Chapter 169
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Taros Raid Clearance
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UK server.
William Smith was currently leading his guildmates through a raid.
The monster they needed to take down was the Lv. 420 Giant Soldier of Destruction, Taros.
A massive golem-shaped monster.
It possessed tremendous destructive power, was immune to magic, and had the special ability to draw energy from the earth, making it an incredibly tricky boss monster.
To date, it had been cleared only twice.
Moreover, the UK server had zero clears.
Guildmaster! It's regenerating its health!
They had finally whittled down its health, only for it to draw energy from the earth and fully restore itself.
Even a party led by Lv. 489 William Smith, consisting of users between levels 350 and 440, was still struggling against its overwhelming recovery.
Raaargh!
Taros slammed its fist into the ground.
Energy from the earth erupted like a volcano.
Rumble.
The ground shook, and cracks formed beneath William Smith and his party members.
Jimmy!
Yes!
The healer called Jimmy deployed a barrier of light.
A protective shield enveloped everyone, including William.
This shield absorbed external attacks and converted them into health for recovery.
Everyone, to your positions!
At William's command, the party members moved with perfect coordination.
The assault on Taros resumed.
Nineteen hours passed like that.
Groooar
Cracks appeared across the relentlessly tenacious Taros's body, and it crumbled in an instant.
They had destroyed all 15 of its cores.
We did it!
We're the third in the world to clear it!
The party members cheered loudly.
It was a raid they had prepared for a full year.
They couldn't help but be thrilled at successfully completing it.
Let's grab the rewards first.
While the party members collected the drops, William approached Taros's remains.
He had spotted a stele gleaming there.
The others were too busy picking up loot from the ground.
What is this?'
The stele was densely inscribed with text.
At first, it was in an unrecognizable script, but as he approached, it shifted to his native language.
Congratulations. You are the third to clear Giant Soldier of Destruction Taros.
- Your class is 'Archer.'
Accordingly, we offer you a small reward.
Head to the Archer's City Training Hall.
The conditions to acquire this opportunity are as follows.
'Jackpot!'
It was none other than a hidden piece offering an opportunity.
William's eyes trembled as he read the stele carefully.
He glanced around, worried someone else might see.
Fortunately, no one was approaching him.
'Smash it.'
William destroyed the stele so no one else would see.
Leaving already?
Kyle's face was full of regret.
Someone had perfectly cleared the Ultimate Training Ground for the first time in 600 years.
He wanted to share a drink with that person, but Jeong Hoon refused, citing a busy schedule.
Yes. I've done the training, so it's time to head back.
You won't need to visit again, right?
Probably not.
What a shame Here, take this at least.
An exclamation mark blinked above Kyle's head.
You acquire additional rewards.
You have acquired the 'Title Heir of Divine Archer Richardt.'
The additional reward was a title.
This is?
Fancy name, huh? It's a reward I made for anyone who endures this Ultimate Training Ground.
Heir of Divine Archer Richardt.
Heir of Divine Archer Richardt
- Type: Unique Title
- Grade: Unique
- Arrow attack power 5.
- Bow skill damage 5.
- Critical hit chance 5.
- Critical damage 3.
A unique-grade unique title.
It had ridiculously overpowered options.
A title any archer would envy.
And he had acquired it.
Thank you.
No need to thank me. I'm the one grateful to hand this over.
Kyle let Jeong Hoon go without regret.
After leaving the training hall, Jeong Hoon immediately contacted Michael.
'Current status?'
'Master, this is too hard.'
Michael replied in a voice that sounded half-dead.
'What are you doing now?'
'I have to craft bows but this crazy human keeps rejecting them'
'So you haven't made even one?'
'Yes.'
Michael hadn't been gone long, so Jeong Hoon expected zero progress on the quests.
But he didn't think it would literally be zero.
Suppressing his anger, Jeong Hoon spoke.
'Do it no matter what.'
'No he keeps rejecting them, I told you?'
'Then just make ones he won't reject.'
''
'Forgot the reward I promised? Do it properly.'
'I really tried my best sob!'
The guy was on the verge of tears.
Jeong Hoon's resolve softened a bit, but Michael's success was key to keeping the schedule.
'I'll upgrade your reward.'
'Sniff, upgrade?'
'Death's Coffin. I'll get that coffin for you.'
'Death's Coffin?! But does that thing even exist? I've only heard of it, never seen it.'
'Have I ever lied to you? Get it done for sure. I'll somehow obtain it for you.'
'Really? No take-backs later?'
'Yeah.'
'Yes! Please wait just a bit! I'll finish up and come back no matter what!'
Michael's voice perked up.
Only then did Jeong Hoon head to the Archer's Holy Land.
Like the Warrior's Holy Land, it was where the ruler and his aides resided.
Wait. What are you?
However, he had to go through five inspections just to reach it.
Security was extremely tight.
I'm an archer.
I see. Archers may pass.
Michael had visited before.
He must have gone through the same checks.
Upon arriving at the Holy Land, Jeong Hoon sought out an NPC named Roskantor.
NPC Info
-Nickname: Roskantor
-Level: 275
-Class: Acting Commander
He was the acting commander leading the archers residing in Archer's City.
He was filling in for the city's leader because they were preparing for war.
Thus, the quests they offered focused on bolstering military strength.
They strictly blocked users of other classes to keep this secret.
'That's why there's grinding like bow crafting.'
Producing as many bows as possible to stockpile weapons for the war.
Disguised as an archer, Jeong Hoon saw a question mark blinking above Roskantor's head.
Normal Quest: If You're a True Archer
-Restriction: Lv. 201 Archer user
-Reward: ?
-Description: Recently, trouble has arisen in Archer's City. Lend us your strength to resolve it.
Jeong Hoon accepted the quest.
Hm? Who might you be?
Roskantor tilted his head as the quest was accepted.
I came because I heard there was something to help with.
Oh! Really?
Roskantor brightened.
Recently, Archer's City had a major worry.
A few days ago, monsters had advanced right up to the west gate.
They had to divert 10 of their forces to subjugate them.
But the results were disastrous.
'W-We failed'
Failed? No way, even with that many troops?
'Y-Yes There were too many monsters. They were level 250 too.'
250?! Casualties!
'Nearly half died The rest barely made it back, but many have severe injuries.'
The reporter delivering the news had one arm torn off and wrapped in bandages.
'Damn And with the leader still unconscious'
The ruler of Archer's City.
Alteer von Arkenstone.
He was the current leader and the city's absolute powerhouse.
Yet he hadn't woken from sleep for over three months.
He had been perfectly fine before falling asleep
The problem was no one in Archer's City could determine the cause.
In the end, they paid a fortune in gold to request help from the Holy City.
But the Holy City only agreed to an examination.
Additional payment was required after for treatment.
It was infuriating, but desperate times called for it.
'It seems like a curse.'
The priest from Archer's City examined Alteer von Arkenstone and mentioned a curse.
A curse?
'Yes. Some curses induce deep sleep from which one never wakes.'
Who the hell?
'Who knows. Probably someone with a grudge against the Archer's City leader.'
Is there a way to lift it?
'There is, but This curse is beyond our power. It would take someone of the leader's caliber.'
How much?
'1 million gold. At least that much.'
'You crazy bastard!'
It was tantamount to refusing to lift the curse.
Where were they supposed to get 1 million gold?
The priest left immediately after the examination as promised, leaving Roskantor steeped in worry.
Originally, Alteer von Arkenstone had ordered preparations for war.
His sudden cursing screamed sabotage by Warrior's City.
With black mages in Magic City, allied with Warrior's City, it made sense.
Roskantor had taken over as acting commander to carry on the leader's will, never dreaming monsters would interfere.
So, wiping out those monsters solves it?
That's right.
Got it. I'll go sweep them away.
Roskantor let out a hollow laugh, his face incredulous at Jeong Hoon's bold claim.
I like the spirit, but it's impossible alone. How does a mere Lv. 201 ranger plan to handle those monsters?
Jeong Hoon's lips curved into a sly smile.
You'll see.
Judging him as overconfident, Roskantor got to the point.
Anyway, what I need is support.
Support?
Yes. We're forming a second subjugation force. Join them and lend your strength.
Understood.
Then I'm counting on you.
Archer's City West Gate.
Countless archers were lined up before the firmly shut gate.
These were archers highly rated in close combat, while long-range specialists manned the walls.
We will hold the line.
I'll kill them with my own hands.
Monsters that should have lurked in the fields had invaded near the city.
The first archer unit had been sent to drive them off, but it ended in crushing defeat.
Comrades they ate and laughed with returned as cold corpses overnight.
They had barely repelled the monsters, but they would surely return.
Everyone assembled?
Leading them was a Lv. 260 ranger named Cedric.
Yes!
The archers responded with crisp discipline.
Satisfied, Cedric nodded and continued.
You know why we're here?
Yes!
We don't know when the monsters will strike again, but we must subjugate them. Understood?
Gulp!
The archers swallowed dryly in tension.
If anyone's scared, fall back now.
It would surely be a battle with heavy casualties.
Cedric wanted to give them a choice.
Everyone wanted to preserve their lives.
Yet no one stepped forward.
Good. Let's move.
The west gate swung open.
Cedric and the archers passed through into the vast plain beyond.
Normally a quiet area patrolled only by sentries, it was now a trampled mess.
Due to the monster invasion.
The archers bit their lips at the bloodstains on the ground.
Rumble.
Then, the plain began to shake.
The monsters are coming!
At Cedric's shout, the archers felt their hairs stand on end.
They formed ranks and nocked their arrows.
Soon, the enemies appeared.
Lv. 275 Titan Rhinoceros
They were monsters shaped like massive rhinoceroses.
What the hell?
Cedric muttered dumbly.
The first unit had faced Lv. 250 Black King Ogres.
But these were Titan Rhinoceroses, 25 levels higher.
Rooaaar!
The beasts roared and charged the archers.
Damn it, fire!
At Cedric's order, the archers released their bowstrings.
Arrows flew simultaneously from the walls.
Fwhoosh!
A barrage of arrows rained on the Titan Rhinoceroses.
Titan Rhinoceros uses 'Tough Body.'
Titan Rhinoceros uses 'Reinforcement: Physical Attack.'
But as the monsters activated their special abilities, the arrows bounced right off.
Not a single wound.
You bastards!
Block them!
The archers paled and nocked again.
But the Titan Rhinoceroses pressed forward relentlessly.
Danger!
Fall back!
The archers retreated in panic.
That was when.
Fwhoosh!
A single arrow from the wall pierced the lead Titan Rhinoceros's head.
Its body slumped, unleashing a shockwave around it.
Huh?
Cedric's eyes went wide.