Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Special Arena - Nature's Collapse (1)

Translation: godtl

[You have entered the Special Arena 'Nature's Collapse.']

[Eliminate the cause of the collapse.]

A series of system messages floated across the dark sky.

Below them stretched a world of ashen gray and crimson black.

Si-mun slightly furrowed his brow.

'This is vile.'

Mysterious smoke oozed up from everywhere, and vegetation so twisted it had become grotesque.

The damp air perfectly matched the scene.

'The word "distorted" fits this place perfectly.'

Truly a Special Arena.

The sight was utterly befitting of the name "Nature's Collapse."

Perhaps sharing the same sentiment, the viewers' chat was buzzing.

Si-mun's eyes widened slightly as he watched it.

'What? Why is the chat moving so fast?'

His streams had always had active chats, but the current speed was staggering.

If Si-mun weren't a Player, he wouldn't have been able to keep up.

He quickly grasped the reason behind this phenomenon.

[Achievement 'Surpass 100,000 Viewers' has been completed.]

[You have earned 5,000 Achievement Points.]

'100,000? A hundred thousand?!'

Unable to believe the achievement, Si-mun hastily checked his viewer count.

The system wouldn't lie.

[110,471 viewers currently watching.]

The number had indeed surpassed 100,000—more than double his usual average of around 50,000.

And it was still climbing.

'It's still going up?'

When the count crossed 140,000, Si-mun let out a hollow laugh.

'Nearly 150,000 viewers for a Gold-rank stream...'

While Gold-rank was where Players were truly recognized as legitimate, it was still part of the Bronze-Silver-Gold tier often dismissed as the "shallow waters."

Yet here he was, pulling 140,000 viewers—a number even most promising Players in Gold-rank couldn't reach.

And Si-mun had only just been promoted to Gold.

'Well, it's not like winning the Debut Match was nothing.'

Domestic top prospect, future Ranker—such titles naturally came with being a Debut Match champion.

Having been a viewer himself in his past life, Si-mun understood better than anyone how he was being perceived now.

'This is oddly embarrassing.'

Scratching his cheek lightly, Si-mun spoke up.

"Everyone, as those who've been watching my streams know, I can't check the chat often during arenas. Please understand if I miss questions or donations."

The regular viewers chimed in, keeping the chat in check.

Just as Si-mun was about to close the chat, he quickly added,

"Ah, Manager-nim, please ban anyone spamming or trolling excessively."

With so many viewers, chat moderation was essential.

[The Constellation Black Goat's eyes sparkle as he nods vigorously.]

The Constellation Black Goat responded immediately.

Reassured by his dependable presence, Si-mun nodded and closed the chat before moving forward.

Crunch.

With each step, the sound of dry leaves crumpling underfoot echoed.

Surveying the desolate surroundings as he advanced, Si-mun rested his chin on his hand.

Special Arenas usually had vague objectives.

Players had to piece together the clues to clear them, but—

"The objective was to eliminate the cause of the downfall, right?"

Combining the name of the Special Arena, The Fall of Nature, with the objective of eliminating the cause of its downfall, Si-mun had no trouble pinpointing the target location.

"That must be it."

In the distance stood a colossal tree—one so massive it pierced through the clouds. Yet, despite its towering size, not a single leaf remained on its skeletal, withered branches.

Si-mun immediately recognized its identity.

'The World Tree.'

Given the name of the Special Arena and the current state of the forest, it was obvious.

Just as he was about to head toward it—

"Hm?"

Si-mun's head snapped to the side.

'Did I just hear something?'

A moment later—

Tsk.

He flicked his fingers.

As the [White Dolphin's Body Tissue] formed over his ears, the faint noise became clearer.

"...did it!"

"Ret... treat!"

Frantic shouts.

'That way.'

Coincidentally, the direction of the withered World Tree.

Activating [Black Panther's Body Tissue], Si-mun immediately kicked off the ground and sprinted.

It didn't take long.

Thud.

"Damn it!"

"Fuck! Do some damage already!"

A group of three locked in combat with a hulking monster came into view.

The surprising part?

"Wait. Players?"

They didn't seem like NPCs from the Special Arena—they looked like actual players.

No, they had to be.

"That bastard's heading over there!"

"Goddammit! Stop talking and block him!"

"Aggro's not sticking! Just let it go!"

From their speech to their equipment—

Anyone could tell they were players participating in the Galaxy Arena.

-What the hell, they're players?

-No way! They really are.

-Wasn't this a solo Special Arena?

-Yeah. I joined alone, so why are other players suddenly here?

The chat window exploded with messages as the situation sank in.

-Wait. Isn't that swordsman Park Tae-min?

-It is! But Park Tae-min's Platinum, right?

-The archer's white, and the healer's black. Are they really Plats?

-What the fuck lol. Other players appearing in a Special Arena is already insane, but Platinums?

-No wonder. I thought the map felt familiar—this is the Corrupted Forest, isn't it?

-Yeah, seems like it. The Corrupted Forest only appears from Platinum-rank onwards.

Though he had the chat window closed—

'Looks like they're Platinums.'

Si-mun was aware that from Platinum-rank onward, world matching was in effect.

And the monster they were fighting? None other than an upper-level Dragonkin—a Cockatrice, which also appeared from Platinum onward.

Cluck-cluck-cluck!

The distinct cry of a rooster echoed.

Given its massive size, the sound came across as overwhelmingly threatening—

And it was.

"Everyone, cover your ears!"

"Ghk—!"

"Argh!"

Swordsman Park Tae-min hastily clamped his hands over his ears.

But the white archer drawing his bowstring and the black healer preparing a prayer weren't fast enough—they coughed up blood and collapsed.

The Cockatrice's cry.

A Howling attack.

"Shit!"

Perhaps because his two rear support party members had fallen—

Even with his Sword Energy activated, Park Tae-min—

"Goddammit! What the hell am I supposed to do alone?!"

—began stumbling backward, gradually being pushed back by the Cockatrice's assault.

Then—

Thump.

"Ugh—!"

A long tail lashed out, sending Park Tae-min flying through the air.

The spot where he crashed?

Right in front of Si-mun.

"Ugh... Wh-who...?"

Park Tae-min, aware that this was a three-player cooperation event, couldn't hide his shock at another player's sudden appearance.

"Tch."

Clicking his tongue, Si-mun exhaled softly and looked straight ahead.

A reptilian lower body.

And, absurdly attached to it—the head of a rooster, glaring straight at Si-mun.

'So it noticed me from the start.'

Its gaze had only been fixed on Park Tae-min's group—but it had been aware of him all along.

From the moment they had stepped onto this path, they had already fallen within the Cockatrice's sensory range.

Though its intelligence was too low to even manage simple speech...

Cluck cluck.

...as a beast-type Dragonkin, it was a creature born with animalistic instincts sharper than most.

Thud.

Si-mun, who had simultaneously activated [Ogre's Body Tissue], immediately stomped the ground.

Crash!

A thick tail slammed right into the spot where he had been standing.

Then, the Cockatrice's tail shot up into the air like a specter.

Slash!

Screeeech!

A crisp impact sound tore through the air, followed by the Cockatrice's shriek.

Si-mun had roundhouse-kicked the soaring tail.

Considering that the Cockatrice was an upper-level Dragonkin—

A subspecies that had traded intelligence for drastically enhanced physical abilities—

Even for Si-mun, who had simultaneously transmuted his body, this was no easy feat.

Yet he had done it.

The reason was simple.

'As expected of the Heavenly Demon Arts. Just reaching the next stage of mastery has completely changed the feel of it.'

The Heavenly Demon Arts had reached 2 Stars.

Accordingly, the level of Demonic Energy circulating through the Philosopher's Stone had also transformed.

Compared to the growth rate of ordinary combat skills or martial arts, this was a difference ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in class.

'No wonder they're called the Heavenly Demon Arts.'

Gurgle!

Had the kick to its tail hurt that much?

The reptilian pupils in its rooster-like head dilated unnaturally wide.

Even without activating the Death Eye—

'It's pissed.'

Recognizing the creature's rage, Si-mun naturally surrendered his body to the enhanced flow of the Heavenly Demon Arts' formulas.

Then—

Crack-crack-crack!

Like a high-level lightning spell—

The Cockatrice's beak plunged down at terrifying speed.

Amid that barrage of attacks—

Swish.

Si-mun evaded the relentless onslaught without so much as a stumble.

In fact—

Gurgle?!

He began advancing into the storm of strikes.

Even as the Cockatrice unleashed attacks swift as lightning—

'I haven't learned Heavenly Demon's Dominion yet, but this much evasion is more than enough.'

Strolling leisurely through the tempest, Si-mun forced the attacking Cockatrice into retreat.

-What the... fuck!? What am I seeing?

-Am I hallucinating?

-Combat mains, please take the stage.

-Combat main or not, anyone who's faced that snake-chicken bastard knows—dodging like that is impossible.

-Facts. It's so fast most Platinum players don't even think of dodging.

-Agility-focused players barely manage it occasionally. But that many in a row...?

The viewers erupted in collective disbelief at the surreal spectacle.

Screeeeeech!

Had it sensed danger from Si-mun not just evading but pressing forward?

The retreating Cockatrice, which had been pecking wildly with its beak, suddenly let out a shriek.

The same howl that had incapacitated Park Tae-min's party members earlier.

But—

Tap. Tap.

Si-mun closed the distance indifferently, utterly unaffected.

'Against a Dragonkin like me, that won't work.'

This was the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠same Si-mun who hadn't flinched once ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠while facing a supreme-tier Dragonkin—the Naga Princess Ashaz—during his Debut Match.

Unless it was a Dragonkin on the level of the eight-armed Naga Princess...

There was no way the howl of an upper-level Dragonkin could affect someone infused with the Blood of Tiamat.

Had the Cockatrice realized this too?

Scree-gurgle!

It snapped its beak shut mid-howl.

Eyes bulging, it began gathering a grayish light.

The ability that had elevated the Cockatrice to upper-level Dragonkin status.

Petrification.

"L-Look away!!"

Park Tae-min's urgent voice rang out from behind.

As a Platinum-rank player, he fully understood the Cockatrice's abilities.

But Park Tae-min wasn't the only one who knew about its petrifying gaze.

'I've been waiting for this.'

Smiling faintly at the Cockatrice's glowing gray eyes—

Kiiiiin.

—Si-mun immediately activated Odin's Eye.

Within the activated eye, the elongated pupils of a reptile slithered into view.

Cock-a-doodle-doo?!

The Cockatrice, faced with the Death Eye, froze as if it had been the one petrified.

Then.

"Farewell."

Kim Si-mun, staring straight into the creature's eyes, extended his right hand.

There, swirling ominously, was an intensely condensed dark energy—Demonic Energy.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Wave Annihilation Cannon.

The Demonic Energy shot forth in a straight line.

Ironically.

The black energy, more deserving of being called a beam, pierced cleanly through the Cockatrice's skull with surgical precision.

Piiing.

As if carving through space itself.

Through the gaping hole in the giant rooster's forehead, the scenery of the Corrupted Forest became visible beyond.

And the result that followed was singular.

Thud.

The Cockatrice collapsed with a heavy tremor.

At the utterly anticlimactic demise of an upper-level Dragonkin felled in a single strike...

"......"

-......

The chat window, including Park Tae-min's, fell into momentary silence.

'Just what the hell...'

Park Tae-min, a Platinum-rank player, stared at the clear-featured handsome young man with a bewildered expression.

Then.

"Wait. That person—!"

Park Tae-min's eyes widened into saucers.

Earlier, he hadn't gotten a proper look because he'd been struck by the Cockatrice's tail.

But now that he'd regained his bearings, the situation was different.

"P-perhaps... are you Player Kim Si-mun?"

"Yes, that's correct. Do you know me?"

"How could I not?!"

Park Tae-min's tone naturally rose in pitch.

It was only natural.

"You're the winner of this season's Gold Debut Match, aren't you?!"

The winner of the Gold-rank Debut Match.

The title carried truly staggering weight.

Even high-ranking players kept an eye on Gold Debut Matches.

After all, those victors were destined to become formidable presences in their own ranks.

Under normal circumstances, a bit of competitive spirit wouldn't have been strange, but...

"Haha! I never dreamed I'd meet the Debut Match winner in a place like this!"

Park Tae-min couldn't possibly harbor such feelings.

The reason was simple.

'That insane evasion earlier... and now a spell powerful enough to one-shot a Cockatrice with high magic resistance...'

This man was far stronger than him.

Having witnessed that firsthand, how could he possibly feel competitive?

Instead, curiosity arose.

"But, Si-mun-ssi. Are you perhaps Platinum-rank?"

"No, I'm Gold."

"R-right? You just completed your Gold Debut Match recently... haha!"

But then why is he here?

Setting aside ranks entirely, how did Si-mun even appear in his Arena when he wasn't a participant?

Park Tae-min couldn't bring himself to ask, instead scratching the back of his head vigorously.

Perhaps noticing his confusion, Si-mun explained:

"I'm currently doing a Special Arena. I heard noises and came to investigate."

Park Tae-min had never heard of Special Arenas matching with other players' Arenas.

But then again, Special Arenas were known for all sorts of bizarre occurrences.

"I-I see. A Special Arena, huh..."

Unable to voice further questions, Park Tae-min simply nodded.

"Then I'll be on my way now."

"Ah! Yes! Thank you for the hel—"

Park Tae-min's gratitude was abruptly cut short.

Before he could finish, Si-mun's figure was already moving swiftly into the distance.

'That's a Gold-rank player?'

Park Tae-min stared dumbfounded at Si-mun's retreating back.

Then suddenly.

'Huh? Wait a minute. This could be...'

"Ughhh..."

"Gnnn..."

Glancing at his teammates groaning and rolling on the ground, he immediately dashed in the direction Si-mun had disappeared.

'If a Gold ranker can be that strong, there must be some secret we don't know about.'

Even if he could just dip his toes into whatever Special Arena Si-mun was doing...

He might be able to reap some substantial rewards.

With that thought brightening his expression, Park Tae-min sprinted through the forest for a while until—

Thud.

"Oof!"

He collided with an invisible wall and was sent sprawling.

Before his eyes appeared:

[Entry qualifications not met.]

A brief system message floated in the air.

"Damn it! How does it make sense that a Platinum can't enter when a Gold can?!"

He knew Special Arena entry required specific items, but...

Actually being blocked by the system made Park Tae-min's blood ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠boil.

Then, into his ears came—

Cock-a-doodle.

Doodle-doo?

The distinctive crow of a rooster.

Instantly freezing in place—

"Uh..."

Park Tae-min turned his head like a broken machine.

There.

"Oh... shit..."

Three Cockatrices were approaching, their gray eyes gleaming ominously.