Chapter 92

Chapter 92

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 92: Ant Hell (4)

‘Six... in an instant.’

From One to Seven, they all felt a chill down their spines. They were assigned numbers in the order they entered. Accordingly, Six’s level was a bit on the lower side.

However, even considering that, it was too quick for him to be overwhelmed. He rushed in first, only to be torn to pieces without achieving anything.

‘We’ve been deceived!’

A warning bell rang in their heads.

Kim Minwoo’s hand-to-hand combat wasn’t what they thought it would be. At most, they could only compare him to Cho Pilwook.

He might have fought a bit better there.

Even so, he didn’t surpass that benchmark completely; he just barely met that line.

‘That doesn’t make sense.’

With that level, Six should have endured at least twenty hits.

But he died after just one hit.

Even with Cedric and that strange woman’s help.

Fundamentally, it meant that Kim Minwoo’s swordsmanship was beyond imagination.

‘It’s like he read his movements.’

He just toyed with him.

That was the only conclusion they could draw.

Han Baekgil’s mind spun rapidly.

‘Can we win this?’

Although Wi Rungkang drank a potion, his mana was tangled and sputtering.

Even if they tried to use magic, it would be meaningless again if that witch interfered. With Six and Wi Rungkang out of action, there were only eight S-rank awakeneds left.

‘And Light attribute artifacts are also useless.’

Is that all?

Why are such pathetic skeleton-like summons so strong? It felt like they were very well-trained regular soldiers.

Arranging themselves in formation like they were strategizing against a formidable monster, the skeleton horde gradually tightened their encirclement.

They blocked with shields and, from behind, threw nets.

Intermittently, they skillfully thrust spears to bind their ankles.

Are these the summoned creatures acting as meat shields?

‘’Catching them isn’t the problem, but...’

The real issue was the time they were consuming because of these summoned creatures.

It all boiled down to stamina and mana.

Although they drank potions, the consumption was becoming unbearable.

Even the spells the mages gathered to cast were incredibly demanding.

Despite being S-rank awakeneds, they were affected by trivial curses that narrowed their field of vision.

The massive golem continued to withstand attack after attack, relentlessly.

“Boss!’

“What are we going to do?”

Desperate inquiries from the S-rank awakeneds.

They too were feeling the disadvantage keenly.

These seemingly insignificant summoned creatures were intelligent.

Light attacks were ineffective.

Kim Minwoo’s swordsmanship skill was beyond imagination.

And to top it off, a strange woman emerged, unleashing all sorts of high-level magic.

They thought they had prepared thoroughly and made bold decisions.

‘I was complacent.’

In the end, he was just complacent.

Kim Minwoo.

He was hiding far more than they had anticipated.

To hunt this guy down, they would need more than just the Korean branch; they would have to mobilize from the headquarters of the Shadow Alliance.

There were only two options left.

Either endure the sacrifice and retreat, or...

If not, then charge into the midst of the undead and kill Kim Minwoo.

The problem was that fear was beginning to be instilled in the eyes of the S-rank awakeneds.

Everyone was supposed to charge in with all their might and catch him, but they were now panicking?

‘This won’t work.’

A scared pack of wolves rushing at a lion would achieve nothing.

Once one or two wolves were killed, the rest would whimper and flee.

That was the situation now.

If a couple more died, they would all start fleeing.

As long as they reached the middle zone, they could at least survive.

But then, the damage would be irreparable, beyond what could be described as mere sacrifice.

“We’re retreating!”

Han Baekgil shouted as if chewing the words.

“We’re abandoning Korea.”

They would seek refuge in the headquarters and warn them of his danger.

He wasn’t just a seedling which would shake up Korea; he was a monster that would shake the world.

‘At least there’s some merit.’

They realized how extraordinary Kim Minwoo’s undead were.

That mere skeletons could use strategies and formulate proper magic. That those summoned in the thousands had learning abilities?

The ramifications would be beyond imagination.

They would start being wary, starting from the United States.

Even he didn’t know where his limit was, and the loss of a few S-rank Awakened was nothing compared to what they had discovered.

‘Anyway, we can easily replace those guys.’

With their fast leveling up, it was possible.

The S-rank awakeneds rushed out desperately. In the midst of it, magic flew, entangling their feet.

Five and Seven.

They were relatively less skilled individuals.

‘...This is insane.’

Han Baekgil’s face hardened as he read the contents.

This was essentially asking them to go one by one and sacrifice themselves.

“This is ridiculous!”

“Nonsense!”

Flustered, Three and Four tried to move forward. However, as they took a step forward, it felt like they hit a solid wall, preventing them from advancing any further.

[Only one person chosen by vote can move!]

[The first vote will last for 1 minute.]

[Please choose the prey for the first challenge.]

Cold sweat started to trickle down everyone’s foreheads.

* * *

One-way.

The conditions were simple.

One predator and one prey would come from each side of the path.

And they would face off in the middle.

‘Wicked.’

Even the conditions were like that.

If he could capture ten initially, it meant he could capture all the remaining ones as well.

But on the side of being captured, they wouldn’t even have the chance to fight back.

Only one could come to the center through the vote.

And there was no middle ground on this map.

‘It was originally set up as.......’

It was a stage crafted for the amusement of demons.

A stage made for the weak to sacrifice each other through votes, and to witness slaughter.

Especially the way demon points were accumulated was brutal.

The more despair the enemy fell into, the more points you gained.

If you amassed the most points, a high-ranked demon would appear to reward you.

‘Afterward, it goes back to the structure of the demon’s castle map.’

That’s why.

‘It’s actually better this way.’

It’s not like they were just ordinary awakened caught up together.

They came here with the clear intent to kill from the start.

There’s no reason to show mercy.

He can enjoy hunting them one by one and they can witness each other’s demise.

For Kim Minwoo, it’s the ultimate playground.

‘And get some rewards along the way.’

It’s killing two birds with one stone.

In the distance, the members of the Shadow were bellowing loudly.

From the start, it was a situation where they couldn’t even think of fighting him and had to run away.

Going alone in that situation?

It’s as good as saying “just die.”

So, it’s natural to resist not being chosen.

“Han Baekgil, that bastard!”

Broken Korean words burst out.

It seemed like the first sacrificial lamb had been chosen.

The Chinese S-rank mage, Wi Rungkang.

He was cursing loudly, but unfortunately, swearing didn’t reduce the votes.

With everyone’s overwhelming support,

Wi Rungkang was chosen.

‘He’s probably just trying to buy time.’

Is there anything more useless than a mage who can’t use magic?

Unfortunately, on this stage, Wi Rungkang was that mage.

Soon, he was summoned to the center.

[The first prey is participating!]

[After 5 seconds, the battle will begin! Get ready!]

Wi Rungkang desperately casting spells.

Unfortunately, Merhen, who was summoned nearby, was staring at him intently.

―Still, so simple-minded?

Wi Rungkang was sweating profusely.

His teeth chattered.

“No... no.”

Wait.

This time, it wasn’t a major explosion spell.

During the preparation time, he had cast numerous attack spells. Even if she was a witch, she couldn’t easily thwart them like before.

He had to make it happen.

Or else...

[The battle begins!]

Before he could unleash his magic...

—Idiot.

[The casting of Earth Restraint (S) is canceled!]

[The casting of Flame Breath (A)...]

[The casting of Tidal Summoning (A)...]

[The casting of Wind Hook (B)...]

.

.

“Ah.”

Soon after, his arms and legs were all severed.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]