Chapter 102 – Medusa Raid (2)

Godhood.

Such a term referred to the absolute beings that existed within the Tower. They looked down at humans from their seats high above to search for useful talent.

All to expand their realms on the upper floors of the Tower.

But…

Such a being wanted to ask him for a favor?

Takeshi’s body trembled slightly. His mouth began to wriggle up into a smile as if he couldn’t control his ecstasy.

‘This is an opportunity of a lifetime.’

This was like the saying that one should withstand everything the world threw just for that one eventual chance.

Once such a chance comes, do all you can to catch it.

‘Indeed, that is the reason why he is unusually strong.’

It didn’t make sense otherwise that he could easily pass the rankers of the large guilds.

His strength was at a level that broke past common sense, and he had attained it without the help of other players.

But…

That feeling of discomfort disappeared once Jin-hyuk said he was one of the gods from above.

All of this just had to be some kind of entertainment.

‘The Gods are beings which cannot be judged by human standards.’

Kwakwang.

Even this moment where he had built an ice barrier to block the snake’s breath was something to be admired.

On the other side, his other barrier was also protecting the players of the other guild in this raid.

Takeshi’s worries didn’t last long.

He became convinced as to which side to take to survive this situation.

“If it is a favor, may I ask what we are talking about?”

“It is said that your guild picked up a fun item a while back.”

That item… yes.

“A cherished relic considered one of Japan’s three sacred divine items.”

“N-No…!”

“Right. Exactly that. That is what I want.”

It was a relic obtained by the Samurai Guild while attacking a ruin.

The Sword of Kunashi, in other words, the Kusanagi no Tsurugi.

Go and bring it to sate Jin-hyuk’s greed.

“B-But it is kept inside the guild. It is difficult to get unless one is a guild master…”

Takeshi blurted out.

A relic was a treasure possessed by each guild. It was a symbol of power that could not be surrendered.

Of course, the security around it would be strict.

“I know it isn’t easy. But wouldn’t a human I choose be able to fulfill such a request even if it was difficult?”

The important thing here was to gently praise the target.

Persuade him that he was a unique human being so he would get it done.

The praise of a god. No one wouldn’t let such words get into their heads.

“I thank you for that, but…”

A short moment passed.

Now, as the finale in this attempt to shake him.

A method used when selling goods or making a contract was to use a lot of jargon to ensure the other person comes under control.

It was quite an effective method, especially in this case.

“Right now, the Nordic hammerhead is playing quack with the wolf cub over Ragnarok. But unexpectedly, our side is behind.”

He referred to Thor, a god of Norse mythology, as well as bits of the final war of Ragnarok. This story would make the Nordic gods come after him if they heard about it.

They would probably get angry and descent.

“Should I say that it is difficult for another nation to exert power in a place where the World Tree is influential? So we need as many relics as possible?”

“Sigh…”

Takeshi looked dumbfounded at the information that he had been given. But that confusion lasted for only a moment.

“Alright. The sword… I will make sure to get it. Trust me.”

“Okay. Before we leave, I will give you a special stigma.”

To be precise, the Stigma of the Soul.

“It is a kind of contract but not too risky. If you betray me, you will burn alive. But you will not betray me, right?”

“I-I won’t.”

Takeshi nodded with a stiff face.

He had no intention of betraying Jin-hyuk after all that had happened. Who would cut away a golden thread that wanted to stick to them?

“It will not hurt, so do not be afraid.”

Jin-hyuk put his index finger onto Takeshi’s chest.

[Lv5 ‘Stigma of the Soul’ is activated.]
A red stigma was activated.

Nice.

With this, a faithful intern inside a veteran rival’s place was born on the Japanese side.

Since the contract was also completed, there would be no use even if Takeshi realized the truth later.

“Then, let’s go. I need to take care of the snake.”

Jin-hyuk turned around.

The snake was already exhaling its breath attack for the 4th time.

The flame’s temperature was dropping due to the amount of mana needed to use the attack.

“Kiaaak!”

Had the snake taken drugs or something? It kept on screaming.

‘Still, since I’m being called a god, I can’t show a struggle here.’

He had paid a lot of attention to perfectly imitating the divine. If he couldn’t even overpower one monster, wouldn’t his words just sound like bullshit?

Srng!

Chang!

Jin-hyuk slowly pulled out his Twin Dragon Swords that now shone in the flames.

‘If it can be finished in one hit…’

There was a way.

It was the skill that had burst through the named monster on the 3rd floor in one shot. However, it had high magic consumption, so he couldn’t use it carelessly.

But there was no other time like this to show off his presence.

Jin-hyuk gathered his magic.

Psss…!

Blue magic began to cover his blades.

An indescribable light began to fill the narrow path.

“Kiiik!”

Even the snake realized something unusual was happening and lowered its posture. At that moment.

[Glacier Formation ‘Sword of the Sky’ is activated!]
A stream of ice fell from the sky.

[Glacier Formation ‘Sword of the Land’ is activated!]
A stream of ice also rose from the ground, and the two streams made contact.

There were no more flickering flames.

In front of everyone’s eyes, there was just a massive pillar of ice that had taken the shape of a snake.

“T-that is huge.”

Takeshi gulped at the sight of this overwhelming power.

Even named monsters of the lower floors were just punching bags for Jin-hyuk.

That was how strong he was.

This had happened due to doing his best to grow his magic and strength.

‘Not bad.’

Jin-hyuk looked at the ice statue with an expressionless face.

Takeshi looked at Jin-hyuk with shock on his face. For Jin-hyuk, however, this wasn’t a surprising result.

‘This is just the 2nd round, but of course, I had to showcase this level of power.’

If he hadn’t done this, he had no right to call himself a veteran.

“Why aren’t you going?”

“Ah-nothing. I was worried… what we will do with them…”

Takeshi turned back to the players behind the barrier.

He seemed concerned that they were eavesdropping on their conversation.

He wanted to be the only recipient of this favor. A man whose greed filled him to the throat.

It would be easier to deal with that.

“The barrier protecting the Fathers of Fighting team does block sight and sound. If they see us talking after it drops, won’t they think it is strange? We aren’t close enough to chat casually, are we?”

Jin-hyuk added a brief explanation.

In other words, they had to end this act before anyone witnessed it further.

After all, the Japanese players were wiped out, so no one would be surprised if Takeshi ran now.

“Ah…such a meaning? Right. Let’s leave right now.”

Takeshi nodded and then moved alone back to the direction where he had come.

At the same time…

Woong!

The ice-covered barrier disappeared. The vision that had been momentarily lost was returned as the Fathers of Fighting raid team walked out of the barrier.

“Everyone, get ready for battle!’

“Damn it! Focus your skills on attack… uh?”

“W-what happened here?”

“Gasp!”

“No way. The snake…?”

Everyone was shocked.

After the breath attack, their barrier had been covered up, which didn’t allow them to see or hear anything.

It was like being trapped in an airtight box.

So many things had changed when they finally managed to come out.

“Player Kang Jin-hyuk… did you get rid of it?”

Lee Young-kwon asked him.

He had asked the question despite knowing the answer.

“Yes. It is more comfortable to deal with this thing alone than to fight with a group.”

“I… see.”

A monster that had wiped out the elite raid team of a large guild was defeated instantly by a single player?

And the man didn’t have a single wound on him?

‘How strong is this man?’

Lee Young-kwon bit his lip slightly as he was filled with surprise.

‘Can we… even get a little bit closer to him?’

They were just a ticket to legally enter the labyrinth.

To Jin-hyuk, that was the only meaning of the Fathers of Fighting.

It was an indirect invitation to get on the bus and then get out at the last point.

Clench!

His fist trembled with anger and shame at himself. However, no matter how fierce his anger was, this was an undeniable reality.

Lee Young-know himself knew better than anyone that this was why they had gone ahead with this raid.

“Phew. First, Let’s do some maintenance. We will talk later, work first…”

But just as Lee Young-kwon was about to speak further.

Shhhh!

The sound of something moving and rubbing against the ground could be heard. It filled them with a creepy feeling.

‘Is it here?’

Jin-hyuk quickly felt its arrival. That intense sensation of magic tingled the body.

“Ugh.”

And then, through the pillars…

“You are a human being that won’t be hurt by my pet’s attack. You were also able to find my location. Interesting. I haven’t been this excited in a long time.”

A shrill voice.

That was the master of the labyrinth and a magical beast commonly seen as a villain in myths.

Medusa.

“B-Boss!”

“Shit! Do not look her in the eye! Floor! Look at the floor!”

The tales of Medusa’s eyes turning the beholder into stone were known far and wide.

Nevertheless, the labyrinth hadn’t been successfully conquered until now because of how difficult it was to deal with this opponent despite knowledge of its abilities.

Kill the boss without making eye contact?

How easy was that?

Fighting the most crucial fight with your eyes closed?

It is said that they would not turn into stone if they had something in front of them, but that was no different from a handicap.

After all, the core of this raid was on the individuals and not the many.

And it was now up to Jin-hyuk.

“It is you. That human?”

Medusa asked as she looked at Jin-hyuk with a smile.

Her reflection on the Shield of Perseus was quite bloody.

“Huhuhu. Don’t look through that iron, but see me for yourself. It isn’t polite to avoid the eyes of a lady.”

She did sound like a lady.

Even if Medusa looked like a young lady, one shouldn’t get fooled by her friendly attitude.

Because she had the characteristics of a snake and preyed on anything she saw.

“I will refrain from the ravenous lady who devours people. I can understand one person, one chicken policy, but one snake, one person is quite scary.”

“Oh my, you seem quite well versed.”

Of course, he knew.

“How can we not know about the unfortunate princess who lost all her sisters?”

At those words.

“You.”

Swish….

The atmosphere of the room changed rapidly.