Chapter 253

Chapter 253. Age of Turmoil (3)

“Its mana is at least rank 4 magma.”

There was even a possibility that its rank was higher than anticipated.

“Those with low resistance, fall back!”

She hastily ordered the troops to retreat.

Her attribute was a 3rd rank tornado. While it increased in power when combined with fire, when opposed to it, its strength significantly waned.

Mishandling it could inadvertently empower the opponent. Thus, it was impossible to neutralize the area attack of a nemesis-rank enemy alone.

However, she couldn’t just do nothing.

“Those with water attribute mana, cast magics immediately!”

Using opposing elements might slow down the spread of the area attack, even if it wasn’t the most efficient approach. For now, it was the best option.

As ordered, water magic poured from all directions, steam rising as the magma met water, slowing its expansion.

Yet, this was insufficient to stop a nemesis-rank’s advance and only seemed to provoke them further.

“Annoying pests!”

The water covering the nemesis-rank’s body moved bizarrely, sprouting long extensions that looked like spikes.

These spikes began to harden into a black substance. She immediately recognized them.

“It’s Kerak!”

Quickly assessing the situation, Yang Hyewon shouted.

“Tanks, form a frontline! Build the walls of Temoria!”

Facing both an area attack and Kerak poses uncontrollable risks. Ensuring players weren’t infected became imperative.

‘Alpha’s purification ability hasn’t been publicly discussed.’

If K, who wished to keep it hidden, refused, she couldn’t force him to purify others. Thus, she directed Temoria’s tankers to create barriers to prevent Kerak infections.

However, the response from the tankers was not hopeful.

“We are too few! We can’t form walls wide enough to cover all areas!”

Approximately a hundred players had gathered, but there weren’t many affiliated with the Order of Temoria. Using traits in this scenario would only reduce their effectiveness.

“Use them anyway!”

This was not the time to hesitate.

Just then, a golden barrier rose from the reformed tanker line. As a makeshift measure, Yang Hyewon also intervened.

‘I’ll cover what the tankers can’t!’

She completed the mana arrangement she had practiced thousands of times in mere seconds.

Whoosh!

The tornado magic, sharing her attribute, came into effect. As swirling winds enveloped the area, kerak launched by the nemesis-rank lost its power and fell.

Though not perfect, this improvised solution was somewhat effective.

“Strong species warning! The timer is counting down!”

“What?! Everyone, retreat! Stay away!”

Some Kerak that pierced through the wind intercepted the players. She too became infected after a mere brush with it.

Rumors of the pathogen’s arrival spread quickly, causing anxiety among the players.

Its combat style became more cautious, as expected. This was the worst-case scenario she had wanted to avoid.

“What are you doing?! Don’t retreat! The timer can be managed!”

Unable to watch any longer, Kim Muwon shouted.

“Shut up! If you’re so confident, go stand in front!”

“Yeah! If you’re that brave, you lead us! Why use us as meat shields?”

“There’s no solution to the strong species timer, is there?!”

Private players, feeling rebellious, raised their voices in return. Those unaffiliated with the association even distanced themselves explicitly from the nemesis-rank. The situation was deteriorating.

‘Even with a collective effort, it’s uncertain if we could hold them.’

With power still draining away, the magic Yang Hyewon used to counter Kerak only exacerbated the problem. Fire spread uncontrollably, fueled by the addition of wind element.

“Fall back, retreat as far back as possible!”

In the end, she had no choice but to command the players to retreat further. Consequently, the nemesis-rank’s range of action increased.

Yang Hyewon gritted my teeth. She had always prided herself on her skill, facing general-ranks multiple times with minimal damage.

But in front of a nemesis-rank, her abilities seemed utterly inadequate.

‘Unable to even bind them properly, I find myself frantic.’

To make matters worse, the nemesis-rank seemed to maneuver through the tornado.

‘I can’t let them escape……!’

Just as she considered using additional magic in her panic, the nemesis-rank lunged forward, swinging its foreleg through a gap in the tornado.

“No!”

The golden barrier that had blocked the kerak was shredded, and the tank line was tragically swept aside.

“This cannot be!”

Though an imperfect replica, it was a trait modeled after the power of gods. To see it crumble so easily was shocking!

As she watched, the nemesis-rank crouched as if preparing to leap.

Tankers, who had managed one confrontation, had no chance, nor did the dealers behind them.

‘If left unchecked, they’ll all be annihilated!’

Yang Hyewon stood in the empty space left by the tankers and used a relic.

‘Kantala’s Life Price.’

Kantala was attacked by monsters while fleeing. With his child in his arms, he was devoured.

The pendant that fell during the struggle became a relic.

According to its description, it creates an indestructible, absolute shield behind the user for precisely 10 seconds.

Using the relic, Yang Hyewon turned her back to the nemesis-rank and closed her eyes tightly. What if the relic’s power couldn’t withstand that monster?

Or if something went awry, failing to stop it.

In the quick spiral of these thoughts, thud!

“Branch Manager!”

The nemesis-rank, which had charged through the magma-stained ground, collided with the shield at her back. Fortunately, Kantala’s Life Price did its job.

The nemesis-rank, which even the tankers’ combined barriers couldn’t block, was stopped.

Confirming that she hadn’t moved an inch, she quickly commanded.

“Now, while there’s an opening……!”

Before she could finish shouting orders to cover the knocked-back tankers with long-range water magic, a tremendous power began to coalesce overhead.

“What is……!”

Yang Hyewon looked up with wide eyes.

Boom!

Simultaneously, lightning struck from the sky.

“Graaah!”

For the first time, the nemesis-rank, which had only dismissed players with disdain, screamed in pain.

She couldn’t turn to see if the shield’s position had shifted. But the light flickering behind her noticeably intensified.

– K: Before the effect on your back ends, move away. Don’t linger and get involved.

Seeing the long-awaited message from K, her expression brightened noticeably.

“Retreat! Retreat! We have reinforcements! Get the tanks out first!”

As even association-affiliated players began to retreat, the pendant in her hand shattered into pieces.

Only then did she feel the immense heat sprawling over her. It was a scalding intensity that seemed like it would melt her skin just by being near.

As Yang Hyewon backed away, having ensured the wounded were secure, she turned her attention to where the nemesis-rank was.

A dry gulp escaped her.

The first thing visible was the white flames engulfing the magma-covered ground.

Then came the sight of the nemesis-rank trapped within the confines of the flames. The fire cloaking the nemesis-rank’s body had diminished compared to before.

‘White flames are the apex predator among the flame attributes.’

No flame can maintain its form or force in front of white flames. Indeed, the white flames were consuming the nemesis-rank’s area attack, expanding their reach. And that wasn’t all.

Amidst the white flames covering the ground, something sparkled. After assisting the wounded and retreating, she quickly climbed onto a nearby intact structure to secure a vantage point.

This allowed her to spot K, standing amidst the white flames, surrounded by sparking energy. The sparks, animated like living entities, rushed toward the nemesis-rank.

“Graaaah!”

Dodging the white flames, the nemesis-rank screeched again after being grazed by the sparks. Abruptly, it turned to face K’s direction. A massive sphere began forming at its side.

As the sphere grew, magma dripped from it, threatening to melt the very ground.

Even knowing the white flames were present and that K’s mana was of the highest rank, I felt a rising sense of unease.

‘Could he withstand that attack?’

Structured magic, specifically designed, tends to have an upper hand over natural mana. Knowing this, her anxiety swelled as the magma ball expanded.

Similar feelings spread among other players.

Most who had withdrawn to the rear kept their senses heightened, watching the confrontation between K and the nemesis-rank with bated breath.

Various drones and helicopters with cameras had started circling the area, focusing on the nemesis-rank, reflecting the heightened tension gripping everyone but the participants.

As tension reached its peak, the massive magma chunk started to move.

Seeing a force of nature, nearly matching the nemesis-rank in size, hurtling down towards a human not even 2 meters tall was not good for one’s heart health.

Yet, this event was nothing compared to what transpired moments later.

“Uh…?”

Starting with someone’s dazed exclamation, the massive chunk of magma began to disintegrate.

The magma, scattering like dust, lost its shape and vanished. Blackened blood erupted from the nemesis-rank’s muzzle, stiff and unyielding even before the white flames.

A tremendous, indescribable shock engulfed all present.

‘Dispel…?’

Neither a Biharin mage nor a player dispelling magic was something they had imagined possible.

In the midst of this unfamiliar shock, Yang Hyewon watched as K’s lips curled into a smile in front of the nemesis-rank.

His lips moved as if he were speaking, though the words were inaudible.

With enhanced focus, she could discern the movements of K’s lips more clearly.

– Did you think that would be enough? Not even a real mage, how arrogant.

The sight of those silently mouthed words momentarily halted her thinking.

That K declared arrogance toward the disaster a hundred players struggled to merely hold back.

Recognizing K’s growth as distinct from the general population’s trajectory was one thing, but seeing such a stark contrast left her speechless.

While I stood frozen, the nemesis-rank let out a roar loud enough to leave one’s ears ringing.

“Graaaah! You pesky wretch!”

Lifting its massive forepaw, it brought it crashing down.

Seemingly having acknowledged magical combat as unfeasible against K, it resorted to pure physical power.

Its formidable size meant that even a single step was enough to devastate the surroundings.

Boom-!

A single step from the nemesis-rank was enough to shake the earth.

But it was ineffective against the unwavering K.

He halted the sweeping kick from the nemesis-rank, which had obliterated the tank line, with a single spear.

Though the ground he stood on cracked and sagged under the tremendous force, and stones soared into the air.

K himself stood resolute, single-handedly countering the nemesis-rank’s massive limb.

In that moment, he seemed as immense as a mountain shouldering its weight.

– Be beaten into pulp by that bothersome bastard, you scoundrel.

Though the enunciation wasn’t as clear as the nemesis-rank’s voice, the intent was unmistakable.

With those words, K, using the shock for leverage, rolled across the ground and leaped upward. Yang Hyewon’s senses were unable to fully track his movement.

“Guhuk!”

Soon, the massive body of the nemesis-rank trembled upwards. Swept by K’s soaring kick, it momentarily lifted.

Within moments, K, who had remained suspended in the air, brought down his spear, striking the nemesis-rank with precision.

Damned System