Chapter 111 - EPISODE 111 – SNOW QUEEN (2)

Chapter 111 - EPISODE 111 – SNOW QUEEN (2)

Terms used in this chapter:

Time difference attack?– volleyball term where the player first acts like they’re about to jump but holds that position when the blockers react (jump). Then the player attacks during the quick instance when the blockers are falling down.

Light Dragon Yalavaska.

A mighty being who was one of the ‘7 major calamities’ that appeared throughout the middle to last part of?Legend of Heroes 2.

‘Its other nickname is PC Killer.’

The seven major calamities weren’t called calamities for no reason.

Each major calamity caused enormous damage to Pleiades, the stage of?Legend of Heroes, and among them was Yalavaska who was a famous calamity that killed a lot of PC (playable character).

‘If you went the Red Wind route, it would be Kirara, and if you went the Kirara route, it would be Red Wind.’

And if one was playing a playable character who was not from the wild lands, there was a high probability that it would be both Red Wind and Kirara.

Yalavaska was notorious among the 7 major calamities because aside from the two, other playable characters would also die depending on one’s progress.

‘A lot clearly died, but…’

In the game, Yalavaska’s origin was not fully revealed.

Except that it was just a dragon with an ice attribute who came down from the north one day.

“But it was actually created here?”

The legacy of Magellan, the magic kingdom.

The false ruler of spirits – the Snow Queen, and its guardian merged into one, giving birth to Yalavaska.

“We have to defeat it before it grows.”

Before the ruler of spirits and its guardian merged and became the light dragon.

Before it was reborn as one of the 7 major calamities.

“We’ll save Red Wind.”

Just as they saved Lucas by defeating the low-ranking demonic human, Minos, of the Devil’s Hand, they were now in a position to save Red Wind by stopping one of the 7 major calamities.

Being particularly fond of Red Wind, Cordelia spoke as she revealed her canines, and Jude nodded his head.

‘The consequences are great if we can stop it here.’

The problem wasn’t just the playable characters.

The existence of Yalavaska would alter the events in the world itself.

‘The events in the Argon Empire would be lessened.’

The Argon Empire had a hostile relationship to the S?len Kingdom, but it was still a human country like theirs.

If Light Dragon Yalavaska disappeared and the western part of the empire remained intact, the future catastrophe and its aftermath would also be different.

“For a perfect happy ending.”

In a low voice, Jude chanted that like a spell before he turned to Cordelia.

Wearing a white combat suit with a design similar to what Melissa had worn, Cordelia breathed in and out and then clenched and opened her fists.

Looking at her flushed face, she seemed to be quite nervous.

“Nervous?”

“I am nervous. It’s Yalavaska.”

Yalavaska was not one of the 7 major calamities for no reason.

In the game, an entire army was even mobilized to defeat Yalavaska.

“Considering its specs, it’s possible to do it.”

It wasn’t Yalavaska yet.

Considering the guardian’s specs, it wasn’t at a level that they couldn’t defeat.

“But Jude.”

“Yes?”

“I think you’ve become taller?”

Cordelia said as she looked up at Jude who was wearing a similar white combat suit just like herself.

He was clearly in the mid-170’s during the past few weeks, but he was now in the latter half.

Cordelia was clearly a bit taller than him back then, but that had been reversed and they now had a height difference of more than 10 cm.

“Oh, it’s because I didn’t really talk much about it, but my knees and calves had been greatly aching for some time.”

He grew more than 10 centimeters in two months.

“Does it still hurt?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps he’ll be in the mid-180’s if he continued growing like this?

After Jude replied, Cordelia narrowed her eyes and studied him up and down as if evaluating him.

“Ahem, it’s nice to look at.”

He didn’t just grow tall as his body also got better.

It was not an exaggeration to say that the current Jude was like a Greek sculpture because his combat suit clearly revealed his physique.

“Ahem, ahem.”

She somehow unconsciously felt proud of it.

And at the time Jude had a similar thought as hers while staring at Cordelia…

“But Jude.”

“Yes.”

“That…wouldn’t you get bigger?”

Just like Landius.

“N-no way.”

Landius had said that it wouldn’t be that much.

“Hmm…but if he grows up to 2 meters and 10 centimeters, or less than 2 meters and 30 centimeters…”

Cordelia’s words trailed off in the end, and she slightly raised her gaze and imagined a 2-meters-tall Jude.

“That might be a little disgusting…”

She spoke in a low voice as if she was talking to herself, but there was no way Jude couldn’t hear it because he was right next to her.

Jude flinched, and for the first time in his life, he wished that he wouldn’t grow any taller.

‘I never thought I’d make such a wish.’

Wouldn’t that wish be almost hard to fulfill since it’s complicated and difficult?

In any case, Jude’s trivial and serious concerns allowed both of them to be less tense.

“Anyway, shall we go?”

“I’ll stand in the front line, so I’ll leave the rear to you, Madam.”

“Oh, are you standing in the front line now?”

“How can I let Madam be on the front line?”

Jude spoke in a theatrical fashion before he pushed a button to open the elevator door.

A spacious and tranquil place.

The Snow Queen’s core was in the center, and a guardian was guarding in front of it.

“Dragon attribute, holy attribute.”

“It constantly receives power from the field. Virtually infinite MP.”

“Breath weapon. The jewel on its forehead glows prior to using it.”

“Can use Dragon Fear.”

“It uses two Living Swords and two Living Shields as auxiliary weapons.”

This was the guardian’s information that Melissa gave them.

“<Haste>, <Strength>.”

Double casting.

Cordelia cast spells on Jude and herself. At the same time, Jude tore the scrolls.

“<Eye of Tiger>, <Warrior Spirit>, <Heart of Dragon>.”

The three spells strengthened one’s vision, spiritual power, and mental defense, respectively.

The assistive spells covered the bodies of the two, and at the same time, light rose from the magic tools they were wearing.

They got the magic tools from the Wild Fairy Queen and the new ones from Melissa.

“Witch Transformation.”

Cordelia’s hair turned black. The magic tools she wore on her entire body glowed red, and Cordelia’s mana was amplified.

“I’ll be the damage dealer.”

It would be difficult to gain an advantage over the guardian’s nature, who possessed both dragon and holy attributes. Therefore, they had to attack it with pure firepower.

Cordelia concentrated her mana on Moonlight and looked straight ahead. And Jude stepped forward as he said.

“I’ll be the tank.”

Jude himself became the anvil and Cordelia became the hammer.

The two left the elevator. The crouched guardian then raised its head. The blue eyes on its dragon-like face glowed, and a blue aura spread over its entire white body.

And one more.

The floor began to shine.

The power of the dragon vein started to rise from the bottom.

Jude took a deep breath. He opened the power of the third door and created a golden whirlwind.

“I’ll protect you.”

Jude said and Cordelia had a small smile instead of telling him off. He then kicked the ground.

“Go.”

Bang!

Jude dashed at lightning speed. The guardian quickly stood up and Jude’s fist – the Black Cross, exploded on the guardian!

Boom!

Victory went to the one who made the first move.

When the black cross was destroyed in the collision with the guardian, Cordelia’s eyes shone. They needed to reduce the guardian’s high magic defense first, so she repeatedly chanted the witch’s curse.

<Curse>, <Curse>, <Curse>, <Curse>!

<Spell’s Echo> and <Double Casting>.

The purple curses flew toward the guardian in succession. And at that moment, the guardian roared.

The huge Living Swords and Living Shields that were around 3 meters long popped out from the floor and ceiling and played their respective roles.

“Rooooar!”

The guardian’s roar was like the roaring of a lion. It charged towards Jude, who likewise kicked the ground and generated Qi energy-filled air waves, which offset the guardian’s roar. At the same time, he saw the Living Swords heading towards him, so he calculated the trajectory and threw himself without hesitation.

Screeeeech!

It was impossible to completely avoid the swords. So Jude blocked the Living Sword’s blade with the gauntlet on his arm.

Instead of pouring attacks on the Living Shield that blocked the front like a wall, he soared up high with the black wind.

Chwaak!

He jumped over the wall-like Living Shield. Jude met eyes with the guardian, who opened its mouth at that moment.

Kwaaaa-!

Breath weapon.

He had predicted it. So he gained distance by propelling himself from the edge of the Living Shield. He threw himself to evade the pillar of light that came from the guardian’s mouth, and as soon as he landed on the floor, he rolled once and stood up. He kicked the Living Shield in front of him.

“Corde-!”

She responded to his cry. Cordelia fired dozens of magic missiles which flew towards the space Jude had secured. The missiles then exploded on the guardian.

“Keuaaa!”

The guardian moved away. Jude kicked the Living Swords that aimed at Cordelia instead of pursuing the guardian. One was blown away by the wind while the other one was kicked by Jude.

“Aaaah!”

Cordelia let out the witch’s scream.

The ear-splitting shriek shook the entire place and briefly stopped the movement of the Living Swords and Shields.

“Haa!”

He used the Black Dragon Cross Strike in succession. He turned around and fired five black crosses, which consecutively hit the guardian.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Light burst together with the booming sounds. And Jude realized it. Cordelia felt it. It was blocked.

And they were right. In front of the guardian was a barrier of light that blocked Jude’s Black Dragon Cross Strike.

It was something that should normally not happen.

But it did happen, and Jude figured out why. And as usual, Cordelia arrived at the conclusion without going through the process.

‘The power of the dragon vein!’

It was stronger than they thought.

The guardian maintained the barrier of light that should have been broken because the dragon vein constantly supplied it power through the ground.

Moreover, it wasn’t just that. The Guardian was heavily damaged by Cordelia’s attack, but it was fine now. Because the dragon vein’s power healed its injuries.

Paa!

The barrier of light was broken. The Living Swords and Shields headed towards the guardian’s side, and the guardian snarled and stared at Jude and Cordelia. A blue light rose from its feet.

‘We can’t defeat it as it is.’

Cordelia was certain of that. Its recovery because of the dragon vein had exceeded their expectations. They had to think of another strategy.

‘Should I hold it in the air?’

To cut off its link with the ground.

They would then hit it while it was floating in the air.

What she needed then was her telekinetic power.

Cordelia herself would lift it, while Jude would kill it.

Would it be possible?

Would Cordelia herself be able to endure while Jude attacks?

Would it be really possible to lift it up?

Cordelia felt it without thinking. So she stopped focusing on it at some point.

She unconsciously looked around.

And she witnessed a strange sight.

“Jude?”

Jude had consumed a considerable amount of energy right after the battle had begun.

But he was fine.

No, he now looked better than before the fight had begun.

And one important thing.

Blue lightning rose near the soles of Jude’s feet.

It was another unexpected situation.

“Wow.”

Jude exclaimed.

Cordelia had a hunch at that moment.

Jude was also able to absorb the power of the dragon vein on the ground.

But how?

““Dragon Aura.””

Jude and Cordelia spoke simultaneously.

What rose from the ground was the processed power of the dragon vein.

It was a power that the guardian could absorb because of its dragon attribute. The Snow Queen could also absorb it because it had been getting its power from the dragon vein for a long time.

The life force.

The energy of the dragon.

Cordelia could not absorb the dragon aura. But not for Jude.

Because Jude had the Dragon’s Emblem.

Jude was able to use the dragon aura too.

And as to what that meant…

Boom!

Jude shot a series of Black Dragon Cross Strikes. Right after he stunned the guardian for a moment, he moved back to Cordelia and shouted.

“We have a chance at winning!”

It wasn’t just the guardian. Jude was also able to receive the dragon vein’s power.

So how do we take advantage of this situation?

Should we exchange attacks until either side is exhausted?

Certainly, that’s one way to do it.

But it’s too stupid, and there’s a better way to do it.

That ‘way.’

“Please protect me.”

Jude said.

His words were too short, but the two were good at eye-to-eye conversations. Cordelia figured out exactly what Jude wanted her to do.

“F*ck, you crazy b*stard.”

She had cursed after a long time. And she realized that the one in front of her was Outboxer.

He was a really crazy b*stard.

And that was why this man was able to remain as first place all the time.

“Rooooooar!”

The guardian roared. It fired its Breath Weapon, and the Living Swords also flew like a time difference attack.

Kwaaa!

Jude and Cordelia flung themselves to the side. The Breath Weapon pierced between the two and hit the wall before being absorbed. Cordelia then used her telekinetic power against the ruthlessly charging Living Swords.

“Aaaah!”

Bang! Bang!

The Living Swords hit the ground. Instead of launching further attacks, Jude ran towards the elevator, and Cordelia stood in front of the guardian as if to hide Jude.

Please protect me.

“F*ck!”

As she had expected, it would be quite some time before she graduated from the front line.

Cordelia became a wall to protect Jude, who ran and eventually stopped to straighten his posture. Since they were in combat, he would become defenseless once he concentrated his consciousness on the power from the ground.

It was what Jude had wanted to do.

It was the reason why Cordelia cursed because he really was a crazy b*stard!

“Aaaaah!”

Cordelia cursed again as she randomly fired magic attacks.

She switched from defense to attack in order to buy time.

She wanted to turn the guardian’s gaze away from Jude, so she bravely dashed towards it.

Shwak! Shwak! Shwak!

The Living Swords cut through the air. Cordelia avoided the Living Sword’s blades as if she was dancing, and she hurriedly ran in front of the guardian’s eyes.

Her purpose was to catch its gaze and buy time.

“Roooar!”

The guardian’s roar aimed at Cordelia. The sound waves shook the air as it headed to her, and Cordelia swung the <Sword of Calamity> to cut the air. She split the waves itself and used the gap to direct her gaze. The Living Sword that was flying towards Jude stopped as it was paralyzed by her <Evil Eye>.

“Uuuuugh!”

It was difficult. Tears of blood flowed down from her eyes, and she had a dull headache. Her nose was also bleeding.

But not yet.

A golden whirlwind surrounded Jude’s body, and Cordelia turned to him.

A real crazy b*stard.

He was not fighting because he was doing something.

But Cordelia knew.

That this was for the best.

And the guardian also noticed it.

That Cordelia’s actions were focused on defending Jude rather than attacking the guardian.

“Rooar!”

As the guardian roared, the Living Swords and Shields rushed towards Jude. It didn’t stop there as they steadily rose from the ground.

Though the room was wide, its diameter was only in the dozens of meters.

Cordelia clenched her teeth. At the same time, she used it again to stop the five attackers.

“Stop!”

Paralyzing <Evil Eye>.

She didn’t target anything specific. Rather, she targeted everything in her field of vision.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Living Swords and Shields stopped their flight and fell to the floor. The guardian also fell to the ground from its jumping position.

1 second.

2 seconds.

3 seconds.

Her eyes felt like it was burning.

Her vision began to turn white, and Cordelia’s intuition felt it. She wouldn’t be able to see. After a second or so, she lost her sight.

It wasn’t permanent. However, it would be hard to recover at least within this battle.

So Cordelia had remembered everything she had seen earlier.

She bit her lips, endured the pain, but she eventually screamed. In the meantime, one of the Living Shields rose up from the ground.

“Aaaah!”

It was right in front of Jude.

Cordelia remembered its trajectory that she had seen at the last moment. She sensed it with her whole body, and then stretched her arms forward to use her telekinetic power.

She blocked the Living Shield that tried to crush Jude.

“Aaaah!”

She swung her arms wide and flung it away. She couldn’t see, but she sensed it. She then squeezed all her remaining mana to create dozens of magic missiles and set off a storm.

Shwaaaaa!

The magic missiles swirled around Jude and Cordelia. The Guardian did not dare to jump, but the flying Living Swords were hit by the magic missiles and fell to the side.

And like that, 1 second, and 2 seconds passed again.

Sweat poured down from her whole body like rain.

She couldn’t properly tell on how much time had passed.

But Cordelia didn’t collapse. She kept the swirling magic missiles while standing in front of Jude.

So dozens of seconds passed again.

Eventually, her last magic missile was gone.

There were no longer any magic missiles swirling around them.

The Living Swords and Shields were also crushed and broken here and there, but they were no longer in a state where they could rise and fly up again.

It was what the guardian was waiting for.

It had constantly struck the swirling magic missiles with the Living Swords and Shields while it gathered power.

The guardian widely opened its mouth.

At the moment the magic missiles disappeared, it released its Breath Weapon.

Cordelia raised her head.

She lifted her trembling hand towards the coming Breath Weapon.

And then a crash.

The light was shattered.

A roar had shaken the air.

Cordelia smiled.

She couldn’t see it, but she knew.

She could feel it.

The firm arms on her waist.

The powerful force that blocked the guardian’s Breath Weapon had arrived right in front of the guardian.

Jude stretched out his hand.

With one hand holding Cordelia’s waist, he blocked the Breath Weapon with the power of the mighty Black Dragon.

The method that Jude had chosen to do.

What he had done during the time Cordelia had bought.

‘Did he open it? I’ll be mad if he couldn’t open it.’

With her blind eyes, Cordelia asked Jude, who nodded at her.

He held Cordelia’s waist tighter and clenched his fist.

The ancient medicinal wine.

Added to it was the power of the dragon vein.

The pure dragon aura.

A new door was finally opened after all of the above were gathered.

Jude didn’t have to say anything. He just showed it. He made Cordelia feel it.

Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors – Fourth Door.

Black Dragon’s Roar.

Four black dragons rose from Jude’s fist.

The fierce roar became beams of light to crush the enemy.