Chapter 207 - Guild War (3)
In the eerie forest.
Step.
A group of about fifty people was treading through it.
“Ugh… spider webs are everywhere!”
“Of all places, it had to be the Nightshade Spider map!”
“What’s so scary about spiders?”
“They’re disgusting, you idiot!”
Frowning and showing irritation.
At that.
“Everyone, shut up!”
A muscular man leading the group shouted harshly. He glared at his comrades with a contemptuous gaze, his thick beard connecting to his angular jaw.
“No matter how daunting the Nightshade Spiders, avoided even by diamonds, we are the best guild in Russia. We are the promising ones of Czar.”
Thud.
He struck the ground with the huge mace he was holding, as if ready to kill someone.
“The world is watching us. If you keep whining weakly, I, Nikolai, will crush your skulls myself.”
He glared at the group of fifty with fierce eyes. Nikolai, fiddling with the handle of his pole-like mace. Those guild members who had been complaining instantly fell silent.
“Ugh! Idiots. Don’t bring shame to the guild.”
“Nikolai. You don’t even need to dirty your hands. Just tell me.”
“Right! I’ll take care of those cowards for you!”
The relatively skilled ones shouted in agreement with Nikolai. Nikolai’s gaze moved over the guild members, reaching the far back.
His previously fierce eyes lost their intensity suddenly. The reason was simple.
‘Listen carefully, Nikolai.’
Before the start of this guild war. With Sergei, the representative of the World Awakener’s Alliance from Russia, his brother, the top ranker in the Czar Guild who guarded him, had given a warning, which came to mind.
‘Except for the weakest member in the Platinum-rank, the one personally chosen by Sergei is joining.’
‘Never express any doubts or complaints. And above all, never anger that person!’
A man among men. His tough-as-nails older brother, scared out of his wits like this?
‘Who on earth could be making my brother so fearful…’
Curiosity piqued him, having never seen his brother like this before.
‘I don’t know who it is, but my brother isn’t one to make such statements lightly.’
As the top ranker in Czar and globally recognized. If he was so fearful and serious in his warning, then it’s no ordinary being.
“… Everyone, reassemble the formation. We are departing immediately.”
Glancing at the figure in the robe at the far back, Nikolai turned to lead the guild members again. After a while. As they pushed through the gloomy forest filled with spider webs, Nikolai’s movements halted.
Grip.
His fingers tightened around the massive mace. Living up to the reputation of Russia’s top guild’s promising members.
Srssk.
Fwoosh.
Despite no explicit signal. The following guild members drew their weapons or started casting spells.
“…”
“…”
Heavy silence engulfed the sinister and dark forest. None of the fifty members dared to speak. The reason was simple. Although regular ears heard nothing but insect sounds.
Sasakan.
The ears of those hoping to reach the pinnacle of Platinum heard it.
Fast, numerous.
Sharp sounds.
Finally.
Screech!
Something flew over with a sharp cry. True to being the finest among the Czar Guild’s upcoming stars.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Crunch.
Nikolai easily batted away the incoming thing from the darkness with his heavy mace. Something that fell to the ground without a scream. Nikolai peered down at the object oozing thick fluid with a grimace in his eyes.
“Nightshade Spiders…”
He muttered with a voice filled with disgust. And with that,
“It’s Nightshade Spiders!”
“They’re coming!”
“Damn it! Which idiot touched the spider web!!”
The previously silent forest erupted into shouts of battle in an instant.
Splat.
“Aargh!”
“M-my body…!”
In the dark forest, venom and spider webs poured down. And with their eight long legs spread wide.
Screeek.
Screeech.
Black-striped giant spiders lunged at them from all directions, showing their green fangs. The situation was complete chaos, but only for a moment.
“Get your act together, you fools!!”
Boom!
With a powerful strike of his mace, “Form a circular formation immediately! Tanks to the outer perimeter! Support classes, focus on shields and detoxification, not just healing! Mages and archers, set everything on fire!”
Nikolai’s orders, accompanied by a strong shockwave, rescued the endangered guild members.
“Raise your shields! If that’s not possible, block with your body!”
“Barrier!”
“Cure!”
“Flames, consume everything you see…”
The promising members of Czar quickly formed ranks around the tanks on the perimeter. Proving that the reputation of Russia’s top guild wasn’t just for show. They swiftly recovered and reformed their formation.
“There they are!”
“Take out the ones on fire first!”
“Revenge for earlier! You bastards!”
“Die!”
They counterattacked, reversing the situation.
*
『As expected, it’s Czar Guild’s top prospect, Nikolai! His calm orders and tough might have saved the guild members from danger!』
『That’s not all.』
Jonathan continued with a serious expression following Michael’s exclamation.
『With Kim Shimun’s monster control, all the Nightshade Spiders present on the map were drawn in. They’re now using it to their advantage and cutting down their numbers. The number has already been halved!』
『Now that you mention it! The number of Nightshade Spiders, which was over 200, has now reduced to less than 100!』
As Jonathan and Michael mentioned. The momentum of Czar Guild with their formation was truly terrifying.
Facing the Nightshade Spiders, which even diamond ranks avoid, they weren’t merely holding their ground but killing them instead.
For Platinum, this was an impressive feat.
『Moreover, isn’t it true that they started the battle with a surprise attack? Despite that, there have been only three casualties.』
『Indeed! They truly deserve the title of Russia’s top guild!』
Jonathan and Michael continued to express their admiration. Even the viewers watching were equally impressed.
“This is truly the Czar Guild.”
Shimun, watching on-site, was no different.
‘Russia, along with Europe and China, was one of the few countries that held out until only two nations remained against the US.’
Naturally, this strength was based on the Czar Guild, Russia’s top guild.
‘Though only three casualties while a Platinum guild faces diamond-rank beast monsters is noteworthy…’
What especially caught Shimun’s eye was not their solid circular formation.
“Die! You pests!”
Boom!
A muscular man ferociously swinging a mace outside the formation, dominating the battlefield.
It was Nikolai.
‘Nikolai Ivanov. He’s indeed a talent who’ll become a high ranker in the future.’
Nikolai Ivanov.
One of the two high rankers who protected Russia alongside his brother Ivan Ivanov.
In his past life, after the fall of Russia and losing his brother Ivan Ivanov, he took refuge in China.
Despite China’s stringent discrimination against refugees, he was highly regarded for his skills. And fittingly to his potential.
“Hahaha! I’ll crush them all!”
Nikolai swung his massive mace wildly in all directions. Destroying diamond-rank beast monsters.
At that moment.
“Hey, are you just going to stand there and watch?”
A voice came from beside Shimun. It was Go Malsuk.
“All your spiders are being slaughtered.”
Her voice was slightly higher than usual as if excited from watching the battle. Her hands, wrapped in OPG (Ogre Power Gauntlets), kept clenching and unclenching.
Shimun shook his head.
“Of course not. Those are just the vanguard. They’re merely there to gauge the enemy’s strength.”
“And hopefully, get the Czar Guild to reveal some of their joker cards?”
“Exactly.”
Go Malsuk looked at Shimun, her eyes faintly glowing red with the energy of the Heavenslaying Star Star.
“So, what do you think? Have you seen everything you need to?”
“It seems that way, but…”
Even as he nodded, Shimun trailed off.
The reason was none other than his intuition.
‘Based on the materials Jinwook provided and my memories from past lives, the current power of the Czar Guild fits precisely within my predictions, but…’
While it was within his expectations. There was an odd feeling.
His left eye, activated with the demonic eye. It was as if Odin’s Eye was being prodded. Despite having even activated his ocular ability.
‘Why can’t I detect any suspicious points?’
He couldn’t find any anomalies among the fifty Czar Guild members. Yet, the reason he wasn’t hastily deploying Malsuk was different.
‘Surely, they didn’t invite us as representatives of Korea instead of Holy Trinity without reason?’
No matter how hot they had become recently.
In terms of scale and reputation. The Shimdrasil Guild couldn’t compare to the Holy Trinity Guild established since the early days of the arena.
Shimun knew this well. Why were they selected as Korea’s representatives then?
Moreover, with only five guild members permitted to participate in the guild war.
‘The Chinese or the dragonkin must have maneuvered somehow to make us Korea’s representatives…’
Looking at the single-round platinum division. And the Shimdrasil Guild facing Russia’s Czar Guild. Shimun anticipated some kind of scheme in this guild war.
Given the close relationship between the mainlanders and the Czar Guild, similar to that of China and Russia.
At that moment.
“Huh?”
Shimun’s eyes, specifically Odin’s Eye, caught sight of a figure in robes among the Czar Guild members.
‘A robed figure?’
While everyone was clad in armor with the guild’s emblem. An individual stood out, draped solely in a luxurious robe. More than anything.
‘How come I couldn’t notice such an conspicuous person until now?’
Shimun, who had activated Odin’s Eye, thought.
‘Unless it’s stealth of Jinwook’s level, my senses shouldn’t be deceived.’
Unless it’s top-rank diamond-rank stealth. It’s impossible to deceive his current senses. Which means.
‘That robed figure is at least top-rank diamond level, or perhaps even higher…’
How could such a powerful individual participate in the Platinum-rank guild war?
The question was easily predictable.
‘Even when we ambushed the Czar Guild initially, that robed figure didn’t react at all.’
That means.
‘If they were to use their power in earnest, they’d surely be detected.’
Upon quickly understanding the situation.
“This is getting interesting.”
Shimun’s lips curled into a small smile.
Then.
“What’s up? Finally decided to step in?”
Go Malsuk asked with a brighter face. Shimun slowly nodded.
“We need to keep an eye on them, but since they are unlikely to move first, it’s better for us to make the first move.”
“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Go Malsuk blinked in confusion at Shimun’s sudden words. Instead of answering, Shimun gestured toward the battlefield.
“Go. But you need to take care of Nikolai first.”
Allowing her to step forward.
“Don’t worry. Damn! Nikolai or whoever, you’re dead.”
Go Malsuk burst into wild laughter and dashed into the battlefield like a bullet. Immediately,
“D-damn, it’s Miss Fck!”
“Ugh! We’re facing that crazy bitch again!”
“Damn it! We haven’t even dealt with the spiders completely yet!”
“Where?! Where is she?!”
Apparently aware of Go Malsuk’s notorious reputation. The promising members of the Czar Guild were horrified and turned their firepower towards her.
“I’ll take care of Miss Fck! Assassins, withdraw and search for Kim Shimun! We need to stop him before he uses magic!”
With Nikolai’s command to block Go Malsuk, they moved in perfect coordination.
Step.
A muscular figure, easily over 190 cm tall, blocked Go Malsuk’s path.
“Miss Fck. I’ve heard of your reputation.”
Nikolai gripped his mace. And glared at the sneering Go Malsuk with a somewhat solemn face.
“I heard you won the Platinum debut match? An impressive record, but in the end, you’re just a newbie who barely made it into Platinum. Facing me, Nikolai…”
“Damn it. Why is your tongue so long when you have the build of a mountain?”
Go Malsuk cut Nikolai’s words short. Before Nikolai could even get angry.
“Just die, you bastard.”
Heavenly Demon Divine Art (천마신공).
5th Technique (擊) Peerless Slash (無雙斬).
Heavenly Demon Divine Art’s fifth technique.
Go Malsuk executed the Peerless Slash with a swift motion.
Swoosh!
The crescent-shaped magi sliced through the air instantly.
However.
“As expected, you’re a crazy bitch just like the rumors say!”
Proving the title of Russia’s top prospect wasn’t just for show?
“Annihilation Strike!”
Resembling reinforced energy,
Buzz!
Nikolai’s mace, wrapped in intense aura, collided with the Peerless Slash.
Screech.
With a sharp grinding sound.
Smash.
Nikolai shattered Go Malsuk’s Peerless Slash. Of course, it wasn’t without impact.
“Ugh.”
His muscular form and the aura-infused mace wavered slightly. But only for a moment.
“Indeed, a skill worth its name. Miss Fck.”
Quickly regaining his composure, he looked at Go Malsuk with a face full of admiration.
“Ha! I thought it would take at least a diamond-rank power to stop that. A mere Platinum did it?”
“I’m the top prospect of the Czar Guild. I’ve even won several duels against diamonds.”
“I guess so.”
Despite her technique being blocked, Go Malsuk’s eyes sparkled with excitement, not irritation.
“Then, it’s been a while since I’ve gone all out…”
Soon.
Ssssss.
Red energy eerily seeped from Go Malsuk’s entire body.
“Guess I can unleash my full power.”
With those words.
Boom!
A sonic boom erupted from the step Go Malsuk took.
*
Boom.
A violent explosion roared. At the epicenter.
‘Impressive, Nikolai. Truly impressive.’
Watching the battle between Nikolai and Go Malsuk, Shimun murmured in admiration.
‘To match Malsuk at this level.’
Go Malsuk, who had been under his meticulous care, had matured much faster than in her previous life. Yet, fittingly for Russia’s top prospect.
Nikolai was matching her move for move without giving in. Of course.
‘Looking at how he’s expending his aura, he’ll be pushed back as the fight drags on.’
Ultimately, Malsuk would likely win.
At that moment, “We’ve almost cleared them!”
“Same here!”
“Don’t let your guard down, archers help scouting! We need to hurry and find Kim Shimun!”
Voices of the Czar Guild’s promising members reached him.
“Hmm. They’ve almost cleared the Nightshade spiders.”
Turning his gaze, Shimun nodded slowly.
“Then I guess I should refill them.”
He fiddled with the Paracelsus Cylinder strapped on his left wrist.
‘This time, let’s double the amount.’
The intricate pattern on the cylinder’s edge became a complex black summoning circle. Thanks to the storage capacity being increased to four,
Zing.
Shimun activated four black summoning circles quickly surrounded the Czar Guild’s formation.
Screech!
“Crazy!”
“Not them again?!”
“How’s this possible? How many are there?!”
Each summoning circle unleashed a hundred. A total of four hundred Nightshade spiders poured out. Though they handled two hundred spiders with only three casualties,
“My mana is only half left!”
“Same here!”
“My spiritual energy is almost depleted!”
After a fierce battle with diamond-rank monsters, even Czar Guild’s promising members weren’t in perfect condition.
And now facing double that number – four hundred?
However, their nightmare was just beginning.
Whirl.
Lumps of white metal were thrown from Shimun’s inventory.
Then.
Click.
As Shimun snapped his fingers, the white metals wriggled like slimes.
Gurgle.
“Go.”
Around fifty mithril golems formed and advanced towards the Czar Guild’s formation.
“Mithril Golem!”
“What?! Why are golems here?!”
“It’s Kim Shimun! Kim Shimun must be nearby!”
Moreover.
Gurgle.
Drawing a summoning circle on the ground.
Thud thud thud!
Bang bang!
Transforming nearby rocks and the ground to execute long-range attacks, the mithril golems began their assault. This was nothing short of a disaster for the promising members of the Czar Guild who encountered 400 Nightshade Spiders.
“Oh my god!”
“These things even use magic!”
“What kind of golem uses magic? Are they insane?!”
“N-Nikolai!!”
The bravado they had earlier was nowhere to be found. In an instant, the promising members of the Czar Guild were painted with despair. But the real focus of Shimun was not on them.
‘Will you still not move?’
He directed his gaze towards the robed figure silently positioned in the rearmost area. Despite possessing a high-level stealth ability that could deceive his senses.
“Haha. Persistent.”
Shimun smirked at the still motionless robed figure.
‘Judging by the fact that their gaze has been fixed on me from the start, it’s certain they’re targeting me.’
A skillful opponent even Odin’s Eye couldn’t catch. Since there was no related information about them. It was best to make them move first.
Hence.
‘I should create a situation where they have no choice but to move.’
If the guild members were annihilated, the guild war would automatically be forfeited. Thus, the opportunity to make a move on him would disappear. With deepening eyes, Shimun looked at the summoners’ roughly 450 summoned creatures.
“He, healer! I need a heal!”
“My shield is breaking! Give me a hand here!”
“Stay calm! Use all the defense artifacts and scrolls the guild gave us!”
“Magicians and archers, use all your offensive artifacts and scrolls!”
“Hold out as long as you can until Nikolai brings reinforcements!”
He watched as the promising members of the Czar Guild gradually fought back. As expected of Russia’s top guild.
Fwoosh!
Clatter.
The promising members resisted by pouring out scrolls and using at least A-grade artifacts. Although,
‘If I make a move myself, they’ll crumble in no time…….’
Doing so might give the mysterious robed figure a chance to pull some trick. It wasn’t particularly frightening.
‘Besides, Malsuk is here as well. It’s better to move cautiously.’
Therefore.
‘I happen to have a promise with a Constellation from before. Might as well change the approach a bit this time.’
Shimun smiled and snapped his fingers. In front of him.
『You lack the required alchemy energy to achieve the desired alchemy.』
『To establish equivalent exchange, 500 achievement points are required due to insufficient Philosopher’s Stones.』
『Do you accept? (Yes / No)』
A familiar message window appeared.
‘500 points? Looks like it’s consumable this time, contrary to my memory.’
Shrugging, Shimun chose ‘Yes.’
Then,
Woom.
The energy of the converted achievement points gathered at Shimun’s fingertips.
Then,
Snap.
As Shimun snapped his fingers. With a dazzling platinum sunlight like that of dawn.
Thud!
Something enormous struck down behind him.
『Constellation Isis is showing interest in the sudden appearance of the Ennead’s Obelisk.』
『Constellation Nephthys is interested in the sudden appearance of the Ennead’s Obelisk…..』
『Constellation Seth is interested in the sudden…….』
The reactions of the Ennead constellations popped up one after another.
Of course.
『Constellation Ra shouts with joy, ‘It’s finally my turn! (I’ve waited endlessly! I’m going first class, too!!)’』
The owner of the Obelisk, who finally cast off the question marks, also joined in.
TL’s Corner:
Ra, the excitable grandpa.