Hwanmama (2)
A sharp ding rang out!
In the very center of the conscious world's sky, a message window descended.
Sudden Event: Defeat the Hwanmama has been generated!
You are currently battling a colossal curse known as the Hwanmama, forced upon you by another within your mental world.
The Hwanmama embodies the two disasters once feared most by the people: tiger attacks (hwan) and smallpox (mama).
Defeat the Hwanmama that now seeks to devour you.
Success: Acquire White Tiger Malice, Acquire Spear Ghost
Failure: Demotion to Spear Ghost
But Lee Hyun had no attention to spare for the message.
Even the slightest lapse in focus could cost him his life.
BOOOOM!
CRACK!
The tiger was hurled back violently, snapping two chestnut trees like twigs.
Graaaawr!
Yet the beast sprang up without a scratch and charged once more.
Its hide was impossibly tough.
It even looked accustomed to being overpowered by a mere human.
The Hwanmama is releasing the spear ghosts stored in its stomach!
The eerie wind it exhaled coalesced, taking human shape.
Blue-faced figures wielding spears and swords. Spear ghosts.
The only difference from the old legends was that they wore clothing similar to modern hunters.
People killed by the Mountain God long ago?
Spear Ghost
Legend has it that those devoured by tigers become the tiger's slaves even in death.
These enslaved spirits try to lure others to take their place.
Origin: The Tiger's Grudge
When dungeons had only just begun to appear and the world was drowning in stories, everything had been chaos. Even the fate of nations hung in the balance. Back when Mo Jeong-gyeon was still an active ranker, the number of hunters and villains who had died by her hand easily reached the hundreds.
It was hardly surprising that many of them, even after death, remained bound to her as spirits.
The number of spear ghosts sealed in that talisman was considerable too. The real question is how strong they are now…
Lee Hyun moved swiftly, fully opening his Fiery Golden Eyes.
Hwaan Geumjeong
Piercing through the enemy's weaknesses.
Let's see what we're dealing with.
“Hmph! He's obviously just a rookie. Why bother being careful!”
“No one but Mo Jeong-gyeon could ever be our match!”
The two flashes of light, heavy with magic power, stabbed toward Lee Hyun.
He crossed Galyuk and Gyohyeol, deflecting both strikes with the flat of his axe. At the same time—
BOOM!
He planted his feet firmly and kicked off the ground with explosive force.
A charge reminiscent of an enraged bull. It was one of Jet's signature moves from the days when he would crush opponents with overwhelming power.
Now infused with the power of the Broken Soul, its strength was on a completely different level.
“Gah! What kind of strength is this…!”
“N-no!”
KWANG!
The two spear ghosts couldn't withstand the force and were sent flying.
Their skill level is roughly A-rank to A+. A few might reach ranker level, but… they're still stuck in the past.
Lee Hyun's combat sense instantly analyzed their fighting styles and capabilities.
With my current strength, I can handle all of them easily.
His dash carried concentrated lightning and devastating destructive power.
One ghost even had its spear snapped in half.
Two bolts of lightning—no, two axe strikes—hurtled toward their helmets.
SWOOOSH!
Frenzied Strike (E)
BOOM! BOOM! KWAaaaang!
Every time the axe struck, the lightning bursting from its blade was like a bomb going off.
“This is impossible! He clearly hasn't even become a ranker yet—how can he have this kind of power?!”
The sheer force behind the axe was already monstrous, yet the blue-white lightning erupting from the point of impact was far more explosive. To the spear ghosts, it was nothing short of a catastrophe.
“How? Simple.”
The real problem was that Frenzied Strike grew proportionally stronger with every stack…!
“You're just too weak.”
Consecutive attacks successful.
Stacks accumulating: 1, 2, 3…
10 stacks achieved.
All stacks complete.
CRACKLE-CRACKLE-CRACKLE!
The lightning that leaped into the air connected with itself.
A sudden lightning bolt descends!
KRRRRRR-BOOM!
The thunder that fell from the sky merged with the gathered lightning, becoming an even greater strike.
KWAKWAKWANG!
The spear ghost struck directly by the lightning was torn to shreds before it could even resist.
At the same time—
Frenzied Strike has been promoted to D-rank.
Electric Field formed.
Splash damage spreads across a 3-meter radius from the point of impact.
A wave of electricity surged outward from that point.
“Well, let's just say I don't like people like you who can't let go of their lingering attachments even after death.”
CRACKLE!
“Gah!”
“Graaah!”
“I-I can't move…!”
All targets caught in the electric field have been afflicted with the status effect: Electrocution.
Action halted for approximately 2 seconds.
Movement and attack speed reduced by 30% for approximately 15 seconds.
Frenzied Strike has been promoted to C-rank.
Lee Hyun weaved freely through the spear ghosts, who were completely incapacitated by the electrocution.
THUD!
THWACK!
“H-how… we're supposed to be spiritual bodies, yet we're taking damage…!”
“A dokkaebi! This dokkaebi is mocking us… gah…!”
1 enemy defeated.
Frenzied Strike stacks have been reset. 5 stacks automatically applied.
KWANG! KWANG!
KWAKWAKWAKWA—!
Every time Lee Hyun shoved and smashed the spear ghosts, lightning erupted.
This was what made Frenzied Strike so terrifying. It was already frightening enough that it crushed everything with raw power, but the constant threat of sudden lightning strikes made it even worse.
On top of that, the electric field flowing across the ground continuously gnawed away at their stamina.
The spirit of the Duaeoksini runs wild!
These ghosts had once been formidable warriors before Mo Jeong-gyeon killed them, but now they were nothing more than old remnants being split apart by Lee Hyun's axe.
Hsssss…
“I can't… die so meaninglessly like this…”
Curse Inscription 'Disaster Collapse' and 'Great Killing Absorption' have combined, absorbing the broken spear ghost's energy.
Acquired: Ferocity
The energy that scattered from the dying spear ghosts was completely absorbed into Lee Hyun.
Crunch.
Crack.
His body began changing once again.
Stamina has increased by 2.
Magic Power has increased by 1.
Yes. This is it.
Mo Jeong-gyeon had probably wanted him to learn how to handle magic power more sharply and increase his resistance while overcoming the Hwanmama. That was the way to become a true blade.
But Lee Hyun had flipped the script, exploiting the fact that the Hwanmama was a curse.
The result was this.
White Tiger Malice.
White Tiger Malice further strengthened Lee Hyun's tenacity, making his Frenzied Strike even more relentless.
In the end, the spear ghosts couldn't inflict any meaningful damage. They were steadily pushed back until every one of them had their heads smashed and collapsed.
It had taken only four breaths.
Seven spear ghosts, all felled in that short time.
And then the dark shadow of the Hwanmama, which had leaped high into the air, descended over Lee Hyun's head.
KWAAAAANG!
Its maw gaped open.
Inside was an abyss of pure blackness.
KWAAAANG!
“Khup…!”
The razor-sharp fangs caught on the axe and stopped just short of closing.
Grrrrr…!
But the Hwanmama poured every ounce of its will into biting down, determined to chew him up and swallow him.
“Your skills have improved quite a bit. At this rate, you might actually qualify as a gatekeeper for my territory.”
From the sky, the Snow Queen smiled coldly and swept her hand downward.
A shower of icicles poured down from the air while frost settled on the ground, sprouting countless ice thorns.
KWAKWAKWANG! KWANG!
GROOOAAAR!
Large and small wounds opened across the Hwanmama's hide, spilling torrents of blood.
Lee Hyun and the Snow Queen—old enemies—had joined forces to drive out the intruder that had invaded their domain.
The Hwanmama swings its tail wildly, scattering disaster energy!
The thick tail slammed into the ground.
A gale mixed with murderous energy swirled violently.
“…Tch.”
The Snow Queen's approach was cut off.
If she charged in recklessly, she had no way of knowing where the fangs would strike from.
The gale tried to swallow Lee Hyun as well, but—
Curse Immunity (SS) activated.
Immune to disaster effects.
Lee Hyun instead tore through the gale and closed the distance until he was right in front of the beast.
“…!!”
“Enough with the cheap tricks. Let's settle this properly. That's how you make hunting fun, don't you think?”
CRACKLE-CRACKLE!
Blue-white lightning exploded wildly.
Lee Hyun's smile, baring all his teeth, made him look like a battle-crazed Duaeoksini.
The Duaeoksini's fury erupts!
THWACK!
SPLUUURT!
Blood gushed violently from the Hwanmama's left forearm. In exchange, its fangs sank into Lee Hyun's right shoulder.
CRUUUUNCH!
The horrifying sound suggested the shoulder might have been pulverized, but—
Frenzied Strike (C) has risen two ranks to A-rank and is delivering a barrage!
KWANG! KWANG! KWANG!
Lee Hyun's eyes burned even more fiercely as he pushed his body forward with greater force.
A contest of pure strength.
A tense standoff where neither side would yield an inch.
“…Hah.”
The Snow Queen watched the clash between the two beasts with an expression that said she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
There was no room for her to intervene.
SCRRRAPE!
At that moment, Lee Hyun raised Galyuk high with his remaining left hand and brought it down wildly.
One strike, two strikes, three—
KWANG! KWANG! KWANG!
With every axe strike, fountains of blood erupted. Hide and flesh split open, exposing bone.
GROOOAAAR!
In the process, Lee Hyun's right shoulder was brutally crushed as well.
The Hwanmama had also forced its jaws shut with all its might despite the pain.
Its claws even raked deep across his side, exposing internal organs, but—
Combat Sense (B) has risen to A-rank.
Adrenaline momentarily suppresses the pain.
The rage born from pain condenses into fury.
Stacks accumulated.
Lightning descends!
KRRRRRR-BOOM!
The falling lightning turned the beast's tattered right foreleg into nothing but rags.
Unable to endure any longer, the Hwanmama lifted its head and let out a roar of agony.
Lee Hyun didn't miss the opening. He released both axes and wrapped his arms around the creature's right foreleg.
And then…
He twisted.
CRRRRRACK!
It was the dokkaebi wrestling that dokkaebis supposedly loved so much.
KWAAAAAANG!
In the end, the right foreleg could no longer hold and was torn completely off.
The gushing fountain of blood drenched Lee Hyun from head to toe, evaporating instantly from the heat of the lightning.
“Human! You huuuuman!!”
For the first time, the Hwanmama let out a roar mixed with conscious intent.
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
Its body staggered backward several steps, unable to withstand the shock.
“Haa… Haa…!”
Lee Hyun tossed the foreleg carelessly to the ground. His blazing eyes remained fixed on the Hwanmama.
A thick metallic stench filled the air.
The severed foreleg scattered into energy and was once again absorbed into him.
Covered head to toe in blood—whether his own or the tiger's—Lee Hyun's body trembled.
Yet his eyes burned hotter than lightning.
A savagery equal to, or perhaps even greater than, the Hwanmama's.
Grrrrr…!
Even as it writhed in pain, the Hwanmama warily regarded Lee Hyun, who now radiated a spirit that rivaled its own.
“I have no choice but to acknowledge it… When that person sent me, I never imagined… this could happen…!”
“I don't need your acknowledgment.”
“You stubborn—!”
Lee Hyun attempted another dash.
Even with his broken body, he could still fight.
Using his magnetic force, he flung all the scattered axes into the air at once.
“If you want to go all the way, then I shall—What is this!?”
The Hwanmama had been about to release its remaining spear ghosts to begin round two when its body suddenly stiffened. Its eyes widened.
At some point, its joints had been tightly bound by chains of lightning.
“Sorry, but curse-type battles are ones I can never lose.”
“…!!”
“I know you, but you didn't know me. That was your fatal mistake.”
“N-no—!”
The electrocution and the curse inscriptions that kept piling on without pause.
Curse applied.
Curse applied.
…
Chains of lightning strengthened.
…
The Hwanmama's eyes, nose, and ears all closed. The moment its senses were completely covered in curses, darkness descended.
Lee Hyun snatched one of the axes with his left hand and brought it down.
The Duaeoksini's fury erupts!
KRRRRRR-BOOOOOM!
The Hwanmama's head shattered and scattered.
Hssss…
Hwanmama Defeated
Success reward acquired: White Tiger Malice and Spear Ghost.
Overwhelming performance recorded. Additional rewards…
Exhausted, Lee Hyun dropped to one knee on the ground.
“Haa… Haa…!”
Even as the last remnants of the Hwanmama's energy were absorbed and his body underwent yet another transformation, he was simply too tired.
And then—
The Snow Queen approached with an expressionless face.
* * *
The Snow Queen fidgeted with her fingers.
With every motion, snowflakes danced in the air.
Her hands were as white as ice.
“What? Do I look that exhausted? Changed your mind already?”
Lee Hyun looked up at her with sharp, gleaming eyes.
He was tired, yes, but his gaze made it clear that if she wanted to start a fight, he would gladly oblige.
However—
“It is not that We do not understand the way you and your companions look upon Us and Our people,”
The Snow Queen lowered herself.
“We are the great sovereign of Spitsbergen. The mother of all snow and ice. We neither commit nor even consider dishonorable acts. The promises We make are as immutable as the faces of Our people.”
She placed her hand on Lee Hyun's wounds.
Impassive, yet gentle.
“The promise We made with you shall be kept.”
FWO0000SH!
The Snow Queen's magic power flowed into the wounds, and pure white frost settled over them.
In that instant, Lee Hyun's breathing grew noticeably easier.