Artifact-Devouring Player Chapter 61

61
10 minutes later.

“As expected, humans are animals that think!”

Sang-Hyeon was smiling happily as he looked at the numerous artifacts scattered here and there.

It wasn’t an artifact that would go up in value from bronze to silver in terms of grade itself.

However, the number of artifacts already dropped on the ground reached a whopping 30.

As expected, all the clones created by the splitter were treated as mid-boss monsters.

It was a bit tricky because it had the ability to induce self-destruction, but it was something that could be solved by keeping a suitable distance anyway.

Even if you attack them just once, the constellation’s privilege will be applied. Even if you self-destruct.

‘If we do this, we’ll be able to gain a lot of benefits whenever we encounter split-type boss or mid-boss monsters in the future, right?’

I felt better on my own.

The splitter’s expression wasn’t very good either. It was because Sang-Hyeon dealt with the clones cleanly, but also because the expected arrangement didn’t work out well.

Usually, when a splitter loses health during a battle, he splits his body and creates a new body.

And he transferred the power of mana and the good buffs from his old body to his new body, thereby inducing recovery.

Simply put, it is about causing division, discarding the bad things, and taking back only the good things to become a complete body.

But the process wasn’t smooth because Sang-Hyeon kept causing silence with his basic attacks.

Because of this, the stamina that started at 100% gradually decreased, and now it has dropped to half.

In addition, Sang-Hyeon strategically spared Demon Bash to reduce the chance of being affected by abnormal status reflections.

I focused mainly on basic attacks, but when the silence returned, I used the title of Mu-Aji-Gyeong to endure.

When you get caught with a low probability, you can recover right away, so the loss of attack damage is zero. It was clean.

Phew! Phew! Bang!

The flares kept going off.

Although the frequency has decreased compared to before, there are still many places asking for help.

Sang-Hyeon was somewhat aware of the splitter, so it wasn’t a problem, but it would be a very difficult opponent for a player facing it for the first time.

‘I think I know the timing roughly.’

While exchanging attacks and defenses with the splitter, Sang-Hyeon only focused on the ‘split’, which was like the guy’s identity.

There is no monster without weaknesses. The same holds true for players.

So, Sang-Hyeon spared no expense in launching fierce attacks, causing the splitters to split frequently.

What we have figured out is that the weakness of a splitter is the moment when the split occurs.

Although he appropriately creates clones to protect the surrounding area, it is not completely flawless.

‘If you don’t understand the exact mechanism of division, you’re bound to have a hard time. The explosive power of the clones is also great.’

There must have been quite a few injuries and deaths on other routes, since each clone was like a grenade.

There must be more than a few players who have been fooled or underestimated by its cute and small appearance.

‘Recovery Cool is back!’

Sang-Hyeon went on the offensive again.

This time, I opened the gate with Demon Bash, thinking that I would recover right away once the reflection was done.

Knock knock!

I immediately got stiff.

At the same time, the status abnormality reflection occurred, but the stiffness that returned skill resistance was pleasant.

“acceleration”

『Demon Bash』

『Demon Bash』

Without another second thought, I pushed on with the acceleration and went into the Demon Bash extension.

This is because the splitter has the ability to reduce abnormal status, so the 3.3 seconds were not applied exclusively.

Because it was reduced to 30%, the maximum stiffness that could be created with a single Demon Bash was about 1 second.

Knock! Knock!

The splitter was unable to move properly due to the stiffness of the Demon Bash that came in succession, flinching its body.

◎ Silence

◎ Lasts for 2 seconds.

Demon Bash, who had successfully extended five times with a 50% chance in an instant, activated conditional silence.

『Knockback Burst』

Tae-ah-ah!

Knockback burst straight in!

The splitter was pushed backwards with a strange flapping of wings like a crowing chicken.

『Full charging』

The preparation of a full charge, timed to match the distance being pushed, was a bonus.

Shhhhh!

The power of the full charge with acceleration was tremendous. It was even more so because it was a blow that Sang-Hyeon had endured as long as he could.

Thud. Thud.

The splitter’s right arm was cut off. The splitter looked bewildered as he watched his arm disappear without a moment to do anything.

Knock knock. Knock knock. Knock knock.

The splitter then created clones. This was also a trick(?) to buy time and obtain a new body.

‘It won’t work this time!’

Sang-Hyeon threw a counter punch that he had never shown before.

『Rising Current』

Wheeee!

The updraft carried by the gale successfully broke the concentration by lifting the fissioner into the air as it entered the process of division.

It was a natural choice for a splitter, as it could automatically release abnormal status when entering the split process.

The problem was that Sang-Hyeon completely blocked that gap.

『Defensive Sword』

And as Sang-Hyeon charged forward, he blocked the explosions of the clones rushing to detonate themselves.

For Sang-Hyeon, who had already calculated the explosive power through several previous engagements, it was no longer a variable.

Khuuuut! Khuuuut!

The splitter was confused.

This was especially true because the division had never before been so completely disrupted.

Turduk.

My body, which had been lifted into the air by the rising air current, belatedly settled on the ground… … .

Turup!

Sang-Hyeon was already in front of me.

There was not enough time to rush into the split again. In addition, Sang-Hyeon’s basic attack stabbed in without thinking.

◎ Silence

◎ Lasts for 0.45 seconds.

Of all things, he induced silence.

Isn’t Sang-Hyeon good at exploiting the gaps that arise in a split second?

『Sword of Crushing』

As soon as the silence fell, the Sword of Crushing was already activated, and the results were immediate.

Puhwaaaaak!

As Sang-Hyeon passed by with an indifferent expression, the flesh of the schizoid poured down like firecrackers.

My body was blown apart by an attack of such tremendous force at such close range.

Considering the grandeur of his first appearance, it was an extremely miserable ending.

“I spent all my time analyzing weaknesses. Phew.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed like it was handled fairly easily, but in reality, if this trick hadn’t worked, there would have been no next move.

This is because your mana decreases rapidly after using the Sword of Crushing. Of course, it was a happy ending.

[Level 90 has been reached!]

‘Are there exactly 10 left until the skill is strengthened to level 100? The experience point here is really sweet.’

Sang-Hyeon cheered as his level jumped up dramatically due to the death of the splitter. This was a series of so-called sudden level-ups.

Growth that would take others several weeks, or at least a month, was achieved in just one day!

“He even gave me the highest grade magic stone worth 1 billion won without hesitation… … That guy is not a schizophrenic, he is a filial son.”

Sang-Hyeon picked up the highest grade magic stone that dropped from the dead splitter. The minimum price is 1 billion. It is worth asking for it.

In addition, thanks to the goddess of fortune, the anklet artifact with a 100% drop rate welcomed Sang-Hyeon.

“The Splitter’s Anklet”

■ Artifact Grade: Platinum

■ Artifact Introduction: Splitters have the ability to freely split their bodies.

This bracelet has no physical form, but it contains the know-how necessary to create an illusion that is almost identical to the real thing.

■ Defense +50

■ Evasion +25

■ Special Skill – Split Illusion

“I decided to wear it for now since the anklets don’t overlap… … And I didn’t know I would also get a skill?”

Thanks to having defeated the difficult mid-boss monster, the artifact’s stats and skill configuration were good.

This is because raising defense and evasion at the same time also serves as a basis for skill resistance to increase continuously.

『Divided Illusion』

■ Skill Level: Stage 1 (0.0%)

■ Skill Introduction: Consumes 50% of your stamina and mana to create an illusionary clone identical to your main body.

When a certain amount of damage is inflicted, the illusion will disperse, but until then, it can maintain a clear form.

Additionally, since it can share vision with the illusion, it can also be used for reconnaissance of dangerous areas.

When skill level 5 is reached, the skill is upgraded to the 『Split Self』 skill.

“This… … will be really useful.”

It seemed like it would be of great use.

It is useful for luring or enchanting enemies, as well as exploring dangerous areas where it is difficult to directly enter.

Since arriving at Gaeseong Field, every moment has been a continuation of satisfaction for Sang-Hyeon.

Experience points are constantly coming in and rewards are constantly pouring in.

By cleverly attacking the clones of the splitter, you can obtain 35 artifacts that can be almost infinitely proliferated, as a bonus!

Now the final point strategy is over. If you walk about 100m more from here, you will reach the first gathering point.

Phew! Phew!

But the problem lay elsewhere.

A flare went off, desperately calling for help. It was fired from Route 4-10, close to Sang-Hyeon.

“This is where Song Tae-jeong is.”

I was worried from the beginning that it would be a hole, but it was as expected.

If it was a place where Song Tae-jeong was alone, I wouldn’t have even thought of going, but what fault could there be for his fellow team members?

Tata-tat!

Sang-Hyeon immediately exited Route 4-9 and started to descend the slope. The faster the support, the better.

* * *

30 seconds!

It was the time it took for Sang-Hyeon, like a savior sent from heaven, to help his teammates in an instant and defeat the splitter.

“Wow… …. How can you kill that guy like this when you couldn’t even see an angle to catch him since Taejung hyung left from the beginning?”

“Whoa, shit! Got it! Got it!”

“Mr. Shin Sang-hyun! He really lives up to his reputation. This is real recognition. Wow, this is real recognition!”

“This is a total hidden card.”

The four members of the 4-10 route attack team, who escaped the crisis with Sang-Hyeon’s help, cheered for Sang-Hyeon.

The formation consisted of a whopping five people, including Song Tae-jeong, who was injured early on and unable to fight.

However, the repertoire of the splitter, who constantly uses clones to make it difficult to approach, was really difficult.

However, as soon as Sang-Hyeon appeared, he lured the clone and eliminated it, and took advantage of the opportunity to disrupt the division.

‘It’s almost like a final blow in the latter half, but since my damage contribution was high, I was able to suck up a lot of experience points.’

Thanks to dealing well with the previously seasoned(?) splitter, the level went up to 91 right away.

It felt like I was eating a spoonful of cooked rice and even a delicious side dish. It was a substantial level-up.

A magic stone fell from the body of a dead schizophrenic. Perhaps because I was late in joining, the artifact did not appear.

As Sang-Hyeon briefly turned his gaze to the magic stone, Song Tae-Jeong, who had been sitting with a tired expression until just a moment ago, stood up and shouted.

“Wait a minute! We almost hit the final blow, but isn’t the distribution a bit off?”

In the meantime, it seemed like I was greedy for loot.

In the first place, Sang-Hyeon had no intention of having it. All he got was one high-grade magic stone. It wasn’t even a monopoly.

It was a scene where I could feel proud enough just by saving another team member who was almost in danger.

Didn’t you already get a magic stone worth over 2 billion won from Route 4-9?

There was nothing to regret.

“I won’t take even a single hair, so take everything. Don’t be so squeamish that you might lose your share.”

Song Tae-jeong flinched at Sang-hyeon’s words, which he answered with a bright smile.

At that moment, there was an enormous murderous intent that only he could feel. It was a murderous intent that was so overwhelming that it was difficult to overcome with determination alone.

‘Even if I press hard, it’s not enough, so how can I ask for favors like this… … F**k.’

Song Tae-jeong lowered his head with an angry expression.

A stupid leader who started off by messing up from the beginning in the battle with the splitter and was of no help to the team.

A person with the ability to appear out of nowhere at the end of a battle and neatly organize the situation.

Song Tae-jeong’s face turned red as he thought that this would be a dark history that would be compared to Sang-hyeon for a long time.

The inevitable defeat was something he had to endure alone.