Modified Chess Mission
The mission was a variation on chess rules. With the constellations intervening, the difficulty had skyrocketed. The combat power of the chess demons was one thing, but under rules that granted the attacking side a full 100% boost to all stats, mobility became the decisive factor in the outcome.
Ally Pawn has been defeated.
Ally Knight has been defeated.
Nearly half the pawns that had advanced were defeated. The chess demons that slipped through the gaps in the formation began toppling even the higher-value pieces one by one.
“A twofold combat power boost? Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
Ping Lei, who had just returned to the field, grumbled with a flushed face. His armor was damaged, and scratches and droplets of blood marked various spots across it.
“Tough going?”
“What nonsense, Master! I will not fall from something like this!”
“I thought you were already exhausted.”
“Just watch, Master. I will reach the far end no matter what!”
Truly an easy man to handle.
“Shh.”
It would be troublesome if the truth came out. The guild members who had finished their first engagements returned one by one. They looked worn from facing demons strengthened twofold, yet all had survived. Everyone had held on safely.
The only one who had not fought from the pawn position, Brother Yeongsu, surveyed the guild members with a worried expression.
“Enrique and Ping Lei, guard Brother Yeongsu’s front and sides.”
“Uncle, we can only move straight ahead, you know?”
“A pawn’s attack position is diagonal. Block them if they come close.”
“Understood. If the conditions are right, I will do as Master said.”
The guild members’ combat strength was enough to hold their own even against enemies with the twofold buff. Against higher-ranking pieces—say, if the queen charged in—it might become difficult, but she rarely strayed far from the king, so it should be fine.
Ally pieces were dwindling rapidly. It was hard to expect much from randomly matched players. No, it was fortunate if they did not become obstacles.
“We only receive rewards if we survive. This won’t do!”
High-mobility pieces like bishops and rooks fell back. The protruding guild members had become glaringly exposed in the middle of the battlefield after the other pawns were wiped out in the first clash.
“Master, I should step forward……”
“Wait for now.”
Moving diagonally, I eliminated the chess demons one by one that had been targeting allies. Then it happened. A shadow knight demon, capable of leaping over pieces, broke through the allies and reached the king’s immediate vicinity.
“Now.”
Castling is being used.
Player Lee Jiyoung (Rook) – The king’s position has changed.
The king was relocated to a corner of the battlefield. Jiyoung, now in the new position, became the target of the chess demons’ attacks.
“M-Master? There are quite a lot of demons……”
“Just draw their aggro for a bit.”
I trusted Jiyoung. Even chess demons with their combat power doubled would not find it easy to break through her.
Player Yu Jinho (Queen) has defeated a Shadow Knight Demon.
Player Yu Jinho (Queen) has……
I made full use of the queen’s overwhelming mobility. Whether crushing enemy pieces or drawing attacks, the chess demons that had covered the battlefield were eliminated one by one. While traversing the chessboard, I did not forget to step on the corners.
The number of chess demons has fallen below half.
Prison Queen has intruded onto the battlefield.
The Prison Queen moves toward the target that has defeated the most pieces.
The queen who had remained still beside the Genocide King Demon flashed crimson light from her eyes.
My partner certainly is popular.
“It’s the sorrow of the capable, isn’t it?”
I sighed softly and glared at the Prison Queen. How tiresome. Even popularity required consideration.
* * *
The Prison Queen Demon differed slightly from ordinary chess demons. The first difference was that she moved after designating her attack priority. And then—
“If the queen demon seizes the initiative, her stats increase fourfold?”
Oh dear. A rather excessive figure.
“The standard approach is to offer up the player who drew aggro and then strike.”
The queen piece could move once every minute. If I threw one player at the Prison Queen Demon, who moved after locking onto a target, she would be unable to benefit from the fourfold stat effect right after relocating.
So everything you have done so far was to sacrifice yourself devotedly.
“Have you been watching too many comedies?”
Heh, I know full well that your nature is far from sacrificial.
There was no need to follow the standard method. No matter how many times stronger she became, victory was all that mattered.
The Prison Queen Demon has entered combat with Yu Jinho (Queen).
The Prison Queen Demon’s stats have risen by 300%.
If you withstand the opponent’s offensive for 5 minutes, victory is automatic.
The battlefield had widened. The demon standing opposite flashed her eyes. Bundles of chains wrapped around her arms and legs floated in the air, clinking metallically. There were more than dozens of them.
“You are going to have a very enjoyable time.”
The Prison Queen Demon slowly caressed one chain.
“Is binding your preference?”
“You will soon understand the charm of chains as well.”
The Prison Queen Demon’s cheeks flushed. I wished she would not strike such a pose while saying things like that.
Hmm. That girl seems to enjoy being bound. I cannot comprehend it.
Do not even try to understand that side, Goddess. I fear you might pick up strange habits.
“I want to hear screams from your mouth.”
Clatter-clatter-clatter!
Hundreds of chains flew toward me. Black currents swirled around each link.
Is that energy all dark fighting spirit?
Nyx screamed. The Prison Queen Demon, now four times stronger than before, sent black chains that dominated every direction surging like a storm. It was on the level of aura or sword energy. Its destructive power was slightly below manifested energy, but when the number reached the hundreds, the story changed. The air itself was crushed beneath the flow of dark fighting spirit.
Shhhhhhhk!
The compressed air let out an eerie sound as if screaming, and at the same time the chains filled every space, slithering closer like serpents. I stepped forward into the pitch-black front.
A vortex of energy swirled around my tightly clenched fist. When I drove Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts into the gaps in space, dozens of chains trembled. Energy versus dark fighting spirit—the energy held a slight edge in power, but the output difference was overwhelming. It was a match with no chance head-on, yet when I twisted my arm slightly and thrust the technique further, a storm of energy raged. The chains’ trajectories gradually shifted.
Clang-clang-clang!
The small change created by Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts distorted the Prison Queen Demon’s offensive.
Oh my, that is quite something.
The flow of chains became entangled. The Prison Queen Demon swung both arms. The chains I had twisted and knotted with energy unraveled like thread and soon moved freely again. Their attack range had widened considerably, but in exchange their movement speed had slowed.
Avalanche
A blizzard engulfed the chains. In a situation like this, magic was more effective than Seon magic. While the extreme cold held the chains in place, I advanced further and unleashed Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts. The Prison Queen Demon held the advantage in total power. She could manifest dark fighting spirit while controlling over a hundred chains as mediums. In contrast, the range in which I could manifest energy, explosive demonic energy, or dark fighting spirit was limited to my body. In that case, I simply had to distort things so her power could not concentrate.
Indeed. You read the flow and make it your own.
A barrage of dark fighting spirit assaults. The moment I let my guard down even for an instant, chains would coil around my body. Even the metal-reflective armor could not hold out for long. A chill ran down my spine.
“It has been a while since I felt this.”
A smile formed. My entire body’s senses sharpened to a razor edge. Lately I had only been crushing enemies with overwhelming power. I had not fought a distance battle by severing the opponent’s rhythm through technique and senses. It was troublesome to become too strong.
If you act too leisurely, it will become troublesome.
“Why? It is fun.”
What will you do if the allies are annihilated while you are tied down by that demon?
“They will hold out. Besides, I cannot finish this quickly anyway.”
There must be a reason.
“To obtain Galatea’s blueprint, I have to hold out for five minutes.”
I had to step on every corner of the chessboard and survive the Prison Queen Demon’s offensive. It was the hidden condition for obtaining Galatea’s blueprint. Adventurer Laurent had discovered it, though I could not fathom how he had uncovered such an odd requirement. Perhaps he had actually experienced regression as well.
“How bothersome.”
Defeating the Prison Queen Demon was not difficult. If I maximized the repulsive force between energy and explosive demonic energy with Eclipse, I could temporarily overwhelm her in total power. After erasing all the chains, I could finish her with Seon magic. I could also use Shrink to teleport and strike her vital points.
Your words and expression do not match.
“Hm?”
I am saying you look rather pleased.
I raised my right hand to my mouth. My cheek twitched. Well now. I was no pervert, yet here I was enjoying this precarious sensation. I muttered as if making an excuse.
“I have gotten quite used to controlling explosive demonic energy.”
One minute, two minutes, then three. Just as my senses had sharpened, the Prison Queen Demon’s offensive grew even more cunning.
“Not bad, human!”
Attacks poured down while dominating every space. This time, even interfering with the flow left no opening to escape.
Giga Impact
Explosive Demonic Energy
The chains that had been flying like a storm bounced off the dark-red energy overlaid on the wave. Shwaaaak! Several strands of chains pierced through the yellow wave. Because my control of explosive demonic energy was not perfect, I could not block every attack wrapped in dark fighting spirit. I wrapped energy around my left hand. When I executed Mountain Lord Blue Bird, several chain strands caught on my fingers and were torn away. My abdomen itched.
Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts proficiency has increased.
5-star → 6-star
You can now learn the latter half of Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts.
If accompanied by enlightenment, you can manifest strong energy with Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts.
“Six-star at this timing.”
I gave a bitter laugh. It had not been long since I maximized my bodily senses, yet I had reached six-star. This was not a matter of martial achievement or proficiency. How troublesome. Perhaps having specs that were too excellent had become a poison instead.
“Human, how can you still endure!”
The Prison Queen Demon shouted with an impatient expression.
“Only one minute left, so you are getting nervous?”
“Kuuuugh, I cannot lose to a mere human!”
“Says the fake created by the Tower.”
Crackle-crackle!
An energy denser than aura coiled around my forearm. Strong energy. Enlightenment and internal energy had been sufficient. What had been lacking was achievement alone. The moment Hundred Beasts Emperor Martial Arts reached six-star, I manifested strong energy and struck down the bundle of chains.
Five minutes have passed since combat began.
Player Yu Jinho (Queen) has achieved victory.
You have fulfilled the hidden element in the 53rd floor mission.
Galatea’s blueprint is granted.
A scroll fell from the sky. I snatched it lightly and checked the item details.
◈ A blueprint containing the method to create the legendary doll Galatea.
◈ Analyzing the blueprint may allow the creation of a powerful doll.
It was the item Madam had requested. The blueprint the Black Network desperately wanted had fallen into my hands.