Episode 236 *
Swoosh*—
As the three began to advance through the forest, they silenced their footsteps as much as possible.
Unlike just moments ago when they were relatively close to the outskirts, the likelihood of encountering elves or monsters was high once they moved further inside.
“Ugh…”
Wendy, holding daggers in both hands, looked around nervously.
Her terrified appearance raised questions among the viewers.
“-Noona, you can fight, right?”
“-You seem like a coward.” “-It’s okay
, Black Dragon will take care of it.
” “-Let’s play ping-pong for now.”
“-I admit it. ”
Her lack of confidence and everything else made them give up on any expectations early on.
However, the Elf race was a species that defied conventional standards.
It would be a huge mistake to think that combat ability was the sole measure of their value.
“Were all the Adult Faction players who raided the Forest of Illusions members of the Investigation Team?”
Noeul asked as they continued along the path.
This was because it was known that only the Investigation Team and those with their permission were allowed to enter the forbidden zone.
However, that was merely a fabricated rule.
“It probably isn’t everyone. Anyone can set foot in the forbidden zone. On the other hand, if an unauthorized intrusion is detected, they can be shot on the spot.”
Not all skilled individuals in the world belonged to the investigation team.
Masters in the wilderness didn’t need to be wary of them.
The investigation team, too, sometimes tacitly overlooked such matters.
Of course, intruders who weren’t at that level were simply treated as criminals.
“Then what happens to the members of the investigation team?”
“Members?”
“Damaging the forest like this is tantamount to hindering the team leader; wouldn’t that be a serious problem?”
“Well, that’s true.”
Noeul’s question was valid.
No matter how far the plan extended, this situation was ultimately a hindrance to Charlotte.
Leaving the leader aside, it was obvious that his bodyguard, Dusk, would never forgive him. Although
he hadn’t revealed himself until now in accordance with the leader’s orders, he was the kind of person who would eliminate a traitor by any means necessary.
'He wouldn’t have any intention of fighting Charlotte.'
No matter what he had done, facing off against the strongest member of the investigation team was an incredibly foolish choice.
He would likely try to eliminate Hanbit while avoiding a clash as much as possible.
“For now, let’s focus on our work.”
No matter the circumstances, the goal remained unchanged.
To eliminate the players of the Holy Body Faction and restore the Forest of Illusions to its original state.
If he succeeded in this, he could be treated as a benefactor, going beyond being merely a friend of the Elves.
“From now on, your role is the most important.”
“Huh?”
Noeul looked slightly surprised at the words spoken while meeting his gaze.
This was because, even though he was focusing on offensive and support magic, it was still insufficient.
Of course, there was something that set him apart.
“Do you perhaps need the power of Illumis?”
“That’s right. Without it, we have no other way right now.”
Illumis, the High-Ranking Light Spirit whom Noeul had encountered at the Spirit Sanctuary.
Honestly, he had thought the chances were slim, but through communion, they had even completed a contract.
Given that he could inherit the spirit’s unique skills, its value was incomparable to anything else.
'They probably didn't have any information over there.'
What happened at the Sanctuary of Spirits was never disclosed to the outside world.
Furthermore, it was impossible for the Holy Body Faction to have a clear grasp of the twins' talents, rather than Hanbit's.
“What is needed is the Emblem of Radiance and the Blessing of Light. Soon, the forest will likely undergo changes…”
*Pfft!*
“How did this place become so unpleasant?”
Just then, a voice was heard along with a light that appeared before Noeul’s eyes.
Suddenly, a golden, humanoid spirit had appeared before him.
“Child of the Spirit, you need our power?”
Illumis, having materialized, looked at Hanbit and asked.
Although he never spoke to anyone other than his contractors, there was an exception.
“I do. Because this is a place that needs the salvation of the Great Light.”
“Is that so? Then I guess it can’t be helped.”
When I flattered him slightly, Illumis nodded and perched on Noeul’s head.
Although he was the most proud of the High Spirits, he was a remarkably pure being.
“A real spirit…”
Wendy, who had been watching the conversation from the side, opened her eyes wide.
Although she was an elf friendly toward spirits, it was a rare occurrence to see them in their materialized form.
*Gurgle!*
Just then, drops of blood began to form in the sky.
It was a sign that the encroaching Forest of Illusions was deteriorating further.
Since even a mere stimulus to the ground could cause dangerous changes, a proper countermeasure was required.
“Use the Blessing of Light on everyone, and the Emblem of Radiance only on my sword.”
“Yes!”
Noeul raised his staff along with the answer. *
Pow!*
The emitted light burst spectacularly in the sky.
*Rust—*
A translucent golden feather fell from above.
As it vanished, a message appeared.
*Ding—
* [Effect: Blessing of Light applied.]
[Resistance to status ailments increases dramatically.]
“I will continue immediately.”
*Pow! *
The golden radiance continued once again and flew toward Hanbit’s sword.
It then engraved a unique character onto the surface of the blade.
*Ding—
* [Effect: Emblem of Radiance applied.]
[Grants Light attribute to the target.]
[Light attribute enhancement increases by 700.]
-So Noeul was a buffer?
-700 is insane. lol
-Is this the Spirit of Light?
-If even the Black Dragon isn't there, is it super hard to get?
-Seriously, it seems like the heavens have to choose it. *
Swoosh—*
The character of light residing in the weapon completely permeated.
The effect emitted by the blood-red mandragora's head was a type of curse.
Naturally, it was extremely vulnerable to light.
The elves and monsters currently in the Forest of Illusions could absolutely not withstand this power.
“Wouldn’t it be better for Wendy and me to use the Crest of Radiance as well?”
Noeul asked, just as she was about to sheathe her staff.
Of course, it would be best for all combatants to use it, but selection and concentration were necessary.
It wasn’t very effective for Noeul, who struggled with close-quarters combat, or Wendy, who lacked combat ability to begin with.
“It is difficult to imbue the Crest of Radiance with its full effect. Let’s save it as much as possible for when it is needed.”
“When it is needed… I understand.”
Having grasped the intention, Noeul immediately nodded.
Charlotte was the strongest combatant here.
Considering the combat environment, Haneul was also in a good position to be active.
It was wise to save the Crest of Radiance for them.
“Let’s go.”
The three began to advance into the forest once again.
They could sense from their surroundings that something had changed since before.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Bang!
Droplets of blood bursting in the air and the forest swirling like a slide.
The ground directly ahead was also changing to the point where it was difficult to discern a proper path.
It was no longer just an illusion, but a phenomenon where reality was intertwined.
However, the effect of the curse was nullified by the footsteps of the three.
*Rustling *
—a golden wave spread beneath their feet as they stepped onto the ground.
It perfectly restored the changes occurring within a radius of several meters to normal.
*Screech!
* *Flap!*
Just then, packs of monsters appeared from both sides.
[Blood-stained Phantom Wolf (Lv. 491)]
[Blood-stained Phantom Butterfly (Lv. 493)]
Even their names had changed; they had transformed into bizarre, elf-like forms.
Judging solely by their high levels and appearance, one could tell they were in an enhanced state.
“You guys take that path around.”
*Whoosh!*
Hanbit, using Gale Flash, rushed toward the enemies in an instant.
Reacting to his movement, the creatures moved in unison and unleashed their respective abilities.
*Crash!* *
Whoosh!*
Huge claw projections flew in scattering blood, and fine dust surged forward harboring blood-red bombs.
Although there was nowhere to escape in sight, the Wind Rift distinguished between illusion and reality.
Ta-ta-!
Leaping toward the illusion, Hanbit effortlessly passed through the monsters' attacks.
At the same time, a sword dance of the gale began.
Whoosh-!
Whoosh-!
A barrage of swords raging like a dance.
Crunch-!
Splat-!
The physically gifted monsters tried to block it.
However, the results were poor.
Quadru-!
The proudly raised claws were mercilessly shattered by the blades.
Slice-!
The butterfly's steel-like wings were also futilely split in half and torn off. It was the result of
the light attribute effect enhanced by the Emblem of Radiance,
combined with the power of Aerial and the abilities strengthened by evolving into a High-Level Spirit.
[Experience increased by 1,200,000.]
[Experience increased by 1,300,000.]
[Experience increased by 1,250,000.]
… … .
-The end.
-Really easy, right?
-Look how satisfying that is.
-That buff is totally broken;
-It just feels like this guy got damn strong.
While the impressions of the battle continued in the chat.
Hanbit surveyed the screens of Ping Pong and Haneul displayed beside him.
Mason was still in his spot, but he was wary of the rapidly changing environment.
Since Ping Pong's screen remained hidden, they hadn't been discovered yet.
"Ping Pong stays where he is, and Haneul, keep moving toward the tree on the left from your current position. Be careful not to touch the ground."
Having given the order, Hanbit turned his gaze to the side.
Noeul and Wendy, who had taken a roundabout route, arrived just in time.
"I couldn't see properly earlier; I didn't know there would be other humans like Charlotte and Ibella!"
The elf's face, which had been filled with worry, had brightened considerably.
It was because he had seen hope while watching Hanbit fight.
Unfortunately, he wasn't yet at a level comparable to the two of them, though.
"Let's run. Changes are going to intensify on the other side."
"Understood."
"Yes!"
Ta-da!
Led by Hanbit, the three began running along the forest path.
They were able to easily deal with the monsters that appeared along the way.
It was strange that the deranged elf was nowhere to be seen, but they had to move forward now.
Swish!
After pushing through the bushes for a moment,
Hanbit reached the vicinity of his destination.
Checking the direction, he sent a message to Pingpong.
"Jump down now and strike with the shield."
At the sudden command, Pingpong's screen shook momentarily.
However, he immediately gripped the shield tightly.
"Swoosh—"
His body flinched as he positioned himself.
Pingpong reached the tip of a branch and held the shield close to his chest.
And then.
"Ta-!"
He leaped forcefully toward the ground.
Whoosh—!
Simultaneously pushing off, Hanbit passed through the bushes blocking his path. He
saw Mason directly ahead and Pingpong descending to pounce on him.
However, the reaction of the 350th-ranked fighter was distinctly different.
Whoosh—!
Mason swung the spear in his hand wildly and moved away.
It was immediately after that that Pingpong's shield struck the empty ground.
Crash—!
With a deafening roar, the red earth went deep into the ground.
It led to a completely unexpected result.
Gulp—!
The hard ground instantly turned into a thick, viscous liquid.
“Pfft!”
Pingpong fell right through, but Mason was different.
Thump!
Using a skill, he used the recoil to fly toward a large tree trunk.
At the same time, Hanbit also shifted his position.
Ta-ta!
Charging toward Mason, he used the World Tree branch held in his right hand.
Quadru-!
Vines sprouted from the tree trunk where his gaze fell.
Just before being bound by those restraints, Mason kicked off.
Whoosh!
Crack!
Mason flew in rapidly, thrusting a spear that emitted a white flash.
Hanbit, who did not dodge, tilted his head slightly.
Crunch!
The spearhead, charging in a straight line, grazed Hanbit's hair and embedded itself in the tree trunk.
“You seem to have underestimated me.”
Mason, meeting his gaze up close, raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
It was a dangerous position where even the slightest movement of the spear would slit Hanbit's throat.
“That’s what I should be saying back.”
“In this situation?”
“Because of the situation.”
*Pow!*
Hanbit thrust the sword he held in his outstretched hand into the ground.
It was an intense force, engraved with the Emblem of Radiance.
*Crunch!*
The surrounding area contorted with the sound of something twisting.
*Swoosh!
* Drops of blood scattered by the impact obscured the two men's vision.
*Whoosh!
* At the same time, Hanbit unleashed a blast of wind and leaped high into the air.
“Do you think I’ll let you get away?”
Mason aimed his spear again and tried to kick off.
But he was no longer free.
*Screech!*
“Ugh!”
Before he even realized it, Mason’s two legs and half of his spear were swallowed by a swamp of blood.
It was a restraint so strong that severing them was the only option.
*Whoosh!*
Just then, a spherical domain appeared accompanied by the sharp sound of wind.
“……!”
Mason snapped his head up at the effect of the skill he had witnessed on the broadcast.
The figure of the Black Dragon stood atop a tree directly in front of him.
Wind was swirling around his multicolored sword and throughout the domain.
“Ha.”
Whoosh!
As a short sigh escaped, the Black Dragon's sword slashed.
And the moment dozens of blades of wind enveloped the vision.
“Damn it.”
With that single, despondent remark, he met his death just like that.
