Team: HH, thursdays, Yahiko (10/12)

Hwak!

Benteke felt like he was possessed by a ghost. He remembered that both of them had dug their sword and spear into the others hearts, and they were fighting over who would kill the other first, but..

Why?

Why was he the only person with his heart pierced?

Youve..done something.

Bentekes spear was inside Yeon-woos right chest. Its location was only slightly changed, but Yeon-woo was still able to avoid danger.

Yeon-woo felt like his body was dropping. The reason why he had been able to hang on with Demonic Magic and Regeneration was because of the magic power in the Philosophers Stone.

However, Time Foresight used all that magic power at once, so he couldnt use it unless it was of crucial importance. The future that Yeon-woo had gained was 5 seconds.

It was short, but it was important in the fight for life or death.

Thanks to that, Yeon-woo was able to see the timing of Bentekes spear coming at him, and instead of avoiding it, he turned his body slightly to change the direction of the spear.

Then, his sword had pierced Bentekes heart even more accurately.

The heart was the source of life. It provided blood to the body and created magic power. If a heart broke, it was fatal to normal players.

However, as skilled as Benteke was, he had the energy to endure even if his heart was broken.

The holy power held him up, even though it was almost gone.

Kahalhalhal! Sure. Everyone has their secret weapon.

Even in this futile situation, he beamed brightly.

He didnt look wronged at all.

Every player had an ace up their sleeves. Hiding it and using it at the appropriate timing was even more amazing. The saying, to hide 30% of your power, wasnt for nothing.

And from Bentekes perspective, Yeon-woo was clever. Even though he was a beast, he wasnt moved by his instinct. He was the type to calculate how he was going to hunt. He was different from himself, who always fought by instinct.

But a fight with such a person was still a nice thing, and Benteke felt refreshed. He liked this feeling. The joy of fighting.

And the understanding that came after. Stepping into a new world was an overwhelming experience that he couldnt explain.

It was also one of the reasons he couldnt stop fighting.

And so.

So dont be wronged.

Benteke couldnt die here.

The same goes for me.

Grip!

He brutally held onto Vigrids blade. His fingers were cut so deeply that they were almost cut off, blood dripping down the blade.

Yeon-woo tried to push Vigrid in even deeper.

However, Vigrid didnt move at all, like it was stuck. Bentekes grip was unbelievably firm. It was a strength that someone who was losing the last of his lifeforce shouldnt be able to muster.

Because he hadnt seen anything like this before, Yeon-woo slightly frowned.

What is this?

The Time Foresight was a skill that depended on the unique skill of the pocket watch and used the calculating ability of the Draconic species to predict the future.

Even though it gobbled up magic power, it had never failed.

It was always risky, but Yeon-woo had always been victorious.

However, there was something that Yeon-woo hadnt been able to think of. When the fatal attack that Yeon-woo gave wasnt fatal, what should he do after that?

With his magic power and health at their lowest, Yeon-woo was in extreme danger.

Yeon-woo squeezed out more magic power from the Philosophers Stone. His Cores overheated again. The source sealed inside him might be released, and he couldve been infected by the demonic energy, but he didnt have time to worry about that now.

The hand that gripped Vigrid was the same. It couldnt be pushed or pulled away.

Benteke suddenly threw his spear away and grabbed Yeon-woos face.

You amused me with this fight, so I think its okay for me to die like this. But Im sorry, youre gonna have to be the one to fall, not me.

Hwaaaa

A new energy was growing from within Benteke. It was an energy that shined navy blue. It wasnt magic power or holy power, but it was the source of the power that allowed him to endure his heart being broken.

At first, it seemed like that power that he had before he was melted by the fire column. Did he have something other than Triainas Authority that he kept hidden?

Im the Ruler King. I cant lose. Cha Jeong-woo and Lana fell because they lost. I dont plan on following in their footsteps.

He put more force on his right hand that was holding Yeon-woos mask and head.

Yeon-woo grit his teeth at the pain of his skull being crushed. Just then, Vigrid pushed forward slightly. Bentekes left hand was cut off.

Would his mask break first, or would Vigrid finish piercing his heart?

Snap

The mask couldnt take the strain any longer and began to crack. Small pieces fell to the floor.

So die.

Benteke smiled cruelly and put more force on his right hand. Half of Yeon-woos mask fell off, and half of his face was revealed as the pieces fell down.

In that moment, Yeon-woo suddenly let go of Vigrid. Instead, he pulled out the Magic Bayonet from the subspace and aimed for Bentekes chin. He was just about to push it in, when..

Clang!

Something suddenly fell from the sky and landed between Yeon-woo and Benteke. Bentekes right arm was cut off, the Magic Bayonet was flung away.

Both of their attacks being reduced to nothing, the wind that had landed between them wrapped around Yeon-woo and Benteke.

The wind that wrapped around Yeon-woo became a tall man. It was a middle-aged, one-armed man with a giant bastard sword. However, his aura was more powerful than when Benteke held Triaina.

Things wouldve been bad if I was just a little late.

The middle-aged man looked at Yeon-woo in his arms.

Like what he said, Yeon-woo was extremely weak right now. His health and magic power were low. It was a wonder that he didnt collapse or die right now.

Yeon-woo widened his eyes seeing the person who saved him. It was someone who shouldnt be here right now. They hadnt even met before.

The aura coming from the middle-aged man was enough to make him shiver. He felt more dangerous than Benteke.

Duke Ardbad.

He was the man who symbolized the Power of the four guards of the Gluttony Emperor.

Why was the man who led the Blood Lands army against the Walpurgisnacht here?

Thankfully, his mask had restored itself already and was covering his eyes.

It seemed like the duke hadnt recognized him. If he did, Yeon-woo would already be dead. Arthia was also the Blood Lands enemy.

Why did you save me..?

His Majesty ordered me to bring you with care to the Blood Land. Your promise of meeting him still hasnt been fulfilled, and the Emperor wants to see you.

Yeon-woo almost burst out laughing. So that was his excuse for wanting to taste dragon meat. It was definitely something the Gluttony Emperor would do.

He laughed emptily, seeing that his image within the Blood Land was still holding up. However, Duke Ardbad seemed to have thought it was a grateful laugh because he nodded with a faint smile.

Rest for now. I know what kind of situation youre in, so I dont plan on forcing you to our country. Youre His Majestys friend. How can I be rude in serving you?

Of course, Yeon-woo wouldnt really let his guard down just because he said that. Rather, he observed Duke Ardbad even more sharply. Unlike his mind, his body could probably take a rest.

His exhaustion was extreme.

It was a shame he couldnt end Bentekes life, but the other side couldnt continue the fight either.

..Jinrang. You know I dont like this kind of stuff.

Benteke frowned as he looked at Jinrang, who had saved him. He wanted to strangle his subordinate for ruining the mood, but he didnt have any strength left to do that.

Jinrang was expressing his will to save his king even if he would be punished for it later.

Swaa

Jinrang poured holy power inside Bentekes cut arm so it could heal.

Normal players couldnt deal with holy power. However, there was only one reason why Jinrang could use it. It was because he was also an apostle.

Orion, the god of constellations, who was known as Poseidons son. Jinrang was the third captain of Triton acting as Orions apostle.

The captains of Triton were watching Duke Ardbad from faraway places.

They were ready to attack any second.

You just said so. That we cant lose in the end. So I saved you, sir.

Bentekes face crumpled at what Jinrang said.

Are you saying I wouldve lost?

You mightve won the battle but not the war. You cannot defeat Duke Ardbad in your current state.

You..!

Ill be punished for it later. Please rest for now.

Before Benteke could say anything more, Jinrang chopped his neck. Benteke collapsed.

Confirming that Benteke was still alive, Jinrang sighed in relief and became wary of Duke Ardbad again.

He had stepped up to save Benteke, but the situation at hand wasnt good.

Duke Ardbad raised the heavy sword in his left hand like it was nothing and laughed coldly.

I did hear that some dregs bothered our subordinates here, so we were planning on fighting you soon. I didnt imagine that we would get a chance like this.

The Eight Large Clans thought it was ridiculous how people said that the new emerging clans were becoming as strong as them.

But they also considered the emerging clans annoying, so they were thinking of moving them out of the way.

The reason why they hadnt been able to step up was because Tritons Blessing from Poseidon was powerful.

It was tricky to deal with Triton, made up of Poseidon and his followers apostle, and Benteke was someone that Duke Ardbad acknowledged.

But with Benteke in such a poor state now, he considered it the perfect time to attack Triton.

Of course, it would be hard to ruin them completely, but it would be a great gain just to reduce their numbers.

Also, nothing bad would come from getting rid of Jinrang, who was famed for his intelligence as much as his martial arts.

But as if they werent going to step down easily, Jinrang also glared at Duke Ardbad. He might be less skilled than Benteke, but it wasnt by a large margin. Rather, in some aspects, he was equal to Benteke.

Two apostles who were as skilled as him were aiming for Duke Ardbad right now.

He believed that with the three of them, they would be able to take Duke Ardbads life.

Just when Duke Ardbad and Jinrang were about to collide..

I see many familiar faces.

A loud voice rang out in the sky, and the air around them changed.

It was an oppressing power that forced down the mighty presence of Duke Ardbad and the holy power of Jinrang and the others.

Strong winds blew, and the waves tossed. While the River of Souls was shaking violently, Yeon-woo, Duke Ardbad, Jinrang, the rest of Tritons forces, and the players on the Ghost Ship looked up at the sky with shock.

Only

Just then, the sky split, and someone slowly came down. The savage combative energy left them breathless.

A woman with cold eyes, the horn of the One-horned tribe, and the scales of a Half-Dragon.

Duke Ardbad stiffened upon seeing her face.

The Spring Queen.

The leader of the White Dragon, Waltz.

It was an unexpected descent.