Chapter 168. The Land of Fantasy (3)
“Huff....”
Eun-Ho bent forward, clutching his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. Thick, sticky mucus slid down his cheek. It was a mixture of wolf and eagle blood. His sweat poured endlessly, soot coating his skin after he had set fires to deal with the bats and moths.
Plop—
Clotted drops of blood fell one after another, pooling on the ground before he realized it. Then, a golden circle flared to life above the red puddle.
“Sanctuary Declaration,” he said.
Fwaat—
It formed, expanded, and gave birth to another circle within it. They overlapped again and again until the gold grew deeper than the red beneath, swallowing even the land itself.
Fwaaaaat—
Then, a vast golden carpet unfurled beneath the sprawling roller coaster.
[Sanctuary has been declared!]
[Required duration: 29 minutes 12 seconds... 11 seconds... 10 seconds...]
“It’s done!”
“We’ve got thirty minutes until the trial ends. That should be plenty of time!”
Magic Land was where children’s haunted houses and exhibition halls lay scattered like isolated dark islands, swarming with nocturnal monsters. American Adventure was where flying squirrels leaped out from every hill-like walking path. European Adventure was where grotesque sandworms endlessly burst forth beneath the roller coaster tracks. All of them had been purified.
Only one place remained, where contract survivors reportedly lost half their combat power the moment they set foot inside. Zootopia. People gulped and headed to the safari.
***
A massive figure let out a low, heavy voice. “Hmm.”
What is displeasing him this time?
The man facing that unreadable silence felt flustered. He was an engineer, not a sycophant skilled at flattering those above him.
“Are you certain the boy chose that?”
At the question, the small-framed technician bowed his head. “Yes sir.”
“Then why isn’t he using it?”
“That, I honestly don’t know either sir...”
Thud!
The large man slammed a wooden goblet onto the table. “Then he must not have liked it.”
“That’s impossible to say. It hasn’t even been a few days yet.”
“He used the first gift the moment he received it.”
The technician recalled what the man was referring to. “By ‘first gift,’ you mean—ah.”
Right. The Electric Oil.
Back when the restructuring of Sector Thirteen had just begun, he had suddenly dragged in a pile of lightning-struck dead trees, and ordered oil to be extracted from them.
The technician shook his head, brushing aside the annoying memory. “Of course he liked that one. You handed such a rare item to a rookie who’d barely been poking around street stalls.”
The man who had been listening quietly raised an eyebrow. “Hah. Where else would you find a rookie like that?”
“No, that’s not what I meant—”
“If there are more, bring them to me. I’ll reward each one generously.”
The thoughts of those in power were impossible to grasp. Back then, the man was worried that the boy’s life was in danger, and asked for the intensity to be lowered so his fragile physique could endure it. Yet now, the man scoffed at him himself, while refusing to let others do the same.
“There’s no denying his talent. But for now, he’s gained far more means to protect himself, hasn’t he?”
“Hmm.” The man closed his heavy eyes, then opened them again. “Watching without acting is frustrating.”
“Huh? Are you considering intervening?”
“I think he may need a small crisis.”
He said it lightly, framing it as just a small crisis, but it was anything but that.
Seeing the unease on the technician’s face, the man said calmly, “What. You don’t like the idea?”
“It will confuse him.”
“Confuse him?”
“Yes. He’s still an uncut gem, isn’t he? One that hasn’t even been properly polished yet.”
The technician had said his piece. The man stared at him in silence, clearly waiting for more.
Reluctantly, the technician explained, “If you want him to shine in his true colors, shouldn’t you wait for him to break out of the shell on his own?”
“Wait for him?” The man’s face grew complicated, lines of deep and ancient worry etched into it like rings in an old tree. “And what if he falls into their hands while we wait?”
The technician opened his mouth, then closed it again. He knew full well someone like him couldn’t freely weigh in on such a concern.
The man then said, “He’s a rough stone, full of sharp edges. If he gets chipped away again and again until nothing but dust remains, what then?”
“In that case—”
“Just a slight storm. That should be enough for him to awaken on his own.”
The long-held worry finally settled, sinking like sediment to the bottom.
***
Zootopia.
The signboard was painted in bright, playful colors, each alphabet letter splashed with a different hue. Once upon a time, it had likely been a beacon of excitement and curiosity for children.
Thud!
However, a parrot had smashed headfirst into it, torn clean in half. Crushed brain matter and dark red blood smeared themselves between the letters O and O. Pale green feathers were scattered everywhere.
“Ugh.”
The woman who had blown the parrot’s skull apart with a single arrow gagged. No matter where one looked, the scene was littered with monster remains. Whether from the sight itself or the lingering stench of blood, everyone was clearly struggling. The fresh-faced couple, the sturdy-looking bodyguards and even the sharp-tongued idol wore an unmistakably strained expression.
“Huff...”
Their breathing was labored. They were nowhere near collapsing on the spot, but it was obvious they couldn’t keep up with the prolonged combat.
Should I summon the Skeleton Soldiers? Eun-Ho wondered.
He hesitated. If he had been on his own, he would not have thought twice.
But I can’t protect them forever.
He wasn’t a saint like Saito, someone willing to sacrifice himself endlessly for others.
“Min-Young, are you okay?” her boyfriend asked anxiously. “If it’s too hard, maybe you should just—”
“No, Oppa. I can do this,” she replied, forcing herself upright despite her pale face.
Eun-Ho looked at her, then said calmly, “You don’t have to watch until the very end if it’s too much.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t know if it’s thanks to your archery skill, but even accounting for that, your aim is excellent,” Eun-Ho said. “So the moment it feels like you’ve landed a hit, move on to the next target.”
Instead of cutting down enemies for them, he handed them the hilt of a blade. That way, they could lean on each other’s backs even without him, rising up again and surviving.
“If it doesn’t die in one shot, your boyfriend can finish it off.”
“Ah...”
“In other words, you don’t have to look at them every time,” he added, “you don’t need to watch them die.”
“Okay. I’ll do that,” Min-Young said quietly.
“Are you sure you can?” her boyfriend asked.
“Yeah!” she answered firmly.
Ding!
Just as the two of them raised their bows side by side with resolute expressions, a notification rang out.
[A small group of temporary contract survivors steadies their formation after your encouragement.]
[Loyalty has increased.]
[Average Loyalty: 60%]
Huh?
It hadn’t been a calculated move, but the result was perfect. If they gained trial rewards and kill points, and he gained loyalty in return, then everyone benefited. It was a win-win situation.
Swoosh—!
Just then, a sharp metallic sound cut through the air as he was still reading the message.
[Defeat the Frilled-Neck Lizard!]
In the distance, a massive lizard rolled its yellow eyes as it stared at them. It flicked out its red, split tongue and pulled it back in.
“Kyaaaak!”
Then it charged.
Eun-Ho tightened his stance, preparing to draw his sword and intercept.
Swoosh—!
Just then, an arrow fired by the woman struck the lizard square in the head.
Swoosh—!
Then, a second arrow, fired by the man, pierced straight into its tail.
“Kyaaaaak—!”
Unable to sever its head or tail to flee, the lizard collapsed limply onto the ground, akin to a stake driven into the earth.
“Well done,” Eun-Ho said.
They learned quickly.
“You’ve grown a lot compared to before,” he continued, “both of you seem naturally talented.”
After all, he hadn’t spent his time at the company for nothing.
Criticism in private. Praise in public.
“Oh no, it’s not that impressive!”
“It is,” Eun-Ho replied firmly. “If the two of you work together, you’ll be able to handle most monsters just fine.”
The couple’s faces flushed half shy and half proud. Around them, others unconsciously tightened their grips on their weapons just as he intended.
“I think the idea of fighting together makes me feel more at ease, so my shots land better,” the woman said gratefully. “Thank you!”
“I won’t be able to stay long, but until then, I’ll do everything I can to help you survive,” said Eun-Ho.
“Thank you!”
“Yes, thank you so much!”
From that moment on, two bodyguards also rushed forward together, slashing open the belly of the monster with a lion’s head and a tiger’s body.
“We’ll take that one!” a bodyguard shouted. “Hyungnim, please hit it from the side!”
“Huh? Oh! Got it!”
[The Starving Liger has been defeated.]
“This one’s on us! Hey, let’s go!”
“Huh? Me too?”
“What, are you just going to watch? Grab a spear!”
“Uh, okay!”
[The Striped Hyena has been defeated.]
The idols swarmed in, tearing the hyena’s jaws apart with thin spears and swords.
“Hyungnim! Think you can handle this one?”
“Go big or go home. Let’s do it.”
“Yes, sir!”
[The Big Spot Elephant has been defeated.]
Myung Seung-Tae’s right-hand man grabbed Eun-Ho’s arm, hauling him up the massive elephant. Even though the monster was easily as large as a building, he severed its neck in one clean strike.
Chunks of monster flesh littered the ground, pierced and hacked apart. From the sky, the corpses of monsters struck by arrows rained down one after another.
[The Crow from the Bureau of Management applauds the arrival of new subordinates.]
[The Prince from the Bureau of Investigation admires your leadership.]
The battle dragged on in such a way for quite some time.
“Ha... It looks like we’re almost done!”
“Don’t let your guard down,” Eun-Ho said firmly. “Check carefully and make sure there aren’t any hiding.”
“Yes, sir!”
[Conditions met.]
Just as they were about to sweep up the last remaining stragglers, an announcement rang out of nowhere.
[The King of the Colony has appeared!]
“Huh?”
“A king?!”
“What kind of king would be here?”
The king of the safari and creatures worthy of that title flashed through their minds in rapid succession.
Lions, tigers, cheetahs, bears, elephants, eagles....
“We’ve killed most of those already, haven’t we?”
“It might not be an animal species,” Eun-Ho warned. “Stay sharp.”
On the verge of relief with the end in sight, tension wrapped around them once more. The air seemed to turn ice-cold, and everyone’s expressions stiffened.
Thud!
A tremor rose up from the ground.
“Is this an earthquake? No, wait—”
Thuuuud—
The earth lurched violently and a tour van tipped over. Countless fences collided with one another, bending and crumpling.
Thuuuuuuud—!
A frame so massive it made even Golems look small. It exposed a chest broad as a mountain range emerged into view.
[Defeat the Giant Baboon!]
It was a type of monkey.
“King Kong?”
“What the hell? Where would you ever see a monkey that big?”
“There’s nothing like that in a safari!”
It looked less like a monkey and more like King Kong brought to life.
“But doesn’t the way it walks look kind of strange?”
“Huh? Does it?”
As someone pointed out, its gait was unnatural, with its upper and lower half swaying excessively. It even seemed to limp slightly.
Thud—!
Thuuud!
Of course, that did not lessen the overwhelming pressure radiating from a monster built like a mountain.
“If that thing steps on you, you’re dead for sure!”
“Wouldn’t it be better to abandon the safari and just defend the other areas?”
“I’ll take the lead,” Eun-Ho said.
Looks like it’s my turn.
“But we’re already grateful enough for everything you’ve done for us.”
[The temporary contract survivors are deeply moved by your grace.]
[Loyalty has greatly increased.]
[Average Loyalty: 80%]
Loyalty surged rapidly toward his target value.
[Subordinates in a ‘Loyal’ state: 52.]
[Temporary attack power has been increased by fifty-two percent.]
With it, his attack power skyrocketed. This was perfect.
“Those of you who can attack from long range, aim for the head and look for its weak points,” Eun-Ho ordered.
“Understood!”
“We’ll pepper it with arrows!”
Then Eun-Ho ran. With every step, he could feel his arm, his sword, and the engulfing blue Sword Force growing denser and harder with every step.
“Everyone, attack together!”
“We’ll cover the upper side with arrows!”
Spears, swords, axes, and arrows all turned toward the giant baboon as Eun-Ho charged straight at it. He dashed past mountains of monster corpses, and through pools of dark red and black blood that splashed underfoot.
Then, the Giant Baboon charged as well.
Huh? Something feels off...
It felt like the Giant Baboon was only targeting him. Suppressing the creeping unease, Eun-Ho raised his sword.
[05:21]
Just over five minutes remained.
I have to finish this quickly.
With that thought in mind, Eun-Ho swung his sword. “Sword Force. Blade Wind!”
Fwoooosh—
A blue-black surge of energy shot up along the Flame Sky-Shattering Blade, tearing through the air as it flew forward. Then, a deep slash was carved into the Giant Baboon’s shaggy chest.
The blade wind left its mark on the night sky akin to a crescent moon etched into darkness. Just then, blue-black energy flowed from the Giant Baboon’s shoulder down into its hand.
[Mimicry has been activated!]
“That’s!”
Wooong—
His blade let out a low hum as it sensed a familiar aura. He hesitated for a split second. Then, the same blue-black, crescent-shaped blade wind came flying straight back.
It’s Sword Force and Blade Wind, Eun-Ho thought.
[Mimicry has been activated!]
No matter how good its imitation ability is, I didn’t think it would be able to copy that.
Eun-Ho threw himself aside to dodge. As if it had been waiting for that, a follow-up attack came immediately. He twisted and ducked, barely avoiding the second strike. When the third came, he had no time to change direction.
Then I’ll block it head-on and counter!
The defensive system etched into his chest armor would hold at least once.
Just as he braced himself and faced the baboon, a shout pierced his ears. “Guard!”
Clang—
A pale, translucent barrier appeared in front of him. The blade wind slammed into it and bounced away.
The bodyguard who had activated his skill asked, “Mr. Lee Eun-Ho! Are you all right?!”
“Thank you.”
“You mentioned that skill has a cooldown, right?” Eun-Ho asked.
“Yes! Five minutes. I can’t use it again right away, but I’ll fight alongside you!”
Five minutes. Should I wait it out and fight together again? He considered it briefly, then shook his head. The longer this drags on, the worse it gets.
To stall it for that long, they would have to expose their full hand. Who knew what other abilities the monster could copy after that? The difference in raw physical build was absurdly large to begin with. Their endurance was on completely different levels.
We’ll have to end it in one blow, without giving it time to imitate anything!
That wasn’t difficult. If he poured in the mountain of resistance stats he had accumulated so far, the monster would go down in a single counterattack. However, he still had a better card in hand. Unlike Counterattack, which scaled with damage taken, this new finisher consumed none of his stamina.
[Soeju Signature Lightning Oil]
- An oil made from a lightning-struck ancient tree, processed by Soeju’s meticulous artisan
- It reacts to the user’s will and unleashes high-voltage currents
- Self-recharges after 10 uses; recharge time is about 10 hours
It was the Lightning Oil he had obtained after unlocking the advanced-tier shop. Eun-Ho knew its power well. He still remembered the electric arcs that had leaped along his blade during the Seoul Station KTX trial.
It unleashes high-voltage currents at the user’s will.
He repeated the phrase that had stuck in his mind from the moment he first saw it on the advanced-tier shop’s stall. “Acceleration. Petrify!”
After setting up his own safety measures, he began to conjure the shape of a sword in his mind.
Wooooong—
There was the pitch-black blade, as though carved from winter night itself, its keen edge personally honed by him. Lightning raced wildly back and forth between those edges, ready to erupt.
Crackle!
White sparks leaped across the pitch-black blade. The instant he confirmed it, Eun-Ho charged.
Crackle!
A foe boasting overwhelming presence stood before him. Yet once again, it was merely another monster destined to kneel at his feet. Eun-Ho slammed his blade down onto the top of the Giant Baboon’s foot. His sword flared and writhed like living fire, sparks bursting upward as the blade bit into flesh as hard as stone.
Pzzzzz—!
“Kiiieeek—!”
A scream of agony tore from the giant creature, echoing across the sky.
Beeeeep—!
A needle-sharp warning pierced straight through his skull. It was a sensation he had experienced once before.
Don’t tell me it’s...
Eun-Ho didn’t even have time to finish the thought.
[Caution!]
[The Giant Baboon’s defensive system has been activated!]
[Brace for impact!]
The very same defensive system embedded in his chest armor had now activated from the enemy instead.
What?! When did it copy that?!
No matter how absurdly powerful the Mimicry skill was, could it really replicate even the abilities of an item? He hadn’t even revealed its effects yet! The answer was no. The monster possessed an item identical to his in both effect and output, and it just so happened to appear right in front of him.
There’s someone behind this.
This wasn't a coincidence. The moment that realization took hold, his sword surged upward.
Zap!
Electricity raced up from the hilt and sparks burst like embers. Then, his left arm went numb with pain.
[The Electric Surge has been activated.]
Pzzzz—!
Light poured forth and blinding brilliance swallowed his vision, before being swallowed by darkness. Had his brain burned out entirely? All sensation vanished, leaving only the stench of scorched air.
[Heavy damage has been detected on your body!]
[The defensive system engraved on the chest armor has activated!]
[The Electric Surge has been activated.]
This time, the Electric Surge triggered from his side. The opposing charges began to tangle and collide. It was a clash of spears of electricity, using him and the monster as conduits.
An invisible, barbed web expanded outward from both sides. Each struggled to devour the other, intensifying its power and tightening the net. Eventually, it became a tidal wave of electricity, engulfing both enemy and self alike. They collided and collided again. Electrical waves rose on the ground, shattering one another as they surged upward.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, the monster was pushed back. Like gnarled tree roots, cracks of energy scorched the beast and surged even higher. Lightning meant to strike the earth instead clawed its way into the sky.
Pzzzzzzt—!
The thunderbolt forged by Eun-Ho’s own hands ruptured the Giant Baboon’s veins, climbing upward until it became pure light. Then, there was a radiance so brilliant it swallowed even the morning sun.
[Conditions met.]
[Reconstructing the human body.]
[Overcoming the innate limits of the vessel.]
[You have retrieved the title Heaven Shatterer!]
As his consciousness drifted, messages drilled into his ears.
[Congratulations!]
[The trait-exclusive skill, Bolt from the Blue, has been unlocked.]
The overwhelming flash tore the sky apart.