Chapter 7

### Chapter 007: The God's Nemesis, Regression

### 7. Throwing Spear

Ten days after the second calamity, the Green Snake swept through Songpa District and other parts of the city. Kibisis successfully absorbed all the items.

...

(Skip effects)

Kibisis's proficiency level rose to an astonishing Level 4 just by absorbing the items. It was an incredible surge. Moreover, Kibisis could now reveal the scales absorbed from the Hydra at any time.

'The scales also have decent physical resistance, so they can be used as a makeshift shield in emergencies.'

After considering a few ways to utilize them, Shi Xian opened his status window for the first time in a while.

Level: 19

Class: X

Title: Goblin Slayer (S)

Shining Arsenal of the God (EX)

The most noticeable improvement was in his mana stat, which was now a staggering 44. For magic users who focus on intelligence, it usually takes until level 30 to change their class, learn mana breathing techniques, and meditate continuously to reach level 40.

'Great.'

Considering that Astra's attack power is proportional to Shi Xian's mana and intelligence stats, this was incredibly good news.

The only downside was that he was still at level 19, which meant he couldn't obtain any new divine exclusive items.

'Well, reaching level 19 is already a miracle.'

Players find it extremely difficult to level up. Even before the regression, when Shi Xian had the excellent weapon Excalibur, he was only at level 9 around this time. Being 10 levels higher was quite satisfying.

Moreover, there were other things to do besides obtaining divine exclusive items.

'I have 35,000 points.'

The bullets are loaded. Now it's time to aim at the necessary items.

The spear is imbued with mana and thrown to the designated location.

*The more you use a skill, the higher your proficiency will rise.

*When proficiency reaches Level 10, it will advance to the next rank.

Current proficiency: Level 1

*The 'Throwing Spear' skill can grow up to D rank.

Throwing Spear (投槍).

Before the regression, this was one of the skills Shi Xian used the most. There's a significant difference between just throwing and using the 'Throwing Spear' skill.

First, it's much easier to infuse mana when using the skill, and it can be thrown more accurately and with greater power.

Of course, it would have been better to have it from the start.

'After the first calamity ended, I had to buy the Fruit of Proficiency.'

Of course, Shi Xian's points weren't just for this.

...

▶Consumable Item

Designate one of the skills you possess.

The proficiency of the designated skill will increase by 1,000% over 10 days.

*Skills without proficiency cannot be designated.

'It would be great if it could be applied to items.'

Unfortunately, there was no proficiency boost item that could be applied to items.

Moreover, the 'Skill Proficiency Boost' was incredibly expensive, costing 200,000 points, which was far beyond Shi Xian's means.

But it was worth the price.

It increased proficiency by a staggering 1,000% and could be used in conjunction with the Fruit of Proficiency.

The reason Shi Xian chose the Skill Proficiency Boost among many B-rank items was simple.

It was difficult to advance Throwing Spear to D rank at any other time.

'Among the upcoming calamities... there won't be many opportunities to use Throwing Spear like this.'

Moreover, when Astra advances to B rank, the 'Throwing Spear' skill can evolve to the next level.

It's still a distant goal, but to meet the 'conditions' then, he had to use the boost now.

'Great.'

With the remaining 30,000 points, he bought another Fruit of Proficiency.

The remaining 10,000 points were saved for now.

All preparations were complete.

'The third calamity.'

Shi Xian smiled.

'Just one Throwing Spear is enough.'

The third calamity.

These creatures were more powerful than goblins or Green Snakes, but unfortunately, they didn't have a good synergy with Shi Xian.

"As long as I find the right position and throw the spear... there's nothing easier than these guys."

▶Objective

1) Defeat 10 Frogmen within the time limit.

2) Defeat 1 Frogman Centurion within the time limit.

▶Reward: [3,000 points] [Gill Weed (D)]

▶Additional Reward: Varies based on contribution.

▶Failure: Move to the 'Penalty Zone'.

*In the Penalty Zone, all main stats are reduced by 50%, and Frogmen will continue to spawn until half the players are dead.

"Kerplunk!"

"Ker... plunk!"

This time, the rift appeared in a place with water.

And out of it came creatures with frog heads.

"What is this?"

"Why are they here again?"

"Let's run first!"

That wasn't all.

The 'Snake Pit' that appeared during the second calamity.

A rift also opened there, and from it, Frogmen and water poured out.

The sunken Snake Pit quickly filled with water, and the Frogmen dove into it.

Seeing this, the players ran for their lives.

Frogmen.

These creatures walked on two legs like humans and had two arms, but their entire bodies were frog-like.

They had webbed hands and feet, making them extremely fast swimmers, and their frog heads allowed them to breathe freely in both water and on land.

"Rally!"

Among the pouring Frogmen, individuals with different facial features gathered the others.

Facial tattoos and slightly cut ears, typical of Native Americans.

These were the Centurions leading 10 Frogmen in a squad.

"According to the plan, form squads and kill the... humans."

"Kerplunk!"

"Kerplunk!"

Thus, 10 Frogmen led by one Centurion began to emerge from the water.

"What are these things?"

"Creepy."

The players were startled by the frog-like creatures, roughly the size of adult men.

No one wanted to go to the 'Penalty Zone,' so most players banded together to fight the Frogmen.

"These guys are just big, nothing special."

"Right. They're just frog kids."

"Don't be scared!"

However, the players were mistaken.

Frogmen were not to be underestimated.

Hop.

"What is this?"

"Why are they so fast?"

Frogmen.

Thanks to their muscular hind legs, they had excellent jumping ability.

They quickly closed the distance, and the weapons they carried, long 'spears,' made it difficult for players to gauge the distance.

Being unable to gauge the distance against numerous Frogmen meant...

Pierce.

Being impaled by spears.

"Ah, ah!"

"What are these things?"

"Why is their skin so slippery!"

It was difficult for players to swing swords or axes, as the Frogmen's skin, covered in a slippery mucus, deflected or slipped off most blades.

Whoosh!

Arrows flying from a distance didn't stick well to their skin.

Bang!

Occasionally, arrows aimed at their eyes were shattered by something long that shot out of the Frogmen's mouths.

"That...?"

"Tongue?"

Frogmen could shoot their tongues like bullets or use them as whips, making them useful in battle.

But the real problem wasn't the Frogmen.

"Kill... the... humans!"

"Kerplunk!"

"Kerplunk!"

The Frogmen Centurions leading the troops.

With stats five times higher than regular soldiers and much more combat experience, players had no choice but to kneel before them.

'Is this... the end...?'

Players.

Those still on land were relatively better off.

But players near the Snake Pit, Han River, and Seokchon Lake, filled with water, were helpless.

Despite killing a few and banding together, there was no clear solution.

The Frogmen were not only more numerous than goblins or Green Snakes but also organized.

Pierce!

Frogmen spears pierced the players' bodies.

"Humans are weak!"

"Kerplunk!"

"We... will... win!"

As the Frogmen reveled in their victory...

Flash!

'Huh?'

Far away.

A golden object shot towards the Frogman Centurion.

'What is... this?'

Zap!

Before the Frogman Centurion could recognize it, a golden spear pierced his head.

It didn't end there.

The golden spear, now transformed into real lightning, swept through the surrounding Frogmen, electrocuting those in the water.

"Kerplunk!"

"Kerplunk!"

Zap...

The golden spear, now in a thread-like form, returned to someone's hand.

'As expected.'

Smirk.

"Nothing special."

At that moment.

The Frogmen saw.

Songpa District.

On the still-standing Jamsil Bridge.

Black hair fluttering in the wind, pale white skin, and red lips.

"Is... that...?"

"What... is... this?"

A somewhat arrogant man, retrieving the golden lightning.

"Nice to meet you, frogs."

The player known as a 'demon' to goblins and a 'calamity' to Green Snakes.

"Move as quickly as possible. That way, your proficiency will rise faster."

It was Shi Xian.

"Comfortable."

With one Throwing Spear, the Frogman Centurion and his soldiers were killed.

Below the Jamsil Bridge was the Han River, literally a place full of water.

"That's why electric fishing is the best."

Just as Shi Xian was about to throw another Throwing Spear, a message came.

▶Objective: Defeat 1 Frogman Centurion within the time limit

▶Reward: [6,000 points] [Mana Crystal (C)]

▶Additional Reward: Varies based on contribution.

▶Failure: No penalty.

As soon as he accepted the main quest, [Defeat Frogman Centurion],

Zzzz.

A rift began to open not far from the Jamsil Bridge.

"Kerplunk..."

And from it emerged a Frogman twice the size of the others.

"Great."

Seeing the creature, Shi Xian smiled.

"Big target, easy to hit."

Zzzz.

Behind Shi Xian.

Dozens of Astra, split into spear forms, lined up.

Shi Xian picked up one of the spear-shaped Astras.

Then,

Flash!

He threw it.

The target was the Frogman Centurion.

...

"Kerplunk!"

The Frogman Centurion was immediately pierced by the golden spear.

It didn't end there.

Shi Xian kept throwing spears.

Soon, six Astras pierced the Frogman Centurion's body.

And,

Zap!

...

Smirk.

Seeing the opening rift and the even larger Frogman,

Shi Xian smiled.

"The party is starting."

Flash!