< Chapter 162: System Error (1) >
“I’ve waited over a thousand years for a being like you!”
Unknown roared.
Facing Kang Seo-yul with his sword drawn, he laughed as if the world was fading away.
His face was full of glee as if nothing could make him happier.
“Heretic of the world, another Unknown!”
From Unknown’s body, a red energy radiated.
“Kang Seo-yul! Become mine!”
One of the attributes Unknown possessed was ‘Domination’. It had been activated.
“I’m not really into being wooed by men.”
However, the moment that red energy touched Kang Seo-yul’s body, it instantly dissipated.
Kang Seo-yul had fully absorbed the abilities of the Angels, granting him a high resistance to mental attacks.
They don’t affect him.
“…So you’re completely immune to mental attacks.”
He had already tried three mental attack skills, and none had worked.
“Interesting.”
Despite his attack failing, he still looked pleased.
“The user of ancient relics.”
Kang Seo-yul’s ability was the ‘unknown’ and the ‘answer’ that Unknown had yearned for.
“The peculiarity of handling the abilities of a different race.”
Facing such a being and his powers naturally delighted him.
“What kind of ability is it?”
“Well, try to guess.”
Kang Seo-yul leisurely twirled his spear.
A beautiful spear highlighting the artistry of the dwarves. It was an ancient relic retaining the true ‘power’ of the dwarves.
“Blue Rain!”
“Red Ice!”
As Kang Seo-yul and Unknown clashed, Susan and Tay rushed in.
It was a surprise attack, exploiting a gap.
A harmony of ice and fire.
Despite being inherently opposing elements, they attacked Unknown without canceling each other out.
The roaring waves of energy, crafted from absolute zero ice and hellfire, engulfed Unknown, turning the surroundings into a barren wasteland in an instant.
“Living Armor! Death Knight!”
Luke, never missing a beat, launched a follow-up attack.
The Death Knight, cloaked in Living Armor, dashed towards the epicenter of the explosion with glowing eyes.
It moved with a speed and strength fitting its reputation as the most powerful of the undead.
In an instant, the Death Knight reached its target and thrust its sword.
“I have no interest in mere insects!”
With a roar from Unknown, the Death Knight disintegrated into atoms and vanished.
Magical Collapse.
One of Unknown’s primary abilities.
It had collapsed all magical acts within a 5-meter radius.
“…Damn!”
The battle had been raging for about 4 minutes.
The situation wasn’t much different from their first engagement.
Upon discovering Kang Seo-yul’s existence, Unknown grew ecstatic, losing his patience. He immediately unleashed his power, resorting to brute force.
At that moment, over ten superhumans turned to dust.
Fortunately, unlike the first encounter, Susan, Tay, and Luke quickly assessed the situation and pulled the superhumans back, preventing total annihilation.
“Caribma!”
“What the hell happened?!”
Susan and Tay cried out.
Their cries were filled with palpable sorrow.
The three who witnessed their guild master (Unknown) killing guild members right in front of them regained their consciousness faster than in the first round, which was slightly different.
“It’s noisy. For these flying bugs…”
However, the overall situation of the battle was not much different.
“I told you there’s no time to worry!”
Unknown’s magical power descended from above to below.
Kwooong!
Gravity manipulation.
Due to its characteristics, a heavy pressure descended over the entire battlefield.
“Die.”
Seizing the moment when their feet were bound by gravity, Unknown successively activated different abilities.
Little Killer.
A rare trait that adds an ‘explosive attribute’ to the user’s magical power.
As a result, the magical power that was augmenting gravity suddenly transformed into bombs.
‘It’s this combo again!’
In the first round, this trait combination caused Susan, Tay, and Luke to all suffer severe injuries and retire from the battlefield.
‘This time we will stop it!’
Kang Seo-yul took out a new artifact with perfect timing without a single mistake, as planned.
‘There are only 10 artifacts left now!’
A vampire race’s artifact.
Mana Predator.
A dagger with the unique ability to absorb mana and use it as a power source.
Black magical power radiated widely from the dagger.
“Mana Predator!”
The black magical power quickly began to devour Unknown’s magical power.
In less than a second, all of Unknown’s magical power was completely absorbed by the Mana Predator.
“…What is this.”
For the first time, Unknown showed signs of confusion, probably feeling the enormous mana contained within the Mana Predator.
“You’re too late!”
Kang Seo-yul was quick.
As if to not miss the moment Unknown was confused, he expelled all the magical power absorbed by the Mana Predator into the air as his power source.
Whooosh-!
A white flame carrying the power of spirit adorned the sky.
“…What is this.”
Unknown looked around.
There was no place to avoid.
He was completely surrounded.
Whooosh-!
Following Kang Seo-yul’s will, the flames flew towards Unknown, fluctuating with a firm intent to burn everything down.
“Tsk.”
Unknown frowned.
A semi-transparent barrier formed around him, completely enveloping his body.
Spatial Isolation.
Unknown’s main defensive trait.
There weren’t many ways to break through this trait that distorts space itself.
‘As expected.’
He knew it would come to this.
That’s why he had coated it with the flames of the spirit.
‘The flames of the spirit are one of the few traits that can smash spatial isolation!’
As long as there is enough magical power, the spirit flames can burn anything.
“…What?”
It instantly burned away Unknown’s spatial isolation.
Whooosh-!
Watching Unknown burning with the white flames, Kang Seo-yul shouted in triumph.
‘He has 3 Save&Loads left.’
The pace is better than last time.
With 5 artifacts, he had already taken away 2 lives.
Moreover, unlike last time, the distribution of the artifacts was perfect.
‘I can win.’
Information is power.
Even if Kang Seo-yul was being overpowered in terms of strength compared to Unknown, he could win if he had the upper hand in information.
‘…I just need to stick to the plan.’
So far, it was perfect.
He just needed to continue like this.
Thinking this, Kang Seo-yul took out another artifact.
“Please continue as you have been doing so far, everyone! I will take the right timing!”
* * *
The battle had been ongoing for 10 minutes.
‘Only 2 Save & Loads left.’
The situation is better than expected.
It’s the best scenario.
‘Who would’ve thought everything would fit together so perfectly?’
Based on the information acquired during the first round, I analyzed Unknown’s abilities and identified artifacts that could counter them.
If there were any artifacts that could counter those abilities, I’d devise a strategy to induce those specific abilities from him, aiming perfectly for his weak points.
That was all my plan.
A tactic that maximizes the overwhelming advantage derived from the difference in information power. This tactic seems to be working very well.
‘7 artifacts remain, 3 kill scenarios left. Unknown also has only two lives remaining.’
The possibility of killing Unknown is now within sight.
‘If everything continues this way…’
Just then,
“So it seems.”
Unknown simply stood there, rubbing his chin.
“It looks like you know precisely what kind of power I possess.”
Unknown smiled.
“I don’t know how you know, but for an existence that transcends common sense like me, an ‘Unknown’, it’s entirely possible.”
His expression now seemed a bit calmer than before.
“Hmm. With that level of accurate information, it’s not analysis-based for sure.”
“…”
“Clairvoyance, perhaps? Or…”
The glint in Unknown’s eyes shone brightly.
“A time regression ability?”
Unknown stared intently at my face, likely trying to read any change in my expression to gain information. But he would have no such luck.
“Who knows? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t?”
“…”
I had somewhat anticipated Unknown would say something like this. Considering his observational skills, it was plausible he’d come to such a conclusion.
“No change in your expression.”
Unknown chuckled lightly.
“Well, fine. Once I capture you, everything will be resolved.”
From thin air, Unknown drew a dark-colored sword.
That’s his beloved sword, ‘Mukcheol’.
Drawing that sword signified that Unknown was now truly committed to the battle.
“First, I’ll deal with the annoying pests around. After that, I’ll take my sweet time with you.”
Unknown absorbed all the ambient magical energy swirling around him, compacting it perfectly within his body. His muscles swelled, radiating immense power.
The implication of his actions was clear.
“You’re giving up on your abilities and will fight with just your body?”
Unknown, holding his sword, smirked.
“There’s no need to engage in a battle using my abilities, especially when my opponent knows them so well. Don’t you think?”
In an instant, Unknown’s presence vanished.
‘He’s fast!’
Keeping up with Unknown’s ultra-fast movements visually, I also propelled myself forward.
Swinging down my sword.
Clang! Bang!
The relentless clashing of weapons resonated without pause.
“Spatial Ignition!”
“Crystal Field!”
“Living Dead!”
While I was holding Unknown back, Susan, Tay, and Luke continuously pressured Unknown.
Kwaaaaang!
A breathtaking offense and defense continued.
[Error!]
[Error!]
I kept changing weapons.
I persistently pursued Unknown.
A tangled and intricate battle.
Unknown fought using only his physical abilities and a single sword.
“Press on more!”
“Death to the traitor!”
“Don’t get too close, just provide support from a distance!”
He withstood the combined assault of the four of us and other superhumans.
Thus, around 4 minutes passed.
At a point where only 3 artifacts remained.
Chaaaaaaa-!
“Hmm.”
We finally succeeded in neutralizing Unknown’s Save & Load.
Now, Unknown has no lives left.
“gasping gasping”
“Damn it…”
However, the damage on our side was also considerable.
First, most of the superhumans were down.
Not only the regular guild members who were solely providing support from a distance but all three of the single numbers too.
“Luke…”
“Goddammit!”
Even Luke, one of the single numbers known as the One-Man Army, had died.
He had taken a desperate blow from Unknown that was aimed at Susan, sacrificing himself.
“Both sides are heavily battered.”
Among those corpses, Unknown lifted the corners of his mouth.
There was no sign of him caring about the death of the superhumans, who were surely his family just 30 minutes ago, or the death of Luke, his follower. There is no human who mourns the death of a bug. Is it something like that?
“How about giving up gradually?”
Unknown scoffed.
“Give up? Why should I? I just need to kill you one more time.”
I scoffed back at him in the same manner.
[Error!]
After a minute had passed, I put the artifact, which had reached its usage limit, back into the forge, and took out a new one to hold.
“It’s true that I don’t have any extra lives…”
Looking at me, Unknown smiled ominously.
“It seems like you’re not in a good situation either.”
“…”
“You must have only a few ancient artifacts left.”
I don’t know how such a conclusion came from whatever inference.
But Unknown seemed to be certain, claiming that I had only a few ancient artifacts left.
“You are not like me; both your stamina and magic power are in a frail state.”
Save & Load has a fraudulent property that returns not only the wounds but also the stamina and magic power to the stored point, meaning, the current Unknown is in his best condition.
“Now, there are no insects to help you.”
Unknown took three steps towards me.
“Isn’t it clear as day who has the advantage?”
Again three steps.
This time, two steps.
“Well, that’s your perspective.”
One of the remaining artifacts is the ‘Heart of the Time Dragon’.
And the other one is a demonic relic, a spear called ‘Twisted God’. If I used these two in combination, I would be able to take away one life at least.
“Do you still have a trump card left?”
A distance of 50 meters.
Unknown stopped his steps and lowered his stance.
“But is there a need to take such a risk? As I said, I just want to have a ‘conversation’ with you.”
“….”
“So, don’t unnecessarily resist, and let’s talk…”
“Talk my ass.”
I snorted.
“How can I trust your words?”
Unknown does not trust people.
No, he is an egoist who doesn’t trust anything other than himself, be it a person or something else.
Would such a man want to have a ‘conversation’ with me? It doesn’t make sense.
His goal was never ‘conversation’ from the start.
“Just like you swallowed Maestro, you plan to swallow me too, don’t you?”
His aim would be to swallow me and covet everything I have.
Or perhaps, he might plan to place me as a sample in a place like a research facility.
Whatever it is, I can assert that it will never be a peaceful method.
“…You catch on quickly.”
The corners of Unknown’s mouth slowly rose, it was a creepy smile that naturally sent shivers down my spine.
“If you’ve noticed, then it can’t be helped.”
Unknown’s body lowered even more, assuming a peculiar posture where it seemed like his nose would touch the ground at any moment. It was a technique I was unfamiliar with.
“Forcing me to swallow it…!”
At that moment, Unknown’s spirit disappeared.
‘Physical acceleration!’
An alarm rang in my head.
Danger!
Quickly, I twisted my body and brought my sword to a certain position.
Kee-gi-gi-gi-k!
The sound of metal rubbing against each other echoed.
Fortunately, I somehow managed to block Unknown’s desperate strike. But what I blocked was only Unknown’s sword, ‘Mukcheol’.
Thud-
“Got you.”
I couldn’t stop Unknown’s hand from approaching me. Unknown put his hand on my head and raised the corner of his mouth.
“Become a part of me.”
A strange energy began to emanate from his body.
“Ugh!”
It was a repulsive and sticky energy, almost like a snake. It approached me with the intent to swallow me.
‘Is he really trying to swallow me right here?’
That can’t happen.
I opened the forge to take out the ‘Heart of the Time Dragon.’ And just as I held the ‘Heart of the Time Dragon’ in my hand…
Zap!
As if to cause a collision between Unknown’s teeth and mine.
Zap, Zap, Zzzzap,
Sparks flew out.
Zzzzap!
It was sparks bursting from the place where Unknown and I were in contact.
“…What is this?”
Unknown seemed puzzled as he uttered those words.
Zzzzzzap-
The sparks became increasingly stronger.
“Ugh!”
My head felt as if it was burning, feeling extremely hot.
‘What on earth is happening…!’
At that time, while I was grimacing…
Zap, Zap, Zzzzap!
[Error! Unknown Error!]
A system message appeared.
[Sys, tem, collision confir, med]
[Fatal Error!]
It continued to pop up along with all sorts of error messages.
[Critical error collision detected]
[Self-recovery impossible]
[Sub-system proxy authentication confirmed]
[Initiating purgation.]
[Error! Antivirus program is not working!]
[Judged to be unresolved even with purgation.]
Along with the last system message…
[Deleting ‘Impurity’!]
Koo-goo-goo-gung!
The heavens and the earth shook.
< Chapter 162: System Error (1) > End
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