Volume 10 Chapter 2 Part6 (1/2)

Upon hearing that Marino had been kidnapped, s.h.i.+n rushed straight to the specified location.

He didnt even spare a thought about the monster invasion event being a coincidence or not.

Using one of the monsters prowling the streets as a foothold, s.h.i.+n jumped on the roof of a building. Any bird monsters trying to blow him away would get swept away with skills, but s.h.i.+n ran forward without even glancing at the items they dropped.

What filled his heart and morphed his expression was worry.

The piece of paper Luca had showed coordinates and Marinos condition. What worried s.h.i.+n was that Marinos life was in danger.

The paper said that Marino was affected with Bloodred Poison. If that was the truth, he had to reach the specified location as quickly as possible.

Unlike a normal Poison status, which would leave at least 1 HP, the Bloodred Poison would continue consuming the players HP until it was healed or enough time pa.s.sed. The continuous damage it caused was also much higher than regular Poison; with Marinos HP, she would not survive long.

Please let me make it in time

Even though Kalkia was a medium sized hometown, it was rather wide. There were houses for tens of thousands of players, after all. With monsters in the way, not even s.h.i.+n could traverse it quickly.

He had shortcut skills to speed up movement, but because of the restrictions imposed by the invasion event, they could not be used at the moment.

Out of the way!!

A dinosaur-like bipedal monster, Dynorex, poked its face in from the main road, but s.h.i.+n blew its head away with a punch and secured a path. While the monster decomposed in a myriad of polygons, s.h.i.+n had already s.h.i.+fted his attention elsewhere.

HYAAAHHHH!!!

That moment, several silhouettes appeared from behind the monsters, targeting s.h.i.+n.

The a.s.sailants were not one or two. It was clearly an organized group of PKers aiming to kill s.h.i.+n. All of them, flas.h.i.+ng twisted grins and readying their weapons, launched magic spells.

Tch, of all the times!

s.h.i.+n ignored the spells that would be automatically erased and rendered the PKs powerless with non-lethal skills.

There were also advanced players among them, however; many of them could not be stopped with just one blow. s.h.i.+n would have never succ.u.mbed to them as long as he was careful, but he did not have a single second to waste.

Better enjoy the party while it lasts!!

Shut the h.e.l.l upI said get out of my way!!

s.h.i.+n had no time to deal with the PKs, but now even the monsters were gathering around him.

One on one, it would have been nothing to worry about, but if attacked in swarms like that, even s.h.i.+n could not solve the situation quickly.

With both monsters and players attacking, the buildings crumbled because of the fighting. Magic arrows and bullets flew in from everywhere.

Each one of them seemed to exist just to be an obstacle on his path.

OUTTA THE WAY!!

Warmth, kindness, and hope gradually slipped away.

In their place, worry, fear, and rage gradually filled his heart.

Just as if another person began to inhabit his body, the more time pa.s.sed, the more the person called s.h.i.+n changed.

All obstacles between him and his destination were an eyesore. An irritation.

His emotional change influenced his body too.

Blow away the rubble with magic and create a pathjust as s.h.i.+n formulated this plan, a PK appeared before him.

s.h.i.+n could not react because of the now narrower field of view, but his body instinctively swung True Moon.

Gah!!

True Moons blade struck the PKs chest, as if drawn towards it. It crushed the PKs armor and pierced through to his back. A critical hit. The PKs HP dropped to the red zone.

It wasnt an instant death slash, but because of lingering damage the PK would last only a few more seconds. But despite being in mortal danger, the PK did not recover or leave and continued grappling with s.h.i.+n.

Haha, now youre a murd

Unable to finish his sentence, the PK exploded in a shower of polygons.

But there was no need for him to finish his sentence. The word he had been about to p.r.o.nounce was murderer.

screw off.

s.h.i.+n regained his balance in midair and landed on a building.

He had taken a life. A human life.

But after committing one of the so-called taboos for humanity, what s.h.i.+n found himself sayingwere not words of regret.

Why are you in my way?

I did what I could to avoid killing you, but you came to die regardless.

-what will you do if I am late because of you?

-what will you do if I get there and nothing is left?

Dead players leave nothing behind.

No

Fear-the strongest emotion that s.h.i.+n felt in this world was fear.

Many had high expectations of him. He was afraid of betraying them.

He fought with players other than himself. He was afraid that misusing his power could end up with him killing others.

Monster attacks decreased his HP gauge. He was afraid to see death creep closer and closer.

What was now filling s.h.i.+ns chest was the fear that Marino would die because she was involved with him. It terrified him more than betraying or killing someone, more than his own death.

Guess Idont need to hold back anymore, right?

Even if he held back, trying not to kill the PKs, they would use that against him. If he missed and hit a monster, he would have to defeat that monster completely too. Both monsters and PKs were trying to kill him without a care for his thoughts.

Youre coming to kill me, so I can kill you too, right? Theres no reason to leave PKs alive, is there?

These questions served the purpose of removing s.h.i.+ns self-imposed bonds and worked as an ultimatum to the PKs.

What returned to him were not words, but blades ready to kill.

.

The approaching blade was met by s.h.i.+ns True Moon.

After a very brief resistance, the PKs longsword snapped. True Moon did not stop, cutting through the opponents armor and cleaving it in two along with the body it adorned.

Khah.

The PK, his body severed in half, left a guttural laugh behind as he vanished in a burst of polygons.

s.h.i.+n looked at his arm, which had swung the blade to the end, and thought.

Yeah, this way is definitely faster.

He finally felt free from the annoyance he experienced before and hopeful about making it in time. There was no trace of guilt in him for the life he had just taken.

Humans are not shy of sacrificing others for the sake of their loved ones.

The people present there were also unworthy of any pity or pangs of conscience, even if they were sacrificed.

(Dont get in my way. If you do, you die.)

A single phrase to express everything s.h.i.+n felt.

Cutting down the PKs that, relentless, came to attack him, s.h.i.+n checked the shortest path to his destination. He released a magic skill that traveled on a straight path and rushed behind it, as to chase it.

No matter who or what blocked his path, he would slash, crush, break, and kill. For s.h.i.+n, the PKs were now equal to the monsters invading the hometown.

Im coming.

Faster, faster.

Using the wind caused by the magic skills blasts and the enemies attacks, s.h.i.+n accelerated towards the destination. His avatar could not exceed the current speed, but using other elements allowed him to go faster.

His feelings towards killing had changed, but his concern was not completely dispelled.

Maybe because he now knew about her illness, he couldnt stop picturing a suffering Marino in his mind. He kept trying to ignore such thoughts as he pushed forward.

About 20 minutes after he left the orphanage, s.h.i.+n arrived at the specified location. It had taken him around two times the normal time to reach it.

There he found three people. Robin, Vladand Marino.

Did Imake it in time?

Maybe she had recovered with items or skills, or she wouldnt have any HP left. The status ailment appeared to be still affecting her, as Marinos status clearly showed the words Bloodred Poison. She still had about 40% of her HP.

After confirming Marinos condition, s.h.i.+n stopped for a moment. He made sure that no one was hiding nearby to ambush him and activated Hiding, preparing to rescue Marino.

Just then, however, Vlad pulled out his blade and pointed it at Marinos neck.

I know youre there!! Come out!!

Robin, who was next to him, shouted. They had sensed his approach, apparently.

I-If you dont come out, I dont know what will happen to her!!

As to stress Robins words, the tip of Vlads sword pressed harder on Marinos skin. Marinos HP, which were already lower than half, decreased a little more.

..

s.h.i.+n felt something black and thick, like tar, swell in his chest.

It was different from the feeling of cutting down the PKs and monsters standing in his way. It was something clearer, a vivid desire for murder.

Im right here!!

After activating several magic skills, s.h.i.+n appeared before Vlad.

Yesnow Im finally free of him!! Now I just need to go back to the real world and everything will be alright!! Hahaha!! Hahahahaha!!!

In utter contrast with the expressionless s.h.i.+n, Robin was rejoicing. s.h.i.+n did not know what was the reason behind this outburst of happiness, but it was hardly the time to think about that.

Marino, immobilized by paralysis, implored s.h.i.+n to forget about her through her expression. But he would never grant such a request.

I came, just like you wanted. Now let Marino go.

Shut up!! Now you just need to clear the game and everything will end!! Go back to clearing dungeons!! Noooowww!!!

Robins clearly abnormal reactions started to concern s.h.i.+n. Responding emotionally would be meaningless in cases like this.

s.h.i.+n turned his eyes towards the smiling Vlad.

As he did, Vlad put a hand on Robins shoulder.

Sir Robin, please calm down, or

Ahyes, I got it

Vlad appeared to be superior in the relation between the two; Robin quieted down like a put out fire.

Whats your goal?

My goal, you say. Let me see. I suppose it would be this very situation.

What?

s.h.i.+n was confused, but Vlad retained his smile.

You are strong. Among the players present in this world, you are worthy of the t.i.tle of strongest. Despite standing on such a peak, you would have me allow such trash to a.s.sociate with you?

s.h.i.+ns eyes narrowed.

He was basically saying that Marino was useless for someone like s.h.i.+n.

Vlads gloating expression clearly showed that he fully understood how these words disgusted s.h.i.+n. s.h.i.+n could understand such a way of thinking.

I couldnt care less about your selfish nonsense! Give me back Marino!

s.h.i.+n ran forward even before finis.h.i.+ng his sentence. He ignored the obviously inferior Robin and targeted Vlad, whom he believed to be the main culprit.

At the same time, the ground around the spot where Marino was lying swelled upwards, forming a barrier as to protect her and projecting spikes made of soil in four directions at the same time.

The branch-like protruding spikes knocked Vlads -who had quickly dodged- sword away and pierced Robin -who failed to react in time- in the right shoulder and left thigh.

s.h.i.+n had activated the Earth-type magic skill Earth Branch, which was usually created around the user, around Marino instead.

s.h.i.+n had not gone closer right away after being called out because the skill required a certain time before activating when used at long distances.

After temporarily separating the two from Marino, s.h.i.+n went on to attack Vlad. He could not rest easy after just knocking his sword away.

There should not be any other players in hiding, but s.h.i.+n focused on the grip on True Moon, thinking of getting rid of such a troublesome opponent as soon as possible.

Oh my, youre skipping the hostage and coming straight at me?

In response to s.h.i.+ns charge from the front, Vlad took out another sword. That same moment, a shadow appeared above s.h.i.+n.

The creature that had pulled in its wings and suddenly started descending was an Elder Green Dragon. At level 701, it was a monster only advanced players could dare to face.

Vlads main job was Dragon Knight. It was unusual for him to be fighting without a dragon, but it appeared that he had kept him on standby at a certain distance.

s.h.i.+n glanced at the flying dragon and concluded it wouldnt be a threat. Based on the speed of its fall, s.h.i.+n would lock blades with his opponent faster.

s.h.i.+ns True Moon swung towards Vlad. But an instant before their blades clashed, a yellow effect enveloped Vlad.

The effect that struck True Moon emitted a loud, hard sound and shattered. Thanks to that Vlad could block s.h.i.+ns weakened blow without losing his balance, albeit while carving a track on the ground with his feet.

YOU!!

s.h.i.+ns voice brimmed with anger. He noticed that the shattered effect came from the item that originally protected Marino. The item that s.h.i.+n had given to Marino for self-defense now sparkled on Vlads neck.

As expected of a High Human. I would have been in real trouble if I had used my normal weapon.

Vlad then jumped away from the clash. s.h.i.+n tried to reduce the distance again, but the flying Elder Green Dragon unleashed its wind breath to oppose him.

As monster breath was an attack that possessed both physical and magical properties, even with high magic resistance s.h.i.+n could not fully negate it. The damage itself was minimal, but the breath blocked his sight and made it difficult to attack.

In addition, there was something else clearly bizarre about Vlad.

(This is weird. Why does he have two of them?)

s.h.i.+n was looking at the weapon Vlad was wielding.

In THE NEW GATE, some items had limitations in the number that players could equip at the same time. The sword that Vlad equipped on each hand, Excalibur, was one of them; a player could only equip 1 at any given time.

Never mind that now.

It was not the time to think about that. What was needed now was to cut down Vlad as soon as possible.

Ancient-grade weapons had far higher durability than others, so destroying them would prove difficult. s.h.i.+n activated another magic skill.

The thunder lance and light bullets, launched with no chanting and thus little to none preparatory movements, left afterimages in the air.

It was a blow that Vlad could not avoid as long as he hadnt focused heavily on AGI. It weakened as it closed in on Vlad, however, and ultimately took off just 10% of his HP.

You raised your resistance with items, huh?

Correct. Thunder and light cannot be dodged easily, so I prepared adequate countermeasures.

He had not been affected by the thunder skills paralysis either. He had prepared countermeasures against status ailments too, evidently.

Haha! To cross swords with the strongest is not bad at all either!

After nullifying s.h.i.+ns magic, Vlad leapt in the air and rode on the Green Elder Dragons back. As dragon rider, he could unleash the full potential of his job, dragon knight.

Vlad and the Green Elder Dragons stats rose, as the emerald-colored blade of light Effect Blade appeared around Excaliburs blade. It was an effect that extended weapon reach if the player used weapons other than long ones while riding.

Here I go!

He had probably used a skill. Everytime Vlad swung his blade, emerald green slashes flew towards s.h.i.+n. s.h.i.+n planned to blow them away with True Moon and shoot down the flying opponent with magic.

Thunder and light could not cause decisive damage, so s.h.i.+n shot fire-elemental magic towards the sky. He let his MP do the talking and shot bullets of fire in all directions.

He combined fast and slow bullets in order to fill Vlads surroundings with a barrage of fire.

Thats quite haphazard.

Looking at the b.a.l.l.s of fire gathering all around him, Vlad chuckled dryly.