Strike 196

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The members of Hyun’s Forge were remarkable. To be honest, they performed far better than Hyun-soo had expected. Thanks to their ability to reach the legendary level, albeit briefly, they created this current opportunity. However, another crisis arose. Even in the face of this life-or-death moment, Hyun-soo moved to stop them.

A sentence-type title. A title granted only to Hyun-soo in Ares. And the skill Counter (反). It had the power to temporarily combine hidden artifacts within it. It combined two artifacts into a single artifact. However, one must remember that one of them was Hyun’s masterpiece, the Supreme Sword, the best long sword in existence. The other, although reborn and fully established as a debuff, was a transcendent Twin Dragon Sword with perfect attack power and grand benefits.

The moment the two artifacts came together, a massive heat haze arose.

[This is the most perfect combination.]

[It is recognized as the most powerful single sword in the world.]

[All effects are improved by 6%.]

Then came a declaration of history:

-Chinese viewers mocked and criticized us.

-It was an unbearable insult as a citizen of the Republic of Korea.

-But Crazy Rookie relieved our uncontrollable emotions.

-I see the name Crazy Rookie vividly etched in front of me.

-I just confirmed that the number of subscribers to Hyun’s Forge has significantly increased…

-The key is the future. Will we endure, or won’t we?

150 Chinese users. 81 Korean users. The difference in power was significant. Korean users, already exhausted to the limit, appeared everywhere. Crossing the castle gates meant imminent fall.

Next to Hyun-soo stood Hwarang Guild Master Lee Hwan.

“It’s already been 7 hours of rental time, a whopping 1.4 billion. It’s too expensive. I hope you’ll give us a discount next time.”

What is he talking about?

With a small smile, he showed the legendary grade Twin Dragon Sword.

“The whole world said our country wouldn’t last 4 hours, but it’s already been over 10 hours, thanks in large part to Hyun’s Forge.”

Lee Hwan wasn’t someone who would hesitate to answer yes if asked whether he was a moral person. But at this moment, he acknowledged the contribution.

“Can you tell Hyun? Thank you.” 

The message was well conveyed. Around 50 Korean users joined in.

“Let’s go.”

[The sentence begins.]

Hyun-soo, aware that he faced the greatest crisis yet, ran forward with a newly forged sword. As the Chinese users laughed at Hyun-soo wielding a black-stained grand blade, sentences granting him the power to overcome the crisis were inscribed in the sky.

[Even if it breaks]

[You can increase the level of one desired skill by 2 levels.]

The Chinese users were elated.

“Kihyahhahaha!”

“Finally, it’s falling!”

“Wizards, bombard them!”

“Exhausted Korean users, we can wipe them out with a single bombing spell, right?”

At the same time, the wizards began casting. The benefit of increasing the desired skill level was greater than expected. It didn’t have to be a powerful force to create a miracle. Just like this.

[Pull]

[Instantly pulls 5 enemies towards you.]

The wizards casting their spells were startled. In an instant, their view changed.

“Ah, hello?”

The bewildered wizards could see Hyun-soo glaring at them. Hyun-soo, who had dragged his blackened grand blade behind him, swung it with all his might.

Skaaaaaaak-

-Five wizard users killed in one stroke!

-This happened in an instant!

-Five wizards in the 380-level range, preparing wide-area spells, were sliced in half in one strike!

Hyun-soo could see the approaching knight users. Their armor stood out. Artifacts closest to legendary. Such armor could be seen on the approaching knight users. 

At this moment, Hyun-soo realized that the true strong ones had been watching from the sidelines. They had stepped back and let the weaker ones fight, waiting to make a grand appearance at the last moment. 

The most excellently crafted artifacts concentrated on the remaining ones were proof of that. Those in the 370-380 level range, boasting excellent artifacts, couldn’t help but be arrogant. Seventeen approaching close-combat knights. Once again, a sentence was inscribed in the air.

[Never Back down]

[Increases sword’s cutting power by 215% and destructive power by 197%.]

Another added fact was that Hyun-soo’s cutting power was already excellent due to the Gauntlets of Calamity’s enhancement. Additionally, although the Twin Dragon Sword and the Supreme Sword had combined for one minute, the only advantage of using the current Twin Dragon Sword was that it possessed the highest attack power in Ares.

One user swung his sword upward from below.

‘Got him…!’

Crazy Rookie had performed outstandingly. Killing such a person would significantly increase the chances of becoming MVP. He would steal a significant portion of his contribution. The user was soon horrified.

Kwaaaang-

The moment the grand blade struck his sword, it lost balance, and his sword slammed into the ground.

[You are stunned.]

[A strong impact spreads throughout your body.]

Tzzzzt-

Unable to hide his confusion at the sensation spreading through his entire body, he quickly stood up and, seeing the grand blade being pulled back, smirked.

“This is armor closest to legendary, you son of a b****…”

Mockingly spitting out a line he’d seen in a Korean movie, he was taken aback.

Chhheooook-!

The sound when the grand blade struck the armor.

[Your armor’s durability has significantly decreased.]

Rattle rattle rattle

The armor literally broke apart. The same armor that didn’t even get scratched when fighting users of the same level.

‘This top-tier unique armor…?’

The close-combat users, about to rush at Hyun-soo, hesitated. A strong telekinetic force held them back. At that moment, Hyun-soo’s grand blade rapidly broke the users’ armor.

“Huh?”

“Ugh…?”

“What is this…?”

When the armor of high-rankers, whose defense and HP far surpassed that of regular users, broke, exposing their skin, they were bewildered.

“Ghost Step.”

Sga ga ga ga ga ga gack-!

As his afterimage was imprinted, the Chinese users were bewildered.

Passing through the broken parts of their armor, their bodies were being sliced in half by something heavy.

‘This is insane…’

Soon, the Chinese users started firing their skills wildly.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom-

A thick cloud of dust rose into the air.

The destructive power was enough to hunt even a formidable boss monster in an instant.

No matter how strong a single tiger is, it can’t withstand a pack of wolves.

However, they were unaware of one thing.

Skaak-

Amidst the dust, the sound of allies being cut could be heard.

‘What is that?’

Blood-red orbs appeared in various places in the air.

[Blood Absorption]

[Recovers HP equivalent to the damage dealt and activates with a 6% chance.]

[HP drops below 36%.]

[HP recovers by 16%.]

A tiger emerged through the dust, biting the wolves that had used their skills.

Crunch crunch crunch

What they didn’t know was that, although the tiger might fall to the pack of wolves, it could still bite them.

Another sentence was inscribed.

[By all means]

[HP increases by 20%, and defense increases by 25%.]

Flaaash-

Surrounded by bright light, he slashed forward with his grand blade.

‘I want to become the MVP.’

Stab

A Chinese user with terrifying attack power capable of piercing through the Armor of Calamity was cut down.

[13 consecutive hits.]

Slash slash slash slash slash!

The result of combining two swords caused the user to be torn apart.

“A m-monster…”

“Is he really just level 330?”

Hyun-soo at this moment was beyond a mere 330-level player.

His stats were already on par with those of current 380-390 level users.

In addition, he wielded the combination of the strongest swords in existence.

However, there was an unfortunate matter.

[The poison of the Poison King spreads.]

The poison he suffered from the Poison King Liu lingered even after a long time.

[Two of your strongest skills are restricted.]

These were specifically Bond and Flame.

But when Hyun-soo transcended with the two artifacts, he momentarily surpassed himself.

Ska ska ska-

‘I don’t want to be remembered as weak anymore.’

Fragments of his memory flashed like a panorama.

Driven by the desire and will to someday become a king, he cut down his enemies.

The Chinese users, judging Hyun-soo to be the most dangerous person, surged towards him.

The final sentence was inscribed.

[Win]

[All attack power temporarily increases by 21%.]

‘I will definitely…!’

At that moment, Hyun-soo’s eyes shook.

Stab

Stab!

Two weapons pierced through Hyun-soo’s body.

“Even knowing we’re here, you went on a rampage like a mad dog.”

“This is good for us, Mr. Pond. Thanks to his performance, killing him will make us shine even more.”

[You possess Asnium.]

[HP has dropped below 10%.]

[HP recovers to 15%.]

Hyun-soo, who quickly recovered, gritted his teeth and tried to escape from the two.

But Liu, who had withdrawn his weapon first, stabbed him once again.

Stab-

[HP drops below 6%.]

[You are afflicted with Dizziness.]

[You are afflicted with Confusion.]

Liu, the Poison King, who had pierced Hyun-soo with a spear as if skewering him, gave a sly smile.

“Do you know that Pond and I haven’t even used our legendary artifacts yet? Oh, wait. I just did when I stabbed you.”

It was damage that clearly defied common sense.

Pond clicked his tongue in disgust, as if looking at an insect.

“Let’s leave this one to die last. Just toss him aside for now. Oh, right.”

Pond whispered.

“You need to know your place. There are things you can do and things you can’t, no matter how much you rampage like a son of a b****.”

Hyun-soo, impaled like a skewer, was thrown outside the castle.

[You cannot resist.]

Hyun-soo, who had fallen outside the castle gate, clenched his teeth.

‘I have to get up.’

Hyun-soo’s mind began to fade due to the confusion status effect.

However, his body lost strength, and he collapsed.

Hyun-soo’s consciousness kept fading in and out.

Desperately trying to stay awake, Hyun-soo saw the Korean users being pushed back by the Chinese users.

‘How did I come this far…’

There were those who believed in him and followed him, and he also had new goals.

But the confusion status effect caused another blackout.

Thud

Hyun-soo, on his knees, kept opening and closing his eyes.

-The fall is imminent.

-Chinese users are rushing towards the fortress gate and the flag after 9 hours…

-They have finally reached the barrier…

Hyun-soo’s mind sank back into darkness.

Then,

-Wh-what’s this?

-Something unexpected is happening.

-This place, where the Continental War is taking place, is a small island on the Asgan continent…

-With a strong barrier in place…

Kuuuuung

-A-a massive tremor is shaking the entire arena…

-The Chinese users are breaking through the barrier without a care…

Kwaaak

-I-it’s torn!

-What is this? Why is the barrier…!

With a flash, Hyun-soo came to his senses and saw a shadow cast over him.

From his kneeling position, he slowly raised his head, his pupils trembling.

A moment he had waited for so long.

A voice he desperately wanted to hear again.

“Hyun-soo.”

A familiar man, smiling softly while looking at him, breathing heavily.

“Stand up.”

His father, Kang Hyun-tae, stood before him.

Hyun-soo couldn’t think of anything else.

He simply hugged his father with all his might.

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