Chapter 14

◈ Chapter 14. In the Whales' Struggle, Another Whale (2)

I stood amidst the ruins, altering its form.

Rumble─!

'The most important thing is efficiency.'

That was a realization from past experiences.

In the battle against the bandits, I realized how dangerous it was to run out of mana.

If it weren't for the help of those players,

I would have drowned in the nether by now.

Thus, I pondered all night.

'How to fight to achieve maximum efficiency.'

First, the efficiency of attack spells, including 'Ignite,' was relatively low.

The rapid depletion of mana in the last rift began when I used 'Ignite.'

'I need to use it as sparingly as possible.'

So, what is the most efficient spell in terms of mana usage?

If someone were to ask, the scene before me would be my answer.

Rumble─!

The spell that manifested from the ruins.

The aftermath of the spell changed the shape of the ruins.

A massive wall rose up.

It blocked the path between me and the charging soldier.

This was not an attack or defensive spell, but a magic inspired by the [Alchemy Skill].

Indeed.

Among the spells I use, alchemy has the highest efficiency.

'The problem is that its application is extremely limited.'

Of course, I could make the form more complex.

Add spikes to the wall to increase its lethality,

or create it in the form of a weapon from the start...

'Like maximizing the insulation of a teacup.'

A considerable amount of mana was consumed to add complex shapes like hooks for lethality.

I realized this while modifying arrowheads. The larger the size, the more complex the shape, and the more mana required.

'This is what they call the tail being bigger than the body.'

Moreover, it wasn't even necessary.

"This is enough."

This time, it wasn't for show.

Indeed, perhaps because of the high level,

the massive wall rose without hesitation.

The soldier quickly circled around the wall and approached me.

But I am confident.

I will be faster.

Rumble─!!

"?"

No special mana or effort was required here.

Just like turning a falling teacup back into a stone.

I turned the stone wall back into the remnants of the ruins.

Boom─!

This isn't the destructive power of a spell.

It's the impact from the height.

I forgot the formula, but it's an irrefutable physical law.

Rumble─

The destructive power was as impressive as the height of the stone wall.

I had guessed its potential through the teacup, but...

Honestly, it exceeded my imagination.

I checked the mana consumption.

'...If this is the case, I can continue to use it in the future, right?'

Mana was only consumed when raising the stone wall; almost none when returning it. Indeed, the hard work of thinking all night paid off.

'...[Reversal Magic].'

The efficiency was so high that even a grand name wouldn't feel out of place.

Amidst the rising dust,

I saw red eyes.

Of course, I didn't expect to knock him down with just [Reversal Magic].

There was a level difference.

But even with that level gap, he must have suffered significant damage.

As shown.

[The Ascuran Baron's Soldier has suffered a 'Fracture'.]

I looked at the soldier buried under the pile of stones.

Only his face was visible.

He still bared his sharp fangs at me.

Let's finish this.

I drew a silver dagger.

In the past, I would have been hesitant to swing it properly due to durability concerns.

But now, it's fine.

Swish─

I threw the silver dagger into the air.

Search, Interfere, Manifest.

Instantly, the shape of the silver dagger changed.

Like a long, sharp spike.

Pierce─

The silver spike pierced through the soldier.

It cut off the breath he was holding.

I used [Reversal Magic] to restore its shape.

The damaged silver spike returned to a perfect silver dagger.

I checked its durability...

Fortunately, it was unharmed.

[Level Up.]

[Level Up.]......

Experience points worthy of a level 300.

The total level increase was 5.

I am now level 91.

At first glance, it might look like a complete victory?

After all, it seemed like I dominated the soldier without even lifting a finger.

But if I say that, I would feel too sorry for myself.

'...If I can, I would just want to fight comfortably.'

In reality, it was a battle where I used everything I could.

Not just the mana consumption.

The durability of the weapon, the living expenses required to repair it.

I poured my heart into it...!

But I didn't express that intense feeling.

As if I hadn't even lifted a finger.

As if nothing had happened.

I moved forward expressionlessly.

Click─

Is my heart not even considered?

I thought, looking at the stylishly fluttering long coat.

...If I couldn't get any loot, I would have been so frustrated. Really.

*

Gwon and Inazuma clashed!

The world might not know, but Korea and Japan.

The attention of both countries was inevitably focused on the rift.

Football, baseball, volleyball...

Even in ordinary sports, the Korea-Japan match is known for its heated atmosphere.

So, it's natural that this competition is receiving unprecedented attention.

Why, even without the Korea-Japan title, it's the same.

The background alone is thrilling.

"The Inazuma guild is ranked 4th, while our Korean Gwon is 5th, one step behind. But in terms of momentum, isn't Gwon in the lead?"

"Yes, that's right! Inazuma has dropped from 2nd to 4th, but Gwon has been steadily rising since ranking 20th."

"Indeed. Another point to note is the rivalry between the guild masters."

Nam Taemin and Hisagi Kazuma.

In the player rankings, Hisagi is 6th and Nam Taemin is 11th.

However, since the days when Arcana was just a game,

Hisagi has always struggled against Nam Taemin.

In one-on-one duels in the Colosseum,

In boss monster raids,

Nam Taemin has matched Hisagi despite the ranking difference.

So, it's impossible to miss such a spectacle.

This is also true for the streamer, Park Hui-gang, who lives off streaming.

Park Hui-gang rushed to the rift upon hearing the news late.

──────

Title: Tenacious Broadcasting Like a Wheel! Hui-gang's Live Stream~

──────

As soon as the stream started, viewers flooded in.

-Is this a Gwon vs. Inazuma broadcast too??

-Try a different angle, please. 😂

-Even if we can't see it in 3D, we should see it from various angles, right?

Already 10 viewers?

Park Hui-gang was surprised by the unusual attention.

Indeed, the direct confrontation between Gwon and Inazuma.

The excitement was evident in the viewers' chat.

"Yes, I'm a bit late, but I'll try to catch up as quickly as possible!"

Park Hui-gang's class is Explorer.

He has no combat abilities, but there's no better class for a streaming broadcaster.

Park Hui-gang spotted a footprint on the ground with a magnifying glass.

"Everyone seems to have gone this way. I'll follow them closely."

Activating the Explorer's movement skill, 'Run Away'.

As Park Hui-gang hurriedly ran, the viewers' demands rained down.

-But sir;; Honestly, there are too many Korean streamers focusing on Gwon;;

-If you want to attract viewers, don't you need to differentiate yourself??

-Can't you just focus on that Hisagi guy??

-Anyway, everyone has multiple streams open, so it's fine.

-It's funny to see Hisagi's expression sour. 😂

...Listening to the chat, it made sense.

How many streamers and broadcaster-affiliated players must have gathered at this rift?

Since he entered late, he needed a unique angle.

"Indeed, the viewers know more about streaming than I do!"

Let's focus on Hisagi.

It's natural for a Japanese person to stream Hisagi,

but a Korean streaming Hisagi is relatively rare.

Just as Park Hui-gang decided.

Rumble─!

"What, what is that?"

Suddenly, a tremendous noise came from nearby.

-??? What just happened?

-We're already late, so let's check it out.

-Wow, even other streams heard this noise. It's like my ears fell off.

Everyone seemed curious.

Park Hui-gang immediately ran to the source of the noise.

And he witnessed it.

"...Who is that person, everyone?"

A long, dark long coat.

A man with silver hair contrasting with it.

Question marks flooded the chat.

-????

-What is he up to??

-I don't think Gwon has a player like that... Is he from Inazuma?

-Probably not, a guild member wouldn't be alone.

-First, he's a player, right? But what's with the long coat????

Park Hui-gang swallowed dryly and watched.

First, the source of the noise was clear.

A massive stone wall that rose in front of the man.

It looked at least 10 meters high at first glance.

"Seems like that wall popping up caused the noise."

Park Hui-gang whispered to the camera.

-...Huh? He summoned that stone wall?

-Is there even a skill like that?

-Wow, he must have used a lot of mana, right? Look at the size.

Just as he was about to check the incoming chat,

a fearsome-looking soldier emerged from the other side of the stone wall.

Park Hui-gang was startled.

'Demon race!'

Park Hui-gang was level 220.

Due to the nature of his class, which explores relatively dangerous areas, he had seen many monsters higher than his level.

But the demon race never failed to shock him.

'Thankfully, I'm at a distance.'

Otherwise, he would have definitely been affected by a status ailment.

Park Hui-gang let out a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, he thought of the man.

"Th, that guy?!"

The man was unarmed.

No weapons, no armor.

Moreover, his posture was completely unguarded.

He must have noticed the soldier approaching...

How could his rigid posture remain completely unchanged?

"That looks dangerous, doesn't it?"

But something else was off.

As if he was waiting for the approach.

Rumble─!

"?!"

The stone wall shattered and collapsed.

It looked like a meteor had fallen.

The ground rumbled, and dust covered the area.

"Ah! Hold on!"

Park Hui-gang quickly wiped the camera lens.

The man's back appeared on the screen.

-Wow;; What just happened? Did he plan it??

-LOL, the skill usage was insane.

-What class is he, seriously?

-LOL, at least he has confidence.

-LOL, he didn't wear the coat for nothing.

Rigid.

The stone wall collapsing.

The soldier being buried under the pile of stones.

It was as if he had anticipated everything.

The surprise didn't end there.

"!"

Suddenly, something sprang up above the man's head.

For a moment, the Explorer's keen eyesight shone.

Park Hui-gang said,

"...It looks like a sword?"

No, it was definitely a sword.

But in an instant, its shape changed in mid-air.

The sword, now a sharp spike, executed the soldier buried under the stones.

Then it returned to its sword form.

"Th, that's some kind of equipment, right? Everyone...?"

Including Park Hui-gang,

everyone watching was shocked.

-What, is it a living sword or something??

-LOL, from what I see, it's at least unique.

-Just unique? If it's a real living sword, it's an Ego Sword, and unique isn't enough. It must just change shape.

-...But changing shape is impressive, right? Have you seen anything like it? I haven't.

-Me neither.

It was a level 300 demon race monster.

A monster that even high-ranking players find burdensome in certain situations.

To hunt it so overwhelmingly, and in a long coat and shoes...

-LOL, I forgot about Gwon's side because of this.

-You too? Me too. 😂

-I'm more curious about who this guy is than the Korea-Japan match.

-LOL.

The sudden appearance of the mysterious man.

It was only a matter of time before the news spread.

The level of interest in the man was evident.

──────

Title: Tenacious Broadcasting Like a Wheel! Hui-gang's Live Stream~

Current Viewers: 2,229

──────

*

Click─

I checked the items I obtained from the 'Ascuran Baron's Soldier'.

The first purple item I touched as a player.

So, it was a rare item.

[Necklace Cursed with Blood]

[Grade: Rare]

[Requirement: Lv.300]

[Effect: Sealed]

[Description: Cursed by demons and vampires, its effect is sealed. To know its proper effect, it must be purified.]

In other words, a demon item.

It seems to be called that among players.

Added with the demon race in the new update,

these items have the concept of being sealed by a demon's curse.

'They say it's called a 'jackpot' or a 'dud' depending on the effect.'

In short, it's a lottery item.

A lottery.

A system that makes you shudder if you've played games before.

A truly ruthless system.

'The term 'demon item' is a double entendre, isn't it?'

But I knew.

'Sorry, but the usage method is wrong.'

It's a usage method known only to demon hunters.

That is, only to me at the moment.