Chapter 62: The Big Picture
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: The Big Picture
The sudden appearance of the Specters had brought the battle between players to a temporary lull, but the chaos reignited the moment Seo-un’s party charged in.
The balance of power shattered instantly. Three players were cut down before they could even lift a finger.
The players now found themselves caught in a pincer movement: the recovered Wraiths in front, hostile players to their sides, and Seo-un’s party storming in from the rear.
It was then that someone blocked their path with a thunderous roar.
“You dishonorable, cowardly bastard!”
The player, who had just hurled a heavy-looking spear, was someone Seo-un recognized.
Swoosh! Thud!
Seo-un used Concussive Strike to knock away the spear aimed at his chest. The weapon veered off course, but surprisingly, it flew right back into the thrower’s hand.
“Honor? Cowardice? What does a bastard who ambushes people at the entrance know about honor?”
Stunned into silence by Seo-un’s retort, the man gritted his teeth and lunged.
Seo-un met the charge, skillfully wrapping his arm around the thrusting spear while extending his Blood Bone Claw toward the man’s throat. Even as the Blood Bone Claw slithered up the spear like a snake, the man didn’t back down.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic screech, the Blood Bone Claw left deep gouges in the iron gorget protecting the man’s neck.
Thud!
The man shoved Seo-un back with his shoulder, spun around, and swung his spear again.
He’s tough.
The man’s armor was clearly no ordinary gear; it had withstood the Blood Bone Claw, which could easily shred most iron plates.
Come to think of it, this isn't the same armor he was wearing at the entrance.
Back then, he had been wearing silver armor even thicker than this. Whether he relied on the performance of his gear or was simply confident in his skills, the man poured on a relentless, aggressive assault.
After parrying the attacks for a moment, Seo-un curled his fingers into a fist.
Thump!
The man’s expression crumpled as he allowed a light punch to land on his chest. The blow, infused with the essence of Penetrating Strike, bypassed the armor and defensive skills to strike directly at his internals.
However, he was indeed sturdy. Normally, a target would have coughed up blood and died instantly, but Seo-un felt most of his internal energy being filtered out by the man’s defensive skills.
Whoosh!
Gritting his teeth against the stinging, gut-wrenching pain, the man swung his spear again, his eyes bulging. No matter how brave a knight might be, there was no way to remain calm when the enemy in front of him suddenly multiplied into several.
Thwack. Thwack-thwack!
A flurry of consecutive strikes brushed past him like a driving wind. If one hit wasn't enough, Seo-un would simply keep hitting him until he went down.
Whirrr!
Blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, the knight gripped his spear with both hands and spun it like a propeller as he retreated.
Clang!
A clone was caught in the rotation and vanished, while two of Seo-un’s punches were blocked by the spear’s shaft.
“Cough!”
Spitting blood between coughs, the knight glared at Seo-un, his face pale.
Clang!
Even in that moment, a Specter struck the man’s back as it passed. Yet, no matter how many Specters lunged at him, the man kept his eyes fixed on Seo-un.
He was confident he wouldn't even blink if he took ten thousand hits from the likes of Specters. His armor wasn't something that could be pierced by the temporary physical attacks of such creatures.
However, the fists of the young man before him were different. The punches looked like light taps, but with every hit, his internal organs vibrated painfully, his stomach churned, and his chest felt tight.
He looked away from his enemy’s gaze, searching for his comrades’ positions. At that moment, Seo-un took a step toward the man.
The man flinched and tried to throw himself toward his allies.
Running away after all that big talk? Did you think I’d let you go?
The man’s comrades were preoccupied with the Specters. Seo-un had no intention of letting someone who had strayed from the group return safely—especially since a man clad in such armor would likely become a major headache in a large-scale battle.
Executing Muryeong Phantom Step to its limit, Seo-un multiplied into ten and blocked the man’s retreat, surrounding him. Just as the clones lunged simultaneously at the man, who was gripping his spear and preparing to swing, an anomaly occurred.
Kuaaaaah!
Seo-un’s Blood Bone Claw snatched the man’s head, knocking his helmet away. As Seo-un turned his gaze, he saw Ye Haoran finally plunge his sword into the Wraith’s skull.
Watching the scene while clutching the knight’s forehead, an ominous premonition flashed through Seo-un’s mind.
No way...
Crunch!
The head of the knight pinned in Seo-un’s grip exploded, spraying brain matter and blood in all directions.
Wiping the blood from his face, Seo-un’s expression turned grave as he looked at the yellow gem embedded in the ceiling above the Wraith’s head. A massive crack spiderwebbed across the gem, and an immense amount of energy began to pour out.
Please tell me I’m wrong...
At the sudden turn of events, not only Seo-un but also the players busy with the Specters turned their attention toward the Wraith. As the alien energy exploded and poured into the Wraith, the most shocked person was Ye Haoran himself, who still had his sword buried in its skull.
Quickly pulling his sword out, Ye Haoran leaped up to shatter the gem—the source of the Wraith’s power—but suddenly, all the Specters let out a collective shriek and flew toward the Wraith.
A brilliant golden light erupted from the Wraith’s body. Having failed to destroy the gem, Ye Haoran barely managed to retrieve his sword and retreat, though he never took his eyes off the creature.
Sharpening his vision to pierce through the blinding golden light, Seo-un saw the Wraith’s form undergoing a rapid transformation.
Clad in brilliant golden armor with a red cloak fluttering behind it, the creature held a staff and a sword in its hands. The heavily cracked gem from the ceiling flew down and embedded itself into the crown of the reborn being.
—Kuaaaaah! Foolish humans! Do you dare disturb my eternal slumber!
At the booming voice that shook the cavern, several players spoke with faces full of despair.
“It... it’s the Second Coming of Kutrapa...”
“It’s... it’s over.”
—Haaaaah!
Ye Haoran let out a battle cry, circulating his internal energy as if to clear the air, and encouraged the players.
—It’s just a monster we have to kill anyway! Do not be afraid!
Snapping out of their daze at his shout, the players rallied and gathered together. Ye Haoran’s team of five, the original teaming group of six, and Seo-un’s team of six stood apart, eyeing each other warily while watching the new Wraith.
“I didn't expect there to be a Phase 2.”
“Phase 2? What does that mean?”
At Seide’s question, Seo-un replied without taking his eyes off the Wraith.
“In games, there are moments when a major monster gets seriously injured or certain conditions are met, and it becomes even stronger. That’s how you describe it.”
Seide spoke again, watching the Wraith radiate a terrifying aura that made his entire body tingle.
“So, in the end, this situation is because of you?”
“I’d say it’s because of us rather than just me.”
Seo-un brushed off Seide’s attempt to shift blame as they watched the Wraith, which had awakened after absorbing the Specters that once filled the cavern.
“Now that Kutrapa has awakened, wouldn't it be better to pull out now?”
Since they were relatively far from the Wraith, Dump showed a rare moment of hesitation. Seo-un shook his head at the uncharacteristic words from the usually brave-but-dim Dump.
“It’s too late to pull out now. That monster won't give us the chance. And...”
Trailing off, Seo-un glared at the back of Ye Haoran, who wasn't backing down an inch from the Wraith.
“There’s no way to kill that guy if we don't do it now. He’s a mountain we have to cross eventually.”
—Sleep with me!
Zap! Crackle!
As the Wraith spoke, golden sparks flowed from its staff, and a curtain of lightning surrounded the area. Trapped inside the curtain, Ye Haoran and his teammates used every barrier at their disposal to block the electricity.
Even amidst the chaos, Ye Haoran’s martial prowess was truly remarkable as he neutralized the lightning with his Sword Aura and swung his blade at the Wraith.
—We must join forces for now!
At his cry, the other team also began pouring attacks toward the Wraith.
“Seo-un! We should also...”
Seo-un raised a hand to stop Dump.
“Not yet. Try not to draw its aggro and just observe its attack patterns.”
Clang!
Blocking the Wraith’s sword, Ye Haoran was pushed back, his face darkening. Before, he could easily block the creature’s attacks, but now the power behind the sword strikes was not something to be taken lightly.
As he watched the situation from a distance without joining the fray, goosebumps suddenly broke out all over Seo-un’s body.
—Master! Behind you!—
Hamit’s roar came faster than Seo-un could identify the source of the unease.
“Dodge!”
The moment he shouted the warning and turned around, the Wraith, which had been far away, blurred and reappeared behind the party. It was literal teleportation.
He barely managed to dodge the descending sword—a moment that would have been fatal if he hadn't been prepared—and his entire body felt the searing heat from the blade.
—Rats! I will not let you escape.
Boom!
Seeing the team members scatter in all directions according to Seo-un’s order, the creature roared and slammed its staff into the ground. Lightning erupted from the staff, spreading in all directions and electrocuting the team members.
Tsk! It has more than one area-of-effect skill!
“Haah!”
If Seo-un hadn't let out a shout and slammed a Concussive Strike into the ground a second later, his teammates might have been wiped out instantly. Lyle, who had at least been prepared with a barrier, quickly gathered the team and healed them, while Seo-un narrowly avoided the creature’s descending sword by rolling to the side.
Crash!
Another sword strike narrowly grazed his shoulder and slammed into the ground. Even though it only grazed him, his shoulder felt hot and stinging, as if he had been burned.
Nevertheless, after confirming his teammates were safe, Seo-un checked his surroundings. It irritated him to see the other teams catching their breath while recovering from their injuries.
Seo-un slowly backed away, luring the Wraith toward them.
Clang!
When the Fist Qi extending from his hand struck the Wraith’s skull, he felt the creature’s rage intensify. At that moment, without looking back, he dashed toward the team that had been ambushing people at the entrance.
As Seo-un ran toward the spot where mages were storing magic in their staves and knights and martial artists were drinking potions to regroup, their expressions soured.
“That bastard!”
“Didn't you say we should join forces? Let’s fight together like good friends!”
Despite grinding their teeth at Seo-un’s brazen words, the players couldn't avoid the Wraith. If they fell apart and started fighting among themselves now, it would be the end for everyone. They also knew that three players who had yet to reveal themselves were hiding somewhere. In this situation, if everyone here self-destructed, they would only be doing a favor for those outsiders.
After blatantly dumping the Wraith on them, Seo-un retreated and ran back to his teammates.
“Is everyone okay?”
“Thanks to Lyle, we saved our scrolls.”
—We need to kill the bastards who were guarding the entrance while fighting the Wraith. That’s the only way to secure our rear. I’ll go first; tell the others so the enemies don't hear. While fighting the Wraith...
As Seo-un’s team voice message ended, Gi-chan nodded with a grim expression.
“Then listen to Gi-chan and join in.”
After finishing his sentence, Seo-un teleported again toward the Wraith, which was attacking Ye Haoran’s team.
Crunch!
“Aaaaaagh!”
The Wraith’s sword fell upon the shoulder of a player wearing thick armor. The moment he screamed, Ye Haoran swung his sword at the creature’s golden armor. The Sword Aura erupting from his blade left a deep wound on the armor, but the creature didn't stop its rampage.
—The sin of disturbing my slumber is not light!
Its swordplay was now fluid and unpredictable, unlike before. It wasn't repeating the same few patterns; it was thinking and making judgments, making it difficult for Ye Haoran to approach.
Clang!
Picking up a discarded shield to block the creature’s attack, Seo-un shouted.
“What are you doing! Knights, get in there!”
The players’ expressions twisted as the very person who had been dumping the Wraith on them until a moment ago—the culprit behind this entire mess—spoke like that. But they couldn't just keep being pushed back.
Three knights with their shields firmly in front charged in, dispersing and absorbing the creature’s attacks. In the meantime, the injured knight who had been pulled back was finally able to recover.
“Haoran! We’re out of scrolls!”
“We don't have any left either!”
Seo-un was secretly pleased by the reports coming from behind. From now on, anyone who got hurt would be nothing but a burden.
While taking his share of the attacks, Seo-un shouted.
“You’re supposed to be the strongest in history! Show some strength!”
Ye Haoran’s eyebrows twitched at Seo-un’s words. Even in this world where everyone was an enemy, no one who recognized him had ever spoken so insolently.
As the only Superlative Realm expert among the younger generation and the sole heir of Sagang Province, there weren't many people even in his own world who could speak to him so carelessly. What kind of madman recognized him and dared to throw such insults?
“You... just you wait.”
With those words, Ye Haoran unleashed his Sword Aura, pouring attacks onto the Wraith.
Yes. Keep using your strength like that.
Seo-un cheered him on internally. He hoped Ye Haoran would exhaust every bit of his power. As for who would be "waiting" for whom, that remained to be seen.
As long as the balance doesn't break, there’s a chance.
The strength of the three teams barely balanced against the Wraith. If he could maintain this equilibrium as much as possible, whittling down the number of players as the Wraith took damage, it wouldn't be impossible to survive this cavern and claim everything for himself.