Chapter 67

Chapter 66. Lone Legion (2)

The forces of both sides faced each other.

Of course, there was a difference in numbers.

The chess pieces numbered about 2,800.

In contrast, the stone statues numbered over 30,000, ten times as many.

"Indeed... I have to admit that you are different from the humans who have come so far."

Muhun muttered lowly.

Even though the Tower of Trials had been open and challenged many times,

this was the first time someone had challenged it in such a unique way.

It was the first time he felt a sense of threat.

"I'll admit one thing too."

Jinhyuk shrugged.

It's not like he could help but admit it, even if he didn't want to.

"Why do you seem to be getting stupider as time goes on?"

"What, what do you mean?"

"Isn't it true? You got a bit of confidence from winning a few times against weaklings and now you're just being complacent. That's why you're stuck on the third floor. You don't have the skills to go any higher."

The boss monsters of the Tower of Trials act as gatekeepers for each floor while exerting influence over that floor.

They are, in a sense, the administrators who dominate each floor.

However, not only players but the monsters themselves could expand their power as they ascended the tower.

If they had enough strength, of course.

"Haha, what a ridiculous human."

Muhun burst into a hearty laugh.

It was a laugh filled with anger and frustration, tinged with a hint of self-mockery.

"Do you think it's because of my lack of power that I can't aim for the fourth floor's territory?"

"I'm not just thinking it; I'm telling you to your face. Ah! If the message wasn't clear, I'll say it again. At your level, the fourth floor is out of the question. 'Third-floor guardian.' That's the position that suits you perfectly."

The mockery became even more overt.

It was a direct provocation.

Enough to make one's blood boil.

"Even the way you try to shake your opponent seems to be part of your plan."

However, Muhun didn't take the bait.

"Sure. You can say whatever you want. However, I'll let you know that the absolute difference in numbers and the superiority in tactics cannot be overturned."

Instead, he calmly assessed the situation and began to command his subordinates.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The stone statues moved busily.

In an instant, a perfect battle formation was formed.

Despite the overwhelming numerical difference, Muhun intended to crush Jinhyuk with all his might.

"Even if we just engage in a war of attrition, your soldiers will wither and die."

2,000 versus 30,000.

If they started to dwindle at the same rate, the outcome was all too obvious.

And.

"If you make even one mistake, this battle will be over."

A poor judgment would lead to the annihilation of the entire force.

Muhun slowly rose from his seat.

From atop the intricately carved stone statue, he surveyed the entire battlefield.

"Go."

With a low, resonant voice.

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

The stone statues at the front pushed off the ground.

The curtain of war was raised.

It was just the beginning.

＊＊＊

Jinhyuk watched the charging stone statues.

Instead of sending all his forces at once, a vanguard of about 1,000 was rapidly closing the distance.

"Of course, he wants to see our response first."

If the response was inadequate, he would immediately send the rest of his forces.

In other words, Muhun was testing them.

'To see if I'm just all talk.'

A smirk.

A derisive laugh escaped Jinhyuk's lips.

['The First Chessboard' ability is activated!]

[Field magic 'Battlefield Dominance' is activated!]

[The attack and defense power of all chess pieces on the field increase by 30%!]

[Morale increases by 10%!]

Sssss...

A blue light spread across the ground.

The bodies of the chess pieces on it began to glow faintly.

Numbers?

Of course, they were few.

Pathetically so, in comparison.

However,

don't think that the combat power of each individual is the same.

"Central pawns, retreat five steps. Left and right flank pawns, advance one step."

Jinhyuk issued the command.

Then.

Clank! Clank!

The pawns, clad in black iron armor, quickly adjusted their formation.

[Chess piece 'Pawn' activates 'Iron Patience'!]

Their 2-meter shields were deeply embedded in the ground.

To prepare for the impending impact.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The footsteps of the stone statues grew louder.

The ground trembled, and the moisture in the air dried up.

And at that moment.

Kaaah!

A gray wave crashed against the black wall.

The clash of iron and steel produced a deafening roar.

Now it was a pure contest of strength.

Kukukuk!

The pawns were pushed back slightly, but the solidly formed line did not break.

A moment of deadlock ensued.

"Now!"

Jinhyuk shouted.

[Chess piece 'Rook' activates 'Multiple Volley'!]

The taut strings released a barrage of steel arrows.

Pewpewpew!

Pew!

The arrows, tracing parabolic arcs, pierced the sides of the stone statues.

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

The stone statues huddled together to defend against the arrows.

They formed a circular shield wall to eliminate any gaps.

But that was a mistake.

This time, a massive flame began to fly from the opposite side.

[Chess piece 'Bishop' activates 'Flame Strike'!]

The bishops, who had been casting spells before the battle, released the compressed mana.

Flames rained down from the sky like a meteor shower.

Pewpewpew!

Pewpewpew!

In an instant, a massive crater formed in the center of the ground.

Shattered bodies and severed limbs.

The stone statues, now reduced to ragdolls, groaned.

The power was immense.

Especially since they had clustered together to avoid the arrows, the damage was far greater than expected.

Of course, this was all part of Jinhyuk's plan.

Good.

Now that I've inflicted enough pain, it's time to cut off their breath completely.

"Advance."

With a short command.

The pawns pulled their shields from the ground.

No longer to hold their ground, but to move forward.

Thus.

Kuukuukuukuukuuku!

A one-sided slaughter began.

＊＊＊

"Hmm."

An exclamation of admiration escaped Muhun's lips as he watched.

He had expected a fierce and intense battle.

But the first engagement ended surprisingly quickly.

The thousand stone statues he had sent as a vanguard were completely destroyed.

In contrast, fewer than 100 chess pieces had fallen.

A one-sided defeat.

'They can't win if they fight with the same numbers.'

The front, where the shield bearers were, was quite solid.

They could be overwhelmed by numbers, but the damage on this side would also be significant.

However, sending the vanguard had its value just to confirm this.

[Muhun activates Lv14 'Military Strategy'!]

The experience of countless battles.

'Military Strategy' is a skill that derives the optimal outcome based on a vast amount of accumulated records.

The reason raid parties struggled so much against this boss was due to his excellent tactics and strategies.

'The overall formation is excellent, but there's a gap on the left side.'

A relatively thin wall. Moreover, the bishops, who had a long casting time, were mainly positioned there.

A tempting gap.

It seemed like a slight push would cause the entire formation to collapse.

But why?

Muhun did not immediately issue an attack order.

'Too tempting, like a poisoned apple.'

There was something amiss.

Therefore, he had no intention of moving hastily until he figured out what kind of poison was inside the apple.

[Muhun activates Lv14 'Weak Point Analysis'!]

As the skill activated, a series of status windows appeared.

1. If the 'Crown' on the chessboard is destroyed, all chess pieces will be destroyed.

2. The crown can only be used by the 'King' or 'Queen'.

3. The King or Queen wearing the crown must be protected by other chess pieces from the innermost position.

4. The King or Queen not wearing the crown has a 100% increase in all stats when fighting the enemy commander.

Only the King and Queen can wear the crown.

Muhun's eyes narrowed.

'Is that girl playing the role of the Queen?'

He could see a silver-haired girl wearing a crown among the tightly packed soldiers.

On the other hand, Jinhyuk, who could be considered the King, was leading the 'Knights' and preparing to move somewhere.

Right then.

Something flashed through Muhun's mind.

'So that's it.'

Now he understood the opponent's intention.

Creating a deliberate gap meant they were trying to lure an attack.

But why were they trying to lure an attack?

Muhun's thoughts extended further.

'To fight me.'

More precisely, to activate the fourth characteristic: a 100% increase in all stats when fighting the enemy commander.

On the surface, they claimed they wouldn't sacrifice their subordinates and would fight at the front.

But in reality, they were using the entire main force as bait to target his life.

'Interesting.'

Despite his playful appearance, he had a hundred cunning snakes in his belly.

However, now that he understood the purpose, he could easily turn it to his advantage.

'I'll let you have what you want. But before your blade reaches me, my subordinates will strike your Queen.'

Muhun's lips slowly curved upward.

'...Or so you think.'

Jinhyuk relaxed his body.

After such provocation, Muhun would naturally want the safest and most certain victory possible.

It was only natural.

If he were to lose, the shame would be unbearable.

'And with the 'Weak Point Analysis' skill, he must have understood my intentions and the weaknesses in my tactics.'

The process of resolving doubts and solidifying certainty.

The smarter one is, the more likely they are to fit the situation to their liking.

Of course, the price of being wrong would be painful.

At that moment.

"Are you really sure it's okay?"

Ellis, wearing the crown, spoke up.

"Why, are you worried?"

"Of course, I'm worried. I know you're not ordinary, but that guy isn't a pushover either. He's not just sitting on the third floor for no reason."

"I've never seen you praise someone like that before. So, are you saying they're stronger than you and the bloodline followers you lead?"

"What! What are you...! Are you comparing these empty-headed rocks to the noble lords of the night? If I hadn't been confined to the corridor, I could have...!"

Ellis raised her voice.

Seeing her flare up, it seemed her tension was completely gone.

"Don't worry, I have a plan. You just need to guard the crown as I told you."

Whoever can guard the crown for the longest time.

Whoever can take the enemy commander's head first.

These two factors would determine the outcome of the battle.

And Jinhyuk already had the answer.