Episode 256
“Heo-eok… Heo
-eok…” “Seobeoul…”
“Huh…”
“Hmm…”
Taehyun looked at the four people who were breathing heavily.
In order, they were Kwak Si-yang, Kwon Kang-hyuk, Park Seong-jin, and Ji Jin-hee.
‘This much in just three days.’
It is much faster than Lim A-young.
What’s surprising is that their growth rate is no lower than hers.
Lim A-young endured ‘Ataraxia’ with 20% output only on the last day.
These four men were enduring the force on the third day.
Of course, there was a reason why it was used separately from ‘Apocalypse’.
“Excellent.”
Taehyun said as he glanced at the four people who were in disarray.
Taehyun is already using the ‘eyes of a higher species’.
In those eyes, I could see how twisted the flow of magic power of the four people was.
“Brother… then is it over now…?”
Kwon Kang-hyuk, who was out of breath, made an unusually weak sound.
A chronic weakness called magic resistance.
Although it was an incredible improvement compared to the past, he still had the weakest magic resistance among the four.
Therefore, Ataraxia was like an opposite to him.
“yes. “I think that’s enough for mental resistance.”
“Good!!”
Kwon Kang-hyuk forgot his face and raised his hands.
It wasn’t much different for the other three either.
Just less than Kwon Kang-hyuk.
Taehyun’s ‘Ataraxia’ was not enough to be said to be the biggest tribulation of their lives that they had ever encountered.
“Hmm… it certainly seems like I’ve gotten stronger mentally.”
“Me too… I can handle magic more smoothly than before.”
Ji Jin-hee and Kwak Si-yang, who were using their magic power, muttered.
Park Seong-jin silently poured his magic into the spiral lacquer paper.
Keying-
“…!!”
A layer of magic was added on top of the spiral lacquer paper.
It is not just a simple weapon enhancement.
Shinji Nakata, who was once called the Demon Sword.
There was an anticipation that it could cut down everything like the midnight sun he was holding.
‘Has he finally reached his level?’
This is a man who could not reach his goal even if he swung his sword alone.
Just before his death, he was a man who had surpassed the highest grade of S and reached SS grade.
The last area the man reached.
now.
‘I reached it.’
Wow.
The hand holding the spiral lacquer paper naturally gained strength.
‘I should take you as a teacher.’
That’s when he thinks about Taehyun, who has become his new target.
The other three were also convinced.
Right now, I can handle Hydra Fenrir and SS-rank monsters by myself.
It was a tremendous achievement achieved in just three days.
but.
Taehyun shook his head as he looked at the four people who were satisfied with their respective accomplishments.
“It’s too early to be satisfied with that.”
“hmm…?”
“Again… is there something left?”
“….”
“Fuck….”
Taehyun nodded as he watched the four people stiffen.
“There are about 3 days left. “Let’s start the game.”
“The game you saw?”
“It’s not the end…?”
Kwak Si-yang and Park Seong-jin responded by asking what he was talking about.
Surprisingly, the first person to notice was Kwon Kang-hyuk.
“Hahaha no way!!”
He burst out laughing, anticipating Taehyun’s next words.
“yes. “Once you have achieved mental growth, it is right for your physical body to follow suit.”
Quaaaaa.
Dark red magical energy bloomed from Taehyun’s body once again.
The four players were startled by that familiar magical power.
In particular, Kwon Kang-hyuk’s reaction was spectacular.
“What the fuck!! This is what I’ve been waiting for!! Brother!!!”
He was excited at the thought of hitting his body, so he shook his muscular body.
“Guild leader Kwon Kang-hyuk. “Do you have a personality problem?”
“Hahahaha.”
Taehyun smiled quietly as he saw him smiling brightly.
It looked like a puppy that wanted to play with its owner.
“Let’s start with 10 seconds.”
Tiring.
[Skill Apocalypse (SS) has been activated. The target is not specified.]
[Output is limited. Output: 5%]
Kugugugung.
With huge gravity.
Darkness fell in the training room.
“Everyone, please hold on.”
Contrary to Kwon Kang-hyuk’s wishes.
There was no need for Taehyun to bump into them.
* * *
Just like that, a whole week passed.
Taehyun was seeing off Go Tae-wook at the association’s warp gate zone.
Starting from the last training session of the previous day, Ji Jin-hee, Park Seong-jin, Kwon Kang-hyeok, and Kwak Si-yang entered the intensive care unit.
“Taehyun… how much did you roll…?”
Go Tae-wook asked while checking the recovery charts of the four people.
Even if that’s the case with Kwak Si-yang, Ji Jin-hee, Kwon Kang-hyuk, and Park Seong-jin are among the top 5 New Korea players in terms of physical ability.
Those people were suffering and not recovering properly.
“There is no growth without pain.”
The way you speak calmly.
“It gives me chills just listening to it.”
Goosebumps appeared on Go Tae-wook’s body.
Suddenly, something happened in Jeju Island came to mind.
“Boss. “The gate is ready.”
An association player approached and reported.
“I’ll be back.”
“okay. Don’t worry, we will protect the new Korea. “Guild leader Yoo Ah-young and Ms. Ah-young are awake.”
Taehyun nodded.
Yoo Ah-young and Lim A-young.
Especially with the power of Rosaria that rests on Yoo Ah-young, it will not be easy for Kassim Zort to bring Harsultan’s main force.
“I’ll take care of it quickly and come back.”
Of course, the ideal picture was for Taehyun to return before that.
Seeing off Ko Tae-wook and the association players.
Taehyun crossed the warp gate heading to Japan.
* * *
When we crossed the gate, what we saw were the saints and other executives of the Japan Players Association.
“I was waiting. “Player Kim Tae-hyun.”
The saint bowed her head respectfully and greeted Taehyun.
In addition, several executives tried to introduce themselves, but Taehyun raised his hand to stop them.
“I don’t have time to leisurely listen to self-introductions. “Let’s go to the command room and hear about the situation.”
An unknown person led the way, and Taehyun followed.
The saint stood next to Taehyeon and explained the situation.
“Currently, a huge barrier has spread around Fukuoka, so it is difficult to understand the internal situation.”
“It must be a massacre inside.”
“…I expect so.”
“What about movement?”
“Still not there.”
The gate break occurs and a magic wave equivalent to SS+ grade is felt, but no monsters come out of the barrier.
A barrier has been set up to monitor the situation, making it impossible to enter.
It was the same situation as a week ago when the saint asked for help.
What has changed?
“The magic energy leaking around the barrier is flowing into the sea. But it looks just like….”
“It looks like a demonic sea?”
“yes. “It is also an analysis of magical power concentration that can only be seen in the deep.”
The saintess faithfully explained the situation as if she were Taehyun’s personal secretary.
Of course, I already knew this from Jeong Han-soo.
While we were talking about various things, we arrived at the operation command room.
Jun Shinkai, who had been appointed as the new president of the association, was there.
“Welcome. Player Kim Tae-hyun. “Thank you for going the distance.”
Chairman Shinkai was a person belonging to the pro-friendly faction.
As the saint had done, he bowed his head in greeting.
“There is no need to say that it is a long walk. If only they showed a corresponding attitude, Association President Ji Jin-hee would feel much more comfortable.”
If you want to receive proper help, listen carefully to Ji Ji-hee’s requests.
It was that kind of pressure.
“I’m working on persuading the Prime Minister.”
“The effort. “You will have to work harder in the future.”
“I understand….”
Chairman Shinkai left his stern face behind him.
Taehyun turned his attention to the numerous screens installed in the operation command room.
The angles were different, but what was shown was similar.
A blue barrier of unbelievable size was spread across the Fukuoka area.
“I guess this is all the information I can get from here.”
“There is no shame… All the players that were sent in have lost contact…”
This meant that they were not sending any more players to reduce meaningless sacrifices.
“Well, I didn’t have much expectations. “I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Please.”
President Shinkai bowed his head once again.
The association’s executives reluctantly followed him and bowed their heads.
Taehyun left the operation command room, ignoring their greetings.
* * *
After leaving the operation command room, we headed to the association’s warp gate zone.
Taehyun stopped in front of the large warp gate.
“It’s impossible to go straight to Fukuoka. Because of the barrier…”
The saintess who followed said as if she was having trouble.
Gate skills usually do not work properly in areas where there is a barrier.
That’s common sense.
but.
This is only in cases where the magical power emitted by the opponent’s barrier is significantly higher or similar to that of the caster.
Taehyun possessed the ‘Apostle of the Gate’ skill, which was further strengthened through fusion.
The horsepower was also far beyond SS+ grade.
“I will activate the gate. “Coordinates?”
Taehyun asked, looking around at the gate attendant.
Some of them approached.
“…I will go with you.”
The saint belatedly spoke with a solemn expression.
“You can’t blindly trust even ultra-fast regeneration against SS+ grade monsters, right?”
It wasn’t a mockery, it was a fact.
She must have felt this desperately while dealing with Kentamion in the past.
Nevertheless.
“The fate of our country is at stake. “I can’t leave all my burdens to Taehyun.”
She gave an exemplary answer that could not be considered a saint from the past.
‘It’s really changed a lot.’
I almost wished that Yoo Ah-young, who had awakened, could become at least half the saint she is now.
Taehyun shrugged and approached the large gate.
Tiring.
[Skill Gate Apostle (SS) has been activated.]
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?
Taehyun’s magic flowed into the gate.
It is a large gate that takes quite a bit of time to activate even if there are ten people in charge.
However, it took less than 10 seconds for Taehyun to activate it on his own.
‘What kind of ridiculous magical power…’
‘This is New Korea’s Kim Tae-hyun…’
‘The world’s No. 1 player…’
‘I understand that Tsurara and the president of the association are bowing down. .’
The Japanese players who were watching looked at Gate and Taehyun alternately with expressions of disbelief.
“coordinate.”
Taehyun, who fully activated the gate, spoke once again.
“Oh, I’ll type it now.”
The man hurriedly punched in the coordinates of the Fukuoka branch gate.
Tiring.
[Coordinates have been entered. Movement is possible.]
Taehyun crossed the gate with a message floating in front of him.
The saint followed him.
* * *
“It’s bloody.”
Taehyun muttered softly.
There was no life reaction felt, as if it had been submerged once in the Demon Sea.
Inside the barrier.
It was a sight that could only be seen at the Fukuoka branch.
The saintess who followed him out of the gate also shivered.
‘You came straight inside?’
It was not unreasonable to be surprised.
I followed along because I thought Taehyun might have something on his mind.
This is because I never thought that the gate would pass through the barrier.
“It seems like this is the only way to get to the gate.”
Regardless of the saint’s reaction, Taehyun’s expression was that he did not like it.
After completing fusion and status window inspection, check the skill separately.
With existing specs, this is a skill that allows you to easily move around this level of barrier.
however.
In Fukuoka, the skill bounced off as if it had been blocked by some huge magical power.
A similar phenomenon occurs when one cannot reach the deepest layer and moves to the deeper layer.
‘Could it be that a monster of SSS level or higher is setting up the barrier?’
As of now, this was the most likely assumption.
Tiring.
[Skill Energy Drain (SS) has been activated. Searching for the target.]
Dark red magical power spread out from under Taehyun’s feet.
This is to clarify the location of the entity using the barrier.
but.
[You’re making me wait a long time. Contractor from Rosaria.]
“…!!”
Suddenly Taehyun heard the language of the monster in his head.
Even though it was my first time hearing the voice, I felt a familiar sense of intimidation.
‘No way…’
Taehyun’s worries didn’t last long.
[The main seat is Jormungand. Otherwise known as the Demon Sea King.]
The solemn voice echoed in my head again.
‘Crazy. How could the Archduke open the gate…’
before Taehyun could finish his thought.
Wow!
Beyond, the Demon Sea was shaking.
The devil’s sea became waves, and the waves became huge tsunami.
A tsunami like a huge mountain rushed towards the two people.
“Kim Tae-hyun player!!”
Unlike the saintess shouting urgently.
[Nice to meet you, the key chosen by the king.]
Jormungand gave a nuance that almost seemed like a greeting.