CHAPTER 71: THE POWER OF THE DG GUILD (1)

One minute remained until the Break.

Kim Ki-Rok took a step back to kick off the ground lightly, landing atop the fortress wall.

He summarized, "Once again, the scores will be tallied based on the number of monsters defeated, regardless of their type, and will be verified through cameras installed throughout the battlefield after we wrap up this Gate. The team in first place will receive a C-Class artifact. Second place will receive an artifact imbued with an ability or magic related to self-defense, and third will be awarded a priority pass for Kang Woo-Hyuk. The MVP of the team in first place will be rewarded with a highly coveted, accessory-type artifact that boosts either Magic or elemental power."

The list of rewards made the listening Hunters gulp in anticipation. Gripping their weapons with renewed determination, they turned their gazes toward the Gate entrance.

"And the fourth-place team..."

"Shit."

They couldn't help but curse.

Paying no attention to it, Kim Ki-Rok continued, "Fourth place's reward is one Gate raid under my command at a Gate of my choice. Fifth place is three Gate raids with me."

"Again, that's a punishment, not a reward!"

"Overcoming varied hardships and trials to clear a Gate raises your stats and comes with splendid rewards. How can you call it a punishment?" Kim Ki-Rok fired back.

"It's because those hardships and trials go too far!"

"And isn't the taste of the reward all the sweeter for it?"

They were sweet indeed. It was the only reason why all of his guild members hadn't punched Kim Ki-Rok in the face after returning from a raid.

The mana that had been leaking from the Gate entrance intensified, and a minor tremor rippled through the surrounding area. The entrance, which had been just large enough for three people to enter side by side, began to expand. It was now big enough to fit dozens of people, maybe even large trucks.

Jang Bo-Hyun's voice booming through their earpieces.

—It's December 24th! It's 12:05 a.m.! As expected, the Break has occurred! We're starting the Gate defense!

The Hunters tensed up and crouched low.

Tap tap tap.

The first monster to escape the Gate was the Ice Wolf, estimated to be between Level 57 and 58. Recognizing the humans as prey, the Ice Wolf charged toward the ice wall.

Some Ice Wolves fell into the previously set traps, while others were killed by long-range Hunters.However, the majority were able to evade the traps, slipping past long-range attacks and racing toward the ice wall.

With a powerful leap, the Ice Wolfs vaulted up onto it. "Grrraaaagh!"

The close-range Hunters waiting at the top of the ice wall grunted as they swung their weapons to intercept the wolves.

As monsters above Level 50 unconsciously reinforced their bodies with mana, the Ice Wolves were knocked back but suffered no fatal injuries. Twisting their bodies midair to land on all fours, they zigzagged to evade the Hunter's attacks and approached again.

Thud thud thud thud!

—Ice Wolves sighted!! We have five distinct packs, so expect five waves in total!

The initial pack of thirty Ice Wolves replaced the eight that had been defeated. Towering over two meters tall, the wolves charged at the humans on top of the ice wall.

—We cannot afford to save mana. We must reduce their numbers quickly before the Ice Troll appears!

In response to Jang Bo-Hyun's command, the Hunters unleashed their mana fully, swinging their weapons with force.

Baaaang!

***

As the event organizer, Kim Ki-Rok did not participate in the battle himself, though he did not hesitate to support those in danger.

"Aaargh!"

A moment's lapse caused a Hunter from a different guild to stumble. As the Ice Wolf pounced on the fallen man, Kim Ki-Rok drove his sword deep into the wolf's neck, then flicked a dagger at another that was already high in the air.

The dagger, infused with a copious amount of mana, exploded upon contact. Even that failed to finish it off. Though it rolled across the ground in a daze, the beast shook its head, then charged again, eyes fixated on the Hunters atop the wall.

—I-ice Goblin sighted! There are one hundred of them.

The three packs of Ice Wolves were followed by a horde of goblins emerging from the Gate.

Breathing softly, Kim Ki-Rok raised his head to see the goblins gathered at the entrance of the Gate, which was now a gaping hole five times its original size since the battle had begun. They were fully armed, resembling a military force.

"Is it the works of the Dark Magicians?" Kim Ki-Rok thought aloud.

The goblins' armaments were uniform, therefore it was highly probable that they were using armor planted by Dark Magicians rather than their usual weapons looted from humans. Such meddling made the situation even more troublesome to deal with.

Kim Ki-Rok shook his head as he gazed upon the giant goblins interspersed among the regular ones.

"If those are Goblin Warriors..." he muttered.

Among the regular goblins, there were indeed Goblin Warriors that were three times as tall and posed a more significant threat. If there were this many Warriors, that meant even more fearsome monsters could be lurking in the crowd.

—Scouting report! There are two shamans among the goblins! A total of ten Goblin Warriors have been sighted!

The data gathered via drone surveillance was quickly relayed to the Hunters on the front lines. Seeing as the ice wall was constructed some distance away from the Gate, it would be wise to diminish the number of Ice Wolves before they cross that expanse, and before the goblins had a chance to join the battle.

Likely arriving at the same conclusion as Kim Ki-Rok, Jang Bo-Hyun issued commands in an emphatic tone.

—We have to subdue the Ice Wolves before the goblin group arrives! Let's pick up the pace!

"Do not spare mana! The technical Hunters are brewing potions in the back lines, so there's no need to worry about running out of potions!"

Although no deaths had occurred yet on the Hunter's side, many of them had been injured by the Ice Wolves.

Thud thud thud thud!

A group of goblins now approached the battlefield, and with over twenty Ice Wolves still alive, the Hunters anticipated a messy fight ahead.

Awoooo!

However, as the goblins approached, the Ice Wolves split to create a path for them to charge through. The Ice Wolves then retreated, staring hungrily at the Hunters on the ice wall.

The intention behind their actions was clear; they planned to drain the Hunters' vitality by tiring them out with the Ice Goblins.

A Hunter gritted their teeth. "Clever dogs..."

"Smarter than most humanoid monsters," said another.

The Hunters used this brief respite to discard their dulled weapons and armed themselves with new ones.

—Estimated level of goblins is 55! Warriors and shamans are estimated to be between 58 and 60!

Kim Ki-Rok returned to DG Guild's territory and descended to where the marksmen were stationed, giving them instructions.

"Mr. Dong-Wook, target the shamans."

"Understood." Nam Dong-Wook pulled back his empty bowstring.

With a deep hum, a mana arrow was conjured between the pulled bowstring and bow. Aiming to down the shaman in a single shot, he poured a massive amount of mana into this skill.

The mana arrow sliced through the air with a whistling shriek. It pierced through the shaman's head and exploded, causing damage to nearby goblins as well.

"Yes!" Nam Dong-Wook clenched his fist and struck a victory pose, then immediately retrieved a physical arrow from the quiver and nocked it on the bowstring.

"Mr. Jeong Man-Kook, Ms. Yoo Seh-Eun, and Ms. Lee Ji-Yeon. The special forces team will be on the move shortly. Join them on the ground to subdue the higher-class enemies," Kim Ki-Rok instructed.

The three nodded in understanding.

—Special forces team!

At Jang Bo-Hyun's call, a series of troops waiting in the rear moved in unison.

"Our task is to exterminate the goblins!" Following Team Leader Ji Cheol-Hyun's command, Calorie Buff Specialist Jeong Man-Kook, Mana Blade User Yoo Seh-Eun, and Greater Elemental Warrior Lee Ji-Yeon leaped off the ice wall.

"Ms. Lee Ji-Ah, please continue to maintain the ice wall and treat the Hunters," Kim Ki-Rok said.

"Right."

Lee Ji-Ah had been struggling to inflict meaningful damage due to a disadvantageous matchup, and instead found herself more useful maintaining the ice wall and treating the injured Hunters.

***

A group of white-fleshed goblins were swarming down the snowy slope toward the ice wall. At the forefront was a Goblin Warrior that had its massive greatsword raised and was heavily swinging it down.

Jeong Man-Kook hefted his thick mace to parry the oncoming sword, smacking his lips. "Nagasaki jjamppong[1] might hit the spot..."

The sound of the greatsword and the large mace clashing thundered across the battlefield. The Goblin Warrior staggered backward, while Jeong Man-Kook took two steps back.

Unlike his friends, he was able to change weapons on the fly. Sometimes, he used a large mace, and other times, he used an iron whip or an axe. There were even times when he resorted to using a hammer.

If he had to choose a primary weapon, it would be the hammer, but he mainly used the large mace or his iron whip when facing multiple monsters.

"Nagasaki Jjamppong..."

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Jeong Man-Kook approached the Goblin Warrior that was staring at him with wide eyes, stunned that it had been pushed back. In a similar fashion to the Goblin Warrior, Jeong Man-Kook raised his mace high into the sky and whipped it down.

Bang!

The Goblin Warrior was impaled where it stood, along with the remains of its shattered greatsword.

"No," Jeong Man-Kook said.

"Key. Keyeek..."

As he watched the Goblin Warrior writhe around with its shattered head, Jeong Man-Kook finally decided on his dinner.

"It's got to be octopus seafood stew.[2]"

***

Lee Ji-Yeon could have become an ordinary Elementalist, but under Kim Ki-Rok's tutelage, she had evolved into an Elemental swordsman. Nimbly weaving through the horde, she locked eyes on a Goblin Warrior. It didn't matter if lesser goblins blocked her path.

"Ine."

Fwooom!

Following Lee Ji-Yeon's call, Ine, the Greater Elemental of Fire, soared ahead and engulfed nearby Goblins in flames. Passing through the monsters set ablaze, Lee Ji-Yeon reached the Goblin Warrior, her sword already deep into its flesh as she avoided the falling axe.

The leather armor of the Goblin Warrior was not completely pierced through. Slowly lowering his head and looking down, the Goblin Warrior tried to lift its axe stuck in the ground.

Lee Ji-Yeon took the chance to infuse elemental power into the sword. It burst into flames that seeped into the Goblin Warrior's abdomen via the embedded blade, causing it to scream in terrible agony from its bubbling innards. Without hesitation, Lee Ji-Yeon let go of her sword and withdrew, disappearing into the inferno claiming the other goblins.

***

Shhhk!

Summoning a reinforced Mana Blade, Yoo Seh-Eun poured a large amount of mana into boosting its cutting power. One slash cleanly decapitated a Goblin Warrior. She turned to face the lesser goblins that were momentarily frozen in shock.

Casually flicking her finger, she egged them on. "Not coming?"

Suddenly, the goblins, who had just regained their senses, rushed at her from all directions.

"Skill, Mana Blade."

[Mana Blade (B)]

Description: Creates a mana blade with high cutting power and mana penetration

Effect 1: 30% increase in cutting power

Effect 2: 30% increase in mana penetration

This skill formed swordlike projections of mana with heightened slashing and piercing properties. Embedding the blade in a physical sword made it easier to handle, but in practicality, it wasn't necessary.

Three free-floating mana blades materialized midair, each striking out on its own to slice through the surrounding goblins.

1. Nagasaki jjamppong - A type of jjamppong that has a white soup and is typically saltier than it is spicy. ☜

2. Octopus seafood stew ☜