Episode 219
“This is the place leading to the secret room.”
The exact center of the Cube of Hell.
Upon arriving there, Hanbit and his party stood before a space resembling ruins.
Leaning, old stone pillars here and there, along with moss and vines growing in various places, created an eerie atmosphere.
“Lord Black Dragon, but the debuff here…”
Haneul’s expression darkened as he checked the message.
It was a reaction that was understandable, though.
[Area Effect: Poison removed.]
[Area Effect: Seal applied.]
[All skill usage is restricted within this area.]
-Huh?
-Skill restriction?
-That’s tough;
-What are we supposed to do then?
-We’ll have to run away if anyone comes.
-But they can’t use their skills either.
-Is a pure brute force battle coming?
A seal that locks skills.
It was a debuff that forced reliance solely on physical abilities based on owned items and stats.
“With this, I cannot check my surroundings!”
Pingpong, who had been using exploration skills on the way here, spoke as if he were being treated unfairly.
However, there was no need for that now.
"It's quite far away."
Hanbit had noticed the gaze following him for some time. Since
the aftermath of the battle between Odin and Ryu Seong-ryong was still being felt from a distance, it must be another player from the Holy Body Faction.
*Smack*
—Hanbit walked inside and took a yellow key from his inventory.
The place where he stopped was the Gray Altar.
It was the entrance to the Secret Chamber.
*Swoosh*
—Hanbit gripped the key and reached out into the air.
Although he clearly saw nothing, he felt a sensation.
*Creak*
—the key clicked into the groove with a metallic sound. *
Click* —as
he turned it to the right, a crisp sound was heard.
And a door began to appear in front of him, where there had previously been nothing. *
Whoosh*—the
dome-shaped entrance took shape with a gradually clearer outline.
An eerie aura emanating from it made it feel like a dangerous space at first glance.
"I feel a tingling sensation."
"I feel the air is heavy."
The twins, too, seemed to sense the ominous atmosphere and stood on alert.
"Let's go in."
Hanbit stepped inside the door along with the three others.
Whoosh!
The candlelight on the wall flared up the moment they entered.
The path was a sloping ramp leading straight down.
Thump—
Hanbit, who knew this place well, moved his steps nonchalantly.
The entrance door did not close even as they moved further away.
It was a space where other players who hadn't found their keys could enter at any time.
And Hanbit really hoped they would infiltrate this place.
“It’s incredibly deep. It feels a bit like a dungeon.”
“It looks like a good environment for monsters to inhabit.”
The twins continued to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings, sensing the atmosphere.
Although he wanted to give them a detailed explanation, it was best to maintain the status quo for now. After all, he
couldn't give any clues to the enemies watching this broadcast.
Rustle—
As they gradually descended,
particles of light could be seen mixing throughout the passageway.
It was proof that their destination was drawing near.
“Wow, it’s huge.”
As the three continued forward, they suddenly arrived at the end of the path.
A circular entrance with a diameter that looked to be at least five meters.
A massive space unfolded inside.
Green patterns reminiscent of a forest covered the walls, catching the eye.
"-It's damn big. lol"
"-Seriously, a secret room, yikes
" "-So, what do we do now?
" "-Is there treasure?
" "-What's that in the middle?
" "-Is it a box? "
Something in the center caught the eyes of the viewers scanning the screen.
It was a golden box that looked suspicious to anyone.
"Could that be that thing?"
"I have a feeling…"
"It's subtle."
The three wore puzzled expressions without uttering the word "artifact. "
A box reeking of hidden treasure.
It felt suspicious precisely because it was so blatant.
*Smack*
—Hanbit walked further inside without answering.
The three, who had been wary of the box, followed behind him.
And just before reaching the center.
"Stop right there."
A woman's voice rang out from behind.
At the appearance of those they had been waiting for, Hanbit leisurely turned his head toward the entrance.
[Verdict]
[Alice]
Verdict, whom they had already encountered twice, and the blonde woman seen at the Cube entrance. It seemed
all the other companions were dead.
"-Ah.
" "-Something else has arrived;
" "-GOAT for energy
" "-Can't you just get lost?"
"-How did you find this place? Haha
" "-Looks like you were tailing me? "
The chat window heated up at the appearance of these troublemakers. "You don't even look surprised. " "I told you, didn't I? There's no way I wouldn't have noticed." The two conversed nonchalantly, observing Hanbit's reaction. They seemed overflowing with composure. "There are only two of us. Besides, didn't that guy lose to Lord Black Dragon?" Haneul frowned, pointing at Verdict. The man who had suffered a crushing defeat in Episode 6. There was no way he could have achieved explosive growth in such a short time. Hanbit looked at the enemies and said, "It's going to be tough with just the two of you." "Oh my, are you worried about me?" Alice covered her mouth and smiled. Watching that, Hanbit felt something strange. 'What is it?' That atmosphere felt as if I had encountered it somewhere before. However, even recalling the members of the Holy Kingdom, no one matched exactly. “We certainly wouldn’t be enough.” Meanwhile, Alice nodded in agreement. It meant she had gone out of her way to come here, knowing she couldn’t win. In other words, it was only right to assume she had something she was relying on. “We were helplessly defeated back then.” Verdict, who had been standing quietly, took a step forward. The confidence embedded in his weighty voice. Its true nature was revealed immediately. *Swoosh*— 'So that was it.' The golden sword in Verdict’s hand. It was a weapon known as the Judgment of the Sun. It wasn’t an artifact, but it was clearly an object worthy of displaying such confidence. “Skills cannot be activated here. It means the only things to rely on are physical ability and items. The Goddess of Turmoil must have foreseen this future.” -? -What are you talking about? -Turmoil what? -Goddess? -You’re getting crazy over it. Hahaha. -Going to the Holy Kingdom, you really… … -The dangers of the game are intense . The existence of the Goddess was brought up abruptly. Does this mean she has no intention of hiding it anymore? Since the viewers naturally dismissed it as nonsense, there were no immediate problems. “You foresaw the future?” “If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have been able to prepare this weapon. Alice played a significant role, but that, too, is the Goddess’s grace.” Berdict looked at the woman standing beside him while gripping his sword. Receiving his gaze, Alice grinned and said, “I’m a little special. Should I say I receive the oracle directly?” It was a confident response emphasizing her specialness. Watching this, Hanbit asked a question. “So, you’re saying the Goddess of Turmoil saw the future and guided you this far?” “It is our job to decipher her will. It would be sacrilegious to expect all the answers from the Goddess, wouldn’t it?” -Shudder . -She ’s crazy. -Is everyone in the Holy Kingdom like that? -It’s scary. It wouldn’t be strange if Alice appeared insane to the viewers. However, Hanbit thought differently. 'There’s something more to it.' On the surface, she looked like a fanatic one might see in the Holy Kingdom. The problem was her words and actions, which seemed to be manipulating something. Even the way she emphasized how unique she was felt somewhat strange. However, no matter how hard they tried to dig deeper, nothing came to mind. 'Let's get the artifact first.' Regardless of Alice's true identity, the artifact was what mattered immediately. It was absolutely necessary to proceed with future plans according to schedule. “Well, I understand the situation. But I think your goddess is wrong this time.” “What do you mean…?” Ta-! Just as Verdict was about to retort, Hanbit leaped backward in an instant. Her outstretched hand had already touched the treasure chest in the center. Bang! At the same time, a deafening roar came from the entrance. The space that had been wide open was now firmly closed. “What are they doing? Are they giving up their lives?” Verdict, having checked the entrance, turned his gaze toward the Black Dragon while gripping his golden sword. However, he was nowhere to be seen in the treasure chest. “He went over there?” Alice, who had been watching them, pointed to a corner with her finger. The Black Dragon and his party were hiding there together.
“You’ve become petty since I last saw you. Was that look of overwhelming with your sword just confidence born of your skills?”
“I don’t think so.”
“What?”
Verdict, who had been hurling accusations, looked puzzled at Alice’s words.
She was pointing upwards with her finger.
“Could it be because of that?”
“……?”
Verdict’s gaze naturally drifted toward the ceiling.
He saw something wriggling within the elaborately drawn patterns.
Swoosh—
The smooth lines traced wavy lines as if gliding.
As he watched it, Verdict’s eyes couldn’t help but widen.
“Could it be…!”
Wick—
A massive, arrowhead-shaped snake head fell from the ceiling.
The fangs exposed from its gaping mouth were terrifyingly menacing.
[Boss: Guardian of the Ruins Basilisk (Lv.???)]
The Basilisk, a boss monster that had never appeared anywhere before.
The unlisted level naturally instilled a sense of unease.
“Black Dragon!”
Hanbit's party, having been called by name, fell silent, their robes now covered in gray powder. It was an
odorless powder capable of evading Basilisk detection.
Originally designed to counter the snake's characteristics, it was perfectly usable here as well.
It would take a little more time for a guy with poor eyesight to notice the camouflage.
"-Hahaha
-You hide like crazy. Hahaha
-Look how damn big that snake is.
-Isn't this a Snake Cube, not a Hell Cube?
-A Basilisk is cheating;
-I want to pit it against a Snow Drake." *
Swoosh*
Just then, the Basilisk on the ceiling stretched its body and began to slowly descend toward the ground.
Its target was the two members of the Adult Faction, who could sense heat, smell, and movement.
Berdict gritted his teeth and gripped his golden sword.
*Whoosh*!
A golden radiance erupted from the blade.
It felt as if it contained the power of the sun, just as its name suggests.
*Thud*!
Pushing off with his foot, Berdict leaped toward the descending Basilisk.
Then, with a battle cry, he swung his sword with great force.
“Hmph!”
Whoosh!
The power of the sun blazed along the trajectory of the swung blade.
But the result was not good.
Aaaargh!
The Basilisk, covered in golden light, increased its speed in rage. Above
all, not a single scratch fell on the scales of the creature, which were more steadfast than anything else.
“What…!”
Verdict, having failed the Judgment of the Sun, opened his eyes wide.
Clenching his teeth again, he began to swing his sword once more.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The radiance of the sun continued to bloom along the trajectory.
However, Verdict’s mana, which had been active inside the Cube of Hell, was depleted in an instant.
It was a sword still too great for him to wield.
Whoosh—
The sword spewed only futile smoke, as if it had run out of fuel.
Verdict gradually stepped back.
“Alice! Assistance…?”
His gaze, which had been about to call for help, scanned only the empty surroundings.
Alice, who had been there just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.
Hiss—
A massive shadow loomed over Verdict's head as he retreated.
Sensing his impending death, his gaze fixed on where Hanbit stood.
At the same time, the Basilisk's head moved.
Crunch—!
With the sound of something being crushed, Verdict was swallowed whole.
His body instantly crumbled into dust and scattered.
Rustle—
Having slain its enemy, the Basilisk began to thrash the surroundings, as if searching for any remaining intruders.
Watching this, Hanbit immediately kicked off.
Thump—!
The speed rapidly increased, swirling through the wind.
This was not a skill.
It was, after all, the will of the spirits, the realm of their power.
Hiss—!
Having spotted its enemy, the Basilisk charged forward at tremendous speed with its mouth gaping open.
Griping his sword with both hands, Hanbit did not slow down in the slightest.
Crash—!
Just before the encounter, a tail attack swept across the ground.
Instead, Hanbit dove in that direction, carefully assessing the angle, and swung his sword as if to strike down the tail.
Thump—!
His body was flung violently back by the impact of immense force and speed.
Even the Basilisk could not have predicted that speed.
*Crunch!*
The creature, attempting to swallow Hanbit flying toward it, chewed on thin air. Hanbit
passed through it and headed toward the bridge of its nose.
Landing high above, it quickly assumed a stance.
"Wait, let me just stay still for a moment."
Crunch!
Screech!
The blade pierced through the bridge of its nose, its weak point, and dug deep inside.
When it reached the roof of its mouth, the Basilisk writhed wildly in agony.
It would have been impossible without a sword crafted from a Star Ingot, without the power of a spirit, and without having built up these stats.
Boom!
Hanbit stepped down from the Basilisk lying on the floor and approached the box.
He reached out his hand toward the interior, which was emitting a unique light.
Ding!
[Artifact: Lost Branch of the World Tree (Rank 8/Legendary) obtained.]
