Translator: Dreamscribe

The atmosphere of the battlefield was overwhelmingly good.

Just watching it brought a smile.

Kwa-ga-ga!

When the troll swung its massive club, black flames shot out in a straight line and exploded. Dozens of players were swept away and met their deaths at once.

"Heroes, rise."

But as Saintess Airi prayed, a pillar of light burst forth and the players were resurrected. The moment they came back to life, they immediately rushed toward the troll with unmatched bravery.

As the players continuously resurrected and surged forward like waves, the troll began to be pushed back.

Puh-uk!

Even amidst that, the troll struck someone with its fist.

"Ugh?!"

It was Romantic Bard.

His body shattered and disappeared just like that.

Whing!

He resurrected again with the light pillar,

Grab!

But the troll grabbed Romantic Bard's body and hurled him away. The troll let out a laugh and clenched its fist tightly.

It even seemed to feel some sense of satisfaction.

[How dare you...!]

The lich summoned a skull meteor and fired it toward the players.

Paaat!

However, a shield made of light formed above the players and completely extinguished the skull meteor.

"Wow! Saintess-nim! Nice!"

"Heals are pouring in!"

"This is what a raid should be!"

It was a shield cast by Saintess Airi.

Every time she extended her hand, light burst forth and healed the players.

It was an advanced level of healing sacred technique.

"Hehe, stay strong."

"Y-Yes! H-Haha!"

"I'm... slowly watching everything. I'll protect you. Hero."

"T-Thank you!"

Saintess Airi encouraged a player who had been knocked back by the troll’s shockwave.

"I-Is this a buff? Something... something's tingling! Uoooo!"

[Lv.8] RamenShopYoungestSon

Race: Orc

Gender: Male

*Status

[D] Breath of Enchantment

A breath blown by a succubus.

It induces a state of excitement, lowering mental strength but increasing vitality. Due to the hero’s trait, vitality is converted into health. You will feel your health surging strongly.

It was truly a sacred buff.

The player charged more valiantly toward the troll.

She patted downed players, encouraged others from the side. She was so enchanting it could leave you dazed.

“Huh?”

Then she flinched and came to her senses. As she released all her magic power in this place, the succubus switch turned off. Airi froze on the spot.

Her pupils darted around wildly.

Fortunately, they were hidden by the black cloth and not visible.

Glance! Glance!

Airi glanced toward Jinwoo, who was standing a little distance away, with a look pleading for help.

[You’re doing well. Keep going.]

As Jinwoo said that, Airi flinched and nodded. Then she moved her body awkwardly.

She seemed frightened by the many players around her. It made sense since in horror novels popular among demon races, heroes always appeared as monsters.

‘That must be a prejudice, right? I-I shouldn’t discriminate by race.’

Thinking that, Airi barely managed a smile and looked toward the heroes.

“Ah! Isn’t troll blood like a healing potion in regular fantasy?”

"Oh, should we drink it? Maybe we'll get some healing properties?"

Airi shifted her gaze again.

Indeed, it was exactly like in the novels.

Jinwoo found a moment to catch his breath.

Balancing the situation while being immersed in Leon was no easy task. Still, he felt proud that he had handled it much better than expected.

“Hoo.”

Jinwoo let out a small breath and checked the situation.

Everyone was doing their best in their respective positions.

Right beneath this battlefield, in the underground, Hallon was unleashing massive divine power and casting sacred techniques. He was firing off high-level sacred techniques in sync with Airi’s movements.

It was truly a fitting sight for the last pope of Arsilan.

After Goddess Ella disappeared, only the remnants of her light wandered pitifully through Arsilan. From that moment on, the golden hue disappeared from the colors that composed Arsilan.

‘The original sacred technique is....’

Even now, when sacred techniques were used, a beautiful white light revealed its holy presence. It was a warm and cozy light, but it was not the same as before. The original color of sacred techniques had been a brilliant golden light, more radiant than anything else.

From the moment the church lost its golden glow, it crumbled helplessly. Even in such a situation, Hallon defended the fallen church to the very end, and ultimately became its last pope.

[Hallon, you hanging in there?]

[Hoo-ot! Taaah! Uwaaah! This must also be a trial of light!]

Through magic communication, Hallon’s loud battle shouts could be heard. It was a clear sign that he was struggling.

[Tiris, what’s your status?]

[No problems. -Kwang!- “Ugh!”, “Pour on the freezing magic!”]

[Hmm.]

There was a loud explosion and some chaotic noise in between, but Jinwoo nodded.

[No problems, then.]

[Yes.]

Before the magic barrier was built, this looked just like the old Magic Tower, which made him nostalgic.

The Magic Tower was still hanging by a thread, but thankfully it held up well. If it didn’t endure like magic itself, it wouldn’t be the Magic Tower.

Jinwoo contacted Tia.

[Tia, now....]

[Kyaaa! No! M-My troll...! Uwah! Damn heroes! So cowardly! Let’s go one-on-one again! Aaargh! C-Can’t we call it a draw?]

Was Tia turning into a real Demon King?

She was as fully immersed as the players. The battlefield was smoothly heading toward its conclusion.

The troll was certainly strong enough to be treated as a boss monster, but it couldn’t withstand the endlessly resurrecting players.

The troll’s body teetered, then collapsed.

Kwa-ga-ga-ga!

It seemed the players wanted to repay the suffering they had endured from the troll, pouring all their strength into the attack.

“Graaaargh!”

As the howling troll’s body slumped, the players erupted in cheers. The thrill of defeating a formidable foe brought them tremendous fulfillment and exhilaration.

Jinwoo briefly watched the players.

He had created this subjugation quest to make them fall in love with Arsilan. Not only the 802 players present, but surely also the viewers watching the stream had come to love Arsilan as well.

-That was really awesome!

-Troll down! Down!

-I can do this too, right? Right? Tell me I can, please.

-Waaah! I’m changing my nationality to Arsilan.

In fact, the reactions in the chat window were overwhelmingly positive.

Jinwoo smiled faintly.

It was he who felt comforted instead. The empty space left by thousands of defeats and deaths felt like it was finally being filled once more.

Now, it was time to wrap things up.

‘Finishing things is always the most important part.’

Endings were always important.

Erosion had always been arrogant. It fed slowly on Arsilan while delighting in the pain and screams of its people.

It was a game they had already won.

Only the final blow remained.

But that arrogance had given Jinwoo the opportunity to build the magic barrier. As a result, Arsilan still remained, and now it was beginning to counterattack.

Jinwoo lifted his gaze and looked at Hasman, who played the role of the lich.

[Hasman, how about we go flashier this time?]

[This brings back memories. Then I shall work these useless joints hard.]

[Looking forward to it.]

The production would be a bit different from before, but Jinwoo wanted to unleash his feelings fully in this moment.

* * *