Artifact-Devouring Player Chapter 97

97
2 hours later.

After most of the people had gathered, Sang-Hyeon met with Lee Se-Hwa as scheduled.

After sleeping soundly in the temporary barracks for the two hours I waited, I felt like all the fatigue had disappeared from my body.

It was very refreshing.

Meanwhile, as soon as he met Sang-hyeon, Lee Se-hwa spoke to him first with a happy expression.

“It’s just beginning.”

“Is it hard work?”

“No, is this the beginning of a wild and exciting fireworks display?”

“I hope I can match the level of interest that Lee Se-hwa wants.”

“It’s completely the opposite of what I thought. Rather, I hope that this lacking magic trick will not be lacking for Shin Sang-hyun.”

The two people who had been joking with each other blushed awkwardly at the same time.

Then he looked at the plain spread out in front of him.

Plains of Rest. The place I had previously conquered with Isehwa was also the Plains of Rest.

If at that time the route was from the west, this time it was from the southeast.

The plain was that wide.

Of course, it was not a plain in the literal sense of the word, but rather a plain where people no longer live.

All the original inhabitants have either moved away or died. Only the buildings without people remain.

‘There are a lot of guys like Gigant.’

What came into view were monsters with heavy bodies. They reminded me of the Gigant I had fought before.

“The monsters here are definitely higher level and will likely provide a lot of experience. The difficulty level will also be high.”

“Let’s start with a herding hunt.”

“… … Are you okay?”

“I have to try.”

Sang-Hyeon tightened the laces of his combat boots.

Guarding the entrance was a Giant Orc.

In terms of combat power, it was a sub-compatible version of Gigant, but its mobility was somewhat faster.

“We’ve already coordinated with the Association and the Eden Guild, so let’s start with ourselves first!”

“Let’s go!”

As soon as he heard Lee Se-hwa’s words, Sang-hyeon started to charge forward.

Everywhere were giant orcs, each holding an axe the size of a full grown man.

『Rising Current』

Sang-Hyeon opened the gate by utilizing his Wind Mastery to create an ascending air current that splits into three branches.

It was an optimized form for attracting attention, as it could target three targets at once instead of just one.

‘Have your skills been upgraded?’

The first to notice the change in the rising air current was Lee Se-hwa, who had previously worked with him.

It was definitely one-sided at that time.

Even at times when I thought it would be nice to have multiple branches, the updraft only had one projectile.

But this time there were three!

Skill upgrades are usually done by using skill enhancements given in units of 100 levels.

But it seems like I reached level 100 earlier than I did before… … . It didn’t seem to be for that reason.

In that case, it is possible that you have acquired a title that can strengthen skills, or a special mastery skill.

‘Whether you get a title or a mastery skill, that’s not a common occurrence at this level, right?’

If mastery and titles were easy to obtain, anyone would have them. It’s a very difficult area.

‘Let’s focus for now.’

Lee Se-hwa, who had been distracted by Sang-hyeon’s changed appearance, focused on the battlefield again.

Using the updrafts and downdrafts, more than twenty giant orcs were already chasing Sang-Hyeon.

『Flames of Slaughter』

The skill chosen by Lee Se-hwa was a finishing move that consumed 90% of mana, similar to the Sword of Crushing used by Sang-Hyeon.

Not only did it cause flames to shoot out from under the ground, it also had the effect of capturing enemies engulfed in flames.

In short, it is a skill specialized in the process of burning to death while alive.

Right then.

Shhhhh!

Sang-Hyeon, who had stopped moving for a moment, prepared to fully charge and then attacked one of the giant orcs in one breath.

Isehwa thought it was just a means to provoke the Giant Oak and passed it over.

Kkueek!

A giant orc exposed to a full charge attack clutched its abdomen, spilled its internal organs, and died from shock.

Sang-Hyeon’s greatsword went in deeper than Lee Se-Hwa had expected.

‘If you were to say that it’s second to none in thickness, then why is the Giant Orc so furry on its abdomen?’

Lee Se-hwa was shocked.

Sturdy monsters like the Giant Orc each have at least one body part they can be proud of.

The giant oak was a ship.

That part was like a strong shield, so much so that even Isehwa had no intention of targeting it with magic.

But just now, Sang-Hyeon’s attack had accurately torn through his abdomen, completely emptying his insides.

For Lee Se-hwa, who had previously experienced full charging, this was a situation that was bound to raise many question marks.

‘Do you have any strengthening skills?’

A conclusion close to the correct answer is reached.

There was a possibility that Sang-Hyeon had used some special strengthening skill mixed in with the full charge.

However, that kind of skill was so rare and special that even Isehwa did not have it.

‘What’s going on?’

Even Lee Se-hwa’s expectations were so high that he felt a sense of dissonance, as Sang-hyeon’s firepower was much higher.

Thanks to that, while gathering thirty-three giant orcs, Sang-Hyeon killed three of them on his own.

In a situation where just the chase was enough to make one lose one’s mind, he created a one-on-one situation in an instant and killed him.

Lee Se-hwa exclaimed in admiration.

“As expected, they are a fantastic pair!”

Hurrruk!

At the same time, he created and extinguished a small flame above his left hand. It was a signal to Sang-Hyeon from a distance.

Pa-pa-pa-pa! Pa-pa-pa!

Sang-Hyeon took advantage of the back steps and leisurely left the scene.

It was a graceful movement, making good use of the large gap between the giant orcs.

Chuuuk? Chueek?

When Sang-Hyeon suddenly disappeared, the giant orcs gathered in one spot stared at each other blankly.

Right then.

Whoosh whoosh… … !

Kkieeeek!

A huge flame burst out from the center of the area where about 30 giant orcs had gathered.

Up! Up!

At the same time, the devil’s hand hidden in the flames grabbed the ankle of the sacrifice to be burned at the stake.

The more I tried to pull it out, the more it sank like a swamp.

“Perfect! Wow!”

Lee Se-hwa cheered.

How long has it been since you’ve been able to defeat a horde of giant monsters so easily?

To add a little lie, this is something that has never happened since I joined the association.

So, at some point, he started to think, with some self-mockery, that it was just an impossible fantasy.

But Sang-Hyeon made the impossible a possible reality.

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Sssssss. Ssssss. Ssssss.

At a point some distance from the battlefield, a man was diligently recording the situation.

It was Lee Se-hwa’s friend, Kim Min-cheol.

As he became a player, he gained a different vision from others and became a reconnaissance and buff player.

Something similar to Han Hyeon-jeong.

Of course, my level was incomparable to hers, but I was still level 300.

The first thing Kim Min-cheol said after observing the entire process from the start of the battle between Sang-hyeon and Lee Se-hwa was special.

“It is worthy of praise.”

I think I know why Lee Se-hwa trained so hard, eagerly awaiting the day when he could work with Sang-hyun.

If you are a player in the inspection world, you should be able to do basic hunting.

However, it was only close to the basic level, and there was almost no ability to take the initiative and plan the board.

To do this, you need to focus on the chase, while also accurately preparing your allies’ skills and calculating the striking points.

Without an understanding of not only oneself but also the entire situation, it was a proposition that could not even be established in the first place.

Is that all?

In the event of a widespread attack, it would also require the sense and understanding to escape at the right time.

Otherwise, you too will be buried among the monsters.

Sang-Hyeon said that this entire process was not only neat but perfect.

The situation was made so easy that Lee Se-hwa could just set the table and eat with a spoon.

This is why Lee Se-hwa had no choice but to look for Sang-hyeon. Seeing him with her own eyes made her understand his feelings.

“Wow, that’s really cool.”

The subordinate next to Kim Min-cheol was impressed.

Thanks to the massacre that Sang-Hyeon and Lee Se-Hwa just caused, a bulge has already formed on the battlefield.

As the Giant Orcs evaporated in large numbers, a blank space was created where no monsters were placed.

Sang-Hyeon left Lee Se-Hwa behind and went deep into the area to hunt again.

“At this rate, monsters that are vulnerable to mobile combat will die to the combination of Shin Sang-hyun and Lee Se-hwa.”

Kim Min-cheol nodded.

Now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I feel I must acknowledge the value of Sang-Hyeon. It is not a false reputation.

“The salient picture looks good. It could strategically give us a head start on the high ground.”

“I think so too. Let’s convey this to the entire association. Let’s first create a forward line in the salient.”

“All right.”

The order was given quickly.

How could two players not put their spoons on a well-prepared table?

“… … .”

Instead, Kim Min-cheol’s gaze as he watched Sang-hyeon became deeper.

Shin Sang-hyun. He was a player who was worthy of being by Lee Se-hwa’s side.

* * *

That moment.

Sang-Hyeon and Se-Hwa Lee, who were working on the preparatory work by creating flames at every step of the way, stopped.

This is because a new type of monster that was not detected in previous reconnaissance has appeared.

“I didn’t expect that guy to be there.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Undead Mage.

It was the name of the monster that Sang-Hyeon’s eyes met.

It was a tricky magical monster that could instantly revive dead monsters if given enough time.

Kkugugugu… … .

Monsters that had died here and there were resurrected. Even the giant orcs that were burned to death in the flames of slaughter were the same.

Their entire bodies were like ice cream, and they had lost their sense of reason, but they faithfully followed the orders of the undead mage.

Extermination.

He only followed the one order to kill Sang-Hyeon and Lee Se-Hwa as long as his body allowed him to.

“I’ll take the lead.”

“I will lead the way.”

Without even having to exchange opinions, Sang-Hyeon and Se-Hwa Lee each clearly decided what they would do.

It was a skillful move that could only be made with a clear understanding of the given situation.

As Sang-Hyeon accelerates and approaches the undead mage.

『Will to Charge – Selected Target: Undead Mage』

The will to charge was activated.

If the undead mage doesn’t die, the monsters that have been resurrected for a hundred days will come back to life.

Kiriririk!

As Sang-Hyeon began to quickly approach, the undead archer protecting the undead mage pulled back his bowstring.

There weren’t many, only five, but they all appeared to be mana-type archers who knew how to use mana.

“Will it work?”

Ping! Ping! Ping!

『Brave Charge』

Sang-Hyeon blocked the flying arrows with a defensive shield activated by Brave Charge.

If you can get the timing right, it is a skill that allows you to defend without losing any forward momentum.

“… … .”

A fear mixed with horror appeared in the deep eyes of the undead mage watching Sang-Hyeon.

Slurp.

Eventually, the undead mage felt burdened by the upper body and began to use magic to retreat.

It was the perfect retreat to stimulate the will to charge.

“Huh, so that’s why cowardly wizards are easy to deal with?”

Sang-Hyeon licked his lips.

It was an expression of confidence tinged with deep contempt for the undead mage.

Pfft!

The fierce pursuit began immediately.