Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Dragonia's Demise
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The players were gripped by shock at the scene unfolding before their eyes.
Ugh, is it over?
Dragonias down.
A standard-grade Martial Artist.
Judging by the second job change, he hadnt even hit level 200.
When everyone else was fleeing, the lone fool who approached Dragonia had seemed like a reckless madman.
He was surely doomed.
His mana and holy powerthe sources of his life force and skillshad been reduced to 1.
On top of that, recovery was impossible for 30 seconds.
But what was this?
The Martial Artist suddenly pulled out a bow and drew the string.
What? No mana, so how is he firing a mana arrow?
A mana arrow materialized on the previously empty bow.
But that wasnt the only surprise.
How is a Martial Artisteven handling mana arrows?
It was incomprehensible that a Martial Artist, not an Archer class, could generate mana arrows.
If thats where it ended, they mightve just been amazed.
Kraaah.
But the Lv.175 Dragonia, who had terrified everyone, collapsed.
Crazy what the hell is this.
Shock turned to outright astonishment.
A standard-grade Martial Artist had soloed the Lv.175 Dragonia.
Who the hell is that Martial Artist?
How did he block Annihilation? Can you even get a skill that nullifies abilities at our level?
No wonder hes hanging around with Yeo Min-ji.
By now, curiosity about the Martial Artists identity was burning.
Just who was this Martial Artist?
Kraaa! Not yet! Not yet!
Dragonia, who they thought was dead, lifted its head and roared.
Ugh!
Shit! Its still alive?!
The players freaked out and staggered back.
Whats going on? Its heart was completely destroyedhow is it still alive?
Jeong Hoon frowned in confusion as he drew the bowstring.
Hed shredded its heart with nine arrows.
It shouldnt be able to open its eyes.
Had Lingling pulled some trick?
The string snapped loose, sending an arrow arcing toward Dragonias forehead.
Dragonia uses Last Breath.
Dragonias jaws parted, unleashing a laser-like breath utterly different from before.
It had squeezed out every last drop of its remaining life force and mana.
The breath engulfed Jeong Hoon in an instant.
Jeong Hoon!
Hoon!
Yeo Min-ji and Ha-jin cried out urgently.
KABOOM!
The outpost is destroyed!
Damage: 0.782
Nothing remained where the breath had swept through, only acrid smoke rising slowly.
Heh heh come with me.
Dragonia muttered faintly before dropping its head.
It was finally dead.
Whew, that was close.
But Jeong Hoon walked out from the side, completely unscathed.
The players gaped, too stunned to speak, at his pristine condition despite taking the breath head-on.
How are you alive?
Even the Anima perched on his shoulder asked with a look of disbelief.
Oh, I picked up a skill.
Block
-Type: Active
-Level: 1
-Grade: Legendary
-Consumes 50 mana to absolutely defend against any attack (1 time)
-Cooldown: 24 hours
The Block skill from the hidden theme.
He hadnt expected to use it so soon, but without it, Jeong Hoon wouldve been in real danger.
Good thing the 30 seconds passed.
In that split second, Jeong Hoon had chugged a potion to restore some mana.
Then he activated Block to nullify the breath.
If Annihilation had still been active, hed have died to that breath.
And he wouldve lost the bet with Lingling.
The monster had pretended to bet against all the players, but it was really aimed at him.
Jeong Hoon!
Hey! You okay?!
Yeo Min-ji and Ha-jin rushed over, checking him frantically.
Im fine.
Jeong Hoon smirked and shrugged.
No, you took that breath head-on and youre fine?
Ha-jin, confirming he was unharmed, asked in disbelief.
I got a skill that blocks enemy attacks.
Damn! Youve got everything. Everything.
Ha-jin shot him an envious look, while Yeo Min-jis pupils trembled wildly.
What grade is it to block that breath?
Who knows?
Yeo Min-ji frowned at Jeong Hoons vague reply.
But she didnt press further.
She knew he wouldnt answer anyway.
The 4th Monster Wave has ended.
Outpost damage did not exceed 1, so youve achieved final victory in the siege defense!
With Dragonias complete death, the long siege event finally concluded.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Then the NPC Lingling, who had proposed the bet, reappeared.
Good work. Whod have thought youd take down that Dragonia without a scratch.
Lingling stared solely at Jeong Hoon.
He was the one whod hunted Dragoniaand left Lingling in shock.
Not that big a deal.
Jeong Hoon shrugged.
The bet with Lingling.
Hed proposed one even harder than the dark alley for the little guy.
Annihilation plus the unscripted Last Breath.
Despite pulling every dirty trick to win the bet, Lingling grinned broadly at Jeong Hoons victory.
Hee hee, youre so fun. Thats why I cant quit betting with you.
Lingling snapped its fingers.
The surroundings vanished, and the players were transported to the payout room.
With the event over, rewards needed to be distributed.
But the payout room loaded individually, not by party.
Whyd you call me aside?
Huh? I never planned to give those others real rewards anyway. Theyll just hear the results and get some junk.
Yeah?
Of course, under the guise of random boxes with trash items. Hee hee.
Lingling made a goofy face as it spoke.
Thats kinda scammy.
Scammy? I said Id give rewards for clearing the 4th Wave!
But we did clear it. Everyone survived to the end.
Gotta speak up.
He didnt care about the other players, but he wanted Ha-jin taken care of.
Huh, yeah, thats true.
So you should give fair rewards now.
Th-thats kinda tough. I meant it as hunt Dragonia.
Lingling stammered excuses, flustered.
Then at least reward my party.
Oh, three people?
Yeah.
Hmm okay! I can do that!
Lingling nodded and snapped its fingers.
Now Yeo Min-ji and Ha-jin would get upgraded rewards.
Kim Bong-gu getting one grated a bit, but hed followed orders faithfully, so let it slide this time.
So, whats the reward?
First, take this Heavenly Energy!
Youve acquired 5 Heavenly Energy.
First came the 5 Heavenly Energy.
As Lingling had promised before the siege event started.
Now for the reward for felling Dragonia.
I heard the rewards are pretty juicy.
He couldnt raise his job grade further right now.
But unique-grade gear and rare skillbooks were tempting.
Hmm, Ill give you one. Pick!
Holograms popped up before Jeong Hoon.
Unique Equipment Random Box.
Epic Skill Random Skillbook (Rare).
2 Unique Enhancement Stones.
And more
Items tough to obtain at his level.
One of these.
Tough choice.
Not greedeach felt meh.
Randoms the issue.
Jeong Hoon knew future values.
If guaranteed, hed take the unique gear no question.
But random? Nah.
Better anything than useless unique gear.
If you cant choose, Ive got a proposal!
As he pondered, Lingling made a new offer.
What?
That ring on your finger. Ill restore it to permanent use.
Really?
Jeong Hoons eyes widened.
The stat amp ring was cheat-tier as is; no true permanent version existed.
Making it permanent?
Yup. Effectsll be weaker, of course but better than one-and-done, right?
Deal.
Even nerfed, a stat amp ring was busted.
Great! Then you forgive me!
Huh?
Ahem, I got petty cause you didnt deal. Forgive me with this.
Jeong Hoon skipping damage led Lingling to bet the whole group.
Forcing him into it past majority.
Lingling felt bad about that.
You shouldnt have started the bet then.
So no forgiveness?
Sigh, fine. Ill let it go this time.
Good outcome, so whatever.
Thanks! Now put the ring in this restorer!
A holographic restorer appeared before Jeong Hoon.
Sure.
He removed the ring and placed it in.
A transparent barrier sealed it, then it whirred to life noisily.
Whirr!
Vrrr!
Smoke burst out, and it stopped.
The barrier vanished, revealing the ring.
Not the dim one-use version, but one gleaming red.
Stat Amp Ring
-Type: Ring
-Grade: Epic
-Special (1): Draw out the rings mana to boost wearers stats 15 for 1 hour. (2hr cooldown)
-Special (2): Reduces targets stats and attack damage 20 for 1 hour. (2hr cooldown)
A true permanent ring was born.
Hiss
The capsule door opened, and Ha-jin stepped out.
Lee Hyun-woo pounced immediately.
Done? Howd it go?
Ha-jin nodded, dazed.
Yeah we got 1st place!
1st?
Yeah! And I advanced to Aura Knight.
Not just 1st.
Congrats! Youre Rare-grade now!
Ha-jin had chosen the job grade upgrade, evolving from regular Knight to Aura Knight.
Perfect result.
Plus 1st as a party meant personal capsules for all.
Really?! You rascal, congrats.
Lee Hyun-woo beamed.
Ha-jin had always wanted his own capsule.
Hed even hinted at buying one, but refused the huge cost, sticking to the capsule room.
Now hed won one fair and squareno more room needed.
Hyung thank you.
Ha-jins eyes welled up.
Since starting New World, getting a unique weapon was his luckiest day.
Now this was second.