous roar.
And there, in front of us.
“…”
Stood the Disaster of Solitude, staring blankly up at the yellow full moon.
Seeing it in that state, a mix of emotions washed over me.
Relief that we had successfully moved on to the next phase of the strategy, and a sense of futility that even after using an ultimate skill, all it did was destroy the armor the disaster was wearing.
The equipment the Disaster of Solitude had been wearing was exceptionally good, though.
Even so, I couldn't help the bitter feeling.
‘Jun Bo-ra is…’
Nowhere to be seen.
She had likely gone to help Han Hyeok-jun.
“…I see. This is not the dimension I was originally from.”
The listlessness in its voice, the gloomy atmosphere—it was all gone.
A sense of déjà vu, as if it had become a completely different being.
The Disaster of Solitude, Keirum, slowly turned his gaze toward Hwang Chan-jin and me.
“Is this world also in the process of being ruined?”
“Unfortunately.”
“I suppose it would be. That bastard's goal targets all dimensions.”
Keirum gave a sad smile.
Calling him 'that bastard' instead of an honorific like 'that person' was clear proof his memories had returned.
But that wasn't necessarily good news.
It didn't mean we wouldn't have to fight Keirum; he had now awakened the power he possessed as a hero.
“Destruction is inevitable. My world was the same, as were all the places I have passed through. No matter how much you struggle, it is impossible to change the outcome of ruin. Only the timing differs.”
“Are you telling us to give up just because you did?”
“This is advice from someone with experience.”
“I have no interest in advice mixed with the experience of a failure.”
For once, I appreciated his reckless personality.
“Is that so.”
Keirum replied curtly.
*Shaaa…*
His sword was bathed in a golden light.
The old, caked-on bloodstains vanished in an instant as if purified, revealing the legendary sword in its original form.
The sword's song rang out powerfully.
As if overjoyed to be reunited with its master, who had finally regained his senses.
“Then.”
And that great hero and his heroic sword were now pointed at us.
“Prove it.”
*Kwaaaaaa!*
A golden sword aura shook the very foundations of the earth.
It passed between Hwang Chan-jin and me, then completely obliterated the mountain peak behind us without a trace.
A hollow laugh escaped me. To think that was the result of a simple sword swing.
Keirum hadn't just recovered his heroic power; by regaining his memories, he had regained his techniques as well.
An enemy stronger than any I had faced before.
“What now?”
“What do you mean?”
“We can't use the original strategy for this final phase. That means we have to defeat that ridiculous monster with nothing but our own strength. You, of all people, should know how difficult that is.”
Hwang Chan-jin's point was valid.
Originally, one was supposed to learn the swordsmanship used by Keirum's deceased lover and use that to fight him.
If things had progressed according to the original story, there would have been a chance to acquire that swordsmanship before encountering Keirum, but with the sequence of events all mixed up, that was no longer the case.
Without any strategy, we had to face the man who once reigned as the strongest in his world with just a sword.
[Kim Se-hyeon! Are you done yet!? I'm really at my limit!]
Besial let out a cry that was close to a scream.
It's impossible to settle this in a short time with a head-on clash of strength.
Though being defeated in a short time is possible.
Therefore, there was only one path for me to take here.
“It's not like I had no plan.”
I slowly changed my stance.
Left foot slightly forward.
Neat and tidy. Unwavering. I properly aimed my sword at the opponent.
My other hand, the one not holding the sword, was hidden behind my back as if I were clasping it.
“That's…?”
Keirum's eyes slowly widened.
Hwang Chan-jin, who seemed to have realized what I was about to do, had the same reaction.
“How do you know that…!”
Instead of answering, I moved.
A precise thrust, like wielding a rapier.
As Keirum focused solely on defense, seemingly confused by the situation, I extended the hand that had been behind my back and grabbed his arm.
Then, I pulled him to the side and swept his leg from the outside.
Keirum, who lost his balance in an instant, staggered and took a direct blow to the chest.
Even though it was my bare hand, a sharp pain spread through it as if I had struck steel.
I tutted softly, shaking my hand.
“How… How are you using her style! Her swordsmanship!?”
Keirum, knocked back, shouted with trembling eyes.
He was right.
This was something that shouldn't exist in this world, something originally created by a person from another world.
Nor did I receive it directly from 'her' soul, the original method Hwang Chan-jin had mentioned.
The reason I could imitate it despite that.
‘It's a technique I've used thousands, tens of thousands of times.’
With every swing of the sword, I could feel my posture becoming more refined.
My body might not remember it, but my mind does.
I, who watched the playable character use it tens of thousands of times while clearing the game.
I 'know' the strategy.