Strike 97

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Hyun-soo is not reckless.

He considers the feasibility before starting anything.

Common sense dictates that a level 120 blacksmith fighting alone with Jack to save the saintess is madness.

After hearing Belia’s words, he ran simulations in his head dozens of times.

There was a possible way.

In the Guild Bright Future, there was the top dealer turned dragon knight, Lisel, and Bark, the strongest tanker working as an unofficial ranker.

[Guild Master Hyun-soo: How about hunting the fifth disaster?]

[Lisel: Sure, the disasters have never been raided before. If we can capture such a disaster, it will greatly benefit the reputation of Hyun’s forge in the future.]

[Nel: I think it’s a good idea too.]

[Bark: Looking forward to it ^^?]

[Nel: The key is this. The power of the Disaster’s Book is impenetrable by anyone.]

Hyun-soo thought calmly and soon spoke of the plan.

[Guild Master Hyun-soo: The sky isn’t sealed with a barrier, is it? How about waiting above the barrier with a dragon made of dragonlight sword? Jack might want to restore his 

weakened power before sacrificing the saintess.]

[Nel: That sounds brilliant…?]

[Lisel: Now that I think about fighting the fifth disaster, I’m getting cold feet. Can we win…?]

[Nel: It won’t be easy. Named NPCs have such high HP and defense. Plus, Jack is higher level than Lisel and Bark.]

Hyun-soo sympathized.

[Nel: Plus, a named NPC is much stronger even if it’s the same level. So, how much you can reduce Jack’s HP will be key. The penalty of the Disaster’s Book disappearing doesn’t mean the wounds heal.]

The plan was perfect, and as everything was realized, Hyun-soo aimed at Jack and said,

“Guild Bright Future. The first raid begins.”

[The Fifth Disaster Jack Lv.365]

[HP below 32%.]

Jack had already taken quite a bit of damage from Hyun-soo’s Gungnir and the Sword’s Cry, making the raid’s likelihood of success jump significantly.

“Th-this can’t be…”

As Jack stumbled back in dismay, Lisel and Bark attacked him simultaneously.

Watching their attack and defense, Hyun-soo walked towards Aria.

‘I have to do what I can.’

Jack is a named NPC of level 365. In a battle with him, Hyun-soo, being level 184, would rather be a hindrance.

That’s why Hyun-soo wanted to do what he could.

That was to urgently craft a divine sword.

Hyun-soo already had a cooldown on the emergency crafting.

However, according to Belia, Saintess Aria could remove the cooldown.

And this divine sword would be much stronger than the ones he had made before.

‘Belia told me, Saintess Aria has a tiny amount of Asnium.’

The mineral Asnium, said to be created by Aska.

It was the mineral that contained the most divine power in the world.

***

As Lisel quickly approached the backpedaling Jack,

Kiihaaak-!

Merely swinging the sword brought forth the rough roar of a dragon.

Jack, who had been stumbling back, soon calmed down.

‘Even so, he’s ultimately the weaker one.’

The difference in levels matters greatly.

There was a gap of more than 30 levels between Jack and Lisel.

No matter how much damage he had taken and weakened, it was an insurmountable difference.

The difference between named NPCs and players is clear.

Yes, what Lisel is doing now is similar to a child taking on an adult.

Zzzzzzzz-

Dozens of blades of dark magic were created, forming a shield.

But then something strange happened.

The shield of dark magic blades and the sword wielded by Lisel, imbued with a dragon.

When these two weapons clashed, a ‘Kaaang!’ sound should have been made.

However, the shield of dark magic blades was literally sliced through.

Zzzzack!

“Kugh!”

A stream of red blood spurted from Jack’s body, which was cut along with the shield.

Jack’s eyes wavered.

‘Why?’

A tremendous amount of damage had been inflicted.

Jack’s defense and HP are twice that of those at his level.

And then the anticipation from the sword being swung again.

‘Is it because of this sword?’

Blink.

Jack ascended upwards.

He summoned a tremendous power while looking down at Lisel and Bark.

Krrrrrrr-

It can’t be described as a blade.

Dozens of long swords in the form of dark magic poured down.

At that moment, Bark plunged his shield with all his might in front of Lisel.

The two of them hid behind the shield together.

“How foolish, that shield will soon crumple like a piece of paper.”

The dark magic longsword possesses a power with an additional attack strength of 400%.

No shield has ever blocked his dark magic longsword before…

Kaaang-!

With a clear sound, the dark magic longswords were deflected.

Only scratches remained on the shield.

Dozens of longswords fell.

The shield, marked ‘Aegis,’ blocked every single one without fail.

“Frost Wave.”

Zzzzzzzz-

Then, energy surged from the shield.

Jack felt the air around him freeze at this moment and looked down at himself.

Before he knew it, everything up to his neck was frozen.

‘Why is this happening?’

Jack couldn’t understand.

***

Blue Inc. Meeting Room.

The death of the fifth disaster was thought to occur only two months later.

After the successful descent of the evil god and the destruction of numerous temples, the fifth disaster was to be hunted by the country’s top rankers as a quest.

But the hunt was being attempted from a completely unexpected place.

“Bright Future is only level 1 in terms of guild level.”

Representative Lee Se-jin chuckled.

The guild level is not the level of its members, but varies according to their achievements.

To him, Bright Future, which hadn’t done anything notable recently, was at the lowest level.

Jack on the screen looked bewildered.

Those here knew why he was bewildered.

“Right, no matter how strong Lisel and Bark are, they can’t match Jack.”

That’s the norm.

But there was something that disrupted that norm.

“A legend and a unique close to legend.”

Legends are fewer than ten in our country’s server.

Meaning, Jack is more valuable and rare than that.

Yet, with confidence in his voice, the head of the story team, Lee Hae-seok, said,

“We can’t catch him.”

“…I agree. The power difference is too great. Moreover, when 

Jack senses danger, he unleashes a disaster.”

Named NPCs have unique traits, and he is special.

That was their conclusion as they continued to watch the screen.

Five minutes later,

“Did he do it again…? For the first time with emergency crafting?”

Lee Sejin’s eyes widened.

Story team head Lee Hae-seok stood up, and team leader Kim Tae-seok let out an exclamation without realizing it.

Soon, Lee Sejin said,

“We might be able to catch him.”

The reason for his sudden change of thought was the notification that popped up on the screen.

[Approaching the third legend.]

***

Lisel and Bark.

Their hearts were pounding, muscles relaxing and contracting, making their bodies tense.

The battle with Jack was thrilling to them to that extent.

They were also caught up in the arrogance and certainty that they could catch him without Hyun-soo’s help.

Bark’s shield struck down hard on Jack.

Bark was startled.

Because he saw Jack, with one hand, catching the bottom of the shield to block it.

Bark and Lisel couldn’t understand.

Wizards are vulnerable in close combat.

Therefore, they thought Jack, who had gotten close to them, was prey they could certainly catch.

But that wasn’t the case.

Jack was wearing a serene smile.

“At first, I was surprised, the second time I admired, and I wanted to know why.”

Bark couldn’t understand what he meant.

“I wondered why such strong ones like you would follow him. Indeed, it was worth it, the artifact he created is excellent. Now that I know the reason, my interest has waned. I also felt danger.”

For Jack, who hadn’t found a worthy opponent in a long time, this was a refreshing pleasure.

Jack is despicable and vile.

[The Fifth Disaster.]

[The disaster of enhancement is activated.]

The reason ‘disaster’ is affixed to disasters.

They manifest their unique traits like disasters.

[Jack becomes even stronger.]

Jack’s disaster lies in strengthening himself.

[Magic defense increases by 44%.]

[Magic attack power increases by 56%.]

[Physical defense increases by 54%.]

[Physical attack power increases by 43%.]

[Jack momentarily transcends himself.]

“Do you know why I let you come close?”

Bark and Lisel groaned.

A massive dark magic power surged from Jack’s body.

Soon, that dark power turned into spears and scattered 

around.

PfffPfffPfff-

[HP drops below 90%…]

[HP drops below 60%…]

[HP drops below 40%…]

The two were pierced by dozens of spears without any chance to evade.

“Kugh… Dragon’s Claw!”

Even as he was sent flying backward, Lisel counterattacked.

Two sharp claws appeared out of thin air and struck down on Jack’s chest.

Kwajaaak-

Bark and Lisel suffered tremendous damage, falling into a stun for more than 5 seconds.

Jack, having composed himself, walked towards the two.

He planned to kill these two first, then the blacksmith.

‘Now, there’s nothing to fear.’

[The Fifth Disaster Jack Lv.401]

[HP below 11%.]

He had been rapidly strengthened, and it seemed like no one could do anything to him.

Then, he felt an immense pressure from behind.

And something strange happened.

As if someone flicked a switch, the bright surroundings turned as dark as night.

Jack looked up at the sky.

28 stars were rising.

‘What is this?’

Soon, Jack realized what it was and felt chills down his spine.

Artifacts have what’s called effect effects.

But he had never seen an artifact turn day into night like this.

‘What in the world has been created…?’

Jack, sweating coldly, slowly turned his head.

There was Hyun-soo, holding a sword, looking at Jack.

***

Hyun-soo, who had obtained a small amount of Asnium from Aria.

The Asnium held in the palm of his hand slowly rose.

The white mineral known to contain the most divine power in the world.

Hyun-soo held the white sword that was forged into a beautiful shape.

‘It will become a mere mirage.’

The sword that was created would disappear after 30 seconds.

But that’s okay. Something of equal value would return.

The sword, forged by his knowledge and experience, knowing why his ancestors made this sword.

[The third legend is being written.]

An effect occurs, and the surroundings are engulfed in darkness like night.

Jack and Hyun-soo’s gazes met as they turned.

Jack asked out of pure curiosity,

“…What exactly is that sword?”

“It’s called the Divine Sword.”

28 stars above in the sky become meteors and merge into the sword.

“This sword is not meant for cutting. It was made with a ritualistic purpose.”

Kheuhheuhheung-!

A tiger’s roar bursts from the sword. 

A fierce divine power becomes a wind and envelops Jack.

[Tiger’s Spirit.]

[A great divine power weakens you.]

[You are weakened.]

[You are weakened.]

[The Fifth Disaster Jack Lv.331]

[The Fifth Disaster Jack Lv.301]

[The Fifth Disaster Jack Lv.287]

[You are stunned for 3 seconds.]

Jack received a debuff like none he had ever experienced before, and Hyun-soo spoke about this divine sword.

“The king wished for it.”

National peace and people’s safety (國泰民安).

“He wished for both the people and the country to be at ease.”

An era of great peace (太平聖代).

“I hope it would be so during my reign. Therefore, create such a sword.”

Hyun-soo swung the sword once more.

[Light of Sanctity]

[Deals 640% damage to evil or undead within a radius of 15m.]

A great Light of divine power engulfed Jack.

“This divine sword was created for him, and it is the holy sword of Joseon.”

Jack felt it.

His body was slowly fading away.

It was an irresistible force.

The intense pain and power burning through his body were so strong that not even a scream could escape.

Furthermore, his perception of the one he had considered insignificant, due to their level, changed.

He was someone not to be underestimated.

‘He was the blacksmith who could create the most outstanding weapons in the world.’

A different kind of powerhouse.

Sssssss-

Thus, the fifth disaster, Jack, faced complete death.

And then, tremendous reward notifications began to pour in for Hyun-soo, who had killed one of the super named NPCs and a pillar of evil.

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