Graaaaah!
The barrier slowly melts away.
Side by side, they look at each other.
Hye-ji, her eyes swollen from crying too much.
Sssshk-
She pulls back on the bowstring.
And Han-ul, mature and taciturn beyond his years.
Also Tae-hoon, with his cheerful personality.
And now, the reality of the situation is clear to the blacksmith Hyun-soo.
In this moment, everyone felt it.
The three had spent a long time together and were more in sync than anyone.
And Hyun-soo.
Though they had only coordinated five times, he blended into the team as if he had known them for a long time.
“Our last chance given.”
[Ferocious Labyrinth.]
[Use of all skills is restricted for 30 seconds.]
It took the longest time for American users at the start.
But for them, it was a different story.
Their skills were far beyond the reach of the American users, allowing them to clear faster.
Fwaaaaah-
Soon, through the completely melted barrier, the Lycans tried to enter.
Faster than that.
Boom!
A Lycan struck precisely between the eyes falls, piercing the one behind it too.
Pffft!
Pffft!
Rapid fire.
And then.
[A critical hit occurs.]
[A critical hit occurs.]
Hye-ji’s unbelievable arrows hinder the approaching Lycans.
Soon, dozens of Lycans come scaling the walls.
Then Tae-hoon kicks off the wall.
Boom!
Boom, boom, boom!
A series of rapid kicks.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
Thirteen times.
The flowing kicks entirely block the Lycans’ approach.
Keeeeeeng
Han-ul, the greatest swordsman with a sharp sword, slaughters the advancing creatures.
But the Lycans, with their fast legs and high HP, are fierce and fearless creatures.
Their attacks continue to pour in.
Pluck!
And the last one.
Hyun-soo, now armed with a new weapon.
He moves with a black, slightly curved supreme sword in hand.
In Ares, there is a notification to show the amount of damage dealt or received upon attacking or being attacked.
This feature has an on/off option, suitable for different user preferences.
Everyone but Hyun-soo had this feature turned on.
Han-ul, a swordsman with advanced sword mastery wielding a rare sword, slashes another Lycan.
Splat!
[3,130 damage dealt.]
And Hyun-soo cuts down a Lycan charging at Hye-ji.
Scratch!
[5,113 damage dealt.]
“……!?”
“……!?”
“……!?”
The three are in utter shock.
Hyun-soo moves swiftly among the Lycans.
[4,933 damage dealt.]
[5,243 damage dealt.]
Previously, Hyun-soo had higher damage output than Han-ul.
But the difference had never been this stark.
‘What on earth is that sword…?’
‘It’s insane…!’
They were even more astonished.
[A critical hit occurs.]
[7,313 damage dealt.]
[A critical hit occurs.]
[6,741 damage dealt.]
‘How can critical hits keep occurring like this?’
Hyun-soo’s critical hits came too easily.
Critical hits normally occur when hitting a vital spot and deal significantly higher damage than usual.
The truth behind all of this lay in the sword that Hyun-soo had newly acquired.
(Supreme Blade)
– Grade: Legend above Legend
– Durability: Infinite
– Attack Power: 619
– Restrictions: No restrictions for the creator, Level 400+ Swordsman
– Special Abilities:
– All stats increase by 2%
– Critical hit rate increases by 70%
– Cutting power increases by 50%
– Sword Mastery level increases by 6
– Passive Skill: Eight Slashes
– Passive Skill: Essence of Swordsmanship
– Passive Skill: Once More
– Active Skill: Pull
– Active Skill: Rampaging Sword
Description: This is a special masterpiece created exclusively for Hyun. No other sword can surpass this one.
Compared to the previously owned Baekya, it is astonishing. Baekya’s attack power was 401, while the Supreme Blade’s attack power is 619. Additionally, with the artifact’s effect of increasing critical hit rate by 70%, Hyun-soo can deal critical damage several times more than ordinary people.
Swish! Swish!
Moreover, the merit of a 50% increase in cutting power means the Lycans are being sliced apart. Han-ul looked on with a look of awe.
‘…Is this the power of a real blacksmith?’
However, Han-ul soon realized. Even to someone like him who knew little about blacksmithing, the Supreme Blade was extraordinary. He corrected his thoughts.
‘Is this the power of the greatest blacksmith?’
Han-ul soon felt the Lycans pushing further into the narrow space.
“Please hold them back!”
The three of them smiled wryly. Before they knew it.
‘We are following him.’
Yet, they didn’t feel bad about it and accepted it as natural. The three of them desperately blocked the advancing enemies. Tree branches shot up above Hyun-soo’s head. He crafted an arrow and set it on his bowstring.
Swoosh!
Because they had coordinated many times, as soon as the arrow was fired, the three simultaneously ducked.
Glorious Golden Spirit Arrow.
One arrow multiplied to match the number of Lycans.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the enemies were knocked to the ground, Hyun-soo shouted.
“Advance!”
Sometimes, a narrow space can be disadvantageous. The four of them simultaneously pushed inward.
[Wrath of the Ferocious Labyrinth.]
[Lycans become 15% stronger.]
[Lycans’ HP recovers by 20%.]
Crackling, Creaking
Roar! Roar!
The four scattered. The approaching enemies grew even stronger.
Before Hyun-soo forged the Supreme Blade, they were certain they could never clear this dungeon. They had to try it to know if it was possible. But the Supreme Blade opened up possibilities. The issue was that this potential came solely from Hyun-soo. They had only managed to reduce the number of Lycans by about 30.
Fighting the swarming Lycans, Han-ul despaired. No matter how skilled, there are things that cannot be done. As Han-ul kept retreating, he eventually bumped into Hye-ji’s back. She too was facing her limits.
Han-ul glanced at his seemingly insignificant rare-grade sword.
“I’m envious.”
“…Me too.”
What if they had such weapons as well? Could they increase their chances of clearing this place?
“Aaaah!”
Hye-ji was severely injured by the Lycans. Han-ul stepped in front of her to block them.
A plan formed in his mind.
A total of six.
‘No way…’
He couldn’t cut through them.
Not with the damage his sword could deal.
At that moment.
Whoosh!
“Han-ul!”
A sword flew towards him.
It was a masterpiece created by an old man from a small territory.
The sword, Baekya.
Grasping it, Han-ul moved.
Slicing sounds
Moving swiftly, he cut down the six Lycans in an instant.
A genius with the sword.
Holding the ‘closest to legend,’ Han-ul was now the strongest warrior.
“This is awesome!”
He felt as if he could fly.
The Lycans that hadn’t been cut down fell, clearing a new path.
‘So envious…’
As Hye-ji watched Han-ul with admiration, Hyun-soo appeared through the Lycans.
[You have obtained Orichalcum Aeji Arrows.]
[You have obtained 300 Tong-a.]
[You have obtained 300 Aeji Arrows.]
“I was curious.”
Hyun-soo grinned.
“To see what power you would show when fighting with the best weapons.”
They had raided together five times.
The reason he handed Baekya to Han-ul was because Hyun-soo now had the Supreme Blade.
And the reason he gave Hye-ji the Orichalcum Aeji Arrows was because he now had faith in them.
“Do you know how to use them?”
“Who do you think I am?”
Hye-ji’s eyes shone.
Click
She set the arrow on the bowstring with unparalleled skill.
Though there was no notification, if there were, it would have said this.
[The best archer meets the strongest arrows.]
[Accuracy and penetration increase by 25%.]
Thwack!
She drew the bowstring and shot at the approaching Lycans.
Whoosh!
Crash!
The arrow pierced through one Lycan, sending it flying, and then penetrated three more behind it.
Immediately, the Aeji Arrows and Tong-a that Hyun-soo had given her were fired.
One arrow per second.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Even Hyun-soo could hardly believe what he was seeing.
Aeji Arrows.
Known as penetration arrows, these weapons had great destructive power and range but had one significant drawback.
Their accuracy was critically low.
But Hye-ji’s Aeji Arrows were hitting the vital points of the Lycans.
[A critical hit occurs.]
[A critical hit occurs.]
[A critical hit occurs…]
“They’re melting, melting!”
Ashes scattered where her arrows passed.
At that moment.
A notification sounded that should not have been heard.
[You have hunted many Lycans in the Ferocious Labyrinth in a short time.]
[A new story begins.]
“…!?”
Hyun-soo’s face twisted in horror.
‘The difficulty increases here? How will it rise?’
Soon, Hyun-soo saw it.
Amidst the hundreds of Lycans.
A mysterious figure that had been crouching stretched out.
‘No way…!?’
Ding!
[Sudden Quest: King of the Ferocious Labyrinth and the Lycans]
Grade: SS
Restriction: Initiators of the Ferocious Labyrinth
Reward: 20% reduction in record time if successful
Penalty for Failure: None
Description: The original method of hunting all Lycans and then the boss monster has been changed. Defeat the Lycans and the King of the Ferocious Labyrinth.
‘Do we really have to face the boss monster while still fighting the Lycans?’
Everyone who heard this notification wanted to deny the reality.
Of course, the reward was a 20% reduction in time.
Soon, Hyun-soo saw the figure that had been crouching unfold.
Silver fur.
A wolf’s face.
Unlike the other Lycans that reached up to 3 meters in height, it was similar in height to Hyun-soo.
[King of the Ferocious Labyrinth Lv.383]
Tingling-
Hyun-soo’s instincts signaled danger.
Suddenly, the creature disappeared from sight.
Crash!
“Ugh!”
Hyun-soo’s HP dropped by 9% in an instant. At the same time, the creature struck the chests of Han-ul, Hye-ji, and Tae-hoon with lightning speed.
“Ahhh!”
“Ugh!”
“Ugh!”
Hyun-soo realized.
The creature’s specialty was its speed, beyond comprehension.
With its ferocious eyes gleaming, it came at them again.
The moment Hyun-soo collided with it, he was shocked.
Slash!
The creature’s sharp claws struck Hyun-soo’s chest six times in an instant.
[HP drops below 50%.]
Hyun-soo staggered, sensing the creature approaching Hye-ji, Tae-hoon, and Han-ul again.
‘No…’
The creature was cycling its attacks.
Attacking one person, then immediately another, and then another.
It was toying with them.
Hyun-soo heard the screams of the three again.
“Ahhh!”
“Hye-ji!”
“Ugh!”
Hyun-soo understood.
‘If the third cycle begins, everyone will die.’
And Hyun-soo waited.
Rustle
Soon, he heard the creature approaching.
***
The King of the Labyrinth was annoyed.
Humans who had woken it from its slumber.
They had considerable skill.
But its speed, four times that of a regular Lycan, and its trait ‘Like the Wind’ made it untouchable.
The King of the Labyrinth knew.
From the third cycle, ordinary humans learn and respond.
As expected.
This human was no different.
As it approached at lightning speed, the human swung a sword to attack.
Flash!
The King of the Labyrinth changed its trajectory instantly and moved elsewhere.
Covering a distance of 20 meters in an instant, it prepared to charge.
Then it felt something strange.
[Pull]
Its speed to cover 20 meters was 0.7 seconds.
But within 0.3 seconds, it was in front of a man.
“Got you.”
Hyun-soo’s eyes sparkled.
The newly acquired Supreme Blade was special.
The skills within it were created by Hyun-soo himself.
A compact set of abilities designed for maximum efficiency, excellence, and proper utilization.
[Pulls the enemy instantly, stunning them for 3 seconds.]
Moreover, Hyun-soo knew.
He had to defeat it alone.
But there was an advantage.
The Wolf King title obtained by hunting the Grey Wolf.
[The Wolf King title shines.]
[Attack and defense against wolf-type monsters increase by 17%.]
The power Hyun-soo inscribed onto the Supreme Blade.
This power was inspired by the Gauntlet of Strength.
The Gauntlet of Strength, as the name suggests, transcends the stat of strength beyond logic.
Another power embedded in the Supreme Blade activates.
[Rampaging Sword]
Kuhwooo-!
A black aura surges from his body and is absorbed into the Supreme Blade.
[Attack power is determined by probability.]
[40% chance for 200%~, 20% chance for 300%~, 10% chance for 400%~, 2% chance for 600%~ to be applied.]
[10% chance results in a 401% increase in the sword’s base attack power.]
[Lasts for 15 seconds.]
Sword’s base attack power increased by 401%.
Kwaaa-!
“Kuhaaa-!”
The King of the Labyrinth, struck by it, felt pain it had never experienced before.
However, the King of the Labyrinth possessed high intelligence.
This level of damage won’t kill it.
Yes, one could think like this.
Wouldn’t it be better to have a skill that deals an additional 600% attack power instead of one that increases the base attack power?
“Grrrr…!”
The King of the Labyrinth also realized this.
But it is different.
Hyun-soo is cunning, intelligent, and meticulously plans.
‘Yes, this is…’
Base attack power increased by 401%.
What would happen if this power was added on top?
Siiik-
Hyun-soo smiled coldly, and the King of the Labyrinth realized something was wrong.
Hyun-soo murmured.
“Ghost Step.”
A ghost walks with a sword enhanced by 401%.
Cliche Novel 