Chapter 362
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 362
Chapter Title: Calderian Empire
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Calderian Empire
The Calderian Empire, renowned for its formidable military might.
The surrounding nations had submitted to the Calderian Empire, all too busy watching its every move.
However, the appearance of dungeons and the system completely turned the tables.
No one knew what tricks were at play, but the empire's overwhelming military superiority began to narrow at some point, and now it had grown so powerful that superiority could no longer be determined.
As a result, the empire's prestige had changed from what it once was, plummeting to the point where it now checked each other with the Ostron Kingdom to the east.
Focus on leveling up!
Physical training.
Skill proficiency.
Repetition of experience.
All of that had been erased.
Leveling up and strengthening skills allowed for much faster growth, with minimal pain in the process.
Consequently, the empire's citizens became obsessed with levels, but the nobles wouldn't stand by idly.
They had seized all the dungeons under the empire's banner, and dungeons could only be cleared under their oversight.
It was out of fear that lowly commoners without titles might level up and stage a coup.
The dungeons these people could clear were only low-grade ones.
To tackle even slightly higher-grade dungeons, the empire's explicit permission was required.
Moreover, pledging loyalty to the empire came first to reach high levels.
Loyalty to the empire!
There were those who resisted, but they faced punishment under the empire's laws, so the vast majority of commoners chose to become empire soldiers.
A quest has been generated.
And from that Calderian Empire came a quest.
The quest's content was to pass through the red portal that appeared in the capital to another dimension and hunt the humans there.
They were promised immense rewards from the empire upon success.
The empire dispatched the 1st Knight Order and 2nd Knight Order in alliance, and the knights crossed through the portal, set up camp, and waited for humans to enter.
It wasn't long before two humans appeared.
Whoa, their levels are high?
What kind of dimension is this?
The knights were shocked by their levels.
The knight order commander's level was 720.
And the knights themselves barely exceeded 500.
Even reaching the commander's level granted tremendous power, but what level was 900?
Everyone, stay alert. The opponents are just two, but they far surpass us in skill.
Levels were absolute, but that didn't mean there were no ways to counter them.
In fact, when clearing dungeons, they often faced monsters higher level than themselves.
The knight order had plenty of experience in such battles.
Whats going on?
But these humans seemed a bit off.
To reach level 900, they would have accumulated substantial real combat experience.
They should be scanning their surroundings cautiously first, but these two were full of openings.
Weve spotted them. That means theyve likely spotted us too.
Were they intentionally luring them into carelessness?
Union Knight Order Commander Raon kept his tension high.
As he closely observed their movements, the vice-commander sent a signal.
Were ready!
They were in a state where they could attack at any moment with a single order.
Any other humans nearby?
Yes. The scouts checked the surroundings, and its just those two.
I see.
More numbers would complicate things.
Just two, so theyd finish it here.
Raon nodded and gave the signal, and the waiting mages unleashed their magic all at once.
The battle ended quickly.
As befitting level 900, they put up some resistance, but the union knight order had already anticipated their responses and made full preparations.
Thus, it wasnt long before they took successive critical hits and lost their lives.
What? Why did it end so easily?
There were only two of them, but they were still high-level users.
They had braced for some casualties, yet not a single loss occurred as they were cleanly wiped out, leaving the knight order unable to hide their bewilderment.
Did they waste their levels?
But they were too high for that?
The knight order couldnt shake off their puzzlement but felt confidence rising.
Confidence that even high-level humans from this dimension could be subdued.
Knight Order Commander Raon felt the same.
Raon ordered the knights to crush the bodies beyond recognition and stationed sentries nearby at the entrance.
Commander, the sentries seem to have been taken out.
Theyve been spotted, then.
Yes.
The signal from the sentries had cut off.
They had set it to automatically disconnect upon death, so it was certainly the humans doing.
That meant the corpses the knight order had left were likely discovered too.
The provocation has to work.
The reason they hadnt buried the bodies was simple.
A kind of warning.
A warning that they would be brutally killed if they clashed with the knight order.
Looks like the provocation didnt work.
Numbers?
Two.
Just two?
Youre sure?
Yes, certain.
And the 3rd Knight Order has arrived!
Raons expression brightened at the news of the 3rd Knight Order joining.
With reinforcements bolstering their forces, there was no way theyd lose to this dimensions humans.
But the 3rd Knight Order seems a bit off.
Off?
Yes. Their levels have nearly tripled.
What?
As the knight said, the 3rd Knight Orders average levels had skyrocketed to 1,2001,300.
This is insane.
Raon, stunned, separately summoned the 3rd Knight Order Commander Pacors.
Pacors, what the hell is going on?
Dont be startled. When we crossed the portal to join, we received something called an Amplification Buff.
Amplification Buff?
Yes. Its a buff that nearly triples levels and stats.
Whoa.
But if such a buff existed, why only the 3rd Knight Order?
It seems the buff device activated late.
Hmm.
Raon furrowed his brow.
With the Amplification Buff, the 3rd Knight Order instantly overwhelmed the union knight order.
Did that mean he had to hand over command to Pacors?
Nah, dont worry. This buff disappears the moment we exit the portal. You should remain union knight order commander.
Pacors tactfully stroked his ego.
Okay, then what do we do about those human bastards first.
Understood.
Finishing the brief conversation, Raon returned to base and assessed the situation.
The humans?
The situations a bit serious.
Serious?
Well.
The sentries were being taken out effortlessly, and reports came in that the humans who eliminated them were rapidly approaching.
Its fine. With the 3rd Knight Order joined, were more than enough.
The 3rd Knight Order with levels nearly tripled.
They could easily subdue two humans.
Thats when it happened.
A debuff has been applied.
Along with the message that a debuff was applied, levels and stats began rapidly decreasing.
Level reduced by 50.
All stats reduced by 50.
Levels and stats halved, dropping Raons 720 to 360.
C-Commander! The Amplification Buff is gone!
And Pacors poured cold water on top.
The debuff?
Damn it, when did the debuff even happen!
They were done for.
Everyone, including himself, had the debuff applied, halving their levels and stats.
Bang! Bang!
At that moment, faint gunshots echoed from afar.
Barely audible unless focusing, but Raon realized it was the humans doing.
No one in the knight order used guns.
Damn.
Raon bit his lip until it bled.
Whats this? Their levels dropped sharply?
Yeah. At this point, Yu-chan could handle them alone, right?
N-No way! Theres so many I cant do it solo.
Why so surprised? Just kidding.
Right?
Hed been scared.
Yi Yu-chan wiped his chest in relief.
Even with lowered levels, these were foes who moved as organized as dark elves.
A Sword Master could shake an entire empire, but hed grown too rapidly through low-level monsters.
Hed realized from the dark elf battle how lacking his basic combat sense was.
He never dreamed that having no experience against intelligent humans would be such a massive drawback.
Skills dont compensate for everything.
Bang!
As Yi Yu-chan pondered, a gunshot rang out.
She had already prepared for sniping and fired at a distant soldier.
Shes truly amazing.
It wasnt just high levels.
Lee Na-yeons skill was the real deal.
Wow.
As Yi Yu-chan admired in awe.
Tap.
Someone placed a hand on Yi Yu-chans shoulder.
!
Startled by the touch, Yi Yu-chan hurriedly tried to turn and escape.
But pressure applied to the hand on his shoulder, and Yi Yu-chan grimaced in pain, dropping to one knee.
Ugh.
Mom, whos this guy?
The man who pinned him with force asked in a calm voice toward Lee Na-yeon, who had just finished sniping.
Mom? No way, her son?
Yi Yu-chan painfully lifted his head to check the mans face.
Fuck, hes ridiculously handsome.
His black hair fell to his shoulders, sharp features giving a cold impression, yet overall exuding a mystical aura.
Player Information
-Nickname: Hoon
-Level: 10,985
-Job: Heavenly Martial God Emperor (Tier 6)
Insane!
What kind of numbers were those?!
Not thousands, but tens of thousands?
Over 10,000, nearly 11,000.
Yi Yu-chan checked his info and immediately averted his eyes.
The classic posture of the weak submitting to power.
Son, howd you get here?
Lee Na-yeon greeted Jeong Hoon with a bright smile.
I just picked one at random and entered, didnt expect to run into you, Mom.
Meeting his mother was pure coincidence.
Jeong Hoon had exited and targeted portals with rapidly ticking timers, sealing each in under three minutes.
On the eighth one, he encountered his mother.
Now that Hoons here, we dont have to rush.
Yeah. Ill handle it.
Then Ill leave it to you. By the way, how long are you holding onto that one?
His mother glanced at her right hand.
Her right hand gripped the Incarnations shoulder, who kept his eyes down, avoiding contact.
Hes intimidated after seeing your level.
Tenebris cackled mockingly.
I only checked because he was standing around with Mom.
In Jeong Hoons eyes, Mom was diligently hunting them down, while the guy called Incarnation just stood there watching blankly.
Shouldnt a level 900 Sword Master easily overpower such foes?
Perhaps a side effect of rapid leveling via low-level monsters.
Let him go.
Jeong Hoon released his grip, freeing Yi Yu-chan.
Regaining his freedom, Yi Yu-chan bowed deeply.
Thank you!
Mom, keep an eye on this guy. Ill be right back.
Got it. Ill finish the scouts, so head to their main camp.
Yes.
Jeong Hoon stepped into Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon and leaped.
His figure vanished in an instant.