Chapter 65

Chapter 64: The Mine Association (2)

Rumble!

The sound came from the shrine right behind them.

A gust of wind swept through the bamboo grove.

"What, what is it?"

"A magic reaction?"

Lichao and Melena shouted in unison.

Just a moment ago, there were only three people with magic power around here.

This was a fact they had confirmed multiple times before coming here.

But, that is no longer the case.

A new aura has risen from the old wooden building.

[The totem 'General of All Under Heaven (天下大將軍)' has been designated as the executor!]

[The totem 'General of the Underground (地下女將軍)' has been designated as the executor!]

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With a ground-shaking roar, two wooden totems, each about 5 meters tall, appeared.

[The totem 'General of All Under Heaven (天下大將軍)' is looking at the enemies.]

[The totem 'General of the Underground (地下女將軍)' is waiting for the executor's command.]

In the past, a pair of ancient trees that once protected a village.

They are the guardians of the land, optimized for defense.

"This can't be..."

Lichao's pupils dilated as if an earthquake had struck.

If what appeared before him now were a Lich or a Death Knight, he wouldn't have been this surprised.

"I've never heard of such abilities."

Melena also found it hard to believe the situation.

Indeed, it was understandable.

The ability to control summoned creatures is not something commonly seen.

Necromancers, who control corpses, make up only 3% of all professions.

Elementalists, who control spirits, are so rare that there are fewer than 100 in the entire world.

And those who control spirits or summoned creatures can be counted on one hand.

However, among them, no one can control a deity.

"Exactly... exactly what kind of monster are you!"

Lichao shouted with a face filled with despair.

***

Jinhyuk smiled in satisfaction as he watched the approaching totems.

'Calling both the General of All Under Heaven and the General of the Underground at the same time is quite a rare occurrence.'

The reason he chose this particular campsite out of many was to use these totems through Anubis's Judgment.

His magic power, drained from fighting the Thousand-Armed Guanyin, needed to be replenished.

Thanks to the two people playing along, things went smoothly.

"Ah, it's best not to think about running."

Jinhyuk advised Lichao and Melena, who were stepping backward.

"Are you planning to chase us? You know you're not in perfect condition, right?"

"That's right. I can't."

A pursuit that could last an unknown amount of time.

Given his current state, it would be impossible.

So...

"Isn't that why I called an executor to do it for me?"

At that moment, Jinhyuk spoke.

[The totem 'General of the Underground (地下女將軍)' has activated 'No Entry (出入不許)'!]

Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!

Thick wooden vines began to rise along the bamboo grove.

Numerous vines writhed as if to completely seal off the area.

"Break through! We can't get trapped!"

Lichao shouted and swung his sword.

"Tch!"

Melena followed suit.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Black bullets struck the wall of vines.

The vines sustained significant damage, but they recovered much faster.

New growth sprouted from the scorched areas.

The green waves grew denser.

"This way...! We need to target this spot!"

"Damn it, I'm trying my best!"

However, no matter how much they swung their swords or cast spells, it was useless.

A mere 2nd-class necromancer couldn't break through the skills of the totems.

The moment Anubis's Judgment was fulfilled, the outcome was already decided.

"Keep going. That's right! Just a little more!"

Jinhyuk cheered on Lichao and Melena, who were struggling.

"Almost there! Keep it up! You can do it. Go for it!"

Whoo!

He even used the cheer balloons and vuvuzelas he bought from the coin exchange.

"Yell!"

"Chaa!"

"Yell!"

"Chaa!"

Jinhyuk raised his voice.

His actions were more like taunting than provoking.

"Kraaa!"

Finally, Lichao, unable to bear it, stopped swinging his sword.

He turned his sword, which dripped with murderous intent.

"Why, are you done cutting the vines?"

"The vines are nothing. If I kill you, these damn things will disappear."

Impressive.

"You're right. If the executor dies, the summoned creatures will naturally return to their original place."

But...

"Is it possible?"

Anyone who watched the fight with the Thousand-Armed Guanyin would know that it's impossible for you.

Didn't you act like a regular player out of fear and even prepare Calicula's coin?

"Don't underestimate us. Even a rat will bite when cornered."

Lichao bared his fangs.

He was ready to go down fighting.

However, Jinhyuk had already seen the magic circle being drawn under Lichao's feet.

Sizzle...

A faint magic power followed the lines.

It was a short-range teleportation magic circle often used by necromancers.

Look at this.

You pretended to fight but were planning to escape, weren't you?

Just like Alex, whom he met at the auction, and his teacher Cadric.

Why do they all do the same thing when cornered?

At this point, he even wondered if there was an academy within the Mine Association that taught escape techniques.

"I was hoping to capture you without harm, but you're really asking for it."

Of course, he had no intention of letting them go.

After putting in so much effort, he couldn't let the captured prey go.

Jinhyuk nodded at another totem behind him.

"Subdue them."

The cold command.

[The totem 'General of All Under Heaven (天下大將軍)' has activated 'One Punishment, Hundred Warnings (一罰百戒)'!]

Boom!

An invisible fist struck Lichao's head.

"Aaaah!"

A painful scream erupted from Lichao's mouth.

However, before he could regain his senses, the attacks continued.

Boom!

Boom!

Lichao's body was jolted up and down.

The attacks were incredibly fast, yet each one was heavy enough to shatter bones.

"Kueh!"

Once more.

Boom!

"Chok!"

And again.

It took less than 30 seconds for all the bones in his body to be shattered.

"Kueee..."

Lichao, now a bloody mess, rolled on the ground.

He looked utterly defeated.

It was a miracle he was still alive.

Shiver, shiver, shiver!

Melena, standing beside him, trembled like a leaf.

"Guardian... How are we supposed to beat something of this level?"

Calicula's coin would activate in less than a minute, but she didn't dare use it.

She was completely terrified by Jinhyuk, who kept showing abilities beyond comprehension.

Jinhyuk approached Melena.

"Since the situation is under control, let's have a civilized conversation, shall we?"

If he could use 'Mind Reading' through the 'Eye of Greed,' it would be simple, but unfortunately, their levels were higher.

This meant he couldn't use the easiest method.

Then.

He would have to make the most of his ability to discern truth from lies.

[Lv4 'Eye of Greed' activated.]

Jinhyuk's eyes glinted.

"I'm going to ask some questions now. I hope you'll answer honestly."

"What... what do you want to know?"

Melena swallowed hard.

"I've known about your existence for a long time, but I don't understand your motives. If we can't reach the top, humanity will perish. So why are you hindering players and causing trouble?"

"That's..."

Melena hesitated.

At that moment.

"Say... nothing. Keep your mouth shut, Melena!"

Lichao shouted in a strained voice.

'Impressive.'

To still be conscious after such injuries.

He had to admit Lichao's mental strength.

"Maintaining loyalty to your organization is admirable, but you should have considered the situation and the place."

There were two people he could question.

Even if one was gone, it wouldn't affect the interrogation.

Jinhyuk snapped his fingers.

"Absolutely...! Absolutely don't say anything!"

Lichao shouted at Melena.

And that was.

Boom!

Lichao's last words.

An invisible force completely crushed Lichao.

Though there were only two people, it was a fitting scene for 'One Punishment, Hundred Warnings.'

"Ah! He, he's dead. Lichao... is really dead."

Melena's legs gave out, and she fell to the ground.

Her face was pale.

Good.

The whip has been used enough; now it's time for the carrot.

"My principle is not to spare those who try to kill me, but if you tell the truth, I might let you live."

"Y-You'll let me live?"

Melena's eyes widened.

"Yes. Internal information is valuable. If you provide useful information, I'll consider sparing you."

"..."

A moment of silence.

Then, a voice filled with resignation.

"Alright. But, I don't know much."

As Jinhyuk was about to snap his fingers again, Melena hastily added.

"No, really. I'm telling the truth! We operate in a decentralized manner, and Lichao and I are part of the assassination team. We don't get additional information beyond our immediate tasks."

[The 'Eye of Greed' has discerned the target's words.]

[Melena's words are 'truth'.]

It seems she wasn't lying.

"Who gives you your missions?"

"I don't know his real name. But we call him 'Lancelot'."

The legend of King Arthur, known to everyone.

And Lancelot is one of the knights of the Round Table.

As expected, the name he had anticipated.

"Continue."

"The officers said that if we could gather all the relics in the tower... humanity might perish, but we wouldn't die. And we would receive a great reward for it."

"Relics?"

Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed at Melena's words.

A quite significant word had emerged.

"I, I really don't know more than that. This is all I know."

[The 'Eye of Greed' has discerned the target's words.]

[Melena's words are 'truth'.]

It seems this is the limit of what she could know, given her position.

"Alright. I believe you."

Jinhyuk nodded.

The information he obtained was fragmented, but he gained more than he expected.

The Knights of the Round Table, the 12 cursed relics, and the reward for gathering them all.

Clues and clues are coming together.

Indeed, now he understands what they are after.

A chuckle escaped Jinhyuk's lips.

'They were really pushing their luck.'

They are even more insane than he thought.

He had suspected that the Mines would challenge a hidden quest, but...

He never imagined it would be related to summoning a 'Demon King.'

This is making things very interesting.

Perhaps, with these variables, he can create a new game.