Chapter 71

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An unexpected attack is always effective.

Surprising timing, tactics unknown to the enemy, and new concepts of weaponry—when offensive moves are made through unfamiliar methods, the enemy inevitably loses their ability to respond.

'That's why dealing with players, or PVP, is a particularly challenging area.'

Once a monster has been defeated, a 'raid' strategy is established, making it easy to respond again. However, players prepare creative skill and item combinations, leading to unexpected situations that often occur.

'The reason the Shadow Marquis's unconventional portal skill always works is precisely because of this.'

In the same vein, when the two 'aerial deployment devices' sprouted from Lee Hyun-wook's hands and rose into the sky, the dozens of thugs rushing towards the Holy Maiden couldn't help but hesitate.

"…What is that?"

It was an item they had never seen before.

And from there….

Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—!

No one expected that ten iron spheres would burst out and fly towards them.

"—Huh?"

"Damn, get out of the way!"

It was a shocking scene, as if a dozen shotguns had simultaneously fired 12-gauge shells.

"Ah!"

"Ugh!"

About half of the thugs were left bleeding from that attack.

'However, iron spheres alone cannot retire players of this level.'

It was unrealistic to expect the destructive power of a bullet propelled by gunpowder.

Of course, unlike the ammunition of conventional weapons, these iron spheres made of magical metal could penetrate the 'barrier,' the most basic defense applied to monsters and players. However, that was the extent of it; honestly, their 'lethality' was not particularly high.

Lee Hyun-wook knew this better than anyone.

'In the end, the most important thing in the first attack is to distract their attention.'

Sure enough, most of the thugs lowered their heads and covered their heads, wary of the iron spheres.

The real attack was about to begin.

Lee Hyun-wook raised his left palm and tilted his right palm downward.

Then, the iron spheres in the air changed direction, half moving downward and the other half upward.

In other words, he positioned them at the thugs' feet and above their heads, and then….

"Shatter!"

Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom—!

The 4.5 cm iron spheres exploded simultaneously.

It was a scene as if dozens of landmines on the ground and dozens of grenades in the air had exploded at the same time, showering the thugs with metal fragments.

"Ah—My, my eyes—!"

"Ugh, my legs, my legs…."

Only Okita Kaito detected the attack and leaped backward, swinging his sword.

Whoosh—!

A sword wind swept through, and all the metal fragments heading towards him were deflected.

However, none of the other thugs could show such sharp reflexes.

While they were still dazed, a Pale Note was launched from Lee Hyun-wook's waist.

Whoosh—!

The magical arrow pierced through the chaos, sequentially piercing the necks of the thugs.

Thud—Thud—Thud—Thud—

The Pale Note, unlike the iron spheres, possessed definite lethality. Even those who blocked the metal fragments with magical barriers were no match for the Pale Note, which ignored 'magical resistance.'

In just three consecutive attacks, half of them were already down.

"Hey, if half of them are already gone at the beginning, what are we going to do?"

Lee Hyun-wook said this while closing his eyes.

The detection targets were two aerial deployment devices, each containing 30 weapons, for a total of 60.

– 'Aerial Deployment Device (Prototype)—Small Subspace Creation Device' and 'Synchronization' have been established.

* Available operations are as follows:

1) Item Storage

2) Item Release

Since Lee Hyun-wook was 'Mana Linked,' he could use the 'subspace' without direct contact.

– 1st Small Subspace Device (Stored Items: 60)

* Mogulay (Hero)

* Achilles' Spear (Hero)

* KG19 (Advanced)

– 2nd Small Subspace Device (Stored Items: 60)

* KK11 (Common)

* Ordinary Longsword (Common)

* Sturdy Spear (Common)

Without needing to check the details, he pulled out all the items at once.

Whoosh—

A subspace portal opened on the bottom of the aerial deployment device, and various weapons began to fall.

Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—

They changed direction just before hitting the ground, lining up in the air.

Like Formula 1 cars lined up at the starting line, they trembled as if ready to launch at any moment.

Lee Hyun-wook retrieved only one, Achilles' Spear, and 'engraved' it in his left hand.

Then, as he extended both hands to signal the start,

Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—!

A total of 59 weapons shot out horizontally.

At the center was the greatsword 'Mogulay.'

Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom—!

The massive chunk of metal, with a single straight movement, cut six people in half.

The remaining 58 weapons, each finding their targets, rammed into them with their sharp points.

Thud—Thud—Thud—Thud—Thud—Thud—!

Like infantry caught in a machine gun barrage, dozens of people fell in a heap.

The sight left the High Guards, including Peter Clark, in shock.

"It's… It's impossible…."

"How can he control so many weapons so freely…?"

Clearly, despite standing alone, the firepower was equivalent to that of dozens of people.

Even without moving a single step, he had devastated dozens of enemies.

'Really, can he block everything alone…?'

Peter, looking at Lee Hyun-wook's back, felt sweat form on his hands.

'Come on, please… prove that I underestimated you…'

While he was thinking this, Lee Hyun-wook's fierce assault came to an end.

In his field of vision, nothing was alive, and a sea of blood had formed.

Now, only Lee Hyun-wook and Okita Kaito were left, staring at each other.

'…Now, the real battle begins.'

Peter thought.

Even if Lee Hyun-wook swept away dozens of people in one go, it would be meaningless if he couldn't stop Okita Kaito.

In fact, the rest were merely bait to buy time for the real threat to approach the Holy Maiden.

Clang—!

The sound of a single clash, and Lee Hyun-wook had taken the initiative.

He moved the Pale Note to target Okita Kaito's back, but the latter easily deflected it.

'As expected, he's not the type to fall for such a shallow trick…'

Lee Hyun-wook didn't bother to move the greatsword Mogulay.

A skilled fighter like Okita Kaito wouldn't be hit by such a blunt attack. Therefore, he didn't intend to show his specialty of controlling multiple metals to attack.

'If I focus on that… I might lose my head in an instant.'

When facing a top swordsman like Okita Kaito, using multiple metals can be more harmful than helpful.

He needed to focus on defense, move by move, to protect his neck.

Thus, Lee Hyun-wook concentrated the 'Hugin' sensory enhancement solely on Okita Kaito.

"Hey! We don't have time to relax. Didn't you hear me say there were five minutes left?"

From behind, the Shadow Marquis shouted.

He seemed to be gradually struggling to hold off the government's support troops.

And the traitor, Carlos Belfort, standing beside him, had a stiff expression.

However, Okita Kaito still had a relaxed demeanor.

"Don't worry, I've analyzed him. It will only take one swing to finish him."

He was openly declaring that he would kill with one strike.

'That means he trusts his 'Subspace Blade Technique' so much.'

It's a deceptive skill that has cut the heads of many strong warriors, including the legendary swordsman Kuk Byung-seong.

If you don't understand its mechanism, you can't counter it.

'But I know the principle. The moment it fails, he'll be flustered.'

Lee Hyun-wook already had a hidden weapon in his right hand but drew another sword.

However, Okita Kaito suddenly frowned at the sight.

"Ha, two swords… How funny. Do you know what that means?"

He seemed displeased with the idea of facing two swords.

"A sword isn't better just because there are more of them—!"

With that, he kicked off the ground.

Thud—

He closed the distance in a single leap.

Lee Hyun-wook raised both hands, each holding a sword, and stepped back with one foot.

At that moment—Okita Kaito's blade aimed for Lee Hyun-wook's right neck, and

Lee Hyun-wook raised his right-hand sword, Yunsaam, to block.

However, there was no collision.

Rumble—

Okita Kaito's sword momentarily disappeared into subspace, passed through Yunsaam, and reappeared.

Just as it was about to reach Lee Hyun-wook's neck—

Clang—!

An unexpected clash sounded.

"—What?"

The dagger that passed through Yunsaam was blocked by Lee Hyun-wook's second sword, KG19.

"How… How did you…."

"Why? Is this your first time seeing two swords?"

Normally, when a weapon is swung at another, it's assumed to be blocked, and the next move is prepared.

That's the usual expectation.

Therefore, all swordsmen were helpless against Okita Kaito's technique of passing through a sword to cut. However, Lee Hyun-wook, as if he knew, moved both swords simultaneously to defend the same spot. One passed through, but the other caught it.

'It's impossible to use the subspace twice in such a short moment.'

Okita Kaito took a step back and adjusted his stance.

"Who are you…?"

He tried to maintain a calm expression, but his facial muscles twitched, indicating his frustration and surprise.

Lee Hyun-wook smiled confidently.

"Looks like you're more of a cheat than a swordsman."

At this taunt, Okita Kaito's eyebrows twitched.

"What… What did you just say? A cheat…"

"Using such a cheap trick, and you call yourself a swordsman… Do you have any conscience?"

"…I'll tear you apart right now!"

With a fiery gaze, he lunged at Lee Hyun-wook, swinging his sword at his head.

Clang—!

This time, the two blades clashed honestly.

'I made that clash on purpose.'

Lee Hyun-wook realized.

'Yes, the next strike will come from the opposite hand.'

However, he didn't turn his eyes to that hand.

'If he realizes I noticed, he'll use another move—'

In fact, he could feel it without turning his eyes, thanks to the 'Hugin' sensory enhancement.

Okita Kaito's right hand grabbed the air, and a katana emerged from subspace, aimed at Lee Hyun-wook's left neck—He could feel every detail.

However, Lee Hyun-wook didn't intend to dodge the attack.

A sword duel would not be in his favor.

He needed to take a risk.

'Receive and strike.'

He let go of KG19 in his left hand, concentrated all hardening on his left arm, and grabbed the back of his head with his palm. It was a 'blocking' stance in martial arts, where one arm covers the entire head.

Though it might seem crazy to use this stance to block a weapon, it's different when the body is as hard as