Chapter 202

Chapter 202. Scattered Puzzle (1)

Most of the messeo had always been situated deep within the corrupted areas. The higher the rank of the corrupted area, the more it was teeming with monsters.

Competition among these monsters was fierce, and many evolved species had survived that competition.

This was why purification took so long as the rank of the corrupted area increased.

“Low-rank corrupted areas can sometimes be accessed by air to destroy the messeo first.”

However, a 6-star corrupted area was truly overwhelming due to the sheer number of monsters. One had to wage war rather than mere combat to approach the messeo, to say the least.

So, after focusing solely on hunting for quite some time, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred on the map. The Messeo, which was supposed to stay still, began to move.

As soon as I sensed the anomaly, I immediately started the pursuit.

“If I can’t destroy that, I can’t clear the mission itself.”

Thanks to that, I witnessed an odd scene where general-rank monsters, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, were collectively moving the messeo.

Even when the pursuit team closed in, some monsters fell back to block and buy time.

“Though those guys delayed me a bit!”

Fortunately, I managed to catch up before the general-ranks could exit the player camp at the western assembly point.

“Why run so hard if you’re just going to get caught like this? Causing trouble for those chasing you.”

I wrapped the squirming arm of the 8-star general-rank like a leech around my arm.

Warnings related to infection popped up, but I ignored them cleanly. Through several experiences, I had adapted somewhat to purifying pathogens.

“Argh! This leech! Gurgle, gurgle, kill the pursuers!!”

The irritated monster raised its opposite arm, as if to slice me in half with terrifying force.

But before its arm could even touch me.

“Screech!”

“Growl!”

The bodies of two 7-star general-ranks behind the 8-star general-rank crumbled simultaneously. At that moment, four players emerged from the space where black blood had erupted.

“Yes, sneak attack success!”

“I got it first!”

“My total count is higher?”

“How about skipping the chatter and moving onto another target? If we do consecutive strikes, two of them will be down in no time.”

Players who hid their unique symbols in various ways paired up to ambush a general-rank monster.

Among them was a particularly noticeable player with pink hair, Kim Yul.

As they exchanged a few words, I struck the left arm of the 8-star general-rank with my spear as well.

This triggered the arrival of other players who had been slightly behind.

“Wow, why are everyone’s feet so quick?”

“Because it’s a wind-affiliated team or they all have flight magic.”

“We can’t fall behind either, let’s move quickly.”

It was a pursuit team that gathered to capture the general-rank that had seized the messeo.

“Support here!”

“Is there anyone with an area attack? Clear out the small fry first!”

With a party of my teammates, Cello’s initial members from Club 249, and Kirish’s party from the Order who had built friendships, we had quite a number.

Moreover, gold-ranked players who were originally at the western assembly point added to our numbers.

“With our current forces, we can handle twenty general-ranks easily.”

Even Yang Taeho and Kim Yul could each handle one of those creatures. So I just had to focus on the 8-star general-rank right in front of me.

I steadied my breathing in the face of the approaching battle.

I had captured general-ranks several times already, but today was different from those times. My goal was not to kill that thing.

“Moderation is crucial.”

As I grappled with the 8-star, the players from the western assembly point quickly found their place.

“What are you doing? Are the Gold ranks just going to play around?”

“Stop them before they run away! If we lose the messeo, all this hard work goes to waste!”

I confirmed their movements and separated the 8-star general-rank further from the battlefield.

One hand was wrapped around its Kerak-like black arm. Simultaneously conducting real-time purification of the pathogen.

I constantly threatened it with my spear and drove it back, even further.

“Why did they run off with that thing?”

“Gurgle, gurgle! I’ll kill you!”

As the creature cut sideways with its empty arm, I quickly leaned back, narrowly avoiding the attack.

A thin red line appeared above my Adam’s apple. Slower, and my neck would have been severed.

I didn’t just sit back and take it; in return for the exchange, I managed to grasp the monster’s other arm.

No sooner had I secured both arms of the 8-star general-rank beside me than it charged at me after a stomp, mouth wide open.

Having its hands pinned and nowhere to retreat, its only option was attack. I welcomed the creature, its maw agape, with a heart brimming with anticipation.

* * *

「Congratulations! MISSION – Corrupted Area Purification ★★★★★★(08-1633785) has been completed.」

「Please choose your reward.

「Progress in the main scenario has been contributed. Contribution points accumulated are 5152.」

The battle at the western assembly point had been quite fierce. Amidst the presence of dozens of general-ranks, there were also over ten thousand ordinary monsters.

While this intense battle continued, others quickly pierced into the center from another assembly point to destroy the messeo.

And slightly later, the messeo at the western assembly point was also dealt with.

“I confirmed that nothing was missed.”

All the messeo that general-ranks attempted to escape with were destroyed. I verified this regularly, as it was crucial once the anomaly on the map was detected.

While other players concentrated intensely on the battle and Messeo destruction, I focused on one single task.

Extracting information from the 8-star general-rank whose limbs were severed to immobilize it.

I swung the spear embedded in the monster’s abdomen as I reiterated my question.

“Why did you try to take it?”

“Squawook!”

Unfortunately, there were no remarkable results. Time had passed to the extent that the battle had entered a lull, yet the general-rank remained tight-lipped.

“Claugh!!”

It didn’t even open its mouth but instead tried intermittently to make Kerak and attack me.

Despite having its limbs cut and its eyes plucked out, the general-rank continued its resistance for countless hours. This stubbornness gnawed at my nerves.

A common person would have surrendered in no time once a spear began to swing inside their gut, spilling information.

In contrast, the monster writhed in agony, screeching grotesquely, but never submitting. This signaled what could be the outcome of wars in the future.

“Did they always cushion things like this, even up north? You’re doing the same here?”

At that moment, Yang Taeho, who had joined in eradicating the 7-star general-rank, approached and asked, “Isn’t that so?”

Indeed, as it was, something similar had occurred in the north.

“I heard about this through Ethan.”

During the siege of Somol Castle, there had been too few Messeo.

“Though they overturned the entire castle interior looking for Messeo clusters.”

Despite the mission’s suggested numbers, the located Messeo was excessively sparse.

Coincidentally, traces of monster movements were discovered outside the castle; the Order’s special task force then pursued immediately.

“During the battle, general-ranks that had been scarcely seen suddenly gathered in droves, moving the messeo.”

Knowing this truth, I organized a pursuit team independently as soon as the messeo started to move.

“Why on earth are they doing this?”

Such attempts hadn’t occurred at Callum or Villea Castles.

“Or rather—”

It was too early to make definitive statements. Earlier attempts might have failed due to poor timing.

What I see isn’t the entire world; there’s always the possibility of unseen events transpiring.

“It is certain the monsters attempt to secure 6-star Messeo.”

With such collective actions twice, there was no point in further doubt. From now on, I need to find out why the creatures attempted to steal the messeo.

Yet, I had no fruitful results.

“Should we capture another one?”

It’s futile; capturing another 8-star doesn’t guarantee different results.

Coincidentally, I opened the auction window out of curiosity, wondering if there was an artifact with a unique effect.

But, there were no gains. It’s understandable.

“I was unusually fortunate only when dealing with Gallonic.”

It would be foolhardy to expect the same luck all the time. Though I may contact Club 249, I harbored little expectation.

This time, I must derive a method from existing information.

“I’m going nuts.”

Instead of clinging to this inefficient interrogation perpetually, it seemed more beneficial to refresh myself briefly, considering other means.

I sighed deeply, rising to my feet, while ensuring the general-rank couldn’t escape.

“The limbs are entirely severed!”

These monsters have defied common sense in movement more than once. I bound it with magic shackles and impaled it to the ground with a spear to keep it in place.

Yet, these efforts were futile.

「Characteristics Capitalism is activated.」

「The system is shifting to support type. Supporting player Kang Hyunwoo.」

「Detecting abnormal access. Attempts to block.」

Suddenly, a system message flashed, and the general-rank’s chest split open, black blood gushing forth.

I instinctively shielded Yang Taeho standing nearby.

During the brief moments of stepping back a couple of strides, the blood spewing like a fountain sharpened into needle-like forms.

Then, as it fell, it shredded the 8-star general-rank into pieces. Another extraordinary event unfolded swiftly.

It happened so rapidly, leaving no time to react appropriately. Nevertheless, many witnessed the spectacle.

The abrupt situation caused the surrounding players to mumble.

“Did you see that?”

“What just happened?”

“The blood…”

Amidst the disjointed murmurs, I turned to Yang Taeho and asked, “Timer?!”

If any unseen Kerak had reached out or skimmed anyone, there was a risk of infection.

Upon asking for confirmation, Yang Taeho swallowed hard, shaking his head.

That was reassuring. I sighed in relief and redirected my gaze. What remained where I had been moments earlier was nothing but shredded meat.

“Damn it…”

The opportunity to extract information had disappeared into thin air.

“What the hell is this damn system doing?!”

I thought I gave it a good piece of my mind on the return trip from China.

What exactly is it doing to repeat the same problem twice?

“Hoo.”

My anger festered internally, but too many eyes were on me. This wasn’t the right time to lash out at the system.

I leaned down to inspect the corpse of the dead general-rank.

‘Should I have used Karlos’s authority?!’

Regret was fleeting.

‘It’s done, move on.’

Dwelling on what’s past is a waste of my time. Next time, I won’t waste an opportunity so futilely.

As I swallowed my anger, Yang Taeho, recovering from his perplexity, mumbled in surprise.

“What in the world… did it commit suicide?”

“I don’t think so.”

As evidence, the system message did not pop up. Even without that, I wouldn’t have regarded the general-rank’s death as a suicide.

“If it had the desire to die, it would’ve done so when its limbs were severed and escape routes completely blocked.”

Even if that moment was missed, many other chances existed. I hadn’t torn out its jaw. Yet, the monster endured for hours rather than choosing death.

“No way it suddenly chooses to kill itself now.”

This indisputably looked like a murder, regardless of perspective.

“I’ll have to ask the system exactly what that abnormal connection was.”

Turning my back on the corpse, I chose to inspect the scattered Messeo, already broken into pieces.

Items split in half, or punctured with holes, all different shapes. Now, they were light enough to easily carry with one hand, something unimaginable when the Hole was intact.

“When in levels 1 or 2, I never thought these were heavy.”

I once carried Messeo on my back and hunted in a mob. But continuing such hunting tactics was impossible in 3 or 4-star corrupted areas.

“Messeo has grown heavy enough to impact my speed.”

Damn System