Chapter 212 Status Anomaly (1)
They decided to selectively accept the abnormal seizures.
Although the debuff names were written in a frightening way, there were actually no symptoms of the body losing control.
Managing HP was at a level that could be fully covered by Sanghyeon's life-steal option.
Furthermore, Sophia could deal with the seizures by utilizing a debuff-ignoring skill that applied only to herself.
Therefore, they only removed the blindness, which could be a highly fatal variable in battle. It was an appropriate choice.
“It is spooky, but for now, I don’t think I’m seeing anything.”
Sanghyeon shrugged at the scenery inside the gate, where nothing unusual was detected, contrary to his expectations.
“Is that so?”
At that, Sophia smirked and immediately deployed a link to Sanghyeon.
It is a mental connection that allows Sanghyeon to see what she sees and also helps him strike.
Since the structure is designed so that Sophia unilaterally assists Sanghyeon, this was not treated as a mental attack.
To use an analogy, it’s like Sophia gently holding a magnifying glass in front of Sanghyeon so he can see clearly.
It was to that extent that there was no need to worry about Sanghyeon being mentally manipulated or harmed by her.
*Swoosh.
* As the link was completed and Sanghyeon’s perspective on the world changed completely, he let out an exclamation .
“……Wow.” As Sophia’s ‘filter’ was superimposed on the mountain path that had looked like nothing but an uphill climb, it transformed into a paradise of all kinds of ghosts. The terrain inside the gate took the shape of a massive mountain. In other words, it was a structure where one had no choice but to keep climbing. Therefore, the higher one climbed the mountain, the more variables, such as weather conditions, were bound to increase. However, watching this feast of ghosts, there was no way to guess when those creatures might pop out. The weather was already cloudy, and with little sunlight penetrating, it exuded a strong atmosphere of a gloomy graveyard. The ghosts, which looked like humans, each held a weapon. Though crude, the blades were well-sharpened, so they seemed capable of cutting through things. Sophia said, “Even though they are ghosts, if they strike me, they cause damage. They drain my spiritual energy, my spiritual power.” “The soul is dying.” “That’s right. That expression fits perfectly. As I mentioned during the briefing, physical damage doesn’t accumulate at all. Instead, mental issues arise.” “Can you gauge it? Like a calculation of how much damage inflicted results in spiritual damage.” “Wouldn’t it be more comfortable for you, Sang-hyun, if it were quantified?” “That way, we can execute a strategic hit-and-run. Otherwise, we’ll likely become too passive.” “Wait.” As Sophia waved her hand, drawing a few lines in the air, a special spear soon appeared on Sang-hyun. Although it had no specific name, it was immediately clear that it was a third concept, distinct from HP and MP. “I can see spiritual energy. If it drops below half, your thoughts will start to slow down, and judgment will become difficult.” “So the middle is the cutoff point.” “Since I can assist with the recovery of spiritual energy, consider 25% the cutoff point. From then on, your body and mind will be at odds.” It doesn’t feel real. Feeling physical pain or simply enduring it is familiar. But what exactly is it to be wounded in the mind? A slight fear washed over him. He wondered if he might develop a phobia or trauma. Of course, if he fought successfully, he wouldn't experience such pain at all. "Here I go." Sanghyun began to sprint. In the meantime, Sophia must have used a few more skills, as the ghosts appeared much clearer than before. Some ghosts looked like milky white, while others appeared almost transparent. "The closer they get to an opaque grayish-white, the stronger they are. The more transparent they are, the weaker their spiritual energy is." "Understood!" Sanghyun targeted the weaker ones first. He reasoned that since the ghosts weren't moving fast, it would be much more advantageous to reduce their numbers first. Whoosh! Swoosh! "…?" With a single swing of his sword, one ghost scattered on the spot like shattered scraps of tissue paper. He hadn't thought it would die in a single blow; had he overestimated them? Sophia added an explanation. “The initial formation is different every time, but I think we’re lucky this time. A grunt was deployed first.” “I suppose there have been times when it wasn’t?” “I once fought a monster of near-boss caliber right at the entrance. A player who approached lightly for a scouting battle was instantly killed.” “Ah…” Sophia seemed to be speaking nonchalantly, but I could see the corners of her eyes trembling slightly. She seemed to have a backstory, but I didn’t feel the need to ask. It was bound to be a heartbreaking tale.
Sanghyeon crushed the ghosts with his basic attacks.
Having become accustomed to skill-based attacks lately, he wasn't used to swinging a simple sword.
However, as the saying goes that the starting point of growth is the basics, Sanghyeon had never forgotten that saying.
Rather, thinking of it as having a good punching bag, the process of swinging his sword took on meaning.
Thus, wherever Sanghyeon passed, the ghosts scattered like torn scraps of tissue paper. The
dead ghosts, as if ascending to heaven, became a single dot and headed somewhere in the sky.
It felt strange, as if he were helping each one find peace.
Thus, the first section was not just smooth; he passed it easily, feeling as if he were half-strolling.
It was a walkthrough where he didn't break a sweat. Sophia, too, maintained a fresh, clean appearance.
However, the atmosphere changed completely starting from the second section.
This was the beginning of the section where Sanghyeon's status ailments would be needed in earnest.
"Scream."
Sanghyeon repeated the name given to this space and caught his breath.
This section, named "Scream," was a place where thousands of ghosts were piled layer upon layer.
There were absolutely no detours, and since they had to pass through the narrow passage, it was incredibly tricky.
It was not the kind of situation that could be dealt with simply by slicing through a few ghosts.
Moreover, using skills or swordsmanship from the outside was not enough to break through the tightly packed mass of ghosts.
In other words, the gruesome scene of entering and clashing with the ghosts was absolutely unavoidable.
Sanghyeon asked Sophia,
“This is a safe zone, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Wait here. I’ll go in and take care of it.”
Sophia nodded.
She didn’t ask if it was possible. After all, she had come to the gate with him because she believed it was.
*Stomp, stomp.*
Sanghyeon walked forward.
Upon spotting the intruder, the ghosts bared their greedy fangs in unison and threatened Sanghyeon.
One could feel their determination to bite and suck up all of Sanghyeon’s spiritual energy the moment he stepped inside.
Once inside, Sanghyeon immediately used his Defensive Sword, activating his defensive mechanism.
And then, instantly.
『Thunder Sword』
■ Skill Level: Stage 5 (3.2%)
■ Skill Introduction: (……omitted)
It can deploy up to 30m in the case of an area attack, and up to 50m in the case of a targeted attack.
Targets unable to resist the skill and struck will be afflicted with 'Electrocution' for 1 second, making them vulnerable to combos.
Consumes 250 Mana.
He used the Thunder Sword skill, which can inflict the Electrocution status effect.
As a single target, it becomes a concentrated attack aimed at one person within 50m. However,
as an area attack, it was a skill that struck a circular area with a diameter of 30m with electricity.
The only problem, however, was that he himself could be hit in the case of an area attack?
So, Sanghyeon used the Sword Song skill in conjunction with Thunder Sword.
Although he couldn't move, he became completely invincible, so he could be safe in the lightning storm.
Screaming… …!
Ghosts caught in the electricity began to fall one after another, screaming.
They were helplessly falling victim to 'Electric Shock,' the one and only countermeasure for the Screaming Section.
Without Electric Shock, not a single one of these ghosts could be killed.
But what if Electric Shock were available? Every single one could be killed without exception. That was exactly what was happening now.
'A swordsman who wields electricity… … Then there would be no problem calling him a Magic Swordsman.'
Sophia thought of a fitting word. A swordsman who uses magic. Usually shortened to 'Magic Swordsman.' It
is not a common case.
This is because, given the nature of players whose talents and characteristics usually develop in a single direction, diametrically opposed concepts coexist.
However, Sanghyeon created a powerful storm of electric shocks within the necessary area with ease.
What Sophia was witnessing was a scene of one-sided slaughter.
Ghosts that could not be touched even a hair without Electric Shock were being annihilated.
The sections the two would have to face from now on were all like this.
They could only be defeated with specific status effects, and without them, they could not advance a single step.
So, when I came to the Gate before, I continued the investigation by sending out and bringing in players specialized in different areas.
However, that trick was blocked once sections requiring multiple status ailments at once appeared.
Whoosh…
In an instant, a silence fell, with only a cold wind quietly blowing.
The ghosts that had been making strange noises and acting threateningly just moments ago were all dead and gone.
But not all of them were dead. There was one standing at the end of this section like a gatekeeper.
His name was Beast Ghost.
As one might guess from its name, it was a beast-type ghost monster. Its form resembled a jaguar.
"Rooooo!"
The Beast Ghost bared its fangs, dripping thick saliva, and displayed its ferocity toward Sanghyeon and Sophia.
Just then.
"Lightning Sword!"
*Crackle!*
The Lightning Sword, originating from the tip of Sanghyeon's Nameless Sword, flew toward the Beast Ghost as a single target.
Since it was a designated attack, there was no problem striking the creature located exactly 50 meters away.
The next moment.
"Kiheeeeeng!"
Making its magnificent roar from just moments ago seem meaningless, the Beast Ghost let out a weak cry and collapsed.
Since electric shock was its most fatal weakness, it died instantly without even a chance to hold out.
"You really put on a show. Ms. Sophia, you can come in comfortably now. We're done."
Sanghyeon turned around and grinned.
It was a section they wouldn't have been able to pass a single step without the electric shock.
But now, it was a comfortable section where everything had been cleared with just two hits from the Lightning Sword skill.
If there was just one regret, it was that they used the Sword Song skill, which has a slightly long cooldown. That was all.
After passing through the Screaming section, Sanghyeon and his party soon faced a section similar in form to the previous one.
This was also a space that had caused them considerable trouble in previous raids.
At first, they couldn't even find a way to counter it, to the point where they couldn't take a single step forward.
It was the "Throwing God" section.
Here, "Throwing God" did not refer to the god of battle. It was the "
Throwing God" of suicide. It was a form of "Throwing God" signifying the act of launching oneself from a great height.
Screeeeek… …!
Screeeeek!
“…….”
Sanghyeon was left speechless as he watched the spectacle of countless ghosts falling ceaselessly from the high cliff.
The ghosts were launching themselves into the narrow passageway, enough to cause trauma just by watching. What
if a ghost collided with a spirit at that speed? It was certain that they would not be able to hold out for even a moment and would die.
