Chapter 59

◈ Chapter 59. Bastard

No less than five.

The Demon Legion Commanders surrounded Ho Yeol and his party.

It was only natural for the onlookers to be on the edge of their seats.

- Is this for real?!

- Even if that's the case, this is too much!!

- What are the other guilds doing? They can't even draw any aggro, seriously.

The movements of the Demon Army?

At the very least, it was a familiar pattern to the players.

The monsters' habit of eliminating the most threatening enemies first.

After all, the aggro system existed in Arcana as well.

Even though they knew it was inevitable, it was still frustrating.

However.

"…Just a moment. I see some familiar faces?"

The despairing atmosphere didn't last long.

The camera zoomed in.

And there, familiar faces appeared.

"If my eyes don't deceive me, that's Jesse Hainess?!"

Why are you here, Jesse…?

Such a reaction was only natural.

Wasn't Jesse always a member of the Shining Guild?

But it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.

After all, Jesse didn't show up even during the Yusra Kingdom incident.

- What, is that flyer really true?

- What flyer? They're talking about something only they know again.

- No, seriously, Jesse might have left Shining, lol.

- Seriously, that's just noise.

- It's been said that he had no particular attachment to the guild, though.

But the more they looked, the more it couldn't be dismissed as mere rumors.

Jesse's face on the broadcast screen.

Especially his pupils, which were clearly different from usual.

Bright and sparkling—

- Isn't he looking really enthusiastic?

- Is this really the Jesse Hainess I know???

- Seriously, he doesn't even say a proper word in official settings.

What could be the reason?

One of the cast members threw out a provocative topic.

"…Now that I think about it, this isn't the first time Player Ho Yeol and Jesse Hainess have met, right? Like during the Ascuria Baron Raid, they worked together…"

But that was a topic that shouldn't have been touched.

Who are Ho Yeol and Jesse Hainess?

In terms of popularity, they are top-tier star players.

If it were a sensational topic, even the media would go crazy.

Considering the backlash, they are not to be trifled with.

- Get out of the way.

- The limit of patience.

- There's no formality to be found.

Especially Ho Yeol!

Before the viewers could bombard the forums.

The host hurriedly began to defend.

"This is just a personal opinion of Expert Hwang Gyo-jeon. VBC, including myself, does not agree with Expert Hwang's opinion at all."

"…What? No, just a moment. I misspoke!"

Moreover.

Even without the speculation, there was a clear reason.

Ho Yeol's magic manifesting in the air.

Due to the Aesthetic stat.

A dazzling spectacle began to unfold.

"Feeling the elemental magic so brilliantly…!"

"It's like looking at a painting."

"The created statue grabbed the Demon Legion Commander's leg?!"

Even watching on screen, it was beautiful.

Imagine seeing it in person?

- …Jesse, that magic otaku, must be having a field day.

- Seriously, Jesse's eyes weren't sparkling for nothing, lol.

- Is it a new skill? Has he grown so much already?!

- Maybe it was something he's been hiding all along? lol.

- He just didn't need to use it until now.

From the very appearance, it was extraordinary.

Was there even a need to explain its power?

Ho Yeol was orchestrating the battlefield with his magic.

It was a scene almost embarrassing to call a hunt.

A one-sided massacre.

The time it took for the wings of the five Legion Commanders to be broken.

Was a mere ten minutes.

"…It's over, everyone."

The cast members were speechless.

The viewers didn't have much to say either.

- Just Ho.

Thus, the number of Demon Legion Commanders killed by Ho Yeol's side totaled six.

According to the additional update information…

Only four remained.

- No matter what, they'll take out at least four, lol.

- First, Shining and Heaven's Unification will each take one.

- The rest will probably team up to hunt, right?

So, how are the other guilds doing?

Curious, the viewers switched channels.

Some of them couldn't help but be startled.

On the other side.

An unexpected development was unfolding.

A single player facing off against a Demon Legion Commander.

The identity of the player shocked the South Korean audience.

"…Hey, that's Nam Taemin?!"

*

Nam Taemin was startled.

'Class quest…? Suddenly?'

Barbarian class ranking 1st.

Nam Taemin had searched for all kinds of rumors and quests for the class quest.

When he finally found it, he couldn't find a single clue.

For the class quest to suddenly appear in such a situation.

Nam Taemin was a little happy.

'…Maybe I can do something.'

Frost in crisis.

If the class quest reward guaranteed growth, it could contribute to the liberation of Frost.

With that thought, Nam Taemin checked the quest window.

[Class Quest: Proof of Savagery]

The leader has breathed his last.

Young and new leader.

Prove your true savagery.

"…!"

And he realized.

The reason the class quest appeared to him.

Leader.

It referred to the strongest Barbarian.

"…Kern."

In the days when Arcana was a game.

Kern was an NPC who lived in the forest near Frost, helping players become Barbarians.

But Nam Taemin knew.

Arcana was no longer just a game.

Kern was not an NPC but a human, an Arcanian.

'Kern was attacked by demons.'

Suddenly, the conversation with Kern came to mind.

- The secret technique of a Barbarian? Do you want such a thing?

During the time he was searching for information about the class quest.

Nam Taemin had also asked Kern.

At that time, Kern laughed heartily and replied.

- Tempted by a mere secret technique. You are weak, brother!

…At the time, he had brushed it off.

But now, he finally understood the meaning of those words.

- When the time comes, you will naturally know, brother.

That's right.

The secret technique of a Barbarian is given only to the 'leader'.

When the leader, Kern, breathed his last.

The class quest appeared to Nam Taemin.

So, the appearance of the class quest meant…

"…Kern was alive until just now."

Damn, demon bastards!

Crack—

The veins in Nam Taemin's muscles bulged.

Nam Taemin's anger truly surged.

From his older brother, Nam Cheolmin, to his brother-in-all-but-blood, Kern.

They had only suffered at the hands of demon bastards.

Crack—

The thick handle of the greatsword began to crack under Nam Taemin's grip.

At that moment.

[Demons' Legion Commander, Horikan] appeared before Nam Taemin.

A half-human, half-bird armed with a spear.

Horikan tilted his head at the sight of Nam Taemin.

Then, after looking at the blood on the spear tip, he spoke.

"That's strange. I clearly stabbed and killed him with this spear."

"…?"

"Why is there another beast with the same smell here?"

"!!!"

Beast.

A derogatory nickname for a Barbarian.

Nam Taemin immediately recognized.

This is the one.

The one who killed Kern.

As if to prove it, his brother, Nam Cheolmin's voice echoed in his ear.

- Hey, Nam Taemin!! Snap out of it!! That guy is at least level 500!!

Level 500.

His own level was only 374.

Of course, he couldn't win.

It was right to run, as his brother said.

But his heart was pounding.

Thump, thump—

More violently than ever before.

Run. You can't win. The level difference is too great.

The voice of reason gradually faded.

The muscles in his entire body began to twitch more violently.

He could feel his stamina being drained by the physical exertion alone.

"Huff, huff."

Nam Taemin panted heavily.

At that moment.

Sssss—

Steam began to rise from Nam Taemin's body.

At the same time, a message appeared before his eyes.

[You have met the conditions.]

[You have received the reward.]

[You have learned the class-specific skill, 'Call of the Wild'.]

[You have met the conditions.]

[The class-specific skill, 'Call of the Wild', has been activated.]

Crack—!

──────

Call of the Wild: Awakens true savagery, greatly increasing savagery.

──────

[Savagery].

The class-specific stat of a Barbarian.

Thanks to the Savagery stat, Barbarians can unleash explosive strength.

With the increase in Savagery.

Especially a significant increase.

The enhancement in physical abilities was indescribable.

Crack—!

The handle of the greatsword Nam Taemin was holding completely shattered.

But he didn't care.

Sssss—!

Nam Taemin threw the greatsword at Horikan.

The speed generated from his strength was beyond imagination.

Even the winged Horikan couldn't completely avoid it.

Boom—!

He hastily raised his spear to block the greatsword.

But the impact sent Horikan flying back dozens of meters.

If he hadn't used his wings to mitigate the force.

He would have been buried in the rubble of a collapsed building.

Shake, shake, Horikan quickly shook his head.

"Whatever the reason, you are indeed a beast. Your strength is remarkable. But a beast is just a beast. I will hunt you slowly."

Flap—!

Horikan spread his wings and took off.

'There's no need to fight on the ground.'

It was a lesson learned from another beast.

Horikan had almost made a big mistake by folding his wings, thinking Kern was about to die.

But Horikan saw Nam Taemin differently from Kern.

'They are similar, but the smell is different.'

The difference between a predator and a predator's cub?

A predator's cub can hunt on its own.

Horikan was feeling confident.

Crack—!

"!"

Pain was felt in his ankle.

Nam Taemin had grabbed and hung onto Horikan's leg.

[Demons' Legion Commander, Horikan, has suffered a 'Fracture'.]

"Insolent…!!"

Horikan quickly swung his spear.

Nam Taemin was stabbed in the arm and fell from the air.

But there was no impact.

He landed on all fours.

The greatly increased Savagery made Nam Taemin move like a true beast.

Crash—!

Nam Taemin leaped up the building again.

"Beast cub!"

Horikan tried to put some distance between them, but it was futile.

Thud—

Instead, Horikan's wing was grabbed.

Nam Taemin's arm twitched.

Sssss—!

He tore off Horikan's wing.

[Demons' Legion Commander, Horikan, has suffered 'Bleeding'.]

Horikan lost his balance and fell.

Nam Taemin didn't let him go.

Crack—!

He grabbed Horikan's long neck and began to twist it.

"…Gurk!"

Horikan was confused.

That guy, and this guy.

Beasts were different from ordinary humans.

But he was not an ordinary bird.

'I am not like that bird-brain, Kupikan…!'

Even without wings, he had arms and legs.

Horikan raised his spear while falling.

And aimed it at Nam Taemin, who was holding him.

Not to attack.

To shake him off.

'If you want to avoid it, you'll have to let go.'

However.

Thud—

Nam Taemin was still holding Horikan's neck.

He clearly felt the spear pierce him, yet…?

Horikan suddenly thought of Kern.

After fighting tirelessly for days.

Even with his body covered in blood and bones shattered.

Kern never submitted until the very end.

'Damn…!'

Horikan realized.

'This beast is the same!'

Yes, beasts had no reason.

Words wouldn't work, and neither would threats.

Horikan twisted his body with his remaining wing.

Was it effective?

"!"

The grip on his neck was gradually loosening.

"Huff, huff…."

The [Call of the Wild], which came at the cost of extreme stamina depletion.

As his stamina drained, the [Call of the Wild] was deactivated.

And Nam Taemin's reason returned.

Of course, the reason didn't matter to Horikan.

Crash—!

Nam Taemin fell to the ground with a loud noise.

Horikan approached the fallen Nam Taemin.

"Stupid beast. Your miserable end is the same as his."

Miserable end?

Bullshit.

He wanted to laugh, but he didn't have the strength.

Nam Taemin laughed inwardly.

'…I think I understand now.'

Why, the pride in his heart that Mr. Ho Yeol talked about.

Yes, pride was what moved Nam Taemin.

The pride he wanted to protect, Kern's pride.

And his own pride, which he couldn't ignore.

So, there was no regret.

"Beasts are foolish, even more so than beasts. Even beasts run away when they meet their natural enemy. Did you, Lord Horikan, think you would fall to a mere creature like you? Don't delude yourself. Filthy human."

Beast.

Yes, he threw away his greatsword and ran on all fours…

To others, it must have looked that way.

If he could, Nam Taemin wanted to ask.

'Did you see me as a beast, brother?'

Playfully.

Why, if the last words are serious.

It only makes those left behind sad.

Of course, at the moment of falling.

With the earphones broken, he couldn't hear his brother's voice.

But.

Click—

The answer came clearly.

"Beast, you don't know your place."

Ironically.

"However, I understand, insignificant demon."

From Ho Yeol.

"!"

In the fading vision, Ho Yeol was seen.

And his guild members running towards him.

Nam Taemin instinctively knew.

'…Brother?'

That Nam Cheolmin had informed the guild members of the situation.

Nam Taemin was momentarily startled.

'…Did he see me running on all fours?'

Wasn't Ho Yeol someone who valued formality more than anyone else?

There was no more undignified sight.

Even he thought he looked like a beast.

But it was a pointless worry.

"Because you don't understand pride. The human who fights to uphold pride."

"…!"

"The inferior race of demons can never understand."

Ho Yeol's usual calm voice.

Nam Taemin was moved, and Horikan was bewildered.

'Why?'

A dangerous smell came from the silver-haired man.

…The mixed smell of the blood of Kupikan and the six Demon Legion Commanders!

Horikan instinctively realized.

That man was his natural enemy…!

'I have to run.'

Not in his prime, but with a torn wing.

Horikan's beak twitched.

'Yes, I'll distract him with words and…'

"K, Kweeek!"

But Horikan couldn't even open his beak.

Whoosh—!

Immediate search, interference, manifestation.

Flames shot up from his beak.

Twisting in pain for a moment.

"I don't talk to prey."

A cold voice echoed in Horikan's ear.

"Shut up. Bastard."

*

AAU Korea Branch.

"…I can't believe it."

The people, as if in a daze, stared at Ho Yeol on the monitor.

Among them.

Tap, tap, tap—!

Yoon Su-gyeom, who had been typing on the keyboard, spoke.

"…I think I get it, Hyun-joon. What kind of guy the Demon King is!"

"R, really, senior?!"

"Yeah. 99.9% sure."

Finally, it was time to earn his keep.

Moreover, this information would be more helpful to Ho Yeol than anyone else.