novelraw Chapter 318 318: Episode 318
Chapter 318 318: Episode 318
A deafening roar echoed through the air. The fact that even the interior of the dungeon was shaking meant a tremendous battle was unfolding.
Holding a teacup, Regia asked with an anxious look.
"What on earth is happening? I heard an Attacker entered alone. Do battles usually last this long?"
"…He's probably the most powerful Attacker on the continent. I don't know the exact details either, but everyone is likely risking their lives to fight him. Though, to me, it seems like a meaningless effort."
"Meaningless? All the dungeon soldiers are laying down their lives to protect this place. Are you not affiliated with this dungeon, Hyena?"
Sitting opposite her, Hyena fell silent.
Having lost her memories and operated as a slave Attacker, she was definitely affiliated with Balak. But now that she had regained some of her memories, this place meant much more to her than that. She had just blurted out something she didn't mean; in truth, she couldn't help but worry about Taehyun. As if seeing right through her, Regia smiled and took her hands.
"You should go check on Taehyun. You're siblings, right? Just being by his side will give him strength."
"…T-Thank you."
Regia van Noah. She was the third princess of the Aneis Kingdom and the sibling of the tyrant, but the sincerity in her eyes was genuine. She was likely having a hard time as well following Leon's death. Making up her mind, Hyena headed for the Master Room. Left alone, Regia stared blankly down at her teacup before tears began to fall.
---
"Bruder, cast Sea of Deadly Poison and Swamp of Agony into the tunnel."
"Understood."
The previously summoned ghoul cast its skills. The deeply dug tunnel was soon imbued with poison and curses, churning into a squelching mud.
"Raviz. Use Black Hole."
"Understood, Master."
Following that, Balak's support magician formed a black sphere. The Black Hole, which pulled all surrounding enemies into a single point, fell deep into the tunnel, acting like a magnet. Just then, Pilseus's endlessly falling figure vanished.
[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus has used Time Reset.]
[Pilseus's body returns to the moment right before he fell into the trap.]
It was an SSS-rank Exclusive Item. If it completely turned back time, the immobilization status wouldn't matter at all. The Main Forces, who had been looking down the tunnel, were flustered by the sudden reappearance of the Absolute. However, Balak's Main Forces quickly responded with bindings, beginning to tie down Pilseus's feet. Along with the belatedly deployed Seunghun, two faction members drew his attention from the front.
"Now."
Soon, domain skills were declared simultaneously. Krodin, Lucien, Dropin, and Roquin's dolls, who had been hiding using stealth and invisibility potions, swiftly dug into Pilseus's blind spot.
[S-rank Mid-tier Attacker Dropin has cast Sacred Freeze.]
[S-rank Hero Guardian God of Assassination Krodin has cast Sudden Death.]
[S-rank Hero Soldier Blue Moon Lucien has cast Acrobat's Dagger.]
Lethal sneak attacks poured in from all sides—left, right, front, and back. In particular, Dropin's Divine Freeze had been remade into Sacred Freeze, altering its effects. Unlike before, it was now possible to move alongside allies even within the time-stopped space. However, because the duration was shortened accordingly, they had to quickly inflict fatal damage and fall back. Dropin even cast the Hero's Sword, attempting to pierce Pilseus right between the eyes.
At that moment, the armor that had just been struck by Krodin's Sudden Death began to turn red.
[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus's Necro-Engraving Stage 4 has been applied.]
[The effects of all currently applied skills and special abilities are nullified.]
[The usage limits of the soldiers and Main Forces who cast the current skills and special abilities are maxed out.]
[The Evil Dragon's Aura has been activated.]
[There is a certain probability of falling into a state of confusion.]
It was the fourth awakening. The Main Forces gathered around were about to be swept up in the unexpected explosion.
[Position Transfer has been used.]
[The locations of all soldiers and Main Forces in the Revived Plains will be changed to the saved previous location.]
Soon, the entire Revived Plains was devastated. Fortunately, the soldiers and Main Forces were saved by using Position Transfer right on time, but it was too early to be relieved. 'Just how many stages are there? And with that kind of power… One wrong move and we would've been completely wiped out.' Cold sweat trickled down his back. Watching the Absolute temporarily halt his actions, Taehyun rubbed his tired eyes. Just then, Hyena entered the Master Room.
"Taehyun."
"…Why are you here? You should've just stayed on standby."
"No. I want to watch too. I want to at least be by your side."
Perhaps changing her mind after seeing the death messages of the other soldiers, she plopped right down onto his lap. Songyi, who was sitting on the sofa, glared with wide eyes but then, remembering that they were blood siblings, looked on with envious eyes.
"Songyi. Here. Sit on my lap!"
"…Really?"
"Yeah. Yeah!"
Hyena was already speaking comfortably to her, and Songyi, not seeming to mind, immediately sat on her lap. For Taehyun, being squished at the very bottom was a chore, but a chuckle soon escaped his lips. 'I'm being crushed to death, but it's less than the heavy pressure that's been weighing me down all this time. It definitely won't end like this. Focus. Taehyun, if you get impatient, you lose.'
The Absolute, having reached Necro-Engraving Stage 4, was not moving. Perhaps entering a state of stamina and durability recovery right after causing the explosion, he was resting on his own through the Necrotic Energy. Taehyun tried approaching with some soldiers, but they were only slaughtered by the sword of Pilseus, who had regained his senses. 'He must be resting on his own instead of using camping items. In the meantime, I'll prepare for the second battle in the Silent Forest.' He just needed to prepare thoroughly, the way he always had.
Patting Hyena and Songyi's heads, Taehyun shook off his impatience.
---
Day 2 of the schedule. Pilseus, who had halted his activities, began to move again. He slowly directed his steps toward the Silent Forest, gripping his sword.
"Mmmm. Taehyun…"
"…Taehyun, don't go."
While the supporters were away, the two of them had taken up the empty spots on the sofa and fallen fast asleep. Rousing his tired mind, Taehyun stared at the screen. 'The Silent Forest is the second battleground where the World Tree is. I don't know what Exclusive Items he still has left. If he alters the terrain itself like before, even a sneak attack will become impossible.' Even now, elves and beastmen were deployed all around. Since he couldn't utilize Siege-type Soldiers, he had to inflict damage using the Main Forces and soldiers skilled in ambushes.
"I suppose it's my turn now, Guide."
"You might die. I'll tell you that upfront. You've worked hard, Hamolton."
"Tsk. Trying to send an old man off early. Cut the crap. I still have a duty to protect the World Tree. With elves to protect as well, I can't just follow that Hasla punk to the grave."
"Then I'm counting on you."
Although Hamolton had lost the branch of the World Tree in the battle at the capital Ashlan, he was still the most outstanding magician in Balak.
[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus has used Broadband Radar Detection Network.]
[The broadband detection network will operate for a certain period of time.]
[Entities entering the detection network range will be automatically discovered.]
Soon, a massive detection network unfolded. The soldiers hiding at the entrance of the forest immediately revealed themselves and attempted an ambush.
'RAWR!'
Through the swarming Hellhounds, the Eccentric Kobolds and Moonlight Werewolves cast their skills first. At that moment, the blade of Pilseus's sword flashed, and the surrounding trees fell in droves.
[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus has cast Wide-Area Sword Draw.]
[Entities entering a certain range are slashed.]
'He even knows sword draw techniques? Just how many skills does he have?' Since his original rank alone was SS-rank, the time he had spent as an Attacker was expected to be immense. Not to mention his techniques, his experience in various fields would be extremely rich. Although he couldn't control his reason due to being forcibly commanded, the experience ingrained in his body was real. Looking at the Ambush Soldiers who were wiped out in an instant, Taehyun pulled out the Effect Confusion Card.
'Necro-Engraving Stage 4 doesn't have immunity to effect items. In that case, this should work too.' The most important thing would be timing. The High Elves, having received orders in advance, kept a moderate distance from the detection network range and monitored him.
"Taehyun, judging by the direction he's heading, his target seems to be the World Tree."
"…Don't tell me."
Pilseus's information suddenly came to mind. An Attacker with martial prowess strong enough to slash through Divine Power. If he was targeting Ameria, the Goddess of Nature who protected the World Tree, he had to be stopped at all costs.
"Liashu, Angelina, Tartarus, dig into the radar detection network. Bellamichi, prepare your skill. Roquin, prepare 'Become a Star in the Sky' just in case."
"Ugh. I want to escape this heat."
"Take it easy. We might die."
"Hahaha! I, Queen Angelina, shall personally go trample him."
The three Keepers attempted a frontal breakthrough. Pilseus observed the highest-grade spirits and took a combat stance.
[Paralysis Poison has been activated.]
[S-rank Hero Soldier Reaper of the Shadows Bellamichi is casting Life is One Shot.]
Soon, an arrow with all mana concentrated into it was ready. If only the paralysis poison was applied, an ambush would be possible without having to worry about the detection network.
[Highest-grade Water Spirit Messiard has died.]
[Highest-grade Lightning Spirit Pisharen has died.]
[Highest-grade Earth Spirit Dagur has died.]
The spirits began to be annihilated one after another. Tartarus curled up its body, raising its defense to the maximum, but was soon pushed back, looking precarious. Taehyun used his remaining buff items to increase the Keepers' stats and gave an order.
"Now, Angelina!"
"Where are you looking? Look at this Queen!"
[S-rank Named Keeper Queen of Rapture Angelina has cast Focus Gaze.]
[Pilseus's attack target will be focused on Angelina for a certain period of time.]
[Focus Gaze Usage Limit: 1/2]
Pilseus's head turned. He dodged the whipping that lashed out from left and right, and thrust his sword. At that moment, an arrow was fired from between the dense bushes.
[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus has reached a paralyzed state.]
[Pilseus's movements are temporarily halted.]
The paralysis effect of Life is One Shot was of the highest tier, piercing through even high-grade resistance. No matter if he was an SSS-rank Attacker, it was impossible to resist unless he used an Effect Immunity Card. The High Elves and elves instantly began firing, sending down a rain of arrows. And Dropin dug in once again, casting his last remaining Sacred Freeze.
[S-rank Mid-tier Attacker Dropin has cast Sacred Freeze.]
[Time in the space around the caster is stopped.]
[For a certain period of time, the caster and allies are freed from the influence of the flow of time.]
Soon, an opening was created. Sihan and Turner appeared from the left and right, casting their skills, while Mederia and the fairies began to draw out firepower through ranged support. Furthermore, Seunghun and Velvet's Main Forces dug in from all directions, applying debuffs while simultaneously aiming for his vitals.
[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus has cast Dark Knight's Terror.]
[Dark explosions are triggered on designated targets.]
[Dark Knight's Terror Usage Limit: 3/3]
Finally, the last explosion they had been waiting for occurred. Seunghun slammed down his raised greatsword, extinguishing the power of the explosion.
[Velvet's Dungeon Master Seunghun Han has cast Defensive Stance.]
[The power of the dark explosion drops to the minimum.]
[Defensive Stance Usage Limit: 1/1]
There were no more dark explosions now. The Main Forces delivered fatal blows just like that, inflicting maximum damage. At that moment, the armor that had been dyed red began to turn brown.
[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus's Necro-Engraving Stage 5 has been applied.]
[He is freed from all status ailments.]
[The limit counts of all limited-use skills have been reset.]
[The effects of all currently applied items have disappeared.]
It was the beginning of despair.