Chapter 164

Taeyang Kang created a large icicle in the air and shot it at the opponent. He lightly dodged the Entity, retreating a step each time an icicle embedded itself at his feet.

“He seems like a formidable opponent.”

“Still, no one beats a gang-up.”

Dongju Kim said as she brushed past him. Yeonhan Kim was with her. They each drew their swords and began to continuously thrust their blades at him. Clash! Clang, clatter, clang! And the opponent blocked both of their swords all by himself and even counterattacked. Zhixuan watched the situation unfold and created a Shadow, thrusting it under the opponent’s jaw. Crunch! The Shadow grazed his jaw.

“Nice one, Zhixuan!”

Cho-i Hyeon shouted.

“Devil’s Hand!”

Then countless Black Hands sprang out from the ground, trying to grab the opponent’s ankles. The opponent, unfazed, leaped into the air, but the Black Hands’ joints extended, grabbing his ankles as he jumped and pulling him down. Seizing the opportunity, Yeonhan Kim thrust her sword. Slash-! Yeonhan Kim’s sword sliced open the opponent’s chest. Blue blood erupted. Yeonhan Kim was drenched in the blood and landed on the ground. The blood was blue, but fortunately, it seemed not to be poisonous. She spat out the blood that had entered her mouth and re-gripped her sword.

‘You all are strong.’ “Of course, you punk!”

Cho-i Hyeon commanded the Black Hand.

“Grab him!”

The Black Hands obeyed her command and began to wrap around the opponent’s body. Blue blood began to pour like tears from the empty black space where his eyes should have been.

‘But this isn’t enough. Not to stop the Calamity.’

Sensing danger, Cho-i Hyeon shouted to everyone.

“Everyone, step back!”

At her shout, everyone took a big step back. The Black Hand wrapped around the opponent was swelling. No, it was more accurate to say that the opponent inside it was getting bigger.

“Reform the formation!”

Now, Dongju Kim also stopped talking about the formation and went to his place. Cho-i Hyeon stepped forward with his shield. Kwaaaak-! With a loud sound, the opponent swelled up his huge body and writhed. The Black Hands dug their nails into his skin to hold the Entity. And at the same time, Cho-i Hyeon let out a Shout towards the Entity. -!!! A loud roar that seemed to tear one’s ears. With that roar, the opponent turned his head towards Cho-i Hyeon. Cho-i Hyeon raised his shield and stood at the very front, blocking him. He held his gigantic sword and swung it down from top to bottom. Kwaaaang-!!

“Oh~ strong!”

For Cho-i Hyeon, who had cast Sanity Paralysis, that blow was not very heavy. Cho-i Hyeon lightly pushed back the Entity and stabbed his sword into the opponent’s belly, who was blocking his way. Thud- The opponent screamed. Cho-i Hyeon raised his shield with his sword still embedded. The opponent’s sword continued to strike down on the shield. Bang- Bang- Bang! And taking advantage of that gap, Yeonhan Kim and Dongju Kim pushed off the ground and leaped up. Whoosh-! Yeonhan Kim stepped on the opponent’s shoulders and stabbed his sword into the back of his neck. The opponent struggled, trying to shake off Yeonhan Kim. But this time, Dongju Kim, who had come around from behind, slashed his back deeply. Slash! Ahhh, a loud scream echoed. Cho-i Hyeon suddenly wondered what kind of being the opponent was. Is this person also a King of this world? Is he the last survivor of this world? What does he want that he tries to trial us like this? Cho-i Hyeon twisted what was embedded in his belly.

“Taeyang Kang! Zhixuan!”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

As Cho-i Hyeon twisted and pulled out his sword, blue blood gushed out. And through the gaping wound, a large icicle flew in and lodged itself. Thud, and at the same time, the Black Shadows mutilated his entire body.

[Successfully linked with supporter!]

Ding, a notification window popped up.

[Zhixuan] [Double Attack Power on Linked Attack]

Simultaneously with that notification window, the Shadows swelled up greatly. And with their enlarged bodies, they cut off the opponent’s forearm and burst his head. Blood splattered.

“W-what’s suddenly happening?”

Zhixuan was astonished by an attack that seemed to be twice the output he had generated. Blood poured down like rain. Cho-i Hyeon retreated, taking all of the blue blood. Crash- The huge body fell to the ground. Yeonhan Kim and Dongju Kim also seemed to have no injuries other than being covered in blood.

“It was easier than I thought.”

“There’s no business against a group attack, I tell you.”

Cho-i Hyeon glared at Nara Shim, who was looking around cautiously at the very back.

“You were just playing around?”

“No, there was no room to intervene!”

Nara Shim screamed. Cho-i Hyeon waved his hand.

“It’s fine. It’s fine.”

Looking at the opponent lying on the ground, or rather, just a monster, Cho-i Hyeon had strange eyes. Was he like the last knight protecting the world? How funny. In fact, it wasn’t funny at all. Cho-i Hyeon quietly looked down at him and said,

“If there are any items, collect them all.”

“…You, too, wasn’t he someone you could talk to?”

“That’s that and this is this. Where’s the hidden item?”

And with those words, the wall he had been guarding began to open with a scraping sound. Zhixuan raised his head. And Cho-i Hyeon…

“Go! Nara Shim!”

“Ugh, damn it!”

He threw Nara Shim. He couldn’t let Zhixuan touch the hidden item after all the trouble they went through to get it. Nara Shim, who flew and crashed into the wall, immediately got hold of something shiny.

“I-I got it! I got it!”

“What is it? What is it?”

What she held was a bracelet. A white leather bracelet of some thickness. But in the middle, a large gem was embedded, and in the center of the gem, there was something like the second hand of a watch.

“Hey! Put it on before they take it! Put it on!”

“What? I can wear it?!”

“Uh… I wasn’t really planning on taking it…”

“I don’t care! I’m putting it on!”

Nara Shim immediately put on the bracelet, determined not to lose it. Her eyes sparkled brightly. I, I’m also someone with a hidden item now! Cho-i Hyeon ran and stood in front of Nara Shim. And she asked her.

“What kind of item is it?”

“W-wait a minute.”

Nara Shim used Item Inspect to find out more.

[Time-Stopping Watch (1/1)] [Can stop the world’s time once.]

“Oh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s a watch that can stop time.”

“What, isn’t that amazing then?”

“But it’s only once!”

“Huh, it’s an amazing item, but it’s hard to call it amazing?”

Then Yeonhan Kim and Dongju Kim approached from behind.

“Still, stopping time is amazing.”

“Right.”

“Oh right, you two must have needed a hidden item too…”

Nara Shim now looked at the two of them. Yeonhan Kim smiled and shook her head.

“It’s okay. The items we stripped from that monster are pretty good too. And I don’t need something like a Time-Stopping Watch.”

“Me neither.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me?”

“Be quiet, you blood pig.”

“That ‘blood pig’ talk again…”

“You already have one hidden item anyway. Come to think of it, what’s your hidden item?”

“I control shadows. You’ve seen it already.”

“Oh, that’s not your unique ability?”

“My skills are only related to vampirism.”

“Still a blood pig…”

While the two were bickering, Yeonhan Kim and Dongju Kim, who had collected all the items, said.

“Now that we’ve got the items, it’s best to get out of here quickly.”

“Alright.”

So the group retraced their steps and exited the hidden dungeon. And after easily dealing with the boss monster, they left the dungeon. Nara Shim was cherishing her bracelet. Well, it was a precious item after all, so it was natural. The group immediately took a car to Paehyeok.

“The monster items from the hidden dungeon are pretty good too. So Dongju and I are fine.”

“I’m glad if you’re fine.”

Nara Shim scratched her cheek.

“But I don’t know where to use this.”

“Just use it when you want to be alone in the world.”

“No thanks.”

“Ahaha.”

Cho-i Hyeon laughed brightly. As they headed to Paehyeok, the group received shocking news. Taehyeok Sa relayed it to the group, who had returned happily.

“The EX-Rank dungeon raid date has been moved up.”

“What?”

“Why?”

“It seems the dungeon’s condition is rapidly deteriorating.”

“…That means.”

“In the worst case, a dungeon break will occur.”

An EX-Rank dungeon break. It was truly the worst-case scenario, one they didn’t even want to imagine.

“So when was it moved up to?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Is the day after tomorrow okay?”

“Even the Entity doesn’t know. But it’s definitely an urgent situation. I’m sorry for those who just came out of the dungeon, but get ready immediately.”

“Understood.”

“I’m fine.”

Cho-i Hyeon also nodded. Nara Shim carefully watched Taehyeok Sa and then reported to him.

“By the way, I ended up with this hidden item. Is that alright?”

Taehyeok Sa raised an eyebrow, as if hearing that for the first time. Cho-i Hyeon explained from beside him.

“Oh, we cleared a hidden dungeon. So we’re on our way out with a hidden item from there.”

“What item is it?”

“Heh, it wouldn’t be fun if I told you that.”

“Uh, ugh…”

While Nara Shim was awkwardly caught between Cho-i Hyeon and Taehyeok Sa, Cho-i Hyeon again tucked Nara Shim under her arm.

“Then the day after tomorrow, what time are we meeting in front of the dungeon?”

“10 AM.”

“Alright. I’ll be regulating my condition until then.”

“…Please don’t cause any trouble. I’m asking you.”

“I don’t cause as much trouble as you think!”

She left the Guild Master’s Office with Nara Shim dangling under her arm. Nara Shim asked her,

“Am I really allowed to have this?”

“Yeah. You’re easily scared and very observant, so you’ll know the right timing better than anyone.”

“Is that an insult or a compliment?”

“A compliment, of course!”