Chapter 272

1.

A Hidden Raid Boss, especially one of the Unique rank, was a being so rare it was beyond seldom seen; it was something one might never encounter in their entire time playing the game.

The Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark, was no exception.

He was undoubtedly a boss so powerful that most teams couldn't even think of challenging him.

However, even teams with somewhat lacking skills were heading towards the Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark.

To kill themselves?

Of course not.

'There's bound to be one of the Big 4 trying to take that thing.'

'We'll ambush them.'

'There's a good chance of winning.'

If things continued as they were, they would lose the championship to one of those four anyway.

None of them were confident they could beat all four.

However, besides the championship, there were also rewards for 2nd and 3rd place.

If they could reduce the number by at least one in this survival.

With the calculation that they would fight each other in the tournament and reduce the number by one more, couldn't they snatch 3rd place by profiting from the chaos?

They were having such absurd thoughts.

Of course, skilled teams might be thinking similarly.

In any case, there was no harm in trying.

The Forbiddens, the Featherwing Knights, the mages of Serul Magic Tower.

They might not know about the dark horse, Team 133, but those three had surely faced a Unique rank Hidden Raid Boss at least once.

It was worth a try.

[Aaaah!!! Many teams are gathering towards Reyark!!! No matter how you look at it, it seems they're rushing in to profit from the situation!? Will that even work!?]

As the broadcast spirit also grasped this and made such a commentary.

The viewers wrote chats as if mocking them.

- LMAO, do they think they're fools?

- Why can't they imagine that the Big 4 would have the same thought they did?

- Stupid;;; so stupid.

- LMAO, it's just because of the greed right in front of their eyes.

- "Just one more dig and there'll be diamonds~"

Although they all chatted like that.

It wasn't actually a bad method.

Because there might be a team that would try to take on Reyark, taking that into account.

What if there was a small mistake in the process?

They would be devoured immediately.

Wondering who would be caught, they roamed the vicinity for a while.

The Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark, had been standing quietly in the center of the jungle ever since he manifested by crushing the space.

And quite a distance away in a radius around Reyark, several teams were watching him.

'The moment they show the slightest opening, we devour them.'

'We'll take down at least one of the Big 4.'

'Please come, please.'

Of course, among those, the Featherwing Knights were also mixed in without anyone noticing.

Their purpose was, of course, the same as the others gathered here.

And Zaya, who had ordered them to stand by, was also wandering around, observing the surroundings.

At the same time.

“How many have you caught?”

At Zaya’s words, the two answered simultaneously.

[Ired - I have two.]

[Beltaine - I’m holding two as well.]

It meant that if the situation took a strange turn, they were holding other teams to kill them immediately and end the survival.

Only four remained.

It was the perfect number.

Zaya nodded and looked around.

Preparing to act immediately if something went wrong.

‘I can take it down alone.’

A Unique rank Hidden Raid Boss?

Even without Keron, if Zaya unsealed her magic, she could take it down alone.

Of course, she would try to slaughter everything around her due to the magic.

But she had insurance for that.

However.

‘There’s a possibility they’ll swarm like a pack of dogs as soon as I unseal my magic.’

That’s why she didn’t move recklessly.

Others might try first.

A hunter needs patience.

In that respect, Zaya was a truly excellent hunter.

She was a skilled person who knew how to wait for the right moment and for someone to come.

As expected.

‘The knights are nearby, too.’

They weren’t visible.

But it was impossible not to know.

The broadcast spirit hadn't mentioned them anywhere else.

It was obvious they were hiding in this vicinity.

At that very moment.

The broadcast spirit shouted, making a fuss.

[Aaaah!!! There’s a team that moved first!!! Team 133!!! They’re charging towards Reyark!?? The number of teams has suddenly stopped decreasing, but will they be able to take down Reyark in the meantime???]

At the broadcast spirit’s words, both Zaya and Gamu’s eyes shot up in surprise.

To think they would move first.

Shall we see their skills then?

With that thought, they were about to watch obediently.

Until now, they had only been able to see the elf swordsman’s skills.

The others had moved appropriately after Keron’s death, but.

They had only shown their skills in fragments, so it was impossible to know what their abilities were.

However, it was certain that one of them used purplish flames.

If it was a pyromancer, they would have good compatibility with the undead.

They might be able to finish it without much trouble.

Even so, it would surely take some time.

Watching Team 133 charge in, Gamu and Zaya were glaring at Reyark, waiting for the right moment.

To devour them the instant an opening appeared.

But at that moment.

[Ah??? W-what is this? Standing before Reyark. Team 133! Only one person steps forward!!!]

“Hmm.”

“Clever.”

Zaya and Gamu let out a groan from their different locations.

Quite clever.

To have one person face him while the others keep the surroundings in check.

But that was actually fine.

The numbers here were far greater.

No matter how strong the team was, three of them couldn't possibly stop everyone.

Making that judgment, everyone waited.

In the meantime.

Clack, clack.

The atmosphere changed in an instant at the clearly audible footsteps.

Those who looked ready to pounce at any moment.

All of them held their breath and watched him.

It was just the sight of him walking.

But for some reason, it felt as if the air grew heavy with each step.

Within that heavy air where one couldn't even breathe easily.

He took off his black robe.

A crown that glittered like black crystal and a black mask were revealed.

At the same time.

It echoed around again.

Clack, clack.

And his footsteps rang out again.

The Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark, also sensed that this was no ordinary opponent and drew his sword.

But at that moment, darkness surged and dyed the surrounding ground black.

Pitch blackness?

No, a darkness closer to an abyss, darker than that.

The entire floor was stained with darkness, and then hands of darkness shot out, binding the limbs of the Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark.

Reyark tried to break free, but the darkness gradually shed its formlessness and revealed the distinct figures of the dead.

As the number grew to tens of thousands of grasping hands and corpses.

The Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark, tried to swing his sword around in an instant.

But he couldn't.

A faint green mist rose up, and the light of ignition brushed past faintly.

However, that light could not spread far.

Darkness rose up as if soaring from the dark-stained ground.

The risen darkness enveloped everything around the Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark.

It swallowed the tens of thousands of corpses and Reyark.

The surrounding darkness was like an egg, and it became an egg of pitch blackness that blocked everything from this world.

An egg of blockade that permitted no intrusion.

Even the broadcast spirit, who had to provide commentary, couldn't say a word at this mythical sight.

In that place where even the air was silent at the overwhelming sight.

An anomaly occurred.

Thump—!

Thump——!

As if a quickening, a tremor was heard from within the egg.

A fierce vibration echoed out.

Kugugugugugu——!!!

The vibration made the surroundings tremble faintly.

And then.

Jjeo————jeok!!!

The egg shattered, and the blocked interior of the egg was revealed to the world.

And then, the figure of Reyark, who until just a moment ago had been watching the surroundings with a surging dark blue aura, was nowhere to be seen, and in its place stood a knight of darkness, exuding an aura of pure darkness and turquoise light, with a blue aura.

And that knight of darkness knelt on one knee before the one wearing the crown of obsidian, bowed his head, and murmured.

- I shall serve my new master.

At the same time, a system message appeared before the users' eyes.

[The Hidden Raid Boss (Unique), 『Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark』, has been subjugated.]

[The subjugation contribution for the Hidden Raid Boss (Unique), 『Wraith Knight of Darkness, Reyark』, belongs solely to one person.]

[The rewards will be enhanced.]

[All rewards will go to the user 『Seonghyun』.]

At that system message, everyone froze in place.

A familiar power.

A familiar ability.

And… a familiar nickname.

Everyone trembled slightly as they looked at him.

Especially Zaya, the leader of the Forbiddens, and Gamu of the Featherwing Knights, were the most shocked.

'The Demon King.'

Zaya's expression crumpled, and she bit her lip, thinking that many plans would have to be revised.

And.

'The Overlord.'

Gamu wore a troubled expression for the same reason.

Realizing that this was beyond his capabilities, Gamu quickly contacted someone.

There was nothing he could do with his own power.

Neither the Forbiddens nor the Featherwing Knights would give up, but.

This had become truly troublesome.

For now, Zaya quickly spoke to her comrades.

"Kill them."

[Ired - Okay.]

[Beltaine - This has gotten complicated.]

As Zaya gave the order.

The broadcast spirit and the viewers were also in a state of shock.

[Aaaah!!! It's truly amazing!!! The insane sight of turning Reyark into his own subordinate!!! Ah, is there anyone who can dare to face this man!?? Ah! As I speak!!! The number of teams drops to 32!!! The first match ends here. We will see you tomorrow at the same time!!! Thank you!!!]

The match ended, and they returned to the original world, but.

Seonghyun and his party were nowhere to be seen.

Keron, who had died, was also waiting outside, and as soon as the match ended, the Forbiddens gathered again.

The Featherwing Knights also headed somewhere with serious expressions.

Meanwhile, the viewers who remained even after the broadcast ended were chatting among themselves.

- The Demon King……???

- ??? The seventh city already???

- There was no news after Apophis, but he appears like this……?

- Crazy;;;;

- The Forbiddens are in big trouble;;;

- Lol, I'm curious how this will turn out.

- LMAO, the Demon King will win everything, LMAO.

- I'm still curious though.

- How will the Forbiddens react??

- The Featherwing Knights' expressions were rotting too?

- LMAO, the mages were the same.

- He must be famous among NPCs too, LMAO.

While such chats were going back and forth.

Seonghyun had left them behind and was looking at Reyark, whom he had just made into his soldier, as if troubled.

- The Necromancer Lord sent a message when he sent me. He left a message saying, 'I wish for you to visit the tower once, Overlord.'

At those loyal words, Seonghyun scratched his head as if troubled.

He didn't want to go, thinking it was likely a trap, but.

[The clue for the Hidden Legendary Quest, 『The Necromancer Lord's Trail』, has been filled at once.]

[The Hidden Legendary Quest, 『The Necromancer Lord's Trail』, is generated.]

Of all times, for a quest to appear now.

This couldn't be helped.

'I guess I have to go?'