ACT 2 Dungeon of the Blind

[TL]Ive made a minor change to the previous chapter. For those who read it before I changed it, it is Ark made the decision to send the NPC troops from Seutandal and Lancel back before it was too late. And he also told the users who had resurrectednot to enter anymore.So none of the 300 remaining troops are NPCs.

-

Forget the 1,000 monsters and just focus on the one middle ranked boss!

Ark shouted as he stared at Vega giving orders from hundreds of metres away.That was the best thing Ark could think of in this desperate situation. Of course, the lizards werent Vegas summons so there would still be 1,000 of them even after the boss died.With only 300 people, it was inevitable that they would be wiped out by the lizards.

Even if we die, we wont just die like this!

Anyway, Vega was the current boss of the 60th floor.If they defeated him then wouldnt they collect a lot of experience and loot? With any luck, they might be able to run away after dealing with Vega.Using that glimmer of hope, Ark started a bloody battle against the lizards. As expected from the 300 elite soldiers who survived the Abyss, they managed to execute the plan perfectly and lasted for 10 minutes against the advancing lizards.However, as expected the lack of troops was fatal.

While the warriors crouched down and built shields, the magicians and archers intercepted the lizards. After they impacted with the barrier, the warriors could get up and push the lizards back.But thanks to the crouching down position, it was possible for the enemies to break through by jumping over the barriers. But he had no choice thanks to the lack of troops. After the situation repeated many times, the lizards noticed the weakness and jumped through.It wasnt possible for them to face this situation.

Waaaaahhhhh!

Screams were everywhere as dozens of lizards broke into the camp. The long range attackers had no chance against level 400 elite melee monsters.The archers and magicians instantly lost 20~30% health. Furthermore, the lizards were mixed with their allies so it was difficult to attack properly.However, he also couldnt call the warriors back to deal with them.Thanks to the lizards inside their camp, the lizards at the front had their attacks strengthened. If the warriors turned around to attack their allies then they would be attacked from behind in an instant.Of course, only dozens of lizards had broken through. The problem was how much damage the archers and magicians would receive before the lizards were killed. Now that the weak point was found, it wasnt possible to use the crouching down defense formation anymore. The method to get to Vega was lost.

..Is it going to end here?

Ark moaned as he thought about the situation.One lizard smashed the head of a magician and rushed towards Ark. Ark who was looking at another place wasnt able to respond properly and could only flinch before withdrawing a step.

You idiot, where did yourspirit go?

Then Isyurams voice was suddenly heard from behind him.At the same time, Isyuram jumped over Arks shoulder and kicked the lizard.The lizard who was hit in his jaw stumbled and retreated.By the time it recovered its centre, Isyuram was already right in front of the lizard.

This is a big lizard..shall I see how good its endurance is?

Isyuram smiled and soared through the air.

Pepepepeng!

It was subsequently followed by continuous roars.At the same time, several clear fist marks were seen on the lizards armour. Then it was hit in the jaw, the nose, the forehead..It was Isyurams deadly attacks which aimed for the vital spots.If a person was beaten like that then they would have to go to the hospital..no, the attacks were enough to put someone into a mortuary! The lizard kneeled down after receiving the successive critical hits.

Disappear you stupid lizards!

At the same time, Isyurams knee sprang up and hit the jaw of the lizards. The head was forced backwards and Isyuram then kicked the neck. With a huge roar the lizard flew away and became stuck in the swamp.It was an amazing combat ability!Once again Ark realized Isyurams skills.

Ark, have you already forgotten what I taught you? Do you want me to teach you again?

Isyuram muttered as he turned his gaze from the lizard to Ark. Ark recalled the words Isyuram taught him in the police agencys gym.

Never give up!

I know that.

Ark raised his voice angrily and Isyuram just laughed.

But even if you know, it is different if you cant put it into practice. You foolish student.

Im aware of that.

Ark said before hitting his face with his palm. Thats right. It wasnt Arks style to give up no matter how hopeless the situation was.He didnt have the manners to accept defeat and die politely. Arks style was to grab their ankles and hold on dirtily until the very end!

Ill fight until the end! Take this, Dark Blade!

Ark ran towards a lizard and twisted his sword.The sword which had darkness assimilated into it pierced through the flank of the lizard. A violent blow rang out and the lizard retreated. Ark narrowed the distance between him and the lizard.He threw his body like Isyuram and subsequently kicked the vital spots.Then another lizard close by threw a spear.

Not a chance. Dark Dance!

Ark used Dark Dance and avoided the spear.Then he did a roundhouse kick and knocked the lizards sword down.

Hmm, not bad. But you still have a long way to go! Adadadada!

Isyuram continuously plunged between the lizards.

Were also here!

Gather the lizards to one spot!

The rehabilitation members also plunged into the fray. The lizards that had been scattered around the camp started to gather in one place from the combined attacks of Ark, Isyuram and the rehabilitation members.The archers and magicians who had scattered from the lizards attacks were now free to attack.

As expected from the coalitions leader and unit chiefs.

Its really not a joke when you look at them.

How long do I need to practice to fight like that?

Nows not the time for this. Even the leader and chiefs cant deal with all of them!

Thats right. Ark, Isyuram and the rehabilitation members were all accustomed to fighting. Thanks to that, no users in Dark Eden could match their combat power.However this was a game. The rules of the game applied in the game. Even if they had strong combat power, there was a limit to how many level 400 elite monsters they could take care of.While they managed to limit the damage by gathering the lizards in one place, there were still dozens of them. Meanwhile Ark, Isyuram and the rehabilitation members were only 12 people. Despite pushing the lizards to one place, they were numerically disadvantaged.

We have to help them!

Fortunately, the magicians and archers regrouped and started attacking. Once the attacks were focused on the lizards, they couldnt endure anymore and collapsed.

Thats it. The urgent fire has been put out!

Ark sighed with relief.Suddenly he heard Racards urgent voice.

Master, your 3 oclock, 3 oclock!

Ark turned his head and stiffened.Since the magicians and archers couldnt cover them, some warriors couldnt endure anymore and collapsed. Once some warriors fell, they continued falling like dominoes until the defense formation was completely destroyed.

Kura, kura, bekinohun!

The lizards stepped on the warriors and intruded the camp at Vegas command.There were 200 of them!The camp was already a mess from the dozens of lizards who intruded, so if 200 broke in then Dark Eden would be destroyed in seconds! Ark jumped towards the incoming lizards and immediately exploded a sword.

Blade Tempest!

Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

When hitting a monster with the demonic attribute, the cursed sword did a couple times more damage! When the power of the cursed sword was enhanced, it seemed like a bomb had exploded.And hundreds and thousands of fragments swirled around the lizards like a hurricane. The skin and armour of the lizards became torn in an instant.Blade Tempest, it was a storm of swords.

Teacher, hyung-nims!

Oh, lets just die today!

Isyuram and the rehabilitation group also rushed towards the lizards. And they acted like a literal clot.They couldnt allow the lizards to intrude or Dark Eden would be destroyed.Ark, Isyuram and the rehabilitation members fired various skills without a break and prevented the lizards penetration. Meanwhile the archers and magicians focused all their attacks on the lizards.But once it started collapsing, it was impossible to stop it.The lizards didnt have high attack or agility. But their defense and stamina was at a considerable standard.

It took a considerable amount of time to kill just one. So Ark, Isyuram and the rehabilitation members could only stop 10 lizards from entering. Meanwhile the other lizards broke into the camp. Once the lizards intrusion was permitted, there was no possibility of enduring. The warriors had barely managed to get a barrier up again to prevent more lizards from entering. But waves after waves of lizards attacked and some parts of the barrier collapsed again.Once it became like that, the warriors were unable to maintain the barrier at all. It was the worse situation.

Dammit!

Profanities burst from Arks mouth.The 200 allies and 1,000 lizards were completely mixed up together now. When this occurred, the soldiers had no choice but to fight 1 against 3 lizards. Even Ark was confronting at least 5 lizards attacking him with spears.Ark had no chance to counter the attacks coming from all directions.

Damn, Dark Blade.ugh!

Ark was about to swing his sword when he received a spear in the chest. And another lizard swiped Ark with its tail and he flew back several metres.While he avoided falling into the swamp, he was blown towards a place where dozens of lizards were gathered. The lizards simultaneously attacked him when Ark fell on his side.A hopeless light started to appear in Arks eyes.

It is the end if Im surrounded!

Then some rocks that were a few metres away caught his eyes.At the moment, thoughts started spinning quickly in Arks head.If he entered a gap between the rocks then it was possible to avoid being surrounded by the lizards. And he could deal with incoming opponents 1 on 1. It was a common tactic to use a narrow place to limit the number of enemies.

Dark Dance!

Ark used Dark Dance and slipped through the gap in the rock like a ghost. Then he turned his body and faced the lizards.However, Ark witnessed an incomprehensible situation.

As expected, one lizard had followed him to the rocks. Although it thrust a spear..it unexpectedly thrust several metres away from Ark.At first he thought it was a mistake but then it happened again.It would attack, strike a rock, attack and so on. Despite Ark standing in front of it, it missed and struck the rock a few times before running off back to the battlefield. Ark forgot about counterattacking because of the abnormal behaviour and looked on in dumb surprise.

Whats this?

There must be a reason for its strange behaviour.After realizing there was something wrong, he started watching the lizards behaviour closely. Right now there was a violent battle occurring. It seemed to look no different from a normal battlefield. However..

Something is different. There is something strange about the lizards behaviour. What is it?

Ark watched the scene for a while. No one in Dark Eden seemed to sense it but Ark was sure there was something questionable about the lizards behaviour. After a while, Ark finally had some idea of what it was.

Perhaps.dont tell me..is it really like that? No, it is the best explanation for that situation I experienced before. And if my guess is correct..

Ark instantly ran out from between the rocks.After searching the swamp for a bit, Ark was able to find the body of a dead lizard. After examining the dead body, Arks guess was 100% confirmed.Ark instantly had a spark go through his head. The questionable behaviour of the lizards, the terrain of the battle, Vegas responseall of it flashed through Arks eyes.

I can win this fight!

All Dark Eden troops immediately retreat back to the ravine!

Arks shout exploded like a bomb from his mouth.But the soldiers didnt move immediately.

What? Back to the ravine?

But that place..?

The reaction of the soldiers was natural.There was a swamp a lot deeper behind the ravine.The sticky swamp would reach up to their waist and it would be even more difficult to fight. Meanwhile the enemy was a lizard. There were a species which lived in the swamp so they could move more freely than Dark Eden.Of course, if they fought here the chances of winning were only 1% but they couldnt understand the reason for moving to an even more disadvantageous terrain. However Ark was convinced he could reverse the momentum in that place.

Theres no time to explain! If you have strength left then move!

I dont know why..

The coalition leader mustve thought of something.

Okay! Lets retreat like the leader said!

Although they couldnt sleep and complained about him, Ark was the leader that they had absolute faith in. The strategies used in the siege and even the secret dungeon, they had overcame many difficulties thanks to Ark. If Ark wasnt the leader then Dark Eden probably wouldve been wiped out a long time ago.The soldiers abandoned the battlefield and escaped to the ravine at Arks command. But the soldiers were sure they were about to die so there were in a gloomy mood. There were only 120 soldiers who managed to escape from the lizards.180 soldiers died in between.

But if this plan succeeds then 120 soldiers can survive!

Whats going on? Why did you tell us to retreat to this difficult place?

Isyuram and the rehabilitation members asked as they sunk up to their waists in the swamp.

..It is to lure Vega.

Vega? Vega the lizard captain?

Their eyes looked dubious at Arks answer.It was a natural reaction. Vega always stayed hundreds of metres away while giving out orders. So why would Vega suddenly enter this place? Ark just answered with a confident expression.

There is no doubt that he will enter here. But those lizards will arrive soon so I dont have time to explain. Just believe in me.

What?

For now all members should hide their bodies in a suitable place.

You want us to hide here?

Anywhere suitable is fine. And..

Ark explained what the Dark Eden members needed to do from now on. The soldiers couldnt understand Arks direction but scattered and hid themselves as directed.Well, there werent that many places to hide themselves so around half of the troops couldnt find a hiding spot.But Ark already had a method to solve that problem.Ark looked at Jjak-tung who nodded and shouted.

Understood. I dont know if there will be much effect but.Feng Shui!

-The effects of Feng Shui have been applied to the attack corps.

Feng Shui is the unique skill of the Guardian=Strategist. Using Feng Shui will increase resistance to all environmental and terrain effects. Bonus damage will be added when attacking an enemy from a high place and conversely a penalty will be applied when attacking from a low place. If addition, you can hide your body using the darkness and terrain features to avoid detection by enemies.

<Decrease the probability of the enemy suspecting you by 30%>