Chapter 41

Chapter 40: Infinite Proliferation (2)

Kukukuku!

The heavy magic filled the underground interior.

“Damn...”

Ellis's face was stiffer than ever.

The absolutes that exist in this tower.

If Ellis is at the peak of one species...

Then the opponent is at the peak of a myth.

This means it is an enemy that cannot be underestimated.

“I'll take care of the guy, so try to escape upwards somehow during this time.”

“Huh?”

“I can survive somehow, so you should run first!”

“What? You were worried about me?”

Despite being the size of a Pomeranian.

The way he boldly blocked the front was...

Like a dog trying to protect its owner.

“What worry? I just can't keep our promise if you die. That's what I'm trying to prevent!”

Ellis shouted indignantly.

“Don’t worry, just watch.”

“What? Is this the time to be proud here?”

“It’s not about being proud. I just want you to trust me.”

I’ll show you.

Who the player you contracted is.

And who will be smiling in the end.

***

Kuung! Kuung! Kuung!

With a massive roar, a 3-meter-tall statue appeared.

Its appearance was modeled after a desert jackal.

This is Anubis, the boss monster of this underground.

“Interesting. Did you hear about me from the high-level creature on your shoulder?”

Anubis ‘asked’.

Woooom!

The air changed abruptly.

This feeling, this sensation.

Indeed, it’s about to activate.

[Anubis is activating his unique ability ‘Anubis’s Judgment’!]

If the caster asks three questions,

and the target answers all three questions,

then the conditions are met.

...That’s it.

Jinhyuk’s lips twisted subtly.

“Yeah, that’s right. Otherwise, how would I know about such a place?”

“Indeed, that’s the case.”

Anubis nodded in agreement.

For a high-level creature like Jinjo, it was entirely possible to know about the underground.

“The purpose of your visit here is to target the ‘Hive,’ right?”

“Well, something like that. If I buy it and sell it on the black market, I can make a good profit.”

This item, which can infinitely proliferate insects, is worth its weight in gold.

This is the second one.

“Then, I will ask you the last question. Tomb raider, it is a common trait of lesser beings to be blinded by treasure, but did you really think you could leave alive after entering my domain?”

For a final question, it’s quite boring.

Of course...

“I’ll bite my tongue and die if I can’t get rid of you.”

Jinhyuk shrugged.

And with those words.

Woooom!

The divine power manifested.

[All conditions have been met.]

[Anubis’s Judgment is activated!]

[All stats are reduced by 50%!]

[Unique abilities and skills are sealed for 1 minute!]

Status windows appeared one after another.

At the same time, the magic and strength in his body rapidly diminished.

His sharp senses dulled, and the skills and unique abilities he was accustomed to using disappeared.

But,

It’s not over yet.

The true terror of this ability lies in what follows.

[Anubis is selecting the ‘Challenger’ for the judgment!]

“Let me introduce you. This is the challenger who will serve as my hands and feet.”

A low, thick voice echoed.

And at that moment.

“Kiiii!”

A powerful magic far surpassing any insect he had faced so far surged.

Kukukuku!

The entire underground trembled.

Chosen by the god, the challenger follows his commands.

Thus, the challenger possesses the power to crush all enemies blocking the path.

The dark skin and the blindingly bright front claws were noticeable.

'This guy’s level is around 71, right?'

The level of the bloodline he met in the corridor was in the late 50s, so this one is higher.

However, the situation is different now.

Due to ‘Anubis’s Judgment,’ his stats and unique abilities are sealed.

Jinhyuk tightly gripped the dagger without a sword beam.

“Stop drooling. Do you really want to eat my head?”

“Kiii!”

Even without knowing the language of the demons, that must mean ‘yes.’

Come to think of it, one of his unique abilities was to use the demon language.

What would happen if he combined related abilities?

While Jinhyuk was lost in thought,

Sash!

The Giant Mantis slid quickly over the sand.

The distance closed in an instant.

The claw, shaped like a scythe, lunged for his neck.

However,

Kagagag!

Jinhyuk slightly altered the trajectory with his dagger.

The claw sliced through the air.

“Keek?”

Staggering,

The body of the Giant Mantis leaned forward significantly.

Due to the completely disrupted center of gravity.

‘Completely full of gaps.’

What’s the point of having compound eyes that can see 360 degrees if there’s no time to react?

A playful glint appeared in Jinhyuk’s eyes.

At the same time, the dagger slipped into the gap of the Giant Mantis.

Puuuk!

The sound of flesh being torn.

Green bodily fluid spurted out.

It was possible because he aimed for the joint, not the armored part.

“Kiiiii!”

A piercing scream reverberated throughout the cave.

Just one leg, and he’s already whining.

Jinhyuk pulled out his sword and slightly distanced himself.

“Did you get complacent just because I’m human? That’s why you lost a leg, didn’t you?”

These guys who are just moderately strong always do this.

They underestimate their opponents and get sloppy, then end up getting hit.

“Kiii.”

The Giant Mantis staggered and retreated.

Looking at the severed leg dripping with bodily fluid, it growled lowly.

But only for a moment.

Gulung!

The severed leg regrew.

“...You’ve left me speechless.”

This isn’t even like Piccolo. It grows back every time it’s cut.

Jinhyuk quickly adjusted his stance.

It’s coming.

Kwaang!

With a roar, the Giant Mantis leaped again.

The curved claw.

‘This is...’

No doubt.

At first glance, it’s hard to notice, but the claw was coated with a white energy.

If he were to clash with it directly, his sword wouldn’t hold.

Then,

Buuu!

Jinhyuk moved his head to avoid the attack.

The weapon grazed his hair and passed by.

Buuu! Buuuu!

The following attacks also sliced through the air.

It’s not that the speed is slow.

As the battle continued, the insect’s unique elasticity kicked in, and with the challenger’s buff.

Thus, the Giant Mantis’s claws were now so fast they were hard to see with the naked eye.

Despite this, Jinhyuk dodged everything by a hair’s breadth.

In a unique movement, as if he were in rhythm.

‘Indeed, the song is trot.’

From the moment the battle started, a song was playing in Jinhyuk’s mind.

-My love for you~ is unconditional, unconditional! Across the Pacific! Across the Atlantic!

The thick voice and the catchy melody.

Whenever he fought the insects in this underground, he timed his attacks to this rhythm.

Strangely, whenever he dodged attacks aimed at vital points to this rhythm, he could gradually wear down the opponent’s stamina.

‘This seems to be working better than before.’

No, really.

In the past, he sometimes missed the beat once or twice, but now there are no minor mistakes.

Almost perfect movements made Jinhyuk even enjoy his quickened breathing.

Buuu!

Buu!

As time passed, the speed of the attacks gradually slowed.

The shape of the claws became faintly visible.

‘Good. At this point...’

Jinhyuk held the dagger in reverse.

Avoiding the final attack from above.

Buuuu!

Aim for the empty space!

With maximum force, he stabbed the Giant Mantis’s hind leg.

Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk!

A clean strike aimed at the tendons.

Jinhyuk gave it four stings in an instant and then distanced himself again.

“Keek!”

Kuung!

The Giant Mantis fell awkwardly to the ground.

Of course, it wasn’t a fatal wound.

The wound would heal eventually.

‘But the scar in the heart lasts a lifetime.’

Jinhyuk stood in front of the Giant Mantis, which was trying to stand up.

And he began to repeatedly sit down and stand up.

Once, twice, three times...

“Kiiii!”

When the enraged Giant Mantis stood up again, he knocked it down.

And immediately repeated the same action.

Once, twice, three times.

The key is to never show a strained expression.

A relaxed atmosphere and a slightly raised corner of the mouth.

Finally, the expression that says, ‘You can’t beat me even in a hundred years.’

His thighs felt like they were about to burst, but it was fine.

This moment of humiliating a strong opponent was the very reason why a troll existed in this world.

***

“What, what is this!”

Anubis let out a roar filled with anger and shock.

A fight he was certain would end in a crushing victory was going the opposite way.

Ellis, too, found it hard to believe this situation.

“He was strong, but to this extent...”

From the moment they met, he was a different kind of human.

She admitted that.

Even Belus, who was outstanding among the bloodline, struggled and ultimately lost.

However, in the corridor, he could use all his abilities.

Now, with his stats and unique abilities sealed, it’s a completely different story.

‘To toy with the opponent using only senses and reflexes...’

Ellis swallowed dryly.

It was a sight that was hard to believe even as she watched.

Moreover, the opponent was the challenger designated by Anubis.

To act so casually against such an opponent was akin to madness.

In Ellis’s eyes, Jinhyuk was still repeatedly sitting down and standing up in front of the Giant Mantis.

‘Maybe, just maybe, he can do it.’

The fall of the Ataraxia family and the hatred for the six families that caused it.

Perhaps...

Really, perhaps.

A single human might be able to fulfill that long-standing wish.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Ellis’s heart began to beat calmly.

Anticipation, excitement, and a heightened sense of thrill spread throughout her body.

And at that moment.

The cleanly severed leg of the Giant Mantis soared high into the sky.

***

Thud.

Jinhyuk wiped the bodily fluid off his dagger onto the ground.

‘Good.’

He had removed both of the proud claws.

“Kii, kii...”

The Giant Mantis staggered and retreated.

A rare sight for insects with extremely high aggression.

Why? Are you done attacking now?

“Didn’t you like hunting?”

After being so aggressive, are you giving up already?

Of course, he understands.

Hunting is more fun for the hunter than the hunted.

But this time, the hunter will become the hunted.

“What are you doing! Don’t retreat, fight! Fight back, I said!”

Anubis raised his voice.

Frustrated, he punched his own chest.

However, the Giant Mantis, completely terrified, did not heed its master’s command.

“What are you doing? You need to run quickly.”

Jinhyuk slung the dagger over his shoulder.

And he began to count down from ten, pursing his lips.

Try to run as far as you can.

It won’t be easy, but...