Chapter 28 - Necromancer 2 (1/2)
A man struggling to stay afloat in the swamp waters cried for help, but not one even so much as took a second glance at him.
The battle against the Lizardmen was now in full swing, and everyone was busy taking care of themselves.
They were completely outnumbered. A situation where even if you managed to kill one, two would take its place and there was no end in sight.
‘Shit’
Lee Shinwoo ground his teeth while watching the guy sinking into the swamp, until he couldn’t even see his hair anymore.
Despite the fact that they couldn’t move around properly due to the ongoing Mirage, the Lizardmen just kept on coming.
Chang! Chang!
The sharp sounds of metal clanging rang out across the battlefield.
There was simply no time to catch your breath.
Lee Shinwoo threw the Trident in his hand.
Puuk!
It nailed a Lizardman Archer in the head, causing it to collapse.
Resorting to long range attacks using whatever weapons he could find around him.
For now it was just the safer way to fight.
‘I shouldn’t take any unnecessary risks.’
In order to survive until the very end, he had to resort to some tricks.
This was also a kind of strategy game, and the survival rate varied greatly depending on what role you played.
‘I’m not some cannon fodder like those guys out there.’
He was someone who had gained recognition from their leader, Na Sangyoon.
When it came to strategizing, there where none better than him. An ability that pro gamers had developed back on Earth. His value was completely different from those adventurers that had been allowed to join simply to fill the numbers.
Even if he wasn’t too active in the battle, no one would blame him.He was someone that had to be protected.
Without his brilliant strategies, they wouldn’t even have won their last battle.
This current map was very similar to a game he had played long ago, ‘Aeon Of Strife’.
He had played a key role in his team winning multiple trophies in global competitions. If he were to help Na Sangyoon to the best of his abilities, they were sure to emerge victorious.
The problem was only the right timing.
If he were to divulge his tactics all at once, then his value would drop drastically.
‘It’s important to take my time.’
Pro gamer Lee Shinwoo, everything was a game for him. Survival games, strategy games, psychological games…. The rules may be different, but at the core they are the same. There would always be winners and losers.
‘I’m going to trample over all the competition!’
In order to win, there was nothing he wasn’t willing to do!
Making that promise to himself, Lee Shinwoo picked up another trident. As he searched for a suitable target, the sound of loud footsteps approaching rang out.
The Elder Lizardman
It appeared along with his escort of Elite Lizardmen, violently plowing through the exhausted adventurers that had already been on their last legs.
“Aggh!”
“Help!”
The number of casualties continued to increase, until Na Sangyoon couldn’t hold it in any longer and ordered the retreat.
“Get back into formation! Fall back!”
They had already been at their limit, so there was no way they could face this new enemy.
Na Sangyoon led the party back along the path where they had come from.
It had been Lee Shinwoo’s idea.
Marching in single file, while the last in line dragged a branch across the ground, marking the way. That way they could make a hasty retreat if necessary.
After some time, they had managed to lose the Elder Lizardman and its minions. Na Sangyoon called for them to halt and take a break.
“Huu! Huu… I thought I was going to die there.”
After the last battle, it almost looked like they would be wiped out before even encountering anyone from the opposing Red faction.
A high level of difficulty.
Worried about their situation, Na Sangyoon turned to look at Lee Shinwoo.
“Do you have any good ideas?”
“...”
Lee Shinwoo took his time to carefully craft a response. What Na Sangyoon was looking for was a strategy that allowed them to keep advancing, but that minimized their casualties.
‘Is it necessary to follow the path?’
The three paths were separated by two mountain ranges. Although the terrain was rough, by moving along there they might be able to make better time.
“I think it would be best to bypass this area entirely.”
“Do you mean climbing the mountains?”
“Yes, if there aren’t any monsters then it’s the safer option.”
It was definitely worth a try. Nodding in response, Na Sangyoon placed his hand on Lee Shinwoo’s shoulder.
“Take some people with you and go scout the terrain ahead before coming back.”
“Sure”
Na Sangyoon’s orders were absolute. He was definitely a good leader who served in the Special Forces, so he had solid fighting skills to back it up.
Lee Shinwoo bowed slightly as he headed towards the mountain range along with ten scouts.
They didn’t advance very quickly, since they were still in swampland and could only prod ahead with a wooden stick like blind men.
“Let’s advance carefully. You have to knock on a bridge before crossing it, even if it is made of stone.”
The scouting party stared at Lee Shinwoo after his comment, seeing him walk casually with his hands folded behind his back.
He is someone who only knows how to nag without actually doing anything.
However, because he had Na Sangyoon’s trust, they could openly go against him.
As he noticed the frustration in their eyes, he began humming to himself.
‘This is true power.’
He could basically be considered as the second in command of their group. Although he couldn’t fight as well as Na Sangyoon, he used his mind instead.
He was an invaluable asset to Na Sangyoon who was trying to increase his influence.
It was also the case that other members had come to recognize his worth. Even if Na Sangyoon were to die, he was confident that the party wouldn’t turn their backs on him.
‘Only those that prepare for any eventuality will be able to survive in this world.’
He was known as ‘Zhuge Liang’ Shinwoo among pro gamers, due to his creative fierce strategies.
It was an innate talent of his that he had often used to overcome opponents in countless competitions.
For him, this was simply his new battlefield.
No matter what challenge was thrown his way, he would overcome it with strategy.
As Lee Shinwoo went clenched his fists, reminiscing about his glorious past, suddenly…
Puuk!
A Vampiric dagger lodged itself into his neck.
“Kuhuk…”
Lee Shinwoo fell to the ground, letting out soft groans as he coughed out a mouthful of blood.
Immediately, a System announcement rang out in everyone’s mind.
[Chun Woohyuk from the Red faction has achieved First Blood!]
The startled group of scouts pulled out their weapons as they looked around.
“An ambush!?”
“Impossible…”
It was simply too unlikely that the Red faction had been able to make it to their side of the map so quickly.
However the scouting party could only see the truth that was staring them in the face.
“Did anyone see anything?”
“No, nothing…”
They were certain that the assailant must be hiding nearby, after all with a name like Chun Woohyuk, it couldn't simply be some Ghost minion.
“Shit, request for backup…”
An archer with a bow tried to send a message to Na Sangyoon by touching his Ring.
Puuk!
Grandia ran the man through his stomach, as the sword stuck out from the other side.
“Wh...When did he…”
They hadn’t sensed him at all.
After realizing how strong he was, they all rushed him as one.
“Die you assassin scum!”
“How dare you kill our comrade!”
It was a situation where it was many against one, so they were able to shake off their fear due to these odds.