7) Inferior Duel

Weed moved at the same time as the Red Belkain attacking the battle group.

‘I’m alone so it is too disadvantageous.’

The entrance of the lair was being blocked by the Hermes Guild.

‘If so.’

Weed decided to believe in the intelligence of a monster.

“Those are the guys. They attacked your wife!”

He immediately ran to the Red Belkain’s side and attacked the knights of the Hermes Guild. It was a difficult tactic to choose but he had no choice if he wanted to live!

“Heriam Fencing!”

“This is…..”

The Hermes Guild members were astonished A boss cla.s.s monster appeared and now he was fighting on the side of that monster! His actions were ridiculous.

-Burial Ground!

The Red Belkain sank to his knees on the ground and used a wide area skill. Those wearing thick armour had their agility reduced and were buried in the ground. Weed was close to the Red Belkain but he wasn’t affected. This was the amazing intelligence of a boss cla.s.s monster!

‘I will fight this little guy after killing them.’

Weed also had similar thoughts.

‘If I survive here then can I kill him and collect his items?’

The two of them attacked without hesitation. The Red Belkain ran and thrust his shoulders, making a warrior’s body bounce back. The defense of the s.h.i.+eld and armour meant the warrior didn’t die but Weed attacked again. He used Wind Sprint from next to the Red Belkain to move at a speed that was difficult to follow and attacked the warrior.

“Strong s.h.i.+eld!”

The warrior decided to withstand it. Weed’s damage might be great but a warrior with high defense and the priest’s healing wouldn’t be easily killed.

Meanwhile the Red Belkain was das.h.i.+ng around and using attack skills on the users. A boss cla.s.s monster recklessly used wide area skills.

-You have heard Belkain’s cry.

Fighting Spirit has decreased.

Morale has decreased.

The probability of a skill succeeding has decrease and mana is consumed faster.

The Red Belkain’s Phantom has appeared. Any attacks will damage it instead.

Arrows and magic furiously attacked the Red Belkain. The Hermes Guild had changed to an active offense. If the Woomba Belkain and Red Belkain appeared at the same time then they would’ve received more damage. But each one was hunted separately so the battle became much easier. The advantage of a large scale hunt was that each cla.s.s could play a role in restraining the boss monster.

‘The Red Belkain needs more strength. Right now he is my ally.’

Weed used Wind Sprint to chase the melee cla.s.ses.

‘If more time pa.s.ses then the Red Belkain will become easier to hunt.’

Even if dozens of Hermes Guild users died, their damage still acc.u.mulated on the Red Belkain. Krobidyun was already summoning a doom knight to attack the Red Belkain. Other users would find it hard to judge because of the danger but Weed wasn’t scared of the undead.

Huge explosions and attack skills ran rampant in the dungeon! In the midst of this hectic scene, the Hermes Guild was focusing all their attacks on the Red Belkain. They were experienced in hunting boss cla.s.s monsters so even minor attacks. .h.i.t the Red Belkain’s leather and slightly reduced his health. That damage would acc.u.mulate and he would eventually collapse.

The Red Belkain had the largest power but the close combat users received the priests’ help and persistently held on. Warriors at the forefront of the battle held up their s.h.i.+elds and took the attacks head on. Weed had to shake this balance of power.

“Radiant Sword!”

Birds of light flew from Weed’s sword and struck the warrior from behind. This sword skill consumed mana but he wasn’t in a position to worry about that. The Red Belkain was suffering from huge attacks! The warrior’s health was reduced from Radian Sword.

-You have killed the warrior Wabulla.

-Experience has been acquired.

-Fame has increased by 169.

-The Knight Burgulleo has been killed.

-Your level has risen.

-Fame has increased by 369.

-Due to the cowardly act of targeting the back during a battle, the Honour stat will decrease by 1.

A master of turning over the situation! Weed was also level 410. The Hermes users’ level started in the early 400s and some users were beyond level 430. He gained a lot of experience from putting these users away. Usually it was difficult to meet so many high level users in common dungeons.

“Kill him! The damage is greater because of him!”

The cry was heard and the long range attack unit started aiming at Weed with arrows and magic. If that much power hit his body then it would be impossible to live! The archers and magicians aimed their tremendous firepower from the Red Belkain to Weed. Weed kicked the ground and ran from side to side as he kept on changing directions.

Kw.a.n.g! Kwa kwa kw.a.n.g!

Pusyu syu syu syuk!

Every place he pa.s.sed had arrows, ice chunks and flames narrowly land on either side of him. The arrows chased behind him. The Hermes Guild’s extravagant long-range firepower was aimed at Weed. Weed’s health dripped out as the arrows grazed him. He moved suddenly and was able to avoid being damaged by every arrow thanks to his evasive measures. However Weed still lost 20% of his health in an instant.

“This degree isn’t enough!”

Weed went in front of the Red Belkain. The long ranged attacks then stopped as they worried about hitting the warriors and knights. The little bit of damage he received was nothing compared to the power of the Hermes Guild. There was no way to escape this dungeon anyway and it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the Red Belkain was rampaging wildly.

“Radiant Sword!”

Weed used Radiant Sword while the priests prepared s.h.i.+elds and health recovery spells. The Hermes Guild’s iron wall was to such a degree that anyone would feel despair.

This was from the perspective of the battle group and the Royal Guards. Usually they were at a standard where monsters could only do minor harm to them. That’s because they prepared the best equipment and manpower before they went. That’s why they could endure it when the Red Belkain appeared after the Woomba Belkain. But Weed’s interruptions made it much more difficult.

They were worried that his cunning would make the battle more hectic! The warriors whose health fell into a dangerous state sighed with relief as they managed to interrupt the Red Belkain’s attacks.

“I barely lived.”

“I almost fell into a critical condition. Please treat me quickly!”

The priests’ mana wasn’t infinite so they couldn’t use healing magic continuously. Weed’s Radiant Sword exploded during that short moment of carelessness! Weed used a powerful attack skill so there were almost no players who could escape unscathed.

“Calling Death Knight Van Hawk, Calling the Vampire Lord Torido!”

“You called Master.”

The Red Belkain fired sharp needles from his skin as Weed’s subordinates were summoned. Van Hawk grasped his sword and tried to attack the Red Belkain as soon as he appeared.

“I’ll fight with this guy.”

“Not this guy.”

“Master, what should we do then?”

“Those humans and the others. Along with the barbarians…… And that big monster is on our side.”

His subordinates quickly understood that the Hermes Guild were the enemy without the need for a long explanation.

“As expected from Master……”

“I thought it would be like this.”

Van Hawk and Torido were easily convinced by Weed so they commenced the fight against the Hermes Guild. Whether it was a good or bad command, they just believed in Weed’s instructions.

Despite that, Weed’s complexion didn’t brighten. Not a lot of people had died from the Hermes Guild despite Van Hawk and Torido being summoned.

There were the warriors, priests and ranged attack troops. It would be impossible to change the military situation if he stayed faithful to this method. The melee users also changed their battle formation and tactics when dealing with the Red Belkain. Weed needed to try more active and colourful attacks.

But to be able to steadily block a strong monster deserved praise. Long distance cla.s.ses like archers, magicians and shamans were good at pouring out firepower. The effect of the monster was nullified by long range attacks.

Weed had previously seen a video of the guild hunting a bone dragon. The Hermes Guild was filled with high power individuals faithful to the basics. He had never seen such a ma.s.sive, stable hunt. There were also 30 Royal Guards in the background that hadn’t come out yet. They stayed back in order to defend the archers and magicians from the boss monster.

‘The Hermes Guild is certainly worthy of being called the strongest power on the continent. They can hunt monsters effectively even when being disturbed.’

Bardray walked over to Weed with some knights. He hadn’t partic.i.p.ated in the Red Belkain hunt. Most of the damage had been done by the battle company and the Royal Guards. The Necromancer Krobidyun only increased the number of undead for the hunt. So Bardray decided to do what he wanted on the battlefield.

“Resistance is futile. But as a minimal courtesy, I will give you the opportunity to fight me alone.”

Weed had no intention of fighting Bardray. He had seen Bardray’s destructive power and swordplay when fighting the Woomba Belkain. The level difference was quite obvious so it would be difficult to deal with him. It was inevitable that he would be lacking in power and die!

Weed’s Heriam Fencing wasn’t suitable for fighting against a strong soldier. It was a series of consecutive attacks aimed at any gaps! The skill took advantage of any holes in the enemy’s defense.

Moonlight Sculpting Blade might be gorgeous and beautify but it wasn’t enough in a 1 on 1 battle. There was also the Emperor’s Triple, Back Stab, Sword Break, Sword Dance and Sword Kaiser. But even if Triple or Sword Dance succeeded a few times, it wouldn’t deal that much damage to a knight. Sword Kaiser was a very powerful skill but the level difference and equipment meant there was no guarantee the opponent would die. In addition, it would consume almost all his mana.

The only sword technique Weed had left was Radiant Sword. It was very convenient so he used it a lot in battle. But the skill proficiency compared to the mana consumption meant it was largely useless now.

It was okay when dealing with other users but it wasn’t enough for Bardray. He needed to take advantage of the terrain of the Belkain’s lair. When he took into account Bardray’s support army, Weed was inferior in all aspects.

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“If it is inevitable then I’ll have to fight.”

Weed checked the Daemon Sword with his eyes. He had been using this sword for a few battles. If the durability was reduced than maximum damage couldn’t be exerted and the accuracy would become poor.

‘If only I could use repair, Sword Grinding or even Armour Polis.h.i.+ng……’

They wouldn’t give him time for that. The fight wouldn’t be easy even with the Red Belkain still alive.

“I’m going to start. If you want to fight than follow me.”

Weed ran next to the Red Belkain.

“He’s moving. Get ready to fire!”

The archers and magicians tried to respond. But the Royal Guards used their jurisdiction to stop them.

“Weed is Bardray’s. Don’t touch him and focus on the monster!”

“Understood.”

The ranged troops didn’t attack Weed. Weed’s movement speed was fast enough to confuse Bardray.

“He really is an irritating guy.”

Bardray shook his head as he spoke. Then a magician summoned his horse, Rindullin!

It was a horse with the best blood handed down from the Royal Family of the Haven Kingdom. It possessed elegant white hair that was beautiful like a jewel and was worth more than a greatsword. It was a horse with wise intelligence and good luck!

He also held the legendary Lightning Spear that was an item he obtained from the Black Knight Master quest.

“Let’s go!”

Bardray pursued him on horseback. Weed, Van Hawk and Torido ran across the confusing battlefield the Red Belkain created. And Bardray willingly followed.

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“To the rescue!”

“It isn’t a problem if we die. If a friend is in danger then of course we have to go rescue him.”

Pale, Irene strongly argued to Yurin. Weed had fallen into the worse danger because of the Hermes Guild so they couldn’t just sit back and not fight. Even if they were just eggs being smashed against rocks, they still decided to go to the Melbourne Mine.

“Yurin, please send me there. I’ll risk my life to rescue him.”

Zephyr also didn’t miss this moment to gain Yurin’s heart.

Previously he had gone to play at Yurin’s house. He came to her house to fix some home electronics but he received a formal invitation to lunch as a friend. He wanted to see many sides to Lee Hye-yeon as she prepared rice for him.

‘This is a chance for a date……’

Choi Ji-hoon felt like this was a time to become closer to her. So he had paid more attention to his attire than usual and also sprayed perfume.

‘It will be nice if we can carry on a dialogue over sweet rice. If we’re alone than the intensity of the conversation will increase. If this is a success than maybe……’

He even brought a ring as a gift when he went to Lee Hye-yeon’s house. A wolf with a lot of experience was visiting. And at a time when Lee Hyun wasn’t there!

“The house’s ceiling is a bit lacking. Oppa is busy these days… Can I entrust it to you instead?”

“Please leave it to me.”

He had to fix the sink in a luxury s.h.i.+rt. In return Lee Hye-yeon gave him delicious soybean soup. The atmosphere was completely different from the food he normally ate like steak.

‘I will aim for my chance after eating the food.’

A chance for love could pop up at any time. He was eating fermented soybeans but Choi Ji-hoon’s nature as a player was too durable. He was silent for a while.

“Is there anything to drink?”

Choi Ji-hoon had to drink something in order to get rid of the soybean smell.

“There is cinnamon tea.”

“That…..”

“You don’t like that drink?”

“It is a good drink.”

They watched television while drinking cinnamon tea.

‘This atmosphere is difficult. The sweet moments……’

Choi Ji-hoon was proud of his ability to talk to women. He was just thinking that when Lee Hye-yeon stood up from her seat.

“I’ll bring some snacks.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Eating snacks would ensure a better flow of conversation than watching television.

Yurin brought out kudzu roots!

“What is this?”

“Snacks. Oppa dug up a lot of them.”

They watched television while chewing on the bitter kudzu roots.

“Isn’t there any coffee?”

“I have some Heotgae Tree Juice if you want to drink it?”

“Ah, no. It’s okay.”

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Weed’s spine was cold.

‘Left side.’

He changed directions and plunged to the right. A sword descended on the spot where he was! He freely attacked and defended with his sword as he ran.

-You are inside the sword’s attack radius.

Avoidance has been applied.

You haven’t received a serious injury but your health has reduced by 4,324.

The skill had a wide radius so his health has suffered a major blow from just being in the area. Of course, he was fighting in the area where the Red Belkain was so they both naturally got injured.

“Healing Hands!”

The priests urgently used healing on Bardray. Bardray continue chasing after him on Rindullin. The horse didn’t miss its target despite the chaotic battlefield.

Kwarurung!

A colossal explosion occurred every time he thrust the Lightning Spear. Weed moved between the Red Belkain and the users he was fighting so Bardray ended up dealing damage to the Hermes Guild instead. The Red Belkain was also cooperating so it helped Weed play an active role. Bardray just ignored the Red Belkain as he rode past.

“Wind Sprint!”

Weed used his maximum speed and ran up the wall towards the ceiling. The eyes of the watching Hermes Guild users widened.

“What amazing speed. How can he run so fast?”

“I wouldn’t be able to keep up if he runs like that in the field.”

It was to the extent that Bardray couldn’t chase him on Rindullin. He ran between users and monsters as well as jumped up complex obstacles.

“Radiant Sword!”

Weed attacked from a distance but the blade of light pa.s.sed Bardray to hit another warrior. Bardray was insensitive to the damage dealt to his guild. He didn’t pay attention no matter how many people from the Hermes Guild died.

The Red Belkain stomped the ground with his strong hind legs.

-Earth’s Wrath!

A ma.s.sive shock wave spread in all directions at once. Weed’s excellent agility and being in a place that wasn’t affected beforehand meant he barely received any damage. The Hermes Guild continued using melee skills in order to keep the Red Belkain in check. But this time they were disturbed by Weed and the aftermath was colossal.

Belkain’s lair shook like it was about to crumble from the tremendous skill.

“A warrior died. The monster has broken through the line of defense!”

“Knights stand in until another warrior arrives! Archer unit, use your powerful arrows to stop the Red Belkain from escaping the encirclement.”

It was easy to see why formations and specific roles were important in hunting a boss monster. That’s why Weed focused his attacks on the battle company instead of Bardray.

Weed and Bardray’s game of tag!

Usually a knight riding a horse had more of an advantage but Weed utilized his agility and the terrain around him.

-Lightning has been summoned with the Lightning Spear.

Your health has reduced by 2,892 due to the electric shock.

Your movement speed has decreased for 9 seconds due to temporary paralysis.

‘The odds aren’t in my favour at all.’

If the situation continued like this then it would be impossible for Weed to survive. Bardray’s attack range was wide and the confined s.p.a.ce meant he couldn’t completely avoid it. Apart from his rapidly declining health, his vitality and mana were also at its limit thanks to the use of Radiant Sword and Wind Sprint. Bardray quickly rode Rindullin up to him.

“Hero’s Sword!”

Bardray’s attacks strengthened even further as he used another sword technique.

‘As expected, it is impossible to get out of this. It might’ve been possible if the Black Lion Guild arrived early…..’

The Black Lion Guild was currently being detained on Melbourne Mine’s 2nd floor by the traps and a.s.sa.s.sins. Weed looked at the Red Belkain and decided to give up on finding a way to live. There was hardly any ways left visible.

‘Now it is a plan of desperation.’

“Van Hawk, Torido! Attack.”

Weed ran to the place where Bardray was. Van Hawk and Torido who had been half watching the Red Belkain’s battle followed his command. The two of them were ranked quite highly among the boss cla.s.s!

Van Hawk flew towards Bardray with his sword while Torido called a Blade Storm. Weed then struck using Radiant Sword. The sum of the combo caused Bardray to suddenly experience a moment of great crisis. Then the priests gathered in a corner started singing.

-The hymn of the G.o.d Tyr has been used on the battlefield.

Bardray has temporarily gained an invincible state!

For a brief moment he will experience no loss of health and his power will double without any side effects.

“You can’t resist the a.s.sault of the Black Knight!”

Bardray combined his power and Rindullin’s speed as he charged.

“Tahaaaat!”

Van Hawk tried to block the horse with his sword.

Jjaeng kang!

Van Hawk’s sword broke and he fell into a ghost state.

“Master, I’m sorry.”

The Death Knight Van Hawk groaned with pain before he was recalled with a burst of grey smoke. The damage received from magic and arrows had acc.u.mulated then he received Bardray’s attack directly. Weed watched it with regret.

‘If only the sword didn’t break……’

It was an equipment that he had handed to Van Hawk. Of course, the standard of the equipment was low compared to his level but it was broken in the fight against Bardray. Bardray also just rushed through Torido’s Blade Storm. Tyr’s Hymn was applied so he just ignored the attack.

“Heavy Blow of Satisfaction!”

The small birds made with Radiant Sword were destroyed. Bardray ran up on Rindullin and swept his sword from the bottom to the top.

“Sunset Sword!”

A flow of mana was shot out of the sword.

‘This is dangerous.’

Weed was stuck in one place because he used Radiant Sword. Bardray was combining his power with Rindullin’s acceleration so the destructive force would be huge if it hit him directly. The range of the mana flow was broad so Weed couldn’t find a place to avoid it. The skill was now being used against one person but it was originally used to slaughter an enormous number of people or to destroy castle walls.

“Close Eyes Tightly!”

Weed closed his eyes, took out the Ancient s.h.i.+eld and threw his body to the left. The Daemon Sword could also be used as a means of defense against the enemy’s skill. But the durability had fallen so he needed to rely on the s.h.i.+eld to reduce the damage. However Bardray’s skill had reached him before he escaped.

-You have become Stunned from the huge impact.

There is a sharp decline in health!

Your high Concentration overcame the Stun.

There is a chance that your body may receive paralytic symptoms.

All skills aren’t available for 22 seconds.

The enemy has absorbed some of your mana.

2,795 mana absorbed.

Fighting Spirit has temporarily been decreased by 29%.

The Sword of Holy Power has been received.

You aren’t a monster or wicked person so no additional damage is received.

-You have received a large injury.

If you don’t heal it quickly than your resilience will permanently decrease by 2.

-The durability of the Ancient s.h.i.+eld has fallen.

The durability of Talrock’s Armour has fallen.

The connection to your chest has weakened.

Defense reduced by 17% until it is worn again.