Chapter 16

◈ Chapter 16. A Whale in a Whale Fight (4)

I never thought I, a humanities major, would say this.

Science is the best.

The endless messages were proof of that.

It was a monster of no less than level 350.

The destructive power from its charge must be immense.

Literally.

Even a mere graze from it would mean certain death for me.

However, the greater the destructive power, the greater the recoil must be.

[Ascuran Viscount's Knight has been inflicted with 'Stun.']

[Ascuran Viscount's Knight has been inflicted with 'Stun.']

[Ascuran Viscount's Knight has been inflicted with 'Stun.']...

At that moment, I recalled the battle with the soldiers.

'Back then, I used a reversal spell to collapse the wall here.'

But in the current situation...

It didn't seem like a good judgment.

Most importantly, there were far too many players.

The thicker and larger the stone wall I built to counter the knights' charge, the greater the backlash would be when it collapsed.

"Whatever it is...! Attack first!"

"It's our chance! Cut off their breathing for sure!!"

The players were entangled with the knights.

I had no advanced technique to collapse the stone wall and avoid the players.

If I could do that, I wouldn't have needed to build the stone wall in the first place.

I could have swept them away.

'So...'

I thought differently.

The most disadvantageous factor right now was the terrain.

'An open battlefield favors cavalry.'

Indeed, except for the direction where I built the stone wall.

Clatter, clatter, clatter!

"Damn it! They're coming again! Everyone, grit your teeth!!"

Charge, retreat, charge again.

The mounted knights were wreaking havoc.

As a result, the players' formation was rapidly crumbling.

"Their arrogance is truly unbearable."

So, I couldn't just stand by and watch.

Yes, I intended to change the terrain that favored the enemy.

There was no hesitation.

Search, interfere, manifest.

The entire process was incredibly swift.

Rumble!

Stone pillars shot up from the ground.

Stone pillars had already sprouted all over the square.

Neigh, neigh, neigh!

The horses showed signs of agitation.

Their movements were restricted.

Some pillars even directly harmed the knights, though that wasn't my intention.

[Ascuran Viscount's Knight has been inflicted with 'Fracture.']

[Ascuran Viscount's Knight has been inflicted with 'Stun.']...

I checked my remaining mana.

'It's only natural.'

Efficiency was high, but that was in ordinary circumstances.

Level 91.

Mana: a mere 42 points.

I had completely transformed the battlefield with that much.

My mana was barely enough to brew a cup of green tea.

From now on, all I could do was use a reversal spell to collapse the walls and pillars without involving the players.

But it wasn't bad.

I didn't know how Granfel would feel about it.

Initially, I had no intention of getting entangled in a fight with those knights.

Or rather, I did, but...

They had disappeared.

"These guys have insane endurance? They're so tenacious."

"Damn. I'm bleeding. Can someone heal me?"

"These monstrous guys. Even when they fall off their horses, they're still tough?"

They must all be at least level 300.

Even such players were struggling.

Indeed, it was a scene that demonstrated the knights' strength.

Could I get entangled in a fight with such knights?

Considering the [Predator-Prey Relationship] effect...

A one-on-one fight might be possible.

But this was a battlefield.

A battlefield where the opponents changed constantly.

I was alone on this battlefield, without any allies.

So, it wasn't bad.

No, investing all my mana to change the battlefield's terrain.

That was the best judgment I could make.

The evidence was appearing in the form of messages.

[Your contribution to the defeat of Ascuran Viscount's Knight is recognized.]

[Your contribution to the defeat of Ascuran Viscount's Knight is recognized.]

[Your contribution to the defeat of Ascuran Viscount's Knight is recognized.]...

Arcana's experience point system.

Players gained experience points based on their contribution to the defeat.

Arcana had maintained its top popularity for over a decade.

It was because of a convincing system, as you can see.

My contribution was high, if not higher.

I had inflicted critical status effects on the knights.

I had visibly broken their momentum.

The evidence was also appearing in the form of messages.

[Level up.]

Each time the players defeated an enemy, a line was added.

[Level up.]

I was observing this battlefield of proof.

Even as my mana was depleted.

'They might be able to follow this...'

I was still struggling.

[Level up.]

[Level up.]...

*

Level 376.

Player ranking 6th.

Kazuma Hisagi, the Spear of Lightning, thought.

'Who is this new monster?'

First, his appearance was unusual.

Unarmed in a new rift.

Even I couldn't afford to be complacent in a new rift.

You never knew what threats lurked.

Moreover, this new rift featured demons.

'Essential to have mental fortitude accessories...'

But similarly,

There were no earrings, necklaces, or rings to be found.

Flap.

The long coat fluttering in the wind.

Clack.

The confident sound of his boots spoke volumes.

As if such things were unnecessary.

A fearless expression.

A posture showing no sign of tension.

Indeed, the man's confidence was well-founded.

"!"

To build a wall to block the enemy's charge.

No, he even erected pillars all over the square.

Hisagi immediately understood the man's intention.

'...He's trying to neutralize the cavalry's mobility.'

The knights' movements were indeed restricted as the man intended.

Moreover, some knights were suffering from status effects.

Hisagi was still puzzled.

'What is his true identity?'

Class, name, mana amount, and even level.

None of it was easy to guess.

'At least, that's a relief.'

If this monster belonged to Gaon...

'The thought alone is terrifying.'

The most important thing was that the man didn't seem to belong to Gaon.

If he did, he wouldn't be acting separately.

Moreover, Gaon's attitude, as confused as ours, was evident.

'In any case, it's an opportunity.'

Hisagi didn't miss the opportunity.

Class: Spear Magician.

Crackle!

Lightning wrapped around Hisagi's spear.

The Spear of Lightning.

As his nickname suggested, Hisagi cut across the battlefield.

"Grumble..."

The Barbarian's unique skill, [Berserk].

Due to its effect, Nam Taemin was breathing like a beast.

Gaon's guild members said to Nam Taemin.

"This is the perfect environment for the Master to go wild, isn't it?"

"I don't know who that guy is, but shouldn't we thank him?"

"Thank him? First, worry about surviving?!"

Each of Gaon's players was famous.

Naturally, they were all high-level.

High levels meant high experience.

And that experience gave them a discerning eye.

Indeed, as they said.

The sudden appearance of walls and pillars.

It caused the knights' formation to collapse.

A chaotic battle ensued.

In such chaos, Nam Taemin didn't fall behind anyone.

Swish!

Only instinct drove Nam Taemin.

Swinging a massive greatsword with one hand.

He even climbed the pillars to attack the knights.

Nam Cheolmin's voice echoed in Nam Taemin's ears.

-Tae-min, you won't hear me now, no matter what I say.

Even if I repeat the same thing.

I can't help but say it, my mouth is itching.

-...That's the guy I told you about!

At first, I was skeptical.

It can't be, it's impossible.

I repeated it countless times in a short time.

But I couldn't deny it.

-How could I forget that face.

The man who saved me from the demon's possession.

No matter how I looked, it was the face of my savior.

Moreover, just like before,

His attire was impeccable.

-...But, I still don't understand.

...How can he do this?

I couldn't guess the man's class at all.

In the 4th Line Rift, the man clearly hunted imps with a dagger.

Of course, he used a bow as well.

Yes, I could understand that much.

Both were physical abilities.

Affected by [Strength] and [Agility] stats.

-Suddenly using magic? What is this...?

But this time, it's different.

Magic is affected by the [Mana] stat.

A class requiring strength, agility, and mana?

I've never heard of it, and even if it existed, it wouldn't be efficient.

Stat points were limited.

-He seemed fine in front of the imps, so I thought he just had high mental fortitude. I never imagined he could cast real magic!

Is this ordinary magic?

Even watching on the screen, the square seemed at least twice the size of a soccer field.

The man filled the square with

Huge walls and pillars!

Moreover,

Rumble!

He even collapsed the pillars at the right time to attack the knights.

-What do you all think?

Nam Cheolmin mobilized all his knowledge as an analyst.

From his knowledge of Arcana.

To the opinions of his fellow analysts watching the same screen.

But no matter how they pooled their thoughts, they couldn't guess.

-As an analyst, I shouldn't say this, but I don't know, Tae-min.

However, one thing was certain.

-...We must capture him by any means, little brother.

Even if we can't capture him,

We must avoid a hostile relationship.

There would be no good outcome from opposing a player of this caliber.

Why, isn't that the case even now?

-Both brothers receiving help. What do you call this?

If the man hadn't appeared,

Casualties would have been inevitable by now.

Regardless of whether it was Gaon or Inazuma.

But the man's performance changed the tide of the battle.

He was a player who could change the tide of the battle alone.

His value was immeasurable.

-But, why did the Inazuma guys have to be the ones to see it together?

Inazuma had many Korean players.

Among them, quite a few had been taken by Gaon.

It wasn't a matter of conditions.

Inazuma was aggressively recruiting Korean players, even at a loss.

It was a well-known fact that they could offer conditions with the help of the Japanese government.

That's why Nam Taemin was grinding his teeth at Hisagi.

-So, we can't give in at all.

The moment Nam Cheolmin said that.

"!"

Nam Taemin's sanity returned.

Absolutely can't give in.

That was the only thing he heard in his right mind.

But he immediately understood what he couldn't give in on.

Nam Taemin smirked.

"10-0? Call. Let's think about what else to add."

At the same time.

The chat of the net-broadcaster, Park Hui-gang, was going wild.

-LOL

-Is this real??? What is his class???

-The shrimp in the whale fight is too big lol

-I heard the rumors and came here. Is this the holy ground?

Gaon and Inazuma.

A mysterious player who intruded between the two guilds.

There was a net-broadcaster who had been broadcasting the player from the beginning.

──────

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

Current viewers: 68,923

──────

Thanks to the rumors, Park Hui-gang's broadcast attracted nearly 70,000 viewers.

A number that would make you faint in surprise.

"Wow...!!"

Park Hui-gang didn't even have the presence of mind to check the number of viewers.

The scene before his eyes.

It was even more unbelievable than the number of viewers.

"Can you see, folks? It looks like we're almost winning!"

There were only a few knights left.

They were clearly defeated soldiers.

The players had won.

"Really, I thought he was extraordinary from the moment I first saw him..."

To this extent!

Moreover, Park Hui-gang and the viewers who had been watching from the beginning knew.

The man hadn't used his full strength in this square battle.

-LOL Newcomers didn't even see the ego sword~

-Ego sword?? What's that??

-Whatever it is, the name sounds extraordinary?

-Those who didn't see it, go watch the replay lol

-LOL It was awesome back then

Yes, the man hadn't even drawn his weapon.

The weapon that sent Ascuran Viscount's soldiers flying in one hit.

Park Hui-gang cautiously spoke.

"...It feels like he's just observing, doesn't it?"

That's right.

The man had built the walls and pillars and showed no other movement.

As if experience points and loot were unimportant.

-Strange, I would have swept them all away lol

-I came to see the ego sword. What is it? Amazing

-It keeps changing shape lol I expect at least a unique item

-With that sword, the knights would be one-hit kills

...What is his true identity?

It was natural for attention to focus on the man.

Thud.

Soon, the last knight fell.

As if on cue.

'Could he be Korean? If so...'

'I won't be taken again this time. I won't let him slip away.'

'At least, I want to ask his name.'

Everyone's gaze was directed at one place.

At the man standing alone in the center of the square.

The man's expression showed no change.

At this moment, the massive attention focused on him.

As if it were the most natural thing in the world.

*

Amidst the barrage of questions, I thought.

'...I'm tired.'

I should avoid draining my mana to the bottom in the future.

The aftereffects were considerable.

Probably due to the lack of equipment for mana recovery.

What's your name?

Are you in a guild?

Are you Korean?

Actually, answering these questions wouldn't be difficult.

But I couldn't tolerate it.

Apart from Granfel's prickly personality.

I was so tired that I wanted to collapse.

And because I had no decent equipment.

Was it necessary to hold me up like this when I was staggering from mana exhaustion?

"There's no formality to be found."

I added coldly.

"Therefore, I will not answer any questions."