Chapter 89

HISSS...

As the capsule lid opened, Alteon—Im Seojun—rose from his seat, wearily ruffling his hair.

"Hey! Hey!! Im Seojun!!!"

He sighed as Im Huijeong came rushing into his room as though she had been waiting for him.

"... What?"

"Why'd you suddenly log out? What about Thorn Bach?"

"I pulled out. They told me to go to the holy capital, but I couldn't bring myself to, so I just logged off. I'm in front of the portal."

"What are you talking about?"

"You saw the footage I sent, right? I don't think word's gotten out yet, but... Charlo's dead. And the Immortal's Stake is gone, too."

"What on earth happened?"

"I don't know. The stake's effect suddenly disappeared before its duration ran out."

"You mean someone pulled it out?"

"Probably."

"Who? Why would they do that?"

"Who knows? I don't even know whether someone pulled it out or something dislodged it."

Im Seojun racked his brains, but he couldn't make sense of it.

"We don't know exactly how powerful the Black Dragon is. Maybe he forced the stake out."

"Could a player have done it?"

"The only player there besides me was a guy called Khan. He said two others had gone to evacuate the villagers, but they hadn't come back even during the battle."

"Hmm... What about an NPC, then?"

Im Seojun chuckled at his sister's question.

"Be serious. Why would an NPC take the stake? Besides, they're all knights."

"Being a knight doesn't make you squeaky-clean."

"You only say that because you weren't there. They risked their lives to get me out and even gave me an escort."

"Then why the hell did the stake come out?"

"... How should I know?"

He scratched his head as he looked at her.

"Ugh, this is a problem... Now that you're gone, there's no one to record with a Vision."

"Didn't you say more reinforcements were coming?"

"They are, but... You know how long it takes to reach Thorn Bach with the regular portal out of commission."

"Hmm..."

"You said you haven't taken the portal yet, right? Go back."

"Wow, listen to you. Telling your little brother to go die without batting an eye."

It was a conversation typical of real-life siblings.

Im Seojun snorted at her in disbelief.

"Don't even think about going yourself. Your character wouldn't last a minute."

"It's that bad?"

"Yeah. My Health kept plummeting even with my resistances cranked up. Most characters wouldn't survive the Dark Zone."

"Then what about that guy?"

"Huh?"

Im Huijeong tilted her head.

"You said he lasted three days in there."

Im Seojun's eyes widened as the realization struck him, too.

"... You're right."

'Three whole days in a place where even one day seemed impossible... And fighting the Black Dragon the whole time?'

He gulped, swallowing hard without realizing it.

"What kind of character has he built?"

* * *

"Blue Knights...!! Hold your formation!! Holy King's Knights and Royal Guard Knights, strike at the Black Dragon from behind!!"

RUMBLE!!!

They were knights from different kingdoms, yet they moved in perfect unison, as though they had rehearsed together.

["Pesky vermin...!!"]

While the Blue Knights' cavalry distracted the Black Dragon, the other knights took turns showering him with attacks.

'... Impressive.'

Much as he hated to admit it, Zion Muren was remarkable. He was directing the battle as though he owned the battlefield.

'His brothers' swordsmanship overshadowed him, but...'

Name: Zion Muren

Class: Third Son of House Muren

Level: 60

Strength 35 Agility 35

Constitution 30 Conviction 95

Dexterity 90 Tactics 110

Total Points: 395

▶ The level difference is 10 or more. Detailed information cannot be viewed.

These were Zion Muren's stats, revealed through Focused Eyes. The level difference prevented Woojin from seeing his Traits, but this was enough to gauge the man.

He was a genius of a different sort. Even his total stats were far higher than those of an ordinary level 60.

And one value stood out in particular.

'I've never seen a Tactics stat over 100 before.'

As if to prove it, his command was so brilliant that even the knights from other kingdoms looked impressed. A high Tactics stat meant he was an equally outstanding strategist.

An extraordinary mind.

High Conviction.

And exceptional Dexterity to boot.

At first glance, these were the qualities of a truly outstanding commander, but...

'The question is what kind of man he really is.'

A misguided mind could lead to evil deeds, twisted conviction could breed malice, and misused talent could cause even greater disasters. In other words, those same qualities could make him the worst sort of villain.

'The Immortal's Stake is one of the materials used to create the Faceless Monster.'

If the stake was now in that bastard's hands...

Perhaps it was Woojin's fault.

In the history of this other world, the Black Dragon would not have appeared when the Labyrinth Tower's tenth floor was conquered.

'Naturally, Charlo would have had no reason to bring the Immortal's Stake, either.'

Woojin's rapid growth had summoned the dragon, giving Zion Muren an opportunity to steal the [Immortal's Stake].

Knowing the future, Woojin was wary of him. But the others, who had no way of knowing about his evil deeds, were different. They were instead captivated by his brilliant command, shining through this desperate situation.

"Holy King's Knights!! Half your forces, fall back and form a crescent formation!!"

At Zion's shout, the knights changed formation.

"Blue Knights, keep the Black Dragon occupied at the front!"

The Blue Knights lowered themselves over their mounts and charged the Black Dragon with their lances.

CRAAASH!!!

Dozens of lances stabbed into the Black Dragon's body.

"Attack!!!"

As the Blue Knights split off in two directions, the Holy King's Knights in their crescent formation unleashed divine power and slashed at the Black Dragon.

"Royal Guard Knights!!"

When the Holy King's Knights finished their attack, the Royal Guard Knights drove their enormous tower shields into the ground in unison.

["GRAAAAAH!!!"]

They blocked the breath that burst forth with the Black Dragon's roar, and the Blue Knights raised their lances to engage him once more.

A simple but effective method.

The Black Dragon was visibly tiring, little by little.

CRUNCH!!!

At last, a Holy King's Knight's sword pierced the Black Dragon's scales and wounded him. Flesh flew, and red blood streamed out.

"We did it...!!"

The knights cheered at the sight.

CRASH!!!

His face contorted, the Black Dragon chomped down on the head of the paladin who had attacked him, chewing it to pieces.

"... You monster."

Their cheers were short-lived. The knights ground their teeth.

"Do not waver!! He stopped using magic some time ago! That's proof he's tiring!!"

Zion Muren's shout broke the brief silence.

"Keep pressing him!!!"

RAAAAAH!!!!

At his command, the knights readied themselves to attack again.

BOOM!!

CRASH-CRASH-CRASH!!

The battle resumed. Their fighting spirit unbroken, the knights resisted even more fiercely.

"It would be good if the Black Dragon retreated now."

Ruen approached Woojin as he watched the battle.

"Who knows?"

He answered her with a pensive look.

'... He got me.'

Woojin had more or less expected reinforcements from the five great kingdoms. After all, a dragon's appearance was unquestionably a crisis for the continent.

The problem was that he hadn't expected Zion Muren to come as the Kingdom of Bolton's commander.

"Attack!!!"

Zion Muren's voice rang across the battlefield, and the knights squeezed out the last of their strength to press the Black Dragon.

CRAAASH!!!!

But the harder they pressed, the more violently the Black Dragon swung his tail, sending them flying.

"Something's... wrong."

"What is it?"

Ruen frowned slightly as she watched the fighting.

"They're clearly fighting well... But the knights' numbers keep dropping."

"Isn't that unavoidable? The Black Dragon is so powerful..."

She shook her head at Karlan's reply.

"No, that's not what I mean. Look. Every order except the Blue Knights is losing men."

"Hmm."

"The Blue Knights are keeping him occupied, but they scatter when the Royal Guard Knights arrive. They actually spend the least time fighting."

She pointed at the knights as she spoke.

"Meanwhile, the Royal Guard Knights handling defense are taking the heaviest losses."

"W-well... The Royal Guard Knights specialize in defense, so they have to..."

Perhaps because Zion was his maternal uncle, Karlan seemed flustered as he tried to explain.

"That's true. But it's also true that the Royal Guard Knights and the Holy King's Knights are dwindling faster and faster."

Her gaze sharpened as she looked at Zion Muren.

"At this rate, the Blue Knights might be the only ones left when the reinforcements arrive."

"S-surely not..."

Karlan seemed unable to believe it, but Woojin, who knew Zion Muren's nature, couldn't dismiss her words.

'It's not impossible.'

Perhaps he had deliberately chosen this formation from the very start.

Why?

If his objective wasn't defeating the Black Dragon, but obtaining the [Immortal's Stake]...

'Eliminating witnesses would matter more to him than the Black Dragon.'

"Aaargh...!!"

"Aaaaaagh...!!!"

Even as they talked, screams kept rising from the Holy King's Knights and the Royal Guard Knights.

"Do not give up!! We must hold until reinforcements arrive!! If we fail, that monster will wipe the continent out!!!"

At Zion Muren's cry, the knights charged the Black Dragon, stepping over their dying comrades. At some point, they had begun to seem almost crazed.

Like moths plunging into a flame.

"Did he use magic or something...?"

Woojin shook his head. When he had checked Zion's stats with Focused Eyes, there had been no mana.

'That means he hasn't dabbled in dark magic yet... '

Then how had he created the demonic sword he would give Karlan?

'There's definitely something going on.'

He had plenty of suspicions, but no proof. He needed to find that proof, yet looking at Zion Muren made him realize what a formidable opponent the man was.

The bastard had woven his trap tightly before the battle even began. The knights were throwing their lives away, unaware they were being used, but there was no way to stop them.

'... I have to find a way.'

Woojin clenched his fist tight.

NEIGH...!

Just then, Zion Muren rode over to them.

"Karlan, why are you still here? I distinctly told you to leave with the high-ranking devotee."

"Ah, yes... Well..."

Despite having overcome several curses, Karlan stammered, so thoroughly cowed that his progress might never have happened.

"Surely... you don't still suspect me?"

Zion looked down at Woojin.

"I don't know why you suspect me of pulling out the stake... But if I'd done such a thing, would I be risking my life fighting like this?"

"What did you do to the knights?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

With a sneer, he ostentatiously tugged on his reins.

"... Master."

Ruen gently wrapped her hands around Woojin's arm, which was trembling with tension.

"We can't let him have his way."

"What are you going to do?"

"Find out what he's done."

Woojin's eyes flashed.

"Nissen!"

"Yes?"

"What would it take to cast magic on that many people?"

"You mean the knights...? With that many, unless you drew a magic circle..."

"... That's it."

["Yes. The Labyrinth Tower has changed things now, but twenty years ago, House Muren's manor stood there."]

["That's right. The manor is gone, but the vacant lot is still House Muren's private property, so he said he stops by from time to time."]

Woojin recalled what Karlan had told him when they first arrived in Thorn Bach.

The vacant lot where the Muren manor had stood.

"That's the place."