Chapter 516

Bam!

[The trait Passion has been activated. (Level One)]

Seong-Il descended from high above the sky and split the Baclan’s head in two. The reason he dashed straight into the Red Zone as soon as the stage started was to identify which horde of monsters he would be confronting.

[Guild Leader Caliber: Our first enemy is the Baclans.]

[Guild: City (1) has installed the Weakening Curse Tower (LV.1).]

…

[Guild: City (8) has installed the Weakening Curse Tower (LV.1).]

[Guild: City (1) has upgraded the Wall (LV.1) to Iron Wall (LV.2).]

…

[Guild: City (8) has upgraded the Wall (LV.1) to Iron Wall (LV.2).]

[Guild: City (1) has upgraded the Weakening Curse Tower (LV.1) to Weakening Curse Tower (LV.2).]

[Guild: City (1) has installed Frost Trap (LV.1).]

[Guild: City (1) has installed Bell of Rage (LV.1).]

[Guild: City (1) has installed Rapid Fire Stand (LV.1).]

…

All eight cities located in the Blue Zone began to prepare for the night raids from the Black Zone, also known as the assaults by the Baclans. It was possible only because of the early notice from the Guide that they could use considerable amounts of city build scores.

Just as Seong-Il was about to sprint towards the light pillar in the distance, the Guide Lu-luah appeared, squeezing itself out of the space.

[*** has started the final battle against the Evil God.]

“...As expected.”

[But you won’t know about this. What could be ‘this’ that Lu-luah mentioned?]

“Listen carefully, Lu-luah.”

[Okie~ ( ›◡‹ ) ]

“He did not pair me up with you as a joke.”

[Do you think I would feel like joking even when I am backed into a corner? It is our way of surviving. Understand? I cannot help with that. I should at least talk, or I would be too nervous and might just die. You don’t want to see me, Lu-luah, go insane, right?]

Seong-Il retorted, “I also don’t have time to joke around.”

[...Of course. I will take that as you understood me and get to the point.]

[The homeland of the Human Corps now belongs to a different timeline. This means that time has stopped in Caliber’s hometown. 〻( `ω´)〻 The terrifying *** does not believe your battle will end in just a few days.]

[It means you have to prepare for a long battle.]

“I expected that.”

Seong-Il had time for a nap, but He wouldn’t be able to even afford that. Facing an entity beyond imagination, like Doom Kaos was…

[But I have good news. The upgraded system keeps the store and trading window open. The build score for each quest is almost as high as the XP, too!]

[So do not rush. The Human Corps is more cunning than any other… Ehem…they are a wise group, after all.]

[The average Human Corps will stick to a defensive strategy. If you prioritize the build score and defend, Lu-luah is confident that you can prepare for the night raids.]

[Do you understand? Even if Mr. Caliber does not hurry, the other stages will not collapse. You should prioritize safety, but…]

“Is it just you? Or are the others the same?” he suddenly asked.

[Excuse me?]

Seong-Il narrowed his eyes. “You cross the line under the guise of giving advice.”

[I, Lu-luah, am one of the high priests. Please do not compare me with lesser beings.]

He snapped, “Fuck you. Then just follow the manual. Hey, you have something that you have not told me, right? Look me in the eyes and answer.”

Seong-Il’s gaze on Lu-luah was not the kind one he usually showed.

[Notice: The Final Stage focuses on attacking the light pillar, the weakness of the evil god Doom Kaos. Your success or failure affects mine as well. I do not have much time, but the more you damage the light pillar, the stronger I will become. That is the way to victory. Keep in mind that my defeat means your annihilation. The strong should lead the weak, and the weak should support the strong. Stay united.]

“...”

[There are other challengers besides you, Mr. Caliber. We should prioritize our safety first…]

Seong-Il cursed, “Shut the fuck up. If you open that mouth again, I will break you into pieces.”

[Gasp!]

“You are under my control from now on. If you die, that will be by me.”

Seong-Il shouted, stamping his foot, “Follow me!”

***

[Vice Guild Leader Sapa: Did you see it? It has been confirmed that He is the System.]

[Guild Leader Caliber: Then, who else would it be? He gave us all this, so we should not destroy the city, okay?]

[Vice Guild Leader Sapa: Don’t worry. For Odin!]

[Guild Leader Caliber: For Odin!]

The vice guild leader Sapa could not calm his pounding heart. Although there had been rumors that He might have been the System, this was the first time He confirmed it himself. There was a reason why Caliber, considered His closest aide, was so passionate.

[Guild: Guild Leader Caliber has defeated the group of Baclan warriors.]

“Is this okay?”

The man who asked Sapa had a face full of shock. Sapa responded after regaining his composure, “Are you testing me?”

His tone was cold.

“I am sorry. I misspoke because of the situation. I was wondering if it would be better to support Mr. Caliber even if it means reducing our defense forces. He said he would break through the Red Zone alone and destroy the light pillar, but that is impossible. The fact that the barrier is gone is definitely an advantage, but the deadly traps and powerful monsters inside are still there.”

“How dare you.”

Sapa’s response silenced the man, so he apologized and went back to his post. Sapa was the one who knew Caliber the best among the guild members. He had witnessed Caliber’s journey from Act Two, Stage Two from close quarters. To be exact, he had witnessed the process of Caliber distancing himself mentally and in terms of power from Lee Tae-Han.

After he became independent, it was impossible to match his judgment. If it was possible, he carried it out in action immediately. If not, then he didn’t start anything. This time would be the same. Mr. Caliber must have deemed it inappropriate to reduce defensive forces. This mission is directly related to the result of the final battle, so Mr. Caliber would want to remove the light pillar as soon as possible. He would definitely want to mobilize the attack force, but he cannot afford to do that.

Sapa frowned at the back of the man.

How dare he.

Those who were far from power did not grasp Mr. Caliber’s true intention. Sapa was astonished when he realized Mr. Caliber was proficient in English. It was one of the abilities he had concealed for such a long time.

Looking back at the mistakes he made without knowing this, it was surprising that he still had his head on his neck.

Anyway, this is going to be a fierce battle despite the defense devices.

Sapa’s pupils made a subtle movement as they followed the notification.

[Remaining Time (Until Night Raid): 9 hours 32 minutes 10 seconds]

[City 1

Defense Level: 32

Governed by: Caliber and the Suicide Squad

Residents: 24

Mayor: Sapa]

A defense level of thirty-two was a figure that was usually seen around the end of Act Two, Stage One. However, the city which used to house thousands now only had twenty-four.

This is really tight… We need more, even if they are bronze.

Then, one guild member stood out to Sapa. This person was the one who was most shocked after it was proven that He was the System. Their codename was Katana, and their real name was Murai Eita.

He was one of the most talked-about figures in the world of Awakened. On the day when the stats of the Awakened were officially registered with the association, it was revealed that a mere Bronze at level sixty-two had survived and returned safely. That was him.

People often said that surviving as a Bronze was even more challenging than a Challenger. Considering there were only three Bronzes and twelve Challengers among the entire Awakened, it wasn’t a wrong assumption.

“Katana.”

He turned his head after being called twice. It was hard to tell whether he was smiling or crying, but his expression was certainly eerie.

“He had been…giving me another chance…”

No words of encouragement seemed necessary.

“If you have realized it deeply, then show it through results. Our group is close to Him. Mr. Caliber, His closest confidant, is our leader.”

Sapa turned away after saying those words. Then, the scheduled time arrived.

[Remaining time (Until the First Night Raid): 1 second]

[The First Night Raid has begun.]

[Warning: The Baclan Corps is aware of Caliber Kwon Seong-Il.]

From the edge shrouded in darkness, the outlines of the figures started to emerge incessantly. It was the Baclan Corps.

[The quest ‘My Queen, My Queen’ has started. (Night Raid)]

[My Queen, My Queen (Quest)

Ever since the first queen of the Baclan took control of the group, the Night Raid agents have completed rigorous training. Along with the training, the power gifted by the evil god Doom Kaos remade the Night Raid agents into indomitable warriors.

Mission: Defend against the First Night Raid.

Reward: XP and build score]

Sapa was standing atop a tower and preparing for the impending battle. However, his face hardened with grave concern. It was because he recognized a particularly menacing presence among the throngs of approaching enemies.

[Baclan Corps’s Supreme Commander, Shin Kyung-Ah (Species)]

[She is out of range. (Skill, Night Eye)]

[She is out of range. (Skill, Night Eye)]

…

[You cannot discern the target with your current ability. (Skill, Night Eye)]

[Vice Guild Leader Sapa: Mr. Caliber!]

The response was not a message, but a voice directly from behind Sapa.

“There is no need to panic.”

Sapa turned his head to find Seong-Il, who was fully armored. Not only his gleaming armor, but the mysterious aura encompassing him was also intimidating.

[Passion Level 9 (Trait Effect)

A powerful defense system that protects the body, mind, and soul is in place.

* The Level 9 effect remains as long as the battle continues.

* The maximum duration is one hour if the battle stops.]

“Focus on the defense. I will handle those…”

However, Seong-Il somehow looked pained from Sapa’s point of view. It was not like Caliber to show fear in front of enemies. Yet, oddly enough, genuine pain was shown on Seong-Il’s face.

[Guild: Mary has joined.]

“He seems to ripple us first. It’s the same on the King of Hell’s side! He is not caring about his land on fire.”

“Noona?”

Seong-Il looked at Yeon-Hee in surprise. Her entire body was drenched in blood, and the smell of the Baclan’s blood emanated from her.

“Arukuda is dead, Seong-Il. You can break the brainwashing now.”

- Yeon-Hee: Why? Do you think Seon-Hu did not foresee such a situation?

The pain that lingered on Seong-Il’s face was brief. He turned away. He was a bit hesitant, but every second counted when he thought of the battle He was facing. He needed to move as quickly as possible to destroy as many light pillars as possible.

- Seong-Il: Please take care of here then, Noona! I will be back soon!