Chapter 87

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 87: Dungeon Strategy (4)

"What was that just now?" Mei Hong shouted in confusion.

The ash-gray figure that emerged from the egg seemed to speak, but suddenly disappeared along with Kwon Hanul.

GG, looking toward the door, spoke.

"It’s a high-level demon."

"A high-level demon? Why is it here?!"

"It seems it was recovering from injuries sustained during the war."

Demons who had suffered heavy damage in the war with humanity often hid in dungeons to heal their bodies.

The demon that took Kwon Hanul also seemed to be in such a situation.

"Hey, hey! Behemoth is charging at us!" Kwon Hudon cried out in a terrified voice. Behemoth was scratching the ground as it charged toward the three.

"How can we kill that thing without Hanul?!"

"If we just stand here, we’ll die!"

"Now that you mention it, you're right!"

Kwon Hudon made a desperate expression.

"Oppa, what are we going to do?"

"I’ll draw its attention. You aim for its weak spot!"

Kwon Hudon wrapped himself tightly in his Blackscale Armor.

Despite his trembling voice, he ran toward Behemoth without hesitation.

Behemoth swung its tail at Kwon Hudon. Hudon didn’t dodge but braced himself, taking the hit with his body.

Unyielding Armor – Ancient Castle

The magical power that extended from his legs firmly rooted itself in the ground.

A massive shock rattled Kwon Hudon's body. However, he was only pushed back slightly, and no harm was done.

"Ughh!"

Kwon Hudon’s fist was enveloped by his dragon’s technique, swirling and increasing in power.

Unyielding Armor – Ten Thousand Break Fist

Both of his fists struck simultaneously. Two small whirlwinds slammed into Behemoth’s armor.

A powerful shockwave shook the surroundings. Despite how strong the strike was, even acknowledged by Kwon Hanul…

"It’s… fine?!"

Behemoth seemed unaffected. It raised its tail high and aimed to strike Kwon Hudon down.

At that moment, Mei Hong appeared behind Behemoth.

"Oppa, good job."

She thrust her ear sword into Behemoth’s fifth joint, targeting the weak point GG had found. The fifth joint exploded.

"… Huh?"

Despite taking the attack, Behemoth remained unharmed. While Mei Hong was stunned, Behemoth twisted its body.

Magical orbs surrounded Behemoth.

"We need to dodge…"

The orbs fired beams of light.

Dozens of beams engulfed Mei Hong.

The battle raged on.

* * *

Kwon Hanul’s fist collided with the demon’s as it deflected his punch. The demon’s extended limb was blocked by Kwon Hanul.

Each time they collided, shockwaves erupted. Buildings around them were destroyed, and the ground trembled.

"You’re quite good for a human!"

The demon spoke with satisfaction as it slammed down with its fist. Before the punch could land fully, Kwon Hanul pushed it away with his palm.

The force and magical energy in the punch were reversed. The demon’s arm twisted in response.

"Oh?"

The demon let out an exclamation and looked at its twisted arm. Seizing the opportunity, Kwon Hanul delivered a punch straight into its chest.

The intense energy in his punch shattered the demon’s outer defense, digging deep into its interior. The demon spewed black blood and was pushed back.

"Hah, hahaha!"

The demon laughed loudly.

"To wake up from such a long sleep and meet such an entertaining human!"

The demon wiped the blood from its lips.

Its twisted arm and crushed chest quickly returned to their original form.

One of the demon’s characteristics was its body, made entirely of magical energy. As long as it had enough magic, it could recover almost instantly.

"But this is strange. No matter how I look at it, my physical abilities are much higher. Yet, you’re fighting me evenly."

Speed, strength, magic, and so on.

In every aspect, the demon was superior to Kwon Hanul. Yet, Hanul was holding his ground and even seemed to be gaining the upper hand.

"It’s as though you’ve been predicting my moves. I’ve never had such an experience before."

The demon laughed and asked.

"I’m Mammon. A demon of the noble rank. What’s your name?"

"Shut up."

Instead of responding, Kwon Hanul summoned his dragon’s technique. He had intended to end the battle with his previous strike, but the demon was still standing.

The demon was hiding its full power. So, Kwon Hanul had no choice but to meet it with even more force.

"You’re an uncultured human. Are you worried about your comrades back there?"

At that moment, a flash of light erupted from behind the walls. Kwon Hanul could feel an enormous surge of magical power strike the ground.

"… Mei Hong?" Hanul muttered in disbelief. Mammon smiled and spoke.

"How convenient. The worry is gone now."

In that moment, Kwon Hanul’s vision went blank.

Activating the ‘Dragon’s Eye’.

The ‘Dragon’s Eye’ took control of the surrounding environment.

Kwon Hanul’s eyes glowed violet as his forehead split open, revealing a third eye.

"Oh?"

Hanul placed his thumb in his mouth and bit down. He drew a line of blood across his Blackriver Jacket.

‘Shura King’ awakens.

His physical abilities were temporarily enhanced. All stats increased by 30%.

His resistance skyrocketed, reaching a full 100.

His skills were heightened, allowing him to wield any weapon like an expert.

Shura King began to consume his jacket. A massive aura engulfed the surroundings.

"Ohh?"

Mammon grinned, clearly pleased.

"I like this! What an amazing thing! I can’t just sit back now!"

Mammon summoned his magical power. Dark clouds began to swirl around his body.

"This is my power, ‘Falling Saint Cloud’."

Mammon’s body lifted high into the air. He began to soar through the sky as if swimming.

"I wonder how you’ll handle this!"

The Falling Saint Cloud began dispersing magical energy. The magic turned into bullets and rained down on Kwon Hanul.

The ground beneath him quickly became a wasteland.

"What’s this? You’ve become powerless all of a sudden!"

Mammon’s flight increased in speed. As it did, the number of magical bullets from the Falling Saint Cloud increased.

"You’re just going to die slowly, huh?!"

The continuous spray of bullets had already reduced the ground to deep craters.

Suddenly, Mammon stopped moving and looked down.

"… What?"

Kwon Hanul was standing unharmed. Mammon, startled, began scattering more bullets.

The bullets flew toward Hanul, but just before they hit, a red energy wiped them all out.

Activating ‘Three Realms and Six Paths’ – Human Path.

The Shura King’s power automatically blocked the incoming demon’s bullets.

Deactivating ‘Three Realms and Six Paths’ – Human Path.

Kwon Hanul suppressed the ability. This left him vulnerable to Mammon’s attacks but allowed him to use the power.

Shura King condenses the surrounding magical power.

Light gathered around Kwon Hanul’s fist. A powerful, unusual energy began to radiate from it.

Fist Energy.

The supreme light that could only be generated by one who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts concentrated in Kwon Hanul’s fist.

"…"

Mammon’s face hardened. The force of the Fist Energy was enough to make even a high-level demon wary.

"What a ridiculous weapon you have!"

Mammon moved again. He was so fast that he left afterimages in his wake.

Kwon Hanul’s third eye, located on his forehead, tracked Mammon’s movements relentlessly.

The reason he activated the Human Path was to observe and read Mammon’s moves.

Skyward Path

The first stage, Lone Run..

The wind path extended into the sky. Kwon Hanul launched himself along the wind path.

His body soared with tremendous speed, colliding with Mammon.

"What?"

Mammon shouted in surprise.

Ignoring his reaction, Kwon Hanul punched straight into Mammon’s chest.

The light pierced the demon’s body.

* * *

“Danger!”

Just before the laser fired, Kwon Hudon started to run, focusing all his mana into his movements.

He narrowly pushed Mei Hong aside. The laser, which had been aimed at Mei Hong, shifted to target Kwon Hudon instead.

“Gaaah!”

The black metal armor shattered like glass. The laser began to scorch Kwon Hudon’s unprotected body.

“Hudon Oppa!”

Mei Hong swung her sword. The strike sliced through the laser. But it was only for a moment; the laser filled the space again.

In that instant, GG leaped forward. He pulled Kwon Hudon into his arms and moved quickly out of the laser's range.

After retreating back to where Mei Hong was, GG gently set Kwon Hudon down. Kwon Hudon was barely breathing, his body scorched black.

“We have to escape,” GG said to Mei Hong.

“No… Kwon Hanul… if only the Captain arrives…” Mei Hong said, her voice shaky.

“Do you really think you can afford to act so calmly against a high-level demon?”

Mei Hong closed her mouth, realizing the truth of GG’s words.

“You can’t shake off Behemoth, even if you run.”

“We can sacrifice one.”

GG looked toward Kwon Hudon. Mei Hong’s face twisted with anger.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“If you oppose it, I’ll do it alone,” GG said coldly.

“That’s what you’re going to say now?” Mei Hong started to shout, but she bit her lip, stopping herself.

GG wasn’t a team member. He was only a hired hand.

In a situation like this, he couldn’t be forced to risk his life. Even if he were pushed, it was clear he wouldn’t obey.

So, Mei Hong knew what she had to do.

“…Please, take care of Hudon Oppa.”

“You still won’t accept my proposal, huh?” GG remarked.

“It’s not that…”

Mei Hong gripped her sword and spoke firmly.

“I’ll stop him. So you take Hudon Oppa and go.”

GG hesitated. He looked at Mei Hong and asked again, “You’re… sacrificing yourself?”

“It’s the only way to be certain.”

Throwing a dying person as bait might not be enough to make Behemoth hesitate.

But Mei Hong was someone who could definitely hold him back.

“Besides, you have something to do, don’t you?”

GG looked at her, confused.

“You have someone to take revenge on, don’t you?”

“How did you…?”

“I can tell, because I’m just like you.”

GG still didn’t understand.

“If you’re like me… then how can you willingly choose to sacrifice yourself?”

“You’re right. I have a lot of things I need to do,” Mei Hong said, gazing at Behemoth. “I guess I’ve grown a little attached in such a short time.”

Behemoth moved again. Mei Hong’s voice was sharp as she spoke.

“Go!”

GG lifted Kwon Hudon onto his shoulder and began running as fast as he could.

Behind him, a violent sound echoed, but it quickly stopped.

They had to escape.

Though he knew that, GG found himself looking back, almost involuntarily.

“Ugh… ugh…”

Mei Hong was lying on the ground. Red burns crossed her torso. It was from Behemoth’s laser.

Behemoth lifted his head high. He opened his mouth wide and dropped down toward Mei Hong.

* * *

“… This is absurd.”

Mammon mumbled, stuck against the wall.

“How is it that… not once, but twice, I’ve been defeated by humans?”

There was a massive hole in Mammon’s chest, through which mana was leaking out.

“This won’t do.”

The human who had defeated him was already far away.

It was as though Mammon’s life or death meant nothing to the person. For some reason, that made Mammon laugh.

“Guess I should say, it's for the best.”

Even if he were to leave the dungeon alive, what awaited him was nothing but hopelessness and loneliness.

The demons had lost the war against humanity. Most of their forces were gone, and the artifacts that were their foundation had all been taken by humans.

They had hidden in the dungeon, hoping for a future, but Mammon had already accepted his fate.

“At least… it was fun.”

Mammon’s body began to break apart.

“But… it’s a little regrettable.”

He thought of the human who had defeated him.

“So it’s still there… the bloodline… I didn’t think it would survive…”

* * *

Kwon Hanul ran with all his strength.

He could feel the mana reactions, and too much time had passed. In the worst case, his team might already be dead.

“Mei Hong! Kwon Hudon!”

He called their names as he rushed in. That’s when he saw it.

The two of them were lying on the ground in a horrific state.

“Kugh!”

And off in the distance, GG was still fighting Behemoth.

GG looked different. His skin was bluish, his teeth sharp like fangs.

“Graaah!”

GG let out a terrifying roar and swung a punch. Behemoth staggered from the blow.

But Behemoth soon retaliated, swinging his tail. GG was sent flying far away after being struck.

“Salamander!”

GG shouted, his body covered in red scales. His eyes elongated like a reptile’s.

“Hah!”

GG summoned his mana, and flames engulfed Behemoth. But Behemoth ignored him and fired a mana beam straight at GG.

The beam passed through GG’s body. GG gasped in pain, collapsing to the ground.

“Gah… gah…”

GG breathed heavily as he looked up at Behemoth. Despite all the attacks, Behemoth was still unharmed.

Behemoth slowly approached GG, opening his mouth to feed.

That was when someone dropped down on top of Behemoth’s head. His head slammed into the ground with the force of a hammer.

“#$%#^@!”

For the first time, Behemoth let out a scream full of pain. He roared in rage, releasing murderous intent.

The person standing on Behemoth’s head raised their fist again, bringing it down with all their might.

Behemoth’s head was crushed like a walnut, its contents spilling onto the ground.

“Gah… gah…”

GG, still gasping for breath, stared at Behemoth’s destroyed head.

It was Kwon Hanul looking down at him.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]